100th Day of School, Valentine’s Day, A Pilgrim and Some Fossils

The 100^th Day of School is being celebrated in the lower elementary grades on Friday, Feb. 10. Activities and crafts highlight the day, as well as the students sharing their own creation using 100 of something. Ideas are original and creative such as 100 handprints on poster board, 100 googly eyes, 100 baseball cards, a skirt made of 100 pieces of fabric, and a big cardboard cupcake with 100 candle stickers.

It’s a fun day that marks that there are only 80 more school days left in the school year.

Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday, February 14. The school policy for Valentine’s Day, as well as any holiday celebrations, is a no food policy. Elementary students are encouraged to exchange Valentine cards, but are reminded that there should be one handed out to each classmate so no one is left out.

Principal Sue Whitten comments that “Zeh continues to allow for the celebration of Valentine’s Day through cards and kind gestures. As this is a school day, we keep our focus on the academics while integrating activities related to any and all holidays.”

In keeping with Zeh’s fitness initiatives, the school is holding a Valentine’s Day Walk and Bike to School event. “Wegmans has kindly donated strawberries and grapes,” said Whitten, “so students can have a healthy treat when they arrive to school.”

PTO sold carnations at two dollars each to benefit the fifth grade class trip in the spring. Carnations will be delivered with a signed gift card to their recipients on Tuesday.

A Pilgrim Visits Peaslee’s Third Graders: In conjunction with its curriculum, a Pilgrim from Plimoth Plantation came dressed in character explaining his journey on the Mayflower, hardships encountered, and the first Thanksgiving.

While lining up 13 students elbow to elbow, he demonstrated how uncomfortable it was in the quarters on the Mayflower which had 130 passengers and sailed for over two months.

Students also had the opportunity to try a few wooden toys similar to what children played with in that era.

The very interactive hour-long program was well received by the students as they enthusiastically shared some of the knowledge they have learned while studying the pilgrims this year.

A few students were chosen to try on some clothing of the era before a question and answer session.

This was an enrichment program sponsored by the PTO, and made possible by successful fundraisers that are held throughout the year.

Fossils at Lincoln Street School: Paulette Morin of Fun with Science Programs, enthusiastically held the students’ attention as she read from a five foot tall storybook, discussed the history of dinosaurs and the origins of some of her many fossils in her collection, as well as explained how each student could  search out their own fossils.

A fossil, she explained, is something that has turned to stone and can even be found in our own backyards.

Morin encouraged each student to be sure to pack their own science bag and have it ready for a discovery. The essentials for this bag include “a shovel to loosen dirt around a stone, a soft bristle brush to clean off the rock, a magnifying glass, gloves to protect your hands, goggles to protect your eyes, water and snacks. Keep plastic bags from the grocery store handy to wrap fossils,” she advised. “Every scientist must have a notebook and a pencil. Write down the date you found the fossil, a description of the fossil, and where you found it.”

She suggested following up the fossil find with a trip to the library to obtain information on fossils and finding books to use for identification.

Morin explained that “brand new types of dinosaurs are being discovered once every six weeks; that’s ten new dinosaur discoveries each year. There’s always new and awesome stuff to learn about.” 

The students found it comical when Morin passed around a coprolite fossil and even sang about it. Coprolite is fossilized animal droppings.

The PTO sponsored this enrichment program for its second graders.

Mark Your Calendar: The February vacation week is Feb. 20 through Feb. 24. Students are back in class on Monday, Feb. 27.

This column highlights some of the schools’ many special programs, speakers, events, and community service projects. If you are aware of a program that you would like featured in this column, please email Liz Nolan at lizard211@gmail.com.