GT Academy Newsletter
Sablatura Middle School / Pearland ISD
February / March 2017
Sablatura Quiz Bowl Champions!
We are so proud of our Sablatura Quiz Bowl Team! They are the 2017 Quiz Bowl Co-Champions. For the first time in Quiz Bowl history, Sablatura Middle School and Berry Miller Junior High tied for the top honor of overall champion. This year's General Trivia and Super Quiz contests were based on the 2017 Academic Decathlon theme – World War II. The purpose of this exciting event is to build interest in the high school Academic Decathlon program. Mrs. Maricle and Mrs. Boyd are the awesome sponsors of this talented group of students .
Top Honors for Sablatura went to:
- First Place Super Quiz -6th Grade: Macie Wilson, Geneva Cline, Natalie Yeatts, Ryan Secrest, Aseem Sharma, Jackson Kasper, Albert Xie and Belecia Blackwood
- First Place General Trivia - 6th Grade: Raina Qiu, Albert Xie, Natalie Yeatts, and Johnavon Zelaya
- Second Place Super Quiz - 5th Grade: Melinda Yao, Julien MacKenzie, Jonathan Robin, Michael Pair, Jeslyn Chen, Alan Wang, Laila Scott and Anika Phan
- Second Place General Trivia - 5th Grade: Bharani Balabaskar, Kaleb Jackson, Sasha Kuzmenko and Wende Wang
- Second Place General Trivia - 6th Grade: Catherine Bai, Matthew Li, Diana Tunstall and Annie Vu
- Individual High Scores: Wende Wang and Natalie Yeatts
Robotics Exhibition
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Sablatura hosted a Robotics Exhibition on February 9th. The purpose of the exhibition was to celebrate STEM education and our future engineers. Students have learned to work collaboratively and apply science, technology, engineering and math skills to fun challenges. Teams from Sablatura, Pearland Junior High West, Pearland Junior High East and Friendswood Junior High competed in an arena challenge using this year's TCEA “Code 3 – Emergency Prep Drill” challenge. Ecobot teams explained this year's challenge and how they are preparing for the upcoming competition. Seaperch teams explained the engineering and science behind the construction of their remotely operated vehicles and how they prepared for the regional competition. PJHW teams demonstrated the Space Challenge and Sablatura's Mars Rover projects were displayed. We were excited to learn about the robot constructed by Pearland ISD's high school Pearadox team. They recently earned the Entrepreneurship Award at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition. Our robotics program is growing, and we are excited to offer computer science as an elective for PJHW eighth graders next year. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring our students, contact Mrs. Mueller.
Mock Trial
On February 17th, students in the Law mini-course took part in a mock trial at the Brazoria County Courthouse. Planning and participating in the mock trial helped them understand the law, practice critical thinking, and gain greater confidence with public speaking by assuming the roles of attorneys and witnesses. The case being argued was whether or not the Big Bad Wolf was guilty of the murder of Ann Pig, the destruction of her straw house, the murder of Bob Pig, and the destruction of his stick house. Mrs. VanderWoude and Mrs. Dawson, General Counsel for Pearland ISD, introduced students to the legal process. Click the link below to read the students' stories!
Students Visit the Houston Museum of Fine Arts
Students in the art mini course learned about the elements of design (line, color, shape, texture, space and form), created original art work in class, and discussed famous European artists. Students then travelled to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts to analyze and critique famous works of art.
Students in the photography mini course learned the basic elements of composition including lighting, framing, leading lines, symmetry, perspective, and editing techniques. They learned about the functions of their cameras through hands-on photo shoots, and could be seen all around school taking pictures to use for a game for their life skills friends. They also snapped photos of fellow students working on the TPSP, the newspaper, and field experience at the court house. At the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, students went to see the High School student's exhibit called "Eye on Houston". There will be a gallery of their best photos at the GTA Showcase.
GRIT Rally
Mardi Gras Social
New Clubs: Chess and Rubiks Cube
Rubik's Cube Competition
On Saturday, March 25th, ten fifth and sixth grade students represented Sablatura Middle School at the You CAN Do the Rubik’s Cube Competition. Teams of 8 students worked together to solve 25 3x3 Rubik’s Cubes in the fastest time. Despite our very limited practice time, our team placed fifth with a total time of 5:15.180. Our students also competed in the solo competition, where fifth grader Anika Phan lead our group with a solo time of 0:53.310. We are so very proud of these students and cannot wait to compete again next year!
Chess Club
Have you heard? Chess Club is back, and our students are in charge! Two of our Academy students, Thomas Moore and Alan Wang, are responsible for bringing chess back to our hallway. The two gentlemen approached Ms. Hart, seeking a sponsor for their club. Although she does not play chess herself, Ms. Hart has had no problem opening up her room to these eager students. You see, Ms. Hart is not in charge at all – the club is completely student led. These boys are responsible for planning the meetings and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. It has been quite a learning experience so far, as the gentlemen are learning first hand how to problem solve and communicate effectively.
Chess Club meets on Thursday afternoons from 3:50 – 5:00 pm in Room 217. Please contact Thomas Moore, Alan Wang, or Ms. Hart if you are interested in joining us.
Congratulations Mrs. Stenvall!
Mrs. Stenvall has been selected as one of fifteen Houston-area teachers to attend the NASA Newscast at the NASA Johnson Space Center on May 10. Astronauts Joe Acaba and Mark Vade Hei will be highlighted during the newscast. The astronauts will launch in September as members of ISS Expedition 53 and 54 flight crews. During the newscast, Mrs. Stenvall will have the opportunity to ask the astronauts a question submitted by a student from Sablatura Middle School.
Students: Good Luck at FPS and TMSCA State Competitions!
Mark Your Calendar:
- April 5th: Afternoon with a NASA Engineer - 4:00-5:00 Sablatura Library
- April 7-9th: FPS State Competition @ San Marcos
- April 10th: GTAB Meeting 6:30 Sablatura Library
- April 11th: Sablatura Band Concert
- April 13th: Sablatura International Festival 6:30-8:00 p.m. Don't miss this!
- April 14th: Good Friday - No School.
- April 15th: Young Inventors' Showcase of Houston applications due
- April 18th: 5th Grade visits Crocodile Encounters
- April 21-23: TMSCA State Competition @ UTSA
- April 22nd: Ecobot Challenge Day @ Berry Center
- April 24th: Sablatura New 5th Grade Parent Night 7:00 p.m.
- April 25th: GT Academy Student Showcase @ ESC 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- April 26th: Sablatura Choir Concert
- May 8th: 6th Math STAAR
- May 9th: 6th Reading STAAR
- May 10th: 5th Science STAAR
- May 19th: Field Day!
- May 24th: GTA Awards
- May 25th: Talent Show
- May 26th: Last Day of School
- August 16th: 5th Grade GTA Gathering (new GTA students)6:00-7:00 p.m.
Sablatura International Festival
Bring your family and come join the fun at Sablatura Middle School’s annual International Festival. Students have explored the culture, history and geography of countries around the world, and are excited to share their knowledge, souvenirs, and memories with you. Our hallways will be decorated, and engaging activities and performances are planned. The festival and Book Fair begins at 6:30 p.m., but make plans to arrive as early as 6:00 p.m. to get your spot in line at one of the food trucks that will be serving dinner in the back parking lot.
Volunteers needed for the Book Fair: April 7-13 Sign up with the link below.
Thursday, Apr 13, 2017, 06:30 PM
2201 N Galveston Ave, Pearland, TX, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
GTA Student Showcase
On April 25th GT Academy students will present their Texas Performance Standards Projects (TPSP) and share what they have learned through research and collaboration. This "come and go" event begins at 6:00 pm and will end at 7:30 at the Pearland ISD Education Support Center. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and visit student products and presentations from all grade levels.
Parents: f you are interested in sending in baked goods for the Showcase, please sign up through the link below.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0848adab2ba6fd0-gtashowcase
Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017, 06:00 PM
Education Support Center, Pearland Independent School District, North Main Street, Pearland, TX, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.