Memorial School celebrates Global School Play Day

by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
If the amount of joy and smiles on young students' faces was any indication of the level of both enjoyment and engagement, then Memorial School students may have found something as much as fun to participate in as the winter holidays celebrations, as students eagerly took part Global School Play Day, expanding their minds and possibilities.

Global School Play Day (GSPD), now in its eighth year and celebrated by over one million students in over 75 nations, is described as, "A day of awareness promoting the importance of regular, unstructured play for the best development of children." Created by a group of six educators in 2015 based on a concern that adults and ever-expanding technology were encroaching on children's play time, along with more schools eliminating recess and students being assigned more homework, organizers felt young students where losing time to be creative, explore possibilities, and learn how to problem-solve on their own. The small founding group of educators made their thought clear. "Unstructured play is a vital part of proper child development!" And from its first event, GSPD has continued to pick up momentum around the globe.

As the school's 294 students began to realize the learning fun to be had, excitement built up and it was off to the creative races. Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade classrooms buzzed, children solving problems both by themselves and in groups with creative thoughts freely growing, even some students working together where teachers knew there once were not.

One common trait observed among the three different grade levels was that efforts, interaction, and association was not differentiated by age groups. Each level was just as engaged as its counterparts. This proved that all ages, when exercising creation or problem solving, were equally engaged at their own pace, utilizing cognitive thinking skills to come to common goals. One very welcome measure of true success, according to multiple staff members, was that all day, young students who had previously never interacted could be seen diligently working side by side creating items together and or problem solving.

At the Kindergarten level, the class of Kayleigh Wante was bustling with the energy one would expect from those so young, yet all the while organized, with thoughtful visible results. From children painting in groups, each cognitively designing their own special work of art, to others creating all on their own, there was no shortage of productive efforts from many of Memorial's youngest. When asked how GSPD had worked with her classroom, Wante replied, "What is really nice is that they are all learning how to problem-solve together, without assistance from the teacher which is pretty amazing. Also, children who don't normally work together are now working together, so over all this has been a very successful day."

In one Grade 1 class of Mrs. Barrette, some 19 students on hand were heavily engaged with creative thought. Barrette said that the students, while elated and excited, were still successfully teaming together helping each other with their causes and freely sharing ideas. From tables of kinetic sand with toy tractors and trucks, to a work station of art supplies, and even a table with two small tortoises for children to hold and observe, young students were highly engaged at multiple levels of learning. One young student, Lilly Gaudet, colorfully decorating an egg carton, when asked what she was trying to accomplish replied, "I am making this for my mommy, because she will collect eggs with this because she has nine chickens"!

Also in the First Grade, 17 students in the class of Mrs. LeBlanc were observed attending Mr. Laserte's Art Class. Laserte jokingly explained that when she asked students to request unused cardboard boxes from their parents, she opened a box floodgate. Parents donated some 100 boxes of all shapes and sizes, allowing students to design, build, and build some more. One student, Avery Peckham, wasted no time grabbing several boxes, quickly creating a classroom paddle boat, with its own seat and backrest! Peckham then grabbed a few more items, and began a paddle/shuffle technique using her arms and shifting her weight, to row boat around the Art Class floor. Others, such as Oliva Lahood, gave the boys a strong run for their money, working every bit as hard if not more than some others, with the students' joint creation of a large cardboard box wall structure. One young man was overheard saying, "We are building the great wall!"

Asked how the day and class were going, a very pleased Laserte said, "This is an 'Exploratory Activity' with cardboard boxes, and it's amazing what students can do with just a cardboard box. Children are so creative, and have shown great problem-solving skills. There has also been lots of teamwork skills, and thinking skills demonstrated today. This has been a great activity, and what I love about this is that this is something they can do here at school, and then apply it at home."

In Grade 2, the creative pace typical of the slightly older age was easily seen. In the class of Mrs. Lisa Musgrove, sheets and blankets where placed on and over tables, as young students wasted no time building a four-table fort to climb under and crawl through. One young man, Brian Barton, built a garage out of snap-tight cubes for Hotwheels cars, while another talked to him about where to place toy dinosaurs around the structure to protect it.

Asked about her professional observations, Musgrove replied, "What is great is we are seeing students get together and figure out how to solve problems, without needing help from myself. The students were able to bring in their own games and toys, and then were able to help teach others how to play with instruction. When students had issues or questions, we instructed them to work with each other and problem-solve together. This is great because everybody is learning something."

Memorial Elementary School Principal Chante Jillson has been a long-time supporter of the GSPD initiative. Currently in her first year at the helm of Memorial Elementary, Jillson watched the program's benefits come to fruition through her many former young students at the Phillipston Memorial Elementary School (PMES) where she served in the school's leadership position for years of successful service. Jillson was seen going classroom to classroom and grade to grade, both observing student interaction, and confirming with teachers about how the program was going during the day.

When asked in closing how she felt about the day-long school event, Jillson said, "Children can solve a lot of their problems through play. The feedback from the teachers has been incredibly positive. They are getting to see children play together that wouldn't play together before, and even get to see them cooperate and problem-solve. In groupings, kids that the teachers wouldn't have expected to see play together, are now playing together, and doing it all in such a productive way. It's so nice, today was so good for the students."

If you have any questions about Global School Play Day you can visit its website at www.globalschoolplayday.com or email them directly with any questions to contact GPSD organizers at globalschoolplayday@gmail.com. GSPD can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/globalschoolplayday.

Congratulations Mrs. Deb Connelly
Winchendon Public Schools Support Staff Member of the Week
February 1, 2022

Mrs. Connelly is the heart of Murdock High School! She has worked for the district as a Secretary at Murdock for 25 years. For 24 years, she was the attendance secretary, and this past year, she became the Principal's Secretary during a rough COVID year. She has also served as the Athletic Secretary for 23 years under a few Athletic Directors. When asked about her work, she states, "Because I am not a teacher, I am not sure if there is anything specific I do to make a difference in a student's life. I like to think that I help to have my office serve as a refuge if they are in need and always try to help them the best way I can and if I can. I have some students who have come in upset and just need a hug or a kind word or someone to just listen, and I try to offer that. I hope that might make a difference in their day."
Mrs. Connelly, you make a difference in so many ways! Thank you for everything you do for us!

Winchendon Students on State Champion Cybersecurity Teams

Monty Tech Students Take First Place in CyberPatriot Competition

FITCHBURG, Massachusetts - January 28, 2022 - Two student teams from Monty Tech were recently named state champions in the CyberPatriot competition. The students were honored for their excellence in technical skill, problem solving, and teamwork. CyberPatriot's Youth Cyber Defense Competition places students in the position of newly hired IT professionals managing a company network, charging them with finding and fixing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

After winning the state competition, the school's Open Division Platinum team--a group of five juniors from Monty Tech's Information Technology program--advanced to the semi-finals, which they completed from Monty Tech's campus on January 21. Quinn Armstrong and Timothy Lemire of Winchendon competed on this team.

A second team comprising students from Monty Tech's JROTC program also placed first in the state, although their score did not allow them to advance to the semi-final within their All Service division. Senior Nicholas Gahagen from Winchendon was a member of this team.

"I'm really proud of all of our teams. This is the furthest we have progressed in the Open Division," says Richard Duncan, Information Technology instructor and one of the advisors to Monty Tech's cybersecurity club. The Open Division is specifically for students who are not enrolled in a JROTC program.

Monty Tech has a strong record of success in the CyberPatriot competition; previous teams from the school have competed in and even won the national competition. CyberPatriot is a program of the Air Force Association, designed to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other STEM disciplines. For more information about CyberPatriot, you can visit their website at www.uscyberpatriot.org/.

Monty Tech serves 1,450 high school students from 18 cities and towns, providing a comprehensive academic program and cutting-edge vocational-technical programs To learn more about the school, visit their website at montytech.net.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Students Complete Intensive Research Projects

WORCESTER, MA (02/03/2022)-- At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. About two-thirds of students complete a project at one of the university's 50-plus off-campus project centers, which are located around the world. A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people's lives-and make a difference before they graduate.

The following students completed their intensive research projects this past fall:

Sophie Chretien of Winchendon, Mass., majoring in Mechanical Engineering, member of the class of 2023, completed the project titled Restoration of Panama's Juan Diaz River Watershed.

Gabriel Buonomano of Fitzwilliam, N.H., majoring in Computer Science, member of the class of 2023, completed the project titled Creating a Citizens' Academy Model for the Town of Nantucket.

Mount Wachusett Community College President's and Dean's Lists for Fall 2021 Semester

GARDNER, MA - February 3, 2022 - Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to announce our Dean's and President's Lists for the fall 2021 semester. Students who complete a minimum of 12 semester hours are eligible. The Dean's List requires a 3.30 to 3.99 grade point average while the President's List requires a 4.0 grade point average.

Winchendon students on each list include:

President's List
Amy Fasulo, Winchendon, MA
Joyce Rodriguez, Winchendon, MA
Kikelomo Tetteh, Winchendon, MA

Dean's List
Katlin Bosworth, Winchendon, MA
Aidan Bourque, Winchendon, MA
Jacob Carter, Winchendon, MA
Maxxuelle Chanthachack, Winchendon, MA
Sydney Comire, Winchendon, MA
Patrick Cortis, Winchendon, MA
Kiley Donahue, Winchendon, MA
Rachael Legault, Winchendon, MA
Mansi Prajapati, Winchendon, MA
Samantha Thiers, Winchendon, MA
Alexis Thiers, Winchendon, MA
Breanna Whittier, Winchendon, MA

Mount Wachusett Community College Student Media Studio Receives Improved Lighting Thanks to National Grid

GARDNER, MA - February 2, 2022 - Mount Wachusett Community College is the recipient of an Energy Initiative rebate from National Grid for upgrades to lighting in the colleges' two video recording studios. The $43,216 rebate payments from National Grid will enable MWCC to reduce kilowatt hour energy consumption in the studios by 91.2 percent per year.

Enrollment in the video concentration of the Media Arts and Technology degree program is growing, and the installation of these lights will positively change the curriculum to include more content in television and theatrical lighting using the latest technology. These new lights are far safer to use and more versatile than the previous lights, create little to no heat, and can change color and focus using external computer controls.

"The MWCC audio studios are state-of-the-art, and with this new lighting, our video studios are now their equals," stated Media Arts and Technology Department Chair John Little. "Students from all over New England come to the Mount for this program and the opportunity to learn hands-on with this equipment."

The video studio upgrades include change from fluorescent and tungsten fixtures to LEDs installed by Chauvet Professional, a leading developer of luminaires, trussing, controllers, atmospherics, and related equipment, and Fluotec, a leading manufacturer of LED and professional lighting fixtures for television studios, motion pictures, video and photography. Studio A is used for photography and TV production, while Studio B is primarily used for TV production. Both studios are used for sound recording performance areas.

The Media Arts and Technology Associate degree program at the Mount offers applied and theoretical instruction for students interested in a career in media production. Emphasis is placed on practical training in MWCC's professionally equipped media facilities, communication skills, and the characteristics of converging media industries. Students gain professional experience participating in a variety of college and community projects and can choose production elective courses from a variety of disciplines including video / film production, audio engineering, photography, and media communications. To learn more about this program, visit mwcc.edu/media-and-film-career.