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Calling the Webster Schroeder Class of 1977

23 May

class of 77The time is drawing near for the Webster Schroeder Class of 1977’s 40th reunion, and if that means you, you’re going to want to get your tickets soon.

Plans are for a picnic at Webster Park on Sunday July 16, catered by Bad to the Bone Barbecue. A wide variety of craft and mainstream brews will be provided by The Beverage Center in Canandaigua, a store owned by classmate Carlo Jannotti. (There will be plenty of other beverage choices as well for anyone who doesn’t like beer.)

A lot of your classmates have already signed up, but there are still a lot of “missing” ones. So organizers are asking everyone to log onto the event Facebook page to find out who’s on that list and see if you can help track them down. Former teachers are also encouraged to attend.

Tickets for the barbecue dinner can be purchased by clicking here.  To contact the reunion organizers, email hwsclassof77@gmail.com.  For more details about when things are happening and who’s coming, follow the reunion page on Facebook here.

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The U.S. is reborn at Plank North

21 May

united states

If you’ve ever attended — or had children who attended — Plank Road North Elementary School, you’re likely very familiar with the huge United States map painted on the playground near the southwest corner of the school.

Depending on how long ago you were there, you might also remember it as a very colorful representation of our great country, each state sporting a bright prime color.

But that hasn’t been the case for a long time. Over the years, the once vibrant map has faded, the colors almost completely unrecognizable.

Plank North kindergarten teacher Peggy Garritano has decided to do something about that. The map sits outside her classroom window, as it has for the 17 years she’s worked at the school. Apparently she got tired of looking at the faded states, so she’s taken it upon herself to restore the map’s original vibrancy.

For several weeks now, Garritano has been coming around 6:30 a.m. every day — weather permitting — to paint a state or two. And even though she’s doing all of the work, Garritano is still able to use the slowly blooming map to teach her students about the United States.

When I was in their classroom the other day, the kids were excited to tell me about the states that had already been completed (including “Montania,” according to one little boy); why Texas would take a long time to paint and Rhode Island a very short time (“Look how little it is!” said one little girl); and apparently they had already taken issue with how the map shows Alaska and Hawaii so close to the mainland.

I’ll be following the map’s progress, including writing an East Extra column when the project is complete. So stay tuned.

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It must be summer, because….

17 May

fiesta

… I just received a press release about the St. Rita Fiesta!

This little festival is one of my favorite ones of the entire year, and not just because it’s close to home. There is always so much to do for the whole family, and organizers seem to keep adding new things every year.

This year — the fiesta’s 63rd — there will be a zip line and bounce houses for the kids, and live music by The Breakfast Club and Ruby Shooz. There’ll be an expanded list of food trucks, as well as the fiesta’s traditional pancake breakfast, fish fry dinner, and chicken barbecue. And of course the plant sale and book sale will be back again.

This year’s big raffle prize is $10,000 cash or $15,000 towards a lease from Vision Automotive.

The Fiesta also features  5k and 10k races on Saturday, June 3. I’ve run this race, and it’s a nice flat course which is perfect for strollers and new runners as well as seasoned competitors. The race is followed by a pancake breakfast.

Families can order wristbands early, which gets kids all-access passes to the bounce houses, zip lines, and bungee trampoline at a discounted price. Discount wristbands can be purchased through the Fiesta website or at the St. Rita’s Parish Office.

Admission to the Fiesta is free. For more information, visit the St. Rita Fiesta website. St. Rita Church is located at 1008 Maple Drive in West Webster.

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Mini Webster mailbag

16 May

Just a few interesting notes this morning.

For starters, Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas high schools will both have new assistant principals next year.

Karen Murray has accepted the position as assistant principal (alpha M-R) for Webster Thomas High School’s Gold House, effective July 1. Murray is replacing current interim assistant principal Jeremy Slack.

New APs for web

Karen Murray and Dan Sepka

Murray, a Webster resident and graduate, previously served as a middle school ELA teacher and literacy specialist at both Spry and Willink middle schools. She also was a high school literacy specialist at Webster Thomas HS.

 

Dan Sepka will be the new assistant principal (alpha A-E) for Webster Schroeder High School, also effective July 1, replacing current interim assistant principal Jim Vitale.

Sepka is currently an integrated co-teacher at Spry Middle School and prior to that, worked for 10 years at State Road Elementary School as a consultant teacher.
He has spent his entire teaching career in Webster CSD as a co-teacher in all subject areas, and has been a Warrior varsity assistant coach since 2005.  He is also a graduate of Webster Schroeder HS and a Webster resident.

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The Webster Parks and Recreation Department has asked me to remind everyone about their great summer camp programs.

Right now is the time to sign up for programs to keep your kids active and entertained this summer. The Rec offers both full-day camps for children ages kindergarten through 5th grade, and fun camps for teenagers.

In full-day camp, kids are grouped by grade and rotate through a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Campers will also enjoy several field trips to miniature golf, Seabreeze, bowling, movies ad more.

The Fun Camps will take teenagers to a new exciting destination every dayfrom ice skating to RocVenture, a baseball game to paintball.

The Rec also offers a preschool camp for children ages 3 to 5, and half-day fun camp for kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade.

For more details about all the options, click here.

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opioidThe Monroe County Legislature and the school district are teaming up for a very important presentation on May 31 to raise awareness about the rising threat of opioid abuse in our community.

The presentation will be held Wednesday May 31 at 7 pm at the Webster Community Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. Click on the poster for more information.

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Plank North welcomes return of former student, now a Marine

5 May
IMG_6883

Plank North Elementary teacher Marcia Napolitano welcomes her former student.

Here’s a heartwarming story that happened at Plank Road North Elementary School this week, when students got an extra special visit from a freshly-minted U.S. Marine.

For the last three months, the students of Marcia Napolitano’s fourth grade class have been following the progress of Jason Ingerson, one of Napolitano’s former students, as he worked his way through Marine Corps recruit training.

Ingerson, who was in Napolitano’s class during the 2006-2007 academic year, first visited his old classroom back in January, just after he signed up with the USMC and just before he shipped off for boot camp. He answered the students’ questions about his decision to enlist and his family’s reactions, and described the challenges he was expecting to face once he reached Parris Island.

While Jason was away, Plank North Principal Craig Bodensteiner — himself a Marine veteran — gave Napolitano’s students a taste of what boot camp is like, running them through physical drills and lessons on saluting and standing at attention. He also demonstrated the kind of verbal abuse a recruit would have to take from the drill instructor (physical education teacher Kevin Sayers got to play the part of the recruit for that demonstration).

Last Tuesday, Jason Ingerson returned once again to his old Plank North classroom to greet the students who had helped him through 12 of the most difficult weeks of his life. Standing smartly in blue dress uniform at the front of the room, he answered questions once again. But this time he was a United States Marine.

WHAM Channel 13 was on hand for the reunion, and featured the story as their Tuesday evening Bright Spot segment. You can see that video by clicking here.

Many thanks to Jennifer Calus of the WCSD for her great photographs.

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Friday Webster Mailbag

4 May

mailbag

The Penfield Village Nursery School will be sponsoring a golf tournament on Friday June 2 to help celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary.

The tournament, held at Shadow Lake Country Club in Penfield, costs $100 per player, which includes 18 holes, a golf cart, and goodie bag, raffles and lunch.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and play begins at noon.

Interested players, sponsors or businesses interested in donating prizes should contact Kacey Kiley at kldunbar@yahoo.com.  Organizers ask that completed registration forms and payment be submitted by May 15.

The Penfield Village Nursery School and Kindergarten is located at 1862 Penfield Road. Read more about the school in a blog I wrote about them last fall.

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The Webster Arboretum Plant Sale will return on Saturday May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Arboretum, 1700 Shlegel Road.

Visitors will find plants of all varieties offered for sale by the Arboretum, local commercial growers and local clubs. The Country Gardeners of Webster Garden Club members have chosen selected plants from their own gardens. What this means is that all of the plants for sale will definitely grow in Webster with some sun, water and your tender loving care.

Celebrate the much-anticipated arrival of spring by stopping by the Webster Arboretum on he 13th and get some new plants for your garden (and maybe a Mother’s Day gift). Admission is free and the event happens rain or shine.

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And the accolades for our Webster music teachers just keep on coming.

The College Board has appointed Webster Central School District’s Laura D’Angelo to its Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory Development Committee.

D’Angelo has been teaching music for 23 years, 20 in Webster Central School District where she presently teaches Music Theory I and AP Music Theory at both high schools. Laura currently serves The College Board by grading AP Music Theory exams. She also has been a speaker at the AP National Conference, as well as at the reading sessions for AP Music Theory.

“We have one of, if not the, biggest high school music theory programs in the nation. When I go to Cincinnati to grade exams (for the AP board), Webster is very well known for our program. I am extremely fortunate to be in a district that supports this program,” D’Angelo said.

D’Angelo’s three-year appointment to the AP Music Theory Development Committee will begin in July.

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In other school news, remember that the Board of Education and budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday May 16th, from 6 am to 9 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.

You get find out more about the proposed budget by clicking here, and you can meet the Board of Education candidates Wednesday May 10 at 7 pm in the Spry Middle School auditorium. Four candidates are running for three positions this year. They are: Andy LaManna, Mike Suffoletto, Bill Kent and Jan Strege.

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SEPTA Bowling fundraiser a success

27 Apr

(all photos courtesy Hayes Photography, lindahayesphotography.com)

Webster’s 6th annual SEPTA (Special Education Parent/Teacher Association) scholarship fundraiser, held on Sunday April 9 at AMF Empire Lanes, was a terrific success. Despite being a beautiful, warm spring day, 100 bowlers spent the day indoors instead of teeing off on the golf course or grilling outside.

The event was coordinated by Thomas special education teacher Dina Malboeuf, who provided this follow-up report.

In addition to the bowlers and business sponsors, special education staff members from both Webster Thomas and Schroeder High Schools participated by volunteering at the registration and raffle tables, bringing in teams of their own, and gathering spectacular prizes for the raffles.

The afternoon was filled with fun, creativity (some teams dressed up in costumes), team spirit (teams consisted of families, friends, and/or colleagues from various departments), food, awards, and overall unique talent demonstrated on the lanes! It was so nice to see community members and district staff come together to support a great cause: raising scholarship money for students who participate in the special education program in Webster.

The event was a great success, raising more than $4,000. Malbeouf would like to send out a special thank you to the following people:

Candy Harris, Linda Hayes (for her terrific photography), Joan Bardanis, Diane Cannarozzo, Tracy Small, Kyle Suffoletto/Rivalry on the Ridge, Ginny Perry-Pschierer, Todd Pschierer, Kevin Eichorn, Denise Warren, Mel Drury, Dan Marcello, Shelly Cahoon, Colleen Armstrong, Marjorie Marble, Mike Gustin, and Alec Wahl.

Event organizers are currently reviewing scholarship applicants from both high schools, and are already looking forward to making next year’s fundraiser tournament even more fun and more successful.

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Coonan and Heary earn RPO honors

24 Apr

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve praised the tremendous music educators in our school district. Our music program regularly wins top honors for its quality, and today it was announced that two of its finest teachers have earned special recognition from the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

Every year on their Music Educators’ Awards Night, RPO musicians honor several local music teachers, in an effort to strengthen the relationship between area music educators and the musicians of the RPO.

This year, two Webster music teachers were among the award winners: Jeanne Coonan of Spry Middle School won the Instrumental Music Award for K-12 Band, and Al Heary of Dewitt Elementary School won the Classroom Music Specialist Award.

Jeanne CoonanJeanne Coonan holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College, and has taught Instrumental Music for 35 years (24 years in Webster Central School District). Her experience includes teaching elementary, middle, and high school bands. Her elementary bands received Superior ratings at the Annapolis, MD Music Festival in 1996, 1998, and 2007, performing original commissioned compositions each time.

Coonan is co-founder of the Hochstein Junior Wind Symphony and Hochstein Youth Wind Symphony, both created to give motivated middle and high school students an in-depth performing experience. In addition to teaching, she performs as bassoonist and contrabassoonist for the University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Roberts Wesleyan College-Community Orchestra, and the Penfield Symphony.

Al HearyAl Heary has been teaching vocal/general music for 30 years, and currently teaches K-5 music at DeWitt Road Elementary School. He received a B.S. in Music Education/ Performance from Ithaca College and a M.M. in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia. He has completed three levels of Orff-Schulwerk teacher training at Eastman School of Music, three levels of Kodály teacher training at Nazareth College, and studied at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria.

The award winners were selected from nominations submitted by administrators, educators, parents and students, which are then reviewed by a committee comprised of community educators and RPO musicians. The three other winners were:

  • M. David Shemancik of Pittsford Sutherland High School — Instrumental Music Award, Band (K-12)
  • Douglas Steves of Oliver Middle School in Brockport — Choral Director Award (K-12)
  • Beverly Smoker, Professor and Department Chair at Nazareth College — Special Award

Congratulations to Jeanne and Al. You are two of the reasons Webster’s music program in one of the best anywhere.

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WCSD community comes together to support State Road Elementary

14 Apr

Even in the most difficult of situations, a ray of light often shines through.

I’ve seen that occur repeatedly in Webster. When bad things happen and threaten to overwhelm our friends and neighbors with negativity, we come together as a community to support each other and bring a bit of sunshine to a dismal situation.

An excellent example happened recently when a disturbing incident took place at State Road Elementary School. The details of that event don’t need to be rehashed here, but I would like to bring attention to what happened afterwards.

Realizing that their colleagues were going through a tough time, teachers and staff members at Klem Road South and Plank Road North elementary schools decided to show State Road some love.

On Tuesday April 4, Klem South provided cookies and milk for their State Road colleagues — the ultimate “I love you” snack.

The previous day, Plank North went all out, setting up an entire breakfast buffet in the staff’s lunchroom, including bagels, muffins, yogurt and crock pots filled with oatmeal. Inspirational and humorous quotes sprinkled throughout the room reaffirmed the message of love and support.

The thank-you messages which came flowing into Plank North later that day showed how much State Road appreciated the effort. Here are a few of them:

Just wanted to say “thank you” to our PN friends for treating us with breakfast on Monday! It’s been a tough month, but it has also been awesome to see our One Webster comes together to support each other! — Keary Pender

I am so honored to be part of both of these amazing schools. Thank you Plank North family for supporting my other State Road family! I have already heard from many people over there about how much they appreciated the thought and kindness!! — Lindsay MacKenzie

Your school is so thoughtful! The breakfast & inspirational quotes are wonderful & beautiful. Thank you so much for your generous hearts! — Stephanie Jones

No words can express the gratitude I, and many others, have towards all of you. The spread was amazingly delicious but the posters and sayings were all so appropriate and really hit the mark on how we are feeling. Everything really touched our hearts. We are a community, you celebrate together and grieve together. I am grateful to be part of Webster. — AnnMarie Johansson

State Road principal Christine Noeth-Abele said the support did not stop there.

Our parent community and the PTSA (have) been providing us with love and food (cookie trays, fruit, breakfast, kind words, inspirational posters and flowers). We have had an incredible amount of support from everyone, including district office and our superintendent.

The kindness, compassion and support of the Webster community will never cease to amaze me. We can’t make unfortunate and uncomfortable situations go away but we can help each other through.

I am fortunate to work in such a caring and supportive environment. State Road is truly a family.

THIS is the wonderful school district in which I work, and the wonderful people with whom I spend my days. These are the people who teach and care for your children all day long.

We could not ask for a more caring school community.

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Oak Tree Award winners announced

13 Apr

The 2017 Oak Tree Awards for teaching excellence have been announced, and the winners are …..

Stacy Russotti, a fifth grade teacher at Plank South Elementary School, and Dave Stacy RussottiKowalski, a seventh grade science teacher at Willink Middle School.

Stacy was nominated by parent Patty Kaptein and received letters of recommendation from Plank South Principal Scott Wilcox and fellow fifth grade teacher Ronnette West, herself a previous Oak Tree recipient.

In the nomination letter, Kaptein wrote,

One special communication that really struck me at the beginning of the school year was in September (Russotti) personally called every student’s family member to check in on how the students where adjusting to her fifth grade classroom and to address any issues happening in her classroom early on. My daughter’s fifth grade class (was introduced) to the Honor Flight Rochester program…(with) students from the fifth grade attending the Honor Flight Rochester welcome home ceremony at the Rochester International Airport.

Dave Kowalski

Dave Kowalski was nominated by Bill Ottman, WCSD director of science and technology, and Brian Zimmer, WCSD director of educational technology and information. He also received letters of recommendation from Principal Gindling and Willink seventh grade English teacher Todd Putnam, who is also a previous Oak Tree recipient.

In nominating him, Ottman said that Kowalski is a

true collaborator… with a deep understanding of the concepts and skills you teach, a love of children, and a willingness and desire to continually challenge yourself to stay current and relevant to your students.

 

Congratulations to both recipients.

SparX wins top honors

Sparx Innovation in Control award

And while we’re at it, congratulations also go out to our Webster schools SparX robotics team, which recently won the Innovation in Control Award at the F.I.R.S.T. Buckeye Regional held in Cleveland, OH, the first weekend in April.

The award is presented to the team in which their spokesperson can identify and describe the controls innovation and can trace its conception, design, manufacturing/ assembly, or deployment. The control system must be innovative and unique and integrated with the machine, human players, strategy, etc., in concept and execution. The innovation must be practical, addressing the game’s challenge (not just a cute idea), and reliable under the stress of competition.

SparX received a trophy and plaque for the honor.

I got a chance to see this group of young people demonstrating their robotic handiwork at Community Arts Day. Their accomplishments are always impressive.

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