Magnolia School District

The Panther Conservation Club (PCC) from Robert M. Pyles (RMP) and Mattie Lou Maxwell’s Conservation Club joined environmental forces on Saturday, January 28th in an effort to rid Huntington Beach State Park of marine debris! More than 75 volunteers gathered at Huntington Beach to make a difference. This was the first collaborative endeavor for the “sister schools” and the team effort proved positive for everyone. Volunteers from each school included students, teachers, administrators, parents, and family members.

Upon arriving at Park Headquarters, the volunteers were greeted by a Park Ranger who discussed how California's coast and waterways have historically been collecting spots for annual accumulations of trash and debris. The lecture confirmed that debris can be harmful and  even fatal to marine wildlife and can become a human health hazard. In ending, the student conservation club volunteers verified what they already suspected; there is a need take care of our fragile marine environment, to show community support for our shared natural resources, and to share with others the impacts of marine debris, and how we can prevent these impacts - all while having fun! With safety gloves and bags in hand volunteers worked for two hours collecting debris; plastic bottle caps, straws, plastic pieces, wrappers, plastic lighters, toys, and even a shoe! When the work was done, the volunteers gathered on the beach for lunch followed by some fun in the water to celebrate their hard work and community service.

It was truly a rewarding day for all of the volunteers. The students in both Conservation Clubs look forward to not only returning in the years to come to help clean our local beach, but sincerely embrace their role as environmental ambassadors, educating others about how our daily life choices impact the environment around us.

At Walter School two of Mr. Hansen's special day class students that met the 100 point AR goal were invited a special lunch.  Mr. Hansen invited Mrs. Nordyke the principal and Miss Morel a GRIP mentor to celebrate at lunch with Omar Higareda and Angel Morales. They will be recognized on Friday morning at the morning assembly. All students get a special shirt when they reach 100 points. The PTA provides the shirts and has a different color shirt each year. This year Walter's schoolwide goal is to exceed last years seventy-nine winners.

The two top spellers from each of Magnolia's nine schools competed in the annual Magnolia School District Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 19 in the Juliette Low Multipurpose Room. Following several intense but exciting rounds, Karla Morales, sixth grade student from Mattie Lou Maxwell School, correctly spelled "meticulous" and "maintenance," earning her First Place. Greyson Maltby, fifth grade student from Walt Disney School, took Second Place, while Ahmed Sharaf-Eldeen, sixth grade student from Walt Disney School, took Third Place. All three students will be recognized at a Magnolia School Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, March 14. As the two top sixth grade contestants, Karla and Ahmed will compete in the Orange County Spelling Bee on February 27.

The District Spelling Bee is a collaborative endeavor. In December, a spelling bee is held at each school to determine the two top upper grade students who will represent their school at the District Bee. The following teachers served as Site Coordinators: Katrina Barkley, Baden Powell; Kendra Kessler, Disney; Alisa Larson and David Quiroz, Low; Kathy Dwight and Theresa Brandes, Marshall; Brenda Gregg, Maxwell; Ingrid Bowers and Laura Mirabella, Pyles; Yolanda Nowicki, Salk; Jenny Kintop, Schweitzer; and Julie Trail, Walter.