HS students send cards to terminally ill PA teen
December 19, 2018
In December, General McLane High School’s Caring Club organized a school-wide Holiday Card mailing for Maddox Hyde, an 8th grade student from DuBois Area Middle School who is terminally ill.
Hyde has been receiving treatment for neuroblastoma at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. He’s been battling it for eight years and was told he only has a few weeks to live.
The Caring Club collected approximately 300 holiday cards to send to Maddox.
The Caring Club is a student organization that holds activities throughout the year to promote a positive atmosphere at General McLane. The main event that they participate in is National Child Grief Awareness Day in November.
JWPMS’ Super Delicious Strawberry Pineapple Cake wins national contest
December 19, 2018
James W. Parker Middle School students can now add “Recipe Creator” to their resumes.
Their Super Delicious Strawberry Pineapple Cake recipe recently took home the grand prize in Dole’s “Get Cooking With Fruit Student Recipe Contest“.
Students in Mrs. Tuttle’s Life Skills Support Class used this opportunity for a cross-curricular activity that included math, reading, community-based instruction, technology and science. Students researched Dole products, viewed their available products at a grocery store, brainstormed ideas on incorporating Dole products into a recipe, calculated costs of needed ingredients and supplies, invented a recipe, revised the recipe and then wrote, typed and emailed the final recipe.
“Needless to say, we baked a strawberry/pineapple cake multiple times and worked on gathering feedback to modify the recipe. I am beyond excited and so are my students,” Tuttle said.
“Since the life skills class often participates as a group, we decided to not only use this contest as a teaching tool for kitchen and culinary skills, but also as an activity that promoted teamwork and creative thinking,” Keller said. “I was lucky enough to be a taste tester for all five recipes they came up with including their final entry, which was a culmination of a lot of effort and pride.”
Students won one of the three National Grand Prizes and will be receiving individual achievement certificates, a school plaque, a $3,000 Learning Garden, and ten cases of Dole Fruit Cups for their cafeteria. The Learning Garden provides schools with raised garden beds, soil, seeds, cart & tools, and interpretive signs so students can start their own 80 square foot raised garden.
Congratulations to our students!
Escape Classroom returns to JWPMS
December 18, 2018
James W. Parker Middle School students worked together to “Escape the Classroom.” Mimicking the exciting new form of live action entertainment, students work together to earn their way out of a locked room.
Sixth grade teacher science teacher Todd Sturgess created the escape classroom to engage more students to their science curriculum. Using science clues, students must find the combination of a locked toolbox. Once inside the box, they find two things: a roadblock that they can use to slow down other groups and another series of challenges to unlock a second padlock.
Once that second padlock, is opened it’s a race to find the combination of the key chest that will allow the students to find the “master” key to the classroom (symbolic only).
Forming 3D CELLS
December 18, 2018
James W. Parker Middle School students in Mr. Sturgess’ class create 3D representations of cells.
Students select items to represent various cell structures and justify their selections. This lesson gives students an understanding of systems, including the analysis of parts, subsystems and interactions.
2018 VFW Essay Contest Winners
December 17, 2018
Various General McLane students were selected to advance in the VFW Essay Contests.
Junior Allison Walsh was this year’s Voice of Democracy Essay Contest winner. This contest was for students in grades 9-12. Walsh will receive a $600 award and advance to the District 28 Competition. The 2018-19 theme was “Why My Vote Matters.”
The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program (VOD) in 1947 to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
James W. Middle School students Avery Young, Henry Salvo, Erin Mennow, Mallory Grucza, Abigail Walker, Lyra Prost, Abigail Hammer, Sydney Ferraro, Isabella Hinkle and Shannon Rohrer were the winners of the 2018 VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. Each was awarded with a monetary prize of $400, along with a chance for their essay to move on to the District 28 Competition. The 2018-19 theme was “Why I Honor the American Flag.”
The Patriot’s Pen Essay contest is for students in grades 6-8, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March.
Students’ entries were submitted and selected by the VFW Post 740, who also recently hosted a complimentary banquet for selected students and their teachers.
Congratulations & good luck to all of our winners at the District 28 Competition!
Parker PRIDE Winners
December 17, 2018
Congratulations to last week’s Parker PRIDE winners:
Sean Dexter (6th)
Kylie Mischler (5th)
Aidan Bruce (5th)
Rileigh Green (6th)
Anna Swanson (6th)
James W. Parker Middle School’s Parker PRIDE program is a new program that launched from the school’s PBIS initiatives. Each week, five students will be recognized for exhibiting the positive behavioral expectations set. Students will be selected randomly from those who have earned “tickets” throughout the week. Students selected will choose an incentive from a list of five choices. This is only for grades 5 and 6.
For more information about the PBIS program, check out this story from the summer.
Parker PRIDE Winners
December 10, 2018
Congratulations to last week’s Parker PRIDE winners:
For more information about the PBIS program, check out this story from the summer.
General McLane Students Star in Playhouse Production of “Matilda”
December 7, 2018
Two General McLane students are taking the stage for the Erie Playhouse production of “Matilda”.
McKean Elementary’s Avery Fiscus will be co-staring as one of two Matildas, and James W. Parker Middle School’s Parker Irwin will be playing the role of Eric.
Based on the classic story by Roald Dahl, “Matilda” has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out crowds world wide. A delightful, magical show, packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable characters, “Matilda” is magic, and not just for kids!
Due to the large number of shows (16) many of the roles in “Matilda” have been double cast. In order to see which days Avery Fiscus will be staring as Matilda, head over to the Erie Playhouse’s website. The show opened on December 6 and will go until January 6.
For more information, check out some of the recent media coverage of this event:
Faculty Feature Friday
December 7, 2018Each Friday, we will feature an employee in the District so you can get to know the amazing individuals that work for General McLane School District!
This week, we are featuring James W. Parker Middle School Technology Education Teacher Mark Niezelski who has worked for the District for more than 35 years!
Outside of school, Mr. Niezelski does one thing, enjoy life!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I have the privilege of helping to mold the vast majority of our GM students.
Why do you enjoy being part of the GM family?
The vast majority of us are educated, caring professionals who place the needs of our students above our own … it takes a village.
What is your favorite work-related memory?
2006-2007 State Football Champs and State Basketball Champs.
Did you know ….
Mr. Niezelski is the third of seven siblings!
“Shear Madness” Raises $500
December 7, 2018
Last month, Kellen Smith, who played Uncle Fester in GMHS’s production of The Addams Family, lost his locks for the local non-profit organization Linked by Pink in an event dubbed “Shear Madness”.
In total, Shear Madness raised $500 for the local charity. Yesterday, Kellen presented a check to members of Linked by Pink on behalf of the entire Addams Family cast!
Linked By Pink consists of Erie area survivors diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 45. The organization provides emotional and financial support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer within a 45 mile radius of Erie, Pennsylvania.
You can find more about them at LinkedbyPink.org
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