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Message from the Superintendent
by Marilyn Capawan, Superintendent
Honor
Wisdom
Leadership
Truth
Volume 5, 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 2007
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.
November is a time of transition from
bright, warm autumn days to the quiet, cold
days of winter. This change is reflected in our
school community as well, with the energy
and excitement of the new year settling into a
calm and focused commitment to teaching and
learning. Those of you who were able to attend
our Open Houses saw the commitment of both
our students and staff to working together in
pursuit of a promising future through education.
The wonderful things happening in our school would not be possible without the responsible
management and allocation of resources. We are pleased to report that our external auditors, Raymond
F. Wager, CPA, P.C. has complete the audit for the year ending June 30, 2007 and states that our Dis -
trict is in good financial condition. The Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Education will
work to implement recommended changes to enhance the effectiveness of our business operations.
Our facilities also provide crucial support to our program. We continue to work on refining and
defining the scope of our EXCEL Capital project. At the November 15
th
Board of Education meeting,
our architects, the Thomas Group, will present the plans to the community. The next step will be send -
ing the plans to the State Education Department in Albany for approval. We invite you to attend that
meeting, which will begin at 7:30 in the Media Center in the Dalton building.
Communication remains a goal of our District. In this issue you will find a survey asking for input
on our current practices in that area. If you can find time in your busy schedule to answer our ques -
tions, we would appreciate it. The survey is also available on our website. When you visit our website,
you will notice that we have added a “Current Events” link that features our District Calendar and
Sports information. We hope this will be helpful, and welcome any suggestions you may have to make
our website more effective.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it is time for our annual Senior Citizens Dinner at
Dalton. We hope you will join us on November 16
th
. I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday, and
thank you for all the encouragement and support you provide to Keshequa and our students.
We invite you to attend the Board of
Education Meeting on November 15,
beginning at 7:30 in the Media Center in
the Dalton building. Our architects, the
Tomas Group, will present the EXCEL
Capital Project plans to the community.
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Middle School/High School News
by Doris Marsh, Middle School/High School Principal
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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 9)
WDNY (93.9 FM/1400 AM)
WOKR (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.
On September 11, 2007, the
Middle School and High School
students participated in a memorial
service for September 11, 2001. The
memorial program was organized by
our high school social studies teacher,
Mr. Cook. The program focused on
remembering those heroes that have
dedicated their lives to serving oth-
ers such as our firemen, ambulance
response team, policemen, and military
service people. Several of our com-
munity members represented these true
heroes in the ceremony. We like to thank
the community citizens that came and
shared the ceremony with us.
On September 26, our sixth grade
class attended the annual conservation
day at Cuylerville. Students watched
presentations about how we can con-
serve water and how not to pollute the
air and soil around us. Students then
participated in class picnic for lunch. A
fun day was had by all!
On September 28, our eighth grade
class visited the Civil War Encamp-
ment at the Old Homestead in Canan-
daigua, New York. The class marched in
formation as they visited the different
campsites that demonstrated what it
was like to live during that time period.
The students visited with the Civil War
doctors and viewed their modern medi-
cal equipment of the times. They were
able to see Civil War uniforms along
with the styles of dress that the common
people wore during those times. The stu -
dents were able to see cannons and were
instructed how the North and South
would strategize their battles against
each other. These were just a few of the
campsites students were able to view.
Our High School guidance ofce
held a college fair on October 1, 2007, in
the school library. We are please that we
have over a hundred of our students visit
with representatives from eight different
colleges: RIT, Monroe Communi-
ty College, Finger Lakes Commu-
nity Colleges, Keuka, University
of Rochester, SUNY Brockport, Roberts’
Wesleyan, and Genesee Community
College.
Mrs. Bugman’s Grade 12 English
classes had the privilege on having Mr.
Chad Heeb from the Art Institute pres-
ent to the students how the arts may
offer numerous job opportunities to
students thinking of going in the college
and business world of work.
Our Middle/High School teachers
were also enthused to learn on the Octo-
ber 5
th
conference day about the Pro-
methean Instruction Board to be used as
another technology tool for classroom
instruction. This innovative technol -
ogy product helps teachers to prepare
digital lessons quickly and with greater
ease. The technology enables teach -
ers to create, customize, and integrate
text, web, video, and audio content into
their lessons. Our US History teacher,
Mr. Cook, and English teacher, Mrs.
Bugman, have already prepared les-
sons to present on the board. Be sure to
stop Room 3005 to see the Promethean
Board in action!
Students in grades 6-12 have the
opportunity to use a web-based program
called School Island. It is designed so
students can study at home on their
computers. The program allows students
to practice any core subject, practice old
Regents tests, and teachers will also be
able to create homework and tests to be
completed by students on the web-site.
Contact your student’s teachers for ad-
ditional information about how to use
the website.
Middle and High School Open
House was held on November 1. Parents
had the opportunity to meet teachers and
learn more about course expectations,
tour the school, School Island web-site,
the Promethean Board. If you or a parent
of a Middle School student sign up for a
parent-teacher conference on November
19 and November 20, 2007.
If you should have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact me
at 468-2541, ext. 2019.
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Lindsay Gunn Accepted
to Conference All-State
by Kim Coffey
Lindsay Gunn, daughter of Lisa and Ed Gunn, has been
accepted to Conference All-State Chorus. This chorus is an
elite singing group made up of students from all over New
York State. In order to be considered for this honor Lindsay
performed a level 6 solo at the spring solo festival in Canan-
daigua. She received a 98 out of a possible 100 on this solo.
This fall an application was submitted and Lindsay was ac -
cepted over hundreds of other applicants. Our music depart-
ment is very proud
of Lindsay and her
accomplishments as
a singer! Keep up the
great work, Lindsay!
For Your Information
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America Recycles 2007 Winners
Ms. Susan Coffey’s Science classes at Keshequa Middle School have teamed up again this year with GLOW Region Solid
Waste Management Committee’s America Recycles 2007 National Campaign. This past year Ms. Coffey and her students
competed with schools from all over the nation for State and National awards. Ms. Coffey’s Science classes were not only the
regional winners but they also received the state award, which was chosen by the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation.
Ms. Coffey also has been selected as a Sterling 2007-2008 award recipient as her networking platform has provided the
necessary tools to cope with demanding times in the field of education, all the while ensuring student success. She has achieved
excellence and equity in teaching and learning using innovative instructional strategies and making a difference in the lives of
her students and their community.
America Recycles 2007’s National Campaign is geared to emphasize the necessity to conserve natural resources for future
generations. Our local program is also supported by commu-
nity businesses such as Wegmans, Perry’s Ice Cream, and High
Tread. The Western NY Coordinating Committee will choose
the winning school November 2, 2007 and the awards presenta -
tion will take place at an event at Marketplace Mall on No-
vember 3, 2007. The state award will be chosen on December
15, 2007. We would like to praise their efforts and continued
success in making strides in our community.
Solvin’ with
Promethean!
Students in Mrs. Brickwood’s class have been
busy using Keshequa’s newest piece of technology,
the ‘Promethean Activboard.’
First, we created our own multiplication word problems
using grocery advertisements. Then, Ms. Ressler created
a flip chart and transferred our problems onto the board
so we could solve them on the screen. The students
were experts at using the special pen and tools that the
Activboard provides! We were then able to test our parents’
math and technology skills at Open House and show them
this awesome new tool. We are excited to be able to use the
Activboard in the future to help prepare for our upcoming
Social Studies state test in November!
A special thank you goes out to Ms. Ressler for spend-
ing extra time teaching us how to use the board and prepar-
ing our problems for us!
Chec
The High School
k
Counseling
it out!!
Department has a
webpage!! You can view it by going to www.keshequa.org,
clicking on the Nunda High School link and then clicking
on the District Counseling & Special Services link. Come
visit the webpage; you will find lots of useful information.
Search for college information, fill out your SUNY appli -
cation or just find out what classes are offered here at the
High School. The site also has information about scholar -
ships offered and financial aid for college. The webpage will
be updated periodically, so keep coming back.
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8th Graders in Civil War
Mrs. Prinzi’s 8
th
Grade Social Studies students will be studying the second
half of American History this year, beginning with the 1850s and the 1860s.
Students will begin by exploring how and why our nation began to divide be-
tween North and South and eventually end up in Civil War. During the end of
September, students role-played during class as Senators trying to pass bills in
an increasingly divided Senate floor. They toured the Civil War Encampment at
the Granger Homestead in Canandaigua in September. Students were able to
observe original artifacts from the time period and watched re-enactors display
real activities that took place in a Civil War camp in the 1860s. This was just the
beginning of what we believe will be a very exciting and enriching year in 8
th
grade Social Studies!
Teachers Creating Plan
To Improve Middle
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School Literacy
by Christine Antalek
Keshequa Middle School teachers are working with Genesee Valley BOCES
to create a plan to improve Middle School reading and writing skills. We have been
selected to work with the Special Education Teachers’ Resource Center, also known
as SETRC. SETRC selects one district per year which is ready to improve student
achievement. Because we have been so successful improving early literacy in Read-
ing First, Keshequa Middle School was invited to participate in an improvement
planning process targeted at students who struggle with reading and writing skills at
grades 6, 7, and 8.
On October 12, Middle School English, Special Education, and Reading teach -
ers, and school administrators met with SETRC Coordinator, Jackie Czamanske, to
look at the current state of middle school literacy. We examined all kinds of student
data in order to define concerns, questions, gaps, and trends in our literacy program.
As our planning continues, our team will be following guidelines for effective
adolescent literacy programs developed by a team of educational researchers, the
Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Alliance for Excellent Education. The
resulting reports, entitled
Reading Next
and
Writing Next
, recommend key elements
for success in teaching reading and writing to adolescents.
On October 30, the team reconvened to identify which key elements,
research-based solutions and interventions we will use to improve literacy. We iden -
tified what data to collect to monitor students’ progress as we implement the plan.
One long-term goal is to increase the numbers of students scoring at a 3 or 4 on the
New York State English Language Arts assessments in grades 6, 7, and 8. Students
meeting benchmark goals in Middle School are predicted to have success on the
Regents examinations.
Research strongly indicates that students who do not acquire strong literacy
skills are at a distinct disadvantage. Students who are strong communicators finish
school, continue their educations, find better jobs, and participate in their communi -
ties. By creating and implementing this plan, we are excited about the prospect of
building proficient readers and writers who will have success both in school and in
life.
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Symptoms to
Watch For
It is that time of year again, when all
the different illnesses creep in. Here are
some signs and symptoms to help you in
making the decision to keep your child
home. If your child has the following
signs and symptoms please have him or
her see your family doctor.
Infuenza (Flu)
• Fever of 100 degrees or higher, when
symptoms develop
• Chills
• Body aches and muscle pain
• Headache
• Pain with eye movement
• Fatigue, loss of appetite
• Dry cough, runny nose, and sore
throat
Strep Throat
• Severe and suden sore throat without
sneezing or runny nose
• Pain or difculty swallowing
• Fever of 100 or higher
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Bright red throat or dark red spots on
the roof of the mouth, near the back
of the throat
• Swollen tonsils
Mononucleosis ( MONO):
• Fever of 101 or higher
• Sore throat, often white patches on
tonsils
• Swoolen lymph nodes all over body,
especially in the neck
• Swoolen tonsils
• Headache, body aches
• Lack of energy, fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the upper left part of the
abdomen
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Planning
Ahead
Chad Heeb, representing the Art
Institutes, spoke with Mrs. Bugman’s
classes about careers and college. He
explained various majors and jobs
available, such as video game design,
media arts and animation, graphic
design, visual effects, culinary arts,
and industrial design. He emphasized
the importance of English in future
careers and encouraged the students
to continue their education after high
school.
Guidance Corner
What
Bullying is when one child,
Is
or a group
Bullying?
of children keeps hurting another child
through words or actions. Bullying may involve fighting, shoving, kicking, name call -
ing, playing dirty tricks, leaving out a child or spreading rumors.
How to Recognize Bullying
It is a conflict between two or more children who are not friends and do not usually
hang out together. The bully has more power and does not care about the victim’s
feelings. The victim is upset while the bully is calm and cool. The bully blames the
victim.
How You Can Help Stop Bullying
O
Students can help others by speaking out and getting an adult to help. The
goal of telling an adult should not be to get someone in trouble, but to help if
someone is in danger physically or emotionally.
O
Students should make extra effort to include everyone.
O
Strength is found in numbers. If a bully wants to be popular
and most of the class says, “I don’t like that”, he/she will not
achieve his or her goal.
O
If you hear of someone who might commit a crime in school
or on the bus or when someone is in danger… REPORT
IT! Report it to your parents, a teacher, a school counselor or
another trusted adult. How many adults should you tell? As
many as it takes to get help!
What to do if You are Bullied…
HELP
– Seek help from peers or an adult.
ASSERT YOURSELF
– Look the bully in the eye and tell them
to stop.
HUMOR
– Respond with a remark that makes the bully laugh.
AVOID
– Walk away, stay with others, not alone.
FOGGING
–Use statements like “that’s interesting.”
ATTITUDE
– Respond in a way that lets them know you are
comfortable with yourself, regardless of what they say.
SELF-TALK
– Put on a recording in your own mind that says
nice things to yourself so the bully doesn’t get to you.
OWN IT
– Own the put-down to throw the bully off.
6
Above are two photos of extra personal
projects done for the District unsolicited;
the connecting of the air compressor regu-
lator by Mr. Myers, and the double-sided
sandwich sign made by Mr. Burt for the
Bees. Happy employees are we both…our
students will benefit from both of these
projects.
Second Graders Love History !
Greetings From Dalton
Elementary
Thank you parents for participating in our Open House Celebration! Your
involvement in your children’s education is exceptional, admirable and an es-
sential component toward a successful educational experience for your son or
daughter.
We are in full swing here at Dalton! There are many opportunities available
for our children, as most of our clubs are up and running such as: Chess Club,
Bible Club, Earth Club, Art Club, Chorus and Music Lessons just to mention
a few! Some clubs are just starting such as Guitar Club, Little Dribblers and
Peewee Wrestling. Our Dalton Elementary Student Counsel is off to a great start
with upcoming ofcer elections, a Halloween Dance scheduled for October 31
st
and our traditional Senior Citizen’s Thanksgiving Dinner planned for November
the 16
th
.
Our Reading First Program for students in Grades K-3 continues and read -
ing instruction for students in Grades 4& 5 is also off to a great start! Teaching
our students to be great readers is a shared goal and powerful vision that directs
how we do business here at Dalton!
Our Peace Builders and Second Step Character Education Programs are
exploding in the classrooms and throughout the hallways. You will be happy to
know that we have a school full of peace builders!
Mrs. Weaver helps Melinda
Hahn, Kiyria Buck, Matthew Wil-
son, and Allegra Learn from Mrs.
Gehrig’s class share some important
facts on the morning announce-
ments. As part of their new Social
Studies series the children learned
that on October 11, 1892 the Pledge
of Allegiance was said for the very
first time in public schools. They
learned that the Pledge of Allegiance
was written by Francis Bellamy who
lived in Mount Morris. The original
pledge was different than what we
say today. This is the original pledge:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag
and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.”
The children were able to find
the differences. Can you?
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Keshequa Central School District
1. Please tell us about yourself (check all that apply):
?
I am a Keshequa School District parent. My children attend:
___ Dalton Elementary
___ Nunda Middle School
____Nunda High School
?
I am a Keshequa School District student (grades 6-12). I attend:
___ Nunda Middle School
___ Nunda High School
____Home School
?
Other: ___________________________________________________________________________
?
I am a Keshequa School District Staff member.
?
I am a Keshequa School District Community resident (with no children currently in school)
?
I am a Keshequa School District Business owner.
2. Please indicate your gender and age range:
?
Male
?
Female
____11-18
____19-29
____ 30-39
____ 40-49
____ 50-59
____ 60 and over
3. Please indicate the helpfulness of the following sources of school district news and information using the
scale below. Please indicate a number 1-4 before each item.
1
= Very helpful
2
= Moderately helpful
3
= Minimally helpful
4
= Not familiar/Don’t use
______ District Newsletter (Chronicle)
______ Staff meetings/newsletters
______ District Web Site (www.keshequa.org)
______ Letters in the mail
______ Democrat & Chronicle
______ Board of Education Meetings
______ Livingston County News
______ School Personnel
______ Genesee Country Express
______ My children/family/friends
______ Parent Broadcast System
4. What is your most preferred source of communication? Please be specific: ________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What is your least preferred source of communication? Please be specific: _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What type of school District information is essential to you? (check all that apply)
_____District initiatives
____ Budget information
____ Testing information
_____School events/activities
____ Calendars/Lunch menus
____ Student procedure
_____School policies
____ Facilities upgrades/building projects
____ Sports information
_____Curriculum information
____ School Board meetings/action
____ KPTSA information
_____Meeting minutes/agendas
____ Student honors/awards
_____Special Education information
____ Safety/Emergency information
2007 Communication Survey
The Communications Committee of the Board of Education has established a goal of creating and maintaining
effective communication with all of our District’s constituents. In order to achieve that end, we ask that you take
a few minutes to respond to this survey. We recognize that communication must be a two-way path, and value the
input you provide.
continued on page 8
8
7. What type of information would you like to see that we do not currently provide?
__________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Have you communicated with the District in the past year?
?
Yes
?
No
a) If yes, how have you communicated with the district? (check all that apply)
______ Talked to teacher/principal
______ Sent an e-mail
______ Called the school office
______ Wrote a letter
______ Called the district office
______ Spoke at a school board meeting
______ Left a voicemail
______ Went to a PTA meeting
______ Went to a Parent/Teacher Conference
______ Went to a school meeting (other than PTA)
______ Other: __________________________________________________________________________________________
b) When contacting the district, did someone respond to your question/concern in a timely fashion?
?
Yes
?
No
Comment: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the district’s communication efforts?
Please circle your answer based on the descriptors below:
A
= Excellent
B
= Very Good
C
= Good
D
= Fair
E
= Poor
School Level:
A
B
C
D
E
District Level:
A
B
C
D
E
Please explain: ________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. How can the District improve communication with you? ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do you have any additional comments regarding communication with the District that you would like to share?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. You may mail the survey to KCS, c/o Tammy Clark, PO Box 517,
Nunda, NY 14517, send it in with your student, or drop it off in any school office. The survey will also be available on our
website at www.keshequa.org. We would appreciate receiving your response by November 23. Thank you.
9
The Busy Bees…Doing What They Do
Best; Bee-ing Busy!
We are extremely busy over at the Hive! We have, in various stages of completion, a 12 x 12 storage shed, a 6x10 storage
shed with a firewood area, the two Rotary dugouts, a wonderful greenhouse prototype, and an addition just a few doors up Wa -
ter Street we are building for Mr. Worden. We are one of Keshequa’s best kept secrets and we’d like that to change!
10
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1
NUNDA NY 14517
Keshequa Central School
P.O. Box 517
Nunda, New York 14517-0517
November 2007
School Board Members
Terry Lowell, President
Anita Buchinger, Vice-President
John Gordinier
Lori Gray
Paul Jackson
Lyle Tallman
Kevin Whiteman
Marilyn Capawan,
Superintendent
Dominic Aloisio,
Business Administrator
Keshequa School District Senior Citizens
Please join us for a Thanksgiving Dinner at
Keshequa Elementary onFriday, November
16, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.
*Please call Brenda Weaver at 476-2234 ext. 1132 or
Tammy Clark at 468-2541 ext. 1105 to make your
reservations by Wednesday, November 14!
Upcoming Events
for November
9 ... End of 10 Weeks
11 ... Veterans’ Day
12 ...
NO SCHOOL,
Veterans’ Day
Observed
13 ... Fall Sports Awards 7:00 pm
15 ... KCS Board of Education
Meeting 7:30 pm at Dalton
Elementary in Media Center
... NYS Grade 5 Social Studies
Exam
16 ... First Quarter Report Cards K-5
Carried Home; 6-12 Mailed
Home
19-20…Parent Teacher Conferences
– K-5 Dismissal 11:30 am; 6-8
Dismissal 12:00 pm
21-23…
NO SCHOOL,
Thanksgiving Break
Attention all Dalton Elementary
Students & Families!
Just a reminder that we are still collecting Box Tops for Education here at
Dalton Elementary.
When you are finished with a box tops item, just cut off the box top label (look
for the symbol below if you are not sure). Bring in all of your box tops to Mrs. Long
(3
rd
grade) or Mrs. Privitera (4
th
grade). If you’d like to help
collect more box tops, ask your family and friends to save theirs
for you to return to our school.
Thank you for all of your help and support!
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