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Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris perform as part of the Woodland Hills Interaction Series
Creative duo behind "The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza" visits as part of Woodland Hills Interaction Series
Andrew Chiappazzi

The Woodland Hills Interaction Series welcomed Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris to the high school library on Thursday. The duo are the creative team behind the graphic novel "The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza" and the recently released sequel "The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom."

The Woodland Hills Interaction Series welcomed Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris to the high school library on Thursday. The duo are the creative team behind the graphic novel "The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza" and the recently released sequel "The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom."
 
Friends since elementary school, Barnett and Harris are New York Times bestselling authors and their chemistry was on display for an audience of high school students as well as students from Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy. Barnett, a two-time recipient of the Caldecott Medal, has written dozens of books for children. Harris, also a Caldecott Medal winner, is an author and illustrator for a wide range of youth literature.
 
 
The two read - really, performed - selections from the two graphic novels and answered questions from the students about their creative process.
 
Students in attendance received their own copy of "The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza" to take home.
 
Shawn Harris and Mac Barnett speak with Woodland Hills students
The First Cat in Space authors speak during the Interaction Series event
 
 
 
Woodland Hills wreath logo
Congrats to the high school students of the month
Woodland Hills School District

Congratulations to senior Bree Boyd and junior Olivia Hutcherson for being named the high school students of the month. The rising stars of the month will be unveiled at a later date.

The image celebrating Bree Boyd as October student of the month
A graphic celebrating Olivia Hutcherson as student of the month

 

Students and parents gather around a table with a robotics demonstration on it
Woodland Hills host K-8 VEX STEAM Night
Andrew Chiappazzi

We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the VEX Robotics kits and how Woodland Hills students are using them at different grade levels during our K-8 VEX STEAM Night at Dickson.

Wow, what a turnout and fantastic time at our K-8 VEX STEAM Night at Dickson!

We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the VEX Robotics kits and how Woodland Hills students are using them at different grade levels. The VEX Robotics program has been an exciting addition to the curriculum in the district and the enthusiasm shown by the kids tonight was a joy to see.

Visitors had a chance to explore the different kits the district uses, from the VEX 1-2-3 bots for our early elementary students to the VEX Go kits that bring a bit more complexity to our third, fourth and fifth graders. We also had the VEX IQ bots and mats that our middle school students have access to, as well as a demonstration of the advanced bots our high schoolers use.

Each kit had Woodland Hills teachers running the stations.

The highlight of the night was clearly the tug-of-war between robots. It was a tight squeeze around that table to see how it played out!

Families also had an opportunity to learn more about the VEX lending library, take home free STEM-related books, and students participated in a raffle for some goodies.

Thanks to all of the staff who put this night together and thanks to everyone who came out!

Young children manipulate small wheeled robots on a platform
Students make adjustments to a wheeled robot on a table

Woodland Hills student Andre Smith plays the piano in an auditorium
Newest members inducted into National Honor Society
Andrew Chiappazzi

Thursday evening, 32 new members were inducted into the Woodland Hills High School National Honor Society, joining the 20 returning members.

Congratulations to the latest inductees into the Woodland Hills High School National Honor Society! Thursday evening, 32 new members were inducted into the NHS, joining the 20 returning members.
 
Following remarks by co-principal Mrs. Shelly Manns, superintendent Dr. Daniel Castagna, and keynote teacher speaker Mr. Robert Naill, NHS officers Zoe Painter, Gretchen Van Deusen, Zoe Spear and Nathan Scott introduced the four pillars of the NHS. The four pillars are character, scholarship, leadership and service.
 
As each new inductee was introduced, they came on stage and shared which pillar they had chosen and why. Each member then lit a candle.
 
The returning members were also recognized. They took a moment to share some favorite memories at Woodland Hills as well as their plans for the future.
 
The evening also featured a piano performance by NHS inductee Andre Smith II. The Woodland Hills High School National Honor Society chapter advisor is Mrs. Jodi Blasi.
 

People sit at tables eating food in the Rankin Community Center gym
Family Dinner Night at Rankin Community Center
Andrew Chiappazzi

The new Rankin Community Center partnered with the neighboring Rankin Christian Center to host its first major event on Thursday, November 16. The two groups co-hosted a Family Dinner Night, complete with music, games and activities. Kellington Protection Services donated 50 turkeys to local residents as part of the event.

The new Rankin Community Center partnered with the neighboring Rankin Christian Center to host its first major event on Thursday, November 16. The two groups co-hosted a Family Dinner Night, complete with music, games and activities.
 
Kellington Protection Services which donated 50 turkeys and fixings for people to take home. CEO Aaron Kellington purchased the turkeys through the Braddock Hills Giant Eagle, which in turn donated gift cards that were included in boxes packed with vegetables, macaroni, stuffing, gravy mix, muffin mix, cranberry sauce, and more. Members of the Kellington team donated the non-perishable items. Each box also included a fall decoration. The turkey donation came together in just about a week thanks to the hard work of Joshua McDowell of Kellington and Sarah McDowell-King, as well as the help of the entire Kellington team.
 
Twenty-five of the turkeys and boxes were raffled off Thursday night at the dinner. Another 25 will be delivered to community members who could not make it to the dinner.
 
Thank you to everyone who helped put this event together!
 
Josh McDowell of Kellington Protection hands out a donated turkey and fixings in a box
A family of four poses for a photo in the Rankin Community Center
Glenn Ford, Dr. Daniel Castagna, Carlton Scott and members of Kellington Protection pose