How to you make a thermometer? Sinai Scientists in Ms. Ragland's fourth grade science class at Sinai Elementary recently made their own thermometer. Students used plastic bottles, water, rubbing alcohol, straws and red food coloring. Students used modeling clay to seal a straw into the bottle without it touching the bottom. Students were then able to see the "mercury " rise in the STEM room indicating a warm temperature. The air conditioners were turned on and students were then able to see the "mercury" receed indicating a cooler environment.
The monthly principal's meeting for April was recently held at Sinai Elementary School. Students sang the school song and presented principals and Central Office staff with a copy of the Sinai Elementary Favorite Family Recipes book. Sinai Scientists also presented a STEM activity to the group.
Sinai's 5th graders completed a tasty cookie experiment. They explored to see which types of cookies would sink and which would float in milk. The Oreos, Animal Crackers, and Nilla Wafers floated, and the Chips Ahoy sank.
Third Grade Sinai Scientists in Mrs. Davis and Ms. Emerson's class learned about cleaning up an oil spill. The experiment was designed to help the students learn the effects of oil spills. The students were then were presented with the challenge to design and build a device to clean the oil before it harms the wildlife. Students first had to design the device, and then use the variety of art materials including: pipe cleaners, spoons, yarn, coffee filters. The students found out how hard cleaning up oil is.
5th grade Sinai Scientists used the scientific method to determine what would best clean dirty pennies. They used water, water and dish liquid, and vinegar with salt. Through their investigation, they discovered that vinegar and salt cleans pennies the best.
Each year Mrs. Tingen has a Question of the Day that is used for SOL review. Students in Mrs. Emerson's home room kicked off this year's Question of the Day by coming to the STEM lab to answer today's question. Students in each SOL testing grade are given questions to help with review for the upcoming SOLs in science, math, Virginia Studies and reading. Students have the option of coming to the lab to complete the question or through their Google Classroom on their chromebooks.
Kindergarten Sinai Scientists celebrated the 2024 solar eclipse with many fun learning activities. Students made hats and also completed hands on activites while learning facts about the eclipse.
2023-2024 Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Service Award at Sinai Elementary
Congratulations to Ms. Ariel Goode, 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year at Sinai Elementary School. Ms. Goode has taught SPED in the collaborative setting for several years before recently teaching Kindergarten for 3 years.
Congratulations also to Mrs. Ann Tingen for receiving the 2023-2024 Excellence in Service Award. Mrs. Tingen has been a LAN Manager at Sinai Elementary School for 20 years.
We are so proud to have Ms. Goode and Mrs. Tingen representing Sinai Elementary School as the Teacher of the Year and for receiving the Excellence in Service Award.
PK-3 students at Sinai Elementary had a good time using their gross motor skills as they would follow along with Phonicsman as they would "freeze" and "jump".
Please refer to the following flyer for April Feedmore information.
Students in Ms. Brockenbury's 5th grade class made hats to celebrate the 2024 eclipse. Students also enjoyed learning a lot of interesting facts regarding this eclipse
The Danville Science Center Outreach program recently visited Sinai's fifth graders. They participated in a variety of hands-on activities to review 4th and 5th grade science. First, they explored different types of rocks and even created their own metamorphic rock out of Skittles. Next, students investigated motion using different weights on a wooden car. Finally, they completed a sound lab and saw how sound is a type of energy that uses vibrations. Thank you to the Halifax County Public Schools Education Foundation for supporting this program through a mini-grant!
The next solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8 when students will be in school, preparing to leave school, or traveling home. Although we will not experience a total solar eclipse, we will experience a partial eclipse.
All students and staff will receive certified solar-viewing glasses to protect their eyes.
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) has a variety of free resources about safety considerations for the eclipse. NOTE: Regular sunglasses, swimming goggles, and other eyewear are NOT safe for looking directly at the sun.
The eclipse will occur in Halifax County from 1:59 p.m. to 4:29 p.m. with maximum view at 3:16 p.m.: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/
The Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium (SVRTC) held its 18th Annual SVRTC Technology Awards Banquet at Longwood University on March 14, 2024. Three HCPS staff members were among those receiving awards. Mrs. Allyn Beth Noble, Government DE Teacher at HCHS, received the Technology Teacher Award. Mrs. Cathy Henderson, Coordinator of Assessments and Data Analysis, received the Technology Support Award. Mrs. Ann Tingen, LAN Manager at Sinai Elementary, received the Instructional Technology Support Award. Congratulations on your awards, and thank you for all you do for HCPS!
Help Sinai support World Down Syndrome Day! On Thursday, March 21st, wear your favoite, crazy, wild and fabulous socks! Let's Rock Our Socks, Sinai!
Sinai Elementary School recently held a fundraiser for the 2024 Walk MS Support for Muscular Sclerosis. Sandy Oakes, Administrative Assistant at Sinai Elementary is shown presenting Karen Smith with $417 collected at Sinai. Sinai Elementary is very proud to support this worthy cause.
Sinai Elementary students had a super day at the Saturday Learning Academy recently held at Sinai Elemenatary. Students enjoyed doing various hands on activities as well as reviewing skills.
Report cards for the third nine weeks may be viewed on the Campus Portal. If you need assistance with the portal or need a paper copy of the report card, please contact your child's school.
Students in Mrs. Dailey's ECSE class had fun making their Read Across America activity. Students used goldfish bowls made out of paper plates and water colors to create their own Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat gold fish bowl. Students used goldfish crackers in their bowl with the big gold fish almost escaping!
Sinai Elementary recognizes students in each grade level for their progress in reading and using good reading strategies and habits in the classroom in the Soaring Eagles Reader of the Month Program. Community sponsors make this program possible. Special thanks our sponsor, Dollar General Corporation. Pictured above are February readers of the month. Each student received a certificate of achievement for their hard work.
