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Schroeder students make waves in cardboard boats

6 Jun

I get a lot of press releases from the school district. For various reasons, I don’t always use them for my blog, but this most recent one that came across my email just made me giggle, in large part because of the photos which accompanied it.

Earlier this week, Webster Schroeder High School students put their physics and calculus knowledge to the test in a unique, fun and entertaining challenge: building and racing boats made entirely of cardboard. 

Teams of two to four students spent a week designing and constructing their vessels, aiming to create a boat sturdy enough to carry at least one person across the width of the pool.

On Tuesday June 3, four innovative cardboard creations hit the water at the Webster Aquatics Center, each vying for the fastest time. While one boat quickly succumbed to the water, sinking before leaving the edge, the remaining three showcased impressive engineering. One canoe-shaped vessel successfully transported its Warrior captain across the pool and back. Another, designed like a stand-up paddleboard with internal reinforcements, saw its sailor swiftly glide across the water using homemade cardboard hand fins. The fourth boat, resembling a small outrigger canoe, also demonstrated remarkable speed.

Ultimately, the stand-up paddleboard-style boat, with its innovative hand-fin propulsion, was declared the winner for its impressive speed at 20.24 seconds. Second place was the outrigger canoe with two rowers at 29.02, and the canoe took third with a time of 39.85. 

After the official contest, other classmates eagerly took the opportunity to try out the cardboard crafts, though one boat eventually sank under the weight of two occupants. It must have been so much fun to watch.

What a terrific way to have students apply their classroom learning to a real-life problem, and have a lot of fun doing it.

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

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(posted 6/6/2025)

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Oak Tree Award winners announced

23 May

Congratulations to this year’s Oak Tree Award winners for excellence in teaching: Rachel Yonkers and Sage Miller.

Miller, the secondary level recipient, is a math and computer science teacher at Webster Schroeder High School. She is a 20-year veteran educator in the district and taught for eight years in Greece prior to coming to Webster.

Yonkers, the elementary level recipient, is a fifth grade teacher at Plank Road South Elementary School. She has taught in Webster for 22 years and has also been a Ridge Runner coach for nine years.

Both Yonkers and Miller were officially recognized as recipients of this year’s award at the Webster Central School District (CSD) Board of Education meeting on May 13. They were presented with a plaque that will hang in their buildings for one year. Each winner also received a framed certificate, an Oak Tree acorn pin, and a $500 stipend.

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 44 nominations submitted by students, parents of current and former students, and education colleagues. All of the nominees demonstrated outstanding excellence in teaching and showed unwavering dedication to supporting students in achieving their full potential. In addition, they consistently contributed to their local communities and the Webster CSD.

Other nominees included Kristina Servati, Jodi Dovholuk, Emily Coope, Jennifer Dellapietra, Carrie Schembri, Rebecca Cincebox, Rachel Dolan, Kyle Sackett, Jennifer Iota, Emily Forrest, Tayler Nguyen, Margaret Garritano, Bill Ambler, Dilara Karahan, Melanie Gibbs, Sherri Cousineau, Dana Graf, Hayley Kus, Meaghan Arieno, Kelly Hanley, Michael Vanderwoude, Eileen Connelly, Scott Ritchlin, Michiel Ciaburri, Sage Miller, Tracy Wyant, Gail Pittinaro, Cory Gomez, Jessica Vollmer, Matt Spadoni, Amy Spitzer, Julie Uetz, Jim Barilla, Carrie Zugelder, Joan Riesenberger, Becky Plouffe, Catherine Zalewski, Greg Pittman, Rebecca Margiotta, Rachel Yonkers, Melanie Drury, Todd Stahl, Katie Markiewicz and Megan Goodsell.

Congratulations to Rachel, Sage and all the Oak Tree nominees.

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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 5/23/2025)

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DeWitt Rd. community comes together to support one of their own

19 May

I was alerted to this terrific story by a good friend of mine, and it just touched my heart.

It’s about 6-year old Briella, a kindergartner at DeWitt Rd. Elementary School. One terrible day in March, Briella broke her leg, and in the emergency room, her family was shocked to learn that she likely had osteosarcoma bone cancer. Since then, Briella has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy, facing each one with incredible bravery and strength.

Now comes the heartwarming part of this story.

Briella’s resilience has inspired the entire DeWitt Rd. Elementary School community, especially her kindergarten classmates. In a show of love and support, the class is organizing a lemonade stand fundraiser on June 1 to benefit their friend and her family.

“This is about coming together for a little girl who’s going through so much,” said one of the parents organizing the event. “We want Briella and her family to feel the strength and support of the whole community.”

So as to not get overwhelmed, the lemonade stand’s host has asked that the location not be publicly announced, but hopes that people will find out by word-of-mouth. However, there are two other ways you can donate:

  • use the QR code below to send a direct donation via Venmo to Briella’s family (@Critt5833)
  • make out a check to Kelly or Chris Rittenhouse, and mail to Tacianna Indovina at 1900 Empire Blvd., #154, Webster, NY 14580

Thank you, Webster!

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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 5/19/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

18 May

I’m told that the Village Wine and Food Walk, hosted by the Webster Village Business Improvement District (BID) on Saturday May 10, was a big success. Thanks in part to some perfect weather (sunny skies and in the mid-70’s), all 300 tickets were sold out and participants started arriving at BC’s Chicken Coop a full 20 minutes before the 4 p.m. start time to check in and get their wine glasses and wrist bands.  

Twelve village merchants participated in the walk, along East and West Main and even to Salvatore’s on North Ave., where the BID had a DJ providing dance music.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Harmony House and their restoration project.

Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election

The Webster Central School District Annual Budget Vote and Election of Board of Education Candidates takes place Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road, Webster. 

Qualified voters of the district who will be unable to attend the polls on the day of the vote may wish to use an absentee ballot. Voters must apply for the ballot in advance. Applications are available at websterschools.org or from District Clerk Heather Murphy, 119 South Avenue, Webster, (585) 216-0001. 

Absentee ballot applications cannot be mailed into the district at this late date, but can be dropped off to the district clerk the day before the vote.  

Webster CSD’s Business Department web page contains information on the proposed 2025-26 budget and the three candidates running for the three board of education seats up for election.

Grab dinner after you vote!

The Webster Marching Band will host a BBQ Dinner Fundraiser at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., on Tuesday May 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. (during the school budget vote).

Dinner includes BBQ pulled pork, salt potatoes, coleslaw, cornbread and a drink for just $19 (plus processing fees). Meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Interested in learning how to clean and preserve headstones?

Webster Union Cemetery will be hosting a Headstone Cleaning Class on Saturday June 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm.

Participants will learn how to properly clean a headstone, and hear stories about some of our town’s founders and more colorful  residents. All supplies will be provided. Just bring rubber gloves, and wear something you don’t mind getting wet.

Class size is limited. If you’re interested, email Cherie Wood at WebsterWreaths@iCloud.com.

Webster Union Cemetery is located at 345 Webster Rd.

Village Parks Committee wants your opinion

The Village of Webster Parks and Recreation Committee is looking for community input on potential upgrades to Schantz Park. The park is located between Hawley Drive and State Road, and has a basketball court, tennis courts, baseball fields and playground equipment.

Residents are invited to share your thoughts on a brief form, and let the committee know what amenities you would like added to the park. And while you’re there, take a few minutes to fill out the other quick survey you’ll find there, sharing your opinions about all of our village’s other parks as well.

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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 5/18/2025)

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Webster Schroeder Musicals’ Hadestown a big winner at Stars of Tomorrow

11 May

Did you see the very exciting announcement on Facebook?

At the recent Stars of Tomorrow Recognition Ceremony, held Friday May 9 at the Auditorium Theatre, Webster Schroeder Musicals earned no fewer than nine awards for their production of Hadestown (Teen Edition), which they presented in February. (Click here to read the blog I wrote back then about this incredible show.)

Specifically, Hadestown received recognition for “Excellence” for the:

  • Dance Ensemble
  • Acting Ensemble
  • Vocal Ensemble
  • Production Crew
  • Production Design, and
  • Overall Production

And these students were recognized for “Achievement in a Leading Role”:

  • Maura Ugine as Persephone
  • Ava Brown as Eurydice
  • Rory Goodwin as Hades
  • Alex Mansuy as Hermes
  • Rowan Murphy as Orpheus

Plus Webster Schroeder’s Hadestown was named a Top 10 Large School Production.

Plus plus, Ava Brown (who played Eurydice) was one of a select number of students chosen to represent Rochester — and Webster Schroeder — in the Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound program at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in June. That is a huge honor.

Congratulations to the cast, crew, pit musicians and creative team for making Webster proud yet again.

Stars of Tomorrow is a program dedicated to “supporting the process of growth and learning, encouraging commitment, discipline and teamwork, and acknowledging excellence.” High schools in Monroe and surrounding counties with fall or spring musical productions are invited to participate in the program. A team of trained and qualified adjudicators evaluates productions, providing students and directors with written feedback and rubric scores in a variety of production areas.

At the recognition ceremony, participating schools have the opportunity to perform a selection from their musical on stage at the Auditorium Theatre. 

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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 5/11/2025)

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SparX Robotics team had strong showing in Albany

8 May

SparX Robotics Team 1126, made up of students from both Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas high schools, recently competed in the Tech Valley FIRST Robotics Competition in Albany. The event was held March 26 to 29 at the MVP Arena and brought together 56 high school robotics teams from across the region, out of state and Quebec, and even as far away as Türkiye.

The team traveled to Albany that Wednesday, with students, mentors, and several supportive parents all making the trip. Thursday was spent practicing and preparing, with official matches taking place on Friday and Saturday. This was SparX’s second competition of the season, after competing earlier that month at the Finger Lakes Regional at RIT. In total, the team has played 18 matches so far this year. 

The team’s next event will be the Flower City Frenzy on Saturday, June 7 at East High School in Rochester. 

SparX competed with their robot, affectionately named Luisa, in honor of a beloved mentor who recently passed away. The team finished in 18th place, with four wins, four losses, and one tie, and no disqualifications. Team members worked hard all weekend and represented Webster with pride.

The robot’s driver, Nathan, and operator, Zela, worked side by side on the edge of the field. Austin programmed Luisa for the autonomous period, which is when the robot runs on code alone at the very beginning of the match. Lance supported the robot as the technician, and Jessica served as the team’s coach on the competition floor for every match.

SparX Robotics is sponsored by the Webster Central School District, Xerox Corporation, Bosch, and Boulter, along with many other generous local businesses and families, including MKS, Wegmans, Crossfield Heating & Air, Lavoro Group, OptiPro, VitalSigns, ASQ, and the Watson, Fici and Gramlich families.

You can meet the SparX team and see Luisa up close at Community Arts Day on May 10 in the gym, where the team will be selling baked goods, holding a raffle, and collecting donations to help support future competitions.

Want to support these future innovators, too? Consider mentoring the team or making a donation. To contact the lead mentors for mentoring opportunities and to donate, visit the team’s website.

Click here to learn more about FIRST Robotics and follow the exciting world of competitive robotics. You al also watch SparX’s Tech Valley matches here.

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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 5/8/2025)

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Beverly Voos wins Retiree of the Year Award

6 May

Congratulations to retired Spry Middle School teacher Beverly Voos for receiving the Retiree of the Year award at the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) annual statewide Representative Assembly in Rochester last weekend.

Bev was recognized in large part because she is active in various capacities with NYSUT. Closer to home, is also president of the Webster Retired Educators Association.

Here’s a little bit about Bev from the NYSUT Awards booklet:

After a more than 20-year career working in computer science, Beverly Voos decided to begin a second career as a teacher. She earned her master’s degree in Math, Science and Technology, and started teaching middle school students in the Webster Central School District.

The Webster TA member retired in 2013 and got to work advocating with NYSUT’s daytime army in Retiree Council 6. Voos because co-chair of NYSUT’s Retiree Advisory Committee where she fights not only for issues that are important to retirees, but also to in-service educators, including NYSUT’s campaign to fix Tier 6.

Voos also spends her retirement servicing as an instructor for NYSUT’s Education & Learning Trust, a role in which she provides professional learning opportunities to other educators. Voos has served on a variety of NYSUT committees, has participated in NYSUT’s annual Committee of 100 lobby day in Albany, and is also a social justice instructor. When she’s not doing the work of the union, Voos enjoys spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, and traveling.

Below, Bev is pictured with the NYSUT officers after receiving the award,captured from the Jumbotron by Jeanne Coonan.

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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 5/6/2025)

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Community Arts Day returns next weekend

3 May

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Community Arts Day (CAD), highlighting all of the fun, family-friendly displays, activities, crafts and community booths that make this one of my favorite events of the whole year. It’ll be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I recently got an email from Stacie Peters, one of the driving forces behind this event, reiterating a lot of those same points of interest, but adding several others. I share that email with you today pretty much in its entirety … because she said things better than I could, basically.

Stacie wrote,

CAD is a PTSA-sponsored event, created in 1976 as a joint venture with each of Webster’s schools that raises money to support cultural arts activities in the buildings.

Our amazing volunteers are what make this event so successful each year! Each school building has its own CAD rep who helps get volunteers and information out to the families. More than 300 volunteers include many of our middle and high school students who earn service credits. We even have volunteer spots for our 4th and 5th graders to help out this year.

We are extremely grateful to Michael Roller, Webster Director of Fine Arts who has worked closely with our CAD team in ensuring this day is a huge success. Our partnership with Michael connects us to all of the 11 building art and music teachers who put so much of themselves into this day. And we can’t forget our “behind the scenes” team of helpers, our incredible custodians. Head Schroeder custodian Jeff Germano and his team are the superheroes who help us days ahead of the event, day of the event and take down after the event. We can’t thank them enough for all their hard work.

Returning favorites… 

  • Scholastic book fair 
  • Student talent show 
  • artwork by all grades at each school exhibitors 
  • Sparx Robotic showcase
  • instrument donations
  • carnival games 
  • sand art
  • dance performances
  • karate demos
  • 40 craft vendors

Some new items…

  • We have a brand new flower sale where you can purchase a beautiful flower plus a pot with accessories that can be added 
  • Our One Webster Art Project this year will be all about the endangered monarch butterflies! Butterfly kits were given to each building for students to paint butterflies. The final exhibit will be near the cafe wall at CAD. 
  • We will have theater performances by many of the school musicals that were held this year! Buildings that are performing will be singing a song of their choice from their musical.
  • Flag Performance by the Webster Colorguard
  • Big news for our families with littles: the inflatables are back !

Food:  

  • Sweet treat table at the main entrance
  • concessions (pizza, snack items) in the cafeteria 
  • Mr. Snowy cotton candy by the gym
  • the Schroeder special ed classes who work daily in the Ridge Cafe (located in the library) will be selling beverages such as coffee, tea and hot cocoa . 

My favorite thing to see at Community Arts Day is all of the artwork created by our talented students. Every school and every grade from kindergarten to senior year is represented.

There’s still time to sign up to volunteer. Adult and student volunteers are what make this event a success. Students receive community service hours for volunteering.

Community Arts Day 2025 will be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s no admission, and remember that this event accepts only cash for payment (for things like the bake sale and plant sale). Craft vendors will accept debit and credit cards.

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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 4/19/2025)

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ATAD is looking for families to host exchange students

26 Apr

Even though the end of the school year is still a few months away, one local organization is already gearing up for September. And for them, time is already getting short.

The Association for Teen-age Diplomats (ATAD) is looking for Webster families willing to host high school-aged exchange students for the next school year. Now is the time to sign up, because the students need plenty of time to get their visas.

ATAD was created after World War II by a group of Kodak employees. They wanted to come up with some way to foster world peace and thought that if the world’s young people got to know each other, there would be less war. They started bringing exchange students to Rochester in the 1950s. Right now, ATAD is looking for families to host students from Spain, Germany and Italy.

Their big concern this year is for Ignacio, a 15-year old boy from Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  His two older brothers and his older sister all attended Webster Schroeder as exchange students. He’d like to come next year but he doesn’t have a host family yet. Ignacio loves sailing and playing soccer, and enjoys math. Click here to read his entire bio, plus the bios of the other students who are looking for families: Magdalena from Inca, Spain; Greta from Catania, Sicily, Italy; Tilman from Wurzburg, Germany; and Antonina from Krakow, Poland.

Becoming a host family is easy, and really requires very little more than providing room, board and love. The visiting student doesn’t even need a private bedroom or any spending money.

You can find answers to many questions on the ATAD website, but here’s some helpful info:

  • students bring their own spending money and have their own insurance
  • families generally include the visiting student on family trips, and the students sometimes have their own money to pay for it
  • ATAD hosts a few social gatherings during the school year so host families can meet other families
  • each student has a program chair assigned to manage any problems — large or small — which come up. The ATAD volunteer network is ready to step in and help with any issues that arise.
  • host families do not have to have any other children
  • all visiting students know English well
  • families are not provided a stipend for hosting a student
  • students do not pay room and board

For more information, visit the ATAD website or email Suzanne Isgrigg, Vice President for Host Families, at froggymom@aol.com.

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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 4/26/2025)

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Community Arts Day is bigger and better than ever

19 Apr

One of my favorite community events of the entire Webster year has been greatly improved for 2025.

Of course, it’s Community Arts Day (CAD), scheduled for Saturday May 10 at Webster Schroeder High School. CAD is the Webster Central PTSA’s annual celebration of the arts, a showcase of the musical and artistic talents of our K-12 students. It’s basically a great big show-off day, a family-friendly festival with displays of art, musical performances, dance, a talent show, demonstrations and more. PLUS there are carnival games, community group exhibits, a bake sale, craft booths and lots of food. Plus, the admission is FREE.

Pretty cool, huh? But believe it or not, this year’s Community Arts Day promises to be even better than before. Organizers have been working hard behind the scenes for months to make CAD bigger, with lots more new features for community members to enjoy.

For starters, the carnival will be returning this year, complete with inflatables for the kids to climb. There’ll be twice as many craft vendors and some new community organizations setting up throughout the Webster Schroeder hallways. The Pride of Webster Marching Band Color Guard will be putting on a show, and several make-and-take craft demonstrations, for both adults and kids, will be set up in the library. And of course the “Webster’s Got Talent” talent show returns (register here to perform, deadline is May 1).

The instrument donation table will be set up again, but in a more visible location this year. Community members are encouraged to donate your gently used band or orchestra instruments that are taking up space in your attic or closets, and they’ll be handed off to students in need who can’t afford to buy their own.

But this new wrinkle is probably my favorite: every one of our schools, including the elementary schools, has been invited to provide a sampling of the dramas and/or musicals they performed this year. So if you missed seeing Hadestown at Webster Schroeder or Once Upon a Mattress at Spry Middle School, or any of this year’s performances, you’ll see a little bit of each at Community Arts Day.

I’m sure I’m forgetting to include some of the new stuff that will be happening this year, so make sure to check the Community Arts Day website or Facebook page regularly for up-to-date information.

Community Arts Day 2025 will be held at Webster Schroeder High School on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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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 4/19/2025)

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