MAY 6 Parent Meeting – Grades 6 & 7 6:30 p.m. Acceleration Information Night – Casey Aud 6 Scholastic Book Fair 9-5:00 p.m. 7 Scholastic Book Fair 9-7:00 p.m. 7 Band 6 & Band 7/8 Concert – Casey Aud 7:00 p.m. 8 Williamsville PTSA Council Candidates’ 7:00 p.m. Night Forum at District Office 9 PTSA Sponsored Teacher Appreciation 7:30 a.m. Breakfast – Casey Café 14 Band 5 & Jazz Band Concert – Casey Aud 7:00 p.m. 15 Family Life Curriculum – Grade 5 6:00 p.m. Parents/guardians only – Casey Aud 16 Casey/Heim Dance – Heim Middle School 20 Williamsville School Board Election 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and Budget Vote 21 Chorus 7/8 & Orchestra 7/8 – Casey Aud 7:00 p.m. 26 Memorial Day Recess – No School

MR. FRANCIS B. MCGREEVY PRINCIPAL Dear Students and Parents:

Greetings from Casey Middle School. It is hard to believe that the Casey experience is drawing to a close for our 8th graders. We have exciting plans to help them celebrate. Information about the 8th grade year end activities and moving up night will be mailed home in mid-late May. All of our 8th grade students are invited to a Casey/Heim dance at Heim Middle on May 16, 2014. What a great

opportunity to meet future classmates as most Heim students will also attend North High School. A number of factors have contributed to our decision to not hold our Annual Art Show originally scheduled for May 8. Plans are in place to continue our Art Show/Ice Cream Social during the 2014-2015 school year. In the past we have had numerous parent requests for specific teachers and/or teams. Our teachers work diligently to make class placement decisions based on the academic, social and behavioral needs of every student in addition to required support services and gender balance. We ask that you trust our judgment in this process. If, however, there are legitimate documented extenuating circumstances that may alter our decision, please describe these circumstances in writing and send them to me by June 2, 2014. We also ask that parents help their children understand the need to get along with everyone and learn how to make new friends in all situations. We encourage any interested 6th and 7th grade parents to attend our Acceleration Night on May 6, 2014. Parents will learn about acceleration possibilities for students in grades 7 and 8. Guidance counselors from North High will present to help parents understand acceleration paths in high school. We welcome all Casey students to participate in our first annual triathlon at Casey on May 17, 2014 at 9:00 am. Check out the intramural club page on WITS for more information. I appreciate the support of all our parents, students and teachers as we continue to make Casey a vibrant school for growth and learning. I am very proud of our academic successes and our strong emphasis on character education. Let’s have a great finish to the school year.

Sincerely, Francis B. McGreevy Principal

CASEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER

MAY 2014

FEATURING

PTSA NEWS

Mr. Peter Dobmeier

Assistant Principal Thanks to the efforts of our teachers, staff, and students, we are successfully completing our NY State ELA and Math testing as May begins. We anticipate that this year’s results will continue to highlight the academic excellence that has become synonymous with Casey. Students and teachers are currently hard at work finishing out the fourth quarter and preparing for final exams. This time of year provides students with an opportunity to reflect on all they have learned, to witness the connections between their various subjects and units of study, and to link their learning to their lives outside the classroom. This year, in-class final exams will occur in late May and early June, and exams for core academics and LOTE classes will be administered on half-days from Wednesday, June 18th through Tuesday, June 24th. Please review the exam schedule included in this newsletter for more specific information regarding the testing schedule. The next month brings with it a number of opportunities to witness the talent and dedication of our performing music students. I encourage all to consider attending our band, chorus, and orchestra concerts on May 7th, May 14th, May 21st, and June 3rd. Each of these evenings serves as a vivid reminder of the well-rounded education students make the most of here at Casey. We, again, thank our parents and families for the many ways they support our students and staff at Casey, and we are grateful for the part they will play in a strong finish to the 2013-2014 school year!

Individual commitment to a group effort—

that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. -Vince Lombardi

Casey Middle School 2013-2014

PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Please plan accordingly…..there will be NO EARLY MORNING ACTIVITIES OF ANY KIND on the following dates due to faculty meetings.

NO students will be admitted to the building prior to 8:45 am on:

May 15, 2014 June 5, 2014 June 26, 2014

2013-2014 TESTING SCHEDULE

Each year, we publish the District and NYS Education Department TESTING SCHEDULE, in advance, so families can avoid scheduling vacations, doctors’ appointments, etc., at these times. We publish these dates in each newsletter so there are no misunderstandings or conflicts, so please check for updates. Students are required to take these assessments. Assessment dates and times may not be changed to meet family requests. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student attendance is mandatory. Please make every effort to have your child in school on test days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 30, May 1 & 2 NYS Math (Grades 5,6,7&8) May 22-23 NYS Science PERFORMANCE Assessment (Grade 8 only) June 2 NYS Science WRITTEN Assessment (Grade 8 only) June 3 Algebra 1 Common Core Regents Exam – 9:15 AM

_____ Wednesday, June 18 Thursday, June 19 Friday, June 20 Monday, June 23 Tuesday, June 24

9:00 AM–12:15 PM 9:00 AM–12:15 PM 9:00 AM–12:15 PM 9:00 AM-12:15 PM 9:00 AM-12:15 PM Grade 5 and 6 – Local Grade 5 and 6 – Local Grade 5 and 6 – Local Grade 5 and 6 Local Grade 5 and 6 End- ELA Assessments Science Assessments Math Assessments Social Studies of-year instructional Assessments activities Grade 7 – Local English Grade 7 – Local Science Grade 7 – Local Math Grade 7– Local Social Grade 7 – Local Final Final Final Studies Final LOTE Final Grade 8 – Local English Grade 8 – Local Math Grade 8 – Local LOTE Grade 8– Local Social Grade 8 – Local Final Final Final Studies Final Health Final English 9R 1:15 PM Earth Science **Students will be dismissed at 12:15 on these days.

NYS Assessment Schedule

MIDDLE SCHOOL MODIFIED EXAM SCHEDULE** June 18th – 24th, 2014

Team 5-1 Roars

As part of the NYS Common Core Curriculum, students in 5th grade read

Kathryn Lasky’s book, The Most Beautiful Roof. It’s an exciting book about

the Rain forest adventures of Dr. Meg Lowman. As a culminating activity, the

students on Team 5-1 wrote to Dr. Lowman to ask about her life and

experiences as a scientist. We were so excited when Dr. Lowman wrote back!

She thanked us for our letters and invited us to tour the Amazon with her!

Check out our future scientists at

http://canopymeg.com/2014/04/12/students-in-middle-school-learn-about-

canopy-ecology/

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

As we welcome everyone back from spring recess, we look to complete our Pacer post-test in physical education class in early May. The PACER measures the aerobic capacity of our students. The students aspire to reach the healthy fitness zone standards set by the Cooper Institute. Additional incentive is put in place by our P.E. Department. In the event that the student achieves 50 or more laps, they will receive a bronze color wristband. A new color correlates to any additional level up to 100! Currently 5 individuals have attained 100 laps. The 7th and 8th graders enter their data values into the computer as a homework assignment where it can be printed for review. Our 5th and 6th graders are still learning the mode of taking the actual tests. We have installed a goal that we believe is in reach - an increase of 4 laps from their fall pre-test scores. Many of the upperclassmen are currently on high school athletic teams. This serves as a friendly reminder to continue being fully prepared for P.E. class as a school issued uniform is not acceptable. In addition, our lost and found pile is growing. Encourage your student to thumb through it before we donate to Hearts for the Homeless. The 5th and 6th grade track and field team will begin practices this month on Tuesday morning, May 6th @ 7:45am. A team commitment includes attending at least half of the 8 practices scheduled for conditioning purposes. The schedule can be found on the wits intramural club page. The final 6th grade meet will take place at South High School on Monday, June 2nd after school. The final 5th grade meet will take place also at South High School but on Wednesday, June 4th. A rain date for either/both dates will be that Friday afternoon June 6th. Various outdoor intramurals will be starting in May. Please ask your student-athlete to check the website for dates and times.

Attention 8th Grade Parents – Save the Dates

8th Grade End of Year Activities

more information on these activities will be sent out in May

Presidential Awards Breakfast – by Invitation

June 6th

Class Trip

June 13th – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Lunch immediately following)

Class Night / Awards Ceremony

June 20th – 6:00 pm

Moving Up ceremony in Casey Auditorium followed by the 8th grade dance in the gym.

Are you interested in helping out with the Breakfast, Class Field Trip/Picnic or Class Night? The 8th Grade Activities Committee is looking for volunteers to help with all of the above events. If you are interested, please email Shannon Schapiro at shannonschapiro@aol.com and Tracy Auten at tauten@apdny.org 8th Grade Activities Committee, Tracy Auten and Shannon Schapiro

Attention 7th grade parents

We also need help during class night (Friday, June 20th) to serve pizza, ice cream and drinks to the 8th grade students during the dance. If you are interested in helping and seeing what your kids have to look forward to next year, please contact us at:

shannonschapiro@aol.com tauten@apdny.org

Thanks! Shannon Schapiro and Tracy Auten, co-chairs, eighth grade activities

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

WILLIAMSVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

GRADE 5 FAMILY LIFE CURRICULUM

THE DISTRICT’S GRADE 5

FAMILYLIFECURRICULUM*

WILL BE

PRESENTED

AT

CASEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

6:00 P.M. CASEY MIDDLE AUDITORIUM

MR. CHRISTOPHER MUCICA FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL LEAD THE

PRESENTATION.

PLEASE JOIN US.

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS ONLY

*The Family Life Curriculum is a unit of study in science class that introduces Human Growth and Development.

The materials and concepts will be shared with you and a question/answer period will be available.

Casey Middle School

Co-presidents’ Corner The year is quickly winding down. Thank you so much to all the committee chairs and volunteers who have made this year a great success. We are looking to fill chairperson positions for next year. Please find more details and a complete list of positions available in this newsletter. Don’t hesitate to contact either of us if you have any questions.

Thank you to everyone that supported our fish fry. Thanks to all the families that worked it. Your help was greatly appreciated!

Please support our PTSA sponsored book fair on Tuesday, May 6th from 9am to 5pm and Wednesday, May 7th from 9am to 7pm. All books are BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. Thanks to Jill Fleming for chairing this great event!

Enjoy spring!

Susan Witt & Tracy Auten

Contact Susan at wittsusan33@gmail.com

Contact Tracy at tauten@apdny.org

Remember to Vote:

Williamsville School Board Election and Budget Vote on May 20 from 7 am till 9 pm in the North High School gym.

Thank You!

To Alison Stone & Alicia Nagel and the yearbook club for putting together a beautiful yearbook! Williamsville PTSA Council Candidates' Night Forum @ District Office When: Thursday, May 8, 7:00pm Come out and meet the candidates who are running for the school board.

CASEY STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK CASEY TEACHERS AND STAFF ARE THE BEST!!!

We all know that our Casey Teachers and Staff do a wonderful job all year with our kids. To thank them the Casey PTSA sponsors the Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week in May. During the week of May 5th through May 9th we will have some special ways to say:

“THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO”! On May 9th we will organize a breakfast for the teachers and staff to enjoy before their school day begins.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

Please help our celebration be complete and volunteer for one of these areas (or both if you can) Food Donations - if you can offer a food donation please email Andrea Wiepert at thewieperts@gmail.com. Drop off details will be forwarded to you. The types of donations we are looking for and have received in the past are:

Egg dishes (stratas, quiches, casseroles, French toast bakes) Fruit dishes (fruit salads, strawberries w/dip, yogurt fruit dishes) Baked goods (muffins, bagels, breads)

Volunteers - No PTSA event can go on without volunteers! If you can volunteer a couple of hours of your time from 7 am - 9 am, please email Andrea Wiepert at thewieperts@gmail.com. Thank you so much!

Casey Middle School

2014-2015 PTSA Committee Chairpeople

READY TO GET INVOLVED? We’re looking for CHAIRPEOPLE for the following Committees for the 2014 - 2015 school year. If you’re interested in volunteering or just want more information on what each committee is all about, please contact Susan M Witt wittsusan33@gmail.com Got your committee all picked out? Just return this form to the PTSA mailbox in the main office. (You can send it in via your child’s backpack.) Thanks! NAME: ___________________________________ TELEPHONE NUMBER: ________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________ __________ REFLECTIONS: Coordinates the Reflections program at Casey. __________ HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Disseminate via the newsletter about any issues which need to be

brought to the Casey population as it relates to ensuring the health and safety of our youth. __________ WELCOME BACK PICNIC: Coordinate the many volunteers it takes to run the picnic. Games,

crafts, food, and water distribution require PTSA volunteers. __________ VOLUNTEERS: Coordinate parent volunteers for all the different committees for Casey. __________ SCHOOL STORE (co-chair): Help co-chair the school store with the intention of being the chair

for the 2015-2016 school year. __________ 8th GRADE ACTIVITES: Plans and coordinates the dance, field trip and other fun 8th grade only

activities. __________ SAFE HOMES: Collects family information to produce a directory for “Safe Homes.” __________ BUS DRIVER APPRCIATION: Helps coordinate bus driver appreciation day for Casey bus drivers. __________ BOOK FAIRS: Coordinates volunteers to run the school book fairs. __________ STAFF APPRECIATION: Coordinates Staff Appreciation Week for Casey teachers and staff.

*IF MORE COMMITTEES BECOME AVAILABLE WE WILL POST THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*

SCHOLASTICBOOKFAIR

Casey Middle School

May 6th, 9-5 and May 7th, 9-7

Don’t miss this special opportunity to buy books at low prices. That’s right — a Buy One Get One Free (of equal or lower price) Book Fair. Stock up on summer reading for your children or for gifts. You can get two books for the price of one! Casey Middle PTSA is hosting this Scholastic Book Fair on Tuesday, May 6 from 9-5 and on Wednesday, May 7 from 9-7. Stop at Casey Middle to get the best bargains on books this year. Students, teachers and parents can all find interesting selections. Get to the Fair and take advantage of these bargains and help support the Casey library at the same time.

Want to have an adventure this summer? Get a book and read!!

Take Charge of Education with Target Did you know that your card purchases can support Casey Middle School every time you use your Target card?

Please consider designating Casey Middle School on your Target card so that our school can benefit up to 1% on purchases. Any purchase made outside of Target earns 1/2%.

Currently we have only 31 red card holders signed up to support Casey. Checks are mailed to the schools every September.

Please tell other parents, neighbors and friends to consider designating our school on their Target card. The rewards will add up quickly!!

Go to http://www.target.com and look for

“Take Charge of Education".

Clubs & Activities 2013-14

Clubs Grade Meeting Advisor

Art Club 5-8 See permission slip Jan - June Mr. Bosworth Broadcasting Club 7-8 Fri. 8:00 – 9:05 am Sept – June Ms. Marmion

Mrs. Herberger Chamber Groups Flute/Jr.Jazz

5-8 Flute Choir – Tues 8:00 Jr. Jazz - Thurs 8:00

Oct – June Miss Fornes

Chess Club 5-8 Weds. 3:40 – 4:30 Feb – May Mr. Brill Gaming Card Club 5-8 Tues. am - Check Website Sept – March Ms. Szydlowski Grandparents Club 5-8 Listen for Announcements Sept – June Mrs. May Jazz Ensemble 7-8 Tues. 7:45 – 8:45 am Sept – June Mr. Gengo Kaleidoscope 5-8 Weds. 8:15 am Nov – June Mrs. Arnold K.I.N.D. 5-8 1st Tues. of Month

Sept – June Mrs. Justen

Literary Book Club (UMAPAYS)

7-8 Thurs. mornings *Dates on permission slip

Sept – May Ms. Glaser Ms. Marmion Miss Schwab

Literary Book Club (Kneegees)

5-6 Fri. mornings *Dates on permission slip

Sept – May Mrs. Gervase Miss Schwab

Math Club 5-8 2nd and 4th Tues. of Month

3:45 – 4:30 Sept – May Mrs. Rice

Science Club 5-8 Thurs. 3:45 – 4:15 Nov – June Mrs. Hornung Rachel’s Challenge 5-8 Alt. Friday mornings

Check the Website Sept - June Ms. Szydlowski

Mrs. Collard

Talent Show 5-8 Listen for Announcements Mrs. Dempsey

Mrs. Cannon Mrs. Hahn Ms. Kilmer

Stage Crew 6-8 Activities Announced Oct – June Mr. Gengo

Student Government

5-8 Listen for Announcements Sept – June Mrs. May Mr. Ring

Yearbook 5-8 Listen for Announcements Sept – April Miss Nagel

PhoneCallsToHome

It has come to our attention that when a student

phones home from a classroom telephone, caller ID

will register 626-8585. This is the main office

number, and we have no way of knowing from where a

student may have called. Please ask your child to

leave a message if they call home and get an

answering machine or voice mail. That way you will

know who called and what they need.

PARENTS VISITING CASEY We are grateful for the presence of so many of our parents who come to Casey to volunteer or for a conference. We kindly ask you to stop in the office, sign in and pick up a visitor’s pass. This practice helps to set our students at ease and to identify unwanted strangers in our school. We appreciate your cooperation.

ATTENTION DRIVERS: Parents, if you are dropping off or picking up students in the parking lot near the Casey Café, please take caution. This area can be very congested from 8:30 – 9:05 a.m. and from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. We ask all of you to be extra careful during this time. Be mindful of the number of Casey students crossing to cars or athletic practices at North. If you are waiting, please park in a lined spot to help relieve congestion. Your cooperation is appreciated as we work to keep Casey a safe place.

CELL PHONES, IPODS, ELECTRONICS….. As you enter the building all cell phones should be turned off and iPods off your ears. These items should be placed in your locked-locker for the entire school day. Be sure not to share your combination to your secure locker. There is no cell phone or iPod use from when you enter the building through 3:35. If you choose to carry these items with you during the school day, they will be confiscated and students will be assigned detention.

WITS PAGE

Did you know the Casey Middle morning

announcements are posted daily on your child’s WITS

page? Check it out to keep on top of clubs, meetings

and activities at Casey.

SPORTS

If you are playing any sport,

please remember to check

the sports board daily

(located outside the Main Office) for

any changes or cancellations to your

sport!

If you call home for a forgotten item, it is your responsibility to stop in the Main Office to pick it up. The Main Office staff cannot interrupt instruction for these calls. Please be responsible!

Casey Middle School Takes A Stand On

As defined by Webster’s Dictionary Plagiarize v. 1. to steal and use (the ideas or writings of another) as one’s own. 2. To take passages or ideas from and use them as one’s own. Syns: plagiarize, crib, pirate v. core meaning: to steal and use (the work of another) as one’s own < plagiarized whole sections of another writer’s novel, for example.

At Casey, We Believe…

Copying work from another person or source (ex. book, internet, magazine, etc.) is plagiarism. When researching a topic, students should reword phrases from the article into their own words. Any phrase copied directly, word-for-word, must be put into quotation marks and cited as a resource. Using an author’s words as your own is cheating. Copying someone else’s homework is cheating, too. Some students believe that working together on a homework assignment is acceptable. However, written assignments are given to help each student learn the information and practice writing skills. Reading the textbook or completing an assignment helps students by reinforcing the concepts learned in class. Doing math problems helps students learn how to apply a math strategy. Unless specifically directed by a teacher, students are to complete homework assignments independently (with assistance from parents, if necessary.) In class, collaborating is hard work. When directed by the teacher, students may work in cooperative groups. For each group, guidelines are set for student work that is to be turned in and working together can be a positive, strong learning experience for our middle school students. Collaborating does not mean, “You do the first answer and I will do the second, and then we will exchange answers.” Collaboration and cooperation mean that students need to discuss ideas and come up with mutually agreed upon responses. Simply taking another student’s answers to present as your own is cheating.

At Casey, plagiarism could result in detention, suspension and/or academic consequences. All students have been informed of these consequences. Parents, please discuss this policy with your children at home and remind them of what plagiarism involves and why it does not help them to learn. Thank you for your help with this. By being partners, the school and the home can continue to educate the minds of our children and help them be responsible, good people, too.

Casey Middle School Early Morning Rules

2013-2014

School hours are 8:45 a.m. - 3:35 p.m. Students who ride a bus will be dropped off at the bus loop at 8:45 a.m. and enter the building.

Any student who enters the building prior to 8:45 a.m.

must enter the building through the back entrance, cafeteria doors.

Doors will not be unlocked until 7:30 a.m. and students will be required to check in with the early morning monitor to show a

valid early morning pass.

The only students who will be admitted in the early morning (7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.) are Students who participate in the Just For Kids morning program Students who have a valid pass for extra help Students who have a valid pass for sports intramurals, music practice, or AIS Students who have early morning detention Students who have a valid pass from any other teacher Students who are accompanied by a parent to attend a meeting or complete other

necessary tasks (such as help clean out a locker) If for some reason a student does not ride the bus due to transporting a large instrument, project, or food, these students will need to wait outside until the bell rings at 8:45 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult.

Students who arrive between 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and DO NOT have a valid pass will be asked to remain outside

(regardless of the weather)

until the bell rings at 8:45 a.m.