Report card

Students from Huntington Seacliff Elementary School are competeing in

an arts-appreciation program, with the chance to win statewide awards.

The PTA Art Reflections Program consists of four categories: music,

literature, photography and visual arts.

The students were encouraged to express themselves in any of these

four areas.

Kathy Kells, chairperson reflections program, said that more than 140

of the school’s students in kindergarten through fifth grade entered this

year’s contest.

“The goal of this program is to try to get our students involved in

expressing their creativity,” Kells said. “Each year there is a different

theme and students are to interpret that theme in the work they turn in.”

This year, students were required to work with the theme, “I Hold in

My Hand,” and complete that phrase with a tangible piece of work.

The program generates interest in the arts among students, said

Principal Anne Sullivan.

“Our students’ response has been overwhelming,” she said.

Winners at the school level advance to county competition and then on

to the state competition, with the nationals as the final stop.

Dwyer Middle School also contributed 12 entries in the competition,

Kells said.All 140 entries will be displayed next week at the school’s

book fair, which will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through

Friday at the YMCA building, in front of Huntington Seacliff.

Money raised from the event will be used by the school’s PTA for

various items and projects, such as supplies and school field trips.

Students gaze toward the stars

It was all about reaching for the stars Monday night for a crowd that

numbered nearly 150, as students and their parents gathered at Smith

Elementary School to celebrate “Family Star Gazing Night.”

The event, in its second year, offered 12 telescopes and provided

experts in the field of astronomy. It was sponsored by the PTA.

“Students were able to see several planets and star structures,” said

Principal Mike Andrzejewski. “This night is about our families coming

together as a community to learn about the stars and to have fun.”

The school is also in the midst of its two week long book fair, which

runs until Nov. 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Books will be offered

at a discount.