Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy opened its doors to students, parents, former teachers, current teachers and their families, and community partners Thursday at the Thorpe Gordon Community Reception prior to the September board meeting.
Guests could enjoy cookies and drinks as they explored the new gym; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math lab and library space; and art and music rooms. The school prepared for 75-100 guests.
There were also members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church, which has a service partnership with the school providing tutors and connecting Big Brothers and Big Sisters. A few middle-school students who had left Thorpe Gordon returned Thursday with a bit of jealousy.
STEM Instructional Coach Erin LaFlamme introduced people to the STEM lab. LaFlamme said students take the lead in the lab, and she plays the role of “co-pilot,” planning and scheduling use of the space based on the students’ step of the engineering process, readying supplies, researching and answering questions.
Nonfiction books have been stored along the library wall attached to the STEM Lab so students can use them for research.
This week, third-graders have been working on states of matter by cutting up tortillas — a solid — and making oobleck — a mixture of corn starch and water that acts as both a liquid and a solid.
Kindergarten students will be learning about heat from the sun by observing objects that have been left outside.
Fourth-grade students learned about how to build their dream playground with a lesson from the Parks and Recreation Department at the Adams Street park. Students had just learned about polio in their reading unit and were especially attentive to how accessible the equipment was.
LaFlamme also had on display a few robots for kindergarten through second grade that are controlled by iPads.
During the meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education recognized the staff at Thorpe Gordon as “staff champions” for September. Hogg saluted them for preparing for an entirely new school year without full access to the building, which was being renovated. He thanked them for their preparation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math during the summer.
In other business, Chief of Operations Dawn Berhorst said in her report the district has recruited some of its staff members to serve as monitors on buses. Some schools are also providing early morning supervision to allow buses to go back out on another route. Berhorst said afternoon busing is still difficult.
Six drivers are training with First Student now, she said.
The district is also planning to issue a request for proposals for a transportation company with the hope of bringing a recommendation to the board in November.
Board Member Suzanne Luther asked whether the district might be able to obtain air conditioning in all of its buses with its RFP, but Berhorst said that would be “big lift financially.”
“Right now, we just have a few air-conditioned buses for our special education students,” Berhorst said.
President Lindsey Rowden said this year was unique in that the first week of school was very hot and routes were longer.
Luther mentioned the Jefferson City Chapter of the National Education Associations’ request for an extreme heat plan at the previous meeting.
“They asked for a heat procedure, which we had,” Superintendent Bryan McGraw said. “We didn’t have kids out past a certain time on recess, we limited sports and activities. That plan was in place and worked that week.”
Board member Scott Hovis chimed in: “Dawn, just to clarify, we’ve never had air-conditioned buses in the history of the school district, have we?”
“No, just for special education,” Berhorst responded.
“And we all survived before?” Hovis said. “Just asking.”
During the student board member presentation, Zack Shoki, JCHS student board representative, said JCHS published the first issue of the Red and Black newspaper, which was revived this year after a break of a few years.
Val Ike, CCHS student board representative, said the student advisory team at CCHS is working on a student feedback survey.
The board also updated a number of policies relating to legislative changes.
Josh Cobb/News Tribune. Director of Communications at Jefferson City Schools Ryan Burns tests out one of the robots in the STEM room during the Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy Community Reception on Thursday night. During the event the community was invited take tours of the newly renovated STEM Academy.
Josh Cobb/News Tribune. STEM Instructional Coach Erin LaFlamme speaks to a member of the public during the Thrope Gordon STEM Academy Community Reception on Thursday night. During the event the community was invited take tours of the newly renovated STEM Academy.
Josh Cobb/News Tribune. Deanna Burris shows Marilynn Medley some of the programs used to help teach kids in the classroom during the Thorpe Gordon STEM Academy Community Reception on Thursday night. During the event the community was invited take tours of the newly renovated STEM Academy.