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Webster Thursday mailbag

15 Nov

imageLots going on as the holidays start to gear up in earnest.

Here’s a fun thing to do this weekend: The Webster Thomas Players will present Shakespeare’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream in three shows this Thursday Friday and Saturday, November 16 through 18. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road.

Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door.  Click here to check out a preview of the show.

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On Saturday, Spry Middle School will host a FIRST Lego League competition, which promises to be a fun spectacle.

Here’s a description/press release written by one of the SparX team members:

It’s that time of the year once again! Young students throughout the world are preparing to compete in this year’s FIRST Lego League competition, HYDRO DYNAMICS.

FIRST Lego League is a worldwide competition in which students ages 9-14 compete in challenges by creating a robot using Lego® blocks. In this year’s game, HYDRO DYNAMICS, kids have to create a robot that can do a variety of water-related functions, such as turning on a Lego faucet, flushing a Lego toilet, and replacing a broken Lego pipe. In between the games, the teams also make presentations to focus on the thematic issue presented each season. This season the teams are focusing on the importance of conserving water and the human water cycle. The kids use the scientific method and engineering design to solve their problems.

The last significant part of the game is designing a poster that goes over the fundamentals of Lego League: Discovery, Integration, Inclusion, and Cooperation.

On November 18, a regional competition will be held in Spry Middle School so the kids can show off what they have been working on for the past few months. Opening ceremonies begin at 11:00 a.m. If you are interested and want to learn more about the FIRST Lego League and the FIRST program, stop by or visit firstinspires.org.

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The Chorus of the Genesee has announced their second annual Breakfast with Santa, which will be held on Saturday December 2 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Harmony House, 58 East Main Street in Webster. Photos with Santa will be available.

The menu will feature French toast sticks and sausage, coffee, juice, and milk. Cost is $5 per person, $20 maximum per family. For tickets call (585) 265-9540 or visit chorusofthegenesee.org.

Breakfast with Santa is happening on the same day as the Village of Webster’s White Christmas Festival and Parade of Lights (Saturday December 2), which features holiday activities all afternoon and evening. Watch for a more complete blog about that to come soon.

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The annual Henderson Ford Toy Drive is ending in the next two weeks.

The dealership, along with six other business partners, are calling for the community’s help for new and unwrapped toys. Donated toys are being given to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots and The Furnished 4 Life Christmas Store at the Wedge Market.

The Henderson Ford annual toy drive is one of the largest collections in Rochester for both distribution campaigns. The toys delivered by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will be distributed in Rochester. The toys delivered to The Furnished 4 Life Christmas Store at the Wedge Market will allow for parental selection and pride in gifting.

You can drop off your new, unwrapped toy donations for all ages at any of the following locations:

  • Henderson Ford, 810 Ridge Road, Webster
  • Steinmiller Insurance, 1223 Bay Road, Webster
  • The UPS Store, 1900 Empire Boulevard, Webster
  • Webster Chamber Health Insurance Service, 1110 Crosspoint Lane Suite C, Webster
  • RAMP (Rochester Area Music Project), 31 West Church Street, Fairport
  • Edge Advertising Group, 6 North Main Street, Suite 220, Fairport

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Blood drive will honor Schroeder student

14 Nov

Ed. note:

I received this important message on my blog earlier today from Nancy Ryan, which I wanted to add to the blog post:

Hi Missy. I wanted you and your subscribers to know that community members will also have the opportunity to register as an organ and tissue donor at the November 25th event at Webster Schroeder in honor of Colin Montesano.

As you mentioned in your blog, Colin was a registered donor and, because of his generous spirit, was able to save and improve the lives of several people through the gift of donation. I am the Director of Marketing & Community Relations for Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network and will be on hand to help people join the New York State Donate Life Registry, as well as answer questions about organ and tissue donation.

And now, the blog itself:

You probably know by now that I’m a huge supporter of Red Cross blood drives. Well, I wanted to especially tell you about one coming up in a few weeks, which is important for two reasons.

colinFirst, this special blood drive, scheduled for Saturday November 25 at Webster Schroeder High School, is being held in memory of Webster graduate Colin Montesano, who passed away last April at just 21 years old.

After graduating from Schroeder, Colin enrolled in the biology program at the University of Pittsburgh. He had wanted to dedicate his life to helping others by becoming a physician. Following his death, Colin received a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Summa Cum Laude, when the University of Pittsburgh determined he had completed the credits necessary in his three years of enrollment to earn the degree.

Colin was an active community volunteer. He volunteered at a hospice facility in Webster, and at a children’s hospital in Pittsburgh. He was a co-founder of Pittsburgh Attacks Cancer Together (PACT), a fundraising organization for cancer research. He was also a talented athlete, whose accomplishments include being on the Webster Schroeder High School ice hockey team that won the NYSPHSAA Division II championship in 2014.

After his death, Colin continued to help others by being an organ and tissue donor.

Colin’s family is hosting this blood drive to continue Colin’s legacy of helping others. “Colin was a very giving person,” said Tracy Montesano, Colin’s mother. “Hosting a blood drive is a way to keep his memory alive and give hope to other patients who need blood.”

“We hope that everyone who can donate blood, rolls up a sleeve and gives blood in Colin’s memory, especially his coaches, teachers, friends, and those who played sports with our son,” added Mike Montesano, Colin’s father.

Blood Drive in Memory of Colin Montesano
Saturday, November 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Webster Schroeder High School
875 Ridge Road, Webster

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged.
To make an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call
1-800-REDCROSS. Use sponsor code websterschroederhighschoolwebster.

Aside from this being a great thing to do in Colin’s memory, this is also a critical time of year for blood donations. Donations decline significantly from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day as people get busy with holiday activities, so the Red Cross really needs your help.

It only takes about an hour of your day and would help lots of people. Just like Colin would want to do if he were here.

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Dewitt students enjoy a visit from the WWFD

10 Nov

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Here’s a quick — yet adorable — post about a recent visit from some real firefighters at Dewitt Road School.

About a week ago, the school’s first graders were treated to a lesson in fire safety from volunteers from the West Webster Fire Department. They got to see what a firefighter looks like all suited up, check out all of the tools on a fire truck, and even sit inside of the truck for a few minutes.

Many thanks to firefighters Phil Vanderlee, Pat Manfreda, and Gene Kohlmeier for taking the time to share this important information with these students.

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House of Hamill brings Irish music to Plank North

9 Nov

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Students at Plank Road North Elementary School were bouncing to an Irish beat on Wednesday as Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan of the House of Hamill, a Philadelphia-based folk/Irish/rock group, spent the day conducting Irish music workshops.

Toe-tapping music filled the school all day as the musicians discussed different facets of Irish music, including the difference between a violin and a fiddle, and how to tell a jig from a reel.

Brian and Rose not only shared their exceptional musical talents with the students, but also an important lesson on perseverance, especially for anyone struggling to learn an instrument.

When he started playing the violin, Brian remembered, “I was terrible for a very long time. It sounds bad at first. It’s hard to make it sound good, but little by little you start getting better.”

At the end of each lesson, the musicians opened up the floor to questions. A lot of hands shot up, and a lot of the “questions” were more like very important (to a grade-schooler, anyway) informational-sharing statements (“My cat is named Pete!”). But several clearly showed the students had been listening, and were very engaged and entertained.  And when Brian and Rose challenged them to distinguish between a jig and a reel, they were pretty much spot-on.

Brian and Rose are visiting Plank North again today for more workshops, and will conclude their visit this afternoon with a school-wide concert.  Tonight, they’ll travel to Lovin’ Cup near the RIT campus, where they’ll perform from 8 to 11:00 p.m. Click here to see more information about that.

House of Hamill

Brian and Rose teach fourth graders the tempo difference between a jig and a reel as Plank North music teacher Sarah Rosenberry helps the students count out the beat. (Provided)

 

Below is a short clip of House of Hall playing for the students. Click here to see the video.

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Click here to see a short clip of Brian and Rose playing for Plank North students. 

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Webster’s Schlegel Elementary ranked top-10 in quality

2 Nov

 

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The faculty and staff of Webster’s Schlegel Rd. Elementary School

There’s some exciting news from our Webster schools today.

As reported in the Democrat and Chronicle in an article posted online Thursday, Webster’s Schlegel Road Elementary School was ranked as a top-10 school in Monroe County for quality.

The ranking, part of USA Today’s New York State School Quality Index, looked at several statistical factors, including a school’s diversity, class sizes, attendance and teacher experience levels. Those indicators, the article explained, attempted to capture

measures of a school’s environment that don’t necessarily show up in test scores or graduation rates. The best schools, by this measure, are not those with the highest passage rates on standardized tests, but those that both children and adults find to be pleasant places to spend their weekdays.

Schlegel Road Elementary landed at #10 on the elementary school list. The other nine included two city schools, two charter schools, two East Irondequoit schools, two Rush-Henrietta schools and one in Greece.

I am fortunate to work at Schlegel Elementary School, and can attest to the dedication and commitment that the teachers and staff there have for their students. I see the connections they make every day, the personal touch they have with each and every one of the students in their care. You can tell the kids like coming to school from the smiles on their faces and they way they skip through the halls.

Fostering that kind of atmosphere is a critical first step for every school before real learning can take place. That’s the kind of stuff that a lot of people don’t get to see, and is really hard to measure.

Then again, maybe not.

I congratulate all of my colleagues for the well-deserved recognition.

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Happy Halloween from the Schlegel Elementary library

30 Oct

I have the good fortune to work with a very creative librarian at Schlegel Road Elementary School. Jamie Palmer is passionate about picture books, and reads at least one every day to her classes, from pre-K to fifth grade.

To celebrate the joy of picture books, on the week leading up to Halloween every year she creates what she calls a “picture-book pumpkin” for each of those classes, depicting a character or characters from some of her favorite books.

I’m pleased to share this year’s crop of picture-book pumpkins with you. You might not be familiar with the books,  but I think you’ll appreciate the creativity.

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Creepy Pair of Underwear

Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds, the brand new sequel to Creepy Carrots!

Found

Found by Salina Yoon.

La La La

La La La by Kate DiCamillo

last stop on market street

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña.

Please Mr. Panda

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

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Snappsy the Alligator, by Julie Falatko. 

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More news from our local firefighters

25 Oct

IMG_6257xContinuing on what seems to be a Volunteer Fire Department theme this week, I’d like to share a few photos from a fun demonstration held for the students at Plank Road North Elementary School last week.

Several members of the West Webster Fire Department visited the school to present a lesson to the school’s first grade classes.

The students first learned about fire safety, home fire drills and how to “stop, drop and roll.” Then they were reminded that firefighters in full gear might be be kind of scary, but they’re always there to help, so children should not run away from them or hide.

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Firefighters crawl past the students, simulating what they might do at a house fire.

At that point, to demonstrate how a firefighter might enter their house or bedroom in case of a fire, three firefighters — dressed head-to-toe in their helmets, masks, air tanks and turnout gear — crawled their way into the cafeteria and past the students.

Some of the students were a bit startled and scared. But they quickly brightened up when the lead firefighter unhooked her tank, and removed her helmet and mask, revealing she was none other than the students’ music teacher — and Webster Volunteer Fire Department firefighter — Sarah Rosenberry.

After the inside demonstration was complete, each student was given his or her own fire hat and then went outside to see and learn about all of the equipment stored in a real fire truck.

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WVFD open house

And while we’re on the subject of firefighters, don’t forget about the Webster Volunteer Fire Department Open House this Saturday October 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fire house on South Ave., during the village’s Trick or Treat Trail.

The trucks will be out for the kids to explore, there will be lots of equipment to check out, plus giveaways, refreshments, safety displays, demonstrations, and special activities for children of all ages.

Don’t miss this chance to check out the fire house and chat with our local first responders. Just look for the big fire truck with the ladder reaching all the way to the sky.

For more information, visit the WVFD Facebook page at facebook.com/ WebsterVolunteerFireDepartment.

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A thank you from the WCSD

22 Oct

I’m pleased to post this thank-you letter from the Webster School District following a very successful senior citizens’ dinner.

Webster Central School District celebrated the 46th Annual Senior Citizens’ Day on Thursday, October 19. Senior Citizens from throughout the community joined us at Webster Schroeder High School for a day filled with friends, superb student entertainment, wonderful door prizes donated by local merchants, and a delicious turkey dinner prepared by Webster CSD Food Service, served by some of our high school students. An additional 50 volunteers helped with bus loading and unloading, registration, and morning refreshments, and a contingent of elementary school students aided in the distribution of door prizes.

These One Webster festivities could not be possible without the generosity of so many!

Thank you to the following community businesses and organizations for their generous support of this special day: Trident Precision Manufacturing, Webster Community Chest, Webster Lions Club, Eggert & Coles, D.D.S., Webster Kiwanis Charitable Foundation, Stan Drabik, D.D.S., Bill Gray’s, Empire State Weeklies and the Webster Herald, Hegedorns Market, Kittelberger Florist and Gifts, Painting with a Twist, Schutt’s Apple Mill, Ann Kowal and Special Care Systems, LLC, Jerry Christopher and State Farm Insurance, Walmart, Webster Central PTSA, Wegmans, Jeff Scott and Willard H. Scott Funeral Homes, and various anonymous donors.

On behalf of the Webster Central School District and the Webster Board of Education, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to those listed above as well as to all who shared their time and talents with us on October 19. Thank you!

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Clarification from the PTSA

13 Oct

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Apparently there’s been some discussion in recent days on social media regarding a Meet the Candidates forum which was recently hosted by the Webster Central Schools’ PTSA.

The event, as I gather from the advance information that was distributed, was intended to be an informational give and-take between town residents and the candidates for Town Supervisor. Seems like a great opportunity to become better informed voters, and give our younger generation a taste of the voting process.

But apparently some people didn’t take it that way and there’s been some complaints. In response, the WC PTSA has offered this statement, which I am pleased to post.

We are aware that some Webster residents on social media pages have questioned the WC PTSA hosting a Meet the Candidates forum and we would like to take this opportunity to clarify our role in holding such events.

The PTSA held this event to provide an opportunity to the residents of Webster to meet the candidates and learn about their views. Both candidates and the Webster Community were invited to participate in this open forum event, and all questions were 100% audience driven. High School principals included this information in their weekly newsletter to encourage students to learn about their local government and its processes.

The event, like our annual BOE Meet the Candidates events, was a free, non-partisan, public event. It was not part of our monthly PTSA business meeting, which was held earlier that evening. It was moderated by a non-town resident and approved by the NYS PTA. For more information on NYS PTA, click here.

The PTSA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for the education and well being of every child. In accordance with our local and NY State bylaws, the WC PTSA does not endorse any political party or candidates. For more information on our mission and bylaws, please visit our website.

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The advance notice that appeared in school newsletters

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Webster Monday Mailbag

9 Oct

Let’s start today with some news from the library.

book sale flyerThe Friends of the Webster Public Library will sponsor their annual Fall Book Sale this week, starting Wednesday, Oct 11.

This is a new start day for the Friends, who traditionally had opened up the sale to members on Tuesday night. This year, members are invited to kick off the sale on Wednesday from 5 to 8:30 p.m., when the best of the best books are available for browsing and purchasing. Don’t fear — if you’re not a member but want to attend this special evening, you can purchase your membership on the spot.

The sale will be open to the general public on Thursday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and continues Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can grab a whole bag filled with book goodies for only $4.

The Webster Public Library will also be hosting a “get rid of your stuff” fundraiser on Saturday October 21. Drop off your no-longer-needed items at Savers in Webster between 9 a.m. and noon, at the thrift store’s donation drive-up at the west side of the building. Library volunteers will help to unload items.

​​The items that will be accepted include: clothes,​ ​bedding,​ ​towels,​ ​curtains, ​small​ ​electrical​ ​items​ ​and appliances,​ ​toys,​ ​games,​ ​stuffed​ ​animals,​ ​dishes, ​puzzles,​ ​sports​ ​equipment,​ ​jewelry,​ ​cutlery, baskets,​ ​ornaments,​ ​hand​ ​tools,​ ​and pots​ and pans.

The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Road. The entrance is at the rear of the plaza. Savers is located in the same plaza.

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The First Baptist Church of Penfield’s next Saturday Community Flapjack Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday October 21.

In recognition of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the church will donate alal proceeds from this month’s breakfast to Resolve of Greater Rochester, a group dedicated to intervening and preventing domestic and sexual violence against women.

The breakfast will run from 8 to 10 a.m. at the church, 1862 Penfield Road. It includes pancakes, pure maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and more, all for just $5.00 per person.

For more information, log onto www.fbpenfield.org.

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The Friends of Webster Trails Hot Cocoa Hike will be on Saturday, November 4th at the Whiting Road Nature Preserve. The hot chocolate will be free, the moon will be full, and there will be a lot of new friends to meet.

Pre-registration is requested. For more information and to sign up, click here. You can also find information under the events section of the Friends of Webster Trails website.

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The annual Schlegel Elementary School Craft Show will take place Saturday November 4, form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school, 1548 Schlegel Road.

This annual event will feature more than 60 vendors, sweet treats, concessions, and lots more. It’s a great way to kick off the upcoming holiday season.

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Veterans and active duty service members and their families are cordially invited to a complimentary dinner on Thursday, November 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, in the village of Webster.

Spry Middle School Student Council, Builders Club, and the Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396 are sponsoring the dinner as a way of showing their appreciation.

Reservations are appreciated. Please call Ms. Ritzmann at Spry Middle School at 216-0093 to reserve a spot.

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I’ll be talking a little more about this event at a later date, since it’s still almost a month away, but I did want to let everyone know about the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to benefit Edward Shuman Fight against Cancer.

Aside from some delicious pasta, the evening will include a 50/50 and gift basket raffle.

The event is being held at the Webster Assembly of God Church, 708 Hard Road, on Saturday November 11 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Cost is $10 for adults, $4 kids (3-12), and kids under 3 are free. Walk-ins are welcomed but RSVP’s are appreciated, so they can plan accordingly. For more information and to let them know you’re coming, log onto the event’s Facebook page.

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

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