Mitchell students help support March of Dimes
Students at Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School recently raised more than $1,195 for the March of Dimes by participating in a book-reading fundraiser.
Jennifer Abell, director of the Southern Maryland March of Dimes and Board of Education member, presented medals to more than 30 students on Oct. 29 who participated in the fundraiser. Students were asked to read and earned funds from sponsors for each book they completed.
Abell presented bronze medals to six students who read between four and 10 books, silver medals to three students who read between 11 and 19 books and gold medals to 23 students who read 20 or more books.
Abell also presented Lenzy Stallard, a third-grade student, with a trophy for raising $140. Delma Smallwood, a reading resource teacher and Mitchell instructional leadership team member, also presented students with recognition certificates and tickets for a free meal at the Green Turtle restaurant in La Plata.
The mission of the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization, is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
STUDENTS VISIT FARM: Prekindergarten and kindergarten students at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School visited Forrest Hall Farm on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The students learned about farm animals, went through a guided corn maze, and chose pumpkins to take home. The students were also treated to a farm hayride.
FALL FESTIVAL: Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School and its Parent-Teacher-Organization (PTO) held a Fall Festival for students, staff and community members on Friday, Oct. 24. PTO members baked goods for the annual cake walk, presented learning games for students and decorated a seasonal haunted hallway for the event.
STUDENT SELECTED GIRL SCOUT DELEGATE: Taylor Harvey, a junior at La Plata High School, was chosen to represent the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital as the Maryland Delegate at the National Convention, held Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
RECYCLING INITIATIVE: Students at Arthur Middleton Elementary School are working on a school-wide recycling initiative. Richard Andrews, a science resource teacher at Middleton, launched the going green program last school year and students are asked to bring in recyclables from home. This school year, each classroom is competing to fill a recyclable dumpster and students are volunteering their recess time to process the goods. Andrews has also created a "Green Team" in which students have to apply to participate in and learn more about recycling.