-Leslie Macek

North Country Elementary is pleased to have been awarded a $5,000 grant from The Lowe’s Gives Foundation. (LGF).

The grant project proposal was to purchase a MakerBot Replicator + 3-D printer along with the necessary filaments to be housed in our Collaboratory. With chrome books in almost every classroom, our old computer lab was turned into a STEAM maker space dubbed The Collaboratory, to challenge students to work on projects , create, invent and tinker using TinkerCad and their imaginations.

Tinkercad is an online 3D design and 3D printing app. It is used by designers, hobbyists, teachers, and kids, to make toys, prototypes, home decor, Minecraft models, – the list is truly endless! While Tinkercad is used to design students’ projects, the 3D printer can now physically print that design into an actual object.

Our collaboratory also houses Little Bits - a platform of easy-to-use electronic building blocks that empower you to invent anything, from your own remote controlled car, to a smart home device. The Bits snap together with magnets, no soldering, no wiring, no programming needed. Makey Makeys are invention kits that can turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet.

Soon to join the arts, science and engineering Collaboratory space are Bee-Bots! Bee-Bots are little robots designed for use by young children. They are easy-to-operate, user friendly and a perfect tool for teaching sequencing, estimation, problem-solving, and just having fun!

The biggest item to round out our Collaboratory was the MakerBot 3-D printer. We are forever grateful to Lowe’s for giving us the opportunity to turn our space into a little engineer’s dream. Below is a picture of the printer with the first item printed; a NoCo (North Country) key chain.

We thank the Foundation for their continued support in reaching out to offer us a hand in any future purchases for our Collaboratory.

North Country Elementary's sixth annual Leadership Day on February 15th was a success thanks to the children from North Country. The theme was Empowerment! Realize Your Goals. By teaching these skills of self-discipline, self reliance and self confidence, teachers are fostering the opportunity for students to learn life skills that are required to be productive adults.

Children will present their speeches and/or share their leadership notebooks again on March 2, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. to guests from The Leader In Me symposium being held at Sac State. North Country parents who did not get an opportunity to hear their child speak or guide you through his/her Leadership Notebook last week, are invited to attend the March 2nd day to see your child in action. You are very welcome to invite relatives, friends or a business community member who is interested in student leadership.

Each person attending should arrive no earlier than 9:20 to allow for breakfast clean up.

Leadership Day was a thrill for all of the children involved. If you were present, thank you for being a part of their special day. Students in classrooms also enjoyed visitors coming in to celebrate their successes. North Country's goal is to create a culture of confidence and success. This is what we strive for one day at a time as we “develop leaders one child at a time.”

The Wilson C Riles AVID students ventured out on their spring college trip. On Friday, February 16th, the student and teachers visited California State University, Chico where the students had the opportunity to experience student life by eating in the student union, and then attending a campus tour. One of tour guides was a Riles and Center High alum Makayla Howell. Makayla shared with her group of students about her experiences in her 4 years at CSU Chico. Students were excited to meet a college student who had come from their school. During the tour of campus, students were told about the history of the college, the legend of the buried car time capsule, and were able to see a student in action in a glass blowing lab.

The AVID students also had the opportunity to visit the Barry R Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary. At the sanctuary they were able to see some CSU Chico Animal Science graduates in action in their chosen field. They were also able to see many rescued animals and learn about the need for volunteers and community service to protect and care for these animals. The students enjoyed the opportunity to see close up large cats, black bears, coyotes, and even some reptiles. The AVID students use these opportunities to develop their own plans for future college and career.

The Center Joint Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. School and district programs, activities and services shall be free from unlawful discrimination based on actual or perceived sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, ethnic group identification, gender, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or sexual harassment in any district service, program and/or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. The district shall promote programs, which ensure that unlawful discriminatory practices are eliminated in all school and district activities.