News Blast
Gladstone Schools • Growing Great People • 12.2.20
Food drive helps Adopt-a-Family project
The Student Senate at Gladstone High plans a drive-through food drive in support of the Adopt-a-Family project, which will provide food and gift cards to 120 families in our community this holiday season.
Donations of non-perishable foods can be delivered to Gladstone High from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on December 9, 10, and 11. Hot cocoa will be provided.
First grade teachers celebrate readers
Five lucky students are selected each Friday from a drawing of golden tickets children earned during their reading groups for following school rules: to be safe, responsible, and respectful. Winners receive a Slurpee coupon in the mail.
“We love our first grade readers!” said teacher Laura Vierrra. “This is a special way to stay connected to our students and reward their positive behavior in reading groups.”
District offers Chromebook exchange
The Gladstone School District offers exchanges for students with broken school-loaned Chromebooks. This is for issues that can’t be addressed via the Tech Support hotline at 503.974.5072.
For Chromebook exchanges, drop by from noon to 4 p.m. each Monday through Friday at the district office near Kraxberger, 17789 Webster Road.
If you need a wi-fi hot spot, please contact your school principal to find out what is possible. A limited number are available to low-income families.
Key dates to remember
December 5: Free Kids Clothes Closet open at GHS off Nelson Lane -- 10 a.m. to noon
December 7: Free meal pickup at Kraxberger -- 11 to 12:30 & 4 to 6 p.m.
December 9, 10, 11: Holiday Canned Food Drive @ Gladstone High, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
December 14: Free meal & free kids book pickup at Kraxberger -- 11 to 12:30 & 4 to 6 p.m.
December 16: Last day of fall Trimester for students
December 17 to January 3: No School for students – Winter Break
Robotics club thrives despite pandemic
Now in its seventh year, Kraxberger Middle School’s Gearheads Robotics Club continues to thrive, despite having competitions cancelled by the pandemic.
“We wanted the club to continue during the pandemic, but wondered how,” said mentor Shawn Price. “To gather ideas, we met with 25 members and parents in an open courtyard outside the City Hall and talked about ways we could run e-recycling, projects, and zoom meetings during the pandemic. All the parents and members were on board.”
Club activities look different this year. Students are building a device to protect a raw egg and prevent it from breaking when dropped out of a moving truck. In the new year, they are planning a five-part project series that offers students the chance to win a 3-D printer.
The group has also continued their electronics recycling work to raise funds for the club, taking totes of devices home for disassembly. Monthly Zoom meetings keep students connected.
The club’s success has been rewarded with grant funds and sponsorships, including $10,000 from Amazon, $5,000 from Collins Aerospace, $1,000 from XAG Solutions, and donations from Olympus Control and other sponsors.
The club plans to use the funds to upgrade computers and monitors, purchase a laser cutter for wood, and add a next generation smart board. They are also in the process of creating scholarships for future technology engineers.
“COVID may have cancelled our robotics competition this year, but it has given us more time to polish our club, reorganize, and prepare to come back stronger than ever before,” said Price. To find out more about Gearhead Nation visit the club website https://www.gearheadsrobotics.com/
Gladstone churches thank school employees
The coalition of five evangelical churches launched the project in appreciation of the hard work of school employees during distance learning.
“We see the hard work so many are putting in, and wanted to provide encouragement,” said youth pastor Michael Calquhoun. “There has been a growing relationship between the Gladstone Ministerial Association and the schools, and we’ve seen how much teachers and school administrators give.”
Churches involved in the effort included Gladstone Christian Church, Gladstone Park Seventh Day Adventist Church, Gospel Fellowship Community Church, Hillside Christian Fellowship, and New Life Church of Gladstone.