Did you know that a frog can freeze solid in winter and stay alive? That pigs attract their mates using their saliva? That frogs can jump three times the length of their bodies? Those are just some of the discoveries your students made during their visit this week with author Melissa Stewart.

Melissa has written over 160 informational books for children. She shared with our students her love of nature and science and the process she uses for writing books. She helped third and fourth graders learn to make their own writing more exciting and interesting by adding voice. She took fifth graders through the processing of publishing a nonfiction book, from the initial proposal through the final publication and distribution. She helped them understand the importance of rigorous research, using reliable sources, and revising work to make it accurate and interesting. Kindergarten through second grade learned about frogs and how we can all help to protect their habitats.

We are grateful to the Hills Garrison PTO for providing this enrichment opportunities for our students. Melissa’s website has a lot of fun activities for students. Please ask your students about her visit to our school and check out her website at www.melissa-stewart.com.

Check out this link:  Author Visit 2012

Today the PTO helped us host TIGER, a professional theatre company based at Plymouth State University.  TIGER (Theater Integrating Guidance Education and Responsibility) is designed to help children, schools, parents and communities deal proactively and positively with social issues and concerns facing children in schools today.  Today’s performance was entitled “Bullies and Bystanders Be Aware”.  Live actors, puppets, music and dance brought important lessons to life for your children.  The message of today’s performance taught children these lessons to follow if they see bullying:

T Tell an adult.

 I I say no!

G Please don’t gossip.

E Exit when necessary.

R Respond with respect.

The children and their teachers found the performance engaging and enjoyed it thoroughly!  Many thanks to the PTO for funding this performance!   Together, we all work to keep Hills Garrison School a safe and healthy place! Special thanks go to the P.T.O. and Ms. Jen Barry, Guidance Counselor, for arranging today’s assembly.

                                                                                   April 6, 2012

Children participated in a P.T.O. (Parent Teacher Organization) sponsored enrichment assembly and follow-up workshop:

“Techsploration-Simple Machines” – with Tom Wahle

            Mr. Wahle is a technology teacher who shared his love of simple machines with our students.  He engaged the students in a lively exploration of:

Levers – first, second and third class

                                                The make-up of levers (fulcrum, load, effort)

                                                Inclined planes/wedges/screws

                                                Wheel, axle, catapult

                                                Windless pulley

                                                Mechanical Advantage

                                                Small and large gears

            Through demonstrations and audience participation, Mr. Wahle emphasized the concept, “simple machines help us do work by trading distance for effort.”  In addition, “technology is used for problem solving.”

Student displays adorn the walls throughout the building.   The lobby display is entitled “If I Were President”.  Student writing appears on the first floor about friends, snowmen, penguins and more…

 On the second floor students have created image making collages about Biomes to go with their reports.  Students have written attribute poems, created poetry and art work about the Rainforest, and written about friendship.

Please enjoy The Hundred Dresses digital story that the second grade enrichment book group made with the help of Kate Thompson, Karyn Misenheimer, Sarah Seckla, Meghan Sirois and Janice Van Fleet.
Click here  to view the video.

Today the HGS postmasters, Alexandra Soucy, Tim Connors, and Alexis DeBlois were sworn in today by Mrs. Laura Dugas from the Hudson Post Office.

Hills Garrison students join in on the fun of Spirit Day!  Go Patriots!!

HGS students were thrilled with the performance by Alvirne’s Nothin’ But Treble and the B’Naturals.  Thanks Ms. Beaton for sharing!

Hills Garrison students enjoyed a visit from the Alvirne High School Jazz Band.  Our students enjoyed the variety of selections played by a very talented group of musicians accompanied by their enthusiastic conductor Mr. Gerry Bastien.   We really appreciate the opportunity to hear the group from Alvirne.

The HGS 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade Enrichment Chorus performed their Holiday concert to the delight of a packed house.  The children sang 8 selections accompanied by Tara and Heather Hardy from Alvirne High School (former Hills Garrison students).