April 2018
April 2018 Board Highlights
Oblock Junior High
Art Expo
On April 5, students Addison Sofran, Gowri Warrier, Alexis Beiter, Rachel Bunce, Annabelle Bunce, Katrina Evankovich, and Cameron Porado took a trip to compete in the Gateway School District Art Expo. With the guidance of Mrs. Durick, the students were able to create art pieces in the styles of Futurism, Precisionism, and Constructivism. Throughout the day, they judged others’ artwork, completed an artist quiz, and created an art collage. They each brought their own original work of art and represented Oblock well.
6th Grade Parent Orientation
Approximately 250 parents of sixth grade students attended the orientation program on Wednesday, April 4 at A. E. Oblock Junior High to learn about the junior high’s academic program and to ease the transition from elementary to junior high. The program was led by guidance counselor, Mr. Joe Miller. The orientation was set up a little different this year. Approximately 20 AEO teachers from all departments were present to answer questions about athletics, activities/clubs, transportation, additional concerns, and the dress code. Parents were also able to have individual concerns and questions addressed one-on-one following the scheduled program. The entire 6th grade class will attend their first student orientation on May 2 at the junior high. The guidance counselors will attend each elementary building beginning Mid-May to begin scheduling the 6th graders for their course selections for next year.
Spanish I
Mrs. Kociela’s Spanish I students are working on a virtual school tour project to send to their ePals in Ecuador and Chile. They are filming video segments throughout the building to create iMovies to showcase Oblock Junior High.
Vaping Presentation
In mid-April, Ms. Emilie Greiner, SAP Drug and Alcohol Specialist, Family Services of Western Pennsylvania, came to AEO to present the dangers of vaping to Oblock students. The students attended the presentation through their history classes and were informed about the addiction of the products, current risks, and long-term effects. After presented with the information, the students had an open forum to ask questions. The material was well received and very informative.
Library News
It's been a great month for the Oblock library. There are now 10 students in the 500 Point Club, 15 more in the 300 Point Club, 157 others in the Hall of Fame (126 points), 91 All Stars (76 points), 186 on Varsity (26 points), and 69 on JV (10 points).
The library was a recipient of a grant for an IPEVO SuperCharger for up to 6 iPads at a time.
The library also facilitated a poetry workshop earlier this year and one of the student's poems was accepted for publication by Creative Communications. Congratulations to seventh grader, Annabelle Bunce for her achievement.
Finally, the library helped get Oblock certified as a Common Sense school by Common Sense Media, which prepares students to be good, safe Digital Citizens online.
Posted: Thursday, May 3, 2018