School notes 10-30-24

HHS Trick-or-Treat Street is back!

Huron High School is gearing up again this year with new spectacular twists. Among the flurry of fall activities, we find our students working hard to decorate doors for the reimplementation of Trick-or-Treat Street. A Huron High School classic that, unfortunately, went away due to COVID and has been resurrected from the dead to add flair to the halls of Huron High. Students are putting their artistic skills to great use, decorating the halls and doors, and providing their time, and candy, to the elementary school children that pass through.

On other sides of the Huron High School experience, we find Mr. Heagleys Geometry course finally entering the realm of pure mathematics. Thats right, the students are learning theorems! Between angles formed by parallel lines and a transversal, or theorems derived from angle bisectors or perpendicular bisectors, the students are putting forth their best effort.

One activity was a 30-30-30 MathLand Activity. Starting with a thirty-minute warmup, students were then briefed and given thirty-minutes to complete the construction of their own Candyland board, complete with special themes, colors, and squares, purely unique to each table. Some themes of note were Planet Fitness Land and Spooky Land. Students then played the game by rolling the dice, drawing a card, answering the question on the card, then moving forward if they got it correct. In this dynamic race to the finish line, students competitive sides flourished, and teams were able to learn better from each other than they would have alone.

Submitted by Mr. Heagley, HHS math teacher

Spanish 1 and 4

Students in Spanish 1 through 4 are learning Spanish through stories with simple vocabulary, simple grammar, and a lot of repetition. First year students are currently learning about Cumbia music, which originated in Colombia. Spanish 2 students are exploring Latin American myths, including the Cucuy and La Llorona who are characters commonly known in the American southwest and Mexico. Spanish 3 and 4 will soon be making sugar skulls, a traditional decoration for Da de los Muertos in Mexico and parts of Central America.

They also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States. They held the sixthannual Hispanic Heritage Month Mania Musical bracket.

This years winner was the United States, which was included in the bracket because the U.S. is home to nearly 50 million Spanish speakers, making it one of the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the world.

Submitted by Kira Carabantes, Spanish teacher

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a special day in the United States when we honor and thank all the men and women who have served in the military to protect our country. Celebrated every year on Nov. 11, its a time to show respect to the brave individuals who have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe and defending our freedoms. Originally called Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I in 1918, it became Veterans Day in 1954 to include veterans of all wars. On this day, people participate in parades, visit memorials, and sometimes observe moments of silence to remember the sacrifices veterans have made. So, if you see a veteran, thank a veteran!

Submitted by HHS Social Studied Department

Message from the School Nurse

As school gets into full swing, we should be thinking about our students health and wellness. Those two words mean different things to each person. Being healthy related to school could mean, getting enough sleep at night, eating three balanced meals a day and nutritious snacks, having a routine or getting enough physical exercise. Whatever the definition for you, they are all important. Proper sleep is important to re-charge our battery so to speak to be able to focus and learn. Eating three balanced meals a day and snacks helps to fuel the body and mind. Breakfast is one of the most important meals, it wakes up the brain so we can learn. Having a routine can also be healthy, a regular bedtime or wake up time are examples. A routine can help to start your day off right.

Wellness as it pertains to school could mean having regular medical checkups like a well-child exam, seeing a dentist or the eye doctor on a regular basis. These are all important to make sure your child is growing as expected, they are up to date on the required immunizations, there are no dental or vision issues that would impair learning.

I strongly encourage you to talk to your health care provider about immunizations that your child may need to protect them against certain diseases like measles or whooping cough (pertussis). There have been cases of measles reported in Minnesota and pertussis cases in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg.

You should also talk to your health care provider about immunizations that you may need, yes, adults need vaccinated too!

Health and Wellness is different for each person but whatever it means we want your child, our students, to have a great, successful start to the new school year and maybe, just maybe, establish some healthier habits.

Just a friendly reminder to follow the guidelines below to help prevent the spread of illness in school.

Keep your child at home if he or she has any of these symptoms:
Fever (100.0 degrees or greater. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100.0 degrees for a minimum of 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine)
Vomiting (even once)
Diarrhea
Chills
General malaise or feelings of fatigue, weakness or muscle aches
Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
Help prevent the spread by:
Washing hands frequently
Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
Try to avoid close contact with people who may be sick

Thank you for allowing me to take care of your students again this year and I hope everyone stays happy and healthy

Submitted by Tisha Harvey, RN, Madison 2-3 Center School Nurse

Fourth grade

Fourth-grade students at Washington 4-5 Center have hit the ground running in their social studies curriculum this year. The term began with an engaging unit on maps and globes, where students honed their geographical skills by comparing maps and globes, labeling compass roses, and identifying key elements such as the equator and prime meridian. On Sept. 17, the school celebrated Constitution Day, with each class engaging in various activities to acknowledge the Constitutions significance.

Currently, the fourth graders are immersed in a comprehensive study of the United States. This unit provides an overview of the nations formation, highlighting crucial historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Students are also exploring U.S. resources and economy, setting the stage for an upcoming in-depth study of the countrys five distinct regions. This well-rounded approach aims to provide students with a solid understanding of geography, civics, and American history, preparing them for more advanced studies in the future.

Submitted by Ms. Boomsma, Mrs. Halter, Mrs. Miner and Ms. White, fourth grade Black POD

Fourth Grade

Leaves are transitioning in color, the weather is becoming cooler, and students are settling into their academic routines, signaling the conclusion of the first quarter. At Washington 4-5 Center, they recognize and celebrate the achievements of students from each class during our ROARS assembly.

ROARS represents being RESPECTFUL, having OPEN ARMS, being an ACTIVE LEARNER, being RESPONSIBLE, and being SAFE. These assemblies are accompanied by an ice cream social, allowing families to come together and acknowledge their childs accomplishments. The first quarter ROARS assembly was a great success, and they eagerly anticipate celebrating the next group of students in December.

Washington 4-5 Center is also closely monitoring attendance rates, with fourth and fifth grades competing for the highest attendance each month. Last month, fourth graders were the winner! Consistent attendance is crucial for students success, and teachers encourage them to develop a love for coming to school each day.

As they embark on the second quarter, students and teachers continue to work diligently on academic, emotional, and social fronts. Each day presents new challenges and triumphs, and they are committed to fostering a passion for learning and celebrating the achievements of all students.

Submitted by Lexi Heinz, Anne Larson, Nicholle Mudge and Rebecca Neugebauer, fourth grade Orange POD

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