Soooooo … you’ve heard about this solar eclipse thing that’s happening on April 8? It’s a pretty big deal, so you’re going to start seeing and hearing about all sorts of programs to celebrate it and teach you and your family all about it. Leading today’s mailbag are several that might strike your interest.
This Saturday Feb. 17 at 2 p.m., the Webster Barnes & Noble will host Dave Bishop, vice president of the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science, who will explain all things eclipse and answer your questions. There’s no cost, and attendees will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses.
Barnes & Noble is located in Towne Center Plaza (Kohl’s/Target Plaza) on Ridge Rd.
The Webster Public Library has all sorts of special programs scheduled in March for everyone in your family. The two that excite me the most are:
- The Black Hour: Eclipses in the Middle Ages — Tuesday, March 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
An evening exploring medieval science and superstitions about lunar and solar eclipses, including discussions about medicine, religion, art, and more. Registration is required. Click here for more information and to register. There’s no charge.
- Rochester Eclipses: Past and Present — Tuesday, March 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
A talk about Rochester’s experience with the 1925 eclipse as captured in the resources of Central Library’s Local History & Genealogy Division. Registration is required. Click here for more information and to register. There’s no charge.
You’ll also want to check the Webster Library website for information about these other eclipse programs for the entire family:
- Homeschool Hour — Friday, March 1 from 3 to 4 p.m.
- Make it Monday Eclipse Craft — Monday, March 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Eclipse Storytime — Tuesday, March 12 from 10 to 10:30 a.m.
- Family Eclipse Night Wednesday, March 27 from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
- March drop-in eclipse crafts — Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And definitely don’t miss the Webster Public Library Eclipse event on Eclipse Day, Monday April 8. More details to come about this.
The library will be handing out two pairs of eclipse glasses per family at each of these events (while supplies last). If you can’t attend one of them, they’ll be handing out more glasses to the public as the date approaches and will have some available at the April 8 eclipse event.
These next items come straight to you (via me) from the Webster CSD:
Results on Budget ThoughtExchange Shared
In January, Webster CSD held a month-long ThoughtExchange, asking all district community members a series of questions seeking feedback on district budgeting.
The ThoughtExchange closed on Jan. 31. The results were presented to the Webster CSD Board of Education at its February 13 meeting. If you’re interested in seeing those results, click here.
Work of Webster Students, Teachers on Exhibit Together
The community is invited to enjoy artwork created by several of our One Webster students and their teachers at Nazareth College’s Art Center Gallery.
The Art Center is currently celebrating its biennial Shared Spaces show, which invites local art class teachers to submit one work by a chosen student to display alongside one of their own. The show celebrates the unique apprenticeship process that occurs between teacher and student.
Webster’s exhibiting artists this year are Webster Thomas students (with teachers) Carson Hogan (Kat Harrison), Jessica van Wichen (Cathy Morrill Crockett), and Gweneth Tetzlaff (Todd Stahl); and Webster Schroeder students (with teachers) Gianna Gallo (Cate Zalewski), Alexandra Zilist (Danielle Zatkowsky), and Corintia Griffith (Cheryl Simon).
The exhibit will remain on display through March 10. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Prekindergarten Lottery Opens!
Lottery applications for Webster CSD’s 2024-25 prekindergarten program are now available online.
Children who will be 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024, but who are not eligible for kindergarten, are eligible for prekindergarten enrollment for the upcoming school year.
Webster CSD PreK is a play-based program that engages students in social and emotional skills with a heavy emphasis on communication. The district offers both full-day and half-day options for families. Locations are determined by the lottery and according to the child’s home catchment for kindergarten.
For more information and to complete a lottery application, please visit Webster CSD’s prekindergarten web page here. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, March 14.
An open house will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at the Schroeder PreK located at Webster Schroeder High School, as well as at Kids First, Expressive Beginnings, and Webster CSD’s half day location at STARS Preschool. Webster CSD PreK teachers will be on hand to answer questions.
Webster CSD Vocal Teacher Grammy Nominated
Huge congratulations to Webster Thomas vocal music teacher Kyle Sackett, who was recently nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award.
Sackett is a member of the professional chamber choir The Crossing, which Musical America magazine named 2024 Ensemble of the Year. This year, The Crossing was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Choral Performance for their album “Carols after a Plague,” conducted by Donald Nally.
They were up against fellow powerhouse performances: “Ligeti: Lux Aeterna” performed by the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, “Saariaho: Reconnaissance” performed by the Uusinta Ensemble and the Helsinki Chamber Choir, “Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil” performed by The Clarion Choir, “The House Of Belonging” performed by the Miro Quartet, and “Conspirare,” conducted by Craig Hella Johnson.
In the end, “Saariaho: Reconnaissance” was announced the winner, but as they say, it’s an honor to be nominated.
Kyle is in his second year teaching vocal music at Webster Thomas (his alma mater). He earned his undergraduate degree in music education at SUNY Fredonia and a Masters in Voice and Opera Performance at Northwestern University in Chicago. Remarkably, this was The Crossing’s ninth Grammy nomination in eight years and Kyle’s third as a member of the group.
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(posted 2/15/2024)
Tags: eclipse, Missy Rosenberry, town of webster, Webster Central Schools, Webster NY, Webster Public Library