Archive | Schools RSS feed for this section

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.

High schools present check to WWFD

19 Mar

I had the opportunity to attend a very special occasion Tuesday evening.

It was the presentation of a rather large donation check to the West Webster Fire Department by representatives of Webster Thomas and Webster Schroeder high schools.

The $11,000 check included donations collected before, during and after the Thomas vs. Schroeder Staff Benefit Basketball Game held on February 9. More than $9,000 of those funds were donated in response to a challenge put forth by three very brave souls — Webster Thomas Assistant Principal Sue Clark, Thomas Librarian Trish Warren, and Schroeder Assistant Principal Jeremy McBride — who pledged to have their heads shaved if they could raise $5,000 for the Chiapperini and Kaczowka families.

That goal was reached five days before the game was even played. And people kept on giving.  Plus, the game itself raised a lot more through ticket sales, t-shirt sales and bracelet sales.

Students and staff members from both high schools were on hand to present the check to WWFD Vice President Bryan Bayer.

Webster Thomas Student Council President Dan Iulianello presents the check to WWFD Vice President Bryan Bayer.

Students and staff members from Webster Thomas and Schroeder high schools prepare to present the $11,000 donation check.

Bald-follow up: Jeremy McBride, Trish Warren and Sue Clark sporting their new shorter (but rapidly growing) ‘dos.

 

Willink student wins Do the Right Thing award

12 Mar

Ryan Tubiolo is interviewed by News 10 Chief Photographer Todd Hayes.

This news is a little dated, but it’s such a great story that I wanted to share it anyway.

Willink Middle School seventh grader student Ryan Tubiolo has received a Do the Right Thing Award from WHEC Channel 10.

The Do The Right Thing program publicly recognizes Rochester-area young people who distinguish themselves by their good behavior, establishing them as role models for their peers. Ryan received the award in December, and gave an on-camera interview in February to a WHEC reporter/videographer.

Willink math teacher Maria Rigillo nominated Ryan for the honor because of his courage and passion to help others, exemplified in the way he deals every day with Muscular Dystrophy.  She wrote,

Ryan is a positive and exemplary role model of responsibility, diligence, respect, hard work and motivation.…He sets the standard for excellence in life and he has a very strong sense of courage…exemplified in the way he has handled, and continues to endure, a life-threatening medical condition that he has dealt with for many years. Ryan has not allowed this challenge to stop him from being the best he can be, and he never uses his medical condition as an excuse.

Ryan is actively involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, both as a successful fundraiser and as a spokesman. He also taped and aired an interview on Willink Titan TV that informs the Willink school community about Muscular Dystrophy and educates the community about the many children afflicted with various illnesses who are no different from children who are not facing such challenges.

Ryan enjoys being active in his school, and told the reporter that’s because “the teachers are so nice and it’s cool to be able to participate with other kids and do what they do. They know why I’m in a wheelchair and why I can’t do some of the things they do. The kids at Willink support me.”

And the teachers, too, apparently.

“Ryan has certainly made a huge difference in my life,” Rigillo wrote, “as I am sure he has in the lives of all those who have the honor and privilege of knowing him.”

 

The Wiz visited the elementary schools this week!

12 Mar

The cast members who performed: Top row (L-R) Andrea Saitta, Bree Bullock, Kylie Dennison, Zoe Waltman, Sam Cino (Scarecrow), Carson Klasner (Dorothy), Alex King (Tin Man), Alec Nevin (Lion), Luciarose Barone, Sarah Krolik, Nicole Meredith. Bottom row: Gabby Jerzak, Mia Klasner, Kay Edwards, Diana Lohrman, Niccole Pucci, and Selene Klasner.

Students and staff members from three Webster elementary schools got a sneak peek at Webster Thomas High School’s upcoming production of The Wiz! earlier this week.

Seventeen cast members from the production made the rounds on Monday and Tuesday to Dewitt Road, Klem North and Klem South elementary schools to perform several numbers from their spring musical The Wiz, which takes to the Webster Thomas stage Thursday March 21 through Saturday March 23.

At each stop, the entire student body came out to watch as the cast members performed six musical numbers, including the scene when Dorothy meets Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion. They were also introduced to some brand new characters: the Yellow Brick Road Dancers and Crow Dancers.

I didn’t get to attend the performance, but it was artfully captured in photos by Klem North parent Jen Swab-DeGrace, who kindly sent me the photos below for my blog.  I just love the expressions on the kids’ faces in the first one; they’re obviously enjoying the performance very much.

The whole family is going to enjoy this show (clearly, the kids already do). Even adults familiar with The Wizard of Oz movie will find  this production delightfully different.  It’s a funky musical adaptation, set to the beat of ’70s rock and Motown melodies. It’s one of Broadway’s most popular musicals and inspired a hit Hollywood movie in 1978 starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.

The show runs Thursday March 21 and Friday March 22 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday March 23 at 2 and 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 and are available at Hegedorn’s Courtesy Desk, 964 Ridge Road, Webster, online at www.websterthomasplayers.com and through the Webster Thomas Players’ ticket line at 585-234-8248.

 

School Board petitions now available

8 Mar

Three school board positions will be decided in May when voters head to the polls for the annual Webster Central School District Budget Vote.

The terms of board members Laura Harder, Tom Nespeca and Lisa Smith will end this year. Anyone interested in running for one of these three seats can pick up a nominating packet at the district clerk’s office, 119 South Avenue, from 8 am to 4 pm weekdays. Petitions must be returned by Monday April 22.

Questions about candidacy or eligibility can be referred to Webster School District attorney Eric Wilson at (315) 437-7600, or Cindy Cushman at (585) 216-0001 during regular business hours.

If you’re interested in finding out more about serving on the school board, you can also attend the School Board Candidate Seminar on March 23 from 8-11 am at the Airport Holiday Inn. Registration fee is $10. Call the Monroe County School Boards Association at (5985) 328-1972 to register.

 

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →