School news
A "Te de Jamaica" Taste-Test in Spanish 2!
On Friday, the Spanish 2 students enjoyed sampling some "Agua de Jamaica", a traditional Mexican tea made from dried Hibiscus flowers. Salud! (Cheers!)
French and Spanish Students Begin the Park Interpretation Project
Pictured above: Kat Robbins talks with Advanced Topics in Spanish students about the connection between Billings Farm and the Park.
Students from Advanced Topics in Spanish and French, and AP French students have begun work on a Park Interpretation Project. With the support of Kat Robbins and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, students are researching topics of interest at the park and crafting guided tours in Spanish and French. Research topics range from the history of conservation to specific artists and artworks at the park.
Pictured above: Sierra Bystrak interviews Head Gardener Jordan McGee about the fountain and history of the formal gardens. Sierra commented: 'This project is a great way to really learn the significance of this place. I usually just hike to the Pogue, but now I know more about why this place is special,”
The project combines several of Woodstock’s Portrait of a Graduate skills, including stewardship and skillful communication. Students will have the real-world practice of conducting a guided tour in their target language.
Anna Megyyesi’s Advanced Topics in Spanish class will lead their tour on October 10th.
French student Tua Shaw practices her talk on the importance of beauty and spirituality in the context of the Mash Billings gardens.
French student Joffre Legyada will be speaking about the native history of the land.
French Presentation at Marsh Billings National Park
Thursday the 26th of September at Marsh/Billings National Park (and Rockefeller Mansion) from 11:15 --12:30, Nathalie Kramer's French AP and Advanced Topics students will be presenting their chosen topic in French! Each student will give a 4 minute presentation in their area of interest--for example, Gardens, Art work in the house, Forest History. En Français!
French student Lucy Drebitko will engage us by explaining the invasive species and the preservation of the trees.
9th Grade Community Building Afternoon
Last Friday, the ninth grade students took an afternoon away from academics to build community. The afternoon started in the gym with an assembly, in which we introduced the leadership team, and the health and support staff. Students got to see images of their teachers when they were ninth graders, and got to learn interesting facts about their teachers through fun trivia.
They then transitioned outside, where they were greeted with nine different team building stations including balloon relays, sponge races, paper airplane contests, and a song-identifying game. We finished off with popsicles, recognitions of exceptional team spirit and collaboration, and a group photo. It was a wonderful afternoon for everyone.
Government Students Meet Local Lawmaker
State Senator Becca White spoke with about 40 juniors (and two seniors) in two government classes on Monday, September 30. Senator White answered student questions about legislation related to climate change, affordable housing, school funding, taxes on primary homes and secondary homes, guns, phones in schools, and the "lemon law" related to car buying. White has represented Windsor 1 district since 2022.
Calculus Students in Motion
Mr. Bremel's AP Calculus AB class is studying average rates of change of vehicles that drove past the school on Route 4. A vehicle that was accelerating, decelerating, and maintaining a constant speed were measured. Students were then asked to consider the paradox of motion at a single instant in time. If there is no change in distance and no change in time how can there be motion?