Archive | Schools RSS feed for this section

Mock DWI scenario taught Webster Thomas students a sobering lesson

8 Jun

If you happened to be driving by Webster Thomas High School on Wednesday morning, you might have been alarmed to see dozens of firefighters, police officers, EMTs and their emergency vehicles swarming around what appeared to be a horrific accident that had just occurred in front of the school.

The realistic accident scene was actually a very carefully arranged and pre-planned mock DWI scenario. It’s organized bi-annually by our local emergency responders as a training exercise, and hosted by the school district during prom and graduation party season as a serious, real-life lesson for our students.

The scene imagined a two-car accident, caused when a high school student was driving drunk. He rear-ended another car and drove it into a tree, seriously injuring several unrestrained passengers and killing another. (If that scenario sounds familiar, it was designed to mimic a fatal accident which actually happened in Hilton last weekend.)

About 600 juniors and seniors silently watched as, one by one, emergency workers extracted the injured passengers and took them to a waiting ambulance. It was slow going. Windows had to be smashed. The windshields of both cars had to be cut completely off, and the Jaws of Life had to be used to extract several of the passengers.

The drunk driver was unscathed, and with some assistance was able to get out of the car. His passengers, however, most of whom were unrestrained, were taken away on backboards. And the front seat passenger in the car he had hit was dead.

As the firefighters were removing doors and cutting the roof off one car, the driver was taken aside by a police officer, given a field sobriety test and arrested.

The whole scenario only took about 45 minutes, but for these high school students, they might be among the most important 45 minutes of their lives.

Speaking as a mother, I hope the message being shared that day sunk in at least a little bit with everyone. But I know that young people tend to think they’re invincible. Bad stuff like that can happen to someone else, but never to me.

But I couldn’t help thinking back to one of these mock DWI presentations I watched many years ago when I was working at Thomas. In addition to the student actors, the school had brought in the mother of the driver who “died.” She was standing on the school’s front walk when a police officer told her that her son had not survived. As any mother would when given that news, she collapsed with grief. As I watched, I found it easy to imagine how devastated she was, to feel the searing pain of losing a child.

If you have a high school student or know of one, perhaps you can impress that perspective upon him or her: you might think it’s OK to be cavalier with your life, cut corners and take chances. But think of how your parents would feel if a police officer came to their door and told them you were not coming home.

Ever.

See lots more pictures from the demonstration in this slideshow:

  • Investigator Kirkpatrick runs a sobriety test on junior Luke Meeson, the “drunk driver.”
  • School Resource Officer David Herrle narrated the action

The mock DWI demonstration was repeated at Webster Schroeder High School on Friday.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 6/8/2024)

Tags: , ,

Webster community mailbag

25 May

The Chorus of the Genesee invites YOU

Are you a guy who loves to sing, or do you know a guy who loves to sing? Webster’s very own Chorus of the Genesee is hosting a Guest Night on Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. at the Harmony House, 58 E. Main St. in the Village of Webster.

Learn more about the Chorus, who they are and what they do. There’ll be singing, snacking and socializing. Click here to find out more.

Yoga at the Gazebo

Molly Flaherty, owner of M/Body Webster, is hosting FREE outdoor community yoga classes in Veterans Memorial Park on North Ave. every Sunday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. through Sept. 8.

While there’s no charge, registration is required. Click here to register. This event is being held in conjunction with the Webster BID and Webster Chamber of Commerce.

Day of Caring at The Webster Arboretum

Thursday May 23 was the annual Day of Caring, and the Webster Arboretum sent along this report on what their volunteers got accomplished:

“The Day of Caring, sponsored by United Way, is the community’s single largest volunteer effort, helping local nonprofits with projects, or ‘needs’, that they may not otherwise have resources for. We would like to thank Carestream Health, TRSS, Rockwell Automation, Hillside Children Center, Excellus, Paychex and Bond, Schoennay & King for supporting the Webster Arboretum. (Thursday) these groups came out in force to weed, mulch and beautify the Webster Arboretum. Thanks to their hard work we look better than ever. Stop by and enjoy the benefits of their labor.”

And don’t forget about these upcoming June Events at the Arboretum:

  • Composting workshops, Wednesday June 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. or Tuesday June 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The presenter will be Barbara Cummings from the Wayne County Master Gardener Program. No registration is required.
  • Program about peonies, the “queen of flowers,” Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Arboretum board member George Riehle will give a tour and present the program, focusing on the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Please register at the Webster Arboretum website. 
  • The Music at the Arb series continues this summer when Jazz Generation performs at the Arboretum gazebo on Thursday June 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The performance is weather-dependent. Bring your chairs, blankets, snacks and beverages. There’s no cost and registration is not necessary.

The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Miracle Field announces inaugural golf tournament

This is exciting news from our friends at Challenger Miracle Field. They’ve just announced they’ll be hosting their first-ever golf tournament on Monday Sept. 9 at Irondequoit Country Club.

The Early Bird Golf Package will go for $1,000 a team if purchased before June 30, when the price will go up to $1,100. Packages include a round of golf for four people, golf carts, lunch and dinner.

Sponsorships are available for individuals and businesses beginning at $200.

Click here to register for the tournament and click here for more information about sponsorships.

Special Olympics Returns to Schroeder Campus

This notice from the Webster CSD:

Webster Central School District will once again host the Northeast Monroe County Special Olympics Track and Field Day.

Student athletes from nine area schools will compete throughout the day on Wednesday, May 29 at the Webster Schroeder High School track. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9:45 a.m. with the New York State Police Torch Relay slated to arrive around 10:15 a.m. Competitions will begin immediately following. Webster Schroeder, Webster Thomas, East Irondequoit, West Irondequoit, Penfield, Creekside, Mary Cariola, Greece Athena, and Fairport high schools will all be represented, competing in a variety of track, field, and adaptive events.

New this year will be several unified events. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability.

Additionally, Special Olympics NY will again offer more opportunity for age-appropriate sport activities for younger children. Their Young Athletes program, for ages 2-7, offers a variety of motor learning stations that introduces athletes to play and develops skills that lead to sport-specific movements and activities. Developmental Sports, for ages 8-11, is a step up from Young Athletes and focuses on skill development in sport activities. Both of these Special Olympics programs are designed to prepare younger athletes for authentic Special Olympics competition.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 5/25/2024)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Webster community mailbag

16 May

Got a lot of sensitive documents that need shredding?

The Village of Webster is hosting a free shredding event on Saturday May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind Village Hall and the Webster Fire Department.

This is a drive-through event; volunteers will be on hand to unload your car. Paper only will be accepted, and staples DO NOT need to be removed. Paper needs to be placed in cardboard boxes or paper bags (not plastic). Limit is five boxes per vehicle.

This notice from the Webster Central School District:

The Webster CSD Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education election takes place Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road.

Webster CSD’s Business Department web page contains information on the proposed 2024-25 budget and the two candidates running for the two board of education seats up for election.

Good food is on tap at Heritage Square Museum on Friday May 31 when the museum hosts a chicken barbecue, from 4 p.m. until they’re sold out.

On Sunday June 2, the museum will be hosting an ice cream social. I don’t know many details about this, but I DO know that there will be live music between 2 and 4 p.m. featuring oldies and pop favorites from Cheap Datez.

Never heard of this wonderful living history museum just minutes from our village? Click here to read the blog I wrote about it.

June is shaping up to be a busy month at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Learn the ins and outs of composting at one of two workshops, on Wednesday June 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. or Tuesday June 25 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Each workshop will provide instruction on how to be successful with home composting, including what can be composted, container types and troubleshooting. Once your scraps have been composted, you’ll receive ideas on how to best use this valuable resource. Plenty of time will be allotted for questions.

The presenter is Barbara Cummings from the Wayne County Master Gardener Program, an expert on the topic. Both presentations will take place at the Curry Building located in The Webster Arboretum at 1700 Schlegel Road. No registration or fee is required.  Come early because “a rind is a terrible thing to waste.”    

On Sunday June 9 at 6:30 p.m., join Arboretum board member George Riehle when he gives a tour and program about peonies, the “queen of flowers.”

George’s presentation will discuss the care and cultivation of peonies and tree peonies. Learn how to grow and care for this elegant flower to ensure beautiful blooms year after year. This is a talk and walk, and will be held rain or shine. Go to the Webster Arboretum website to register.

The Music at the Arb series continues this summer when Jazz Generation performs at the Arboretum gazebo on Thursday June 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Jazz Generation is Eli Behlok and Jim Allchin, an acoustic duo featuring the warm sounds of nylon string guitars. Eli and Jim create a welcoming ambiance with a unique mix of world jazz music, including popular American jazz standards, melodic Brazilian bossa novas, fiery Spanish guitars, bluesy French gypsy jazz and some surprising originals.  

Because the performance is outdoors in the gazebo, it is weather-dependent. Snacks are available for purchase, but you can bring your own, and remember your chairs, blankets and beverages. There’s no cost for admission, and all are invited.

Finally, this nice story about how our local Girl Scouts came through AGAIN to support our deployed service members.

For those of us who ordered Girl Scout cookies this year, we stopped thinking about them when they FINALLY arrived on our doorstep. But the 13 third graders from Brownie Troop 60344 (based at Klem North) were just getting started.

All through April, whenever they set up shop at Walmart or Lowe’s, the young ladies would not just sell cookies to all of us who didn’t get enough thin mints. They also took orders for cookies to be included in care packages being put together by the Blue Star Mothers for our locally deployed troops, which will be mailed out in June. Service members love Girl Scout cookies, as you can imagine. And even after they’ve been bounced around the world, and even if they arrive in crumbs, they’re still treasured.

The troop has done this for several years, collecting donations for the care packages. But this year they went over and above, getting 263 boxes donated!

So thank you to the Brownies, and to all of the community members who stopped by the troop’s cookie tables this season and dropped some extra cash.  

By the way, the same evening when we took the photo of the donated cookies, the Brownies were holding their regular meeting, where they worked with Mary Ann O’Mara to make 45 greeting cards for the troops, which will also be included in the care packages.

*****

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 5/16/2024)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

DeWitt Rd. student wins Do the Right Thing Award

14 May

Asher Simpson, a second grader at DeWitt Road Elementary School, was honored on May 2 at the Do The Right Thing Awards ceremony. 

The Do The Right Thing Award is a program of the Rochester Police Department that seeks to foster positive relationships between local law enforcement and youth in the community. The award recognizes youth for their bravery, courage, and valor, such as volunteering, aiding law enforcement or other first responders, acts of heroism, leadership, and positive role model behavior. 

The award distinguishes school-aged children who strive to make good choices, do well in school, give back to their community, or demonstrate a “turn-around” or improvement in their behavior, and to publicly highlight these students and their stories in the news and social media to show that good kids are newsworthy.   

The Webster Police Department nominated Asher for the award due to his bravery during a police event that occurred while he was in a store where a theft was taking place.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 5/7/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Girls on the Run could use some volunteers

7 May

The 2024 Girls on the Run season is coming to a close, and the organization is looking for a few volunteers to help out at their culminating event, a 5K race held at MCC in Brighton on June 1.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in 3rd to 8th grade. During the ten-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections and encourage community service as they train for the end-of-season 5K.

I had the pleasure of attending one of these events a few years ago, and it’s a blast. Basically, it’s a huge party, attended by lots of teams and hundreds of girls coming together to celebrate their successes. The air’s filled with happiness, excitement, positivity and a real sense of pride in accomplishment.

As many as 100 volunteers are needed for the event to be successful. There are lots of ways you can help out:

  • Registration
  • Star Power Hour activity leaders
  • Medal station
  • Course marshals
  • Water station
  • Happy Hair stations
  • Running Buddy opportunities, where we invite family members and/or trusted friends to run alongside participants. 

All proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester. Last year’s 5K events brought together more than 2,000 participants including program participants, their family and friends and community members. For more information about the event, how to register and volunteer opportunities, visit www.gotrrochester.org/5K.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 5/7/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Oak Tree Award winners announced

3 May
Carolyn Stahl (center)
Jeff Darling (center)

Congratulations to this year’s Oak Tree Award winners for excellence in teaching: Carolyn Stahl and Jeff Darling.

Stahl, this year’s secondary level recipient, is an English teacher at Webster Thomas High School. She’s a 25-year veteran educator in the district and currently teaches grades 9 and 12.  

Darling, this year’s elementary level recipient, is an instructional specialist at Plank Road North Elementary School. He has also taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and has been an enrichment specialist in his 17 years in the district.

Stahl and Darling were surprised at their schools on April 24 when Superintendent of Schools Brian Neenan joined Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) representatives to present the plaques, which will hang in their buildings for one year. Each also received a framed certificate, acorn pin and $500 stipend from the award committee. They’ll be officially recognized at the Webster CSD Board of Education meeting on May 7.  

The Oak Tree Award is presented annually by the WTA and the Webster Central PTSA as a way to acknowledge excellence in teaching in the district at the elementary and secondary levels. This year’s Oak Tree Committee received 37 nominations submitted by students, parents and colleagues. Other nominees included Eleni Prosser, Taylor Haupt, Lauren Pagano, Gabrielle Gruttadaro, Kelly Bruhnsen, Kim Ebbecke, Leslie Popchoke, Heather Taylor, Carrie Zugelder, Dan Graf, Susan Bjarnar, Cathy Bradley, Cory Gomez, Rebecca Margiotta, Lori Ford, Dana Graf, April Masucci, Carolyn Charleton, Brianne Cipura, Sarah Mitchell, Mike Vanderwoude, Ian Insley, Carly Smith, Anne Marie Visca, Francine Barnes, Dan DeStephano, Gail Pittinaro, Carleen Fallone, Philip Zola, David Monson, Kyle Sackett, Jennifer Cos, Jill Baker, Elizabeth Vandetti, and Mary Hurley.

Congratulations to Carolyn Stahl, Jeff Darling and all the Oak Tree nominees.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 5/3/2024)

Tags: , , , , ,

A sneak peek at Little Women

24 Apr

Holy cow, does Webster Schroeder High School have some amazingly talented actors.

I’ve long known that was the case, and have remarked on that before here in my blog. But Wednesday evening I was reminded of that again when I was invited to sit in on the final dress rehearsal for Schroeder Drama Club’s presentation of Little Women, which will take the stage this weekend, April 24 to 27.

Set in the years following the Civil War, Little Women is Louisa May Alcott’s American classic, a story about family and love, success and heartache which draws heavily from Alcott’s actual life story. It opened on Broadway in 2005 as a musical and ran for 137 performances before heading out on a national tour.

The 22-student cast, led by Veronica Sanberg as Jo, does an exceptional job telling the story of the Marches, a not-too-poor-but-definitely-not-wealthy family, how they find joy in simply being together, and how they appreciate the things they have rather than long for the things they can’t afford. Our hearts are lifted when the sisters get married, and are saddened when a life is taken. (I’m not sniffling, you are.) There was even a point in the dialogue where I LOL’d. And this is a drama.

The performance was captivating, and I can say that because I was … well … captivated throughout the entire production. This coming from someone who has never read Little Women, and had no idea what it was about. I was a little afraid that, as a period piece, it might be kind of dull. But when intermission rolled around, I found myself hoping against hope it wasn’t the end of the show so I could find out what happened to these young women.

I was especially impressed by the four sisters — portrayed by Veronica Sanberg, Emily Schiffhauer, Kathryn Sullo and JimmaLy Ortega — who did an exceptional job instilling each character with an individual personality. And it’s always a joy to see Schroeder’s other amazing lead and supporting actors return to the stage. (How do they have the time to participate in back-to-back productions?) And they’re all supported by seven equally talented tech crew members, who did a great job making the dress rehearsal go seamlessly.

The set design is charming, the costumes beautiful. Schroeder’s Little Women is a must-see event.

Check out these photos (including the slideshow above) then check out one of the performances for yourself. Little Women will take the stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 24 to 27 at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday April 27. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance here.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge RD.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/24/2024)

Tags: , , , ,

WCSD music teacher wins RPO’s Outstanding Music Educator award

22 Apr

Congratulations to Webster Schroeder music teacher Kim Derse, who was recently recognized by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) with its 2024 Outstanding Music Educator Award in the category of Instrumental Music ( Strings).

Derse has been with Webster School Distrtct since 1994, having previously served schools in Connecticut, and West Genesee and Baldwinsville, NY. She has a legacy of positively impacting generations of students, having taught every level of strings in the district, including working at four elementary schools and Spry Middle School before enjoying a long tenure at Webster Schroeder High School.

Outside of school, Derse has shared her love of music with the Webster Methodist Church as its Handbell Choir director for more than 15 years, and has performed with the Women’s Philharmonic Orchestra and numerous pit orchestras for theatrical productions. During her years teaching elementary strings, she also started a Suzuki program for early grades and taught summer lessons.

Each year, RPO opens nominations for outstanding music educators and professional musicians in the Rochester area to honor those who inspire. Derse was nominated for the award by Michael Roller, Webster’s Director of Fine Arts, and Webster Schroeder and Thomas music teacher Laura D’Angelo.

Derse will be honored at an awards ceremony on May 9 and join RPO Conductor Andreas Delfs on stage at the beginning of the Philharmonic’s concert that evening. (The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.; click here for tickets). She and Matthew Sherrill — from Fairport’s Minerva Deland School, who won in the category of Instrumental Music (Band) — will receive further accolades at the RPO Centennial Gala at the Riverside Convention Center on May 18.

This is not the first year, by the way, in which a Webster music teacher has been recognized by the RPO. Most recently, n 2017, Jeanne Coonan (then working at Spry Middle School) won the Instrumental Music Award for K-12 Band, and Al Heary (then working at Dewitt Elementary) won the Classroom Music Specialist Award.

That history is a testament to the quality of the Webster CSD music department, which, BY THE WAY, was once again this year named honored by the NAMM Foundation with the Best Communities for Music Education designation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the 19th time out of the 25-year award’s existence that Webster has received the honor.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/22/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Webster Montessori School shines bright at fundraiser

18 Apr

Bonus blog today about a great event coming up next weekend (April 27), but you have to get tickets by this Saturday.

It’s called A Roaring Night to Shine Bright, and it’s an exciting fundraiser for the Montessori School.

This annual fundraiser offers an incredible selection of silent and live auction items which range from restaurant gift cards and a crepe-making class to a Christmas Eve visit from Santa and a getaway at the Glen Iris Inn.

Other great items include:

Even those brand new to live auctions will have fun and be comfortable, as you’re led through the process by seasoned auctioneer David Mammano. Simply raise your bidder paddle when you’re ready to make a bid, and the auction team will keep you informed of the current highest bid and guide you through the bidding process.

A Roaring Night to Shine Bright will be held Saturday April 27 beginning at 5 p.m. at Evento East, located in BayTowne’s Street of Shoppes.

Tickets must be purchased by Saturday April 20. For more information and to get your seats, click here to visit the event page.

* * *

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/18/2024)

Tags: , ,

Webster Schroeder Theater Company will present Little Women

17 Apr

Little Women, the classic tale of love, loss, heartbreak and growing up, will come to the Webster Schroeder stage in four shows April 25 to 27.

Adapted by Thomas Hischak based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women follows the adventures of Jo (Veronica Sanberg), Meg (Emily Schiffhauer), Beth (Kathryn Sullo), and Amy March (JimmaLy Ortega) as they grow up in Civil War America. The beloved story of the March sisters is timeless and deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written. Click here to see the whole cast list.

The Webster Schroeder Theater Company will present Little Women on Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 25, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m., plus a matinee performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased on the Schroeder Theater Company website.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/17/2024)

Tags: , , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →