- Week of December 16-19, 2006

Scouts in Space
Richland One’s Challenger Learning Center for space exploration will host nearly 100 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from across the state for its Scouts in Space program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, December 16.
Scouts in Space is an interactive hands-on program designed to encourage Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to explore careers in math, science, engineering and technology. On Saturday, troops will be able to complete a simulated space flight mission where they will work together in groups as mission controllers and astronauts to solve real-life problems in a space science environment. Students will also learn about Newton’s three laws of motion by participating in a bottle rocket competition.

James T. McLawhorn, president of the Columbia Urban League, will serve as the guest speaker for the event.

The Scouts in Space program is one of several educational initiatives offered by the Challenger Learning Center to fulfill the center’s mission to inspire a new generation of explorers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. For more information about the Scouts in Space Program or the Challenger Learning Center, call 929-3951.

High School Rededication
Lower Richland High School underwent major renovations and additions as part of Richland One’s "Schools for the 21st Century" bond construction program.

The Richland One Board of School Commissioners and the Administration invite the community to a special rededication ceremony for Lower Richland High at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 17.

Lower Richland and district staff, school board members, community members, current students and school alumni will share their thoughts on what the facility improvements mean to them, as well as to the district and the community. The program also will include student musical performances, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the school.

Lower Richland High School is located at 2615 Lower Richland Blvd., in Hopkins.

The Spirit of Giving
Students at Carver-Lyon Elementary know the real meaning of the holiday season – to reach out to help others who are in need. Carver-Lyon students have been collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items to donate to the Harvest Hope Food Bank for their “1,000 Pounds of Hope” project. Their goal was to collect 1,000 pounds of food.

At 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, the school will hold a special school assembly where students will use science and math skills to create Rice Krispies treats for Santa. The results of the food drive will be announced at the end of the assembly (around 1:30 p.m.).

Carver-Lyon Elementary is located at 2100 Waverly St., Columbia.

Winter Holidays
Tuesday, December 19 will be the last day of school for students and the last workday for district employees before the winter break. Teachers and other district staff will return to work on Wednesday, January 3, and classes will resume on Thursday, January 4.

Media with inquiries about Tip Sheet items are asked to call Edith Caudle in the Office of Communications at 231-7504.