Clinton Township Newsletter

1 5 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6 Paick McGah Scho PMG Students Become Typing Agents – This year, the students at Patrick McGaheran have been using the keyboarding program, Typing Agent, through technology classes with Miss Napoli. The second grade students take on a quest to climb the famous K2 Mountain. In order to climb up the mountain, students learn how to type with EGor and the e-minions. Through their lessons, students receive ample typing to reinforce learning. They can view their progress, play fun games, and earn badges. Third grade students begin by selecting their avatar (character) and phone cover design (keyboarding lessons and other features displayed). Once entered into the program, students can work on their agent lesson training, view their report, play fun games and earn badges. In addition, after each lesson is completed students can see what their rank is (recruit, detective, secret agent all the way to super agent). The fantastic part about this program is that students can use a PC, Mac, iPad, Surface, Chromebook and Android devices to enter the program! Keyboarding is a very important skill for students as they work toward mastering the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards in Technology. Winter Happenings at PMG – Word of the Month: Generosity! Each December students and teachers participate in an All-School Morning meeting led by Music Teacher, Erin Repsher. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and greeting each other, students and staff join each other in the gym to sing festive winter songs. Students who are nominated for their generous actions will be recognized with Friendship Word Awards. Before we leave on Winter Break, parents join us to help with our Winter Celebrations. Students dress in their pajamas and participate in making a craft and playing winter themed games. Another exciting December project is now in its 29th year! Each December we ask families to donate gifts for children in Camden. This year we plan to collect playground balls and board games. A bus full of these items and items collected from the other three schools will be delivered to the students in a Camden elementary school. This is a fantastic process that helps students learn about December's Word of the Month: Generosity. Staying Active During the Winter Months! PMG's Physical Education Teacher, J. Scott Annan, has shared some of his tips for families to remain active during the winter months ahead: "Advances in technology over the years, have allowed us to exercise without leaving the house. Many families have the ability to take advantage of fitness equipment in the home. Those items can include treadmills, rowers, elliptical machines and universal machines. Don't want to work out with equipment? I challenge my family to a game on the Wii or X-Box-Kinect consoles. The Wii and X-Box-Kinect allow players of all ages to enjoy video games. These video games allow players to dance, throw, swing and jump, keeping us physically active while having FUN! If you are not excited about staying inside, bundle up and go outside to play in the snow! Looking for some adventure, go to the mountain for some skiing, snowboarding or tubing." Rd V Scho It has been b u s y i n t h e Valley! Round Valley students p a r t i c i p a t e d i n a M o c k Election that w a s r u n b y o u r S c h o o l C o u n c i l . S t u d e n t s set up the e l e c t r o n i c v o t i n g booths and then all of the students in the school participated in voting. Students learned the process and the importance of letting your voice be heard. The Word of the Month for December is GENEROSITY. As we have done in the past, Clinton Township continues our Camden Collections Project. It's amazing that this is the 29th year we have been able to join forces to support the students in Camden. Students and staff are busy gathering items to donate to the Catto School in Camden. Students are collecting coloring books, crayons, hats, mittens, toys, games, and personal care items. The excitement is contagious! The Educational Service Commission (ESC) transportation department donates a bus for the day and staff representatives from Spruce Run School, Patrick McGaheran School, Round Valley School and Clinton Township Middle School come together to deliver the goodies to Camden. Sixth grade students were inspired to help others after reading the novel After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick. They were so moved that they wanted to make the time that children spend in the hospital a bit more comfortable. Students shared personal experiences and generated ideas to help make the time pass a little less stressful for young patients. Their plan is to collect and donate new novels of all genres to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. When the hospital was informed, they were delighted. Good job 6th grade! ton Tohip Midd School The students at Round Valley and Clinton Township Middle School took part in the National Student Mock election, sponsored by the Youth Leadership Initiative! Students learned about the issues, the candidates and the election process. Each child completed an online ballot in a simulated polling place. The Clinton Township Middle School students are busy planning our 7th annual Relay for Life, a fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society. Our school community has raised over $210,000 so far in the battle to end cancer once and for all. This year's event will be held on Friday, February 24 from 6:00 - 9:30 pm. You can sign up on line at: http://main.acsevents.org or contact Diane Cormican at: dcormican@ctsdnj.org. PURPLE RAIN: Bands Battling Cancer! The Clinton Township Middle School is sponsoring a special concert featuring live local bands on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 7:00-9:30. Come to hear some homegrown music and support our Relay for Life! Tickets are $10 at the door. Clinton Township Middle School hosted our annual Debate competition with other area schools on Friday, December 2. At the time of this writing, four other schools were planning to attend with their debate teams. Students debated current topics and had a great time learning this valuable life skill. Congratulations to the 8th Grade Girl's Volleyball Team for winning the CJJAA League Championship! They beat Readington 2 games to 0. The 8th grade team finished the year 14-1. Congrats on an awesome season! Cross Country had a great season! The boys came second in the Meet of Championships and the girls came in third. The Clinton Township Middle School team won six medals out of fifteen awarded to the top runners at Meet of Championships. Congratulations to all runners who showed great spirit and sportsmanship! Clinton Township School District Mission Statement: The Clinton Township School District, in partnership with the community, achieves excellence for each child by ensuring a meaningful and challenging educational experience in a supportive environment, developing life-long learners who are responsible and productive citizens. p ta d i S C o U n t C a R d There's a great new way to save lots of money at many local shops, and support the Clinton Township PTA at the same time! The NEW 2017 Discount Card includes reusable discounts from over 25 local businesses and restaurants, valid for a period of 12 months. Merchants on the card include: Dockside Market & Grill, Chelsea's 22, Sweet Melissa's, Just Chill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin Donuts, Longhorn Steakhouse and many more! When you purchase discount cards you're sure to save much more than $20 (the cost of a discount card) when shopping or eating at the many locations, plus you'll be helping the PTA provide social and educational opportunities to the children of CTSD! Discount cards can be purchased with ease right from your phone. To receive instructions on how to preview the card and buy online, text CLINTON to 43506 on any mobile device.

• Cover