Students Learn Cooperation Using a Parachute

The Manning Oaks fifth graders achieved a goal by working together.

Manning Oaks Elementary School fifth grade students in Coach Zier’s Physical Education class worked cooperatively to achieve the largest possible bubble with a parachute that they can create.  The students are learning about how to creatively work together to achieve a common goal. Students were given the opportunity to brainstorm the best possible way to keep as much air inside the bubble as possible.  Cooperatively, the class determined that by placing just their head inside, they could see one another and still keep a large bubble.  These students have understood the concept of how important cooperation can be in life as well as in fitness activities.

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Alpharetta Kindergartners Skype with Costa Rican Peers

Pen pals use the mail to connect, sending messages about what they are learning in class.

  Joana Seawel’s kindergarten class at Manning Oaks Elementary in Alpharetta has become pen pals with a kindergarten class in Costa Rica. “We are becoming globally-minded citizens with a curiosity and appreciation for other cultures,” said Ms. Seawel in a news release from the school. In addition to writing letters back and forth, the kindergarten class also used Skype to connect with their pen pal class in Costa Rica. This week their pen-pals in Costa Rica received a package with letters about the animals and habitats Manning Oaks students have been learning about in science. After visiting via Skype, students from both countries decided they wanted to write letters about their own superheroes and how they are leaders. We are anxiously …

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Fulton Schools Superintendent Shares Immigration Story in Alpharetta

Robert Avossa visited Manning Oaks fifth grade students to give them a personal lesson about coming to America from Italy.

Dr. Robert Avossa, superintendent of Fulton County Schools, visited Manning Oaks Elementary to talk to the 5th graders about his personal experience as an immigrant from Italy in the 1970s. He led an interactive discussion with the children on Jan. 23 by asking them to share with each other why they thought so many immigrants have come to America.  Dr. Avossa shared his family’s experience during World War II and how that led to their decision to move to the United States many years later. He shared how his family had to leave so many things behind and how difficult it was coming to America and not speaking the language. He also shared about how he felt different, how hard it was to fit in, and how hard he had to work.  Dr. Avossa took …

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Manning Oaks Elementary Inducts Honor Society Members

The fourth and fifth graders are outstanding students expected to be community leaders.

The Manning Oaks Elementary National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) held the annual induction ceremony on Nov. 27. NEHS recognizes outstanding students in elementary school and involves its student members and chapters in promoting responsibility among all students, building stronger leaders, and serving the school and community. Congratulations to the students who were inducted into NEHS. This year’s fourth grade students inducted were: And the fifth grade students inducted were:

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Windward Rotarians Give Dictionaries to Manning Oaks Students

The Alpharetta club continued the annual project on Nov. 26.

What is the longest word in the English language? Just ask a third grader at Manning Oaks Elementary School. The Rotary Club of Windward has earned the reputation as the "Education Club" because of the commitment to literacy and the local schools. The Club recently presented personal Dictionaries to 140 enthusiastic third graders at Manning Oaks Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 26. The Rotarians who distributed the dictionaries at the school included Club President John Bower, President-Elect Mike Swago, Hal Morrison, Bettye Maye and Past President Margi Urquhart.

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Alpharetta First Grader Wins Statewide Competition

A Manning Oaks Elementary student's photo earned him first place in the Reflections contest.

Alexander Kramer, a first grade student at Manning Oaks Elementary School, won first place at the State level Reflections Contest for his photography. Competing in the "Special Artist–Photography" category, his photo first won at the local level in the fall, the Council level and finally at the state level recently. The theme this year was “Diversity Means…”  Alexander’s photography entry was titled “Cars” and was a photograph of a collection of very diverse Hot Wheels cars For winning first place, Alexander received a blue ribbon, a certificate, and a cash award of $25. When asked how he felt when he learned of this prestigious award he said, “I’m a winner!” The Reflections Contest is a 43 year old, Nationally sponsored, PTA Arts Program…

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Fourth Grader Wins Manning Oaks Spelling Bee

Fourth grader Nicholas Buxbaum won the Manning Oaks Elementary School spelling bee. He won by spelling veterinarian. He will now proceed to the Fulton County Spelling Bee. Victor Majestic, also a fourth grader, came in second. The event was part of the National Spelling Bee sponsored by the Georgia Association of Educators on Jan. 12. Scripps National Spelling Bee, Washington, D.C. chooses the words each year for the school wide spelling bees.

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