Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Community Service Projects

In the spirit of the Christmas season of giving, several worthy community service projects are being held at CRMS. These include:
  1. The Secret Agents under the direction of Mrs. Cindy Clark, adopted a six year old girl through the district’s Secret Santa program. Students donated clothing, shoes, toys, and art supplies that will help the girl’s family have a more enjoyable Christmas.
  2. More than 50 students in Secret Agent program also made Christmas tree ornaments in preparation for their annual trip on Tuesday December 21st to Pennknoll Village where they will decorate the tree in the community room. Homemade Christmas cards will be distributed and the students will interact with the residents by playing BINGO.
  3. More than $900.00 was donated by the Middle school staff for a needy Secret Santa family. The money will be used by the family for purchasing heating oil and for repairs to the family car.
  4. The money collected by our 6th grade advisory group from “wear your hat in school day” last week was used to purchase books and gas cards for Your Safe Haven and families staying at shelter.

On Thursday Dec. 9th, our 6th grade sponsored and organized “wear your hat for the day” as their community service project. For a $1.00 contribution, staff and students could wear a hat of their choice in classes. Fliers, announcements, and collection procedures were organized by students under Mrs. Grabill’s guidance. A total of $160.00 was collected with the money being used to purchase children’s books and gas cards that will be donated to Your Safe Haven.

As part of our ongoing efforts to combat bullying in our school and in collaboration with Highmark and the Windber Research Institute, information for parents to complete a short optional survey was sent home with students on Thursday Dec. 9th. Parent feedback is important to learn of their perceptions and experiences involving their child and bullying at school. The information helps ensure our program fits the needs of students, staff, and parents. The parent survey must be completed by Dec.31, 2010. The link to complete the survey online is: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BF8WCN245

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

First Annual Central Elementary PTO Golf Tournament

The Central Elementary PTO would like to Thank everyone that participated, donated and volunteered to make our golf tournament successful!  All proceeds from this event will benefit the students of Chestnut Ridge Central Elementary.  We were able to raise $2,710.43 which helps us to hold a fall festival, assemblies, Christmas activities, track & field, and field trips, along with many other educational events throughout the school year.  Once again, Thank You to all that were involved in this event!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

FBLA

FBLA Winners

RLC Winners

NLC 2009 Winners

TSA 2010 Project & Awards

Electronics Research & Experimentation - 1st place
(Team of 6 max.)

  • Justin Taylor
  • Josh Brown
  • Dan Spiker
  • Jude Donatelli
  • Josh Shane
  • Joshia Ritchey

Engineering Design - 1st Place
(Team of 5 max.)

  • TJ Young
  • Tommy Fleegle
  • Jake Deffibaugh
  • Jenna Harclerode
  • Timmy Griffith

Engineering Design Project Summary


Technology students researched, designed and constructed a cell phone transmission detection / warning system for integration into a prototype dashboard.  Whenever a cellular transmission is detected from the driver while the vehicle is engaged in any gear, the unit interrupts the audio system, beeps and provides a heads up warning message to look ahead. The specially designed antenna located near the steering column has a range of only 24 – 30 inches, which allows other passengers in the vehicle to text and use their cell phones at will.   The microprocessor controlled system, programmed by the students, monitors the electro-magnetic radiation detector circuit for cellular transmissions from the driver only.  This only occurs when the transmission is engaged in any gear except Park.  When in park, the detector is disabled.  The desired goal is not to prevent or block cellular use, but to eventually make the driver conform to good driving habits by constant interruptions of the audio system and warning messages.  A digitally programmed message plays over the speakers in the dashboard once triggered.  The message states “Heads UP! Please look ahead…  Cell phone use while driving can result in serious injury and death to you and your passengers.  Judges at Seven Springs were highly impressed by this innovate, creative and highly technical project. This message was conveyed to the students. 

Electronics research and Experimentation


The goal is to experiment with ultrasonic waves and how they can be used to help visually impaired persons navigate through a public building.  A solution summary is as follows.  A portable clip on unit was designed for the impaired person to clip onto a belt, etc.   When the unit is turned on, an ultrasonic wave is emitted at a soft frequency of 12K hertz, so the individual knows the unit is activated but it is unlikely to be heard by others nearby.    As the individual walks through a public building,  ultrasonic receivers mounted in wall  units are strategically located at the entrance,  the beginning and end of hallways,  etc, that will provide an audio map of the vicinity to guide individuals to offices, classrooms,  restrooms,  nurse,  gymnasium,  cafeteria etc.  Once the person is within 10 feet proximity of a wall mounted unit, the ultrasonic wave is detected and triggers a digitally stored preprogrammed message to be played through an amplifier for the individual.  The units use transceivers to send and receive ultrasonic waves that can’t be heard by others.   Experimentation involved controlling frequency of ultrasonic waves, controlling distance of ultrasonic waves, determining the reflection distance off walls,  and determining the divergence angle of emitted waves  for the purpose of  placement of the wall mounted units.