Junior Achievement Day

Thank you Mr. Andrew Kasznay for facilitating educational opportunities to learn about STEM skills and Resources.  We loved Junior Achievement Day!

My favorite part of today was...

"learning about his prototype for his original electric car."  -Donovan

"playing the game." -Regina

"learning about different resources from countries around the world." -Rochelle

"making my resume." -Bryan

"talking about the pet store and his favorite animals." -Tami

"how to save gas and energy by walking and riding bikes." -Essence

"how to save money on gasoline when I'm an adult." -Nevaeh

Wadsworth Atheneum Field Trip

Fifth graders enjoyed art appreciation at the Wadsworth Atheneum.  Docents were impressed by our SURFS up behavior and our enthusiastic participation!  What a great day for Macdonough students, teachers, and parent volunteers!!

Geometric Masks

Miss Weindruch's 5th Grade Class constructed geometric masks and biographies that demonstrate a knowledge of conceptually based mathematical vocabulary.

Junior Achievement

The Kindergarten children enjoyed having volunteers from Junior Achievement in their classes today.  The children listened to different stories today. 

Mother's Day in Kindergarten

The kindergarten children invited their mother's in for a special strawberry shortcake snack.  The children sang songs, gave mothers a gift, and spent time eating with their mothers.  

Kindergarten Registration at Macdonough School

Macdonough staff welcomed the newest members of our school family during Kindergarten Registration this week.  Members of the kindergarten class of 2012 came with their parents to participate in the registration process.

Mrs. Lenihan

Mrs. Spaman

2nd Grade Visits Book Bower

Tuesday the second grade took their annual walk to the Book Bower on Main Street. They browsed the gently used books and had to make some tough decisions on which book to choose. It was an exciting morning for us because we can never have enough books! We also saw many Middletown landmarks like the Arrigoni Bridge, the new Community Health Center, O'Rourke's Diner, Amato's, and the Fire Station.

What Stage Are Our Painted Lady Butterflies In?

First graders have been observing the different stages of a painted lady butterfly for the past two weeks.  Over the weekend, all of our caterpillars went into the chrysalis stage.  We observed them today in their new home; our buttefly garden!

                          

2nd Grade NUMBER KIDS Visitor

Friday, May 4th, 2nd Grade mathmaticians worked with Mrs. Osiecki, from NUMBER KIDS, to create many different types of polygons. Students worked with partners to compare different quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and octagons.

Experiementing with Plants

Kindergarten has been learning all about the difference between living and non-living things. We have been learning about all of the different parts of plants, too. We even made our own pictures of flowers and labeled the different parts, like the seeds, roots, leaves, and more!

 In order to show the students how flowers work, the kindergarten teachers put some live white carnations in water that had blue food coloring in it. That way, the students could see the flowers change color as they sucked up the water.

The flowers are starting to change color, and it looks really neat!

Pancakes With My Principal

Three Macdonough School students took a field trip to O'Rourke's Diner to have pancakes with the principal.

They were treated to a delicious pancake breakfast. The group also saw important people like Miss Maley (a former Macdonough teacher) and Firefighter Al.  They also met Brian O'Rourke (the owner of the diner).

It was a fun morning!

Students were selected for exhibiting SURFS up behavior (Self-responsibility, Understanding, Respect, Fairness, and Safety).

Macdonough School Selected for Musical Instrument Award!

Macdonough School was awarded a trombone through the Horns for Kids program!

Horns for Kids is a non-profit organization that supports deserving school music programs throughout Connecticut. Its main purpose is to encourage children to experience the thrill of performing music in school, and as a life-long activity.

The trombone will be used a part of the Musical Mentoring Program, a Macdonough partnership with the Green Street Arts Center, which provides one-to-one private music lessons for Macdonough School students.

Field Trip to the Book Bower

On Friday April 27, third grade took a trip to the Book Bower on Main Street in Middletown.  The trip started with a walk down Main Street.  It was a breezy day and we all had to hold onto our hats.  One student’s hat blew into the street.  Luckily it was rescued by a kind gentleman.  When we arrived at the Book Bower students were amazed by the selection of used books available.  Thanks to the Book Bower, each student received a free book.  After our walk back, students spent some time enjoying their new books.

 Students wait patiently for their turn to get a book.

Ms. Waterman keeps students entertained by her lively reading of James and the Giant Peach

North End Trail Walk

Today Kindergarten went on a walk as part of a national event that encourages all students to simultaneously exercise.  We followed the North End trail that goes around the neighborhood.

Kindergarten was very lucky and had the chance to watch a train go under the bridge.  The conductor of the train waved to us!

We then celebrated our excellent walk with delicious watermelon!

CHET Dream Big Winners at Macdonough!

The 2012 CHET Dream Big! Competition, sponsored by the State of Connecticut Treasurer's Office, is a drawing and essay contest. The contest, open to children in kindergarten through grade five, brings attention to the importance of saving for college early through CHET: Connecticut's Higher Education Trust.  Students were encouraged to write about or draw a picture illustrating how they would make a difference in the world upon graduation from college.

Four Macdonough School students were announced as statewide winners! 

Congratulations to fifth grader Angie Alban, third grader Rejoyce Lutton, and kindergarteners Juliana Roberts-Hill and Antonie Lopez.  Each of these students was awarded $300 toward their college savings account!

Turn Off the TV Night

Thanks to all of the teacher volunteers who made this year's Turn Off the TV Night a special evening for students and families!

Click on the blue words "Read more" (just below this line) to see additional photos!

Recycling

Today the kindergarten children learned about recycling.   Kim O'Rourke the Middletown Recycling coordinator came in to teach the children what can be recycled.