January 2015 Vol. 4 Pg. 1 Chiniak School Challenges In the last few months, the middle school students have been joining the Elementary students in doing a challenge with all the other villages. In November, we had to insulate a jar, and then put hot water inside. Each team had to compare a jar with no insulation, and a jar with insulation, and declare if the insulated jar stayed warmer then the jar without insulation. In December, we joined the students for the Hour of Code challenge. It was very fun, and everybody got a chance to learn a little computer science. Everyone who participated were able to see just how easy it was to do a little computer work that required no prior knowledge, or special degree from college. You are taught by easy to follow instructional videos on how to do it, and that was the best part of the whole challenge. All the little kids felt very satisfied for what they were able to do. The best part is that everybody had fun and enjoyed themselves. Upcoming Events Jan 1 New Year s Day Jan 4 Certified Work Day (no school) Jan 5 Classes resume Jan 11 Ashton s Birthday Jan 14 Sienna s Birthday Jan 15 Max s Birthday Jan 18 Martin Luther King Jr day Jan 20 Chiniak Rural School Assembly Jan 22 C.A.W Meeting Feb 2 Groundhog Day
Pg. 2 The History of Saint Nicholas By Elizabeth Luther Dec 14,15 Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who helped people in need. After he died the legend of his gift giving grew and spread all over the world. He was transformed into the awesome, jolly, red-cheeked fellow, Santa Clause. One story tells how he helped three poor sisters. Their father had no money so he couldn t pay their dowries and thought of selling them into servitude. St. Nickolas went to their house three times, putting a bag of money inside. The father saw St. Nickolas the third time he came by and thanked him for what he did. St. Nickolas also saved the lives of three men who were falsely accused and sentenced to death. It is said that St. Nickolas died December 6, 343 but no one knows for sure. The Dutch continued celebrating the feast day of St. Nickolas on December 6. It was common for kids to put out their shoes the night before so in the morning they d find the gifts he left for them. Dutch immigrants brought St. Nickolas; they know him as Sint Nikolaas or his nickname Sinter Klaas, and his gift-giving methods to America in the 1700 s. In America he went through many alterations and eventually became Santa Claus. Instead of being celebrated on Dec 6 he soon became a part of Christmas Holiday.
Pg. 5 Students of the Month Name: Alexandria Morris Grade: 9th Age: 14 Favorite Book: Dr.Suess Favorite Band: Luke Bryan Favorite food: Pizza Favorite Class: English Favorite movie: Cat in the hat Future plan: Working on my ranch Name: James Burton Age: 7 Grade: 1 st Favorite food: bacon Favorite class or subject (why?): P.E cause you get to play Favorite Author: Barbara Cooney Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pg. 3 Insulation Challenge Students Sewing Stockings Cody Constructing Welding Table Mr. Aaron Taking A Selfie!!! Art Class Live King Crab (Yummy)
Pg. 6 Meet Our New Teacher Mrs. Cooke was born and raised in Hawaii, but then lived in Arizona for the last thirty years. She now resides at a Bed & Breakfast in Kodiak. For 16 years she taught high school and college English,. She now teaches the third through fifth grade, in all classes. Some fun things she loves to do are driving her British motorcycles, and play volleyball. Mrs. Cooke says that the reasons she came here was her sense of adventure, and her enjoyment of seeing the ocean in all it s glory, and the beautiful scenery Kodiak has in store for people too enjoy. Her birthday is on October 5 th ; so make sure you wish her a happy birthday. Also, if you need to know her favorite color, it is cerulean blue. Air Rifle Air Rifle is one of the rural school competitions that is done during our first three months of school. During this competition, students shoot targets in the gym for weekly scores. They are scored in different positions: prone, sitting, and standing. This year the competing schools were Akhiok, Chiniak, Karluk, Larsen Bay, and Ouzinkie. Our four elementary students participating were Max, Ashton, Timmy, and Bradford. Max came in third place for all rural elementary kids competing. Good job!!!!!!! J Ashton (5 th ), Timmy (6 th ), and Bradford (8 th ). Ashton had the highest elementary total of 271 points over a perfect 8 weeks!! Max had 265, Timmy had 233, and Bradford had 31. For Chiniak middle school we had four participants, Sienna, Elizabeth, Rebekah, and Michael. Sienna placed 2 nd, Elizabeth at 4 th, Rebekah at 8 th, and Michael at 15 th. Sienna had the highest total score of 692 points over 8 weeks. Elizabeth had 681, Rebekah had 642, and Michael had 403. Chiniak high school participants were Josiah, Cody, Alex, and Hannah. Josiah came in 3 rd place with a total of 991 points over 8 weeks. Cody placed 7 th with 908 points over 8 weeks, Alex placed 8 th with 295 points over 8 weeks, and Hannah at 9 th place with 839 points over 8 weeks. Bulls- Eyes Bradford (0), Timmy (3), Max (5), Ashton (5), Michael (8), Rebekah (19), Sienna (21), Elizabeth (23), Alex (2), Hannah (15), Cody (19), and Josiah (28). Each year we do Air Rifle and we all have improved greatly! Can t wait till next year. J By: Sienna
Pg. 4 Chiniak Art Timmy s Elk Ashton s Castle Sienna s Sunset Elizabeth s Sunset Rebekah s Sunset Bradford s House