Write a commentNovelis and Fitzhugh Park Elementary School have become partners this year as the "Novelis Neighbor Project" is in full swing.
Recently, one of the many planned projects saw Novelis employees, including the Plant Manager Luc Boivin, spent the day providing an improved learning environment and a new outside look for the Oswego east side school.
Principal Donna Simmons, who had joined the Novelis folks in the weekend project, said, "The 21stCentury has changed how the typical library is set up and Novelis decided as part of the 'Neighbors Project' that we could update our library."
Continuing she said, "They donated many non-fiction books related to match and sciences that support the new New York State Common Core Standards."
Novelis coordinator Bethany Lighthall led the project at Fitzhugh Park.
"Locally, for Novelis One this is a month of service and we saw the potential to work with Fitzhugh Park Elementary School and try to promote math and science education," she said.
A learning nook with new furniture, bean bag chairs, a rocking chair, rugs, games, books and cabinets to place books on and other learning tools were put in place. Meanwhile, there were numerous decal posters applied to make the library warmer and more inviting.
"We have created a math and science area in the library and donated math and science books. We help redesigned areas of the library," Lighthall said.
"Novelis donated Ebooks and these are phenomenal since now a teacher who is doing research will have access to multiple copies of the same books for their students," Simmons said.
Another wonderful addition is the robotics equipment that has been supplied by Novelis. "Carol Carroll had seen some robotics construction sets at a conference she attended," Simmons noted. "Novelis is providing the science and math areas with 'LEGOS We Do' kids so student will be able to create a variety of robotic projects."
The LEGO Education WE DO Robotics Construction Set is an easy-to-use set that introduces young students to robotics.
"Students will be able to build LEGO models featuring working motors and sensors; program their models and explore a series of cross-curricular, theme-based activities which developing their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics as well as language and literacy," Simmons explained.
Outside of the building there is also a new look as shrubbery, plants, bulbs, bird feeders, a bird batch and mulch were put in place to brighten the landscaping.
"This outside area will also have a weather station that will be set up so each classroom will have a website that they can go to and they will be able to monitor the weather from the weather station set up just outside of our school," Simmons said.
During the first week of school, Novelis was on hand for an assembly as they kicked off the "can challenge" for FPS students. The primary grades won a recycling lesson with pizza, ice cream and a drink. The third and fourth grades won an outside lesson focusing on the different stations of the recycling life of a can and the inner workings of the local Novelis plant.
Meanwhile, the fifth and sixth grade won a trip sponsored by Novelis to the Strong Museum in Rochester with specific lessons relating to match and science as well as the opportunity to explore the nationally regarded museum.
"We are so fortunate to be able to partner with Novelis and when the kids came in to see the extreme make over they were very excite," Simmons noted. "Novelis has provided us with additional resources that concentrate in our core areas and we appreciate all that they have done for us."
