December 2011 A community where learners excel!NewsletterNewsletter

Vol. XII, No. 4

Board of Education: Don Edwards-President; Jack Sines-Vice President; Spyros Dimatos, Melissa Stephens, Judy WarnerSuperintendent of Schools-Robert Bundy

Associate Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction, Health/Safety Matters & Special Education-Kathleen Dixon

Student receives National Merit recognition

Senior Emily Feldpausch has been named a commended student in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented

by the principal to this scholastically talented senior.

About 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships, commended students placed among the top fi ve percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2012 competition by taking the 2010 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“Th e young men and women being named commended students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “Th ese students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

A spooky way to spend Halloween

Halloween means tricks and treats and ghosts and goblins. While the fourth-graders didn’t actually see any ghosts, they learned about the history and the lives of those who

are buried at the Kattelville Cemetery on their recent visit there on Halloween. Th e fourth grade takes this trip every year to learn about the people buried there, the history of our area and to take tombstone rubbings.

In the classroom, before their trip, students looked at a death record from Lansingburgh, N.Y., and discussed the many reasons why people, including many babies, died younger, in the 17 and 1800 hundreds compared to today.

While at the cemetery, fourth-grade teachers discussed the many diff erent types of

Students in Sue Johnson’s class look at the section of the cemetery that was designated for the welfare population.

Sydney Young takes a rubbing of a stone. See cemetery, page 10.

Emily Feldpausch.

W

December 20112 DistrictDistrictArt students are published

The Pine Tree Poetry and Art Collection in North Carolina announced that 19 Chenango Forks art students’ (12 who are current students and seven who graduated last June) work has been published in its national

publication to be released in January.

Th is is the third year that Chenango Forks art students have been selected. Congratulations to these students in showcasing their artistic talents and for gaining national recognition for their work through publication.

CFE: Kelly Saroka and Ellie Rosko.

HS: Sethiah Lake, Carlene Solomon, Stephanie Zdimal, Noelle Valla, Sarah Maximowicz, Alicia Sullivan, Emily DeYoung, Courtney Cook, Rachel Bouton and Hallie Mayo.

GRADUATES: Jackson Haskell, Sarah Andrus, Brooke Robertson, Joe Sweeney, Shelby Haven, Holly Price and Alexandra Koulikas.

Chenango Forks High School will be receiving a free copy of the Pine Tree Art Collection for our library. -Keith Rosko, HS art teacher

Ellie Rosko and Sarah Maximowicz show Rachel Burdick, right, their work in the “Pine Tree” annual art publication.

Consolidation study between CF and CV update

At the time of publication, the fi nal details on starting the consolidation study were not complete. Please check the CF website for updates. If you have any questions, please contact the superintendent’s offi ce at 648-7540.

-Bob Bundy, superintendent

Stand up to bullying

In October a group of teachers and administrators spent two days of intensive training on bullying as part of the CF elementary and middle school Olweus bullying prevention coordinating committee training. Two ten-member teams from each building, including

building principals, participated in this training. Th e training included presentations by Olweus trainers Mary Waskie, Alyssa Allio and Kathleen Dixon.

An important component of the training was a role-playing activity. Staff played various roles in a bullying scenario, including the bully, the victim, students who helped the bully, students who stood aside and watched, and students who stepped in to help the victim. Staff then discussed how they felt in their roles and shared some of their personal experiences as students growing up. Other discussion topics included what makes a bully, who is a victim, as well as many other topics related to this emotional and very real issue.

According to Dan Olweus, Ph.D and Susan P. Limber, Ph.D, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is an excellent way to provide teachers and other staff with step-by-step instructions and the necessary background information to eff ectively address bullying in our schools. Each building team is in the process of working with our District Health Advisory Council to create a safe and secure “zero tolerance for bullying” practice a priority for our students and staff members at Chenango Forks.

We’ll keep you updated with news and dates of our progress throughout the year. -Linda Myers, communications coordinator

During a role-playing exercise, fi fth-grade teacher Jim Bender is the victim and fourth-grade teacher Jodie Will is the student who watches.

Consolidation study between CF and CV update

At the time of publication, the fi nal details on starting the consolidation study were not complete. Please checkAthe CF website for updates. If you have any questions, please contact the superintendent’s offi ce at 648-7540. A

-Bob Bundy, superintendent

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3December 2011

As part of National Chemistry Week, the local American Chemical Society sponsored an illustrated poem contest for students K-12.

Students had to write a poem and illustrate it according to the theme, “Chemistry: Our Health, Our Future.” Alexandra Yoest and Lyndsey Stone, both students in Alison Brennan’s advanced seventh-grade science class, won fi rst and second place in the middle school division.

Seniors Stephanie Zdimal and Laura Haley from Keith Rosko’s art class won fi rst and second place respectively in the high school division.

All the CF students received a gift certifi cate to Barnes and Noble and recognition by the American Chemical Society. Stephanie’s and Alexandra’s poster went on to the national contest in Washington, D.C.

-Alison Brennan, MS science teacher

Students win poem contest

Alexandra Yoest and her poem.

DistrictDistrict

After-Prom Party clothing sale

If you placed an order for Forks clothing through the After-Prom Party sale, please be sure to come to the high school cafeteria to pick up your items on the following

dates:

Wednesday, December 14 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Th ursday, December 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

We are still looking for committee members for this year’s After-Prom Party committee. If you are a parent of a junior or senior CF student and would like to become involved in this fun-fi lled event, please contact Sheila Sullivan at 648-5430, or go the APP page on the school’s website at www.cforks.org. Click on “Parent Portal” and “After-Prom Party Committee” to see postings and get on our email list.

-APP committee

Stephanie’s illustration received second place at the national competition. Congratulations!

Stephanie Zdimal and her poem.

December 20114 DistrictDistrictCasey Swamp continues to grow

Once again, students and staff continued work on Casey Swamp. Now in it’s seventh

year, this wetland restoration project continues to grow. Staff from the Baltimore Aquarium delivered native plants that students transplanted into the small pool located in the nursery behind the science wing at the high school. Th e plants stay there over the winter so they acclimate to the local

weather. Members of the Envirothon Club were involved directly with the Baltimore staff in overseeing this annual transplanting.

In the spring these plants will be transplanted into Casey Swamp to enhance the water clarity and quality as well as replace the non-native invasive plant species that have grown there. Th is eff ort is to ultimately improve the

water quality of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Gray Reid’s residential construction class has nearly completed the new walkway that runs around the front edge of the swamp. More railings will be added and it is expected the walkway will be completed by spring. Th is class maintains the walkway area by picking up trash and debris and making sure the walkway is in good repair.

Th is project is spearheaded by the National Aquarium in Baltimore to help

restore wetland plant diversity in the Susquehanna River Basin. It is sponsored by the National Aquarium, the Upper Susquehanna Coalition and the Triad Foundation. For the past seven years, students and staff at many grade levels have helped keep this project going by planting, cleaning, expanding trails, creating identifi cation signs and maintaining the general area in and around the swamp. It is truly a wonderful project and we invite the community to visit the area.

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

Matt Hole reaches in the water to get some garbage.Carley Church works on trays for the plants.

Seamus Houlihan prepares a plant for its new home.

Carlene Solomon transplants a plant.CCCC lll SSSS lll t plll t

Mike Zurenda puts a tray of plants in the water.

5December 2011 DistrictDistrictPumpkin run a spooky success

It was another successful pumpkin run at the Forks. Th is year, the overall winners were fi rst-graders Matt Conklin and Anna Kalivoda. Matt had a time of 7:07 and Anna

had a time of 7:57.

Th is was the tenth annual Pumpkin Run and it was a spooktacular race highlighted by fi ve third-graders in the top 12 and two fi rst-graders who fi nished 17th and 18th out of a fi eld of 48 fi nishers.

Th anks to the Cook family who donated the giant fi rst place pumpkins and the CF Cross Country teams for decorating all of the pumpkins and conducting the race. Below are the place winners in each grade.

3rd Grade 1st: Ryan Locke (7:20) & Lauren White (11:21) 2nd: Logan Gumble (7:25) & Madison Hamilton (11:40) 3rd: Trent Bender- 10:15

4th Grade1st: Cameron Drumm (7:09) & Abby Pixley (9:55)2nd: Corey Tye (9:14) & Meira Wood (10:32)3rd: Victor Arciolla (9:26) & Kristina Edwards (12:30)

5th Grade1st: Nick Crumb (7:53) & Loretta Wachter (10:38)2nd: Nick Boeker (8:02) & Hailey Merrick (10:51)3rd: Declan Houlihan (8:54) & Marissa Will (13:27)

Th e sixth grade had two runners: Patrick Saroka, who was fi rst with a time of 7:26, and Graydon Vick, with a time of 7:29. If you would like your son or daughter’s times, email Larry Brooks at brooksl@cforks.org.

-Larry Brooks, HS science teacher & cross country coach

Anna Kalivoda and Matt Conklin.

PTA Fall Festival a hit

The Fall Festival was a

success! Th ank you to all of our Chenango Forks teachers, administrators, parents and especially our loyal volunteers who helped to make our November PTA programs a success. Fall Festival was an evening of games, raffl es, entertainment, refreshments and lots of family fun. We greatly appreciate all of the planning and organizing that went into this event. Special thanks goes out to Heather Lake, Christine Duff y-Webb, Michelle Episale, Caroline Waddle and Bonnie Drumm for their time and eff orts to make this a wonderful event for everyone. Also a special thanks to BCC Early Childhood Department students Libby Norton, Maureen McDermott and Rachel Turner, as well as the National Honor Society members who all volunteered their time at the Fall Festival.

Th e PTA needs you. PTA-sponsored and funded activities are an enormous value to the district. We cannot achieve our full potential without the support of active and committed PTA members who want to make a diff erence in the quality of our children’s education and school community.

To become a PTA member, join us at our next meeting on December 6, 3:30 p.m. in the CFE library. You can also call our membership chair, Laurie Forker, at 648-9715 for more information on becoming a member.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please call or email any of our PTA offi cers.

President: Henry Arciolla, henry.arciolla@gmail.com, 648-2258

Vice-president: Christine Duff y-Webb, duff y-web@sunybroome.com, 222-7520

Treasurer: Candace Madison, candiemaddie@yahoo.com, 648-4399

Secretary: Kerri Vail, dkvail@frontier.com648-8010.

-Kerri Vail, PTA secretary

Madison Ashman, Tierney Daniels and Quinn Tasber enjoy the PTA Fall Festival.

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December 20116 Chenango Forks ElementaryChenango Forks ElementaryPrincipal’s message

No matter what your beliefs, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time full of magic and wonder, with lots and lots of questions. Will there be

a snow day tomorrow? Am I on the naughty list? Whatever the question, remember they are important to your little one. Take time to enjoy them each and every day. Th ey grow up so fast.

In the spirit of the holidays, here is my wish list for the 2011 holiday:

1) Health-May all CF students be heathy this holiday season. I hope they all get a fl u shot and wear warm snow pants, coats, hats and mittens. (If you need assistance, please contact the offi ce).

2) Learning-I hope all families make a resolution to organize family reading time every night.

3) Kindness-I hope each student at CFE shows kindness to each other and looks out for their friends. It’s all about being part of a wonderful community. Also, please think about our neighbors in need this season. I am looking forward to our Holiday Christmas Basket program where

donations from the community allow for families in our district to receive food, clothing and gifts for the holidays.

4) Sharing-Sometimes sharing isn’t just about “things.” It can be about thoughts and feelings. I hope parents at CFE share with their child’s teacher something positive they are hearing about the classroom and that all our staff get the opportunity to refl ect on the diff erences they are making in each of our students’ lives.

A special thank you to the PTA for a wonderful fall festival last month. Th ere were many opportunities for families to interact and have fun. If you haven’t joined the PTA, please consider adding it to your holiday gift list. Th e PTA provides many opportunities for our students each year.

As always, I am available for questions, concerns and comments. Have a very Happy Holiday.

-Nicole Knapp, CFE principal

Dental care is important for our elementary students

Proper and consistent dental care is an important part of our overall health and starting our youngsters on the road to good oral hygiene is

even more important.

Th e Lourdes dental van visited CFE last month. Th e dental van off ers free screenings, hygiene lessons and a parent report to send home. Th e dental van allows for a worry-free dental check up and can help ease fears that often accompany visits to the dentist. A special thank you to Lourdes for off ering this service to our students. If you are interested in this service, please contact our school nurses: Michele Adam at 648-7522 or Cindy Bucker at 648-7531 for more information.

-Nicole Knapp, CFE principal

Morning Program at CFE

Our Morning Program character theme for December is holiday spirit and giving. We are teaching our students that it is better to give than receive. In classrooms and at morning program

this month, we’ll be brainstorming ways we can be giving. Maybe it’s giving of our time, giving of our love and friendship, or giving of goods to those less fortunate than us. What can you give this holiday season?

How do you get into the holiday spirit? At morning program, we’ll celebrate the season by singing festive songs like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Must Be Santa,” and the “Dreidel Song.” Also, fi rst-grade classes and kindergartners will be sharing with us what they have learned about giving and the holiday spirit. We welcome you to join us for morning program on every day 6 at 9:05 a.m. in the CFE auditorium. We hope to see you there.

-Nicole Laura, CFE library media specialist

CFE December dates12/2 & 3 Drama Club Show Choir performance @ 7 p.m.12/6 PTA mtg., @ 3:30 p.m., CFE library

12/12 HS/MS Band Concert @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium 12/19 HS/MS Choral Concert @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium

12/20 Site council mtg., @ 2:35 p.m., CFE library12/23-1/2/12 Winter recess. No school.2/17/12 *NEW-School in session*3/16/12 *NEW-School in session*

7December 2011

“Caught with Character”Chenango Forks ElementaryChenango Forks Elementary

It’s who you are. It’s what you do. It’s the way you live your life. Character counts!

Lisa Diamond’s kindergarten class

Mary Collin’s second-grade class

Danielle Wood’s fi rst-grade class

Rachel Bender’s third-grade classRachel Bender’s third-grade class

Jodie Will’s fourth-grade class

Mary Emm’s fi fth-grade class

December 20118

Halloween made easy

Dressing up for Halloween is fun but sometimes the costumes can be expensive or daunting to make. Middle School Art Club students found a creative,

fun and inexpensive way to dress up for Halloween.

Th e students created Halloween masks using only brown paper bags and scrap paper to create a recycled and wearable piece of artwork for the up-coming holiday.

Students came up with some very interesting and creative masks that many wore to the dance over Halloween weekend. It was a way to show students that a costume can be fun, scary or creative without being expensive or hard to make.

-Jessica Russell, MS art teacher

Punt, Pass, Kick

Chenango Forks elementary and middle school students took to the fi eld for the annual Punt, Pass, Kick contest held at Chenango Forks in October. Congratulations to:

L.J. Watson who had a score of 350 (boys, 12-13) Anastasia Rusnak who had a score 287 (girls, 12-13) Robin Confer who had a score of 211 (girls, 10-11)Stephen Shepard & Jo-Jo Holmes who both had a score of 253 (boys, 10-11)Hunter Gibbore who had a score of 223 (boys, 8-9)Avery Copeland who had a score of 163 (girls, 8-9)

Lauren Ashman (188) and Sophia Rusnak (166) also competed in the local competition

Th ese students all qualifi ed to compete in the regional competition in Oneonta. Both Avery and Anastasia did so well that they qualifi ed to participate in the state competition, which was held during the Buff alo Bills game on November 6.

Avery placed third in her age group and Anastasia placed second in her group. Placing at this level is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations!

-Paul Derr, MS P.E. teacher & Kelly Hillis, CFE P.E. teacher

Anastasia Rusnak and L.J. Watson.

CFE/Middle SchoolCFE/Middle School

Front: Avery Copeland, Lauren Ashman, Sophie Rusnak.Back: Hunter Gibbore, Jo-Jo Holmes, Robin Confer.

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9December 2011 Middle SchoolMiddle School

Are kids still the same?

Many say children have changed as compared to when we were kids. I never had XBOX 360, a cell phone, an IPOD or Facebook. Th ey weren’t available to us “way back when.” When I went home, the only way I could “connect” with

my friends was to walk down the street, knock on the door or pick up the telephone to call and verbally speak to them. Th ese connections were made one at a time. Today, kids can connect with multiple friends simultaneously and arrange “get togethers” in mere seconds without actually speaking or seeing another person. Some argue this is wrong.

Kids today are diff erent than when we were kids; they have opportunities available to them that we didn’t have. However, children are still the same in many ways as well. Our fi rst middle school dances are prime examples. Much of the music played were remakes or songs that I loved as a teenager. Th e children line danced, some hovered in corners and talked, others played basketball, and many dressed up in good old fashioned costumes we would’ve worn growing up (see photos below.) Even though kids today are diff erent, they still know the values we expect: how to respect one another, be responsible for their behavior, act reasonably, and still have fun.

We will continue to reinforce what we expect from our children at school, enjoy the similarities from “way back when” and embrace the positive behaviors they have acquired from the present.

-Lori Pourby, MS principal

12/2 & 3 Drama Club Show Choir performance @ 7 p.m.12/5 Site council mtg., @ 2:15 p.m.12/6 PTA mtg., @ 3:30 p.m., CFE library

2/12 HS/MS Band Concert @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium12/16 MS/HS 15-week progress reports

12/19 HS/MS Choral Concert @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium12/23-1/2/12 Winter recess. No school.2/17/12 *NEW-School in session*3/16/12 *NEW-School in session*

Middle School December dates

Sixth-graders Bailey Hosier as a clown, left, and Ashley Lupka as a smurf, enjoy the dance. Sixth-grader Ben Ashbaugh dressed up as a

werewolf for the dance.

December 201110 Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolA lesson in vitamin C

In celebration of mole day and the theme “Our Health, Our Future,” Alison Brennan’s eighth-graders invited Karen Shapiro’s sixth-grade health class to their science classroom

for a lesson on vitamin C.

Shapiro and Brennan discussed how chemistry and health relate to one another. Th en the eighth-graders taught the sixth-graders how to perform a chemical test for vitamin C. Students used an iodine and starch solution as an indicator for vitamin C. Next,

they tested three household solutions: orange juice, Tang and a vitamin C tablet dissolved in water. Th e eighth-graders taught the sixth-graders how to conduct the test and how to use a chart to record their data. Th e sixth-graders discovered that a vitamin C tablet has the most amount of vitamin C, closely followed by the orange juice. Tang had the least amount.

Th e activity was enjoyed by everyone and showed the students how chemistry and health go together.

-Alison Brennan, MS science teacher

Sixth-grader Lucas Gaworecki, left, and eighth-grader Anthony Frissora work on testing for vitamin C.

Eighth-graders Casey Clements and Kristina Collyer work with sixth-grader Patrick Saroka on fi guring out how much vitamin C is in the different liquids.

gravestones, the names and ages of those buried and some of the earliest settlers who lived here hundreds of years ago. Th e curriculum is focused on local history, especially the discussions on Jane Port and the Kattelle monument.

Sydney Fendick said, “It was really fun. We got to fi nd out why there are diff erent gravestones and why some are bigger than others.”

Students also took crayon rubbings of gravestones as a souvenir of the trip. Students took them home to help them remember the stories that they heard and show their families.

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator & Jennifer Sanford, 4th-grade teacher

Cemetery, from page 1.

Hunter Gibbore and Ethan Brown take a stone rubbing.

Jennifer Sanford’s students read the engraving on a tombstone.J fif SS ff dd’’ dd dd hh

H Gibb d E h B k

11December 2011 Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolMole Day in the middle school

Mole Day. What exactly is Mole Day? Th is is a day celebrated annually on October 23 from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. Mole Day commemorates Amedeo

Avogadro’s Number (6.02 x 1023), which is a basic measuring unit in chemistry. Mole Day was created as a way to foster interest in chemistry in schools throughout the United States and around the world. Students celebrated Mole Day with various activities related to chemistry and/or moles.

Eight chemistry graduate students from Binghamton University visited the science classes in honor of Mole Day. Th e students discussed their

research at BU and then performed chemistry and health related demonstrations with both the eighth- and advanced

seventh-graders. Students were able to see how dirty and contaminated water is fi ltered by chemicals (just like in a Brita or Pur fi lter), how iron can be removed from our morning cereal, and how chemical reactions can change color three times in a matter of seconds.

Th e BU students then showed how they can make a substance that acts like mucus and captures allergens and dust particles. Students mixed glue, water and a Borax solution (laundry booster/detergent) to make the “mucus.” Th e Borax solution linked all the glue molecules together to form a structure sturdy enough to bounce.

Students also brought in plenty of goodies to share with not only their classmates but with all the science classes. It was a “Mole-tastic” day.

-Alison Brennan, MS science teacher

Sixth-graders learn the dangers of smoking

As adults, we all know the dangers associated with smoking and tobacco use. However, middle school-age students may not clearly understand these dangers. Sixth- and eight-graders in Karen Shapiro’s health classes

had the opportunity to learn just that when staff from Lourdes Youth Services came to give a presentation on this important topic.

Lourdes educators Maria Fabrizi and Nate Grassi came to the middle school to talk about tobacco use, addictions associated with it and what can happen to our bodies when we use it.

To help illustrate this, they brought in a two pig lungs. One was healthy and the other had been injected with carcinogens that would be found in tobacco. Th e students were able to see and touch the lungs and see the diff erence between healthy and diseased lungs. Fabrizi and Grassi also put the students through an exercise using tootsie rolls to demonstrate what it is like to have a craving for something. Students were allowed to smell and lick a tootsie roll but were not allowed to eat them until the end of class. Th e students were able to experience what it was like to want to eat the candy (craving) and be deprived of it, therefore understanding what it might be like to have

an addiction. Vlad Nikolayev said, “I think the pigs lungs were a good representation of the damage smoking can do.” Using props such as lungs and chocolate gave students a true understanding of why tobacco use is a bad habit.

-Karen Shapiro, MS health teacher

Nick Boyle looks at the diseased pig lung.

Reece Wiley and Ted Statts react to touching a real pig lung.

Jenna Croswell makes the ‘mucus.’

Ryan Ehrets.

JeJ a CCCros ellllll kkakes thhhe ‘‘‘ c s ’’’’

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December 201112 Middle School/High SchoolMiddle School/High SchoolTh e importance of Internet safety

Karen Shapiro’s sixth- and eighth-grade health classes welcomed Patti Sweeney, middle school

library media specialist, to their classroom as a special guest speaker to discuss Internet safety. Sweeney is a certifi ed iSafe instructor and for many years has been teaching middle school students about protecting themselves online and being a good cybercitizens. With social networking and technology becoming more integrated into the daily lives of students, Internet safety is an evolving message that is more important than ever.

Sweeney said, “Internet safety and responsible use of technology is something that needs to be continually reinforced with young people. Keeping personal information private, setting privacy controls on social networking sites, and protecting themselves against cyberbullying are the three important lessons I stress to middle school

students. Kids are often using technology tools without understanding that they need to “Th ink” before they click. Th e reality is that once something is posted online, they cannot get it back.”

Although technology provides many wonderful ways for students to learn, there is growing evidence that students sometimes use technology to bully one another. Raising awareness on this issue with students and speaking honestly about the damage cyberbullying can do is an important piece of the Internet safety instruction. Students also learn how to protect themselves from cyberbullying.

“Students need to understand that cyberbullying should never be tolerated and that there are technology tools and now laws that are being passed to help protect victims and hold those doing the bullying accountable. I try to show

students that computers have tools that can remove the anonymity of the bully and can capture evidence and track the location of computers. Knowledge is power. Th is sends an important message to all students that bullying is not something to be tolerated whether in person or online,” said Sweeney. -Linda Myers, communications coordinator &

Patti Sweeney, MS library media specialist

iPads and the digital classroom at Forks

When students entered Cheri Panko’s Spanish III class this year they knew it was going to be a diff erent class, but they had no idea how diff erent. Panko, CF’s educational technology specialist and Spanish

teacher, gave the students a taste of what is to come: a paperless, digital classroom.

Th e students accessed their study notes online using EDU 2.0, they collaborated on projects using Google Docs, then submitted them digitally to Panko for grading. Th ey do homework using a variety of online programs, including the one their textbook provides.

During the fi rst week of November they took the next step when they became part of a pilot project using iPad 2s in the classroom. Th e students now come into class each day and pick up their iPad instead of a textbook. Th ey use the iPads to read newspapers and other current event articles in Spanish as well as create multimedia projects in the language. Th ey watch CNN en Español to listen to what is happening in the Spanish speaking world in Spanish. As the school year progresses, each building will be implementing iPads as a way of impacting student achievement and supporting 21st Century learning skills. Looking to the future, when CF fully implements digital classrooms, we will be looking at a monetary savings as well as increased student achievement.

-Cheri Panko, technology integration specialist & HS Spanish teacher

Middle school library media specialist Patti Sweeney works with a student on the computer.

Chris Lowe works on his iPad.Ch i L k hi iP d

13December 2011 Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolStudent of the month

Front: Alyssa Bubniak (Information Literacy-J. Russell), Alexander Yoest (Social Studies 7-C. Spencer), Casey Clements (Spanish IB-J. Pepples), Haley Benscoter (Home & Career Skills 8-D. Daniels & P.E.-P. Derr). Back: Zach McFadden (Math 8-M. Tio), Jacob Osterhout (Academic Achievement 8-R. Fortier), Taylor Gibbore (P.E.-J. McMullen), Lauren Rooney (English 7-C. DiFeo), Makayla Rinker (Art-J. Russell).

Front: Katelyn Trammel (General Music 7-N. Wildoner), Lyndsey Confer (Academic Achievement-M. Nirchi), Katelyn Church (Band 6-J. Dybas), Anastasia Rusnak (P.E.-J. Grady). Back: Alex McRoberts (Technology 6-L. Baxter & Math 6-T. Sanford), Trey Pouch (Written Expression-M. O’Hearn), Reece Wiley (Science 6-T. Vermaat), Kori Duff ord (Technology 7-L. Baxter), Tabby Lindow (Reading-K. Church), Jessica Norton (Home & Career Skills 6-L. Breck). Unavailable for photo: Victoria Garcia (Information Literacy-M. Santacrose).

Front: Derek Everett (English 7-C. DiFeo), Ryan Ehrets (Math 7A-D. Lynch), Cody Lamond (P.E.-P. Derr), Kenoa Tio (Home & Career Skills 8-L. Breck). Back: Coulter Wiley (Home & Career Skills 7-L. Breck), Michael Feldpausch (Spanish IB-J. Pepples), Cameron O’Neil (Science 7-C. Church), Nick Walling (Band 7-J. Dybas), LJ Watson (P.E.-P. Derr). Unavailable for photo: Alyssa House (Math 7-D. Lynch).

Front: Dana Croswell (Health 8-K. Shapiro), Emma Haley (English 8-M. Zappia), Megan LeVasseur (Math 8A-M. Tio), Olivia Haskell (Regents Earth Science-L. Brooks & Art-J. Russell), Claire Stocum (Technology 8-L. Baxter). Back: Jake Flynn (Band 8-J. Dybas), Clayton Almy-Ross (French 7-J. Myers), Antonio Leo (Academic Achievement 6-J. Crandell), Charlie Syron (Social Studies 6-P. Kamp), Nick Boyle (P.E.-P. Derr), Billy Maines (Science 6-T. Urda), Ethan Stocum (Health 6-K. Shapiro). Unavailable for photo: Daniel Mardirosian (Science 8-A. Brennan), Joshua Tonkin (General Music 6-N. Wildoner).

December 201114

Student of the month

High SchoolHigh School

Valerie Dybas (Psychology-C. Spencer), Kevin Spencer (P.E.-N. Fersch), Bradley Oliver (Regents Physics-L. Laine), Laura Haley (Concepts in Design-K. Rosko). Unavailable for photo: Emily Feldpausch (AP Biology-T. Giovenco).

Seniors

Sophomores

Juniors

Freshmen

January 2012 Regents Th e January Regents will be held January 24-27.

A detailed schedule of exams with dates and times of when specifi c exams will be given will be posted on the High School website and

printed in the January edition of the newsletter.

If you have questions, please contact the High School main offi ce at 648-7544.

Front: Artur Nikolayev (Earth Science-L. Brooks), Hannah Conrad (Foods 1-D. Daniels), Tori Transue (Learning Support-M. LoPiccolo), Seamus Houlihan (BCC Geology-L. Brooks). Back: Melissa Boeker (Regents Biology-T. Giovenco), Carley Church (Geometry-M. Fendick), DelilahaLynn Wells (French II-J. Myers).

Front: Hallie Mayo Algebra/Trig II-A. Biddle), Bailey Park (Spanish III-C. Panko), Diana Bouton (Band-N. Wildoner). Back: John Colm Sweeney (Spanish III-J. Pepples), Ray Blaisure (P.E.-V. Kwartler), Caden Watson (Earth Science-T. Giovenco). Unavailable for photo: Eduard Lavrinovich (Health-K. Shapiro).

Rachel Burdick (English-A. Gumble), Morgan Furman (Chemistry-L. Tecza), Brandon Cruz (Geometry/Trig-A. Biddle), Allison Yatsonsky (Spanish IV-S. Byrnes).

15December 2011

High School December dates12/2 & 3 Drama Club Show Choir performance @ 7 p.m.12/5 Site council mtg., @ 2:20 p.m.12/6 PTA mtg., @ 3:30 p.m., CFE library12/12 HS/MS Band Concert @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium12/16 MS/HS 15-week progress reports

12/19 HS/MS Choral Concert @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium12/23-1/2/12 Winter recess. No school.2/17/12 *NEW-School in session*3/16/12 *NEW-School in session*

High SchoolHigh SchoolA study in creating artistic skulls

In the art world, symmetrical, asymmetrical and skulls can go together. Around Halloween, students in Keith Rosko’s 2D studio art classes learned a unique and fun lesson by

creating designs for Mexican Day of the Dead Calaveras (or skulls.) Th e lesson used the creation of skulls and incorporated symmetrical and asymmetrical balance.

In addition to a discussion of what balance is and how it is used by artists in both fi ne art and advertising, students were exposed to the history of Halloween, its origins and a comparison of our American celebration to the Mexican celebration of the same holiday.

After looking at Mexican Calaveras designs and traditional design motifs in sculpture, foods and ornaments, students created both symmetrical and asymmetrical designs for their

own skulls, which were then rendered in fl uorescent pastels under black light.

A secondary discussion followed about the nature of black light, U.V. radiation and what makes objects fl uoresce. Students not only learned about a diff erent way to create art but also learned about another culture and how they celebrate Halloween.

-Keith Rosko, HS visual arts teacher

Students receive AP Scholar awards

Students at Chenango Forks High School earned AP Scholar

Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP exams. Th e College Board’s Advanced Placment Program (AP) provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP exams. Th e College Board recognized the students listed below for their performance on these exams.

AP Scholar: Alexis Kellicutt (current senior) and Tyler Lawton (2011 graduate)

AP Scholar with Honor: Kristen Brooks, Lyndsey Church, Ben Daniels, Kaitlin Hulbert and Sarah Krizan (2011 graduates)

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

Drama Club A haunted house brought to life

Drama Club students put their acting talents to work as they portrayed

zombies, scary clowns and other frightening creatures for the Haunted House at Chenango Valley State Park on October 29. Staff at the state park asked the students to be a part of this event and they gladly accepted. It was a great way for students to practice their acting skills and perform in front of an audience. Alexis Kellicutt, senior.

One of the calaveras displayed under a black light.

Drama Club presents:“Th e Treblemakers,” a show choir performance. Students will perform a collection of current pop hits and selections from a variety of Broadway musicals.

December 2 & 3 7 p.m.

High School auditorium

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. -Drama Club

Junior Rebecca Miner as a zombie.

Drama Club members rehearse for the show.

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December 201116 Home of the Blue DevilsHome of the Blue Devils1 Gordon DriveBinghamton, NY 13901

Nonprofi t OrganizationU.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 155Binghamton, NY 13901

Meetings & Reminders12/6 PTA mtg., @ 3:30 p.m., CFE library12/8 BOE mtg., @ 7 p.m., MS library12/12 CFCA Board mtg., @ 7 p.m., HS lecture 112/23-1/2/12 Winter recess. No school.2/17/12 *NEW-School in session*3/16/12 *NEW-School in session*

Superintendent of SchoolsBob Bundy

Associate Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction, Health/Safety Matters & Special Education Kathleen Dixon

Business ExecutiveKathy Blackman

Communications CoordinatorLinda Myers

ECRWSS Postal Patron

Art students go green

The Chenango Forks High School Art Club (Th e Visual Revolution) is continuing it’s Ecophone cell phone recycling fundraiser this year.

We are collecting old, out of date, used and/or broken cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, used ink cartridges and thumb drives. Th ese are then sent to Ecophone, which recycles the products and pays the club for the items, no matter what condition they are in.

If you are looking to get rid of that old MP3 player, outdated iPod or the old cell phone that’s been sitting in your drawer for months, you can send them to the high school, care of Keith Rosko, and help the art students go to NYC this spring.

Questions about fundraising can be directed to Keith Rosko at the HS, or visit us online at www.cforks/fi nearts and click on the Visual Arts link.

-Keith Rosko, HS art teacher

CFE looking for military members

Are you a CF grad serving in the military? Are you a CF student or staff member who currently has a family member serving in the military or who is a veteran?

At Chenango Forks Elementary, students and staff want to recognize these service men and women for their dedication to our country by announcing their names during morning announcements.

Please contact Tami Crane at cranet@cforks.org, or call the CFE main offi ce at 607-648-7580 with your information.

-Tami Crane, CFE pre-k teacher

Winter concerts & performancesDrama Club Show Choir Performance, Dec. 2 & 3, @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium

HS/MS Band Concert, December 12, @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium

HS/MS Choral Concert, December 19, @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium

5th-Grade Band & Chorus Concert, January 18 @ 7 p.m., CFE auditorium

Christmas Basket program

Each year, many families in our community fi nd themselves struggling to make ends meet. And, each year, the CF Student Council Christmas Basket program helps.

Non-perishable food items, clothing, toys, books and monetary donations will be collected through December 15 at all CF schools.

Th rough your generosity, we will be able to make Christmas a happier time for more than 100 CF families. Items will be distributed on December 17 at the CF Fire Station from 9 a.m. until all items are gone.

Community Budget CommitteeTh e district is looking for those interested in serving on a Community Budget Committee. Call

business executive Kathy Blackman at 648-7564 or email, blackmank@cforks.org.

-The Christmas Basket Committee