 | | 5th Grade Consumer Fair | |  Once again the 5th Grade Consumer Fair is “Going Green” to promote environmental stewardship. The Consumer Fair is an exciting way for students to learn the scientific method while incorporating math, English, and computer skills. The students chose two or three similar products that were either organic, contained recycled material, or were rechargeable or energy efficient.
The students determined a purpose, formed a hypothesis, tested the products in such a way so the results could be measured, and then formed a conclusion. The students wrote summaries explaining their processes using the scientific method.
The Consumer Fair project is designed to be an interactive project for parents to help their child be involved in a fun learning process and become environmentally conscience.
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| | St. Andrew's and Millsaps Further Develop Partnership in the Yucatan | |  Over the last several years, St. Andrew’s has developed a close working partnership with Millsaps College and its extraordinary programs in the Yucatan, including the Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve, a 2,500 acre ecological and archeological reserve with ancient Mayan Ruins, which Millsaps manages.
This partnership took another step forward this week when Dr. George Bey, a St. Andrew’s parent and Professor of Anthropology at Millsaps, who oversees the Reserve and who also serves as the Associate Dean of International Education and the Chisholm Foundation Chair in Arts and Sciences at Millsaps, met with Dr. Chris Harth, the Director of Global Studies and World Languages at St. Andrew’s, to discuss plans for two new trips to the area and improvements in the technology available at the Reserve.
Twice in the last three years have St. Andrew’s faculty and students traveled to Merida and explored the Reserve, as well as many of the other rich learning opportunities in the area. In June a third SA trip is planned -- one for US students that will emphasize “glocal” service learning and that will be led by Ms. Caroline Johnson (a St. Andrew’s alumna who teaches mathematics in the Upper School and who received a Global Studies Grant to travel abroad) and Ms. Kristine Tilley (a new Middle School Spanish instructor who previously lived, studied, and worked in Merida). Yet another trip is available for faculty in July as part of the new Millsaps Principals’ and Teachers’ Institute, an interdisciplinary interactive hands-on study abroad opportunity.
To further develop this partnership and to better connect people on the Yucatan with people at St. Andrew’s, Millsaps, and beyond, St. Andrew’s donated to the Millsaps program several Dell laptop computers, equipped with webcams and Internet capability, as well as the appropriately named “ubuntu” operating system, a few of which may be used to help establish an Internet café for Mayan residents near the Reserve.
For more information about this partnership, the upcoming trips to the Yucatan, or other “glocal” programs at St. Andrew’s, please contact Dr. Harth .
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| | Black History Month Chapel | |  On Wednesday, February 10, Middle and Upper School students observed and celebrated Black History Month in their chapel services. We welcomed back Amber Pierson, a 2006 graduate of St. Andrew’s, as vocalist. The preacher was our very own Ms. Tara Lewis, who, among her many roles at St. Andrew’s, serves as Director of Diversity. She urged us to continue the journey so very many strong black men and women have walked before us, to move forward on a path toward standing together with all others rather than standing divided, for “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25) | | | |
| | 7th Graders Welcome Special Guest | |  Many of the 7th grade students had a special visitor in class last week. Mr. Alford’s 7th grade history class has recently discussed the three Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. As part of this unit, Mehwish Atique – the aunt of 7th grader Izaan Rizwan – came to speak to students about Islam. Originally from Pakistan, Mehwish now lives in Australia where she is studying education. Thus, students not only had a member of the Islamic faith come talk to them, they had a genuine teacher come to teach them about her religion from her perspective.
The discussion included a general overview of Islam. It dealt with the 5 Pillars of Islam, which are those things required of all Muslims. She dealt specifically with the meaning of the word Islam, which can mean submission to Allah, but which also has connects to a root meaning peace. Towards the end, Mehwish spent some time addressing misconceptions about Islam, namely about the treatment of women and Jihad. She insisted that she had rights. She argued that the prophet treated women with dignity and respect, and so should everyone else! On the second point, she said that no religion that is based around the word peace could rightfully allow terrorism. The female students were particularly interested in Mehwish’s hijab, which is the traditional headscarf worn by many Islamic women.
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| | Remember... | | While Saints News is a useful means of highlighting just a handful of the many things going on at St. Andrew's, remember to use this link to check the Master Calendar and Monday Papers for any last-minute notices, time changes, or reminders.
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| | Green Tip of the Week | | Recycle those old cell phones that are sitting in your family’s junk drawer. According to the EPA, Americans discard 125 million phones each year, creating 65,000 tons of waste. Find a local mobile electronics recycling center, or, better yet, just bring them to St. Andrew’s this week! Ms. Tara Lewis is collecting them in Central Admin.
Click here for more info about cell phone recycling. | | | |
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