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Most Recent Projects
Sixth Grade Problem Solvers take on Downtown Kirkwood!
Students in Mrs. Schowalter’s sixth grade advanced problem solving class recently initiated a program designed to create a climate of academic excellence, respect and safety for all students while in school and in the community. These inquisitive students identified a problem in the behavior displayed by some middle school students when they venture to Downtown Kirkwood. In keeping with the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention Support model, students enlisted the help of area business owners by asking them to notice and reward positive behaviors of Nipher students. The Kirkwood Taco Bell and McDonalds have both responded to this program by handing out Nipher “code” tickets when they see students practicing safety, respect, responsibility and self-control. These code tickets are then redeemed by students at Nipher for the chance to win recognition and small prizes. The problem solvers hope to get more participation from local businesses in the future and encourage all Nipher students to remember to practice the code!
Nipher B-Leaves in the Power of Trees
What began as an awesome display of power by Mother Nature has manifested itself into a learning experience for Nipher students. In May 2011 a lightning strike made it necessary to remove several very old trees in the front of Nipher’s building. Various contact classes came together in October to launch an initiative to replace this important part of Nipher’s landscape. Beginning with a school-wide broadcast of the Lorax in which students learned the power of conserving nature’s resources Nipher’s student body was given the opportunity to purchase paper leaves to hang on a bulletin board tree in the student center. Collecting fifty cents to one dollar per leaf, the goal of $175 was attained within three weeks. During this time the students broadcasted public service announcements via the Knightly News program, researched favorable growing conditions for various trees with Kirkwood grounds manager Jason Mueller, and planned the placement of five new trees. The digging and planting will take place in the last weeks of November and Nipher students will reflect upon the importance of replenishing earth’s life-sustaining resources.