PRIDE
February 2012
John Walker
Superintendent
North Rose-Wolcott
Central School District
“The Mission of the North Rose-Wolcott Central School District is to create a safe and enriching learning environment
that will prepare our students to make positive and meaningful contributions to society.”
February 20-24
Presidents‟ Week Recess
March 1
Sr. Citizens Dinner/Musical Dress Rehearsal
4:30 PM @ HS
March 2 & 3
HS Musical 7 P.M.
Elementary All County @ Newark
March 3
K-8 Sat. Swim Registration 8-10 AM @ HS
March 5
JV/Varsity Spring Sports Begin
March 6
BOE Meeting: HS Rm. #210 7:00 pm
March 8
MS Early Dismissal @ 12:05 PM (lunches served)
NRWE Family Math Night 6:30-7:30 PM
5 Hour Course 4:30-9:30 PM @ HS
March 14
NRWE 1st Grade Concert @ 6:30 PM
March 16
No School - Superintendent‟s Conference Day
March 16 & 17
MS Instrumental All County @ Pal-Mac
March 19
Modified Spring Sports Begin
March 20
BOE Meeting: HS Rm. #210 7:00 PM
March 23
NRWE Early Dismissal @ 12:50 PM
(lunches served)
March 23 & 24
MS Musical 7:00 PM
March 27
MS Early Dismissal @ 12:05 PM (lunches served)
March 29
Spring Picture Day @ NRWE and MS
Grades 3& 4 Roller Skating 3:15-4:45 pm
MS Roller Skating @ NRWE 6:30-8:30 pm
HS Music in Our Schools
Art Exhibit @ 6:00 PM
Concert @ 7:00 PM
March 30
HS Lip Sync/Air Band Competition 6:30 PM
March 31
Junior Ball @ HS Foyer 7-10 PM
April 3
BOE Meeting: HS Rm. #210 7:00 PM
April 4
NRWE Grades 3 & 4 Chorus Concert -
6:30-7:30 PM
April 6
No School - Good Friday
April 9-13
No School - Spring Recess
Important
Dates
appy Valentine‟s Month…[more reasons to eat
chocolate…like I need that!] Even though it‟s been
warmer than usual, it‟s that time of year where stu-
dents might lose a bit of focus…you know, those
„WINTER BLUES‟. To head off a possible dip, I have
a suggestion that might help.
If school work/studying is not a problem for you, look for a class-
mate who might be struggling in a particular class or subject. Offer to
help them with their studies or assignments for a week or two. Just
gently ask if you can help them. If school work/study is difficult for
you…take a risk and ask someone for help [if not a teacher, then may-
be a friend]. Don‟t be afraid to ask for help.
Several good things might happen. By helping others, you just feel
good. Those long winter nights might not seem so dreary. By seeking
help, your grades might just improve [bet they will!]. You might even
see more smiles from family members around the March report card.
Most importantly, through positive relationships, real learning will oc-
cur at both ends. Seeing the value of helping others, and being able to
accept help…it‟s a win-win.
Remember
February‟s
theme…Happy
Valentine‟s
month…a time to care about someone else. Why not look
for ways to „share the care‟ while improving learning and
grades? At the very least, you might beat those „winter
blues‟ away.
p.s. while you‟re at it…go out and build a snowman with a smiley face!
NR-W‟s chapter of the National
Junior Honor Society (Order of the
Cougar) recently held their 2012
induction
at
the
middle
school.
Twenty-five North Rose-
Wolcott Middle School students were
recognized for their accomplishments according to the pillars of
the NJHS organization. Every student inducted has achieved
and maintained the academic standards set forth by the NJHS organization
but in addition they exemplify the characteristics of leadership, service and
character in the classroom and the community.
L to R: Dakota P., Karli S., Molly Z., Zachary P., Haley T., Ashley Z., Sarah
W., Faith M., Kristen P., Alexis P., Dylan M., Gage L., Cole D., Kelsie F.,
Sara M., Catherine L., Elaina K., Rylee C., Kathryn H., Brianna B., Ashley
D., Nicole D., Devon C. Missing from the picture are Triniti B. and Abigail
M.
Congratulations to all new members!
National Junior Honor Society
Inducts New Members
www.nrwcs.org
February 2012
What do you get when
you put sixteen middle
school students and two
Tornado foosball tables
together for two hours? An
exciting, energetic, and
fun-filled foosball tourna-
ment!
On Friday, January 6,
2012, four teams of girls
and four teams of boys
squared off for the first NR
-W Middle School „After
the Bell‟ Foosball tourna-
ment, competing for both the girls‟ double and boys‟ double champion-
ship trophies.
Playing in teams of two each, this double elimination tournament pro-
duced some very close games, with the girls‟ finals match coming down
to „point game‟, for an exciting finish.
Winning the girls‟ tournament with a 5-4 victory was the team of
Jesseka J. and Porschia W., also know as the „Fudge Muffins‟. On the
boys‟ table, „Quick Shot‟, made up of Devon C. and Donovan C. went
undefeated the entire night to win their tournament and the trophy.
These students are all participants in the NR-W Middle School „After
the Bell‟ student enrichment program. The foosball program is taught by
Mr. O‟Brien, a Technology Education teacher at the High School and avid
foosball player himself.
Students in the After the Bell program wish to thank Mrs. Sullivan, MS
Principal, Mr. Fisher, After the Bell Coordinator, and Mr. Murphy, Grant
Writer, for making the After the Bell Foosball Program a reality.
The students would also like to thank Mr. Dave Courington of Bruns-
wick‟s Tornado Table Soccer, for his enthusiastic support of their foosball
program and his supplying the trophies for this first tournament.
Participants in this first foosball tournament included: Jesseka J., Por-
schia W., Taylor M., Sierra P., Alexis P., Kelsey R., Cassie I., Kayla H.,
Zach C., William P., Kevin P., Donald A., Jason R., Devon C., and Do-
novan C.
F
sball Tournament Rewards MS
Students for Practice and Dedication
Jesseka J. &
Porschia W.
Devon C. &
Donovan C.
Eighth grade students from Leavenworth Middle School visited the high
school February 7
th
and 8
th
to learn about courses and activities that will be
available to them once they come to the high school in September. In this
photo, students listen as Kelley Allen and Howard Skinner give a presenta-
tion about the high school's art offerings.
Eighth Grade Orientation
The students in Mrs. McIn-
tyre‟s third grade class had a
unique opportunity this winter.
They became published au-
thors! With the help of their
teacher and student teacher,
Miss Gentz, the students were
able to publish the book, Do
Countries A-Z Celebrate
Christmas Just Like Me?.
The students participated in a
classroom publishing project
offered to teachers and stu-
dents by Student Treasures
Publishing. With this program,
the students write and illus-
trate their own book and then
the pages are sent to the pub-
lisher where they are scanned onto glossy pages and bound in a hardcov-
er book.
In Mrs. McIntyre‟s class, each child was assigned a country to
become an “expert” about. As part of the third grade Social Studies Holi-
days around the World unit, the students then researched their country to
learn what winter holiday is celebrated there. Following their research,
each child wrote one to two pages summarizing the important aspects
about the holiday celebrated in their assigned country and then drew their
own illustrations to accompany what they had written. “I really enjoyed
finding the research and then turning it into the sentences I wrote in the
book,” said third grader, Abigail W. Another student, Benjamin C., stated,
“I thought that going through the process of writing the book was really
fun!”
“This writing activity allowed the students to take ownership of their
learning through their research and see their own work come alive on the
pages of their published book. It created such excitement in the class-
room,” said Mrs. McIntyre of this learning experience. When the book re-
turned from the publisher, the students had a celebration in the classroom
and each child read aloud their pages from the book. “The book was a
good way for the students to teach their peers about other cultures,” stated
McIntyre. Student, Brianna V., shared this idea as well. “I liked it when we
shared our book and were able to read what we had written to the class,”
she said. This was a learning experience these third grades will likely re-
member for some time to come!
Students Participate in Publishing Project
Shoe rD ive
hT e shoe drive is eF bruary 27
through aM rch 7,1 012.2
hT e shoe drop off is in the
aM in ffiOce of the North oR se
-
Wolcott High School.
hT e Interact Club of the North
Rose - Wolcott High School is
hosting a shoe drive. hT e
shoes collected will go to
disaster areas around the
world and the non
- useable
shoes are recycled into
athletic turf. We tae k any
shoes. We take any number
or condition.
Shoe rD ive
hT e shoe drive is eF bruary 27
through aM rch 7,1 012.2
hT e shoe drop off is in the
aM in ffiOce of the North oR se
-
Wolcott High School.
hT e Interact Club of the North
Rose - Wolcott High School is
hosting a shoe drive. hT e
shoes collected will go to
disaster areas around the
world and the non
- useable
Shoe Drive
Thank You
Two more students are graduating from the Al-
ternative Learning Center at North Rose-Wolcott
High School.
The two are Regina M. and Michelle S. A cere-
mony for Regina is planned for 9 a.m. Feb. 17.
A ceremony for Michelle will be 9 a.m. March 2.
Both students will receive their diplomas at the
ceremonies. There have been two previous
graduates from the ALC program, which offers
credit recovery services to students at North
Rose-Wolcott High School.
Mrs. Melissa Phelps, left, playing Vanna, and Ms.
Lori Schmidt, as Alex Trebek, enjoy playing their
game show roles during “Name That Book.”
It
was all part of Reading Incentive, which has ex-
panded and now spans January through May at
NRWE.
Rehearsals are under way for NR-W High School‟s production of “Urinetown, the Musical” at 7 p.m.
March 2 and 3 at the high school auditorium. Tickets are adults, $6, senior citizens $4, and students
$3. A dinner and dress rehearsal for senior citizens and retirees will be March 1. The dinner will be
at 4:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, and the performance will be 5:30. Cost is $7 per person,
and this covers the meal and performance. To make reservations, senior citizens and retirees should
call 594-3100 by Feb. 10. The idea for the show is that the corrupt owner of “Urine Good Hands
Company” has influenced the government to monopolize water consumption. Citizens must pay to
use the facilities. If they don‟t have enough money, they wind up in Urinetown. School Superinten-
dent John Walker, High School Principal Paul Benz, and Asst. Principal Kathy Hoyt will all make
appearances in the show.
“
Wonderland,” the Middle School musical, will
be performed at 7 p.m. March 23 & 24. Tickets
are $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and students
and will be available for purchase soon through
the main office or from any cast member.
Based upon “Alice in Wonderland,” the book is
by James DeVita and music and lyrics by Bill
Francoeur. Alice travels through the looking
glass, right in the middle of a chess game.
There‟s baseball, tourists on a train, talking flow-
ers,
“Hatta”, and Tweedledee and Tweedle-
dum. Starring in the role of Alice is AnneMarie
D., along with approximately 50 other cast mem-
bers and the Middle School Musical Pit Band.
Student Scoop
articles and photos by NR-W students
2012 Central New York
Scholastic Art Awards
North Rose-Wolcott High School art students did very well at the 2012 CNY Scholastic Art
Awards. There were over 4,500 pieces of art sent in to this competition from 87 schools in central
New York. 1,500 of those pieces are now on display at Onondaga Community College. Our stu-
dents received 29 awards this year, 2 of which were for portfolios containing 8 pieces of artwork.
The Gold Key winners were recognized in a televised awards ceremony which
aired on February 3
rd
on WCNY. The Gold Key winners were: Sarah W. -
photography, Joel W. -ceramics, Makayla W. -ceramics, and Caleb M. -
photography. The Silver Key winners were: Stephanie C. -(2) photography, Kaitlyn M. -photography,
Briana S. -photography, Hanna S. -photography, Amy G. -photography, Caleb M. -photography, and
Elliott B. -(2) ceramics. The Honorable Mention winners were: Myrissa B. - (3) photog-
raphy and a photography portfolio, Kendra C. -painting, Emily C. -photography, Courtney
E. -mixed media, Leah H. –a photography and a mixed media, Shauna L. -photography,
Megan R.-mixed media, Hanna S.-photography portfolio, Sarah W.-photography, and
Caleb M.-(2)photography. Makayla W. also won a Ceramic Guild Award. It is an honor
just to have your work selected to go to this competition. The work that did not get selected to hang
at OCC will be on display here in our high school gallery during February. We are extremely proud
of our very talented young artists.
NR-W students also have work on display at the Rochester Institute of Technology during the
month of February. There are 45 schools who participate in this exhibit and display 330 pieces of
art. The students representing us in this exhibit are: Briana S., Malecka P., Carly S.,
Sarah W., Brittany G., Maricruz R. and Jacob P. Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Patterson each
have a piece on display in this exhibit as well. The opening for this show is February 3
rd
from 5-7pm, though visitors can see the work at the Bevier Gallery throughout Febru-
ary.
One art student from NR-W is being recognized for her photography submission to a national
photography competition. Hanna S. submitted work to the 32
nd
Nikon Photo Competition. One of her
pieces is a finalist at this point, which is an outstanding accomplishment. The judging for the win-
ners will not be finalized until the end of this month.
Our art students are still working very hard to create work that not only goes out to compete
against other young artists, but that is also displayed to the community in our gallery and display
cases. Please stop in to see the fruits of their labor.
www.nrwcs.org
February 2012
Kari Durham
BOE President
V
iew from the Board...
Presentations/Discussions:
Roles of School Counselors and School Psychologists
Grant Funds
Approval:
Treasurer‟s Reports for November 2011
NRWE Library unused books disposal
Pamela Brooks, UPK Coordinator: increase in stipend
Revised Annual Professional Performance Review Plan
Appointment correction, Elizabeth Smith
Appointments:
James McIntyre as a recreation attendant
Samantha Converse, Girls‟ Modified Basketball volunteer
Lifeguards: Ryan M., Jordann P.
After the Bell Program: Michael Groth -Teacher, Delicia Crippen-
Program Aide
Resignations:
John Budinock, JV Softball coach
Barbara Winter, Bus Driver (retirement effective 6/30/2012)
Emergency School Closings
When schools must be closed, the decision is made by the
Superintendent of Schools based on available information
and recommendations from several sources. If the decision
is made to close the schools, the Superintendent will call you
via our Connect-ED communication system. In addition, it
will be broadcast on television and the following radio stations:
Radio Stations: WHEN (620 AM), WHAM (1180 AM), WHTK Sports Radio
(1280), WBEE (92.5 FM), The Fox (95.1), WPXY (97.9 FM), WTKW (99.5), The
Drive (100.5), WKRL (100.9), WZUN (102.1, 106.1), Sunny-FM (102.3), WTKV
(105.5), WKRH (106.5), Kiss FM(106.7), WHTK-FM (107.3)
TV Stations : WSTM Channel 3, WTVH Channel 5, WROC Channel 8, WIXT-
TV Channel 9, WHEN Channel 10, WHAM Channel 13, R-News YNN (Cable
TV)
If schools must close during the day, these same communication tools
will be used. 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 End of Business as Usual
By Kari Durham
Does anyone recall when there was a “usual”
business day?
Exactly what qualifies as a
“normal” day at the office? And what does normal
business look like in 2012?
When you‟re faced with the family budget dur-
ing the recession, or when the family is coping with a layoff; all the while
you‟re negotiating Christmas lists with the kids and rediscovering the fun
you can have on a stay-cation,…these scenarios are becoming more famil-
iar and this is the picture of the new normal in 2012.
This is the Board of Education‟s financial reality.
This is our new
productivity norm. Facing down moments of adversity, recognizing true
monetary shortfalls, declining State resources with increased demands for
achievement &…this is all in days work. Creating a budget, while working
through negotiations, discussing State initiatives and reacting to the intro-
duction of new common core standards – this is on the plate right now. It‟s
a feast of change.
We are not fearful though. Change can be a catalyst for great oppor-
tunity. Winston Churchill said,”
There is nothing wrong with change, if it is
in the right direction.”
The Board is working in the right direction. The
budget committee began the weekly pilgrimage to meetings and asking
questions to best prepare a budget for our community of taxpayers. Bob
Magin, School Business Administrator, has begun preparations for our
budget recommendations to be delivered to the full Board within the next
month. Although the process has been familiar - this has not been busi-
ness as usual. The questions about financial solvency are real. The short-
term goals have to be measured against long-term guesses about future
State Aid, the reduction of grant monies available and Federal jobs pro-
grams disappearing. Weighing and measuring each line item is the norm.
Over the course of the last several budget seasons our board budget
committee has delivered tougher and tougher questions to our financial
leaders. We‟ve engaged in open discussions about layoffs, enrollments,
standards and programs. The Board‟s vision continues to be that we deliv-
er the highest quality education for our students while impacting our tax-
payers as little as possible – we‟ve muddled through explanations of the
tax levy limit. We bear witness to the administrators building outlines for
their ideal programs and managing those within the confines of the real
budget. Our administration should be receiving high honors for the work
they‟ve done this year. NR-W will be set apart for its ability to remain fis-
cally responsible in the face of financial crisis.
The fact is many districts around us are simply going broke. The reli-
ance on State and Federal aid has all but exhausted their coiffeurs. NR-W
has responsibly managed the use of reserves and painstakingly reconfig-
ured buildings and truly worked within the means of the rural taxpayer
base. What astonishes me is that the only public relations boost comes
during the reading of the budget but not during the building process. Com-
munity apathy is so clearly demonstrated until we are reaching into the
shallow pockets. Staffs weigh in at every meeting; the committees listen
and research the best practices available to us. We read the audit reports
and slowly process the wish lists of all NR-W education leaders. This is
the time that if a community member has a concern or wishes for some-
thing to be improved or edited – speak now. Please don‟t hold your com-
ments until you pen an editorial about the irresponsibility of our planners.
Questions or concerns need to be asked and communicated now – during
the building phase to prevent looking back. Hindsight is a learning tool
gifted to us AFTER we recognize a mistake. To date your Board of Educa-
tion has done an admirable job of staying ahead of the financial crisis. The
management of our reserves and lean alignment of educators delivering
quality programs has been our vision.
The Board of Education truly believes we represent many segments of
our local population. Our diverse representation lends itself to honest
www.nrwcs.org
February 2012
discussion from a wealth of perspectives. With this in mind we craft a
budget we believe may be supported by the majority. We work to create a
responsible plan that lends itself to the FUTURE of NR-W education.
Please consider visiting one of the many board meetings and listen to the
status of the budget in its infancy. Consider participating BEFORE you
vote in May. As our neighbors ponder how to survive until 2015, we invite
you to rediscover what you‟re paying for and why this Board of
Education takes this chore so seriously.
Hey 5
th
Grade Parents did you know?…
New York State public health law requires children 11 yrs. old to have
booster vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (otherwise
known as Tdap),
upon entering the sixth grade
or a comparable level
special education program.
Proof of immunization must be forwarded to the school BEFORE
the start of the new school year 2012-2013
. If you have any questions
please contact Mrs. Humbert at 594-3119.
Immunizations can be received through your child‟s health care provider
or at Wayne County Public Health Facility in Lyons. They can be
reached at 946-5749.
If your child‟s 11
th
birthday is after the start of school, the immunization
may be received at that time.
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