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.



You’re Invited! 

 

Did you know that lip prints are
just as unique as fingerprints!

What: 

Parent Showcase!

 

When: 

Friday November 20th, 3pm  - 5:15pm!

 

Basketball is practicing some skills!

Recycled Art is making beautiful flowers
with cardboard!

A Parent showcase is a chance for students to show their parents what they have done or learned during the past 7 weeks.  Parents, grandparents, and other family members will be able to participate in many different activities, such as looking at fingerprints and lip prints in Forensics, learn some Yoga poses in Yoga, make yummy trail mix, and participate in a parent/child activity sponsored by Pro-Action of Yates and Steuben Counties.   In addition, basketball will have a short PowerPoint and recycled art will have their crafts on display. 

 

 

 

 

Keeping Busy, Having Fun, and Learning At A-3

Students have been really busy at A-3, these past couple of weeks.  Here is a snapshot of some of the things that they have done and accomplished. 

On one of Steuben Council on addictions visits students were able to make some goals and then they learned the importance of planning to be able to reach those goals.  They made these wonderful “Planning is Key Hands down” posters using an outline of their hands. 

In Stop-Motion Animation, students are using props to make short movies.  They learn about technology and what it can do.  Students are very exciting to share their movies with others.  I was able to see a movie about bugs and one about two people dancing.   The students are so clever and creative.  I can’t wait to see the finished projects later this month.  This enrichment is in partnership with the Science and Discovery Center.

Students in Kitchen Science, run by Cornell Coop. Ext., have been able to learn about the properties of lemon juice, what happens to fruit when it sits out, what is the taste difference between all those different types of apples, and how to make butter.  Whew, that is a lot of learning (not to mention delicious) and there is more to come.

Students also get to have a time when they can get their homework done or get help from an adult.  This is an important part of the program, but the students would probably say, not as much fun.

 

 

Mrs. Friends helps students to calm their racing minds and relax their tired bodies with some Yoga.

I would like to give the Youth Council a big thank you for helping to organize the Halloween Party.  They planned several activities for the students, like face painting and a haunted house.  I would like to say thank you to all the parents that came to watch and especially to all the parents that helped with all the preparations and running the games.   THANK YOU!

Getting Settled in A-3

We have only been in program for a couple of weeks and things are already very exciting.  We have started on our virtual walk of the Appalachian Trail and look forward to learning about the trail throughout the rest of the year. 

Enrichments have started and students have already learned how to read fingerprints, make paper and how to churn butter.

We were able to harvest our parsley (planted last year) and we will be making spaghetti sauce with our very own parsley.

The Halloween Party is on October 30th!  We are going to be dunking for apples, eating doughnuts off of strings and lots of other fun Halloween games.

Youth Job Club starts in November.  The students will learn skills like writing a resume, how to answer questions at a job interview and look at some of the jobs available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Also, in November, we have our Career Day and our first field trip to Alfred University.  More information on these two events coming soon!

As you can see we have so much going on, please join us for any or all of our special activities and events!

Alfred University Engineering Challenge - April 2015

Finishing building the 4th little piggy's house!

On Saturday April 18^th, Jaymi Morseman, Tyler Morseman, Joe Swarthout, Hallie Grant, Niko Westervelt, Krystal Kio, Amira Wales, Cheyenne Jeffers and Kaidyn Chase, got to participate in an Engineering Challenge at Alfred University.  They competed against teams from 4 other schools and won a trophy for “Engineering Performance.”  Students were separated into groups of three but all scores were used for the total score.  Students learned many valuable lessons about teamwork and how the work of each individual is important to achieving the team’s goals.

Waiting for the "Big Bad Wolf"

Students were given two Engineering challenges.  The first one was to build a house for the “4^th little piggy” that would withstand three things; the big bad wolf, an earthquake, and a hurricane or as they liked to call it, “The Bigger and Badder Wolf”.  The students were faced with many design challenges including a limited amount of materials and time, houses had to be a certain size, have two open windows and an open door and be able to support 200 grams of “snow” on the roof.  Points were also awarded for how the house looked. 



Working together as a team!

The second engineering challenge was to build a rubber band car that would travel the furthest distance.  Again they were supplied a limited amount of materials and were under very tight time constraints.  One of our teams built a car that traveled an incredible 24 feet. 

Ready, Set, Go!

Students learned valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance. 

        

Waiting to see how far their car will go.
It went an amazing 24 feet!

 

                       

Congratualations on working as a team and on winning a trophy for Engineering Performance!

 

VEX Robotics Competition

On January 13, 2015, several A-3 students competed in their first ever VEX Robotics competition, which took place at the Wings of Eagles Museum in Elmira.  For this completion, students had to build two robots.  They had to maneuver one robot through an obstacle course with a controller and the other one had to be programed to perform a series of tasks.  This all day competition helped the students learn about technology and team work. 

Christmas Cards for Addie

The Students in A-3 spent two days making cards for a little girl named Addie.  Addie is a 6 year old girl who was diagnosed with cerebral atrophy.  She wanted to receive a "lifetime" of Christmas cards to help celebrate her last Christmas.

 

"Happy Holidays" and "You Rock, Addie" were
some of the wishes A-3 students sent Addie!

 

Just a little glitter glue and red paper to make Addie's season bright!

Our students were really excited to make cards for Addie knowing that it would help make it a memorable Christmas for Addie and her family!


 

 

A Beautiful Day at Foster Lake

It was a beautiful day at Foster Lake! 

Students got to perform scientific experiments on the water in the lake.  They tested the water for temperature, salinity, and ph.  Then they learned how each of these affects the fish in the lake.

Here the instructor is holding a globe to illustrate how GPS works!

Both students and parents were able to learn a little about Global Positioning Systems. 

Below students are trying to find an object or building with nothing but the GPS coordinates.










Students also were able to just hang out and have fun with their friends and then we were able to have a delicious meal in the Alfred University dining hall.  Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim for a great field trip!

The Catch of the Week

The Catch of the Week

Beautiful Flowers!

Whether the students in A-3 were out fishing or out taking pictures, they learned a lot and had even more laughs!  These are some of the photos taken by the students.  Students were asked to take pictures of nature, themselves, reflections and much more.  They were so creative and the pictures were wonderful.


Flowers were their favorite subject to photograph!

Selfies are cool!

A Feet Selfie!

Who is that in the window?

 Here are some pictures from fishing!  The students learned how to bait their own hook, how to cast, what kinds of fish they caught and how to safely remove a fish from the hook.



Look at his smile!  Priceless!

Sometimes four hands are better than two,
for getting those fish off the hook!