Published: March 09, 2007 10:40 am            

Oakwood ISD School Happenings for 3-4-07

• Students Make Quilts — Second grade read several informative books during January and February. We learned a great deal from “Sweet Clara’s Freedom Quilt,” “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and "The Life of Harriet Tubman.” These books contained social studies, reading, and science. Using the Web, we discovered the old meanings behind several modern quilt patterns. Each student made a quilt and pillow using quilt patterns containing secret messages for slaves to follow on their journey to freedom.

• Students Collect Tabs for Charity — In the fall of this year, Rose Henson’s second-grade class at Oakwood Elementary came upon the following question in their social studies book: What are some ways people in your community help others? The answers all seemed to involve their parents or “older” friends. Finally with the help of their teacher, the seven year olds discovered something they could do. Throughout this year, they have been collecting can tabs. These tabs will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. For those not knowing, a Ronald McDonald House is a place where the parents of children that are in a nearby hospital can stay at night for reduced or no cost. The proceeds from the recycled can tabs help with these costs. These 11 second graders have gotten the word out and are stockpiling tabs. We plan to present them to a Ronald McDonald House later in May. What have they learned? No matter how small you are, or how small the object — together, we can make a difference.

• GT Class Participates in Ballroom Dancing — Dancing and a wonderful treats was what was on the menu for the Oakwood GT students recently at the Sabor a Pasion Country House and Bistro in Palestine. The GT class has been taking ballroom dancing lessons since the beginning of the school year. The lessons were provided by the hosts of Sabor a Pasion, Chef Simon and Beki Webster. After an afternoon of dancing, the dancers and their guest were served a wonderful lunch prepared by Chef Simon. For more information on the GT ballroom dancing and Sabor a Pasion, you can visit us at oakwoodisd.net.

• GT Class Presents Renaissance New Year — Recently a time of new beginnings was celebrated as the Oakwood GT Class held a Renaissance New Year for the staff and faculty of Oakwood ISD. The students have been worked hard on handcrafted Renaissance costumes along with many other projects such as their own Coat of Arms, face masks, timelines, and even sculpting castles. hen everything was ready, the students dressed in their costumes and served English recipes while displaying what they have been working on throughout the year.

• GT Class, AR Readers Visit Cynthia Ann Parker Exhibit — On Feb. 7, Susan Olive’s Gifted and Talented class and Mrs. Vicki Lipsey’s 7th and 8th AR readers went to the Palestine Public Library to see the Cynthia Ann Parker exhibit. They listened to a lecture by author and historian Jack Selden based on his new book: “Return: The Parker Story.” The students were able to meet Selden and ask questions about the history of Parker.

Next the students visited the Old Pilgrim Church and cemetery near Elkhart. The students were surprised by the plainness of the old church and the hardships the pioneers faced to serve God.

After the tour of the church and cemetery, the students were treated to pizza at Mazzio’s.

• Essay Contest — The students will soon be entering the essay contest sponsored by the library. The winners will be announced and awards will be given at Oakwood ISD on Wednesday.

        

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