School News

Courtyard Cleanup -- Overtaken by six-foot weeds and corn stalks, Steven Cudney discovered the perfect place for his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. Cleaning up Angling Road 's northeast courtyard was a very important job to Mrs. Witvoet and the school as it hosts the Jesse Cantwell memorial rock garden. Looking at an area choking out the few wildflowers and plants, Mrs. Witvoet envisioned an open courtyard space, a place for reading and assembly. Every year, the custodian cut down the overgrowth at springtime, but the plants would grow back with even more vigor than the previous year.

Steven solicited retailers for donations and discounts for the materials and equipment. He requested and received financial assistance from Angling Road PTO for all remaining costs. Several Saturdays, Steven, along with six to eight scouts and adult supervision began renovating the courtyard. Steven's project took several steps.

• Salvaging the wild flowers to be transplanted in two edged planting beds along the walls of the courtyard.
• Cutting all the weeds to the ground and sprayed the area with a herbicide.
• After allowing a few weeks for the roots to die, rotor tilling the ground.
• Transplanting the wildflowers and edging the flower beds.
• Laying weed fabric down so weeds cannot grow back.
• Spreading pea gravel over the fabric.
• Restoring the rock memorial and replacing the bench.

Angling Road Elementary will greatly benefit from Steven's project. Students will be able to eat, study or assemble in the courtyard, with minimal upkeep by the maintenance staff. We anxiously watch for the first hints of Spring to enjoy the gift of Steven's service experience.

Handwriting Without Tears -- The District is introducing a new handwriting curriculum called, Handwriting Without Tears (HWT). HWT is an easy way to teach pre-printing, printing and cursive from kindergarten through fourth grade students. HWT is an inclusive method for teaching children of ALL ability levels. Only minimal preparation time is needed and with less than 15 minutes a day of instruction, the students can learn to write well in letter forms as well as composition. Please talk to your child's teacher if you have questions or check out the website for more information: http://www.hwtears.com/.

Student Council Elections -- Angling Road Students elected Student Council Officers following a week-long campaign, under the direction of the Student Council sponsor, Mrs. Kirby. Each 5th Grade classroom nominates a candidate for each office. The candidates work with a campaign manager to make posters and prepare their campaign strategy. The candidates introduced themselves and are given time to make a campaign speech on the school's TV broadcasting system. Students watched candidates on the TV in their classroom and voted following the campaign speeches. While only one student can be elected, all candidates and campaign managers can be proud of their effort and creativity. Great Job!

Project Charlie -- is a drug prevention program that focuses on much more than drugs. Topics include self esteem, peer pressure, how to handle put downs, handling emotions. The program relies on volunteers to teach this program in the 3rd and 4th grades. There are 2 teachers per class and all the material to present is provided. The school bought the program which is used each year. PTO provided some funding in which supplies are purchased for the students. Each student gets a folder and copies are made and distributed throughout the program as different topics are discussed.

Project Charlie Leadership: Ann Killman (thekillman5@msn.com) and Kelly Presta

Junior Acheivement -- is a program that has been around for about 80 years. It is taught in grades K-12 by community volunteers. Most of the program is taught in the elementary level. It is part of Economics in the High School Level. The program started in the city as a counterpart to the country 4-H. In Elementary School the topics are Selves, Family, Community, City, Region and Nation.