Monday, May 13, 2019—How do you celebrate the completion of state testing? Why visiting SkyZone … of course! Work hard, play hard was the name of this game for our third grade Atoms. With state testing finished, it was time to celebrate with a day filled with wall-to-wall aerial action. Complete with activities ranging from obstacle courses to swings and even basketball it was certainly a day with epic fun, laughter and play.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019—Serving our community is one way we build success, one Atom at a time. Our second grade class had the opportunity to help serve their community by volunteering with the McHarrie Life Senior Community. Atoms assisted in a few rousing games of BINGO, partook in scavenger hunts in the gardens and enjoyed quality time with the residents. Thank you McHarrie Life Senior Community for a memorable day.

Friday, April 26, 2019—With rain in the forecast our Atoms zipped up their jackets and squeezed into their boots for a field trip to Pratt's Falls. Sloshing around the Onondaga County Park students practiced using their senses to explore the world around them. The trip coincided with a lesson from the Positivity Project for the character-trait of "Appreciation of Beauty" and it was a perfect opportunity for students to reflect on the wonders of nature.

Friday, March 26, 2019 & Tuesday, April 9, 2019—Atoms dove into the world of Marine Biology while visiting the Ithaca Science Center. Touching the scaly arms of starfish and the smooth back of the ancient horseshoe crab fostered a deeper understanding of the marine world. Zooming through the other exhibits, our Atoms tested their luck as engineers. Students created and designed paper airplanes to see how far they could make them fly. It was a busy day for our burgeoning scientists, and they cannot wait to return.

Thursday, May 11, 2019—At WonderWorks, an educational and entertainment attraction that challenges the mind and sparks the imagination, Citizenship students entered an Imagination Lab to explore different lights, colors, sounds, and textures. They created bubbles, built ecosystems in a sand table, observed how gears work, and made connections between science and sports in basketball. In a 4-D theater, students and teachers also explored virtual reality.

Thursday, April 25, 2019—Citizenship third-graders traveled to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue to learn about animal safety and how a rescue shelter works. They were very curious and open-minded when asking questions about dog breeds and the adoption process. Our atoms toured the building and learned how to approach and pet a dog safely. They were even able to meet a few new furry friends up close! Thank you, Helping Hounds, for opening your center to help build success one atom at a time!

Monday, March 25, 2019—Have you ever wondered how ice is made in an ice skating rink? During a recent visit to Meachem Ice Rink, third graders learned how ice is formed and maintained in a rink, including how it is kept smooth enough for people to skate on. Testing the ice, they put on skates. Some of the staff working at the rink also stepped onto the ice to demonstrate how to start moving slowly in rhythm on the ice. Students had the option to use skate trainers to help them learn the basics of skating. Everyone had a lot of laughs, a lot of ups and downs, and a whole lot of fun.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019—On a recent visit to Glazed & Confused donut shop, kindergartners were treated to a freshly made doughnut with sprinkles--and a success story. Owners of the award-winning shop shared their personal experience of how perseverance and hard work made their donut shop successful. After savoring sweet treats, students enjoyed a scenic walk around the city, fully appreciating the sights, sounds, and beautiful weather.

Thursday, April 25, 2019—Noelle White, Miss Rodeo New York, came to our classroom to tell us all about the rodeo and the Western way of life. She explained the different events of a rodeo and the history behind the rodeo. In keeping with her title, Miss Rodeo serves as a role model of integrity, goodwill, and leadership, while promoting professional rodeo and the importance of New York State agriculture, including how it impacts our lives. She ended her memorable visit with an inspiring story about a cowgirl who overcame struggles to achieve her goals.

On Friday, March 29, 2019, students in Ms. Montague's class celebrated the arrival of spring by working with their hands. JM Landscaping donated potting soil, compost, sand, and miracle grow for students to compare the effects of different soil types on grass growth. The Atoms are learning about the life cycle of seed in their current lessons and will be monitoring the planters throughout spring. Thank you, JM Landscaping, for the supplies!