See Inside for Community Ed Brochure Winter 2008 The Bridge - The Community Newsletter for the Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org Inside: Superintendent’s Column ......................pg. 2 School Security Cameras Go Cutting Edge ................................pg. 3 Meal Accounts Now Available Online ................................................pg. 3 Huth Road Elementary Reinforces Viking Values ....................................pg. 4 Junior Job Search..................................pg. 4 Meet the AIS Team ................................pg. 5 School-to-Work Job Search Program ....pg. 5 Educational Resources: The Gateway to Success....................pg. 6 PBIS Showcase of Schools ....................pg. 6 2007-08 Winter Athletic Schedule..........pg. 7 Reading Recovery Works at Sidway Elementary ........................pg. 8 Students Send Holiday Greetings to U.S. Troops ....................................pg. 8 We’re Still Waiting to Hear From You ......pg. 8 Kaegebein Spirit Week Celebrates Viking Values ....................................pg. 9 Wee Deliver Literacy Program at Kaegebein ....................................pg. 9 Middle School Artist Wins Annual Peace Poster Competition ................pg.10 All Middle School Students are Invited to the Career & Technical Career Fair ......................................pg. 10 Creativity Blossoms ............................pg. 10 Sidway Staff Demonstrates Support of Core Values ....................pg. 11 Sports Muralist Visits AP Art Classes ................................pg. 11 Joseph Farrell is Awarded Artist of the Month ..........................pg. 11 T hanks to a grant from the Grand Island Foundation, the Kaegebein Library Media Center (LMC) has 25 USB keys that students may borrow for overnight use when working on research projects. The keys will be equipped with bar codes and will be checked out of the LMC just as if they were books. A student can take one home, work on the research project using resources provided by the Grand Island Central School District, and save her/his work. The next day, the information should be transferred to the student’s home folder and deleted from the key, which should be promptly returned to the LMC so that it will be available for another student to use. In addition to solving the problem of how to save work that students do at home, this program will, hopefully, make the community more aware of the wide array of resources that the district provides to students. Thank You, G.I. Foundation! www.k12.ginet.org Victoria Gruber from Mrs. Chauby’s 4th-grade class holds a USB key.
Transcript
SeeInsidefor Community EdBrochure
Winter 2008 The Bridge - The Community Newsletter for the Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
Sidway Staff DemonstratesSupport of Core Values ....................pg. 11
Sports Muralist VisitsAP Art Classes ................................pg. 11
Joseph Farrell is AwardedArtist of the Month ..........................pg. 11
Thanks to agrant from theGrand IslandFoundation, theKaegebeinLibrary Media Center (LMC) has25USBkeysthat studentsmayborrow for overnight usewhen working on researchprojects. The
keyswill beequippedwith bar codesandwil l bechecked outof theLMCjust asif theywerebooks.
A student can takeonehome, work on theresearch project usingresourcesprovided by theGrandIslandCentral SchoolDistrict, andsaveher/hiswork. Thenext day, theinformationshouldbetransferredto thestudent’shome folderand deletedfrom thekey,whichshould bepromptly returned totheLMC sothat it will beavailablefor another student to use.
In addition to solving theproblemofhow to savework that studentsdoathome, thisprogramwill , hopefully,makethecommunity moreawareof thewidearray of resources that thedistrict providesto students.
Thank You, G.I. Foundation!
www.k12.ginet.org
Victoria Gruber fromMrs. Chauby’s4th-gradeclassholdsa USBkey.
Recently thevotersof ErieCountyelectedasitsCounty Executive aperson who, according to thepolls,wasbelieved could bringabusinessperspectiveto therunningof agovernment organization. Thoseof us in educationarealwaysinterestedfi rst in understandingand thenin applying thosebusinessbeliefsand practices thatcouldhelpusdo aneven better job with ourbusinessof educating students.
Oneof themost importanttenantsof becomingasuccessfulbusinessis to treat your customerswithrespect. Withoutacustomerservicemindset,no businesswil l lastverylong. School staff mustlikewiseseethemselvesasactually havingcustomersand thenneedingtoprovidequality serviceto themaswego aboutourdaily responsibilitiesin eachof our school buildings.
Whoare thosecustomersof schools?Thereareseveral different levelsto that answer. Thefirst level ofcustomersmust beour students.Whenany of themhaveneedswhether theybeacademic, socialand/or emotional, arewedoingour
very bestto respond to thoseneeds?Do we listento what theyhave tosay? Do we try to gobeyondthemask that studentsoccasionallyshow to really get to knowwhattheyare feelingand trying to say?Is it important to usthatwebeableto provide important services tostudents? Arewedoingall thatwecan to really get to knowourcustomers? Arewewil ling togo theextramile to assist ourstudent customers in becomingbetter in both theclassroomandaspeople?Are they learningaswellasdevelopingagood character?
Let meanswer thesequestionsby writing that asGrandIslandCentral School District, wearegood right now and improvingevery day. I haveseen first handcountlessexamplesof when staffhavebent overbackwardstoprovide the typeand quality ofservicesour studentsneedandareseeking fromus. There’saspecialenthusiasmand responsibility thatour school staff displaysknowingthat their efforts canaffect someonefor the restof his/her life.
If you needed serviceonadishwasherand therepair person came to yourhouse,would you expect thatpersonto tell you that it cannotbefixedand they arenot comingback?Ofcoursenot. In thesameway, youwill never seeour staff quit tryingto provideservicesto astudent inneed. Thesecret to losing weightisnot in knowing how to do it butin applying whatwealreadyknow.In schools weknowwhatourcustomers,our students,needandwedemonstratehigh levelsof
Thesecond level of customersaretheparentsof our students.Are welistening to what theyare telling us?Areweproactively communicatingwith them? As school staff, dowetruly seeparentsascustomers towhomservicemustbeprovided?Do we respect theopinionsofparentson their ownchildrenandon theoperationsof our schools?Thebest way to get respect is togive it fi rst. Arewegiving respectasan entire school staff to ourparents? Parentsneedto be treatedwith decency, with mannersandwith appreciation of thewholeperson. When speaking to parentsdowesmile, keepeyecontact,greet them first, apologize if weare lateor interrupt, converseinsteadof lecture,avoid sarcasmandmaintain emotional control?Sometimes in thedaily challengesthat lifegivesuswemisswhat isreally important. We trustwedonot do that asschool staff. In turnwehavehigh expectations for howparents respond to usasschoolstaff. Weappreciate thechallengesthat cometo parents in thisdayand ageaswearecertain parentsunderstand and appreciate theworkdoneby our school staff. Constantkindnesscan accomplishmuch.As thesunmakes icemelt, kindnesscausesmisunderstandings,mistrustand hostility to evaporate. As weasastaff continue to seeparentsasourcustomers,weareconfident that our
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Message from yourSuperintenden t
2 Winter 2008 The Bridge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
By Bob Christmann, SchoolSuperintendent
SuperintendentBobChristmann
Winter 2008 The Bri dge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org 3
This fall theGrandIslandCentralSchoolDistrict
began to replaceour old analogsurveillancesystemwith a newdigital videosystemthat ties
directly to theschool’s network. Thenewsystemprovidesa crisp,clear, color imageandallowsforeasy accessandmonitoring by administrators.
A total of 20 cameraswereinstalled in theMiddleSchoolandHigh School.Thecost is approximately$1,000percameradependingonmodelandspecifications.Fundingfor theprojectcamefromagrant securedbyAssemblymanHoyt andstateaidedhardwaremoney.
businessof education will getbetterandbetter. Evenwhatseemto besmall itemssuchasansweringourphonespromptly and returningallcallsarean indication to parentsof our commitment to serve.
Finally, weask you to let usknowhow wearedoing. Successfulcompaniesseek feedbackfrom theircustomers. Follow upphonecallsaremade. Post cardsandlettersaresent out to customersseeking theircomments. You shouldn’t hesitateto let usasaschool staff knowhowimportantour level of servicetoyou, our customers,hasbeen.Wewant to provide truly outstandingservice to students,parentsandcommunity members. Webelievethatourentire school staff, no matterwhateachof usdoes,desirestoachieveahigh levelof performanceandcaring.
If youarepleased, letusknow. If youhaveanysuggestionsonhowwecandobetter,please let usknow thataswell. A successful companyknowsthatserviceto customers is important.Schools know thataswell.
Meal Accounts NowAvailable Online
Asof November 1st, theGrand IslandCentral School District’sFoodServiceDepartment is pleased to provide familiesaconvenient, easyand secureonlineprepayment service to deposit
money into your child’s schoolmeal account. This service is madeavailable throughMyNutrikids.com.
MyNutriKids.com isasecureonlineprepayment service that makeslife easier for everyone. Now available through theGICSDWeb site,MyNutriKids.comprovidesfamilieswith asecure, fast andconvenientmethod for addingmoneyto your child’s schoolmeal accounts.Parentscanaccess their child’s current account balancesand can review whattheir child hasbeen purchasing for mealsat school by reviewing theirindividual history report.
Weareconfident thisnewsystemwill benefi t you,your child and ourschool district. Prepaid accountshelp studentsmovethroughthe lunchline fasterallowing themmoretime to enjoy their meal whileminimizingtheneedfor our staff to handlecash. Forparents,thisnewservicemeansnomoreworriesaboutwhetheror not thereismoneyin yourchild’s account or nomoresearching for lunchmoneyevery morning.
For completedetails onhow to register forMyNutriKids.com, pleasevisit theGICSDFoodServicesWebpage.
School Security Cameras Go Cutting EdgeMiddleSchool Principal, Mr. BruceBenson reportsdisciplinereferrals havedecreased since thecamerashavebeeninstalled.
Looking ahead, wewill continueto focusonphasingin moresecurity camerasacross thedistrict. Phasetwo of theproject will includeadditional camerasintheacademic wing of theRansomRoad complex.Exterior cameraswill bea priority in futurephasesfollowedby elementary buildingsand transportation.
Digital video surveillance is animportant componentfor securing schools andmaintaining aproductivelearning environment. Recent events in theworldhave caused every school to re-examine its securitypractices. Maintaining safeandsecureschoolsinGrandIsland is a priority.
4 Winter 2008 The Bridge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
Junior Job Search
Friday, November9th wasavery different dayfor over 120 8th-gradeVeronicaE. ConnorMiddle School Family andConsumerScience
students. They spent their timeattending jobinterviewsduring classand junior andsenior highschool studentswere the“employers” conducting theinterviews!
This innovativeprogramwas instrumental duetothree teachersworking together between theschools;Mrs.Mary JaneFonteandMrs.Marcia McHenry atVeronicaE. Connor Middle School andMrs. CherylChamberlain at theGrandIslandHighSchool.
Authentic job interviewexperience is apart of thehighschool’s Job Search Seminar in whichstudentsinterviewwith localbusiness leaders. Mrs.Chamberlainwanted tobring this sameexcitement to themiddleschool through herstudentsand theinterview process.Mrs.Fontecoordinatedall of theclassesand timesand thehighschool studentswereexcitedto participate.This programwil l continueinto nextsemester when new middleschool andhigh schoolstudentswil l participate in whatisdeemedas,“Junior Job Search.”
Huth Road ElementaryReinforces Viking Values
Atthebeginning of theschoolyearHuth RoadElementary School implementedanewprogram called CharacterCounts. Overall it
would reinforce thecurrentVikingValuesthatare“BeRespectful, BeResponsible, BeSafe”. Eachmonthacharacter trait is concentratedonsuchasrespect,citizenship, fairness,trustworthiness, justto namea few.Thesetopicswil l bediscussed in theclassroom,on thebus, on themorning announcementsandat thetownmeetings thatareheld eachmonth in theauditorium.During this time, children will havetheopportunitytolearnmoreabout thecharacter trait by readingbooks,viewing ashort videothatmodels thetrait and writingabout the topic in theclassroom. Each teacherthenselectsandwritesaboutonestudentin their class thatmodelsthecharacter trait thebest. The22studentsgettheir picture taken andit is displayedonourCharacterCountsWall of Honor. Thisprogramisoff to agreatstartand themodeled positivebehavioris catchingonvery fast throughout our schoolandhomefor all of thestudents that attendHuthRoad Elementaryschool.
Winter 2008 The Bri dge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org 5
Academic InterventionServices(AIS) providesadditional instruction and/or studentsupportserviceswhichsupplement instruction provided in
thegeneral curriculum andassist studentsin meetingthestatelearningstandards. Academic InterventionServicesareintendedto assist studentswhoareat risk of notachievingthestatelearning standardsin Englishlanguagearts, mathematics, social studiesand/or science,or whoareat risk of not gainingtheknowledgeandskills neededto meetor exceeddesignatedperformancelevelsonstateassessments. Al l studentsareafforded appropriateandtargetedopportunitiesfor academic assistanceandintervention. Identif icationof studentswhoareat-riskfor learning isbaseduponmultiplemeasures.
This year,theAIS teamcollaborated to reviseand refinetheAIS plan for theGrandIslandCentral SchoolDistrict.This plan will berecommended for adoptionto theBoardof Education in June2008.
TheAIS team iscomprised of 18District employeesledby Dr. KarenKarmazin,AssistantSuperintendentforCurriculum. Teammembersinclude:LisaAmsdill, AISMathTeacher, MiddleSchool;DeannaCannavo,AISReading, Huth; LaurieCordero,GuidanceCounselor,Middle School; DeniseDunbar, Principal,SidwayElementary; Janet Gorfien,AIS Reading,KaegebeinElementary; Mary Haggerty, Principal, HuthElementary;Carol Jones,Pupil Personnel Director; LisaJustin,AISReading, SidwayElementary;MarlaineKaniecki,MiddleSchool; LyndaKeipper, Speech,Huth Elementary;Amy Kessel,AIS Reading,High School; Carol Kimmerle,AIS Reading,MiddleSchool;RandySeiwell,AISReading, SidwayElementary;LaurenStang,Psychologist,
SidwayElementary; Karen Surdyke,AISMath, HighSchool; JackieWalters,Guidance, High School andJohnWiertel, Principal, Kaegebein Elementary.
The teamcollaborated in aneffort to achieveonegoal - for all students to besuccessfulin meetingtheNewYork StateLearningStandards.
Meet the AIS Team
School-to-Work JobSearch Program
Thisyear theGrand IslandSchool-to-WorkProgram is pleased to announceanewJobSearch Program for students in
eleventh and twelfth gradesonFebruary 14, 2008.Studentsareencouraged to signup in room153for theopportunity tointerview with businesspeople from all overWestern NewYork fortheday long seminarat theGrand IslandHoliday Inn. In additionto authentic jobinterviews, thestudentswill also attend break outsessionshighlighting importantcareerbuilding tips.Formoreinformation pleasecontact Mrs.Cheryl Chamberlain, School-to-WorkCoordinator, at 773-8879.
6 Winter 2008 The Bridge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
Educational Resourcesisasectionof GrandIslandCentral School District’s Websitedesigned specifically for our students,parents
andstaff.With designatedsectionsfor eachof theseaudiences,EducationalResourcesis thebestplacetoensureyour timeonlineis well spent. Seebelowforadescriptionof eachpart of EducationalResources.
Teacher WebPages - Search for Teacher WebPagesby location or name. Youcanevensort your searchresults by grade, subjector teacher. GrandIslandteachers - there is also a link to theTeacher Pageslogin site to makeupdatingeveneasier!
GrandIslandCentral SchoolDistrict is justoneof theareaschoolsthat areachieving successwith theimplementationof thePositiveBehavior InterventionandSupport(PBIS) initiative. PBISisaschool-widesystemthatsupports staff to teach andpromotepositive behaviorin all students.
Student Resources - Thispageisorganizedby gradelevel (elementary,middleand highschool) and provideslinks to ageappropriatestudentresources.You’ll find everything fromgames that practicemath skills to help taking theSATs.Theseresourcesallow studentsto reach beyondtheschool walls to accessinformation.
Library Media Center - Links to each of thelibrariesinthedistrict. Our Library MediaCentersoffer avarietyof electronic databasesto studentsandstaff for researchand information. Databasesarecomprised of articleswrittenby or approved by educatorsandaregearedtoward K-12 students. Theseelectronic resourcesincreasethetopicsstudentsareableto researchbyprovidingamultitudeof articleson avariety of subjectmatter. In addition, mostof theseresourcesareavailable to students from both homeandschool.
Podcasting/Blogging Server - Thispageprovidesalink to thedistrict’s podcastingandblogging server.Accessto this server is only available insidethedistrict.
Eco Island Nature Center – ExploreGrand Island’sone-of-a-kind, hands-onlearning,naturecenter.
Thebest part of Educational Resources is that it’sconstantly growing. Wecontinueto lookat emergingresourcesand electronic databases that will bestserveour students,staff andcommunity.
PBIS Showcase of Schools
Winter 2008 The Bri dge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org 7
01/04 @Starpoint 5:15pm01/07 St. Stephen’s 4:30pm01/08 LaSalleMS 4:30pm01/10 @KenmoreMS 4:30pm01/15 NiagaraWheatMS 4:30pm01/16 @LewPort MS 4:30pm01/22 No. TonawandaMS 4:30pm01/24 @North Park MS 4:30pm01/29 Franklin MS 4:30pm01/31 @Emmet BelknapMS 4:30pm02/05 Starpoint 4:30pm02/07 @Gaskill MS 4:30pm02/12 Hoover MS 4:30pm
BOYSMODIFIED BASKETBALLCoach: Dan Sweeney
01/04 Starpoint 4:30pm01/08 @LaSalle MS 4:30pm01/10 KenmoreMS 4:30pm01/15 @NiagaraWheat MS 4:30pm01/17 LewPort MS 4:30pm01/22 @No.TonawandaMS 4:30pm01/24 North Park MS 4:30pm01/29 @Franklin MS 4:30pm01/31 Emmet BelknapMS 4:30pm02/05 @Starpoint 5:15pm02/07 Gaskill MS 4:30pm02/12 @Hoover MS 4:30pm
8 Winter 2008 The Bridge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
Reading Recovery Worksat Sidway Elementary
This yearmarksthefirst yearof theGrandIslandCentral School District’s commitmenttoReading Recovery. ReadingRecovery is a
highly effectiveshort-term interventionof one-to-onetutoring specifically for fi rst-gradestudents. Theintervention is mosteffectivewhen it is availabletoall studentswhoneedit andis usedasasupplementto goodclassroomteaching. It is usedin manyschooldistrictswithin thecountry and aroundtheworld.Studentswhoquali fy for theinterventionprogramwork with aReadingRecoveryteachereveryday.Thegoal of Reading Recovery is to provideshorttermearly intervention to reduce theneed for additionalsupport in readingand writing.
We’re Still Waiting toHear From You…Attention Residentsof Grand Island withChildren AgesNewborn – 5Yearsof Age:
Toeffectively planfor the2008-2009schoolyear, wewould like to know how many childrenresideon Grand Islandwhoareeligible for
Kindergarten enrollmentin September 2008. Anychild who will reach their fift h birthday onor beforeDecember 1, 2008 is eligible to attendKindergartennext school year. Pleasecall theDistrict Officeat773-8819between thehoursof 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. andgive your name, your child’s name,child’s dateofbirth, addressand telephonenumber.
Weaskthat you call even if youdonotplan on sendingyour child to Kindergartennext yearor plan onsendingyour child to aprivateor parochial school. Thiswil lassist our transportation department, stateand federalfunding.
Wewould alsoappreciatecalls from parents/guardiansof children agesnewbornto 4 yearsof ageresidingonGrand Island for futureenrollment projections.
L to R: ReadingRecoverywelcomesteachers LisaBlake,AntoinetteDiBellonia andLisaJustinwhojoinedtheSidwaySchool facultythis fall.
Students Send HolidayGreetings to U.S. TroopsStudentsatSidway ElementarySchoolcreatedholidaygreeting cards for troopsoverseas. UnitedStatesArmy recruitersSergeantFirst ClassSmith, SergeantFirst ClassDombrowski andStaff SergeantMateovisitedSidwaySchool onNovember 30th to collectover400 cardsto besent to troopsin IraqandAfghanistan. Thesoldiersspoke to thestudentsabouthow thankful thesoldiersoverseasareto receive theirmessages,especially at this timeof year. Thestudentsexpressedtheir appreciation for everything thetroopsdo for us through their writtenmessagesanddrawings.
Back Row: SergeantFirst ClassSmith, Sergeant FirstClassDombrowski,Staff Sergeant MateoStudentsL-R: Forrest Carr, Kayla Caldwell,SimoneSmith,Will iamPerson, KaitlynHollederer, LiamHart,Gabriella Sciortino, Eric Scalise
Winter 2008 The Bri dge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org 9
Kaegebein Spirit Week Celebrates Viking ValuesBe Respectful - Be Responsible - Be Safe
Ourstudentshavebeen practicing themeaningof thesecharacter traits andclassroomteacherscenter their instructionbased on thevalues
being promotedatour school. Spirit Weekgivesstudents thechance to demonstrate their excitement forthePositiveBehavioral InterventionandSupport (PBIS)program. TheKaegebein team implementedaSpiritWeek to increasestudent morals in a fun andpositiveway. A signifi cant component of PBIS is to celebrateour accomplishments. Thestudentsneed to feel likethey contribute to theschool’s successasmuch as
possible in order to get that senseof accomplishment.SpiritWeekpromotes thesuccessof schoolunity throughthecontributionsof all students.
Wee Deliver Literacy Program at KaegebeinKaegebeinElementary isaparticipant in the“WeeDeliverLi teracyProgram” sponsoredby theUnited StatesPostal Service. Theobjectivebehind thisprogram is to encouragestudents to improvetheir languagearts skil ls. Utilizing skills theylearned in andout of theclassroom,students can accomplishthisobjective throughinvolvementin activitiesofferedby theKaegebein PostOffice.
TheKaegebein Post Officeis set up to represent thereal postal system.Studentshaveto submit anapplication for employment,passanexamination,and participate in an interview. Many facetsmakeup theselectionprocessbeforethestudent becomesan employee. Studentsare introducedto amini version of thepostofficesettingandareselected for specificpositions. Our post officehaspostmasters,face/cancellers,postal clerksand letter carriers.
Postal employees learn to work asa team, to beorganized and to beresponsible. Faculty, staff andstudentswrite cardsandletters,dropthemin to thepost officemailboxand thepostal employeeshandlethemail like they would in theregularpost office.
Mrs. Carol Pizur andMrs. Carol Hamlin monitor thisprogramandhavebeeninstrumental in runningthe“WeeDeliverLi teracy Program” forthepasttwo years. Thetimeandeffort requiredto create theactivitiesand projects for studentsto participate in at thepostofficeshowsthededication these two ladiespossess. Thegoal is to encouragestudentsto enhancetheir readingandwritingskills whilehaving fun doing it.Throughmany activitiessuch aswritingshortstoriesandpoems,designing stampsand postcards,andcoloringcontests to namea few,studentshaveavariety of ways they can sharetheir work with their peers.Thesuccessof the “WeeDeliver Literacy Program” atKaegebein isachieved by thehard work anddetermination setforth by thefaculty,staff andmostly thestudents.
TeamA Front RowL-R: SaraColon,Caitlin Conlon.Back Row L-R: KeeganHir treiter, Brian Brennan,NancyDahlquist, NatalieBraun, RebeccaHennessy,Gabrielle Robinson.
10 Winter 2008 The Bridge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
Middle School Artist Wins AnnualPeace Poster Competition
VeronicaE. Connor MiddleSchoolis pleasedto announce that eighth-gradestudent Marshall Cancil la isthe fi rst placewinnerof theannualLionsClub PeacePoster contest.This is thesecond year in a row thatan entry fromMarshall hasearnedthis honor. After winningatdistrict-level competitionMarshall ’s entrywill now moveon to state-leveladjudication.
Marshall is a talentedart student whocreditshis parentswith encouraginghisartistic and creative ambitions.Hehaspreviously been honoredfor hisaccomplishmentsby beingselected astheVCMSArt Department“Master of theMonth” during themonth of October andasaTripleCrecipient for displaying thepositiveattributeof creativity. Marshallhopesto beaprofessional artist
whenhegrowsup.
VeronicaE.Connor Middle Schoolstudentsareinvited to attendtheCareerandTechnical CareerFair on Thursday,February 28th from6:30– 8:30p.m.at theErie1 BOCESEducationCampusin West Seneca.
TheCareer& TechnicalCareerFair is auniquecareerexplorationopportunity for middleschool studentsandtheirparents. Thefair will haverepresentativesfrom over 16career clustersrepresenting over200occupations.
Participantswill learnaboutcareersthroughhands-onlearningactivitieswith theguidanceof experiencedtechnicians.Professionals will beavailableto answer questionsregardingeducationrequirements, careeropportunitiesin WesternNewYork, andsalary ranges.Registration is notneeded. Formoredetails contact theNFIECofficeat821-7379.
TheCareerandTechnical CareerFair is sponsored byBuffaloStateGear-Up Programand theNiagara FrontierIndustry EducationCouncil.
CreativityBlossoms
It may becold and snowy grayoutdoors this timeof year, buttalent blossomsbrightlywithin theart roomsofVeronicaE. ConnorMiddleSchool. AfterstudyingAmericanartistGeorgiaO’Keeffe in artclass,studentsproudlydisplay their vibrantpastel emulations for all to see.Pictured with their masterpiecesare8th-gradersSydneyDudishandMaggie DeMarco.
Pictured is Marshallwith his first placepeaceposterentry.
All Middle School Students are Invited to theCareer & Technical Career Fair
Winter 2008 The Bri dge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org 11
Joseph Farrell isAwarded Artistof the Month
TheArt Department of theGrandIslandSchool District is pleasedtoannounceJosephFarrell asthethirdrecipient of theK-12Artist of theMonthAward. Joseph,a5th-graderatKaegebein ElementarySchool,alsoparticipatesin theafter schoolart club.Heenjoysdrawing,painting, andworkingwith clay.Joseph creditshisbrother, Mike,for encouraging and influencinghim with hisartwork. A trueRenaissanceboy, Joe,isalsoanaccomplishedmusicianwho plays in Kaegebein’sconcert and jazzbands. Theart department applauds
Joe’s hard workand wisheshimcontinued successwith his futureartistic endeavors.
Sidway Staff DemonstratesSupport of Core Values
PositiveBehavorialInterventionsand Support(PBIS) isaprogram that teachesstudents three important corevalues; BeRespectful, BeResponsible and BeSafe.This is aprogram that is nowimplemented at all of buildingsin theGrand Island CentralSchool District. Studentshearabout the importanceof thesecorevalues in every grade level.Faculty and staff at SidwaySchool demonstratesupport fortheSidway Valuesby wearingtheir PBISshirts the lastFridayof every month. Studentshave
learned the importanceof beingRespectful, Responsible andSafe in everyaspect of their school day.
Sports Muralist VisitsAP Art Classes
TheHigh School APArt classeswere treated to a lectureandslidepresentation from SportsMuralist, LyssaNowakowski.Ms. Nowakowski is from Brooklyn,N.Y.andhasrecently finished a large, 200footlong sportsmural for thePrudential Center.Thisnew arena is home to theN.H.L.New Jersey DevilsHockeyteam.
I f you’vebeentothehigh
school lately,youmayhavenoticedalargesignhigh up on theoutsidebrick wall entrance. This sign,whichusestheexistinglighting to beseenat night,stateswhat you already know. First, wedohaveanoutstanding school district in Grand Islandandonethatthestudents,parents, staff and theentire communityhaveevery right to beproud. Second, by listingall fiveschoolswewant to remind everyonethat it takesall ofusto reacha level of excellence. No oneschool, gradeor specific job title can do it alone. We’re in thistogetherasacommunity and the resultsdemonstrate thequality of what weall do every day for our students.
Grand Island Central Schools
CommunityEducation
Winter2008
Class Listings
Winter 2008 The Bridge - Grand Island Central School District www.k12.ginet.org
Grand Island Central School Distr ict1100 RansomRoad, GrandIsland, NY 14072
Board of Education:RichardLi ttle,Jr., PresidentJamesHanna, VicePresidentMyrnaBlairGlenn BobeckGeorgeCaseyThomasFranzNeil Seaman
Superin tendent:BobChristmann
Resident
Non-profit OrgUSPostage
PAIDPermitNo. 8
GrandIsland,N.Y.
Don’t miss the Winter 2008 CommunityEducation Brochure located inside!
