REMEMBER THAT NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd is a PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE DAY. RELEASE TIME FOR DC STUDENTS WILL BE 11;30 AM rather than the REGULAR WEDNESDAY EARLY RELEASE TIME of 2:00 PM.
YEARBOOKS
ORDERING INFORMATION FOR YEARBOOKS WAS SENT HOME THIS WEEK IN THE TAKE HOME PACKETS. A SCHOOL MESSENGER ANNOUNCEMENT WENT OUT AS WELL. IF YOU ARE STILL IN NEED OF ORDERING INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE DC OFFICE AT 482-8400.
DISMISSAL
AS NOTED ON THE POSTED SIGNS, THERE IS NO PARKING IN THE CIRCLE DRIVEWAY AT DC. ANYONE WHO PICKS UP STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL HAS NOTICED THAT PLENTY OF PARENTS PARK. ALSO, LEFT HAND TURNS ON TO KK AT DISMISSAL TIMES ARE PROHIBITED. AS A RESULT OF IGNORING THESE POSTINGS, THERE HAVE BEEN BACK UPS DURING DISMISSAL THAT EXTEND ALL THE WAY OUT TO KK AND DRIVERS HAVE BEEN COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY ON THE ONE WAY AREA OF THE DRIVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY HAZARDS INVOLVED - THE SAINT FRANCIS PD HAS BEEN RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY GENERATED COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. PLEASE ADHERE TO THESE POSTINGS FOR SAFETY'S SAKE AND TO ENSURE THAT YOU NEED NOT RECEIVE A WARNING OR CITATION.
As part of a FIRST robotics program at Deer Creek Intermediate School, a group of middle-school students — along with their science teacher and FIRST Mentor, Peter Graven — have been using 3D printing technology to create prosthetic hands at a cost significantly less than ones currently on the market. The going rate for a prosthetic hand can be as much as $50,000. However, after two months of working together for 15 minutes a day during their lunch break designing, printing, and assembling a prototype, team members were able to create a similar prosthetic hand using just $20 worth of materials.
another for a young girl in St. Francis, Wis., that incorporates a dance theme. Coach Graven says the teams are currently printing the various components on their MakerBot Replicator 2.0, which they were able to get through a crowd sourcing campaign on DonorsChoose.org.
real-time data as well as samples for further evaluation. A third project, called an Augmented Reality Sandbox, combines a real sandbox, virtual topography, a Microsoft Kinect 3D camera, data projector, and powerful simulation/visualization software that allows users to create topographic models by shaping sand.
Graven, who has been involved with FIRST since 2007, says he’s amazed at what the students have accomplished, and adds that FIRST benefits go well beyond the classroom. “FIRST provides our students with more than just the skills to build robots. Our students learn about teamwork, prototype and design, maintaining a budget, programming, and research, as well as working and communicating with organizations, universities, and businesses outside the four walls of our school district.” Graven adds that the FIRST activities also help his students build confidence in their thinking and open their minds to creative solutions.