March 2018
March 2018 Board Highlights
Oblock Junior High
PSSA Preparation
Classrooms were busy practicing PSSA vocabulary and graphic organizers in March in preparation for the ELA, math, and science PSSAs which will take place during the month of April. The ELA PSSAs are the week of April 9, the math PSSAs begin the week of April 16, and the science the week of April 23. In addition to reading, English, math, and science classes, all teachers, including art, civics, and health, were practicing graphic organizers, prompts, and writing topic sentences and conclusions. Jeopardy, Concentration, crossword puzzles, and other games were developed by teachers in all curricula to reinforce and practice the eligible content and anchor glossaries. Internet websites, computer games, and Smart Boards were also utilized to provide varied and creative ways to prepare for the testing. AEO students will go into the tests feeling confident and competent!
Foreign Language Club
Fifteen students from the Foreign Language Club created short stories in French and Spanish. The students read their stories to the kindergarten classes at Holiday Park Elementary School.
Volleyball
The AEO volleyball team had a wonderful season under the direction of Kelsey Bonk. Members of the team include the following: Emily Bologna, Payton Brenner, Samantha Glatz, Anastasia Lasco, Maggie Mossburg, Maya Nonnenberg, Lauren Price, Dannika Susko, Gianna Sharlock, Sydney Anderson, Julia Chapkis, Maria Cooley, Gabrielle Hantz, Caroline Hunter, Kai Johnson, Marissa Mamatas, Kaitlyn McKenna, Jenna Nardo, Morgan Proskin, Kayla Riley, Grace Thompson, Natalie Thompson, and Bailey Walker.
9th Grade Student Orientation
On Friday, March 9, 2018, high school principal, Justin Stephans, visited AEO to talk to the 8th grade students about scheduling and the courses offered at the high school. The presentation emphasized the importance of selecting courses that would appropriately challenge the student, along with which electives the students can choose. Mr. Stephans finished his presentation by emphasizing to the students that they should talk to their parents and their current school counselor about scheduling their classes for next year. Mr. Stephans presented this same information last evening to the eighth grade parents so they can reinforce the information discussed with their student. He also emphasized the students will be taking three Keystone exams during their time at the high school and how important it is to pass these exams in order to graduate. Eighth to 9th grade scheduling will take place the week of March 19th here at AEO. The high school counselors will travel to AEO to meet and schedule the current 8th grade students.
Orchestra Festival
Four music students from Oblock Junior High and Plum High School, Alexandra George, violin, Anna Gartland, bass, Audrey Lawrence, flute, and Nate Beninati, trombone, performed Saturday, March 17 with the PMEA District 1 JHS Orchestra Festival. Great job students!
PMEA Band Festival
Congratulations to our students, Audrey Lawrence (grade 9, flute), Carly Beninati (grade 7, clarinet) and Nathaniel Beninati (grade 7, trombone), who participated in the PMEA Jr. High District Band East Festival this week at Derry Area Middle School. These students had the wonderful opportunity to work with Dr. O. Richard Bundy, guest conductor. Congratulations, students, for representing the PBSD well and for a fine concert! Bravo!
STEM Design Challenge
Eight members of the AEO gifted program traveled to Duquesne University for the annual AIU3 Regional STEM Design competition on March 7, 2017. Students were challenged to build an eco-friendly household item while fitting within a budget of cost per piece. Rudra Thakkar, Ellie Tongel, Maura Marston, and Alexis Beiter designed an all-in-one washer/dryer. Alex George, Rachel Bunce, Kalynn Berringer and Gowri Warrier designed an exercise bike that would power a smart device. The teams had 2 hours to assemble the project from scratch and it was accompanied by technical drawings that were generated on the iPad. They were asked to present their builds to engineers from ThermoFisher Scientific. The exercise bike took an honorable mention with over 40 teams competing in the 6-8 grade level. Congratulations!
Reach Out Easter Egg Hunt
Reach Out had their annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 24. The turnout for the event was wonderful. Kids had free admission with a donation of a canned good. Some of the activities that the children enjoyed were as follows: photo with Easter Bunny, coloring contests, face painting, Reach Out, Girl Up, and Military Connection booths. Thanks to all who donated candy and volunteered to make the event possible.
Team Read
Team Read is still going strong at Oblock. We have 159 students in the Hall of Fame with at least 126 points (hours of reading), including 14 with over 300 and 2 with over 500. We have 93 All-Stars with at least 76, 195 Varsity with at least 26, and 71 JV readers with at least 10.