Author: MARY ROTI

Middle school students in Mrs. Grasso’s Graphic Arts class recently finished a unit on Typography – which is an essential component in Graphic Design. Students learned about the different font categories including serif, sans serif, script, and display. Using that knowledge, along with the Principles of Design, students created beautiful mini typographic posters for Black History Month utilizing industry-standard design software, Adobe Illustrator.

Ms. Denman’s fourth-grade students at CAST put the “E” in STEAM! They used engineering to build a cofferdam. Students are learning about Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. They are learning about the Key West Extension, an overseas railroad and how it was built.  

Mrs. Albers’ sixth-grade classes explored force and motion using zSpace technology in our CAST Science Lab. They observed how friction, mass, and the amount of force affected the distance a block would travel. zSpace technology encourages and inspires students to interact with the curriculum and to experiment through augmented and virtual reality!  

The Instrumental department at CAST put on a Modern Band Holiday Rock Concert last December. The performance featured students from grades fifth through eighth, showcasing the following: Keyboard Ensemble, Pre-Band Nuvo Ensemble, Ukulele Ensemble, keyboard solos/duets, and various CAST Rock Bands. The music performed ranged from the holiday classics to current pop-rock. The CAST instrumental program will continue to perform with these types of ensembles. Rock on, performers!

The CAST Dance Team performed on Dec. 18th, 2021 at Disney Springs. They performed eight dances, including Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop styles. They were able to enjoy the rest of the day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It was a once-in-a-lifetime performing opportunity and team bonding experience!  

We are excited to celebrate the success of our CAST Music students! 3rd through 5th-grade music students and 6th-grade percussionists had an outstanding winter performance. Students performed using Orff xylophones, steel drums, Brazilian Samba drums, ukuleles, and more! Congratulations performers!  

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union brought, “The Gift of Reading” to our Kindergarten classes. Mr. Slason read, Picture Book by Dog to our students and gave them each a book to take home. We are so grateful and can’t wait for them to visit again!

The CAST Middle School Dance Team, under the direction of Mrs. Megan Murphy, auditioned and were accepted to perform at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida. They will be performing Saturday, December 18th at 12:45pm on the Waterside Stage in Disney Springs! Get ready, the CAST Dance Team is Disney bound and ready to dazzle the stage!  

Last week the CAST Band Program, under the direction of Mr. Sandon Chevlin, presented their end-of-semester concert. The concert included four selections performed by the Sixth Grade Beginning Band, three selections performed by the Seventh/Eighth Grade Concert Band, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” performed by the Wind Ensemble, and an arrangement of a theme from the Nutcracker performed by an advanced clarinet quintet made of students and the director. For half of the students in the concert, it was their first band concert ever. What an exciting and incredible experience!

Third and Fourth-grade CAST artists created Florida State Symbol Clay Tiles as a “practice run” for a larger tile mosaic that will be displayed permanently in the school’s administration building. Students focused on the Visual Art Standard VA.3-4.F.3.3: Demonstrate the skills needed to complete artwork in a timely manner, demonstrate perseverance, and development of 21st-century skills.

We are honored to acknowledge and celebrate our Employees of the Year. Your dedication, passion, and expertise are truly inspirational! Congratulations to our Stars at CAST! Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Lillian Athill Distinguished Minority Educator: Ms. Melissa Phillips-Hill Outstanding First Year Teacher: Ms. Dalia Munoz School Related Employee of the Year: Mrs. Deborah St. Jacques

Talented dancers in Mrs. Murphy’s and Mrs. Curtis’ dance classes just finished their fall performances. Our outstanding dancers shined on stage as they performed Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and African-style dance routines.

Fifth Grade students in Ms. Broderick’s class explored various applications through Zspace in our Science Lab. They raised questions, analyzed, and deepened their knowledge about the solar system and the sun! Zspace technology encourages and inspires students to interact with the curriculum and to experiment through augmented and virtual reality.  

The PBIS Committee hosted a fabulous Fall Festival for students across campus. Students enjoyed games, crafts, delicious snacks, and a chance to spin the Wheel of Fortune!

Fourth Grade students in Ms. Denman’s class have been learning that writers can tell the same story in more than one genre, such as a drama, novel, or short story. As an extension of this unit, students were tasked with comparing and contrasting characters’ words and actions in one of their favorite stories to the movie version. Students had a great time digging deeper into character analysis, not only across writing genres, but also in the film genre!

Fifth Grade artists in Ms. Swabon’s Visual Arts class used the structural elements of art and the organizational principles of design to create their textile jewelry. They chose a color scheme and selected coordinating fiber loops, wire, and beads to complete their work of art. In addition, they studied and created their own weavings. Weaving is acknowledged as one of the oldest surviving crafts in the world. The tradition can be traced back to Neolithic times, while fiber twisting, the raw material needed for weaving to develop, further dates back to between 20,000 and 30,000 years ago.

In support of World Bullying Prevention Month, CAST students across campus wore blue to stand together against bullying!

Ms. Edwards’ Eighth Grade U.S. History class celebrated Freedom Week! Students learned about the purpose of the Declaration of Independence and why it was important. In addition, students analyzed the preamble to the Declaration of Independence and discussed how it still applies to us in everyday life. They ended the week with creating “resumes” for different signers of the Declaration of Independence. They had an awesome time!

Third Grade students at CAST learned how animals adapt to their environments to survive. After researching many different types of adaptations, they completed a science task card activity. Students then created their own animals to blend in with their classroom environment using camouflage.

Creative Arts Academy students used their CAST cash to participate in their first PBIS event. Students enjoyed outdoor games, popcorn, and spinning the Wheel of Fortune for prizes!