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News and Spotlights

Two students pose in front of a piece of art at the Duke Showcase
Students and a tour visitor work a science experiment involving a balloon and soda
A student performing during band class
Students performing during band class
Two students play a video game during esports class
The Duquesne City band performs during the duke showcase
A student looks at an iPad during class
A student paints graffiti
A student at the podium during a black history month assembly
Students play and build legos during the duke showcase
A student performs a science experiment during class
Two students bag snacks
A student at the podium during the black history month assembly
Students sit on chairs during the black history month assembly
A student at the podium during the black history month assembly
Students sit on chairs during the black history month assembly
Two students participate in an activity using a microphone for a RIASEC party
Students bow during the black history month assembly
A student rubs a sugar cube against sand paper for a science experiment
Three students huddled around an iPad
Two students play the drums during band class
The school band performing during the Duke Showcase
A student plays the flute during band class
Students play instruments during band class
Students play instruments during band class
Students play with a baby lamb
Students play with a baby lamb
The school band performs during the duke showcase
Students play with a baby lamb
Students play with a baby lamb
A 2nd grade student showcases her art project
Students play with a baby lamb
The school band performs during the duke showcase
Two student work together during a 2nd grade science experiment
Mrs. Stowell holds an iPad and works with a student during Lego League class
Two student work together during a 2nd grade science experiment
Students play with a baby lamb
A student at the podium during the black history month assembly
Students work together around a lego league table
Students play with a baby lamb
Students play with a baby lamb
A student at the podium during the black history month assembly
A student looks at a sugar cube during a science experiment
Students around a lego league table
Students play with a baby lamb
Two students perform a science experiment involving a balloon and soda
Students play with a baby lamb
A graffiti wall that says %22Once a Duke%22
A student at the podium during the black history month assembly
Students play video games during esports class
Students playing video games during an esports class
Student graffiti art on a graffiti wall
Mr. Love stands at the podium during a Black History Month assembly
Graffiti names painted on a graffiti wall
A close of up of the graffiti wall that says %22beautiful%22
Students playing with a baby lamb
A student looks at a sugar cube during a science experiment
Mrs. Stowell gestures towards students during lego league class
A close up of the graffiti wall that says %22believe in me%22
A girl paints on the graffiti wall
A girl paints on the graffiti wall
A students looks at a sugar cube during a science experiment
A student shows off a sugar cube in a jar during a science experiment
A student open a jar with a sugar cube during a science experiment
A close up of the graffiti wall that says %22Mar%22
A students paints on the graffiti wall
Students hold up a booklet during the Duke Showcase
A close up of a brick on the graffiti wall that says %22More beautiful than%22
A students plays with a lego robot during lego league class
A student paints on the graffiti wall
A student paints on the graffiti wall
A student paints on the graffiti wall
A close up of the graffiti wall detailing the artists' and class names
A close up of the graffiti wall that says %22Always a Duke
A student draws during class
A girls paints the graft wall
A lego league students moves a lego robot with a laptop in his hand
A lego league students moves a lego robot
A lego league students looks at a lego robot
A lego league student hold a lego robot, while another student and a visitor look on
Two students draw
Three students hold up lego league awards
A Remake Learning visitor points to something in a booklet, while two students look on
A student writes a name on a paper bag while a teacher looks on
A student stands at the podium during the Black History month assembly
A student draws
A student tends to some plants in a garden outside
A student stands at the podium during a Black History Month Assembly
A student shows off his solar initiative project
A student and a woman look at an iPad during duke showcase
The band plays during the Duke Showcase
Students and a teacher push around the SNACKS cart
A students sorts through snacks to put in bags for the SNACKS cart
Students push the SNACKS cart
A students shakes a jar with a sugar cube
A student opens a jar during a science experiment
A students poses in front of a green screen
Three students look at an iPad
A student poses with an Earth Day crown
A student poses in front of a green screen
Students write on sheets of paper
A student plays the bongo
A student stands at the podium during a Black History Month assembly
A students holds a sheet of fabric while another student cuts
Three students draw
Students jostle with sugar cubes during a science experiment
A student cuts fabric while another students looks on
Students pet a baby lamb
A student rubs a sugar cubs against sand paper
Students stand in front of a table during the Duke Showcase
Students shake jars with sugar cubes
Students write on sheets of paper
A student pours water into a vase
A student rubs a sugar cube against sand paper
A students pours dirt into a vase
A student pours water into a vase
Students draw while the AIU's Robert Scherrer looks on
Students put a lego robot on the ground
A student wears headphones and looks at an iPad during class
A student and a visitor play a video game during eSports class
Two students before a science experiment
Students hold up a balloon over a bottle of coke during a science experiment
A student shakes a jar with a sugar cube
A student rubs his hands and poses in front of a green screen
Students write on pieces of paper
A students moves a lego robot while others look on
Students pose for a picture
Duke Decoders earn award from Pennsylvania Lego League championships

On February 15, our Lego League team, the Duke Decoders, competed in the Pennsylvania Lego League championships in Palmyra, PA. While the Decoders did not advance to the national competition, they did take home the Motivate Award, given to a team that embraces the true culture of Lego League through team building, team spirit, and enthusiasm.

Given the familial, close-knit, and positive culture of the team, it's no surprise that the Decoders took home that award.

“We drove there in the school van. Our kids were talking about what they wanted to do during their presentations, and they decided that they were going to do a chant. They were able to do that chant for the judges, which showed their teamwork and enthusiasm," said Michelle Stowell, one of the Decoders coaches.

"We were shocked to make it to states initially. But because our team is such a big family and we were able to display core values, that helped us advance." 

After plenty of hard work preparing for the competition, the Decoders exhibited significant improvement in their gameplay.

“During our first run we scored 305 points, which was a huge increase from our regional competition, when we scored 175 points," said Stowell. "The fact that we were able to almost double our points in two months with a brand new robot was pretty remarkable.”

As the district continues to build up its Lego League program, Stowell anticipates future growth. Seeing the culture the team has built — and what they've been able to achieve — should only serve as motivation for younger students.

“Especially with the sendoff assembly, I think the younger kids were intrigued seeing the older kids go on a trip," said Stowell. "I anticipate more kids being interested in getting involved with the program.” 

 

A teacher works with a student.
Photo Gallery: Valentine's Day RIASEC party

To celebrate Valentine's Day, 4th grade students held a RIASEC party (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional). Students rotated between six stations geared towards each letter of RIASEC.

Activities included building heart towers, a heart puzzle, creating a valentine's flip book, writing letters of appreciation, conversation hearts (making hearts with conversation starters), and matching equivalent fractions/making words with the letters in Valentine's Day.

Students dance
Photo Gallery: Attack Theatre works with Kindergarten students

On February 10, our friends at Attack Theatre visited to work with two of our kindergarten classes. Attack Theatre has a years-long relationship with the district, sending instructors to the school to work with our students to blend movement and dance with learning. Our students love it!

This school year, Attack Theatre has been working with our K-3 students for up to four Mondays a month, starting on January 13.