December 2007, News

updated December 13, 2007

Slate Creek Book BuddiesLetters to Santa Go High Tech
Students in Kathi Bogner’s 5th grade class teamed up with their book buddies in Jessica McClenahan’s kindergarten class to correspond with Jolly Old St. Nick via the internet. On November 30, the kindergarteners, wearing reindeer antlers, dictated their letters to Santa to their 5th grade buddies, who were decked out in Santa hats. The 5th graders then typed the letters, helped their little friends pick out clip art to add, and the kindergarteners sent them off to Santa at www.emailsanta.com. The letter-writers promptly received a response letter from Santa. The site features many touching and amusing letters sent in by children young and old from across the world. For a good Christmas chuckle, check it out.



updated December 13, 2007

MS Chamber Ensemble at Moka's Middle School Orchestra Performs at Moka’s
The Chisholm and Santa Fe Middle School Chamber Ensemble performed 30 minutes of Christmas music last Thursday evening at Moka’s, prior to the downtown Parade of Lights. The group is made up of about twenty 7th and 8th grade middle school orchestra students under the direction of Joey Menninga.




updated December 13, 2007

Composting Santa Fe Students Learn About Composting
Students in Marcia Neal’s 7th grade class at Santa Fe learned about the benefits of vermicomposting (composting using worms) when guest speaker Scott Eckert, Harvey County Horticulture agent, visited the class on December 5th. Eckert brought several “friends” along to help with his demonstration, in the form of hundreds of “red wiggler” composting worms. Eckert explained to the students how the worms recycle organic waste, like newspapers, fruit peelings, grass clippings, etc. into garden compost. The worms eat the waste and the resulting worm excrement, known as “castings” provide a nutrient rich compost for lawn and garden.



updated December 2, 2007

Budde WhiteBudde-White honored as Friend of Education by KAESP
Carrie Budde-White was honored at the Newton board of Education meeting on Monday for her exceptional service as a volunteer at the Walton 21st Century Learning Center. Larry Hobbs presented her with a Friend of Education plaque on behalf of the Kansas Association of Elementary School Principals.
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updated December 2, 2007

Reading Caravan PetersKAKE Reading Caravan Grant Awarded to Slate Creek
Slate Creek Elementary School was recently honored as the KAKE Caravan library grant winner for the month of November. Susan Peters, KAKE news anchor, visited Slate Creek to present the award. While there, Peters also read the book Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco to students.
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