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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.

 

High school art students among the best (again)

2 Mar

Have I ever mentioned how incredibly talented our high school students are? Only a few times?  Well, here they go again, winning even more awards.

More than 50 Webster students have received recognition as regional winners in the prestigious Scholastic Art Awards.  These students’ works are in the top 10% of all artworks that were submitted this year to the Northeast Region-at-large. All Gold Key winners will be adjudicated at the national level in the near future.

Webster Schroeder students who won at this level include:

Grace Annese, Silver Key, Ceramics and Glass, Story Box – Camping At Stonybrook
Rachel Barbato, Silver Key, Drawing, In The Studio
Taylor Beebe, Gold Key, Drawing, Predator
Ashlynn Blose Honorable Mention, Drawing, Heidi
Genevieve Caldwell, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media, Out In The Cold
Valerie Cardillo, Silver Key, Drawing, Maine 1937
Elissa D’Alessandro, Honorable Mention, Painting, Octopus Garden, Gold Key, Drawing, Eye of the Beholder, and Honorable Mention, Painting, After Work;
Keenan Denis, Silver Key, Drawing, The Con Man
Devon Forward, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Person Of Interest, and Honorable Mention, Drawing, Erin
Samantha Killian, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Warrior
Megan Kloosterman, Silver Key, Ceramics and Glass, The Robin Egg
Ciara Lutz, Gold Key, Drawing, Taylor; Renee Macdonald,Honorable Mention, Painting, Starting Bright and Early
Maggie Mutschler, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Munchie’s Mugs
Sarah Nicolay, Silver Key, Sculpture, Technicolor Giraffe
Lauren Park, Silver Key, Drawing, Grandma Why Are You Gone
Katrin Peterson, Honorable Mention, Drawing, The Great Escape
Corinne Playfair, Silver Key, Drawing, The Sands Of Time; and Honorable Mention, Portfolio
Andrew Wagenhals, Silver Key, Drawing, Physical Interlude
Jennifer Wehrle, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Ustrasana
Maria Posato, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Still Life

Webster Thomas students who won at this level include:

Laura Aguilera, Honorable Mention, Painting, Jasmine
Julia Bender, Gold Key, Drawing, Me 2
Allie Bernstein, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media, The Explosion
Daniel Brown, Honorable Mention, Sculpture, Against All Odds
Hannah Buckley, Honorable Mention, Painting, Fighter
Maya Colombo, Silver Key, Drawing, Materialism
Connor Czora, Silver Key, Drawing, Work In Progress
Ashley Epping, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Seashore On Seaside
Lauren Fordham, Silver Key, Drawing, Eye, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Change, and Gold Key, Portfolio
Jamie Guarrera, Honorable Mention, Drawing, dusty space
Kate Hall, Mention, Drawing, Moon
Elana Howe, Honorable Mention, Painting, Cupcakes
Kelly Hurlburt, Silver Key, Drawing, The Tsunami Dancer
Abbey Lee, Gold Key, Drawing, Pieces Of Me
Aubrey Maryniak, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Backwards Through Glass, and Honorable Mention, Drawing, Hanging Onto Adolescence
Dominic Montante, Silver Key, Drawing, Geriatrics
Marley Morrill, Honorable Mention, Sculpture, Armadillo
Cynthia Nguyen, Silver Key, Painting, Attack on the North
Kyle Roethlisberger, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Still Life
Trevor Smith, Gold Key, Drawing, Tattoo
Scott St. George, Honorable Mention, Mixed Media, Meditate, and Honorable Mention, Drawing, Wonder
Erin Tersegno, Honorable Mention, Drawing, Horizon
Adrianna Zaretsky, Silver Key, Drawing, Goop

Congratulations to all these talented young students You make Webster proud.

Below are a few samples of these students’ work. Prepare to be amazed.

Taylor, by Ciara Lutz

Predator, by Taylor Beebe

Tattoo, by Trevor Smith

Fractured, by Abbey Lee

Eye, by Lauren Fordham

Art teacher’s new book fills a need

1 Mar

Next time you’re at Wegmans, make sure to pause a few extra moments near the book display and take a closer look. You might just see a name you recognize.

Plank Road North Elementary art teacher Natalie Palermo has published a new book, titled Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art!!!  The 52-page, colorfully illustrated book looks at the seven basic elements of art from a child’s perspective – or, as Palermo explained it, “through the adventures of a young girl named Rowan.”

To say that the book was a labor of love is a bit of an understatement. Palermo has been working on it since 2005. It was then that she first noticed there was a need for such a resource. She wrote,

I saw the need for an elementary art education resource book for elementary art teachers and parents who homeschool their children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.  When I would go to the larger book store chains…I would find books about artists, art history, “how to draw” types of books, but could not find a book solely dedicated to teaching the seven elements of art.

And so Rowan was born.

The book is designed for parents and teachers to use throughout a child’s elementary art education. Through easy-to-understand text and Palermo’s original artwork, each section introduces concepts in a way that can be easily adapted to individual grade levels. With the chapter that introduces the color wheel, for example, a first or second grade learner could learn about primary and secondary colors, while fourth or fifth graders could “graduate” to the intermediates. And thanks to that adaptability, Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art! can be used as a supplement to classroom textbook, and also as an art education enrichment book for parents.

And of course, she uses it in her own classroom as well.

When I introduce my book to my students I tell them that they can achieve anything with hard work and persistence like I did with my book… my students enjoy seeing the illustrations and how the elements of art relate to the real world.

Rowan Discovers…The Elements of Art! is available right now at both Holt Road and Eastway Wegmans stores. Very soon you’ll also be able to find it at Hyatt’s All Things Creative (937 Jefferson Road, Henrietta)  and at the Memorial Art Gallery gift shop.

 

Palermo at the Temple of Apollo, Ortigia, Sicily

Meet Natalie Palermo

Palermo has taught art at the elementary and secondary levels for more than ten years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication from S.U.N.Y Fredonia and Master of Science in Art Education from Nazareth College. She has traveled extensively to explore art throughout the United States and Europe. She regularly uses her artwork to help others, raising money for local charities including the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Bethany House, the George Eastman House, the West Webster Fire Department, AIDS Rochester, and Hannah’s Hope School in Kenya. She currently teaches art at Plank Road North Elementary School in Webster.

“Footloose” kicks off spring musical season

26 Feb

The spring musical season kicks off — literally — this weekend, as Webster Schroeder High School presents Footloose! in four shows this Thursday through Sunday.

You undoubtedly remember the 1984 Oscar-nominated movie musical starring Kevin Bacon.  The story follows a city teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned.  The new kid and his rebellious spirit shake up the town as he tried to bring music back into their drab lives…and win the girl at the same time.

And I’m sure you remember the music. (I’ll bet the title song is dancing around in your brain right now.)  The production will revisit many of the songs in the Tony-nominated top-40 score, guaranteeing a high-energy, high-stepping good time.

Footloose! will be presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday February 28-March 2 at 7:30 pm, an Sunday at 2 pm at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road.  Reserve seating tickets are $11, and are available at Wegmans or at the door. 

Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks about Webster Thomas’ spring musical, The Wiz, which will be presented in four performances March 21-23.  Tickets are also on sale now for that production, and are availableat Hegedorn’s, 964 Ridge Road, Webster, online at www.websterthomasplayers.com, and through the Webster Thomas Players’ ticket line at (585) 234-8248.

 

Schroeder vs. Thomas benefit game a success in many ways

11 Feb

Saturday night’s benefit basketball game which featured Webster Schroeder against Webster Thomas staff members, was a huge success. The stands were packed, the mood was electric, the game was competitive … well, at least for one team… and everyone had a good time. More to the point, the game raised tons of money for the West Webster Fire Department, through ticket sales, t-shirt sales and bracelet sales.

Some of the fans took the game VERY seriously.

More than $9,000 of that money raised came directly from the efforts of three very brave Webster educators, who had pledged to get their heads shaved at halftime if they were able to raise at least $5,000 before the game. They reached — and surpassed — that goal almost a week ahead of time, and so the assembled crowd was able to watch as Webster Thomas Assistant Principal Sue Clark, Librarian Trish Warren, and Webster Schroeder Assistant Principal Jeremy McBride went under the razor at half court between periods.The money they raised will be going directly to the families of Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka.

Each of the three spoke before the shearing about their motivations for going through with this selfless act. They were all very moving, but I particularly liked one of the things that Warren said, and I (pretend) to quote directly:

People keep telling me that I’m really brave for what I’m doing today. But I’m not the brave one. The brave ones are the firefighters and first responders who put their lives on the line every day, who leave their homes, not knowing if they’re going to return at the end of the day.

Ain’t that the truth.

The stands were packed.

Here are a few photos from the event, but I invite you to click here to see a gallery of about 170 (of the 300 or more I took that night).

There’s one photo I took which I will not post, but I thought really summed up what this game was all about. One of the Webster Thomas players was having some difficulty in the first half and required EMT assistance. Naturally, when the announcer asked

for an EMT to come down, about a dozen first responders in attendance immediately stood up. The one who ultimately took the lead to care for the player was Nick Chiapperini, Mike Chiapperini’s son.

When I pointed this out to Thomas AP Sue Clark, she said matter-of-factly, “That’s who he is. That’s why I’m shaving my head.”

 

A sample of the craziness that ensued.

The newly-shorn pose with their talented hairdressers. (L-R) Thomas teacher Ida Marra, Trish Warren, Jeremy McBride, Thomas parent Nikki Ditch, Sue Clark, and Kiara Sens Giaconia (Thomas ’09)

IN-SCHOOL UPDATE!!

A few more photos for your viewing pleasure, which I was able to take this morning after I got to work at Thomas. The first is a shot from our Morning Show studios where Sue Clark and Trish Warren went on the air to thank the student body for their support.  The second is of Warren sporting the winning hat from her “Choose-Which-Hat-I’m-Going-to-Wear-on-Monday” contest.  It was a close contest between this one and the dreadlocks. I think she’s very glad this one won.

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