Tag Archives: Webster Central Schools

Webster community mailbag

22 Feb

Looking ahead to events and warmer weather next month — and this coming summer — in today’s mailbag!

Win a pair of Beats headphones

In an effort to reach out to a younger audience and impress upon them the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) has instituted a Beats headphone giveaway via Instagram.

It’s easy to enter; just visit @WHENdfcc on Instagram, and post a picture of you doing something happy and healthy, like going for a walk, playing a sport, etc. Comment and tag two friends, follow WHEN on Instagram and share the WHEN post to your story. See more about this great giveaway on Instgram or click here.

Wednesday March 3 is the last day to enter.

Looking forward to summer!

Enough with this snow. Here’s something to help you look past all that.

The Webster Business Improvement District (BID) has announced its summer lineup of Friday night gazebo concerts, beginning in July:

  • July 18: The Earthtones
  • July 25: The Sarah DeValliere Band
  • Aug. 1: It’s My Party
  • Aug. 8: The Red Hot & Blue Band
  • Aug. 22: Eight Days a Week

Plus, the Webster Jazz Festival returns Aug. 15 and 16.

The gazebo concerts begin at 7 p.m. at Veterans Park on North Ave. and admission is free. Bring the whole family, some folding chairs and a blanket, and a cooler if you’d like, then enjoy some beautiful music. Check out the BID website to stay up to date on details for these and all this summer’s village events.

News from the Arboretum

The Webster Arboretum has a beautiful new website which is very much worth a few minutes to check out. The new design is very easy to navigate, highlighting the trails, gardens and wildlife which abound in this beautiful natural area.

Scroll down a bit to read about this year’s slate of educational programs, a different one every month through November, ranging from hummingbirds to lilacs, bonsai trees to hydrangeas.

I’ll let you know more about each of these as they get closer, but here’s what’s happening in March:

  • Invasive Insects, Thursday March 20, 7 to 8 p.m.: Presented by Camille Caceci, the Invasive Species Project Coordinator with Finger Lakes PRISM. Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to our environment, and as scientific professionals, hobbyists, or passersby, we encounter them almost every day. But what makes a species invasive? How many are there? Learn more about them at this fascinating presentation.

The presentation will take place at the Curry Building at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. Prior registration is requested for all these programs. They’re all free and will be held rain or shine. Visit the Webster Arboretum website for more information and to register.

And ALSO, mark your calendars now for the Arboretum’s annual Spring Plant Sale, Saturday May 10 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Women’s Club March luncheon will feature Webster history

Sharon Pratt from the Webster Museum will be the guest speaker at the next Women’s Club of Webster luncheon, Thursday March 20 at the Nutcracker Family Restaurant, 2159 Empire Blvd., Webster. Sharon will speak about what life was like for women in Webster’s early days.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Sharon’s presentation. Enjoy a buffet featuring roast beef, roasted chicken, rice pilaf, pasta primavera, salad, hot mixed vegetables, hot and cold beverages and warm camaraderie.

Cost of the luncheon is $25. Send check made out to WCW by March 13 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303. New members are always welcome.

WCSD prekindergarten lottery is open

Registration for Webster Central School District’s 2024-25 prekindergarten lottery is now available online. Registrations will be accepted through Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. Children who are 4 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025 but who are not eligible for kindergarten, are eligible for prekindergarten enrollment for the upcoming school year.

Webster CSD PreK is a play-based program that engages students in social and emotional skills with a heavy emphasis on communication. The district offers both full-day and half-day options for families. Locations are determined by the lottery and according to the child’s home catchment for kindergarten.

For more information and to complete registration, please visit Webster CSD’s prekindergarten web page at www.websterschools.org/prek.

Lots to do in March at the library

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening at the Webster Public Library in March:

  • Vintage Book Sale, Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books, published between the 19th and early 21st centuries. Prices begin at $8.
  • The free community exchange in March is GAMES. Bring in a game that you don’t use anymore, and pick up a new one!
  • The Donation Station in March will benefit the Webster Public Library’s very own Free Food Pantry, located on the sidewalk right by the front door. Bring in non-perishable food items to help keep the pantry stocked.
  • The Seed Library will be open for the season on Monday March 3

For adults:

  • St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Saturday March 1, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the Emerald Isle with music from the band Merriwick, Irish tea and beautiful pictures of Ireland! Registration is required.
  • Growing Orchids in Rochester, Saturday March 8, 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Learn about orchids and how to grow them in Rochester in anticipation of the 2025 Genesee Region Orchid Show. Registration is required.

For teens and tweens:

  • Make It Monday: Glass Bead Suncatchers, Monday March 10, 6 to 7 p.m. Grades 4 and up are welcome. Registration is requested.
  • Teen Library Club, Wednesday March 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hang out with your friends and get more involved in the library and the community. For grades 6 to 12. Registration is requested.

For kids and families:

  • Flute Storytime, Saturday March 15, 2 to 2:30 p.m. Join flutist Jaclyn Breeze for a 30-minute program featuring two picture books and flute pieces. No registration required.
  • Spring Equinox Drop-In Crafts in the storytime room. Friday March 21 and Saturday March 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome and registration is not required.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/22/2025)

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Register now for Community Arts Day

18 Feb

I know that spring is just around the corner when I start receiving emails from the organizers of Community Arts Day (CAD). And since this year it seems like spring will NEVER arrive, it’s rather appropriate that CAD has been scheduled later than usual.

This annual event, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.

Normally, Community Arts Day is held in mid-April, but this year (thanks to some scheduling issues) it’s been moved back to Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So it’s a little later this year than usual, but the time is NOW to start planning for it.

Registrations are now being taken for community groups, vendors and performers who’d like to participate in this year’s Community Arts Day. There are also several opportunities to become event sponsors or make an in-kind donation. Click here to find out more and to register your group.

Organizers are also looking for interested community members to join the planning committee and help make this event a success. Email CAD@websterptsa.org to find out more about volunteer opportunities,

Community Arts Day is a Webster PTSA sponsored event, created in 1976 as a joint venture with each of Webster’s schools to raise money to support cultural arts activities in our 11 buildings. CAD showcases our children’s artistic, vocal, musical, and theatrical talents. It also involves the whole community in a day to celebrate cultural arts, bringing in 2000+ people to enjoy activities from art displays, musical performances, craft demonstrations, community exhibits, craft vendors, sweet treats, a carnival space, and more. So make sure to put Saturday, May 10 on your calendar now for this year’s Community Arts Day.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/18/2025)

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Webster Schroeder presents Hadestown this weekend

4 Feb

I’ve been attending musicals at Webster Schroeder High School for more than 20 years, ever since my kids went to school there. They’re always outstanding, with standing-ovation-quality acting and singing. And every year’s performance, it seems, is better than the last.

But I think they’re going to be hard-pressed to top this year’s production of Hadestown.

Webster Schroeder is bringing the hit Broadway musical Hadestown to the stage for four shows this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I had the pleasure of attending one of the dress rehearsals a few days ago, and when I walked into the auditorium, I knew very little about the musical, aside from the fact that it was an eight-time Tony Award winner. I also knew (from my music theater nerd daughter) that it’s one of the hottest shows on Broadway. So when I heard that Schroeder had nabbed the rights to stage it (the first school in our area), I was very excited to see it.

Hadestown re-imagines the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. It’s a love story, set against the backdrop of a dark, stylized, industrial underworld ruled by Hades and Persephone. Eurydice, driven by poverty and cold, seeks refuge in this harsh realm, while her musician lover, Orpheus, embarks on a long and perilous journey to bring her back.

I know, I know … that doesn’t sound like your typical high school musical. For sure it’s not as lighthearted as Mary Poppins or Seussical. But despite its darker themes, audience members will be equally captivated by the acting, choreography, music and staging. Because this is a Webster Schroeder production.

The quality of this year’s show is especially impressive given that Hadestown is a very complicated and very tech-heavy musical. Even though it was released as a “teen edition,” not much was removed from the current production on Broadway. A few adaptations had to be made to accommodate the limitations of a high-school production, but those adaptations are creative and intriguing.

Director Carrie Zugelder says Hadestown has been the most challenging production she’s ever done in her 24 years of producing musicals, for several reasons. She writes,

We have over 300 different lighting cues that happen throughout the show. We are running sound which includes body mics, sound effects and on-stage band amplification on a 32-channel sound board and every channel is used. This means that our sound designer and his assistant are controlling 32 different sound elements at any given time in the show. We are running three different fog machines placed strategically on and below the stage extension. The special placement of these machines requires student members of stage crew to be enclosed under the stage, in the dark, to make sure the machines turn on and operate at the right moments. 

The dedication shown by those students under the stage is matched ten-fold by the skill and dedication to the craft shown by the students singing and dancing on the stage.

Here’s a good example: The character Orpheus is a musician, who in this production plays a guitar. Rowan Murphy, who plays Orpheus, did not know how to play the guitar before he won the role. But he decided he wanted to learn all the guitar parts his character played, rather than rely on the on-stage pit band, so he started taking lessons back in November.

But there’s more!

The three Fates also have instruments assigned to them: a violin, a tambourine and an accordion. Most high school productions would have the instruments on the characters but have professionals play the parts while the characters mimic the playing…..not Webster Schroeder!  Both Fate #1 and Fate #3 self-taught their violin and accordion parts. Their playing on stage is legit.

Those examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the hard work these young actors have been putting in to bring Hadestown to the stage. (And they are young. For many of them, this is their first Schroeder production.) From the powerful opening song, to the lilting love ballads, to the jarring underworld chants, the music is challenging, but the harmonies are breathtaking. The choreography and staging are complicated but delivered without a hitch.

Basically, I suggest you try to put aside your preconceptions that a musical based on a Greek myth will be boring, and put yourself in that auditorium for an evening you will not forget.

Hadestown: Teen Edition will make its community premiere at Webster Schroeder High School with four performances from February 6-8. Evening shows will begin at 7:00 p.m., with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on February 8, at the Webster Schroeder High School Auditorium (875 Ridge Road). Tickets are $14 and can be purchased online through Hometown Ticketing. 

Here are some more photos:

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/4/2025)

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WHEN brings Listening Post back to the middle schools

2 Feb

A fun program spearheaded by the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) is helping build connections between middle school students and Webster community members.

The program is called the Listening Post, and it’s designed to foster student engagement through interactive and enjoyable activities like games and crafts. Last Thursday and Friday, WHEN brought the program to Spry and Willink middle schools, setting up tables in the cafeteria during the lunch blocks, filled with card games (UNO, Go Fish, Old Main and War) Valentine’s cards, stickers and markers. After finishing their lunch, students who were interested could come over and play a game or make a Valentine’s card for the residents of Maplewood Nursing Home.

WHEN used to hold these Listening Posts regularly before the pandemic, but this is the first time they’ve been offered since then. Linda Dioguardi, WHEN’s programming chair, remembered that the response back then was overwhelming. She was a little unsure how the students would react this time around and was hoping that there would be at least some interest.

Turns out she had nothing to worry about.

During the six lunch periods at Spry on Thursday, more than 125 students came over to the tables to play cards or make Valentines. The response at Willink the next day was equally enthusiastic.

WHEN volunteers and retired WCSD teachers joined the students at the tables to play some surprisingly competitive games of UNO or Old Maid, or to make some charming Valentine’s cards. And while they were participating in all the fun and games, the students didn’t even realize they were benefiting from positive interactions with adults who were truly interested in who they were and what they had to say.

The ultimate goal is to strengthen relationships and enhance the sense of community within — and outside — the school.

WHEN hopes to host a Listening Post at least once a month at each of the middle schools through the end of the year. This time only retired WCSD teachers and WHEN members were been invited, but as the program ramps up again, any retiree from the Webster community is invited — and encouraged — to participate. For more information, visit the Webster Health and Education Network website or email info@WHENdfcc.org.

The photo above is of some of the Valentine’s card makers at Willink. Here are a few others from the two Listening Posts:

  • Card games and card makers at Spry
  • Principal Callahan challenges some Spry students to a game of UNO
  • The WHEN/retiree Listening Post team at Willink
  • It was all smiles during the card games at Willink

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 2/2/2025)

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WCSD to offer preK open houses

30 Jan

The Webster Central School District (WCSD) will be hosting a district-wide open house on Tuesday, Feb. 11 for parents looking to enroll their young children in the district’s pre-kindergarten program in September.
 
Webster CSD PreK is a New York State-funded program specifically designed for 4 year-olds not eligible for kindergarten. Each year the school district invites families of eligible children who reside in the district to apply. The district offers full-day (five hours) and half-day (2.5 hours) options. The open house offers families living within the school district an opportunity to see some of the sites and learn more about the program before registering for the lottery. The visit is intended to answer questions and help families rank their choices prior to the registration window of February 14 to March 14.

The open house will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at seven of the district’s 14 pre-K locations:

* Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road, Webster (enter door 4)
* Webster Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line, Webster (enter in the back)
* Bay View YMCA, 1209 Bay Road, Webster
* Busy Blossoms, 60 Barrett Drive, Webster
* Expressive Beginnings, 12 May Street, Webster
* Kids First, 1676 Empire Blvd., Webster
* LP at STARS Preschool, 1456 Ridge Road, Webster
 
Webster’s play-based learning program focuses on communication, vocabulary development, and problem-solving. Time is dedicated to gross motor and sensory development, art and music exploration, and consistent literacy and math experiences. Plus, there’s weekly speech language pathologist support in each classroom.
 
Families who are unable to attend the open house and would like to learn more about the Webster CSD PreK program are encouraged to visit the WCSD website at or call (585) 216-0122.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/22/2025)

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A sneak peek at Willink’s production of Annie Jr.

29 Jan

I had the pleasure Monday night of getting a preview of Willink Middle School’s upcoming spring musical, Annie Jr., which takes the stage this coming weekend, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

You all know this classic musical. Set in Depression-era New York City, it tells the story of a spunky orphan who dreams of finding her real parents, who years earlier had abandoned her on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. With her infectious optimism and unwavering determination, Annie navigates the challenges of life and ultimately finds a loving home with the wealthy businessman, Oliver Warbucks.

It’s a charming story, and I dare say the cast members of the Willink Drama Club have captured that charm perfectly.

As I sat watching the dress rehearsal, I couldn’t help but think that I would be seeing many of these young people on the Webster Thomas stage — and even a Broadway stage — some day. Still just in middle school (some as young as 6th grade) these young actors presented impressive acting and singing skills. It was obvious how hard they’d all worked to bring this production to the stage and how much fun they were having. It’s especially enjoyable to see the entire cast of almost 100 students take over the cafetorium floor and aisles, filling the entire room — top to bottom and side to side — with song and dance.

The staging is simple, but effectively draws the audience into every scene. It’s easy to become so engaged, for example, that you feel like you’re just another of those orphan girls, waiting for Miss Hannigan to storm in and start barking orders. And just TRY to keep from singing along to “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” or “Tomorrow.”

Annie Jr. is a delightful, feel-good production filled with young talent that will knock your socks off. Staged by an energetic cast and crew of more than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, it’s a story of optimism, hope, friendship and adventure that’s perfect for the whole family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Children 2 and under are free. Click here to order them online.

Here are some more photos from the orphanage:

  • Mark Garbach and Harper Johnson
  • Kayla Vanderlinden and Poppy Short
  • Kayla Vanderlinden and Ella Boneberg

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/29/2025)

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Annie, Jr. tickets are on sale!

27 Jan

For those of you looking forward to grabbing some advance sale tickets for  Willink Drama Club‘s upcoming production of Annie, Jr., I’m pleased to tell you that they’re now on sale!

Annie Jr. tells the tale of a spunky orphan named Annie (Kayla Vanderlinden) who dreams of finding her real parents. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan (Poppy Short). With her infectious optimism and unwavering determination, Annie navigates the challenges of life in a Depression-era orphanage and ultimately finds a loving home with the wealthy businessman, Oliver Warbucks (Mark Garbach), his personal secretary, Grace Farrell (Harper Johnson), and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

It’s a heartwarming story of optimism, hope, friendship and adventure that’s perfect for the whole family. It features a large, energetic cast and crew of more than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, who’ve been working hard for months to bring the production to the Willink stage.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Children 2 and under are free. Click here to order them online.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/27/2025)

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Webster community mailbag

19 Jan

Let’s start today’s mailbag with this delicious note from the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WASP):

WASP will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, Feb. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Webster Masonic Temple, 30 Orchard St.

The dinner will include spaghetti with meatballs, salad, bread, a drink and dessert. (Meatless and garlic sauce options will also be available.)

Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. For takeout, call (585) 872-3500. A chairlift is available for anyone who needs it.

Tickets available soon for Hadestown and Annie

Our high school and middle school musical season begins in just a few short weeks.

First up is the classic hit Annie, Jr., presented by the Willink Drama Club on January 31 and Feb. 1.

Based on the popular Tony-winning musical about a spunky little red-headed orphan, the youth edition is a perfectly-sized adaptation for the entire family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets will be on sale beginning Monday, Jan 27.

The following week, Feb. 6 to 8, Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Rd., will present the hit Broadway musical, Hadestown. The “teen edition” of the movie is still a full-length production — a haunting, jazzy folk opera which follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. Hadestown has only very recently been released, and Webster Schroeder is the first in our area to get it.

Tickets go on sale January 23 at 9 a.m. and when they’re available, they can be purchased online here.

Women’s Club Feb. luncheon to feature Never Say Never Stables

Janice Camilleri from Never Say Never Stables in Webster will be the guest speaker at the next Women’s Club of Webster luncheon, Thursday Feb. 20 at Nucci’s Italian Seafood & Steak House, 807 Ridge Rd., Webster.

Never Say Never Stables, the “small stables with a big heart,” specializes in teaching “horsemanship from the heart” to all children. Janice will talk about her unique programming connecting special-needs children with horses and small farm animals.

The event begins at 11:15 a.m. with social time, followed by lunch at noon and Janice’s presentation. The buffet luncheon will consist of chicken marsala, mixed vegetables, oven-roasted potatoes, penne with sauce, salad and a cannoli for dessert. Friendship and camaraderie are included at no charge. New members are more than welcome.

Cost of the luncheon is $21. Send check made out to WCW by February 13 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, 14519. If you have any questions, or you think your check will be late, phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

Creativity and Imagination Collide at Camp Invention

Camp Invention, the Webster Central School District’s popular STEM- themed camp has been scheduled for July 21 to 25 at Spry Middle School.

Camp Invention provides an experience that builds confidence, creativity, and imagination. Campers team up with friends to explore open-ended, hands-on STEM challenges led by qualified educators.

Camp Director David Gorski and his team will guide campers as they build their own claw machines, team up for an eco-expedition as they investigate Antarctica with a robotic assistant and propel plush penguins across “snowy” landscapes, design a custom control panel and navigate their journey with help from GPS and AI tools, and uncover optical illusions as they explore the science behind special effects.

Cost is $300 per camper with sibling discounts of up to $40 off per child. Extended day hours also be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for an additional $100 (select Extended Camp during checkout). Register here before March 20 to save $24 with code FUN25 at invent.org/camp. Payment plans are available here.

Join the Thought Exchange

This also from the school district:

The Webster CSD is continuing its planning for the 2025-26 district budget that will be up for a community-wide vote on Tuesday, May 20. The district welcomes feedback from all Webster CSD community members when planning a budget for a school district that serves 8,000 students and 1,600+ staff members. Knowing the feedback of its community will help the district develop a budget that reflects the community’s input for its students.

The district uses ThoughtExchange as one of its many communication tools. This collaborative, online platform is used to gain insights and feedback from the community as the district makes decisions that impact everyone, including a proposed budget for next school year. Participation is voluntary and while thoughts are shared, participant identities are kept confidential.


Webster CSD is asking the community to please consider participating in the ThoughtExchange by clicking here or going to the district website at websterschools.org, selecting the news story “Community Input Sought on District Budget”, and following the link from there. The survey will remain open until January 31.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/19/2025)

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WHEN hosts series to help parents navigate the tween years

14 Jan

No doubt about it, raising kids is hard. The tween years can be especially challenging, when school academics and social interactions become more stressful, kids face pressure to experiment with drugs and smoking, and family dynamics seem to change every day.

The Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) recognizes these challenges and has come up with a series of programs to bring parents, caregivers and professionals together to discuss ways to deal with them. The interactive forums, hosted in partnership with the Webster Central School District, are called Navigating the Tween Years. They’re designed to help parents of tweens prepare their kids to thrive, even in a world where adolescent anxiety and mental health challenges are on the rise.

The series features three events:

  • From Worries to Wellness: Building resilience in a stressful world on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster;
  • Social Media & Your Kid: How tech is changing social development on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Klem Road South Elementary School, 1025 Klem Road, Webster; and
  • Empowering Your Family: Harness the power of protective factors on Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at Spry Middle School, 119 South Avenue, Webster.

The focus of these events is on the tween years, but all parents are welcome to bring their questions and experiences to share. The forums will use a World Cafe model, designed to engage participants in discussion, so bring an open heart and willingness to share, learn, and support other parents while growing your parent network.

The series kicked off in October with an evening of community coffee and conversation on the topic “Social Media and Your Kid.” Presenters included: Joe Montemaro, Webster CSD Director of Educational Technology and Information/Communications; Dana Buccieri, WHEN member and a retired Webster CSD school counselor; and Dustin Bailey, WHEN member, Webster CSD Unified bowling coach, and Young Life representative. Together, they led discussions on how technology has changed social development in tweens, and how parents can help their children develop the soft skills they may be missing. The event proved so valuable that this additional session has been scheduled.  

Parents do NOT need to have attended any prior sessions to attend one or all of the remaining sessions. 

This event is for adults only, children will not be permitted. There is no charge for attending, but please register in advance so they know how many are coming. For more details or to register, visit WHENdfcc.org/events. You can also email your questions to info@whendfcc.org.

About WHEN: 

WHEN (Webster Health and Education Network) is a network of Webster community members linked through awareness, education, and action. We assess community conditions and develop appropriate strategies to reduce early drug and alcohol exposure. Research suggests that the longer youth wait to use drugs and/or alcohol, the less likely it is that they will become addicted later in life. Therefore, WHEN’s goal as a community coalition is to collaborate with our partners to delay, decrease, and prevent substance use among youth. Together we can reduce high-risk behavior, increase protective factors, raise awareness, and strengthen community collaboration. All Webster residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to join us in this cause and can reach our Executive Director, Janine Sanger at: director@WHENdfcc.org.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/14/2025)

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News from Community Arts Day

12 Jan

Normally around this time of year, I start previewing the upcoming Community Arts Day, which is one of my favorite events of the year.

This annual event, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.

It’s normally held in mid-April, but this year, thanks (I believe) to some scheduling issues, it will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. So it’s a little later this year than usual, but it’s still something you want to put on your calendar right now.

Community Arts Day is a terrific day of music and art, displays, demonstrations, crafts and food. The event was created as a collaborative effort to raise funds to encourage and enhance fine arts through the Webster School District, and it relies heavily on volunteers to help it run smoothly. There are many ways you can help, including joining the planning committee, acting as a building rep for your child’s school, become a performer or an exhibitor, provide monetary sponsorship, and much more.

Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities, and make sure to put Saturday, May 10 on your calendar now for this year’s Community Arts Day.

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(posted 1/12/2025)

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