BETHEL PARK TEACHER NAMED A CHAMPION OF LEARNING
THIRD GRADERS HAVE FUN AT PITTSBURGH PARTY
FOURTH GRADERS PAINT RAIN BARRELS
BETHEL PARK TEACHER NAMED A CHAMPION OF LEARNING
Bethel Park High School Science Teacher Lee Cristofano was named a Champion of Learning in the Technology Integration category by The Consortium of Public Education .
The award was presented at a Champions of Learning Awards Dinner , which was held in April at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center .
The Champions of Learning Awards Dinner is a regional celebration that seeks to recognize those who have dedicated their time , talents and / or resources to create and expand learning opportunities for area youth .
THIRD GRADERS HAVE FUN AT PITTSBURGH PARTY
Memorial Elementary School Third Graders spent the year studying Pittsburgh — adding pages to a book they created throughout the school year that contained interesting facts about their hometown .
They also participated in some fun Pittsburgh-themed activities , including a Just Ducky Tour and a classroom visit from two members of the Mister Rogers Neighborhood television show — Mr . McFeeley and Neighbor Aber .
The students also learned to give back to their hometown , by collecting over 250 sweaters as part of the Mister Rogers Sweater Drive , which were donated to Goodwill and the Veterans Administration .
To end the year , the students in Mr . August ’ s , Mrs . Bentel ’ s and Mrs . Saussol ’ s classes participated in a Pittsburgh Party , where they played some Pittsburgh-themed games and ate some favorite Pittsburgh foods , including kielbasa , soft pretzels and Primanti Brothers sandwiches .
The highlights of this year ’ s Pittsburgh Party were visits from the Pirate Parrot and two of the racing Pierogis at Pittsburgh Pirates games — Jalapeno Hannah and Oliver Onion .
Each of the third grade classes had the opportunity to participate in their own race against the Pierogis , which took place on the Memorial softball field . The Pierogis were fast , but the Memorial students were faster ! What a great way to celebrate Pittsburgh !
Mr . August ’ s class poses for a photo with the Pierogis .
( Left to right ): Franklin Principal Teresa Doumont , Superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose , Franklin Teacher Jessica Mahoney , Champion of Learning Lee Cristofano , Director of Secondary Education Janet O ’ Rourke and BPHS Science Teacher Randi Durmis , who nominated Mr . Cristofano for the award , celebrate at the Champions of Learning Awards Dinner .
Mr . Cristofano was recognized for his many efforts to bring technology into his classroom , including his incorporation of GoPro Camera technology in his Physics classroom , his work with his students on Pittsburgh DataWorks ’ Big Data Project , and his creation of a unique Big Data and Analytics course , which will be offered at Bethel Park High School beginning with the 2016-2017 school year .
Also recognized at the dinner was Franklin Elementary School Special Education Teacher Jessica Mahoney , who was a Finalist in the Classroom Teaching category .
These Washington Fourth Graders were excited about participating in this STEAM project .
FOURTH GRADERS PAINT RAIN BARRELS
Twelve Washington Elementary School fourth grade students gave up some of their lunch periods to hang out in the Art Room , to paint a rain barrel .
Students Bella Noel , Vanessa Troxell , Maggie Booth , Belinda Bova , Kate Ezar , Stephanie Hanania , Tessa Ferris , Kaitlyn Becker , Dylan Prindle , Ava Arnold , Paula Andrade and Ava Knight submitted entries for designs that they would like to see painted on the rain barrel , and their drawings were selected by Art Teacher Mrs . Mittner and Librarian Mrs . Minella .
The barrel was donated by a nonprofit organization called Barrels By The Bay , which provides the barrels to schools to teach the students about water conservation , sustainable living and the general understanding of the benefits that rain barrels provide .
The students ’ drawings depicted the lyrics of the song , “ Down by the Bay ,” and they did a marvelous job of painting beaches , dogs , watermelons , lakes , submarines and whales on the barrel .
Once they had their scenes painted , Mrs . Mittner showed them how to use texture , highlights , shading and shadows to enhance their scenes .
“ This project was a fun way to combine two of the principles of STEAM — science and art ,” explained Mrs . Minella . “ The students were able to understand how the rain barrel is able to recycle hundreds of gallons of water that can be used to water plants , lawns and crops .
“ Mrs . Mittner encouraged them to use much of what they learned in art class this school year to turn their rain barrel paintings into works of art .”
The Washington students join a group of more than 2,000 students who have learned about rain barrels and shared their artistic talents on 255 rain barrels that are now being used by schools all over the country .
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