School News, April 11, Sag Harbor & East Hampton Town

Sag Harbor Fourth Graders Showcase Their Art

Sag Harbor Elementary School fourth graders recently took a field trip to the Parrish Art Museum to see their work on display. While there, the students toured the open exhibit as their work was artfully placed on display.

To prepare for the exhibit, the students worked with elementary art teacher Lisa Miller on their art piece “Unfolding Resiliency through the Art of Origami.” “Origami requires precise execution, encouraging a mindset of persistence in the face of difficulties,” said Miller. “After repeated attempts to master the complexities of each fold, students learned that success often stems from a combination of determination and the ability to bounce back after a challenge.”

The students’ work included several origami pieces strung together beneath a tree branch. Various colors were chosen as the students learned the ancient Japanese art of folding paper into two-and-three-dimensional subjects. Birds, dogs, cranes and planes were some of the few origami pieces created.

“This experience encouraged students to not be afraid of failure and learn that a mistake is just an opportunity for personal growth,” explained Miller. “As students dedicated time and effort to perfect their creations, they discovered the tenacity required to see a task through to completion.”

Pierson High School Students Travel to Hawaii

A group of Pierson High School students recently traveled to Hawaii for a hands-on learning experience. The trip was chaperoned by math teacher Kevin Roode and chemistry teacher Robert Shumacher.

After-school preparation led to an eight-day itinerary filled with history, art, culture and science, among other topics. The students explored Hawaii’s beautiful terrain through walking tours, waterfall hikes and scenic lookouts, and even dove deep into the waters with activities like snorkeling, catamaran sailing, and paddleboarding allowing the students to see turtles, manta rays and other animals firsthand.

Included in the trip was a meeting with a biologist from the University of Hawaii for a lesson on their operating labs and studies. The students explored the university’s East West Center and chemistry department in Bilger Hall. For history lessons, the students traveled to the Pearl Harbor historic site as well as various monuments, palaces and temples.

The trip included a tour of a macadamia nut farm, the Dole Plantation, and the Waialua chocolate and coffee plantation. The students also hiked the Diamond Head crater. To explore more arts and culture, the students attended a traditional loa and walked through the famous town of Hanalei.

Together the Pierson students and faculty experienced various new places, people and food. The trip provided a chance for the students to explore and learn together while stepping out of their comfort zones in such a unique place.