About Craig
January 2006
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January 27, 2006
Science at the Craig Upper School
Students study Newton's laws with a bowling ball in Physics class.
Newton's first three laws which govern all motion in the universe were studied by upper school students last semester. Students used the Sonic Ranger to detect and measure movement at a constant speed and during acceleration. Students are shown demonstrating acceleration with a bowling ball.
Students in the Physical Science class at the upper school took a look at linear motion. A demonstration involved measuring the acceleration of an object down an incline under the force of gravity. Measurements were taken using the Sonic Ranger.
Mr. Simpson & Mr. Ward created and presented an Electrical and Electronic elective course for the Craig upper school students during the fall semester. The idea was to further understanding of math and science by having students build electronic circuits with kits supplied by the science department
January 25, 2006
Winter Ball
Students attend the first dance ever
to be held at the Craig Lower School.
Under the direction of Cyndy McDonough and Anthony Aquino, the Student Council at the Lower School planned, decorated and publicized the Winter Ball for 6th, 7th and 8th graders held on Friday, January 20th. Despite some grumbling by male students, nearly everyone attended in all sorts of formal, semi-formal and casual attire including some indescribably colorful outfits. Parents chipped in and provided an enormous assortment of hot foods, salads and muchies and Mrs. Bellantoni did her magic with the balloon decorations.
No wall flowers at this event, the kids all hit the dance floor, some literally with complicated gyrations on the floor, to the tunes and strobe lights of Anthony De Stefano, the DJ. Even the teachers shook off the teacherly reserve and joined in the fun. It was a magical evening with great food, great music, and the incredibly joyful ambience that is so characteristic of Craig School. Rumor has it that there is now talk of a "Spring Fling."
January 12, 2006
Alumni Reception and Basketball Game 2006
Craig School hosts its 3rd Annual Alumni
Reception on January 6th, 2006.
Pizza, cake and soda were devoured in quantity by Craig alumni who showed up for the annual alumni reception and basketball game. Last year much of the food ended up in the garbage, this year the school barely had enough to feed the ravenous hoardes. The event was a great success with a large crowd of alumni and many parents of former students who came to cheer on the teams. As in past years, one found small groups of alumni and parents clustered around Mr. Furlong, Mr. Cap, Mrs. Cozine and Ms. Gaffney. Many emails were exchanged as former students caught up with one another.
As in past years, red took on black with students who graduated in '03, '04 and '05 comprising the red team and the graduates of '01, '02 and the current '06 students making up the black team. For the second year, Mr. Furlong organized a girls' game in addition to the traditional boys' game. However, this year, the girls played a more respectable game without ending up on the floor quite so often! By combining the boys' and girls' scores for each team, red came out a clear victor with most of the scoring having been chalked up by the girls.
At half time Mr. Furlong launched a new tradition at Craig School by inducting three students into the newly formed Badger Athletic Hall of Fame. The three inaugural inductees were: Michael Phillips, currently at Lynn University, who was honored for his achievements in basketball; Andrew Morris, who couldn't attend, who was also inducted for basketball; and John Schiavone, now at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, who was chosen for Lacrosse. A plaque listing the names of all three will now hang in the entry way of the Lower School.
January 06, 2006
Lopatosky Group Visits Headmaster
Students in the Lopatosky Group visit Mr. Blanchard's office to view the painting they gave him during the holidays.
The Lopatosky group (3rd grade-teacher Terry Lopatosky) created a beautiful “puzzle piece” painting of Castle Craig which they presented to Headmaster David Blanchard as a Holiday gift for his office. Every year, Craig students collect trading cards on an imaginary journey to Castle Craig. These cards are given to students who demonstrate behaviors that have been emphasized in our social skills program. The painting was created by each student working on a separate portion of the piece. Art teacher Celeste Caparulo then joined all the pieces together to create the one painting. The project reinforces the idea of individuals working together for a common goal.
January 04, 2006
Craig School Gives to Wanaque Center
Craig students and their parents gave generously to the children at the Wanaque Center in Haskell this holiday season.
It took Tracy Rosky five trips in her SUV during the holidays to transport a whole garage full of gifts from Craig School students to the Wanaque Center in Haskell, New Jersey for children with severe neurological and medical impairments. “The response from Craig children and their parents was astounding,” said Mrs. Rosky, “and included over 150 shopping bags filled with developmental toys, soft fleece blankets, winter jackets, puzzles, socks, and even a computer."
According to Gina Meltzer, Director of Activities at Wanaque, some of the most treasured presents were a number of “Boppy Pillows” which allow babies on ventilators to sit up without the support of an adult. “Our babies are very sensitive to touch and the pillows give them more independence,” commented Ms. Meltzer, “and the interactive toys were also a hit since our kids have to learn how to interact with things, to understand cause and effect, a concept that may take years to grasp.”
The Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation cares for approximately 85 children, most of whom are under the age of 8 and are unable to manage for themselves. Many are victims of fetal alcohol syndrome and other severe disorders. Mrs. Rosky learned of the Wanaque Center through a neighbor who has adopted five children from the Center. As this year’s Chair of the Holiday Committee of the parents’ organization at Craig, she felt it would be particularly appropriate for Craig children to have the opportunity to reach out to other children during the holiday season.
Ms. Meltzer remarked that very few of the Wanaque children have families since most have been referred through state organizations. “There were hardly any gifts before Mrs. Rosky arrived. It was amazing! You guys did a wonderful thing.”