Truth

Volume 6, Issue 3

Keshequa

The mission of

the Keshequa

Central School

District is

to provide

opportunities

to empower all

students to be

cooperative,

self-directed

lifelong learners,

prepared to

responsibly meet

the challenges of

the twenty-first

century.

November 2008

www.keshequa.org

Chronicle

To reach school district personnel by email please

visit our website at www.keshequa.org, click on

the Dalton Elementary, Nunda Middle School, or

Nunda High School link, scroll down the page and

look for the link that says Faculty Directory. For

questions please call 468-2541 ext. 1105.

Making Strides

Towards A Cure

KCTA members along with community and family members pose for a picture at the Making Strides Against

NOTICE

Please notify Michele

Seifried at 468-2541 ext.

2017 if you have any changes

to your phone number or if

you do not wish to receive a

phone call from the Parent

Broadcast System.

Adorned in pink, members of the Keshequa Central Teachers’ Associa-

tion, Keshequa staff, and community members met on Sunday, October

5, at Frontier Field in Rochester for a common cause. The group rep -

resented Keshequa Central School District in the Making Strides

Against Breast Cancer walk sponsored by the American Cancer

Society.

The 14 walkers raised $1,215 in donations. The Rochester

chapter of Making Strides has raised $825,000 between online

donations and walk participants. The walks are held in more

than 130 communities around the country and usually range

from three to five miles. Last year, more than 500,000 walkers

joined together to raise $50 million. There are no registration fees

or fundraising minimums. This year’s event was the most attended in

the walk’s 12 year history.

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New Drop-Off Area Opens in Dalton

Emergency School Closings

When schools must be closed, the decision is made

by the Superintendent of Schools based on available

information and recommendations. If the decision is

made to close the schools, the Superintendent informs the

following radio and television stations which then broadcast

the information immediately:

Radio

Television

WHAM (1180 AM)

WKBW (Channel 7)

WBEE (92.5 FM)

WROC (Channel 8)

WPXY (97.9 FM/1280 AM)

WHEC (Channel 10)

WDNY (93.9 FM/1400 AM)

WHAM (Channel 13)

If the schools must close during the day, parents should

make sure children know in advance what to do should

they come home unexpectedly and find no one there. Prior

arrangements should be made to have children cared for

until a parent arrives home.

The first major component of

our EXCEL Capital project has been

completed – the new parent drop-off

area in Dalton is now open! Thank you

to everyone for your patience and flex -

ibility while construction was underway.

The new entrance is attractive and will

enhance the safety of our

students. In Nunda, restoration

work on brickwork and retain-

ing walls is nearly complete.

Interior improvements will

now become the focus, with

technology upgrades such as

new data closets and wiring

being addressed. Within the

next month we expect to have

more details and a specific

schedule that we can share

with you.

While the integrity and

maintenance of our facilities

are important in providing ex-

cellence in education, another

key component is the work of

the Board of Education. One

of their most essential respon-

sibilities is setting a direction

for the District. In this issue

you will see that the Board has estab-

lished goals to guide us as we strive to

help our students reach their potential.

Board members are also hard at work

serving as members of a variety of com-

mittees. These committees meet at least

monthly, set specific goals, and carry out

action plans in order to achieve objec-

tives. You can find a list of the teams and

their members in this issue as well.

One of the BOE Committees is

dedicated to communication. After

examining many ways in which we can

share news with all constituents, we

have decided on changes that we believe

will result in a more cost-effective and

efcient system. Beginning in January,

we will begin to publish the

Chronicle

on a quarterly basis, providing more

in-depth articles that highlight our

students’ achievements and including

updates from our Board of Education. A

calendar of events will be in the Mount

Morris Shopper once a month, with the

same information posted throughout

Dalton and Nunda, as well as on our

website. There are always exciting events

underway, and we will do our best to

make certain that the community is

aware of them.

As I write this the temperatures are

spring-like, but we know that winter

is just ahead and, with it,

the possibility of snow days.

While that phrase is often met

with joy by students, it can

cause disruption to parents’

schedules. The decision to

close school is made on the

basis of weather conditions at

the time of our bus runs and

on the information available

to us at that time. The safety

of our students is always the

critical component in the

decision-making process. In

the early morning hours we

take into consideration the

current and predicted state of

the roads, visibility, wind chill,

and snowfall forecast. When

conditions before 6:00 a.m.

indicate that the journey to

school may be hazardous we

will close or delay school and provide

notification to everyone in a timely

manner.

We hope to see you over the next

months at our winter sporting events,

concerts, and school play. As always, if I

can be of service in any way, please call

or email me and I will be happy to help.

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3

Audit and

Finance

Committee

Members:

Paul

Jackson, John

Gordinier, Barbara

Waddle

We are committed to

ensuring integrity

and legality

of accounting

processes by leading

and working

with internal and external auditors. We will implement

recommendations where reasonable to close the gap. We will

work with the administration as the Board leads on budget

development.

Goals

• Complete the district’s asset inventory and institute procedures

for ongoing inventory maintenance.

• Review and update roles for external, internal, and claims

auditors.

• Develop and pass a fiscally responsible budget that meets the

district’s goal for student achievement.

• Develop a plan to address priorities from the district’s five

year facilities plan that are not being addressed by the EXCEL

Capital Project.

• Develop a long-term strategic plan to efectively manage

district financial resources. This plan would be targeted on

“forward thinking” issues (e.g. New York State budget concerns

over the next 2-5 years, debt planning strategies, alternative

energy options (e.g. wind power, solar power), cost effectiveness

of COGEN plant).

Board Operations Committee

Members:

Lori Gray, John Gordinier, Barbara Waddle

We are committed to the improvement of the operating meth-

ods of the Board. We will lead the Board and administration

in efforts to develop strategic plans and goals. We will execute

performance reviews for the Superintendent, Clerk of the Board

and the Board of Education self assessment.

Goals

• Complete evaluations in a timely manner and in accordance

with contractual and state law requirements

• Review and revise pertinent Board operations policies

• Develop timelines and benchmarks for Board committee

goals and school district goals, coordinating reporting and

dissemination of information

• Develop a Board customs manual

• Research paperless Board operations/meetings for future

“green” initiatives

Building and

Grounds

Committee

Members:

Anita

Buchinger and

Paul Jackson

We are committed

to the responsibility

of a five-year plan

for the maintenance

and management

of the district assets,

working with the

administrative team. We will lead on the EXCEL Capital Project

and any other building projects.

Goals

• Develop a plan to address the needs listed in the five-year

capital facilities plan (based on the building survey) that the

committee created last year. These are facilities repairs and/

or upgrades that must be made but could not be addressed

through the EXCEL project.

• The timeline for the construction phase of the EXCEL Capital

Project will be followed and construction goals monitored

through June 30, 2009.

Communications Committee

Members:

Lori Gray, Anita Buchinger and Mark Ewing

We are committed to developing and executing a communications

and public relations strategy from the Board of Education to the

Keshequa Central School District community, employees and

students.

Goals

• Achieve efective communication with all stakeholders in the

community

• Develop and disseminate a comprehensive plan regarding

information about the school to the community

• Identify key issues that concern the community and school

system and recommend any activities such as forums or other

actions that could improve the community/school dialogue.

Policy Committee

Members:

John Gordinier, Anita Buchinger, Mark Ewing

We are committed to working with the Administration team to

modify and develop policies to meet regulatory requirements and

to guide the Board and administration in executing their duties.

Goals

• Maintain criteria for choosing which policies to address

• Invite community involvement on the policy committee as

appropriate

• Communicate which policies are being reviewed and updated

KCS Board of Education Committees

At Keshequa Centr

K

al

CS

School,

Vision

our educatio

Sta

nal

tement

program will provide strate-

gies and skills for life-long learning. We will be a community of self-directed

learners where choices will be honored and the uniqueness of the individual

is nurtured. Our school will provide a safe, caring environment where mutual

trust, a sense of belonging, and self worth are valued and celebrated.

The mission of the

K

Keshequa

CS Mission

Central School

Sta

Distr

tement

ict is to provide opportu -

nities to empower all students to be cooperative, self-directed lifelong learn -

ers, prepared to responsibly meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

---

Reserve Funds

The New York State Comptroller’s Office recently issued a press release indicating that 251 school districts

across the state had set aside more money than is necessary in the Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserve Fund

for the 2006-07 school year. Keshequa was erroneously identified. We are responding to the Comptroller’s Office with

the necessary details showing that we are not overfunded, and requesting that we not be listed as such.

We have set aside the necessary savings in a reserve fund to cover the costs of vested vacation and sick time in

accordance with negotiated employment contracts. However, this reserve fund is in full compliance with New York

State Law, NYS Education Department rules and regulations, as well as all applicable accounting and budgeting

requirements, and is not overfunded.

Past and current Boards and administration continually monitor district finances with the long term goal of

maintaining the financial health of the District. Establishing reserve funds for current and future needs of the

District is one of the ways to achieve this goal.

KCS 2008 – 2009 District Goals

Goal Area: Academic Achievement

? Reduce

the dropout rate to 0% by 2012, and maximize positive

exit outcomes whereby all students will complete an appropriate

educational program.

? 85%

of all students in grades 3-8 will consistently perform at or

above benchmark in New York State assessments in Math and

Language Arts by 2012.

? 85%

of students will perform at the mastery level on the English

Regents and the Integrated Algebra Regents by 2012.

? 85%

of students will pass the Math B or Geometry Regents.

? Establish

and implement a “unified system” of services to

all students through a redesigned Guidance/Pupil Services

Department.

? Increase

the enrollment of students in our AP/Advanced Studies

courses.

? Provide

preparation for SAT testing as a means of

increasing student scores and success in applying to

colleges.

Goal Area: School Culture and Climate

? Create

a safe and orderly school environment.

? Establish

a positive and supportive school climate for

students and staff.

? Recognize

and celebrate the achievements of students

and staff.

Goal Area: Fiscal Responsibility

? The

EXCEL Capital Project will be monitored and

managed to follow an on time and within budget con-

struction phase.

? Create

a fiscally responsible budget for 2009 – 2010 that

meets the academic needs of our District.

Goal Area: Communication

? Continue

to develop and expand on a climate of effective, open and honest, two-way communication, among all

stakeholders including Board of Education, Administration, Teachers, Staff, Students and the entire community.

? Promote

school activities via communication committee endeavors and also increase collaboration with the community.

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5

Junior Achievement is a non-proft, economic education organization that reaches thousands

of students in Monroe, Livingston, and Wayne Counties. Junior Achievement links schools,

students and teachers with volunteers to deliver interactive, real-world learning experiences,

enabling students to acquire business and economic knowledge and develop leadership skills to

Commitment and Qualifications

• Five 45-minute classroom sessions (elementary level)

• Share your life and work experience

• Junior Achievement provides you with all the materials and training needed to be a successful volunteer!

• To learn more, contact Darci at: Livingston County Business/Education Alliance, Livingston County Government

Center, 6 Court Street, Room B10, Geneseo, New York 14454, Phone: (585) 991-5086 Fax: (585) 991-5087,

ddembroski@gvboces.org

Grant Funds Enrichment Activities

By Carol McCarville, Teacher on Special Assignment, Interim Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Each year, grant

opportunities make funds

available to districts and

teachers who plan exciting

and educational enrichment

activities for their students.

We are pleased to be able

to share that this year nine

teachers have been awarded

funding for a total grant package of over $14,000! This

grant was made possible by the Livingston County Fund of

Rochester Area Community Foundation. The Livingston

County Fund supports access to educational excellence for

county residents. Almost 1,000 individuals, families, and

organizations in the six-county Rochester region have funds

at the Community Foundation and benefit from its unique

combination of personalized service, local expertise, and

community leadership in the upstate New York area.

Teachers must complete applications for the funding that

include information not only about the project, but its relation

to New York State learning Standards. Teachers must also

explain how the activity or project will enrich each student’s

educational experience. After completion, the applications

are sent as a total package for review by the committee. Upon

We are pleased to be able to share that

this year nine teachers have been

awarded funding for a total grant

package of over $14,000!

notification of acceptance,

teachers are free to move ahead

with their planned projects;

participating teachers are also

asked to complete and submit

a Student Enrichment Grant

Report Form detailing the

outcome of the enrichment

experience. These are submitted

as a package at the end of the school year.

Exciting enrichment activities planned by Keshequa

teachers this year include attending theatrical productions

as well as school-based performances by visiting artists.

Some students will be writing, producing, and filming their

collaborative theatrical productions; others will participate in

the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s Holiday Pops. Book

writing and web design, multiple career explorations including

law, zoo keeper, and sports management, and activities

exploring alternative ways to exercise and stay fit are also

planned.

Please continue to watch this publication for information

regarding the progress of these exciting enrichment

opportunities for our Keshequa students!

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6

Math Day at CCC

In October, 16 math students, along with teacher Ron

Macomber, attended Math Day at Corning Community

College. Students had the opportunity to listen to present-

ers on a variety of topics relating to real life such as: Arches,

Bridges and Mathematics; Automobile Racing and Emis-

sions Control; The Joy of Sax; Computers, Robots and

Androids; and Careers in Physics. Students were also given

a variety of extremely challenging mathematical puzzles,

which they will work on throughout the school year.

“It was a very beneficial day as students were able to

find out how math is used in different careers. Hopefully

this will help pique more interest in mathematics for our

students,” said Macomber.

Student

Spotlight

Thomas Coates

Thomas Coates joined the Cub

Scouts in first grade because he

wanted to try something new. He

found it fun, so he decided to con-

tinue through the program.

“I was having fun and I realized it

was important,” said Coates. “I was

doing well moving through the ranks

and I was making new friends.”

Now a junior, Coates is a member

of Troop 77 of the Boy Scouts and has achieved Eagle

Scout status. In August, Coates went before an Eagle

Scout Board of Review, who decided he was deserving of

the highest ranking in the Boy Scouts.

“I was relieved and excited at the same time because it

was finally over,” he said.

A Boy Scout must have 21 merit badges to qualify for

Eagle Scout. Coates currently has 37. The goals of scout -

ing are based on citizenship training, character develop-

ment, and personal fitness. Some of the badges scouts have

to earn to qualify are first aid, personal fitness, personal

management, communications, and environmental science,

to name a few.

Coates is an assistant senior patrol leader, which also

qualified him for Eagle Scout. A community service proj -

ect, which he organized for the Nunda Bicentennial last

year, provided memorial stones for soldiers who were in

unmarked graves in Oakwood Cemetery. The stones and a

new flag pole were dedicated on July 4.

“It’s important because you get the chance to give back

to the town,” he said about the project.

As far as future plans, Coates aims to earn 40 merit

badges. He would also like to travel to the Philmont Scout

Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The ranch is a national

camping area owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of

America.

“I heard it’s the place to go. It’s challenging because it’s

a high-adventure camp.”

Coates tells possible new members, “It’s a lot of fun.

You get to meet new people and try new things.”

Muckdogs Visit

the Indians

Travis Sick, the General Manager of Baseball Operations

for the Batavia Muckdogs, joined Rick Riggi’s new sports and

entertainment marketing class for an afternoon of information,

questions, and answers. Sick discussed his career ladder, which

began as an intern for the Rochester Red Wings, worked up to

the Director of Ticket Operations of the Muckdogs, and most

recently became a general manager with the team. He ex-

plained to the class about marketing and how he tries to create

a clean family-friendly atmosphere. A self-titled, “director of

fun,” Sick told the class that the team entices customers with

promotions, which range from fireworks to giveaways, calling

“everyday, Opening Day.”The speaker was arranged by Shawn

Bielicki as a school-to-work activity. Baseball in Batavia has

been around since the late thirties. Currently, the Muckdogs

play in the New York-Penn League and are the short-season

Single-A afliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Muckdogs GM of Baseball Operations, Travis Sick (center) poses

with KCS students Angie Colombo and John Peritore.

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7

Greetings from the Middle School and High School!

by Mark Mattle, MS/HS Principal

If you haven’t already, please take

a few minutes to check out School

Counselor Deb Beaumont’s new

website. Go to the Keshequa.org site,

click on district information, then click

on district counseling. There are links

to great testing information for juniors

and seniors, and links designed to

help students and parents with college

information. Scholarship information

on the site will be updated regularly so

please check often for opportunities

to help with college finances. There is

also great information pertaining to

Keshequa’s academic opportunities such

as our curriculum handbook, course

offerings, graduation requirements and

our high school profile.

If you are a parent of a senior and

have not met with Mrs. Beaumont

to discuss future plans and college

opportunities please contact her to set up

an appointment at 468-2541 ext. 4012.

I would like to introduce and

welcome our new Instrumental Music

and Band Instructor Rob Desantis. Mr.

DeSantis will offer instrumental music

lessons for grades 6-12 and conduct our

Middle and High School bands. Mr.

DeSantis comes to us from the School

of Music at SUNY Fredonia. He has

over five years of instructional experience

working directly with students, along

with a multitude of professional musical

endeavors. He is technologically strong,

displaying ability with computers and

a variety of music software, sound and

light technology combined with mixing

and recording abilities.

We are offering a new, full-year

business course called Sports Marketing/

Management taught by Rick Riggi. The

course is designed to expose students to

the ever growing and exciting world of

sports and entertainment management.

In collaboration with Shawn Bielicki,

our School-to-Work Coordinator, Mr.

Riggi has hosted, and will host, a variety

of guest speakers such as:

• Dr. Cliff McPeak, Coordinator of

Sports Management, Alfred State

College

• Mr. Paul Welker, General Manager

Hornell Dodgers

• Mr. Travis Sick, Director of Ticket

Operations Batavia Muckdogs

• Dr. David Lewis, Woman’s Soccer

Coach Houghton College

• Chris Schultz, Men’s Ice Hockey

Coach SUNY Geneseo

If you are interested in attending

any of these presentations please call Mr.

Riggi or Mr. Bielicki for further infor-

mation at 468-2541.

I would like to thank Mr. Cook

and the Nunda Historical Society for

presenting a fantastic Nunda History

Day on October 22. The day was a great

educational experience for our students.

I would also like to thank Mrs. Mann

and the Nunda Rotary Club for pre-

senting a thesaurus to every sixth grade

student. I am confident that they will get

put to good use! A big thank you goes

out to Mr. Burt, Mr. Myers, Mr. Piraino,

the students in our Busy Bee Program,

and all those involved, for helping our

maintenance crew construct concrete

floors for the dugouts at our baseball and

softball fields.

I must ask for parents to help us

with the student use of cell phones

while in school. We currently have a

school policy that states that student cell

phones are not allowed in school. We

are asking that if students bring their

cell phones to school they leave them

in their locker. If a school employee

sees a student using their cell phone in

school they will ask that it be put away.

If the student does not comply the

phone will be confiscated and returned

to the student at the end of the day. Cell

phones can be a major disruption to

the educational process and we have an

obligation to ensure a safe and orderly

climate in which students can learn.

Please talk to your child about this

issue. If you have to contact your son or

daughter during school, please call the

main ofce at 468-2541.

A note about our academic prog-

ress…at the five week marking period,

on average, 80% of our students in

grades 6-12 are passing 100% of their

classes. That means that around 20% of

our students are failing one or more of

their classes at the five week point. Keep

in mind that the five week reports are

designed to communicate a student’s

progress. Ten week grades are permanent

and will be recorded on the student’s

permanent school transcript. I know that

we can do better than 80%. Let’s work

together and pull up those grades before

the ten week marking period!

KCS Annual Fire Inspection is complete for the 2008 – 2009 school year

If you have questions or would like to see the inspection please feel free to contact Mr. Jim VanSickle, Superintendent

of Buildings and Grounds, at 468-2541.

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8

Students Accepted to Jr. High Area

All-State Chorus

by Kim Coffey

Keshequa is very fortunate to have four students selected

to be part of the 2008 Jr. High Area All-State Chorus. The

concert will be performed this coming November 7 and 8 at

Pittsford Sutherland High School. Students performed a solo for the NYSSMA sanctioned solo festival last

spring and were chosen based on scores received. The students selected are: Blaithe Donovan, Nolan Gelser, Jessica Steidle, and

Logan Thompson. The students will sing under the direction of Anthony Sears from New Orleans, LA.

In other music news

…Congratulations to the following students who auditioned successfully for the 2008-09 KVV group:

Olivia Axtell, Josh Barranco, Shannon Boehm, Bailee Borden, Madison Bugman, Tim Carlin, Katelyn Costello, Emily Forrester,

Kate Forrester, Taylor Forrester, Montana Herman, LaTisha Learn, Skyler Simmons, Emma Snyder, Hannah Snyder, Hannah

Soble, and Kirsten Willey.

Above: 2008-09 KVV group

At left (from left to right): Jessica Steidle, Blaithe Donovon,

Keshequa School District Senior Citizens

Please join us for a

Tanksgiving Dinner at Keshequa Elementary on Fri, Nov. 21, 2008 at 1:00

This is a

complimentary

dinner for senior citizens living in the Keshequa Central School District.

It is prepared by the Dalton cafeteria staff under the supervision of Mrs. Sandy Cox. The Dalton

Elementary Student Council is proud to host this event and will be present to serve you.

Please call Brenda Weaver at 476-2234 ext. 1132 or Tammy Clark at 468-2541 ext. 1105

by Wednesday, November 19

, to make your reservations.

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Students Learn About Civil War Life

On September 26,

eighth graders visited the

Granger Homestead in

Canandaigua for a Civil

War Encampment. Re-

enactors set up camp for

the weekend and offered

a hands-on look at Civil

War life. This annual event

allowed students access

to different components

of Civil War camp life,

including artillery, the sur-

geon’s tent, secret codes for

the Underground Railroad,

drilling, food, weaponry,

blacksmithing, and cavalry.

From the moment students

stepped off the bus, they

were lined in formation and

marched to each site at the

orders of a drill sergeant.

While the students couldn’t

participate in some of the

activities like blacksmith-

ing, they were allowed to ask questions and could examine some of the finished tools and weapons.

Guidance Corner

It’s been well documented that when people work at what they like, not only are they more satisfied on the job,

but are also happier with life in general. Whatever goals your student has, our mission is

“To help students become lifelong

learners, responsible citizens, productive members of the workforce, healthy, caring, ethical and intellectually reflective individuals,

successful now and in the future.”

Not only do we want to help our students pursue their career goals, but we also want them to reap the most long-term

benefits. Our counselors are here to help students succeed. Whether it’s assessing one’s career aspirations, or pursing the “right”

internship, or to just lend a listening ear, we can provide the resources, tools, and inspiration to help students reach their goals.

Whether your student plans on attending college, joining the military or entering the workforce upon graduation, we can help

him/her to get pointed in the right direction.

You can check out our web page for more information. Go to www.keshequa.org, click on Nunda High School and then

District Counseling and Special Services. Are you curious about requirements for graduation, course offerings, or maybe want

to know the difference between a Regents Diploma and a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation? Perhaps you are a

senior looking for scholarships, wondering what colleges will be visiting our ofce or have questions about financial aid. All this

information can be found on the website.

If you need help in choosing the career that you are best suited for, check out the section on Career Exploration. Then you

can check out the college that is best for that career by clicking on the Researching College link. When you have some colleges

in mind, go to the sections on Applying to College, Financial Aid, College Visits/Fairs or College Open Houses, and then check

out suitable Scholarships available to help defray the cost of a college

education.

Whatever your interest, our web page offers insight and numerous links to web pages that will help you in your quest for

information. And don’t forget, you can always contact Mrs. Beaumont or Ms. Prince at 468-2541, ext 4012.

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Red Ribbon Week

Peacebuilders Assembly

On October 29, Dalton

Elementary held their

annual Peacebuilders As-

sembly for Red Ribbon

Week. Our theme this

year was “Peacebuild -

ers Show Random Acts

of Kindness.” Every

grade level completed

a bulletin Board with

a different theme to

display the 100 days of

Random Acts of Kindness. We are adding one

act of kindness a day until we reach the 100

th

day of school which

takes place during the national random acts of kindness week, February 9-15.

For the assembly, almost everyone wore red to show our sense of community.

We all displayed our red ribbons to show solidarity with the purpose of Red Rib-

bon Week – healthy choices. In preparation for the assembly, every student made

a colorfully decorated pennant with a random act of kindness written on it. At the

end of the day, all students and staff assembled in the gym. We started off by singing

the “School Song,” which we learned from former Principal Mr. Greene. Next, each

grade level came up front and shared pennants. A few were read from each grade

level.

At the end, we all sang Glen Colton’s song, “A Random Act of Kindness.”

Our Peacebuilder Celebrations are a great opportunity for our students and staff

to maintain a sense of community built around peaceful ways to treat each other and

creating a safe environment for learning.

A Busy Start to the

School Year

by Ami Hunt, Elementary Principal

We were delighted to have the

Nunda Rotary visit us in October. They

went to every third grade classroom

to give each student their very own

dictionary. The children were all excited

to use the dictionaries and were very

thankful for such a generous gift. The

Nunda Fire Department joined us on

October 10 and spent the day giving

presentations to our pre-k through

third graders. Students loved seeing the

firemen and fire trucks while learning

all about fire safety. On October 17,

the Livingston County Sheriff ’s Ofce,

in conjunction with the Livingston

County Coalition of Patrol Service, the

Livingston County Sheriff ’s Association

and the Livingston District Masonic

Association, conducted the annual

KID I.D. program for our kindergarten

students as well as other students new to

our district. Our school has participated

in this program for the past nine years.

It is the most extensive identification

program in the nation. Then on October

23

,

our third and fourth grade students

had the opportunity to attend History

Days sponsored by the Nunda Historical

Society. We are all very appreciative to

have community organizations that are

so helpful and committed to enhancing

our students’ education and safety.

I was so impressed with the turnout

we had for open house. I hope everyone

enjoyed the event. The children were

proud to show off their classrooms and

projects to their families.

Our fifth graders will be taking the

New York State Social Studies test on

November 12 and 13. The first marking

period comes to an end, report cards

will be distributed and parent confer-

ences will be held on November 24 and

25. Also, I am sure many are looking

forward to our annual Senior Citizens’

Thanksgiving Dinner on No -

vember 21. With all that is

happening, December will

be here before we know it!

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News From the Pumpkin Patch…

Following a lesson on how a pumpkin grows, the Kindergarteners went on a field trip to Baughman’s Tree Farm and Pump -

kin Patch in Geneseo. The children had a ride to the pumpkin patch on a hay wagon and each chose the perfect pumpkin to take

home. There was also a corn maze with fun and spooky decorations. Everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch while there and had a great

time at the play area. It was a picture perfect day!

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NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 1

NUNDA NY 14517

Keshequa Central School

P.O. Box 517

Nunda, New York 14517-0517

November 2008

School Board Members

Anita Buchinger, President

Paul Jackson, Vice-President

Mark Ewing

John Gordinier

Lori Gray

Barbara Waddle

Marilyn Capawan,

Superintendent

Dominic Aloisio,

Business Administrator

Important Dates in November

10…Superintendent’s Conference Day - NO SCHOOL

11…VETERAN’S DAY - NO SCHOOL

13…Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. at Dalton

Building in Media Center

14…Report Cards sent or mailed home

21 – 22…Sr. High Area All-State

24 – 25…Parent/Teacher Conference Days K-8

26 – 28…Thanksgiving Recess – NO SCHOOL

Interactive Meets Physically Active

Students in the elementary and high schools have been

enjoying a new way to get in shape during physical educa-

tion classes. Five game bicycles purchased last year help blend

technology with physical fitness. The stationary bicycles are

connected to a television monitor and a Play Station 2. As

students pedal, the screen shows them racing through a mo-

torcycle or four-wheeler course. The faster the students pedal,

the faster they progress through the course. Multiple bicycles

allow students to race against classmates as they work up a

sweat.

“A lot of them really like it and they get a good work out

in,” said Dalton physical education teacher Todd Isaman.

Isaman said he would love to have many more bicycles be-

cause the students really enjoy them and they provide students

with an alternative way to stay active. Dalton students have

been using them during class warm-up time.

Funds from the budget and Hoops for Heart were used

to purchase the bicycles. The three located in the high school

weight room are being used during weightlifting and cardio-

vascular activities.

“They’re fun because they’re interactive,” said high school

Physical Education teacher Martha Blair. “It makes it a new

challenge for the kids.”