Hedgehogs, Lemurs and Kangaroos! Oh My!

Posted Feb 1, 2012

The HPTA Enrichment Program in January sponsored a visit by Animal Adventurers for all first graders at Center School.

Animal Adventurers cares for rescued animals and educates youngsters with their visits to local schools.

Children were able to pet a hedgehog, gecko and alligator.

A student from each class helped display a python snake too, but the biggest surprise was to see a one-year-old kangaroo hop around the room.

Center School really was a zoo for the day!

Article and Photos by Janice Doyle

Center School, Enrichment Programs, The Runner

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Plimoth Plantation Comes Alive at Elmwood

Posted Feb 1, 2012

Ask a third-grader at Elmwood School about how long the Wampanoag Indian tribe has been around and they will probably answer- 12,000 years! Through the HPTA enrichment program designed to complement the children’s classroom studies, the students participated in a journey back in time to the Wampanoag tribe in the 1600s.

Plimoth Plantation at Elmwood 1

Thanks to Summer Coblyn from Plimoth Plantation, they learned all about homes, food, clothing, livelihood and customs of the tribe. A colorful slide show, accompanied by lots of hands-on artifacts, engaged the children in the one-hour session. Students learned about life long ago as well as how Native Americans live, dress and honor their heritage today.
Plimoth Plantation at Elmwood 2
Sessions were held for each third grade classroom giving the students opportunities to ask questions and participate in demonstrations of Wampanoag artifacts. The children were impressed by the
resourcefulness of the Native Americans and learned about the respect they had for everything that came from the land.

Plimoth Plantation at Elmwood 3

The most fun was talking about games like football, how the Wampanoag made tattoos, and touching the animal skins.

“That was really cool!” said Isabelle O’Rourke, a third-grader in Mrs Joyce’s class.

Special thanks to the Enrichment Coordinators, Jayashree Dattar and Melissa Altman for organizing an informative program with 12 sessions from January 17 through 19 at Elmwood School.

Note: The Plimoth Plantation is a “living history museum” located in Plymouth, MA and re-opens March 17 for the 2012 season. Photos are from Mrs. Mack’s classroom.

Article and photos by Sally Chambers

Elmwood School, Enrichment Programs, The Runner

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Passing the Godzilla Test – Hopkins Techsploration

Posted Jan 25, 2012

How to build a bridge structure in less than an hour.  This was the test put forth by Techsploration founder, Tom Wahle, for Hopkins 5th graders during the HPTA sponsored techsploration program – Exploring Structures and Technology.

Students were placed in groups of four and five to build bridge structures such as a truss, beam, suspension and arch.  These structures then had to pass the “Godzilla Test,” which meant if  they withstood the students shaking them, then they were sound.

The class was then challenged to apply what they had learned  to build the biggest and tallest bridge. So the races were off, with the winning bridge standing eight towers high!

Tom Wahle is a certified technology education teacher with ten years of classroom teaching experience.  He has been travelling extensively to schools throughout New England since 1997.  His unique program brings science and technology concepts to real life situations in fun and exciting ways.  The fifth-graders had a blast while they explored the world of bridge engineering.

Article by Beth Herlihy and Kelly Asherman

Enrichment Programs, Hopkins School, The Runner

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Simple Machines Take Over Elmwood

Posted Nov 1, 2011

What are the three types of levers?  Can a student really lift their teacher using a lever?  Do belts and pulleys work better than gears?  Can’t answer these questions?  Then you might want to ask an Elmwood School third-grader.

On October 3, students from all third grade classes were treated to an HPTA-sponsored program called Techsploration – Simple Machines.  Taught by former technology education teacher and Techsploration founder, Tom Wahle, the workshops teach students technology, science and problem solving – all in an interactive, engaging way.

Students were able to learn how science concepts can be applied to everyday situations.

“It was very funny and I laughed a lot.  I learned that you can make a machine out of anything,” student Caroline Connell said.

“When we put so many gears, wheels and cords on they went so fast that we thought that the gears and wheels would fall off,” added Jesse Chambers.

It was an especially fun moment when Mrs. Martin was hoisted in the air by Julianne Sage as the children learned the power of using levers.

Students are not the only ones who appreciated “Techsploration.” The HPTA coordinators received a letter from a teacher that said, “This program ties in perfectly with our curriculum. It is a great way for the children to really see machines in action.”

Article and photos by Sally Chambers

Elmwood School, Enrichment Programs, The Runner

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HPTA Funded High School Enrichment Programs 2010-11

Posted May 24, 2011
Enrichment Coordinators

Lynn Bono
mlnbabono@yahoo.com
544-9845

  • Guidance Funds
  • Freshmen Orientation
  • Science Fair Funding & Awards
  • Mass Envirothon
  • Cara Filler
  • Jason Myles Goss
  • Hispanic Lecture Series
  • French Lecture Series
  • Latin/Greek Program
  • Model UN
  • Book Club
  • Student Government Breakfast
  • Visiting Artists
  • Art Reach
  • Legacy Framing Program
  • Girls’ & Boy’s State
  • Post Prom
  • Ultimate Frisbee Club
  • Art All State Sponsorship
  • Scholastic Art Awards
  • Hop Art Catalog
  • Wellness Fair

Enrichment Programs, High School

HPTA Middle School Enrichment Programs 2010-11

Posted May 24, 2011
Enrichment Coordinators
6th Grade

Tracy Wells
tracysiegelwells@yahoo.com
508.435.7265
Mercedes Lahaie
zedesl@yahoo.com
508.435.4423

7th Grade

Allison Cofone
a_cofone@verizon.net
508.544.7048
Diana Lindon
murphy26@verizon.net
508.435.8275

8th Grade

Allison Cofone
a_cofone@verizon.net
508.544.7048
Diana Lindon
murphy26@verizon.net
508.435.8275

6th Grade Programs:
Having Fun with Pyramids and Pharaohs January 25, 2011
Introduction to the Odyssey March 21, 2011
7th Grade Programs:
TBD
8th Grade Programs:
TBD

Enrichment Programs, Middle School

Enrichment Programs

2010-2011 HPTA Enrichment Programs

For the 2010-2011 school year, the HPTA has budgeted over $59,000 for enrichment programs that benefit all of our students. These programs include those listed, as well as others that will be added during the course of the year.