Centennial K-8 School

This year our GT program has been involved in the study unit named �The Science of Flight�. Our GT students have learned a lot of fascinating facts about different types of airplanes, including the physical principals of flight, stages of flight, parts of an airplane and control surfaces, important milestones in the history of aviation, etc. 

We have together made models of the Spirit of Saint Louis and the X-15, two different looking airplanes that marked important milestones in the history of aviation. 

We have welcomed several special guests, professional pilots, who offered us authentic looks at their experiences, at the airline industry, and job opportunities within it.

Our students visited the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum where they saw a lot of interesting airplanes and practiced their piloting skills on the Wright Flyer and a Cessna flight simulator.

The grand finale came at the end of March.  Thirty-five of our students participated in the Young Eagles Program.  The students visited the Front Range Airport and took flights on small private airplanes along with trained instructors.  For some children it was the first flight ever. For all, it was the first time to hold the control stick and take over the control of the airplane for a few minutes.  By participating in the program, all students became officially Young Eagles.






The pictures and student recollections offer mere glimpses of our exciting journey through the world of aviation. It was a fun and unforgettable adventure and what are we going to do with all the new knowledge that we acquired about airplanes? Who knows? In a few years some of us may greet you upon entering a Boeing 747 or wave at you from the cockpit of a supersonic fighter jet. 


In any case, SEE YOU IN THE BRIGHT BLUE SKY!

Mr. Kerin's third graders have linked up with 13 soldiers of the U.S. Army.  These men make up the 4th Platoon, Charlie Company, 23rd Infantry, which is based out of Alaska.  They are currently serving in Mosul, Iraq. The first sergeant, Jason Wozniak, attended Denver Public Schools and graduated from Kennedy High School.

The students wrote letters to the platoon and attached pictures of themselves holding the class mascot, Ted E. Bear.  "Teddy" is a 24-inch tall stuffed bear wearing his  regulation U.S. Army uniform complete with an army beret and parachute pack. Teddy was a visual reminder to the children of our military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  But the class decided Teddy had a higher calling.


Ted E. shipped out, with the student letters and a giant Valentine's Day card, on Feb. 8th bound for Iraq.  Students hope Teddy will be a symbol to the soldiers that there are kids in Denver who appreciate what the soldiers are doing for our country.

In addition, the class collected sixteen boxes of goodies that were sent to the 4th Platoon in Mosul.