Sydnor Jennings Elementary

In the third-grade experiment, students observed the solubility of various substances by mixing salt, sand, sugar, and flour with water. They likely found that salt and sugar dissolved completely, while sand and flour remained mostly undissolved, demonstrating the differences in solubility among these materials. This hands-on approach helped students learn about physical properties and the concept of mixtures and solutions.

This week in Mr. Barksdale's STEM class, students engaged in hands-on experiments to explore fundamental scientific principles, including the concepts of buoyancy through sink or float tests, the separation of mixtures using chromatography, the application of Bernoulli's principle in fluid dynamics, and the mechanics behind wrecking balls as they analyzed forces and motion. Each activity not only fostered inquiry-based learning but also deepened their understanding of how these concepts apply to real-world scenarios.

HCPS Families and Staff, As you are aware from previous communications this week, HCPS has been investigating rumors of threats and social media posts that look like threats of violence to our schools. Together with law enforcement, we have looked into each of these accounts. Our investigations have revealed that none of these threats have been targeting schools in Halifax. We received an email from the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) addressing the mass distribution of a SnapChat image combined with an added on-screen text being distributed across North America via TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Analysis of this image and the mass reproduction indicates this is a spam Snapchat image and is not specific to any school or division. These are obviously frightening messages and are designed to cause panic and disruption in communities. So, what should you do if you see something concerning like this? 1. Immediately contact law enforcement and/or school officials to share what you have seen. We will investigate EVERYTHING that comes to us and we want people to share concerning messages so they can be investigated fully. 2. Report, don't Repost- Reposting these images instead of reporting them directly to officials is delaying our investigation and response to the concern. Reposting is causing panic and disrupting our schools and community before the legitimacy of the concern can be determined. If it is reported to us and is determined to be a legitimate threat, we will take immediate action and you will be informed about what we are doing to keep everyone safe. Halifax County Public Schools and the Halifax County Sheriff's Department are diligently working to investigate every concern in an effort to keep our students and staff safe from any threat of violence. We need your help in these efforts. Please continue to communicate with us directly when you see or hear concerns. Thank you. Amy D. Huskin, Superintendent

Please save the date for the second annual CTE Showcase on Thursday, October 17, 2024. This event provides an opportunity for all students and families, including elementary to learn more about Career and Technical Education in Halifax County. Participants will be able to tour lab spaces and participate in live demonstrations. The first 100 attendees will receive a voucher to one of the on-site food trucks. Doors open at 5:15 PM, and the kickoff is at 5:30 PM. For more details and to register, please visit the Halifax County Public Schools website and Facebook page. View more details and register online at https://www.svhec.org/showcasecte/.

Students in 4th and 5th grade here at SJES have been learning about the four main Literacy Elements in their Language Arts class. This week students were able to work in small groups to create their own Literacy Elements poster. This activity allowed students to demonstrate their reading comprehension on their weekly HMH: In Reading class story and their application on this week's reading target skill. Students enjoyed taking on multiple roles within each group and presenting their poster in whole group.

Mr. Barksdale's affirmation mirror serves as an empowering tool for students, encouraging them to stand before a mirror and vocalize positive affirmations about themselves. This practice not only enhances self-esteem but also fosters a mindset focused on self-worth and personal goals, ultimately promoting a more positive self-image and emotional well-being.

Read-A-Thons actually get your reader excited about reading and it gives friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more. Our Read-A-Thon starts Monday October 7, 2024. About one week before our Read-A-Thon starts we will send home instructions on how to activate your reader's personal page. This is where you will be able to view and record their progress. We encourage you to activate your reader’s account today by clicking on https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/r/323831373731/1and following the simple instructions. We've chosen Read-A-Thon because it will not take much of your time, gives your child a reason to read and helps in the development of stronger reading skills. We hope EVERYONE participates. Thanks so much, Sydnor Jennings Elementary School

Students wore red, white, and blue outfits on September 11th to honor the memory of those lost and to celebrate national resilience, promoting unity and patriotism in their school community.

Ms. Dishmond's 4th grade students reviewed the scientific method through a hands-on experiment with the Sphero Bolt robot. They programmed the robot to travel at various speeds and measured the distances it covered. Throughout the experiment, they created hypotheses, identified independent and dependent variables, collected data, and drew conclusions based on their findings.

To our Sydnor Jennings Elementary School families, We're very excited about our upcoming Read-A-Thon fundraiser and want to share an amazing opportunity for local businesses. If you own, manage, or know of a business that would like to support our school, consider becoming a Read-A-Thon sponsor. By becoming a sponsor, a business will gain exposure to thousands of individuals who are all passionate about supporting literacy and our community. Hurry, as there are only a limited number of digital and printed sponsorship spots available, including an exclusive Literacy Champion sponsorship. Reserve sponsorship spots today by clicking the link below. As always, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your support of our school community. https://www.read-a-thon.com/ads/options/63040 Warm regards, Sydnor Jennings Elementary School

Students in Ms. Dishmond's 5th grade class explored how atoms behave in solid, liquid, and gas states using virtual reality goggles. After immersing themselves in this interactive learning experience, they applied their new knowledge by creating models of atoms in each state of matter using play dough.

Lexia® is proud to partner with families and the Virginia Department of Education to help fulfill the state’s ALL In Tutoring priority! We are excited to announce we are now offering information sessions specifically designed for Virginia families. Click on the link below to learn more information. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zIhLUlBU1XY4-nLs0Vq1XOaCII4jgQDb/view?usp=sharing

What is a literacy screener? Have you heard about VALLSS? Click on the link below for an informational sheet for families. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oJjA4ir1O-Ydg5SOuiqWKfEnf3spzMTI/view?usp=sharing

🌟 Exciting news for our Pre-K students! 🎉 They're diving into the world of technology by exploring Chromebooks, unlocking new opportunities for creativity and learning. 💻 Join us as we empower our little learners to embrace the digital age and spark their curiosity! 🌈✨

Thank you to Dollar General Literacy Foundation for our 2024 youth literacy grant! Funding received will support our nonfiction and chapter book collections. #dollargeneralliteracygrant

To honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,, today students wore gold and/or yellow.

As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of Labor Day.

In compliance with Virginia State Law and the Virginia Department of Education’s Frequency of Fire and Lock Down Drill requirements, students in Halifax County Public Schools will participate in required fire and lockdown safety drills during the next two weeks.

In Ms. Dishmond's classroom, fifth and fourth graders engage in a hands-on activity where they construct towers using marshmallows and toothpicks, fostering teamwork and collaboration. This project not only promotes creativity and problem-solving skills but also allows students to apply the scientific method by hypothesizing about structural stability, experimenting with designs, and observing the outcomes of their constructions. Through this interactive experience, students learn about engineering principles while enjoying the process of trial and error, ultimately enhancing their understanding of both science and teamwork.

In Ms. Doss's second-grade class, students conducted an experiment using gummy bears to explore how different liquids—vinegar, water, salt water, and sugar water—affect their size and texture. They observed osmosis: gummy bears shrank in vinegar, swelled in plain water, shriveled in salt water, and absorbed liquid in sugar water, with varying results based on sugar concentration. This interactive experiment enabled students to grasp basic scientific principles through direct observation and hands-on learning.