School notes: From Lego bricks to genetics, they’re winners

AWARDS WON at the Lego League exhibition last month include Alameda Community Learning Center students: Robot Performance Award, First Place to P.I.G., Inc. (Katie Smith, Sarah Melek, and Estanisla Guerra-Burdick); Judges’ Award (Most Improved in the Tournament) to Funky Chickenz (Laura Hinton, Stephanie Gascon, Linnea Oddie, and Rene Silverman); Research Presentations Award, First Place to Rubber Duckies (Loren Diesi Palmer, Megan Hayes, and Jennifer Lundeen), Second Place to Flying Pigs (Chelsea Patten, Elizabeth Roebuck, and Katie Sutter).

Originally posted on Fri, Dec. 19, 2003 at: http://www.contracostatimes.com School notes: From Lego bricks to genetics, they’re winners AWARDS WON at the Lego League exhibition last month include Alameda Community Learning Center students: Robot Performance Award, First Place to P.I.G., Inc. (Katie Smith, Sarah Melek, and Estanisla Guerra-Burdick); Judges’ Award (Most Improved in the Tournament) to Funky Chickenz (Laura Hinton, Stephanie Gascon, Linnea Oddie, and Rene Silverman); Research Presentations Award, First Place to Rubber Duckies (Loren Diesi Palmer, Megan Hayes, and Jennifer Lundeen), Second Place to Flying Pigs (Chelsea Patten, Elizabeth Roebuck, and Katie Sutter). Three teams were selected to go on the Northern California State Finals: P.I.G., Inc. (Katie Smith, Sarah Melek, and Estanisla Guerra-Burdick); Funky Chickenz (Laura Hinton, Stephanie Gascon, Linnea Oddie, and Rene Silverman); and Dragon Hawks (Evan Schmidt, Colin Higgins, and James Wolz-Romberger). Students are coming to the end of a long unit on molecular, structural and Mendelian genetics in biology. They have extracted DNA from organisms and worked through numerous Mendelian crosses. The students are learning the basics of the mechanisms of inheritance of human traits. Some have chosen to study the mind and the process of learning, others are studying photosynthesis and botany. Each of these projects will be complete on Jan. 14, when the biology and environmental science learners will host a symposium from 6 to 8 p.m. to exhibit their projects. Franklin Elementary, 1433 San Antonio Ave., 510-748-4004 Five students were each awarded a gold medal during last week’s Books and Beyond assembly. Congratulations to Lily Carter, Kelly McCormick, Gregory Aribon, Elena Uranwala and Eli Arbreton. Also last week, Franklin dad and concept artist Mark Wagner shared with students how his creativity and art developed into a movie, "Dreamkeeper." This Hallmark Entertainment, four-hour mini series, will be shown on ABC-TV on Dec. 28 and 29 from 9-11 p.m. Otis Elementary, 3010 Fillmore St., 510-748-4013 There are many coats, lunchboxes and sweatshirts in the Lost and Found. Please put your children’s names on lunchboxes, coats and sweatshirts. Garden Beautification Update: The silent auction, held during Conference Week, raised $800 to be used for ongoing Otis Garden beautification projects. The next garden workday is Jan. 24. The AEF after school enrichment program is looking for a few more volunteers to organize the Winter/Spring session starting after Christmas. Please call Tanya Atkinson at 510-769-1932 or e-mail atkinfun@yahoo.com. Edison Elementary, 2700 Buena Vista Ave., 510-748-4002 Got leftovers gifts? Instead of standing in those return lines, hang on to your unwanted or unused holiday gifts and donate them to the Edison Auction to be held on March 13. Marked box will be located in the office after vacation, waiting to be filled with post-holiday goodies. AUSD, 2200 Central Ave., 510-337-7000 Negotiations between the school district and the bargaining units are available on AUSD Web site, www.alameda.k12.ca.us. Update handouts are available in school offices. Do you need health insurance? AUSD is committed to helping families in need get appropriate health services for children. If you are in need of health insurance and would like more information about the Medi-Cal/Healthy families program, call 888-747-1222. Alameda Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1363, 510-337-7189 The Alameda Education Foundation would like to thank Allison Bliss for her donation of a flute and case. Our local schools can always use instruments and financial support for their music programs. If you would like to donate a new, used, refurbished instrument or provide financial support, please call 510-337-7189. Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) Board Members, John Newton and Michael Potmesil and Kathy Shaughnessy with Bank of Alameda are proud to announce the following five adoptions presented during the week of Dec. 15: Jane Goldspring and Michelle Yoon’s kindergarten classroom at Otis school received $550 from families of Ms. Yoon and Ms. Goldspring’s 2003-04 kindergarten class; Pat Garcia’s grade 3 classroom at Otis School receives $500 from families of Ms. Garcia’s 2003-04 third-grade class; Gail Rossiter’s grade 4/5 classroom at Franklin school received $500 from Robbie and Ross Dileo; Darlene Norman’s grade 5 classroom at Franklin school received $500 from the Bergamaschi Family; Mary Blume and Julie Chang’s grade 5 classroom at Otis school received $500 from families of Ms. Blume and Ms. Chang’s 2003-04 fifth-grade class. Congratulations to the teachers and thank you to the sponsors. Please call 510-337-7189 for more information or to become a sponsor. MEETINGS Edison Elementary, 2700 Buena Vista Ave., 510-748-4002 • "I Can Read" Training, Dec. 19, 12:45 p.m. Learn how you can volunteer to help students refine their reading skills or how to assist your child at home. Franklin Elementary, 1433 San Antonio Ave., 510-748-4004 • Spectacular New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., Spotlight on the Square. Dance to the sounds of the Nicolas Bearde Orchestra, featuring Natasha Miller. Enjoy divine hors d’ouevres and delectable desserts, champagne, party favors, and balloon drop. 80 percent of the net profit will be donated to Franklin School PTA. Haight Elementary, 2025 Santa Clara Ave., 510-748-4005 • Homework Club, Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15 to 5 p.m. A voluntary math, reading, P.E., science and art homework club for fourth- and fifth-graders. Sign up today. Paden Elementary, 444 Central Ave., 510-748-4014 • Coffee hour, every Friday morning after the bell for coffee. Alameda Community Learning Center, 510-521-7543 • ACLC DANCE, Dec. 19. • Parent Asset Committee, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. Washington Elementary, 825 Taylor Ave., 510-748-4007 • International Potluck, Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m., auditorium. Celebrating cultural diversity through international cuisine and folk dancing. Encinal High School, 210 Central Ave., 510-748-4023 • Eighth Grade Parent Information Night, Jan. 21,7 p.m. Gym. Meeting will provide information for students and families who will be attending Encinal for the school year 2004-05. Alameda High School, 2001 Encinal Ave., 510-337-7022 • Eighth Grade Parent Information Night, Jan. 22, 7 p.m., Alameda High Little Theatre. Get information about the college preparatory curriculum, student achievements, extracurricular activities. Meet Principal Margie Sherratt, AHS administrators and counselors, and academic department chairs and teachers. All incoming future ninth-graders and their parents are should attend. For more information, call 510-337-2312. • Eighth Grade Tours, Feb. 4, 11 or 18, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For future freshmen and their parents, all incoming future ninth-graders and their parents are encouraged to attend. To reserve your tour date, please call 510-337-2312. AUSD, City Hall, 2265 Santa Clara Ave., 510-337-7060 Board of Education, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m., City Hall LOOKING AHEAD No School: Holiday break — Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Martin Luther King’s birthday — Jan. 19 ——————————————————————————– This column is brought to you by the Alameda Credit Union. Please submit AUSD information to the ACU, preferably by e-mail to alamedacu@yahoo.com, or by fax 510-523-9537. For more information, call AnaLuisa Quiñonez at 510-523-1514, ext. 115.