Happy New Year to all of the members of the Odyssey family. It has been quite busy both leading up to and since the holiday break, so we thought we should update you about the happenings around the team. We will try to do this on a monthly basis through the rest of the year. Consult our web site to see "back issues" if necessary.

We are excited to announce that our web site is "up." You can see it at:

If you have an opportunity please visit it, read a story and send the author a constructive comment at Mr. Wight’s email address. Thanks to Brittany Patton, Matt Moore, Andrew Kaufman, Alex Gadway and Jacob Bouvier for their help. Also, thanks to Ms. Harrington, Ms. Crews and Ms. Nadworney for their aid in proofreading. We should mention that Barb Gill was a huge help in pulling it together. Our web site is a constant work in progress, so check in from time to time.

In math students have finished up studying data analysis and statistics. The unit teaches students to recognize the value of data in the real world and how to become critical thinkers in analyzing data. Students are now learning properties of triangles and quadrilaterals. They are producing a booklet on geometry and the terminology of shapes and designs.

In science students are following up their habitat studies by researching a Vermont mammal. Their final project will be a web page that will be accessible through our team web site.

In social studies we have been investigating ancient cultures since right before the holidays. We are just finishing up with ancient Egypt by investigating pyramids and mummification. At the end of the month students will start an independent project on an aspect ancient culture. They will write a "Writing to Inform" piece in Language Arts in conjunction with this research.

In language Arts we have been writing poetry. Students have learned about poetic forms and devices including figurative language. We will begin the piece mentioned above the week of January 20^th.

February 1^st- Second marking period report cards are sent home. Although the school does not schedule conferences, one of us can meet with you after report cards come home. If you feel a conference would be beneficial for your child, contact us and we can set up a time.

February 20^st - We will be holding an ancient cultures fair in the library. Students will display projects and share information on their independent study projects.

February 22^nd – The team will be going to the Audubon Center in Huntington to study winter habitat. We’re hoping to make it a snowshoeing trek as well if we can find 51 pairs of snowshoes.

Post Winter Break- We will be performing a play in language arts, an edited version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. This fits in with our study of Rome and the Middle Ages/Renaissance period. If you have knowledge of theater and free time in the mornings from early March to mid April, contact Mr. Wight. We could use help with costuming and props as well as performance.

Montreal- We are starting to make plans for a trip to Montreal in late May/ early June. This trip will be subsidized by our magazine drive proceeds. More information in late April.

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