Oasis Academy - Bighorn Bulletin

PJAMMIN’ FOR CANCER SUPPORTS ONE OF THE BIGHORN HERD

Oasis Academy K-8 students traded their khaki and navy school uniforms for pajamas on Thursday, Sept. 24, as part of the school’s annual PJammin’ for Cancer event in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

For a $1 donation, students were invited to wear their favorite pajamas to school while helping support a meaningful cause. This year, all proceeds will be donated directly to an Oasis Academy high school family whose student is currently facing cancer.

According to the State of Nevada, approximately 45 children and young adults in northern Nevada are diagnosed with cancer each year.

The Bighorn Community came together in a big way, raising just over $1,000 to help support the family.

“Our Bighorn Community has always been about coming together and supporting one another, especially when a member of our community is going through a difficult time,” said Shannon Garcia, Grades 5-8 Vice Principal. “Seeing our students, families, and staff come together to support one of our own is a wonderful reminder of the compassion and kindness that make Oasis Academy such a special place.”

THIRD GRADERS ENGINEER FOR HURRICANES AND FLOODS

Third-grade students at Oasis Academy recently put their science and engineering skills to the test as they tackled a hands-on challenge: designing and building structures strong enough to withstand both a hurricane and a flood. Pictured above: Harper Turley, Michael McNamara, Charles Gilliland, and Brooklyn DuBois

Working with limited materials — including straws, cardstock, tape, and popsicle sticks — students were challenged to think like engineers as they planned, constructed, and tested their structures.

The activity gave students an opportunity to apply what they have been learning in science while also practicing problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.

As part of the lesson, students also explored why homes and other structures in areas prone to hurricanes are designed and built differently than those in other parts of the country. They learned how engineers and builders consider factors such as strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and the potential for storm damage when designing buildings. Understanding these real-world examples helped students see how science and engineering can be used to protect people and property.

Students then put their engineering skills to work. Using only their provided materials, they designed structures that needed to withstand simulated hurricane-force winds and flooding. They had to consider how different materials could be combined to create a structure that was both strong and stable.

Once their designs were complete, the testing began. Students observed what happened when their structures were exposed to the challenges of severe weather and evaluated which design features helped their buildings stay standing.

The activity also highlighted an important part of the engineering process: failure can lead to improvement. Students had the opportunity to identify weaknesses in their designs, discuss what they could change, and consider how they might build a stronger structure in the future.

The challenge was more than just building with straws and popsicle sticks. It gave students a chance to connect their classroom learning to the real world while developing critical-thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

CHURCHILL COUNTY LIBRARY BRINGS READING AND RESOURCES TO 5TH AND 6TH GRADES

Fifth- and sixth-grade students had a special visit from the Churchill County Library on Tuesday morning, Sept. 29, as they learned more about the many resources and activities available to them at the library.

During the visit, a representative from the library read a section from one of the library’s new books, giving students a chance to hear about a new title they may want to check out for themselves.

Students also learned that the library offers much more than books. The library hosts Chess Club every Wednesday and STEAM activities on Fridays, providing students with opportunities to learn, create, and have fun. Other resources include computers that students can use, as well as special opportunities to read with service dogs.

The presentation also reminded students where the Churchill County Library is located and encouraged them to visit with their families. Students learned about getting their own library card and how they can use it to check out books, movies, and other materials.

Pictured left: Magdalena Biar with students.