September 21, 2011

Quote of the week:

It’s not who you think you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.

District News:

• ProgressBook raffle reminder! There are only nine days left in the month of September, which means if you haven’t logged into ProgressBook to check your student’s progress, you will want to do it now. Every month we are doing a raffle drawing for those parents/guardians who have logged in to check their student’s progress. Do not miss out on this opportunity to win new school uniforms, shoes, belt and a book bag with school supplies. If you need your Username or Password information please contact the Tech Department at 619-2350. The September winners will be announced on October 3. Good luck!

• Winton Woods City Schools has been accepted into the Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network, a national network of 100 exemplary Chinese language programs that is being developed over a three-year period. The district, which was accepted as part of the third cohort of schools, was recognized for its potential as a model Chinese language program for the U.S., strong local leadership, commitment to international exchange and collaboration, and global vision for the future.

Each Asia Society Confucius Classroom will be matched with a partner school in China to enhance opportunities for language learning and to provide students, teachers and administrators with opportunities to conduct exchanges and joint projects. The Network is linked through an online community where teachers will share resources and best practices in an effort to build models for the field.

“We have been awarded a Confucius Classroom Network grant of $10,000 for up to three years that provides materials, professional development for administrators and teachers in the U.S. and China, and student summer camps,” said Winton Woods Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe. “Our proposed classroom projects include Skyping technology, the development of Chinese video lessons for primary students, resources for cultural activities, and a student/teacher travel scholarship to China in the second and third years.”

With this third cohort, the Confucius Classrooms Network represents almost 25,000 Chinese language learners in more than 100 schools in 27 states and the District of Columbia.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Jason Dudley, a senior at Winton Woods High School, received his fifth “Volunteer of the Year” award from Waycross Community Media at their 25th annual volunteer recognition night in August. “Jason is a five-time-in-a-row recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award,” said Jason Grzegorek, who hosted the evening. Dudley was 17 years old when he received the award.

In addition that evening, Dudley was also presented with the Lifesavers Award that’s given to volunteers who “will do anything that they can to help,” the Director’s Award, and the Golden Tripod Award that’s given to only the top 5% of Waycross volunteers. Dudley was also part of the team involved with the production of Smooth Jazz in the Park (part 2), which received a 2011 Hometown Video Award in the live format category. These awards are sponsored by the Alliance for Community Media and recognize the best programming from community media centers throughout the U.S. This year there were over 1100 entries with 108 winners.

• The Winton Woods High School Homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. against Milford High School. The Homecoming parade will begin that day at 6:05 p.m. at Winton Woods Intermediate School, located at 825 Waycross Road in Forest Park. The parade will proceed west on Waycross Road, turn north onto the roadway between Central Park and the Winton Woods High School Charlie Fredrick Stadium.

"We are inviting groups from Forest Park, Greenhills and Springfield Township to walk or drive with us in the parade," said Kamaria Martin, Winton Woods High School intervention specialist and Student Council co-sponsor. "We will line up at 5:35 p.m. and start at 6:05 p.m." Groups interested in being part of the parade should contact Martin at Winton Woods High School at 619-2420 or martin.kamaria@wintonwoods.org.

Winton Woods Middle School:

• The Greater Cincinnati Foundation has awarded the Winton Woods Middle School SCUBA Club a $1000 learning links grant for the project, "Underwater Science ... with SCUBA!" John Fiely, club coordinator and WWMS science

teacher, wrote and received the grant through the Foundation's competitive application process. A unique feature of the project is that students do not directly receive the funds for their SCUBA fees. Instead students must earn credits for their own "account" by performing meaningful work in the school. The concept is for students to increase personal self-confidence and self-reliance through success in the unfamiliar SCUBA environment. Interested in joining SCUBA? Contact fiely.john@wintonwoods.org

• Student of the Month

recognizes students who stand out above the rest. Each month the teams nominate two students for the celebration. September recipients are: 7th Grade: Abigail Ewald, Terry Fishwich, Luis Gutierrez, Faith Higgins, Madeline Kelly, and Camron Vaughan 8th Grade: Simone Anthony, Quincy Brewington, Ryan Glardon, Shaundale Green, Gavyn Ripley, Leah Smith, Hannah Van Dyke, and Cheyann Stevenson

• The Headcases, the WWMS writing group, has gotten off to a strong start with

over 10 members on the first day. Plans are in place to put out another book this year and have more author visits, along with a possible visit by a local publisher. In addition, group sponsor Anthony Klancar has started weekly writing workshops that will focus on specific skill sets and submitting writing to national and local markets. At the first workshop, members created accounts on a submission management database and wrote their “about the author” blurbs.

Membership is always open and meetings for general readings are on Thursdays from 2:45 - 4:00 p.m., with the workshops on Mondays from 2:45 - 4:00 p.m. “I guarantee that you can expect some wonderful things from the minds of the Headcases this year,” said Klancar.

• In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15, students in

Lisa Giblin’s seventh and eighth grade Spanish I classes began creating PowerPoint presentations about Spanish-speaking countries. The students

chose a country they were interested in visiting and began a voyage of exploration that will culminate in class presentations. “This project gives students a chance to look in depth at a country they are interested in and then share their findings with their classmates,” said Giblin.

• The middle and high school bands are getting geared up for Band Night, which is

Friday, September 23. There is one after-school rehearsal on Wednesday, September 21 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium and stadium.

“This year we will be featuring music by the Beatles,” said Winton Woods Middle School Band Director Kara Barbee. “Songs include ‘Get Back,’ ‘Let it Be,’ ‘When I'm 64’ and ‘Hey Jude.’ We had a great response for this year's t-shirt contest. Winton Woods High School seniors Katelyn and Kristen Budke created the winning design and will receive a free Band Night t-shirt (a $10 value). We are also excited that 3N1 Men's Fashions will be awarding the winner a free school uniform.” All submitted designs are on display at WWMS.

• Would you like to climb a volcano? Zip though the top of the rain forest trees?

Meet and live with kids and families from Costa Rica? Then you will want to contact WWMS Social Studies teacher Dave Clark about exploring the possibility of a trip to Costa Rica. Current plans include travel to Costa Rica right after school ends in May. Those interested should e-mail Clark at clark.david@wintonwoods.org.

• Don't miss out on SCUBA! Last year we took 23 adventurous folks, including 13 new dive class graduates, on a spring break adventure in Florida to dive the springs, snorkel with the manatees and drift dive the Rainbow River. On that June trip we camped and dove the Portage Quarry, sharing the water with "more bass than you can shake a stick at." SCUBA classes are held 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons at the Walnut Hills High School pool and will finish before the Christmas holiday.

• Does your student want to go to Costa Rica, visit San Francisco with our Chinese

students, learn to SCUBA dive and more ... and your checking account is on empty?

We have a plan: sign up to work at games for the division-leading Bengals to make money for your student. More than one adult can work for your student, and the funds can really pile up. You can earn up to $200 per adult per game! Bring some friends! You can then apply this money to all those adventures your student wants to do ... and, of course, they will then help you out with all the house and yard work!

• Winton Woods Middle School has opened their new Warrior Store. Monday, September 12, was the first day being open for business. The store is located in the cafeteria and is open during both A and B lunches each school day. The store sells school supplies for Warrior Bucks. Warrior Bucks are "bucks" earned by students for making good choices. Cash is not accepted—only Warrior Bucks! Some of the items being sold in the store are #2 pencils, mechanical pencils, binders, notebook filler paper, highlighters, notebook dividers, pens, book covers and much more. It was felt that the best way to serve our students was to make the store more accessible during the school day by opening the store during the lunch time. The store is being operated during each lunch time by students from both seventh and eighth grade. These students were chosen by staff members because they are hard workers, trustworthy, and reliable.

• The WWMS library/media center now offers The Cincinnati Enquirer and The

New York Times newspapers daily from Monday through Friday. Staff has The New York Times available to them on-line Monday through Friday.

The library/media center has been a busy place since school opened. There have been teacher meetings—before, during and after school, professional development meetings, facilitators meetings, science classes, language arts classes, Study Skills for seventh grade and multi-handicapped classes. Students have used the net books, laptops and desktop computers, along with checking out books for classes and pleasure. The library/media center was also used for "Meet the Teacher Night" to show a DVD on the Promethean Board about daily activity at WWMS. New books purchased this summer are being added to the library collection daily. Please stop by and see all the new changes.

In the health and physical education department, students were given the opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the tragedy of 9/11. The students watched a short video clip to give them insight to the terrible incident that occurred ten years from this past weekend before going out to the track to run for nine minutes and eleven seconds. This was a way for students to show their respect for the families of those that passed 10 years ago and to pay tribute to the troops that continue to fight for their freedom. The "Run to Remember" was a great success, and students were left both exhausted and in appreciation.

• From Winton Woods Middle School Intervention Specialist Robert Guinan:

First, I want to say a BIG thank you to my Winton Woods family. I don’t think I could have survived what I did without your love and support. Last year at this time I was dealing with the wonderful side effects of chemo. This year, feeling a whole lot better, I am participating in the 2011 Cincinnati Undy 5000 on Saturday, October 8 at Great American Ballpark. You might ask, “What is the Undy 5000?” Well, let me tell you. It’s a 5K run/walk to benefit the Colon Cancer Alliance. I hope to raise money to help those who have cancer and those who might be at risk. The fun part is that the run/walk is in your underwear. This allows all sorts of creativity. I wanted to extend a welcoming hand to any and all that would be interested in joining me. I’m looking for teammates and/or donations. If you’re interested, go to the website listed below. My team name is “Great Endings.” Please support my involvement in the Undy 5000 with a tax-deductible donation. Your support will help us prevent colorectal cancer and save lives. For more information on the Undy 5000, please visit www.Undy5000.org or the Colon Cancer Alliance's website at www.CCAlliance.org.

• Students in Heather Edler's Gateway to Technology class learned about several different types of sketches. The students drew the sketches in class and then had to read the sketches correctly to build objects.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

22 –Student of the Month Recognition 26 - Market Day pick-up in the WWIS cafeteria from 6:00-7:00 p.m. 29 - 100 Warrior Points Celebration - Students must have earned 100 points to participate. Activity to be announced. 30 - WWIS Picture Day – Students must wear uniforms.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• On Wednesday, September 21, WWES is hosting a children's theater group that will be giving their anti-bullying presentation to third and fourth graders. Each homeroom will participate in a session with trainer Deondra Means in September and then again in November.

• Last week's VIW (Very Important Warrior) winners were selected on Thursday, September 15, and given a special prize for showing the highest character. The lucky VIWs were: James Djangma, Larry Huff, Sean Rugless, Godfred Annang, and Dyamond Thurmond.

• October 4: Third graders will be taking the Reading Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA).

• October 5: WWES will be hosting Family Math Night for parents and students. The event is open to all families of third and fourth grade students and begins at 7:00 p.m.

• October 7-13: WWES Book Fair will take place during the students' regular library time. This year's theme is "Reading is Out of This World." Students may purchase books and other items using cash or check only.

Winton Woods Primary News:

Calendar of Events ~ September

• 29 PN Fall Picture Day - Uniforms

Calendar of Events ~ October

• 6 PS PTA Walk-a-Thon

• 14 1st Quarter Ends

• 14 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students) • 15 Hispanic Heritage Month Ends (September 15-October 15) • 20 PN Popcorn & a Movie (1st Qtr. Positive Behavior) 2:00 p.m. • 20 PN/PS Parent Conferences (5:00-8:35 p.m.) • 21 PN/PS Parent Conferences (9:00-4:20 p.m.) No Students

• 24-28 PN/PS Fall Scholastic Book Fair • 25 PN Muffins with Mom & Visit the Book Fair (PTA) 8:00 a.m. • 25 PS Fall Picture Day - Uniforms

• 27 PN Donuts with Dad & Visit the Book Fair (PTA) 8:00 a.m. • 27 Pre School Harvest Parties (11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.) • 28 PN/PS K-2 Harvest Parties (11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.)

ATTENTION ... Rocket Readers Club Members and Magic Math Club

• Primary South will host two new clubs this year: Rocket Reader Club and Magic Math Club. Tracy Senger will be our reading facilitator and Buddy Homan will be our math facilitator. Clubs are scheduled to begin in October for one day a week from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Go Wee Warriors!

• Primary North would like to thank their families for the overwhelming response of interest for the reading and math clubs. If, for any reason, any of the first 14 applicants are unable to attend, other applicants will be notified of an opening.

o The Primary North second grade Rocket Reader Club will begin on October 5, and the first grade Rocket Reader Club will begin on January 18, 2012. There will be 14 participants in each group. Members of the Rocket Reader club will be notified by a letter and phone call this week. Remember whether a student is in the club or not ... READERS ARE LEADERS!

o The Primary North Math Magician's members were contacted this week. We have a waiting list of students who are interested in attending this club, so it is important to return your signed contract to Debbie Grueninger this week. Thank you.

• Primary North and Primary South students have been busy this week learning about the Constitution of the United States of America. Our classrooms are active in observing this important day in our nation's history through activities and learning of the freedoms our Founding Fathers secured for us.

• Students in Nancy Bleisch's art class at Primary North learned about the "rules" of the United States during Constitution Day on Thursday, September 15. The students also had the opportunity to use a quill pen to sign a shortened version of the Constitution during class.

• On September 17, 1787, the U.S. Constitution was signed by the Founding Fathers of our country. In preparation for Constitution Day, all of the classes at Primary South learned about our laws and the rights of our citizens. Kindergarten students learned about the “rules” of our country and were given coloring packets to work on and discuss. First grade classes discussed how their “class expectations” are like the Constitution in that they are the rules we must follow in order for our classroom to be safe and a place of learning. The second grade classes have not only been reading about the Constitution, each class has created their own class “Constitution.”

• As classes at Primary South have been learning more about Constitution and remembering the events of 9-11, there have been many conversations about the men and women protecting our freedom. One conversation hit particularly close to home for one of the students in Tracy Reardon’s first grade class. Aidan Popil’s father, Staff Sergeant Kevin Popil, is a soldier in Afghanistan serving his fourth tour of duty. Although he may be far away, Staff Sergeant Popil has been e-mailing Mrs. Reardon to try to keep involved in his son’s life and schooling. As one of their Constitution Day activities, each of the students in Aidan’s class wrote a letter to Staff Sergeant Popil wishing him luck and thanking him for keeping us free. Thank you Staff Sergeant Popil for making such a great sacrifice for all of us and for teaching our students through your strength and courage!

• Primary North Hispanic students, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, will be reciting the Wee Warrior Pledge during the morning announcements. Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 - October 15. The month is set aside to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and to celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. The term Hispanic or Latino, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish cultures of origin regardless of race.

• Each month Primary North students will be nominated by their teachers for demonstrating positive character traits. In September Teresa Stone nominated first grader Elisbeth Arguelles Veras and Barb Lumsden nominated second grader Norah Ramahi for exemplifying the character trait of responsibility. Congratulations, Elisbeth and Norah!

Mrs. Stone writes, "We are lucky this year in first grade to have many students who demonstrate daily the character trait of responsibility. It is with great honor that I am able to nominate Elisbeth Arguelles Veras as the student that

exemplifies responsibility in our classroom. Elisbeth comes to school ready to learn. She is prepared with materials, follows routines and encourages others to do the same. Elisbeth is not only responsible for herself, she supports her classmates in a variety of ways. She is a role model in her actions and behaviors. Others in the class often look to Elisbeth in order to check their own actions and behaviors. Elisbeth has many friends and encourage everyone in the class to do their best. Elisbeth's assigned seat is by a classmate who is easily distracted and active in our classroom. She is kind to her friend when he intrudes in her space, helping him get back on pace. Helping others in our classroom comes naturally to Elisbeth, and always with kind words and a smile. The Wee Warrior Pledge cites responsibility as a key component to learning. Elisbeth is a role model every day for this trait. She never interrupts, is always prepared, listens intently, and follows all directions. While she is being responsible for herself, she is also responsible to other students. So it with great pride and honor that the Sharks in room 7 at Primary North nominate Elisbeth Arguelles Veras for the student who exemplifies responsibility in first grade.”

Ms. Lumsden writes, "As part of the Wee Warrior Pledge, Primary North students promise daily to be responsible. What does being responsible mean? Norah Ramahi knows and displays in my classroom the many attributes of being a responsible student. A responsible student is one who is answerable for their own words and choices. Norah takes time to stop and think and then always makes a good

choice. Norah's positive behavior indicates she understands choices have consequences. Therefore, Norah chooses to follow the classroom rules. A responsible student exercises self control in difficult situations and always does the right thing. Norah displays good judgment. A responsible student is reliable and dependable. Norah gets to work immediately and completes her in-class assignments on time. She is ready at the asking to help others. She is a student I can depend on for help throughout the day. She follows through with any task given to her. Norah is a wonderful role model for her classmates. They are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn responsibility through Norah's example.”

WWC PTA News:

• Message from Ohio PTA: Mark your calendar: September 26 is Family Day. Maybe you've never heard of Family Day. The concept is simple. On Family Day, make sure you eat dinner with your children. Dad, the research is clear. The more often your kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs. See, when you eat dinner as a family, you are spending time with your kids talking to them about their friends and what is going on in their lives. You have an opportunity to look for red flags, and you have an opportunity to coach and mentor them by answering their questions and setting a good example. Family Day is a national movement launched by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse to help parents connect with their kids and prevent drug and alcohol abuse. And though the official date is September 26, the more often you eat dinner as a family, the better! It's not enough to just eat dinner together, rushing through the meal so you can get back to your book, work, or television program. Turn off the TV. Leave your cell phones in the other room. Let the answering machine do its job. Talk to your kids during dinner. Ask questions like: * What was your favorite part of the day? * What was your least favorite part of the day? * Are you having any problems you need help with? Of course, this might be uncomfortable at first, particularly if your kids have entered the private teenage years. But if you and your spouse model healthy communication habits, your kids will, at a minimum, observe the two of you share ideas and brainstorm for solutions (when obstacles present themselves). So mark your calendars: September 26. (But start this habit right away.)