Tag Archives: Webster Central Schools

She’s baaaaack!

22 Feb

You would think, with a week off of school, I would be taking advantage of all the free time I have to be writing up a storm.

Turns out, that has not quite been the case.

I did, indeed have a long list of things I wanted to accomplish this week. It included buy a dishwasher, buy a printer, clean off computer files, clean out crawl space, finish column, start new column, make gig bag, finish EPK, work on bowling program, buy socks…. and tucked somewhere in there was the word “blog.” In large part because the column was on deadline and the “clean off computer files” task took more than 3 days, I never quite got around to updating this blog in the last week.

Today I try to correct that oversight.

I’ve already blogged about Spry Middle School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie Jr., which will take the stage for three performances March 9 at 7:30, and March 10 at 2:30 and 7:30. Tickets are $7 each and will be available beginning Monday February 26 by clicking here.

Spry Middle School is at 119 South Avenue in the village of Webster.

Just a few weeks later, Webster Thomas High School will present their spring musical, Pippin.

pippinPippin is the story of a young prince, told by a traveling troupe of actors led by the cunning and charming Leading Player. The prince is heir to the throne, searching for his own “corner of the sky.” Pippin returns from university certain that he will find a fulfilling purpose in life. As encouraged by the Leading Player, Pippin dabbles in bloody battle, temptations of the flesh, and savvy political maneuvers, only to discover that true happiness is more complicated than he thought.

The show is peppered with infectious tunes by Stephen Schwartz and classic choreography from Bob Fosse, and promises to be a humorous, exciting adventure.

Pippin will be presented on Thursday March 22, Friday March 23 and Saturday March 24 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

Tickets are $12.00, available online now by clicking here. They’ll also be available at the door.

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Help out puppies in need next week

16 Feb

A couple of fun events coming up I want to throw out there today.

I just saw this notice on Facebook from Knucklehead Craft Brewing in West Webster:

Did you know Friday February 23 is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day? To celebrate, stop in to Knucklehead on Wednesday, 2/21/18 and bring a pre-packed dog biscuit treat for your chance to Spin The Wheel and win a prize. No cost needed other than your donation of a pre-packed dog biscuit treat. We will donate all packages to Lollypop Farm to share with their dogs!

Remember that you’ll only be able to spin the wheel if you bring in your dog biscuits on Wednesday February 21. But it’s OK if you want to bring them on International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day on Friday as well. I mean, you gotta celebrate, right? And I’m sure they’ll go to a good home.

Knucklehead Craft Brewing is located at 426 Ridge Road in West Webster (at the corner of Bay).

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Some of the cast: (Front) Ryan Parody and Carenza Glastonbury. (Back) Anna Holley, Lizzy Clark, Cameron Stone, Madeleine Tischner, Analiesse Brown, and Lily Ippolito. 

Rock & roll comes to the Spry Middle School Stage on March 9 and 10 when the Spry Drama Club presents Bye Bye Birdie Jr.

Broadway audiences have been long familiar with this family-friendly, upbeat comedy about rock & roll idol Conrad Birdie and his star-struck fans. The dancing is fun, the music is infectious and the laughs are plentiful.

Bye Bye Birdie Jr. will be staged in three performances on Friday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the Spry Middle School Auditorium, 119 South Avenue.  Advance tickets are $7 each, and the shows are expected to sell out (it’s a small auditorium). Tickets go on sale February 26. Click here to get yours. If any remain, they will be sold at the door.

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

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Spreading the joy of books at Schlegel

2 Feb

students

How many ways can you find to read a book aloud? Schlegel Elementary School figured out about a half dozen ways to do that Thursday.

The occasion was World Read Aloud Day, and the entire school participated. Library Media Specialist Jamie Palmer took the lead. Step one was to assign all the students into small groups. Then, right after morning announcements, the school’s fifth graders fanned out to their assigned groups, leading them to classrooms where readers were waiting.

But not just classrooms. Students clustered in hallways, the gymnasium, the music room, the library … pretty much any space where they could settle in and listen to a few good books.

About 20 minutes later, the teachers (plus support staff and substitutes) swapped spots and read two more books to a new group of students. Then everyone convened in the cafeteria, where Supervisor Carmen Gumina read Aaron Reynolds’ Creepy Pair of Underwear to the entire school.

Other highlights of the day included when second graders performed books for kindergartners, and when three children’s authors Skyped in to chat with students.

It still wasn’t over. At the end of the day, everyone gathered in the cafeteria again to enjoy some whimsical poetry by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater from her book Read! Read! Read!

By the end of the day, every student had enjoyed at least six books read aloud to them –not including any that the classroom teachers worked into their regular curriculum.

If there was any question whether the students enjoyed the day, it was answered when at the very end of the afternoon’s assembly, the entire student population spontaneously started to chant “We love books!”

Here are a few photos from the day. I’ll put the rest in a photo gallery which you can see here.

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

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Webster Monday Mailbag

28 Jan

Happy new week! Here are some neat events coming up you might want to check out, starting with Willink Middle School’s upcoming production of Legally Blonde, Jr.

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Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show’s instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass – leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!

Legally Blonde Jr. follows the transformation of Elle Woods (Sarah Lewandowski) as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. When Elle’s high school boyfriend, Warner, (Jacob Sukhenko) dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she’s not “serious” enough, Elle takes matters into her own hands, crafting a showy song-and-dance personal essay and charming her way into law school. Befriending classmate, Emmett (Jake Groff), and spunky hairdresser, Paulette (Shanna Smith), along the way, Elle finds that books and looks aren’t mutually exclusive.

An energetic case and crew numbering more than 100 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have been working hard for months to bring this show the stage, and you’re gonna be impressed with the results.

Legally Blonde Jr. will be performed at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, on Friday February 2 at 7:30 and Saturday February 3rd at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and can be purchased through the Drama Club website the week beginning this week.

Les Miz Tickets on Sale

And since we’re talking school musical productions, I should mention that tickets are now on sale for Webster Schroeder High School’s production of Les Miserables. 

The show will take the stage in four shows February 8 through 11.

Reserve tickets are $12, and can be purchased online by clicking here. You can also get them at Wegmans and at the door if it’s not sold out.

 Free Mardi Gras Pancake Supper

St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Road, will host a free Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday February 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu will include sausage and applesauce, and unlimited pancakes.

You’re invited to attend this family-friendly event in your most festival Mardi Gras attire, and there will be plenty of beads for everyone. Plus, you’ll be able to make your own masks.

The dinner is free, but a free-will offering for outreach projects can be made. Call the church at 671-1899 with questions or to reserve seats.

Pancake Breakfast at Rochester Christian School

PCBF2018If you don’t get your fill of pancakes at St. Martin, make sure to visit Rochester Christian School on Saturday February 23, for their annual breakfast, which will benefit the VIP playground project.

This is the school’s 23rd annual event. Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Plus, there will be family-friendly games, so make sure to bring the kids.

Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the school, 260 Embury Road. Tickets are $6 for adults, (max $25 per family) and free for children under 2.

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

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Webster high school plays just around the corner

20 Jan

If you happened to see Saturday’s D&C, you might have seen my article about high school plays taking place this spring all over Rochester’s east side.

Of particular interest to my readers here in Webster, I was able to spotlight Webster Schroeder’s upcoming production of Les Miserables. Unfortunately, the parameters of the article did not allow me to include information about Webster Thomas’ spring musical, a slight I would like to correct now.

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Webster Thomas High School will present Pippin from March 22-24.

Director Brenda Nitsch writes,

This is the 10th anniversary (we did it 10 years ago!) but with a different spin. However, the basic plot line is the same. The story is about a boy who is trying to find the “extraordinary” in life but realizes in the end that you can find joy and fulfillment in the ordinary.

We like this show because it has lots of layers and makes you think. We will, and already have had, lots of discussions around the plot, characters, motive, etc. That is one of the cool things about this show–there aren’t really right answers. It is all perception. The choreography is in the style of Bob Fosse.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on March 22 and 23, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on March 24. Ticket information, when available, can be found at websterthomasplayers.com.

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As I mentioned, there was a short blurb about Webster Schroeder’s production of Les Miserables in Saturday’s paper, which read,

Les Miserables’ sweeping ballads and show-stopping tunes make it the perfect musical at which to experience the incredible vocal and acting talent of our high school students, which may make you question whether you’re in a high school auditorium or at the RBTL. Plus, we’re told, “there are some awesome wigs happening.”

Yes, that’s right: “awesome wigs.” But I was able to sit in on one of the rehearsals, and I’ll tell you right now, there’s a whole lot more awesomeness than just wigs happening on that stage. I am a huge fan of the music of Les Miserables, and from what I saw, I will not be disappointed.

Webster Schroeder High School will present Les Miserables on February 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.  For more information and tickets, visit websterschroedermusicals.com.

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

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Kate Lee and the O’Connor Band are coming to town

4 Jan
OConnor-Band-PRESS-5-LO-RES-768x510

The O’Connor Band, with Webster native Kate Lee, will be coming to town the week of January 18.  Kate, second from left, is pictured with Forrest, Maggie and Mark O’Connor.

Grammy-winning bluegrass/Americana group the O’Connor Band– including Webster’s very own Kate Lee (Webster Schroeder ’10) — will be visiting from Nashville in a few weeks to perform at the Eastman Theatre and share their skills in our schools.

The O’Connor Band’s debut album, Coming Home, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart in 2016 and won Best Bluegrass Album at the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2017.

The band features legendary fiddle virtuoso and composer, Mark O’Connor, his wife Maggie O’Connor (fiddle/vocals), son Forrest O’Connor (mandolin/vocals), and Kate (fiddle/vocals), who last April officially joined the family when she married Forrest.

Before their Eastman Theatre performance, the group will spend two days educating students through Mark O’Connor’s O’Connor Method: An American School of String Playing. The O’Connor Band will perform at both high schools for Webster Central School District instrumental and choral ensemble students in grades 4-12 and high school junior-level social studies’ students. Mark will provide educational narrative regarding the historical time and place of the band’s bluegrass genre across generations. The O’Connor Band will also be visiting Rochester City School District’s School No. 19 to give a performance and master class to the school’s Strings for Success program.

On Friday night January 19, the band will conclude their visit with a performance at the Eastman Theatre, beginning at 8 p.m. Singer-songwriter Chris Wilson will open the show, which will feature music from the O’Connor Band’s Grammy-winning album as well as music from their 2017-released O’Connor Band LIVE! album.

Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre is located at 26 Gibbs Street in Rochester. For tickets, visit www.eastmantheatre.org/events/oconnor-band.

To learn more about the O’Connor Band, visit their website at www.oconnorband.com.

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

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Oak Tree Award nominations still being accepted

2 Jan

oak leafAs students and staff members head back to school again, this important reminder about the Oak Tree Award.

Nominations are still being accepted for the annual Oak Tree Recognition, given to an outstanding WCSD teacher.

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 1, 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.

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

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School 17 says Thank you, Webster

31 Dec

Here’s a very nice end-of-the-year feel-good fuzzie, which I received in my email this morning. It’s a video thank-you to the Webster community from School 17 for helping bring Christmas to the children, many whom wouldn’t otherwise get even one present, let alone anything else resembling Christmas.

Click on the image to see the video. May the new year continue to bring more instances of people helping people, every day and in both big and little ways.

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

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Webster CSD to study school start times

28 Dec

If you’ve ever had to cajole, whine, plead, yell at, or pour water on your high-school aged child to extract him or her from bed in time for school, you’ll be interested in this news: the Webster school district is going to take a serious look at changing the high school start times to something more reasonable.

To that end, I share with you this column written by Webster Supervisor Carm Gumina:

“I think it’s time.” Those are words I shared with the Webster CSD Board of Education during its November 2 meeting. I had just returned from a conference on mindfulness and neuroscience, and the topic of school start times came up once again in a forum filled with scientists, educators, and most importantly, individuals who really care about the overall health and wellness of young people.

As a district, we strive to educate the whole child in all that we do both inside and outside the classroom. There is an abundance of undeniable scientific evidence supporting the fact that our middle and high schools start too early for teens whose changing biological sleep patterns require them to sleep later in order to maximize their ability to learn. Medical studies also show that a lack of sleep for older students can negatively impact their physical and their mental health. That fact alone got my attention and the attention of so many of us in the district who care for your children.

The possibility of later start times for secondary students in our district is a critical one that deserves a mindful, in-depth study. The science is convincing regarding sleep research and the biological and neurochemical effects that adequate rest has on the physical and emotional states of our teens. That said, Webster CSD, along with other districts throughout our region, state, and country, still grapple with the challenges of changing school start times. This will be a year-long process of exploration, study, and problem-solving, and it involves all of us in the One Webster community.

During that November 2 meeting, the board of education asked me to design a process and gather feedback that would explore this important issue. I invite any of you who are interested in learning more to attend an initial Webster CSD Start-Time Study Group meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the Spry Middle School auditorium, 2nd floor, 119 South Avenue, Webster. We’ll hear from a University of Rochester researcher, local pediatrician, and district administrators during that initial meeting so you can begin to learn more. If you would be interested in attending, please RSVP by e-mailing Larry_Wahl@webstercsd.org. Mr. Wahl is WCSD’s coordinator of strategic initiatives and will be leading the group’s work.

In all honesty, I have no idea what conclusions and solutions will come from this study group’s formation; I can tell you this is not a short-term study. If the group determines that changes in our district are necessary and possible, those changes wouldn’t take place until fall 2019 or 2020, however, it is important that we begin to research this critical issue.

Again, I do think it’s time.

Once again, that informational meeting is Tuesday January 9 at 4 p.m. at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue.

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

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Holiday fun at the elementary schools

19 Dec

Holiday time at the elementary schools is always a fun time for both students AND staff

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Schlegel Road teacher Bill Ambler the Jolly Elf. 

members. And since I have the pleasure of working in two different elementary schools, that fun is kind of doubled.

On Monday I was at Schlegel Road Elementary, where silly outfits were the order of the day. We also enjoyed a  concert by the Webster Show Choir, comprised of outstanding vocalists and dancers from both Schroeder and Thomas high schools. I was told that it was the first time in 16 years the choir had visited Schlegel.

Later that afternoon, Show Choir traveled to Plank Road North later that afternoon for another performance. Here are a few photos from that concert, courtesy Sarah Rosenberry:

I’m not sure the link will work, but try clicking here to see some video from that concert.

And here’s some icing for the holiday cake: A holiday video created by Schlegel Road staff members. Click here to see it. It’s kind of fun.

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

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