2015-2016
f ox c hapel a rea s chool d istrict s tate of the s chools
DMS Students Build a
Permanent Aquaponics System
Summer Program Provides Opportunity to Build and
Maintain Academic Skills
T
•The Dorseyville Middle School Mixed
Choir, made up of the girls chamber
chorus and the FoxTones choirs, took first
place and ranked “Superior,” the highest
rating possible, at a Music in the Parks
Festival in Hershey. The group was also
given the Overall Best Jr. High/Middle
School Choral Award. Additionally, the
DMS Girls Chamber Chorus performed
independently and also placed first and
earned a “Superior” rating. The DMS
FoxTones earned a first place and a rating
of “Excellent” (the second highest rating).
•The Dorseyville Middle School Honors
Band earned first place at a Music in
the Parks Festival in Williamsburg,
Virginia. The band also earned a rating of
“Superior.”
Continued on page 24
22 Fox Chapel Area
hey were learning math, reading, science, and art concepts, but these middle school
students weren’t thinking about those skills – they were too busy accomplishing a
common goal to design and create a permanent, self-sustaining aquaponics growing system
outside their school.
For the first time, Dorseyville Middle School offered a full-day summer program. The
morning session consisted of English language arts and math and was designed for students
to maintain and build the skills necessary for academic success. A new component was added
in the afternoon – a project-based learning activity that was met with high enthusiasm from
students as they dug in (literally), working together picking out jobs, researching hydroponics and
aquaponics, planning and measuring, designing, and building.
“We were very excited to expand the middle
school summer learning academy this year
to a full day,” said Matt Harris, the school
district’s director of secondary education and
instruction. He explained, “We revitalized
the English language arts and math programs
with new curriculum and teaching practices.
We also added the afternoon component
where students engaged in an authentic
challenge to construct an aquaponics/
hydroponics system with ponds and
a greenhouse.”