Plymouth Public Schools
Voyager Express Newsletter - June 7, 2019
Calling All Writers!
Do you love to write? Want to see your short story in a published book? More details below! Submissions can be made
here!
Resiliency "How to Bounce Back"
Earlier in the school year, PYDC coordinators trained YMCA staff around the topic of "resiliency", or the ability to "bounce back" during difficult situations. YMCA staff then brought this information back to youth in the after-school program. These elementary aged youth created projects based around the topic. Thank you to the YMCA for partnering with us on this wonderful project!
Science, Technology & Engineering
Plymouth Partners with Massachusetts Maritime Academy
The Plymouth Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program began in 2015 at both North and South High Schools and since that time, we have been working tirelessly to secure post-graduate opportunities for our students. In doing so, it was our intention to add to the list of schools and colleges recognized nationally for partnerships with Project Lead the Way, but more specifically we wanted to build and foster more local relationships.
On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, the Plymouth Public Schools and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy signed an articulation agreement. Signing this agreement was the Plymouth Superintendent of Schools, Gary Maestas, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Rear Admiral, Francis McDonald.
The articulation agreement guarantees admissions to the Academy if students enrolled in the Biomedical Program meet certain criteria. Accepted students may also earn consideration for a merit scholarship as part of this agreement also.
The Plymouth Public Schools would like to thank Admiral McDonald, as well as Commander Joshua Tefft for making this partnership possible. Their support for the success of our students is unwavering. Additional thanks to those representatives from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Mass STEM Hub, Plymouth Public Schools, and Project Lead the Way for attending this ceremony.
Info from the Technology Department
SUMMER HAPPENINGS
Next week, be sure to look for our Summer Happenings page on our website. You will find information on Summer Reading for all levels, Summer Math at the Middle School, Summer Work for AP/Honors, Summer School, Blake Planetarium Summer Events, and more.
Look for the link on the LEARN MORE button on the Summer Happenings photo or visit https://www.plymouth.k12.ma.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4044
Technology at the Massachusetts State House -- Education Evolution Event
On Wednesday, students from our EdTV Programs along with students from South Elementary School shared how they infuse technology into the learning at the Massachusetts State House Hall of Flags.
Hosted by MassCUE, the Education Evolution event gave students from across the Commonwealth the opportunity to showcase their innovative learning practices. Plymouth students were visited by State Representative Muratore.
Mrs. Sherman's 5th-grade students showed how they used tech to connect with Alaska and track seasonal change with the Journey North program. Mr. Albert, Technology Integration Specialist, worked with Mrs. Sherman and the students. EdTV students showcased their broadcast journalism skills and how they are using technology to highlight happenings within their school community.
Visual and Performing Arts
Music, Art & Theater Camps
Imagination Movers Returns to Plymouth!
The Emmy Award Winning kids show Imagination Movers returns to Plymouth for ONE SHOW at Memorial Hall Sat Sept 14th at 2pm. Last year's concert helped raise funds to start a scholarship in the Plymouth School System for kids who can't afford private music lessons, courtesy of non-profit Plymouth Rocks Events. "Music has been my life ever since I took drum lessons as a kid, and we're excited to help kids in need create a path in the arts" says Plymouth Rocks Executive Director Mike Gioscia. There is a ticket pre-sale starting THURSDAY May 16th 10am EST, and Plymouth families can get tickets first by accessing this link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/imagination-movers-tickets-61758360920?discount=KIDS and entering code word KIDS.
A great time for the whole family AND an awesome way to help out the Plymouth Music Programs as well!
Music Mattress Sale Fundraiser
Help support the music programs at PPS!
Plymouth Early Childhood Center
Field Day
This year the preschool's theme for field day was jungle. As the students walked into the school they were surprised to see that every hallway was transformed into a jungle.
The students had multiple centers to go throughout their day. There was bike riding, bean bag toss, relay races, face painting, giant trucks, water fun, and a dance party area, just to name a few. Thank you to our physical therapist, Miss Jen, who coordinated the entire event. Also, a special thank you to all of the middle schoolers who volunteered to help with our field day. The preschoolers loved playing with the "big kids" and it was especially nice to have former students of the preschool there to assist with field day. It was a great day!
Cold Spring Elementary School
Federal Furnace Elementary School
5th Grade Olympics
Last Friday marked the first-ever Federal Furnace 5th grade Olympics. The entire school was invited to the opening ceremonies in the gym where they also got to witness the first event, a Federal Furnace trivia contest! Although it was a competitive day with a lot of different events like relays, hot spot basketball, and a javelin toss, there were also awards for the teams with the most spirit and best sportsmanship.
4th Grade Field Trip
4th Graders visited the South Shore Science Center in Norwell this week to learn about animal adaptations. Their field guide took them for a walk on the trails to explore the diversity of animals and plants in their habitats. They also explored the waters and shore of Jacobs Pond with nets and magnifiers.
Indian Brook Elementary School
PBIS
At the last PBIS assembly, each grade wrote about the lessons they learned in the second step. The messages will be given to students coming into their grade level next year.
Orchestra Performance Practice
Manomet Elementary School
Chopped at MES
It's Spring...so that means it's time for the Annual "Chopped" experience for MES students in Visual Arts. Modeled after the hit TV show, students have "chopped-like" tasks assigned to them, and are then judged for how they meet each challenge. We were honored to have one of the recent winners on the real-life "Chopped" series here with us, Chef Stephen Coe (who is also a proud MES parent).
Nathaniel Morton Elementary School
Grade 5 Science Fair
Our Grade 5 students showcased their scientific research and presentation skills today at our Grade 5 Science Fair. Students were well prepared to share their Marine-Themed findings, and enjoyed sharing their research, hypothesis and conclusions with the many visitors today. Great job, 5th graders! And, many thanks to the parents and teachers who coached the students throughout this process.
Get up and get Moving!
Thank you, PTA for sponsoring Mr. Chris and his Hip Hop Show. The students learned about being a leader and staying healthy. The best part is they got to dance their way through the assembly.
Plymouth Community Intermediate School
Ancient Civilizations Projects
This week the 6th grade Yule/Clark team in Ranger at PCIS presented their end of the year Ancient Civilizations projects. The students were able to choose any civilization they learned about this year and they were tasked to do some additional research on their topics. Everyone not only had a presentation prepared, but they also created a 3D visual aid to help them explain their topics. All of the team's students had beautiful, creative projects and all of the students went above and beyond in their efforts. This was a great way to show what they have learned this year and work on their public speaking skills. Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Yule were so proud of the outstanding work done by their team!
Color Run
Thank you to the PCIS PTA for organizing the 2nd Annual Color Run! Students and staff greatly enjoyed this event.
Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Once a working cranberry farm that has since undergone an ecological restoration, Tidmarsh is now a 481-plus acre nature preserve. PSMS 7th-graders visited Tidmarsh this week where they participated in four different learning activities. While in the bird-watching group, students saw hummingbirds, vultures, red-winged blackbirds, an osprey, and red-tailed hawks. Crusty, leafy, and shrubby moss and lichen were found while hiking the preserve. While at the amphibian and reptile station, students saw an endangered turtle and toad; they also learned there are no poisonous snakes in Eastern Massachusetts and garden snakes are harmless. A student favorite was donning waders or boots and trying to scoop up macroinvertebrates to determine the health of the stream. Located at 60 Beaver Dam Road in Plymouth, Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary is open to the public free of charge from dawn to dusk. Have your 7th-grader give you a tour!
Plymouth North High School
AP Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science students from Plymouth North test water quality at the Town Brook and Jenny Pond. The trip was hosted by the Mass Audubon and the Town of Plymouth, this was an investigation of the habitat and water quality of the former retention pond area after the removal of the dam at that site.
AP Physics I Reviewing Projectile Motion
AP Physics I students had been asked to form groups for a cooperative learning lesson / lab.
Learners within their groups were charged with reviewing projectile motion which is one of the four major kinds of motion we studied this past year (rotational, uniform circular motion, & one-dimensional motion).
Using CPO (Cambridge Physics Outlet) marble launchers, groups were asked to apply projectile motion concepts and to construct a data table that summarized various ranges, launch angles, and launch velocities for each "notch" on their CPO launchers.
Data tables and target practice with the CPO launchers were then applied to a turn-based game.
Cooperative groups labeled classroom tables as their ships and targets were placed on the tops of the table ships.
Physics pirates then took turns firing on each other’s table / ships.
Two rounds were completed and at the end of each round tables were moved to create new targets / ranges to apply to new launches.
Students had to work as cooperative groups, communicated, applied their prior work as well as prior knowledge, had to improvise, adapt, and overcome (Clint Eastwood) as the game evolved, and were allowed to use a computer to be 21st century learners as some used EXCEL / GoogleSheets to calculate their "shooting" on the fly
Plymouth South High School
