Page 22 - Norwood Spring 2019 Magazine

Campus News

Sixth Graders Cooking up 1
Spread Love Some PD in
Throughout the the Kitchen
Community Professional development is a vital
The sixth grade year at Norwood piece of the teaching experience
is marked by many exciting special at Norwood. Throughout the
events and activities: Trading Day, year, summer included, faculty
Super Science Week, the Sixth members participate in a wide
Grade Showcase, and Poetry Day, variety of PD experiences, ranging 2
as well as a few service-learning from multi-day off-campus 3
projects that are unique to the grade. conferences to a quick read or
webinar. One of the most unique
Twice a year, just before experiences is the “Dinner and
Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, Dialogue” series. Held four times a
the entire grade focuses time and year, a “Dinner and Dialogue” event
energy on making these holidays brings approximately 10 teachers
just a little bit brighter for families to Norwood’s kitchen where
staying at The Children’s Inn at they prepare a meal under the
NIH while caring for a sick child. guidance of Norwood’s chef, Jose
They make festive placemats Del Cid. Once dinner is ready, they
decorated with holiday word sit down to enjoy the fruits (and
searches and other games; they vegetables!) of their labor, as well as
write cards with kind and caring conversation about a pre-assigned
sentiments; and they fill decorative PD topic. Topics for the 2018-
treat bags with yummy snacks. 2019 year have included diversity 4
and inclusion (facilitated by Billy
Our sixth graders also send some Vargas), differentiated instruction
special love to furry four-legged (facilitated by Lynda Saelens), In early January, both teams— first place for teamwork. When
friends in need by collecting useful and Project Zero and thinking known as the Blue Hawks and the describing the teamwork award, the
items for dogs and cats currently strategies (facilitated by Mike Green Hawks—competed in the event organizers said, “The award
living in local shelters. This year’s Risen). The dinner series has been FIRST Lego League Qualifying recognizes a team that is able to
collection included 82 towels, 25 very popular with faculty members Tournament for the State of accomplish more together than
blankets, 57 sheets, 5 beds, 6 rugs, who have a hearty appetite for Maryland. The Blue Hawks won they could as individuals through
11 bags of food, 8 packages of poop learning, which includes just about first place for their game table and shared goals, strong communication,
bags, and 74 pee pads. That’s a lot everyone at Norwood! second place for robot design; the effective problem solving, and
of love sent to the Montgomery Green Hawks won the Champions excellent time management.”
County Humane Society, K-9 Award (first place) and the
Lifesavers, and the Humane Norwood Innovation Award. Both teams “I am extremely proud of both
Rescue Alliance! Robotics advanced to the Maryland State teams,” said Director of Technology
Championship held on February
Juan Ramirez, who coaches the two
Takes Off! 23, 2019, at the University of teams along with Jose Melendez
The 2018-2019 school year has Maryland—Baltimore County. and Stephen Rowley. “They
WE ARE PROUD... been an excellent one for Norwood represented Norwood so well at the
Like all Norwood students, Robotics. First, the program, Their success continued at the qualifying tournaments and at the
our sixth graders understand which is run and coached by state level when the Norwood state championship. They showed
that how you lead your life the Technology Department, is teams were two of 80 teams gracious professionalism, respectful
matters, and we are proud of more popular than ever before competing in a variety of complex collaboration, and impressive
their enthusiastic dedication with seventh- and eighth-grade challenges related to space and creativity. Even though they
to helping others—furry and students. Second, our two teams space travel. The Blue Hawks competed as two teams, they worked
otherwise—in our community. are experiencing unprecedented placed tenth for their robot game, together as one team, sharing ideas
success at local competitions. and the Green Hawks received and recommendations.”

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