CARLYNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Read Across America, celebrated at the elementary schools in early March, brought guest readers, story tellers and performers to the schools to promote reading. Activities throughout the week included the interactive storytelling of actor / singer Tim Hartman, who kept students on the edge of their seats, to the imagination of Kim Adley as the Queen of Hearts, who pulled youngsters from the audience to include in a story of fantasy. In classrooms, students Skyped with peers from elementary schools in other states as part of the Global Read Aloud project. Dr. Seuss-themed riddle challenges, art projects and spirit days completed the week which culminated with Family Reading Night, involving parents and siblings in reading scavenger hunts, crafts and book fairs. Read Across America is a national celebration to honor the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss and an endeavor to help all children realize their potential as skilled readers.

Tim Hartman from the Pittsburgh Children’ s Museum included Kendall Stark, Jayce Kohler, Lucas Beltz and Simon Schriver in a story of adventure that allowed each student to act out a given part as the storyline progressed.

As an Art Exploratory project-based learning assignment, some Carnegie sixth graders delved head-first into a venture to design and sew fashionable head coverings for eight-month old Addiline Hudson, daughter of Principal Carla Hudson and husband Paul.“ Addi” was born with a condition called cranisynosis. Surgery was held to place two expanders in her skull. The expanders protrude through the skin and are visible near her ears. Students first studied the skull and learned more about Addi’ s condition and the surgery. Designing hats on paper, choosing fabric and learning to sew were all part of the project. Through patient

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trial and error, several clever hats were fashioned for Addi. Timmy Smith and Arionna Lemon documented and presented the project to members of the school board at a meeting in March. Addi was present to model the stylish new hats.

High school students in grades nine to 12 were randomly selected to participate in a gender bias and STEM study to determine if there is a gender gap in STEM, both in careers and in the number of girls enrolled in related college courses. Conducted by Jessica Kaminsky of Hear Me, an initiative of the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University, pupils were individually interviewed to discuss their knowledge of STEM learning and skills and gather opinions to define whether boys choose more STEMrelated careers than girls. The teens were also asked to submit ideas to decrease the impact of bias in this particular area. Junior Lauren Welsh, during the interview, said she sees more girls than boys in her advanced classes.“ I believe that either gender can achieve, it just depends on the motivation of the individual,” she shared.

Junior Lauren Welsh is interviewed by Jessica Kaminsky of the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University. Students were able to offer their thoughts on gender bias in regards to STEM-related careers.

In February, several Carlynton upperclassmen had the distinct opportunity to collaborate with students from Keystone Oaks, South Fayette and Quaker Valley to design the courtyard of the Energy Innovation Center( formerly Connelley Trade School) in the Pittsburgh Hill District. Seniors Cristy Crawshaw, Angalik Jones, Destinee Latimer, Ajanae Lowry, Ban Majed and Darryl Porter, juniors Angela Inwood, Rachel Roach and Wisdom

Teams from Carlynton, Keystone Oaks, Quaker Valley and South Fayette submitted a threedimensional rendering for a courtyard design to be constructed at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh.

Johnson, sophomore Tashe Earle and freshman Cory Ragland formed the Carlynton team. Four meetings were held at Parkway West Career and Technical Center for students from all schools to brainstorm, discuss and begin the design process. As the process continued, students used Google Docs and Google Slides to share their work from respective schools, adding comments and suggestions. A final presentation was held at Parkway in March, with the teams from each school prepared to showcase their contributions to the project. Carlynton students opened the meeting with an introduction of the project and the history of the building and the area. Quaker Valley pupils presented a budget to illustrate the costs of the overall project. The team from South Fayette exhibited artwork of the finished design and Keystone Oaks students used CAD to submit three-dimensional, colored renderings. Senior Cristy Crawshaw said the courtyard design represented the city with its rivers and bridges and its development of the steel industry. Students used green or eco-friendly materials and included an outdoor seating area.“ This was the best team-building experience I have ever been involved with,” Cristy said. The design project was coordinated by Norton Gusky of Carnegie Mellon University who is an advocate for blended learning through the use of technology.

The Carlynton Education Foundation recently awarded six Teacher Enrichment Grants to fund classroom projects. The $ 300-500 grants were distributed following a review of applications. Carnegie Elementary second grade teacher Mary Campbell plans to use