As it appeared in the Westside Bulletin, April, 2017.

Rose P.
Rose P. points at her poster while presenting her topic during Transition class. The Transition curriculum provides experiences, skill building, and opportunities that will enrich and educate students as they advance into the world after high school.

Happy Spring from the Graham Academy! Even though we may have been buried under the snow for a few days, our excitement for Spring is unwavering. Science Fair projects have been progressing through the scientific process. Students have concluded most of the research and analysis and have been putting together their presentations for the annual exhibition coming up in a few weeks.

During the high school classes’ Transition curriculum, students have been working on a variety of topics including restaurant etiquette (tipping, types of dining, ordering, etc), developing small group presentation skills, and learning how to search for potential jobs and completing applications for open positions. The high school students also volunteered to read to the younger students in celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday at the beginning of March. Students read Dr. Seuss books aloud, helped make crafts, and enjoyed cupcakes together. Students in Mr. Corey’s class also prepared green eggs and ham for everyone prior to the books being read.

In the elementary classes, students recently learned about transportation. They explored different modes of transportation and some of the items you might wear while traveling such as life vests on a boat and helmets on bicycles and motorcycles. Students also investigated the best modes of transportation depending on the distance from one location to another.

Katherine M.
Katharine M. shows the illustration from “Go Dog Go” to students in Ms. Leigh Anne’s class during Read Across America, the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

In Ms. Laura’s class, they have been learning more about sportsmanship and team building. They have learned what it means to be a sore loser and a poor winner. The class recently watched the movie Cars to observe how sportsmanship and the way you win and lose can affect those around you as well as how people respond to you.

In the garden, even with the recent snowfall, the students dug out and have continued several projects that were taking place in the beds and the greenhouse. Ms. Briana’s class learned about Mason Bee habitats – creating models before constructing their own bee houses that will be combined into a bee hotel. Another class learned about the purple martin bird and their migration back towards Pennsylvania. The students built birdhouses as the school continues to transform the garden into an ecosystem which supports pollinators and animals that eat disruptive insects.

April will welcome several speakers and guests including the NEPA Philharmonic for a concert, Stars on the Move – astronomy experiential, and Earth Day festivities. April is also Autism Awareness month. The Graham Academy will light up blue to support awareness for autism. You can participate in events and activities throughout the month of April in support of local organizations such as Liv with Autism, Autism Awareness – NEPA, and S.A.F.E.