Education
Ox Ridge Hurricane Relief 10-24-17

Ox Ridge Students Help With Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico, Texas

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In the wake of a devastating hurricane season, Ox Ridge students decided they wanted to help their peers who face the daunting task of putting their lives back together. For one Ox Ridge teacher, Elsa Agosto, the impact of Hurricane Maria and the students’ efforts has been more personal. Principal Luke Forshaw noted that Agosto, who teaches Spanish, has family in Puerto Rico. Maria knocked out much of the island’s infrastructure in mid-September. Returning power and getting food and water has been an on-going challenge since the storm, according to news reports. Agosto’s family survived the storm but has intermittent communication.

Education
Middlesex Middle School Grade 8 trip Massachusetts 10-17-17

Darien Eighth Graders See Historic Sites in Massachusetts

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Salem witch trials, famous meeting houses, and Revolutionary War battlegrounds were among the stops last week for Middlesex Middle School students. The eighth grade class traveled to Boston to visit early American historical sites that were important to the founding of our country. The two-day trip included the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail walk that winds through the city and stops at the Old North Church; a visit to Plimouth Plantation, and exploration of Lexington and Concord and the events leading to the start of the American Revolution. All the events and sites are part of the eighth grade social studies curriculum, said school Principal Shelley Somers. “Not only did students have a chance to socialize and have fun, but history came alive for them, ” said Somers, who was a chaperone on the trip.

Education
Holmes School African music 10-03-17

Holmes School Kids Try African Music, Drums, Dance

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A local organization recently brought a little African culture and fun to students at Holmes Elementary School. The group Infinite Roots, which is dedicated to promoting African instrumentation, art, and music, performed a unique concert on the Holmes playground. Infinite Roots member Henry Jones led the school in learning traditional songs and dance, and brought Grade 5 students up to play a variety of drums — large and small — as part of the festivities. Jones also shared masks from the Congo of animals, like zebras, and people.  

To teach the rhythms to Grade 5 students, Jones would play and the students would echo the sounds. Once they got it, the young musicians would then play the background music for the songs the other students would sing.

Education
DHS Club and Activities Fair Students 2 Students 09-19-17

DHS Students Choose Among 60 Groups at Club and Activities Fair

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Outside the Darien High School Cafeteria, students wandered past tables and banners looking at the many ways they could spend their time beyond the classroom. Under bright skies, DHS held their annual Club and Activities Fair last week where students learned about the more than 60 clubs open to students. The clubs reflected a range of interest, including those that promote public service, outdoor adventure, and academic challenge, according to Kate Dimoulas, DHS assistant principal. Among the academic and service minded clubs were National Honor Society, Debate, Programming Club, and Chess Club. Those that promoted a vision of a kinder, brighter, and safer world include One Love, Natural Disaster Response, and D.A.W.G.

Those clubs that encouraged students to enjoy fun activities in competitive and non-competitive venues include Theater 308, Gaming Club, and Outdoors Club.