Austinville Elementary School
March 28 - April 1 News
Students Return from Spring Break to Eggs in the Nestbox
Science comes alive in the spring as the Outdoor Classroom comes to life at Austinville. In the past, students have watched as native eastern bluebirds made the school campus their home. But lately, pesky mockingbirds have chased the beautiful bluebirds away. Students this spring are watching as a House Sparrow is laying eggs instead. As a keeper of the bluebird box, Ms. Clark would normally keep tearing out nests of the bully sparrow who kills the native birds. However, this year, Ms. Clark decided the goal was after all the education of Austinville's students. So, students are keeping up to the minute on the nest action. This was made possible several years ago with a grant purchasing a camera for the nestbox and a small tv monitor for the hallway. Students have been alert all week watching for each additional egg. Older Science students are able to make predictions based on normal days of incubation as to when we will see the newest additions to the Outdoor Classroom. Students are really enjoying the coming and going of the female as well as interesting facts about this bird species. Stay tuned for more news about the Sparrows of Austinville.
Epic Church Members Spread Love of Community at Austinville
Second grade through fifth grade Austinville students and teachers returned from spring break to a newly painted south hallway. Leading by example, the members of Epic Church showed their love for others in the city. This loving group along with Austinville Principal Beth Hales, and teachers Emily Williams and Jeffrey Gilbreath spent several hours painting. We are so grateful for Austinville friends for loving our school.
Outdoor Classroom Gets New Look
Faculty and students were thrilled to see a finished project in the Outdoor Classroom when they returned from Spring Break. A year ago, the wall was torn down during construction to add a concrete drain area. When construction was complete, workers neglected to rebuild the wall. Parents, Cecilio Altamirano and Laura Rodriguez stepped in to use their talents to reconstruct and replant students' blueberry bushes in this area. Austinville is very appreciative of the time donated to create this beautiful wall. Two new blueberry bushes are already blooming and will provide sweet berries before the end of school. Thanks for your constant participation in our Outdoor Classroom. We know your contributions are a labor of love.
Fifth Grade Students Visit Middle Schools
Teaching the Dyslexic Student - Professional Development for Kindergarten through Second Grade Teachers
Teachers in kindergarten through second grade at Austinville participated in Professional Development training entitled, "Experience Dyslexia" during this past week. After an interesting discussion led by Wendy Burns, teachers rotated through six stations that simulated reading, listening, and handwriting work as they might be experienced by a person with dyslexia. During the handwriting task, teachers hid their dominant hand from view and attempted to write numbers by looking in a mirror. All teachers agreed it was a difficult requirement. The goal was to increase their awareness of the difficulties and frustrations which individuals with dyslexia encounter every day.
Rainy Day PE Fun
Pre-K Students Learning to Play Instruments
Mrs. Hamilton's Fourth Grade Science Students Study Sound
Friday Clubs: An Enjoyable, Relaxing Hour of Fun
Photos are Courtesy of our Photo Club, the Shutterbugs
Testing Pep Rally Boosts Student Motivation
Our Workweek
Mark Your Calendars!
- 1 - Club Day
- 1 - Testing Pep Rally
- 4 - ACT Aspire Reading Testing
- 5 - ACT Aspire Reading Testing
- 6 - ACT Aspire Reading Testing
- 7 - ACT Aspire Reading Testing
- 12 - ACT Aspire Science Testing for 5th Grade
- 14 - ACT Aspire Writing Testing
- 15 - Club Day
- 17 - Lifepoint Church Workday in the Outdoor Classroom
- 18 - ACT Aspire Math Testing
- 19 - ACT Aspire Math Testing
- 20 - ACT Aspire Math Testing
- 21 - ACT Aspire Math Testing