October 17, 2014

Wheatland-Chili Central

Schools Electronic Newsletter

T. J. Connor Students Take Their Learning Outside

Recently, first- and second-grade students at T. J. Connor took field trips to expand upon what they have been learning in class. First-grade students went to Genesee

Country Nature Center for a fall nature walk. Led by a guide, students learned how to make “deer ears” to listen to their

surroundings and their guide. They saw a variety of plants and animals and also learned about the vernal pond. Students will return in spring to observe changes that occurred

over the winter.

Second graders went to the Rochester Public Market to learn how different communities (rural, urban, and suburban) depend upon one another. Students interacted with local vendors and farmers. They even got to try some produce. They also completed a scavenger hunt to learn about what is available at the market and the history of the market.

These field trips help students to experience first hand the information they learn in

class.

Third Grade Holds “Spoolmobile” Race

Third graders have been learning about systems or groups of objects that interact or work together. To help them understand this concept they designed and created “Spoolmobiles.” The students were given a wooden spool, a rubber band, a stir stick, a straw, and a washer, and had to create a “Spoolmobile” that would move forward. Using trial and error, they perfected their “Spoolmobiles” until they

thought they were ready to race. A competition was held in the cafeteria to see whose “Spoolmobile” could travel the farthest distance.

This year’s winners were Ethan Hallock, Jiyah Lathrop-Winbush, and Justin Gioseffi. Congratulations to all our

creative designers.

Fifth-Grade Band Practice Begins

The sound of music filled the cafeteria on Tuesday as fifth-grade band students participated in their first ever band practice. In order to attend a band practice, the students had to have attended two lessons

with Mrs. McDougall, finished page four of the “Standard of Excellence” practice book, and turned in their practice sheet with 100 minutes or more of practice time. The students were very excited to begin practicing together.

A Long Walk to Water

Last week, eighth-grade students had a unique opportunity to attend a presentation at Monroe

Community College, hosted by the college’s Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Project. The presentation enhanced their understanding of a topic that they studied as part of their seventh-grade Common Core curriculum, as well as provided them insight into a current global issue.

During the presentation, students heard from Linda Sue Park, author of A Long Walk to Water, and Salva Dut, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, on which the novel was based. Students were given the unique opportunity to hear why Linda Sue Park felt

the need to tell Salva’s story and the process she went through to get from first draft to published copy.

The students were most excited to hear Salva speak of his experiences in Sudan as a child, his journey as a Lost Boy, and his relocation to Rochester, NY. In addition, Salva spoke passionately about his organization, Water for

South Sudan. This organization has been instrumental in providing clean drinking water to villages all over South Sudan by drilling 217 wells to date.

Salva is such an inspiration to our students who have read A Long Walk to Water both because of what he has overcome and also what he has been able to accomplish. Our seventh and eighth graders are currently brainstorming ways that they can participate in Salva’s Iron Giraffe Challenge to make a donation, in Wheatland-Chili Middle School’s name, to Water for South Sudan. Thank you to Joy Braselton (parent) for helping connect us with the

administration at Water for South Sudan in order to make this wonderful experience happen.

Rochester Institute of Technology Offers Summer Internships

David Lewis, Wheatland-Chili Senior, spent his summer as an intern at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the Center for Imaging Science (CIS). He, along with 14 other motivated interns

from local area high schools, worked on research projects for six weeks with

RIT faculty and alumni. David and his research team worked in the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Laboratory developing a DIY camera. In conversations with David after the internship, he indicated that "this was the greatest and most fulfilling experience of my life. I truly felt like I belonged." According to

David, he was able to rub shoulders with incredibly intelligent people who were motivated and excited about science. David experienced "the immense satisfaction of creating something from nothing in a laboratory environment." To culminate the internships, each team presented their

product and findings at the research symposium on August 15. Find out more about the internship experiences and David's research project at: http://www.cis.rit.edu/outreach/summer-high-school-

intern-program.

The Sweet Smell of Science

Mrs. LaCelle's Living Environment class and Mrs. Iovoli's Biodiversity class traveled to the Frank E. Van Lare Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) on October 3 to find out

about how we keep our water supply safe and clean from contamination with waste and microorganisms. We also learned that some microorganisms are actually beneficial in helping this cleaning process, as well as all the different kinds of jobs at the plant.

The WWTP treats water from 800,000 homes and businesses in Monroe County. All in all, this was a very memorable experience and one that applies class knowledge to the real world.

Cross Country Team Competes in New York City

The boys and girls cross country teams ran in the Manhattan Invite in New York City this year. The

race took place in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. There they competed against several nationally ranked teams and were able to participate in the largest cross country race in the country, involving over 9,000 runners. Despite the tough competition, the boys and girls ran impressive times, stride for

stride with the best runners in the country. While in the “Big

Apple,” the team had stops at Times Square, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and the top of the Empire State Building. Special thanks to Mr. Glass for organizing the trip/race and Mrs. Jackett and Mrs. Montrois for attending as chaperones.

Sectionals Right Around the Corner

All of our varsity teams conclude their regular season this week, and move into sectional competition next week. The boys soccer team will have sectional games next Wednesday, October 22, and Saturday night, October 25. Wednesday’s game location is still to be determined; Saturday’s game will be at Wheatland. The girls soccer team earned a first round bye, and will play at home on Friday, October 24. The girls volleyball team may have a home game next week as well. The times and locations are yet to

be determined. For the latest sports schedules, stay tuned to http://www.geneseeregionaa.org/ and click on Wheatland-Chili.

Senior Nights Honor Our Athletes

A tradition at Wheatland-Chili continued this year as each varsity team honored its seniors. Seniors are invited to the field or court with their families as their coach tells the spectators of each athlete’s contributions to the team and their accomplishments on and off the field. As a bonus, each of our teams won on

Senior Night. The boys soccer team defeated

Holley by a score of 2-0; the girls soccer team defeated Lyndonville 4-0; and the volleyball team beat Webster Christian 3-0. Cross country will honor its senior athletes at an end of season banquet in early November.

District Capital Project

Our $5.91 million capital project approved by the voters in 2013 is taking shape as we received approval from the State Education Department to begin the work. The major renovation of our Project Lead The Way engineering and technology classrooms began in the fall, followed by the renovation of the pool locker

rooms and mechanical work in the pool area in the spring. You will also notice site work that is happening at the Middle/High School including repaving of the asphalt.

You can keep updated on our capital project progress by clicking on the Quick Link on our District website at http://www.wheatland.k12.ny.us/district.cfm?subpage=1287159.

WHEATLAND-CHILI CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 13 Beckwith Avenue, Scottsville, NY 14546

Phone: (585) 889.4500

Fax: (585) 889.6284

Board of Education

Kim Snyder, President

Carol Davis, Vice President

Shanna Fraser James Musshafen

Courtney Panek Tiffany Passmore

Michelle Rocha

Deborah Leh, Ed.D., Superintendent

Student Recite Pledge at Board Meeting

One student from the Middle School led the community in reciting the Pledge of

Allegiance at the beginning of the Board of Education meeting held on October 14,

2014.

Where Are Our Graduates?

If you are a Wheatland-Chili graduate and would like to share the story of your

accomplishments and how WCCSD helped you achieve your success, please email

Deborah_leh@wheatland.k12.ny.us with details. You may consider sharing the

story of your military service, the college you attended and how it led to a

successful career, how WEMOCO provided the foundation for your career choice,

etc. Help us inspire our current Wheatland-Chili students by sharing your

stories.

Follow Us on Facebook

Remember to “like us” on Facebook and follow us on Twitter as another way to keep updated on

District news. Click on the link to the District website for easy access to Facebook and Twitter at

http://www.wheatland.k12.ny.us/.

View Past Editions of our Electronic Newsletter

You may notice copies of our Electronic Newsletter at various businesses and locations within the

School District. In an effort to reach more of our community members and parents, we are distributing

copies of the newsletter at the Village and Town Halls, Libraries, and at local businesses. Past editions of

our newsletter can be found by accessing the District website at www.wheatland.k12.ny.us and

selecting the QUICK LINKS tab on the left-hand side of the page for the Electronic Newsletter.