New Castle's High Ability elementary students are identified early in second grade testing, and are encouraged to move into the Honors Focus on Excellence Program, starting in 3rd grade. Students who choose to participate are bussed from their home school in the district every day to Wilbur Wright. We asked the 3rd and 5th grade classes to share their thoughts on what it was like to participate in Focus, and what they would want new students coming into the program to know. Below are the questions and answers; the 3rd grade class answered as a group, and a few 5th graders wrote personal letters to the Corporate Office!
1) What was the hardest lesson/biggest struggle to be learned/overcome this year? Is there anything that you feel confident in/new mastery in a subject?
2) Do you have a favorite memory of the year?
3) What would you tell a new student that is getting accepted into the FOCUS program for next year? How would you tell them to prepare?
4) Anything else?
Mrs. Harvey's 3rd Graders Group Answers:
1) What was the hardest lesson/biggest struggle to be learned/overcome this year?
"I was really worried about leaving my friends and meeting a new teacher, but it didn't take much time at all for our group to come together."
“I was scared of coming to a new place, but I found comfort in friends. I know that I can ask questions.”
“We have safe adults who care about us. That gives me courage.”
“I had a hard time getting my work turned in on time. I’ve learned that splitting big goals into smaller parts gives me motivation. I know how to give myself reminders, and I use lead measures to help me grow.”
“I learned that when I have a hard time understanding something new, like Science or liquid volume, I can turn and talk with my classmates. I like working in partnerships.”
“We fail in this class and it’s not scary. When we tried to get a marble out our classroom door, we had to start over and over. We learned something new each time we messed up. We synergized and finally got it. I like that we all cheered.”
2) Do you have a favorite memory of the year?
"Overnight field trip to the zoo-seeing what things look like behind the scenes"
"Turning our room into a Classroom Kitchen-We made banana bread from our leftover fresh fruit delivery. We also made fruit pizza from scratch. That was the best!"
"I loved getting to know others on my first day."
"I love Morning Meeting. We can count on it every day. We listen to each other when we share and we get to do a fun activity together."
3) What would you tell a new student that is getting accepted into the FOCUS program for next year? How would you tell them to prepare?
“It’s scary in the beginning, but it gets easier. People are kind and the teachers are trustworthy.”
“It’s challenging to meet your goals, but you can do it if you focus.”
“There’s a little something we say in our class that gives me courage. I know it’s true: We can do things that challenge us every day.”
(3rd grade photos below)
Mrs. Dye's 5th Graders Reflect on Their Time in the Focus on Excellence Program :
“I’m Helen Estelle, and my teacher is Mrs. Dye. I think my hardest subject to learn is probably math. I feel like I’m pretty good at the Greek’s Unit we’re doing right now, and the Greek Mythology we’re reading through. We get to dress up like ancient Greeks, or Hellenes, and pretend to live in one of their polises (city-states). It’s really fun. I don’t exactly have a favorite memory of the year, but they’re all wonderful. I would tell all new FOCUS students that the program is awesome, and lots of fun. I would tell them to prepare for three years full of hard work and fun, ‘cause that’s what it is! My teacher, Mrs. Dye, I’m sure you’ve heard by now, is the best teacher in the whole world! Mrs. Thomas and Mrs Harvey are both nice too, and so are all of the assistants (Mr. Burke, Miss Sofie, and Mrs. Muñoz), high school intern (Miss Rilee), and student teacher (Ms. Watts). Ms. Conner was only here part of the year, but she's really nice too. The FOCUS Program is absolutely AMAZING!!!”
“My name is Kam Bell, and I’m in 5th grade, and my teacher is Mrs. Dye. My hardest lesson this year would probably be the one with Volume (the amount of space in a 3D object), as it was new and hard. I feel most confident in Social Studies; it’s one of my favorites to do, as I love learning about the past. My favorite memory is from when Mrs. Dye read the book “Santa’s Underwear,” and everyone thought she was gonna give us underwear but it was socks! I would tell new FOCUS students that it’s harder, but it’s really fun; just give it a chance! I love my teacher, Mrs. Dye, and I feel she’s the best 5th grade teacher in New Castle!”
“Hello. My name is Cooper Weidert. Math was most difficult for me in the first nine weeks, but now I’m finishing the third nine weeks, and I feel confident! My favorite memory of the year what the very first day, talking with Mrs. Dye. I would tell new FOCUS students to ‘Be excited, and be a decent reader.’ All of the focus teachers are kind.”
“My name is Myriah Hawrot, and I’m in 5th Grade with Mrs. Dye. My biggest struggle was probably learning to Synergize with people who do not agree with me. But I overcame that struggle, and now I always try to think Win-Win (Leader In Me Habits). I feel very confident in my writing. I have always thought writing stories and other things like that was fun. The FOCUS Program helped me learn how to make my writing better. Now I feel very confident about my writing. My favorite memory is the overnight Zoo trip that my class took Flat Myriah on: I wasn’t going, and my classmates made a Flat Myriah (drawing of me), took it with them, took pictures with it, and made a book out of the pictures and gave it to me. For those thinking about joining FOCUS, I would say they ‘should definitely come! You make really good friends that you can really trust. The teachers are also super amazing, and you learn a lot. Be prepared for a lot of change and fun activities.’ I am so glad I accepted the invitation to FOCUS. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had two of the most amazing teachers, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Dye. I also wouldn’t have met my best friend. I am so glad I got to have this experience in FOCUS.”
“Hello! My name is Wyatt Ping. I’m in 5th grade. My biggest struggle this year was moving half way through the year and making new friends. I feel that my mastery in math has improved. My favorite memory was making new friends when I first came to Wilbur Wright. To new FOCUS students, I would say ‘just work hard and keep trying at something.’ I would like to honor the 5th Grade teacher, Mrs. Dye. She has been the best teacher I have ever had.”
