|
⛄December Newsletter⛄
Early Learning Center
Preschool Program
Preschool was able to experience the high school auditorium this month. They sang holiday songs at their annual Christmas program for a very large audience of family and friends!
Pipe Creek Elementary
Christmas Performance
Our students and staff enjoyed a special performance by our talented high school choral groups, Counterpoints and Next Level last week! They shared some highlights from their Christmas program that even included a visit from Santa himself! We always enjoy when Mrs. Lybrook brings the crew out to sing and dance for us. It's the perfect way to get into the holiday mood!
Christmas Program
Mrs. Byrn led our Kindergarten and First Graders in performing another delightful Christmas program this year. An added bonus this year was the artwork on display that the students created during Art class with guidance from Mr. Wilhelm.
Maconaquah Elementary
PTO Winter Celebration
The Mac El PTO's Winter Celebration was a magical day! It was heartwarming to see families gathered together, creating memories. The Library's Story Time and art project were a delightful start, followed by the joyful sounds of ornament making in the Music Room. The STEM Lab transformed into a wonderland of discovery with the snowflake activity, while the Cafeteria buzzed with creativity and the sweet aroma of treats. And of course, the "Movin' & Groovin'" session was a hit, with everyone dancing and laughing together. It was truly a celebration to remember!
STEM
December was a busy month for STEM learning! Second through fifth graders explored directional coding to prepare for robotics after break. Fourth graders applied their STEM skills in a delicious way by constructing gingerbread houses using milk cartons, graham crackers, and frosting. They quickly discovered the importance of structural integrity in their edible creations!
Maconaquah Middle School
Choir and Band
 |
 |
 |
The MMS choir recently hosted their annual Dessert Theater on December 8 to ring in the Holidays! Guests bought tickets to the performance and were able to choose between five desserts. MHS choir students served the tables while the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs performed their show, “The Stories of Christmas.” The emcee for the event was Elena McKinney, our 7th grade choir officer. Elena led the audience through her favorite Christmas stories, the first of which was entitled “The X-Mas Files,” which featured over 20 students. Most notably, Micah Vaughn (7) played Agent Mistletoe and Freedom McHenry (8) played Agent Holly with supporting roles played by Lily Barnett (6), Jonah Springer (6), Logan Poe (8), Zariah Hayden (8), and Rylan Nelson (8). The next stories were The Story of Ol’ Saint Nick and The Story that Changed the World. The students sold out their show and it was an incredible showcase for their hard work and success!
The MMS band concert took place on December 11, 2024, showcasing the talents of the sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade bands. For the sixth-grade band, it was an exciting milestone as they performed in their very first concert. A standout moment was a beautiful duet by sixth-grade students Bilkisu Aminu on clarinet and Delilah Hagan on flute, which captivated the audience. Both the seventh and eighth-grade bands delivered impressive performances, each playing two well-prepared pieces. The evening was a delightful start to the holiday season, filled with music and celebration.
Winter Formal
 |
 |
The 7th and 8th Grade Winter Formal, held on December 13, was an evening filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Students arrived dressed in their finest attire, showcasing a mix of elegant dresses, sharp suits, and stylish accessories. The night was filled with lively music, with students dancing enthusiastically to their favorite songs, singing along to familiar tunes, and enjoying a variety of delicious cookies. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to relax, socialize, and create lasting memories as the semester drew to a close. Thanks to the NJHS and all the volunteers who worked behind the scenes, the Winter Formal was a resounding success.
Seniors at Maconaquah High School are preparing for their future. The Senior Career Research Project involves investigating career options, including what the job description is, the educational requirements, and the proposed salary. Academic elements include an APA format outline, a full research paper, and a multimedia presentation over their chosen career. Over time, many seniors have learned that some jobs aren't what they thought they were and investigated others instead, while some find their research project leads them into the future of their dreams. Others discover professions they didn't know existed, opening up new realms of possibility. At some high schools, seniors are ejected with a piece of paper and a cap, but at Maconaquah High School, our seniors depart with a degree, an action plan, and career options based on reality and research.
E Sports Begin at Maconaquah High School
 |
 |
 |
E-sports at Maconaquah kicked off Tuesday, October 29, with our first club meeting, which had 15 players in attendance. This semester, the team functions more like a school club as we navigate starting a new e-sports team. Our students are currently or will be playing rated teen games such as Fortnite, Valorant, Halo Infinite, Overwatch, and Rocket League.
We are currently a part of the Indiana High School E-sports Network (IHSEN) under the Indiana
E-sports Network (IEN) of which 100+ schools are also members. Starting next semester, we will compete against other schools in what IEN refers to as club-level matches. These matches are not ranked and are just for friendly competition between schools. Matches will all be conducted online, so Mac E-sports players will not need to travel to compete. Once we have competed at club-level for a semester, we can then compete at varsity level with Indiana E Sports Network (IEN). These matches will also be held online with the exception of finals in the spring, should our players perform well.
Our goal with E-sports at Maconaquah is for it to be like any other sport offered to our students and to have the opportunity to earn letters and jackets. We have a number of students who are already very passionate about e-sports and have already started looking into getting our players jerseys. High school e-sports players also have the potential to earn college scholarships, and we want to create a program that can help students achieve this.
Corporation
 |
 |
A Modern Monument: Maconaquah Students Build the Future
This December, the Maconaquah School Corporation is proud to showcase an exciting project that not only secures our athletic complex but also serves as a testament to the talent and dedication of our students. With the approval of the Maconaquah School Board, construction is underway for a new fence around the athletic complex—an endeavor made possible by the hands-on efforts of Mr. Holland’s Building Trades classes and Mr. Sullivan’s Welding classes.
As you pass by you might mistake the pillars for the ancient marvel Stonehenge. Like Stonehenge, the fence combines planning, precision, and an enduring legacy. While our project may not align with the stars, it aligns with our values of collaboration, craftsmanship, and community investment.
The Building Trades classes, led by Mr. Holland, took charge of the project layout, pouring concrete footings to form the sturdy base for the structure. Meanwhile, Mr. Sullivan’s Welding students have fabricated metal panels and brackets, creating a durable and professional finish. Together, these efforts represent the culmination of classroom instruction and hands-on application.
Students involved in this project are also earning more than just practical experience. Through these programs, they are gaining industry-recognized certifications and earning dual credit through Ivy Tech, preparing them for promising careers in construction, welding, and related fields.
This fencing project is part of the 2022 bond issue, with a projected cost of $175,000. It’s also a shining example of community collaboration. Local business partners have played an integral role in its success. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Ace Welding for acting as our metal supplier, Schaaf Masonry for laying block, and New Life Metalworks for powder coating. Their support ensures that this fence will not only be functional but also stand as a beautiful addition to our campus.
As you pass by the athletic complex, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and talent behind this project. Like Stonehenge, it is a symbol of teamwork and craftsmanship—albeit one with a much more practical purpose!
Thank you to our students, staff, and community partners for making this vision a reality. We hope to complete this endeavor by May of 2025. Together, we are building not just fences, but futures.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Maconaquah School Corporation!
|
