What is Olympics LINKS-O2K8? LINKS (Goals and Mission Statement)
Each year at Pawcatuck Middle School, we focus on a year long theme that fosters school spirit, service learning, community involvement, student recognition, and a positive school climate. Our school wide theme this year is Olympics 2008 - LINKS (Linking Interests and Needs of Kids and Seniors).
For our Olympics LINKS program, each homeroom has chosen a country to represent. All staff members are also assigned countries. Country lists are posted on our front hall Olympics LINKS scoreboard and can also be found on our PMS website.
Our mission statement for Olympics LINKS: Using the Olympics theme, O2K8 LINKS plans to work with the schools and the whole community to encourage meaningful connections between our young people and the seniors in their lives and our community, and to help tp make the new senior center a special place.
The new senior center will be built on Chase Street in Pawcatuck, starting in Spring of 2008. We have two main goals:
1. To create a reading corner for the center, complete with furniture, fireplace, book shelves and books.
2. To provide a music center, including CD system and karaoke equipment…In addition, we are planning monthly challenges that help make positive connections between our young people and seniors. Challenges and activities will include the Columbus Day Parade, birthday connections, mentors, family heritage, arts and crafts, dance and exercise programs, gardening links, technical links, game and movie nights and more…Activity ideas are unlimited.
Our sixteen country flags were carries in the Columbus Day Parade, and will enter the gym again on October 25th at our Olympics LINKS Opening Ceremony! The Opening Ceremony will include our parade of nations, the lighting of our torch, the reading of the Olympic Oath, and the introduction of our Olympic LINKS mascot - Linkin’ the DUCK!!
Throughout the year countries will score medal points for participation in challenges and in a wide variety of areas ranging from attendance and sportsmanship to random acts of kindness….The complete list of scoring opportunities can be found on the PMS website and on the LINKS front hall scoreboard.
Finale and reflective activities will include the Closing Ceremony at which all students will receive Olympic medals, a Defenders Game/fireworks nigh, a golf tournament and a senior prom…
Olympics LINKS hopes to motivate everyone to celebrate and appreciate the seniors in our community and encourage mutual respect. We are looking forward to an exciting year, and we invite everyone’s ideas and participation! Look for updates in Panther Tracks and on our PMS O2k8 website.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!