HAT’S HAPPENING
    CITIZENSHIP • CHARACTER • EDUCATION • WISDOM • KNOWLEDGE • SCHOLARSHIP • SERVICE • INTEGRITY
    December 2001
    Williamson Central School
    PO Box 900
    Williamson, NY 14589
    What’s
    Happening
    Inside:
    Page 2
    Message from
    Superintendent
    Holiday Concert
    Schedule
    Page 3
    Fiscal Outlook
    Access to Student Records
    Page 4
    Elementary School
    Information
    Page 5
    Middle School Information
    Page 6
    High School Information
    Page 7
    Bicentennial Calendar
    Community Letter
    Page 8
    Learning Fair
    FISCAL
    INFORMATION
    Dear Community Residents,
    As I begin this message, I find
    myself mulling recent events in American
    History. We as a nation, knew things
    changed dramatically on September 11,
    2001. The physical changes are evident:
    a vastly different skyline in New York
    City, a horrendous death toll for civilians
    in a nation not at war, a scary breakout
    of anthrax, a nation sending its young
    men into battle. Although these changes
    are clearly evident, there is much more
    going on.
    Our school district is facing many new
    challenges. Most will have financial
    impact on Williamson Central School.
    First, the destruction of September 11
    will have devastating effects on the New
    York State budget. Timeliness will not be our only concern. There will be billions
    of dollars in lost revenue, as well as increased costs for added security, disaster
    relief, and for the rebuilding of New York City.
    Secondly, there will be no additional funds for schools attached to the NY State
    baseline budget as earlier thought. This means we will be using our fund balances
    to offset additional expenses this school year.
    Thirdly, Wayne County is pursuing the elimination of sharing sales tax revenue
    with county schools. If this happens, Williamson will lose approximately $420,000.
    This loss can only be offset by raising the school tax next May.
    At this point, none of the total impact is definite. However, as we start the school
    budget process, you as taxpayers need to know the potential problems we as a school
    district will face. The Wayne County Board of Supervisors has set a budget hearing
    for Wednesday, December 5
    th
    at 7:00 p.m. at the County Office Building in Lyons.
    Tom Wetherell, as Supervisor, is our representative to this board; but the public is
    also welcome to attend. Williamson Central is beginning the budget process in
    December, and the public is encouraged to attend School Board meetings.
    Being informed and working together as citizens will help assure a fair budget at
    all levels of government. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
    Richard Jordan
    WCS Board President
    Much has happened since I wrote you in the beginning of September. Asth. Ourth we have examined our Safety
    A major focus for the district in the upcoming months will be to discussst. This meeting will be held in
    WCS Gets Funding for
    fiscal year, a number of issues come to the fore front:
    Hi Dan!
    The Academy of the Professions program continues
    to grow at the Williamson High School this year. Started
    in the 2000­01 school year, the Academy provides
    opportunities for students in the high school to take “Gemini”
    courses. Students taking these courses can earn high school
    credit and college credit at the same time. High school
    teachers acting as adjunct professors to the Finger Lakes
    Community College instruct the classes in the high school.
    Students successfully completing the courses are awarded
    credit from the Finger Lakes Community College.
    Students participating fully in the Academy of the
    Professions have the potential to earn one year of transferable
    Silent reading programs have been in existence for
    more than thirty­five years. Lyman Hunt at the University
    of Vermont first proposed it in the 1960's. Throughout the
    past few years, many high school students could not tell
    when they had last finished reading a book on their own.
    The students blamed their inability to finish a book on a
    lack of leisure time.
    Our sustained silent reading time at Williamson
    High School is known to students as DEAR, Drop
    Everything and Read. This program provides a set time for
    students to read silently every day, choose their own book,
    observe the teacher modeling good reading habits, and not
    be required to take tests or write reports on what they read.
    The primary goal of our silent reading program is
    to increase the students' enjoyment of reading. Studies have
    shown that students who enjoy reading also read more
    books and develop better skills in reading comprehension,
    spelling, and vocabulary. It is also our desire at Williamson
    High School to positively influence each students' reading
    habits, their literacy skills, and their attitudes toward reading
    and school. The DEAR program will help develop
    independent readers and thinkers through this daily reading
    opportunity.
    Thank you for your support of this important reading
    high school action plan for 2001­2002. We appreciate your
    timely guideline reminders and purchases of books to read.
    Public Notice of Access to Student
    Records and Directory Information
    As required by law and school district policy, this public notice is
    made to advise parents and guardians of students, and to students
    18 years of age or older, about access to and use of student records
    under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
    Release of Directory Information
    The Williamson Central School will release or publish in school
    newsletters, school or student newspapers, athletic programs,
    musical or theatrical programs, news releases, district web page
    some and/or all of the following directory information pertaining
    to students as may be appropriate under the circumstance: name
    of students, photographs of students, name of parents, grade, age,
    height & weight of athletic team members, major fields of study,
    participation in school activities, extra­curricular activities and
    sport programs, academic honors, degrees, achievements, awards
    and scholarships. Under Title 34, Part 99, parent or eligible students
    who
    do not
    want this information released must make a request
    in writing to the Superintendent of Schools
    within 30 days
    of this
    notification. Failure to make such a request shall be deemed consent
    to release directory information during the present school year.
    Rights of Parents/Guardians
    and Eligible Students
    Student records are privileged and confidential. Records are not
    disclosed to persons other than a student’s parents or guardian, or
    the student, if over age 18. At the time of inspection of student
    records appropriate school personnel must be present.
    Parents or Guardians and eligible students over 18 have a right to:
    •
    inspect and review a student’s educational record
    •
    know that the intent of the school district is to limit disclosure
    of personally identifiable information in those records, except:
    (a)
    by prior written consent of the student’s parents or guardian,
    or student, if over 18
    (b)
    disclosure as “directory information” as defined below
    (c)
    as otherwise legally allowed for access by school officials
    •
    request that records be amended to ensure that they are not
    inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of a student’s privacy
    or other rights
    •
    file a complaint with the US Department of Education alleging
    failure of the school district to comply with FERPA rules & regulations
    Requests for access to student records or procedures to be followed
    for amending student records should be directed to the Superintendent
    college credit while completing their high school requirements.
    The courses are taken at a reduced tuition rate, which results
    in a substantial savings in college costs. Current areas of
    concentration in the program are Networking and Education.
    Student enrollment in Gemini classes at the high
    school is currently 147. The courses available to students
    include Freshman English, Psychology, Microcomputers,
    Economics and Business. During the spring semester, students
    will also be able to participate in Sociology, Pre­Calculus
    and Foundations of Child Care.
    Academy of the Professions
    Eighteen Minutes a Day for Silent Reading
    Norlyn V. Legler
    Mike Stitt,
    Assistant Superintendent
    page
    4
    Peter and the Wolf
    The actor in the picture is from the
    Merry­Go­Round Youth Theatre.
    This company from Auburn has
    been visiting the elementary
    school for three years.
    Students attend a
    workshop prior to every
    performance. In this case,
    kindergarten students are
    watching a performance
    of
    Peter and the Wolf.
    Dear Parents,
    Miss Anne Ressler, our Elementary School
    Principal recently underwent surgery. For the past
    two weeks, members of the administrative team
    have been providing coverage for the Elementary
    School. At this point, it appears that Miss Ressler
    will be out recuperating until after Christmas Break.
    To provide rotating coverage for a period of this
    length would not be in the best interest of the
    Elementary School or the District. However, to
    bring in someone who does not have knowledge
    of the District or building for four weeks would
    not be the best situation. I believe that using a
    member of our teaching staff as a teacher on special
    assignment between now and Christmas would
    provide the best solution.
    Beginning on November 28th, Miss Ellen
    Saxby will be spending half­days in the Main Office
    providing administrative coverage. Miss Saxby has
    been both a first and third grade teacher in the
    District, and for several years has been the facilitator
    for the Elementary School Shared Decision Making
    Team. She also has recently been involved in staff
    development efforts for the District.
    I believe that Miss Saxby will provide
    exceptional leadership for the Elementary School
    until Miss Ressler Returns. I will be meeting with
    her regularly to help her in this new role and hope
    that you will offer her your support as she assumes
    this position.
    Sincerely,
    Maria Ehresman,
    Superintendent of Schools
    Due to the fact that the 4th Grade
    Chorus has not yet begun, the
    Elementary School Holiday Concert
    that was originally scheduled for
    Tuesday, December 18th will NOT
    be taking place.
    It was a great day for a hayride as the Williamson
    Elementary School celebrated their
    annual Big Pumpkin Day!
    The eighth­grade students joined together to
    create an evening to show their support and
    respect for their country. The event. “Giving
    Thanks for America: A Celebration of
    America’s Spirit” was presented to the
    community on November 19, 2001 in the
    Williamson Middle School Auditorium. The
    evening featured various patriotic narratives
    presented by Ryan Noble, Krystal Jones,
    Derek Wood, Stephanie Crichton, Alex
    Maroselli, Lauren Forget, and Sam Gerken.
    Musical selections were presented by Jeanine
    Follette, Stephanie Chrichton, Adam Noto,
    Kendall Shultes, Lauren Forget, Megan Shay,
    Allison Smith, Mackenzie Tuchrelo, Renee
    Ast, Amanda DeCann, Katie Bacon, Leela
    Shields, Dusty Shove and the Eighth­Grade
    Band Ensemble. The evening also featured
    multi media production created by Amanda
    Gage and Ami Kush. The evening began and
    ended with a tribute to the flag with an honor
    guard of Anthony Hollebrandt, Ashley Frank,
    Krystal Jones, Anthony Skerrett, Chris
    Koudelka, Sam Gerken, Megan Shay,
    Mackenzie Tuchrelo. The entire event was
    built on an idea presented by eighth­graders
    Geoff Haywood and Devin Greaney. It was
    directed by Carol McMahon and Della
    Ludwig. The Williamson Middle School PTA
    provided refreshments for after the show.
    The Williamson Middle School Art Club
    debuted their “Proud to Be An American”
    note cards that are being sold to raise funds
    for WTC disaster relief. The collection of
    cards cost $5.00 and are available in the WCS
    Middle School Main Office.
    Giving Thanks for America
    A Celebration of America’s Spirit
    Ellen Saxby
    page
    5

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