Sora Holiday Challenge: Ends 1.3.2024

HOW TO ACCESS SORA

Step 1: Install the Sora app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or go to https://soraapp.com/library/nhssdcnh.

Step 2: In Sora, find your school. Use the "Sign in with Google" option using your @mvrsd.org account.

Step 3: Browse the Explore tab and borrow a book. Your book will open so you can start reading right away.

Step 4: Close the book and go to "shelf" to see all your books. From there, you can:

• Select Open book or Open audiobook to read or listen to the book.
• Select Options to renew or return the book, see your notes and highlights, and more.

Hour of Code: 12.4 - 12.10.2023

We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.

That’s why our school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (12.4-12.10.2023). The Hour of Code is hosted yearly and offers students a free introduction to computer science through fun activities and videos for learners of all skill levels. This year we are celebrating coding and AI.

During the Hour of Code, students will create their own apps or games, and have fun! With interactive, hands-on activities, students will learn computational thinking skills in an approachable way. If you've heard about the Hour of Code before, you might know it made history - more than 100 million students around the world have tried an Hour of Code. Even leaders like President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote their first lines of code as part of the campaign.

To learn more, visit: http://hourofcode.com/us/en

Artist in Residence

Ms. Bouchard and I were very excited to bring Hans Schepker to our school as this year's resident artist.

The students at IRS had an incredible experience with Hans. He led a lesson that connected math and art, teaching students about platonic solids (3D shapes where each face is the same regular polygon).

Once the students had an understanding of what they were creating, the students designed glass mosaics on the faces that will make up the platonic solids. This schoolwide community project will be constructed into beautiful mobile that will become a permanent fixture in our building. Some of the art pieces will also be displayed in the library.

To learn more, visit his websites:

• https://glassgeometry.com/
• https://13forest.com/hansschepker

Digital Citizenship: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

From Common Sense Media:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to be the largest disruptive change we will experience in our lifetimes—even more significant than the internet. And while AI has the potential to provide enormous benefit, without the widespread adoption of responsible AI practices, it is equally capable of causing harm.

These powerful technologies are not new, but the sudden explosion of AI in our lives has brought with it more questions than answers. What exactly is this technology? What can it do? What can't it do? And, importantly, what shouldn't it do?

So now's the time to talk with kids about responsible AI use. We will be working through some of these conversations at school, but these tips can help you start or continue the conversation at home.

Helping Kids Navigate the World of Artificial Intelligence

NH Kid Governor

We recently wrapped up our NH Kid Governor unit at IRS.

The students in 5th grade learned so much about our state government, what it takes to be a good leader, and the role that children can play in generating lasting change in our world. In our school, we had six strong candidates for NH Kid Governor. Wyatt won our school's primary election and was nominated for the statewide election. His class created an amazing campaign video.

While Wyatt was not selected as a candidate for the statewide election, he and his class worked very hard, and we are very proud of our nominee!

On November 6th, the fifth graders evaluated the candidates and cast their votes for the 2024 NH Kid Governor! The students took their civic responsibility very seriously. Our newly elected official, Ellie, will be sworn into office in January.

Though the elections are over, the students at IRS know their responsibility doesn't end yet. We will work to support our Kid Governor's 3-point plan to end animal abuse in our state.

For more information about the NH Kid Governor program, visit: http://nh.kidgovernor.org/

Digital Citizenship Week: 10.16 - 10.20.2023

Growing up has always had its challenges. But for kids today, technology and social media have a way of amplifying the stresses of adolescence. This #DigCitWeek, celebrated the third week of every October, we will focus on supporting students' mental health and digital well-being.

Scholastic Book Fair - Thank You!

Thank you so much for participating in our Scholastic Book Fair last week. It was a tremendous success! We raised over $2000 to purchase books for the library and our students.

I especially want to thank the parent volunteers that allowed the book fair to be open during Open House. I could not have done this without them!

If your child still has money in their eWallets, that money can be used for online shopping or it can be put toward an eWallet for our spring book fair.