Portage Township Schools Update, September 29, 2017

Portage Township Schools Update, September 29, 2017

Kyle Elementary
Mrs. Mathisen's 3rd gr. class participated in a field trip to West Beach to learn all about the lake and it's surroundings.

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Myers Elementary
Myers first graders became seed investigators this past Tuesday, September 26, 2017, as they explored the grounds of their school yard in search of assorted seeds. Mrs. Michelle Benson, from the Porter County Soil and Water Conservation District, presented these explorers with a program entitled “S” Is For Seeds.” The students learned about seeds that stick and sail and some that are snacks for squirrels, as they settle to the ground. This is a hands-on program that helps the children learn these science concepts through the use of “S” words, a rhyming poem, and the use of a magnifier. The students were extremely engaged as they collected seeds and physically touched them. Screams of glee were heard as Mrs. Benson presented each first grader with their own magnifying glass. Zoe Devitt, a student in Mrs. Diane Zuick’s class told her teacher that she really liked learning about seeds. She thought it was really fun when her classmates raced to see whose seed “sailed” the furthest. She said, “This is so awesome!” Everyone agreed. This program has been a favorite of first graders for many years!

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Saylor Elementary 50th Birthday Celebration
Saylor had a 50th birthday celebration last week. We were fortunate to have Mr. Baker, past and present Saylor teachers and staff, and Mr. Saylor's family attend our event. It was wonderful to see past students and parents come to visit with the staff, and reminisce while walking the halls.

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Saylor Elementary Imagination Theater
Saylor students were visited by members of Imagination Theater, and were part of an interactive play called "Show Respect". Actors, along with a few students, acted out different scenarios and how to handle the outcome respectfully. Our student actors and audience had a great time!

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PHS MCJROTC
Cadets from Portage High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC enjoy the annual JROTC picnic on 23 September 2017. The picnic is an opportunity to hang out with fellow cadets & for the instructors to meet family members.

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PHS Art Department
Students in the Art Department are working hard making their self portraits. This is Lea Deyoung, a Drawing 2 student, working on a portrait of herself.

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PHS Oktoberfest
Jacob Rossman, grade 10, and Olivia Razo, grade 10, participated in making a TP wedding gown. We will be having a TP wedding gown crafting contest at our next meeting German Club meeting which will be Tuesday, October 10, our Oktoberfest Celebration. The Oktoberfest stems from a royal wedding celebration. So now students will remember the event origins with the fun activity.

PHS World Language
The French 3 and French 4 classes wrote their first pressure skits, or timed writings, today, and the work the students turned in was above average for everyone! The topic for this skit was on asking and answering questions about what's on TV, what people like, and don't like to watch, and their opinions on various genres of TV shows. Students exhibited their creativity in humorous ways and recalled previously studied grammatical structures, even though they were not required to. Students presented their skits to the rest of the class. As we go throughout the course of the year, students will be doing more pressure skits with more requirements and less time. This forces them to make solid word choices abd use a skill called circumlocution, and to learn to begin to think in French.