Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?
Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teaching excellence, a commitment to students, an leadership in the community.
Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School and continue to teach the next year, or retire from WCSD
Have a minimum of five years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
Eligible positions include preK to grade 12 teachers, school counselors, psychologists, social workers, librarians, media and language specialists and speech, occupational and physical therapists.
Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association
Nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2025. Click here for the nomination form, which asks for basic information about the nominee and your connection with him or her, plus more detailed thoughts about how you believe the teacher demonstrates excellence.
The last three years’ winners have been:
2024:Carolyn Stahl, English teacher at Webster Thomas High School and Jeff Darling, Instructional Specialist at Plank North
2023:Diana Mee, Instrumental Music teacher at Klem Rd. North Elementary and Craig Johnville, special education teacher at Webster Thomas High School
2022: Michele Parry, 4th grade teacher at Plank South Elementary and Denise Warren, special education teacher at Webster Thomas High School
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Congratulations to this year’s Oak Tree Award winners for excellence in teaching: Carolyn Stahl and Jeff Darling.
Stahl, this year’s secondary level recipient, is an English teacher at Webster Thomas High School. She’s a 25-year veteran educator in the district and currently teaches grades 9 and 12.
Darling, this year’s elementary level recipient, is an instructional specialist at Plank Road North Elementary School. He has also taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and has been an enrichment specialist in his 17 years in the district.
Stahl and Darling were surprised at their schools on April 24 when Superintendent of Schools Brian Neenan joined Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) representatives to present the plaques, which will hang in their buildings for one year. Each also received a framed certificate, acorn pin and $500 stipend from the award committee. They’ll be officially recognized at the Webster CSD Board of Education meeting on May 7.
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 37 nominations submitted by students, parents and colleagues. Other nominees included Eleni Prosser, Taylor Haupt, Lauren Pagano, Gabrielle Gruttadaro, Kelly Bruhnsen, Kim Ebbecke, Leslie Popchoke, Heather Taylor, Carrie Zugelder, Dan Graf, Susan Bjarnar, Cathy Bradley, Cory Gomez, Rebecca Margiotta, Lori Ford, Dana Graf, April Masucci, Carolyn Charleton, Brianne Cipura, Sarah Mitchell, Mike Vanderwoude, Ian Insley, Carly Smith, Anne Marie Visca, Francine Barnes, Dan DeStephano, Gail Pittinaro, Carleen Fallone, Philip Zola, David Monson, Kyle Sackett, Jennifer Cos, Jill Baker, Elizabeth Vandetti, and Mary Hurley.
Congratulations to Carolyn Stahl, Jeff Darling 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).
Congratulations to this year’s Oak Tree Award winners for excellence in teaching: Diana Mee and Craig Johnville.
This year’s elementary recipient, Diana, has spent all of her 24 years in education teaching in Webster, and currently teaches instrumental music at Klem Road North Elementary School.
Craigis this year’s secondary recipient. He has taught 19 years of his 20-year career in Webster, and currently teaches special education for grades 9-11 at Webster Thomas High School.
The Oak Tree Award is co-sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association and the Webster Central PTSA as a way to acknowledge excellence in teaching in the Webster Central School District. This year’s committee was comprised of Rosanne Kulikowski, Jeffrey Darling, Dave Waltman, and Lisa Cook representing the WTA and Kim Kozlowski, Mike Lengle, and Laura Blair representing the PTSA. Together, they sorted through 40 nominations for this year’s Oak Tree Award. All of the nominees exemplified a high standard of teaching and commitment to the Webster education community.
Mee and Johnville will be recognized at a presentation at the Webster CSD Board of Education meeting on May 2, where they will be presented with a plaque that will hang in their building for one year.
This first mailbag items is especially for all of you who helped me help Florence Kinney, “Mrs. Claus,” provide 100,000 gifts to children for the holidays.
I receved this short video the other day from one of her elves, documenting her announcement of having reached that amazing goal.
My thanks to all of my readers who helped Florence reach her goal with your donations. I know for a fact that she’s extremely grateful for your kindness and feels blessed by the outpouring of goodwill.
I have no doubt she will be continuing her mission next year, so stay tuned!
This sounds like a lot of fun.
LaLa of Webster is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m at the shop, 38 E. Main St in the Village of Webster.
Participants are encouraged to put on your ugly sweaters and head on down to the village for music, treats, wine, raffle baskets and 30% off everything in the store. When you’re done shopping, head next door to JoJo’s for live music and a special cocktails and appetizer menu created just for the event.
If you attended Lala’s Betty White Night or Jimmy Buffet’s Webster-itaville events, you know how much fun this will be.
Some quick reminders about other events happening now or coming up very soon (check the fliers for more details):
The Festival of Trees is going on all month at the Webster Museum. Don’t forget to stop in and vote for your favorite decorated tree. The winner gets a cash prize. The museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the village, and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30.
The Women’s Club of Webster is holding their annual Christmas Cookie Sale at the Webster PUblic Library on Saturday Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cookies will sell out, so get there early.
Several Red Cross blood drives are heading our way next week. Check the flier for details and then put one on your calendar.
Santa is coming to the Webster Recreation Center this Saturday Dec. 10. From 6 to 8 p.m., the kids can visit with Santa, listen to storytime, and participate in some other holiday activities, all for free. No registration is required. The Rec Center is located at 1350 Chiyoda Dr., off of Phillips Rd.
Finally, here are a few notices from the school district:
Nominations Sought for Oak Tree Award
Nominations are being accepted now through January 31, 2023, for this year’s Oak Tree Award.
Co-sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, this annual program recognizes teacher excellence in Webster CSD. Each year an educator from elementary and another from secondary are selected.
Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award. Teachers include: UPK-12 teachers, special educators, literacy specialists, school counselors, librarians/media specialists, school psychologists, school social workers, speech and language teachers, and occupational and physical therapists.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria: * Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster CSD * Have a minimum of five years teaching experience in Webster CSD * Plan to continue to teach the next school year in or retire from Webster CSD * Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the WTA
Nomination is intended for an individual teacher. Group, team, or grade level nominations will not be considered.
To nominate a Webster CSD educator for the Oak Tree Award, go online to the news story on the district website, websterschools.org, and follow the link. (Click here for a direct link.)
Webster CSD to Host Family Engagement Panel Discussion on Restorative Practices
Panelists Dr. Robert Chalwell, Webster CSD Director of Family Engagement and Inclusivity; Katie DiSalvo, licensed medical health counselor for Adelphi Rise; a Webster parent; and a Webster student will discuss Restorative Practices and Mental and Socio-Emotional Health. Restorative Practices are a combination of best practices that prioritize skills building in all members of a community to preempt or prevent wrongdoing, focus on repairing harm when wrongdoing occurs, and prioritize individual and shared accountability on a foundation of strong and resilient community. To learn more about Restorative Practices, please see the links below.
The community is invited to submit questions by December 12 for the panel to discuss. A limited number of questions may also be fielded during the event, time permitting.
The December 14 Family Engagement Panel Discussion on Restorative Practices is the promised follow-up to the district’s Parent/Guardian Listening Forum held in early November.
The evening will be in-person and live streamed on thiswebpage, for those who are unable to attend in person.
Congratulations to this year’s Webster Central School District Oak Tree Award recipients, announced earlier this week.
This year’s winners were Michele Parry, a fourth grade teacher at Plank South Elementary School, and Denise Warren, a special education teacher at Webster Thomas High School.
Parry and Warren were greeted by representatives of the Oak Tree Committee, teaching colleagues, and others with flowers and a cookie cake. Each recipient will receive a $500 stipend, a hand-lathed pen, and an acorn pin. The honorees were also congratulated by the Webster CSD Board of Education at its May 3 meeting.
Thirty-eight educators were nominated by students, teachers, and community members for this year’s award.
The Oak Tree Award spotlights excellence in teaching at the elementary and the secondary levels and is jointly sponsored by the Webster Teachers Association and the Webster PTSA. The first Oak Tree Award was presented in 2000 and is a once-in-a-career honor.
Some of these “mailbag” items today didn’t actually come through the mail. I found out about them by scrolling through webpages or just saw them when I was out and about in the village.
Take this donation opportunity, for example, which I especially want to point out to patrons of Barry’s Old School Irish. A couple of regular patrons thre are very involved with the Father Laurence Tracy Advocacy Center on North Clinton Ave., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing advocacy services for the residents of the North Clinton neighborhood.
The box propped up on the windowsill in Barry’s musicians’ corner (“Kenny’s Corner,” for those of you REALLY regular customers). Patrons are invited to donate warm socks, hats, gloves, mittens and handwarmers for distribution to those the Father Tracy Center serves.
I’m told that last year the donation box was set up at Mama Lor’s, and it was overflowing. Let’s show them how our Barry’s Family and Webster Village community can do that as well.
Barry’s — and the box — are located at 2 West Main St.
Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?
Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster CSD schools by honoring an educator from the elementary and the secondary levels.
Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award. Educators include: UPK-12 teachers, special educators, literacy specialists, school counselors, librarians/media specialists, school psychologists, school social workers, speech and language teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School
Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
Plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from Webster Central Schools
Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association
Nominations are due by February 1, 2022. Click here For more information and a link to the nomination form.
Webster’s next two blood donation opportunities are coming up next week.
On Tuesday Dec. 14, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church will sponsor a drive at the church, 813 Bay Rd., from 1 to 6 p.m.
Then the next day, Wednesday Dec. 15, a drive will be held at the Webster Firemen’s Building, 172 Sanford St. (at the south end of Firemen’s Field) from 1 to 7 p.m.
The Red Cross has a great promotion going on right now, too. Donate at either one of these drives and get a $10 Amazon gift card emailed to you. Click here to make an appointment.
A few notes from the musical guys of the Chorus of the Genesee. They’ll be performing at Eastview Mall in front of J C. Penney’s on Tuesday Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. This would be a fun time to get some Christmas shopping done.
I can’t make it to that, but I will definitely be taking part in the Chorus’ annual Soup and Caroling Night on Tuesday Dec. 21, beginning at 7 p.m.
For those of you not familiar with this event, here’s what I wrote about my experience a few years ago:
The Chorus has been hosting this evening of caroling for at least 24 years. There were also a whole lot more people at this event. I counted about 60 men, women, children and dogs. I was told that it was more than double what the Chorus usually draws. It helped, I think, that the weather was pretty pleasant.
Everyone gathered at the Harmony House, enjoying coffee and cookies, sheets of music and Santa hats were handed out, and when 7 p.m. rolled around, everyone filed out into the street.
The first stop, as it has been every year, was Webster Eyecare Associates, which is pretty much across the street from the Harmony House. The folks there have come to expect this annual visit by the Chorus carolers, and this year — for the first time — had donut holes and hot chocolate for the chilly singers.
I’m really looking forward to this, as I always do. I can’t say that I did a great job singing last time, but no one could hear me because the Chorus’ beautiful voices pretty much took center stage. But I did have some delicious soup and the company was grand.
This is the kind of thing that really makes our village special, and I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy.
I know, I know, it’s going to feel like summer again for the next few days. BUT, rest assured, Monday’s cold and snow-showery weather will be back again very soon. So now is a good time to stock up on some good reads for the winter months.
The Friends of the Webster Library are ready to help.
Beginning this week, the Friends are hosting their Bundle ‘n Bag Sale. Just like it sounds, bundles and bags of gently used books will be for sale during regular library hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a wide variety of fun and unique Bundles ‘n Bags of fiction and nonfiction books for children and adults, starting at just $1.
The Webster Public Library is located at 980 Ridge Rd. All proceeds from the sale will benefit library programs.
Looks like it’s going to be a nice evening for the Friends of Webster Trails’ autumn Hot Cocoa Hike, this Saturday at Whiting Road Nature Preserve.
This has been an annual tradition for as long as I can remember, and thankfully the pandemic has not cancelled it entirely. There will, however, be a few changes.
As always, the event will be at night and your path will be guided by candle light. But there will be no gathering in the woods at the end of the trail while you enjoy your hot cocoa. Instead, you’ll pick up your hot cocoa packet which you can then enjoy at home with your family.
This year’s event will be Saturday Nov. 7 at Whiting Road Nature Preserve (on Whiting Rd. north of Shoemaker) and will be a loop of approximately two miles. Participants are asked to walk the trail between 7 and 9 p.m. Also, please click here to registerso they have enough supplies.
Remember to social distance, bring a mask, dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.
Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Village of Webster will hold a Bring a Can or a Case Food Collection and Hat, Mitten and Scarf Collection on Saturday Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.
One of Immanuel’s biggest social ministries is the Backpack Program, which provides food to more than 50 children in five Webster elementary school buildings. This drive will support the Backpack Program and the church’s Little Free Pantry.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 131 W. Main St., at the corner of Daniel Drive.
The Webster Museum is presently closed to the public, but there has been a buzz of activity within. Volunteers Deb Oakley, Bill Schoff, Carol Yahoodik and Diana Strassman have been inventorying the attic and found a number of duplicate items not related to Webster’s history. In September, a “Vintage Sale” of some of those items was held in the museum parking lot and sales totaled $677.
The annual Barn Sale was held in September on Jan and Andy Naujokas’ historic property, which earned another $2,900.
Now would also be a great time to become a member of the Webster Museum or renew your membership. In honor of Susan B. Anthony’s visit to Webster, the museum will be giving away a limited edition Susan B. Anthony Barbie doll, unopened and in its original box.
To enter, simply join or renew your Webster Museum membership by December 14. On December 15, one entry will be selected at random with the hope of Susan arriving at the winner’s home before Christmas.
Stay tuned for details about the museum’s online Christmas program. If you make your own ornaments, dress up your pets or decorate your yard, they’ll be looking for your photos. More details about that, and about the Susan B. Anthony doll giveaway can be found on the museum’s website.
Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?
Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster Central Schools.
Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School
Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
Plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from Webster Central Schools
Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association
Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?
Co-Sponsored by the Webster Teachers’ Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster Central Schools.
Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
Currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central School
Have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in Webster Central Schools
Plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from Webster Central Schools
Be a member of both the Webster Central PTSA and the Webster Teachers’ Association
Nominations must be submitted by February 2, and must include a 1-page typed narrative describing:
How the teacher has demonstrated expertise in the subject matter, connects well with students, engages students using a variety of teaching methods and strategies, and/or incorporates a variety of teaching approaches to best benefit all learners.
Special talents or commitments of this teacher, including extracurricular or school community endeavors.
How has the teacher touched your life or the lives of his or her students.
Click here for the nomination form. This link will also show a list of who has already won the award. (Sorry, you can only win it once!)
I’d like to pass along three reminders from the schools today, starting with the Webster Thomas High School fall play.
This year’s production is The Admirable Crichton by Sir J.M. Barrie.
When an aristocratic family and their servants are trapped on a deserted island with no hope of rescue, they try to rebuild their rigid Edwardian society. Will the same people be servants? Will the same person be master? The play, from the writer of Peter Pan, is a whimsically funny, and sometimes tragic. exploration of the role of social classes.
The Admirable Crichton will be performed this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m at Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road. Tickets will be available at the door.
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Know a great teacher? It’s now time to begin your Oak Tree Award submission. The Oak Tree Award recognizes teaching excellence in Webster schools. Two winners (one elementary and one secondary) are recognized annually and each receives a $500 award. Learn more and get your submission started by clicking here.
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PTSA calendars are still available, and they’re still just $5 each!
This is a great way to stay in the loop for all of the district’s special events. It’s filled with student artwork and has lots of space for you to add your own events and reminders.
The calendars are available at Hegedorn’s Market, and at school events all through the fall. If you purchase your calendar at your school event, all proceeds benefit your school’s PTSA.
This Saturday Sept. 29 they’re hosting a special Mommy/Daddy and Me yoga class to benefit a local Webster family. It’s called Stretch for a Cause, will be about 45 minutes long and will be for all levels of yoga. It’s especially designed for children ages 5-12, who will also be able to get some yoga warrior tribal face paint.
All proceeds from this special class will benefit Claudia Chateauneuf, a 7-year old Webster child who is battling PANDAS Syndrome, a pediatric autoimmune disorder. Donations will help defray the cost of Claudia’s upcoming treatment in New York City.
Hosting a Mommy/Daddy & Me (family) yoga class will allow Claudia and her friends to participate in class. It will begin at 1:30 p.m.. ROC & Soul Fitness is located at 43 East Main Street in Webster (next door to Village Bakery).
For more information, visit Claudia’s GoFundMe page with more information about her story.
Oak Tree Award
Here are a few items from the schools:
Nominations are now being accepted for the Oak Tree Award, recognizing exceptional teachers.
Co-sponsored by the WTA and Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award recognition program is an annual award that is designed to recognize teacher excellence in Webster CSD. Any Webster resident or district employee, current or former student, parent, teacher, or administrative colleague may nominate a teacher for the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year Oak Tree Award.
Award nominees must meet the following criteria:
~ currently teaching in a full-time position in Webster Central Schools
~ have a minimum of five years teaching experience in WCSD
~ plan to continue to teach the next school year in, or retire from WCSD
~ be a member in both the Webster Central PTSA and the WTA
Teacher nominees who meet these criteria will receive an Oak Tree Award application and directions for completing the application process.
Nominations may be made via the Google form found here or on the WCSD website. You may also print the form and send it in print form or request an alternate format, if Google forms are not an option.
Veterans Dinner
Veterans and active duty service members and their families are cordially invited to a free dinner in their honor. on Thursday November 8.
Spry Middle School Student Council and Spry Builders Club, along with the Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks #2396 are sponsoring the meal as a way of showing their appreciation for our nation’s servicemen and women. The event will take place November 8 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster.
Reservations are appreciated; please call Ms. Ritzmann at Spry Middle School at 216-0093.
I feature the people and places and events that make Webster the wonderful community it is — and throw in some totally-not-Webster-related personal ramblings every once in a while as well.
I love it when readers send me news about the great things happening in their schools or the community, so please email me anytime at missyblog@gmail.com
Do you know a great teacher who deserves to get some extra special recognition? How about nominating him or her for an Oak Tree Award?
This year’s production is The Admirable Crichton by Sir J.M. Barrie.
PTSA calendars are still available, and they’re still just $5 each!
This Saturday Sept. 29 they’re hosting a special Mommy/Daddy and Me yoga class to benefit a local Webster family. It’s called 
webster on the web 