Washington Elementary

Several months ago two  students at Washington Elementary School, Abbi Martin (4^th grader) and Regin Smith (3^rd grader), approached Mrs. Carol Forbes because they wanted to raise items to send to her school in Haiti, Institution Univers, before the end of the school year. After getting the “OK” from principal Dr. Tom Krout, they visited the school’s website and chose three supplies that are ongoing needs for Univers--#2 pencils, colored pencils and bar erasers. A competition between classrooms was started as cardboard boxes were put in each classroom for the items that the students brought to school. The classroom that brings in the most items will win a free recess in the final days of school. Also, they wanted to write letters to some of the students at IU. Letters had to be written in French because that is the language spoken in the school. They realized that students could come up with some French sentences by using Google Translate and decided to offer this to classes in second, third and fourth grades. Basic sentences were translated by Google’s Translate site and then carefully scrutinized by a French teacher at Lamberton Middle School in Carlisle where Mr. Forbes teaches. Some French phrases were also checked by Amy Crist, French teacher at HMS. Letters were completed on June 4^th and 5^th and students were invited to bring in a small photo to attach to their letter.  Thanks for your continuing hard work, Abbi and Regin!

Washington Elementary participates in York Revolution game while promoting Susquehanna Bank Strike out for A's. Washington hopes to obtain some financial gain after the York baseball season is over. For every Strike Out against opponent our school earns $10.00.

More details to come in early September.

They sat in an office staring at a chessboard, looking at the same pieces over and over again as they debated their next moves.

The ticking of the clock and the distant sound of children's laughter went unnoticed.

It's not the kind of focus you would expect from three elementary-school students, or where you would think to find them during lunch.

But that's where these three third-graders have spent part of their lunches and recesses since the Washington Elementary School Chess Club tournament started several weeks ago.

And in the office of head custodian and chess club adviser Joe Mahone on Thursday, the top three contenders held their breath as the one boy picked up one of his last pieces and moved it across the board.

"Check," he said, looking at his opponent, and close friend.

"I didn't notice that," he acknowledged.

That's surprising, since he knows his friend's moves and strategies almost as well as his own.

Students at Washington Elementary accepted the challenge despite the tough economy and exceeded the goal of 2,500 non-perishable food items for the "Feed-A-Friend" marathon. Students called into 1280 Radio and thanked their friends, family, and neighbors for helping them show off their "Nighthawk Pride". What a way to let that Nighthawk Pride contribute to making someone else's Christmas just a little better! A big thank you to all the students, staff, and their families who donated. Merry Christmas!