Letter from President Obama

Ranae with letter from Pres. Obama

It is hard to believe that my last post was in December.  I really wanted to post something every other week, especially when we have so many exciting things happening, but maybe that is the reason that I haven't been posting.  Having said that I am looking forward to catching everyone up on some wonderful events that have been happening in A-3. 


Back in the Fall, students were able to participate in an enrichment called, "Flattened Me."  In this enrichment students created a little "me" of themselves and mailed them to different celebrities along with letters.  Students asked for many things in these letters including taking pictures of their little me, autographs, or even for their little me to appear on TV or in their latest movie.  One little me actually did appear on WETM weather with Samantha LaRocca. 

Ranae holding an autographed photo of the Obama family

Pictures of Sunny and Bo

  Then at the end of January we received another response from the letter that Ranae wrote.  This one was from President Obama and contained much more than a letter.  In addition to the letter, he sent several autographed pictures, some information about the White House, interesting information about The First Pets, Sunny and Bo, as well as some games.  We are so glad that Ranae's little me was able to visit the White House.  In the letter Obama talked about Ranae's little me's visit, "Your friend was engaging, interested and showed up to the White House each morning with a pencil in hand, ready to learn.  It was a pleasure to have her here. As I send her back to you, I urge you to bring that same thirst for knowledge to your classroom and passion for serving others to you community."  It was very exciting for everyone in A-3 to receive the letter and pictures.  Thank you President Obama for taking the time to write to Ranae and all of us at A-3. 

Gingerbread House Contest

On December 19th, A-3 hosted a Build a Gingerbread house contest.  The students were given a limited amount of graham crackers (gingerbread) and icing and then were instructed to build a house with two windows and a door that could support its own weight.  In addition to these instructions students were under a time limit.  The construction phase lasted for only 20 minutes.  It was truly amazing to watch all the students working to the last minute and correcting engineering flaws with seconds to spare. 

Then they had the opportunity to decorate the house.  Again students had a limited amount of time and materials to accomplish their task.  Students were then judged by how many details they added and how creative they were in the building and decorating of their house.  Some of the houses had garages, floors, sidewalks/paths, and/or chimneys.  All of the houses showed so much creativity.  It was very exciting to watch all the young engineers working to do the best job they could do.  All of the students that participated were able to work as a team despite differences of opinions and have a lot of fun while building and decorating.  Most of the students would agree that the best part was eating the houses at the end.  

Pictured:  Top Left - Airrin and Emily show off their house.  Top Right - Skylar, Sarah, and Cammien are all smiles after licking off the excess frosting.  Middle Right - Colin and Matthew show off their construction skills. Bottom left - The First Place Team (Cheyenne, Kali, and Danielle) shows off their house complete with a chimney, sidewalk and path, and a family inside the house.  Congratulations to them and ALL the participants for working hard, having fun, working as a team and for showing off your creativity.

Flat Abagail appears on WETM Weather with Sam LaRocca

During our first session of enrichments students were able to participate in an enrichment called "Flattened Me."  In this enrichment, students were able to work on their reading and writing skills and be creative at the sametime.  Students started the session by reading a story about a boy name Stanley who somehow became flattened.  He was then able to travel to many different locations by mailing himself.  Going off of this idea all the students then made a flattened version of themselves and choose someone to mail it to with the hopes of having that person take a picture with the flattened me and send it back to them.  The students then mailed their letters and "Flattened Mes" to several different celebrities.  Letters were mailed to Ellen DeGeneres, Liam Neeson, President Obama, and the WETM Storm Team.  Samantha LaRocca from WETM Storm Team answered by putting "Flattened Abagail" on the morning weather.  We were so excited for Abagail and her flattened me.  Thank you Samantha LaRocca for featuring her on the weather.  








DEC tells Students the Bare Essentials about Bears

Students listen as Jeb talks about
how big bears get!

On March 30th, Jeb McConnell from the Department of Conservation came and talked to students about Bears.  Students in the Bear Essentials Enrichment have been learning about Bears.  The American Black Bear can be found in the woods just outside the school, but students learned about polar bears, grizzlies, and many more.  Jeb showed students a bear skull as well as a bear pelt.  He talked about their habitats, behaviors and what they ate.  He also talked about his job in the DEC.  Thank you Jeb for coming in and talking with our students.



Cool Bear Pelt and Skull!

Food For Thought with Alfred State Culinary

Students are arranging the ingredients in their salads!

On March 30th, Alfred State Culinary Students came for a visit to A-3.  Everyone put on chef hats and gloves and were taught how to make the most wonderful of salads and decorate the cutest cupcakes.  Students had to take all the ingredients for their salad and place in their containers so that it looked pretty.  The Culinary students said that presentation is just as important as the quality of the food.

Next A-3 students were able to decorate two cupcakes.  The first cupcake could be decorated as an ice cream sundae, complete with white icing for ice cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup and of course, what sundae wouldn't be complete without a cherry on top! 

Joe shows off his completed sundae cupcake!

Danielle adds the final touches!

Next the students were asked to make a cupcake with a teddy bear on the ocean.  This wonderful creation had everything from a "sandy" (brown sugar) beach and of course a cute teddy bear  (Teddy Grahams) floating on a ring (candy rings) in the blue icing ocean. 

Eli with his "Tidal Wave Cupcake"

Summer adds the chocolate syrup to her "Sundae"

Not only was this a great opportunity for the students to have some fun and play with their food but it was a great way to plant the seeds for a wonderful career in Culinary Arts!

Thank you so much to the students and professors of Alfred State for providing this wonderful opportunity for the A-3 Students. 



A Visit from Tanner's Paws

Bella picks out a toy!

Cobin and Airrin smile as Bella explores!

On Thursday January 28th, we had the great pleasure to be visited by Christie from  Tanner’s Paws.  The students were able to learn about the  organization that she started.  Christie brought a beautiful dog named Bella with her and talked a little bit about how Tanner’s Paws helped her by paying for some very expensive surgeries.  Bella is an older dog who is deaf and is currently in permanent foster placement.  Bella enjoyed her visit to A-3 by playing with some of the dog toys that were donated.  The students learned that Tanner's Paws will help animals by paying for health screenings, surgeries, food and other basic supplies.  Tanner's Paws places dogs into foster care until they can be adopted and they pay for all of the needs of the dog while it is in foster care and are a no kill shelter.  

A-3 Youth Council, Christie,
Bella, and Christie's sons
Caden and Landen

The A-3 Youth Council did a donation drive during the month of December and January.  As a result, we received many wonderful donations, including dog toys, collars, leases, blankets, dog food and treats.  Christie presented A-3’s Youth Council with a beautiful certificate of Appreciation!  Thank you to all who donated!

 

Exploring Science at Alfred University

On Friday November 13^th, some A-3 students traveled to Alfred University to explore science and get a feel for what the college experience is like. 



Hailie shows off her
 packing peanut creation!

Our first stop was to learn about some of the properties of metals.  The students were able to pick up equal amounts of metal to feel the weight difference and then compare the sample to water.  We learned that the more copper is twisted the harder it becomes to twist and we learned that some metals are very soft.  Students were able to make bracelets and necklaces by hammering shapes into the metal. 



Kali, Mr. Pilgrim, and Jazmin
enjoy their meal in the dining hall

Our next stop was at the dining hall, where students were able to experience what it is like to eat at a college buffet.  Every year we go, this is always the highlight for the students and this year was no exception.  The students enjoy the variety of foods offered and the more adventurous like trying new things.  The dessert buffet was a huge favorite but even taking care of your dishes at Alfred is fun because of the conveyor belt. 



Eli shows off his slime!

Next we went to learn about acoustics.  We learned that sound travels in a wave, how the sound actually reaches your ear, and the difference between a light wave and a sound wave.  Then we were able to play with a Theremin, which is the only instrument in the world that you don’t touch to play.  Please see below for a video on how a Theremin is played and what it sounds like.  The students were able to see sound waves at different frequencies by placing sand on a vibrating plate. 

A trip to Alfred wouldn’t be complete without making something gooey and messy.  The students were then able to make slime to take home.    



Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim for this wonderful opportunity for our students.  It is always a pleasure to come to Alfred University and the kids always have such a wonderful time.