New Chapter brings new adventures...........

Just last week I began a new chapter in my educator adventures, I transferred from Grasso Tech in Groton to Ellis Tech in Danielson! It is a bittersweet change for me. I remember walking into my classroom at Grasso for the first time. It was so horrid!!!  It had an accordion wall dividing my room from the other art teacher, a very tiny bathroom vanity type of sink, no white board, no blackboard, just a hobbled together flip chart pad. And to put the cherry on the top of the cake, the only supplies I had were a pair of scissors, a couple old wooden rulers and some copy paper! I am surprised I didn't run out of the building screaming!

Don't let my opening fool you, I loved my classroom and my students!! My time at Grasso helped shape the type of teacher I am today! I learned the importance of connecting with my students, which enabled me to design lessons around their interests, and offer them a place where they felt comfortable trying new things. To some walking by my room, a place of organized chaos, they might not have understood what was happening in 411. But my students did.

Over my years there, I got a real wall, new to me tables, a Smartboard, additional cabinets and a larger sink! It took me awhile, but finally built up a nice collection of art supplies, on top of the consumables like paper and paint. My students and I repurposed old bulletin boards and created paintings on them which hang all over the school; and lets not forget the murals in the shop wing! We took field trips to The Met in NYC, The Wadsworth in Hartford, Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, and Washington, D.C.!

But there comes a time in every great adventure, when it is time to move on to the next challenge. That time for me is now. I want to thank my students and colleagues at Grasso Tech. You will be missed, but you have left an indelible mark on my heart.

Support the Grasso Tech Rifle Team

Thank you for the support of the Young Artists' Society and the PFO with your purchase of Yankee Candles! This fundraiser enables students who wish to attend the Washington DC field trip the opportunity to earn money to help defray the cost.

Won't you consider supporting the Grasso Tech Rifle Team in their Citrus Fundraiser! This fundraiser helps the Rifle Team has to purchase needed supplies and equipment.

Why I love working at a Technical High School...... The Trades!

Young Artists Society and PFO Fundraiser....

Last chance to support the Grasso Parent Faculty Organization’s Yankee Candle fundraiser.   

Please consider taking a few minutes to look on-line at www.yandleecandlefundraising.com and enter group number 990026545 in the ‘Start Shopping’ box.    –

Yankee Candles make great holiday gifts while supporting Grasso students and programs where needed.  It’s a win-win.

Elements of Art class............

I employ many different avenues to relay information about content specific vocabulary, concepts, and ideas. Along with studying various artists and art movements. One of these ways in by using
the textbook, Art Talk. There is only one classroom set of two for use by both Art teachers.

To facilitate the ease of use, and availability, there is a access code for the online edition...

http://www.glencoe.com/ose/

use this code:  A62025EE04

New Art Contests ....

Everyone!
I am not promoting any one contest over the other...just putting information out there in hopes it will pique someone's interest.

Parent's Night!!

Thursday from 5-7

Skills USA Celebrates 50 years!!

Skills USA- Champions at Work......

One of the benefits for me in teaching Art at a Technical High School is the interaction I have with the students and our Trade Instructors! 

In fact it is due to our diverse trade offerings that our Art Department here at Grasso Tech
has added new and varied art classes to our course menu. It was a couple of Plumbing students that really excelled at visualizing and creating 3-Dimensional art projects in my Elements of Art class, that prompted me to approach our Administrative Team at the time to pitch a 3-D Design class.
 It was a Culinary Arts student with a keen interest in video production and a plug and play video camera that set the wheels in motion for me to once again ask to add a class, this time Digital Photography, which has become one of the most popular courses that we now offer.

While our students primary goal for attending our school is to become qualified in one of our trade offerings. They have the opportunity to showcase their skills via the Skills USA program.

What is Skills USA? 

According to their website: 

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.We provide educational programs, events, and competitions that support career and technical education (CTE) in the nation’s classrooms.

If you ever watched  Mike Rowe's " Dirty Jobs Show", 

Please click on the link below to watch a video of him discussing Skills USA. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yihG89SB00g

If you have any questions or want to know more about Skills USA at Grasso Tech,
please contact the Skills USA Advisor:
 Mrs. Jameson at 

sandi.jameson@ct.gov 

The Art of Conservation Art Contest!

Entry forms are available outside my room on my bulletin board. 

Would love to see some our student work represented in this show/contest!! 

Two Art Contests available to students! What a great way to start the new school year!!

Connecticut Young Worker 

Health & Safety Team 

Contest

Entry forms are available outside my classroom on my bulletin board, 

or see me directly!

It would be great to have some student entries!! 

Back to school!!!

Wow!! Where did the summer go??

I sure enjoyed most of mine and hope you did too! While you are out doing your back to school shopping, if you have an art class this year you are going to need a few supplies.

A sketchbook~ take advantage of back to school sales and coupons in the Sunday paper and go out and buy your sketchbook now! I recommend 9 x 12 or 8x10 sized. Spiral bound. Hard cover is great but not necessary. Job Lot has them for under $10 dollars. Michael's and AC Moore have them also but the cost does go up quite a bit.

Pencils~ you are going to need pencils, lots of pencils. You don't have to buy the fancy drawing pencils. Plain No 2 will work. The best drawing pencils that I can recommend you get are Dixon Ticonderoga, yellow No 2 pencils.

Black Markers/Gel Pens~ They don't have to be Sharpies. I personally like Pentel EnerGel black pens. The gel ink dries quickly, you can buy refills. I just picked up some Black Liquid Gel Pens at Dollar General and they seem to be ok. Gel ink is the way to go over Sharpie.


You will not need a binder, as your sketchbook is where you will take notes, etc. You will need a gmail and/or email account as I will be using Google Drive and Google + for sharing class assignments and project information.


Enjoy your last few days off!!  See you soon!!!

Last Book Discussion of the year!

How can it possibly be so late in the school year already! Summer vacation will be upon us before we know it.

I wanted to let everyone know that the book chosen for the last discussion group of the year is, " The Fault In Our Stars", by John Green.

Like most of you now carrying it around school or home, I learned about it via a movie clip on YouTube and from other students. It will be out in the theaters as a movie probably before we meet. Don't let that deter you, keep reading! I am on page 91 now, and stay tuned for the announcements and fliers for the book club date. Snacks provided!!

Seen you soon!!


PS....I couldn't put it down! Just finished it...only 313 pages!  If you want to borrow my copy..stop in my room and ask. I'd be happy to lend it to you.

Grasso Tech 21st Century Techno Camp Now taking applications!!!

ACE Art program students participate in the 2014 Vans Custom Culture Shoe Design

 

 

Annual CTHSS Art Program show

Updated information~ Grasso Technology Fair May 17th

Now accepting applications!!

 

 

Although our primary mission is to educate students in a chosen trade focus, we offer so many to choose from, students that attend our school have opportunites to challenge themselves in the Fine Arts! Either Art or Music, and we have National Honor Societies for both disciplines!

 

Not only do we offer a diverse selection of art classes from drawing, painting, digital photography and more, we are the ONLY technical highschool in New Englad who happens to have a 9 credit articulation agreement with the Art Institute of New England.

 

Ella T Grasso Southeastern Technical High School...

is your education connection!!

Grasso Tech Music Department Info!!

Grasso Technolgoy Fair~ May 17th!

February Book Club

I want to take a minute and thank everyone that came to the February Book discussion, of The House of Hades by Rick Riordan.


Your enthusiasm for this book, the series and his books as a whole made me so happy. We had tasty snacks, you were boisterous and psyched up about reading!


Although I am not going to post a picture here of our group. Not that I don't want to share with everyone, I do. I really do. I'll leave that up to Mrs. Simmons and our school newspaper reporters.


I want to once again thank Carpentry Junior, Franky Rivera, for introducing me to the book and encouraging me to read it. I am so glad I did!!!




What shall we read for next month??

Drawing II Shop Cycle Homework Due: March 17th

Drawing II – Shop Cycle Homework                            Due: March 17^th   5^th Period

You need to find one art related news article, from a Newspaper, Art Journal or other magazine. It can be from the Media Center and/or the internet. The article needs to be printed out and submitted with a one page summary of the article. Your one page summary needs to be typed, double spaced and done in 12 pt type.

You can submit your assignment via email: paula.roswell@ct.gov or hand it in at the beginning of class. If you are absent on March 17^th, you need to make arrangements to get your assignment in.

Congratulations goes to Mr. Jack Cervera, Dean of Students!!

Our very own Dean of Students, Mr. Jack Cervera was recently presented with the Paul Harris Fellow  award. According to details in an article found on the Groton Patch, the award is named for Rotary International’s founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

The Groton Rotary Club is a community organization dedicated to the theme, “Service Above Self”, and welcomes new members. Persons, who are interested in joining the club, should visit the club’s web site at grotonrotary.org or contact a local Rotarian. You may also contact Club President John Scott by e-mailing him at john27@me.com.


http://www.grotonbiz.com/news/2749-3

The Monuments Men Movie

I finally got the opportunity to go see, The Monuments Men Movie! It was really terrific! I am still offering the opportunity for any of my students that go to see it the chance to earn an extra credit grade! Just bring me your ticket stubb.

Although the movie only shows a small group of soldiers, there were actually several hundred involved all over Europe. What I liked most about the movie is the message that it sends. Art is more than just a painting, a sculpture or "thing". Art tells our story as human beings. Our history, our culture and our beliefs. Great Art, that's with a capital, "A", doesn't just belong to one person, country or continent. It belongs to the world.

Go see the movie!

Parent/Guardian Invitation to Coffee and...with our Administrative Team.

 

Please take the time to stop in! 

Art Students "Art-a-cise" Chairs for Groton Senior Center Auction

I want to send a special thank you to all of my art students that participated in the Groton Senior Center Chair Auction projects! All your work in sanding, priming, painting and bedazzling the chairs and table makes me very proud!

 

I think they came out fabulous!!

Students involved:
Ryan Fletcher, Nydianna Torres, Hannah Gonzales, Amanda Lowe, Kierra Sebastian, Magda Martinez-Rivera, Rene Morgillo, Aryel Brosnan, Ambar Rivera, Kurtis Wolfe, Jacob Bergeson, Patrick Boughton, Cody McPartland, Eleni Miner, Elijah Pysyk, Brook Ivory, Hassan George, Anthony Soto, Ofelia Guardado, Ron Collins and Anthony Rivera.


If I neglected you in the roll call of students, please forgive me. And let me know so I can add you.
For more information about the Auction please visit the Groton Parks and Rec Department Website.

http://www.groton-ct.gov/depts/parksrec/auction.asp

Snow Day!

Happy snow day Monday everyone! Be safe out there!
Staying in..not sure what to do??

With the upcoming cycle change, Seniors and Freshman back to Academics and the Sophomores and Juniors to shop, today's snow day gives you a chance to catch up on your homework!

Digital Photography ~
It is my hope to get into the Media Center to finish up any last minute research you need to complete your Biography assignment. I would like to be able to finish that aspect up this cycle so that we may move on to completing the photograph in the style of the person you chose for your research. We will discuss this further in class.

2D Design ~
As last cycle we worked thematically, this cycle we will be doing a media based assignment venturing into Printmaking with a 4 color reduction print and a collagraph.

3D Design ~
Thanks to all your hard work, the Groton Senior Center Chair projects have been safely delivered back to them! Now you can devote class time to working on your Joseph Cornell inspired Memory Boxes.

Drawing II~
We're going to be venturing into the realm of Figure Drawing using class members as models. We are also going to be looking at the artwork of Edgar Degas. If you didn't finish your portrait yet, you can have until the end of this next cycle to work on it, although you will have to come during access as I will not be devoting any scheduled class time.

Have a great day everyone and remember..  go make art!! And of course, bring your sketchbooks to class!!

Class Mural Food Drive Competition....

Restock the Locker

Food Drive

 

 January 27th- February 7th

Collection: Every morning at the top of the stairs near Main Office

Winning grade will receive a mural representing

your graduating class

Can the underclassmen beat the Seniors?

Can Grasso defend its title – or will Norwich, Ellis, or Windham win

Tech School Competition

All points earned by weight

One pound (16 oz.) of food = 1 point

Double points for tuna, peanut butter,

and gift cards to food stores

(No ramen noodles or water!)

 

All food will be donated to

the Gemma Moran/United Way Food Center in New London

and the Groton Food Locker

Extra Credit Opportunity

History, Art, Movies!!  Who could ask for more! 

Opening February 7th the movie, 

The Monuments Men!!

http://www.monumentsmenmovie.com

The Monuments Men is based on the true story of a group of brave men and women who hunted down and rescued millions of cultural treasures stolen by the Nazis at the close of World War II.


To all my students, I will offer you the opportunity to earn extra credit and/or a Free Sketchbook grade by going to see this movie and bringing in your movie ticket stubb!

Elements of Art Class Biographical Research Project

Students~

To make your life easier and ensure that your Biographical Research Projects are properly cited, use the below listed website. It will take those long URL's and make them very short!

http://tinyurl.com/

Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge

According to the Toyota Teen Driver Website:

The first year after a teen gets their license will be one of the most dangerous years of their life. (Source: National Safety Council) We believe that you have the power to inspire others and make a difference.

If your friends were going to watch ONE video that made them think twice about making bad decisions behind the wheel, what would that video be? This is what we’re asking YOU to create


http://www.toyotateendriver.com/teens/video-challenge


Check out the Prizes!

• 1st Place: $15,000 and the chance to work with a Discovery film crew to reshoot your video into a TV-ready PSA!
• 2nd Place: $10,000 and a behind-the-scenes trip for two to a Discovery Channel Velocity show!
• 3rd Place: $7,500

Parents~ want to find out more info: http://www.toyotateendriver.com/parents

Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter??

Wow! Thanks to an early dismissal and a snow day, I just finished book four, The House of Hades,  in The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan.


Although this was my first book in the series, my response as I turned the last page was........ "ACK!!  but..but..but..what happened with..??"   No spoiler alert here folks!


I can't wait until the book discussion which will be on Friday February 28th, 7th period in my room, 411. I will try and save my questions about this book and the others for the discussion date. But not sure if I can wait?!?!


I know Franky has been reading it, as he was the first one to talk to me about it in Drawing I class. Has anyone else read it? Plan on reading it?? You can always borrow my copy! Just stop by and ask me. I will be glad to lend it out!


Happy Reading and remember to get your AR Quiz taken so you can register for the 2nd quarter raffle prizes. I know there are a bunch of great prizes, including one I added. An official Grasso Tech embroidered sweater from Stillman Uniforms. If you win and mention you read about it on here, I will also pay to have your name embroidered on it!


Enjoy your day.....think I will find another book to read!

Scholastic Student Art Contest

I have posted information on the bulletin board outside of my classroom about an upcoming Student Art Content. If you are interested please, stop in and see me and/or visit the following website.

 http://www.scholastic.com/mlkday

 



February Book Club

Hello everyone!


I am hosting February's book club. The book that I am reading to prepare for our book discussion is, The House of Hades by Rick Riordan.




I have seen a few of you walking around with the book, having yourselves read the others in the series, The Heroes of Olympus.  I just picked up my copy yesterday at Wal-Mart, and I am currently on page 117.




I think I might do a drawing of Passalos and Akmon based on the description of them I read in the book. Stop by to see how it is coming out!



I will be conferring with Ms. Stoltz to set up the specific date for our book discussion. Right now the tentative date is Feb 28th, 7th period in my room. That's a Friday and the first day back to Academics. Stay tuned or watch for signs and listen for the announcements! Hmmm what kind of snacks should we have????






Want to find out more about the author or the series....go to


http://www.rickriordan.com