Busy Time at Gilboa-Conesville Central School

GILBOA-CONESVILLE — There's no shortage of things going on at Gilboa-Conesville Central School.

Superintendent Bonnie Johnson reported that among many activities and initiatives in recent days and weeks was the UPK Class collecting pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.

Other activities, per the superintendent, were the first grade completing a project-based learning unit on dental hygiene. Students blended health education, science, math, ELA and communication skills as they collected dental hygiene products and distributed them to the entire school and local food pantries.

Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra came and brought rhythm and energy to the school on Friday, March 7. 

"Our students had an amazing time learning about the instruments, trying them out and even playing Latin music alongside the orchestra," Johnson wrote in an email to this newspaper. "From Salsa to Merengue, Cha-Cha and classics like 'La Bamba,' the performance was a hit."

Little Cats Basketball, a competitive experience for elementary students grades 3-6 at GC, just finished its season. During the three-week program, players learned strategy and skills along with sportsmanship and teamwork while competing with their peers, according to Johnson.

She added that each player is guaranteed five games in which they play at least half of each game. "Our goal is to make each player's Little Cats experience a positive one," Johnson noted.

Briana Beaupre and Paige VanValkenburgh crafted a delicious meal for faculty and staff to enjoy on Superintendent's Conference Day on March 14. They are both seniors in the culinary program at the Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES,

Other activities, all reported by Johnson, were the Harlem Wizards coming to the school on March 17, with more than 200 students and community members enjoying a night of basketball and laughs.

The GC Food and Nutrition Class has been diving into the world of herbs and their amazing flavors. Students recently got creative by making their own focaccia bread art, using a variety of herbs and seasonings. Johnson said the best part was that fresh herbs came straight from Dr. VanLangen's hydroponic garden at the school.

A blood drive hosted by the National and Junior Honor Society was held on March 15.