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GOWANDA PRESS
The preferred local newspaper of the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce September 8-14, 2017
GCS unveils new active classrooms By Rich Place
Managing Editor
The school district was forced to cancel its first day of classes as the region — including Gowanda, Perrysburg and Versailles — found itself without power for most of the day on Tuesday. Although more than a dozen trees or limbs were reported down through the area late Monday night and into Tuesday
GOWANDA — Some students at the Gowanda Central School this year might be bouncing around in their chairs, standing up during class or even sitting on the floor while they learn — and teachers won’t mind one bit. Four classrooms throughout the district — one in elementary, two in middle school and one in high school — greeted students this week to an array of new ways to sit or stand during class in a new, non-traditional classroom setting. Some traditional desks have been replaced by standing desks and many chairs — those old fashioned ones with four legs, that is — are now large yoga balls, swivel seats, pillow floor seating, accordion-style cylinders and more. Even the traditional desks have elastic bands students can fidget with during class or pedals, similar to a bicycle, that can keep students occupied while sitting. “We don’t care if they stand or if they wiggle,” said Stephanie Gernatt, one of the teachers in the integrated co-teaching sixth grade classroom alongside Melissa Gleason. “As long
See Storm, Page 23
See Active, Page 16
Press photos by Phil Palen
(Above) A tree blew over into the driveway of a house on Walnut Street following a powerful storm that swept through the area late Monday. (Left) Part of a tree fell on a house on Chestnut Street. No injuries were reported. More photos, page 23 and online at gowandapress.com.
A windy end to summer By Rich Place
Managing Editor
GOWANDA — Students at the Gowanda Central School got an extra day of summer vacation on Tuesday, although the majority of them spent it without electric following a powerful storm that swept through the area as Labor Day came to an end.