Elementary Track Meet - Jansen was Hot & So was the Weather!

Students in grades four through six from each of the Greater Johnstown School District elementary school buildings took part in an Elementary Track Meet at Knox Field on June 9. Our Jansen Avenue  participants were delighted to find staff, family and friends among the many spectators cheering from the sidelines. This event, arranged as part of Johnstown's physical education classes, champions good sportsmanship and life-long healthy physical activity. It was also just plain fun, despite the heat on that day!

Sixth Graders Say Good-bye
The Sixth Graders leave behind some of their thoughts and advice.  We will miss them as they head to Knox next year. To see what they have to say, click here

Learning a New Language
On Tuesday mornings between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m., many students enjoy spending their time in Sign Language Club, learning how to use their hands to communicate with people who are hearing-impaired. Learn more about Mrs. Neet and the Sign Language Club at the HFM BOCES Web site.

Board Member Shares Graphic Arts Skills
Members of Jansen Avenue's Photography Club enjoyed a visit with Board of Education member Mr. Robert Kosowicz, who shared his graphics arts knowledge with the students and taught them some new and interesting ways to work with pictures and technology.
 

Celebrating 40 Years at Jansen Avenue
Jansen Avenue School celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special event on April 24. In preparation, student council members, helped by art teacher Heather Vazal, painted a beautiful design at the school’s entrance, while the student-run business JACD created a layout for new rugs, which were purchased by the student body and placed at each doorway of the school. 

The evening kicked off with a history of the beginning of Jansen Avenue School.  Former student Greg Avery, a U.S. Marine who will be stationed in Iraq in the near future, lead the Pledge of Allegiance and former student Katie Christenson sang the Star Spangled Banner, in honor of all military individuals who protect the freedoms we enjoy in our school. The student council presented yellow roses to the PTA officers to show appreciation and friendship for the investment they make in the children. Principal Patricia Sotero acknowledged the fantastic staff at Jansen, who creatively impact the students’ lives in academics and citizenship. Recent retirees Sue Moore and Dot Laird were recognized with a special presentation; Daryl Baldwin entertained with fantastic balloon sculptures; forty prizes were given out and delicious desserts were provided by the HFM BOCES Culinary School. It was a wonderful evening enjoyed by staff, students and families.
 

Mr. Robert Esposito drew a wonderful poster for students in Mrs. Ackerbauer's classroom to enjoy as they learned about the Iditarod, a 1,100 mile dogsled race in Alaska.
	The children enjoyed being able to see first-hand what a Siberian husky looks like.

Bicycle Safety Lessons
At the end of May, Jansen held a Bike Safety Assembly and invited Officer James Rodecker of the Johnstown Police Department to share bicycle safety rules. Officer Rodecker provided each student with bike safety information and did a fantastic job explaining how to use bikes properly. The students were reminded to wear their helmets and follow all safety rules.

Students in kindergarten, first and second grades participated in a color page writing contest, while those in grades three through six wrote a complete essay on why it is important to follow bicycle safety rules. Winners were selected by the Shared Decision Making Committee and received a brand new bicycle, while runners up received new bike helmets.

Congratulations to Jasmine Petchel, winner of the bicycle at the primary level, and to bike helmet winners Marissa Brick and Emma Kilmer. Congratulations to Jessica Manno, winner of the bicycle at the intermediate level, and to bike helmet winners Jack Brabant and Ashley Ward.

Learning the Old Fashion Way
Students in Mr. Westman’s fourth grade classroom recently simulated a one-room school to experience school in the 1850’s. The girls wore bonnets and long dresses, while the boys wore flannel shirts and jeans. They were assigned age groups (grade levels) and the schedule for the day was discussed and posted. Lessons included elocution, memorization, penmanship, arithmetic, reading and a spelling bee. Independent work was assigned and completed at desks; boys sat on one side and the girls say on the other. They learned that discipline and punishment were considered an important part of educating a child. They also learned that holding books in their arms, standing on wooden blocks, writing words 100 times and wearing a dunce cap were not fun, but they still enjoyed their school experience of 150 years ago.

Students Surpass 25,000 Minute Reading Goal and Cream the Principal
Jansen students were challenged by Mrs. Hastings and Principal Sotero to read for a combined 25,000 minutes during the month of March. If they achieved the goal, ten students would be randomly selected, along with one teacher, to throw a cream pie in Mrs. Sotero’s face at the final school-wide Accelerated Reading assembly. In true Jansen fashion, the students not only completed the goal, they totally surpassed it, achieving more than 34,000 minutes by March 28. Mrs. Spencer lent the students a hand in preparing for a successful pie launch, with laughter and cheers abounding as students received gift certificates, prizes and a chance to “cream the principal.”

 

Fifth Graders Get Taken to Court
Students in the fifth grade classes at Jansen welcomed a special visitor from Johnstown City Court, who gave a presentation regarding our federal, state and local judicial system. To prepare them for an actual visit to the courtroom during a live session, Mr. Stephen Russo, Johnstown City Court Clerk, discussed many aspects of our local court system. The presentation and trip were part of a recent government unit covered in class. Students were able to see the court in action, meet with other City Court officials and tour the facilities and police department. It was a great learning experience!

A Presentation by Scientific Minds
Approximately 100 students presented a variety of science experiments at the Jansen Ave. Science Fair – including exploding and technological science experiments! The event was organized by Mr. Steven Pratt, science teacher and dedicated PTA parent, and the students were proud to share their research with parents and friends.

One Hundred Reasons to Love Coming to School
At Jansen, we celebrate coming to school each and every day. However, on Tuesday, February 12, the entire day was filled with creative ways to learn - from instruments, to math, to cooking, to prizes, to a scavenger hunt, to enjoying a wonderfully delicious homemade cake baked by Mrs. VanHuesen and Mrs. Harris.  Primary grade students brought in posters of 100 things, read books and counted about 100 things. Everyone enjoyed participating in a scavenger hunt for 100 pictures that portrayed each and every staff member and student from the building. There were 100 prizes for students to win throughout the day. The lobby was turned into a 100th Day museum. We love coming to Jansen!

Jansen Wins a New Canon Multi-Media Projector
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Price Chopper Tools for Schools Program and allocated their AdvantEdge Card points to Jansen Avenue Elementary! We are very excited to have this fine LCD projector to use in conjunction with the great computers in our school and appreciate your continued support.