IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2019 | Page 85

STUDENTS CREATE ANIMATION TO INFORM CLASSMATES ABOUT PSSA TESTING
To help their elementary peers
in grades 3-5 get ready for PSSA
testing this year, students at
Whitehall Elementary School created a
vibrant (and adorable) animation
exploring what to expect, how to
prepare for testing and encouraging
their classmates to simply do
their best. Elementary students
Emmy Cready, Luke Sleeman, Milana
Valente, Katie Gruendler, Violet Kearney,
and Anna Plunkett wrote a script,
recorded voices, and completed
the animations.
 Students in grades 3–8 take PSSA
exams annually.
PAYNTER PALS PROVIDES FUN FOR SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS
Several Paynter Elementary School parents with special-
needs children expressed that it was difficult to find social
opportunities for their children. In an effort to address some of
these parental concerns, Paynter Pals was created as a monthly
after school program.
Students rotated through a variety of stations in the gym
with the help of volunteers. Stations included hitting a ball off
a tee, soccer, football throw, and riding an adapted bike. The
group concluded their time by playing with a parachute, which
was a huge hit. Participants had a great time and feedback from
parents has been enthusiastic.
STUDENTS’ COLLABORATION GROWS
THROUGH GARDENING CLUB
Through the generosity of WQED and the PBS Ready to Learn
Grant, McAnnulty sponsors a Growing Gardening Club afterschool
program for first-grade students. The primary goal of this program
is to provide an exciting gardening opportunity to enhance
collaboration skills as they develop a sense of responsibility for
the environment. This spring, students engaged in various activity
stations focused on the Budding Masterminds theme! First, The Cat
in the Hat helped the students examine the various parts of plants,
seeds, and flowers. Next, students were able to use QR Codes
to discover more interesting facts about plant parts. Then, they
used their creativity to make rock-creature creations. Finally, they
explored the necessary materials to design and build their own
terrarium habitats. Students got involved in the District-wide “Day
of Caring” initiative by donating these terrific terrariums to local
care centers and homes. Each student took home a non-fiction
book about plants and their own terrarium to build based on their
Budding Mastermind experience!
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL
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SUMMER 2019
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