Jack Abrams STEM School
Harvest Fest a Hit
The Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School harvest festival and Halloween day activities were a hit with students, teachers and parents. As the new school begins to establish its identity and traditions, the 150 youngsters enrolled there are enjoying a great year.
Parent Shaki Coulter chaired the harvest festival initiative for the school’s PTA, which did an impressive job of planning and organizing a well-received set of activities that kept students engaged and enthused.
“Fun was had by all,” said Norma Gorecki, president of the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School PTA. Parent volunteers and school faculty and staff members pitched in the help make the day run smoothly.
Students rotated through a variety of fun activity stations. There was a pumpkin patch, scarecrow relay race, mummy wrap, witch hat ring toss and Indian corn count. “We had our very own pumpkin patch,” Mrs. Coulter said. “The children were excited to select and decorate their own pumpkins.”
The idea for the India corn count station came from Rae Montesano, the STEM coach who doubles as the district’s chairperson of science for grades 7-12. Students counted the multi-colored corn and recorded their findings. Most of the activities had a direct tie-in to the school’s curriculum and overall mission and students had fun while learning.
An appearance by “Albert Einstein” and a Halloween costume parade capped off the day’s activities. Several dozen parents attended the parade, which made its way around the school’s large gymnasium. As security guard Glenn Deveau played Halloween music, students marched past scarecrows created by each class. “What a treat for the students,” said one parent. “They had a great time.”
“Thanks to the staff for their support and to all of the volunteers for helping to lead a fun and successful event,” Mrs. Coulter said.