Nattie Martin, a Calhoun High School sophomore, and Chatterton alum, spoke with fourth graders at Chatterton on April 19.

Martin shard her experiences with neurodiversity. She regularly addresses groups, spreading education, as well as messages of kindness and understanding.

“Education is often done by neurotypicals or by parents of neurodivergent kids, and I feel like we should give neurodivergent people a voice because they deserve to be heard,” Martin explains in her speeches.

Photo captions:
Nattie Martin, a Sanford H. Calhoun High School sophomore, and Chatterton alum, spoke with fourth graders at Chatterton on April 19.

Date Added: 4/19/2024

Chatterton School students in Merrick experienced the SkyDome Planetarium ahead of the solar eclipse on April 8.

Students entered a sky-filled inflatable dome, brought to the building by Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. A navigator guided students and teachers with a projector and laser pointer as they “walked through the stars” of the Northern Hemisphere. Each visit was adjusted to grade-level appropriate lessons.

Students learned how to identify every planet in the solar system in dramatic "flights" toward each world. They were also introduced to Greek mythological characters and see how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars.

Students witnessed the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives. This experience was presented by the Chatterton PTA’s cultural arts committee.

Kindergarten teacher Melissa O’Donnell said the experience “brought the solar system to life and piqued their interest in space and the solar eclipse.”

“The students were super excited about seeing the Earth and other planets,” added O’Donnell. “They liked seeing Pluto and how dark it was. Now they want to expand their planetarium experience and head to the Vanderbilt Planetarium.”

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Date Added: 4/9/2024

Chatterton second graders Emma, Nora, Grayson, Emilia, and Calum wrote a get-well letter to Bender, a sea turtle who lives at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL. Chatterton adopted a sea turtle earlier this year and they have been receiving monthly updates about some of the turtles. In Library class, Mrs. Widawsky is reading nonfiction sea turtle books to the children. Most recently they read about Yoshi and her remarkable journey.

Date Added: 4/4/2024

Chatterton School is hosting various March Madness activities school wide for the month aimed at promoting healthy minds and bodies.

“These activities focus on being active and healthy, taking care of your mental health, encouraging teamwork, finding joy in academics and having a positive attitude,” Principal Dana Bermas noted.

During MindfulMondays, students participate in a mediation activity over the morning announcements and take a “Mindful Minute” throughout the day.

During lunch time one day, students were encouraged to “mix it up,” providing opportunities for children to speak to peers that they typically may not speak to.

Organized by Marisa Taddeo, the school social worker, children were asked to sitat various tables throughout the all purpose room by the letter of their first name.There were conversation prompts to help students learn more about new friends.

Every Wednesday is Work Out Wednesday,where school administrators and staff will be promoting fitness and good health with active wear dress up days. Morning workouts are led over the loudspeaker, getting students up from their desks and moving.

“Students and staff are encouraged participate in various exercises each morning as a school community,” Bermas said.

They’re also holding a school-wide Party Animals Bracket, where students and staff are voting for the championship staff pet, which will be announced on March 22.

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Date Added: 3/12/2024