Student Wellness Survey

During the week of May 4th, our 3rd and 4th grade students will be taking the annual Student Wellness Survey. It helps us to understand each student's current health and well-being.

Please use the link below to preview the survey & to access the opt-out form. If you choose to complete the opt-out form, please return the form to the main office.

Link to Survey Documents

Click here to claim one of the last yearbooks.

2026-27 kindergarten registration is open. Please register here. 

The Pinecrest PTA is looking for a Vice President to fill a 2 year term, running the 26/27 and 27/28 school years.

To apply or if you have any questions, please email pinecrestptamn@gmail.com.

Elections will be held during the BOGO/Playground Event on May 14th.

 The PTA cannot run without a team of dedicated volunteers and our current board would love some help!

Welcome to our May STEM update! Our young engineers and scientists have been busy diving into environmental conservation and structural design in various applications. From the depths of the ocean to the peaks of bridge engineering, here is a look at what each grade has been up to.

Kindergarten: The Science of Sponges  Our youngest learners became "Sponge Specialists" this month! Through a series of investigations, students compared natural sea sponges to artificial sponges.

The Squeeze Test: We discovered that natural sponges hold significantly more water than the artificial sponges.

The Weight Test:  Students found a surprising twist—natural sponges weighed less than artificial sponges, even though the natural sponges were much larger!

Sink & Float Test: Another unexpected observation:  natural sponges weigh less but sink, while artificial sponges weigh more (initially) but float!

The "Why": We took a closer look at the structure and hole patterns of both sponges to understand how their physical makeup affects their performance.  Students used a loupe and observed the number and size of holes on the natural sponge were much more and larger than those on the artificial sponge.   We discussed how the holes in the natural sponges are filled with air when the sponge is dry and weigh less than an artificial sponge, but these same holes absorb massive amounts of water, exceeding the density of water, and causing them to sink.  The artificial sponges are less dense and often trap air, which helps them remain buoyant and float. 

Earth Day Focus: To mark Earth Day, Kindergarteners used their new knowledge to tackle a simulated oil spill (vegetable oil & cocoa powder), testing materials like spoons, cotton balls, and paper towels to see what could effectively remove oil without removing the water.  Students learned about the impacts of an oil spill on the environment and the importance of preventing them.

First Grade 

First grade continued investigating the fundamentals of bridge design.  Students were introduced to force diagrams where arrows are used to show the pushes and pulls on a bridge.  Students tested an arch bridge, deep beam bridge and beam bridge for strength and then decided on their own design for the final challenge.  Students were given a limited selection of materials to bridge a 7 inch gap.  The bridge needed to be strong and stable.  We tested for strength by how many nuts the bridge could hold and we tested the stability by rolling a small car across their bridge.  Overall, students enjoyed learning about bridges and were highly engaged in building their final challenge bridge.

Earth Day Focus: First grade also marked Earth Day by cleaning up a simulated oil spill (vegetable oil & cocoa powder). First graders tested spoons, sponges, cotton balls, paper towels and dish soap to see what material cleaned up the most oil, while picking up the least amount of water.  Students learned about the impacts of an oil spill on the environment and the importance of preventing spills.

Second Grade                                                                    

Second Grade shifted gears into automotive engineering. Students were challenged to build model cars equipped with safety features capable of keeping a passenger secure during steep ramp tests.  We studied real-world car safety (like seatbelts and crumple zones) and translated those features into our models.  Students spent a lot of April in the “test” and “improve” portion of the Engineering Design Process and they developed some impressive cars!

Earth Day Focus: Second grade wrapped up the month by cleaning up a simulated oil spill with various materials like a sponge, spoon, and cotton ball.  We observed what materials picked up a lot of oil and not a lot of water.  We spent time discussing the long-term impact of pollution on local ecosystems and the importance of protecting our water and preventing oil spills.

Third Grade 

Third grade spent April developing and testing a rescue shuttle to assist in water-based emergencies.   Students observed the current rescue method of using different throws to get a life preserver to someone in need.  Students were tasked with developing a rescue shuttle that could make it to their target in three tries or less, as time is critical in an emergency.  To find the perfect flight path, students experimented with:

-Rocket length, weight placement and fin count.

-Launch force and trajectory angles

Coming Soon:  Our final rescue shuttle challenge takes off next week, followed by our new area of study:  Sail Cars!

Earth Day Focus: 

In honor of Earth Day, third graders focused on water scarcity.  We learned about the vital importance of clean water access globally.  Students then built and tested a water filter to clean up dirty water.  Students also learned how astronauts maintain a clean water supply in space.  If you are curious - ask your student how they do it, but be warned, it's kind of gross!

Fourth Grade 

Fourth grade faced the complex world of civil engineering and environmental ethics.  Students finalized their model tarpuls (suspension bridge) by selecting a building site along a river that would allow a village access to their school and clinic on the other side.

This required some tough decision-making as students navigated safety, cost, functionality and sustainability.  

Soil Compaction:  Students had to decide if the added strength was worth the extra cost.  

Location on the River:  Students had to weigh convenience to the village against the potential erosion.

Scoring

Students used data to help them evaluate their options.  This was a great exercise for students to experience what engineers face in the real world.  They learned there is rarely a “perfect” answer - only a series of informed trade-offs. 

Earth Day Focus: 

In honor of Earth Day, fourth graders dove into the problem of water scarcity.  We were introduced to two students in Malawi that average about two days of school a week due to their daily walk to get water.  It takes them two hours to walk to a dried-up riverbed, dig and collect water, and return to their home.  This leaves little time for school.  We also learned about clean water problems closer to home.  Specifically, the 2022 flood in Jackson, Mississippi.  The flooding caused a failure of the city’s water treatment plant which left them without access to safe drinking water.  We learned about the vital importance of clean water access globally and   students built and tested their own water filter.   Students used coffee filters, cotton balls, sand and rocks to filter dirty water.  While the filter did clean up the water of particulates, students learned the filter does not remove the harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that are invisible to the naked eye.