For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Elementary Schools in Oyster River District to Hold Coding with Cocoa Event for Students

DURHAM — Principals David Goldsmith and Carrie Vaich are pleased to announce that Moharimet and Mast Way Elementary Schools will be hosting a coding event next month for students who are interested in learning more about computer science.

WHEN/WHERE:

Dec. 5 from 7:45-8:45 a.m. at Moharimet Elementary School, 11 Lee Road, Madbury

Dec. 8 from 7:45-8:45 a.m. at Mast Way Elementary School, 23 Mast Road, Lee

WHAT:

The elementary schools’ Coding with Cocoa event is part of Computer Science Education Week, which is held every year in honor of the birthday of Admiral Gracy Murray Hopper — the pioneer of computing — on Dec. 9.

This year, Computer Science Education Week will occur on Dec. 4-10. As part of this celebration, schools throughout the world host Hour of Code events to offer a one-hour introduction to computer science, with a focus on helping students learn the basics of coding, to help broaden interest in the field.

Technology integrators, Sarah Curtin (Moharimet Elementary School) and Susan Leifer (Mast Way Elementary School), who organized the event, will lead students in kindergarten through fourth grade as they complete several coding activities and exercises designed to give them a range of skills in computer science. To make the event a little sweeter, students will be provided with complimentary cocoa as they work.

“An Hour of Code has become an international event and we’re pleased to be joining our peers across the globe to promote an interest in coding and computer science,” Curtin said. “Students will gain valuable skills that they can continue to build upon throughout their time in the district.”

“This is just one of many great activities Mast Way and Moharimet Schools will be offering to students throughout December and into January,” Leifer said. “We encourage students to come by, have some hot chocolate and learn a little about coding!”

About the Oyster River Cooperative School District:

New Hampshire SAU 5, the Oyster River Cooperative School District serves 2,100 students in Durham, Lee and Madbury. It is one of the oldest cooperative districts in the state. The Oyster River Cooperative School District has a long history of providing excellent educational opportunities for its students. The District is committed to and supportive of quality education. This commitment and support have helped the district recruit and maintain an excellent teaching staff and outstanding administrative leadership team.

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