‘High School Musical, Jr.’ brings energy and joy to school

Naomi Strada - (Condensed by Tom Scatchard, Contributor)

Some of this week’s highlighted learning experiences seen by Charlotte Central School administrators in classroom visits during busy week of learning included:

File photo
  • The final Red Clover book read-aloud in K–4 library classes is always a special experience
  • In STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math), students in 5th grade have been working to code using Code Blocks in the TinkerCad platform. There were many great examples of students thinking, creating and making, as well as collaborating, persevering and redesigning based on their successes and challenges.
  • Third graders are writing fractured fairy tales — taking traditional fairy tales and exploring ways to change key story elements such as plot, characters, setting and point of view to create their own take on the tale. This is a great writing process that blends imagination and skill development!
  • Volleyball is coming to a close and it has been an excellent “mid-season” experience.

Down Syndrome Day
March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day. In 2013, the theme of Wearing Odd Socks was initiated to raise awareness about Down Syndrome. The idea was created because chromosomes are shaped like socks and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome.

High School Musical, Jr.
Last week the Spring Musical returned to Charlotte Central School with “High School Musical, Jr.”

Many weeks of hard work by cast, crew and directors went into the first all-school gathering since spring 2020, and our multi-purpose room was full of such great energy and joy.

There were also lots of teary eyes among faculty and staff at spectacular moments with students taking positive risks, delivering wonderful performances, the sense of community on display, the wide-eyed wonder of many of the school’s youngest classes and the exuberant support from the student body for their schoolmates up on the stage.

Planning for next year
The staff is deep into planning for the upcoming school year, which includes looking at data and determining the highest priorities to be addressed, including the use of pandemic-response Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
Some of the funds will be used for shoring up social-emotional learning and mental health supports for students by expanding the current half-time school services clinician position from the Howard Center to full time.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Band Concert
Monday, April 11, 6:30 p.m.
The 5th and 6th grade bands and chorus will present their first-ever concert in the multi-purpose room. Students should arrive at 6 p.m. and go to the band room first. The concert is free and open to the public.