October is Fire Safety Month

A group of children standing in front of a fire truck.

Students at Houlton Elementary School had some time to meet and ask questions of our St. Joseph Fire Department. Of course, the best part of these visits is getting to have a seat in the fire truck!

October is National Fire Prevention Month. We are all reminded to check our home fire alarm systems.

A group of children standing in front of a fire truck. A group of children listen to a presentation by a firefighter near the fire truck. A group of children inside the fire truck. A group of children in the fire truck. A group of children listen to a presentation by a firefighter near the fire truck. A group of children listen to a presentation by a firefighter near the fire truck.

North Hudson 5th Grade – Into the Woods

North Hudson students outside as a group.

Every year, each elementary school fifth-grade class spends several days at an environmental education camp. Our North Hudson fifth-grade enjoyed their experience at Camp Sandstone. This overnight experience, paired with the outdoor activities, serves to build knowledge, social-emotional skills and confidence for these older elementary children before their transition to middle school. 

Outdoor learning provides a unique opportunity to explore multiple subjects through hands-on, real-world activities. These activities make science, math, language arts and history fun. The children can see how social, ecological, economic and cultural issues are interconnected. 

Socially, the activities promote building citizenship and leadership skills. The children are challenged to share their knowledge and skills as they work in teams. Whether it is completing a ropes course together or building a fire, the children learn the importance of relying on each other for support and giving support to others. 

 

North Hudson First Grade Visit the Past

A group of children sitting at wooden desk in one room school.

North Hudson Elementary School first grade students recently visited the Heritage Center in New Richmond. They compared their school to a one room school, learned how a blacksmith worked with metal, saw the Ubet general store, and learned how to navigate a world without technology. What a great way to make learning fun and how fortunate we are to have this area resource!

A group of students standing in line before entering the school. Students seated in the Heritage Center store. Students seated in the Heritage Center store. Students standing in line listening to adult presenter.

Willow River Tower Garden

Two students and a teacher assemble a tower garden.

Willow River Elementary recently installed a Tower Garden in Ms. Weiland’s 4th grade classroom. A Tower Garden is a vertical, aeroponic growing system that will grow up to 28 vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in less than three square feet. The Tower Garden will provide students with a daily opportunity to observe, collect data and journal the growing process as they learn to maintain their classroom garden. The students will also gain an understanding of the role technology and engineering innovation plays in modern food production. With 3-4 annual harvests, students will be provided the opportunity to touch, smell and eat what they have grown and experience the pride that comes with tending to their own crop.

Tom Klatt Wins Ann Marie Grant for Plasma Cutting Software

Tech Ed. teacher using computer alongside metal cutting machine.

Congratulations to Tom Klatt, high school Technology Education and Project Lead the Way instructor, on being awarded a $1,774.00 Ann Marie Grant for CNC Plasma Cutting Software. This software allows students to intricately and accurately create designs and cut metal. The award will help purchase software and equipment to increase the number of student workstations from the current one to four.