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I love highlighting our young people, because kids are actually doing good things in our community, and we don’t often hear about it when they do.

Today I’m happy to pass along news of this year’s WCSD Citizenship Award winners. The award is given out annually by the Webster Retired Educators Association, honoring one fifth grade student at each of our seven elementary schools who exemplify the qualities of service, scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship. They participate actively in school and community activities, use their best ability consistently in all subject areas, demonstrate leadership abilities in a variety of school activities, and treat classmates with fairness, respect, generosity, and courtesy.

This year’s winners are Kylie Swallow (Dewitt Rd.), Alainna Mee (Klem Rd. North), Anastasia Piwko (Klem Rd. South), Ellice Hall (Plank Rd. North), Benjamin Baker (Plank Rd. South), Clara Kovach (Schlegel Rd.), and Olivia Tymkiv (State Rd.). 

Here’s what their teachers had to say about these star students:

Kylie Swallow is DeWitt Road Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner. She starts each day with a positive attitude and models scholarship, leadership, and sportsmanship in all areas of life. In the classroom, she’s a model of Cooperation, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence (C.A.R.E.). Kylie puts 100% effort into her learning, being an active participant and asking intriguing questions that spark curiosity in others. She demonstrates leadership by applying new strategies during group work, works hard, and is persistent in the classroom. Kindness is always on her mind. She is a C.A.R.E. leader, runs food drives, and leads morning meetings. She also volunteers in other classrooms and has even given up her recess to join a class in physical education (PE) to help encourage students to do their best! She is also a member of the band. Outside of school, Kylie enjoys basketball. Whether dribbling down the basketball court during recess or playing a competitive game in the classroom or gym, she’s the first to celebrate someone else’s success because she respects everyone to the fullest. She has natural talent in anything competitive and leads her team to success, all while staying humble and kind.

Alainna Mee, Klem Rd. North Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner, shows leadership qualities and a caring attitude, is courteous, and is helpful to others. She excels in the classroom and in the Webster community. When asked to describe her, teachers use words like “positive, humorous, genuinely kind, responsible, selfless, and cooperative.” Alainna shared her love of learning as a second grade reading buddy. She is also a member of the Klem North Band and has performed at Community Arts Day and Solo Festivals, where she received two outstanding ratings. Alainna also participates in chorus and was selected to the All-County chorus this year. Outside of school she’s plays with the the Lakefront Soccer team and dances with the Deborah McKay School of Dance, where she’s studied tap, jazz, and ballet since the age of 4. She also actively participates in Girl Scouts, where she consistently sells more than 300 boxes of cookies each year. Alainna shows integrity at school and in the community. She’s quick to lend a hand to a student in need and always makes a conscious effort to include all students. Her caring heart, positive attitude and amazing sense of humor make her the true definition of a Klem North Star.

Anastasia Piwko is Klem Road South Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner. Throughout the school year, she demonstrated scholarship. Teachers can count on her to participate in lessons, put her best effort into her work, collaborate respectfully with her peers, and offer a kind word to anyone who might need it. She takes pride in a job well done and consistently goes above and beyond in all that she does. Anastasia demonstrates leadership and service within her school community. You might find her being a role model to younger students as a first grade safety patrol member or you might hear her musical talents as she plays in the Klem South Band, competes at Solo Fest, sings in the chorus, or performs in the Klem South musical. Anastasia shows good sportsmanship outside of school where she has played basketball and lacrosse. But nothing compares to her love of gymnastics, where she’s always working hard to learn and practicing new skills. Anastasia even took her gymnastics skills to new heights when she took aerial arts lessons, using silks and hoops to do tricks 10 feet off the ground. She is also highly creative, having taught herself how to crochet. 

Ellice Hall, Plank Rd. North Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner, consistently demonstrates all of the criteria set forth for this honor. She always pushes herself to do her best, and follows through on all assignments and activities in school. No matter the task or activity, Ellice does not waver in her commitment to it. She is an active member of her school community, each morning and afternoon serving as a library helper, as part of the safety patrol, as a member of the winning Battle of the Books team, and as the Scarecrow in this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Whether Ellice is playing a game in physical education class or working with her group on a novel in the classroom, she is able to set the right tone for a positive and productive experience as a leader as well as a team player. She is respected by her peers and is a role model to all. The final year of elementary school can be a challenging one, but Ellice has soared in independence, motivation and organization. 

Benjamin Baker is Plank Road South Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner. He’s recognized for his good citizenship, leadership and character. Benjamin has been a shining example of a role model, both within and outside of school. He’s rocked the stage with his musical talent in band and represented his classmates well within the student council. A natural leader, he listens to all ideas, and helps his peers come to a consensus in a respectful manner. Benjamin’s impact goes beyond school activities. He’s dedicated his time to serve others in the community, volunteering and making a positive difference. Plank South teachers and administrators have said he’s an incredible, kindhearted student who’s always willing to help others. He has a positive attitude and works hard at whatever he does. He’s kind to peers and they gravitate towards him. He leads by example. Benjamin uses his voice with purpose, whether it’s to meaningfully engage in class discussions, to tell a joke to make someone’s day, or to stand up for a friend in need. He’s responsible, hard-working, creative, kind to others, and patient. 

Clara Kovach, Schlegel Rd. Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner, exemplifies outstanding behavior and character, and is a true role model, consistently demonstrating the C.A.R.E. attributes and essential skills. Choosing to be kind, showing respect, and being her highest self comes naturally to her. Her positive attitude is contagious to those around her. Clara is a self-motivated learner, a leader by example, and a kindhearted friend. She lends a hand to anyone in need. Her kindness and empathetic nature help others feel comfortable. Clara strives to be her very best and takes pride in her academics. She consistently uses feedback to improve their work and challenge herself to grow. Clara takes all of her responsibilities seriously, including orchestra, chorus and CREW assemblies. She’s attended art club, and has researched and shared a couple of change makers this year for the announcements. She’s just as active and dedicated outside of school participating in gymnastics and book clubs, and she loves crafts, reading, and writing short stories. Her new hobby is crocheting and sewing, and she always enjoys family time. She makes new friends wherever she goes. 

Olivia Tymkiv is State Rd. Elementary School’s Citizenship Award winner. Classmates, teachers, and administrators say she exemplifies the Excellence in C.A.R.E. every day, is eager to learn, willing to help others achieve, and shows kindness and grace to everyone. Olivia approaches challenges with a positive attitude and isn’t afraid to take chances. She’s respectful, shows integrity, asks questions, completes work to the best of her ability, and can be counted on to be a helper and role model to her peers. She embraces opportunities to participate in extra activities, such as an optional fourth grade book club. She has also been one of State Rd.’s flag bearers, and helps on the bus loop even when she’s not officially on safety patrol that term. Olivia participated in the morning announcements, joined groups like Lego club, and has participated in science fairs over the years. She’s musically talented and enjoys singing in chorus as well as playing the viola in orchestra. She’s donated her time and given up many recesses to support the PE teachers with the set-up and break-down of equipment and is a fabulous bus buddy. Olivia encourages others to be their best selves while continuing to grow herself. She comes from a family who is steadfast in their faith and service, and she spends quality time with them.

Each honoree received a medal and their name engraved on a plaque that is displayed in their elementary school. Additionally, the honorees will be recognized at the first Webster CSD Board of Education meeting in September, followed by a reception sponsored by the WREA.

Congratulations to these kids and good luck as you continue your educational careers!

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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 6/30/2024)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Webster Central Schools, Webster NY

It’s that time of year again, when our graduating seniors are taking their final exams, saying goodbye to high school and starting to plan for college, or the military, or a job in the skilled trades. Those are great options for most of our district’s seniors, but what about those who are “graduating” from one of the high schools’ special education classes? Those same options are really not available to them.

Thanks to a collaborative program between the Webster Central School District (CSD) and St. John Fisher University, those students are not cast out rudderless into the professional world. Instead, they can continue their education and learn important life skills at the Webster Postsecondary Program.

The program, now in its 13th year, serves as a transitional step for special education students ages 18 to 22. Its mission is to assist young adults with disabilities to strengthen their daily living, social/personal, and occupational skills, with the ultimate goal to guide their transition to living as independently as possible.

Three districts participate in the program: Webster, Brighton and West Irondequoit. Webster special education teacher Jen Hackett describes it as “kind of like a mini-community before (the students) hit the big community.”

Classes follow the regular Webster CSD calendar, and each week focus on a different set of life skills. They’re the kinds of skills which most of us take for granted and are critical to living in the greater society — like sending emails, opening and maintaining a bank account, taking a bus and making a 911 call — but which can be challenging for these young adults. Other lessons focus on eating healthy foods, managing personal space, improving communication skills and honing their workplace skills. And because taking care of yourself is equally important, there’s also time set aside every week for exercise — walking or working out in the weight room.

Every Friday, the theme culminates in a group activity which reinforce the week’s lessons, like going to a restaurant and ordering from a menu, or visiting the 911 call center and practicing making a 911 call.

It’s all about introducing functional skills, then practicing them a lot and role-playing so the students feel confident and comfortable interacting in the greater society.

One of the most important parts of every day, however, happens most afternoons, when the students leave the classroom and take buses to work actual jobs. Several local businesses partner with the program to provide practical work experience, including Bill Grays, Walmart, the YMCA, St. John Fisher and CDS Monarch.

In every instance, it’s been a win/win situation for everyone.

“We have some really hard-working students here,” Hackett said. “Our employers tell us they’re always on time, and they work harder than other students because they take it seriously and are reliable. … They have great skills and they take a lot of pride in their work.”

And that’s what it’s all about: helping these kids acquire the life skills that will lead them to fulfilling, independent lives.

“If you ask the students, they want to be independent,” Hackett said. “It’s about self-determination and helping students to figure out what they want in their life. It’s whatever their real dreams are and helping them to get to their dreams.”

Hackett would love to hear from any business owners who would like to provide work opportunities for students in the WSCD Postsecondary Program. Even one-time projects would work, like setting up for a big event (like a grand opening), doing some landscaping or assembling a mailing.

“We like to give them a taste of different jobs,” Hackett said. Job coaching will be provided, as well as transportation to and from the job site.

If you’re interested in partnering with the WCSD for this great program, email Jen Hackett at Jen_hackett@webstercsd.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 6/10/2024)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Webster Central Schools, Webster NY

If you happened to be driving by Webster Thomas High School on Wednesday morning, you might have been alarmed to see dozens of firefighters, police officers, EMTs and their emergency vehicles swarming around what appeared to be a horrific accident that had just occurred in front of the school.

The realistic accident scene was actually a very carefully arranged and pre-planned mock DWI scenario. It’s organized bi-annually by our local emergency responders as a training exercise, and hosted by the school district during prom and graduation party season as a serious, real-life lesson for our students.

The scene imagined a two-car accident, caused when a high school student was driving drunk. He rear-ended another car and drove it into a tree, seriously injuring several unrestrained passengers and killing another. (If that scenario sounds familiar, it was designed to mimic a fatal accident which actually happened in Hilton last weekend.)

About 600 juniors and seniors silently watched as, one by one, emergency workers extracted the injured passengers and took them to a waiting ambulance. It was slow going. Windows had to be smashed. The windshields of both cars had to be cut completely off, and the Jaws of Life had to be used to extract several of the passengers.

The drunk driver was unscathed, and with some assistance was able to get out of the car. His passengers, however, most of whom were unrestrained, were taken away on backboards. And the front seat passenger in the car he had hit was dead.

As the firefighters were removing doors and cutting the roof off one car, the driver was taken aside by a police officer, given a field sobriety test and arrested.

The whole scenario only took about 45 minutes, but for these high school students, they might be among the most important 45 minutes of their lives.

Speaking as a mother, I hope the message being shared that day sunk in at least a little bit with everyone. But I know that young people tend to think they’re invincible. Bad stuff like that can happen to someone else, but never to me.

But I couldn’t help thinking back to one of these mock DWI presentations I watched many years ago when I was working at Thomas. In addition to the student actors, the school had brought in the mother of the driver who “died.” She was standing on the school’s front walk when a police officer told her that her son had not survived. As any mother would when given that news, she collapsed with grief. As I watched, I found it easy to imagine how devastated she was, to feel the searing pain of losing a child.

If you have a high school student or know of one, perhaps you can impress that perspective upon him or her: you might think it’s OK to be cavalier with your life, cut corners and take chances. But think of how your parents would feel if a police officer came to their door and told them you were not coming home.

Ever.

See lots more pictures from the demonstration in this slideshow:

The mock DWI demonstration was repeated at Webster Schroeder High School on Friday.

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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 6/8/2024)

Tags: Missy Rosenberry, Webster Central Schools, Webster NY