“New s F rom The Nest” - Spartanburg School District 2

Volume 18
2014-2015 Semester 2
News Staff 2014-2015
By: Mrs. Mac
“News From The Nest”
We are approaching the end of another school year in “light speed”!
This year has been one filled with ups and downs, hard work and fun
times, a few failures and huge gains; as are all school years. We learn from
our mistakes and apply those lessons in our future. I am so grateful to be a
part of this great school filled with wonderful faculty, staff, and students.
My student staff has performed impeccably. I am extremely proud of
the diligent work done, as they have molded themselves into experienced
reporters! We have covered a wide range of subject matter this year, and I
think they have done so well.
As always, I hate saying good bye to my fifth graders: Kolby Cox,
Kamiya Gary, Jaycee Price, Connor Huskey, Giovanni Gallegos, Andrew
Blanton, Drew Williams, and especially to “my girl Friday”, Holly Hines. But,
I also know that my fourth graders will step up to the plate, and fill their
shoes as they serve as role models for our newcomers next school year.
Thanks, staff
What’s Inside ….
Pg. 9
Students Publish
Pg. 2
Champion Chats
Pg. 10
Student Spotlight
Pg. 3
1:1 Initiative
Pg. 11
E-Gaming
Pg. 4
Road Trip: Local Adventures
Pg. 12
Favorite Author
Poet and Don’t Know It
Pg. 5
Club News & Campus Celebrity Pg. 13
Kid’s Choice Book Report
Pg. 6
Music Notes
Pg. 14
Newspaper Scavenger Hun
Pg. 7
Guiding Light
Pg. 15
Fun Page
Pg. 16
2014-2015 Staff
Coach’s Corner
Pg. 8
Art Spotlight
Disclaimer:
Please excuse any errors that escaped us as editors! We are a work in progress!
Chesnee Elementary School
985 Fairfield Road
Chesnee, South Carolina 29323
864-461-7322
864-461-7338 (fax)
www.spartanburg2.k12.sc.us
School Hours 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Rated “Superior”
2013-2014
By:
The National
Elementary Schools
Press Association
Champion Chats…By: Holly Hines
Our Girls on the Run club began last
year, and has grown to be even more successful. The founder, Molly Barker, is a very interesting person who really understands how to
help girls grow. Though many aspects of what
happens is important, the practice 5k is a mile
stone. Growth in girl’s self-esteem is also something important to this program.
The Practice 5K is a very important
event in the course of the club season. It is
during this race that the girls realize they can
be successful in the final race. Our faculty and
staff all pitch in to make this happen for the
girls. These volunteers do things from running
along with the girls, to counting laps and handing out beads, to running the last leg with girls
who may be struggling. This race is beneficial
in taking the nerves away.
Holly Hines meets Molly Barker!
Molly Barker is the founder of this club. I
recently went to a luncheon where I not only
listened to her keynote speech, but was able to meet and talk with her. When she was a teenager, Molly was having issues with self-esteem and growing up, as most people do. She felt she
just didn't measure up in many ways. She began running with her mother. Molly realized that
not only did this clear her mind, but she was becoming better and better. This activity actually
made her feel good about herself. All of her problems seemed to fix themselves as she gained
confidence from running. She said it made such an impact in her life, that she felt obligated to
share her successes with others. That is how she came to form Girls on the Run.
This program piloted in 1996, in Charlotte, N.C. It used a 24 lesson curriculum. Only 13
girls was in the first group. Today, “with the help of over 120,00 volunteers, The Girls on the
Run program is serving over 150,000 girls in 200+ cities across North America.” (http://
www.girlsontherun.org/Who-We-Are/Our-History)
1:1 Initiative 2015…...By: Jackson Ramsey
CES is excited to announce that Spartanburg District Two is fully implementing a 1:1 device
initiative next school year. This means every student 3-12 grades will have their own ipad, and K52 students will have access 2:1. Also, our parents and students have already met for tech night
(Parent University) in April. Finally, we have all learned about many apps and ways to use our devices to make our learning more meaningful.
To better explain how the 1:1 Initiative will work at our school, K5-2 students will partner to an
ipad as day users (used during school day only),
3rd and 4th grade students will be day users to
their own devise, and 5th graders will be able to
take their devices home. These will stay with
them, or an upgraded version, throughout their
school career in District 2.
Our Parent University Tech Night was open to
all rising 3rd-5th grade students and their parents. We had a guest speaker, Mrs. Lisa Foster
from the lower part of South Carolina. She is a
tech specialist who travels all over to teach
about apps and tech usage. At our school, we
have been working with ipad stations in every
classroom for years. We already use Keynote,
Google slides, imovie, and Blendspace, to name
a few. Mrs. Foster taught about some new one,
too.
We know that giving each student access to
their own device will enhance our learning experience and help prepare us to use technology in
the real world. It will be amazing to see what
we can do with our ipads. Come watch us
grow…
Mason Bevis using an ipad in class.
Road Trip! ...Local Adventures
by: Andrew Gregory
I have been assigned the Road Trip article of our second issue. I want to introduce you to
five local places that can be visited in two days. They are Poinsett Bridge ,Campbell’s Covered Bridge, The water Wheel, Bald Rock and Caesars Head.
On the first day, you go to Poinsett Bridge in the morning and eat a picnic breakfast. This
place was built in 1820, and it was completely hand built from stone. it is located in Hendersonville, N.C . The founder was Joel R. Poinsett. Around lunch time, go on to Campbell’s Covered Bridge. It is the last authentic covered bridge in South Carolina, and it was built in 1909,
by the Campbell’s. Then in late afternoon, you will head back towards home and stop by the
water wheel. It was given to Cherokee County to preserve it. It was used by a corn mill and
was powered by a waterfall. The next day after breakfast, you go to Bald Rock. It is a heritage preserve on the side of a mountain. Stay there until lunch, and enjoy another picnic
meal. Then head up Hwy. 11, to Caesar’s Head. That will cost two dollars, but is well worth.
There are also guided tours available, if you want to do that.
Very few people know about these small places around the Spartanburg area, but they all
play a key role in “our” American history.
Water Wheel and waterfall
Campbell’s Covered Bridge
Club News… The Outsiders
By: Ethan Lawson
We had a new club begin this spring. It is
called, “The Outsiders”. The teacher sponsors are Mrs. McSwain and Ms. Powell. This
club was formed in 2014-2015. The grade
levels are 4th-5th grade students. The requirements for participation is to complete
an application, come to meetings, and they
must be interested in the outdoors. This
club has 16 club members. The expectations for the members are to participate in
the outdoor actives and learn about nature.
Something they are excited about doing was
going to Camp Greenville. They hiked to
Shower Bath Falls and Pretty Place. They
will have a Zip Line trip on May 22, 2015, at
Asheville Tree Top Adventure Park. There
will be different elements in the tree tops and they will do team building field games. While they
are there, they will rappel and zip line. Of course the main objectives are to learn about nature
and experience the wilderness first hand.
Campus Celebrity….
By: Kamyia Gary
“Everybody sit down”, we are now announcing the Campus Celebrity. For this issue the Campus Celebrity is Ms.
Parker. She has been working here for almost eleven
years. During that time, she has taught fifth grade, third
grade, and Resource classes. Currently, she works as a
Special Education Resource teacher that means she takes
small groups of children and works on many different
things. For example: reading, writing, and math. I can
truly relate because one of my hardest subjects is math. Her favorite thing about this job is that
she loves having the opportunity to help kids from all different grade levels. She said the best
part of her day is to see each and every child grow and learn in their own way. But we asked
her, “What would you do if you could change or add anything to your job?” She said, “to have
more time in the day to get everything done with my students”. But if you think that’s all Ms.
Parker does then you have another thought coming. Mrs. Parker’s job is endless, meaning she
can never get everything she would like to do finished!
Once she goes home, she has to take care of a family of four, her husband, Brett, and their
three children, Mary Fowler, Anderson, and Olivia. MS. Parker graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, and earned her masters from Southern Wesleyan University; which she deserved. Mrs. Parker would like to be remembered as being a caring teacher. She states that
whether her students are hers or not, she wants them to understand that both personally and
academically, she cares for them. And honestly, she has already accomplished that.
Music Notes ….
By: Ansley Mossburg
Our music director Mrs. Willis and the 5th grade classes proudly presented “Aladdin” on March 3,
2015.This play took place in the Chesnee High School Auditorium. “Aladdin” was produced by the Baillie Players. Mr. Buren Martin was in charge of putting this program together. Mr. Martin's son, Milner,
played the role of the narrator and the Genie.
The Cut Throat Chorus…
Abbie Thompson, soloist
Hashish……...Raegan Fowler
Jaylen Blackwell,
Maytel……...Reagan McCraw
Ryan Blanton, Ryan
Angelica……...Lizzie Cash
Crothers,
Keegan……...Destiny Parker
Sierra Davidson, Lay
ton Davis, Trista
Shahi……...Jaycee Price
Gaffney,
Hannah Foos, Mallory Hayes,
Nicole
Helton, Dakota
Gus Nance,
Killian, Anna LongMicheal Newman, Grant
Kimbrell,
Sprouse, Sophie Squires,
Faith Stewart,
Trinity Lydia, Julia
Mathis, Hart McAbee,
K’Jymie Valentine, Caleb
Waddell
Daisja McKinney,
Marc Sanchez, Alaina
Smith
The Marketplace Chorus…
Dancers
The Cast…
Zoar Jimenez-Quistian,
Brandy Richards,
Aladdin……..Hudson Dupler
Kyleigh Thompson,
Jasmine……...Holly Hines
Taylor Tracy
Jafar……...Andrew Blanton
Gazeem……...Kamiya Gary
Guards
The Sultan……...Kolby Cox
Giovanni Gallegos,
Serena……...Amanda Sowers
Malachi Hiers,
Elderhostel……...Connor Huskey
Jonathan Whiteside
Magic Carpet……...Anthony Puckett
Special Thanks To...
Mrs. Mac, Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Davis, Coach Goode, Mrs. West,
Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Wade. Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Corn, Mrs. McAllister
Mrs. Wall, Ms. Lowery, Mrs. Belcher, CES PTO, and CES Faculty
Volunteers
Guiding Light...By: Mikayla Grogan
Did You Do Your “Act” on the ACT?
That new timed test... it was a handful! But we need the experience with this type test. The ACT
is well known for its college entrance exam. Elizabeth Jones, director of the state Department of
Education’s Office of Assessment, confirmed a letter that said, the ACT test is a “significant
change for South Carolina students.” Sean Alford, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and
instruction for Dorchester School District 2, “Adjusting to a timed format can be challenging for
both teachers and students.” The ACT will continue to test students on the common core standards for this school year. The state’s chief procurement ruled South Carolina officials erred in their
award of a five-year contract to ACT. That new timed test was no piece of cake! You won’t get
any complaints from me about the test being over, but I am ready for next year. I understand
that the benefits far out-weigh the difficulty.
ACT Aspire; an important piece of the puzzle…..
Coach’s Corner…
by: Drew Williams
The Pursuit of Fitness
Student Recognition
Grades K5-2…
Throwing and catching
Grades 3-5
Softball/baseball working on
throwing, catching, and hitting
Suggestions for Fitness
This summer go swimming.
It’s a great full body workout.
Also ride a bike or play ball
with a friend. Be outside as
much as possible.
For “ coach-ability”
Anderson’s
Corn’s
Class
Class
Destiny Parker
Anthony Puckett
Jonah Epps
Zoar Jimenez-Qustian
McAllister’s
Wall’s
Class
Class
Faith Anna Stewart
Dylan Bennett
Andrew Blanton
Julie Andrushchenko
Artist Spotlight…..
By: Connor Huskey
Our art teacher, Mrs. West, had the Gifted Art Club work on a project called The Power
Of the Sun. It is now displayed on a bulletin board in the hall by her room.
Our medium and supplies included several colors of paper, crayons, scissors, and our
hands. She asked us to trace our hands using different colors many times, and then cut
them out. While we worked on our hands, Mrs. West created the face. When we were
done, we
went into the
hallway and
worked together to construct the project. She said
that she was
inspired to do
this while
thinking about
spring and the
coming arrival
of summer.
Mrs. West was
very happy
with the outcome, and
everyone enjoyed working
as a team to
complete the project. We found it easy to
do, but it was time consuming. However, we
enjoyed chatting with each other as we
worked.
Students Publish...by: Giovanni Gallegos
Mrs. Flynn selected two of her 4th grade ELA students to share essays with us this issue. They are Caiden Ellis from Mr. Wease’s homeroom, and Michael Neely from hers.
We hope you enjoy learning a little about them, and of course, reading their essays.
Caiden Ellis was born on Aug. 4, 2005, and has one brother and one sister. His favorite
subject is science because of all the fun and interesting experiments. He is hoping to
be selected for Gifted Art next year.
Michael Neely is 10 yrs. Old and has two sisters. His favorite subject is Social Studies.
His hobbies are reading, running, and football. He wants to be remembered by his fellow students as a kind person.
Bengal Tigers by: Caiden Ellis
(non-fiction)
There are so many large wild animals that I like,
but my favorite one has to be the Bengal tiger. I
like it the most because they are really beautiful
animals. Another reason I like them the most is because they are really smart.
First of all, I like Bengal tigers because they are at
the top of the jungle food chain. I also like them
because they can be very relaxed. I admire the
Bengal because they have certain things to help
them live, like there are blood sensors in their
teeth. One more thing I like about them is that they
won’t mess with you unless you scare them.
Last of all, I picked the Bengal tiger because it is
the only animal that is smart, calm, territorial, and
fast. There are so many great wild animals, but the
Bengal impressed me the most.
Magic Carpet
by: Michael Neely
(fiction)
One day I was walking and looking around and then I spotted the most beautiful carpet with a black and gold striped
pattern. I started to walk on when it started to move like it
was trying to wiggle free from the clothesline. I looked around
and it seemed like nobody was paying attention. So, I carefully took the carpet off the clothesline. Then it flew around and
around it. It stopped at my feet and I jumped on. It took off
as fast as lightening. I loved how the wind whistled in my
ears. I looked down at my town. It looked like it was as big as
an anthill. I told the carpet that I wanted to go to the desert.
It turned around and raced away. After about an hour, I saw
lots of sand. That must have been a sign that we were close.
Then the carpet slowed down and stopped on the desert floor.
I jumped off and looked around. All I could see was sand. The
magic carpet started to fly away. I ran after it, but it got faster
and disappeared! I sat down and started to think. I could not
see the carpet, only sand. I started to look for water. I saw a
cactus and knew it would be filled with water, but it was too
prickly. Then I saw a glimpse of black and gold. I ran towards
it. As I got closer, I could see that it was the magic carpet! I
jumped on and told it to take me home. It did nothing but lay
there. I told it louder, “Take Me Home!” It got up and zoomed
away. When I got home later that evening, my mother asked
me where I had been. I told her just on a little adventure...
Raegan Fowler in Mrs. Anderson’s Class
Raegan’s birthday
is March 25, 2004.
She also has 7 kids
in her family: Kevin
-29, Justin-26,
Clayton-23, Dalton16, Neva-14, Noah
-13, and herself 11. She moved to
Chesnee in 2nd
grade and before
she came here she
lived in Pacolet.
She said it’s different here because there are more opportunities
and people are friendlier. She has no pets, her
favorite restaurant is El’limon’s and her favorite
thing there is a cheese Quesada. Her favorite
movie is Aladdin. Some of her skills are: drawing,
doing a great handstand on the trampoline, and
is a great runner and has run in 4 5k’s. The person that inspires her the most is her mom because she always pushes her to be the best she
can be. Finally, her goal for the future is to help
younger students succeed and help them try to
do their very best.
Zoar Jimenez
Quistian in Mrs.
Corn’s Class
Zoar’s birthday is
October 9, 2003
She has 4 kids in
her family their
names and ages
are: Vastny- 17,
Betsua- 7, Abner-
Student Spotlight... Fifth Grade
By: Jaycee Price
5, and herself-11.She has always lived in Chesnee,
she has 2 dogs. Her favorite restaurant is Pizza Inn
and her favorite thin there is Pizza Hawuyana. Her
favorite movie is twilight; when she does she likes
to spend time with her family and eat popcorn.
The person that inspires her most is her mom because she is always there for her, she gives her
great advice, and she is like a best friend to her.
Zoar’s future goal is to become a better Christian.
Julie Andrushchenko from Mrs. Wall’s class
Julie’s birthday is October 18, 2003. She has 11
kids in her family and they are: Angela-17, Lida15, Alina-14, Runim-13, herself-11, Lily-10, David8, Natasha-6,
Daniel-4, Avelina3, and Inessa-1.
She has not lived
in Chesnee her
whole life she
has also lived in
Oregon and Inman and they
are mostly the
same there and
here. She has 2
goats, 2 dogs 6
cats, and lots of
chickens. Her favorite restaurant is Hibachi and
she likes their chicken shrimp. Her favorite movie
is Little House on the Prairie. She likes to swim and
be in water. The person who inspires her the most
is her parents because when they have testing
they tell them to do their best and they will succeed. Her goal for the future is too make her drawings better by making them look real.
E – SPORT GAMING…..
By: Anderson Parker
Did you know you can get a scholarship for online gaming competitions? Yes, you can; and I
would want to play at Robert Morris University because they are undefeated at E – sports.
Gaming Room at Robert Morris University
Colleges today give scholarships for gaming. There are 35 players at RMU and 10,000 students
play it nation-wide. That’s 4,600 more students that play Division One college basketball. They
have uniforms and scheduled practices. The players even have post game meals. The league
plays League of Legends on computers. Nearly 90,000 people watch online. They play the best
of three, and each one lasts 25 to 30 minutes. Did you know you can even become a pro at esports? If I wanted to compete, I would want to play for a school on the west coast because
they totally dominate against other schools.
Meet the Author…..by: Kolby Cox
Allen Zullo is an author that writes nonfiction books and is famous for his Ten True Tales series. He has written or helped
with eighty books. Allen attended Northern Illinois University
majoring in journalism and graduating in 1969. He worked on
the university’s newspaper. As a child he dreamed of becoming
a major league baseball player but he was not good enough to
play. After this, he jokingly said that he had nothing else to do,
so he became a writer. In this he found his niche.
The Ten True Tale books are about combat crime, warfare, and
the Holocaust. Plus, the book in the book report by Andrew
Blanton. He was on TV shows like the late night show with David Letterman.
He was raised in Rockford, Illinois. Allen married his childhood
sweetheart, Katheryn, and lives in Fairview, NC, near Asheville.
Poet and Don’t Know It… By: Tanner Jones
An Original poem by
Tanner Jones.
Sister Love
My little brother is only three,
And he has already started buzzing like a bee.
He is always everywhere at once,
And he try's to do my big girl stunts.
Although he is a boy he does some girly things
Like he always wants to put on pretty rings.
Sometimes I try to teach him bible prayers,
And all he wants to do is run up the stairs.
When I am all calm and ready to rest my head,
He is wide awake jumping on my bed.
Although he doesn't listen that well,
Collage of
Tanner and Paxton
By: Ansley Mossburg
He Is fun to play with and that is swell!
Recipe
For a
Good Book
By: Andrew Blanton
Ingredients: Read below….
1 cup of Summary:
WW II was fought in Europe and the South Pacific in the 1940’s. The ten
true stories in the book are about the heroes who made a big difference.
10 Tablespoons of EXCITEMENT:
1. We’ve Got to Fight Back
2. The Stow Away
3. American Bushido
4. Attack in the Devil’s Sea
5. Hero Without a Gun
6. Flying Bird
7. Mission Impossible
8. The Ghost
9. From Jerk to Hero
10. Buffalo Soldier
Finally sprinkle on the following INFORMATION:
Book Title: Ten True Stories of WW II
Author: Allen Zullo
Number of pages: 146
Literary Genre:
Historical Non-Fiction
Mix thoroughly and bake, when cool,
frost with this special icing:
1/2 cup of OPINION:
My personal favorite is We’ve Got to Fight
Back. It’s about the attack at Pearl Harbor,
and that’s what I am learning about. The
story is based on John Finn. He never wanted to give up no matter what the Japanese
did.
The answers to all 10 questions on this scavenger hunt are in the articles
throughout this issue. Read the articles and answer all questions to be entered
into a drawing for an itunes gift card. Place your answered sheet, with your
name and homeroom teacher on it, in Kolby’s Blog Box in Mrs. Mac’s Lab by
12:00 Noon, on May 26. The winner will be announced on WCES News the next
morning. This is open to 3rd—5th graders only. Good Luck!
1. Who compiled the fun page this issue?
2. Who did Holly meet for Champion Chats?
3. Name the book for Kid’s Choice Book Reports.
4. What was the April Tech Night called in Jackson’s article?
5. Which reporter wrote an original poem?
6. Name two places from The Road Trip article.
7.How many students are e-gamers?
8. Name the new club that started this spring.
9. In Student Spotlight, Name the 3 5th grade student featured.
10. Who is the author Kolby introduced?
Fun Page…by: Kolby Cox
1. Why did the chicken cross the
playground?
-To get to the other slide.
----------
2. What do you call a pig that
knows karate?
- A pork chop!
----------
3. Why do bees have sticky hair?
-Because they use honeycombs.
----------
4. Why was the man running
around his bed?
-He wanted to catch up on his sleep.
----------
5. What does a robot frog say?
-Rib-bot. (Said in your best robot voice)
----------
6. Why is 6 afraid of 7?
-Because 7 8 9!
----------
7. What's black and white, black
and white, black and white?
-A penguin rolling down a hill!
----------
8. Why do cows wear bells?
-Because their horns don't work!
----------
9. What does a snail say when it's
riding on a turtle's back?
Check this out for game experiences :
cohttp://www.coolmath4kids.com/0-other-funkids.htmlol game experiences
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/arcade/
online-kids-games/
http://code.org/learn
-Weeeee!!
----------
10. How did the barber win the
race?
-He knew a short cut.
http://www.childhoodbeckons.com/20
12/07/30jokes-your-kids-willlove.html
News from the Nest is published by recommended fourth and fifth graders at
Chesnee Elementary School. This is our 17th year of continuous service of reporting
the news around our school, our nation, and beyond:
Editorial and production offices:
Located at 985 Fairfield Road, Chesnee, South Carolina 29323.
4th Grade Reporters
5th Grade Reporters
Ansley Mossburg
Kolby Cox
Andrew Gregory
Holly Hines
Mikayla Grogan
Drew Williams
Anderson Parker
Giovanni Gallegos
Tanner Jones
Kamiya Gary
Ethan Lawson
Andrew Blanton
Jackson Ramsey
Connor Huskey
Jaycee Price
Sponsoring Editor: Mrs. Thea McLellan
NFTN is a charter member of NESPA:
The National Elementary Schools Press Association (www.nespa.org)