YMCA Sports at Patton!

Patton Middle School and the YMCA are joining together to offer an after school flag football and basketball program here at Patton - just for Patton Middle School students! The program will run Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from April 7 until May 14. To register, call the Kennett YMCA at 610-444-9622 or visit the Kennett YMCA website. The cost is just $60 for the six week program. You may also  click here for an informational flyer.

Patton Students at WCA

Ms. Morgan, Ms. Garvin, and Mrs. Hamilton’s students had a community field trip to Westtown Children's Academy (WCA) at the Longwood location. WCA was collecting used shoes for a local family. The family is adopting a little boy from China. His name is Owen and he has Spina Bifida. The company they are working with has offered to cover $5,000 of their adoption expenses if they can donate 10,000 pairs of shoes. All three locations of Westtown Children’s Academy collected over 2,000 pairs of shoes. The Kennett Square location collected 1,168 pairs of shoes.

The students assisted the Westtown Children’s Academy and the local family by sorting, counting, and bagging the shoes on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. It was great that the field trip was able to support our community and our students at the same time. 

After working the students had lunch at Fox’s Pizza Den in Kennett Square. The students practiced functional skills and social skills with their peers throughout the day in various settings. The students’ pizza was paid for by the Patton School Store profits. The students work so hard manning the store every Friday afternoon.

Jamie Wyeth Trip

Unfortunately due to last week's snow storm the trip to meet Jamie Wyeth was postponed. Don't worry Mrs. Ferron and Mrs. Schultz are working on making other arrangements. We will contact all the students involved as soon as new plans have been confirmed.

Walk For Water

At Charles F Patton Middle School, 8th Graders who study Geography learn about the critical value of water, as not only an important natural resource, but as vital to country development.  Many students read "A Long Walk to Water", by Linda Sue Park, and felt compelled to do something.  As a number of students said, "It is not OK that kids around the world don't have clean water." There was a palpable sense of urgency and commitment to raise awareness within our community about the global water crisis, and to raise money to fund the building of a well.

Through a partnership with H2O for Life, the 8th graders at Patton Middle School are truly engaged global citizens. They reviewed available projects, and elected to support the building of a well at the Agama Primary School in Uganda.  The major fundraiser will be a Walk for Water, to be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015, here at Patton.  Students will walk 5 kilometers, the average distance children in Uganda walk to get water, and will carry gallon jugs of water to raise awareness and show support.  We have set an audacious goal of $2500, especially given that it is our first year, but we are energized by the challenge and opportunity that lies before us!  Please go to www.h2oforlifeschools.org to join our team and start your fundraising today!

Science Research Competition

Congratulations go out to the following students who represented Patton Middle School at the Chester County Science Research competition on Tuesday, March 3, 2015: Hunter Courtney, Evan Wang, Callaway Nutter, Peter Cona, Christian Nitz, Julia McDonnell, Taylor Lindsay, Madison McGovern, Katelyn McGovern, Emma McGovern, William Knipe, Kriti Gupta, Matthew Farr, Julie Griswold and Viraj Joshi.

Patton MATHCOUNTS Competitors

Congratulations go out to the following students who represented Patton Middle School at the Chester County 6th Grade Math Counts competition on Saturday, March 7, 2015: Addison Liu, Lily Yang, Lilly Cole, Kaeli Kaymak-Loveless, Naman Razdan, Daniel Sage, Soumil Zachariah, Spencer Guest and Manav Gundecha. Addison Liu had the 3rd highest score and finished up in 4th place overall and Naman Razdan had the eighth highest score and finished in ninth place overall.  Great job by all!

Annie Community Preview Day

Boy and girl scouts galore, many came to enjoy the wonderful community preview day that the cast and crew of Annie put on Saturday, February 28th. The event accomplished exactly what was hoped, succeeded in making many parents and children happy and satisfied--and eager to come back for the show. There was a sneak-peak of the show with the showing of a few scenes which was the first time the cast performed for a live audience. Afterwards, the children rotated from the Friendships Necklaces with Annie, Grace and Ms. Hannigan to the Stage Crew station to the Snack with the Servants station--just to name a few.

It was clear how much the children enjoyed playing Musical Chairs with Mr.Warbucks, Lily and Rooster and getting served like royalty from the servants. The participants really got a feel for the world of Annie and the characters. They got to meet devious Lily, kind-hearted Grace and sweet Annie. They hung out with the orphans and Ms. Hannigan, herself. They watched as Rooster stole a bucket from the orphans and a policeman ran to arrest him--and one boy even tackled Rooster to the ground. It was a day full of laughter, excitement and enthusiasm for everyone. 

“It’s was so exciting to see so many people from the community at the event! The cast and crew worked hard to give everyone a little taste of our show.The little ones looked so involved in scrubbing the floors with the orphans and making necklaces with Annie! It is so spectacular to know that the community is just as thrilled to see the show as we are to put it on!” said Emily Lewis who brilliantly portrays Ms. Hannigan. 

The day didn’t just center on interacting with the cast. There was a Costume and Makeup station, an Acting/Improv station, a Choreography station and a Stage Crew and Sound/Lighting Station. The children got a behind-the-scenes look at Annie--how quick the crew has to set up the stage, how the spotlight works and even took turns pulling the curtain. 

“I had a great time working with the kids and teaching them what being on crew is all about. I think it was a really nice experience, for both the cast and crew of Annie Jr, and for the kids who came to the preview.” said one of the stage managers, Divyan Jain.

“All of the kids were so interested in what we had to say about theatre. I hope they’re even half as excited as I am for the show!” said Noa, Patton’s amazing Annie. 

Come see the production of Annie Jr. from our talented cast and crew on March 5th and 6th at 7:00 PM and March 7th at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Tickets are only five dollars and can either be purchased at www.showtix4u.com or a limited number at the door. It’s a show you won’t soon forget!

Story by Fumi Noda

Pictures by Anna Ehlers