Volume 3 Issue 2 Designed by: Dylan LaRockOn Tuesday, October 20th, preschool through Grade 6 students were invited to Riverside Stadium to “Read Under the Lights”. All children who attended this event received a new, free book! In addition to books, chil-dren and their families participated in stands that featured:

• A Book Swap • Name Your Favorite Book • Make Your Own Bookmark• Meet McGruff the Crime Dog

Items donated by Walmart Distribution Center and the Elementary Literacy Team were offered as prizes for free raffle tickets given to each family. If a family brought 10 books to read on the field, they received 10 free raffle tickets! In addition, celebrity guest readers read books to the children each ½ hour over the stadium’s PA system. These readers included: Curwensville Homecoming Queen Madison Bumbarger, District Attor-ney William Shaw, County Commissioner John Sobel, and Curwensville Borough Police Officer Mark Kelly. Students from the National Honor Society and the High School Literature Club volunteered their time to help support the evening and Mr. Jim Fleming lent his voice talent as the Master of Ceremonies. This event was an overwhelming success with over 300 people attending a night of literacy-themed fun. Plans to make to make this a yearly event are already underway!

Third grade students completed a unit on the early days of America and immigration in September. The unit was cross-curricular and integrated social studies into language arts. The third grade’s first Lead21 unit focus-es on “changes”. One story discussed immigrants coming to America. Third grade furthered their learning about immigrants by integrating a social studies unit where students learned about their own ancestors and how the American culture is a ‘melting pot’ of many other nations’ customs. The students also read The Long Way to a New Land, a fictional story of an emigrant family traveling from Sweden to America. A realistic fiction book, Dreaming of America, the story of Annie Moore—the first immigrant to register at Ellis Island, was read aloud in order to extended the understanding of immigrants uncomfortable and fearful journey to America, the land of the free.

Third graders performed a play, “A Tribute to America”, during their cross-curricular unit. Students per-formed a reader’s theater skit involving the Founding Fathers (students pictured) and the creation of our nation’s Constitution, and sang patriotic songs. Third grade students have been performing this play for a number of years during the early part of the school year to coincide with Constitution Day on September 17. This year as a culminating activity for their unit, third graders traveled to Fort Roberdeau in Altoona, PA to get a hands-on feel for the early days of America. We had a great trip!

ReadUnder the Lights

A Tribute to America

Play

Summer Reading 2015 – A Success Story!Once again, the teachers at Curwensville Elementary decided to tackle the “Summer Slide” head on and partnered with the Curwensville Public Library to offer a fun Summer Reading program for all students, pre-school – Grade 6.

Each week through the summer, groups of volunteer teachers met with students either before or after the reg-ularly scheduled library reading program to take Accelerated Reader quizzes on the books they were reading. Students could then use those points to earn great donated prizes such as coupons from Checkerboard Pizza, Brothers Pizza, South Side Subs, McDonalds, Burger King, Old Town Road Dairy, Long John Silvers, Wen-dy’s and the Blue Kow. As students earned more points, they were also eligible for a Fun Central Gift Card. To entice even more students, teachers used funds raised through an end of year Book Fair to purchase 2 iPods to offer as grand prizes. All prizes were awarded at an assembly that celebrated Summer Reading at the beginning of the school year. In addition to the grand prizes, students who participated were eligible to win additional certificates at the assembly from the local sponsors. The more a student read, the more times his/her name was entered to win one of the great prizes offered!

This partnered effort between local businesses, the Curwensville School District and the Curwensville Public Library was once again a huge success! Over 79 students from preschool through 6th grade participated in this extra reading program and read for over 556 points! Plans for Summer Reading 2016 are already underway!

Pictured left: Brody Kelly (PreK-2 IPod winner) & Anthony Allen (Grades 3-5 IPod winner)

Additional Prize winners left: Dayton Mackey (Fun Central Card), Teagan Harzins-ki (Clearfield Lanes) & Andrew Larson (Fun Central)

Additional Prize Winners:

1st row: Brody Kelly (grand prize), Jovee Elensky, Logan Kunkle, Matilyn McCracken, Makenna Cummings, Morgan Nelen, Carter Cummings, Lucas Mallon

2nd row: Cooper Haag, Tyus Penvose, Rylee Tkacik, Dayton Mackey, Aiden Finn, Brody Larson, Trenton Best

3rd row: Andrew Larson, Wyatt Stephens, Alex Murawski, Natalie Wischuck, Jordan Turner, Kaylee Nelen, Janelle Ardary, Te-aghan Harzinski, Emma Gill, Maya Richards, Anthony Allen (grand prize)

Not pictured: Tessa Queen, Colton Queen, Cameron McCracken, and Laura Selfridge

The Amazing Reading RaceGet ready! Get set! Students at Curwensville and Penn Grampian Elementary have started The Amazing Reading Race 2!

Once again, teachers at Curwensville and Penn Grampian Elementary are participating in the Amazing Reading Race; an activity that will get students reading as much as possible this school year. Each of the classrooms at Curwensville Elementary and Penn Grampian is on a team with other classrooms from 1st - 6th grade. Students on each team will read to try to earn the most points. At the end of the 2nd nine weeks, the team with the most points will be rewarded with a Sock Hop, complete with decorations, music, games and ice cream floats.

After the Sock Hop, all points will be reset and teams will compete again for the second half of the year. The winner at the end of the 4th nine weeks will get to participate in a Hawaiian Luaua. Again, students will get to join in dancing, games, and treats.

To keep teams motivated, pit stops have been set up to reward teams for reaching point goals. The first pit stop, ice cream treats, is for all teams who reach 500 points and is being sponsored by the Elementary Student Council.

The students have already read for 3,147 points! That is truly amazing!

Elementary Music ProgramThe elementary music program has received several grants this year. 3 of the grants are from Donorschoose.org, which is a non-profit website where teachers can post projects for classroom materials and supplies that they need for their students. The first Donors Choose grant was in the amount of $393 for 30 pairs of maracas and 30 pairs of castanets, both of which are percussion instruments. These are already being used by students to play in class. The second grant was in the amount of $184 for 30 pairs of finger cymbals, also being used in class by students already. The third grant was in the amount of $197 for a soprano and alto glockenspiel (bells) to be used in general music class as well.

Currently Mr. Pennington is seeking to bring in steel drums to Curwensville to continue to add world music into the curriculum. If you would like to support the elementary music classroom, you can make a taxable donation to this project of any size by visiting Mr. Pennington’s Donors Choose page at www.donorschoose.org/rpennington.

Mr. Pennington also applied for the Project Stream Grant in June and has been awarded a grant in the amount of $700 from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for the elementary music program. This money will be used to bring in a musical performance program later in the year that will be open to the students and public. Mr. Pennington will go to accept the award from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts on October 28th at the Schlow Centre Region Library in State College.

Reading Tips and TricksReading, and the love of reading, begins at home! Reading is at the heart of all learning. Children who can’t read well, can’t learn. Check out this corner each edition to find tips to help your child become a better reader and student.

• Create a quiet, special place in your home for your child to read, write anddraw. Keep books and other reading materials where your child can easilyreach them.• Read a child’s favorite book over and over again.• Discuss new words. For example, “This big house is called a palace. Who do you think

lives in a palace?”• Help your child see that reading is important. Set a good example for yourchild by reading books, newspapers and magazines.• Take children’s books and writing materials with you whenever you leavehome. This gives your child fun activities to entertain and occupy himwhile traveling and going to the doctor’s office or other appointments.• Limit the amount and type of television you and your child watch. Betteryet, turn off the television and spend more time cuddling and reading books with your child. The time and

attention you give your child has many benefits beyond helping him be ready for success in school. ★ Reach out to libraries and community and faith-based organizations. These

organizations can:★ Help you find age-appropriate books to use at home with yourchild;★ Show you creative ways to use books with your child and othertips to help her learn; and★ Provide year-round children’s reading and educational activities.

Guidance CornerDATES TO REMEMBER:

Financial Aid Night- Monday, November 2nd at 6:00pm in the Auditorium Parents of Seniors/Juniors

ABC’s of College Planning-Open House Night Monday, November 9th at 6:00pm in the Auditorium

ASVAB- Tuesday, November 3rd All Juniors will take in the Cafeteria at 7:40am-Results will be interpreted in December for Career Direction

8th Grade CCCTC Tour- Tuesday, November 10th at 8:15am-Parents are reminded to return permission slips

Joe Royer, Career Counselor, is coming to Curwensville on MONDAYS and THURSDAYS. Please email Mrs. Matchock(nmatchock@curwensville.org) or Mr. Husted(jhusted@curwensville.org) if you would like to explore career or career options with Mr. Royer.

*Fee Waivers are available to students that receive a free lunch see Mrs. Matchock if you are eligible

SAT Test Dates:Test Date Registration Deadline DateNov 7, 2015 Oct 9, 2015Dec 5, 2015 Nov 5, 2015Jan 23, 2016 Dec 28, 2015March 5, 2016 Feb 5, 2016 (Redesigned SAT Test)May 7, 2016 April 8, 2016June 4, 2016 May 5, 2016

ACT Test Dates: Registration Deadline DateDec 12, 2015 Nov 6, 2015Feb 6, 2016 Jan 8, 2016April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016

Science FairOur 4th graders recently participated in the first ever “4th grade only” Science Fair. We had projects ranging from a pixel puzzle to a solar oven. Judging was tough! We invited the student’s families and they selected the “Visitor’s Choice Award.” Several teachers came to vote, as well as Mr. Veihdeffer and the High School Sci-ence Department. Additionally, 3rd graders were able to come and view the displays so they could get excited about their potential projects for next year. We are very proud of our young scientists, inventors, astronauts, and explorers! We are looking forward to what the future will bring!

Curwensville High School students will participate in a national poetry recitation contest. Guest speakers will include author TC Joseph and select Curwensville alumni. Dr. Kirk Weixel and Dr. John Woznak of Saint Fran-cis University will preside as judges. The event is sponsored by the CASD Literature Club. Please join us to celebrate academics and the arts.When: November 10th

Time: 7:00 pmWhere: CASD Auditorium

Sponsored by: CASD Literature Club

A mentos soda dispenser by 4th grader Braden Holland Our “Eggs-Pert” Scientist Savannah Carfley.

Back Row – 2nd and 3rd Place Winners - Grady Hoyt, Trenton Guiher, Dylan Henry, Christian Sopic, Hayden Sloppy, Andrew Larson, Isaiah Creek

Front Row –1st Place Winners - Braden Holland, Logan Aughenbaugh, Ryder Kuklinskie, Principal’s Choice Award - Andrew Anderson-Wassil , Riley Smith, Jarett Anderson, Parker Wood

Book Fair will be open this night to the public from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Sensational ScienceMrs. Berry’s 7th grade science class has been busy learning about the steps of scientific inquiry. Students posed their own questions, created a hypothesis (a possible answer to the question), and then designed experi-ments to prove or disprove their hypotheses. Finally, students created a poster to communicate their findings. Students also incorporated reading and analyzing into their science class. Each student read a science article. After reading, each person determined if the article was scientific and the article’s audience. Students used evidence to back up their claims. Check out the posters in the hall.

Second Annual High School Reading CompetitionThe Literature Club will sponsor the 2nd annual Reading Competition in the high school beginning on October 30th, 2015. Students will participate in a school-wide challenge where winners receive bonus points to kick off the compe-tition. Each week, students will turn in their Accelerated Reader Points to be accumulated by grade level. The grade with the highest amount of points at the end of the competition will earn a field trip reward. The competition will be held during the 2nd and 3rd nine weeks of this school year. Stay tuned for announcements concerning individual and group leaders. You can always check out the Literature club’s website at www.curwensville.org/Domain/197 for the latest news and a plethora of pictures from our events. Below are pictures of last year’s winners.

Echo YearbookA new program this year allows members of the community to submit their personal photos of school activi-ties for possible use in the 2016 Echo. If you think you have the perfect digital photos to contribute just submit them by following these steps:1. Go to the upload webpage. https://yearbookforever.com/#search2. Enter Curwensville Area High School and click on the school name when the link appears.3. Click on the orange arrow at the top right of the page that says Community Upload. 2. Enter the access code. The code for our school is Golden Tide 2016.3. There is no guarantee that your photos will be used, but we are always looking for great pictures to make our book even more special!4. Any uploaded pictures are contributions to the Echo Staff. You will not receive any compensation if your photos are used, just personal satisfaction that you are good!!