Truro Central School PUMA PAGE January 2017 Launching the Bevin s Skiff It s a brisk December morning. A cold north wind blows across Truro s Pamet harbor, its incoming tide unusually high due to the full Cold Moon. On a typical summer day, you would find the harbor bustling with activity day sailors launching boats, fishermen heading out on the tide, kayakers weaving around moored boats. Today, however, the only people standing on the boat ramp, hands thrust in pockets, are nine sixth graders, their teachers and principal, the Truro harbor master and a selectman, a handful of parents, and boatbuilding teachers from the Cape Cod Maritime Museum. The only boat in sight is an 11 9 white wooden skiff trimmed in light blue. It s the Bevin s Skiff crafted over the course of more than nine weeks by TCS sixth graders. Following a quick christening of the bow with sparkling cider, students strapped on life jackets in groups of three. Tethered to a long rope, they took turns rowing their creation. Teachers and parents also joined in on the fun. It was a memorable and special day full of cold hands and warm hearts. You can view slide shows of the boat build in its entirerity on our school website www.truromass.org/2016-boat-build.html This boat will be raffled this coming spring.
T.C.S. PUMA PAGE p. 2 Sea Turtle Stories As a part of a year- long sea turtle study funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Truro Central School second graders visited the turtle rescue center at the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary in South Wellfleet. Second graders had a firsthand experience observing the weighing, measuring, and processing of two loggerhead turtles and one Kemp s Ridley turtle that were rescued off Truro beaches earlier that morning. In addition, the class has learned all the steps to rescue a cold stunned turtle. Turtle heroes in the making! If you find a stranded sea turtle as you walk Cape Cod beaches, here are the steps you should take: 1. Move the turtle above the high tide line, DO NOT PUT IT BACK INTO THE WATER. DO NOT REMOVE IT FROM THE BEACH 2. Cover it with seaweed or eelgrass so it is no longer exposed to cold wind 3. Mark the spot with a piece of beach debris (lobster buoy or driftwood) 4. Call Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Sea Turtle Hot Line at 508-349-2615 ext. 104 and leave exact location (GPS coordinates if possible) as well as distinguishable landmarks; a rescue crew will be promptly dispatched to the location. You might see one on a cresting wave on the incoming tide or in the wrack line. If you walk the beach frequently, it s a good idea to program the Hotline in your phone.
T.C.S. PUMA PAGE p. 3 Wondering About Wampanoags Second graders have been busy learning about the Native American tribe indigenous to Cape Cod, the Wampanoag. As we looked at how this tribe of Native Americans lived, our focus was on the time period of the 1600 s. Food, water, shelter, clothing, and tools are all necessities of life and we explored how Wampanoags met their needs and we compared life in the 1600 s with how our needs are met today. Our study was enriched by a visit from Tim Turner, a Native American interpreter from Plimoth Plantation. Tim shared many artifacts, stories, and information about Native people. Celebrate the Season! Does your family have a special time set aside for celebration during the winter? This is the question third graders and teachers brought home to their familes. Back at school, there was time to share stories about the ways we celebrate during the winter months. Some chose holiday traditions, including special foods, tree decorating, and family time. Others told stories about ice skating, baking cakes, and swimming on New Year s Eve. How do you like to Celebrate the Season?
T.C.S. PUMA PAGE p. 4 Caroling, Caroling Through The Town. Fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students spread some holiday cheer and songs the week before our break. They visited Seashore Point, the Truro Council on Aging, and the Truro Town Hall with music teacher Dana Ayers.
T.C.S. PUMA PAGE p. 5 Traditions From Around the World The fifth grade brought holiday traditions from around the world to Truro Central School during our last All School Meeting of 2016. Students wrote the script and created the props for a multimedia show that included acting, songs, video, and music. The holidays Christmas, Hanukkah, and Chinese New Year were featured. Students, staff, and families also had a chance to sing along to songs of the season.