Manchester Elementary School’s robotics team showcased their resilience and determination at the Indiana Robotics State Competition this past Saturday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The day started with unexpected challenges as the team found themselves in an unfamiliar position—falling behind due to three uncharacteristically low scores in the teamwork portion of the competition. However, they refused to let early setbacks define their performance. In the afternoon, the team regrouped and rallied, delivering four consecutive high scores to climb the rankings and secure a spot in the finals at 16th place. The momentum shift was fueled by a standout alliance score of 95 from the driving team of Gabe Cole, Grant Redwine, and Cora Pfaffl, who teamed up with a group from Columbus, Indiana. In the finals, the Shiners partnered with a team from Plainfield to earn a 10th place finish with a score of 56.
Their perseverance didn’t stop there. In the skills portion of the tournament—where driving and programming scores are combined—the Shiners finished 5th overall with a total score of 248, earning them their fourth consecutive trip to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas. Their driving team, consisting of Grayson Merida, Lane Witte, and Cora Pfaffl, delivered a remarkable 184-point driving score, ranking as the third highest driving score at the tournament. Meanwhile, the programming team of Grayson Merida, Lane Witte, and Gabe Cole secured a high programming score of 64.
Following their gritty performance at state, the Shiners now rank 7th in Indiana, 109th in the nation, and 325th in the world. This hard-fought achievement was earned by the dedication and teamwork of sixth-grade students Gabe Cole, Grayson Merida, and Lane Witte, along with fourth-grade students Cora Pfaffl and Grant Redwine.
It was far from an easy road, but their ability to regroup, adapt, and rise to the challenge is exactly what makes this team special. Next stop—Worlds in Dallas!

Learning was dynamic in Ms. Badescu’s second-grade class at Manchester Elementary School! Students split into book clubs, engaging in thoughtful discussions that fostered a love for reading, while others worked closely with their teacher to prepare for the IREAD assessment. These activities strengthened literacy skills, critical thinking, and comprehension, building a strong foundation for success in all areas of learning.

In Mrs. Teke’s kindergarten class at Manchester Elementary School, creativity and wordplay took center stage during Dr. Seuss Week as students wrote their own rhymes! Students embraced the magic of rhyming by crafting their own playful sentences and bringing them to life through colorful illustrations. With a dash of imagination and a love for language, their work was a true tribute to Dr. Seuss!

Thank you to our guest readers for coming in to celebrate Dr. Seuss Week with us.
Guest Readers
SDCSC Superintendent, Dr. Ross
SDMS Principal, Mr. Ladner
Jamie Johnson & Linda Forshee, Aurora Public Library
Stefanie Hoffmeier, Dearborn County Recycling Center
Cari Baylor & Don, Baylor Trucking

Spring forward! Time changes this weekend. Please remember to move your clocks forward one hour.
Good News Club will be held on Mondays for all students starting March 31st for six weeks. Please see the flyer and registration using the link below. Students must be registered by Friday, March 14th.
https://drive.google.com/…/1DYv3ta-Y91GCh7pQKEi2wrwZVpYqKWt…
Yearbook orders are due Wednesday, March 12th. You may order online at inter-state.com/order using order code: 90641D. Yearbooks are $20.
Swim lessons will be held at South Dearborn High School.
Session 1 (Private)
6:00-6:30 P.M.
March 31, April 1, 2, 3
Session 2 (Private)
6:30-7:00 P.M.
March 31, April 1, 2, 3
Session 3 (Group)
6:00-6:45 P.M.
April 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
Session 4 (Group)
6:00-6:45 P.M.
April 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, May 1
Lesson Sign Up will be held on Wednesday, March 12th in the SDHS hallway of Main Entrance 5:30-7:00 p.m.
$60.00 per child for each session
Have a great weekend!