activities that young children play. From Twister to coloring and
Candyland to Mr. Potato Head, the educators practiced their fine
motor skills, color recognition, counting, and memory skills just like
their students would.
Would you prefer a $20 dollar bill or
a handful of nickels and dimes?
W
hen you are fighting the Silver Wars at GSMS to raise money
for the annual Giving Tree – you prefer the coins in your
donation bucket. In a Silver War, paper money is subtracted
for the grade’s total while coins are added. Sixth, seventh and eighth
grade students compete for the largest amount raised and often stuff
one another’s buckets with paper money to bring down the gradelevel’s total. The sixth graders were the victors this year and earned an
afternoon movie just before the Thanksgiving Day break.
The combined efforts of the whole student body raised just under
$1,400 to support the Giving Tree. Thanks to their efforts, 54 middle
school students experienced a happier holiday with a few more
gifts under their Christmas tree. The funds were used to purchase
Greensburg Salem themed clothing and toiletries while providing
$30 of seed money for each of the 29 Enrichment classrooms. The
classrooms then raised additional funds for their assigned student.
Teachers, as well as building administrators and central office
staff, sponsored the remaining students. The gifting process was
confidential and anonymous and the wrapped gifts were delivered to
homes while school was in session.
Pictured are GSMS Student Council officers filling the toiletry bags each
student received. Left to right are Jordan Vertacnik (Vice President), Tyler
Vandenberg (Communications Officer), Erika Christeleit (President), and
Kasey Storkel (Secretary). Not pictured is Lien Ferry, Treasurer.
Greensburg-Salem | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 43
GRE E N SBU RG SAL E M SC HOOL DI STRI C T NE WS
I
t was a playdate, unlike any other. No children were invited, only
the educators that work hard to give our youngest learners the
skills that they need to succeed. Local preschool and childcare
workers joined GS kindergarten teachers to discuss the power of
play and its important role in helping young children learn. Bob
Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) said that, “Play is the work of children.
It is very serious stuff.” Mrs. Kelly Gustafson, GS Coordinator
of Elementary Education, said it a little differently, “We must
remember, making time for intentional play stimulates the minds
of our youngest learners and that the skills they learn and practice
through play are the foundation for all later learning.”
This focus on purposeful play is a component of the United Way
of Westmoreland County’s school readiness program, designed to
improve communications between the early childhood providers
and school district as they develop transition activities for
incoming kindergarten students. The day was built around the PA
Comprehensive Leadership Standards and there were games and
Greensburg Salem
Come Play with Me…