Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten have been learning about Native Americans and The First Thanksgiving.  Their teacher, Lani Gepford, lets them pick Native American names that they use for the whole day.  The students also designed "buck-skin" pillow case robes and personalized drums.  

SA sponsored Blood drive at PTA this Wednesday, November 19th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, and blood only comes from donors like you! One donation can save the lives of up to three people. Be a part of changing lives this Wednesday by signing up for a appointment today: sign up online here.  Our sponsor number is 034016297 or you can use Freeport's zip (04032) to find our drive.

Helpful note: While the actual blood donation takes 10-12 minutes, your total time from arrival to exit is roughly 1 hour. Thank you for your generous, life-giving gift!

At Pine Tree Academy, we HAVE school on Veteran's Day.  We have found that students learn so much more about this important day of remembrance by being in school.  Some of the activities to honor our military heroes included: recognition during an assembly for faculty members who have served, art projects, timelines and posters created, and story books read aloud.  Thank you Veteran's for your service!

Today, Monday November 10, 2014 German I students traced the tumultuous happenings twenty-five years ago when the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989.  This event marked the demise of the socialist German Democratic Republic, but it happened by a fluke.  A Politburo member mistakenly announced over the radio waves that effective immediately, East Germans would be allowed to pass unimpeded into West Berlin.  Thousands rushed to the streets and the cross-over points between the two Berlins.  

But the crowds were disappointed when border guards would not let them pass. When faced with a disenchanted crowd growing increasingly more restless, one border guard, Harald Jaeger, defied his superior’s orders and opened his gate.  As PTA German I students watched actual footage of this moment in history, they chanted with the East Germans “Tor auf! Tor auf! Tor auf!” (Open the gate! Open the gate! Open the gate!)  Later the night of November 9, 1989, all the gates were opened between East and West Berlin.  It’s estimated 20 thousand East Germans poured into West Berlin to celebrate their freedom.

PTA German students also viewed a video clip of actual remnants of the Wall now placed in cities in the four corners of the globe.  They came to realize that these remnants of the Berlin Wall powerfully express that peace can be achieved through peaceful means.  

Students in the academy packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  If you have any interest in donating to this charity, please contact Anne Goorhuis.