On April 7, 2006, the kindergarten children at
McAnnulty Elementary had a special visitor come with
a wonderful treat! Mr. Mel Hackman came to share
his experiences as a baker with all of the kindergarten
classes. He talked with the children about his career
and supplied everything for a very exciting cake
decorating activity. Mr. Hackman once did this for
his own children when they were young and now is
carrying it over with his grandchild, Justin, a morning
kindergarten student. Justin’s parents, James
and Melissa Hackman provided baker hats for the children
to wear as they worked to decorate miniature cakes
into beautiful spring baskets.
Posted
5/7/06
WES
- Student Demonstrations
Whitehall students in Mrs. Hareras’s classroom
had an opportunity to demonstrate their favorite
food, craft, hobby, activity, and sport. First, they
each wrote an Explanatory essay using all their process
writing steps and skills. Then, they completed note
cards and designed posters to use as part of their
presentations. Each student brought in props from
home to go along with their demonstrations. As part
of their evaluation, students gave each other positive
feedback, and made some suggestions for future presentations.
The students did a fantastic job on their demonstrations
and each one was enjoyed by all. So the next time
you want to know how to make S’mores, start
a plant, make juice popsicles, cover strawberries
with melted chocolate, plan a party, play a video
game, make a Breakfast Burrito or different types
of sandwiches, bat a ball, learn more about ferrets
and dogs, or how to draw a flower or favorite Super
Hero, just ask Room 205!
Posted
5/7/06
PES
- Class President Elections
In conjunction with their Social Studies’ chapter,
Paynter’s third grade students in Ms. Wolf’s
class participated in a Class President election.
The students began by developing their campaign platforms.
They used their platform ideas to create slogans,
election posters, and campaign speeches. On April
12th, the students presented their speeches, and
the polls opened! It was a very close race. When
all the votes were tallied, Dennis Altavilla took
home the title of Class President. Congratulations
Dennis!
Posted
5/7/06
PES
- Butterfly Release
After weeks of waiting, Mrs. Noel’s and
Mrs. Singleton’s classroom butterflies emerged
at the beginning of May. In school, students followed
the life cycle – watching the egg grow to a
caterpillar, to a chrysalis, and finally into a butterfly.
The children were excited, and a little sad, to release
their fluttering friends in Paynter’s garden
at the front of the school. As they wore their butterfly
headbands, each child read their personal farewell
letter aloud and sang a song to wish the butterflies
well.
Posted
5/7/06
WES
- Slim Good Body
Whitehall’s third grade students had a visit
from “Slim Good Body” on Monday, May
1st. Slim used a musical format to teach the students
about healthy living options. The assembly was provided
by the Whitehall PTA.
Posted
5/7/06
PES
- "Fun Fabric Fridays"
Paynter Kindergarten students learned about Fabrics
in an ASSET Science unit. Mrs. McWilliams’s
class had "Fun Fabric Fridays" to learn
about the characteristics and uses of fabric. The
lessons included feeling fabrics and sorting them,
tearing fabric swatches apart to see how they are
made, weaving yarn to make fabric, water reactions
with fabric, getting fabrics dirty and then finding
out how to get them clean, and finally, dying fabrics.
They also discussed uses of fabric in their daily
lives.
Posted
5/7/06
WES
- “Bounce for Bundle-Up”
Whitehall
Elementary School was involved in the fundraiser “Bounce
for Bundle-Up” for The Salvation Army
as part of their WTAE visit with Meteorologist,
Stephen Cropper, on April 26th, 2006. The students
who participated in this fundraising event
asked friends and relatives to sponsor them
by donating a flat-rate pledge or a per-bounce
pledge for each bounce of the ball completed
by the student in a three-minute time span.
This fundraiser gave the students a chance
to raise money to buy winter coats, hats, mittens,
and boots for needy children (some which are
in their own neighborhoods). Seventy-nine students
raised $1,810.92. This amount is enough to
buy needed winter-wear for 38 children. Bounce
for Bundle-Up was fun for the students, and
in the process, they learned about the importance
of helping others.
Posted
5/7/06
PES
- Life Cycle of Butterflies
Paynter’s second grade students in Mr. Shepherd’s
class learned about the Life Cycle of Butterflies.
Students watched the caterpillars as they crawled,
hung upside down, spun silk, ate, rested, and shed
skin (molted). The caterpillar transformed into a
shining chrysalis. A beautiful butterfly emerged,
and the students observed the process. They then
identified the butterfly’s body parts and learned
how they function. Students provided food for the
butterflies. After the butterflies emerged from the
chrysalis, they released them in the school’s
flower garden. Through this ASSET science unit, students
learned observational and recording skills and added
to their scientific vocabulary. Tied in with this
unit, the second graders researched the Painted Lady
Butterfly in their weekly computer class. Using the
facts they found, the students created their first
PowerPoint slide presentation.
Posted
5/7/06
PES
- Morning with Mom
On Friday, May 5th, Paynter students were able
to enjoy a morning snack with moms, aunts, grandmothers
or other special ladies in their lives. Mr. Ron Wilson
and his PTA committee helpers distributed delicious
doughnuts to the crowd. The PTA Reading Committee
welcomed retired teacher, Mr. Smith and Title Reading
teacher, Ms. Graff as guest readers. The committee
also made materials available for everyone to create
a spring picture before visiting the classrooms.
Posted
5/7/06
PES
- Musical Jeopardy
All 4th and 5th grade students at Paynter Elementary
participated in a musical presentation entitled “Musical
Jeopardy.” Many different styles of music were
demonstrated through the performers’ Jeopardy
questions, choreography, singing, and instrument
playing. Students performed an afternoon assembly
for the school and an evening program for family
and friends. The students’ hard work was evident.
Posted
5/31/06
WES
- Science Fair
The “New and Improved Whitehall Science
Fair” was a huge success. Over 150 people attended
the fair on May 2, 2006. More than 85 students submitted
science projects using the scientific method. For
each project, students developed a hypothesis, listed
the materials and procedures, graphed the data, and
determined a conclusion by writing a brief summary.
Projects were creatively displayed on tri-fold boards,
and many students were present during the evening
to explain their projects. Each classroom submitted
a class project and/or did a hands-on demonstration
during the evening presentation. In addition to organizing
the event, PTA chairperson, Mrs. Lisa Sommer, created
a scavenger hunt asking students to find the answers
to scientific questions. Students were awarded prizes
for their participation in the scavenger hunt and
certificates for submitting a project. Carnegie Science
Center provided an inter-active “Fire and Ice” program.
It was a wonderful educational event and family night
at Whitehall School.
Posted
5/31/06
PES
- Weaving Pattern
Paynter’s first grade students from Mr.
Brennfleck’s room explored color patterns through
paper weaving during art class with Mrs. Sutton.
Posted
5/31/06
PES
- Cereal Box Reports
Benjamin Franklin, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Sally
Ride, Oprah…A twist on the old book report!
Second graders in Mrs. Singleton’s class each
researched a famous American (PA Standard 1.8). After
compiling and printing out facts, (PA Standard 1.1,
1.2) pictures, and clip art about their Famous American,
students glued what they found onto covered cereal
boxes and presented their findings to their peers
(PA Standard 1.6).
Posted
5/31/06
PES
- Kindergarten Magician
Kindergarten students at Paynter Elementary took
part in a terrific magic show presented by Tom Jay
from the Cuckoo’s Nest. Mr. Jay delighted the
students with storytelling, puppetry, and magic.
The students were actively engaged with various activities
including number, color, and letter tricks. Mr. Jay
told the classes about the life of Houdini and presented
them with a class book about Houdini. Every student
was thrilled and enthralled by the performance. Thanks
Mr. Jay and the Paynter PTA for a wonderful presentation!
Posted
5/31/06
PES
- Teacher Appreciation
From encouraging signs in the halls, to daily
sweet-treats, to a delicious picnic luncheon, to
students singing heartfelt songs at a school-wide
assembly, Paynter’s teachers were shown that
they are greatly appreciated. Thank you PTA!
Posted
5/31/06
Elementary
- Wind Ensemble
The 5th grade string students and the Highlander
Wind Ensemble from Whitehall Elementary and Paynter
Elementary Schools performed a terrific program on
Thursday, May 18th at Paynter and at Whitehall on
Tuesday, May 23rd. These programs were the conclusion
of an extremely successful year. Mr. Link, Mr. Booth,
Mr. Clancy, and Ms. Vavrek are going to miss all
of them and wish them good luck next year at Harrison.
Posted
5/31/06
PES
- Queen of Hearts
Paynter’s first grade classes enjoyed a
special visitor – “The Queen of Hearts,” otherwise
known as storyteller Kim Adley. Students acted out
and retold a story with Mrs. Adley The focus of her
visit was to reinforce how fun reading can be especially
when you use your imagination!
Posted
5/31/06
Administration Building, 4900 Curry Road,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
