TERRE HAUTE — • Davis Park

Geology Rocks. Third grade students at Davis Park have donned their hard hats and are exploring the world of Rocks and Minerals as part of their Earth Science Unit.

Earlier this year, third and fourth grade teachers attended a two day Minerals Education Workshop for Educators sponsored by the Division of Reclamation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources. At this workshop teachers participated in several hands on activities designed to be used in the classroom. These activities included identifying rocks and minerals, making toothpaste, birdseed mining, chocolate chip mining (a favorite.), and exploring and mapping coal seams using Play-Doh. On the second day of the workshop teachers were  given a tour of a surface mine which allowed them to see reclamation and mining methods presented earlier actually being used. Students are currently using and enjoying the rock and mineral identification kits teachers were given, along with other tools, posters, and videos, as they continue their explorations.

— Third Grade Teachers Teresa Chagares, Ashley Hemmings and Heidi Kinkade

• Dixie Bee

The last month of school quickly crept up on the students and teachers at Dixie Bee Elementary. In the month of May students are finishing up I-STEP, I-READ, and various end of the year assessments and projects, but May also has one of the most anticipated days for students: Field Day.

This year, Dixie Bee had Field Day on Friday, May 11. The intermediate grades (3rd through 5th) had the morning events. There were 13 stations for each class to rotate through. The games were mostly partner or team based and required students to work together to successfully complete a task. One of the most entertaining events to watch was called “Green Eggs and Ham.” Students were divided into 4 equal teams. They then were put into pairs. The first set of partners had to run to a hula hoop to pick up the green eggs and ham. Each partner had to place an egg (a small green ball) between their knees and then place the ham (a poly spot) between the partner’s shoulders so that they were not touching it with their hands. They had to run back to the starting line and pass the ham and eggs to the next pair in line. The next group then returned the eggs and ham to the hoop the same way and then ran back to the next pair. This continued until everyone had a turn.

The primary classes had the afternoon shift. They also had 13 stations to complete. The most popular station was probably the “Hop on Pop.” Each class was divided into 4 teams. The first person in each group was given a Hoppy Ball. Students (and some teachers) had to hop on the Pop down and around a cone and back to the start. They then passed the Pop to the next person. This continued until everyone had a turn.

Thankfully, Dixie Bee’s Field Day was on a beautiful sunny day. Thanks to our P.E. teachers, Robin Harden and Brian Lonneman, and several parent volunteers it was a huge success. Students are already looking forward to next year’s Field Day.

Mrs. Stephanie Woodring

Library Media Specialist

• Farrington Grove

The last few weeks have been very eventful for Farrington Grove as the school year is wrapping up. The fifth grade students were able to raise the funds to go to Springfield, Illinois on Turner Motor Coaches. This was a fun and relaxing way to travel to learn about one of our most famous presidents,  Abraham Lincoln. The fifth graders traveled to New Salem Village, where Lincoln had once lived. Next, they traveled to his tombstone and got to rub the nose of the Lincoln statue to see if it changed their luck. Last, they ended up at the Lincoln Presidential Museum where they got to see two great special effect movies about Abraham Lincoln, play and dress up like the people in his time in Mrs. Lincoln’s Attic, and walk through exhibits containing artifacts of his life. This was an awesome learning experience for all, and we would like to thank the parents that made this journey with us.

Tiger Pride Night was Thursday, April 26th where all classes were opened up to showcase student writing and work throughout the school. The fifth grade also held their Living History Museum that night where students “came” to life. Each student researched a person in American history. With this research, the child dressed in costume and prepared a speech to bring their American hero to life as visitors dropped change in buckets. The funds raised helped go towards field trips. The night was a huge success and our fifth graders really did shine that evening. We were very proud of their hard work and effort.

The Tiger Fest was then held May 4th. A good time was had by all with food and games. The PTO did a great job in preparing and organizing this fun event for our families and community.

Our newest event added to our busy May was our first talent show here at Farrington Grove in many years. Mrs. McCombs and a committee of teachers held try-outs for any students who wanted to display some Tiger Talent. Over 60 children/groups decided to give it a try and show off their talent. The talent show was a huge success and hopefully will be the first of many for Farrington Grove in the future.

Now, it’s down to the wire and fifth graders and kindergartners are preparing for their graduation ceremonies. The kindergarteners are moving on into first grade as our fifth graders are getting ready to move on to middle school. With memory quilts, class speeches, and fifth grade scrapbooks, we find ourselves counting down the days until that graduation ceremony. Congratulations to all of our graduates at Farrington Grove. May you have a wonderful summer and continue to learn and grow with your seeds planted from Farrington Grove.

—  Submitted by Fifth Grade Teachers Linda Biggs, Angela Foster and Donna Rockwood

• Franklin

Union Hospital, Franklin Elementary’s Partner in Education helped to make our annual trip to Dobb’s Park even more special by providing every student with a t-shirt, water bottle and jump ropes to help promote fitness. Union Hospital also evaluated each student for their Healthy Report Card. Students were able to visit the two museums and walk the trails at Dobb’s Park.

Franklin’s Family Picnic Day was a huge success. Thanks go out to all who helped to make this day so special. It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors come to our school and have lunch with their special person. Seeing our playground filled with students playing with the adults who came to have lunch with them was a fantastic sight.

— School staff

• Riley

Riley Fourth Graders are back in business. The fourth grade students have been learning about economics and it is paying off. The students learned about goods, services, products, supply, demand, profit, making and saving money, and making good economic choices. The students became entrepreneurs and created items to sell at school. They completed jobs at home to earn money. The money earned was used to buy supplies to make their products. Students then calculated their estimated profit. We had a variety of products such as bracelets, cookies, beverages, sports cards, bookmarks, and much more. Each student’s profit was combined and was given as a donation to the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. It is our hope that the Riley Fourth Graders learned as much about giving as they did about Economics.

— School staff

• Terre Town

Can you believe it?! The 2011-12 school year has almost come to an end! This has indeed been an enriching and fulfilling year at Terre Town Elementary School. The fine students of Terre Town have definitely achieved many educational goals this year and will continue to accomplish much, much more as they continue to grow both physically and academically.

As this school year draws to an end the Tigers have several exciting events planned. They will be having special field days devoted to each specific grade level. There will be a fabulous “Celebration of Successes” to highlight the numerous achievements of the amazing students at Terre Town. In addition to the “Celebration of Successes” there will also be a very important event to recognize the graduating 5th Graders. This special program will, of course be bittersweet because the faculty and staff will be so very proud of their 5th graders but also so heartbroken to let them go.

Once again the Terre Town faculty, staff, and students want to take this opportunity to say again how very proud they are of both Mrs. Linda Kaperak for winning the WTHI Golden Apple, and Mrs. Cinda Taylor for being the 2012 Excellence in Education recipient for Terre Town School. The Tiger community continues to rise to the highest levels of excellence! Go Tigers!   

— School staff

• Martinsville

Martinsville Elementary was chosen by the Illinois PBIS Network as a great location to invite local Illinois legislators to visit and experience first-hand the positive impact of PBIS. The PBIS Network invited Illinois state and federal legislators encouraging them to visit Martinsville. The principals of each school nominated have given approval to have their schools included on this list and are eager to show visitors the positive impact of PBIS. Martinsville Elementary was the only school in Clark County who was nominated for such an honor. The nominated schools, along with the Illinois PBIS Network, welcome you to visit and personally experience the successful impact of PBIS.

The following criterion was utilized by the Illinois PBIS Network for determining the schools to be included in the list.

Schools must:

• Be nominated by a PBIS Technical Assistance Coordinator.

• Exhibit a school climate that represents PBIS implementation.

• Clearly display school rules throughout the building.

• Show visible evidence of student recognition programs.

• Exhibit staff involvement with PBIS.

Congrats to the hardworking staff of Martinsville Elementary.

— V.L. Norton, Martinsville Elementary Principal



Martinsville Elementary Honor Roll-4th quarter ending May 16, 2012

Grade 4

High Honors: Aubrey Hook, Jacob Ligget, Shyann Morecraft, Olivia Seaman, and Madison Youngblood

Honors: Hayden Connelly, Nicholas Craig, Cherish Hicks, Jalee Martin, Elizabeth Osborn, Samantha Parker, Briar Robison, Makhayla Skinner, Karyzma Smith, Ty Toner, Destanee Truelove, and Ashlei Wiley

Grade 5

High Honors: Morgan Cribelar, Johnny Fussell, Mallory Price, Tyler Reynolds, and Ryan Seymour

Honors: Rachel Goldsberry, Ravven Hays, Olivia Marcum, Kolin Pennington, Emma Plummer, Colton Propst, Bethany Sewell, Boyce Snearley, and Curtis Wiley

Grade 6

High Honors: Rebecca Blanchard, Garrett Branson, Mavy Gard, Erica Hardway, Taylor Hester, Mikayla Jodry, Cherub Mohler, and Madolyn Wilhoit

Honors: Caitlyn Claypool, Aaron Fry, Jessica Goldsberry, Blake Graham, Braden Hook, Harlie Lawrence, Sierrah McLaughlin, Grace McNeil, Shiana Medsker, Dalton Rollings, Jason Smith, and Audria Truelove

Perfect attendance for the 4th quarter--March 8-May 16, 2012

Kindergarten: Ashley Callahan, Emily Callahan, Marcus Craig, Victor Herrera DeLaRosa, Jake Lehman, Abigail Martin, Victor Morgan, Aubrey Schollenbruch, and Charli Tanner

1st Grade: Korbin Baird, Garhett Black, Mason Boone, Jacob Clement, Kendra Knauer, Tei Kupferer, Alex Lowry, Kennedy Phillips, Carli Propst, Luke Schollenburch, Reese Toner, Marissa VonBehrens, and Leslie Paige Zachary

2nd Grade: Tori Ellington, Eathan Hissem, Lyla Kannmacher and Madison Koutsoumpas

3rd Grade: Gavin Baird, Tristen Huckaba, Cela Kupferer, Katie Lehman, Alaina Morgan, Emily Parcel, Jay Sewell, and Carly Zachary

4th Grade: Cherish Hicks, Aubrey Hook, Samual Keller, Olivia Seaman, Karyzma Smith, Ty Toner, Ashlei Wiley and Madison Youngblood

5th Grade: Emma Plummer, Colton Propst, Julia Seaman, Bethany Sewell, Madison Toner, and Curtis Wiley

6th Grade: Rebecca Blanchard, Caitlyn Claypool, Maverick Gard, Blake Graham,

Austin Hissem, Cherub Mohler, Dalton Rollings, Jason Smith, and Andrew Stout

Perfect Attendance for the 2011-12 School Year

K: Charli Tanner

1: Korbin Baird, Marissa VonBehrens, and Paige Zachary

2: None

3: None

4: Olivia Seaman

5: Julia Seaman

6: Dalton Rollings and Jason Smith

— School staff