erald Union H Vol. XIX, No. 9
Wiesbaden: Our home in Germany
www.herald-union.com
Teacher to use grant funds to help build math concepts
Health Clinic, students go red for women
By Emily Jennings
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs
Megan Stefancin, a nurse volunteering with the Red Cross, shows Wiesbaden High School student Tyra Wilson how to do a blood pressure check on a Soldier Feb. 3 at the Hainerberg Main Exchange. Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic nurse Doreen Caton and WHS student Yvanna Valcin (far right) observe. Story and photo by Emily Jennings U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs
Wiesbaden High School students joined the Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic in offering blood pressure screenings as part of Go Red for Women Day, sponsored by the American Heart Association. Maj. Rosemary Wosky, U.S. Army Public Health Nurse, stressed the importance
Feb. 16, 2017
of information and education in making healthy lifestyle decisions. People may not want to know what their blood pressure is, but knowing what is going on inside is a first step in making better choices, she said. Undra Marbury-Robinson escorted the students to the event to support volunteering. This is her second year supporting heart health awareness by bringing students out to volunteer. “It’s about learning about how to give back to the community,” she said.
Students at Aukamm Elementary are getting hands-on experience in mathematical concepts that will lay the foundation for their future math learning, thanks to an enterprising teacher and a little bit of extra money. Aukamm Elementary Math Coach Diane Johnston was awarded close to $1,400 to support the development of conceptual mathematics knowledge in her classroom. This “$mart Money” was conceived as a motivational tool to allow teachers to develop innovative methods and practices in their classrooms, according to a DoDEA news release. Johnston was one of 10 teachers across the DoDEA Europe East District to receive “$mart Money” funds. She was among three teachers at the school who had applied for the grants, said Aukamm Elementary Principal Alice Berard. Johnston requested a combination of teacher resources and math manipulatives that will be
arriving at the school shortly. “The teacher resources are to help teachers provide lessons that will match our new college and career readiness standards,” she said. This curriculum caters to struggling students, gifted students and all those in between for each grade level, said Johnston, who teaches kindergarteners through fifth graders. These new tools put the emphasis on reallife, applicable problem solving skills, she said. The manipulatives Johnston ordered will help students visualize shapes and mathematical concepts. Students will be able to construct three-dimensional forms from two-dimensional magnetic shapes. “They won’t have to abstractly imagine what’s going on,” she said. “They can actually build it.” Playing with these shapes is a fun way to promote an understanding of mathematics in students at different stages of learning. “It’s great for the younger kids to promote buildSee ‘Math’ on page 6
Artists display work at library By Karl Weisel
Wiesbaden Family and MWR Marketing
Artists conjure up images designed to captivate, illuminate and reveal unique aspects of everyday life. Thanks to a special exhibit, on display at the Wiesbaden Library through February, community members can explore this creative world, courtesy of students
in instructor Claudia PauliBach’s Wiesbaden Arts and Crafts Center art classes. Art “enriches” and “brings joy,” said U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Addington during the art exhibition’s opening Feb. 2. “It makes the world more beautiful and understanding. … We cannot let the arts go away.”
“I love my classes and I love my students,” said Pauli-Bach, a professional German artist who leads the weekly classes at the Arts and Crafts Center and also bi-monthly Canvas and Corkscrews at the Wiesbaden Entertainment Center. “I know how hard it is to struggle with art – it’s a passion for an artist to truly See ‘Art’ on page 3
Be careful what you share online
Wiesbaden CID warns photos and videos sent through apps can end up being seen by many others beyond the intended recipient. Page 4
Things to do Have kids bring a toy for the toy exchange and then head out to the Fasching parades. Page 9
Photo by Emily Jennings
Aukamm Principal Alice Berard (far left) and Math Coach Diane Johnston work with second and third grade students on math activities Feb. 7 at Aukamm Elementary.
Theater options in Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden High School and Amelia Earhart Playhouse rehearse for upcoming productions. Pages 12 - 13