January 2002
    The Marauder
    Williamson Middle School
    SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
     
    Classroom News
     
    Clubs News
     
    Attention to Parents of 6th Graders
     
    Student of the Month
     
    Middle School Calendar for January
     
    INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
    Classroom News
    2
    November Book­It
    2­4
    Club News
    3­4
    Enrichment News
    4
    Attention Parents of 6th Graders
    4­5
    Student of the Month
    5­6
    Middle School January Calendar
     
     
    From Mr. Kissinger……..
     
    Dear Parents,
     
    As a parent you have probably been asked what makes the
    Williamson schools so great. The articles in this newsletter should
    help answer that question. There are great things going on involving
    great people. Sure we could talk about how well the students do on
    state tests, the sporting teams and the outstanding performances by
    the bands and choruses but we would be missing something. That
    something is the daily commitment by students, staff and parents to
    do their best in all endeavors. This commitment also drives us way
    beyond the “minimum amount required” thinking that plagues many
    school districts and is what truly makes this district a great district.
    Mrs. Bierer’s classroom activities, reading counts, food drives, poetry
    night, extracurricular clubs and so much more. What a great place
    this truly is and I personally would like to thank all of you for
    allowing me to be apart of it.
     
    Sincerely yours,
     
     
     
    Russell Kissinger
    Middle School Principal

    MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
    Page 2
    Mrs. Bierer’s
    Classroom
     
    Leaving dolls were made by colonists, and later by
    settlers, as a means of providing at little cost that
    measure of little girl need for nurturing and
    imagination. Scraps of fabric (albeit not
    inexpensive in and of itself) and a piece of string
    were all that it took, unless you added a face with
    charcoal or pencil. Mrs. Wenzel volunteered an
    afternoon to work with groups of three to
    accomplish the creations of little beings by each
    student. Then we had 36 little angels in the
    classroom!
     
    We have had candlelight stories first thing each
    morning to tuck us in for the day during the month
    of December. This was a cozy start to the busy
    schedule and replaced the usual 20 minutes of
    silent reading each child does individually. The
    boys and girls scamper to close the blinds, douse
    the lights, and sit on the floor for this short time of
    closeness.
     
    As a class we read the novel, The House Without a
    Christmas Tree, then compared the paper version to
    the movie—always a contrast. We then read The
    Matchlock Gun to support the learning in Social
    Studies of the French and Indian War. Lots of
    reading going on here!
     
    Mrs. Kristen Johnson returned as guest reader for
    the Christmas season. Her love of books is very
    evident, and she stirs us up to read more ourselves.
    She shared Chauncey and the Grand Rascal by Sid
    Fleischmann.
     
    Top times for reading for the Book­It! program for
    November were: Ryan Buskey—1,255, Alex
    Cappon—1,816, Colby Forman—1,960, Nina
    Calabresi—3,400, and Terry Skerrett—5,800!
    Amazing!
     
    Reading Counts, a reading program with Ms. Prill,
    really stimulates the desire to read. We have seen
    wonderful a
    ccomplishment in this area this year,
    and are grateful to her for the considerable time she
    puts into this experience.
    Fantastic Fifth Graders
    Meet the
    November Book ­ It
    Challenge!
     
    Congratulations!
    from Mrs. Bierer, Ms. Brownell,
    Mr. Holowka, Ms.Luke,
    Mr. Marshall, and Ms. Prill
     
    The following students are responsible for reading
    a minimum of 360 minutes for the month of
    November.
     
    LAST NAME
    FIRST NAME
    MINUTES
     
    Allen Lukas
    360
    Alquist Pierce 3,600
    Anselmo
    Kayla 480
    Bowman
    Autumn
    618
    Bowman
    Roxanne 360
    Buckler
    Jason
    1,005
    Buskey Ryan 1,255
    Calabresi Nina
    3,400
    Cappon Alexandra 1,816
    Collins Michael
    465
    Darling
    Stephanie 3,700
    Denner Damiene 360
    Eaton
    Tyler 450
    Forman
    Colby 1,960
    Giuliano
    Nicole 638
    Gobeyn Jonathan 360
    Godsey
    Tommy 360
    Hoffman Ashley 380
    Imperato
    Matt
    610
    Inman Jack 365
    Jones
    Kelly
    780
    La Comba
    Michael
    1,040
    Lergner
    Carrie 500
    Maroselli Shelby 2,715
    Skerrett Terry 5,800
    Plyter Nicole 655
    Steurrys Christe
    550
    Storrs
    Chelsey
    1,080

    MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
    Page 3
    Last Name First Name
    Minutes
     
    Tobin Joseph 400
    Thompson Brittany
    1,485
    Trejo Darely 375
    Wackerman Jeremiah
    825
    Westfall Amanda 545
    White
    Noelle 562
    Williams Cleveland
    410
    Wood
    Jessica 936
    Young
    Chelsea
    360
    It’s Not Too Late…
    to join the Reading Counts
    Club!
    By Ms. Prill
     
    End­of­Year Goal
     
    Students who meet their goal by June 15
    th
    may
    participate in an outrageous outdoor Pizza Party in
    June and….in a special day
    ­outing in the summer.
     
    If you read a bit below your grade level, your
    school year goal is 50 points or 300,001 words
    read.
     
    If you read on your grade level, your school year
    goal is 120 points or 499,000 words read.
     
    If you read above your grade level, your school
    year goal is 250 points or 799,001 words read.
     
    5/6 Student
    Association
    By Miss Finkelstein & Mrs. Hoody
     
    During the two weeks before Christmas break, the
    5/6 Student Association sponsored a food drive.
    The students brought canned or nonperishable food
    into their homerooms. Our students collected all of
    7
    th
    and 8
    th
    Grade
    Student Association
    By Mrs. Obsorn
     
    Student Association will meet Tuesday, January 8
    at 2:15 in Room 13. Students will be making plans
    for the Talent Show that will be held March 22.
    The members would like to thank
    all those who supported the
    Jewelry Sale.
     
    International Club
    By Mrs. Osborn
     
    There will be a meeting Thursday, January 3 at
    2:15 in Room 13.
    Ski Club
    By Diane Osborn
     
    Ski Club will have trips to Brantling January 4, 11,
    18, 25, and February 1. Buses will leave the
    Middle School about 3:30. Students are to bring
    equipment to the multi
    ­Purpose Room before
    school.
     
    IMPORTANT REMINDER:
    Only parents,
    according to state law, are allowed to pick up
    students at Brantling after signing your child out
    with an advisor.
    the food and counted every box and can. The top
    three homerooms with the most food win a special
    treat on us. All of the food was donated to the
    Com­Unity Center in Williamson. We will next
    have a meeting Wednesday, January 9 to discuss
    the January project as well as the upcoming
    Valentine’s Day dance.

    MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
    Page 4
    Art Club
    By Mrs. Wilkinson
     
    We would like to thank all the
    people who have bought “Proud to
    be American” note cards. Your support for the
    schools and students in NYC is greatly appreciated.
    To date, we have reached the half way mark of our
    goal to raise $2000.
     
    Note cards are available at the Middle School main
    office and the Apple Crate on Main Street in
    Williamson.
    Mark your calendars….
     
    Grade 6 Coffeehouse
     
    with poet,
    Todd Beers
    and spoken word
    artists,
    “Plumb”
     
     
    Thursday, January 17
    th
    at 7:00 PM
    In the Multi
    ­purpose Room
     
    Open­mic performances by Grade 6
    students!
     
    Refreshments provided by the PTA
     
    Colonial school­ marm,
    Jane Oakes
    ,
    will be “substitute teaching” in Mr.
    Bruinix’s Grade 7 Social Studies
    classes on
    Friday Janua ry 11
    th
    .
    Watch
    out kids,
     
    this teacher from the days of
    the one room schoolhouse comes equipped with a
    willow switch!
     
     
    In honor of
    Martin Luther King Jr. Day
     
    Williamson Middle School proudly presents,
    Freeman Brown
    . On
    Friday January 18
    th
    Mr.
    Brown will recite Dr. King’s famous “I Have A
    Dream” speech for students in
    Grades 5­8
    . This
    moving performance will give pause to students on
    the day before the three­day weekend celebrating
    the legacy of Dr. King.
     
    On the Prowl!
    The Williamson Middle School
    Newspaper, The Prowler, will be publishing Issue 2
    at the end of this month. It will be
    available in lunch periods soon!
    Enrichment News
    By Mrs. McMahon
     
    ATTENTION PARENTS OF 6
    TH
    GRADERS
     
    Recent changes to Public Health law
    require
    that
    all students entering 7
    th
    grade
    complete
    the ir
    Hepatitis B immunization series prior to their first
    day of school in September. This is a three shot
    series with minimum time intervals between each
    shot. The second shot should be given no sooner
    than 1 month after the first shot, and the third shot
    should be given 6 months after the first shot. If this
    timetable is interrupted the series need not be
    restarted, but the third shot can be given no sooner
    than 2 months after the second. Some pediatricians
    are recommending a longer interval between the
    second and third when the series has been
    interrupted. The Public Health Department is
    requiring stricter enforcement of this law than in
    the first year it was implemented. Any student who
    does not provide written documentation from their
    doctor that they have
    completed
    this requirement
    will be excluded from school. To re­enter school,
    documentation will need to be provided
    fro m the
    physician’s office
    of the dates of the shots that
    have been received, and the
    date
    the
    next
    shot is
    scheduled for. If for any reason documentation is
    not provided
    the day after
    the scheduled shot,
    confirming that it was given the student will again
    be excluded from school until such time as proof is
    provided that they have received their
    immunization. This will continue until the series is
    completed.
    The best way to avoid this is to be sure that your
    child has received all three Hepatitis B shots
    be fore
     

    MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
    Page 5
    next September, and that documentation verifying
    this has been sent to the Middle School health
    office. Please contact your pediatrician’s office
    this month
    and arrange to have this series of
    immunizations started or completed as the case
    may be. Be sure that documentation is forwarded
    to the health office. If finances are a problem, the
    Public Health Department has free immunization
    clinics the 3
    rd
    Wednesday of each month from 3 – 5
    p.m. They can be reached at 1­800­724­1170 for
    more information.
     
     
    Student
    Grade
    Teacher
    Reason
    Breanna Bigelow
    5
    J. Luke
    Work and Effort Has Improved
    Autumn Bowman
    5
    G. Holowka
    Constructive Attitude
    Alex Cappon
    5
    I. Bierer
    Constructive Attitude
    Michael Collins
    5
    G. Holowka
    Constructive Attitude
    Ashley Hoffman
    5
    J. Luke
    Improved Homework and Effort
    Danielle Morris
    5
    G. Marshall
    Exceptional Effort
    Nicole Plyter
    5
    J. Luke
    Improved Effort, Especially In Creative Writing
    John Predmore
    5
    G. Marshall
    Constructive Attitude
    Darely Trejo
    5
    H. Brownell
    Relationships with Others
    Jeremiah Wackerman
    5
    H. Brownell
    Exceptional Effort
    Jayelle White
    5
    G. Marshall
    Exceptional Effort
    William Wenzel
    5
    I. Bierer
    Positive, Loyal Friend to Peers
     
    Student of the Month for December
     
     
     
     
    PTSA Candy Sale
     
    Look for Brochures to come home at
    the end of January!

    MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
    Page 6
    Student
    Grade
    Teacher
    Reason
    Max Barber
    6
    B. Mitchell
    Exceptional Effort
    Jake Coomber
    6
    6th Grade Team
    Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
    Amber Foehner
    6
    S. Nellany
    Very Helpful
    Diana Hunn
    6
    6th Grade Team
    Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
    Alex Schuhart
    6
    6th Grade Team
    Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
    Jeff Sherwin
    6
    6th Grade Team
    Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
    Nichole Thebert
    6
    6th Grade Team
    Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
     
    Jamie Bruce
    7
    M. Wilkinson
    Dependable Worker in Class and As A Volunteer
    Chad Burlee
    7
    7th Grade Team
    Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
    Clayton DeFisher
    7
    7th Grade Team
    Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
    Danielle DiSalvo
    7
    7th Grade Team
    Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
    Cassie Haak
    7
    J. Murnane
    Excellent Worker; Helpful, and Very Conscientious Student
    Vanessa Haskins
    7
    P. Perez
    Exceptional Effort, Class Participation
    Kevin Jones
    7
    S. Nellany
    Excellent Grades
    Kelly Kolyer
    7
    7th Grade Team
    Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
    Alicia Schaeffer
    7
    D. Osborn
    Positive Participation, Excellent Attitude, Well Prepared
    Chris Volpe
    7
    D. Greco/P. Gebhard
    Exceptional Effort
    Ronald Acciari
    8
    D. Brown
    Constructive Attitude
    Brandon Barnes
    8
    P. Wackenhut
    (L. Marshall)
    Demonstrates Exceptional Effort, Attitude, Participation in Math
    Danielle Grace
    8
    8th Grade Team
    Effort
    Beatrice Jones
    8
    K. Nail
    Being a Positive Role Model
    Linda Ketchum
    8
    P. Wackenhut
    (L. Marshall)
    Demonstrates Exceptional Effort, Attitude, Participation in Math
    Chris Koudelka
    8
    P. Perez
    Relationships with Others, Constructive Attitude
    Jean Laurent
    8
    D. Greco
    Exceptional Effort
    Alexandra Maroselli
    8
    M. Freischlag
    Exceptional Helper, Great Role Model
    Kyle Odell
    8
    8th Grade Team
    Citizenship
    Roberta Pellett
    8
    D. Brown
    Exceptional Effort
    David Pike
    8
    8th Grade Team
    Attitude
    Leela Shields
    8
    M. Wilkinson
    Positive Attitude and Always Willing to Help
    Kendall Shultes
    8
    D. Osborn
    Well Prepared, Excellent Attitude, Positive Participation
    Student of the Month for December

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