Fourth Grade Students Study the Basics of Scientific Inquiry Through a Series of Hands-On STEAM Lessons

BABYLON, NEW YORK (September 2023)—Fourth graders at Babylon Memorial Grade School started the academic year learning about the scientific method. Through a series of hands-on STEAM lessons, students were introduced to a crucial foundation of scientific inquiry.

In Ms. Scalfani’s class, students worked to complete the index card tower challenge, in which they hypothesized ways in which they could build the highest-possible tower using only index cards. The students then went about building the towers, with the highest reaching 36 inches tall. Then, students worked together to construct the longest-possible chain using only paper. Finally, each student was tasked with stacking pennies using only one hand under a one-minute time limit.

In Ms. Foerster’s class, students practiced scientific prediction skills through the same index card tower challenge. Additionally, they hypothesized how Skittles candy, when arranged in a certain manner on a paper plate, would react when exposed to water. They predicted how the candy’s colors would flow and interact, and measured how the results lined up with their predictions.

These introductory STEAM lessons allowed the students to flex their powers of hypothesis and acquainted them with the ever-important scientific method, which all scientists adhere to in their research.

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/.

Date Added: 10/2/2023

Students Start the School Year with Dinosaur-Themed, Social-Emotional Learning Exercises

BABYLON, NEW YORK (September 2023)—Babylon Elementary School (BES) is starting the school year with a dinosaur-themed approach to social-emotional learning (SEL). The goal of this approach is to build strong—or “dino-mighty”—people, academically, socially and emotionally.

To accomplish this, BES is aligning all activities with three core values: be safe, be respectful and be responsible. Each day, students recite this pledge and promise to be safe, respectful and responsible both in and out of school.

As an introductory activity for this theme, the BES SEL Committee developed a scavenger hunt, where students received clues from a “dino” which led them around the building. The activity allowed for students to explore the building and meet the various people who help the school operate. To align with the "dino-might" theme, each class received a paper dinosaur cut out and at each scavenger hunt stop, students picked up a colorful sticker to add to their class dinosaur.

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/.

Date Added: 10/2/2023

Classes Begin for the 2023-2024 School Year

BABYLON, NEW YORK (September 2023)—Students throughout the Babylon Union Free School District headed back to school for the 2023-2024 school year on September 7. New and returning students arrived fresh from their summer breaks for a year of learning and growth.

“It was so wonderful to see our classrooms full once again with students excited to learn,” said Superintendent of Schools Carisa Manza. “Our theme for the year is Advancing Together, symbolizing our commitment to moving forward together, learning and growing in our connections.”

In addition to the return of classes, Ms. Manza and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jeffrey Haubrich announced that they will be holding Coffee and Conversation meetings to meet with parents and guardians throughout the year. The meetings will be held during day and evening hours to accommodate family schedules.

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/.

Date Added: 9/19/2023

Incoming Students Tour New School, Acclimate to New Procedures

BABYLON, NEW YORK (September 2023)—Babylon Junior-Senior High School treated its incoming 7th graders to an orientation on the school’s layout and procedures on August 30.

Student council members met with the new 7th graders and led them on tours of the building to show them their classrooms and all the various building facilities with which they would need to become familiar. Student council members also handed out packets full of important information for the incoming students.

In addition to offering an introduction for the students, District administrators primed parents for what to expect for their students entering junior high school and various procedures that their children would need to know.

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.babylon.k12.ny.us. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict/.

Date Added: 9/19/2023