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Bonus mailbag!

5 Jun

BONUS BLOG!

I wanted to waste no more time in passing along information about a few events coming up in the next several days.

The first is the annual Webster Museum Barn Sale which will run from 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday June 6 (tomorrow!) through Saturday June 8, at 394 Phillips Road.  The ladies at the museum tell me that they’ll have a “Picker’s Paradise, lots of old tools, antiques, garden art, plants and collectibles.”

All proceeds will benefit the Museum’s ongoing programs and efforts to preserve and celebrate Webster’s history.

* * *

The Webster Marching Band’s semi-annual (or is it bi-annual…in any case, two times a year) Bottle and Can Drive returns this Saturday June 8.  This is a time when more than 150 dedicated student and adult volunteers scour Webster for donations, and end up collecting and sorting more than 250,000 bottles and cans.  This is the band’s biggest fund-raiser of the year, and they’d really appreciate your help, because they have some very exciting — and expensive — trips in the works.

Chances are you received a flyer in your door this week telling you about the bottle and can drive. Simply collect all your returnables in a garbage bag and place them at the curb by 9:30 am for pick-up. You can also drop them off at Schroeder High School between 9:30 am and 4 pm.

You might also consider supporting the band’s “Just $5” campaign to raise funds for aging uniforms and equipment. You can get more information about that at webstermarchingband.org.  If you have any questions, or want to schedule a pick- up, call 234-8684 Option 1.

 

 

A follow-up on the clean-up

17 May

In one of my blogs a few days ago I mentioned how I recently drove by a group of Webster High School Marching Band parents and students who were cleaning up a stretch of Ridge Road.  I lamented the fact that I didn’t know about it ahead of time so I couldn’t snap any photos.

Well, a big thanks to Patty Homeier for sending along the following two photos from her team.  Patty wrote that her group of three adults and three kids worked for about an hour and a half, and collected 10 large bags of trash (and a few car parts).

They and three other groups cleaned both sides of Ridge from Hegedorns to the movie theater.

Patty also mentioned in her email that her family is new to the marching band.  I think it’s pretty cool that even though they’re new to the organization, they’re already participating in events like this.  It’s a great example of how much Webster Marching Band families are committed to this community.

Thank you to the Webster Marching Band for cleaning up our Ridge.

I love the hard hats. (L-R) Mikayla Cassidy, Theresa Homeier and Anna Halpa.

Theresa Homeier works in the woods.

 

 

An exciting opportunity for your musicians

12 May

Several days ago when I was driving through town I noticed a group of young people and adults picking up trash along Ridge Road. My first thought was, “Huh. I’ll bet that’s folks from the Webster High School Marching Band. I think this is the stretch of highway they adopted.”  That was immediately followed by my next thought, “I wonder why they didn’t tell me they were going to be doing this so I could come out and take photos?”

Ah, well. Maybe next year. But seeing them did remind me of the great new program for young musicians which the Marching Band has introduced this year.  I’ve mentioned it before, but it deserves much more attention. It’s THAT great an idea.

It’s called the Webster Kidets Marching Band, and it’s designed for 5th and 6th graders in the Webster School District who’d like to see what it’s like to be part of a real live marching band.

To participate, a student should already be playing a musical instrument in school; chorus and orchestra students are encouraged to learn a percussion instrument to play with the group.The colorguard section is open to any student.

The band will hold four practices on June 3, June 24, June 26 and July 8, and then march in the huge Firemen’s Parade on July 10.  Brass, woodwind and percussion musicians are invited to sign up, as well as students interested in performing with the Kidets colorguard.

Registration is $30 per student, which includes a parade uniform (t-shirt) which the student can keep. The program can provide drums, mellophones, euphoniums and colorguard flags.  Flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and trombones must be provided by the students.

What a wonderful opportunity this is for young musicians to get a taste of the excitement and pride that comes with being part of a marching band.

For more details, including rehearsal times, log onto the Webster Kidets webpage.

 

Mr. Ahlquist goes to Washington

29 Apr

Webster Thomas High School social studies teacher Greg Ahlquist had the opportunity to meet President Obama last week on a trip to Washington D.C.  The honor was one of many that Ahlquist has received after being named New York State Teacher of the Year for 2013.

Since receiving the honor last October, Ahlquist has spent much of this school year traveling around the country as an ambassador for the state and the school district.

The two shots below are from the photo op with President Obama and all of the nation’s Teachers of the Year. Ahlquist can be seen in the back row on the left in the first photo — he’s the tall one next to the flag. In the second photo, you can just see his face peeking out from behind at top right (he’s wearing glasses).

 

 

 

Two invitations from the school district

29 Apr

Today I pass along a few notes straight from the school district:

The first is an invitation to join a Strategic Planning Committee Forum next week. In extending the invitation, Superintendent of Schools Adele Bovard wrote,

The district is in continual need of our community’s input as we keep building on the strategic planning process that began three years ago. Those beginning phases of the strategic planning process focused on parent engagement, technology, and communication within the district. Community members are now invited to share input with the district’s strategic planning group to help answer the question, “What does it mean for a Webster student to be college, career, and community ready?” Activities to help answer that question will include focus groups during this forum and, in the near future, an updated survey of the community.

The forum will be help on Tuesday, May 7  from 7 – 8:30 pm at Webster Thomas High School’s South Cafeteria, 800 Five Mile Line Road.  If you’re interested in attending, contact Krista Grose, WCSD Public Relations Coordinator, at 216-0013, or Krista_Grose@websterschools.org.

* * *

The Webster Central Schools PTSA has just announced that its 2013-2014 PTSA Calendar Cover Art Contest has officially begun.

Any WCSD student in grades K-11 is invited to enter. There will be two winners, one for the smaller size calendar and one for the larger size calendar. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card from Barnes and Noble and have their art work reproduced on more than 2000 calendars sold by the Webster Central PTSA.

Entries must be submitted by Friday May 31 (no late entries will be accepted), and the artwork will not be returned.  Entries must conform to the rules below and will be judged on their artistic merit and the ability to reproduce the work on the calendar.  The subject of the drawing must relate to education.Here’s the fine print:

ALL ENTRIES MUST:

  • be hand drawn in black ink or black marker on white paper no larger than 11” high by 14” wide (or smaller than 8 ½ X 11″); landscape format preferred;
  • must not include copyrighted characters or images such as Snoopy or Mickey Mouse;
  • must not be folded;
  • must not include the name of a specific school or teacher, and must not contain any misspelled words;
  • must have the following information printed on the back of the artwork: student’s name, current school and grade, and home telephone number;
  • Artwork should reflect education and/or positive youth values (such as the 40 Developmental Assets).

Artwork must be submitted to your school office or library by Friday May 31. For any questions contact your school’s PTSA Chair or Terri Edwards at 872-3993 (tme @rochester.rr.com).

 

 

Thursday Webster mailbag

18 Apr

The Webster Thomas Odyssey of the Mind Team poses with principal Glenn Widor.

Get a great dinner Friday night and benefit a good cause.

A Webster Thomas High School Odyssey of the Mind team won the state championship in their problem and division, “It’s How You Look at It”, and will advance to the World Finals to be held May 22-23 in Lansing, Michigan.

To defray the cost of getting to Michigan, team members Brystol Cook, Sarah Kennedy, Abby Wezelis, Andrea Saitta, Rachel Crumley, Allesandra Suchodolski, and Lizzie Hart are hosting a series of fundraisers, so come grab a bite to eat and support the team.

The first is a chicken barbecue on Friday April 19 beginning at 4 pm.  The barbecue is provided by Tastebuds Catering, and will take place at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road. The release I received said that pre-orders would be taken until two days before the event. That was yesterday. If you’re still interested, you can email thomasOOTM19@ gmail.com or ThomasOOTM26@ gmail.com to see if they’re sold out yet. Cost is $10 for a marinated half-chicken, mac salad, coleslaw, bread and butter.

If it’s too late to sign up for this weekend, they’re having another one next Friday April 26. You can definitely get in on that one.

Community Arts Day is back

One of my favorite events of the school year takes place this weekend, when Community Arts Day returns to Webster Schroeder High School this Saturday April 20 from 10-4.

This is great family-friendly event which celebrates the many artistic and musically talented students in our schools. Samples of artwork from every school in the district will be on display, and entertainment by dance troupes, martial arts schools, music groups and more are scheduled throughout the day. The entire first floor of the school is packed with performers, artwork, and community displays. There’s a children’s area with crafts, baked goods and refreshments, and the YMCA Carnival set up in the gymnasium with games, prizes, a bouncy house and inflatable obstacle course.

I tell you folks, this is a great inexpensive way to entertain the kids all day.

Admission to Community Arts Day is free. Proceeds from food, craft, and carnival booth sales will benefit cultural arts programs within the Webster Central School District.  For more information, visit the Community Arts Day website. You can also click here   to see the full performance schedule.

Webster Theater Guild Proudly Presents…

After a fun day at Community Arts Day, consider  taking in a family-friendly evening of music, dance and drama presented by the Webster Theatre Guild.

Community groups scheduled to perform include the Neighborhood Acting Company, the Bowties, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, Greater Rochester Repertory Companies, The Women of Note, St. Paul’s Church Choir, JCC Center Stage, the Webster Thomas/Schroeder Show Choir, and of course the Webster Theatre Guild.

The event will take place in the cafetorium of Willink Middle School, 900 Publisher’s Parkway, beginning at 8 pm. There’s no charge, but donations will be accepted, all benefiting the West Webster Fire Department and the Webster Community Chest.

Dig into Your History

The Webster Museum will host a genealogy talk on Sunday April 21, called “Searching For Your Family History.”

Gabriel Pellegrino, a long-time Webster resident and director of music at Holy Spirit Church,  will present a talk on how to use the public library, the Internet, church records and newspapers to find your family history. Bring your questions and he may be able to point you in the right direction.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the museum’s new exhibits on “Life in the 1920s and 1930s.”  You won’t believe how different — and colorful — the kitchens were back then.

The talk will run from 2-4 pm. The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village. Check their website for more information.

Webster Thomas grad performs during March Madness

1 Apr

Rmani Crawford, at the far left, prepares to lead Won by One in song. Click on the photo to watch the video.

If you watched any of the Elite 8 basketball games on Sunday, you might have caught a singing performance by a Webster Thomas grad.

Rmani Crawford (’10) led the Pepperdine University a cappella group Won by One in singing the National Anthem before one of the Elite 8 games  played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. I’m not sure the TV stations actually broadcast the performance, but someone did post a video to YouTube, which you can see by clicking here or on the photo to the right.

Rmani is a junior at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, majoring in rhetoric and leadership. He sings baritone for Won by One, who call themselves “A group of six unlikely friends who travel in a big white van, recruit students to come to Pepperdine and practice beat boxing daily.”

Thank you to my friend Holly for bringing my attention to this link. I’m always pleased to see our Webster students making a difference in the world.

You can find out more about Won by One by checking out their website here or their Facebook page here.

 

Sharing the gift of music

27 Mar

At the Schroeder concert, the percussion section has fun with plungers.

Two events this week at the Webster high schools helped spread the gift of music.

All of Webster School District’s fifth graders were recently treated to a sample of the kind of music they can create when they progress through the elementary instrumental music program into high school.

Last week, Webster Schroeder High School welcomed students from Plank Road North, Plank Road South and State Road elementary schools to watch a concert performed by the high school wind ensemble. The same event occurred at Webster Thomas yesterday, where the Thomas Wind Ensemble hosted students from Klem Road North, Klem Road South, DeWitt Road and Schlegel Road elementary schools.

At Schroeder, conductor Amanda Tierson fields questions from the fifth graders.

The musical experience was made even more meaningful by lessons the elementary students were presented before the concerts.  The elementary music teachers prepared their students by introducing the pieces that would be performed, encouraging discussion of instrumentation, musical themes, concert etiquette and characteristics of the music they would hear.

For many of the kids, it was their first experience hearing a “real live” concert. And for any of them just starting to learn an instrument, it was a great display of what they could accomplish with continued dedication and hard work.

Fifth graders fill the auditorium at Thomas.

Conductor Eric Piazza leads the Thomas Wind Ensemble.

A saxophone quartet highlighted the Thomas concert. From left, Terese Ciaizza, Karthik Sekharan, Nick Bartusek and Juliana Baratta.

Webster Thomas grade Evan Sundquist was a featured performer when the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble made a stop at Thomas High School on Tuesday, as part of their spring break educational tour through Upstate New York.  Sundquist was spotlighted on the trumpet and vocally during the hour-long performance. The purpose of the group’s tour is to illustrate to current high school students that there are opportunities to participate in music after high school, whether or not they choose to major in music.

Thomas grad Evan Sundquist (back, at left) played trumpet and sang during the concert at his alma mater.

The Fredonia Jazz Ensemble on stage.

Webster educators pull in some big awards

21 Mar

Two Webster School District teachers were recently honored with some pretty impressive awards.

Plank North physical education teacher Kevin Sayers

The first is Plank Road North Elementary School physical education teacher Kevin Sayers, who was recently honored as the 2013 Central Western Zone Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

Sayers was nominated by colleague Jennifer Forsey, who felt that he exemplifies a true professional in the field of PE at the elementary school level. “His way of teaching pulls in all of his students and they hang on his every word,” she said. “Kevin has a ton of ideas in which to incorporate skills into lessons in fun and exciting ways. He is also a great mentor to newer elementary PE teachers in our district.”

Sayers has been a physical education teacher in the Webster school district for 11 years, serving all but one at Plank North.  He is a member of the school crisis team, the building advisory committee and the school health and safety team.  He is also involved in the school’s Family Fun Night and New Family Orientation Night. For the district, Sayers coordinates the annual fourth grade Fun Run, is a new teacher mentor and has been involved in curriculum writing over the years.

Sayers received his award at a conference earlier this month.

* * *

Next, let’s pop on over to Webster Schroeder High School, where music teacher Amanda Tierson has received the Yale Distinguished Educator Award, which recognizes honorees for their “outstanding achievements and vision as public school teachers.”

Webster Schroeder High School music teacher Amanda Tierson

Tierson was one of 50 educators chosen for this year’s award, out of a pool of nearly 300 nominations representing 45 states. She will receive the award at the 2013 Symposium of Music in Schools at Yale University in early June. In addition to the awards dinner, while at the symposium Tierson will discuss education reform with music educators from across the country, learn from recognized leaders in her field and have the opportunity to enjoy a concert in Sprague Memorial Hall.

Tierson has been teaching for 29 years at both the elementary and senior high levels.  She is the Music Lead Teacher at Webster Schroeder High School where she currently teaches Wind Ensemble and 9th Grade Band.  She also enjoys teaching Music Education Practicum, a course she created for high school students who wish to become future music educators, and mentoring student teachers.

Congratulations to both of these fine teachers. It just goes to show you that those “specials” teachers are actually extra-special.

Thursday Webster Mailbag

20 Mar

It’s a sure sign of spring: special events are beginning to pop up all over the place.

For starters, Webster Thomas High School’s Production of The Wiz eases onto the stage for four shows beginning this evening at 7:30 pm.  The Wiz is a hip, 1975 adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the even more famous movie.

Yesterday several of the cast members treated Thomas staff and students to a teaser, featuring some of the songs from the show. So I can tell you that this is going to be a very entertaining, high-energy production. Anyone who lived through the ‘70s will enjoy the cultural references to that … far out … era. The kids will enjoy the vibrant costumes and upbeat melodies.  It’s about as different from the Wizard of Oz as it can be, while still sticking to the famous storyline. The Cowardly Lion, for example, looks and acts a lot like Elvis.

Tickets are $10 and are still available for all shows, but it might be too late to get them at Hegedorn’s, so pick them up when you get to the show.

The Wiz will be presented tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7:30, and Saturday at 2 pm, at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road, Webster.

THROUGH THE STUDENT LENS RECEPTION

Friday night, you’re invited to attend a reception for a multi-school photography show called Through the Student Lens 2013,at the Image City Photo Gallery.  This annual event showcases stunning photography by high school students from all around the county. The idea is to give students a chance to display their photographs professionally, in a gallery setting. This year’s collection includes 170 images by students from 17 area high schools, including Thomas and Schroeder.

Through the Student Lens opened on Wednesday and runs through April 14.  You can meet the artists at a reception Friday night March 22 from 5-8:30 pm.  The Image City Photo Gallery is located at 722 University Avenue, in Rochester.

25TH ANNUAL SCOUTING FOR FOOD

Believe or not, this weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Scouting for Food. I know this because I got one of those hangy-tag things on my doorknob earlier this week. If you did, too, and immediately tossed it into the recycle bin, go fish it out, because this is a very worthwhile effort.

Here’s the way it works: On Saturday morning, gather up some non-perishable foods, put them in a bag, and then plop the bag outside your front door by 9 am. That’s all there is to it.  The Scouts will be around to pick it up, sort it and deliver all the donations to local food pantries.

AND, these days Scouting for Food also includes a clothing drive. So get another bag, fill it with gently used clothes and shoes in it (no household items, please), and plop the bag outside your front door right next to the food bag. These items will be donated to Goodwill.

If the Scouts don’t make it by your house to pick up the donations, you can drop them off yourself at any Wendy’s Restaurant or any Goodwill store between March 23 and March 30.

SCHLEGEL ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION FAIR

Schlegel Road’s Second Annual Beautification Fair is Saturday, March 23.  All sorts of crafters will be on hand to display a tremendous variety of gift items. Funds raised through the craft sale and raffles will go towards beautifying the school’s cafeteria. The second phase of the project began earlier this month, when Schlegel art teacher Colleen Palmer and all of her students started painting murals during their art classes. You’ll can check out their work this weekend while you’re at the fair.

The show takes place from 10 am to 4 pm at the school, 1548 Schlegel Road in Webster.

BLOOD DRIVE AT THE AQUATIC CENTER

Your next local opportunity to donate blood is Tuesday March 26 at the Webster Schroeder High school Aquatics Center, 875 Ridge Road. Donations will be taken from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. It might be best to make an appointment for this one, since a lot of Schroeder students will probably be participating as well. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

WEBSTER CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND HEALTH FAIR

Did you know that dogs’ nose prints are as unique as human fingerprints? That there’s such a thing as glow-in-the-dark soda? And what the heck is “morphing matter”?  Find out more about all of these questions and more at Webster Christian School’s Science and Health Fair, Tuesday evening, from 7-8:30 pm.

I went to this event last year and was amazed at some of the projects these young people were able to pull off. I may have to go again this year just to see what “dry ice bombs” are.

Webster Christian School is located at 675 Holt Road.

RENEW WEBSTER

A free Renew Webster Home Energy “Lunch and Learn” Workshop is scheduled Wednesday, March 27, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Webster Recreation Center to help residents learn about and understand programs available to help them reduce energy use and annual energy costs by an average of $700.

At the meeting, homeowners will be able to sign up for their free or reduced-cost energy assessment, as well as learn about other energy efficiency program opportunities available from Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E).

The Town of Webster will provide each family (up to 100) with a 10-pack of compact fluorescent light bulbs, which can save $84 per year or more by replacing incandescent light bulbs.

The lunch and program are free of charge, but space is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged to reserve your light bulbs and lunch at http://www.RenewWebster.org or toll free at 1-866-495-2959.

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