On Thursday, Nov. 30, Sun Blaze Elementary held the first of three grade-level performances, Movement and Music at the Movies, featuring our fourth- and fifth-grade students. The evening consisted of two separate shows that showcased each class performing a chorus selection and dance routine for hundreds of family members and friends. The students’ songs were beautifully sung, and the dance routines incorporated some very impressive movements. At the beginning of the evening, I shared with our parents that I was so proud of all the time and dedication each student put into making this performance a success. Try Everything is a song recorded by Latin Grammy Award winner Shakira for the Disney movie Zootopia. The lyrics in the chorus serve as a great message for our students.

“I won’t give up. No, I won’t give in till I reach the end, and then I’ll start again. No, I won’t leave I want to try everything. I want to try even though I could fail, I won’t give up. No, I won’t give in till I reach the end, and then I’ll start again. No I won’t leave I want to try everything. I want to try even though I could fail.”

That’s exactly what our students did that night; they tried everything. They danced, sang and performed in front of a large audience. I am so proud of each student and hope they continue to try everything. I want to express my appreciation to our special area teachers for equipping and encouraging these students and planning such a wonderful evening for our students and families.

Girls on the Run

This year also marked our first Girls on the Run program at Sun Blaze. Girls on the Run is a transformational, physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd -8th grades. Life skills are taught through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Our girls participated in the 5K at the University of Central Florida on Saturday, Dec. 9. We are so very proud of all the girls who were a part of Girls on the Run, and I want to thank Ms. Pickering and Ms. Cadogan for their time and investment as their coaches!

Field Day

Full STEAM Ahead Field Day was spread over three days, with two grades participating each day, on Dec. 12, 14, and 15. Students rotated through many stations that focused on coordination, teamwork, problem-solving, endurance, flexibility, throwing, running, and strength skills. I want to thank the many volunteers who came out to work and support our school. I also want to thank our P.E. teachers, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Nieves, for all of their hard work and preparation.

STEM CHALLENGE

STEM challenge opportunities are available for Sun Blaze students quarterly and require them to​ ​use​ ​science,​ ​technology,​ ​engineering​ ​and​ ​math​ ​to​ ​solve​ ​three different​ ​real-world​ ​problems. Our most recent challenge was to construct a Bucket​ ​Tower.​ Students had to​ ​build​ ​a​ ​tower​ ​using​ ​only​ ​the​ ​following supplies: 40​ ​standard​ ​size​ ​straws, string, one​ ​cup​ ​of​ ​any​ ​size, and masking​ ​tape. The​ ​goal​ ​was​ ​to​ ​build​ ​the​ ​tallest​ ​freestanding​ ​tower​ ​that​ ​will​ ​hold​ ​the​ ​most​ ​weight.​ ​The​ ​towers were​ ​scored​ ​using​ ​a​ ​height times​ ​weight​-​held​ ​formula. Our top three qualifiers were able to compete against other schools at the next level of competition on Dec. 13. It was a privilege to see their towers and congratulate our three finalists. I would like to thank Ms. Ninah for her direction and leadership with the STEM challenges at Sun Blaze.