School District News for Week of February 19, 2012
AREA
Career and Technical students host Skills Night March 1
WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center, 3589 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport, hosts Skills Night, an opportunity for Career and Technical students to perform services for the community. All donations will be used to help support the WEMOCO SkillsUSA chapter.
Skills Night is March 1, from 3 to 7 p.m. Services offered include air brushed T-shirts - $5 donation, candy and facepainting, computer games and other activities. A flea market is also planned. For cosmetology services call 352-2471 for an appointment. Services are offered for small fees, for example, get a manicure for a $5 donation, a pedicure for a $10 donation. Culinary services will offer a dinner for a $6 donation (includes beverage and dessert). A car wash is offered for a $5 donation. Call 352-2471 for an appointment. Car wash and wax is available for a $20 donation.
The bakery will be open with various treats. Machining students will offer personalized nameplates for a $3 donation.
Call 585-352-2471 for information.
2/19/12
New Leisure Learning program debuts at Genesee Community College
Adults over the age of 50 now have the opportunity to pursue leisure-time learning courses in history, languages, hobbies, travel, and other subject areas at GCC through a new initiative of The BEST Center.
The courses are designed to help senior adults explore personal interests and build new skills. They do not carry academic credit, and will be offered during the evenings and weekends, and during the summer months. The college is also planning educational tours for interested residents. Housing at College Village will be available for out-of-area seniors who want to participate in Leisure Learning courses during the summer.
Over the next four months, Leisure Learning courses will cover such topics as Quick and Easy Italian, Geocaching 101, quilting, water color, and a variety of courses in scrapbooking, Civil War history, and family law. A tentative schedule of upcoming Leisure Learning courses is available at http://www.genesee.edu/best/development/leisure-learning/.
Area residents are also invited to complete a survey of their educational interests. The survey is available at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22EGQ7R6K59/.
Provided information
2/19/12
GCC hosts spring Civil War lecture series and essay contest
Genesee Community College hosts another lecture series on the history of the Civil War as part of the College’s Civil War Initiative commemorating the 150th anniversary of the war. The four part series will run Tuesdays, February 7, March 6, April 3, and May 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. in T102 of the Batavia Campus. All lectures are free and open to the public, but pre-registration for each lecture is encouraged by contacting The BEST Center.
Also featured this spring is a Civil War Essay Content open to all students between grades 9 and 12 with the topic, “War Takes A Nasty Turn: The Changing Nature of the War of 1862.” The first place essay winner will receive a color electronic reader. The essay should be a minimum of three pages formatted in 12 point Times New Roman font and double spaced. All citations must be written in Chicago Style (www.chicagomanualofstyle.org). All essays must be received electronically by Friday April 13 to ddmaxfield@genesee.edu. Winners will be announced before the final Civil War lecture on May 1, at 7 p.m.
The Civil War Exhibit currently on display in the Alfred O’Connell Library features more than a dozen miniature models depicting wartime scenes and situations, as well as a full case of authentic weapons and war accoutrements, as well as uniforms, a tent, and a selection of framed newspapers dating back to the 1850s. The exhibit continues through February 17 and is open during normal library hours.
To register for any of the Civil War lectures, contact The BEST Center at 585-345-6868 or email bestcenter@genesee.edu.
2/5/12
Margaret McGrath scholarship applications due March 1
Scholarship applications for the Margaret A. McGrath Charitable Foundation are due March 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 academic school year.
The foundation offers two types of scholarships to the residents of the Towns of Sweden and Hamlin. The Philip and Margaret Dollard Business Scholarship is awarded to qualifying college students who major in business. The Marie Dollard McGrath Elementary Education Scholarship is awarded to qualifying college students who major in Elementary Education.
Qualifying 2012 graduating high school seniors and current college students are encouraged to apply. A total of $269,000 in scholarships has been awarded since 2004.
For information contact Richard Dollard, Executive Director and Trustee at 585-637-7170 or refer to the foundation’s web site at www.frontiernet.net/~mcgrathfound/scholarshipfund.htm.
Provided information
12/4/11
BROCKPORT
Brockport High School hosts 26th “Class Acts” Show
The price is right at Brockport High School for its popular annual talent show “Class Acts” in the High School Auditorium (700 Central School Drive) on Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m. This year’s show is set to the theme of game shows including The Price is Right, Minute to Win It, $25,000 Pyramid and Let’s Make a Deal.
Started back in 1987 as an Art Club fundraiser, this show continues to be sold out every year. Students and faculty will showcase their talents during the popular show that has become a tradition. Performances will include over 24 singing, instrumental, dancing, and comedy acts. HS faculty will emcee the event and a variety of locally talented individuals, most of whom have performed in prior Class Acts, will judge the event.
Tickets for the show are $9 and may be purchased at www.showtix4u.com (click “buy tickets” and type “Brockport” in the search bar - do not hit “return” key).
2/19/12
Brockport Central School District is registering students for kindergarten
Children who reside in the Brockport Central School District who turn five years old by December 1, 2012, are eligible for kindergarten in September 2012. Student profiles were sent to all families with children listed in the database. Anyone who does not receive a profile in the mail should contact the Registrar’s office by February 9 at 637-1857 or complete a household information form at www.bcs1.org/registration and e-mail it to Registrar@bcs1.org.
The following information will be requested: child’s name, date of birth, parents’ names and addresses, home and work phone numbers, pediatrician, and at least one emergency contact.
Kindergarten registration packets will be mailed around February 21.
Parents are asked to bring completed registration packets to the Kindergarten Parent Information Night on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at the Ginther School.
Provided information
1/22/12
BYRON-BERGEN
Poetry Out Loud at Byron- Bergen High School
This year's participants in Poetry Out Loud included (l-r) Melissa Watson, John Tomidy (faculty advisor), Haley Howard, Emily Bowman, Brittany Merrell, and Christine Burke. Absent from picture: Chad Bobzin.The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation have joined together to create Poetry Out Loud, a program that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.
Participation in the program has grown at Byron-Bergen as well. For each of the last five years, over two hundred high school students were involved in the program, twenty of whom were selected from classroom performances to compete in the school level memorization/recitation competition held on January 11. Byron-Bergen freshmen Chad Bobzin, Emily Bowman, and Melissa Watson, sophomores Brittany Merrell and Christine Burke, and senior Haley Howard scored highest in the contest. The next step in Poetry Out Loud will be the Western Regional competition which will be held at Amherst High School on February 16. The State level competition will be held on March 24 in Albany, and the final National Competition is scheduled for May 13-15, in Washington, D.C.
Provided information
2/12/12
Byron-Bergen district schedules kindergarten registration
Children who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2012, are eligible for entrance to kindergarten in September 2012. New families in the Byron-Bergen school district should notify the school if they have a child that will be ready to enter kindergarten this coming September. Parents can contact the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Office by calling 494-1220, ext. 1301, and ask for Mrs. Kelly.
All children registering for kindergarten will be scheduled for a screening appointment in May 2012. The results of this screening will be used to plan for the 2012-2013 kindergarten program. There will be an Information meeting to discuss the registration and screening process on Tuesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Byron-Bergen Elementary Cafetorium.
The following items are necessary to complete the registration process: the birth certificate; certificate of immunization - New York State law requires that every child entering school must have received a minimum of 3 doses of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine (DPT) and 3 doses of polio (IPV) vaccine. It is also mandated that each child must have received 2 MMR’s (measles, mumps, rubella), 3 doses of Hepatitis B, and 1 dose of varicella (chickenpox). Their immunizations must be completed prior to entering school; and proof of residency. For those for whom this is the first child entering Byron-Bergen Central School District, proof of residency is needed at the screening appointment. This can be a copy of your mortgage statement, rental/lease agreement or a copy of a tax bill.
Provided information
1/22/12
Byron-Bergen opens Universal PreKindergarten enrollment
The Byron-Bergen School District anticipates offering a full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for the 2012-2013 school year. Classrooms will be located at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School, 6971 West Bergen Road, Bergen. The UPK program is a full-day program for students and transportation is provided by the district. In addition to the UPK program curriculum, students participate in physical education, music, art and library classes.
Students eligible for the program must turn four years of age by December 1, 2012. Parents who have a child born before December 1, 2008, and are interested in having him/her attend the UPK program, can send a letter of interest with the child’s name, parents’ names, address, phone number, and birth date to: Keith Wing, Elementary School Principal, 6971 West Bergen Road, Bergen, New York 14416, by Friday, March 16. If more than the allowed number apply, students will be selected using a lottery system. Parents that have already contacted the elementary school by phone will still need to send in a letter to be eligible for the UPK lottery.
An information evening about Byron-Bergen’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program is scheduled for March 15 in the Elementary Cafetorium at 5:30 p.m. UPK teachers will be providing information about the curriculum, the program, and explain the developmentally appropriate, standards based, hands-on learning environment that is provided through this program.
Provided information
1/22/12
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI
Murray to join CCCSD
On February 14 the Churchville-Chili Board of Education approved the hiring of Michael Murray as the new director of health, physical education and athletics. Murray comes from the Mount Morris Central School District where he is currently serving as athletic director.
Murray spent 11 years as a physical education teacher, health teacher, and coach prior to entering administration. He has been the athletic director for eight years and served other administrative titles including elementary principal and high school principal during that eight year span.
Murray earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in physical education as well as his certification in educational administration from The College at Brockport. He received his certified athletic administrator certificate, which is coordinated by the NIAAA, in June 2011.
Murray and his wife, Jean, live in Leicester with their son, Michael who is 17 and a senior in high school. They also have two adult daughters.
Murray says he is looking forward to this new opportunity. “I am very excited about this position and greatly look forward to joining the team at Churchville-Chili. My passion is and always will be in health, physical education, and athletics,” he said.
Murray will join the Churchville-Chili district July 1.
Provided information
2/19/12
Forsett finishes first with Modernized Macbeth at C-C Shakespeare Competition
The top three finalists at a Shakespeare competition held at Churchville-Chili High School were (left to right, first to third) Myles Forsett, James Wezelis and Madeline Jones. Provided photo Freshman Myles Forsett was crowned Churchville-Chili’s first-place finisher at the school level of the National Shakespeare Competition, sponsored by The English-Speaking Union of the United States.
Forsett, a freshman, brought a new tone to a monologue from Macbeth to capture the title. He moves on to represent Churchville-Chili at the Rochester competition on Saturday, March 3 at 1 p.m. at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC) on Atlantic Avenue.
“I feel great,” said Forsett. “My practice and hard work paid off. Now, I am going to practice, practice, practice for the city competition.”
Forsett prepared thoroughly for Saturday’s competition, performing for family and friends. He even posted the monologue in one of his most frequented locations.
“I put the monologue on my fridge at home,” said Forsett. “I figure I’m there a lot and I need to practice so it was perfect.”
At the city level event, Forsett will perform a sonnet, in addition to his monologue, while competing against students from Rochester and the surrounding area. The last time that a Churchville-Chili student advanced to the national level was four years ago when Jennie O’Leary made the trip. O’Leary was one of this year’s three judges.
Ten Churchville-Chili students from grades 9 through 12 performed a Shakespeare monologue of 20 lines or less without the use of props, costumes or affected speech. Second-place finisher and Chruchville-Chili junior Jamison Wezelis performed a monologue from one of Shakespeare’s comedies, “The Tempest,” and had the audience in stitches.
“It was definitely difficult deciding between Jamison and Myles,” said O’Leary. “Jamison has brilliant comedic timing and his body language was flawless. Myles did a great job bringing a different attitude and flavor to Macbeth, which can be quite dry at times.”
Madeline Jones’ performance of Isabella from “Measure for Measure” earned the lone senior in the competition third place.
“Madeline as poised and sweet. She really charmed us judges,” said O’Leary.
Also competing in the event were freshmen Lauren Burr, Allison Crist and Christian Johnson; sophomore Skye King; and juniors Courtney Kuhn, Samantha Longfellow and Alexa Turton.
The Rochester winner will go on to compete in April in New York City at Lincoln Center against student from across the United States. The U.S. winner will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to study acting in Shakespeare’s homeland, England. Monetary prizes will be given for the second and third place national finishers, $1,000 and $500, respectively.
Provided information
2/12/12
HILTON
Hilton junior travels to The Hague for International Model United Nations
Hilton High School junior Brandon Mcauliff, right, with Hilton CSD Superintendent of Schools David Dimbleby, was a participant in the International Model UN conference. Provided photoFrom Eritrea to Tonga, secondary high school students from around the world convened January 22 through 27 at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague, Netherlands, to discuss and debate solutions to world issues. The event: The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN).
This year Hilton High School junior Brandon Mcauliff was a participant in the conference. “Students represented every viewpoint. It was great to be part of a conference operating at the highest level of international relations for high school students. It was privilege and an honor to go,” said Brandon. “Over 4,000 students were in attendance. The conference was run parliamentary-style. I was able to visit the Anne Frank House as well as the Rijks Museum. We also traveled to The Czech Republic.” Brandon traveled with two teacher/advisors and eight other students from upstate New York. The group had been meeting for the past several months to discuss the trip and what would be expected at the THIMUN. “We worked on policy statements and writing resolutions,” he said. “My area was the UN Peacekeeping presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2/19/12
Northwood Elementary instrumental musicians perform at Hilton Evening of Jazz
Six members of the Northwood Saxophone Ensemble opened the evening at the annual Hilton CSD Evening of Jazz with a crowd pleasing performance of Lennie Niehaus’ “Saxability.”
The Evening of Jazz, held February 10 at Merton Williams Middle School, featured performances from the Hilton High School and Middle School Jazz Ensembles, the Greece Athena High School Jazz Ensemble, and a special group of professional jazz musicians.
This was the first time in the nine-year history of the event that an elementary school ensemble performed at the event, according to instrumental music teacher Tim Stodd, ensemble director.
The Northwood Saxophone Ensemble consists of students in the fifth and sixth grade. From left are Katie Singleton, Rebecca Richmond, Sienna Saluzzo, Jack Street, Michael Abbott, Kyle Johnson, Mr. Stodd.
Provided photo
2/19/12
Hilton students reach out to help in Nicaraguan school
School supplies on their way to Nicaragua from Hilton - "This is fantastic!" said Ciudad Herman volunteer Tim McMahon, left, of the pallet of school supplies collected by Hilton High School students now on its way to the town of El Sauce, Nicaragua. Since December students have collected school supplies and the 18 cartons were shipped in late January. From left are: volunteer Tim McMahon, Jessica Marengo, Katherine Wroblewski, Emma Steinmetz, Nadia Wallace, Mark Romig and Hilton High School Principal Brian Bartalo. Provided photoSince the early 1970s there have been various outreach groups which have linked the Rochester area to a remote village in the Segovia Mountains of Nicaragua and its struggle for clean water, sturdy housing, medical and school supplies. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Central America and the village of El Sauce is no exception.
In January, a group of International Baccalaureate (IB) High School students led by Hilton High School Principal Brian Bartalo decided to make a difference. A volunteer himself in Nicaragua in the early 90s, Bartalo remembers the village. “We collected supplies from students at Merton Williams where I was then a teacher,” he said. “I brought all I could. The supplies were so well-received there and I was so moved by that experience, I promised that I’d remain committed to doing it again.”
Designated as a “SisterCity” for many years, the connections in the Rochester area continue to expand according to Bartalo. “We have plans this spring to start a fundraising project sponsored by the IB students to raise enough money to support the building of a new home for a needy family,” Bartalo said. “According to the ‘4 Walls’ organization in Rochester, this takes approximately $2,000. In US dollars, this wouldn’t pay for much, but in Nicaragua it will fund the basics for new home construction.”
Among the Hilton CSD connections in El Sauce is 2006 Hilton High School graduate Ashley Sullivan who is currently teaching English in an elementary school. Merton Williams and Quest Elementary schools have already reached out and Skyped® with Ashley and plan to do several fundraisers in their schools. Ashley is the daughter of Hilton CSD Learning Through Technology Teacher Patricia Sullivan.
Provided information
2/12/12
Hilton High School inducts 58 into National Honor Society
Hilton High School inducted 58 juniors and seniors into the Hilton High School Chapter of the National Honor Society on Sunday, January 29 at the High School. NHS Advisors are Hilton High School teachers Rebecca Houghton and Ruth Hurysz.
Inductees and their grade are: Makenzi Adams, 11; Claudia Aghaie, 12; Stephanie Ashodian, 11; Rachel Berg, 11; Lindsey Bierworth, 11; Victoria Bourret, 11; Daniel Bowers, 12; Jillian Branciforte, 11; Kirk Carbone, 11; Allison Cerone, 11; Hannah Cliff, 11; Noah Cole, 11; Jessica Dauvergne, 11; Victoria Farrell, 11; Anai Flanagan, 11; Ryan Fowler, 11; Ellie Garno, 11; Gillette Gartland, 11; Bryce Gebhardt, 11; Vanessa George, 11; Taunce Graham, 11; Morgan Graus, 11; Victoria Grisdale, 11; Benjamin Harper, 11; Daniel Hogestyn, 11; Maria Jackson, 11; Eric Jensen, 11; Sydney John, 11; Sarah Johnson, 11; Amanda Jones, 11; Sarah Jones, 11; Dustin Logory, 11; Jennifer Lohrmann, 11; Christopher Marciano, 11; Nicolas Mattle, 11; Taylor McHenry, 11; Monica Messina, 11; Derek Milgate, 11; Alex Milliken, 11; Emma Monfiletto, 11; Jenelle Mucher, 11; Briana Neale, 11; Jordan Ott, 11; Mikael Pelkey, 11; Ross Pirnie, 11; Carleen Rutherford, 11; William Ryan, 11; Julianne Schwallie, 11; Ashley Shaw, 11; Allison Shields, 11; Ashley Shtoyko, 11; David Siciliano, 11; Andrew Steiger, 11; Anne Taylor, 11; Nigel Walker, 12; Zach Werner, 11; Hannah Wheater, 11; Sadie Wolters, 11.
All students in grades 11 and 12 are initially screened to determine if they have a cumulative grade point average of at least 90 percent through the end of the second semester of the preceding academic year. A list of all academically qualified students is presented to the entire faculty for rating in the areas of leadership, service, and character. All academically eligible students are furnished information defining the next steps of the selection process. Membership is not automatic on basis of scholarship alone. Students are judged on the basis of the four categories of scholarship, leadership, character, and service.
Provided information
2/12/12
Hilton kindergarten registration in February and March
The Hilton Central School District kindergarten registration takes place in February and March. Children whose fifth birthday fall on or before December 1 following the start of the school year in September are eligible to attend kindergarten. Kindergarten in the Hilton School District is full-day. Informational letters from the Hilton Central School District to all eligible district families are mailed by the HCSD Office of Census/Central Registration. If a family does not receive a letter by mid-March, they can call the Census/Central Registration Clerk Dawn Blodgett at 585-392-1000 ext. 7031.
To register, bring: original birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of immunizations and custody or guardianship papers if applicable. Information about preschool screening (birth to age five) for possible developmental delays is available by calling the Hilton School District Office of Learning Support Services (Special Education) at 585-392-1000 ext. 6054.
Entering kindergarteners are eligible to attend the Quest Elementary School, a school of choice, regardless of residence in the Hilton School District. Applications for entrance to Quest Elementary School were due February 3. Only those accepted to attend Quest in the fall may register on February 27 and 28.
For information about Quest Elementary, call 585-392-1000 ext. 6102. The Hilton School District elementary school attendance boundary line is Route 261 (Manitou Road). All Greece residents attend Northwood Elementary School, 433 North Greece Road, and all residents west of the town line (Parma, Clarkson, Hamlin) attend the Village Elementary School with the exception of some private drives.
•Quest Elementary School Kindergarten Registration at 225 West Avenue, Hilton February 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and February 28 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
•Village Elementary School Kindergarten Registration at 100 School Lane, Hilton March 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and March 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
•Northwood Elementary School Kindergarten Registration at 433 North Greece Road, Greece March 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and March 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
2/12/12
HOLLEY
Former pro football player encourages students to “speak their future into the present”
Former NFL running back Tony Collins speaks to students at Holley Elementary School. Provided photoHaving a former Super Bowl running back right in their gymnasium on the eve of Super Bowl weekend is an experience Holley students won’t soon forget. Football player Tony Collins picked the perfect time to visit Holley Elementary School where he talked to students about his struggles to make the right decisions off the field and how positive thinking turned his life around.
Collins spent nine seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. His successful career was highlighted by a Pro Bowl selection in 1983, a single-game rushing record of 212 yards for the Patriots, and a trip to Super Bowl XX.
Born in Sanford, Florida, Collins grew up in Penn Yan. “At age nine, I knew I would play in the NFL,” he said. “Whatever you want to be - it all starts right here in your mind.” Collins told students to “speak their future into the present” and that their words have a lot of power. His life took a wrong turn when, according to Collins, he stopped listening to his father’s advice to surround himself with successful people. “You want to hang around people with the same goals and ambitions as you. I didn’t do that when I got to the NFL.”
Students had plenty of time to ask questions and then see Collins a second time during the Jump Rope for Heart event the next day. The visit was funded exclusively with money students earned by selling coupon books. For the past three years students have sold the books to raise money for the school improvement fund and part of those funds have been used to bring in a guest speaker to kick off the Jump Rope for Heart event. This is Holley’s 27th year participating in the Jump Rope for Heart during which time the school community has raised over $220,000 for American Heart Association programs and research.
Provided information
2/19/12
School budget workshops scheduled in Holley
Holley Central School District residents are invited to attend and participate in the following budget workshops:
Monday, February 27 - Debt Service and Employee Benefits
Monday, March 5 - Operation/Maintenance, Transportation, General Support
Monday, March 12 - Instructional Program/Special Education
Monday, March 26 - Board Adopts Budget
All of the workshops will begin at 6 p.m. in the Elementary School cafeteria, 3800 North Main Street, Holley.
Provided information
2/19/12
Timeless technology project has been students’ favorite for years
Holley eighth grader Luis Soto gets some help from technology teacher Tim Rogers drilling a hole in his handmade car. Provided photoThe sounds of sanders and saws drown out the few conversations taking place in Tim Rogers’ eighth grade technology class at Holley Middle School/High School. The students are totally involved in the task at hand - designing and making miniature wooden race cars. According to Rogers, it has been this way for years. “We’ve been doing this project for decades - it’s timeless and always a favorite,” he said. “Cars have been a huge part of our society for a long time and the basic principles still apply.”
First, the class goes through the design process and drawing a prototype. “We talk about aerodynamics - how something goes through a fluid,” said Rogers. “Then we bring in bits and pieces of engineering processes.” The focus now is on energy efficiency tying in carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles and looking at global warming as an issue. “That is what makes this project so important - that we’re able to tie in so many topics,” said Rogers.
The final step is the finish. “We talk about how finish affects aerodynamics and it’s another way for the students to individualize their cars,” said Rogers. Once the cars are complete, and made to look as cool and fast as they really are, the students race them on a huge track that goes the length of the classroom. “The race is something for them to look forward to - and I know they’ll work hard so they get that chance,” Rogers said.
2/5/12
KENDALL
Kendall High School presents their 5th annual “An Evening of Jazz”
On Friday, March 9, the Kendall High School Jazz band will be hosting their 5th annual “An Evening of Jazz.” Groups include the Kendall Elementary, Junior, and Senior High Jazz bands as well as special guest and crowd favorite, The Brockport Community Big Band. A pasta bar and dessert is also included along with prizes and raffles.
Money raised helps fund the music trip to Boston in April. Seats are limited. Adults $15 and children 12 and under are $8. Tickets can be reserved by emailing jpompili@kendallschools.org or calling 659-8962.
Doors open at 6 p.m.; music begins at 7 p.m.
2/19/12