Hudson Connects

Second grade students earned stamps in their passports as they “traveled” around the world to learn about different holidays and traditions.

The tiny travelers first headed to Mexico and Latin America to learn about Las Posadas, which is Spanish for “The Inns.” Las Posadas tells of the journey Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem and their efforts to find shelter for Mary to give birth to baby Jesus. It is an important festival celebrated over nine nights with parties held at the homes of various family members. The nightly celebrations are joyous, and often marked with prayer, music, food and piñatas.

Next up – the United Kingdom for Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26th. The day is meant to celebrate those with essentials jobs who may not be able to take off on Christmas Day. Students at The Hill crafted a tiny box and placed a note of gratitude inside to give to an essential worker, such as a postal worker or doctor.

It was then off to Africa, where second graders helped their brains grow by learning about Kwanzaa and the Kinara. Kwanzaa, a holiday that celebrates African-American culture, means “first” in Swahili and represents the first fruits of the harvest.

Students also made a stop in Sweden, where they learned about St. Lucia Day, a light festival meant to bring hope. Traditionally, the oldest daughter in each family will wear white and an evergreen wreath crown adorned with candles.

Members of the 8th grade girls basketball team paid a visit to McDowell Early Learning on Friday. Team members helped kindergarten students decorate gingerbread houses in Ms. Black and Ms. Thompson's classrooms.

The younger students love having visitors in their classroom, and it was a great way to spend the afternoon prior to the start of winter break!

A winter giving tree was adorned a little differently this holiday season at McDowell Early Learning. Instead of ornaments, the tree sparkled with gifts of generosity donated by preschool and kindergarten students, as well as staff members.

New hats, mittens, gloves and scarves were gifted by our littlest Explorers and distributed to K-5 students at McEbright Elementary School in Akron.

Third grade students have been busy channeling their inner elves to design toys in the Maker Space at East Woods Intermediate!

The entire third grade participates in a toy design unit, where students create a game or toy that would appeal to a first grader.

The students then make a prototype that best brings their invention to life. They must also focus on the economic aspect of their creation, and price it according to what they built.

Now in its fourth year, the toy design unit is taught over the course of four to five weeks.

Earlier this month, conductor Johan de Meij from the Netherlands spent time with our wind ensemble at Hudson High School. The accomplished musician was in town as the featured presenter at the music educators workshop at the University of Akron. Take a listen as he works with our own talented musicians in the video below:

Johan de Meij Visit to HHS

From the Mayo Clinic... create relaxing surroundings by turning on music, lighting candles or opening windows on a sunny day. Research shows that listening to music and the scent of citrus can boost feelings of well-being. Vitamin D is always a happiness booster.

Email: reecej@hudson.k12.oh.us
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