Grant's March Update

Dear Friends, Family, & Readers:

I felt like sharing some of the things that have gone on at school during March.  As usually I will let the pictures talk and describe them below.  I don't have a whole lot to say except that I am ready to move on from Saipan and enjoy being next to family for a change.  I will definitely miss my students and the exploration I have been able to do on Saipan, but it is time.  If you have time to pray during your day you can pray for my wife and I to find jobs in the states and be awarded enough money to attend grad school.  I hope you enjoy the pictures and their explanations.  The two major things that have happened are Science Fair and Merit Party for 3rd Quarter.   
     Merit Party is something our school does to celebrate the achievements of students who have done well in all aspects of school life among the junior high students.  In the past, merit to be a part of this party was only based on GPA score. This year we changed the qualifications for participation.  This was done because the argument was made that some students who always meet the GPA criteria were behaving poorly and did not merit being at the party and that students who did poorly had nothing to look forward and would never get to go.  I totally agree with this argument.  This year the criteria are as follows: 1. Students must not have an F in any classes 2. Students must improve their GPA from the previous quarter (we wants students to strive, not be satisfied with the status quo) 3. Once students have been weeded out through this selection process the students must pass a vote among teachers.  If the majority of teachers agree that a student is not improving behaviorally that student will not be able to attend the party.  This allows teachers to stand together in support of one another and teach the student that they must behave for every teacher regardless of their subject interest.
     Remember to click on the pictures to see an enlarged version of the photo. Enjoy!

A cool experiment in one of the elementary rooms.  The lemons had copper pennies inserted into them and were attached to + and - adapters.  The adapters were then connected to a very small red light.

A view from the second floor of our elementary building showing the immense popularity and undertaking the science fair is for everyone involved.  It is truly an event to see.

Some of my goofy sixth graders on the elementary side.

A group of sixth grade girls posing for a picture that evening as they head to chapel for the announcement of the winners.

Some of my eighth graders checking out the various rooms and their projects.

To the left a first grader talks with a kindergartener about their class project involving a large diorama of the past as it were with dinosaurs.  To the right outside the picture frame there was a large volcano, possible doom for the dinosaurs.

One of our teachers, Alison, as she finishes judging a project for the scientific method.

Our science teacher, Jake, giving the finishing touches to his scoring of a project.

Another of our many interesting science fair projects. CSI anyone?

Pastor Greg Dickerman of Saipan Community Church with our overall eighth grade winner Dylan.

Me and my co-worker Ms. Nierras with our six students who were able to attend merit party.

The students on the hike down the trail. An eighth grader in the back seems to be too cool for pictures haha

A picture of one of our 7th graders going down the rope to the bottom of the hill.  I was glad that the students got to go as none of them had been to Bird Island Beach and rarely do they get the chance to go on hikes such as this.  Ms. Nierras and I were proud of their willingness to try something new and then to swim in the water.

The group of us with Bird Island in the background as we hopped up onto a coral  or volcanic rock.

The group after having swum at the beach and eating snacks.  I had a great time enjoying our adventure away from school and those who had to do clean up of garbage and random exercises.

Saipan time is also Guam Time: