February 2002
The Marauder
Williamson Middle School
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Classroom News
Clubs News
Student of the Month
Middle School Calendar for February
How to Help Earn Educational Merchandise
PTSA News
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Classroom News
24
Physical Education News
45
Club News
45
Williamson Public Library News
6
Health News
6
Student of the Month
7
Middle School February Calendar
From Mr. Kissinger……..
Dear Parents,
Where is the time going? The school year is officially half over
already with no signs of slowing down. Trying to mention all that
took place here last month and all that is scheduled for February
would be difficult at best and would take up most of this newsletter.
Just looking through this edition should be enough to prove this point!
The downside to all of this activity is that time compromises are
inevitable. I am asking that one of these time compromises not be
homework time. Forty minutes of quality instruction is not enough to
ensure mastery of a subject. Students need to review and reflect on
material in order to firmly grasp it. Even when homework is not
formally assigned, no harm can come from rewriting notes, reviewing
past tests and rereading texts. These types of learned study habits will
pay off in post secondary life as well. A consistent time and place
that is set aside daily for study regardless of what may be assigned on
a particular night sets in place a strong work ethic and builds self
discipline.
While I wish all students good luck for the second semester, I would
also like to remind everyone that hard work and determination can
create opportunities that have unlimited potential.
Sincerely yours,
Russell Kissinger
Middle School Principal
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
Page 2
A Special Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a special time for many people.
A time when we all think of hearts, candy, flowers,
and...in a word...love! Well, this day also happens
to be a special birthday for two special people. One
is a former quarterback named Jim Kelly and the
other is his son Hunter (born on Feb 14th). Hunter
was born with a rare disease (called Krabbes)
which the Kelly family has been struggling with
since his birth in 1997. A foundation called
“Hunter’s Hope” has since been established by the
family to raise awareness and money to fight the
disease. In tribute to this noble cause was an effort
by ‘yours truly’ in the form of a musical
composition called “Hunter’s Hope.” The song
was first performed at a Hunter’s Hope benefit i
n
Buffalo in November of last year and has been
requested again for a benefit performance at
Chestnut Ridge Park (near Buffalo) on February
14th 2002 to help raise money for the cause. I’d
like to perform the song with the chorus here at the
middle school before the end of the year.
Miracles rarely happen, but hope springs eternal.
This year let’s all hope for Hunter...and pray for
Hunter’s Hope. For more information, check out
their website: www.huntershope.org
Sincerely yours,
M. G. Amend
Todd East & S.O.P
We’re very excited to be having Todd East come to
Williamson on Friday, February 8th. Todd is a
very popular entertainer in and around the
Rochester area. One glimpse through any local
entertainment newspaper and you will find his
name listed at several different venues during any
one week. Todd will be singing, playing the piano,
and sharing his life experiences as a professional
musician and a blind man. Todd will be at the
Middle and High School during the morning and
afternoon and will finish the day with a concert at
the Middle School Auditorium starting at 7 pm.
Don’t miss it!
At the evening concert, Todd East will be joined
by the popular a cappella quintet S.O.P (Sons of
Pitches), who will be debuting their new CD! All
artists will be available after the concert for CD
sales, autographs, and good conversation. This will
be a fun concert for the entire family and will be
free of charge (with a suggested donation of a $1 at
the door). See you there!
Mrs. Bierer’s
Classroom
The Revolutionary War has been won! For cultural
background and practical experience, each student
made a hornbook. This helped them understand the
economics of the time—expensive and scarce paper
and pencils. We even did a little Math on the slate
side to show the limitations of the 1700’s methods
and reinforce the blessing of modern supplies. We
took a bit of tea to learn the feelings of being
proper with linen napkins and china tea cups. The
controversial Stamp Act was a lively topic of
conversation, and some children preferred to “take
no tea” in the Patriot spirit of the day.
With a smear of Vasoline on filter papers, each
child tested for air pollution in our classroom.
Everything appears as it sticks to the experiment—
chalk dust, normal dust, and a bit of other excess.
This is an interesting process to try in our homes,
too.
We have read The Cabin Faced West, a transition
from colonies in the East to settling westward
territory. Dear Levi followed, exploring a journey
even farther West.
BookIt! was participated in with nine class
members. Alex Cappon was the highest achiever
with 1,619 minutes of reading for December.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
Page 3
Reading Counts! Club
By Ms. Prill
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Corey Baker 50+ points
22 Books
64,754 Words
Diana Horton 50+ points
13 Books
139,989 Words
Bethany Redder 50+ points
13 Books
155,542 Words
Chelsea Young
50+ points
19 Books
103,363 Words
The above students have met their Reading Counts!
goal for the year and are now working on doubling
that goal.
You may join the Club at any time during the year.
FANTASTIC FRIDAY
Coordinated by Mrs. Hoody, Mrs. Legler,
and Ms. Prill
2002 seconds of silent reading = ? Minutes
We found out the answer during 8th
period on January 11th.
Students, staff, and administration
participated in our first leisureread time.
Fantastic Friday
Fantabulous Fifth Graders
Meet the
DECEMBER 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
December.
LAST NAME FIRST NAME
MINUTES
Allen
Lukas
410
Alquist Pierce 1,800
Anselmo
Kayla 445
Bigelow Bob 978
Bowman
Autumn
722
Bowman
Roxanne 630
Buckler Jason
1,062
Calabresi Nina
840
Cappon Alex
1,619
Collins Michael
451
Darling
Stephanie 360+
Denner Damiene 406
Eaton
Tyler 720
Gobeyn Jonathan
360
Godsey
Tommy 540
Hollebrandt
William 360
Istik Erika 390
Johnson Katie 3,162
Jones
Kelly
29hrs
La Comba
Michael
2,100
Larson Kevin 360
Lergner
Carrie 360
Maroselli Shelby 2,771
Morris Danielle
360+
Nocerino Matt
360+
Siragusa
Ryan 383
Steurrys Christie
1,680
Storrs
Chelsey
360+
Trejo Darely 930
Wackerman Jeremiah
960
White
Noelle 375
Wood
Jessica 1,015
Young
Chelsea
400
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
Page 4
Beeeeeeeeee There
On Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2002
For our Spelling Bee
10
th
period in the Middle School
Auditorium
Come support our contestants.
Refreshments
?’s, see Ms. Prill
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.
I hope I’ll C U at our next meeting. Listen to the
announcements for the day we’ll meet.
Ms. Prill
Art Club
By Mrs. Wilkinson
How exciting to have Channel 13 here at school to
film our club for the Bright Spot on their 6 o’cl
ock
news show. It was fun to watch the camera man/
reporter work his way around the art room with all
the art club members working on the Proud to Be
An American note cards. The spot was aired that
very night and everyone looked great! Don Alhart
said th
e Williamson parents should be proud.
We are close to 3/4 of the way to our way to our
$2000 goal raising money for the schools affected
by the 911 tragedy. Please help us reach our goal.
You may buy the note cards at the Apple Crate,
Main Street, Williamson, and at the Middle School
Office.
And again, thank you to those who have supported
us already. We really appreciate it.
Physical Education
News!
By Mrs. Freischlag and Mr. Mitchell
In physical education class we have
started our basketball unit. So far we
have been teaching various skills such as
shooting, dribbling and passing. During
the unit we will have two shooting
contests. The results of the “Hotshot Competition”
are;
8th 7th
Lauren Forget
Paige Johns
Mason Verbridge Ryan Dixon
6th 5th
Jawni Winters Stephanie Follette
Zach Mogray
Paul Jenkins
*High Score—Alexandra Maroselli
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
Page 5
P.E. cont…
As soon as it snows, we will begin our cross
country skiing unit. This year we plan on skiing
will all grade levels. Please have your child bring
warm clothes for class. The following clothing
should be brought for physical education class:
*Warm Coats *Gloves *Hat *Extra Socks
*Snow Pants/Wind pants (optional)
We will provide all equipment.
International Club
The International Club will meet Thursday,
February 7 at 2:15 in Room 13.
7th/8th Grade Student
Association
By Diane Osborn
The 7
th
and 8
th
Grade Student Association will
hold try
outs for the Talent Show at assigned
times Tuesday, February 5, Wednesday, February
6, and Thursday, February 7 from 2:15 until
finished. Students will be told their particular
time in advance. Their preference time will be
taken from the application forms signed by a parent
and turned in by January 28.
The Talent Show will be held Friday, March
22 at 7PM in the Williamson Middle School
Auditorium.
The 7
th
and 8
th
Grade Student Association is also
organizing a trip to see B
eauty and the Beast at the
Auditorium Center April 11. We have room for 44
participants.
We also continue to accept labels fo r education
sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company. They
can be brought to the office or to Mrs. Osborn.
Ski Club
Ski Club will have their trips to Brantling February
1 and 8. If one of these trips is postponed another
Friday will
be
added.
Used Clothing
Drive
SPONSORED BY
THE WILLIAMSON TRACK
TEAM 2002
Breen’s IGA
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
4:007:00 PM
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
Page 6
Williamson Public
Library News
It’s Movie Madness on the BIG screen at the
Williamson Free Public Library! On February 19
from 24 pm enjoy a full length feature film
complete with free movie munchies! Bring your
own pillow, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
While your at the librarycheck out the display of
Learning Fair Ideas! Also, look for the NEW CD
ROM games! Many to choose from. Need
something to do during the February break?
Adventures never end when you READso, don’t
forget the library. We will be closed Monday,
February 18 in honor of Presidents Day. Call us for
more information at 5892048
Pierced Ears
By Mrs. Starr
If you are trying to decide whether or not to allow
your child to pierce his or her upper ears, you may
want to consider this information from the
Mayo
Clinic Health Letter
: An infection in that part of the
ear can lead to cartilage damage and permanent ear
deformity. The upper ear is made of cartilage,
which does not have its own blood supply.
Antibiotics tend to be ineffective in treating
infections in areas of the body that do not have a
blood supply adequate to deliver the medication. If
the cartilage becomes infected, it could mean
surgically removing the infected portion. The
results are not attractive.
Immunization Reminder from the Health Office
If your child started the Hepatitis B immunization
series in January, he or she is due for the second
shot in the series this month. If your child has
completed the series please be sure that
documentation has been sent to the Health Office.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
A MESSAGE FROM PTSA
I hope everyone had a nice holiday and you are
enjoying the New Year!
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped provide
refreshments at our holiday concerts. There were
so many goodies to enjoy after watching our
children perform for us in chorus and band.
Due to a lack of chaperones for 7/8 Activity Nights,
there has only been one held. The next date is
Thursday, March 7th. Please call me if you would
like to help out. If there is anyone who hasn’t been
called upon and you would like to get more
involved, please let me know! The 5/6 Activity
Nights have been well attended and the kids have
fun playing
basketball, dodge ball, pingpong,
chess and other games. All parents are welcome to
stay with their kids for an enjoyable time. The last
one for this year is Friday, March 1st from 6:30
8:00.
Other events for this year include: Learning Fair,
Candy sale, Book fair, Staff Appreciation Day,
Festival of Arts and 8th Grade Farewell.
PTSA Meetings for year are held in the Middle
School Conference room (in the Art Room/
Technology Room/CSE wing, 1st floor rear
hallway) at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, Feb. 13th, Wednesday, April 3rd and
Wednesday, May 8th. Our annual election of
officers will take place at the May 8
th meeting.
Come share your ideas and support your PTSA.
Thanks! Aileen Hurlimann
5893064
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARAUDER
Page 7
Student
Grade
Teacher
Reason
Bob Bigelow
5
G. Holowka
Constructive Attitude
Nina Calabresi
5
I. Bierer
Considerate and Helpful
Nicholas Damico
5
J. Luke
Improved Effort
Stephanie Darling
5
G. Marshall
Exceptional Effort
Brittany Duell
5
J. Luke
Improved Effort, Especially with Homework
Stephanie Follette
5
G. Marshall
Exceptional Effort
Jacob Garlow
5
J. Luke
Puts Forth Good Effort in All That He Does
Joe Jarnot
5
I. Bierer
Positive Attitude and Friendliness
Joe Moll
5
G. Holowka
Exceptional Effort
Andrew Nacci
5
G. Marshall
Exceptional Effort
Bonnie Smith
5
A. Bechtold, K. Hoody
Excellent Class Participation
Chelsey Storrs
5
G. Marshall
Exceptional Effort
Fred Blauvelt
6
C. Abdunnasir
Class Participation in Science
Allison Carnwath
6
6th Grade Team
Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
Christyne Chmil
6
6th Grade Team
Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
Mike Hurlimann
6
6th Grade Team
Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
Jessica Pfaff
6
6th Grade Team
Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
Zach Stohr
6
6th Grade Team
Outstanding Effort in Sixth Grade
Brian Storrs
6
S. Nellany
Excellent Attitude
Kyle Alward
7
D. Osborn
Well Prepared, Positive Attitude, Participates Often
Billy Callahan
7
7th Grade Team
Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
Jake DeMarree
7
7th Grade Team
Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
Sarah Dildine
7
P. Perez
Exceptional Effort, Class Participation
Ryne Flynn
7
K. Hoody
Offering Positive Feedback to Classmates on Written Assignments
Melissa Guilfoil
7
M. Wilkinson
Quiet and Steady; Exceptional Effort
Zach Klaver
7
P. Wackenhut
Demonstrates Exceptional Effort, Attitude, Participation in Science
Nick Remillard
7
S. Nellany
Great Entrepreneurship Helper
Ashley Scott
7
7th Grade Team
Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
Dan Volpe
7
D. Greco
Constructive Attitude
Stephanie Wright
7
7th Grade Team
Effort, Attitude, Behavioral, Improvement, Citizenship
Brandon Barnes
8
D. Greco/ A. Bechtold
Positive Attitude, Positive Role Model
Kyle Bull
8
8th Grade Team
Improvement
Anthony Campisi
8
D. Brown
Constructive Attitude
Justin Cuvelier
8
8th Grade Team
Attitude
Kaitlyn DeRue
8
8th Grade Team
Effort
Derek DeWeese
8
M. Wilkinson
Exceptional Effort
Josh Ganskop
8
D. Osborn
Improved Work Habits, Improved Attitude, Well Prepared for
Class
Justin Heinrich
8
D. Brown
Constructive Attitude
Justin Odle
8
8th Grade Team
Improvement
Allison Smith
8
8th Grade Team
Effort
Allison Smith
8
P. Perez
Exceptional Effort
Student of the Month for January
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