This new school year has been a flurry of activity and events.  It is hard to believe the end of September is upon us!  The days are getting shorter and the darkness and seemingly longer!  Leaves are on the ground, the weather is different moment to moment, football is in the air.....aaaahh, fall! 

Just as the seasons change, our school has also been undergoing some AMAZING transformations!  We are in the midst of setting up new transitional work and school programs, service hours/giving back to the community is getting ready to launch for the upper grades, project-based learning is most definitely under way being utilized by every class and team within our community....just as the seasons change our school has shifted its climate to one of Commitment to Excellence: Trust, Respect, Responsibility!  These ideas are vital in real-world, real-time life; what an excellent example of teaching these necessary skills in the school setting! 

Enjoy the last day of September, embrace the coming of October and all its possibilities for growth, and welcome change....all the new possibilities are endless.  As the poet Emily Dickinson wrote:
I dwell in Possibility--
A fairer House than Prose--
More numerous of Windows--
Superior--for Doors--

How fitting for the end of one month and all it had to offer and the beginning of the new with all its potentials and possibilities.....opening doors and windows for more to happen!

Who knew learning could actually be fun?  As we venture in to the concept of project-based learning and creative collaboration, Team 2 has already gotten a jump on what it's all about!  On Friday, September 23, 2011 students in Team 2 were given baskets of items they could use to build a "Table Top Olympic Game."  They were only allowed to use the items in their own baskets, and they could not train.  After they created their games, they had to determine how to score their games.  When the games were completed, groups traveled to each station to play the array of games.  The students in 5th grade did a model comparison today of our solar system.  In other Team 2 news, on Tuesday, September 27 the students in 5th grade did a model comparison today of our solar system; below the pics of the Olympic games are a few pictures of the day's events.

A HUGE thank you goes out to Webster Industries for hosting the Business in Education meeting on Friday, September 23, 2011!  Local secondary teachers partnered with staff at Webster took the initiative to discuss what is necessary for students entering the workforce.  While there the teachers and staff discussed necessary life skills as well as academic work needed to succeed in the real world.  As teachers we took a sample of the basic skills test the potential employees would take as well as discussed the interview process all candidates would endure to land a job at a manufacturing plant such as Webster.  NCOESC also provided a catered lunch for all in attendance.  To round out the day the teachers and staff split into groups and toured the facility to not only witness first-hand what actually occurs at Webster but also what course work is necessary to excell at a job, such as Webster Industries, Inc.  This was a first-ever in the area but will be repeated in the future with other local businesses.  Students will also get the opportunity to attend seminars with the local businesses and learn first-hand what they will need as set skills to succeed in the workplace.

Also, the Advertiser-Tribune  published this article with regard to our visit.  There is also a youtube video and a photo gallery to go along with the press release.

http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page//content.detail/id/540538/First-hand-knowledge.html?nav=5005

A HUGE thank you to our faculty and staff for helping us achieve yet another recognition for our school.  Please see below for the letter from the Auditor of the State, the AWARD we were given, and a sneak peek at the press release coming soon to the Advertiser Tribune

  4th Graders will be attending the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival's "Ohio Heritage School Day" at Hedges Boyer Park on Friday, September 16th. Schools from all over the county will be visiting the Living History Village and participating in hands-on activities, which include a Civil War Encampment, Pioneer Games, and Covered Wagon Life. In class we are doing lessons on Ohio's Heritage as well.  

5th - 7th Graders will be traveling to the Miller Conservation Farm on Tuesday, September 20th. Beth Deisch from the Seneca Soil and Water Conservation Districts will be hosting this event. Students will have many opportunities to learn about conservation, preservation, wildlife, and forestry on this day. It will also be a follow-up to soil composition lessons learned in Science class.

The Biology Students will be making their first trip to Heidelberg Lab  on 9/28 .  They need to have their permission slips back ASAP

Quiz Bowl will have their first meet at Put-In-Bay Tuesday, September 20.  Permission slips need to be returned, money for lunch for the students in attendance, and one more parent is needed for transportation.

Thank you to all of those who made the St. Francis BBQ a success!  A great time was had by all.  BCA would like to extend a warm thank you for allowing us to share in your festival and fellowship!

Well it is fall.  Time for late festivals, shorter days, longer periods of darkness, school routines, leaves changing, oh and end of season BBQs.....yes BBQ.  That melt in your mouth, smoked flesh off the grill taste and smell of BBQ...Do I have your taste buds on over time yet?  Well here it is!  Our community of St. Francis is having a Fall BBQ and raffle here on its campus Sunday, September 11 in the Elizabeth Schaffer Auditorium.  Please see the attached document for details!  Bridges Students will have some art work and pieces displayed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 bombings. Hope to see you there for some great BBQ, fellowship, and fun.