Vincent, Alexander and Dain help deliver the Team LEGO science presentation today before lunch

The LEGO League regional qualifier is tomorrow. This means that the Cherokee Creek LEGO Team has been working tirelessly to prepare for the different aspects of tomorrow’s competition: evaluation of programming, robot runs, expression of LEGO League values…and the science presentation.

The science presentation is a scripted skit the boys perform to illustrate their understanding of research they have conducted related to this year’s LEGO League theme, Food Factor. Our team has focused on hand washing as an aspect of food handling.

A sample of the team’s script has been included below. Check out the team’s instructions on proper hand washing technique (delivered in the style of rap, courtesy of Alexander’s musical writing skills):

Alright check this!
Wet you hands with clean running water
Use soap it don’t matter is it’s warma or colda
Scrub them well, backs too, under nails between your fingers
But be careful! The germs will keep clingin on!
So if you need a timer, twice you sing the Happy Birthday song!
Wash for twenty seconds, you got time to spare,
And after that you can dry your hands with towel or air! Word.

In English class this week, students began reading our “Warrior Quarter” book, The War Horse. The tale is told completely from the point of view of Joey, the horse. After discussing how stories can vary depending on who’s telling it, the boys went to work writing a story from another point of view.

Enjoy “A Walk, To a Dog” by Loucas:

“Walk?”

I heard that great word. The world that inevitably left me jumping in circles with my tail wagging faster than a trucker down the interstate.

“Come on girl, we’re going for a walk, girl!”

When I heard that a second time, I went nuts like a herding dog in a field of disobedient sheep. I knew I was gonna have some crazy fun on this walk.

“Stay girl.”

I followed the command instantly, without hesitation. I felt like letting go of my obedience and acting a fool of myself, but I helped myself … although I did let a few twitches go. He buckled the leash to my choke chain and immediately I let my discipline go and started running circles.

I was finally ready to go. I walked a a slightly faster pace than him so I could assert my dominance over him. I constantly gaped at my surroundings. There were fascinating cars, houses, lawnmowers … It was all so overwhelming.

Without even know it, I ended up back at my home. The outside world slowly closed off to me. My leash was taken off. I laid down on a slightly damp towel that I’ve designated as my bed in a pool of contented exhaustion.

Introducing this year’s CCBS LEGO League team! Congratulations to (pictured above from left) Eddie, Rick, Alexander, Dain, Vincent, Tommy and Michael! Along with Coach (and Math Teacher) Nick Linscott, these gentlemen will represent CCBS at the regional qualifier this Saturday with “gracious professionalism,” a core value of F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League.

At Saturday’s event the team will demonstrate their knowledge of this year’s theme: Food Factor through a science presentation. They will also be interviewed by judges to gauge their professionalism and ability to work well together. And, of course, central to all of this will be the three robot runs, when the Bears will test their programming skills with a timed challenge course for their robot to perform.

We’ll keep you posted on the results.

GO BEARS!!!

The Bears headed onto the court in Walhalla last night looking confident and skilled. Their practice has clearly paid off! The Bears lead the game at the end of the 1st quarter by one point (7-8) and came in just one point back at the half (15-14). The opposing team had a nice scoring streak in the third quarter ending it with a 29-18 lead, but the Bears stayed with it and continued to put points on the board, ending with a 42-30 loss to Walhalla. This was a very good season opener – one to be very proud of! Check out the photos below.

Special thanks to family and staff who made it to cheer on and support the team! GO BEARS!!

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In the next few months we have two very special programs coming up for mothers and fathers of Cherokee Creek Boys School students. It is important to note that these programs are not restricted to moms and dads. Participants may include other significant adults invested in the success of CCBS students.

On deck first is the Women of Courage Retreat in February (February 12-14), just preceding the February Family Seminar facilitated by Founder, Beth Black and Manager of Clinical Services, Jane Barker. This event is for mothers of current CCBS students. For more information please read the Women of Courage Invitation.

In April, Fathers and Sons are invited to launch into a multi-day sea kayaking adventure to Cumberland Island. The Father & Son Sea Kayaking Adventure (April 18-22 – possible evening travel on April 17) will be facilitated by Cherokee Creek staff and Breakwater Expeditions and is designed to be the perfect combination of activity, rest, relationship development and fun! For trip details, download the Cumberland Island Trip Packet.

Both of these events have limited availability. Please RSVP to Beth Venable if you are interested in attending: (864) 647-1885 or via email at bvenable@cherokeecreek.net.

We look forward to seeing you!

This just in! The 2012 basketball season has been announced. The dates, times and locations are listed below.

We love to see families cheering at the games. Please let us know if you can make it and we will be sure to get you directions and any additional details.

Games:
Thursday, January 5th at 8:00 pm, Walhalla City Gym
Friday, January 13th at 8:00 pm, Walhalla City Gym
Tuesday, January 17th at 6:00 pm, Seneca Gignilliat
Monday, January 23rd at 8:00 pm, Westminster
Saturday, January 28th at 12:00 pm, Fair Oak
Thursday, February 2nd at 8:00 pm, Westminster
Friday, February 3rd at 8:00 pm, Walhalla City Gym
Tuesday, February 7th at 6:00 pm, Seneca Gignilliat
Thursday, February 9th at 6:00 pm, Seneca Gignilliat

GO BEARS!!

And the winner is...Josh Ward, Night Staff and Soccer Coach

It isn’t always work, work, work at CCBS! We enjoy a little play with the rest of the staff. too! At this year’s staff retreat, we had to work for our dessert. After a lunch catered by Paseano’s Italian restaurant, Beth Black brought out freshly baked brownies and all kinds of decorating materials. The Challenge: who can create the most beautiful and creative brownie. Our contest was won my Josh Ward from our night staff (Josh is also our soccer coach). Way to go, Josh! Y0u must be studying Julia Child while the boys sleep!

We have a lot to look forward to in 2012. Check out the “Upcoming Events” column to the right for a listing of happenings in the first 6 months of 2012 at Cherokee Creek Boys School. Everything from LEGO League to the last day of school are listed. Stay tuned for the Basketball schedule, which will be posted as soon as we receive it!

Surrounded by family and friends, Jackson and Dain are enjoying Thanksgiving lunch together. Yum!

Luke and his family pause from filling their bellies to smile for the camera! We are so thankful to have families visiting Cherokee Creek Boys School on Thankgiving day.

At Midnight last night the boys awoke to build a fire for our traditional pre-Thanksgiving turkey pit. This fire kept them warm until the early hours of the morning. They then made a pit out of the coals of the fire with Operations Director Phil Fairbrother where they stuffed the turkeys underground. This has been a yearly tradition for CCBS the night before Thanksgiving.

Watching the turkeys cook late into the night...

These are the students who braved the late night to cook our tasty turkey’s: (from left to right) Michael, Barron, Jimmy, Cole, Sam, and Dain.

Teacher Nick Linscott, together with the boys who stayed up all night, pulled out the turkeys the next morning after our traditional late night cookout. They then wheelbarrowed their way up to the kitchen where several students whipped on the aprons and started prepping the turkeys.