The Press-Dispatch

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 The Press-Dispatch D-4 SCHOOL Submit school news items: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: schoolnews@pressdispatch.net Place your ad here! Contact Pam at plemond @pressdispatch.net Miller Moments From the desk of Principal Rich Padgett, Otwell Miller Academy April is full of a ton of emotion filled events and activities in Indiana schools. The fresh spring- time weather brings both ex- citement about warmer weather and the stress of spring storms. OMA would like to thank all of our parents and families for their flex- ibility and understanding with the adjustments that have to be made during spring flooding and storms. We also would like to thank the Sher- iff's department and EMS personnel for their sup- port during these events. Having these agencies present at the school during such stressful events is comforting to everyone involved. The other spring storm hitting schools is IRead and Ilearn testing for el- ementaries and longer lists for middle and high school students. While these tests are import- ant benchmarks for our schools and students they should NEVER be allowed to define a school or student's measure of success in school. They are one snapshot in time without mention of the multitude of factors that could be impacting a stu- dent's mental approach to the test that day (ill- ness, family loss, etc.). For many students more than a week of April will be spent sitting for state mandated tests. With the return of warmer weather our classes are looking for- ward to a number of field trips and outdoor class activities. From libraries and museums to zoos and farms the classes will get the chance to see many different community in- teractions and how they are interconnected with one another. One new program is a gardening project. Stu- dents will set up a garden plot here at the school to explore the many ways that gardening and farm- ers markets can touch our lives. From soil typ- ing to seed prep and growth cycles all the way to preparing the items for consumption. This learn- ing lab experience will be a great hands-on project for our students. Our 4th and 5th grad- ers have been participat- ing in the 500 Festival KidsFit Program(you can click on the link for more information), which takes place during the spring months of the 2022-2023 school year. The KidsFit program teaches youth how to pur- sue an active and healthy lifestyle through a mix of running and walking. By the end of the spring they will have completed 13.1 miles or the same dis- tance as the 500 festival mini marathon. On May 17, they will bring to Otwell the gran- deur and fanfare of the 500 Festival providing all resources, including a start line, finish line and race decor. Our stu- dents will complete their final mile with the same fanfare as if they were in Indianapolis at the mini marathon. More infor- mation/details will be shared in the May article. As we continue to look for ways to expand our reach and experiences for our students we are overwhelmed by the community support and willingness to share their stories with our students. Thank you Pike County. Eskimo Moments From the desk of Principal Aaron Meyers, Winslow Elementary School Testing Season is upon us which normally would mean a bit of complain- ing about missed instruc- tion, pressure on stu- dents and teach- ers, etc. This isn't going to be that as I am cur- rently reading The No Complaining Rule and I remembered a moment from my schooling. In graduate school, I had a professor who talked about how excited she would be to take tests. I'm not sure I ever shared her level of enthusiasm but reframing my ap- proach to exams changed my viewpoint. Instead of looking at it as a burden, I started to look at each as an opportunity to show how much hard work I had put in. To demon- strate the knowledge and abilities I had gained. As we head into our testing season and to- wards the end of the year I am excited that during a season of renewal, we have a chance to demon- strate the new growth that we have acquired over the course of the year through the hard work and dedication of our students, parents, and staff. I am proud of our 2nd and 3rd graders who have already com- pleted their IRead Test- ing. Our 2nd graders took it for the first time and worked hard on it. For the ILearn portion of our testing season, I would invite everyone to join us in developing our no complaining tools this month and celebrate the hard work we have done this year. •The But Positive Technique. I don't like taking exams but I'm thankful I get a chance to show my hard work and verify the things I have learned. •Focus on "Get To" in- stead of "Have To." Focus on gratitude. We recently finished a book where the protagonist would have done anything to get to go to school Focusing on the tremendous opportu- nities that we have in the United States can imbibe a sense of gratitude rath- er than dread. We work hard so that we are also able to play hard which shouldn't be lost in life or in school. This will include our spring program, field trips, and fun days as we round out the school year. Otwell Miller Academy Winslow Elementary Third grade student Kynslee Hurst proudly shows her artwork to her teacher, Ms. Sutton. Third grade student Rhett Houtsch passed his multiplication facts 0-12. On to division! Third grade student Austin Breidenbaugh passed his multiplica- tion facts 0-12. On to division! Students of the Month for February and March Front row: Sawyer Eager, Syler Gross, Reese Hathaway, Jensen Creel, Cora Seger, Aubrianna Hale, Vivian Vogler, Wade Gonzales, C.J. McAtee Middle row: Emma Applegate, Liam Hook, Atlan McCandless, Kiera Wellmeyer, Olive Woolsey, Reagan Drew, Ryleigh Gard, John Lee, Eastyn Knight, Myreon Fieldss Back row: Leah Cooper, Lindsey Lee, Paislie Benefiel, Annabelle Eager, Blake Houchin, Gemma Gonzales, Neva Schilling, Stihl Nalley, Lily Payne Not pictured: Kayleigh Slunder, Peyton Hansel, Josiah Eager, Chandler Porter Petersburg Elementary PES first graders worked on the "AR" sound on March 27-31. On Friday they had dress like a pirate day. Mrs. Beck's first grade class gives their best "Arrrr." Ms. Stone's class learning to make tally charts.

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