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The fifth graders in Mrs. McCandless’ science classes at Berkshire Middle School were tasked with designing and constructing gravity-powered, family-friendly test vehicles that were capable of traveling in a straight line for a distance of six meters using only the K’NEX Education materials provided. After testing the initial designs, students were permitted to make modifications and then were required to choose which of their designs they would present to the “Gravity Automobile Company Inc.” represented by Mr. Andrew Pleso from Junction Auto Sales Inc. in Chardon.

The fifth graders are very grateful for Mr. Pleso who judged their vehicles and answered many questions from the students regarding his line of work and vehicles in general. Congratulations to our fifth graders in Mrs. McCandless’ science classes for demonstrating creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills in the classroom. A special thank you to Mr. Andrew Pleso from Junction Auto Sales Inc. for meeting with and supporting our students in their project-based learning experience.

Berkshire School Resource Officers and Geauga County Sheriff Deputies Joe Ray and Josh Mikolajski visited with Mr. Higgs’ U.S. Government classes recently. The deputies’ primary focus was to educate students on the procedures that take place during traffic stops. During the discussion, students learned how to conduct themselves during a traffic stop to maximize officer and citizen safety. The deputies advised students of where and how to keep their hands in sight and encouraged all to put their car windows down at night if the windows are tinted.

After conducting a mock traffic stop, deputies fielded questions from each class. Students asked questions about a litany of topics and Deputies Ray and Mikolajski shared some stories from their experiences outside of the district. Students found answers to questions about the 4th Amendment and the differences between probable cause and reasonable suspicion. The Government classes also asked questions about window tinting, speeding infractions, and general questions about the role of the police.

On behalf of all the U.S. Government course students, thank you to Geauga County Sherrif Deputies Joe Ray and Josh Mikolajski for taking the opportunity to educate our students in these key areas. We hope this serves as the first of many presentations brought directly to students by the deputies.