WINTER•2017

Superintendent Dr. Mark J. Crawford announces retirement After nearly 43 years in education throughout Western New York and 16.5 years in West Seneca, Superintendent Dr. Mark J. Crawford has decided to resign his position as superintendent of the West Seneca Central School District for the purpose of retirement. “As you may know, I will have served the West Seneca Schools for six and one half years as superintendent and for nine years as the principal of Northwood Elementary,” Crawford said in a letter to the West Seneca Board of Education the evening of Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. “These two job assignments have provided me with the greatest happiness and satisfaction of any other assignments.” Beginning in December, Crawford will have served as an educator for 43 years. His employment history includes working for Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Nardin Academy, the Diocese of Buffalo, Northwood Elementary School, Casey Middle School and D’Youville College. Crawford served as Superintendent of Schools for both Dryden and Hamburg Central School Districts before returning to West Seneca in 2010. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your gracious and kind support during my time as superintendent,” he said. “The simple answer for me is that it is just time to retire. I hope that I have contributed to the wellbeing and the effective education of West Seneca’s children during my tenure here.” Crawford attended Canisius College in the mid- to late-1970s, earning his B.A. in History, New York State Teaching Certification (Social Studies 7-12, Permanent) and Master of Education. He furthered his education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, earning two New York State Certificates (School District Administration, School Administration & Supervision, both permanent) as well as his Doctorate in Educational Administration (Policy). Outside of education, Crawford loves being involved in the local communities. He volunteered for the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation from 1986 to 2014 as well as the Girl Scouts of Buffalo & Erie County from 1986 to 1992. He previously was involved with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Town of Evans Zoning Board of Appeals, Arts in Education Institute of WNY, Rotary Club of Dryden, Rotary Club of Buffalo, and participated in the FBI Citizens Academy and West Seneca Police Citizen Police Academy. Currently, Crawford is a member of the Rotary Club of West Seneca, the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce and the Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council. Angel in Adoption East Middle students Lacey and Nakiya Harris had an experience of a lifetime in September when they joined their grandmother, Sandy, in watching their mother, Christine, be named the 2016 Angel in Adoption. Christine started out in foster care when she lived in Pennsylvania. She was taking care of a young boy and eventually learned about his sister, Lacey, who had special needs. Though her brother moved out, Lacey, then four, moved in and Christine fell in love. “I was surprised when I found out for the first time I could adopt as a single parent. I never really considered that,” Christine said. - Continued on page 6

Published by the Board of Education for the information of the citizens of the West Seneca Central School District nouncements An

Medical Regulations Your child may receive medication in school in order to maintain their health and safety during the school day. The following requirements are mandatory: - The nurse must receive an order from your medical provider stating name of medication, dose and time it should be administered and route it should be administered. The parent must co-sign this order giving the nurse parental permission to administer this medication. - All medication, including over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Motrin, etc.), must be brought to school by an adult. - Children are not allowed to bring cough drops to school. Some parents have found sending a water bottle to school to be a viable alternative to cough drops. - Parents may bring medication and administer it at school at any time if needed to maintain the child’s health and safety during the school day. Please call the school nurse if you have any questions. Thank you for helping us provide a safe and healthy school environment for all children!

New Immunization Requirements: New York State has added a new immunization requirement. It is now required for 7th and 12th grade students to have the Meningococcal vaccine in order to be enrolled in school. Please contact your primary doctor if you have questions about this new requirement and note that your child will be excluded from school if they do not turn in medical proof of this immunization.

2 Our Schools / Winter 2017 ic E Mus vents February 8-11 Mary Poppins 7 p.m. @ West Senior (1 pm matinee February 11) February 13 Clinton Street 1st Grade Performance #1 6 p.m. @ Clinton Street Elementary February 14 Clinton Street 1st Grade Performance #2 6 p.m. @ Clinton Street Elementary February 16 East Senior/East Middle United Band Concert 7 p.m. @ East Middle March 4 & 8 ECMEA Elementary Rehearsal at Sweet Home Middle School March 9-11 Godspell 7 p.m. @ East Senior (1 p.m. matinee March 11) March 9 West Senior Jazz Concert 7 p.m. @ West Senior March 10 ECMEA Elementary Rehearsal @ Kleinhans Music Hall March 10 ECMEA Jazz Rehearsal @ Cheektowaga High School March 11 ECMEA Jazz Concert @ Cheektowaga High School March 11 ECMEA Elementary Concert @ Kleinhans Music Hall March 15 West Senior/West Middle String Concert 7 p.m. @ West Senior March 16 East Senior/East Middle String Side by Side Concert 7 p.m. @ East Senior March 17-18 ECMEA Jr. High South Festival @ Springville-Griffith March 23 West Senior/West Middle Band Festival Concert 7 p.m. @ West Senior March 24-25 ECMEA Sr. High Festival @ UB March 30 West Senior Broadway Review 7 p.m. @ West Senior March 31 East Middle Musical 7 p.m. @ East Middle April 1 East Middle Musical 2 p.m. @ East Middle April 5 East Senior Anything Goes Choral Concert 7 p.m. @ East Senior April 5 East Side Choral Assembly 9 a.m. @ East Senior April 27 Mother’s Day Rehearsal 6 p.m. @ West Senior May 2-4 Mother’s Day Rehearsal 6 p.m. @ East Senior May 8 Mother’s Day Rehearsal 6 p.m. @ OLV May 9 West Middle Spring Choral Concert #1 7:30 p.m. @ West Middle May 10 Winchester Spring Concert 7 p.m. @ Winchester Elementary May 11 Mother’s Day Concert 7:30 p.m. @ OLV May 15 West Middle Spring Instrumental Concert #1 7 p.m. @ West Middle May 17 East Middle Spring Concert #1 7 p.m. @ East Middle May 18 West Seneca District Jazz Festival 7 p.m. @ West Senior May 22 Clinton Street 3rd Grade Performance #1 6 p.m. @ Clinton Street Elementary May 22 West Middle Spring Choral Concert #2 7:30 p.m. @ West Middle May 23 Clinton Street 3rd Grade Performance #2 6 p.m. @ Clinton Street Elementary May 23 West Middle Spring Choral Concert #3 7:30 p.m. @ West Middle May 24 East Middle Spring Concert #2 7 p.m. @ East Middle May 24 West Middle Spring Instrumental Concert #2 7 p.m. @ West Middle May 25 East Senior Spring Instrumental Concert 7 p.m. @ East Senior May 25 West Elementary Spring Concert 7 p.m. @ West Senior May 30 West Senior Concerto Concert 7 p.m. @ West Senior May 31 Allendale 5th Grade Spring Concert 7 p.m. @ Allendale Elementary June 1 East Senior Spring Choral Concert 7 p.m. @ East Senior June 1 West Senior Tribute to Seniors Concert 7 p.m. @ West Senior June 6 West Senior Baccalaureate 6 p.m. June 7 East Middle Spring Concert #3 7 p.m. @ East Middle June 12 Clinton Street Kindergarten Performance #1 6 p.m. @ Clinton Street Elementary June 13 Clinton Street Kindergarten Performance #2 6 p.m. @ Clinton Street Elementary June 13 East Senior Baccalaureate 6 p.m.

We Are the Champions Congratulations to the following who received first place titles at championships this fall: West Seneca Marching Band (NYSFBC Large School III) West Senior Varsity Cheerleading (ECIC Small Division I) East Senior Varsity Cheerleading (ECIC Small Division II) West Senior Varsity Cross Country (ECIC Division I)

Winter 2017 / Our Schools 3 Alumni Activity West grad Carly Donowick to appear on Colgate Skating and Spectacular on ABC Having a hockey coach as a father, the five Donowick children - Robert, Carly, Rachel, Edward and Emily - were introduced to the ice at a young age. Signing his kids up for hockey was the plan but wanting to avoid sibling rivalry, the second born child, Carly, traded her hockey stick for a leotard. She, and her parents, took a chance at figure skating and it didn’t take long to realize Carly had grace, emotion and raw talent. She started training as a Pepsi kid at Leisure Rinks before joining the Skating Club of Western New York. After graduating from West Senior in 2006, she was presented with a paid skating opportunity she couldn’t resist. “One of the other coaches in the area asked me if I would be interested in doing show, that there was an audition,” Donowick said. A week and a half after her audition she was gone, being paid do what she loves – perform. “It was very exciting.” She worked from ages 18 to 24, skating for shows on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, in “Holiday on Ice” in Europe as well as for TV shows for countries all around the world. She decided to stop performing for two years to attend Buffalo State and study fashion design. “I want to make skating costumes,” she said. But skating called again and her undergrad went unfinished (though she plans to go back someday). Donowick is happy to be back on the road performing for a living, but will always call Buffalo home. When she is not traveling, she spends her time coaching and choreographing for skaters at Amherst Skating Club. “Coaching is one of those things in my life that caught me off guard. It wasn’t something I was interested in doing,” Carly said. She was invited by a coach in the area and taught young kids her first day on the job. “There’s something so heartwarming about the innocence and energy and excitement when they’re learning something new and seeing things, knowing it’s possible and achieving it.” Donowick also loves being able to be a role model for her students, providing some of her girls with advice for their personal lives. Her family, students and friends will be excited to watch Donowick on TV skating in the “Colgate Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular.” The show – hosted by Kristi Yamaguchi, Michael Weiss, and Nadia Comaneci – includes performances by Echosmith; renowned gymnasts , Danell Leyva, , and Donnell Whittenburg; and skaters including Nancy Kerrigan, Alissa Czisny, Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, Wesley Campbell, and Meryl Davis and Charlie White, the Olympic gold medalists…who Donowick beat back in 2003. “I beat the Olympic champions back when I was at my prime,” she teased over the phone prior to the spectacular. “To be able to share the ice with people who have accomplished that much in this sport is something to be proud of and something I’m looking forward to.” The live performance will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. The telecast will air on ABC from 3 to 5 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, March 4. Donowick is proud of her accomplishments to this point, and her family is right by her side. “My family is very supportive of me following my dreams,” she shared. Seeing her family in the audience at First Niagara Center while she performed for Disney on Ice was one of the highlights of her career. “Most of my shows were in Europe or South America, so no one had really seen me skate at a professional level before then,” she said. “Knowing they were there was one of the best things to have. It was really great to share that with my family.” 4 Our Schools / Winter 2017 Alumni Activity

Justin Strzelczyk’s family presents West Senior with NFL golden football The children of West Class of 1986 graduate Justin Strzelczyk presented an NFL golden football, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl as part of the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll, to the high school on Friday, Sept. 17 before the 7 p.m. varsity football game against South Park. The Super Bowl High School Honor Roll celebrates the high schools and communities that have contributed to Super Bowl history. This platform was designed to link the past 49 Super Bowls with the 2016 game and honor the high schools and communities that have positively impacted the game. More than 2,000 schools and nearly 3,000 individuals were honored through this program. As recognition, Super Bowl High School Honor Roll schools received a commemorative golden football produced by Wilson for every player or head coach who graduated from the high school and was on an active Super Bowl roster. Strzelczyk started on varsity at West for three years. He was a two-way player as a wide receiver and free safety who was honored with All Western New York status his senior year while leading West Seneca West to a 1985 co-championship. “He was an aggressive player, gave 100 percent on every play, a true teammate and dedicated to West Seneca program” shared Anthony DeYoung, teammate and president of the West Football Alumni. Besides football, Strzelczyk played basketball and baseball … and achieved high accolades in all three. He openly stated that his dream was to play in the NFL, and he achieved that goal and much more. He played football at the University of Maine and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers where he remained for ten years. In 1996 he had the opportunity to start for the Steelers in Super Bowl 30. Strzelczyk retired from the NFL in 1998 and passed away in 2004. He was a giant man with an even larger personality and greater heart. Strzelczyk is survived by his sister Melissa and his two children, Justin Jr. and Sabrina, who were happy to visit West, meet his former teammates and learn about Strzelczyk’s youth. The football will be placed in a new awards display case that is dedicated in Strzelczyk’s memory.

Winter 2017 / Our Schools 5 Exciting Education Angel in Adoption - continued from page 1 The adoption was finalized when Lacey was six and the pair continued welcoming more foster children into their home. Another young girl with special needs, just a year younger than Lacey, made her way into the Harris household. Her name was Nakiya, and Lacey began advocating for her mother to consider adoption again. “Lacey was the only thing when I was little that could calm me down,” Nakiya said. Christine listed to Lacey and Nakiya made the Harris duo a trio. After accepting a teaching position at Trinity Christian School, the family packed their bags and moved to West Seneca. They continued to foster several youth in their home and including an adoption and foster care On Wednesday, Sept. 21, advocating for adoption, and this past advocacy fair, an ice cream social, the family attended the Angels in May Christine was selected to be a Congressional breakfast and luncheon Adoption reception and gala. Waiting super advocate. advocacy events and more. They even at Christine’s seat was a congratulatory The girls are involved in had the opportunity to participate letter from President Barack Obama. advocating as well, participating in in Hill Day, giving them the chance “My favorite part of the gala was forums throughout Western New to personally meet with members of hearing the story of this boy and how York and speaking at panel sessions. Congress and their staff to share their he had been to 22 foster homes,” “The girls are getting really articulate stories and advocate for issues related to Nakiya shared. “It was such a moving and able to really encourage them to adoption and foster care. speech that he was excited after all become foster families,” Christine said. “We got to see Senator Schumer these years to finally get adopted,” One day, Nakiya spoke at a local and meet him,” said Nakiya, who is Christine added. meeting about her experience in foster now in seventh grade. Lacey’s favorite part of the gala was care and how being adopted changed The girls were amused to find meeting fellow Angels Bill Klein and her life. “My voice encouraged a a fridge full of Chobani yogurt in Dr. Jen Arnold, the couple from TLC’s women to adopt a girl like me,” she the senator’s office. “Everyone has television show Little Couple. said. “It made me feel happy. I feel like something from their hometown [in The trip was a wonderful once-in-a- I made a difference.” their office],” said Lacey, who is now in lifetime learning opportunity for the girls. Advocacy became part of their eighth grade. “Kids need love,” Lacey shared. “Every lifestyle, fighting for something Though they had fun exploring kid needs a loving home and every family they’re strongly connected to. Little the city, the purpose of their trip was to deserves love,” her sister added. did the family expect for Christine to continue to fight for what they believe The family flew home Thursday, be nominated by Senator Charles E. in. Nakiya said how they met with the Sept. 22. They were honored to be able Schumer to be named a 2016 Angel senator’s co-assistant, Morgan Brand, to meet a group of Veterans while at in Adoption by the Congressional to talk to her about why Congress the airport, and came home like it’s any Coalition on Adoption Institute should sign the Kids Family First Act. other day, going straight to the girls’ (CCAI), bringing the family to The girls also had the chance to sit with modified field hockey game. Washington, D.C. Sept. 19-22. Her their mother and talk about foster care The award and the trip were name was added to a list of recipients at a legislative seminar. very exciting, but the family knows including First Lady Laura Bush, “They were talking about a bill their work isn’t done. According Shonda Rhimes, People Magazine that will help families so that future to Christine, “We will continue and more! foster care kids can be with one family our work advocating, promoting During their D.C. adventure, the forever instead of being adopted and awareness and encouraging people to Harris Family was able to participate having to move to a different home,” consider foster care and adoption and in various events planned by CCAI Nakiya said. really sheading light.”

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n Seniors p Te To The students with the top ten grade point averages from the Class of 2017 are: From East Senior: Sarah A. Kociszewski (99.937) Stacy Moppert (99.916) Laura Skrzypczyk (99.286) Teresa Berger (99.069) Carolyn Zeitz (98.985) Chloe E. Garbacz (98.255) Sydney R. Juzdowski (98.04) Michael A. Miller (97.417) Gunnar Galuszka (97.402) Dylan R. Walgate (97.304)

From West Senior: Brooke M. Smith (100.963) Samantha A. Balogh (100.802) Sophia C. Osmond (100.391) Cassidy R. Czombel (99.951) Taylor R. Inglut (99.9) Kayla L. Ball (99.796) Hannah Alessi (99.474) Ashley M. Dibble (99.42) Cassandra R. Siwi (98.858) Cara Jernigan (98.565)

Congratulations to these 20 students on all of your accomplishments! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to your education.

Engineering Club finds success in Geneseo East Senior’s Engineering Club sent two teams to the MOOG TARC Rocket competition in Geneseo on Saturday, Oct. 29. The competition requires students to build a rocket, which meets difficult design criteria, and then use the rocket to carry a payload (a raw egg). The goal is to carry the egg to an altitude of exactly 775 ft. and return it to the ground unbroken in exactly 45 seconds. The scoring is like golf, where lower scores are better. One point is added for each foot a team is over or under the goal and four points are added for each second by which the team misses the target time. East competed against many schools including West Seneca West, GOW, Orchard Park, Iroquois, City Honors, Immaculate Conception and East Aurora. Many of these schools sent two teams. East’s teams placed fourth with a score of 54 and first with a score of 3! This is an amazing accomplishment for only their second year in the program.

Winter 2017 / Our Schools 7 Exciting Education Buddy up for science Derck named Miss Krypel and Miss Educator of the Year Girdlestone’s classes at Northwood Mrs. Molly Derck, a fourth grade Elementary come together each week teacher at Winchester Elementary, to work on science experiments, with was recognized as Educator of the the third grade students acting as Year on Oct. 13 at the annual Western buddies to the young kindergarteners. Region PTA Partnership Dinner for One of the experiments provided each her commitment as an advocate for buddy group with toothpicks, apple students as well as for her work as pieces and one umbrella. The groups the teacher liaison to Winchester then created a blueprint and built an PTA. Congratulations on your well- apple boat hoping it would float, and deserved award! many were thrilled to find success!

Bountiful beautiful butterflies Olean’s “The Butterfly Man” Mr. Macroy visited West Elementary to teach third grade students about his butterfly collection. The students, who were finishing up their butterfly unit and raised Painted Lady butterflies in their classrooms, were able to see Mr. Macroy’s butterflies he has collected from all over the world.

Teach NY Forum This past August, Jessica Hunger and Lori Mancuso, National Board Certified Teachers from West Middle, were invited to attend the commissioner’s Teach NY Forum at the University at Buffalo. In addition to having the opportunity to listen to NYSED Commissioner Elia and SUNY Chancellor Zimpher outline their plan for education in New York, they took part in discussions with educational leaders and members from teacher education programs throughout WNY. They, along with several other NBCTS from across WNY, were invited as a way for K-12 teachers to have input and be heard as the state tackles many issues facing the education system such as an upcoming teacher shortage. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is a voluntary certification process based on five core propositions on what accomplished teaching is and it promotes teacher leadership opportunities for educators. Mrs. Hunger is currently the candidate support fellow and Mrs. Mancuso is currently the co-regional coordinator for National Board Council of NY in the Far West.

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Winning smiles, big hearts With the support of the Lighthouse Committee, Winchester Elementary students selflessly donated 121 pounds of candy to Winning Smiles Dentistry, who then mailed the candy to our military troops overseas. This is the first year Winchester has participated in this program and the staff could not be more proud of their students. Many of the children gave away their very most favorite candy because they knew it was going to put smiles on the faces of men and women who were not home to trick or treat with their children. As Willie Wonka said, “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

East Middle receives $4,000 grant from author James Patterson Author James Patterson was once quoted saying, “It isn’t useful for anyone to go on the Internet and see two- to four-million titles. It is useful to have human beings to talk to and help guide you to exactly the kind of book you’re looking for or hope to find.” With this in mind, Patterson created the James Patterson Grant for School Libraries, giving away $3.5 million of his own money to help libraries in schools. “What I’m trying to do is shine a light on a much larger problem,” Patterson was quoted. “That larger problem is the declining support for school libraries.” East Middle Librarian Rosalia Carraba heard about A total of around 28,000 requests were sent in. the grant at the perfect time and shared the news with her According to Carraba, many of the requests submitted teachers. When East Elementary closed, the middle school were by teachers, librarians and administrators. took over the elementary’s library. They expanded the To Lindhurst’s surprise, his request was accepted and space, created two computer labs for students and teachers Patterson gave the middle school a $4,000 grant. “That to use and placed 18,000 books on the shelves. was really meaningful to all of us. Kids should have a Teacher Lynn O’Connor loved the idea of the grant comfortable place to come enjoy a little bit of the library,” and had her sixth grade students write letters to Patterson Carraba said. “I am so incredibly proud it was one of our about what they wanted in their school library. While students, not a teacher or myself writing it.” writing requests, Carraba told the kids they had enough Lindhurst and Carraba used the money to purchase technology and book and asked for them to request what four chairs, a loveseat, a table and some plants for the they feel would make the former elementary library feel library. The school had to meet safety standards, including more like a middle school library. One student asked for making sure the furniture was fire-retardant, so the items a heated concrete pad outside so they could read outdoors had to be custom made. during the winter. Another asked for an indoor trampoline. “It was what they wanted and it made it a middle Another asked for a Starbucks. Though many of the school space,” Carraba said. “Hopefully many kids will use requests were lavish, Matthew Lindhurst had a small, it for many, many years.” simple request. Lindhurst, now in eighth grade, was recognized at “I wrote about how we had only two comfortable a board of education meeting held on Tuesday, October chairs, but they were really squeaky and they swiveled, and 11. Carraba presented him with a Golden Library Card they weren’t supposed to swivel,” Lindhurst said. “I asked and said the new seating area will be forever known as the for more comfortable chairs.” “Lindhurst Lounge.” Winter 2017 / Our Schools 9 Exciting Education Key Club makes the community a better place West Senior’s 2016-17 Key Club has started their year off with a bang, and they are keeping the momentum going! Advisors Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Barrett, along with officers Jake Siwy (president), Taylor Inglut (vice president), Miranda Pozzuto (secretary) and Brooke Smith (treasurer), are determined to make this the greatest year yet. They’re doing just that as the size of membership nearly doubled and is still growing. Some of Key Club’s activities so far this year include: • Holding a car wash to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation • Donating materials to comfort and entertain children that are staying long term in the hospital for the Comforting Hugs Foundation • Giving paper tea cups with a sample of tea and comforting words to those participating in our community Meals on Wheels program • Participating in the Kiwanis Club Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive • Collecting coins for UNICEF (Funds raised benefit the Eliminate Project and can protect women and their future newborns from the painful disease known as tetanus) • The Polar Plunge • Fundraising for the Special Olympics in Buffalo • Creating Build-A-Bears to give to children at Children’s Hospital Not only are the members busy volunteering and making the community a better place, but they’ve also been very busy creating the school’s very first Key Club video, to be shown at the Leadership Training Conference in Albany in the spring! East’s Key Club has also been active in the WNY community by collecting 10 bags of trash while cleaning up the shoulder of Seneca Street after school and participating in fundraising events such as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Kids in the Kitchen East Middle’s school counselors and family and consumer science teachers are excited to be hosting Kids in the Kitchen at the school. This free culinary program, offered by the Food Bank of Western New York, was designed to teach children how to make healthy eating choices. Three five-week sessions are offered weekly afterschool. The program, which began in October and continues through February, provides a hands-on approach, allowing children to prepare their own food while learning about the nutritional benefits of each ingredient. The best part is they eat what they make and they take home menus items from that day to share with their families.

10 Our Schools / Winter 2017 School Spirit

Girl Scouts create clothes Spirited Students Clinton Elementary School is using a team approach to pantry for needy families teach the Six Pillar Character Education Program. The Girl Scout Troop 31277 has been hard at work school is teaching students that everyone works better collecting, organizing and labeling clothes as part of their as a team when showing good character. Mrs. Croglio’s bronze award project. The junior scouts spent between students are showing their team spirit in their class 15 and 20 hours brainstorming, handing out flyers and photo. Even their class pet, a bearded dragon named Sunny collecting donations to help needy families in the West VonLemonhead, was in on the action! Seneca Central School District. The troop’s leader, Marilyn Harding, approached West Middle Social Worker Aimee Smart for ideas on how the girls could help the community. Around that same time, Smart met with Superintendent Dr. Mark J. Crawford about putting together a clothes pantry for the district. “I talked to the girls about it and they were really excited,” Harding said. The four girls in the troop, three from West Middle and one from East Middle, were happy to help others in their district. “It was funny seeing them sort through the clothes,” Harding added. “I know my daughter felt like it was a store with sorting and organizing. It was quite the work.” The pantry includes clothes, handbags, hats and gloves. Though the pantry will consist mostly of kids’ clothes, the donations ranged from newborn to adult. The troop plans to hold another clothing drive in the winter. “There was a need for it,” Harding said. “It’s a matter of keeping it up, that’s going to be the tricky part. They’re excited about it.” Call your school’s social worker to find out how your family can benefit from the troop’s clothes pantry. East Senior was honored to host the American Masters Weightlifting Championship for master weightlifters ages 35 and up from Nov. 4-6. “I wanted to put Western New York on the map for weightlifting,” said Robby Dinero, U.S. Veteran and owner of Athletes Unleashed, who requested for the event to take place in Western New York, the first time in over 30 years. East Principal Dr. Jon Cervoni was working out at Athletes Unleashed one day when Dinero was talking about holding the championship in Buffalo. The gym and the high school have had strong connections the past few years with students visiting Athletes Unleased on field trips and Dinero visiting the high school to share his stories about being a marine for 14 years. The pair decided it would be a great experience to collaborate on the event and host it at the school. “To hold an event like this you need a lot of volunteers,” Cervoni said, so he reached out to the school’s health and art departments looking for eager students. Some of the students in the fitness trends and personal training classes attended training sessions and worked as weight changers throughout the competition. Art students created platforms for the athletes to stand on while lifting the weights. The school’s football team was also in attendance serving refreshments. Winter 2017 / Our Schools 11 School Spirit Results from the annual Gary Gaiser Cross Country Run Every fall, West Seneca Central School District brings their fourth, fifth and sixth grade students together to compete in the annual Gary Gaiser Cross Country Run. This year a total of 268 students participated in the race at Sunshine Park. Fourth grade students ran a half mile while the fifth and sixth grade students ran three-quarters of a mile. There were six races in total as each grade level was split between boys and girls. This year’s individual first-place finishers were: Joshua Iuvino, Clinton Street Elementary, Grade 4, 3:02.57 Brianna Warmington, Allendale Elementary, Grade 4, 3:08.08 Ryan Vanderlip, West Elementary, Grade 5, 4:39.04 Mya Zubek, West Elementary, Grade 5, 5:26.55 Jack Cosgrove, East Middle, Grade 6, 4:38.70 Sarah Gehen, West Middle, Grade 6, 5:15.72 This year’s team first-place finishers were: Grade 4 (Boys): Clinton Street Elementary Grade 4 (Girls): Allendale Elementary Grade 5 (Boys): Allendale Elementary Grade 5 (Girls): East Middle Grade 6 (Boys): East Middle Grade 6 (Girls): West Middle The event, which began in 1993, was named in memory of Gary Gaiser, who taught physical education and coached many sports in the district from 1973 to 1992. Besides having a run named after him, Gaiser is also on the West Seneca Schools’ Wall of Fame for his outstanding achievement as a former student, educator and coach. Jeans for Charity West Elementary has gone blue for charity! For the second year in a row, the staff at West has collected donations to wear blue jeans on Fridays, with donations going to the P.U.N.T. Foundation. West Seneca Central School District Brian Moorman’s P.U.N.T. has 675 Potters Road granted many final wishes and provided West Seneca, NY 14224-2683 precious family memories for children that Board of Education have not made it and those still fighting. Kate Newton, President They adopt local families in treatment for Gwendolyn A. Phillips, Vice President the holidays, fulfilling wish lists for every Edmund M. Bedient, Trustee single family member. Mary J. Busse, Trustee The money collected goes to a very Janice E. Dalbo, Trustee good place and remains local. So far West has Carol A. Jarczyk, Trustee already collected close to $1,400! Dr. Lauren Nicholas, Trustee Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark J. Crawford Lauren Kirchmyer, Editor Volume 46 - Issue 2

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