August 25, 2010

Quote of the week:

Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken. ~Bill Dodds

District News:

• Winton Woods City Schools used this year's convocation on Monday, August 16 as an opportunity to support staff members who have had critical health issues during the past year. "As a symbol of our united support for these individuals, we asked everyone to wear orange that day," said Communications Specialist Gina Burnett. "Being a citrus color, orange conjures up thoughts of vitamin C and good health as well as a 'Who Dey' attitude." The district also hosted a blood drive that day on behalf of Steve Mathews, the district's business manager, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School library. Wearing orange at Convocation are Winton Woods Primary South staff members (l-r) Lisa Middleman, Barb Wetzel, Michelle Ronan and Susan Doan.

This year's convocation theme was "You Are a Hero In My Eyes" and honored those in the district who have taken an extra step to help out others and ensure a job gets done.

• Winton Woods Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe and the members of the Board of Education have set one goal for the district for the 2010-2011: to attain an effective rating or better on the state report card. "Although the district improved its performance index from 86.9 to 88.3, reflecting an increase in aggregated individual scores, Winton Woods City Schools earned an overall rating of continuous improvement and did not meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)," said Nasbe. Official state report card ratings for Ohio schools will be released Friday, August 27.

The district will host a public meeting on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School library to discuss the district's current rating, detail the steps that have been taken to date, and provide information about the additional steps that will be taken to address AYP.

Nasbe's vision for the district, which she referred to as "E3" in her convocation speech to staff members, means all the district's energy will be expended on becoming excellent, effective, and engaging. "Excellent means doing your best at every task," said Nasbe. "Effective means doing what you say you will do, and engaging means involving our students in new and creative ways of learning." Nasbe said the goal demonstrates the district's commitment to providing a world-class education to each and every student and to faithfully following its academic improvement plan. "It’s a goal which says, 'We care,' to our students, our parents, and our community."

Letters were recently sent to families with students at schools in the district which have been identified as “in need of improvement.” The law allows students to attend a similar publicly-funded school, charter school, community school or virtual school that has entered into a cooperative agreement with Winton Woods to accept students and is not in “School Improvement.” Since Winton Woods has no mutual cooperative agreements with publicly-funded school options for the 2010-2011 school year, parents were provided with a list of virtual schools in Ohio that are not in School Improvement. Additionally, students who have not met proficiency in reading and math are given first priority for Title I-funded tutoring services, or “supplemental educational services.”

AYP is an accountability feature of the No Child Left Behind Act which requires all schools, districts and states to show that students are making adequate yearly progress in reading and mathematics. The act requires states to establish annual performance targets that will result in all students scoring at the proficient level on the state’s assessment by 2014.

To make AYP, a school or district must have enough students in a student subgroup scoring proficient or above to meet or exceed the annual proficiency target. The school or district is required to meet the annual proficiency target for all students and for up to nine subgroups of students. Winton Woods had to meet eight of the ten subgroups which include: • all students • six racial/ethnic groups (American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, White, Other/Non-response) • students with disabilities • students with limited English proficiency • students receiving free or reduced-price lunches.

While Winton Woods City Schools met AYP in seven of eight groups, it did not meet AYP for students with disabilities for three consecutive years, placing the district and its K-8 buildings in school improvement. Winton Woods does not meet the required number for the subgroups of American Indian and Asian/Pacific Islander.

"Missing AYP for the third year in row, regardless of one’s views on No Child Left Behind, is very disappointing news," said Winton Woods Board of Education President Jack Lee. "Our district administration and staff have worked very hard to meet these federal targets and raise state school ratings Reaching an effective rating is the district's first step, and we are looking for extraordinary results from there."

Local reports cards are available online at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/reportcard.

• Four employees of Winton Woods City Schools were honored with Globe Awards at the district’s convocation on Monday, August 16 for their outstanding work in the district. Receiving awards were (l-r) Winton Woods Middle School Social Studies teacher Dave Clark, Custodial Supervisor Wayne Chinn, Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden, and Technology Support Technician Doug Bertram.

“At last year’s convocation ceremony, we asked staff members to set goals that would support our district goals of increasing academic achievement, improving culture, and assuring fiscal stability,” said Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe. The district’s Administrative Leadership Team then nominated staff members from each classification —teachers, administrators, exempt and classified employees—who had met their goals. “From that list of nominees, I chose the person who most advanced our vision of cultivating a world class education and offering exemplary customer service,” said Nasbe.

• Winton Woods City Schools welcomes four new principals and one new assistant principal for the 2010-2011school year. Pictured at a "Meet and Greet" event held this summer are: (l-r) new principals Kendell Dorsey (Winton Woods Elementary), Tonya Bray (Winton Woods Primary South), Katie Klei (Winton Woods Primary North), returning principal Dr. Terri Holden (Winton Woods High School), new principal Lisa Votaw (Winton Woods Middle) and new Assistant Principal Jeremy Day (Winton Woods Intermediate). Returning WWIS principal Tonya West Wright is not shown.

• Cameron Park Elementary School in the Winton Woods School District will be open to the public one last time before the building is torn down. The building will be open to tour or take pictures on Thursday, September 2 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Cameron Park Elementary was closed three years ago when the Winton Woods District reconfigured its schools. The site will be sold to the City of Forest Park once the building is demolished.

Cameron Park Elementary School is located at 626 Waycross Road in Forest Park.

• Winton Woods City Schools will continue its commitment to Chinese language and culture education for its students during the 2010-2011 school year with the hiring of two Chinese teachers through the Chinese Hanban and College Board organizations. Molly Zhang (left) will teach at Winton Woods Middle and Intermediate Schools; Diana Liu will teach at Winton Woods Intermediate and Elementary Schools. They are pictured with Winton Woods Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe.

Winton Woods High School News:

• The fourth annual Winton Woods Music Boosters Rummage Sale on Saturday, July 31 raised over $1100 from booth rentals and sales of donated items and school equipment from Cameron Park Elementary, which is being demolished. All proceeds earned by the sale benefit music programs throughout the Winton Woods School District. Major items to be purchased during the 2010-2011 school year include a new sound shell for the high school stage and new orchestra uniforms to replace the current ones that are over 20 years old.

"We appreciate the support of our parents and community members during this sale," said Music Booster President Tina Stewart (pictured far right with band student Elise Mills). "Without their help we would be able to purchase new outfits for our music groups, provide scholarships for our graduating seniors, help offset the cost of the high school's spring musical or help with counselors' expenses at band camp at Wright State University."

• Winton Woods High School junior Katelyn Budke designed this year’s band camp t-shirt which highlights the decade of the 70s. The show is called "That 70s Show" and opens with senior Paul Davis on trumpet with the hit song "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas. Others songs include "Disco Inferno" by The Trammps, "Venus" by Shocking Blue, and "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)" by Parliament. Budke is pictured with Winton Woods Band Director Dani Ashbrook.

• The Winton Woods High School Marching Band held its annual band camp from July 26 - 31 at Wright State University. Awards presented for 2010 include: • Best Overall Freshmen - Ciarra Ruck and Adrian Rankin • Best Overall Sophomores - PJ Rideout and Jasmin Shaw • Best Overall Juniors - Austin Phelps, James Honaker and Tony Boateng • Best Overall Seniors - Paul Davis, Kareesha Springer and Jordan Kenton • Best All-Around Band Members - Corey Stewart and Katie Sherman • Best Marching Section - Flutes • Crankin’est Section - Low Brass • Most Spirited Section - Field Commanders • Most Spirited Members - Staci Sneed, Jordan Kenton, Katie Sherman, Jalen Walker • Most Improved Players - Jasmin Shaw and Austin Phelps • Most Improved Marchers - DJ Ramsey and Michael Spalding • Fastest Memorizers - Keith Hamilton, Michael Spalding, Kareesha Springer and Demetrius Boswell • Fastest Freshmen Memorizers - Becca Day, Jordan Leary and Jasmine Colvin • Most Improved Color Guard Rookie - Demi Harriel • Best Rookie Color Guard - Jasmine Edwards • Best Flag - Jacqueline Rodriguez • Most Improved Guard Member - Kela McBride

Band Camp awards were also given for Outstanding Musicianship (37), Outstanding Marching (57), Teamwork (78), Great Attitude (72) and Outstanding Effort (46).

“The Leadership Award is the highest award at camp,” said Winton Woods Band Director Dani Ashbrook. “Students earn a cord to wear on their band uniform all year. This award is given to the students who are not only shining examples of what is expected, but who influence others to work to their highest potential.” Leadership awards were presented to Katie Sherman, Jasmin Shaw, Rebekah Lowery, Adrianna Ivory, Tony Boateng, Kareesha Springer, Christina Dawson, Jazmin House, Johnniece Hitchcock, Michael Spalding, Staci Sneed, Keith Hamilton, Demetrius Boswell, Kaitlin Otto, Katelyn Budke, Drew Topits, Jordan Kenton, Justin Taylor, Wondra Hudson, Alexis Simpson, Paul Davis, Candice Elliott, DJ Ramsey, Elise Mills, Devonte Bane, Corey Stewart, Jackie Jordan, Jen Jordan, Kela McBride, Jacqueline Rodriguez, James Honaker, and Austin Phelps.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Winton Woods Intermediate School will host its annual Open House on Thursday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m. Families will have an opportunity to meet the administrators and teachers. The WWIS staff will share important information about the upcoming school year including: the building's Academic Improvement Plan, Progress Book information, homework policy, homework help, extracurricular activities, and volunteer opportunities for parents and community members. The technology department will provide an interactive session from 8:00-8:30 p.m. in the computer lab for parents to gain experience working with the online components of the Reading Streets curriculum, Math Investigations curriculum, Connected Math curriculum, and Study Island.

• WWIS would like to congratulate its Crystal Apple Award winners from 2009-2010: Phil Bretz and Patricia Enderle, who were recognized for their excellence in teaching. The two were selected from a group of nominees that included Clarice Taylor, Linda Scheve, Katrina Henderson and Tracy Bellerjeau.

Phil Bretz has been an enormous asset to WWIS as the technology instructor for fifth and sixth grade students. In addition to helping students keep pace with the ever-changing technical world, Bretz has showed his teamwork mentality by aiding teachers in their lesson plan preparations. He is quick to offer ideas on integrating technology into the students’ daily experience. One example of this would be the web conference he orchestrated for the Purple Panthers Pod to connect with a Procter & Gamble employee stationed in Beijing, China.

Patricia Enderle is a wonderful teacher t who cares about her students and takes the time to build a healthy rapport with them. She keeps a great environment in her class by having clear, consistent expectations. Students are excited about being in her class because “she makes learning fun.” Also, as a veteran teacher, Enderle’s colleagues want to recognize her willingness to be an ongoing mentor for several younger, less experienced teachers. “Patty is an excellent example of excellence in education.”

• Every Friday is Spirit Day at WWIS. Students are allowed to wear Winton Woods Warriors t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jerseys with their uniform bottoms. Spirit wear will be available for purchase at the WWIS Open House on Thursday, August 26. All students and staff are encouraged to show their Warrior Spirit!

• After sitting out the 2009 AAU track season with a hip flexor injury, Winton Woods Intermediate School sixth grader Brianna Richard is again competing, and winning, on a national level. "She's winning medals like she never left the scene," said her mother Michele Richard. Brianna competes with the Lincoln Heights Track Club in the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and long jump.

At state championships in July, Brianna regained her title as the fastest 11-year-old girl in Ohio in the 200 meter dash and was ranked second in the 100 meter dash. This qualified her for the AAU Jr. Olympics National Competition at Norfolk State University in Virginia. There she placed sixth for 11-year-old girls in the 100 meter dash against 72 girls from across the country. She placed 19th in the 200 meter dash out of 80 competitors.

In 2008 Brianna placed third in the nation in the 100 meter dash at the AAU Jr. Olympics National Competition at Eastern Michigan University. She is the daughter of Raymond and Michele Richard of Forest Park.

To see the results of the Jr. Olympics competition, go to http://aaujrogames.org/.

Winton Woods Primary News:

SEPTEMBER

• 2 PN/PS Meet the Teacher/Open House (6:30-8:00 p.m.) • 6 Labor Day (No School) • 7 PN Pre-School first day of school • 10 PN/PS VIP Lunch (11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) • 15 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 16 PN Storyteller (10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. ) • 16 PS Parent Meeting (6:00-7:00 p.m.) • 17 PN/PS Citizenship Day • 21 PN Fall Fundraiser begins • 28 PN Picture Day (students in uniform) • 29 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students)

• Primary North and Primary South (PN/PS) welcome all our students and their families to a new school year! Our goal for 2010/2011 is to have an E3 Year ~ Effective, Excellent and Engaging! We have had an incredibly smooth beginning. Staff, parents, and students have worked hard to make this a great school year. We thank all the volunteers who to helped us the first few days of school. During this school year, we'll write to you, our parents, community members, support and staff members on a weekly basis in this forum ~ Winton Woods Today.

• The Primary schools welcome our new staff: o PN welcomes new principal Miss Kathryn Klei; Jennifer Blincoe- music teacher; Theresa Ramsey-pre-school teacher; Katie Padilla- ESL teacher; Rebecca Wilson-school-based therapist; Lisa Lipp- nurse; Pamela Denmark-building substitute; and Debbie Miller- educational assistant. o PS would like to welcome Katie Padilla-ESL teacher; Ryan Yards- LD resource room teacher; Rebecca Wilson-school-based therapist; Jana Thompson-MH educational assistant; and, last but not least, our new principal, Tonya Bray. • PN/PS invite all parents/guardians to Meet the Teacher/Open House on Thursday, September 2 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. NOTE: If at all possible, please leave the youngsters at home or with another friend or relative for this event UNLESS doing so would prohibit you from attending. We do not have childcare available this evening, and it is an adult-oriented evening for both content and space considerations. o PN teachers will be discussing the school year in their classrooms at the following times:
Kindergarten ~ 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Grade 1 ~ 7:00-7:30 p.m.
Grade 2 ~ 7:30-8:00 p.m. o PS Open House will not be using a staggered schedule. PS parents will all meet in the gym at 6:30 p.m. to view a Power Point presentation of their students' first days. Mrs. Bray will welcome everyone and share PS expectations. Parents will then be released to visit classrooms. There will also be various organizations set up outside the gym to distribute information.

• BREAKFAST/LUNCH: Breakfast at PN/PS will begin on Monday, August 30. Students who qualify for free or reduced meals may receive a free breakfast. Students who do not receive free or reduced meal benefits may purchase breakfast for $1.00. Primary lunches are $1.85, reduced price lunch is $.40 and extra milk is $.40. EZPay adds another level of convenience, information, and communication between school and parents. Now, from any computer, you can add money to a student's account using your credit or debit card. Simply go to www.wintonwoods.org and click on the EZPay log and follow the directions.

• BIRTHDAYS: Birthdays are important to us! Your child's birthday is a special occasion to celebrate at school; however, we have students who are allergic to peanuts/nut products and a reaction could be fatal. Make birthdays safe by sending non-edible treats like new pencils, fun erasers, rings, bubbles, or other items found in most dollar stores.

• YMCA Before & After School Programs: YMCA provides children with a safe place to learn, play and grow before and after school. Pick up a registration packet to get the full details at your child's' school. For more information contact Emily Caton, Family Life Director at 513-521-711 or email: [email protected].

• Parents/Guardians please check your child's book bag each night, sign all important forms and return ASAP to your child's teacher.

• Please check the Primary Schools website for updated news items, school calendar information, and more at www.wintonwoods.org. • PN/PS students (K-2) will be taught specific social skills each week. This week students discussed the safety rules for the Wee Warrior Pledge, bus, cafeteria, hallway, playground and restrooms. Please view the rules with your child by visiting the Primary News website at www.wintonwoods.org.

Winton Woods Educational Foundation News:

• A new after-school program at Winton Woods High School aimed at teenage girls will soon be underway thanks to a $1300 grant from the Winton Woods Educational Foundation (WWEF). The program, Women Leading Tomorrow, is designed to address the social and emotional needs and interests of high school age girls through positive programming and mentoring. It will be run by Lisa Butts, Winton Woods City Schools psychologist and Kaci Snell, Winton Woods City Schools speech pathologist.

"Women Leading Tomorrow is aimed at developing life skills and teaching wellness to young women," said Snell. "It's goal is to instill values that lead toward healthy lifestyles that extend beyond graduation."

WWEF President Dale Heidotting presented the check to Butts and Snell at the district's convocation on August 16. "The purpose of WWEF is to promote and enhance the educational excellence of the students and programs in the Winton Woods City School District," said Heidotting. "In 2008 when the economy went into recession, the WWEF board decided we needed to do something positive for the district and began awarding project grants."

Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe said she appreciates the support the district receives from WWEF and knows "this grant will serve our students well."

Winton Woods Educational Foundation grant recipients Lisa Butts (left) and Kaci Snell (right) are pictured with WWEF Board members (front, l-r) Diane Blackburn, Sue Heidotting, and Mary Lou Aufmann and (back, l-r) Dale Heidotting, Randy Lemon and Tom Rogers. WWC PTA News:

• The Winton Woods Community PTA is pleased to announce its continued participation in the Market Day fundraising food program. Through the sales of the quality food products offered by Market Day, your PTA earns funds for the benefit of our students and schools. These proceeds are vital to help the PTA fund programs and services throughout the district. Please look for the Market Day order sheets that will come home with your students once a month so you can place your orders. For additional convenience, you may order and prepay at www.marketday.com.

If you have any questions about Market Day or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Kim Bays, Market Day Chairperson, at 258-7872. Thank you for your support.

September 1, 2010

Quote of the week:

Be a life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for.

David Starr Jordan

District News:

• Parents and community members in Winton Woods City Schools who receive the district’s weekly email newsletter, Winton Woods Today, are asked to update their contact information if they wish to continue receiving the newsletter. "District parents will now only receive Winton Woods Today via the district's One Call Now communications system," said Communications Specialist Gina Burnett. "We are encouraging our parents to sign up for this newsletter and other important information from the district by sharing their email address via the 'Family Profile' link on our district website at www.wintonwoods.org."

Community members who wish to receive the newsletter can sign up by contacting Burnett at 619-2301 or [email protected]. "Business and church leaders and community members who are already on the list for Winton Woods Today will need to re-contact me with their name, email address and relationship with the district so that they will continue to receive these weekly updates" said Burnett.

Winton Woods Today features information from each of the district’s schools, as well as news from the PTA, Board of Education, and the communities of Greenhills, Forest Park and Springfield Township. "Our newsletter highlights district news and staff and student accomplishments,” said Burnett. “It is our opportunity to celebrate the many successes that occur throughout our district and to share those with our families, community members and business leaders.”

• Five teachers in the Winton Woods School District are taking part in the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery Program on September 14 in Cincinnati. As part of the program, teachers participate in hands-on science workshops and perform and experiment in a parabolic or "zero-gravity" aircraft flight that creates temporary weightlessness comparable to what astronauts experience during space travel. The experience mimics how astronauts train for space flights.

"We will have the opportunity to create experiments with our students then test them while on the flight," said Winton Woods High School science teacher Nancy Galster, who is taking part in the program. Other participating teachers include Winton Woods Middle School science teachers Barbette Kirk and Michelle Meyer and Winton Woods Intermediate School science teachers Don Schutte and Joel Weaver.

Zero gravity flights are performed using a specially modified aircraft, and maneuvers are conducted in dedicated airspace that is 100 miles long by 10 miles wide. At altitudes ranging from 24,000 to 32,000 feet, specially- trained pilots fly the aircraft in a series of maneuvers called parabolas, or arcs. When the airplane reaches the top of the parabola, it is “pushed over” into a controlled descent that creates a temporary zero- gravity environment. Teacher flights include approximately 15 parabolas ranging from low-gravity environments typical of the moon or Mars to complete weightlessness. Weightless periods last about 30 seconds before the aircraft is gradually pulled out of the descent, and a more normal gravity environment inside the plane in reestablished.

The Weightless Flights of Discovery program was launched in 2006 as a nationwide teacher professional development program designed to inspire today’s students to pursue science and technical careers by inspiring their teachers first.

• All the school equipment remaining at Cameron Park Elementary School will be on sale on Saturday, September 4 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. "There are student and teacher desks, various size tables, ceiling fans, shelving, TV and AV carts, bulletin boards, and chalkboards," said Winton Woods parent Debbie Day, who is helping with the sale. "All the money from the sale benefits Winton Woods Music Boosters and students throughout the district." Cameron Park Elementary School is located at 626 Waycross Road in Forest Park.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Winton Woods High School senior Marcello Gallegos, Jr. had his art design chosen by the school's principals as this year’s high school plan book cover. Gallegos said he looked at previous designs for inspiration but worked hard to make this year's cover his own. The design features a Warrior, a football and ring to honor the school's Division II state football championship last year, a graduation cap, music notes and a drum, and the Warrior Way: Respect, Responsibility, Excellence.

• Winton Woods High School welcomed five new foreign exchange students for the 2010- 2011 school year. They are (l-r) Po-Hsiang "Bob" Liu from Taiwan, Annaclara Mezzopera from Italy, Ketsirin "Kate" Leelakajornjit from Thailand, Nele Feldkamp from Germany, and Tae Hoon Kim from South Korea.

• Beginning this school year, over 100 students at Winton Woods High School will earn credit for their Financial Management class at both Winton Woods and the University of Cincinnati through a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two schools. This agreement was facilitated by the University’s Economics Center.

"Students who earn an A or B in the class and score 80% or better on a comprehensive exam will receive two credit hours at UC" said Elaine Sugawara-Forster, Consumer Science Teacher at the school. "That equates to a savings of $560.00."

Sugawara-Forster said her class helps students understand the concepts and principals involved in managing their personal finances. “We cover topics like setting smart financial goals, understanding banking and banking services, budgeting, investing, keeping your money and identity safe, insurance basics, using credit wisely, dealing with debt, and being consumer savvy,” she said.

About a year ago, at the urging of Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden, Sugawara-Forster took a class at UC to redesign her course to meet the UC Economics Center’s rigorous model for Personal Finance. "Professor John Morris with the Economics Center looked at our curriculum and final exam and approved Winton Woods to take part in this program," said Sugawara-Forster.

A new requirement by the state of Ohio that high school students must have lessons in economics and financial literacy to graduate went into effect on July 1, 2010 and will affect the graduating class of 2014. The legislation is part of House Bill 311.

Sugawara-Forster said her class is a popular elective offering at Winton Woods High School. "Most of my students have jobs and think about their money and the college expenses they will have, so I work hard to make the course relevant and give them enough information to protect themselves financially."

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Dave Clark's recent Globe Award from Winton Woods City Schools is positive proof that the lessons he's learning--and bringing back to his classroom--as a participant in the Cincinnati-Munich Exchange Teacher Program are helping the district cultivate a world class education for its students. Clark, a Social Studies teacher at Winton Woods Middle School in Greenhills, traveled to Munich, Germany from June 12-26 as part of the teacher exchange program sponsored by the Hamilton County Educational Service Center. He received the district's Globe Award for 2010 for his assistance with guest teachers and for incorporating his interest in other cultures and global education into his Social Studies classroom.

"I hope my excitement for travel makes my students want to see all the world," said Clark. "While there are many things to see and do in our country, I don’t want them to limit themselves there."

Clark, who said he likes to jump feet first into a different culture, traveled to Germany with teachers from Norwood, Loveland, Forest Hills and Sycamore. There the teachers visited six different public schools in the Munich school system. "We spent most of our time observing in actual classrooms, but also talked to teachers, administrators and students about their schools and the German education system," said Clark. Though he didn't learn any new teaching techniques or best lesson plans, Clark said he was happy to learn that the American and German education systems are more similar than different. "The nuts of bolts of teachers teaching kids is the same in both places," he said.

While in Munich, Clark stayed with German teacher Klaus Schiffauer, who had visited Clark at Winton Woods Middle School for two weeks in April. "While in Germany we had the opportunity to see some amazing places including the royal residence in Munich, the Nymphenburg Castle, and the 1972 Olympic grounds. We even got a behind-the-scenes tour of a BMW plant," he said. As the only history teacher on the tour, Clark said the trip to the Dachau concentration camp "set me on my heels. To be in Dachau and put myself in the place of what it must have been like to be there helped me feel the history of it."

Clark said that as a Social Studies teacher the biggest thing he tells his students is that while cultures around the world are different, different doesn't mean bad. "Once you talk to someone from another country about their worries, problems and successes, you realize that people are the same everywhere."

Clark hopes the lessons he brings back from his trip teach his students that despite their reluctance to get out of their comfort zones, that they give foreign exchange opportunities a chance. "I want them to expand their horizons."

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Calendar Events Monday, September 6- Labor Day-NO SCHOOL Wednesday, September 15-Professional Development Day-NO SCHOOL Friday, September 17-Constitution Day and Progress Reports go home Thursday, September 23-Student of the Month Breakfast Monday, September 27-Market Day Pick Up Wednesday, September 29-Professional Development Day-NO SCHOOL

• Ninety-five WWIS students participated in a PTA-sponsored Ice Cream Social on Friday August 23 as a reward for returning their summer math packets on the first day of the 2010-2011 school year. Thanks to those students and their parents for supporting the school's effort to keep students engaged in active learning activities through the summer.

• WWIS would like to thank all the staff members, volunteers, and parents who attended the school's Open House and made it a huge success. Informative presentations were made by Robotics Team representatives, the Technology Department, PTA, and other groups. The blue parent compact that was distributed can be returned to the front office and extra copies are also available. Letters with Progress Book username and password information were sent home on Monday. A September calendar of events will be coming home this week. Please contact the office with any additional questions at 619-2450.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Winton Woods Elementary School's theme for the year is "Reaching New Heights!" This is an acknowledgement of the great work that has occurred here, combined with the challenge of reaching our goal of Excellent with Distinction by the 2011-12 school year.

• WWES has received several generous donations of school supplies from local organizations. Thanks go out to the Forest Park Steppers Club, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church and Compass Community Church for their acts of generosity.

• A special thank you to Mr. Daniel Durham for beautifying the WWES school grounds with new landscaping for his Eagle Scout project. Daniel, along with his father Pastor Glenn Durham, family and friends, really demonstrated a labor of love. Thank you for putting your green thumbs to work to beautify W.W.E.S.!

• The WWES and WWIS Sprinters will be participating in the "Run for the Nuns" on October 2 at Winton Woods Park. Practice for the runners began Monday August 30 at the elementary building.

Winton Woods Primary News:

Primary School Calendar of Events:

SEPTEMBER

• 2 PN/PS Meet the Teacher/Open House (6:30-8:00 p.m.) • 6 Labor Day (No School) • 7 PN Pre-School first day of school • 8 PN Boy Scouts Information Fair during lunch • 10 VIP Lunch for Grades 1 & 2 • 15 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 16 PN Storyteller (10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. ) • 16 PS Parent Meeting (6:00-7:00 p.m.) • 17 PN/PS Citizenship Day • 21 PN Fall Fundraiser begins • 28 PN Picture Day (Regular Uniform Day) • 29 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students) • PN//PS staff are looking forward to meeting parents/guardians on Thursday, September 2 for our Meet the Teacher/Open House from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. NOTE: If at all possible, please leave the youngsters at home or with another friend or relative for this event UNLESS doing so would prohibit you from attending. This is an adult-oriented evening for both content and space considerations.

• PN teachers will be discussing the school year in their classrooms at the following times: • Kindergarten ~ 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Grade 1 ~ 7:00-7:30 p.m. • Grade 2 ~ 7:30-8:00 p.m.

o PS Open House will not be using a staggered schedule. PS parents will all meet in the gym at 6:30 p.m. to view a Power Point of their students' first days. Principal Tonya Bray will welcome everyone and share PS expectations. Parents will then be released to visit classrooms. There will also be various organizations set up outside the gym to distribute information.

• PN/PS believe that Good Character education is very important. Each week students receive Good Character Hands for making good choices. AT PN, these hands will be displayed in the hallways, in creative art by Secretary Lisa Barclay. o PN congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands" for the week of August 30: Ki'Arr Lauderdale (Miss Lumsden), Kayla Gordon (Miss Sentker) and Chloe Wilson (Mrs. Stone). The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Friday's as school spirit wear. Mrs. Sterling's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's coupons.

• Every Friday is Spirit Day Friday at PN/PS! Students are invited to wear uniform bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts or skorts) with a non-uniform Warrior-wear top. T-shirts and other Winton Woods Warrior apparel can be purchased at Meijer's, Kroger, or Walmart stores. It is also available through our Winton Woods PTA using their order form or at any Winton Woods Warrior home football game.

• PN Music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce the Music Awards for the week of August 23. First place: Mrs. Townsell's second graders; Second place: Mrs. Sentker's second graders; Best Singers: Mrs. Vandivier's second graders; Hardest Workers: Mrs. McCann's first graders. Congratulations to all on their success!

• PN’s Green Team has started up again this school year to help make Primary North go green by becoming student leaders in recycling. Seven students were chosen to participate in this week's Green Team. Pictured are (bottom row, l-r) Jorryn Wright and Mazahte Behanan (top row, l-r) Cameron Sanders, Caden Sanders, Norah Ramahi, Mikayla Robertson and Chauntell Linson.

• There will be a Kindergarten Literacy Event on September 16 at Primary South from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

WWCS Alumni News:

• Local singer/songwriter Anna Beljin has never forgotten where she's come from. That's part of the reason this Winton Woods High School graduate included the members of the school's Varsity Ensemble, choral director David Bell and fellow grad Zach Gause on her latest full-length CD, When It Rains.

"Going through the Winton Woods choir program taught me so much about music and performance and helped build the foundation for what I do today with my dad," said Anna, who performs with her father, Milovan Beljin, who plays guitar. "I wanted to include the Winton Woods choir on the CD because director David Bell really helped shape who I am as a musician. Recording my own album has been a great musical experience for me, and I wanted some fellow Winton Woods students to have that opportunity as well."

Beljin said recording the album locally was also important to her. "I play primarily around Cincinnati, including the Concert on the Commons in Greenhills, which is part of the Winton Woods district. The people who come to my shows are from this area as well. I have such a strong support system here, and it's been incredible to watch it grow over the past four years."

Beljin said her newest CD "has a bluesy feel but is contemporary." Four of the 12 tracks on When It Rains are Anna's original songs--"When It Rains," "Someday Somebody," "Me, Myself, and I," and "Take it Back."

Anna, who is a senior at Miami University in Oxford and won this year's "Miami Idol" contest, is majoring in Early Childhood Education. "I'll begin student teaching third grade in the fall, but I'll always pursue a career in music as well," she said. And while her father Milovan's professional life is groundwater hydrology and GIS, he always finds time to play his guitars. "My dad fingerpicks in the style of Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt, and the other pre-war acoustic blues players." To learn more about Anna's new CD, When It Rains, see upcoming concert dates for Anna and Milovan, or hear samples of her music, go to www.annaandmilovan.com.

WWC PTA News:

• Market Day, one of the district's fundraisers, has come out with a selection of new items that will be available to order for the next pick up on September 27. The new order forms go home with students during the week of September 6. Visit www.marketday.com to get a sneak peak at the products available and to place your order. The account number for Winton Woods Schools is 25950.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

September 9, 2010

Quote of the week:

It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.

Rene Descartes

District News:

• The district will host a public meeting on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School library to discuss the district's current rating on the State Report Card, detail the steps that have been taken to date, and provide information about the additional steps that will be taken to address AYP. Parents and community members are invited to attend.

• Winton Woods City Schools is one step closer to its goal of establishing an international school at Winton Woods High School in 2011-2012 with the approval of its petition from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). "The district has been approved to sponsor foreign exchange visitors," said Courtney Wilson, executive director of human resources. "Previously we had to use an outside agency. Now we can create our own program."

Last spring, Winton Woods Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe established a close relationship with Xiantao Senior Middle School in Hubei Province, China, where students and teachers expressed interest in helping to establish an international high school at Winton Woods.

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) acts as the bridge for varied government organizations with an interest in information on foreign students. SEVP monitors schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Winton Woods Music Boosters are still in need of about 10 people to work concessions for the Varsity football game on Friday, September 10. If you are available to help, please sign up at www.volunteerspot.com or respond to John Jordan at [email protected]. Volunteers are also needed for:

• Monday, September 13, Boys Soccer, JV at 5:00 p.m. and Varsity at 7:00 p.m. • Tuesday, September 14, Girls Soccer, JV at 5:00 p.m. and Varsity at 7:00 p.m. • Thursday, September 16, 7th and 8th Grade Football at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. • Friday, September 17, Varsity Football vs. Bishop Watterson, 7:30 p.m. (20 people needed) • Saturday, September 18, JV football, 10:00 a.m.

• This Friday's Varsity football game against Fairfield is the Channel 19 Game of the Week. Come out and support the Warriors!

• The Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble will be joining the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and U.C.'s College-Conservatory of Music's Musical Theatre Department on October 29 and 30 at Music Hall for this year's Halloween concerts, "Haunted Hall." The concerts will be conducted by Bruce Hangen, former assistant conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. "The last time we performed with the Cincinnati Pops was in 2008 with Maestro Erich Kunzel, the year Varsity Ensemble went to China," said Winton Woods High School Choir Director David Bell. "This invitation gives us something exciting to look forward to."

The Varsity Ensemble will be singing eight songs with the CCM students and the Pops, including the "Theme from Ghostbusters" and the "Theme from the Addams Family." "The songs we're performing are mostly from the Scary Music CD we released in 2002 with the Cincinnati Pops," said Bell. "While for much of the concert we will be playing a supportive role for the CCM students during their dance routines and performances, this will undoubtedly be an enjoyable concert for our students as they get to dress in costume."

The choir will also be performing the next week, along with the Winton Woods High School band, at the state conference for the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) in Columbus. Winton Woods Board of Education member John Pennycuff is the president of OSBA.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Band Night is the buzz around Winton Woods Middle School! "This year our theme is Michael Jackson, and we'll be performing the songs 'ABC,' 'I'll Be There,' 'Beat It,' and 'Thriller,'" said Winton Woods Middle School Band Director Kara Barbee. The seventh and eighth grade bands will perform during half-time with the Winton Woods High School Marching Band on Friday, October 1. The eighth graders will also be performing with the high school band for pre-game that night. The dress rehearsal for Band Night is Wednesday, September 29 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Winton Woods High School.

• Seventh grade study skills classes at Winton Woods Middle School are all learning the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. "Last week we learned that small acts of kindness make the person who does the kindness feel just as good about him or herself as the person who receives the kindness," said Study Skills Teacher Jennie Tilton. "Each student wrote a short note of appreciation to an adult in the building who helped with the adjustment to a new school. The students were so excited about the task, and every student easily thought of a person to write to. Some wrote more than one. Notes went to counselors, teachers, cafeteria ladies, security, instructional assistants, coaches, and assistant principals. It was a wonderful day!"

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Calendar Events Wednesday, September 15-Professional Development Day-NO SCHOOL Friday, September 17-Constitution Day and Progress Reports go home Thursday, September 23-Student of the Month Breakfast Monday, September 27-Market Day Pick Up Wednesday, September 29-Professional Development Day-NO SCHOOL

• Winton Woods Intermediate School (WWIS) will be hosting this year's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Tournament on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11, and volunteers are needed. This is the regional qualifying tournament for the FLL robotics program.

"The theme this year is 'Body Forward,' and we are looking for volunteers to be judges and referees who have experience in the following fields: mechanical, construction, architectural, and electrical engineering; biomedical science; technology; and doctors and nurses from the medical field," said Katrina Henderson, a science teacher at WWIS. She and science teacher Joel Weaver are the coaches for the school's robotics program.

Training will be provided at Scarlet Oaks on Thursday, November 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and in Columbus on Saturday, November 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. "Volunteers do not need to attend both training sessions, but we would like to take as many people to Columbus with us on November 6 as possible," said Henderson.

"No experience is necessary to be a judge," she added. "To evaluate the robot's performance, it would be helpful if volunteers had mechanical, architectural, or electrical knowledge. To judge the project award, they should have some medical background since the theme is 'Body Forward.'"

If you are interested in volunteering for the FLL tournament at WWIS or would like more information, please contact Katrina Henderson at [email protected] or Joel Weaver at [email protected].

• Winton Woods Intermediate Yearbooks!

Let’s celebrate our students and this great school year by preserving all of your child’s memories with the 2010-11 Winton Woods Intermediate School yearbook! What can we expect to see? This full-color, 48-page book will have all of the fifth and sixth grade class photos, as well as school activities and events. Pre-order a yearbook now to guarantee your student receives a 2010-11 WWIS Yearbook. Order forms are available in the WWIS office or can be downloaded from the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

All orders are due by October 15, 2010. Order today!

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Congratulations to fourth grade Language Arts Teacher Molly Remer- Adams on the birth of her baby girl, Willow! Mom and baby are well.

• There were 64 entries in the Very Important Warrior Brag Book last week. This is an incentive program where students go above and beyond to show good character traits and/or show significant academic improvement! We are very proud of our young Warriors who are reaching new heights!

• The WWES annual fundraiser "Enjoy the City" will start next week. Everyone is encouraged to participate by purchasing one of these great coupon books! More information will be forthcoming.

• Next Thursday, September 16, is Constitution Day. WWES will have a variety of lessons and activities celebrating our great country and its Constitution. We will show our patriotism by wearing a red, white and/or blue top! This will be an out of uniform top day. Uniform bottoms should still be worn as usual.

• First quarter progress reports will be mailed next Friday, September 17.

Winton Woods Primary News:

SEPTEMBER

• 8 PN/PS Boy Scouts Information Fair • 10 VIP Lunch fro Grades 1 & 2 • 15 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 16 PN Storyteller (10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.) • 16 PS Parent Meeting (6:00-7:00 p.m.) • 17 PN/PS Constitution Day • 21 PN Fall Fundraiser begins • 28 PN Picture Day (Regular Uniform Day) • 29 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students)

• PN and PS want to thank all the parents who attended the Open House/Meet the Teacher night last week.

• This week's social skill is "Using Nice Talk." Please view the Primary "News" website for this skill information at www.wintonwoods.org.

• PN/PS V.I.P. Lunch will be held on Friday, September 10 for grades 1 and 2. Parents, grandparents, and families are welcome to eat lunch with their student during their scheduled lunch period. Please notify your child's teacher by Thursday, September 9 if you will be purchasing the school lunch for $1.85 or bringing a lunch for your child. Flyers were sent home last week. . • PN/PS believe that Good Character education is important. Each week students receive Good Character Hands for making good choices. These hands will be displayed in the hallways in creative art by Lisa Barclay, PN secretary. o PN congratulates the following students for earning a "Good Character Hand' for the week of August 30: Colin Runyan, Jeaiah Irvin, DeShaun Lattimore. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. McCann's first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils.

• Papa Johns will donate 20% of your order to the Winton Woods Community PTA until September 12. A green flyer was sent home, and all you have to do is fill in your teacher's name and turn in the flyer to the store or delivery driver. The class with the most turned in will win a free pizza party for their class!

• PN Music Teacher Miss Blincoe is proud to announce that the music award for the week of August 30 goes to Mrs. Sentker's second grade class.

• PS congratulates the following artwork winners for the month of August. Their artwork will be displayed in the lobby during the month of September: o Grade 1 ~ Paris Weems, Sam Courter, Micah Riffle, Amillion Jones, Renia Butts and Jordan Deloach o Grade 2 ~ Rayna Benzinger, Samba Sy, Desmond Graves, William Bird, Angie Arthur, and Jezreel Otchire

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Please look for the Market Day order forms that will be coming home with your students this week. In addition to a great selection of new items, Market Day also has several exciting offers this month. Please return your order forms to school by September 17 or order online at marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on September 22. Our account number is 25950. The next Market Day pick up will be from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27 at the Intermediate School. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer to help, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

• Show your Warrior Pride with a new Winton Woods Warriors Spirit T-Shirt!

The PTA is currently taking orders for Warrior T-Shirts. Whether you missed our sale at the recent school open houses or perhaps we didn’t have your size, now is your opportunity to order! Remember: WW Spirit Wear shirts can be worn to school every Friday, grades K-12.

All shirts are quality 50/50 cotton-poly blend, short-sleeve t-shirts. Cost is $10.00 each for sizes youth small through adult X-Large ($12 for 2X, $13 for 3X). Please contact us with additional size requests. All orders can be turned in to your school office or sent to Primary North, attention PTA/Jan Mavridoglou.

The deadline to order is Friday, September 24, and payment must be included with your order.

The order form can be downloaded from the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

If you have questions please contact Jan Mavridoglou at [email protected].

• National PTA and our “Million Hours of Power” campaign have been selected for the Pepsi Refresh Project during the month of September. At stake is PTA receiving $250,000 for this campaign. So now, we need your help. Please pass along the below address to your friends, co-workers, family and PTA schools and ask them to do two things: 1) vote every day during September, and 2) share with others asking the same. Here is where we can show the world the power of the PTA family.

Go to www.refresheverything.com/millionhoursofpower and sign up using an email address, and again, you can vote every day!

What is “Million Hours of Power?”

To combat historically low male participation in parent involvement groups, National PTA’s MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) Alliance and the National Fatherhood Leaders Group have teamed up to launch A Million Hours of Power, an initiative to inspire 350,000 American men to dedicate three hours of service to the education, health and well-being of children.

Three hours of service—truly a small amount of time to invest—from 350,000 men totals more than 1 million hours of true power to the lives of children, resulting in educational, social and physical benefits to kids across the nation.

“Give a little, change a lot” will be the rallying call to action for the Million Hours of Power grassroots campaign. Research proves that parent involvement leads to student success in school and life. Children perform better in school when both the mother and the father or a male role model are involved in the education of their children.

The Million Hours of Power campaign will encourage men to dedicate three hours of their time to the health, education and well-being of children in their families and communities during the 2010-2011 school year. Working with the National Center for Fathering, PTA will provide a tracking tool so you can log your hours and watch the campaign’s progress toward 1 million hours (see link above).

The hope is that once men see how much reward they get for so little effort, then they will develop greater habits of engagement and responsibility to children and families. Use the resources below to contribute your three hours of power.

For more info – see link: http://www.pta.org/4197.htm.

• Winton Woods Community PTA meets the second Monday of each month. The first meeting is:

Monday, September 13, 2010 7:00 p.m. Winton Woods High School Library

Each meeting will highlight a featured topic or guest speaker. The first topic is about Progress Book and how parents can more fully utilize this valuable tool. WWCS Technology Director Rhonda Hobbs will be the guest speaker.

Refreshments will be served, children are welcome. Learn more about your child’s school and how to foster their educational experience. Parents make the difference! See you there!

• Does your child love to dance and move? Registration is now taking place for the WWC PTA After-School Dance Program.

This year’s PTA Dance Program includes:

• 27 weeks of quality dance instruction for just $75 .00.

• Ballet, Tap, and Jazz classes offered.

• Professional end-of-year recital.

• Classes are held after school hours on Tuesdays at WWIS.

• Classes begin Tuesday, October 19. Registration deadline is September 30.

• Additional classes and opportunities are available at the Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center Studio.

• Classes are open to all Winton Woods students in grades 1-6. • Currently accepting names of interested kindergarten students for a possible kindergarten ballet class.

• Discounts available for students who are eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch.

• Registration forms are available in the school offices or can be downloaded off the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

• For more information call Tina Prentosito at CDMC at 521-8462.

Alumni News:

• Forest Park High School alumnus Robyn Walker Murphy recently touched base with her former Varsity Ensemble director Dave Bell. "After graduating from Forest Park High School some 20 years ago, Robyn spent time as a jazz singer in Atlanta and then got her MFA in acting from the University of Washington at Seattle," said Bell. "She is now the director for out-of-school programs for the Dreamyard Project, which is an arts-based project in the Brooklyn area using the arts to transform the schools and community. The Dreamyard Project is having considerable success engaging the community through arts-based experiences for students, and it's always fun to see our graduates grow into adults who are out there 'making a difference!'" For more information about the Dreamyard Project go to http://dreamyard.com/mission

ANNUAL NOTICE: ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

On October 22, 1986, President Reagan signed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, Public Law 99-519). The act required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop regulations for addressing asbestos in public and private elementary and secondary schools. On October 30, 1987, the EPA published the Asbestos- Containing Materials in Schools Rule (40 CFR Part 763 Subpart E). This rule stipulated, and our district has complied with, the following key requirements:

o Identification of asbestos-containing materials in all school buildings. o Development and implementation of asbestos management plans for each school. o Regular surveillance and re-inspections of the condition of asbestos in the buildings. o Designation and training of a person to oversee asbestos activities within the district and to ensure compliance with the regulations. o This memorandum is to advise you that asbestos management plans for the district schools were developed following the EPA ruling and subsequently approved by the State of Ohio, Department of Health. These plans are regularly updated and are available for you to review. Should you have any questions regarding this program or would like to review an asbestos management plan, please contact the Board of Education offices during normal business hours.

September 15, 2010

Quote of the week:

When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge.

Terry Bradshaw

District News:

• Members of the Springfield Township Fire Department (l-r: Paramedic/ Firefighter Matt Morgan, EMT/Firefighter Dan Wattenhoffer, EMT/ Firefighter Becky Allf, Paramedic/Firefighter Tyler Morgan and Lieutenant Roger Sarvis) received a delivery of cookies, posters, a thank-you DVD, and heartfelt thanks from the students and staff of Winton Woods City Schools on Friday, September 10 as part of the district's annual Police and Fire Recognition Day. Communications Specialist Gina Burnett and District Outreach Coordinator Mimi Khayo also made deliveries to police and fire personnel in Forest Park and Greenhills. "Our district is so appreciative of the police and fireman in our district," said Burnett. "They do so much throughout the year for our students, and we can think of no better time to honor them for their selflessness than on the anniversary of 9/11."

• Three Hamilton County school board members are serving on an Ohio School Boards Association advisory panel to represent the board of education perspective. Tawana Lynn Keels, John Pennycuff and Randy Smith are part of a group of school board members providing feedback to Governor Ted Strickland’s office and to Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah S. Delisle.

OSBA President John Pennycuff serves on the Winton Woods City Schools Board of Education. OSBA Past President Keels is a Princeton City Schools and Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development school board member. Smith is on the Forest Hills Board of Education.

Keels, Pennycuff, Smith and nine fellow school board members recently met in the Statehouse with Dr. John Stanford, the governor’s executive assistant for education policy. The conversation focused on improving Ohio’s public schools, the next state education budget, Ohio School Facilities Commission funding, and the federal Education Jobs Fund bill.

The same group of school board members from around Ohio then walked to the Ohio Department of Education where they shared their views on education with Delisle and received a briefing on Ohio’s successful Race to the Top grant application, the 2010 local school district report cards, and the progress of the Ohio School Funding Advisory Council.

Additional meetings are planned.

OSBA leads the way to educational excellence by serving Ohio’s public school board members and the diverse districts they represent through superior service and creative solutions.

• Fifty Winton Woods students traveled to the Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati on Thursday, August 26 to receive school uniforms as part of Operation School Bell. Ten more uniform kits were donated by the group to clothe students who were not able to make the trip.

“Students received a duffle bag that included two pairs of pants, two short- sleeved shirts, one long-sleeve shirt, new shoes, a belt, underwear, socks, a hygiene kit and a fleece jacket,” said Winton Woods Family Support Specialist Crisinda Puetz. “This helps our district by not only clothing those children who would otherwise miss school, but it also encourages the parents and staff when they see all the items our students received for free. Each bag is valued at approximately $67. In a tough economy this helps our district stretch its dollars to serve our students and their families.”

In additional to the help received from the Assistance League, Puetz said the district gladly accepts all uniform donations. “We ask all our parents, including the parents of the students going on the uniform trip, to bring in used uniforms so we can keep giving back,” said Puetz.

This is the district’s sixth year in partnership with the Assistance League. “Kids do not easily forget when others have helped them,” said Puetz. “Their gratitude is evident when they show off their new shoes or jacket and say 'thank you' even after several weeks have passed. The generosity of this organization reaches far beyond the children they serve, and we are grateful for their assistance.”

The goal of Operation School Bell for the 2010-2011 school year is to clothe 1800 under-served students in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky schools with uniforms.

Winton Woods High School News:

• The athletic staff and boosters of Winton Woods High School recently announced the nominees for induction into the ninth class of the Winton Woods Athletic Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies will take place at half- time during the Winton Woods vs. Bishop Watterson football game at Winton Woods High School on Friday, September 17.

The nominees for 2010 are: Jay D'Arcy (tennis coach, Forest Park and Winton Woods High Schools), Gerry Kalkbrenner (volunteer, Forest Park and Winton Woods High Schools), Cheryl Lackey (basketball, Forest Park High School, 1984), Dick Seiter (baseball and basketball, Greenhills High School, 1957), Demond Tidwell (football, basketball, and baseball, Winton Woods High School, 1993) and Tony George (football, basketball, and track, Winton Woods High School, 1994).

Created in 2002, the purpose of the Winton Woods Athletic Hall of Fame is to acknowledge and celebrate the long tradition of athletic excellence at Forest Park, Greenhills and Winton Woods High Schools.

• This year’s fall play at Winton Woods High School is Twelve Angry Men, the dramatic story of a diverse group of middle-class jurors who must deliberate the "facts" in a seemingly open-and-shut murder case. During their time in the jury room, discussion gets heated as alliances are formed, opinions are reevaluated and changed, and personal experiences are revealed. This powerful American drama was originally written as a teleplay by Reginald Rose in 1957.

Twelve Angry Men will be presented on Thursday, November 18 – Saturday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium.

• Winton Woods Middle and High Schools are offering an intercultural exchange opportunity for their students with the arrival of a student delegation from Guatemala on October 22. "We will be hosting exchange students and chaperones from the beautiful town of Antigua, Guatemala for three weeks from October 22 through November 14," said Mimi Khayo of the district's office of parent and community outreach. Half of the delegation will be hosted by Oak Hills High School.

A reverse exchange will take place in July 2011 when Winton Woods will send a delegation of students to Guatemala. "Because our summers and winters are reversed, our students will be able to attend school, as well as sightsee, in Guatemala," said Khayo. "And with many of the district's middle and high school students studying Spanish, Guatemala's Mayan and Spanish cultures are a good fit for our district."

There will also be a welcoming ceremony on Sunday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium that all host families are asked to attend with their guests. "I know this will be an enriching experience for many of our district's families," said Khayo.

Winton Woods City Schools is partnering with Cincinnati English and Cultural Enrichment, LLC for this exchange. For more information about this company, go to www.ceceglobal.com.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School senior Patrick Kelly who auditioned for and has been selected to be part of the Blue Ash Youth Symphony Orchestra for the fourth year in a row.

• Congratulations to sophomore Mark Higgins on winning the Winton Woods High School Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, September 11. Also congratulations to Michael James, Sabrina Mercer, Sarah Harig, and Brianna Springer on their strong finishes in their races.

• Congratulations to Ambri Johnson was chosen as the Wendy's Player of the Week. Ambri is an eleventh grade girls soccer player with a 3.2 grade point average. On September 2 Ambri had one goal and two assists vs. Roger Bacon, and on September 7 she had three goals vs. Mt. Healthy.

• The Winton Woods High School cheerleaders are currently featured on www.cheercincy.com. The young ladies are filmed doing band dances along with several chants. There is also a featured segment where the senior cheerleaders are interviewed. These cheerleaders have been doing a wonderful job displaying school spirit.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School is having a campout on school property on September 24 as a reward for good citizenship. "The students will be sleeping under the stars," said Principal Lisa Votaw. "My goal is to get the kids outside and to get them familiar with their own campus and property. Not to mention, becoming one with the great outdoors." Large tarps are needed for this event. If you can loan one for the night, please contact Lisa Votaw at 619-2440.

• Students in Patty New's art classes are starting a realistic still life drawing. "Student's have taken numerous proactive steps in order to learn the art foundation required to complete a 3D look," said New. "Students learned about contour lines, the value scale and the smooth blending technique called gradation. Pride-filled experiences are in the works as the dynamic drawings unfold."

Winton Woods Intermediate School News:

• Calendar Events Friday, September 17-Constitution Day and Progress Reports go home Thursday, September 23-Student of the Month Breakfast Monday, September 27-Market Day Pick Up Wednesday, September 29-Professional Development Day-NO SCHOOL

• Let’s celebrate our students and this great school year by preserving all of your child’s memories with the 2010-11 Winton Woods Intermediate School yearbook!

What can we expect to see? This full-color, 48-page book will have all of the fifth and sixth grade class photos, as well as school activities and events. Pre-order a yearbook now to guarantee your student receives a 2010-11 WWIS yearbook. Order forms are available in the WWIS office or can be downloaded from the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

All orders are due by October 15, 2010. Order today!

• The WWIS Sprinter's Club is currently training for the "Run for the Nuns" 5K race on October 2 at Winton Woods Park.

Winton Woods Primary News:

SEPTEMBER

• 15 Professional Development Day (No School for Students) • 16 PN Storyteller (10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. ) • 16 PS Parent Meeting (6:00-7:00 p.m.) • 17 PN/PS Constitution Day • 21 PN Fall Fundraiser begins • 28 PN Picture Day (Regular Uniform Day) • 29 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students)

October

• 7 PS PTA Walk-a-Thon. • 15 Professional Development Day (No School for Students) • 21 PN/PS Parent Conferences (5-8:25 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Parent Conferences (No School) • 26 PS Pictures (Regular Uniform Day) • 29 PN/PS Harvest Party (3 p.m.)

• PN and PS had a great turn out for the V.I.P. Lunch on Friday, September 10. Thank you parents and all our V.I.P.'s for your support and for helping to make a memory with your student.

• This week's social skill is "Using Brave Talk." Please view the Primary "News" website for this skill information at www.wintonwoods.org.

• WWPN congratulates first grader Camden Fuller from Mrs. Stone's class and second grader Brandon Castaneda from Mrs. Sterling's class for demonstrating the character trait of responsibility.

Mrs. Stone writes: "It is rare to find a first grade student who, from the first day of school, presents himself as a good role model. For our class that student is Camden Fuller. Camden is not only very responsible with his own materials and actions, but helps others in the class with support and direction so that they can be responsible also. He is the first student to help a friend in need by explaining directions, pushing in chairs, getting materials out and putting them away. Camden is kind and always thinks of others. When a friend in class had trouble playing a math game, his classmates did not choose him as a partner. Camden not only picked him first as a partner, he guided him through the math game so his friend felt confident enough to play successfully. Camden does not eek attention for his kind acts and responsible behavior, it is just who he is as a person. We are happy to have Camden as a role model for responsibility in our first grade classroom."

Mrs. Sterling writes: "Brandon is an excellent example of a student who acts responsibly. He comes to school every day prepared to learn. Brandon always returns his plan book with a parent signature. He takes very good care of his supplies so he has them when he needs them. He returns his weekly homework packet on Friday. When help is needed Brandon volunteers with a smile. Brandon is very responsible when it comes to school work. He pays attention, follows directions, and works hard to complete his work and do his very best. His writing is neat and he edits his papers to be sure he finds and fixes mistakes. Brandon is responsible for making his own positive choices for his attitude, work habits and behavior."

• PN congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands' for the week of September 6: Norah Ramahi, Sammy Hazlett, and Lilly Grant-Carlton. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t- shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Sentker's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's coupons.

• PN music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of September 6 goes to Mrs. Noel's first grade class. A Music Award banner will be displayed proudly by their classroom all week.

• Congratulations to the following students who were chosen for the PN "Green Team" to help make Primary North go green by becoming student leaders in recycling: Taylor Bays, Sarah Dirr, Jordan Dominique, Destiny Shelton, Makiaha Craddock, and Dinara Boynazarova.

Alumni News: • Congratulations to 2009 Winton Woods graduate, Varsity Ensemble alumnus, and former Gospel Keys director David Driskill for winning a spot in Tiffin University's vocal a cappella group, Up in the Air.

Up in the Air is one of Ohio's elite collegiate vocal ensembles and features a select group of only eight members. This dynamic vocal group performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella jazz, funk, R&B, pop, and world music. The group has appeared before hundreds of audiences throughout the U.S. and Europe.

WWC PTA News:

• Show your Warrior Pride with a new Winton Woods Warriors Spirit T-Shirt!

The PTA is currently taking orders for Warrior T-Shirts. Whether you missed our sale at the recent school open houses or perhaps we didn’t have your size, now is your opportunity to order! Remember: WW Spirit Wear shirts can be worn to school every Friday, grades K-12.

All shirts are quality 50/50 cotton-poly blend, short-sleeve t-shirts. Cost is $10.00 each for sizes youth small through adult X-Large ($12 for 2X, $13 for 3X). Please contact us with additional size requests. All orders can be turned in to your school office or sent to Primary North, attention PTA/Jan Mavridoglou.

The deadline to order is Friday, September 24, and payment must be included with your order.

The order form can be downloaded from the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

If you have questions please contact Jan Mavridoglou at [email protected].

• Does your child love to dance and move? Registration is now taking place for the WWC PTA After-School Dance Program.

This year’s PTA Dance Program includes:

• 27 weeks of quality dance instruction for just $75 .00.

• Ballet, Tap, and Jazz classes offered.

• Professional end-of-year recital. • Classes are held after school hours on Tuesdays at WWIS.

• Classes begin Tuesday, October 19. Registration deadline is September 30.

• Additional classes and opportunities are available at the Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center Studio.

• Classes are open to all Winton Woods students in grades 1-6.

• Currently accepting names of interested kindergarten students for a possible kindergarten ballet class.

• Discounts available for students who are eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch.

• Registration forms are available in the school offices or can be downloaded off the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

• For more information call Tina Prentosito at CDMC at 521-8462.

• There is still time to place your Market Day orders for the September 27 pick-up. Please return your order sheets to school by September 17 or place your order online at www.marketday.com by 11 p.m. CST on September 22.

If you have never placed an order with Market Day you can take advantage of their special offer for first time customers. Brand new customers can save $5 when they spend $25. To take advantage of this offer, you must place your order online by September 22 and enter the Promo Code: NEWFIVE when you checkout.

Market Day also has some wonderful incentives for current customers that can be found in the October flyer or online at www.marketday.com. You can also sign up online with your email address to receive special discounts, weekly deals and clearance offers delivered right to your inbox.

As always, if you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with Market Day, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

Community News:

• American Express and personal finance expert Jean Chatzky today announced the launch of “The National Money Night Talk.” This new program, which culminates on September 16, encourages families around the country to sit down and talk about money and financial responsibility. To help parents get prepared to have “the talk,” American Express and Chatzky have created a new online resource now available at www.moneynighttalk.com.

On the site, parents can sign a pledge that they will talk to their kids about money and access exclusive Jean Chatzky videos and resources endorsed by the Council for Economic Education, based on the organization’s national content standards. The Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati fully supports this program and encourages parents in Cincinnati to educate their kids on financial responsibility this Thursday, September 16.

The free online resource (www.moneynighttalk.com) is available in three different tracks based on age: middle school, high school and college. It features videos, frequently asked questions and talk points to help parents start and sustain the money dialogue beyond National Money Night. It is being made available beginning today to ensure parents of college students have adequate time to access the tools and have the talk with their kids who may be packing up for school before September 16. September 22, 2010

Quote of the week:

It is not the position, but the disposition. J.E. Dinger

District News:

• Wednesday, September 29 is a professional development day. There is no school for students.

• There is a Board of Education Meeting on Monday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room located at 1215 W. Kemper Rd. The public is invited to attend.

• Academic Activities Night will be held on Tuesday, October 26 at Winton Woods High School for grades K-6 students and parents from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come learn with your child! Interactive activities in math, science and reading will provide you the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum your child is experiencing everyday. A family dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP to attend dinner at 619-2420. Babysitting will be provided for children under age 5.

• All WWCS students will be participating in "Operation Letter Storm" with the purpose of barraging our men and women in uniform with letters of support and encouragement as they carry out their duties and defend our freedoms. Mailings will be conducted a few times each year around holidays--Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Memorial Day--when the troops are missing home most of all. Students K-12 will be writing letters and drawing pictures to be sent to our troops. If you and your family would like to write a letter to be sent in the military care packages, please send the letters to Karen Emmons, media specialist at Winton Woods Primary North. Thank you for your support of our troops.

Winton Woods Student Spotlight:

• Students like Christina Ingle aren’t found everyday. She is the valedictorian of the 2011 graduating class of 276 students and has a 4.75 weighted GPA while taking the most rigorous classes offered by our high school.

Christina has had an A every semester in every class in the district's most rigorous Advanced Placement and Honors level classes. She also is a member of National Honor Society and was Winton Woods High School’s representative for the HOBY leadership conference her sophomore year.

Christina is on the girls soccer team and runs cross country. She has also participated in the musical theater program and the high school's production of the Sound of Music. She has dedicated herself to all of these activities while also maintaining a part-time job at a local movie theater for the past three years.

Christina is also involved in community service, is an active member of her church, and has participated in countless hours of community service. Last year alone she logged 168 hours. From going down to Over-the- Rhine each month and serving the needy, to painting churches, working at the Free Store, and volunteering at a camp for mentally disabled children, Christina cares about others. She gives of her time to tutor elementary students and to go to our local nursing home to help out with cleaning projects. In addition she participates in mission trips with her church and acts as the Church Youth Group Activities Coordinator organizing events for her peers.

Christina was selected this year by Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden to be a Student Ambassador for our high school. As an Ambassador she will help mentor students at the elementary school, work at high school events such as Freshman Orientation, Parent/Teacher Conferences and Open House, and help out when called on by our administration to organize and attend other community events as the need arises.

Christina was selected in ninth grade to travel to Eastern Europe with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. She traveled with this same group the previous year on a tour of China . In all of these activities Christina stands out and makes a difference!

Winton Woods High School News:

• Six new members were inducted into the Winton Woods Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, September 17 during the Winton Woods Warriors football game against Bishop Watterson. The newest inductees are:

Jay D'Arcy, boys and girls tennis coach for Forest Park and Winton Woods High Schools, was one of the most respected tennis coaches in Ohio for over 23 years. His 303 victories place him in the top 30 for most wins in the state. In 1996 the OHSAA presented D'Arcy with its prestigious annual award for ethics, integrity and sportsmanship.

Tony George, a 1994 graduate of Winton Woods High School, was one of the most highly-recruited athletes in school history. George participated in football, basketball, and track and achieved All-League, All-City, and All- State honors in both football and track. During his senior year, he was named an “All American” by Parade, Blue Chip, and Bigger, Faster, Stronger magazines. He also was a state qualifier for track in 3 events; the 300 meter hurdles and the 4 x 100 and the 4 x 400 meter relays. Upon graduation George attended the University of Florida and achieved All- SEC and All-American honors his junior and senior years, as well as being named to the Academic All-American team. George graduated in 1999 and played three years in the NFL.

Gerry Kalkbrenner, is a dedicated volunteer at Forest Park and Winton Woods High Schools, with almost 30 years of service. In 1994 he helped design and build the press box at the football stadium, and in 2000 he helped design and build the Winton Woods High School athletic building and weight room. Kalkbrenner is currently a reading and math tutor at Winton Woods Elementary School and helps announce Warrior football games.

Cheryl Lackey, a 1984 graduate of Forest Park High School, was a member of the 1984 girls basketball team that won the Class AAA state basketball championship with a perfect 27-0 record. At graduation Lackey held records for: best field goal percentage (55%), most rebounds (275), most free throws in a game (17) and most consecutive free throws made (9).

Dick Seiter, a 1957 graduate of Greenhills High School, was a baseball and basketball standout. In baseball he started on the varsity squad all four years. In 1956 Greenhills won the Class A state baseball championship with a 23-3 record. On the hardwood, Seiter earned All- League and All-City honors and in 1957 helped lead the Pioneers to the district finals.

Demond Tidwell, a 1993 graduate of Winton Woods High School, went from leading the Warriors to football championships to helping Youngstown State win the 1997 national championship. He was named All-League and the starting quarterback on the winning squad in the Cincinnati East-West All-Star game. While at Winton Woods, Tidwell also played basketball and baseball.

Created in 2002, the purpose of the Winton Woods Athletic Hall of Fame is to acknowledge and celebrate the long tradition of athletic excellence at Forest Park, Greenhills and Winton Woods High Schools.

Pictured are (l-r) Mary Louise and Robert Lackey (parents of Cheryl Lackey), Dick Seiter, Gerry Kalkbrenner, Demond Tidwell, Tony George, and Jay D'Arcy.

• The Winton Woods High School Homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. against Loveland 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 Site and the Winton Woods High School Charlie Fredrick Stadium.

"We are inviting groups from Forest Park, Greenhills and Springfield Township to walk with us in the parade," said Peggy Higgins, Winton Woods High School English teacher and Student Council sponsor. "We will line up at 5:30 p.m. and start at 6:05 p.m." Groups interested in being part of the parade should contact Higgins at Winton Woods High School at 619-2420 or [email protected].

• Using paper, tape, blocks, Legos and other items brought from home, Winton Woods High School students in Myrtis Smith's Principles of Engineering class created Rube Goldberg machines as part of their study of simple machines and mechanical engineering. A Rube Goldberg machine, named after the American cartoonist and inventor, is a comical, overcomplicated machine that performs a simple task.

"The students are trying to see how complex a machine they can build using simple machines to pop a balloon," said Smith. "They're using incline planes, screws, levers, wedges, pulleys, wheels and axles to perform the task."

Smith's Principles of Engineering class is the second class in a national, four-year course of study known as Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a partnership between Winton Woods High School and Great Oaks. Great Oaks provides teachers at both Winton Woods High School and Winton Woods Middle School and outfitted labs in each building. The goal of PLTW is to give students first-hand experience with different facets of engineering and help them discover where their strengths lie.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• A new Scuba Club is starting at Winton Woods Middle School, and students can become certified in basic scuba and learn to dive. The club is slated to start in November with hopes of getting everyone certified by the winter. This club can be the start of a student's lifelong partnership with the water and its creatures, where they can see crazy-colored fishes, meet turtles, and hang out underwater. First come to class and pool training, then it's off to the open water for check-out dives and "graduation." Since scuba (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) certification is for life, students will then be able to dive and try advanced classes as they improve. Instructors will come from local dive shops and practice will be held in local pools under strict supervision. Winton Woods Middle School Science Teacher John Fiely, a certified dive master, will coordinate the program at the school with the help of teachers Derek Christerson and Mallory Gardner. Send questions to [email protected] and let the school know if your student is interested in joining. WWMS is working right now to offer this adventure at a huge discount to normal diving class fees.

• Winton Woods Middle School will also be offering an Outdoor Education Club to students. The club will consist of various outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, and water sports. The club will be facilitated by health and physical education teachers Derek Christerson and Mallory Gardner. The club already has its first adventure planned. The event will consist of fishing, water tubing, and skiing at Williamstown Lake in Kentucky. The Outdoor Education Club will provide WWMS students with skills to enjoy outdoor adventures and nature. The goal is to teach the students lifelong lessons and responsibilities that they will benefit from during these events.

• Seventh and eighth graders at Winton Woods Middle School are using iPod nanos purchased through a district grant to sharpen their foreign language and technology skills. "Students listened to Spanish activities on iPods and used the new foreign language computer lab to research Mexican independence," said Spanish teacher Lisa Giblin. "The use of technology helps make language learning more fun and interesting for the students. It also allows them to move at their own pace, repeating items they need to practice and moving quickly through the skills they have already mastered. We look forward to using the computer lab often this year."

Eighth grader Ashley McCartney said the best thing about the iPods is she felt students learn a lot more. Her classmate Jada Daniels agreed. "You also get to hear Spanish music you never would have heard normally. I really like Selena now."

• A community service day at Dayspring Church of God in Forest Park will benefit Winton Woods Middle School in Greenhills. Joe and Lou Ann Luken are coordinating Faith in Action Sunday, a national day of service, for their church on Sunday, October 10. "On that day, we will cancel all of our morning classes and worship service, so that everyone can go into the community or city to serve," said Lou Ann Luken.

The church's team of youth and young adults will work at Winton Woods Middle School from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. doing yard work, including picking up litter and clearing away weeds and brush by the bleachers and track area. Parents and students at the school who would like to join in the clean-up effort should arrive with their own tools and a packed lunch. "We would love the opportunity to serve beside them," said Luken.

The project at Winton Woods Middle School is one of ten projects that church members are doing, and the group plans to work at the school rain or shine. "In case of rain we will still go and just wear rain gear, but if it is storming the event will be canceled."

Winton Woods Intermediate School News:

• Congratulations to the following students for being nominated by their peers and teachers to serve on the 2010-2011 WWIS Student Council:

5th graders: Kailyn Arps, Jerry Taylor, Hayleigh Vitagliano, Tatiana Quinto, Alexis Weihe, Tevis Clark, Angel Higginbottom, Jordan Gillette, Isis Clack, Princess Dyer, Myliah Wise-Powell, Shawndale Arrington, Sydney Fuller, Key'Aira Williams, Simona Reid, Brian Duckworth, Lamisha Baber, Whitney Byrd, Payton Mack, Charles Brown, Justice Grace, and Jordanne Sims.

6th graders: Makayla Woolens, Amaris Humes, Ravyn Ramsey, Jasmine Smith, Jaysean Johnson, Aveisha Payne, Shaqueya White, Andie Lariccia, Betty Miller, Lauryn Wilson, Sierra Moss, Noah Smith, Jalyn Hill, Brianna Richard, Sandra Cox, Shantel Bonner, Celeste Hackmann, Khamya Menefee, and Jade Davis.

Co-Presidents: Abby Ewald and Geralyn Smith

• Congratulations to sixth grader Ellis Williams who auditioned for and made the Cincinnati Junior Youth Wind Ensemble. "This is the first time we have ever had a sixth grader make this elite group," said Band Director Dani Ashbrook. "Ellis plays alto sax, which is a competitive instrument to get in on. We are very proud of him and this great accomplishment."

• Winton Woods Intermediate School and the American Cancer Society proudly present "Warriors for the Cause" Students vs. Staff Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Basketball Game on Tuesday November 2. Dinner will be served from 5:30 -6:45 p.m. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. with a half-time, three-point shooting contest and raffle. All proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. Please call the school office or check the school website for dinner, game, and or t-shirt ordering information.

• Congratulations to the WWIS September Students of the Month: Orange All Stars: Brian Duckworth- Brian shows respect by following teacher directions the first time. He turns his homework in and he works to solve problems peacefully. Simona Reid- Simona consistently meets our expectations of being respectful, responsible, safe, and a problem solver. Simona is always prepared for class. She also consistently participates in class. Golden Treasures: Jayla Lee- Jayla exhibits the Warrior Way daily by being prepared and being respectful to teachers and her peers. She willingly provides assistance whenever needed. Ramiro Sotelo- Ramiro leads by example when he follows directions and goes above and beyond in his student work. Ramiro is kind and helpful to his peers. Emerald Eagles: Jade Davis- Jade is a sweet and hard working student. She always comes to class with a positive attitude and completes her work. Brianna Richard- Brianna is a positive, friendly, and hard working student. She completes all of her assignments and is nice to teachers and peers alike. Blue Blazers: Tatiano Quinto- Tatiana just makes us smile. She is always focused and ready to learn. She has learned the classroom routines and is always prepared. Tatiana is also willing to help. Silver Sharks: Grace Kent- Grace is very concerned that her work is done properly and to the best of her ability. Grace is kind and thoughtful in her actions and attitude toward others. She always follows rules and directions. Diamond Isaacs- Diamond always does her best on her work and gets it in on time. Diamond is extremely helpful to both adults and other students. Diamond always has a positive attitude toward school. Specials: Elana Hairston- Elana Hairston is a responsible, respectable young woman. She is always willing to help in any manner possible. Always does her best in everything she does. Austin Chesney- Austin Chesney is a quiet, responsible young man who shows respect to everyone. He always does his best in any situation. Purple Panthers: Sierra Moss- Sierra is a very loving and kind student. She is focused and always on task. She enjoys working with others. Sierra completes all her assignments. She really enjoys math and science activities.

• Let’s celebrate our students and this great school year by preserving all of your child’s memories with the 2010-11 Winton Woods Intermediate School yearbook. This full-color, 48-page book will have all of the fifth and sixth grade class photos, as well as school activities and events. Pre-order a yearbook now to guarantee your student receives a 2010-11 WWIS yearbook. Order forms are available in the WWIS office or can be downloaded from the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads. All orders are due by October 15, 2010. Order today!

Winton Woods Elementary School News:

• Winton Woods Elementary was awarded a $1000 grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation to fund a Science on the Go program. Our district philosophy is that science is a lab-based, hands-on discovery program. Through the use of take-home science kits, our students and parents will experience science as if they were in our very own science lab. We will create kits that will cover three major areas of science: earth, life and physical. We are excited about partnering with parents to help our students excel in science.

• Special thanks to Board of Education member Cindy Emmert who spent two days with fourth grade students in the WWES Land Lab. Mrs. Emmert, whose family owns and operates the W.H. Shroyer Nursery, helped to teach students about the life cycle of plants. Thanks Mrs. Emmert for sharing your knowledge with our young people!

• Winton Woods Elementary School is continuing its annual Enjoy the City fundraiser through September 30. This $20 coupon book is filled with great deals at local businesses. If you wish to support our fundraiser, please call the school at 619-2490.

• The annual Winton Woods Elementary Book Fair is scheduled for Friday, October 8 through Thursday, October 14. Volunteers are needed to work in the school library during these dates to assist students as they participate in the book fair. The schedule is as follows:

DATE A.M. TIME P.M. TIME Friday, October 8 9:00 - 11:15 1:00 - 3:15 Monday, October 11 9:00 - 11:15 1:00 - 3:15 Tuesday, October 12 9:00 - 11:15 1:00 - 3:15 Wednesday, October 13 9:00 - 11:15 1:00 - 3:15 Thursday, October 14 9:00 - 11:15 1:00 - 3:15

Please sign up for one or multiple times as your schedule permits. Also please be sure to take the time to participate as a volunteer in your child’s school at least one time this year. Greater family involvement in school provides a clear positive message to students about the importance of their education. The book fair offers you an opportunity to demonstrate this belief and to see what happens at your child’s school during the day.

As WWES currently has no vice president for the Winton Woods Community PTA (though one is much needed), please contact Paula Kuhn at [email protected] or call 742-5591 to volunteer. You may also contact WWES to volunteer.

Winton Woods Primary News:

September

• 28 PN Picture Day (Regular Uniform Day) • 29 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students) • 30 Literacy Event at PS (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

October

• 4-8 Student Count Week (Student's Attendance is CRITICAL) • 5 PN/PS Fire Prevention Day (Gr. 1-2) • 6 PN Preschool Fire Prevention (Preschool/KDG) • 7 PS PTA Walk-a-Thon. • 15 Professional Development Day (No School for Students) • 21 PN PTA Popcorn Day • 21 PN/PS Parent Conferences (5-8:25 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Parent Conferences (No School) • 26 PS Pictures (Regular Uniform Day) • 26 Academic Activities Night K-6 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) @ WWHS • 28 PN Preschool Harvest Party (10:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.) • 29 PN/PS Harvest Party (AM-KDG @11:00 a.m. ~ PM-KDG, Gr. 1 & 2 @ 3 p.m.)

• The Warrior Academic Advisory Council, in collaboration with WWPN and WWPS, will be presenting “Literacy…the Key to Strong Academic Performance” on Thursday, September 30 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the WWPS gym for parents of students K-2. The guest speaker will be Crystal Bossard, literacy specialist and early childhood professor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Winton Woods staff will highlight the advanced academic programs at each of the Winton Woods schools. This will assist you in taking an active role in preparing your child for success in the district’s advanced academic track. Remember, getting your child ready for Winton Woods advanced classes starts now!

• PN/PS students were busy learning about the U.S. Constitution on Friday, September 17 which is "National Constitution Day." PN students wrote and signed their own classroom Constitutions in addition to other activities in honor of our Constitution. WWPN Art Teacher Nancy Bleisch reenacted the signing of the U.S. Constitution by having students use a quill pen and ink and sign their names as 39 brave men did on September 17, 1787 and changed the course of our history. Pictured are second graders Carson Caldwell and Michael Stothfang and Mrs. Bleisch.

• PN congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of September 17: Amy Ngom (not pictured), ElijahByrd, Isabel Valle. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays. Mrs. Reilag's first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils.

• PN Music Teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce the Music Award for the week of September 17 goes to Miss Lumsden's second grade class. A Music Award Banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• The PN WWC PTA Fundraiser "Kick-off" on September 21 was filled with excitement and many challenges for our students, teachers and Principal Katie Klei. Mr. Nick, Miss Klei, and Miss Blincoe participated in the Oreo Cookie challenge. They all came close to eating the Oreo as it traveled down their faces, using only their face muscles! The Midland Fundraising packet was sent home this week with the students. Please help support our major fall fundraiser. The funds earned will help support the many activities sponsored by our school PTA and will benefit all our children. The sale begins Tuesday, September 21 and ends Tuesday, October 5. Please make checks payable to WWC PTA. Prizes include: puzzles. erasers, candy grabber machine, great piglet race, limo/lunch ride with one friend. The top selling classroom and classroom with the highest participation will earn a pizza party.

• PN Picture Day is Tuesday, September 28. Students MUST have the Picture Day form completed with payment at the time pictures are taken. Students are required to wear uniforms for Picture Day. If you have any questions, please call Lifetouch at 772-2110.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Market Day orders will be ready for pick up on Monday, September 27 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Winton Woods Intermediate School, located at 825 Waycross Road. Thank you to everyone who placed an order this month to help support the Winton Woods Community PTA! If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with market Day, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872 or [email protected].

• The deadline to order WWCS Spirit Wear t-shirts is this Friday, September 24. Whether you missed our sale at the school open houses or perhaps we didn’t have your size, now is your opportunity to order. Remember, WW Spirit Wear shirts can be worn to school every Friday, grades K-12.

All shirts are quality 50/50 cotton-poly blend, short-sleeve t-shirts. There are three designs currently available. Cost is $10.00 each for sizes youth small through adult X-Large ($12 for 2X, $13 for 3X). Payment must be included with your order. Please contact us with additional size requests. All orders can be turned in to your school office or sent to Primary North, attention PTA/Jan Mavridoglou.

The order form can also be downloaded from the WWC PTA website, www.wwcpta.org, click on downloads. If you have questions please contact Jan Mavridoglou at [email protected].

• Registration deadline for the WWC PTA After School Dance Program is September 30.

This year’s PTA Dance Program includes: 27 weeks of quality dance instruction for just $75 .00 Ballet, Tap, and Jazz classes offered. Professional End-of-Year Recital. Classes are held after school hours on Tuesdays at WWIS. Classes begin Tuesday, October 19. Additional classes and opportunities are available at the Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center Studio. Classes open to all Winton Woods students in grades 1-6. Currently accepting names of interested kindergarten students for a possible kindergarten ballet class. Discounts available for students who are eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch. Registration forms are available in the school offices or can be downloaded off the WWC PTA website (www.wwcpta.org, click on downloads). For more information call Tina Prentosito at CDMC, 521-8462.

September 30, 2010

Quote of the week:

Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road. Stewart Brand

District News:

• The district will be hosting two chaperones and 10 Guatemalan students in seventh through ninth grades from October 22 - November 14.

A reverse exchange will take place in July 2011 when Winton Woods will send a delegation of students to Guatemala. "Because our summers and winters are reversed, our students will be able to attend school, as well as sightsee, in Guatemala," said Mimi Khayo of the district's office of parent and community outreach. "And with many of the district's middle and high school students studying Spanish, Guatemala's Mayan and Spanish cultures are a good fit for our district."

There will be a welcoming ceremony on Sunday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. "I know this will be an enriching experience for many of our district's families," said Khayo.

• Academic Activities Night is scheduled on Tuesday, October 26 at Winton Woods High School for grades K-6 students and parents from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Interactive activities in math, science and reading will provide families with the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum their child is experiencing every day. A family dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Families must RSVP to attend dinner at 619-2420. Babysitting will be provided for children under age 5.

• The way teachers are evaluated in the Winton Woods School District is changing with the implementation of a new assessment system. The Winton Woods Teachers' Association (WWTA) and the district's administration have agreed to use the Danielson Framework for Teaching, a research-based set of components of instruction.

"The teachers' association is pleased with the mutual decision to use the Danielson Framework for our teacher evaluation process," said WWTA President Lisa Middleman. This new evaluation method divides teaching into 22 components which are clustered into four domains of teaching responsibility: planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities.

"This is a more robust and research-based evaluation process than what we had in the past," said Courtney Wilson, executive director of human resources for Winton Woods City Schools. "The new process allows administrators to conduct one unannounced observation for teachers on limited contracts. The other three observations are announced. Hopefully this will provide a real time snapshot of what is going on in our classrooms which in turn will allow us to address concerns to improve student achievement."

"A teacher evaluation accomplishes two things; it ensures quality teaching and promotes professional learning," said Middleman. "This process will allow for teachers being evaluated to engage in self assessment, reflect on teaching practices, carry on professional conversations, become more thoughtful and analytical about their work, and put them in the position to improve their teaching."

"Training is underway, and we will begin implementing the new process beginning in October," said Wilson.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Student Council is still in need of people to drive convertibles in the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 8. Please contact Student Council sponsor Peggy Higgins at [email protected] or call 619-2420 to volunteer your time and your car.

• The Winton Woods High School Athletic Department has won a $1000 award from the Hoxworth Blood Center. The award will be given at the home football game on Friday, October 8 at 7:15 p.m.

• Winton Woods High School Athletic and Music Boosters have a new website: http://www.wintonwoodsboosters.org/. Parents are invited to visit the site and asked to consider donating their time and talent to one of these worthwhile organizations.

• Winton Woods High School has opened a new school store with school supplies, t-shirts and other items. The store is open daily during all lunch bells. It's located in room 100, on the right side of the cafeteria.

• National Honor Society is sponsoring a “Hats On Day” on Thursday, September 30 to help children with cancer. Students who donated $2.00 for a ticket are allowed to wear a hat all day, with the money going to the Foundation for Children with Cancer. "This is a great cause, and we hope to raise a lot of money," said NSH sponsor Michele Stahl.

• Winton Woods High School students attended a presentation about the Invisible Children and will be putting their inspiration into action. The Winton Woods “Schools for Schools Club” will be partnering with a school in Uganda. Students are also able to wear jeans on Friday, October 1 if they have donated $1.00 to the Invisible Children charity.

• Congratulations to Varsity cheerleader Charmane Watson for being chosen as the CincyCheer.com "Cheerleader of the Week." Charmane was selected for her dual roles as Varsity cheerleader and Marching Band member. Thank you for representing Winton Woods High School in such a positive manner.

• Junior Aaron Kemper has been nominated for the Bengals Ohio National Guard Cincinnati High School Player of the Week. Aaron plays running back for the Varsity Football team and had 21 carries for 261 yards and six touchdowns against Walnut Hills. You can vote for Aaron by going to Bengals.com, scrolling down, and clicking on the Ohio National Guard icon. Click on the bullet point next to Aaron’s name. You can vote as many times as you want. Aaron currently leads the voting which ends on Friday, October 1 at 5:00 p.m.

• Don't miss this opportunity to be a member of the 2010 Winton Woods Swim Team. Through a partnership with Mercy Health Plex in Fairfield, we have secured a practice pool and coaching for Winton Woods students who are interested in this opportunity.

A parent/student informational meeting, including the time and financial commitment, will be held Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School cafeteria. Kim Hogue, aquatic director at the Mercy Health Plex, and Dwight Campbell, Winton Woods High School athletic director, will be in attendance. For additional information please contact Winton Woods High School parent Diana Behrendt at [email protected].

• High school sophomores, juniors and seniors and their families are invited to attend an autumn X-Experience Day at Xavier University on one of two days: Sunday, October 24 or Saturday, November 13. X-Experience Day offers activities and information for students and parents exploring college. It is free with advance registration. For more information and to register for either day, go to www.xavier.edu/undergraduate- admission/visit-xavier/x-day.cfm.

Both days begin with check-in at 8:45 a.m. On October 24, there will be an optional mass at 9:00 a.m. in Bellarmine Chapel. On November 13, the optional mass will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Students and their families can attend breakout sessions which will discuss popular majors and the student experience in college. The event will end at 3:00 p.m. each day. This program is also open to interested college transfer students.

• Winton Woods High School graduate, Varsity Ensemble choir alumnus, and former Gospel Keys musical director David Driskill has won a spot in Tiffin University's vocal a cappella group, Up in the Air, one of Ohio's elite collegiate vocal ensembles. This eight member group performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella jazz, funk, R&B, pop, and world music. The group has appeared before hundreds of audiences throughout the U.S. and Europe. Driskill is pictured second from right.

• Three Winton Woods High School musicians have been accepted into local youth orchestras. Senior Patrick Kelly, a viola player in the Winton Woods High School orchestra, auditioned for and has been selected to be part of the Blue Ash Youth Symphony Orchestra (BAYSO) for the fourth year in a row. BAYSO is made up of students from over 40 local schools in grades 7-12. Under the direction of Dale Swisher, the orchestra performs a minimum of four concerts each year.

Junior Sam Rocklin, also a member of the school's orchestra, auditioned for and was accepted into the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) on double bass. He was also accepted in the group's smaller chamber orchestra. The CSYO is directed by CSO Assistant Conductor Ken Lam. The orchestra is made up of students in grades 9–12 who represent over 30 high schools in southwestern Ohio, southeastern Indiana, and northern Kentucky.

Freshman Ciarra Rucker, a member of the Winton Woods High School band, auditioned for and has been selected as a flutist for the Middletown Youth Symphony. The orchestra is composed of young musicians from five counties and is under the direction of Lucy Firlie Ginther.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• A request from parents for take-home science materials has led to the awarding of a $1000 grant to Winton Woods Elementary School from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation to fund the school's new "Science on the Go" program. "The idea came from last year's Academic Night that the district held," said Cris Cornelssen, science lab instructor at Winton Woods Elementary School who applied for the grant. "Parents and students were so engrossed in the science activity that they wanted to take the materials home to finish the investigation."

Cornelssen said that creating take-home science kits will allow parents and students to discover the process of science at home and foster an understanding of inquiry-based science. "Through the use of take-home science kits, our students and parents will experience science as if they were in our very own science lab," she said. " We will create kits that will cover three major areas of science: earth, life and physical."

Principal Kendell Dorsey said his staff is "excited about partnering with parents to help our students excel in science. Our objective is to educate and involve our parents in our science program and their child's academic learning while raising our Ohio Achievement Assessment science scores."

Cornelssen said topics covered by the kits will include clouds, classification of animals, plant parts, electricity, insulators and conductors and states of matter.

Winton Woods Primary News:

SEPTEMBER

• 27 WW Board of Education Meeting (7:00 p.m.) • 28 PN Picture Day (Regular Uniform Day) • 29 PN/PS Professional Development Day (No Students) • 30 PN/PS WAAC Literacy presentation at PS (7:00-8:00 p.m./Gym)

October

• 1 Custodial Day (Thank your custodian!) • 4-8 WWCS Student Count Week (Students' Attendance is CRITICAL) • 5 PN Fire Prevention Day (Gr 1-2) • 6 PN/PS Fire Prevention (PN Preschool/KDG and PS KDG) • 7 PS PTA Walk-a-Thon. • 7-8 PS Fire Prevention Day (Gr 1-2) • 11 PS PTA Safety Presentation (7:00 p.m./WWHS Library) • 15 End of 1st Quarter • 15 Professional Development Day (No School for Students) • 18 2nd Quarter Begins • 21 PN PTA Popcorn Day • 21 1st Quarter Report Cards Sent Home • 21 PN/PS Parent Conferences (5:00 - 8:25 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Parent Conferences (No School) • 26 PS Pictures (Regular Uniform Day) • 26 Academic Activities Night K-6 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) @ WWHS • 28 PN Preschool Harvest Party (10:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.) • 29 PN/PS Harvest Party (AM-KDG @11:00 ~~ PM-KDG, Gr. 1 & 2 @ 3:00 p.m.)

• PN congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of September 20: Riley Roberts, Mikayla Robertson and Eddie Tompkins. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Kennedy's first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils.

• PN Music Teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of September 20 goes to Miss Vandivier's second grade class. A Music Award Banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• The PN WWC PTA fundraiser ends Tuesday, October 5. The top selling classroom and the classroom with the highest participation will earn a pizza party.

• PS Picture Day is Tuesday, October 26. Students must have the Picture Day form completed with payment at the time pictures are taken. Students are required to wear uniforms for Picture Day. If you have any questions, please call Lifetouch at 772-2110.

• The following students were celebrated for September Character Counts (Responsibility) at Primary South. They received a certificate and a pencil for always being responsible: Elizabeth Padilla, Kaitlyn Jackson, Na’ima Salaam, Laila Gordon, Cemeryn Kelly, Shaliyah Duke, Aitana Lopez, Taylor White, RJ Brown, Ashanti Bourne, Renia Butts, Dawson Frisby, Caleb Tubbs, Samba Sy, Zaire Lee, Brian Sanchez, Mia Johnson, Carmen Reyes, Sami Hornback and Ivanna Perry-Ross.

WWC PTA News:

• In our ongoing effort to “go green,” the WWC PTA uses email communication whenever possible. We encourage our families to visit our website www.wwcpta.org as well as our district website www.wintonwoods.org for school district news.

The vast majority of communication can be delivered to you in the form of emails. Please choose from the groups below to receive news and event notices that pertain to your student and your family interest. Communication is the key!

WWC PTA - Occasional email notices pertaining to family programs, events, and volunteer opportunities taking place at all six of our district’s school buildings. To sign up please send your contact information to Debbie Day, PTA corresponding secretary, at [email protected].

WW Athletic Boosters - Occasional email notices regarding the WW Athletic Department, including sports schedules, news, and volunteer opportunities. To sign up please send your contact information to Kim Sherman at [email protected].

WWHS Friends of the Theatre - Occasional email notices regarding the WWHS drama department, including upcoming productions, student auditions, show times/ticket information, and volunteer opportunities. To sign up please send your contact information to Friends of the Theater President Barb Drees at [email protected].

WW Music Boosters - Occasional email notices regarding the WW music department, including events, programs, and volunteer opportunities. To sign up please send your contact information to John Jordan at [email protected].

WW Warrior Football - Occasional email notices pertaining exclusively to Warrior Football news, events, and team dinners. To sign up please send your contact information to Eloise Richardson at [email protected].

• The registration deadline for the WWC PTA after school dance program has been extended until October 8. The registration form, which includes additional information, is available on our PTA website - www.wwcpta.org, click on downloads and select Dance Registration.

• This year’s PTA Dance Program includes: 27 weeks of Quality Dance Instruction for just $75.00! Ballet, Tap, and Jazz classes offered. Professional End-of-Year Recital. Classes are held after school on Tuesdays at WWIS and are open to all Winton Woods students grades K-6. Classes begin Tuesday, October 19. Registration deadline is October 8. Discounts available for students who are eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch. For more information call Tina Prentosito at 521-8462.

• Thanks to everyone who placed an order with Market Day this past month, as well as the wonderful volunteers who helped. If you would like to volunteer and join us on October 25 for our next pick up, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

The new Market Day order forms will be coming home with students next week. Please take a look at the special section on Dessert Bonus Days. Bonus Days are a wonderful opportunity for our PTA to earn even more on participating dessert purchases, and they come just in time for Thanksgiving! Market Day provides a number of resources to help us during Bonus Days, but we really need a person willing to take charge of this special event to take full advantage of this opportunity. If you are interested, please contact Kim Bays to learn more about how you can help.

October 6, 2010

Quote of the week:

Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement -- and we will make the goal. Jerome P. Fleishman

District News:

• There is a Professional Development Day on Friday, October 15. There is no school for students.

• There will be a “Window to Winton Woods Breakfast Meeting” on Thursday, November 4 for community leaders and senior citizens. The purpose of this meeting is to collaborate with those community members who may not typically have much contact with the district or be aware of all the great things going on in our schools. If you or someone you know is a senior citizen and would like to attend, please contact Gina Burnett, communications specialist, at 619-2301 or [email protected].

• Military personnel from around the world will being receiving a "storm" of letters and artwork from students in Winton Woods City Schools through the district's Operation Letter Storm service project. "All Winton Woods students will be participating in Operation Letter Storm with the purpose of barraging our men and women in uniform with letters of support and encouragement as they carry out their duties and defend our freedoms," said Karen Emmons, media specialist at Winton Woods Primary North. Emmons started Operation Letter Storm for the district in 2007. Her son Jesse Emmons, a 2007 Winton Woods High School graduate, is currently serving his country in Iraq.

The students' letters will be mailed free, along with care packages from the Dayspring Church Yellow Ribbon Support Group and The Thank You Foundation, both of which are partnering with the district on this project. Mailings will be conducted a few times each year around holidays-- Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Memorial Day. "Our letters will arrive when the troops are missing home most of all," said Emmons.

Families and community members in the district who would like to write a letter to be sent in the military care packages should send them to Karen Emmons at Winton Woods Primary North, located at 73 Junefield Avenue in Greenhills.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Both the Winton Woods Music Boosters and the Winton Woods Athletic Boosters web pages have undergone a facelift. Both pages can now be found at: http://www.wintonwoodsboosters.org/.

• Congratulations to this year's Homecoming Court members: Freshmen: Cameron Day-Suggs and Cierra Croff Sophomores: Lejon Scott and Ashley Smith Juniors: Andrew Topits and Kevana Cross Seniors: Demetrius Boswell, Corey Stewart, Major (Dennis) Thomas, Keeno Hollins, Kalyn Frey, Tiffany Peterson, Janae Sneed, Felicia Mixon and Alexis Simpson.

• The Winton Woods High School Homecoming game will be played on Friday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. against Loveland 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, and then turn north onto the roadway between Central Site and the Winton Woods High School Charlie Fredrick Stadium.

• College-bound high school students interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies in the areas of music, dance, theater, visual arts, graphic design, and other related disciplines are encouraged to attend the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s (NACAC) Cincinnati Performing and Visual Arts College Fair. "If you are considering a career after college in the performing arts, it is a must attend event," said Winton Woods City Schools Fine Arts Facilitator Dave Bell." There will be 63 colleges in attendance." The fair will be on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Tangeman University Center at the University of Cincinnati. For more information, log onto www.nationalcollegefairs.org.

Winton Woods Middle School:

• Winton Woods Middle School held a campout on school property on Friday, September 24 as a reward for good citizenship. The students slept under the stars and had the opportunity to become familiar with the school's campus and property. "Each team at the school was able to invite 25 kids to the campout for some good old fashioned fun," said Principal Lisa Votaw. "The boys and girls were divided and each given one large tarp, one sheet of plastic, and a rope and were told they had to work together to set up their shelters for the night. They played camp games like spotlight tag, told ghost stories, made s'mores, and slept under the stars. The kids had a great time and were angels."

• On Friday, September 24 over 60 Winton Woods Middle School students enjoyed the first open gym incentive of the year. Each student paid 15 Warrior Bucks to attend. Warrior Bucks are earned by students for meeting or exceeding school expectations. First-time open gym participant Paa Nkrumah, a seventh grader, really enjoyed the opportunity to play basketball with his classmates. "I would definitely do it again!" he said. This is just the first of several incentives planned for this school year. Students can also use their Warrior Bucks to enter raffles and shop in the "Holiday Store" in December.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

OCTOBER 4-8 COUNT WEEK: State funding is based on student attendance. Please contact the school by phone or send a note to the office if your child will be late or out of school any day this week. 7- Cincinnati Spirit Wear Day – Wear a shirt supporting your favorite Cincinnati team. 8- Popcorn Friday for all students with perfect attendance the entire week of October 4-8. 11-15- WWIS Book Fair – contact Ms. Peterson to volunteer. 14- First quarter ends 15- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – Professional Development for teachers. 21- Parent Conferences – Report cards go home 22- Parent Conferences – No school for students 25- Market Day Pick-up at WWIS 26- Academic Activities Night – More information to come 28- Student of the Month Breakfast 29- WWIS Harvest Parties 1:30 p.m.

• Congratulations to all students who earned prizes for collecting their Warrior points over the first five weeks of school. Each day students who are respectful, responsible, safe, problem solvers in all areas of the building are able to earn at least five points each day. The students are able to earn a variety of prizes based on the total points. Prizes include sitting in the teacher's chair, extra time on the computer, open gym, pizza luncheon, out of uniform pass, and selecting a prize from the Warrior prize box. Students who earn 100 points are also able to put their name into a raffle. Congratulations to Tevan West who was the winner of the raffle and received a $20 gift card to Showcase Cinemas.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School has some new after-school opportunities for our students coming up soon. The staff and students are very excited and are happy to welcome volunteers who may be willing to participate in these activities. New clubs include: Extreme Reading Club, Knitting Club, Fitness Club, Sunshine Computer Club, Design Squad (inspired by the NASA missions to the moon), Farm to Table and Ultimate Frisbee. For more information, visit the Intermediate School website at: www.wintonwoods.org. Click on “Schools” and then click on the Intermediate School.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School will be participating in the "Get Active, Get Fit" School Challenge for a chance to win a Radio Disney Dance Party at our school. Students are being asked to make sure they are getting active and getting fit for at least 15 minutes every day. Getting active and getting fit means doing anything that's active--whether at home or at school--like playing soccer, dancing, walking the dog, or jumping rope. Students are being asked to keep track of their daily activity by filling in their student tracking chart. WWIS Physical Education Teacher Carl Paff will help each homeroom keep track of their daily activity. WWIS will provide an incentive for the winning homerooms, and we also hope to win the Radio Disney Dance Party. All Warrior families are encouraged to join WWIS in our "Get Active, Get Fit" School Challenge.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School and the American Cancer Society proudly present "Warriors for the Cause" Students vs. Staff Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Basketball Game on Tuesday, November 2. Dinner will be served from 5:30 -6:45 p.m. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. with a half-time, three-point shooting contest and raffle. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Please call the school office or check the school website for dinner, game, and or t-shirt ordering information.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Over 40 members of the WWES Sprinters team participated in the "Run for the Nuns" event at Winton Woods Park on Saturday, October 1. These young runners sprinted about 3.1 miles. Thanks to our Sprinter coaches, teachers Sheri Conrad, Taisha James and Dianna Rieth, for inspiring these young people to be healthy and active! Way to go, guys!

• Congratulations to Assistant Principal Ben Spector and his wife on the birth of their baby boy, Gibran. Gibran was 8 pounds and 20.5 inches at birth.

Winton Woods Primary News:

Primary School Calendar of Events: October

• 4-8 WWCS Student Count Week (Students' attendance is critical) • 5 PN Fire Prevention Day (Gr. 1-2) • 6 PN/PS Fire Prevention (PN Preschool/KDG and PS KDG) • 7 PS PTA Walk-a-Thon. • 7-8 PS Fire Prevention Day (Gr. 1-2) • 11 PS PTA Safety Presentation (7:00 p.m./WWHS Library) • 15 End of 1st Quarter • 15 Professional Development Day (No School for Students) • 18 2nd Quarter Begins • 21 PN PTA Popcorn Day • 21 1st Quarter Report Cards Sent Home • 21 PN/PS Parent Conferences (5:00-8:25 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Parent Conferences (No School) • 25 WWCS Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. • 26 PS Pictures (Regular Uniform Day) • 26 Academic Activities Night K-6 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) @ WWHS • 28 PN Preschool Harvest Party (10:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.) • 29 PN/PS Harvest Party (AM-KDG @11:00 a.m. ~ PM-KDG, Gr. 1 & 2 @ 3:00 p.m.)

• PN congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of September 29: Steven Duckworth, Marcel Ngoyi, and Gavin Burnett The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Stone's first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificate.

• Congratulations to our PS Character Counts t-shirt winners for September! Pictured (l-r) are Collins Sabotka, Kahmisa Mitchell and Taylor Sneed.

• The PN Green Team works to help make Primary North "go green" by becoming student leaders in recycling. The following students were chosen to participate in this week's Green Team: Colin Runyan, Dovier Beamon, Julian Vaca-iber, Katie Hiles and Christian Hernandez.

• Going green and the importance of recycling is easy to notice here at PS. Along with the recycling bins throughout the building, we also have Art Teacher Katie Forney and the recycling team going from class to class each Friday collecting and weighing the aluminum cans brought in to school by the students and staff. At the end of each month the totals are tallied and the winners announced. For the month of September we would like to congratulate Julianne Smith's and Cindy Boehm's classes who brought in a total of 24 pounds of cans!

• PN Music Teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of October goes to Mrs. McCann's first grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• As you enter the lobby of PS you may notice a display case full of colorful artwork set against the wall to the gym. Each month our resident artist (Art Teacher Katie Forney) picks winning artwork from the first and second grade classes and displays it in our lobby for all to see. It is always fun to see the creativity and skill displayed by our students, so join us in congratulating our art winners for September:

• 1st grade: Shawn'Jai Spencer, Adriana Duenas Uribe, Jailen Stallings, Deveon Cummings, Devon Medley and Gianna Lilly • 2nd grade: RJ Engleman, Ariana Overton, Julian Dixon, Summer Shaw, Hayden Kohlbrand, Sami Hornback and JaCorey Reeves

• PS teachers Jennifer Chaney and Tiffani Moore are busy getting the science lab organized. Starting in the second quarter, each class will be visiting the science lab every other week. While the students are in the science lab they will explore science with different hands-on activities. The students at PS will soon experience the wonders of science!

• Academic Activities Night is scheduled on Tuesday, October 26 at Winton Woods High School for grades K-6 students and parents from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Interactive activities in math, science and reading will provide families with the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum their child is experiencing every day. A family dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Families must RSVP to attend dinner at 619-2420. Babysitting will be provided for children under age 5.

• The Primary South Walk-a-Thon is Thursday, October 7. Students should wear comfortable walking shoes on Thursday and remember to bring their pledge sheets with them. If more time is needed to collect pledges, the sheets and money may be turned in after the Walk-a-Thon.

Parents who would like to volunteer to help should contact Dave Prentosito, PTA VP of Primary South, at [email protected]. Please include your name, phone number, child's name, child's teacher and grade, and whether you would like to volunteer in the morning (10:00 to 11:30 a.m.), in the afternoon (12:30 to 2:00 p.m.), or when your child will be walking.

Please support this important Primary South fundraiser. Money raised will be used by the PTA for programs specifically for Primary South. Please contact Dave Prentosito at [email protected] with any questions.

WWC PTA News:

• WWC PTA monthly Board meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School library. Each meeting will feature a guest speaker or topic, general WWC PTA business, and a review of activities and events taking place in each of our district’s six school buildings. The PTA meeting dates are scheduled as listed: October 11, 2010 - WW Teacher Assessment system - Courtney Wilson, WWCS The way teachers are evaluated in the Winton Woods School District is changing with the implementation of a new assessment system. The Winton Woods Teachers' Association (WWTA) and the district's administration have agreed to use the Danielson Framework for Teaching, a research based set of components of instruction. Join us for a presentation by Courtney Wilson, executive director of human resources for Winton Woods City Schools. (Note – this is a change in topic from our original calendar.)

November 8, 2010 - School Report Card Ratings - Tom Hausterman, WWCS

December - no meeting

January 10, 2011 - Tips on Class Scheduling - WWMS & WWHS Guidance Departments

February 14, 2011 - Academic Opportunities at WWHS - Kevin Jones, WWHS Senior Counselor.

March 14, 2011 - WW Pre-Engineering Program - Myrtis Smith, Project Lead the Way (WWHS) and Heather Edler, Gateway to Technology (WWMS)

April 11, 2011 - How to create “Math Geeks” - WW Math Department

May 9, 2011 - Meet the WWCS School Board & WWC PTA Board Elections

Please join us! Refreshments will be served. Children are welcome. For additional information or if you have questions please contact WWC PTA President Paula Kuhn, 742-5591 or [email protected]

• Market Day Dessert Bonus Days are back! When you purchase Market Day desserts, you can help our organization earn extra profit. Simply return the Market Day order form to school or place your order online at www.marketday.com. It’s that easy!

Return your order form to school by Friday, October 15 or order online at www.marketday.com until 11:00 .p.m CST on Wednesday, October 20. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

• Two Winton Woods students, fifth grader Aversa Prentosito and second grader Nicolantonio Prentosito, were part of the five-member dance group that won the prestigious "Best of the Best" National Dance Competition in Chicago this summer. To get to the "Best of the Best" Competition, the dancers had to qualify at a regional competition in Dayton, then they advanced to the six-day national competition in Chicago sponsored by Applause Talent Productions. The team beat out the other top scorers in their age division to win the national title of "Best of the Best" for age 8 and under and were awarded a trophy taller than they are (see photo). All the dancers are members of the competitive dance team of the Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center, which is providing this year's PTA-sponsored dance program for Winton Woods Schools.

There is still time to register for the PTA dance classes, which will be held at the Intermediate School on Tuesdays, starting October 19. The deadline for registration is Friday, October 8. (After the October 8 deadline, call 521-8462 to inquire about openings. Late registrations may be accepted if space is available.) For a registration form, visit the PTA web site at www.wwcpta.org and click on downloads. Discounts are available for Winton Woods students in the free and reduced lunch program, whether they participate in the beginner classes on Tuesdays at WWIS or the more advanced classes at the Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center facility at 880 Compton Road in the Winton Woods School District.

October 14, 2010

Quote of the week:

Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.

George Washington Carver

Winton Woods High School News:

• Congratulations to the 2010 Winton Woods High School Homecoming King Keeno Hollins and Queen Kalyn Frey!

• Congratulations to senior Christina Ingle is who the Channel 9 Student of the Week for October 18-22. The award was presented to Christina on Wednesday, October 13. The segment will air next Monday, October 18 on the 6:00 a.m. broadcast and on Wednesday, October 20 on the 5:00 p.m. news.

• The music of Michael Jackson will be prominently featured at this year's fall choral concert at Winton Woods High School, along with a presentation about the Invisible Children of Northern Uganda. The concert will take place in the Winton Woods High School auditorium on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.

"Last spring I started thinking about doing 'Earth Song' this fall, as that was one of the last major hits that Michael Jackson recorded," said Winton Woods High School Chorus Director Dave Bell. "Then when the high school kids saw the Invisible Children presentation at school a few weeks ago, it was a natural connection to link the message of 'Earth Song' with the plight of the Invisible Children, who are kidnapped and forced to fight in Africa's longest-running conflict. Several of our students have undertaken a multi-media program with images of the Invisible Children and video images of the Michael Jackson song." As the audience leaves the concert, students will be soliciting contributions for the Invisible Children and the effort to rebuild schools in Northern Uganda.

Other Jackson songs featured at the concert include: "I Want You Back/ABC," "Rockin' Robin," and "Will You Be There?" Bell said, "The kids really enjoy the music. It's so singable and engages the students quickly. It also seems to be music that is multi-generational in appeal."

The groups performing are the Winton Woods Middle School eighth grade chorus and the Winton Woods High School Men's Chorus, Chorale, Concert Choir and Varsity Ensemble. Winton Woods High School is located at 1231 W. Kemper Road in Forest Park.

• Jazmin House, a senior in the sports marketing program at Winton Woods High School, finished third in the Ohio DECA District 4 Parliamentarian Competition, held at Scarlet Oaks Career Center on Tuesday, October 5. This qualifies House to compete in the Ohio DECA State Competition to be held in Columbus, Ohio on November 16. There she will go up against 47 other students who also placed in the top three in each of the 16 DECA districts around the state. House is the first Winton Woods High School DECA student to qualify for this competition where students are tested on their knowledge of DECA and parliamentary procedure.

"Since chapter meetings and the state DECA Executive Council follow Robert's Rules of Order in running their meetings, it is Ohio DECA's belief that we can be most efficient if a student is highly skilled in parliamentary procedure," said Jerry Kuhn, the new DECA advisor at Winton Woods High School. "Jazmin took a 100-question, multiple-choice test covering parliamentary law and DECA facts, made a one-minute self introduction to a judge and completed a 10-minute interview with another judge. If she can place in the top 10 at state, Jazmin will receive a medallion. Ranking in the top three will earn her a trophy and placing first will qualify her to serve as the Ohio DECA State Parliamentarian." The primary duty of the state parliamentarian is to provide feedback when questions arise during a meeting about the correct process to follow when conducting business. House said she was excited by her third place finish. "The two students who placed ahead of me are second-year students who finished first and second in this contest last year also," said House. "Now that I have experienced the competition I know where I need to prepare to do a better job. I look forward to competing at the state level.”

Harrison Butler and Jordan Kenton earned third and fourth place trophies respectively for their performance in the Sales Demonstration contest, a local competition. They each selected a product to sell to a customer and were graded based on how well they followed the sales process.

Staci Sneed participated in the Female Public Relations Representative event to prepare her to screen for the opportunity to run for the position of Ohio DECA Secretary-Treasurer. Sneed will travel to Columbus on Sunday, October 17 where she will take a test on DECA facts and parliamentary procedure and interview before a team of judges. If she passes this screening, Sneed will run a campaign for Secretary-Treasurer at the state conference. If elected, she will serve as one of 10 student state officers who represent 4,800 Ohio DECA members. DECA is an organization for students interested in careers in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. The Winton Woods Sports Marketing program is a partnership between Winton Woods City Schools and the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development.

• After introductions were made and some personal information shared, students in Ann Erhart's Spanish 5 class at Winton Woods High School turned to other discussion topics at the Conversation Café held to help them with their Spanish speaking abilities. "I paired the students with native speakers to practice their conversation skills in a way that would make it as natural as possible," said Erhart.

So with bagels and drinks in hand, the students chose conversation cards and discussed topics ranging from their pets to their friends and their jobs. "I tried to pick typical issues for teens that would be easy for them to talk about," said Erhart. Guests at the café included Winton Woods graduate Gabi Zavalaga, a native of Peru who is currently a sophomore architecture major at Cincinnati State, and Winton Woods High School Spanish 3 teacher Chris Gibfried.

The café was made even more international with a conversation between foreign exchange students Annaclara Mezzopera from Italy and Nele Feldkamp from Germany. "Annaclara already speaks Italian and Spanish, so she was paired with Nele to practice her German," said Erhart.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School hosted the FAVC Cross Country Championship meet on its home course on Saturday, October 9. For the first time in over a decade, both the boys and girls cross country teams were able to score as a team. The ladies finished second in the West Division of the conference–the best finish ever for the WWMS girls in any meet since the cross country program began in 1996. To top it off, eighth grader Hayley Perkins earned the FAVC West Division individual title by winning the race. Autumn Adams also earned conference honors with her sixth place finish. Strong performances by teammates Hannah Riffle, Irene Onianwa, and De’Azah Atwater are what earned the team the runner-up title. The boys finished fourth as a team with Chris Riffle and Jordan Randolph earning conference honors. All Winton Woods Middle School runners improved their times on this course from two weeks ago at the WWMS Invitational. The team is pumped and primed for the last meet of the season next Monday, October 18--the All-City Championships at Colerain. Congrats, Running Warriors!

• Winton Woods Middle School held a Homecoming Carnival on Friday, October 8 that included a dunking booth, ring toss, hole in one, football toss, ping pong ball bounce, and roll a tic-tac-toe. The money raised will be used by the staff for positive behavior incentives for students throughout the school year.

• There was drag racing at Winton Woods Middle School as students in Heather Edler’s Gateway to Technology class, an engineering course offered through Great Oaks, raced the dragsters they had created for a class project. Students used the Inventor program to design race cars and then used the classroom’s drill press, scroll saw and band saw to make the actual cars. A car show was also held so students could vote for the coolest car in each class.

Gateway to Technology is designed to engage the natural curiosity of middle school students. While in the classroom, students use computer programs like Inventor and RoboPro and complete a variety of projects like a dragster and a robot. After passing a safety test with a score of 100%, students can use the class's drill press, band saw and scroll saw. Edler's class is divided into three courses: Design and Modeling, The Science of Technology and Automation and Robotics.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Winton Woods Intermediate School yearbook orders are due on Monday October 18. Let’s celebrate our students and this great school year by preserving all of your child’s memories. This full-color, 48-page book will have all of the fifth and sixth grade class photos, as well as school activities and events. Pre-order a yearbook now to guarantee your student receives a 2010-11 WWIS yearbook. Order forms are available in the WWIS office or can be downloaded from the WWC PTA website at www.wwcpta.org. Click on downloads.

• To celebrate the fall season, each math teacher at WWIS has been given a pumpkin. Students will make an estimate of how much the pumpkin weighs. During the harvest parties, the math teachers will select the student guess closest to the actual weight of the pumpkin. That student wins the pumpkin and gets to take it home!

Winton Woods Primary News:

Primary School Calendar of Events: October

• 18 PS Fire Prevention (Gr. 2) • 18 2nd Quarter Begins • 21 PN PTA Popcorn Day • 21 1st Quarter Report Cards Sent Home • 21 PN/PS Parent Conferences (5:00 - 8:25 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Parent Conferences (No School) • 25 WWCS Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. • 26 PS Picture Day (Regular Uniform Day) • 26 Academic Activities Night K-6 (5:30-8:30 p.m.) @ WWHS • 28 PN Preschool Harvest Party (10:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.) • 29 PN/PS Harvest Party (AM-KDG @11:00 a.m. ~ PM-KDG, Gr. 1 & 2 @ 3:00 p.m.)

• Cora the therapy dog and her owner, Crisinda Puetz, are once again helping primary students improve their reading skills. "Cora visits every Tuesday at Winton Woods Primary South in Springfield Township and every Thursday at Winton Woods Primary North in Greenhills," said Puetz, district support specialist for Winton Woods City Schools and a licensed professional clinical counselor. She is also Cora’s handler. In some classrooms "students have the opportunity to read to Cora while she either lies quietly next to the them or walks around the classroom," said Puetz. After reading to Cora, the child is asked to help the dog understand the story. This allows the student to practice enunciation and reading comprehension.

Cora, a golden retriever, and Puetz are members of Therapy Pets of Greater Cincinnati and are certified through the Delta Society, a leading international resource for the human-animal bond. Dogs who are part of Therapy Pet’s R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program are trained and tested for health, safety, skills and temperament. The dogs and their owners, as Pet Partners teams, then volunteer in classrooms, libraries, hospitals and nursing homes.

So far Cora visits three classrooms at Primary South. "This includes a multi-handicapped class where students pet and interact with Cora, a second grade class where kids read silently while Cora has the freedom to walk around, and an ELL (English Language Learners) class where students read in partners as Cora sits with them," said Puetz.

At Primary North, Cora visits a kindergarten class for center time, where the students rotate to Cora's center to spent time with her. "The kids work with me around subjects of Cora that coincide with their reading, science and Social Studies plan for that week," said Puetz. "Cora is there for kids to enjoy while we use her as the subject of our discussions."

The reading program helps children improve their self-esteem, reading scores and literacy skills while learning to respect animals and have fun reading. It also decreases absenteeism.

Linda Ball, ELL teacher at Winton Woods Primary South, said her students "love reading to Cora. It gives them a great opportunity to practice their reading skills and provides them an experience that opens up wonderful dialogue between their peers and myself."

For more information about the Reading Dogs program, visit www.therapypetsofgreatercincinnati.org.

• Each October is Fire Safety month, and the Greenhills and Springfield Township Fire Departments come to Primary North and Primary South to teach the students about fire safety. Students learn about crawling under smoke to get out of a burning building, one of the teachers gets dressed in the full fire gear in front of the class to help students feel more at ease with the way fireman look in fire gear, and the kids get a chance to sit in the fire truck and to squirt the fire hose. The experience is both fun and educational and is the perfect opportunity for families to discuss having a meeting place and fire safety with their children at home.

• As the cold and flu season approaches, all of our students at Primary North and Primary South will be watching a video on how to prevent the spread of germs by washing their hands and covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze. The video will be shown during each class’s library time.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of September 29: Mason Hoffman, Christian Lawson and Xashenelle Jones The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Townsell's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• The Green Team works to help make Primary North go green by becoming student leaders in recycling. The following students were chosen to participate in this week's Green Team: Colin Runyan, Dovier Beamon, Julian Vaca-iber, Katie Hiles and Christian Hernandez. The Green team has collect .860 tons of recycled paper in September-- that is equivalent to 1,746.72 pounds. Fun fact to know: A female Northern Elephant Seal, whose habitat is the North Pacific, weighs about 1700 pounds.

• Primary North Music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the music award for the week of October 4 goes to Mrs. Sterling's second grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• On Thursday, October 7 Primary South held its yearly walk-a-thon. All of the proceeds from the walk go to the Winton Woods PTA.

Community News:

• Members of the American Chemical Society's Cincinnati Chapter will be leading free chemistry demos at library locations throughout Hamilton County during National Chemistry Week, October 17-23. Click here for the complete schedule: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/news/2010/chemistryweek.html.

Also, throughout the months of October and November, students who read a book related to African or African-American history can earn a free ticket to "America, I Am: The African American Imprint," a new exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Once a student has finished a book, he or she can visit the nearest library location to get a voucher for a free child admission ticket to the exhibit.

• It is time for another UC Society of Women Engineers Middle School Outreach event. The UC Society of Women Engineers is an organization devoted to supporting women engineers and encouraging the next generation of women engineers and scientists.

The next event is November 13, but there are three other events throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for fifth to eighth grade girls to learn about different types of engineering in a fun, hands-on way. For this first event, entitled "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's an Egg!," we will design, construct, and then test a device to carry an egg safely to the ground, much like aerospace engineers do every day. There will be a speaker, a provided lunch, and prizes.

For more information on the other events, please e‐mail Anna Meibers and Olivia Rengering (this year’s UC SWE Middle School Outreach Co- Chairs) at [email protected]. Registration information is available at www.swe.uc.edu.

The cost for each event is $5 per person and includes lunch and all necessary supplies. All events are held on UC’s campus on a Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

• Springfield Township is trying to expand readership of their newsletter. To sign up, please visit: http://www.springfieldtwp.org/Newsletter.cfm.

October 21, 2010

Quote of the week:

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success. Stephen A. Brennan

District News:

• Winton Woods City Schools is making plans to again offer Chinese language classes to adults in our community. We are very excited to offer this opportunity! Information regarding days, times and cost will be available in the coming weeks. If you have an interest, please contact Communications Specialist Gina Burnett at 619-2301 or [email protected] so you can be added to the list to receive more information directly.

• There will be a “Window to Winton Woods” meeting on Thursday, November 4, for community leaders and senior citizens. The district will present information on some of their latest programs as well as their plans to address the rating on the State Report Card. If you are a community leader or senior citizen and would like to attend, please call Gina Burnett at 619-2301 or email at [email protected].

• Academic Activities Night is Tuesday, October 26 at Winton Woods High School for students in grades K-6 and their parents from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Interactive activities in math, science and reading will provide families with the opportunity to learn more about the curriculum their child is experiencing every day. A family dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Families must RSVP to attend dinner at 619-2420. Babysitting will be provided for children under age 5.

• On Friday, October 22, Winton Woods City Schools will welcome a group of students from Antigua, Guatemala for a three-week exchange coordinated by CECE Global. The students will attend classes at Winton Woods High School and Winton Woods Middle School during their stay and live with families throughout the district. There will be a welcome ceremony on Sunday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Forest Park Senior Center.

Winton Woods High School News:

• There are two comfortably overstuffed chairs at one end of the room and a computer, bookshelves and file cabinets at the other end. A chalkboard lists the "Top Things Every WW Parent Should Know." This freshly- painted Warrior blue and green room in Winton Woods High School is the newly-opened Parent Academic Resource Center (PARC). The room is a partnership between the high school and the Warrior Academic Advisory Council (WAAC), a community group comprised of Winton Woods parents and community members with a focus on academic excellence and accountability.

"The purpose of this room is to help parents assist their children in getting into college," said Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden. "This is a parent-to- parent place that gives them access to resources they may not have." The plans are for the center to be open on November 1.

"The center will be supported by parent volunteers, and we are working on securing counseling interns to assist in the day-to-day operations," said Katrina Rugless, WAAC board member. In addition to college preparation, the purpose of the center is to "link parents to academic resources and programs within and outside of the district. The PARC can also be utilized as a meeting space for parent-to-parent engagements or as a parent-to-student work station."

The college preparation information provided at the resource center is meant to compliment the information currently available in the district, said Rugless. Holden agreed, saying the PARC adds on to the work done by the high school's counseling staff. "We want to use any way we can to support students and parents getting college information," said Holden. The room became available at the high school when a special education class moved to a bigger classroom, said Holden. "We donated the space, but the Warrior Academic Advisory Council cleaned it out, painted and outfitted it at their expense," she said.

"The center was made possible by a grant from the Parents for Public Schools Greater Cincinnati Chapter Leadership Development Institute and donations from parents and community members," said Rugless. She said her organization conducted student focus groups and held a community forum on education to encourage parent involvement before putting together the resource center.

WAAC will hold a meeting on Thursday, October 28 in the Winton Woods High School library to discuss the organization's activities for the upcoming year, recruit volunteers for the resource center, and allow parents to visit the PARC.

The mission of WAAC is to improve parent and community involvement in the academic process by developing and supporting current academic programs within the Winton Woods School District.

• Winton Woods High School football player Aaron Kemper was recently recognized as the Bengals-Ohio National Guard Player of the Week for September 27. Kemper plays running back. Pictured are (l-r) Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell, Aaron Kemper, Sergeant First Class Joshua Debord with the Ohio National Guard and Winton Woods High School Assistant Principal David Lumpkin.

Winton Woods High School quarterback Thomas Owens was the Winton Woods MVP of school's Skyline Showdown game against Elder on August 27. Pictured with the trophy are (l-r) Winton Woods High School Assistant Principal David Lumpkin, Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell, Thomas Owens and Coach Tony Boyd.

• The Winton Woods High School Athletic Department was the winner of the Hoxworth Blood Center "Be True To Your School" promotion held in September. Hoxworth asked blood donors to donate in the name of their high school and donated a $1,000 gift to the winning school’s athletic department. Hoxworth representative Jim Tinker (left) presents the check to Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell, Principal Dr. Terri Holden and some of the school's cheerleaders.

• Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble members collected $407 for the Invisible Children organization's Schools for Schools program that helps rebuild schools in Northern Uganda. "It was a natural connection to link the message from our performance of 'Earth Song' with the plight of the Invisible Children, who are kidnapped and forced to fight in Africa's longest- running conflict.," said Chorus Director Dave Bell. Students presented a multi- media program with images of the Invisible Children and video images of the Michael Jackson song and then asked audience members to donate their spare change to this worthy cause. Varsity Ensemble members Emily Cleary (left) and Taylor Baird are pictured.

• Varsity Ensemble will join the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and U.C.'s College-Conservatory of Music's Musical Theater Department on October 29 and 30 at Music Hall for this year's Halloween concert, "Haunted Hall." The concerts will be conducted by Bruce Hangen, former assistant conductor of the Boston Pops. VE will be singing eight songs with the CCM students and the Pops, including the "Theme from Ghostbusters" and the "Theme from the Addams Family."

"The songs we're performing are mostly from the Scary Music CD we released in 2002 with the Cincinnati Pops," said Bell. "While for much of the concert we will be playing a supportive role for the CCM students during their dance routines and performances, this will undoubtedly be an enjoyable concert for our students as they get to dress in costume."

• This year’s fall play at Winton Woods High School is Twelve Angry Men, the dramatic story of a diverse group of middle-class jurors who must deliberate the "facts" in a seemingly open-and-shut murder case. During their time in the jury room, discussion gets heated as alliances are formed, opinions are reevaluated and changed, and personal experiences are revealed. This powerful American drama was originally written as a teleplay by Reginald Rose in 1957.

Twelve Angry Men will be presented on Thursday, November 18 – Saturday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Band Night on October 1 for all band students in grades 7-12 was an opportunity for younger students to perform and interact with high school band members. Here seventh grade band students (back - front) Shanice Robbins, Makala Pitts, Cristian Cruz, Zamantha Apolaya, Leah Smith, and Linda Flores play their instruments with Winton Woods High School Marching Band members (back - front) Lechelle Jackson, Kayla Hunley, Jasmine Jones, Kelli Kress, and Katie Sherman.

Winton Woods Intermediate School News:

OCTOBER

21- Parent Conferences – Report cards go home 22- Parent Conferences – No school for students 25- Market Day Pick-up at WWIS 26- Academic Activities Night 28- Student of the Month Breakfast 29- WWIS Harvest Parties 1:30 p.m.

• Fifth grade students will take the Terra Nova Standardized Assessment from Monday, October 25 through Friday, October 29. This test has five sections that will be divided into each day of the week. Please encourage students to do their very best. Results will be shared with parents and may be used for placement into accelerated and gifted courses. Contact the school if you have any questions at 619-2450.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School and the American Cancer Society proudly present "Warriors for the Cause" Students vs. Staff Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Basketball Game on Tuesday, November 2. Dinner will be served from 5:30 -6:45 p.m. The game begins at 7:00 p.m. with a half-time, three-point shooting contest and raffle. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Please call the school office or check the school website for dinner, game, and or t-shirt ordering information.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Congratulations to our September Students of the Month: Ariana Smith, Michelle Samano, Kameron Brock, Shanoah Moore, Deep Patel, Mariza Diaz, Ebonie Phillips, Jeff Tyus, Jaycie Johnson, Jason Young, Fatimata Gassama, Lenae, Nichols, R.J. McWilson, Jahmya Jackson, Lemor Carlton, Daquan Arnold, Sohia Kester, Jessica Lopez-Velasquez, Chase Dillingham, Imani Kimbrough, Matthew Bernardo, Jasmine Johnson. We are very proud of these young Warriors who are reaching new heights every day here at Winton Woods Elementary School!

• A special thanks to Mrs. Sadosky, all of our parent volunteers, and all of our wonderful students for making our Fall Book Fair a success. Reading is fundamental!

• Parent conferences will take place Thursday, October 21 from 5:00 - 8:25 p.m. and Friday, October 22 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:25 p.m. If you would like to schedule a conference, please call the school at 619-2490 to speak with your child's teacher.

• This year’s Accelerated Reader (AR) program at Winton Woods Elementary School includes a Toy Story 3 mural, cartoon characters and a lot of friendly competition between classrooms. Art teacher Mary Grace Spalding said she creates a mural for the reading program in the school’s front lobby every year based on “whatever’s hot” at the time. This summer she chose Toy Story 3 as her theme because "kids love Toy Story."

During the AR competition, the cartoon characters will be assigned to different classrooms and will track the students' reading progress throughout the year. Spalding said this year's 15-foot mural has taken her about two months to complete. She works between classes, during breaks, and after school.

Winton Woods PTA News:

• Thank you for your Market Day order this month! We’re looking forward to seeing you when you pick up your order on Monday, October 25 between 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. You can find us in the cafeteria at Winton Woods Intermediate School. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872. Thank you for your continued support!

October 27, 2010

Quote of the week:

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. Stanley Horowitz

District News:

• Academic Activities Night for students in grades K-6 and their parents was cancelled last night and instead will be TONIGHT, October 27 at Winton Woods High School. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., and the sessions begin at 6:30. p.m.

• There is no school for students on Wednesday, November 3. It is a professional development day for teachers.

• Winton Woods City Schools will host “Window to Winton Woods” for the district's community leaders and senior citizens on Thursday, November 4 at 9:00 a.m. at the Winton Woods Board of Education office. "The purpose of this meeting is to collaborate with those community members who may not typically have much contact with the district or be aware of all the great things going on in our schools," said Gina Burnett, Winton Woods communications specialist. "This event enables some of our community members to connect with our students and learn firsthand about our unique educational opportunities."

The meeting will introduce attendees to the district's two new Chinese teachers and to students from Antigua, Guatemala, who are visiting Winton Woods Middle and High Schools as part of an exchange program. Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe will also talk about the district's most recent state report card rating. To be added to the guest list for Window to Winton Woods meetings, contact Gina Burnett at 619-2301 or [email protected] with your name and contact information.

Winton Woods High School News:

• The Schools for Schools club supporting the Invisible Children organization has two fundraisers currently taking place at the high school. "There is a clothing drive for our partner school in Uganda," said club sponsor David Traubert. "Please bring your gently used clothing to the front office. In addition, coin wars are going on. We're asking students to empty their pockets and change jars at home, then empty them here at lunch to raise funds for Schools for Schools." Ongoing results are posted in the cafeteria.

• Guatemalan students Guillermo Sanchez and Alicia Sanchez perform "El Son," a dance that represents courting in one of the Mayan communities of Guatemala. The dance was part of the welcome ceremony the student visitors put on for their host families in the Winton Woods and Oak Hills School Districts on Sunday, October 24. Both schools are participating in an exchange program that brought a group of student from Antigua, Guatemala to Cincinnati. Also pictured is Patty Ruiz, director of the Guatemalan delegation.

• Janelle Gelfand, arts reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer, visited Varsity Ensemble on Monday in anticipation of this weekend's performance with the Cincinnati Pops. She was joined by Enquirer photographer Cara Owsley and videographer Stacy Doose. The story is scheduled to appear on Friday, but to see a YouTube video of the visit, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag7sKHLKVl0.

Varsity Ensemble will join the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and U.C.'s College-Conservatory of Music's Musical Theater Department for this year's Halloween concert, "Haunted Hall." VE will be singing eight songs with the CCM students and the Pops, including the "Theme from Ghostbusters" and the "Theme from the Addams Family."

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Recent changes to administering CPR came at just the right time for health students at Winton Woods Middle School as they were recently trained in this lifesaving technique that now goes by the acronym CAB for compressions, airway and breathing. Health teachers Derek Christerson and Mallory Gardner teamed up with Fire Prevention Officer Jermaine Hill of the Forest Park Fire Department to train and certify their students.

"We had 41 students and seven staff members who received certification in first aid and CPR," said Christerson. "First responders are very important in any emergency, and this training for our students means we're more safe now at Winton Woods Middle School."

The class consisted of the students and staff performing CPR, learning to use an AED (automated external defibrillator), and performing the Heimlich Maneuver. Everyone also had to pass a written test to receive their CPR cards.

• Winton Woods Middle School is now offering an Astronomy Club for interested students. Students and parents are invited to join in the exploration of the night sky and learn about the exciting science of astronomy through the lenses of seven powerful Meade 80 mm + telescopes capable of seeing Saturn’s Rings, Jupiter’s stripes, the Orion Nebula, and thousands of other breath-taking celestial objects. The fun starts Thursday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the field directly behind WWMS. Rain date is Friday, October 29.

You must sign-up before the first meeting by texting your name and grade, along with whether or not your parent(s) will be attending with you, to 646- 5475. A jacket, small flashlight, lawn chair(s), and a ready-to-learn attitude are all you need for the first meeting. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for students and their parents to be part of one of only a handful of school astronomy clubs in Ohio that provide students with quality, high-powered telescopes to view our universe. We meet twice a month at night starting at the end of October and carrying through April. We look forward to you seeing you at our first official meeting at the end of this month.

• Winton Woods Middle School eighth grader Jina James designed this year’s Band Night t-shirt which highlighted the music of Michael Jackson. The show featured the songs "ABC," "I'll Be There," "Beat It," and "Thriller" and was performed by all Winton Woods band students in grades 7-12. James said she got her inspiration for the shirt's design from a Michael Jackson video. James is pictured with Winton Woods Middle School Band Director Kara Barbee.

• Congratulations to the 7th grade football team who finished the season undefeated … a first in Winton Woods Middle School history!

• There is a costume dance on Friday, October. 29 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. as a reward for students exhibiting good behavior.

• Marshmallows flying through the air? Bass thumping the fillings out of your head? Buckets of ice cream and oodles of board games? In the WWMS cafeteria? You bet! The first ever Family Fun Night hosted by the Legacy Leaders, a seventh grade academic team, brought families and friends together for good times and even better memories.

This event took place on Thursday, October 14, but the idea was born weeks earlier when teachers Kelly Bush, Marchell Dace, Jenni Jung, Howard Liff, and Brietta Lynch wanted to create an event that would bring families together. "It was great to see everyone mixing it up,” Bush said. “I was afraid it was going to turn into a parents-on-one-side-and-kids- on-the-other-side type event, but it didn't. Parents were interacting with their kids, their kids were interacting with them, and there were even some families that joined together to play games. There were smiles all around. We are definitely doing this again."

About 70 people answered the call and played a variety of board and strategy games, gulped some ice cream, and won a few door prizes in between dancing to some great music provided by Royal "T" Sounds & Entertainment, which provided its services for free. One of the highlights had to be when about 20 mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, friends and strangers danced to the “Cha-Cha Slide.”

Seventh grader Amber Lamb said, “The best part was the ice cream and the dancing. I had fun and hope there are more things like that soon.” One of the more lively games was “Marshmallow Catch,” where two people stand about 10 feet apart and one throws mini marshmallows while the other tries to catch them in a small plastic bowl. Each time one was caught, they stepped away from each other, building the suspense until the final countdown, which usually resulted in a Hail Mary scatter-bombing of marshmallowy madness.

Bush said, “A big thank you to the parents, students, and family members who got to tag along for making it such a fantabulous event.” It was a friendly reminder that school is a place of learning and that learning can be fun. And that dancing in front of your mom doesn’t have to be weird. On the other hand, your mom dancing in front of you ...

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

Monday, November 1- Hat Day Students may wear a hat of their choice to show their support in finding a cure for cancer!

Tuesday, November 2 - WWIS, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, presents the Students vs. Staff Benefit Basketball Game and Spaghetti Dinner.

Wednesday, November 3 - Teacher Professional Development Day - No school for students.

Sunday, November 7 - Daylight Savings Time - Turn you clocks back one hour!

Wednesday, November 10 - Honor Roll Celebration

Thursday, November 11 - Veteran’s Day

Friday, November 12 - WWIS Picture Re-takes

Tuesday, November 16 - WWIS Orchestra Concert 7 p.m. at WWIS

Friday, November 19- Progress Reports go home

Monday, November 22- WWIS Band Recital at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 24-Friday, November 26 Thanksgiving Break - No school.

Winton Woods Primary News:

Primary School Calendar of Events: October

• 28 PN Preschool Harvest Party (10:15 a.m. & 1:45 p.m.) • 29 PN/PS Harvest Party (AM-KDG @11:00 a.m. ~ PM-KDG, Gr. 1 & 2 @ 3 p.m.)

November

• 3 Professional Development Day (No School for students) • 8-12 PN/PS Scholastic Book Fair ~ Lunch and Shop (See flyers) • 10 PN Picture Make-up Day (Uniforms required) • 12 PN PTA Movie Night @ 6:30-8:00 p.m. • 18 PS PTA Movie Night @ 4:30-6:00 p.m. • 24-26 Thanksgiving Break - No School

• Primary North and South staff would like to thank all their parents for attending the parent conferences last week. The partnership of parents and teachers is vital to the academic success of your child.

• Primary North and Primary South Book Fair is coming! "Here's To Our Heroes... Reading Saves the Day!" November 8-12 the Scholastic Book Fair will be at the primary schools. Most books are $5.00-$10.00. A book fair flyer will be sent home. Parents at Primary North are invited to have lunch with their child and visit the book fair during their lunch schedule all week as noted on the flyer. Parents at Primary South are invited to lunch and shop with their students on Wednesday, November 10. The librarians, Karen Emmons (PN) and Stephanie Wheeler (PS), always welcome volunteers during the Book Fair. If you can volunteer an hour or two of your time that week, please contact the school offices by October 29: PN at 691-2390 or PS at 6910-2470. Thank you for helping your child be a successful reader as well as supporting our schools in purchasing new books for the library.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of October 11: Nia Hooten, Demetrius Dillard, and Davier Beamon. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Bauknecht's kindergarten class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Golden Corral gift certificates.

• Primary North Music Teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of October 11 goes to Mrs. Sterling's second grade class and Mrs. Stone's first grade class for the week of October 18. A music award banner will be displayed proudly by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• Primary North congratulates Dinara Boynazarova of Mrs. Noel's first grade class and Eddie Tompkins in Mrs. Townsell's second grade class for being nominated for demonstrating the character trait of respect for the month of October.

Mrs. Noel writes, "Dinara demonstrates the character trait of respect on a daily basis in my first grade classroom. She respects her teacher by listening and following directions, the first time they are being given. She handles all classroom supplies properly and with care. Dinara respects her classmates by working cooperatively in small group work. She listens and lends a helping had to others who need help. She is well-liked by her peers. For these reasons, I am proud to nominate Dinara for the character trait of respect for the month of October. Mrs. Townsell said, "I have chosen Eddie Tompkins for the character trait of respect because he demonstrates patience, kindness, and a positive role model for our class. Eddie treats his classmates like he would want to be treated. He does not tease, make fun of them, or make them feel bad. He always asks permission to borrow someone else' property. He respects his neighbors by not talking to them while they are working. Eddie shows respect to his teacher by careful listening to instructions without interrupting and following the classroom rules. Eddie demonstrates a positive opinion of himself whereas, he's always working toward doing his very best in the classroom, on the playground and in school. Congratulations Eddie, we're proud to have you in our class!"

• On October 16, seven Primary South students had the opportunity to attend the Great Outdoor Adventure at Potter's Ranch. They enjoyed a day that was filled with activities that included horseback riding, fishing, a zip line, team-building exercises, rock climbing and archery. The event was sponsored by Kicks for Kids. This organization was developed by Cincinnati Bengals Doug Pelfrey and Jim Breech. This non-profit organization provides unique opportunities for children all over the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Indiana area. This is Primary South's second year as partners with this wonderful organization. We look forward to upcoming events this year such as the Christmas Celebration, Nutcracker Ballet, Operation North Pole and spring events of Cincinnati Reds games, and a theater production at the Aronoff Center. We will be giving our school a makeover by planting mums in November as our service project for the Christmas event. The students had a wonderful time at the ranch, we feel very fortunate to be a part of this organization that provides opportunities to our children that they may not experience. • Primary South is very excited to announce that our new science lab is now up and running thanks to Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Chaney. Teachers are signing up for their lab time and a schedule is in the process of being completed so the fun has begun.

• Members of the Greenhills and Springfield Township Fire Departments visited classrooms at Winton Woods Primary North and South during Fire Safety month in October. Fire safety lessons included learning to crawl under smoke to get out of a burning building, seeing a teacher dressed in full fire gear to help students feel more at ease with the way fireman look when they're working, and learning to use 9-1-1 in an emergency. Students also had a chance to sit in the fire truck, squirt the fire hose and visit the safety house. The experience is both fun and educational and provides the perfect opportunity for families to discuss fire safety with their children at home. First grade teacher Tracy Reardon is shown getting help putting on her gear from Firefighter Kendall Rouse (left) and Lt. Kevin Richards while Firefighter Jeremy Kinman and first grader Avori Foster look on.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Thank you to everyone who placed an order with Market Day this month and to everyone who helped at our pick up as well. Market Day has extended Dessert Bonus Days for our PTA so please be sure to take a look at the pies and cakes that are available to order this month. Students at Primary North, Winton Woods Elementary School and Winton Woods Intermediate School will bring home additional information about this wonderful opportunity for our PTA to earn additional funds this month.

Look for the December order guide to arrive home soon or visit market day.com to place your order. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

November 3, 2010

Quote of the week:

See that each hour's feelings, and thoughts and actions are pure and true; then your life will be also. Henry Ward Beecher

Winton Woods High School News:

• Congratulations to the coaches and members of the Winton Woods High School football team who are once again Division II champions. This is the first time this has occurred in school history! Winton Woods won the poll title with 140 points (14 first-place votes).

• This year’s fall play at Winton Woods High School is Twelve Angry Men, the dramatic story of a diverse group of middle-class jurors who must deliberate the "facts" in a seemingly open-and-shut murder case. Twelve Angry Men will be presented on Thursday, November 18 – Saturday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. (please note time change) in the Winton Woods High School auditorium.

• Four Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble choir members auditioned for and were accepted to the OMEA District 14 Honor Choir. They are (from left) senior Patrick Kelly, senior Keynan Johnson, sophomore Dorian Marshall and senior Jennifer Jordan (not pictured). The choir is made up of select high school students from the Cincinnati area. The Honor Choir will perform at the College of Mt. St. Joseph on Friday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.

• Five Winton Wood High School band and orchestra students have been selected for the Southwest Regional Orchestra (SWRO) this year. Making the orchestra are (l- r) Sam Rocklin on bass, Ciara Rucker on flute, Adrianna Ivory on piccolo, Kaitlin Otto on oboe, and Patrick Kelly on viola. The concert for SWRO is November 21 at 3:00 p.m. at Mason High School. Dr. Emily Freeman Brown from Bowling Green State University is the guest conductor.

• Winton Woods High School Senior Night on Thursday, October 21 honored those twelfth graders who participated in fall sports and marching band. Pictured are the Jordan family of Springfield Township (l-r): John Jordan, marching band field commander Jackie Jordan, Jeanette Jordan, and marching band field commander Jennifer Jordan.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School for being named a semi- finalist in the GRAMMY Signature Schools program. Winton Woods City Schools Fine Arts Facilitator Dave Bell applied to buy tablet computers for use with the school's ensembles and to provide alternate assessment modalities for special education students enrolled in music. All GRAMMY Signature Schools selectees will receive monetary grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Winners will be announced in March 2011.

• All Spanish classes are learning about Mexico's el Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). Every level of class had a different activity for Tuesday - papel picado (cut paper), skulls (like the sugar ones) and other typical, traditional crafts.

• Winton Wood High School Key Club and JCG are selling pink, long- sleeved "Warriors for Research" t-shirts for breast cancer awareness. The cost is $15, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Students who purchase a shirt may wear jeans on November 11. Parents and community members interested in purchasing a shirt to support this worthy cause should contact Lisa Dye at [email protected].

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• For the first time in over a decade, both the boys and girls cross country teams at Winton Woods Middle School were able to score as a team at the FAVC Cross Country Championship meet held on the school's home course on Saturday, October 9.

"The ladies finished second in the West Division of the conference, the best finish ever for the Winton Woods Middle School girls in any meet since the cross country program began in 1996," said Cross Country Coach Matt Alander. "To top it off, eighth grader Hayley Perkins earned the FAVC West Division individual title by winning the race. Autumn Adams also earned conference honors with her sixth place finish." Alander said strong performances by teammates Hannah Riffle, Irene Onianwa, and De’Azah Atwater were what earned the team the runner-up title.

The boys finished fourth as a team with Chris Riffle and Jordan Randolph earning conference honors. "All Winton Woods Middle School runners improved their times on this course from two weeks ago at the WWMS Invitational," said Alander.

• The students from Guatemala have arrived and are doing very well at Winton Woods Middle School. "The students are upbeat and very excited," said Technology Teacher Melvina Musgrave." They seem to have very few problems in understanding English and are very respectful and engaging in the class. They interact very well with the Winton Woods students." The students are also working on the Applied Educational System program in Technology 7, a self-paced system. The students are Karin Quan, Maria Ortiz and Guillermo Farfan.

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods Middle School science team of Jenny Jung, Barbette Kirk and Carla Roller who were awarded a $12,000 grant from UC's FUSION Center (Furthering Urban STEM Innovation, Outreach, and New Research). The grant will allow the team to use netbooks in the classroom to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education by using free online resources and linking them to nationally recognized science organizations. Seventh grade students will explore genetics and the environmental and economic impact of the BP oil spill, while eighth grade students will investigate plate tectonics and the technology of space travel as they learn in relevant, real- world 21st Century contexts.

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods Middle School seventh grade football team who finished the season undefeated in the FAVC … a first in Winton Woods Middle School history! The team is pictured with coaches Winfield Franklin (left) and Corey Savage.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

Orange All Stars: Kent Kreal - Kent is a respectful student. Kent listens during instruction and always raises his hand and waits to be called on before answering questions. Kent respects his teachers, his classmates, and himself.

Golden Treasures: Maria Centrullo - Maria is a student who strives for success in all subjects. Maria is a positive, respectful leader of the class who is willing to take risks. She looks for ways to encourage her classmates to succeed through games and discussion. Maria is creative and original. She made the honor roll for the first quarter because of her hard work and dedication to learning. Maria is a Warrior.

Emerald Eagles: Rory Tekulve - Rory was chosen by his classmates and teachers. Rory’s classmates say that he is responsible and nice. He is a good person with vast knowledge. We like Rory’s personality. Rory shows all aspects of a good Student of the Month.

Lauren Onianwa - Lauren’s teachers and classmates all agree that she’s a model Student of the Month. Lauren’s classmates say she never talks or bothers anyone. Lauren turns in all of her homework and is really nice. We all recognize Lauren as a Warrior who meets expectations.

Blue Blazers: Kemaiya Clark - Kemaiya has been respectful to all those around her since the first day of school. Kemaiya always follow directions and is willing to help others. Kemaiya has learned to never give up but instead keep trying. As a result, Kemaiya has become very successful in all parts of school. She is a perfect role model for respect and problem-solving.

Breanna Johnson - Breanna is very quiet, but her good choices have not gone unnoticed. Breanna is a model student. She is always prepared for class. She never complains and is not afraid to ask questions. She always does what is asked of her but doesn’t stop there. Breanna will go above and beyond what is expected. She is helpful to other students and teachers and always has a smile on her face. Breanna exemplifies all that it means to be a Warrior.

Silver Sharks: Luis Gutierrez - Luis is extremely helpful in the classroom to both students and adults. Luis regularly displays a positive attitude. He does all of his assignments to the best of his abilities.

Jack Schramm- Jack always has his work on time. Jack works well independently and in groups. Jack displays respect for all those around him.

Purple Panthers: Lexi Allen - Lexi is an outstanding student. Lexi is always quiet and on task. She is willing to help other students learn as well as help teachers with various tasks around the classroom. Lexi is a Respectful, Responsible, Safe, Problem-Solver. Congratulations, Lexi! We are proud of your efforts.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Congratulations to our 226 students who made first quarter honor roll! Of the 226 students, 48 students are on high honor roll. All of these students will be participating in an ice cream social with Principal Kendell Dorsey later this week! • Congratulations to third grade Math Teacher Lori Foote and Spanish Teacher Tracy Espejo on winning a $100 gift certificate from Walmart. Thank you Lori and Tracy for all you do for our students each and every day! • Our "Enjoy the City" fundraiser was a huge success. Congratulations to our school's top seller, third grader Farhan Khan, who sold 21 books! Our fourth grade winner was Mariantae Matthews who sold 10 books. Our top selling homeroom was Mrs. Barnes' class. Thanks to everyone for your support! • Thanks to all of our parent volunteers who participated in our harvest parties. The students had a wonderful time celebrating this important time of year.

Winton Woods Primary News:

November

• 3 Professional Development Day (No School for students) • 7 Daylight Savings Time ~ (Turn clocks back one hour) • 8-12 PN/PS Scholastic Book Fair ~ VIP Lunch and Shop • 10 PN Picture Make-up day (Uniforms required) • 12 PN PTA Movie Night @ 6:30-8:00 p.m. • 18 PS PTA Movie Night @ 4:30-6:00 p.m. • 24-26 Thanksgiving Break - (No School)

December

• 16 PN Pre-School Winter Holiday Party • 17 PN/PS Winter Holiday Party (3:00 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Ends • 20- Jan. 3 Winter Break (No School)

January

• 4 School Re-opens

• On Friday, October 29 Primary North and Primary South were visited by representatives from the Forest Park Walmart for a program the company started to thank teachers for the time and money they spend on their students and classrooms. The names of the teachers from our schools were placed in a hat to receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The winners were WWPN art teacher Nancy Bleisch, WWPN first grade teacher Essie Sterling , WWPS kingergarten teacher Alisa Armstrong and WWPS first grade teacher Carol Voss. Congratulations and thank you and all of our teachers!

• Primary North and Primary South Book Fair is coming: "Here's To Our Heroes... Reading Saves the Day!" November 8-12 the Scholastic Book Fair will be at the primary schools. Most books are $5.00-$10.00. A book fair flyer will be sent home. Parents at Primary North are invited to have lunch with their child and visit the book fair during their lunch schedule all week as noted on the flyer. Parents at Primary South are invited to lunch and shop with their students on Wednesday, November 10. The librarians, Karen Emmons (PN) and Stephanie Wheeler (PS), always welcome volunteers during the Book Fair. If you can volunteer an hour or two of your time that week, please contact the school offices by October 29: PN at 691-2390 or PS at 6910-2470. Thank you for helping your child be a successful reader as well as supporting our schools in purchasing new books for the library.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of October 29: Emily Espinoza-ruis, Taylor Mincy, and Zaryah Miller. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Robertson's kindergarten class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Golden Corral gift certificates.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of October 11 goes to Mrs. Sterling's second grade class and Mrs. Stone's first grade class for the week of October 18. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• As part of our character counts program at WW Primary South, students are given a hand for showing various kinds of good character. At the end of the month, three hands are picked at random to receive a Character Counts t-shirt. This month we would like to congratulate our winners: Makarrie Harden (for cleaning up other people's messes), Carmen Reyes (for being polite), and Kiara Ware (for always working hard).

• October's aluminum can recycling winners at Primary South are the students in Mr. Webb’s second grade class. The entire school brought in a total of 120 pounds of cans, with Mr Webb’s class bringing in 25 pounds. This is the best month yet for the school! Congratulations to Mr. Webb’s class. Let’s keep bringing in those cans Primary South!

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Two great offers from Market Day and one big thank you! Purchase $40 from the December order guide and receive a free Margherita flatbread pizza. You can also qualify to receive one pound of free Italian-style meatballs when you order $80 at market day.com and enter the promo code DECBONUS during checkout.

Order online at market day.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, November 17 or return your completed order form to school by Friday, November 12. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872. We appreciate your support, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at our Market Day sale on Monday, November 22!

November 10, 2010

Quote of the week:

We are told never to cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have 'crossed bridges' in their imagination far ahead of the crowd. Anonymous

This Veterans Day, we honor those who so bravely served our country. America is founded on the principle of freedom, justice and liberty for all. Our nation’s soldiers serve every day to protect our country and its ideals. On Veterans Day, take a quiet moment to remember those who put their lives on the line every minute of the day to achieve peace and freedom and salute those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

District News:

• Winton Woods City Schools hosted “Window to Winton Woods” for the district's community leaders and senior citizens on Thursday, November 4 to collaborate with those community members who may not typically have much contact with the district or be aware of all the great things going on in Winton Woods schools. Attendees were introduced to the district's two new Chinese teachers and heard a conversation between the teachers and students CJ Stumpf from Winton Woods Middle School and Jason Young from Winton Woods Elementary School. They also met students from Antigua, Guatemala, who are visiting Winton Woods Middle and High Schools as part of an exchange program and heard a presentation from Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe about the district's most recent state report card rating.

• After completing their latest in- service day, bus drivers in the Winton Woods School District volunteered their time to decorate bags and pack "snacks on the go" for parents at the Ronald McDonald House. "Parents living at the house can grab these bags when they are taking their children to doctor visits, chemo treatments, or wherever they need to be," said Kristi Hooper, transportation supervisor for the district. The snacks come in brown paper bags, labeled with the contents and the date packaged, and usually contain a drink and a few healthy snacks. "We put in bottled water, peanut butter crackers or a granola bar, pudding or a fruit cup, and pretzels or fruit snacks, along with a spoon, napkin and wet wipe," said Hooper, who delivered them to the Ronald McDonald House.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Tickets for this week's football game against Trotwood Madison at Princeton High School at 7:30 p.m. are on sale through Thursday at the Winton Woods High School Athletic Office from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. On Friday tickets will only be sold from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $7.00 and will be $9.00 at the gate. Please remember that Winton Woods only receives proceeds for pre-sale tickets. Go Warriors!

• This year’s fall play at Winton Woods High School is Twelve Angry Men, the dramatic story of a diverse group of middle-class jurors who must deliberate the "facts" in a seemingly open-and-shut murder case. During their time in the jury room, discussion gets heated as alliances are formed, opinions are reevaluated and changed, and personal experiences are revealed. This powerful American drama was originally written as a teleplay by Reginald Rose in 1957.

Twelve Angry Men will be presented on Thursday, November 18 – Saturday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. Tickets are $7.00 and will be available at the door on the night of each show. The artwork for this year's show was designed by juniors Katelyn (left) and Kristen Budke.

The district will recognize veterans for their service to our country at the Saturday night performance. Veterans and their guest are invited to attend the play free of charge. If you are a veteran and would like to attend, please RSVP to Communications and HR Specialist Gina Burnett by Wednesday, November 17 at 619-2301 or [email protected].

• Parents and community members are invited to become a member of Stagelighters, special supporters of theater at Winton Woods High School. A donation to Stagelighters supports the two $250 Friends of the Theater drama scholarships awarded to two graduating seniors. One is given to a cast member and one to a stage crew member. Please see the attached Stagelighters form.

• Corey Stewart, a senior at Winton Woods High School, has been chosen as the Channel 9 Student of the Week for the week of November 8. Corey was recognized for his academic achievement and school involvement and is the second Winton Woods High School student who has received this honor this year.

Corey is president of the senior class, vice-president of National Honor Society, and a marching band field commander. He has had numerous roles in school musicals and has also served on the stage crew. Last summer Corey was a counselor at the district's Chinese Leadership Camp which brought students from China to Cincinnati. He is also a Winton Woods High School student ambassador, president of Band Council, and an all- conference academic team member of the Varsity bowling team. "Corey is highly talented academically, socially, and artistically," said Winton Woods High School Senior Counselor Kevin Jones. "He knows how to interact with others, has impeccable character, and possesses the poise and communication skills to work with any group."

• Exchange students visiting Winton Woods City Schools from the Modern American English School in Antigua, Guatemala experienced a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner thanks to the Winton Woods High School French Club. Students feasted on turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, and a variety of desserts. Pictured are (l-r) MAES student Dennis Masaya, chaperone Rosemary de Salazar, Exchange Director Mimi Gingold of CECE Global, Winton Woods student Brent Richburg and MAES student Erik Mendez.

• The Winton Woods High School Marching Band and Varsity Ensemble performed at the opening session of this year's OSBA convention. "The band played seven songs as people were coming into the hall and kicked off the ceremony with 'The Star Spangled Banner,'" said Band Director Dani Ashbrook. "VE's performance included the John Legend song, 'If You're Out There.' All of our students represented us well, and we received many positive comments."

• Winton Woods High School senior Amber Glaze was honored at the Springfield Township Trustee's meeting on Tuesday, November 9 with the Peacemaker Award. "This is a new recognition program that the trustees are working on as a way to celebrate our schools and praise exceptional progress in the classrooms," said Kim Flamm who is the projects, events and communications coordinator for the township. Playback of the ceremony will be available online at www.waycross.tv.

• Industrial designer Scott Miller told students in Carol Becci-Youngs AP/Advanced class that he's always liked the idea of "designing things people use." In addition to designing innovative lunchboxes and cereal containers, Miller showed students the "Hip Hugger" laundry basket with the curved edge that he designed. Miller, who has worked for Tupperware, Rubbermaid and now Procter & Gamble, visited the students as part of the Artists Reaching Classrooms (ARC) program through the Taft Museum.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School will officially unveil its new arts mural that honors the contributions of performing artists of all genres at its Superintendent's Art Gallery on Thursday, November 11 at 5:30 p.m. Parents and community members are invited to attend.

"We've depicted everyone from Bach to Michael Jackson," said GTA teacher Patty New. "Artists include James Brown, Billie Holiday, the Beatles, Bono, Miles Davis, Sade, Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn, and Aretha Franklin. There are a couple of rappers too and, of course, Elvis."

The middle school's Honor Choir, "24," will also perform. In addition, there will be an on-going slide presentation during the art show that will highlight activities and accomplishments at the school.

• Winton Woods Middle School is proud to announce its Students of the Month for October 2010. These students were nominated by the teaching staff because of the quality of their work, their efforts in class, their responsibility level and behavior at school, their attitude, and their relationship to their peers and teachers. Honored this month are seventh graders Calia Bibbs, Kenneth Mabrey and Dayanna Rockemore, and eighth graders Ryan Capal, Stormy Caudill, Anna Clark, Sarai Dean, Alex Kuhn, Magaly Madrigal and Alex Simon.

• Learning about different cultures just got more interesting at Winton Woods Middle School. Visiting students from Guatemala have been able to share firsthand about their culture with seventh and eighth grade Spanish students at the school. "We were able to learn more about Day of the Dead which is celebrated on November 1 and 2," said Spanish teacher Lisa Giblin. “This is a great way for students to learn about another culture. Talking to peers about what they actually do makes it come alive in a way that video clips and cultural readings can never do. It’s great that our exchange students were visiting us during this holiday.” Thireen-year- old Guillermo Farfán said, “We are learning about American culture so we are very happy to be able to share about our culture as well.”

A new computer tool at the school is also helping students learn Spanish or Chinese. Seventh and eighth graders started using the Rosetta Stone computer program about a month ago. "Rosetta Stone is an immersion program that works on all four language domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while allowing students to move at their own pace," said Giblin. "It’s a great tool because it can be individualized. Students who need to repeat a lesson can do so, and those who are ready to move on have that ability as well. It allows all the students to practice listening and speaking, and it gives them instant feedback.” Eighth grader Armani Grown said the Rosetta Stone activities "are really easy to figure out. I like knowing right away if I am right or wrong.” • Winton Woods Middle School science teachers Jenni Jung, Barbette Kirk and Carla Roller were awarded a $12,000 Innovation grant from UC's FUSION Center (Furthering Urban STEM Innovation, Outreach, and New Research) to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in their classrooms. In an effort to increase participation in STEM learning activities for all students in Ohio, leaders at the FUSION Center granted a total of $168,000 to 20 proposals out of 64 applications submitted.

The Winton Woods Middle School grant, called "WWMS Steps Into the 21st Century," will allow the science team to use netbooks in the classroom to promote STEM education by using free online resources and linking them to nationally-recognized science organizations. "Seventh grade students will explore genetics and the environmental and economic impact of the BP oil spill," said Jung. "Eighth grade students will investigate plate tectonics and the technology of space travel as they learn in relevant, real- world contexts."

Jung said her team is going to pilot the new program in a few classes to work out all the logistical issues. "This program will allow students to learn at their own pace using web-based activities," said Jung. "There will also be online journaling, discussion tools and simulations. The online discussion will be particularly beneficial for those students who are hesitant to ask questions or participate in a traditional classroom setting."

Anita Williams, director of curriculum and instruction for Winton Woods City Schools, said staff members attended the STEM Conference at UC in the fall and have continued to be actively involved with the program. The focus of the conference was for partners in the region to share their STEM activities and inspire other teachers to try new activities. It also included a session on the grant writing process.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

November Calendar Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day Friday, November 12 - WWIS Picture Re-takes Tuesday, November 16 - WWIS Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m. at WWIS Friday, November 19 - Progress Reports go home Monday, November 22 - WWIS Band Recital at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 24 - Friday, November 26 Thanksgiving Break - No school.

• During the month of October, Title I Math Specialist Jeri Reddert challenged students on each team at WWIS to estimate the weight of the pumpkin in their pod. She encouraged them to use their math skills to make the best estimation. The winning students presented the closest estimation in their pod and were able to take the pumpkins home following the Harvest Party. The winners of the Great Pumpkin Math Contest were David Beall, Demai Marshall, Alexis Weihe, and Paris Spain.

• Fifth grade math teacher Don Schutte and fifth grade language arts and social studies teacher Tracey Bellerjeau were selected to receive $100 Walmart gift cards on Friday, October 29. Store representatives came to present to the teachers during the scheduled harvest parties. Both teachers are very excited about the new items they are planning to purchase for their students and their classrooms.

• WWIS and the American Cancer Society would like thank all Winton Woods students, teachers, parents, and community members for the extraordinary support of the WWIS Benefit Dinner and Students versus Staff Basketball game. "We raised approximately $2,360 to donate to the American Cancer Society," said Principal Tonya West Wright, "with $1,180 coming from students, staff and community members and $1,180 from a matching anonymous donor. A special thank you to the Winton Woods High School and Middle School Pep Band members for adding music and excitement to the evening and to their directors Dani Ashbrook, Kara Barbee, and Matt Buhl. We would also like to thank the high school's boys basketball team and Coach Donnie Gillespie for their participation in the event. A special thank you to staff members Genice Peterson and Carl Paff for their commitment to the cause and for the hours of planning to help make such a great evening possible. With hard work and enthusiasm the staff was victorious in the basketball game on Tuesday night, but it was a great evening for all participants."

• WWIS staff members will wear ribbons and are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to celebrate Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11. Teachers will take a moment to speak to students about the importance of our Armed Services. WWIS will recognize the service of staff members Genice Peterson and Antwane Scott who served in the Army and Brandon Schneider and Matt George who served in the Marines. Many students are also writing letters to soldiers.

• The first quarter honor roll celebration was Wednesday, November 10 at 1:15 p.m. Honor roll students will be able to wear their pajamas to school and will also be invited for a movie in the gymnasium.

• On Tuesday, November 30 from 1:30 - 2:15 p.m., Chinese acrobats will perform for students at WWIS. The acrobats will combine routines of balancing, contortion, and foot juggling with little vignettes about Chinese culture, schools, and customs. The performers' colorful costumes and the unique Chinese music played will add to the amazing feats of acrobatics to make this a program WWIS students and staff will talk about for weeks.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Winton Woods Elementary School is celebrating its annual Veterans Day "Lunch with a Hero" event on Thursday November 11 from 11:20 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. Students were able to invite a "hero" to have lunch with them that day who is an active or retired member of the military, a police officer or firefighter.

• On Saturday, November 13, WWES is holding a can and paper recycling drive from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the school. Parent and community members are invited to stop by to drop off their recyclables. The money raised will be used for the school's Student of the Month luncheon and Honor Roll Ice Cream Social.

• Enjoy the City coupon books are still for sale. New books are $20 and make nice Christmas gifts. Damaged books are $10 and have a damaged cover but contain all the coupons!

Winton Woods Primary News:

November

• 8-12 PN/PS Scholastic Book Fair ~ VIP Lunch and Shop • 10 PN Picture Make-up day ( Uniforms required) • 12 PN PTA Movie Night @ 6:30-8:00 p.m. • 18 PS PTA Movie Night @ 4:30-6:00 p.m. • 24-26 Thanksgiving Break (No School)

December

• 16 PN Pre-School Winter Holiday Party • 17 PN/PS Winter Holiday Party (3:00 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Ends • 20- Jan 3 Winter Break (No School)

January

• 4 School Re-opens

• The Scholastic Book Fair, "Here's To Our Heroes ... Reading Saves the Day!," is at the primary schools for the rest of this week. Most books are $5.00-$10.00. Parents at Primary North are invited to have lunch with their child and visit the book fair during their lunch schedule all week. Parents at Primary South are invited to lunch and shop with their students on Wednesday, November 10. Cash and credit cards are accepted (please no checks). Thank you for helping your child be a successful reader, as well as supporting our schools in purchasing new books for the library. Remember: "Readers are leaders!"

• When you visit the Book Fair there is a yellow box at the cashier table for "One for Books" which provides an easy and effective way to unite the school community. All funds collected through "One for Books" will be used to buy books from the Book Fair for homeless children.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of November 1: Justin Hagens, Demetreana Dillard, and Halie Forman. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Vandivier's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Golden Corral gift certificates.

• Primary North Music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of November 1 went to Mrs. Baker's first grade class and to Mrs. Vandivier's class for the week of November 8. A Music Award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• This week's Green Team representatives are (front, l- r) Uriah Rains, Gracie Fritz, Ta'Vera Hill; (back, l-r) William Parks, Kaleb Blackwell, and Re'al Jordan. Thank you Primary North Recycling Team and Kaci Snell for all of your hard work and dedication in making a difference in our world.

• A partnership between Winton Woods Primary South and Kicks for Kids, a non-profit organization founded by Cincinnati Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey, allowed seven Winton Woods Primary South students to participate in the Great Outdoor Adventure at Potter's Ranch on Saturday, October 16. The students enjoyed a day that was filled with activities that included horseback riding, fishing, a zip line, team-building exercises, rock climbing and archery.

"The students had a wonderful time at the ranch, and we feel very fortunate to be a part of this organization that provides opportunities to our children that they may not experience," said first grade teacher Linda Ball. This is Primary South's second year as partners with the Kicks for Kids organization.

In anticipation of the upcoming Kicks for Kids Christmas Celebration, Ball said the students "will be giving our school a makeover by planting mums in November as our service project." The organization provides opportunities for children in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Indiana to participate in activities around the Greater Cincinnati area.

Alumni News

• Louise Dees, valedictorian of the Winton Woods High School class of 2010, was honored on Wednesday, November 10 in the Columbus Statehouse along with 13 other 2010 Gates Millennium Scholars. This honor includes a full-ride college and graduate school scholarship awarded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Louise is the daughter of Sandra and Kerry Dees Sr. of Forest Park.

WW Community PTA News:

• There’s still time to order Market Day and receive a free Margherita flatbread pizza when you purchase $40 from the December order guide. Order online at market day.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, November 17 or return your completed order form to school by Friday, November 12. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help please call Kim Bays at 258-7872. We appreciate your support, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at our Market Day Sale on Monday, November 22!

WWHS Athletic Booster News:

• The Fall Sports Banquet is Monday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the WWHS cafeteria. Parents are asked to please bring a dessert to share. Drinks will be provided by the Athletic Boosters.

• If you have a senior, Boosters are offering senior ads in the winter sports program. Please see attachment for more details. The deadline for the ad is Monday, November 22.

• Boosters will also be selling spirit wear and fall sports programs at banquet. If you have not already purchased one, there are pictures of your student athlete in the program.

November 18, 2010

Quote of the week:

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. E.P. Powell

District News:

• Schools will be closed November 24, 25 and 26. We wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

• The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is November 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Office located at 1215 W. Kemper Rd. in Forest Park.

• First quarter honor rolls have been posted on the district website under the “News” tab.

• Students from Winton Woods High School and Middle School said goodbye to their Guatemalan visitors on Sunday, November 14 after a three-week cultural exchange experience that included classes in our schools and helping the visitors get to know our city. "Winton Woods has a big heart and a big reach, and you want to know the world," said Mimi Gingold, president of CECE Global, who coordinated the exchange.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Twelve Angry Men, the Winton Woods High School fall play, will be presented Thursday, November 18 - Saturday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. Tickets are $7.00 and will be available at the door on the night of each show.

The district will recognize veterans for their service to our country at the Saturday night performance. Veterans and their guest are invited to attend the play free of charge. If you are a veteran and would like to attend, please RSVP to Communications and HR Specialist Gina Burnett by Wednesday, November 17 at 619-2301 or [email protected].

• Winton Woods High School senior Amber Glaze was honored at the Springfield Township Trustee's meeting on Tuesday, November 9 with the Peacemaker Award. "This is a new recognition program that the trustees are working on as a way to celebrate our schools and praise exceptional progress in the classrooms," said Kim Flamm who is the projects, events and communications coordinator for the township.

• Winton Woods High School double bass player Sam Rocklin has made the All- State Orchestra, a competitive orchestra made up of the best high school string players in Ohio. The state orchestra will perform during the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Conference, which will take place in Cincinnati on January 27-29, 2011. Rocklin is also a member of the Southwest Regional Orchestra (SWRO) and the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO), where he was accepted in the group's smaller chamber orchestra.

• Junior Aaron Kemper is in the running for Player of the Year for the Ohio National Guard High School Player of the Year through Bengals.com. You can vote for Aaron as many times as you like by scrolling down to Ohio National Guard HS Player of the Year and it will take you to the voting.

• On Wednesday, November 10, Winton Woods High School girls basketball player Shaqeia Stokes signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the St. Louis University Lady Billikens next year. Stokes (seated) is picture with girls basketball coach Calvin Johnson, Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden and assistant girls basketball coach David Lumpkin.

• For the second year in a row, students in Elaine Sugawara- Forster's financial management class are playing the Stock Market Game using real stocks in real time trading. Though many of the teams' rankings went down after the recent elections and the uncertainty of what that will mean to the economy, students are learning that they way they spend and invest their money is important.

• A troupe of performers from the Taiwan College for the Performing Arts presented an assembly at Winton Woods High School on Monday, November 15 as a cultural outreach. The assembly was a 20-minute presentation of Chinese opera with a question and answer session. Chinese Opera is a unique combination of singing, acrobatics and martial arts that dates back almost 1,000 years.

• Wrestling coach Chris Willertz’s "Adopt a Warrior" program is in its third year at Winton Woods High School, and he's hoping community members will once again help his wrestlers raise money for their pay to play fees. "This year's pay to play fee for sports at Winton Woods High School is $60,” said Willertz, who is in his tenth year of teaching American History at the high school and his third year as varsity wrestling coach. “That’s a lot of money for some of our students to come up with to play one sport, especially a sport like wrestling which doesn’t attract a tremendous number of participants.”

To help his student athletes offset the cost of participating in the wrestling program and make community connections at the same time, Willertz has renewed his “Adopt a Warrior” program. “I’m asking businesses, community organizations and individuals to adopt a wrestler for the 2010- 2011 season by providing all or part of the pay to play fee,” said Willertz. “In exchange, participants will receive periodic updates on their wrestler and a year’s worth of community service. We’ll do any work an organization or individual may need volunteers for—setting up for a festival, cleaning up, mowing grass. You call, and a Winton Woods Warrior wrestler will be at your service.”

For more information on the “Adopt a Warrior” program or to adopt a Winton Woods High School wrestler, contact Chris Willertz at Winton Woods High School, 1231 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45240 or at 619-2440. Checks should be made payable to Winton Woods Athletic Boosters, attention Wrestling.

• The Winton Woods High School wrestling team is also shoveling snow for free again this winter on those days when school is cancelled. "This year we're asking community members who need help with snow removal on district snow days to call the high school and leave their name, address and phone number for my attention," said wrestling coach Chris Willertz. "They'll be put on the shoveling list."

“Community service is part of their jobs as Warrior wrestlers,” said Willertz of his team. Residents of Forest Park, Greenhills, and those parts of Springfield Township that are in the Winton Woods School District can reach Willertz by calling Winton Woods High School at 619- 2420 and leaving their information. The wrestlers will only be available on snow days. Winton Woods wrestler Mogos Tsegay is shown ready for some community service.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• The Forest Park Steppers joined health and physical education students at Winton Woods Middle School recently for some lessons in line dancing. The partnership was part of the school's focus on lifetime wellness and fitness. "The Steppers are in great shape and are a great example to my students," said physical education teacher Will Bowman.

• Winton Woods Middle School officially unveiled its fine arts mural located outside of the auditorium at the school's Art Gallery on Thursday, November 11. "The art show and performance by '24' was a great success," said art teacher Patty New, who coordinated the event. "The school was packed with caring and supportive people, pride and excitement. Thank you to everyone for their support, presence and caring to help our children recognize accomplishments and embrace pride in all that they strive to do." The mural was created by last year's GTA class.

Winton Woods Intermediate School News:

• Four D.A.R.E. essay contest winners from Winton Woods Intermediate School used their writing skills to earn the unique opportunity to visit the Forest Park Police Department, tour the facility and even meet Forest Park Police Chief Phil Cannon. The students also received safety goody bags from the department and a donated lunch at Cracker Barrel.

The fifth graders recently completed the D.A.R.E. drug awareness and resistance program at school and then wrote about what they learned and how they would apply it to their lives. Pictured with WWIS D.A.R.E. Officer Krista Schmidt are (l-r) fifth graders Jada Dunson, Demetrius Battle, Grace Epani, Simona Reid and Police Chief Phil Cannon.

• The 2010 Robotics teams at Winton Woods Intermediate School--the Extreme Lego Legends and the Robo Warriors-- are busy preparing for this year's First Lego League (FLL) competition, to be held at the school on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11.The theme for this year's competition is "Body Forward," and it teaches students to explore the world of biomedical engineering and come with ways to repair injuries, overcome illnesses and disabilities, and build healthier bodies. Pictured are Abby Ewald, Zach Mavridoglou, and Jack Schramm.

Winton Woods Elementary School News:

• Winton Woods Elementary School held its annual "Lunch with a Hero" day to honor those men and women who have served in our military as well as local police officers and firefighters. Fire Prevention Officer Jermaine Hill of the Forest Park Fire Department gave out firefighter hats to many students. He is pictured with third grader Shanoah Moore, who invited him to the event after meeting him at the WWIS Benefit Dinner and Students versus Staff Basketball game.

Winton Woods Primary News:

November

• 8-12 PN/PS Scholastic Book Fair ~ VIP Lunch and Shop • 10 PN Picture Make-up day ( Uniforms required) • 12 PN PTA Movie Night @ 6:30-8:00 p.m. • 18 PS PTA Movie Night @ 4:30-6:00 p.m. • 24-26 Thanksgiving Break (No School)

December

• 16 PN Pre-School Winter Holiday Party • 17 PN/PS Winter Holiday Party (3:00 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Ends • 20- Jan 3 Winter Break (No School)

January • 4 School Re-opens

• On Saturday, November 13, six Winton Woods Primary South students and their mentors from Kicks for Kicks, gave the front of our school a makeover. They raked leaves and planted flowers and mulched around the school's sign and sculpture. They also picked up trash around the school grounds. "Their hard work was much appreciated by the school staff and students," said teacher Linda Ball. These students will participate at the Christmas Celebration sponsored by Kicks for Kids at Paul Brown Stadium in December. "This service project was a way for our students to give back to our school and community," said Ball. The students participating are Michayla Key, Lanesia Bullock, Karla Lopez, Aitana Lopez, Desmond Graves and Darian Brown. The school coordinators are Linda Ball and Diane Nolan.

• Primary North and Primary South want to thank all our students, their families, and our staff for the success of our book fairs! In addition, many thanks to our parent volunteers, Winton Woods High School Assistant Principal Krsitilynn Turney and the school's Ambassadors for helping our students make out their "Wish List" and much more. Primary North sold $3000.00 worth of books, and Primary South sold $1700.00 worth of books. The profit from these book fairs will be used to purchase new books and other items for the library.

Our volunteers are true heroes for helping our book fairs be successful. Special thanks to: Christina Johnson, Kim Bays, Shelley Dirr, Sarah Emmons, Belinda Griffin, Jenny Gentry, Monique Gilliam, Nichole Hooten, Melissa Hungler, Emily Hertzman, Courtney Johnson, Jan Mavridoglou, Michelle Miller, Anjali Nelson, Carol Schaeper, and Donna Stothfang, Also Mrs. Bedan and Primary North Principal Katie Klei for helping in a special way all week.

Primary North would also like to thank the following Winton Woods High School Ambassadors, who are listed with the colleges they will be attending. Many of them attended elementary school at Beechwoods (PN), Cameron Park, Lakeside (PS), Winton Forest (ES), and Waycross (IS). We wish them success in their futures endeavors!

• Mylah Edwards plans to attend Florida A&M or Harvard, majoring in Biology/Forensic Science. • Brittany Fields will either attend Bellarmine or Miami University to major in Psychology/Music. • Christina Ingle will be attending Bowling Green State University, majoring in International Relations. • Michael James is undecided where he will be attending college but plans to major in Psychology/Pre-med. • Keynan Johnson is undecided on the college but will be majoring in Musical Theater. • Jennifer Jordan will attend the College of Charleston, majoring in Discovery Information. • Felecia Mixon plans to attend Wright State University, majoring in Nursing. • Iffy Okwumo plans to attend either OSU, UK, OR, or UC majoring in Biology/Pre-Pharmacy. • Brandi Oliver plans to attend either OSU, NKU or UC majoring in Nursing. • Kaitlin Otto is undecided on where she will be attending college but plans to major in Elementary Education. • Tiffany Peterson will be attending UC, majoring in Business Administration. • Cindy Pineda plans to attend Miami University and major in Communications/Business. • Tyler Powell plans to attend Purdue University, majoring in Biology. • Sonya Sorrell will be attending UC, majoring in Political Science.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of November 9: Jordan Jackson, Sierra Herrington, and Tyriq Smith. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Robertson's AM kindergarten class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Golden Corral gift certificates.

• Primary North congratulates first grader Kayla Spikes and second grader Norman Appleby for being nominated for this Month's Character Trait of "fairness."

Mrs. McCann writes: "I have chosen Kayla Spikes for the student who demonstrates fairness in our classroom. Kayla models what it is to be a good friend to everyone. She never makes fun of others, always includes her classmates in daily activities, and befriends those who others may have ignored. Kayla reaches out to her classmates who are in need by offering her help and voluntarily working with any student in the class. If a friend is upset, Kayla will be the first one reaching out to them, rubbing their back and listening to their concerns. Kayla's leadership and positive attitude contribute greatly to the sense of community in Room 4."

Ms. Lumsden writes: "We always hear someone shouting out, "That's not fair!" It is easy to say when we don't get our way or what we want. Do we really think that if we don't get our way or want we want it is not fair? Those thoughts and feelings have nothing do with fairness. Fairness means we all play by the rules, take turns, share and listen. When we are able to do that, fairness becomes part of us, and we understand justice.

Norman Appleby has a strong understanding of fairness and justice. He treats others the way he wants to be treated. In addition, he doesn't play favorites, he treats everyone the same. He gives others a change by listening to what they have to say. He is always ready to give his classmates and friends the benefit of the doubt, realizing everyone has a different idea. Norman always tries to be fair in his interactions with others. Whether on the playground or in the classroom, in small groups figuring out a puzzle or solving a problem, Norman is not taking advantage of others or playing favorites. He tries to see that everyone has the same chance and even lets others go first, making sure everyone has a turn.

Norman is above all a very honest young man. He realizes when a mistake has been made and doesn't blame others. He is truthful. Michael Josephson's quote says it all ~ 'It is much more difficult to know what is fair than what is unfair. A just person is never knowingly unfair.' Norman is a fair and just young man and would never knowingly be unfair to a classmate or friend. He is a positive role model for others."

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Class of the Week is Mrs. Noel's first grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Thank you for your Market Day order this month! We’re looking forward to seeing you at our sale pick-up on Monday, November 22 between 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. You can find us in the cafeteria at Winton Woods Intermediate School.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872. Thank you for your continued support!

December 1, 2010

Quote of the week:

When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion we can ever know. Bill Wilson

District News:

• The Winter Choir Concert for students in grades 6, 7, 8 and the freshman men's chorus is Thursday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium.

• Winton Woods City Schools is offering introductory Chinese language classes for adults beginning in the new year. The classes will be taught by Molly Zhang, visiting teacher from China. The six-week class will begin on Thursday, January 6, 2011 and run through February 10, 2011. Classes will take place in the library of the Greenhills Community Building, located at 8 Enfield Drive, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The cost of the class is $60.00, and the registration deadline is December 17. Registration forms and tuition should be sent to Communications Specialist Gina Burnett, Winton Woods City Schools, 1215 W. Kemper Road, Forest Park, Ohio 45240. Checks should be made payable to Winton Woods City Schools. For questions, or to reserve your spot in the class, contact Burnett at 619-2301 or [email protected].

Winton Woods High School News:

• Winton Woods High School inducted 18 new members into National Honor Society at a ceremony at the high school on Tuesday, November 23. Being inducted were seniors Tori Clark, Alicia Higgins, Brandi Oliver, Chin Patel and Aaron Patton and juniors Katelyn Budke, Dorian Campbell, Emily Cleary, Princess Dean, Maria Diaz, Samantha Fishwick, Haleigh Holtman, Kyra Jefferson, Kelsey Randall, Kayla Rodgers, Kevin Sherman, Justin Taylor and Drew Topits.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School football coach Andre Parker who was named the AP Division II All-State Co-Coach of the Year. Parker was also named the AP Division II Southwest All-District Coach of the Year. Junior running back Aaron Kemper was chosen as the Top Offensive Player in Ohio.

Andre Parker Aaron Kemper

Andre Parker Making Division II All-State All-Star First Team: Aaron Kemper (offense) and Cory Webber (defense). Making Division II All-State All-Star Third Team: Walter Richardson (defense) All State All-Star Special Mentions: Aaron Patton

For a complete list of the awards, go to www.favcsports.com.

• The annual Fall Sports Awards ceremony was held at Winton Woods High School on Monday, November 15 to honor those athletes participating in boys and girls soccer, cross country, volleyball, golf and girls tennis. A list of award winners can be found on the district website under the “News” tab.

• Winton Woods High School presented its fall play, Twelve Angry Men, on Thursday, November 18 - Saturday, November 20 to enthusiastic crowds. Thanks to the cast and crew, to Director Michelle Kozlowski and Technical Director Denny Thomas, and to the Friends of the Theater for their hard work in making this a successful production.

• Over 300 canned goods were collected at this year's Warrior Madness event at Winton Woods High School on Tuesday, November 23 as a kickoff to the basketball season. In addition, $524 in admission was donated to the Friendship Baptist Church food pantry and ministry.

• There is a meeting for Spanish students interested in more information on the Peru trip over spring break 2012 on Wednesday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. in room 113 at the high school.

• Wrestling Coach Chris Willertz is proud to congratulate wrestlers (l-r) Sam Moore (sophomore), Brandon Brock (junior), Caleb Riffle (sophomore), and Xavier Vines (sophomore) for making the first quarter honor roll at Winton Woods High School.

• The Grade 6 and High School Band Winter Concert is tonight, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. "December is here, snow is falling, and it's time for some holiday music!" said Band Director Dani Ashbrook. Board of Education President Jack Lee will be narrating The Night Before Christmas as the closer. Poinsettia orders will also be available for pick-up this evening.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School's "Awesome 8"--students who earned the top grade percentage in their classes--were honored with a special lasagna lunch in the school's library with Principal Lisa Votaw. Pictured are students (left, bottom to top) Kendra Jackson, Kemijah Gordon, Jazzmine Edwards and Matthew Smith and (right, bottom to top) Hayley Perkins, Ashley McCartney, Irene Onianwa and Jared Beiersdorfer.

• Sign up for Scuba Club has started at Winton Woods Middle School, and all students in grades 7-9 are welcome to join. When the course is completed, students will be certified divers. "We have an unheard of price for our students," said science teacher John Fiely. "To become a diver, it's only $100 for the class and pool, and that includes all rental gear. The book and open water trip are extra." Class and pool training are being held on Sunday afternoons starting January 9 and ending February 27. A $50 deposit is due to save a spot in the club with the balance due on December 15. Questions? Email John Fiely at [email protected].

• Congratulations to eighth grader Austin Jones who made the OMEA District XIV Jr. High Honor Band for the second year in a row. Austin made second chair out of four baritones. He will perform with the Honor Band on Sunday, January 9 at 3:00 p.m. in Matthews Auditorium at Princeton High School. "Austin studies baritone privately and contributes greatly to the Winton Woods Middle School eighth grade band," said Band Director Kara Barbee. "He is self-motivated to do his best, and it shows."

• Students in Heather Edler's Gateway to Technology engineering class have seven projects to create machines for a variety of clients. The projects involves programming, building, wiring and troubleshooting the machines made. Pictured working with Edler on their "earthquake machine" that simulates an earthquake are Deshannon Duckworth (standing) and Devaughn Tubbs.

• Winton Woods Middle School math teacher Tim Tilton is again featured in The Ohio Journal of School Mathematics, the professional publication for math teachers in Ohio. "My article is a copy-machine-ready worksheet (or test) of 50 true/false questions about the laws of exponents," said Tilton. Most of the true questions appear false, and the false ones seem like they are true." Tilton said he reads the journal from cover to cover and always welcomes when he comes across something he can use in his own classroom. "This worksheet is a good one if a teacher needs something for their sub folder or an activity for the day. It is in a format that is ready to go." Tilton's submission was chosen by a panel of teachers and professors from the many submissions they receive. "I am honored that it was chosen," said Tilton. "I like getting the name 'Winton Woods' out there is a positive way. I also like doing my part to get practical, useful stuff in the Journal."

• Winton Woods Middle School presented the following awards at its Fall Sports Awards ceremony: Cross Country: Most Valuable Runners- Hayley Perkins and Chris Riffle Student Athlete- Autumn Adams and Jared Beiersdorfer Warrior Award- Irene Onianwa and Jordan Randolf Football: Most Valuable Player- Christian Lumpkin Most Improved- Anthony Phillips Warrior Award- Chaz Lumpkin Volleyball: Most Valuable- Ciara Cheatham Most Improved- Jada Turner

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

Calendar Events: • December 1 - 6th Grade/HS Band Winter Concert at @ 7:00 p.m. • December 2 - Grades 6-8 Choir Concert at 7:30 p.m. at WWHS • December 6 - 8 - Winter Benchmark Testing • December 10 & 11 - Robotics Regional Tournament hosted at WWIS • Spirit Week "Deck the Doors" Contest: • December 13 - Winter Wonderland • December 14 - Crazy Holiday Socks Day • December 15 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Favorite Holiday Shirt Day • December 16 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Crazy Holiday Hat Day/Student of the Month Breakfast • December 17 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Winter Celebration Dance/ WWIS Winter Celebrations 12:30 p.m. • December 20 - 31 Winter Break • January 3 - Professional Development Day No School for Students • January 4 - School resumes

• On Tuesday, November 30 all students at WWIS participated in a Chinese acrobats assembly. The acrobats combined routines of balancing, contortion, and foot-juggling with vignettes about Chinese culture, schools, and customs. The colorful costumes, unique background Chinese music, and smiling faces added to their amazing feats of acrobatics.

• Ms. Johourizadeh's students would like to remind all Winton Woods Intermediate School students and parents that every Friday is a Spirit Day.

• Fifth grade band students performed their first recital for their parents on Monday, November 22 and had the opportunity to teach their parents to play their instrument and perform a few selections. We would like to thank all parents and family members for attending the event and for their willingness to learn and perform. It was a wonderful evening! A special thank you to Band Directors Kara Barbee, Dani Ashbrook and Matt Buehl.

• All fifth grade classrooms received a special visit from the Cincinnati Zoo on Monday, November 29 and Tuesday, November 30. Mike Nicolai, outreach instructor for the zoo, reinforced the life science lessons which had been learned in the classroom and gave the students an opportunity to see a barn owl and a baby alligator. The students loved the small presentations because they were able to ask questions and pet the baby alligator. WWIS would like to thank science lab teacher Selena Bowling and fifth grade science teachers Ellie Gelhot, Janet Harden, and Tracy Lemon for their help in scheduling this event and getting WWIS students excited about science.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School (WWIS) will be hosting this year's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Tournament on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11. After two years of having teams qualify for state competition, the 2010 Robotics Teams--the Extreme Lego Legends and the Flamin' Sponge Bots--are busy preparing for this year's event with practices two days a week.

The theme for this year's competition is "Body Forward," and it teaches students to explore the world of biomedical engineering and come with ways to repair injuries, overcome illnesses and disabilities, and build healthier bodies. Friday's competition is closed, but the tournament is open to the public on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. It is the regional qualifying tournament for the FLL robotics program, and there will be 12 teams competing.

Robotics students have only two and a half minutes to complete 14 missions which include fixing a bone and placing a cast, putting a heart stent into an artery, and operating an automatic medicine dispenser. Team Captain Abby Ewald of the Extreme Lego Legends said her interest in robotics comes from her father. "My dad works with machines," said Ewald. "He gives me lessons and helps me want to learn more." Fellow programmer Nia Burns said her inspiration is her dad too. "He works with computers, and I want to follow in his footsteps." The two girls are part of a growing number of girls at the school who have joined the Robotics Team this year.

This includes Amari Jones, captain of the Robo Warriors, who said she loves a challenge and loves Legos. She was busy working on her team's skit about how to help a 47-year-old, 225-pound patient with a broken leg. Throughout the room students work by themselves, in teams and with coaches Katrina Henderson, science teacher at WWIS, and Joel Weaver, math and science teacher at WWIS. "The students are working hard to meet all the demands that come with learning about teamwork, goal setting, and being creative,” said Henderson.

The 2010 WWIS Robotics Team members are: Zach Mavridoglou, Rory Tekulve, Myles White, Darion Hassertt, Christina Johnson, Nia Burns, Abby Ewald, Guilli Kia, Aaliyah Scott, Amari Jones, Will Simpson, Jack Schramm, Texas Nguyen and Patrick Murray.

Thanks to sponsors M2SE (Minorities in Mathematics, Science and Engineering) and the Winton Woods Community PTA. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League was founded in 1989 and is a robotics program that assists students in pursuing opportunities in math, science, engineering and technology. • Winton Woods Intermediate School and D.A.R.E. are having a fundraiser called "One Dollar, No Collar" to raise money for the school's D.A.R.E. graduation at the end of the year. "The students at Winton Woods Intermediate can support D.A.R.E. by donating a dollar to be out of uniform on Friday December 10th," said WWIS D.A.R.E. Officer Krista Schmidt. "It will be great to see how many students will engage in this fundraiser."

Winton Woods Elementary News: • The WWES Select Chorus will be singing at the Forest Park Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Forest Park Firehouse at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9. Chorus Director Kathy Rodriguez is shown rehearing with her students.

• WWES will once again be having its StEP Marketplace on Tuesday, December 14. "While we have this event every year, we're putting a new spin on it," said Principal Kendell Dorsey. " We are having a 'trade town' type of event where students will donate items to charity using their Warrior dollars."

• The WWES Multicultural Celebration is Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Winton Woods Primary News: December 2010

• 3 PS Anti-Bullying Assembly featuring Ronald McDonald - 10:00 a.m. • 15 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 16 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 17 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 16 PN Pre-School Winter Holiday Party (1:15 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Grading Period Ends • 17 PN/PS Winter Holiday Party (2:15 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Ends • 20- Jan 3 Winter Break ~ (No School)

January 2011

• 1 New Year's Day • 3 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 4 School Re-Opens • 7 2nd Quarter Report Cards go home

• A great way to learn about the pilgrims' struggles and the friends they met in a new land is to make these events come to life. Parents, students and staff were invited to kick-off the Thanksgiving holiday with Mrs. Townsell's second grade class at Primary North as they presented a live performance of The First Thanksgiving. Student performers recited lines from memory. In

addition, performers serenaded the audience with a traditional favorite, "We Gather Together," as they played bell chimes. The play was a huge success! The class would like to thank all of the parents for their help and support.

• On November 23 Primary North teachers and staff enjoyed desserts courtesy of the Winton Woods Community PTA for having the highest number of teacher/staff PTA members of the schools in the district.

• Primary South kindergarteners wrapped up the month of November with a memorable Thanksgiving feast. They learned about pilgrims and Native Americans through stories and songs. Each student made a prop to dress like either a pilgrim or Native American for the gigantic kindergarten feast. This culminating activity helped to emphasize the importance of community and giving thanks.

• Primary South would like to congratulate the following students who were chosen by their teachers for displaying the character of fairness in November: Rheagan Reid, Michael Minton, Ohenmaa Sarfo-Bonsu, Malak Hawas, Noah Partin, Kymora Lemon, Adriana Duenas, Trinity Batton, Aryss Van Camp, Lariya Bullock, Stevie Davis, Sheldyn Harris, Kaiya Batton, Jayden Harris, Dae'zhon Moore, Amanda Murvin, Antwone Davis, Brandon Pennington, Bethany Smith, Dominic Byrne.

• Primary South would like to congratulate this month's Character Counts winners (l- r) Tristen Eversberg, Paige Rucker and Felix Burnette. Congratulations and thanks for showing such great character!

Alumni News:

• Winton Woods High School 2010 valedictorian and Gates Millennium Scholar Louise Dees was honored at the Ohio State House by Senators Kearney, Seitz and Strahorn on November 10. Fourteen students from across the state were chosen to be the Gates Millennium Scholars this year. The program, established in 1999, promotes academic excellence and provides financial opportunity for minority students who show exceptional academic ability.

Based on their financial need, the Gates Millennium Scholarship enables these students to pursue higher education starting with undergraduate work and going forward to a doctorate level degree. Dees (second from left) is pictured with Senator Eric Kearney, her mother Sandra Dees and another Gates scholar.

• Winton Woods High School alumnus Jonathan Davis (2007), a junior cadet at the United States Air Force Academy and defensive back for the USAFA Falcon football team, was recently profiled in a video on the CBS College Sports/Armed Forces website. The video can be seen at http://www.cbscollegesports.com/armedforces/player.php?vPath=../video/IAF_AirForce.flv.

While at Winton Woods, Jonathan was an outstanding student and football and basketball player. He works hard to excel at the Academy in his academic studies and in his training to become an F-15 fighter pilot. Jonathan served as a counselor at the USAFA Falcon Sports Camp and was directly in charge of a group of 2500 student athletes ages 12-17. Upon graduation in two years, Jonathan will be a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and a certified fighter pilot.

WWC PTA News: • In January customers can qualify for a free Book Bag Buddy with any Market Day purchase. As an added bonus you could be entered into our Market Day raffle. Any customer placing a minimum order of $50 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $25 Market Day gift certificate. Look for your January order guide to arrive home this week or visit marketday.com for more details about the Book Bag Buddy and to place your order.

Community News:

• The annual "Light Up Greenhills" event is Friday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m. on the Greenhills Commons (right next to the Greenhills Shopping Center). There will be carriage rides, a performance by the Varsity Ensemble from Winton Woods High School, additional music, an opportunity to talk to Santa, hot chocolate, bonfire, and more. This is a good way to kick off the holiday season for folks of every age.

• Springfield Township's annual WinterFest event will take place this Saturday, December 4 at the Grove Banquet Hall, located at 9158 Winton Road. (Please use the fire station entrance located behind the Senior Center.) Bring the entire family, your friends and neighbors for a great time together! This event is sponsored by Target, Walgreens, the Finneytown Kroger, the Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis, and the Hamilton County Park District.

Canned good will be collected on behalf of the Springfield Township Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. The food will be delivered to residents in need.

WinterFest Activity Schedule

12:30 p.m. Doors Open 1:00 p.m. Madcap Puppet Show "Look Out Galileo" 2:00 p.m. Santa *FREE PHOTO and KEY CHAIN provided by Walgreens on Winton Road! You are also welcome to take pictures. 2:00 p.m. Make a gift & wrap it up! 2:00 p.m. Video Greeting (read a passage from "Twas the Night Before Christmas," send a one-minute greeting to your family and neighbors, or send a caring message to the troops who are away from home at the holidays.) 2:00 p.m. Cookies & Juice (Provided by Finneytown Kroger) 2:00 p.m. Free Hay Rides & Hot Chocolate (Finneytown Music Association will be selling luminaries for "Light Up Finneytown".) 2:00 p.m. Play a game of Ice Fishing 2:40 p.m. Cincinnati Movement & Dance - 20 minute show

*Activities end at 3:30 p.m. For more information or directions to the Grove Banquet Hall, call 522-1410 (M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)

December 8, 2010

Quote of the week:

Holiday gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. -- Oren Arnold

District News:

• The Winton Woods School District continues its mission to build international relationships and provide its students with a world class education with the recent visit of Chucai Chen, the principal of Huangshi Guangchang Road Primary School which educates over 3000 students on two campuses, one public and one private. Mr. Chen is visiting classrooms in the district and learning how education works in America. He is pictured with Winton Woods Chinese teacher Molly Xiaohong (left) and Winton Woods Primary North Principal Katie Klei.

Winton Woods High School News:

• There is a meeting for Spanish students interested in more information on the Peru trip over spring break 2012 on Wednesday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. in room 113 at the high school.

• The Winton Woods City Schools Board of Education will consider a proposal to offer a rigorous Global Studies Program to begin in 2011-2012 for interested incoming freshman. There will be an informational meeting on December 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library to inform and receive feedback from the community. Everyone is invited to attend.

• Members of the newly-formed swim team at Winton Woods High School competed against swimmers from Taylor, McAuley and LaSalle High Schools in a meet on Tuesday, November 30.

• Freshman Eric Behrendt placed second in the 200-meter individual medley and third in the 50-meter butterfly. • Freshman Allison Holtman placed fourth in the 100-meter freestyle and fifth in 100-meter backstroke. • Junior Suniti Nelson placed sixth in the 50-meter freestyle and fifth in the 100-meter freestyle. • Sophomore April Otto placed third in the 50-meter freestyle and fourth in the 200-meter freestyle.

The team members train at the Mercy Healthplex (MHP) in Fairfield and practice with the MHP Seawolves and their coach Kim Hogue. The swimmers can practice up to six days a week (Monday - Saturday) with flexibility as to which days and how many.

"Coach Kim is very sensitive to kids who want to swim but have no pool to call their own," said parent Diana Behrendt. "She has been very helpful and generous with her time to help Winton Woods get a swim team started." Behrendt said her son Eric has been swimming with the Seawolves for four years, so they were already familiar with the facility and coach. Three of the four Winton Woods swimmers either have or still do swim with the Greenhills Gators swim team in the summer. Pictured are (l-r) April Otto, Suniti Nelson, Allison Holtman and Eric Behrendt.

• The second annual Winton Woods Talent Showcase is ready for auditions. This talent showcase is open to all students, parents and staff within the school district and will be held on Sunday, January 16 in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. Auditions are December 13-15. Audition applications may be picked up from Winton Woods Middle School Band Director Kara Barbee and should be turned in by Thursday, December 9.

• The Winton Woods Warriors wrestling team tied for first place with Withrow High School in the Bishop Fenwick Invitational on Saturday, December 4 out of 18 teams competing. "I believe this is the first invitational wrestling championship in recent Winton Woods school history," said wrestling coach Chris Willertz. "We started our season off with a bang. From top to bottom, beginning to end, they wrestled hard."

First place winners were: sophomore Caleb Riffle at 112 pounds; senior Moges Tsegay at 125 pounds; junior Rod Lattimore at 135 pounds; and sophomore Devon Graves at 145 pounds.

Coaches and members of the Winton Woods High School wrestling team are shown with their first place trophy. "In the picture the kids are trying to look tough, but are they excited on the inside," said Willertz.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School healthy and physical education teacher and coach Mallory Gardner and coach Winfield Franklin went to the Xavier University Women's Crosstown Shootout with their teams and won the raffle for 15 free team uniforms for the girls' basketball teams. Gardner won another raffle for tennis equipment at the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (OAHPERD) convention. The convention is a professional development opportunity for physical education teachers, health teachers and coaches.

• Students at Winton Woods Middle School are invited to submit their work for the second annual book from the Winton Woods Writers Group. "Last year's book (Steps in the Dark) was incredibly well received, and we expect this year's to be even better," said teacher Anthony Klancar. "We are looking for fiction and non-fiction prose, poetry, stories told in graphic format (such as graphic novels or comics) and visual art. Last year, we had some great fiction, poetry and even a short graphic story, so we would especially like to see some art and non-fiction to balance it out." Any student at WWMS is eligible to submit work for this 50-page chapbook anthology. For submission guidelines or information, email Anthony Klancar at [email protected].

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• December 10 & 11 - Robotics Regional Tournament hosted at WWIS • Spirit Week "Deck the Doors" Contest: • December 13 - Winter Wonderland • December 14 - Crazy Holiday Socks Day • December 15 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Favorite Holiday Shirt Day • December 16 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Crazy Holiday Hat Day/Student of the Month Breakfast • December 17 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Winter Celebration Dance/WWIS Winter Celebrations 12:30 p.m. • December 20 - 31 Winter Break • January 3 - Professional Development Day No School for Students • January 4 - School resumes • January 16- Scripps Spelling Bee

• Students and staff who contribute one dollar to the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program's "One Dollar, No Collar" fundraiser will be able to be out of uniform on Friday, December 10. Money will be collected at the door. "With limited budgets in the district and the Forest Park Police Department, we wanted to do what we could to support the program which provides our outstanding DARE Officer Krista Schmidt, student workbooks, and t-shirts for DARE graduation," said WWIS Principal Tonya West Wright. All fifth grade students participate in DARE during the school year • Winton Woods Intermediate School will be hosting this year's FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics Tournament on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11. After two years of having teams qualify for state competition, the 2010 WWIS Robotics Teams--the Extreme Lego Legends and the Flamin' Sponge Bots--are busy preparing for this year's event with practices two days a week. Winton Woods students and community members are invited to attend on Saturday to show their support for our Warriors. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Mrs. West Wright for more information. GO WARRIORS!

• All WWIS students and parents are reminded that there are some fun activities planned for students next week. Each day we are encouraging students to show their spirit. Please review the list of activities on the calendar. Parents are also reminded that WWIS students will be released at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, December 15-17. Winter Celebrations are scheduled to begin Friday, December 17 at 12:30 p.m. Please speak with your child about their lunch schedule for an exact time of the start of the celebration. Parents are invited to attend and participate in our Winter Celebrations. We look forward to seeing you.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Next week WWES will have its Winter Marketplace with the theme "Warriors Give Back." Students will be collecting items of all kinds to "purchase" with their Warrior Bucks to then donate to local charities. This is the merging of StEP (Student Enterprise Program) from U.C. with our service learning partnership from Children's Inc. We need your help! We are collecting new clothing, non-perishable food items, school supplies, even items for animals. If you would like to get involved and donate materials, click any of the charities below, purchase the items, drop them off here at the school, and we'll do the rest!

• http://www.faceswithoutplaces.com/maintemplate_cincinnati.asp?thedeptI D=36&thesubdeptID=167 • http://www.rmhcincinnati.org/donate-wish-list.aspx • http://www.spcacincinnati.org/pages/images/Wish%20List%20Shvl%20Re vision%20Jan.09.pdf • http://www.fsfbmedia.org/beta/ • http://www.sharedharvest.org/

• A big thank you to music teacher Kathy Rodriguez and the fourth grade chorus who did an outstanding job singing at the Forest Park Tree Lighting Ceremony on Monday night. Ms. Rodriguez was honored by the City of Forest Park for her years of service. Congratulations Ms. R!

• Congratulations to our November Students of the Month: Hannah McCarthy, Branden O'Hara, Antoine Allen, Rodric Phillips, Clarissa Kester, Rume Ikeneku, Lania Jones, Ary Urvina, Shelley Mibidi, Corrie Shadd, Isaiah Riffle, Alasia Lowery, Celia Slaughter, Jerrin Williams, Myneisha Ford, Ezekiah Cue, Cari Sullivan, McKenna Johnson, Airea'na Dunnom, Cassie Dean, Zyra Key, Raven Reed. Congratulations on "reaching new heights!"

• Our Multicultural Celebration will take place Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m. in the gym. We hope to see you there!

Winton Woods Primary News:

December 2010

• 3 PS Anti-Bullying Assembly featuring Ronald McDonald - 10:00 a.m. • 15 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 16 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 17 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 16 PN Pre-School Winter Holiday Party (1:15 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Grading Period Ends • 17 PN/PS Winter Holiday Party (2:15 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Ends • 20- Jan 3 Winter Break ~ (No School)

January 2011

• 1 New Year's Day • 3 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 4 School Re-Opens • 7 2nd Quarter Report Cards go home • 14 PN Anti-Bullying Assembly featuring Ronald McDonald

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of December 1 goes to Mrs. Noel's first grade class. A Music Award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• Ronald McDonald visited students at Primary South on Friday, December 3 to talk about bullying in a fun, interactive assembly. Ronald led the students in activities on working together, bullies and what you should do if you are being bullied. The kids were very interested and so well behaved that Ronald even complimented Principal Tonya Bray on our great students. We agree …thanks kids, you are great!

• Primary North would like to thank second grade teacher Essie Sterling for purchasing several CD players with programmable memory and stereo AM/FM radios with the $100 gift certificate that she was awarded by Walmart on October 19 for their teacher appreciation program. These CD players were very much needed and appreciated.

• Scrooge would not be pleased if he entered the halls of Winton Woods Primary South! The school is in the midst of a “Deck the Doors” contest, and the mood is festive! Principal Tonya Bray has challenged the students and staff to decorate the doors of their classrooms, and the winning class gets a pizza party. The winner will be announced next week.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of December 1: James Djangmah, Skylarr Rosemond and Sarah Dirr. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Byrd's afternoon kindergarten class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

WWC PTA News:

• Stock our library while stocking your freezer. Help us earn a $250 Borders gift certificate and get a free Book Bag Buddy with any purchase. In addition to the free Book Bag Buddy, any customer who places a minimum order of $50 will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $25 Market Day gift certificate.

Order online at www.marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, January 1, 2011 or return your order for to school by Thursday, December 16.

Please note that due to Winter Break we will not have a December pick- up. Orders placed by the January 1 deadline will be ready for pick up on Thursday, January 6. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with Market Day, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

December 15, 2010

Quote of the week:

Remember This December, That love weighs more than gold! Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

District News:

• Winton Woods City Schools will be closed December 20 – January 3. Classes will resume on January 4. Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!

Winton Woods High School:

• Fifteen Winton Woods High School wrestlers and their coaches went to Camp River Ridge in Oldenburg, Indiana on a retreat "for team unity and to build up each wrestler's character," said wrestling coach Chris Willertz."This was a first for many of my kids."

The overnight camping trip included a bonfire, hiking, fishing, dodgeball and a workout. "We watched film clips on the themes of faith, focus and fight, our wrestling motto, and then shared answers about how the movie clip related to our wrestling team," said Willertz. He said the evening bonfire included s'mores and talking about what it takes to be a man. "We used the time to build confidence and some maturity for a great season."

All expenses for the trip were paid by a donor.

• Senior Katie Sherman and junior Seth Marshall recently participated in the Key Leaders Kiwanis leadership education program at Recreation Unlimited in Columbus, Ohio thanks to the generosity of the Greenhills- Forest Park Kiwanis Club.

The weekend program included large and small group activities, with a combination of information, discussion, interactive events and audio- visual presentations. Students were split up into "neighborhoods" that included about 12 high school students, with about six to seven neighborhoods participating. "There were times when all the neighborhoods came together to discuss things like what true leaders are and what it takes to be a good leader," said Sherman. "Each time we came to these meetings we discussed a different trait like respect, integrity, honor, responsibility, and trust. Other times the neighborhoods split up and discussed situations a leader might go through and evaluated what we would do in the situation."

Sherman said the students played games, did a trust fall from a four-foot platform, and participated in a ropes course that emphasized team leadership. "These taught us a lot about working together and not always having to be a leader but being able to listen as well," said Sherman. "It was a great experience, and I'm certainly trying to become a better person and leader because of going to Key Leaders."

The mission of Key Leaders is to provide a “life-changing experience that inspires young people to achieve their personal best through service leadership.”

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods High School band students who have recently made outside groups. Making District 14 Honor Band are: Ciarra Rucker (flute), Kaitlin Otto (bassoon), Kareesha Springer (bassoon) and Corey Stewart (trombone). Making NKU TriState Band are: Adrianna Ivory (flute), Jackie Jordan (clarinet) and Corey Stewart (trombone).

• Congratulations to senior Corey Stewart and junior Jason Dudley for being selected for the ArtsWave Teen Arts Council. The Council will meet bi- weekly to organize and produce events that join teens and the arts. Teens from 14 different high schools in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will organize events including art competitions, street festivals with arts of all kinds, and collaborations with local arts organizations. Although the teens receive guidance from ArtsWave staff, they are responsible for all the details involved in the planning and execution of the events.

• The Winton Woods High School winter sports calendar posters are in and can be picked up in the high school's main office or in the athletic office.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Students started their holiday shopping early at Winton Woods Middle School. The annual Holiday Store was open the week of December 6, and students were able to use their Warrior Bucks--which are earned by meeting or exceeding school expectations--to shop for gift items for family and friends. The students enjoyed being able to use "money" they had earned to shop for their nearest and dearest.

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods Middle School First Lego League (FLL) robotics team who won second place in core values at the FLL Regional tournament held at Winton Woods Intermediate School on December 10 and 11. This category of the competition acknowledged the students' team-building ability. The i-Team (eye team) members were eighth graders Ryan Capal, Austin Jones, Lynard Turner, Alex Kuhn, and Devin Devins and seventh graders Charlie Murrell, Chris (CJ) Stumpf, and Andrew Evans. This year's robotics team coach was science teacher Barbette Kirk.

• Congratulations to seventh grader Ona Brown who received a Talented Artists Award at the Springfield Township Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 14. The township recognizes students each month in various categories and this month's awards honored students for music, visual and performing arts. Winton Woods Middle School art teacher Patty New said, "Ona is an energetic, happy and creative seventh grader who is mature and talented beyond her years. Artistically and academically, Ona strives to meet and master the challenges before her. Ona can take a visually and intellectually complex assignment apart, make critical judgments, analyze her creative options and proceed to create works of art that are fun, expressive and personally meaningful. Ona is a constant reminder that art matters. Ona and her art accomplishments represent her daily life experiences, passions and influences. Ona's art reminds us how young minds and imagination have no limitation."

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

Calendar • December 15 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Favorite Holiday Shirt Day • December 16 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Crazy Holiday Hat Day/Student of the Month Breakfast • December 17 - Early Release 2:00 p.m. & Winter Celebration Dance/ WWIS Winter Celebrations 12:30 p.m. • December 20 - 31 Winter Break • January 3 - Professional Development Day No School for Students • January 4 - School resumes

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• WWES students participated in the Winter Marketplace "Warriors Give Back" on Tuesday, December 14 to benefit five local charities: Freestore Foodbank, S.P.C.A., Faces without Places, Tri-County SOUL Ministries and the Ronald McDonald House. The event was a combination of the school's Student Enterprise Program and service learning initiative with Children’s Inc.

Students met with representatives from each charity to inform their decision making when donating and then each homeroom had a donation drive. Students purchased items to donate to these charities with Warrior Bucks they earned over the past quarter. Our students donated well over ten 32- gallon cans of donated items.

Thanks to Mrs. Fritz, who coordinated the event, and to parents and community members for supporting these great causes!

• The WWES Multicultural Celebration will take place Thursday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the gym.

• Holiday parties are Friday, December 17 at various times from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

• Winton Woods Elementary School will dismiss students at 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.

• Remember Study Island never closes! Students are encouraged to continue work on studyisland.com over the holiday break.

• Happy Holidays from the staff of Winton Woods Elementary School!

Winton Woods Primary News:

December 2010

• 15 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 16 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 17 Early Release Day (3:10 p.m.) • 16 PN Pre-School Winter Holiday Party (1:15 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Grading Period Ends • 17 PN/PS Winter Holiday Party (2:15 p.m.) • 17 2nd Quarter Ends • 20- Jan 3 Winter Break ~ (No School)

January 2011

• 1 New Year's Day • 3 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 4 School Re-Opens • 6 PN Popcorn at Lunch • 7 2nd Quarter Report Cards Go Home • 14 PN Anti-Bullying Assembly featuring Ronald McDonald • 20-21 PN Shine A Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

• On Monday December 13, six Primary South students attended the Kicks for Kids Christmas Celebration at Paul Brown Stadium. There they ate Skyline and pizza, made crafts, picked out presents for their families, and met Santa and Mrs. Claus along with Frosty, Rudolph and the Grinch. Santa brought presents all the way from the North Pole that each child had requested on their list. Some of our students received bicycles, Nintendos, PSP systems, along with winter coats, gloves, and personalized Bengals shirts and footballs. One of the highlights of the evening was when the children went into the Bengals locker room to see their favorite player's lockers, and then found their very own locker in the visitor's locker room filled with even more surprises. We ended the night running on the football field with our mentors and friends. It was a magical night for everyone. Mrs. Bray, Mrs. Nolan and Mrs. Ball joined the children for this wonderful event. Special thanks to the Kicks for Kids organization who sponsored this night and provided Christmas for our Primary South students!

• Primary North would like to congratulate Mrs. Robertson’s morning Kindergarten class for winning the pizza party for the November Papa John's Pizza week. Thank you to everyone. December Pizza Week is now through Sunday.

• Primary North is hosting "Shine Your Smile Day." The mobile dentist teams will be at PN on January 20-21. We have invited the Smile Programs to bring their on-site preventive dental care services to our school because we know how important good oral health is to our children's overall general health. If you want your child to see the dentist on "Shine Your Smile Day," just fill out the permission slip and return it to your school. Learn more about Smile programs at www.mobiledentist.come.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of December 7: E'Shawn Harrison, Devon Green and Ray Canela. For the week of December 13 we congratulate Makayla Huff, Mariana Saleem, and Gabriela Briones- Castro. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Wilke's and Mrs. Byrd's kindergarten classes won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of December 6 went to Mrs. Vandivier's second grade Class B. A Music Award banner will be proudly by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• On Monday, December 13, WWPS Principal Tonya Bray announced the winners of the school's door decorating contest. Mrs. Chaney's class came in first place and will receive a pizza party. Mrs. Berkemeyer's class came in second and both the morning and afternoon classes will receive a popcorn party. Mrs. Smith's class came in third place and will receive a cupcake party. Congratulations and thanks for making our hallways look so festive!

WWC PTA News:

• There’s still time to order Market Day and receive a free Book Bag Buddy with any purchase from the January order guide. In addition to the free Book Bag Buddy, any customer who places a minimum order of $50 will be automatically entered into our drawing for a $25 Market Day gift certificate.

Order online at www.marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, January 1, 2011 or return your order for to school by Thursday, December 16.

Please note that due to winter break we will not have a December pick up. Orders placed by the January 1 deadline will be ready for pick up on Thursday, January 6. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with Market Day, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

January 13, 2011

Quote of the week:

The truth is that all of us attain the greatest success and happiness possible in this life whenever we use our native capacities to their greatest extent.

Smiley Blanton

District News:

• Tom Golinar, treasurer for Winton Woods City Schools, has announced his resignation to accept another professional opportunity. Golinar has worked for the district for six years and earned many awards for his outstanding professionalism, the most recent being the “Making Your Tax Dollar Count” award for the District’s fiscal year 2008 and 2009 audit. Fewer than five percent of all Ohio government agencies are eligible for this award.

“Mr. Golinar has enjoyed the confidence of the Board, the staff and community, and we wish him well,” said newly-elected Board of Education President John Pennycuff. The Board will immediately begin the search process for a new treasurer with details regarding the application process and timeline to be announced soon.

Persons interested in applying as treasurer of Winton Woods City Schools may contact Pennycuff at 1215 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45240 or 513-476-6340.

• Winton Woods Board of Education member John Pennycuff was elected as the Board’s new president at the January 4 organizational meeting. Board Vice-President Tim Cleary was elected to another term. Pictured are (l-r) Board member Cindy Emmert, Board Vice-President Tim Cleary, Board member Jack Lee, Board President John Pennycuff and Board member Brandon Wiers.

• The Winton Woods Board of Education will meet in regular session on the following dates:

Monday, January 24 Monday, February 28 Monday, March 21 Monday, April 25 Monday, May 23 Monday, June 27 Monday, July 25 Monday, August 22 Monday, September 26 Monday, October 24 Monday, November 28 Monday, December 12

Meetings will be held in the Board room at 1215 W. Kemper Rd. at 7:00 p.m. except for summer meetings (June-August), which will be held at 6:00 p.m.

• The Winton Woods Board of Education passed a resolution at its January 4 organizational meeting to establish the Academy of Global Studies (AGS) at Winton Woods High School beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. The AGS will open with grade 9 only, within the framework of the Asia Society's International Studies Schools Network, and will serve 100- 120 students. The New Tech Network will also support the program, depending upon external funding. An additional grade will be added each year, so in 2014-2015, at capacity, it will serve between 400-480 students in grades 9-12.

"The Academy of Global Studies will provide unique opportunities for our high school students while serving as an additional source of revenue and community pride," said Winton Woods Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe. The accepted proposal is budget neutral and does not increase costs to local taxpayers. In order to add the New Tech Network, the district will seek funding from corporate sponsors; state, federal and non-profit grants; and internally-generated cost savings. In addition, the district would recruit tuition-paying international students.

Nasbe said she sees the Academy of Global Studies as a "school within a school" that strengthens the current ninth grade experience. "Our ninth grade students now have two options for their high school career," said Nasbe. "They can enter the Freshman Academy and take a comprehensive program of studies of their choosing, or they can enter the Academy of Global Studies and take a prescribed global studies program." There are no admissions requirements for the AGS except parent and student commitment. All students will have access to all courses, schedules permitting, and both programs will prepare students for state graduation tests.

In addition to completing four years of math, science, English and Social Studies, students receiving a global studies diploma from the AGS must:

* complete four years of either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese * complete a yearly class seminar * complete and present a capstone project * log community service hours * attend eight (8) bells a day instead of seven (7) * earn at least 26 credits, instead of 22

Nasbe said graduates of the Academy of Global Studies will have automatic admission to the University of Cincinnati and that other universities, corporations, and organizations are being contacted for their support.

Copies of the proposal, budgets, and additional information on the proposal for the Winton Woods High School Academy of Global Studies are available on the district web site at www.wintonwoods.org.

High School News:

• Winton Woods Music Boosters will present the second annual Winton Woods Talent Showcase on Sunday, January 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. "We have even higher quality acts this year than last," said Music Booster member John Jordan. "The talent show continues to grow."

Pre-sale tickets for the show are available at the high school athletic office from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning on Monday, January 10. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Children under 4 are admitted for free.

Tickets at the door will be $6 for adults and $4 for students, with children under four admitted free. Winton Woods High School is located at 1231 W. Kemper Road in Forest Park.

To volunteer for this event (and receive free admission), contact Nancy Mills at [email protected] or John Jordan at [email protected].

For those who would like to order a DVD of the Talent Showcase, order forms are available at: http://music.wintonwoodsboosters.org/TalentShowcaseDVDOrderForm.pdf.

• Two students from Winton Woods High School have been chosen to serve on this year's ArtsWave Teen Arts Council. Senior Corey Stewart and junior Jason Dudley will meet bi-weekly with the council to organize and produce events that connect teens and the arts. Teens from 14 different high schools in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will organize events including art competitions, street festivals with arts of all kinds, and collaborations with local arts organizations. Although the teens receive guidance from ArtsWave staff, they are responsible for all the details involved in the planning and execution of the events.

Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School is continuing its efforts to help the environment and raise money for the school's incentives program by recycling old cell phones, i-pods or other small electronic devices. The school is also able to recycle laptops and ink cartridges (of the size that fits comfortably in your hand). The company used also recycles old jewelry. For questions or a list of what can be recycled, go to: http://www.recyclingfundraiser.com/Faq.aspx

For additional questions or donations, please contact Lisa Giblin at [email protected] or 619-2440. Donations can be dropped off in the front office.

• Ona Brown, a seventh grader at Winton Woods Middle School, received a Talented Artists Award at the Springfield Township Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 14. Each month Springfield Township recognizes students in various categories of achievement. December's awards honored students for music, visual and performing arts.

"Ona is an energetic, happy and creative seventh grader who is mature and talented beyond her years," said Winton Woods Middle School art teacher Patty New. "Artistically and academically, Ona strives to meet and master the challenges before her. Ona can take a visually and intellectually complex assignment apart, make critical judgments, analyze her creative options and proceed to create works of art that are fun, expressive and personally meaningful."

New said that Brown is "a constant reminder that art matters. Ona and her art accomplishments represent her daily life experiences, passions and influences. Ona's art reminds us how young minds and imagination have no limitation."

• Seventh grade students visited the Technology 8 classes as part of Technology Transition Day at WWMS. Students saw a short video and then were paired up so the eighth graders could show off their work. Pictured are students (l-r) Emma Byrd and Ciera Meinzer.

Intermediate News:

January 11 Academic All-Stars Winter Dance 5th Grade 1:15-1:55 p.m. 6th Grade 2:00-2:45 p.m. 17 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday NO SCHOOL 18 Superintendent's Art Gallery and Dialogue, 7:00 p.m. 19 WWIS Spelling Bee, 8:30 a.m. (Parents invited to attend)

27 Parent Conferences 5:00-8:25 p.m. 28 Parent Conferences NO SCHOOL 31 Market Day pick-up, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ WWIS cafeteria

February 2 Staff Professional Development Day NO SCHOOL

• On January 19, the PTA will be holding a taste test for WWIS students during regular school hours. The students will taste chicken dipper samples. The chicken dippers are similar to the products already served in the cafeteria at the school.

As an incentive, a pizza party lunch (sponsored by PTA) will be awarded to the fifth and sixth grade homerooms with the most students participating. Pierre Foods will also make a monetary donation to the WWIS PTA. This event helps fulfill our PTA’s fundraising goals without asking our students or parents to buy or sell products. We see this as a creative opportunity to financially support our school, students and staff at WWIS.

In order for your student to be able to participate in the taste test, help out the WWC PTA, and help their homeroom win a pizza party, we ask that you read and sign the permission slip that was sent home with your student. If you did not receive a permission slip, please print out this email, sign, and have your student turn it in to the office at WWIS. Only 150 students are needed to participate, so turn your permission slip in quickly. Please return a permission form to the WWIS office by Friday, January 14 at the latest.

My child, ______GRADE: ______HOMEROOM: ______has permission to participate in the Chicken Dippers taste test at Winton Woods Intermediate School on January 19, 2011.

By signing I am agreeing that he/she has no food allergies or restrictions.

Elementary News:

• This week our students are taking practice Ohio Achievement Assessments. Third graders will take the reading test on Monday and the math test on Thursday. Fourth graders will take the reading test on Tuesday and the math test on Friday. Results will be published in our parent newsletter that will come home with progress reports. Go Warriors!

• Congratulations to all of the students and staff involved in our Multicultural Celebration: "Cultures Across the Water!" Thanks to the staff, students and parents who gave of their time and talents to make this program successful.

• Congratulations to our January "Students of the Month": Jacob Kettemann, Makayla Smart, Michelle Alaniz, Madison Fort, Grant Warren, Clarissa Frayne, Elijah Battle, Dante Phou, Monica Reliford-Brown, Brandon Williams, Jason Kennedy, Dominick Bransford, Ethan Mills, Kyleigh Glass, Marie Zook, Mikayla Howe, April Reynolds, Garrett Frierson, David Beamon, Alexis Goins, Emmanuel Augustine, and Tyler Semes.

Primary News:

January 2011 • 14 PN Anti-Bullying Assembly featuring Ronald McDonald • 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - (No School) • 20-21 PN Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit. • 27 Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:00-8:25 p.m.) • 28 Parent/Teacher Conferences (9:15-8:25 p.m.) • 31 Market Day Pick-up (6:000-7:00 p.m.)

• Primary North is proud to announce the arrival of Ian Richard Noel, born to Michaela and Jason Noel on January 4, 2011. Michaela is a first grade teacher at Primary North. Congratulations Michaela and Jason and a big heartfelt welcome to Ian from all of us!

• Primary North would like to thank Quinn Chapel for generously donating about 100 pairs of gloves to our school. Thank you for helping our students stay warm this winter. Your act of kindness is greatly needed and appreciated.

• Ronald McDonald will be visiting PN for an assembly entitled, “A Friendship Adventure with Ronald McDonald.” The assembly will tie in the themes of anti-bullying and cooperation.

Also during that time, Ronald will pick up items for the Ronald McDonald House that have been collected by the school. Students collected toiletries, personal hygiene products and food items before break. Teachers also asked students to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in lieu of teacher gifts, as they have in the past.

• Primary North is hosting Smile Program's "Shine Your Smile Day." The mobile dentist teams will be at WWPN on January 20-21. We have invited the Smile Programs to bring their on-site preventive dental care services to our school because we know how important good oral health is to a child's overall general health. If you want your child to see the dentist on "Shine Your Smile Day," fill out the permission slip and return it to school. Learn more about Smile programs at www.mobiledentist.com.

• Primary North Music Teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce the Music Award for the week of January 3 goes Mrs. Noel's first grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• "Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah! That's the cry in the hallways at Primary North. To encourage students about the importance of pursuing college, teachers at Primary North are proudly waving their college pennants in the hallways at PN. In addition to the pennants, teachers will periodically wear their college spirit wear on Spirit Friday's. "The most important educational experience happening to a student is his/her teacher." - Birglil E. Herrick

• Two former students from Lakeside Elementary School (now Winton Woods Primary South), Lauren Beachy and Nathan Spencer, recently got engaged during a special visit to the school in December. The two had known each other since their time at Lakeside and had recently been discussing their good memories of the school. That's when Nathan decided it would be the perfect setting to ask Lauren to marry him.

Never one to do things halfway, Nathan set to work. First he asked 41 of Lauren's friends and family to write her notes and put their photos on the front. Those notes were used to decorate the 12' long bulletin board at the school's front entrance which Nathan's mom, Amy, had decorated for many years. Next, Nathan wrapped five gifts and asked his younger brother, Luke, to place those at intervals in the school's hallway--each gift illuminated by a single candle. He then picked a tree up on the hill of the back playground as the perfect spot to ask the big question.

On their way to dinner on December 17, Nathan and Lauren drove by the school and stopped to look around. "Somehow the back door had been left open a crack," said teacher Cindy Boehm, who helped with the plan. The two entered the school and walked the dark hallways. Surrounded by memories of their siblings, friends and family, they opened the gifts and made their way out to the playground and under the tree that held so many memories. There Nathan got down on one knee and asked Lauren to share his life. She said, “Yes!”

Thank you Nathan and Lauren for including us in the making of your special memory. You are both now part of the family history of Lakeside Elementary and Winton Woods Primary South. We all wish you a lifetime filled with happiness and even more great memories!

Congratulations Nathan & Lauren!

WW Community PTA News:

• Thanks to thank everyone who supported our January Market Day sale. Market Day is pleased to offer Cookie Dough Bonus Days this month with nine delicious flavors. Please take a look at your February order guide that has already come home from school or visit www.marketday.com to place your order.

If you have any questions about Market Day, or would like to volunteer, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

Community News:

• The Hugh Watson American Legion Post 530, located at 11100 Winton Road in Greenhills has two upcoming events that the public is invited to.

Valentines and Oldies Rock and Roll Show, February 12, featuring the American Graffiti Band from 7:30-9:00 p.m. and Richie and the Students from 9:30-11:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $15.00 cash per person at the door.

Jammin' Band Night, January 22, 8:00 p.m. - midnight, doors open at 7:00 p.m. Five bands will be playing. No cover charge

January 19, 2011

Quote of the week:

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character-- that is the goal of true education.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

District News:

• There will be a regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on Monday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Office located at 1215 W. Kemper Rd.

• Parent conferences for grades K-6 are on Friday, January 28. There is NO SCHOOL for those grades that day.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Renee Chandler, a senior at Winton Woods High School, received the 2011 Literary Award from the Springfield Township Trustees at their meeting on Tuesday, January 11. The award recognizes students who show talent in fiction, non- fiction, poetry and/or news writing. She was nominated for the award by Winton Woods High School Senior Counselor Kevin Jones.

"I have the opportunity to interact with many talented high school students each day," said Jones, in his recommendation letter. "However, in the past three years I have been able to work closely with a student who I feel is exceptional because of her combined academic, personal and professional qualities. Renee Chandler is academically prepared, hard-working, responsible, has fine moral character, works well with people and is a reliable leader. Renee's future could lie in any one of many directions, but I believe that in whatever field she chooses, she will be successful." Chandler is ranked fourth out of 276 students and maintains a 4.5 GPA in a rigorous course of study. She has earned many academic awards and has contributed to the school's Library Resource Center. "In her quiet, unassuming manner, (Renee) is persistent," said Jones. "She gets things done and emerges as a leader."

The Springfield Township trustees began recognizing student achievements in October 2010 as an initiative to support local schools. So far they have recognized "Student Peacemakers," "Parent Involvement" and "Talented Artists." Trustees will present the "Leaps and Bounds Awards" in February to honor students who have shown great progress.

• Fifteen students from Elaine Sugawara-Forster's Personal Finance class have qualified for the University of Cincinnati two quarter hour Personal Finance credit. Congratulations to Connor Clark, Jalen Davis, Sami Fishwick, N'Kaia Glenn, Ernest Ofori, Jacob Rengers, Brandon Daniels, Syndi Grimes, James Hunter, Aarin Miller, Kyri Moton, Walter Richardson, Specha'l Roberts, Martin Stallworth, and Daryl Williams.

• Congratulations to those students chosen for the cast of this year's spring musical, Annie, which will be presented Friday, April 15 - Saturday, April 16 in the Winton Woods High School auditorium

• Congratulations to Andre Parker who has been promoted to head coach for the Winton Woods Warriors football team.

• Football coaches will be waiting tables at the Frisch's in Forest Park on Saturday, January 22, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to raise money for their team. Coaches Andre Parker and Tony Boyd will be at the restaurant fundraiser for the entire time, while other members of the coaching staff plan to work two-hour shifts.

"The coaches will be serving food and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the football team," said Winton Woods Athletic Director Dwight Campbell. "We're inviting our families and community members to come and support our Warriors at this event."

The Frisch's in Forest Park is located at 11990 Chase Plaza.

• The Winton Woods Varsity baseball team will have a new coach this year. Bill "Doc" Wieland was hired to coach baseball for the Warriors for the 2011 season. Wieland has an impressive coaching record, having coached a national championship team with the Midland organization in 2004 and three CHL conference championships at Wyoming High School from 2002 - 2004. Wieland has a 53-13 high school coaching record overall. He will meet with prospective players this Wednesday, January 19 in the athletic building.

Winton Woods Middle News:

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods Middle School wrestling team who went 12-3 this weekend versus Nagel and Milford. Team members are shown in their new team t-shirts. Pictured are (top, l-r) Coach Micah Cleary, Alex Simon, Neno Whitfield, Mark Quinn, and Coach Steven Cleary; (bottom, l-r) Mateo Johnson, Jaelen Summerours, and Marcus Lasley.

• Seventh grade students visited the Technology 8 classes as part of Technology Transition Day at WWMS. Students saw a short video and then were paired up so the eighth graders could show off their work. Pictured are students (l-r) Emma Byrd and Ciera Meinzer.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

Calendar 19 WWIS Spelling Bee, 8:30 a.m. Parents are invited to attend. 27 Parent Conferences 5:00-8:25 p.m. 28 Parent Conferences NO SCHOOL 31 Market Day pick-up, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ WWIS cafeteria

• WWIS will have our first Spelling Bee on Wednesday, January 19 at 8:30 a.m. We would like to congratulate all of our participants for their hard work and effort in preparing for this event. Parents and families are invited to attend to support the children.

• WWIS held the Academic All Star Winter Dance on Wednesday, January 12 to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of our students. Our A-B honor roll students, and all students who increased their scores on the Winter Benchmark Assessments, were invited to participate. These students also earned the opportunity to be out of uniform. Our 250 honor roll students combined with over 200 additional students who increased their scores. All of them were excited to celebrate their accomplishments by playing Wii Just Dance and dancing to some popular hits mixed by the incredible Ms. Assum, art teacher and DJ for WWIS.

• The WWC PTA will hold a fundraising taste test at WWIS on Wednesday, January 19. A special thank you to all parents and students for supporting this event. The winning fifth and sixth grade homerooms will enjoy pizza party courtesy of the PTA.

• The 2010-2011Winton Woods Intermediate School yearbook has been cancelled due to an extremely low number of orders. So low, that we cannot meet our negotiated contract number with the yearbook company. Anyone who purchased a 2010-2011 WWIS yearbook will have their money returned in a timely fashion. For any questions, please call the office at 619.2450. We are sorry to have to disappoint WWIS students and their families. Thank you for your understanding.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Congratulations to Zavarri Carr the winner of our 2011 Spelling Bee!

• WWES is looking for African-American business owners and professionals who might be interested in participating in the school's "Black History Celebration." We want to have an African-American Career Fair as part of our celebration. If you would be interested in opening our young people's mind to other career possibilities, please call the school office at 619- 2490.

• Parent conferences will take place Thursday, January 27 from 5:00 - 8:25 p.m. and Friday, January 28 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Your child's homeroom teacher will contact you regarding scheduling a conference.

Winton Woods Primary News:

January 2011

• 20-21 PN Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 27 Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:00-8:25 p.m.) • 28 Parent/Teacher Conferences (9:15-8:25 p.m.) • 31 Market Day Pick-up (6:00-7:00 p.m. at WWIS)

February 2011

• 2 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 14 Valentine's Days Parties (PreK-2) • 14 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 15 PN Art Gallery & Superintendent Presentation ~ Building Improvement Plan (7:00 p.m.) • 17 PS PTA Muffins with Mom • 21 President's Days (No School) • 28 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

• Ronald McDonald visited Primary North on Friday, January 14 for an assembly entitled, “A Friendship Adventure with Ronald McDonald.” The show focused on teaching children about friendship, cooperation, active play and anti-bullying. Ronald McDonald engaged students through lively music, fun magic and scenarios which lightheartedly demonstrated not only the seriousness of bullying, but showed children how to handle a difficult situation where bullying occurs. Ultimately, students learned that we're all in a friendship adventure together. After the program Ronald accepted an enormous number of pop tabs that the students have been collecting for the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati. Pictured are WWPN Principal Katie Klei, PN, Ronald McDonald, and WWPN kindergarten teacher Tricia Wilke.

• Primary North School is hosting Smile Programs' "Shine Your Smile Day." The mobile dentists teams will be at WWPN on January 20-21. We have invited the Smile Programs to bring their on-site preventive dental care services to our school because we know how important good oral health is to children's overall health. If you want your child to see the dentist on "Shine Your Smile Day," fill out the permission slip and return it to your school. Learn more about Smile programs at www.mobiledentist.com.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of January 3 goes to Mrs. Noel's first grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of January 14: Emily Ramirez, Christopher Shipley and Dave Patel. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Sterling's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

WWC PTA News:

• The Winton Woods City School District will be offering an innovative academic program commencing with our district’s incoming 2011-2012 freshmen class and adding a successive class each year thereafter. The Academy of Global Studies is designed to create a more rigorous academic schedule, incorporating strong international studies that will allow more comprehensive preparation for the 21st Century student to compete in a global market. This academy within the high school will augment the many fine programs and opportunities already afforded our students and will allow our district to further distinguish our community in a very positive direction.

An extended school day, increased parental involvement, required community service hours, increased credits for graduation, and travel opportunities are only a few advantages that will strengthen and define our district’s goal for achieving academic excellence while molding strong productive individuals. Not to mention attracting students from around the world, as well as, other neighboring school districts.

For these above reasons and for the continued success of all its students, the WWC PTA Board wishes to proclaim its endorsement of the Academy of Global Studies.

The time to be timid and complacent is gone. Rather we need to be creative, bold and forward-thinking like the “pioneers” and to “charge” with mission, purpose and nobleness as fearless “warriors” toward the frontier of academic excellence in a global world.

• There’s still time to place your Market Day order and help earn extra profit. Cookie Dough Bonus Days are here and feature nine delicious flavors. The more you buy, the more we earn!

Return your order sheet to school by Friday, January 21 or order online at www.marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, January 26. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

January 26, 2011

Quote of the week:

Do not judge by appearances; a rich heart may be under a poor coat. Scottish Proverb

District News:

• There will be no school for students in grades K-6 on Friday, January 28, for parent conferences.

• There is a meeting for parents of eighth grade students who are interested in the Academy of Global Studies tonight, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School library.

• There will also be an informational meeting about the Academy of Global Studies, which will open at Winton Woods High School in August 2011, for interested community members. The meeting will be held on Saturday, January 29, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the Winton Woods High School library. Come and hear about this exciting new opportunity for Winton Woods students.

• To help raise awareness about the potential dangers of social media to our students, the district will hold a meeting for parents and community members on Monday, January 31 in the Winton Woods High School library from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Detective Laurie Bello of the Forest Park Police Department will be the featured speaker. A panel of professionals will also address the physical and emotional well-being of your child in the internet era.

• A group of Winton Woods students in second through seventh grade are using their Saturdays to become better learners. The Power Saturdays program is an intensive math and science enrichment program put on as a partnership between Winton Woods City Schools and Envision Learning Center on five Saturdays from January through April.

The first Power Saturday took place on January 15 at Winton Woods Intermediate School from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. "The day began with an immersion in strategies to solve mathematical word problems and ended with intense scientific knowledge about the four states of matter," said Sheryl McClung Garner, founder and president of Envision Learning Center. "There were hands-on activities, board work and great exchanges of knowledge. The children's scores improved 154% in core content knowledge of the states of matter."

The Power Saturday classes provide intensive and interactive activities in math, science and critical thinking and prepare students for standardized and proficiency testing. Future topics to be covered include plants, water cycle, plate tectonics and volcanoes.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Students throughout the district showed off their talents at the second annual Winton Woods Music Boosters Talent Showcase held on Sunday, January 16 at Winton Woods High School. Here senior Malcolm Thompson is shown playing piano.

• The Winton Woods High School football coaches waited tables at the Frisch's in Forest Park on Saturday, January 22 and raised $308 in tips for the football teams. The team will also receive a percentage of total sales from Frisch's for the hours they worked. Pictured are (l-r) Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell, Frisch's Executive Manager Jay Reynolds and Winton Woods High School Head Football Coach Andre Parker.

• Winton Woods High School's two a cappella groups, Evolution and Encore, are hosting two performances on Monday, February 14 for Valentine's Day. The first is an after-school coffee house for high school staff members in the library at 2:30 p.m. That evening the groups will perform a concert in the high school auditorium at 7:00 p.m. The concert is free, with a suggested donation of $3 per person, and is open to everyone.

• The Winton Woods High School Friends of the Theater, an adult support group that works with the administration and staff of Winton Woods High School to encourage, support, and promote theater productions at the school, has joined the Boosters website at http://theater.wintonwoodsboosters.org. Please visit the site for information about the upcoming spring musical, Annie, as well as photos from past shows.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School is proud to announce its Students of the Month for January 2011. These students were nominated by the teaching staff because of the quality of their work, their efforts in class, their responsibility level and behavior at school, their attitude, and their relationship to their peers and teachers. Honored this month are seventh graders Miranda Corbett, Christian Cruz, Sidnie Harden, Dashianel Mathis, India Miller, Brian Nieto, Okenebah Nkrumah, Morgan Samuel, and Jacelyn Vargas; eighth graders Emma Bedan, Albert Coates, Will Fountain, Jina James and Jordan Randolph. They were recognized on January 19 with a certificate and a pizza luncheon at the school.

• On Friday, January 28, Winton Woods Middle School will hold its next positive behavior incentive for students. Teachers will be donning sumo suits for sumo wrestling in the gym.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

January 27 Parent Conferences 5:00-8:25 p.m. 28 Parent Conferences NO SCHOOL 31 Market Day pick-up, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ WWIS cafeteria

• WWIS will have Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, January 27 from 5:00 - 8:25 p.m. and on Friday, January 28 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Parents are reminded to contact their child's teacher if they would like to make an appointment. Teachers will be prepared to share the latest academic data on each student and tips on how to help each student show additional progress. If you are not able to attend a scheduled conference, please contact the school at 619-2450. The most recent academic data for your child, in addition to other tips and resources, will be sent home with all students on Monday, January 31.

• Congratulations to Aversa Prentosito who was the winner of the WWIS Spelling Bee!

• WWIS would like to thank our parents and students for attending the Superintendent's Art Gallery and Dialogue on Tuesday, January 18. Art teacher Melissa Assum displayed the impressive and colorful work of the intermediate school students. Refreshments were also served and a brief presentation on what is happening at WWIS was shared by Principal Tonya West Wright and Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe. The following students were selected as winners for the Art Show: Superintendent's Selection was fifth grader Darion Hassert; Principal's Selection was sixth grader Chardai Moss. Honorable Mention went to sixth grader Jordan Spencer, fifth grader Shawndale Arrington, and sixth grader Taylor Tate. We would like to congratulate all students who had their impressive artwork included and give a special thank you to all parents who came out to show their support.

• Selected Winton Woods Intermediate School students will be able to participate in an exciting workshop as part of Career Saturdays, a program sponsored by iSpace (interactive Space Programs and Career Exploration), an organization that offers programs for students, educators and families which support and enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education that reaches beyond the formal classroom setting.

"Stepping into a STEM Career" will give students a chance to explore “a day in the life” of a surgeon, engineer, biologist, and other professions. Led by practicing scientists, this exploration will allow students to engage, interact and practice skills and challenges that are normally faced during a typical work day. This workshop is only open to 40 fifth and sixth grade students from Winton Woods City Schools and Reading Community Schools. Please register by calling (513) 612-5788 or go online at http://www.ispacescience.org/ and click on “Career Saturdays.” The passcode is EYE, and you must enter this passcode to register.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• This week was the culmination of our "Reaching New Heights OAA Benchmark Challenge!" This challenge pitted The Lil' Warriors in grade 3 vs. The Young Warriors in grade 4. We took the percent that passed that OAA Reading and Math practice tests and added them together. The results: a score of 107 for the Lil' Warriors and a score of 128 for the Young Warriors. Congratulations to the "Young Warriors" who won our challenge! The fourth graders will celebrate their victory with our traveling trophy.

• WWES is looking for African-American business owners and professionals who might be interested in participating in the school's "Black History Celebration." We want to have an African-American Career Fair as part of our celebration. If you would be interested in opening our young people's minds to other career possibilities, please call us at 619-2490.

• Parent conferences are taking place Thursday, January 27 from 5:00 - 8:25 p.m. and Friday, January 28 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• The WWES annual Family Math & Science Night will take place Tuesday, February 1 at 6:30 p.m. More information will be forthcoming, so please save the date.

Winton Woods Primary News:

January 2011

• 27 Parent/Teacher Conferences (5:00 - 8:25 p.m.) • 28 Parent/Teacher Conferences (9:15 - 8:25 p.m.) • 31 Market Day Pick-up (6:000-7:00 p.m.)

February 2011

• 2 Professional Development Day (No Students) • 3 PN Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 14 Valentine's Days Parties (PreK-2) • 14 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 15 PN Art Gallery & Superintendent Presentation ~ Building Improvement Plan (7:00 p.m.) • 17 PS PTA Muffins with Mom • 21 President's Day (No School) • 28 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

• Due to recent "snow days," Primary North will be hosting Smile Programs' "Shine Your Smile Day" on February 3. We have invited the Smile Programs to bring their on-site preventive dental care services to our school because we know how important good oral health is to our children's overall general health. If you want your child to see the dentist on "Shine Your Smile Day," just fill out the permission slip and return it to your school. Learn more about Smile Programs at www.mobiledentist.com.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of January 18 goes to Mrs. Kennedy's first grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• Each month Primary South art teacher Katie Forney picks a group of artwork from her first and second graders to be displayed in the school's lobby. The art takes many forms, and it is always fun to see the latest talent. So come on in and check it out. Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Artwork winners for the month of January are: first graders Shosua Uribe- Martinez, Ethan Hillard,Gianna Lilly, Aaron Owen and Alayah Yisrarl; and second graders JaCorey Reeves, Charlie Wood, Sami Hornback, Alex Wood and Demeirakle Carter.

Alumni News:

• Winton Woods High School alumnus Yutopia Essez is shooting an indie film about an alternative school in North Carolina entitled, The Discarded Boyz. The film started shooting on January 14 in Los Angeles, California and is directed by Hollywood veteran Robert Townsend. A recent Facebook post indicated she had just finished shooting a scene with Vivica Fox. Yutopia studied musical theater at Point Park and Ball State Universities. She was a member of Varsity Ensemble and a regular in the Winton Woods High School theater productions.

Movie storyline: In Bertie County, North Carolina, an alternative school called the HIVE takes on the "discarded boyz"--the at-risk, hard-core gang kids who face juvenile detention, jail time or worse if they don't get set on the right path ASAP. Run by the tough, indefatigable Ms. Inez (who also dishes out food and hugs), the HIVE teaches the boys respect, classroom work, special skills like computers and technology, and most importantly the feeling that they are worthy of a future. The hard part is when the HIVE bumps up against the everyday challenges of poverty, ignorance, lovelessness, neglect, abuse and the ever-present lure of gangs that the boys face at home--and the tug of war is particularly hard for the HIVE's current top student and former gangbanger.

WWC PTA News:

• Thank you for your Market Day order this month! We’re looking forward to seeing you when you pick up your order on Monday, January 31 between 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. You can find us at Winton Woods Intermediate School in the cafeteria. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Bays at 258- 7872. Thank you for your continued support.

February 2, 2011

Quote of the week:

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Martin Luther King, Jr.

District News:

• Families and community members in the Winton Woods School District are invited to "Coffee and Conversation" with Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe and newly-elected Board of Education President John Pennycuff. This event will take place on Saturday, February 26 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Forest Park Frisch's, located at 11990 Chase Plaza. "This is a great time to learn what’s new in our district, ask questions and give suggestions," said Communications Specialist Gina Burnett. "You bring the conversation topic, and the coffee is on us."

• The district’s recently Board-approved 2011-2014 Strategic Plan is posted on the district website under Spotlights on the homepage and under the Parents tab.

• The district's annual Cherry Pie Concert is Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. Band students in grades 6-12 will be featured, with dessert served after the concert.

• Orchestra Night is Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. This concert will feature all orchestra students in grades 5-12.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Applications are now being accepted for the new Academy of Global Studies at Winton Woods High School. Applications can be found at the high school, middle school and board office. They can also be downloaded from our district website homepage.

• Winton Woods High School will host a Post Secondary Options Information Night on Monday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library. The meeting will give students and parents more details about the opportunity to attend college while still in high school. “Individual sessions between parents whose students intend to pursue post secondary and the student’s respective counselor will take place before March 30," said Winton Woods High School Counselor Barb Schnitzer.

As a result of the passage of Senate Bill 140, the Post Secondary Options Program was established to permit qualified Ohio high school students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to earn college and high school graduation credit. To be considered for the program, most area universities are requiring a student to have a 3.25 or higher grade point average on a 4.0 non-weighted scale. Students at Winton Woods High School with ninth through twelfth grade status may enroll full or part-time in appropriate college courses for high school and/or college credit. This meeting will be led by counselors Barb Schnitzer, Byron Trapp, Nikki Bunton and Kevin Jones.

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods wrestling team for placing 13th of 19 teams at the Milford Invitational on January 28-29. Moges Tsegay placed third in the 125 pound class; Desmond Jarman placed fourth in the 215 pound class; David Bryant (112 pounds), Rodrick Lattimore (135 pounds) and Dammon Johnson (171 pounds) all placed sixth.

• Sam Rocklin, double bass player with the Winton Woods High School orchestra, performed with the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Orchestra at the group's state conference on January 28 in Cincinnati. "They had a very challenging program," said Winton Woods Orchestra Director Sarah Gardner. "They performed 'Capriccio Espagnol' by Rimski-Korsakov, 'Our Town' by Aaron Copland, and 'Sinfonische Metamorphosen' by Hindemith." Robert McCashin from James Madison University conducted.

• Winton Woods basketball player Semaj Christon was voted the Beacon Orthopaedics Primetime Performer of the Week for January 7 with 58% of the vote. Each week the News 5 sports department selects five of the top performers from that Friday's action and lets the fans decide who is named the Beacon Orthopaedics Primetime Performer of the Week. Pictured are (l-r) boys basketball coach Mike Walker, boys basketball coach Donnie Gillespie, Semaj Christon, and Channel 5 sports reporter George Vogel.

• Winton Woods seniors Katie Sherman and Antonio Poole were recently honored as Channel 5 Student Athletes of the Week. Sherman is a four-year varsity soccer and softball player with a 3.5 GPA who participates in National Honor Society, Key Club, band and choir. Poole is a four- year football player with a 3.4 GPA who participates in Student Advisory and the M.A.C. program. They are pictured with Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell.

• For the eighth year, the hot sounds of jazz will heat up the Winton Woods High School auditorium at the school's annual Evening of Big Band Jazz. This year the Winton Woods High School Jazz Band will be joined by the Princeton High School Jazz Band and Lee's Junction Big Band. This concert is free and open to the public. It will take place on Tuesday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. Winton Woods High School is located at 1231 W. Kemper Road in Forest Park.

• Winton Woods High School's new a cappella director Elizabeth Barth and the school's two a cappella groups, Evolution and Encore, are hosting two performances on Monday, February 14 for Valentine's Day. The first is an after-school coffee house for high school staff members in the library at 2:30 p.m. That evening the groups will perform a concert in the high school auditorium at 7:00 p.m. The concert is free, with a suggested donation of $3 per person, and is open to everyone.

Members of Encore are: Adrianna Ivory, Kelsey Randall, Chynna Smith, Rachel Stothfang, Taylor Baird, Jasmine Jones, Kaitlin Otto, Jacqueline Rodriguez, Rashad Sylvester, Dorion Marshall, Jalen Walker, AJ Brandy, Demetrius Boswell, Luis de Jesus, and Anthony Thompson.

Members of Evolution are: Brittany Fields, Jackie Jordan, Jennifer Jordan, Nila Rudolph, Ifunanya Okwumo, Corey Stewart, Michael Spalding, Keynan Johnson, Caleb Simpson, and Jalen Crenshaw.

• Winton Woods High School Sports Marketing students will travel to Miami University- -Middletown on Friday, February 4 to compete in the Ohio DECA District 4 conference. Students will be competing for the chance to advance to the State Competiton in Columbus on March 18 and 19.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School is celebrating Black History Month 2011. The theme for this year is “Success is a Vision – Celebrate Diversity.” Students will participate in an essay contest highlighting a famous African- American who helped to change the lives of others. In addition, there will be daily quotes and a school-wide door decorating contest. There will be displays throughout the building with a front lobby showcase and a second floor showcase. Students will gain perspective and knowledge about different cultures and historic African-American events.

• A record-setting number of Winton Woods Middle School art students were chosen to exhibit their art in the prestigious Scholastics Arts & Writing National Competition. "These seven art students competed against other middle school students in the southern Ohio and southeastern and northern Kentucky regions," said Patty New, art teacher at the school. Over 8,000 middle school and high school students entered the regional level of the art contest.

Receiving Gold Key awards were seventh grader Jae'len Summerous in painting, eighth grader Jina James in batik and watercolor, and eighth grader Chiara Meier in painting.

Receiving Honorable Mentions were: seventh graders Elvis Diaz in painting and Simon Asem in painting; eighth graders Ri'an Kelly in batik and watercolor and Juan Fernandez Nieto in batik and watercolor.

Gold Key winners will now compete to continue on to national competition in New York.

• Seven Winton Woods Middle School students, two teachers--Mr. Christerson and Mrs. Gardner--and two adults are in the first class of the Winton Woods Middle School Scuba Club. "We have completed four of our seven weeks of pool and class training, and soon our divers-to-be will take their final water test and class exam," said WWMS science teacher John Fiely, a certified divemaster who leads the club. "When they pass, then it is off to open water to complete the training to become a certified diver for life." Divemasters are advanced divers with extensive experience and training in dive rescue, dive planning, underwater navigation, safety and first aid.

"We are lucky to have Tim Patton from T.J. Sport Divers as our class instructor," said Fiely. "Tim has been teaching diving and training dive instructors and divemasters for 30 years in southwest Ohio."

The Sunday classes are being held at Walnut Hills High School, where 12 more students and parents have joined in the adventure and are learning to dive. "That is twenty-three new divers who are all finding that there was a reason to learn all those science laws and human physiology," said Fiely. "Congratulations to our first class of students and teachers for stretching the 'comfort zone' and learning a new skill and sport."

Future plans for certified divers include fun trips to the warm waters of Florida or even a diving adventure to another country.

Interested in joining Scuba Club? Parents, teachers and students in grades 7-12 are welcome in the next class. Contact John Fiely to get all the details.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

February: 3 Parent Café meeting-7:00 p.m. at WWIS 4 Super Bowl Spirit Day--Wear your favorite team shirt! Uniform pants are required! 11 National Elementary Honor Society Application Deadline Progress Reports Go Home 14 Valentine’s Party 1:30 p.m. - Parent Volunteers Invited 16 Cherry Pie Band Concert, Grades 6-12 at WWHS, 7:00 p.m. 18 6th Grade Career Professional Dress Day National Elementary Honor Society Notification Sent 21 President’s Day- NO SCHOOL 23 Orchestra Night Grades 5-12 at WWHS, 7:00 p.m. 24 National Elementary Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 7:00 p.m. 25 WWIS Student of the Month & Blue Ribbon Contest Winners Breakfast 28 Many Cultures-One Nation Luncheon

• Please join WWIS on Thursday, February 3 for our first Parent Café at 7:00 p.m. The topic of our conversation will be “Guiding Positive Behaviors through Effective Discipline.” Jeremy Day and Crisinda Tackett will be our guest speakers.

• We would like to thank all parents who attended our parent teacher conferences last week. If you were not able attend, academic data specific to your child’s progress has been sent home in addition to our winter newsletter. A February calendar of events and our Many Cultures One Nation trivia contest information has also been sent home with all students.

• Our Mighty Warriors Tutoring Program will begin on Thursday, February 10. Selected students were sent home with invitations to participate in the program on Tuesday, February 1. Students who return the permission slip on Thursday will receive a small prize. Please encourage your child to return the permission slip. Please contact the office with any questions.

• During the month of February, all WWIS students will be encouraged to recognize the importance of respecting and learning about people from all cultures. Each school day, we will ask a trivia question regarding either black history and culture or one of the many other cultures represented in Winton Woods Intermediate School and the United States of America. Students will be encouraged to submit the answers to these questions in a prize box each day during lunch. We will randomly select a student response until we find the correct answer. The student’s response that is selected will receive a small prize and an invitation to attend the Many Cultures-One Nation Luncheon on Monday, February 28 during their regularly-scheduled lunch time. We will be serving food from all over the world.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• The Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis Club will visit WWES on Friday, February 4 at 1:30 p.m. to deliver the book Stellaluna to all third graders.

Winton Woods Primary News:

February 2011

• 3 PN Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 14 Valentine's Days Parties (PreK-2) • 14 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 15 PN Art Gallery & Superintendent Presentation ~ Building Improvement Plan (7:00 p.m.) • 17 PS PTA Muffins with Mom • 21 President's Days (No School) • 28 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

March 2011

• 14-18 Grade 2 Terra Nova Testing • 17 PN Popcorn Day • 17 PS PTA Donuts with Dad • 18 PN Movie Night (6:30 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Spring Picture Day - Lifetouch • 22-Apr Spring Break - No School

• Primary North School is hosting Smile Programs' "Shine Your Smile Day." Due to recent "snow days," the mobile dentists teams will be at PN on February 3. Learn more about Smile programs at www.mobiledentist.com.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of January 31 goes to Mrs. Townsell's second grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of January 24: Melissa Mendoza, Elizabeth Okemmiri, and Alondra Sotelo. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. McCann's first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• Primary North is taking the challenge to inspire our students to pursue education and lifelong learning. Staff members are busy decorating their classroom doors with their college alma mater including banners, school colors, and mascots. Colleges represented include: University of Akron, Alabama, Asbury, Bowling Green, Case Western, Clemson, Central State, Cincinnati Christian University, University of Cincinnati, Connecticut, Dayton, Duke, University of Florida, Howard, Iowa, Marquette, Miami, Michigan State, Ohio State, Ohio University, Penn State, Purdue, Northern Kentucky, Notre Dame, University of San Francisco, Tennessee, Union College, West Point Military Academy, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wright State, Xavier, and Yale.

• The teachers at Primary South are having a contest! Grade school photos of 38 staff members are on display in the glass-enclosed lobby bulletin board. Can you guess who is who? It's not as easy as it looks, although a few of our staff members haven't changed much. Come in and give it a try. Mr. Nick, PN/PS gym teacher, is trying his best to guess!

WWC PTA News:

• We’d like to thank everyone who supported our February Market Day sale! Fortunately the bad weather held off, and everyone was able to pick up their order on Monday.

In March Market Day has several nice incentives as well as some new products that are available to order. Look for your March order guide to arrive home next week or visit www.marketday.com for more details or to place your order.

If you have any questions or would like to help with Market Day, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

Alumni News:

• Lydia Manning, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in social gerontology at Miami University and a 1996 Winton Woods High School graduate, has earned the 2010-2011 Miami University Department of Sociology and Gerontology's Dissertation Fellowship Award. Her dissertation in progress, "Searching for the Sacred: A Phenomenological Investigation of Women's Spirituality in Late Life," focuses on the significance that spirituality and/or religion has in the lives of six older women (ages 82- 100), all widowed, in southern Ohio.

"The fellowship has been a true gift, and I am so thankful every day that I have the time and flexibility to focus on my dissertation work," said Manning. The fellowship frees her to devote full time to her dissertation, providing a nine-month stipend equivalent to the salary of a 20-hour a week graduate assistant. "I'm lucky in that while I'm developing skills as a researcher I'm also getting lessons on how to lives from these participants. Spending time with them has been rejuvenating; it makes me glad I chose to be a gerontologist."

Manning holds a B.A. in sociology/anthropology from Centre College in Kentucky, earned a Master of Gerontological Studies from Miami University in 2004, and hopes to earn her doctorate this May. After that she is considering a post-doctorate fellowship at Duke University.

Community News: • The Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) and the Forest Park Environmental Awareness Program have recently developed a partnership that will subsidize both residential energy assessments and energy retrofits. Residents who participate in this program will only have to contribute $50 for a comprehensive energy assessment ($500 value). Forest Park residents can have up to 50% of the cost of recommended energy retrofits covered up to $12,000 (GCEA – 35%, Forest Park Environmental – 15% subsidy).

"We are hoping to service between 50 to 75 Forest Park homes," said Wright Gwyn, Forest Park Environmental Awareness program manager. Registration for this program has already begun and will continue up to the March 22 organizational and informational meeting at the Forest Park Senior Center. "Registration does not mean commitment," said Gwyn. "Registration just means they are interested in the program and want to learn more."

Visit www.forestpark.org/environmental to register. Call the Forest Park Environmental Awareness Program for additional information at 595-5263.

• The Hugh Watson American Legion Post 530, located at 11100 Winton Road in Greenhills, invites the public to the Valentine's and Oldies Rock and Roll Show on February 12, featuring the American Graffiti Band from 7:30-9:00 p.m. and Richie and the Students from 9:30-11:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $15.00 cash per person at the door.

February 10, 2011

Quote of the week:

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

Maya Angelou

Winton Woods High School News:

• Applications for the Academy of Global Studies will be accepted from Winton Woods students and district residents through Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about the Academy, you may visit our website, www.wintonwoods.org, or call the high school at 619-2420.

• Scheduling night for current eighth through eleventh grade students is Thursday, February 17 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High school library. • Winton Woods High School football players Cory Webber and Antonio Poole participated in National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 2 at the Winton Woods City Schools board office. Webber, a defensive back on the Warriors football team, will be attending Tennessee Tech. Poole, a linebacker, signed with the University of Michigan.

• Six Winton Woods High School students are preparing to test their business and marketing skills against other top Ohio students after a strong showing at DECA regional competition. The students are all enrolled in the Sports Marketing program through Great Oaks Career Campuses. DECA is an international organization for business and marketing students.

The students, their events, and their ranking are:

Zauntre Dyer and Cory Webber placed second in the Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making event.

Jordan Kenton and Staci Sneed placed second in the Hospitality Management Team Decision Making event.

Jazmin House and Alexius Lewis placed second in the Financial Analysis Team Decision Making event.

• Staff members at Winton Woods High School were encouraged to wear red as part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day on Friday, February 4. “We contacted as many people as we could on behalf of our high school girls’ group, Women Leading Tomorrow (WLT), and encouraged everyone to wear red in support of the AHA's Go Red for Women day, along with raising awareness about our Women Leading Tomorrow team’s participation in the Heart Walk in March,” said Lisa Butts, district psychologist and co-leader of Women Leading Tomorrow.

“The emphasis for us right now is to get as many people as possible registered to walk in the 5K/10K with Women Leading Tomorrow on March 20 in the Heart Mini-Marathon event,” said Butts. “We have a goal of getting 80 walkers. Right now we have 19 adult walkers registered, which includes staff members and family and friends of the district. Men and women are welcome to walk with us.”

To help raise money for the event, WLT sold cookies with heart healthy messages attached to students at the high school and to staff in several of the buildings last week.

As one of the team captains--along with the district’s Speech/Language Pathologist Kaci Snell, Butts attended the American Heart Association's annual Heart Mini Marathon poster unveiling reception with Winton Woods senior Kiera Paddy, who is a member of Women Leading Tomorrow, during the evening of February 9. “Kiera and I received autographed copies of the event poster from artist C.F. Payne,” said Butts. “We also met Cammie Dierking from Channel 12 News, who unveiled the poster.”

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• On March 5 and May 14, the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Cincinnati is offering an exciting opportunity for fifth through eighth grade girls interested in engineering. On March 5, join in “Cool Coaster Construction” where students will explore what some civil engineers do by designing and then building their own miniature roller coaster. Learn the physics, design requirements, safety and cost effectiveness of your favorite rides by building one you would wait in line for.

Go to http://www.swe.uc.edu/outreach/msoutreach.html for registration forms and more information.

• Winton Woods Middle School is participating in the Pasta for Pennies Challenge from February 7-25. The school will be collecting pennies and loose change from the first bell classes. All funds collected benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The class that collects the most funds wins an Olive Garden luncheon.

• Derek Christerson, health and physical education teacher at Winton Woods Middle School, was named champion of the school’s recent sumo wrestling tournament that took place as a positive behavior reward for students for showing a 30% improvement on standardized tests. Pictured at the tournament are (l-r) science teacher John Fiely, physical education teacher Jeff Merrill and science teacher Brad Lanier.

• Engineering students at Winton Woods Middle School continued to use the Project Lead the Way design process as they designed cranes out of limited supplies that included straws, string and paper clips. The cranes were used to save animals from flood waters by lifting them over a barrier wall. Pictured working on the project are (l-r) Mahlea Cohn, Darnell Williams, DeVantae McGrone, Javaughn Pegg and Leslie Nnanyelugo.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

February 11 National Elementary Honor Society Application Deadline Progress Reports Go Home 14 Valentine’s Party 1:30 p.m.-Parent Volunteers Invited 16 Cherry Pie Band Concert, Grades 6-12 at WWHS, 7:00 p.m. 18 6th Grade Career Professional Dress Day National Elementary Honor Society Notification Sent 21 President’s Day- NO SCHOOL 23 Orchestra Night Grades 5-12 at WWHS, 7:00 p.m. 24 National Elementary Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 7 p.m. 25 WWIS Student of the Month & Blue Ribbon Contest Winners Breakfast 28 Many Cultures-One Nation Luncheon

• A select group of sixth grade students will be participating in this year’s Environmental High IQ Bowl on Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Forest Park Municipal Building located at 1201 West Kemper Road.

The Environmental High IQ Bowl was developed to provide an informative yet fun activity that provides up-to-date, comprehensive environmental information to students, teachers, and the general public. Students begin preparing for the "Bowl" in October by meeting twice a week after school for about 1½ hours. During that time, Wright Gwyn, Forest Park environmental awareness manager, covers information contained in Connections, the competition's study guide. Students continue this schedule until mid-January when they form teams, become familiar with the competition's rules, and actually practice as a team. Then on Saturday, February 19, all students meet at the Forest Park Municipal Building to compete for the Environmental High IQ Bowl Championship.

Competitions are taped and cablecasted by Waycross Community Media. They will also be made available for viewing over the internet.

• Congratulations to Aversa Prentosito who will compete in WCPO’s Regional Spelling Bee on February 19 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Aversa passed the online test that the school champions take to determine who advances to the final regional bee. Good luck, Aversa!

• Race to Community will be resuming its after-school tutoring program beginning Thursday, March 3. Tutoring for math and reading will take place every Monday and Thursday at Winton Woods Intermediate School from 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. (Please see below for specific dates).

Volunteers are needed who can commit to at least two days per month or as often as you would like to help out. Volunteer tutors will be paired with a teacher and a small group of students.

If you or someone you know may be interested, or for further details, please contact Dawn Betts ASAP via email to [email protected] or cell phone at 405-9774. There will be a meeting with all volunteers on Sunday, February 27.

Tutoring dates: March: 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 April: 4, 7, 11, 14, 18

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• A literacy partnership between Winton Woods Elementary School and members of the Greenhills- Forest Park Kiwanis Club put a copy of the book Stellaluna into the hands of every third grade student at the school. Kiwanis President Bill Nolan and members Jim Lawler, Ann Akeson and Peggy Doller visited the school on Friday, February 4 to distribute the books and meet the students.

The idea for the book giveaway came from Doller, who had read about a dictionary giveaway. Stellaluna was recommended by the third grade teachers and school librarian at Winton Woods Elementary for its lessons on science and getting along. Teachers plan to incorporate classroom activities with the book, and Principal Kendell Dorsey said the school will have a literacy contest later in the year.

Nolan told students that the Kiwanis Club believes in changing the world one child and one community at a time. “We want to work with you on your reading skills,” he said, holding up a copy of the book. “Enjoy!”

• Winton Woods Elementary School is looking for African-American business owners and professionals who might be interested in participating in the school's annual “Black History Celebration" on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the school.

“We want to have an African-American Career Fair as part of our celebration,” said Principal Kendell Dorsey. “If you would be interested in opening our young people's minds to other career possibilities, please call us at 619-2490.”

Winton Woods Elementary School is located at 1501 Kingsbury Drive in Forest Park.

Winton Woods Primary News:

February 2011

• 14 Valentine's Days Parties (PreK-2) • 14 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit • 15 PN Art Gallery & Superintendent Presentation ~ Building Improvement Plan (7:00 p.m.) • 17 PS PTA Muffins with Mom • 21 President's Days (No School) • 28 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

March

• 14-18 Grade 2 Terra Nova Testing • 17 PN Popcorn Day • 17 PS PTA Donuts with Dad • 18 PN Movie Night (6:30 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Spring Picture Day - Lifetouch • 22-Apr Spring Break - No School

• All members of the Winton Woods Primary North community are welcome to attend the WWPN Annual Art Show on Tuesday, February 15 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Works of art by approximately 50 students in first and second grade have been selected for this special display. Certificates of participation will be presented to selected student/artists. In addition there will be a dialogue with WWCS Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe in the gym, regarding new ideas in store for the upcoming months and next year. Topics will be highlighted in a PowerPoint presentation. We hope you will stay to hear about our progress and plans for your children. Hope to see your there.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that the Music Award for the week of February 4 goes to Mrs. McCann's first grade class. A music award banner will be proudly displayed by their classroom all week. Congratulations!

• Each month teachers at Primary North recommend a student who demonstrated a character trait for the month. This month first grade teacher, Mrs. Stone, recommended Isabel Valle for demonstrating citizenship. Mrs. Stone wrote:

"In our classroom citizenship is defined as the quality of an individual’s response to membership in a community. In our community it is being respectful, responsible, a problem solver and safe. Isabel Valle exemplifies all these qualities daily. Isabel treats all members of our classroom and Primary North community with respect and compassion. We have had several new members to our class and Isabel is the first to welcome new friends. She helps them with materials and routines and friendship. Isabel is responsible with classroom materials, assignments, classroom jobs and most of all her learning. She is a problem solver both academically and personally. Isabel demonstrates the character trait of citizenship every day at Primary North. It is with great pride that I, along with her classmates, nominate Isabel Valle a true example of Primary North and room 7 citizenship."

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of February 4: Julian Vaca- Iber, Micah Jenkins, and Alana Smith. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Stone’s first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• February is Black History month and an opportunity to focus on famous black Americans and the impact they have had on all of us and our society. Each of the classrooms at Primary South has developed a variety of activities centered around black history. Mrs. Voss's first grade has been doing biographical studies of significant Americans including George Washington Carver, Garrett Morgan, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The students will research, write reports, read books, sing songs, hear poetry and make posters about these famous Americans. As you can see from their work, they are off to a great start!

• Mrs. Smith's class at Primary South used the school’s science lab for a cause close to the heart of Principal Tonya Bray. Mrs. Smith and her class were making "goop" in the science lab and, inspired by the then- upcoming Super Bowl, they made Mrs. Bray her own special "Who-Dey" goop!

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Two great offers--one big thank you! Purchase $40 from the March order guide and receive a free Salt for all Seasoning. You can also qualify to receive a free pork tenderloin when you order $90 at marketday.com and enter the promo code MARBONUS during online checkout.

Order online at marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on February 23 or return your completed order form to school by February 18. These orders will be ready for pick up between 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28 at Winton Woods Intermediate School. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

• Change is happening in Ohio's schools.

The Ohio Department of Education is implementing the Common Core State Standards and as we change to the new standards, Ohio PTA is taking an active role. Ohio PTA wants to educate parents and families about this initiative and assist with the implementation.

What are the Common Core State Standards? They are a set of consistent, clear K-12 academic standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics designed to be robust and relevant to the real world. These standards will help ensure that our children have the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in college and careers.

Who is involved in the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI)? As of January 2011, 44 states, including Ohio and the District of Columbia, have adopted the standards. The Ohio Department of Education plans to implement the Standards in the 2014-15 school year.

How can you learn more? Ohio PTA will continue to send emails, write articles, and conduct workshops on the CCSS. In addition, the Ohio PTA CCSSI Committee has created a website for parents and community members to use as a resource for information on the history of the CCSSI, articles and reports, workshops, and links to lead organizations.

Visit www.ptacommoncore.org and learn more about changes in the standards and assessments that will affect your children.

• Reminder-- Mark your Calendar! WWC PTA meeting – Monday, February 14at 7:00 p.m. in the WWHS library on the topic “Preparing for College Academic Opportunities at WW” led by Kevin Jones, Winton Woods High School senior counselor. This is a great opportunity for all Warrior parents to better understand the academic opportunities available at WWHS. Preparing for college begins long before a student’s senior year in high school. Please join us for a presentation on preparing your student academically for college acceptance and success. Scheduling night for current 8th–11th graders is quickly approaching! Scheduling takes place Thursday, February 17 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at WWHS. Agenda: 7:00 p.m.: WWC PTA business and school building reports 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Preparing for College Presentation, Mr. Kevin Jones, WWHS Senior Counselor. Also scheduled to attend: Mrs. Myrtis Smith (WWHS Project Lead the Way, Pre-Engineering Program) Mrs. Heather Edler (WWMS Gateway to Technology, Pre-Engineering Program) Please join us! Refreshments will be served. Children are welcome.

• How to Protect Your Child from Cyberbullying – Live Webchat on Friday, February 18.

Each month, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital offers free on-line health chats for parents to chat live with board-certified pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists on health and wellness topics ranging from cardiology and gastroenterology, to child development and autism spectrum disorders. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers during the live chat, and access transcripts following the chat.

The next webchat, "How to Protect Your Child from Cyberbullying," is scheduled for Friday, February 18 at noon. http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/ChatReg/ChatPage.aspx?ChatId=11 89

Cyberbullying affects more than half of adolescents and teens on a daily basis. It is an anti-social behavior that involves hurting others using online tools such as social networking sites and cell phones. Cyberbullying is an increasing epidemic that can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

Unlike physical bullying, the cyberbully uses technology to quickly spread offensive messages and images to a large network of peers. In the viral world that we live in, these messages can last forever and can have a lasting impact on your child.

For more information and to sign up for the chat, please visit the website link provided in this email.

• The Women in Engineering Program at the Ohio State University is pleased to announce WiE Summer Camps for students currently in grades 7-11. This year’s summer programs will be based upon first come-first serve IF the applicant meets the minimum criteria. For more information, please view the camps websites listed below.

WiE GROW, sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro, is a five-day, non- residential summer program designed to introduce middle school girls to the exciting world of engineering and to ignite their interest in an engineering-related career. Female students currently enrolled in grade 7 are eligible to apply. Dates for WiE GROW 2011 are Monday, August 8 – Friday, August 12 from 8:30 a.m.-.6:00 p.m. View WiE GROW, including application process and participation fee. *Please view the application process before starting the application. Apply online

WiE CHEER, sponsored by Ashland, Shell and Dow, is a six-day, residential summer program focused on the field of chemical engineering. Female students currently enrolled in grade 8 are eligible to apply. Dates for WiE CHEER 2011 are Sunday, June 26- Friday, July 1. View WiE CHEER, application process and participation fee. *Please view the application process before starting the application. Apply online.

WiE RACE, sponsored by the Honda-OSU Partnership, is a is a six-day, co-ed residential summer program focused on the field of engineering and engineering-related careers. Female and male students currently enrolled in grade 9 and 10 are eligible to apply. Dates for WiE RACE 2011 are Sunday, July 24 - Friday, July 29. View WiE RACE, including application process and participation fee. Please view the application process before starting the application. Apply online.

WiE RISE, sponsored by the Honda-OSU Partnership, is a is a six-day, residential summer program designed to introduce female students to Ohio State's undergraduate engineering majors and related career fields. Female students currently enrolled in grade 11 are eligible to apply. Dates for WiE RISE 2011 are Sunday, July 10 to Friday, July 15. View WiE RISE, including application process and participation fee. *Please view the application process before starting the application. Apply online.

Questions? Contact Kerrie Kirkpatrick at [email protected] or 614.247.6826.

February 16, 2011

Quote of the week:

Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn. Joseph Addison

District News:

• The Winton Woods Board of Education will vote on adopting an open enrollment policy for the district at its February 28 meeting. The new policy would permit the enrollment of students from any Ohio district in a Winton Woods school or program.

“This policy change is being considered primarily because of the potential for additional revenue starting with the coming school year,” said Winton Woods Board of Education President John Pennycuff. “We know of interest in attending Winton Woods schools by students who live in other Ohio districts. Under the proposed policy, the home district of those students would pay Winton Woods to educate their children who enroll here. I expect the interest in attending Winton Woods schools to increase.” Winton Woods stands to gain approximately $5700 for each student it enrolls from out of district.

As currently drafted, the new open enrollment policy gives priority to students already residing in the district, while limiting acceptance of out-of- district students based on class or program size limitations and building capacity. “The number of openings in a particular program for students from other Ohio districts will be determined by the optimum size for a particular program, classroom, school building or grade level,” said Pennycuff. “This is the number of students that can be accommodated without increasing district expenditures for staff, space or equipment.”

Students may be denied enrollment if they have faced discipline such as suspension or expulsion, have been convicted of certain crimes or are credit deficient. Once enrolled in Winton Woods City Schools, the enrollment may be revoked as a result of poor attendance and/or repeated or serious violations of the student code of conduct. If approved, applications for enrollment by students outside the district will be accepted from April 1 through August 4. “Inter-district enrollment will not be an ongoing process through the school year,” said Pennycuff.

Currently three-quarters of Ohio's school districts allow some form of open enrollment. In Hamilton County, four districts receive students from outside their lines: Lockland, Reading, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place and Three Rivers.

• IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET A FLU SHOT!

As influenza (flu) currently circulates widely across the region and Ohio, Hamilton County Public Health offers advice about how stay healthy this flu season.

Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Getting a flu shot is the single best way to avoid getting the flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive a yearly flu vaccine.

“We want to remind anyone who has not received their flu vaccine yet that it is not too late,” Tim Ingram, Health Commissioner said. “This is still flu season and it is always better to be vaccinated.”

Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three strains of flu virus and the components of the flu vaccine this season are a good match to current strains circulating. Hamilton County Public Health offers flu vaccine for $15 at 13 immunization clinic locations. For dates and times of immunization clinics, visit www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org and choose Immunization Clinic Locations from the Quick Links drop down menu at the top of the page. For additional assistance, contact the Nursing Division at (513) 946-7882.

The symptoms of flu generally last six to 10 days and include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.

In addition to being vaccinated, everyone can help stop the spread of illness by washing hands thoroughly and often; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; staying away from sick people; covering mouths when sneezing or coughing; and staying home from work or school if sick.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Scheduling night for current eighth through eleventh grade students is Thursday, February 17 from 5:00-8:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High school library. The Winton Woods High School PTA will be selling a variety of soups that evening to raise money for scholarships. • Winton Woods girls basketball tournament tickets are for sale at the athletic office until Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The game is Thursday, February 17 at Harrison High School at 6:00 p.m. against Hamilton High School. All pre-sale tickets are $6; tickets are $7 at the door.

Winton Woods basketball t-shirts will also be on sale in the athletic office to show our school spirit. Shirts are $7 for S - XL, $8 for XXL, and $8.50 for XXXL. The boys first tournament game is March 1 at Princeton High School.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods City Schools Fine Arts Facilitator David Bell who was recently asked to serve on the Ohio Department of Education team that has been charged with revising the Ohio Academic Content Standards for the Fine Arts. The team will be revising the standards which were adopted in 2003 by the Ohio Board of Education. Bell was also a member of the oversight committee that created the vision for the 2003 standards. The new standards are due to be adopted and implemented this fall.

• With performances of their spring musical, Annie, coming up on April 15-16, Winton Woods High School drama students gathered to share design ideas for the play’s poster and t-shirts. Pictured at art design night are (l-r) Jasmine Jones, Jacqueline Rodriguez, Caleb Simpson, April Otto, Ifunanya Okwumo, Sarah Drees, Ashante May-Hill, Kristen Budke, Katelyn Budke, Dana Jetter and Stacia Hackmann. "Annie" is the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan who is determined to find her parents after being abandoned years before on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In one fun-filled adventure after another, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and finds a new family and home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

• Winton Woods High School football players Brendan Gordon, Thomas Owens and Cory Webber are bringing their appetites to a wing-eating contest at Riley’s Restaurant in Springdale in hopes of raising scholarship dollars for the school. The “Battle to the Bone” Buffalo Chicken Wing Eating Contest will take place on Tuesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Riley’s, located at 11568 Springfield Pike. Football teams participating include the Winton Woods Warriors, the CHCA Eagles and the Roger Bacon Spartans.

“Each team is providing three players and one coach,” said restaurant owner Ken Riley. “The winning team gets bragging rights and wins $250 toward the scholarship of their choice.” In addition, each school will receive 20% back on all food and beverage sales they bring in after 5:00 p.m. “They just need to turn in a completed flyer with their guest check,” said Riley (flier attached). Additional fliers are available at the Riley’s website, www.RileysGreatMeals.com, under the news tab by clicking “upcoming events.”

• There is a new acoustical sound shell in the Winton Woods High School auditorium thanks to the financial support of the school district and the Winton Woods Music Boosters, who split the cost of the shell. This replaces the 30-year-old shell that was literally falling apart and held together with masking tape. The new shell was delivered on Friday, February 11 and then assembled by Winton Woods maintenance staff and music parent Bob Rocklin. The new shell will be inaugurated at the district’s annual Cherry Pie concert featuring the district’s band students on Wednesday, February 16.

Usable parts of the old sound shell will be put to use for concerts at the Winton Woods Intermediate School. The high school music staff is looking forward to using the new shell for district concerts at the high school and opportunities to host events like the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) honor groups and adjudicated events.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Eighth grader Jared Beiersdorfer was the winner of Winton Woods Middle School’s first National Geographic Geography Bee on Thursday, January 13. Seventh grade student Hannah Van Dyke came in second. “The championship round went to the third sudden death question when Jared correctly identified London as the location of the famous intersection known as Piccadilly Circus,” said Social Studies teacher Dave Clark.

Beiersdorfer took a written qualifying test a week after the bee to see if he would compete at the state geography bee in Columbus this April. “The test was sent off to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.,” said Clark. “Jared’s score will be judged against other student’s scores from Ohio, and if his score compares favorably he will qualify for the state bee.”

The geography bee covered the areas of physical, political, cultural and historical geography, as well as the geography of world events.

Final round participants were: Usamah Ali, Jared Beiersdorfer, Ryan Capal, Micaiah Dawson, Kevin Jarmusik, Daivon Jones, Alexis Ross, Christopher Stumpf, Hannah Van Dyke, and Christopher Wright.

• “That was my seat back there,” twenty-seven year old Jonathan Lee said as he pointed to a seat in the back of the Winton Woods Middle School classroom. “I sat in this room as an eighth grader, graduated from Winton Woods High School and then Ohio State. I have published two books, own two businesses, married a wonderful woman, have had a modeling contract, and lived in L.A.

“I’ve set goals and have achieved many them, and there’s no reason you can’t do the same,” Lee told the students.

Lee’s companies, Black Ties Media Productions and Young Masterminds, LLC, help him pay the bills, but he said talking to students is what it’s all about. Lee has visited his former language arts classroom for the past three years, each time giving an engaging presentation on creative writing. This year’s talk covered the broader topic of goal setting.

“His change in topic coincided perfectly with our change in teaching assignments,” said Matt Alander, Lee’s former eighth grade language arts teacher. “Now I teach seventh grade study skills with Shelley Meyer, and we spend a fair amount of time teaching the kids how to set and achieve their goals.”

These seventh grade students’ goals include attending college, becoming a sonogram technician, visiting Italy, being a good role model and spending more time with family. Lee said, “Okay, now that you’ve got a goal, how are you going to get there?”

Lee had the students work backward from their goal. “So if you want to be an architect, you have to go to college,” Lee said. “What do you need to get into college?”

Many of the answers for the different goals boiled down to staying focused, working hard, and staying out of trouble. “It was nice to hear from someone who is successful and is following his dreams,” said seventh grader Raddy Garcia. “He made me question what I want to do career- wise and family-wise.”

“Jonathan’s presentation built beautifully upon the lessons we’ve been teaching all year,” Alander said, “but I think it was like some of the kids heard it for the first time. It means something different coming from Jonathan.

“Teachers are supposed to tell the kids that they can achieve anything they put their minds to,” Alander said. “But Jonathan sat where they’re sitting and has achieved quite a bit. That sunk in deep with a number of the kids.”

Jonathan Lee is pictured with Winton Woods Middle School student Malik Robinson.

• Six Winton Woods Middle School students traveled with art teacher Patty New to Covington for the Scholastic Arts and Writing art opening where winning entries from the Scholastic art contest were on display. Participating were: Juan Fernandez Nieto, Kassidy Kozinsky, Jackara Blankumsee, Jae'len Summerous, Laura Sneed and Jina James. “The students had an exciting and fun time viewing the exhibit of winning high school and middle school artwork,” said New.

• Winton Woods Middle School will be offering another scuba class starting the first Sunday in March. The classes are open to students, their parents, and teachers in grades 7-12. Email Winton Woods Middle School science teacher John Fiely at [email protected] as soon as possible if interested.

Good luck to our current class who will take their final book test this Sunday.

• The Winton Woods Middle School Athletic Boosters are holding a “Reverse Raffle” on Saturday, March 19 at Molloy’s in Greenhills. There will be a $1000 grand prize and other great prizes, as well as a silent auction. A $50 donation per ticket includes entry in the raffle, dinner, and most beverages. There’s a $40 donation for entry in the raffle only. Only 300 tickets will be sold, and there is no need to be present to win. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Winton Woods Middle School Athletic Director Jeff Merrill at 515-0596. Adults only please. Proceeds to benefit the Winton Woods Middle School Athletic Department.

• Winton Woods Middle School math teacher Tim Tilton sent a singing valentine to his wife, Winton Woods Middle School language arts teacher Jennie Tilton, and let students and other staff enjoy it as well. The valentine was presented in his math class and was enjoyed by all! The Tiltons are pictured with the barbershop quartet.

• Winton Woods Middle School is participating in the Pasta for Pennies fundraiser from February 7-25. Loose change will be collected from first bell classes, and all funds collected benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The class that collects the most funds receives an Olive Garden luncheon. Joyce Shaffer is the coordinator.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

February 16 Cherry Pie Band Concert, Grades 6-12 at WWHS, 7:00 p.m. 18 6th Grade Career Professional Dress Day National Elementary Honor Society Notification Sent 21 President’s Day- NO SCHOOL 23 Orchestra Night Grades 5-12 at WWHS, 7:00 p.m. 24 National Elementary Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 7 p.m. 25 WWIS Student of the Month & Blue Ribbon Contest Winners Breakfast 28 Many Cultures-One Nation Luncheon

• A special thank you to Mark Davis of Duke Energy for visiting and presenting to fifth grade students at Winton Woods Intermediate School on Wednesday, February 9. Topics discussed included natural gas, propane gas, and carbon monoxide. Davis showed students how flammable and destructive these gases can be and the importance of being safe and being sure to contact authorities in an emergency. In addition to the science lesson, Davis reminded students about the importance of education and encouraged them to always work hard and do their best. A special thank you to Mr. Davis, who is the parent of Winton Woods Intermediate School fifth grader Mark Davis Jr., for this special presentation.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Winton Woods Elementary School had a character education assembly featuring the Dazzling Mills Family that taught students lessons about being honest, handling anger and treating each other with respect. This awesome family group juggled, balanced all types of objects and rode unicycles as they conveyed these important messages to the students. The students had a great time and learned a whole lot.

• The WWES African-American History Celebration and Career Fair will take place on Thursday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. This is an event for everyone! Many African-American professionals will be on hand to share information about their careers for students. The WWES chorus will sing, and there will be refreshments available as well.

• Congratulations to our 26 inductees to the National Elementary Honor Society. Our induction ceremony will take place Wednesday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. Students to be inducted are: Michael Addai, Emmanuel Augustine, Noah Bedan, Lemor Carlton, Zavarri Carr, Ezekiah Cue, Waseem Ficklin, Bria Gordon, Mariah Harlan, Delaney Harrison, Miah Howard, Desire Hillard, Rachel Hughes, Kathryn Ingram, McKenna Johnson, Lonna Jones, Jianna Jones, Cheyanne Kelly, Raven Reed, Michelle Samano, Lillian Smith, Carolina Sullivan, Jeffrey Tyus, Ngozi Usuani, Lindsey Van Dyke and Kimberly Vargas.

Winton Woods Primary News:

February

• 17 PS PTA Muffins with Mom • 21 President's Days (No School) • 28 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

March

• 14-18 Grade 2 Terra Nova Testing • 17 PN Popcorn Day • 17 PS PTA Donuts with Dad • 18 PN Movie Night (6:30 p.m.) • 22 PN/PS Spring Picture Day - Lifetouch • 22-Apr Spring Break - No School

• Winton Woods Primary North and Winton Woods Primary South will host open houses on Wednesday, February 23 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parents/guardians and their student are invited to tour the school, speak with members of the administration, and learn all that Winton Woods City Schools has to offer.

“Our staff understands that selecting the right school for your child can seem overwhelming,” said Winton Woods Communications Specialist Gina Burnett. “We want to help parents get to know Winton Woods City Schools better by sharing highlights of what our primary schools have to offer.”

Parents who are not sure which primary school their child would attend can call the district’s enrollment center at 619-2360.

• Winton Woods Primary South will host “Muffins with Mom” from 8:00-9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 17 in the cafeteria. All moms, grandmas, and guardians are invited to come and eat breakfast with their student.

• Thursday, February 10 was the 100th day of learning in Winton Woods schools and first grade classes at Primary South celebrated by counting everything in sight. Some of the classes counted out 100 beads and made necklaces. Others made 100-day glasses and worked on counting and grouping objects to 100. Everyone found fun in the celebration!

• In art class this month students have been learning about famous author and artist Faith Ringgold. Ringgold is famous for her beautiful story quilts which combine painting, quilted fabric and storytelling. Art teacher Katie Forney will help students create their own story quilts. Some of Faith Ringgold's famous children's books are Tar Beach, Cassie's Word Quilt, Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky and My Dream of Martin Luther King. Check them out are the library and enjoy. The stories are great, and the art is incredible.

• Sylvan Learning Center will present its "Reading across America" assembly to students at Primary South on March 3 at 2:00 p.m.

• All members of the Winton Woods Primary South community are welcome to attend the WWPS Art Show on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. In addition there will be a dialogue with WWCS Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe regarding new ideas in store for the upcoming months and next year.

• Each month teachers at Primary North recommend a student who demonstrated a character trait for the month. This month first grade teacher Mrs. Stone recommended Isabel Valle for demonstrating citizenship and second grade teacher Mrs. Sentker nominated Christopher Shipley. Mrs. Sentker writes:

When choosing a student who demonstrates outstanding citizenship, Christopher immediately came to mind. Chris is a student you can count on everyday in many different ways. He is very honest and reliable, and I know I can trust him with important tasks, errands, and information. Chris is extremely neat and organized, and goes out of his way to make our classroom that way as well. Without being asked, Chris straightens the room, picks up things that have fallen on the floor, helps organize shared materials, and helps classmates get their things together. He takes on other organizational tasks, like rearranging marker boxes and switching out classroom books without prompting or direction, and truly cares about the functionality of our room. Christopher sets a wonderful example for students by being kind to others, including classmates in games and activities, and sharing materials and equipment. He is fair, honest, and always reliable. I can partner him with anybody and I know it will work out. Even when school work or situations are difficult for Chris, he does not complain. He finds a way to properly explain what’s bothering him, and is willing to try new ways of solving problems. Overall, Christopher demonstrates outstanding citizenship and is an excellent role model in our classroom and school. I am extremely proud of his maturity and the helpfulness that he exhibits everyday. Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of February 11: Rafael Hernandez, William Parks and Kiala Stanford. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Noel and Mrs. Reilag’s first grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

February 23, 2011

Quote of the week:

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.

Jesse Jackson

District News:

• Families and community members in the Winton Woods School District are invited to "Coffee and Conversation" with Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe and newly-elected Board of Education President John Pennycuff. This event will take place on Saturday, February 26 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Forest Park Frisch's, located at 11990 Chase Plaza. "This is a great time to learn what’s new in our district, ask questions and give suggestions," said Communications Specialist Gina Burnett. "You bring the conversation topic, and the coffee is on us."

• Winton Woods Board of Education President John Pennycuff (left) recently visited the offices of The Cincinnati Herald to present Dan Yount with the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Media Honor Roll award. Yount, editor- in-chief of The Cincinnati Herald, was nominated by Winton Woods City Schools and selected by OSBA for the Media Honor Roll. The award was presented to Yount and his staff in recognition of The Herald’s ongoing responsible and exemplary nature of reporting on public schools.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Stop in the lobby at Winton Woods High School on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon, and you’ll find a dedicated group of 16 students practicing for their next performance. This is the newly-formed Warrior Dance Crew, a student-led hip hop dance team whose dances are choreographed by students in the group.

The dance crew was started when sophomores Paidra Harris and Tiasia Cockrell went to Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden because, according to Harris, they “wanted something new for the school.” While the school already had a step team, the girls wanted a group that was “just dance.” The students have performed at Warrior Madness, a kick-off event for the school’s basketball team, and at half-time during basketball games. All of the dance crew members said they’d welcome the opportunity to perform at events for younger students in the district.

“Our eager dancers typically can't get enough and ask for more practices or practice on their own over weekends and breaks,” said first-year teacher Kathryn Farr, who sponsored the club with her fellow first-year teacher Justin Martin.

Students on the 2011 Warrior Dance Crew were chosen out of 45 students who auditioned for a panel of judges. Members are: seniors Kalyn Frey, Quentin Carr and Rico Scott; juniors Acia Mitchell, Courtenay Gray, David Crutcher, Star Bell, and Kamaya Wright; sophomores Alethea Sims, Devon Graves, Jasmin Shaw, Jenaye Gerald-Lawrence, Tiasia Cockrell and Paidra Harris; and freshmen Cierra Croff and Jyna Shipman.

“This is really a dedicated group of students,” said Farr. “There are a lot of other activities these students are involved in, so when they miss practice they work extra hard to pick up the dances some other time.”

• Winton Woods High School football player Aaron Patton has been nominated for the National Football Foundation’s "That's My Boy" award which will be presented on Thursday, March 3 at the Westin Cincinnati Presidential Ballroom.

Patton, a senior offensive tackle and punter with the Warriors, made first team FAVC, first team All- City and received honorable mention for Division II SW Ohio. Patton was also a team captain, a two-year starter and a three-year letterman.

The “That’s My Boy” award is given to the top all- around high school football player in Cincinnati and is based on award points given for football achievement, academic achievement, and extra- curricular and community activities.

• Congratulations to the Winton Woods High School Robotics Team who finished 11th out of 32 teams at the iSpace Robotics Competition at Scarlet Oaks on Saturday, February 19. This was the team's first year participating in a robotics competition. Team members are (l-r) Courtney Irby, Donavan Myers, Samantha Fishwick, Austin Ottaway, Lejon Scott, Darell Ballew and Raheem Elston.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods wrestler Moges Tsegay (pictured on the winner’s stand), who won the 125- pound weight class at the Elder Wrestling Sectional on Saturday, February 19. Tsegay is only the fourth sectional champion in school history. “What a great accomplishment for Moges who has worked really hard to improve as a wrestler and a young man,” said wrestling coach Chris Willertz. “He will wrestle at districts this weekend and the top four go to state.” Sophomore wrestler Devon Graves placed fourth at 140 pounds, and he goes to districts too. “Devon has really improved and gets better every day,” said Willertz.

• Chorus, band and orchestra students from Winton Woods High School participated in OMEA District XIV solo/ensemble contest held at Elder High School on Saturday, February 12. Students may compete in Class A, the most difficult music, then Class B, followed by Class C. Ratings range from 1 (Outstanding), 2 (Excellent), 3 (Acceptable), 4 (Poor), and 5 (Very Poor). The results for Winton Woods students were:

Class A Superior or #1 rating Winton Woods Chamber Orchestra – Malcolm Thompson, Brittney Cheatham, Kelsey Randall, Ryan Phillips, Sarah Drees, Patrick Kelly, Rashad Sylvester, Jeremy Prater, Sam Rocklin and Alex Strupe. Adrianna Ivory – flute solo Adrianna Ivory - soprano solo Ciarra Rucker – flute solo Kareesha Springer – bassoon solo Kelsey Randall – mezzo-soprano solo Malcolm Thompson – piano solo Sam Rocklin – bass solo

Outstanding or #2 rating Emily Cleary – alto solo Sarah Drees – soprano solo

Class B Superior or #1 rating Woodwind Quartet – Adrianna Ivory, Taylor Baird, P.J. Layne and April Otto Woodwind Trio – Kaitlin Otto, Jackie Jordan and Kareesha Springer Haleigh Holtman – soprano solo Jackie Jordan – clarinet solo

Outstanding or #2 rating Brittany Fields – soprano solo Jordan Leary – oboe solo

Class C Superior or #1 rating Trombone Trio – Corey Stewart, Tony Boateng and Blake Howard Flute Trio 1 – Tori Clark, Jen Jordan and Ciarra Rucker Flute Trio 4 – Amber Carney, Rebekah Lowery and Kayla Hunley Woodwind Quintet – Taylor Hagens, Jordan Leary, Neshelle Wright, Yanni Irby and Becca Day Katie Hall – mezzo-soprano solo

Outstanding or #2 rating Brass Quartet – Elise Mills, Jake Marting, Corey Stewart and Jasmine Colvin WW String Quartet – Ruhi Gulati, Neisha Hamm, Katie Hall, and Dorion Marshall Dorion Marshall – cello solo

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School will be hosting a family Math & Science Night for students in grades 6-8. Come to learn about Connected Math and Interactive Science. Presentations will be done by Pearson Publishing representatives about both of these dynamic programs. Interactive activities from both these curricula will be hosted by Winton Woods Middle School teachers. A free family dinner will be available with an RSVP, along with babysitting provided by Winton Woods High School representatives. See the attached flyers for more information.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Three D.A.R.E. essay contest winners from Winton Woods Intermediate School used their writing skills to earn the opportunity to meet Forest Park Police Chief Phil Cannon and receive an educational tour of the police department. The students also were treated to lunch at LaRosa’s with their D.A.R.E. Officer Krista Schmidt. The students completed the D.A.R.E. drug awareness and resistance program at school and then wrote about how they would apply what they learned to their lives. Pictured with Cannon are (l-r) fifth graders Serena Minn, Jenny Nieto and Erika Freirson.

• During the month of February, WWIS sixth graders completed a career education project while in the library. Students registered online with Kuder.com through Great Oaks Affiliate Schools and took a career assessment survey. They did research on different occupations and completed a career path worksheet. Students also wrote short reports or designed mini-posters about possible career choices. Our career exploration culminated on Friday, February 18 with a sixth grade "Professional Dress Day" where the students dressed to reflect their future professions. • Our Mighty Warriors Tutoring Program began on Thursday, February 10. Students receive tutoring in math and reading on Monday and Thursday of each week until the end of April. Transportation will be provided. If you are interested in having your child participate, please contact the office, and we can send an additional permission slip home with your child. • WWIS is having a Study Island Blue Ribbon Contest for the month of February. Any student who earns 15 blue ribbons in reading, math, and science from February 1 - 24 will be invited to a special breakfast on February 25. They will also be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift certificate from Tri-County Mall. Please encourage your students to log onto Study Island for additional academic practice and entertaining games. • The second annual Many Cultures - One Nation Luncheon will be held on Monday, February 28 during regularly-scheduled lunch time. Each day one student from each grade level who successfully answered the Many Cultures - One Nation trivia question was given a small prize and invited to the luncheon. We are planning to serve food from all over the world to help increase the cultural awareness of our students and staff.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• The WWES African-American History Museum and Career Fair will take place this Thursday, February 24 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. This event is open to all of our students and families. We encourage all of our students, parents and community members to take part in this event. Our students will have a chance to begin building their future today.

• The Superintendent's Art Gallery and Principal Kendell Dorsey's "State of the School" presentation will take place Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. This will be a chance to celebrate our students' great work, learn more about what is happening at school and have an opportunity to give feedback to help us "reach new heights." Light refreshments will be served.

Winton Woods Primary News:

February 2011

• 25 PS 1st graders visit Cincinnati Children's Museum • 28 PS Shine Your Smile - Mobile Dentist Team Visit

March

• 2 PS grades 1 and 2 will visit Music Hall • 2 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! (Dr. Seuss was born in1904) • 7 Early Kindergarten Registration begins for 2011/12 • 8 PS Art Gallery & Superintendent Presentation (Building Improvement Plan) at 7:00 pm. • 13 Daylight Savings Time - Spring forward 1 hour • 14-18 Grade 2 Terra Nova Testing • 17 PN Popcorn Day • 17 PS PTA Donuts with Dad • 18 PN Movie Night (6:30 p.m.) • 20 1st Day of Spring • 22 PN/PS Spring Picture Day - Lifetouch • 22-Apr 1 Spring Break - No School

• WWPN's annual Superintendent's Art Gallery and Dialogue was held on February 15. Artwork by 60 first and second graders was proudly displayed and the event was well attended. Many attendees expressed deep appreciation for the art training students receive in our district. Thanks to all who participated in this exciting evening. Special thanks to our PTA for providing refreshments and to WWPN art teacher Nancy Bleisch for inspiring our students through the gift of art.

WWPN Principal Katie Klei presented information to families and community members about the various initiatives we have put in place. Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe and Board of Education President John John Pennycuff also spoke. Music teacher Jennifer Blincoe announced plans for Fine Arts Night in April. Student artists were recognized and presented with award certificates. Two talented artists will be selected by our principal and superintendent for first place awards, along with six honorable mentions, selected by our art teacher. Those students will receive special recognition at next month's Board of Education meeting. Names will be announced soon.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of February 11: Kayla Spikes, Cameron Houze and Dylen Greene. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Ms. Lumsden's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• PN music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that Mrs. Sterling’s second grade class received the Music Class Award for the week of February 14.

• The Primary North "Green Team" works to help make Primary North "go green" by becoming student leaders in recycling. In January PN recycled 2,000 pounds. Thank you, Green Team! Fun facts to know: one ton is equal to 2000 pounds. A giraffe, a buffalo, a killer whale, an elephant, and a hippopotamus can each weight about a ton. Also, a Volkswagen Beetle car is about 2000 pounds.

• On Thursday, February 17, Winton Woods Primary South had our annual "Muffins With Mom" breakfast. We had a great turn out and fun was had by all!

• Do you know who invented the traffic light? Ricquel Bedell (pictured here) and her classmates in Jennifer Chaney's first grade class could tell you that it was Garrett Morgan. Garrett Morgan was the son of a slave and was born in Kentucky and then moved to Ohio. He not only invented the traffic light, but he also invented the gas mask. Garrett Morgan is one of a variety of famous black Americans that are being studied by our first grade students.

• Congratulations to our artwork winners for this month. These students will have their art displayed in the lobby showcase at Primary South so stop by and enjoy!

From the first grade: Damarion Stone, Lauryn Fowler, Stevie Davis, Jumahl McClairn, Jaden Colin and Andralyn Brown.

From the second grade: DeeAnthony Radford, Mia Johnson, Jashawn Rogers, Kmar Cardwell, Winga Botoma and Monica Escobedo Barahona.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Thank you to everyone who ordered Market Day this month! We’re looking forward to seeing you at our pick-up on Monday, February 28 between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. You can find us at Winton Woods Intermediate School in the cafeteria.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

Alumni News

• Winton Woods High School graduate Jon Ross (1997) is now performing as Jon Saxx and was voted Best Local Jazz Artist in South Florida by The Miami New Times in 2008. Saxx has performed with Najee, Montell Jordan, and Howard Hewitt, and has performed the National Anthem for the Miami Heat.

Saxx, who was a member of the Winton Woods High School band and basketball team, attended Miami University and graduated with a degree in manufacturing engineering. He was employed by Johnson & Johnson as a medical device engineer for four years in Miami, Florida.

For more information and to hear some of Saxx’s musical selections, go to http://www.jonsaxx.com/bio.html.

March 9, 2011

Quote of the week:

One of the most difficult things everyone has to learn is that for your entire life you must keep fighting and adjusting if you hope to survive. No matter who you are or what your position is you must keep fighting for whatever it is you desire to achieve. George Allen

District News:

• Do you want to be notified via email when your student is missing an assignment or has a low grade? There is a NEW feature in Progress Book that will allow you to manage alerts.

1. Login to Progress Book (http://www.wintonwoods.org) a. Click on the little red school house b. Scroll down to click on the Winton Woods City Schools logo. c. Enter your username/password

2. From the Progress Book Main Screen (see above) a. Click on MANAGE ALERTS – under MY ACCOUNT

3. Setup Alerts, From the Screen Above a. Enter the email address(es) you wish to receive emails at. b. Click the box next to following alerts you wish to activate. i. Missing Assignments – if you wish to receive an email when your student is missing an assignment. ii. Low Assignment Marks – if you wish to receive an email when your student receives a low assignment mark. iii. Click SAVE.

4. Set Criteria for Low Assignment Marks a. Do you want to be emailed when your student receives a C or lower? i. Click on CHANGE SETTINGS b. Next to each subject – Choose the grade that you want alerts for Marks/Grades equal or less than. c. Don’t forget to click SAVE.

Winton Woods High School News:

• The Winton Woods High School choirs will present their annual Tune-Up Concert on Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. This concert is in preparation for district choir contest on Saturday, March 19. At the concert the choirs will be performing songs in English, Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, and Hindi.

• Congratulations to senior Corey Stewart who has been selected as one of 250 finalists in the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Corey will be flown to Atlanta, Georgia for the Scholars Weekend on April 14-17, with airfare, meals, in-town transportation and accommodations provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Personal interviews will be conducted that weekend, with two tiers of awards granted. Fifty finalists will be chosen as National Scholars and will receive renewable awards of $5,000 per year for four years of post-secondary study, a total award of $20,000. The remaining 200 finalists will be designated Regional Scholars and will receive four-year renewable award of $2,500 per year, a total of $10,000.

Corey is president of the senior class, vice- president of National Honor Society, and a marching band field commander. He has had numerous roles in school musicals and has also served on the stage crew. Last summer Corey was a counselor at the district's Chinese Leadership Camp which brought students from China to Cincinnati. He is also a Winton Woods High School student ambassador, president of Band Council, and an all-conference academic team member of the Varsity bowling team.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• The students at Winton Woods Middle School have produced the first edition of the school’s newsletter for the 2010-2011 school year. Included are items of student interest such as student poll, quotes, little known black history facts and a letter from the principal. Students have also included illustrations and pictures celebrating students’ success in the art fair and a comic strip depicting the humor in the sumo wrestling tournament.

• Winton Woods Middle School will proudly present MASSABILITY 2011: In Memory of Michael Jackson on Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Seventh and eighth grade students have been preparing after school and on weekends and will present renditions of: “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Man In the Mirror,” “Human Nature,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Say Say Say,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Rockin’ Robin,” “We Are the World,” and “Thriller.” Feature soloists are Simone Anthony, Nick Purdin, Delaney Linedman, Aujah Taylor, Alex Kuhn, Anna Clark, Ryan Capla, Erezi Ikeneku, Kamiy Bomar, and Iziah McCoy. These students have put in extra time to make their tribute to the King of Pop both worthy and memorable.

Cost is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. Director Janna Frank encourages everyone to come out and celebrate the music of Michael Jackson and the power it still has to unite everyone in song.

• The Winton Woods Middle School Student Council sponsored Black History Month activities for 2011, including a door decorating contest which is always a highlight of the month. Fifteen classroom doors were decorated with historical themes and highlighted musicians, athletes, poets, and educators. The theme for this year’s celebration was "Success is a Vision--Celebrate Diversity!" The participating rooms were given a hero and asked to explore the life and history of this individual. The judging guidelines were: clever, creative, ingenious, unique; neat in appearance; balanced use of space; artistic ability; informational; intellectual; professional in tone and error-free.

The first place prize of a pizza luncheon goes to Alicia Sellins' class. Second place and a continental breakfast go to Melvina Musgrave's first bell. Third place and assorted snacks go to Katherine Sparke's class and Dave Clark’s first bell. The winner of the essay contest was seventh grader Whitney McKenzie.

• Twenty-six students participated in a field trip to Funke Fired Pottery and worked with professional sculptors to create functional pottery from the pottery wheel. Students sharpened their analytical skills by breaking down instruction/information, then returned to their own wheel to spin and construct bowls, cups and vases. A full day of one-on-one instruction resulted in all 26 students successfully creating a useable and personal work of art.

• Winton Woods Middle School held its annual Science Fair, one of the largest in the state of Ohio, on Saturday, February 26. Almost 350 students participated in one of three categories: biological science, consumer science, or physical/earth science.

Judges selected winners from dozens of exceptional projects in each of the three categories for both seventh and eighth. Seventh grade winners included Ryan Glardon in Biological Science for his experiment on lead contamination within the community, and Jessica Weems in Consumer Science for her experiment on which brand of mascara lasts the longest. Eighth grade winners were Matt Smith in Biological Science for his experiment on concentration, Khadijah Palmer in Consumer Science for his experiment on typing, and Emma Bedan for her experiment on flight design.

After selecting category winners, the judges then selected an Overall Grand Prize Winner for each grade. Congratulations to seventh grader Ryan Glardon and eighth grader Emma Bedan, who were named grand prize winners.

The WWMS Science Department and entire staff would like to congratulate all the trophy winners and honorable mention participants. In addition, we are all very proud of your outstanding accomplishments!

• For three weeks Mindy Muddiman's class has been studying the three monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Students spent about a week dealing with the major aspects of each religion and how they are different and similar to one another. During this time students watched a video on the individual religion, created a play using all relevant vocabulary correctly, answered questions on a compare/contrast document, annotated reading on the three concepts and completed higher level concepts work.

All of the review is in preparation for a compare/contrast paper. The students will work on writing an introductory paragraph, focusing on their audience and introducing the material to be discussed. In the next step they will compare these world religions and how they are the same in many aspects: beginning location, they are monotheistic, they all have prophets and have influenced the world in the past and the present. Next is a contrasting paragraph, followed by a closing paragraph. The students should relate their personal experience with religion in their concluding paragraphs, as well as personal thoughts and ideas they have learned over the process, as much as they are comfortable with.

• This year the physical education department has implemented fitness stations into the PE curriculum. Students have 10 stations of various exercises that they perform for two minutes. At the conclusion of the station workout day, they have endured a rigorous complete body workout. Stations are performed on a weekly basis, every Monday and Wednesday. Every third Friday, the students have the opportunity to track their progress in the stations. Students record their total maximum reps for every exercise in the various stations.

Each test day, students are encouraging to set goals and achieve a personal record (PR) by performing at least one more repetition than the previous time. If successful at achieving personal records in all of the various station exercises, the student’s name is recognized on the Perfect PR Board for all of the other students and teachers to see.

Fitness stations were implemented this year to help combat the obesity epidemic in our country. Our goal in physical education is to have our students develop an understanding of lifetime fitness. At 12 and 13 years old, they can begin developing fitness habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

• Winton Woods Middle School is partnering with the University of Cincinnati and its Law and Leadership Summer Institute. The Law and Leadership Institute gives a select group of students who have just completed eighth grade the chance to study law at an Ohio law school. Students will learn from attorneys, law professors, law students and judges and rub shoulders with attorneys from some of Ohio’s most prestigious law firms. Students can even earn up to $200 upon successful completion of the program.

The purpose of the Law and Leadership Summer Institute is to prepare youth to compete at high academic levels through the use of intense legal and educational programming as a tool for fostering vision, developing leadership skills, instilling confidence and mapping out a plan to attend college.

The program, lunch and transportation are free to all selected students.

The Law and Leadership Summer Institute Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27, 2011 - July 29, 2011.

The Law and Leadership Summer Institute is not for everyone. It demands hard work, commitment, and a desire to succeed. Interested students can obtain applications in the office, from Counselor Kim Sterwerf, Assistant Principal Doug Sanker or from their Social Studies teacher. There is also a link on the Winton Woods Middle School website.

• Winton Woods Middle School has now implemented the new Connected Mathematics 2 course of study in most math classes. The math teachers at the middle school have undergone rigorous professional development for this process, and they all are excited about what it has to offer the students. The teachers will continue to get more training throughout this school year and possibly more training this summer.

Connected Mathematics 2 is an investigative math course where students learn a deeper understanding of math topics through investigative studies. The seventh and eighth grade texts offer exciting and interesting investigations and topics for the students to learn rather than the traditional notes/lecture routine that has been a staple in math classes for decades. These topics range from mixing juice in the seventh grade book, Comparing and Scaling, to navigating around the streets of “Euclid” in the eighth grade book, Looking for Pythagoras. All of us are hoping for the best as we prepare for state testing in April.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Congratulations to our February Students of the Month: Nathan Washam, Taylor Fields, Kamille Austin, Valencia James, Kiara Gaines, Brian Williams, Dezerae Pollard, Leona Richardson, Marco Diaz, Cherina Duckworth, Dyamond Thurmond, La'Kayla Cheatham, Brianna Shipley, Ahmil Berry, Tori White, Kate Ingram, Mikayla Baker-Codrington, Villani Freeman, Jeremiah Brown, Antionna Pullin and Luis Vargas.

• We want to thank everyone that participated in our African-American History Museum and Career Fair. We had representatives from the following organizations: Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Kao Brands Inc., University of Cincinnati, Envision Learning Center, Allstate Insurance, Mercy Medical Associates, City of Forest Park, Forest Park Police Department, Social Security, Environment Protection Agency, Children's Hospital, Winton Woods City Schools and more. Our students gained a lot of good ideas about their future. We appreciate each of our presenters for their time and talents.

Winton Woods Primary News:

March

• 7 Early Kindergarten Registration begins for 2011/12 • 8 PS Open House & Art Gallery with the Superintendent -7:00 p.m. • 13 Daylight Savings Time - Spring forward one hour • 14-18 Grade 2 Terra Nova Testing • 17 PN Popcorn Day • 17 PS PTA Donuts with Dad • 18 PN Movie Night - 6:30 p.m. • 20 First Day of Spring • 22 PN/PS Spring Picture Day - Lifetouch • 22-Apr 1 Spring Break - No School

• Last week the primary schools celebrated NEA's "Read Across America Day" and Dr. Seuss's 107th birthday. Did you know that Dr. Seuss's real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, and he was born on March 2, 1904? His first job was to draw cartoons of bugs for a bug spray called "Flint." He wrote his first story while on a ship to go with the rhythm of the ship's engine. The book was called And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. He died at the age of 87. Adults may enjoy his last book, You're Only Old Once. Which is your favorite Dr. Seuss Book?”

• Primary North is proud to announce the 2011 Art Show winners who will be honored at the next WWCS Board meeting on Monday, March 21. Congratulations on a job well done!

• Superintendent’s Award goes to Caden Sanders - ”Under the Sea” (shown) • Principal’s Award goes to Eddie Tompkins - “Kaleidoscope Insects” • Honorable Mention is awarded to James Djangmah - “Kaleidoscope Insects” • Honorable Mention is awarded to Devon Greene – “Flag & Fireworks” • Honorable Mention is awarded to Coby Rader - “Asian Landscape” • Honorable Mention is awarded to John Schaeper - “Warhol Multiples”

Next month the WWPS Art Show winners will be announced after the PS Open House and Art Gallery with the Superintendent that took place on March 8.

• Important News for Parents and Students: The "Revised February 2011" lunch menu will be posted soon on the WWCS website with changes for the remainder of the year at http://www.wintonwoods.org/departments/nutrition-services/menus-2010- 11. The primary schools will announce the next day’s menu the day before, during the afternoon/dismissal announcements.

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of February 21: Leonne Ngoyi, Karina Williams and Jawan Sharpe. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Townsell's second grade class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates. Also, congratulations to Rafael Hernandez, Deaquan Wilcox and Bryanna Annang for earning the "Good Character Award" for the week of March 1 and to Mrs. Sentker's second grade class for receiving the Classroom award.

• WWPN music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that Mrs. Stone's first grade received the Music Class Award the week of February 28, and Mrs. Sentker’s/Vandivier’s Class A for earning the award for the week of March 1.

• On any given morning if you were to walk down the halls of Primary South you might run into Veda Powell, Amy Wright, Audrey Hawley or Pam Williams. Although all four of these former first grade teachers are officially retired, they continue to come to our school three to four times a week to volunteer in Carol Voss's first grade classroom. Because of the continued time and care given by these dedicated teachers, the students in Mrs. Voss's class receive extra assistance in reading recovery, smaller group sizes to focus on skills and one-on-one tutoring. Last year these women were honored by the state in recognition of their dedication to teaching children, and we would like them to know that we feel incredibly grateful for all that they do to help make Primary South a great school!

WWC PTA News:

• WWC PTA monthly board meetings feature a guest speaker or topic, general WWC PTA business, and a review of activities and events taking place in each of our district’s six school buildings. PTA business begins at 7:00 p.m., and our guest speakers begin at approximately 7:30/7:45 p.m. Please join us this Monday, March 14, in room 125 at Winton Woods High School for a presentation and Q&A session with our pre-engineering program teachers: Myrtis Smith, Project Lead the Way program teacher at Winton Woods High School and Heather Edler, Gateway to Technology program teacher at Winton Woods Middle School. Learn about the courses available to students at WWMS and WWHS, as well as Winton Wood’s iSpace Robotics and FIRST LEGO League competition teams. Does your student love robotics and computer programming? Would you like your student to gain experience in teamwork, project planning, and problem solving? These are just a few of the skills students in the pre- engineering program can excel in. Please join us and discover more about this fantastic program sponsored through Great Oaks.

Upcoming WWC PTA meeting dates:

Monday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. (WWHS Library) - How to Create “Math Geeks.” Wondering how to help your student excel in math? Have questions about the math curriculum at Winton Woods? This is your opportunity to ask the district’s Teaching and Learning Department. Information about the new WWMS math curriculum, “Connected Math,” will also be available. WW Math Department

*Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. (WWHS Library) - School Safety Presentation (Please note that the presentation will include a video that covers topics such as the Columbine High School shootings and includes violence and language not suitable for young children.) Forest Park/Greenhills/Springfield Township Police Depts.

*Please note change in date and topic from original PTA meeting schedule.

Refreshments will be served. Children are welcome – please see note regarding May 17th meeting. For additional information or if you have questions, please contact WWC PTA President Paula Kuhn at 742-5591 or [email protected].

• Dessert Bonus Days are back! When you purchase Market Day desserts, you help our organization earn extra profit. Simply place your order online at marketday.com or return your completed order form to school. It’s that easy!

Return your order form to school by Thursday, March 24 or order online at marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, April 2. These orders will be ready to pick up on Thursday, April 7 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Winton Woods Intermediate School. Please note that we have moved our pick up day to Thursday this month due to spring break.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

Alumni News:

• Two athletes with district connections made the list of top local multisport athletes in The Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday, March 6. Congratulations to Carlton Gray, Forest Park High School alumnus (1989), who was honored as #19 on the list of "Top 100 Local Boys' MultiSport Athletes. Gray was a Parade/USA Today football All-American; state track champ (400 relay); and McDonald's basketball All-American. Gray was drafted in second round from UCLA and played nine years in the NFL. Winton Woods High School alumnus Dayeesha Hollins (2009) was honored as #28 on the list of "Top 50 Local Girls' Multisport Athletes." Hollins was first team all-state in basketball and a Michigan signee. She is a local track record holder in the 400 and was the Wolverines' starting point guard as a freshman before transferring to UC.

• Casey Smith, a 1994 Winton Woods High School graduate, received an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards as the production designer for the short film God of Love, which won in the category of Best Short Film (Live Action). Smith’s credits also include his work as the assistant art director for the movie Percy Jackson— The Lightning Thief.

Smith got his start in scenic design at Winton Woods High School as part of the stage crew on numerous shows. He attended the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in scenic design and also studied at New York University. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Community News:

• There will be a Spring Break Day Camp for students in kindergarten through sixth grade run by IMPACT (Improvement Made by People Aging in a Community Together). The camp will be held at Forest Chapel United Methodist Church, 680 W. Sharon Rd., from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day. The cost is $85.00 and includes lunch. Activities include sports, storytelling, sketching and baking—now and then. Benefits of this program are: Children benefit from the extra nurturing and attention and learn about aging and lifespan development. Seniors benefit from the sense of being needed and appreciated and experience a positive, calming effect in the setting in which they work. For more information, or to register, call 825- 3040.

March 16, 2011

Quote of the week:

Plan for the future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.

Mark Twain

Winton Woods High School News:

• The Warrior boys basketball team (Sectional and District Champions) will play tonight at 8:00 p.m. vs. LaSalle High School at the Xavier University Cintas Center. It’s expected that LaSalle will have a full house. Come on out and show your Warrior spirit!

Tickets will be on sale in the athletic office from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. today. Tickets are general admission, $6 in advance and $8 at the gate.

There are still 'Warrior Basketball' shirts for sale in the athletic office (Sizes - Adult Large - Adult XL, $7; Adult 2XL - Adult 3XL, $8).

Let's Go Warriors!

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School senior Jeremy Prater who was one of three local students who were recognized for their achievements in math and science by the trustees of Springfield Township at the trustee meeting on March 8. Several students in each Springfield Township school district were nominated by their teachers, principals and school counselors yet only one student was selected in each district to receive the Math and Science Award. This award recognized students who show exceptional accomplishments in the mathematics and/or science curriculum.

In his nomination, Prater is described as “resourceful, personable, considerate, prepared and accomplished. These words are among those which describe Jeremy. This student leader is highly respected by the Winton Woods High School staff and his peers. He is a valued member of our school's advanced placement and music programs. Jeremy's determination and people skills allow him to stand out from the crowd.

“Jeremy Prater is one of our top students and has achieved the honor roll and Student of the Month, and has received the Top Student Award for his accomplishments in American History. He is ranked 31st out of 301 students in his class and carries a 3.5 weighted GPA. Jeremy is currently taking AP Calculus as well as AP Physics and has completed AP American History. Recently he scored 29 on the Math and Science sections of the ACT test. He is a member of the Varsity Ensemble and is a first chair cellist. Jeremy is also involved with the Top Teens of America program, giving his time to work in our community at places including the Ronald McDonald House and the Boys and Girls Club of Cincinnati. This year Jeremy was named to the National Nominating Committee for the Top Teens of America Program.

• Winton Woods High School is known its multi-cultural opportunities and pursuit of global understanding. Over the years, many students from other countries have experienced life here for a school year as an exchange student. This year, families have opened their homes and hearts to Annaclara (Italy), Ketsirin (Thailand), Tae Hoon (South Korea), Po Hsiang (Taiwan), and Nele (Germany). They have had marvelous experiences here making memories and friendships that will last forever.

Cindy Marcou, EF exchange coordinator at Winton Woods High School, is looking for families who would be interested in hosting a student for next school year. “You can chose according to their interests, age, and your family desires,” said Marcou. “Students come from Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Slovakia, and many more countries. You do not need to speak their language, just be open to learning about a new culture and willing to share yours.”

The placement process is in full swing and families can get to know their new "family member" now. Please call Cindy Marcou at 522-3264 for more information.

• They may not have come out as winners, but Winton Woods High School football coach Andre Parker and players (l-r) Walter Richardson, Cory Webber and Brendan Gordon earned money for the athletic department as part of the wing-eating contest at Riley’s Restaurant in Springdale. The “Battle to the Bone” Buffalo Chicken Wing Eating Contest took place on February 22 with teams from Winton Woods High School, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and Roger Bacon High School competing for a $250 donation toward the scholarship of their choice. While the Spartans won the contest, the Warriors earned $89 for food sales brought in by Warrior families and community members who attended the event.

• The academic achievements of 37 students at Winton Woods High School were recognized at the school’s 49th Annual Community School Achievement Committee (CSAC) awards banquet on Tuesday, March 8. The CSAC is sponsored by the Forest Park Women’s Club and is a cooperative venture of many organizations in the Winton Woods School District. It was first organized by Harry Kilb, a 1945 graduate of Greenhills High School, to honor students at both Greenhills and Forest Park High Schools.

To be eligible for an award, students had to achieve a grade point average of 3.5 out of 4.0 for the first semester of the current year and at least 3.0 for the second semester of the preceding year. Students may have no semester grade below a “B” in all subjects except physical education.

First Year Award winners were: Nyisha Avery, Taylor Baird, Anthony Boateng, Emily Capal, Chivorn Chap, Victoria Clark, Jasmine Daniels, Sarah Drees, Christopher Frisby, Stacia Hackmann, Sarah Harig, James Hunter, Jasmine Jones, Marie Koala, Emeral Lyles, Errienna McKenzie, Andrew Meeks, Sabrina Mercer, Elise Mills, Mary Moore, Sandy Nguyen, Olivia Nightingale, Jessica Perry, Katie Schmittou, Janelle Tucker, Amisha Walton, Shanice Wiechman and Cassie Yery.

Second Year Award winners were: Lachelle Brooks, Emily Cleary, Taqueisha Evans, Suniti Nelson, Justin Taylor and Andrew Topits.

Third Year Award winners were: Christina Ingle, Corey Stewart and Wynta White.

The 2011 Service Award was presented to senior Tiffany Peterson, Winton Woods High School Student Council president, senior class vice-president, a member of National Honor Society, a Student Ambassador, president of Warriors for Christ, and a member of Gospel Keys and Step Club. Peterson was involved in the district’s 2009 levy campaign and the 2010 strategic planning meetings and has volunteered at Parent Academy Night, Miami University College Fair, Messiah Lutheran Simple Service Saturday, and SOUL Ministries Canned Food Drive.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Congratulations to eighth grader Jared Beiersdorfer who will represent Winton Woods Middle School at the state level of the National Geographic Bee. After winning the school level bee, Jared took the state level qualifying test which consisted of 70 multiple- choice questions pertaining to all different aspects of geography. The top 100 students in the state of Ohio, based on their scores, qualified for the state level bee.

The state bee will take place on Friday, April 1at the Ohio State University Mansfield Campus. One winner will emerge from the state bee and go on to compete in the national competition held in Washington, D.C. on May 24 and 25. Good luck, Jared!

• Rehearsals have begun for this year’s Winton Woods Middle School music show, MASSABILITY 2011: In Memory of Michael Jackson, which will take place in the school auditorium on Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.

“Seventh and eighth grade students have been preparing after school and on weekends,” said Winton Woods Middle School choir director Janna Frank. The show will present renditions of: “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Man In the Mirror,” “Human Nature,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Say Say Say,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Rockin’ Robin,” “We Are the World,” and “Thriller.” Feature soloists are Simone Anthony, Nick Purdin, Delaney Lindeman, Aujah Taylor, Alex Kuhn, Anna Clark, Ryan Capal, Erezi Ikeneku, Kamiy Bomar, and Iziah McCoy. “These students have put in extra time to make their tribute to the King of Pop both worthy and memorable,” said Frank.

The cost of this year’s show is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. “I encourage our families and community members to come out and celebrate the music of Michael Jackson and the power it still has to unite everyone in song,” said Frank.

• Eighth grade Spanish students at Winton Woods Middle School will have an opportunity to learn how to Salsa. Mimi Khayo, Title 1 Reading Specialist, and Winton Woods High School Senior Counselor Kevin Jones will give lessons during class on Thursday, March 24 to during sixth and eighth bells.

The students will learn about the history of Salsa before the lessons. They will listen to examples of Salsa music and some of the other types of music--like Merengue and Són--which influenced it.

• Some staff members at Winton Woods Middle School met this week with Karen Homan, Winton Woods City School’s director of child nutrition services, to discuss eco-friendly ideas at the school. “We will be working together to try to reduce waste, recycle, garden and also discuss thoughts on healthy foods,” said healthy and physical education teacher Mallory Gardner. “Some of the ideas and changes we will be making in the near future have great promise. In an effort to reduce waste in the lunch room, we will be experimenting with decomposable paper boats rather than the disposable Styrofoam trays that pile up in the landfill. We will also begin a compost pile at our school to make rich soil out of our everyday waste. To introduce healthy snack alternatives, we are working with Nutrition Services and our food provider to sample healthy snacks for our students. We will be looking into garden bed materials and picking up a greenhouse for our school to begin gardening. Many of these new earth- friendly ideas we have for our cafeteria and our school will need the help and insight of some of our students, therefore we will be offering an eco- club in the near future.”

• Students raced their dragsters Friday after following the design process to try and create the fastest dragster in the class. Students that turned in a permission slip and passed a safety test with a grade of 100% drilled and cut out their dragsters with the class band saw, scroll saw, and drill press.

• Six Winton Woods Middle School students traveled with art teacher Patty New to the Scholastic Arts Opening in Covington, Kentucky after a record-setting number of them were chosen to exhibit their art in the prestigious exhibit. Pictured by the Gold Key award-winning batik artwork of Jina James are (bottom, l-r) Jae'len Summerous and Jack'ara Blankumsee; (middle, l-r) Juan Fernandez and Kassidy Kozinski; (top, l-r) Jina James and Laura Sneed.

• Twenty-six art students from Winton Woods Middle School traveled to Funke Fired Pottery to work with professional sculptors and create functional pottery from the pottery wheel. Students sharpened their analytical skills by breaking down instructions, then returned to their own wheel to spin and construct bowls, cups and vases. A full day of one-on-one instruction resulted in all 26 students successfully creating a useable and personal work of art. Kassidy Kozinski is shown at her potter’s wheel.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

17- Student Council Meeting 18- March Madness—Wear your favorite college team shirt. Report cards go home. 20- First day of spring!

Spirit Week and Sixth Grade International Awareness Week 21- Hat Day 22- Sunglasses Day 23- Vacation T-shirt Day 24- Wacky Mix and Match Day 25- Hawaiian Day Academic All-Star Luau

23- WWIS Honor Roll Celebration 25- WWIS Student of the Month Breakfast 28- Spring Break Begins WWIS Market Day Pick-up APRIL 4- Students Return to School

• Congratulations to the following WWIS Students of the Month: Orange All Stars: Aaron Gardner- Aaron is a responsible young man. He turns his homework in on time each week and works during all work times. Aaron’s teachers can always count on him to make a good choice. Jennifer Rios- Jennifer is a great student to have in class. She is always respectful to adults and to her peers and is willing to help anyone who needs it. Everyday Jennifer is ready for class with her supplies and homework. Emerald Eagles: Brianna Shannon- Briana works very hard in class everyday. She is a conscientious student who makes sure all of her assignments are turned in. Karen Sanchez- Karen is a hard worker who makes sure to turn in all of her assignments. She is respectful to teachers and students and a pleasure to have in class. Blue Blazers: Zaria Lee- Zaria has been a model Warrior since the beginning of school. Her hard work and dedication is evident in her grades and relationships with others in the school. Zaria continues to be an active participant in classroom discussions and completes all assignments that are given to her. On top of all this she takes part in many extra-curricular activities. We hope she keeps up the hard work! Amari Morrison- Amari has really been focusing on her academic achievement this month. Amari has exhibited the true aspects of a Mighty Warrior learner. She completes all tasks that are asked of her but is never afraid to ask questions when she does not understand. We appreciate all of Amari’s hard work and hope she keeps it up because we see big achievements in her future! Purple Panthers: Chardai Moss- Chardai Moss is an excellent student. She works very hard everyday and enjoys helping around the classroom. She is always respectful and considerate of others. She is a pleasure to teach in the classroom and a great example of a Winton Woods Warrior. Congratulations Chardai Moss! Courtnei Goins- Courtnei is an outstanding student. She works very hard everyday and enjoys helping other students learn. She is always respectful and a pleasure to teach in the classroom. We are so proud of Courtnei. Congratulations! Specials: Chyna Rhodes- Chyna has made significant improvement in specials. She has become a very responsible young lady. She does her work quietly and has begun to take pride in the outcome of her projects. Chyna participates in class discussions and helps others around her. Isis Clack- Isis is a responsible student. She participates in class and does her best. She is very respectful and always wants to help out.

• Congratulations to sixth grader student Jahari Muhammad for winning first place in her division at the 9th Annual Tri-State All-Stars 2011 Open Karate Tournament on Saturday, March 12. She received two trophies for her technique and competition.

• On Friday, March 4 WWIS students in the Emerald Eagles visited the Cleopatra Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. All sixth grade students have learned about Ancient Egypt in their World Cultures and Geography Social Studies Course. This provided an opportunity for our students to enrich their understanding by viewing actual artifacts and an OmniMax film. We would like to thank Marsha Myers, Lauren Sweeney, and Genice Peterson for coordinating this event and a special thanks to our 12 parent and family chaperones. Pictured students are Noah Smith, David Beall, and Rourke Tekulve enjoying lunch at the Cincinnati Museum center.

• Third quarter report cards will go home with all students on Friday, March 18. You will also find student learning contracts for all students. These contracts include your child's progress on the Practice Ohio Achievement Assessment which has been given throughout the school year. Please discuss these results with your child and help set a goal for the upcoming assessment.

The Ohio Achievement Assessment will be given at Winton Woods Intermediate School beginning the week of Monday, May 2. Our fifth grade students will be tested in Reading, Math, and Science; and our sixth grade students will be tested in Reading and Math. Please contact the school if you have any questions.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Cris Cornelssen, science teacher at Winton Woods Elementary School, has been named the 2011 Elementary Science Teacher of the Year by the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society. “Cris, a 14-year veteran science teacher, has combined her love of kids and love of science with organizational skills and instructional creativity to provide an outstanding educational experience in science for fourth and fifth graders at Winton Woods Elementary School,” said Phil Christenson, chair of the awards committee. Cornelssen will be honored at the group’s April 13 meeting, which is an educational award banquet.

“Cris Cornelssen is a very caring, diligent and highly motivated educator,” said her former principal Steve Denny, who is now executive director of accountability and business affairs for Winton Woods City Schools. “Cris teaches science in an elementary science laboratory which she created and which emphasizes student inquiry in teaching science. Her lessons are taught to over 500 students in 22 different classrooms.”

Cornelssen, who graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, now serves as an instructor in science education at the university. Other activities outside of her Winton Woods classroom include her association with the Center for Chemistry Education (CCE) since 1993. There she has taught workshops and participated as a Master teacher in CCE professional development programs for teachers. Since 2002 she has shared what Denny describes as “her expertise and hands-on, minds-on science teaching activities” with her peers in the Ohio Board of Regents project “Advancing Ohio’s Physical Science Proficiency Program,” which is facilitated by CCE.

In 2009 Cornelssen was honored by the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District with their "Outstanding Recycling Educator" award for her help in securing a $10,000 grant from Walmart to develop a land lab at Winton Woods Elementary, her support of the Forest Park Environmental Awareness Program’s Environmental High IQ Bowl, and her help with the school’s paper recycling program and with the Rumpke Recycle Challenge.

“Cris has demonstrated exceptional instructional ability and expertise in science,” said Denny. “She has made outstanding contributions to the Winton Woods community as well as to the larger regional educational community. I consider her to be one of the finest educators with whom I’ve had the pleasure of serving.”

• Family Math and Science Night at WWES was a huge success! Students and their parents had the opportunity to engage in many different math and science activities from analyzing animal sounds, making "goo" to playing cool math games. We want to thank all of our staff members and volunteers that were able to make this event great!

• March Madness reaches a fever pitch here at Winton Woods Elementary! Our O.A.A. Reaching New Heights Benchmark Challenge continues this week as we take the Spring Benchmark (OAA Practice Test). The percentage of students passing in reading and math will be totaled for each grade to create a score for that grade. We have had two rounds of exciting action so far. Round 1 was our Fall Benchmark which went to the Little Warriors of Grade 3. Round 2, however, went to the Young Warriors of Grade 4. Who will win this final round and the coveted Benchmark Trophy? Our final OAA practice test is this week, and this is anyone's game! Go Warriors!

• Students are encouraged to wear their green uniform shirts on Thursday, March 17 to help celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

• The WWES Spring Marketplace will take place on Wednesday, March 23. The combination of Warrior Bucks raised from the Winter and Spring Marketplaces will determine which homerooms will participate in the StEP event at the University of Cincinnati.

Winton Woods Primary News:

• Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring & Citizenship-- these are the pillars of character in our Character Counts program! At Winton Woods Primary South we truly believe that "Character Counts," and we take every opportunity to celebrate good character. Each month every teacher nominates one student from their class who exemplifies the characteristic we are working on that month. On a daily basis students and staff members are encouraged to give each other a "helping hand" for any random act of kindness or good show of character. Even in an environment built on these pillars of character it is not always easy to do the right thing. Standing up to your peers can be a scary, but students like second grader Sa'de Russell are here to show that character is stronger than any bully! Sa'de was nominated by her second grade teacher Michelle Ronan for "standing up to a group of students who were making fun of another child." From all of us at Primary South we would like to say, "Thank you Sa'de for your strength and kindness! You are our hero!”

• On the evening of March 8, Winton Woods Primary South had an "Evening of Art with Dr. Nasbe." Award-winning artwork created by our students was displayed in the lobby and hallways of the school, and parents were invited to come and be dazzled by the talent of their children. Principal Tonya Bray gave a PowerPoint presentation on the progress students have made this year, examples of how students are taught and evaluated, and a review of future plans for the school. After the presentation, the art winners were asked to come forward and receive their awards from art teacher Katie Forney. It was a fun night of culture "primary style." Congratulations to our art winners and thanks to all of the parents for their support!

• This week the second grade students at Primary North and Primary South will be taking the Terra Nova test, so on behalf of the teachers we wish all of you the best of luck!

• Last week the Primary schools celebrated NEA's "Read Across America Day" and Dr. Seuss's birthday. Happy 107th Birthday Dr. Seuss! Primary South had the privilege of being in a partnership with Sylvan Learning Center. Along with tutoring some of our kindergarten students throughout the year, staff members from Sylvan gave an assembly on Thursday, March 3 to WWPS students to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The Sylvan staff members came to read and help students act out the book, The Sneeches. At the conclusion of the assembly each of the students was given a goodie bag, and each teacher received a copy of the book Green Eggs and Ham. Thank you Sylvan Learning Center for your help and inspiration!

Fun Facts: Did you know that Dr. Seuss's real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, and he was born on March 2, 1904? His first job was to draw cartoons of bugs for a bug spray called "Flint." He wrote his first story while on a ship to go with the rhythm of the ship's engine. The story was called And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. He died at the age of 87. Adults may enjoy his last book You're Only Old Once. Which is your favorite Dr. Seuss Book?

• The following students from Primary South have been honored for having Perfect Attendance for the third quarter of school. They each received a certificate.

Kindergarten Students are: Joseph Augustine, Richard Bedford, Sydney Bond, Makayla Cunningham, Solomon Davis, Puja Gautam, Tiara Goodloe, Nevaeh Griffis, Latonya Henderson, Kaitlyn Jackson, Jada Jones, Raven Lynn, Avree McGhee, De'Niyah Parms, Rheagan Reid, Rey Rios-Cruz, Sierra Robertson, Ohenmaa Sarfo-Bonsu, Tavon Simonds, and Savon Tubbs First grade students are: Diman Batoma, Trinity Batton, Zyhon Bell, Avery Bond, Derrian Brown, RJ Brown, Renia Butts, Sam Courter, Brandon Ferry, Lauryn Fowler, Dawson Frisby, Sagar Gautam, S'Yaire Gilbert, Tayeshean Jackson, Nilaja Johnson, Versah Khan, Jamahl McClain, Kierra Morris, Kyara Reeves, Tyo'nna Ross-Ferrell, Collins Sabotka, Taylor Sneed, Asia Stokes, Damarion Stone, Paris Weems, and Talia White Second Grade students are: Faith Augustine, Winiga Batoma, Kaiya Batton, Larry Byndon, Charles Carr, Emanuel Cue, Antwone Davis, Bobby Dingle, RJ Engleman, Desmond Graves, Devin Irby, Shemiah Jackson, Mia Johnson, Michael Jones, Hayden Kohlbrand, Neleh Lamb, Zaire Lee, Kevin Lynn, Kaylen McCloud, Arielle Mundy, De'Yanna Powell, Dante Robinson, Beverly Ross-Ferrell, Paige Schaber, Autumn Shaw, Summer Shaw, Samba Sy, Caleb Belser, and Khalil Williams

Winton Woods Community PTA:

• National PTA® recently released the Parents’ Guide to Student Success. The Guide provides information on the Common Core State Standards in mathematics and English language arts that have been adopted by more than 40 states and how the standards can be used to improve children’s educational achievements. The Guide illustrates how parents play a key role in this effort.

The Guide is designed to inform interested parent leaders about how the standards are put into place at the state and district levels. There is a Guide for each grade (K-8) and two for grades 9–12 (one for English language arts/literacy and one for mathematics). The 11 individual Guides are also available in Spanish. Although many states have adopted the standards, implementation is still in the very early stages. Once the standards are implemented, a key part of the work will be to help teachers and parents talk about and understand how the standards can be used to improve children’s educational achievements. The Guide is a great tool that PTAs, departments of education, and school districts can use to make the standards understandable to parents and family members.

To view the Parents' Guide and learn more information about Ohio and Common Core State Standards, visit www.ptacommoncore.org.

April 13, 2011

Quote of the week:

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. Pierre de Coubertin

District News:

• Gifted and Talented Art nomination forms, as well as other important information, can be found on the district website under the “Spotlights” section.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Please join us in the Winton Wood High School auditorium this weekend for the spring musical, Annie. Performances are Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $7.00 and $8.00 and are available at the door. Pictured are Miss Hannigan (Kaitlin Otto), Annie (Sarah Drees) and Daddy Warbucks (Corey Stewart).

Many students have been staying after school to rehearse lines and staging, build sets and focus lights, or practice instrumental parts. These daily rehearsals often last as long as the entire school day—up to six or seven hours with just a break for dinner. Why do they do it? Because they share a love for the stage and a commitment to one another; plus they share in the long-standing tradition here at Winton Woods High School of presenting some of the best shows in Cincinnati!

• Plans are under way for the 2011Senior Reflections, an annual parent- sponsored event at Winton Woods for graduating seniors to reflect on their relationships with classmates and family and the many years leading up to graduation. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Forest Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 680 West Sharon Road. Parents have the opportunity to submit photos of their student and order a DVD of the slide show presentation that takes place at this event. Please see attached flier for more details.

• Winton Woods High School wrestling coach Chris Willertz and three of his senior wrestlers went on their senior trip to Beaver Creek in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky over the April 1 weekend. “The purpose of the senior trip is one last initiation before they graduate,” said Willertz. “Roughing it is the primary condition for the trip to be a success. We camped and slept under the stars Friday and Saturday nights in 40 degree weather.”

The group, along with guide Jim Bissel, hiked all day, blazed their own trail for six hours, and covered approximately nine miles. “We purified our water which was taken from the Beaver Creek itself, ate very limited food, and, probably the harshest condition, forced the kids to give up their cell phones and I-pods,” said Willertz. “The boys had a chance to talk around the campfire after they cut the wood themselves, and I talked about the value of being a man of service. I know some revelations ensued.”

Pictured on the trip are (l-r) senior wrestler Dammon Johnson, senior wrestler Michael Johnson, coach Chris Willertz and his son Alexander, and senior wrestler Moges Tsegay.

• Winton Woods High School students are collecting items for disaster relief in Japan. Donations of bottled water, toiletries and non-perishable food items are being collected everyday this week in the lobby. Everything will be given to Matthew 25: Ministries and then sent to Japan.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Carla Roller's sixth bell seventh grade science class has been studying earthworms as part of their Diversity of Life series. Students have participated in a worm observation lab where they investigated the type of environment worms preferred. The students first made a hypothesis as to which environment the earthworms would prefer and then observed the earthworms in different environments (wet and dry, dark and light). The students also learned about the earthworm's digestive and circulatory systems. As a culminating activity, they dissected earthworms.

With the expert help of Susie McGraw, instructional assistant at Winton Woods Middle School and a certified master composter, the class will continue what they have learned in the Diversity of Life series and transfer it to their Ecology and Environment series. The students will learn all about vermicomposting, the utilization of red wiggler worms to eat leftovers, vegetables, fruits and coffee grounds that would normally be placed in a landfill. Red wiggler worms can eat four times their weight every day, producing an extremely powerful, enriched soil.

Mrs. Roller and Mrs. McGraw's students will collect leftover fruits and vegetables from the cafeteria to feed to the red wriggler worms, and the coffee grounds from the teacher's lounge will be recycled and added to the worm bin. The students will monitor the worms daily and feed them about thee times a week, or as needed. In approximately eight weeks there will be more red wiggler worms and pounds of nutritious soil called castings which will be added to the school’s raised bed gardens to add nutrients into the soil. Vermicomposting is wonderful for the environment. A single composting bin can keep about 200 pounds of organic matter from the landfill. Mrs. Roller and Mrs. McGraw's sixth bell science class is doing its part to make Winton Woods Middle School “green.”

• Winton Woods Middle School is collecting Campbell's Labels for Education and Box Tops for Education. These programs are a great way to earn free merchandise for our school. To participate in Campbell's Labels for Education, simply save the proofs of purchase (no longer the front label) from participating Campbell products and send them in to your child’s first bell teacher. To view all the Campbell products, go to www.labelsforeducation.com/participating-products.aspx.

The Box Tops for Education program helps the school earn 10 cents for each box top collected. The box tops have expiration dates so make sure the dates are current. Collect the box top icon on participating products such as General Mills cereals, Ziploc products, Huggies, Hefty products, Green Giant, Cottenelle and Pillsbury products. Go to www.boxtops4education.com to see all the participating products. All first bell classes are collecting labels and box tops until Friday, May 13. The class with the highest total will win an out-of-uniform day on Friday, May 20.

• At the start of next year, physical education classes at Winton Woods Middle School will be divided and offered as elective courses. There will also be the introduction of a few new courses including: fitness class (including weightlifting and cardio), dance class (counts, rhythm and design) and leisure studies class (golf, bowling, etc.).

There is a need for weight equipment and cardio equipment to make the first year of fitness class a success. If you, or someone you know, has equipment you are not using anymore and would be willing to donate to our physical education classes at Winton Woods Middle School, we would really appreciate it. Please contact physical education teachers Derek Christerson ([email protected]) or Mallory Gardner ([email protected]).

• Congratulations to this month’s "Students of the Month!" They are seventh graders Daniel Carson, Rehyna Hocker, DeShaun McGrone and Cindy Vivar Perez; and eighth graders Brandon Lee, Orlando Underwood, Michael Webster and Kayla Wiley.

To receive this award, students must be nominated by one of their teachers for good character or a noteworthy deed. The criteria for nomination includes, but is not limited to:

• Demonstrating leadership • Citizenship • Being a role model to their peers • Good grades or grade improvement • Attendance • School achievements • Outside of school recognition

• All PE/Health classes learned about the laws of alcohol and underage drinking when a police officer from the Ohio Department of Public Safety came to Winton Woods Middle School on Friday April 8 to speak on subject. The officer was both knowledgeable and informative and was very interactive and engaging for our students. It was a very beneficial day for all involved!

• Congratulations to Winton Woods Middle School Band and Orchestra students for a great day at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) District XIV Jr. High Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Event on Saturday, April 9. Winton Woods Middle School had a record number of events this year with 45.

A special thank-you to Jesse Rengers and Josh Kerobo who filled in for missing students. They each sight read parts on Saturday, allowing two ensembles to perform and receive a rating. Thank you to Alexis Ross who learned two additional pieces when conflicts arose with the original ensemble members. In addition, Band Director Kara Barbee and Orchestra Director Sarah Gardner would like to thank the private teachers, classroom assistants, special clinicians, and Winton Woods High School students who worked with solos and ensembles during class and after school to prepare for this event.

Students are rating on a scale of: I - Superior, II - Excellent, III - Good, IV - Fair, V - Poor

Rating I - Superior * Vocal Solo (grade 9) - Becca Day * Piano Solo (grade 8) - Jordan Randolph * Clarinet Solo (grade 8) - Dana Dawson * Bassoon Solo (grade 8) - Dayshana Bradley * Bassoon Solo (grade 7) - Parker Sarra * Viola Duet (grade 8) - Jordan Randolph and Jayla Huff * Viola Duet (grade 7) - Mariah Dennis and Kamiy Bomar * Snare Trio (grade 7) - Kayode Daboiku, Tyre Scott, Justin Moore * Clarinet Trio (grade 7) - Desarae Allen, Airres David, Gia Brown * Percussion Quartet (grade 8) - Kevin Austin, Jelani Vaughn, Jared Beiersdorfer, Michael Webster * Saxophone Trio (grade 8) - Josh Kerobo, Jackson Kramer, Justin Kerobo * Flute Quartet (grade 8) - Chantelle Thompson, Tiffany Doucette, Jazmine Edwards, Alexis Ross * Woodwind Quartet (grade 8) - Alexis Ross, Chantelle Thompson, Adrian Jones, Eduardo Santiago * Low Brass Trio (grade 7/8) - Austin Jones, Sarai Dean, Ty Anderson * Clarinet Trio (grade 7/8) - Laura Sneed, Delaney Lindeman, Kenan Barclay * Flute Trio (grade 7/8) - Kaylee Courter, Alexis Ross, Amari Jones * Clarinet Trio (grade 7) - Etsubdink Daniel, Whitney McKenzie, Jillian Harris * Woodwind Quartet (grade 8) - Tiffany Doucette, Kiara Ramsey, Dana Dawson, Dayshana Bradley

Rating II - Excellent * Tuba Solo (grade 8) - Sarai Dean * Clarinet Solo (grade 7) - Tiana Bane * Clarinet Trio (grade 7) - Amberly Stier, Brieal Rousseau, Azia Thompson * Violin Solo (grade 7) - Miranda Blasingame * Violin Solo (grade 8) - Tysha Morris * Violin Duet (grade 7) - Miranda Blasingame and Simone Anthony * Violin Trio (grade 7/8) - Matt Smith, Hayley Perkins, and Tori Collins * Saxophone Sextet (grade 8) - Kendra Jackson, Morgan Strupe, Jackson Kramer, Justin Kerobo, Noah Hill, Josh Kerobo * Saxophone Trio (grade 8) - Kendra Jackson, Morgan Strupe, Noah Hill * Brass Sextet (grade 7) - Tyshon Capell, Morgan Samuel, Hannah VanDyke, Zoraeda Cortes, Jorge Miranda, Ty Anderson * Brass Trio (grade 7) - Tyshon Capell, Hannah VanDyke, Zoraeda Cortes * Brass Quintet (grade 7/8) - Nick Purdin, Ryan Capal, Hannah VanDyke, * Jesse Rengers, Sarai Dean * Trombone Quartet (grade 8) - Jesse Rengers, Chiara Meier, TyJaye Capell, Tiffany Hudson * Clarinet Trio (grade 8) - Adrian Jones, Josh Wilson, Maya Wilmont * Saxophone Quartet (grade 7/8) - Ciera Knott, Josh Kerobo, Aliyah Horton, Jillian Lloyd * Clarinet Quartet (grade 8) - Kiara Ramsey, Tiana Bane, Shayla Broadnax, Emma Byrd * Percussion Sextet (grade 7) - Kayode Daboiku, Tyre Scott, Justin Moore, * Jordan Carpenter, Jade Hudson, Jake Miller * Trumpet Trio (grade 8) - Chris Garcia, Jina James, Lance Johnson * Clarinet Quintet (grade 7) - Kevin Jarmusik, Shanice Robbins, Alysha George, Cherish Moss, Erezi Ikeneku * Trumpet Trio (grade 7) - Jalen Lumpkin, Jae'len Summerours, Angel Cunningham * Clarinet Trio (grade 7/8) - Eduardo Santiago, Joshua King, Skylar Day * Saxophone Trio (grade 7) - Ciera Knott, Menyada Anderson, Paige Mack * Flute Trio (grade 7) - Linda Flores, Leah Smith, Zamantha Apolaya * Saxophone Trio (grade 7) - Alfaretta Harris, Brandon Showes, Mikala Sundin

Rating III - Good * Woodwind Trio (grade 7) - Kaylee Courter, Kevin Jarmusik, Parker Sarra

Festival Performance (not for a rating) * Violin Quartet (grade 8) - E'Yonni Tompkins, Anna Clark, Auna'y Miller, Tysha Morris * String Quartet (grade 7) - C.J. Stumpf, Jayson Booker, T.J. Wooton, Branden Holley

Winton Woods Intermediate School News

• Congratulations to Winton Woods Intermediate School’s D.A.R.E. Officer Krista Schmidt who was recently honored with the "Hamilton County Law Enforcement Appreciation and Achievement Award." Forest Park Police Department Sergeant Jim Ward and Chief Phil Cannon both nominated Schmidt for the award because of her dedication to children and the D.A.R.E. program. The award will be given to Schmidt at the 44th Annual Hamilton County Police Appreciation and Awards Banquet on May 10. Schmidt is pictured with some of her D.A.R.E. students at Winton Woods Intermediate School.

Winton Woods Primary News:

APRIL

• 11 PS "Spare Change Challenge" begins • 14 PN Fine Arts Night (6:30-8:00 p.m.) • 14 PS Fine Arts Night (7:00-8:30 p.m.) • 21 PS "Spare Change Challenge" ends • 22 Good Friday (No School) • 25 School Reopens

MAY

• 2 PN/PS Teacher Appreciation Day • 3 PN/PS Volunteer Appreciation Day • 12 PN Popcorn Day • 12 PN 2nd Grade Zoo Field Trip • 13 PN/PS All Library Books Returned • 9-13 PN/PS Right to Read Week • 9-13 PS Scholastic Book Fair (Primary South ONLY) • 23/24 PN 1st Grade Parky's Farm Field Trip • 24 Good Behavior Dance Party (Primary North ONLY) • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 31 Teacher Record Day

• Jennifer Blincoe, Primary North music teacher, is proud to announce that Mrs. Noel's first grade received the Music Class Award this week.

• Fine Arts Night is coming to Primary North and Primary South. Families are cordially invited to the schools on Thursday, April 14.

Primary North 6:30-8:00 p.m. Primary South 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Primary North first and second grade students need to arrive by 6:30 p.m. Students will report directly to their classrooms to get changed into their flag t- shirts for the program. Students must be wearing shoes that have a secure backing as there will be movement in their show (no flip-flops, slip-ons, or clogs). Any friends or family members arriving at that time are invited to visit the Fine Arts wing to view students’ art work or to tour the rest of the school where other projects will be displayed. All audience members need to be seated in the gym by 6:30 p.m. for the start of the music program. Please park in the front of the building; excess parking will need to be on the adjacent streets. After the show concludes at 8:00 p.m., there will be light refreshments offered in the lobby areas of the school provided by WWPN PTA.

• Each month students are nominated for demonstrating good character traits. This month first grader Seven Duckworth and second grader Moatiz Sabahat were nominated. Congratulations to both students.

Nancy Bleisch nominated first grader Seven Duckworth for the character trait of integrity. She writes: "I see Seven before and after school, at lunch time and recess, and once a week for science and an extended art period. Seven shows great respect for teachers at all times. He looks directly at the speaker and listens attentively. He displays responsibility by following directions and doing his best when completing tasks. He is always cooperative and willing to participate in all activities. If he has trouble completing a task, I have seen him try and try again, with positivity and resourcefulness. Seven is kind and generous to others. He does not become involved in disputes or disruptive behavior, even during recess. Classmates respond well to Seven's friendly, caring, and helpful attitude, and as a result, he is a well-liked and an admired role model. Seven has an innate sense of right and wrong and makes good choices. This makes him a trustworthy member of our school. For these reasons and many others, I am pleased to recognize Severn Duckworth as a young man of integrity.”

Essie Sterling recognized Moatiz Sabahat. She writes: "Integrity is what is inside a person, but it is reflected on the outside by Moatiz's actions. At Primary North our social skill lessons promote responsibility, perseverance, respect, kindness and honesty. Moatiz Sabahat exemplifies all of these character traits, which makes him a sincere and genuine person of integrity. An excellent way that second graders show they are being responsible is by completing and returning their homework. Moatiz likes to attach additional work to his homework. He also shows he is responsible by producing quality work. He writes neatly, includes details, and elaborates to prove this reasoning. Moatiz shows perseverance because he continues to think of other possibilities when problem solving. Moatiz is an enthusiastic learner who asks questions, trying to learn more. He also volunteers to help others learn by working as a partner. Moatiz lives by the golden rule and shows integrity by using the words ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘excuse me’ while treating other with respect and kindness." • Three simple words showed great bravery when first grader Mackenzie Cushard used “brave talk” on the bus and received a “hand” on the tree of character. When asked about what happened, Mackenzie said, in the matter-of-fact voice of a child who was just telling of any other event in her day, that two kids were picking on one of the other kids on the bus, and she told them to “leave her alone.” Sounds simple, right? We all know that it is anything but simple! Mackenzie is a true hero to the child she stood up for, and she is has shown that we must stand together against bullies. Just three little words made all the difference. Thank you, Mackenzie!

• ARF - The Musical is coming to Winton Woods Primary South on April 14. Winton Woods Primary South music teacher Lynn Porter has worked tirelessly to rewrite, direct and produce ARF and many past productions at the school. At the end of this school year, she will be handing in her music sheets for the hot sandy beaches. Mrs. Porter will retire with 35 years in education. She has been an asset to our school, district and community, and we will truly miss her presence and her love for music and the arts. So on April 14, please come and support our second grade students as we celebrate the arts and say good-bye to a dear friend and dedicated teacher.

Thank you to the parents and grandparents of the main part students who sacrificed a lot time to bring their children to school at 8:00 a.m. on school days and weekends. This was a major inconvenience, and we truly appreciate their effort. Also, many of our parents have volunteered to assist with make-up, costumes and anything else we may have needed. And we appreciate all of Primary South's teachers and staff for their help during this process as they contacted parents and sacrificed a lot of their time and space as well.

Three special people deserve personal recognition: Kim Hairston, Joyce Harrison and Gary Olbert. Ms. Hairson and Ms. Harrison constructed and designed the musical set. Mr. Olber used his creativity for sound effects, lightening, and music.

Lynn Porter has been a music teacher in Winton Woods City Schools for the past 27 ½ years. Before coming to our district, Mrs. Porter worked for West Clermont Local School District for nine years. So after 36 ½ years of teaching music, it should not come as a surprise to any of us that she is retiring. Mrs. Porter has a Master’s Degree in Music and Voice, and teaches classes at the Communication Institute for Training and Development offered through Walsh University. She is a very talented musician, and we have been lucky to have such a dedicated and wonderful music teacher for so many years. We wish her well in retirement and hope she has many new adventures. And what will she do? “Sing more,” become involved in community theater, get more involved in her church, and travel to Portland to visit her son and to Chicago to visit her daughter and her two grandchildren. Music and children seem to be a continuing theme in Mrs. Porter’s life. Good luck, Mrs. Porter! We will miss you!

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Winton Woods Community PTA Open Executive Board Positions

It’s that time of year to begin planning for the PTA offices for the 2011- 2012 school year. Your community school needs your talent and energy! Participating as an officer in the WWC PTA is a great way to become more involved with our district's educational programs and to strengthen the educational and extra-curricular opportunities for all our children.

The strength, the power and the success of our children’s schools and ultimately their education rests with parents as their strongest advocate. We are looking for several candidates to contribute their passion, ideas and energy to the success of our children. Nominations are still being accepted for open positions: President – open Vice President – open Recording Secretary – Jan Mavridoglou Corresponding Secretary – Debbie Day Treasurer – Eileen Mannira WWPN VP – open WWPS VP – open WWES VP – Stephanie Johnson WWIS VP – Leah Hassertt WWMS VP – Yvette Edwards WWHS – Paula Kuhn

Voting takes place May 17, 2011.

To find out more details, including the responsibilities and opportunities involved, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Bobbie Johnson: [email protected] or 544-3080 Leah Hassertt: [email protected] or 470-3875 Eileen Mannira: [email protected] or 851-3369

We look forward to hearing from you!

Community News:

• American Legion Post 530, 11100 Winton Rd., is having a Spring Fling Dance on Saturday, April 23. Entertainment provided by “Gil’s Variety Store.” Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the entertainment begins at 8:00 p.m. $5.00 cover charge.

• CARING FOR MOM - Free Seminar! Wednesday, May 18 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. **Light dinner will be provided** Location: The Grove Banquet Hall (9158 Winton Road) Register by calling 522-1154, or register online. Presented by Micki Fehring, RN, in partnership with West College Hill, North College Hill and Springfield Township Senior Centers

Caring for a parent comes with many challenges. Juggling between your child’s soccer game and your mother’s doctor’s appointments and managing to balance it all. Whether you are one of the 42 million people currently caring for an older adult or are just approaching the years when its time to take care of mom, this seminar will held guide you through resources you will need to make difficult decisions easier. Join us at Springfield Township’s Grove Banquet Hall to learn more about the vast options of care and tour through resources available to caregivers. Geriatric Care Manager Micki Fehring, RN, will cover information on:

• The stress of multi-generational care • Understanding the choices in care • How to pay for in-home care • Safety and independence

You will leave this series with a better understanding of the different types of care available and will be given a take-home resource guide. There will also be a series of follow-up sessions introduced that will focus more on one specific topic.(Dates for follow-up courses will be provided at the seminar.)

Micki Fehring has been a registered nurse for over 15 years and is currently a geriatric care manager for Care Advisers by Black Stone. Her role allows her to asses a patient’s needs, present the best choices of care and arrange for the care to begin.

Register Online at:

March 23, 2011

Quote of the week:

Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, “Make me feel important.” Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life. Mary Kay Ash

District News:

• The Winton Woods Board of Education voted unanimously at its meeting on March 21 to hire Randy Seymour as the new treasurer for the district. Seymour will start work on May 1, replacing Tom Golinar who has accepted a job with the Southwest School District.

“We are pleased that we found a person so deeply experienced in all aspects of public school finance,” said Board President John Pennycuff.

Seymour has been treasurer for the Milford Village Exempted School District since 2007. Before that he was treasurer at Northwest Local Schools from 1979-2007 and assistant treasurer there from 1977-1979.

• The Winton Woods Board of Education approved an open enrollment policy for the district at its February 28 meeting. The new policy permits the enrollment of students from any Ohio district in a Winton Woods school or program.

Applications for enrollment from students outside the Winton Woods district will be accepted each year from April 1 through August 1. Also beginning April 1, out-of-district eighth grade students may apply to be freshmen in the district’s new Academy of Global Studies. Applications will be considered as long as there are seats available in this first-of-its-kind high school program in Ohio.

• School districts throughout Ohio continue to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, birth through age 21. For children birth through age two, a disability means that child has a delay in one or more of the following developmental areas: adaptive behavior, cognition, communication, physical development, sensory development and/or social or emotional development.

For children ages three through five, a disability means that child has a documented deficit in one or more of the following developmental areas: communication skills, hearing abilities, motor functioning, social- emotional/behavior functioning or vision abilities.

For school-age students, a disability means a person having one or more conditions such as autism, developmental handicap, hearing handicap, multi-handicap, orthopedically and/or other health handicap, severe behavior handicap, speech and language handicap, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury or visual handicap.

Many unidentified children with disabilities are preschoolers.

If you know of a child who you think may have a disability, please contact:

Student Services/Special Education Department Winton Woods City School District 8 Enfield Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45218 (513) 619-2320

• Winton Woods City Schools invites public input on use of Title VIB Grant funds for special education students. Interested parties may call the Student Services Department at 619-2320 for information.

• Winton Woods City Schools will offer preschool services for a limited number of children, ages three, four and five, who are residents of the Winton Woods City School District. Tuition is $85.00 per month.

Winton Woods City Schools currently has five early childhood classes in operation. The Winton Woods program is separate from the Hamilton County Head Start Program. The district’s Early Childhood Center is located at Winton Woods Primary North, 73 Junefield Avenue in Greenhills, Ohio 45218. There are two morning classes and three afternoon classes. Classes are four days per week, Monday through Thursday. Our inclusionary classrooms serve children with special needs and typically developing children. Children with special needs may have difficulty with learning, talking, communicating, or walking or are developmentally behind in some way.

The district’s goal is to provide a quality early childhood education program for all children ages three through five years old. All of our teachers have masters degrees and are certified in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Our program has the benefit of an extended staff which includes a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and a speech pathologist.

The curriculum reflects our belief in established early childhood principles and the new educational academic standards.

Your child must be potty trained and be three years old (by August 31) through five years old. Please call the Winton Woods Enrollment Center at 619-2360 for more information if you are interested.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Choreographer Melody Nordmoe is busy working with Winton Woods High School students on the dance numbers for this year’s spring musical, Annie. The show will be presented on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets forms are available at

http://theater.wintonwoodsboosters.org/ at the bottom of the page.

• Women Leading Tomorrow (WLT), an after-school club at the high school, would like to thank all of the students and staff who participated in the American Heart Association Mini-Marathon events on Sunday, March 20. “Our entire team from across the district raised over $2600 for the American Heart Association to fight heart disease and stroke,” said Lisa Butts, district psychologist and one of the sponsors of WLT. “The Women Leading Tomorrow team consisted of students, teachers, our superintendent, other staff, a Winton Woods graduate, a Winton Woods retiree, friends and family. Our team was represented in several events of the day, including the half-marathon and 15K, in addition to the 5K/10K walks.”

Completing the 5K Walk were Winton Woods High School students Jasmine Byrd, Maya Smith, and Kayla Hunley, along with district nurse Cindy Marcou. Completing the 10K walk were students Amy Lindsey and Kierra Paddy, along with staff members Mary Burke, Lisa Butts, and Kaci Snell. Walking the 15K were teachers Ann Erhart and Ann McGahan. Congratulations to all participants!

• Winton Woods City School’s unbroken string of 36+ years of qualifying for OMEA state level competition remains intact. “We have qualified both a choir and a band for the OMEA state adjudicated event this year,” said Fine Arts Facilitator Dave Bell. “I am very pleased with the progress that every one of the ensembles made this year. It was tough getting them polished and ready to go for contest during OGT week, and the entire staff deserves a lot of credit.”

Group ratings at district contest were: Superior or #1 Rating Class AA - Varsity Ensemble Class B - Symphonic Band

Outstanding or #2 Rating Class B - Concert Choir Class C - Women's Choir Class C - Men's Choir

Good or #3 Rating Class C - Concert Band

OMEA State Adjudicated events will be held the weekend of April 29/30.

• Plans are under way for the 2011Senior Reflections evening. Senior Reflections is an annual parent-sponsored event at Winton Woods for graduating seniors to reflect on their relationships with classmates and family and the many years leading up to graduation. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Forest Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 680 West Sharon Road. Parents have the opportunity to submit photos of their student and order a DVD of the slide show presentation that takes place at this event. Please see attached flier for more details.

There is also a Senior Reflections parent meeting (senior parents needed) on Tuesday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Winton Woods High School library.

• Winton Woods baseball players and coaches will be on hand to serve customers at the Forest Park Skyline on Sunday, March 27 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. for the Winton Woods baseball fundraiser. During that time, 10% of sales and all tips will go directly to the Winton Woods baseball program. The restaurant is located at 1180 Kemper Meadow Drive. Come out and support the baseball Warriors! Hope to see you there!

• Winton Woods Athletic Boosters are now accepting nominations for the Winton Woods High School 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame. Nominations can be sent to: Dwight Campbell, Athletic Director, Winton Woods High School, 1231 W. Kemper Rd., Forest Park, OH 45240. Faxes will also be accepted at: 619-2417. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 1, 2011.

• The Winton Woods Music Boosters are looking to purchase a good used refrigerator and stove for the small concession stand. If you have one you would like to sell, please e-mail John Jordan at [email protected].

• Congratulations to the Warrior wrestlers receiving final awards for the 2010-2011 season: Most Valuable Wrestler – team captain Moges Tsegay (pictured with Coach Chris Willertz); Most Improved Wrestler – Dammon Johnson; Sportsmanship Award – Devon Graves; and Warrior Award – Connor Clark.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• MASSABILITY 2011: In Memory of Michael Jackson will take place in the Winton Woods Middle School auditorium tonight, Wednesday, March 23, and tomorrow night, Thursday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. The show will present renditions of many Michael Jackson songs including “I Want You Back,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “Smooth Criminal.” The cost of this year’s show is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. “I encourage our families and community members to come out and celebrate the music of Michael Jackson and the power it still has to unite everyone in song,” said Frank.

• The Winton Woods Middle School Student Council sponsored a door decorating contest in February for Black History Month. Alicia Sellins's homeroom class won first prize for their door honoring James Booker, a notable jazz musician. The door featured a student-drawn sketch of Mr. Booker playing the piano, student-researched biographical information, and an actual recording of his 1960 musical hit "Gonzo." As first prize winners, the class was treated last week to a pizza party thrown by Student Council. Everyone had an excellent time, and there was more pizza than the class could eat. Second place went to Katherine Sparke's homeroom class for their door featuring Carl Burton Stokes, and third place was won by Dave Clark's homeroom for their door honoring Grace Bumbry.

• The Winton Woods Middle School Athletic Department held its first reverse raffle this past Saturday night at Malloy’s. The big winners of the evening were:

$1000- Susie McGraw $ 300- Mallory Gardner $ 100- Jeff New $ 100- Sandy Zillick/Donna O'Conner $ 50- Brandon Wiers $ 50- Jenny Erdmann $ 25- Alison Hooker $ 25- Lamont Tubbs $ 25- Kathy Westendorf $ 25- Dana Biermann Bath and Body Works Baskets - Kevin Austin and Lisa Votaw Warrior Baseball Hats - Donn Bolce and Whitney Owen BW3 Sauce Basket - Linda Frey and Jonas Kelley

A special thanks to those who donated items for the silent auction: Carla Roller, Georgine Bowman, Diana Towery, CEI Sports, Kim Sherman, and Jeff Merrill. Thank you to all who purchased tickets and made it a great evening. $1300 was raised for the Winton Woods Middle School Athletic Department.

• The WWMS Environmental Awareness Program will be selling large recyclable tote bags at a cost of $3.00 per bag. Each bag proudly displays our name and Warrior logo so you can show your support for both Winton Woods and eco-friendly efforts. Stop by the front office to pick up your very own tote bag.

• This week students and teachers will be celebrating student accomplishments by holding an honor roll celebration. Each team will be celebrating in their own style with rewards from having a dress out day to holding a ceremony to watching a movie. Congratulations to our honor roll students!

• Congratulations to the 2010-2011 seventh and eighth grade cheerleaders for their donation of new uniforms for the middle school cheerleaders. Each cheerleader participated in a parent-led fundraiser to accomplish this goal. The cheerleaders pictured are: (back row, l-r) Jayla Huff, Desjna Lett, Chiara Meier, Desarae Allen; (middle row, l-r): Aliyah Horton, Auna'y Miller, Anna Clark, Cyerra Allen; (bottom row, l-r) Aujah Taylor and Alana Sears- Lambert. Not pictured: Ciara Finley and Mariah Dennis. Go Warriors!

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• The WWIS fifth grade choir and sixth grade drumming ensemble will present a combined concert on Thursday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the WWIS gymnasium.

• A project intended to raise students’ awareness about other countries taught some additional lessons to sixth graders in Patricia Enderle’s class who were learning about Japan for International Awareness Week at Winton Woods Intermediate School. “This project was bittersweet for my homeroom,” said Enderle. “We had all this (work) finished before the tsunami hit. We had spent a lot of time leaning about Japan, so this is really sad for us.”

As part of their studies, Enderle and her students corresponded with Steven Whalen, a sailor in the U.S. Navy on the USS George Washington. “We exchanged emails and letters and sent care packages,” said Enderle. When Whalen was in town in November 2010, he visited the classroom and received gifts for his return trip to the Sea of Japan to aid South Korea. The gifts included Butterfinger candy bars, which the students had heard were his favorite. There was also a collection of welcome home, thank you, good luck, and bon voyage cards written by students. “Steven had limited time on his leave, but we were thrilled that he took time to come and talk with us about the Navy and his adventures around the world,” said Enderle (see photo).

Recently Enderle learned that Whalen had been in Japan when the tsunami hit, and everyone in the class was worried about their new friend. “The last we heard he was climbing out a fire escape from a nine-story building,” said Enderle on the day of their presentations to the school’s other sixth grade classes. She requested that people listen for news of the ship and contact her if they heard anything. By the end of the day she had learned Whalen was safe. “The best news is that I just received word tonight that he is back on board the USS George Washington and heading home to the U.S.A.”

As their classmates walked through the classroom, Enderle’s students gave out samples of Japanese food, demonstrated how to use chopsticks, read the stories they had written using Japanese symbols, presented a slide show of photos of the country and of the USS George Washington, showed off their dioramas, and gave away origami. The room was decorated with wind socks in the shape of a carp and small Japanese lanterns which are used to light houses. A pre-tsunami mural of Japan and Mt. Fuji covered one wall.

Enderle’s students’ study of Japan was one piece of a larger international awareness project for all sixth grade students that was part of the language arts and social studies curriculum in conjunction with the Student Enterprise Program (StEP) with the University of Cincinnati. “Each day during the week of March 21-15, the sixth grade students are rotating through one of their decorated classrooms to learn the history, geography, and cultural information of a country,” said Irene Shedd, coordinator of International Awareness Week and former Winton Woods City Schools teacher.

Other countries studied during the week included Malawi, Mexico, India and Afghanistan. Winton Woods Intermediate School teachers Marsha Myers, Patricia Enderle, Natalie Siegel, Lauren Sweeney, and John Tomassoni coordinated the project.

• WWIS is excited to celebrate our 224 honor roll students on Wednesday, March 23. They received certificates and will also receive a snack, drink and some additional recess time. Congratulations to all of these students for their hard work and extra effort!

• On Friday, March 25, WWIS will have a Hawaiian Day and an Academic All-Star Luau. All students who have increased their reading, math, and science scores on the Spring Benchmark Assessments will be invited to the gymnasium for the luau. All students will be greeted with leis and will be able to participate in beach volleyball, hula hoops, face painting, pictures, and have a special treat from Kona Ice. We would like to thank the WWCPTA for helping us with this special event as we recognize the academic accomplishments of our students. A big thank you to McDonalds for donating drinks for this event!

• WWIS is having a Spring Break Study Island Competition. Students who earn five blue ribbons over break will be entered into a drawing for two free tickets to CoCo Key Water Resort. Only ribbons earned from Friday, March 25 through Sunday, April 3 can be used for entry into the Spring Break Study Island Competition. Please contact the office at 619-2450 with questions. We will have the drawing at the end of the day on Monday, April 4.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• The New York Times featured WWES third grader Shanoah Moore and her family telling her story of living with sickle cell anemia. The interview is part of an ongoing series called "Patient Voices." Take a moment to journey through the eyes of one of our amazing students. It is our hope that we can someday increase research and funding to find a cure in Shanoah's lifetime. The link is: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/02/health/healthguide/te_sickl ecell.html?ref=health.

• Parents: Keep in mind that Study Island never closes. Students can continue to work to sharpen their skills at home at www.studyisland.com.

• Fourth graders will be going to Parky's Farm on April 4 and 5. During this field trip, students will learn about: weather, animals, animal adaptations, ecosystems and economics—the natural resource contributions of domesticated animals.

• WWES’s official Ohio Achievement Assessment dates are May 2 – 5. More information will come closer to the actual time of testing.

Winton Woods Primary News:

MARCH

• 28-Apr 1 Spring Break - No School

APRIL

• 4 School Reopens • 11 PS "Spare Change Challenge" begins • 14 PN/PS Fine Arts Night (6:30-8:00 p.m.) • 21 PS "Spare Change Challenge" ends • 22 Good Friday (No School) • 25 School Reopens

MAY

• 2 PN/PS Teacher Appreciation Day • 3 PS Volunteer Appreciation Day • 12 PN Popcorn Day • 12 PN/PS All Library Books Returned • 9-13 PN/PS Right to Read Week • 9-13 PS Scholastic Book Fair (Primary South ONLY) • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 31 Teacher Record Day

• March Madness is at Primary North! Students at PN are using current events to relate to Academic Content Standards. Students are using “mapping” skills to locate their teams on the U.S. map, as well as "researching" facts about each state. They are learning “comprehension" skills by reading about basketball player Wilt Chamberlain. Students will be using "measuring" skills related to Wilt Chamberlain’s height and then will "compare" their hands to a copy of his hand in square centimeters. Students will also be using "graphs" to record their team’s daily results. Trophies will be awarded to the class whose teams have the most wins from all three teams and also the class with the championship team. Teams will be displayed outside each classroom.

• Each month a first and second grade student is nominated for demonstrating good character traits. Primary North congratulates first grader Khalil Daniels and second grader Nayla Gordon for demonstrating resourcefulness. Mrs. Stone writes, “Khalil is a student with a great deal of energy. He puts that energy to good use. When another student has a difficult time with materials or supplies, Khalil is always ready to offer support. He is an expert in our classroom using the activboard. When a substitute teacher is in our classroom he is the "go to guy." Khalil uses his resourcefulness to solve problems and help others solve problems. When another student had trouble finding her reading book, he helped her retrace her reading steps to find the book. He often helps others by sharing his own materials. Khalil is a very resourceful student. • Miss Blincoe writes that Nayla Gordon is a great model for resourcefulness. “In the music classroom she understands all of the tools we use in learning songs, games, and about composers. When asked, she always knows which resource to look to for the answer. She has a good memory and also draws on prior knowledge. She is also very good at finding creative solutions to questions. For Nayla, being resourceful makes her an excellent problem solver because she knows how to apply the things she has learned. She works hard at being a great student and a great Wee Warrior!”

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of March 1. They are: Tino Pollard, Quincy Hurley and Uriah Sullen. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Wilke’s kindergarten class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• Jennifer Blincoe, Primary North music teacher, is proud to announce that Mrs. Townsell's second grade received the Music Class Award for the week of March 7 and Mrs. Sterling's class received it for the week of March 14.

• On St. Patrick's Day, Primary South proudly participated in the Irish tradition of "the wearin' of the green!" Our incredible office staff decorated the office, and staff and students were encouraged to wear green. Tier 3 teachers Debbie White, Heidi Myers and Jana Thompson graciously hosted a "going green" feast for the staff, and our creative staff members even managed to make green food look appetizing. We did the Irish proud and learned about Ireland and the Irish tradition in the process. Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day to all of you! Pictured are (l-r) WWPS Office Assistant Susan Doan, Principal Tonya Bray and Secretary Tammy Segrist.

• On Thursday, March 17 the WWPS PTA sponsored the school’s annual "Donuts with Dad" breakfast. Wow, we had a great turn out! It was wonderful to see all of the kids with their fathers and even grandfathers eating and enjoying! Yeah, Dads! Pictured are Ronnie Taylor Sr. and his father, with three of the four Taylor children.

• The following students from Primary South were honored for the Character Counts trait of resourcefulness: Imelda Lopez, Alyssa Brown, Aiden Hinterlong, Rey Rios-Cruz, Puja Gautam, Ryley Key, Stephnay Moreno, Jalien Stallings, Darius smith, Marcus Johnson, Stevie Davis, Amariya Elliott, Kaiya Batton, Gwyneth Medley, Khalil Williams, Monica Escobedo, Desmond Graves, Marc Rycek, and Gianna Lilly.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Please return your Market Day orders to school by March 24 for our April 7 pick-up. If you need more time to place your order, visit marketday.com and place your order by 11:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, April 2. These orders will be ready to pick up on Thursday, April 7 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Winton Woods Intermediate School. Please note that we have moved our pick up day to Thursday this month due to spring break. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

Community News:

• Three Winton Woods students traveled to Dayton over the weekend to compete in the regional dance competition presented by Encore Talent Productions. Only 17 of the more than 100 entries at the regional competition achieved the highest award possible—a Platinum Award. All three of the Winton Woods contestants achieved that top award.

Jordan Braswell, a fifth grader at Winton Woods Intermediate School, was awarded Platinum in Hip-Hop. Aversa Prentosito, also a fifth grader at WWIS, was awarded Platinum in Hip-Hop and Platinum in Tap. Nicolantonio Prentosito, a second grader at Winton Woods Primary South, was awarded Platinum in Tap. Additionally, all three students received Gold Awards in other dance genres and achieved the prestigious honor of placing in the overalls for their age divisions.

The students competed as members of the Cincinnati Dance All-Stars, the competitive dance team of the Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center, which is the PTA-sponsored provider of the Winton Woods dance program this year. The Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center offers discounts to Winton Woods students in the free and reduced lunch program. For more information, please call CDMC at 521-8462.

• American Legion Post 530 Events: April 9 – Band Jam – No cover charge, doors open at 7:00 p.m. April 23 – Spring Fling Dance – Live entertainment, doors open at 7:00 p.m., $5.00 cover charge.

• The Greenhills Gators summer swim team is holding a registration night on Thursday, March 24 in the library of the Greenhills Community Building from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Any swimmer between the ages of 5 and 18 is welcome. No previous swim experience is necessary. Check out our website @ WWW.GREENHILLSGATORS.COM for more information. This is a great year to become a member of this team which competes with the communities of Springdale, Sharonville, Evendale, Wyoming, Reading, St. Bernard, and Norwood. The Greenhills Gators will host the en- of-season championships this year. It is our year to show off our community and another of its great youth sports teams!

April 21, 2011

Quote of the week:

No problem is insurmountable. With a little courage, teamwork and determination a person can overcome anything.

Anonymous

District News:

• Winton Woods City Schools Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe will propose budget cuts for the 2011-2012 school year at the upcoming Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 25. Those recommendations include cutting 16 teachers, three administrators, and 19 classified staff.

As always, parents and community members are invited to attend Monday’s Board of Education meeting and give their input on the Superintendent’s budget reduction recommendations. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the district’s Central Office located at 1215 W. Kemper Road in Forest Park. Additional parking is available at Winton Woods High School if needed. The Board will not make a final decision on the budget until its May 23 meeting.

• A fundraiser to help with medical expenses for Matt Gunnels, a Winton Woods High School graduate who is battling colon cancer, will be held on Friday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts located at 4990 Glenway Avenue in Cincinnati. Tickets are $20, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. for happy hour.

Gunnels is the Artistic Associate of Chicago’s Emerald City Children’s Theatre, where he develops and directs new musicals for children. He is a graduate of Wright State University and the son of former Winton Woods City Schools employee Sylvia Paragin.

Charlie and Greta Clark, old friends and performing colleagues of Matt’s, will perform “The Clark’s Colon Cancer Cabaret!” with Steve Goers on the piano. Goers is also Artistic Associate for the Chicago’s Emerald City Children’s Theatre and a Cincinnati musician.

For tickets, see the Covedale website: http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/ccpa/New_5.aspx. Those unable to attend can still donate by calling 513-241-6550 and using a Visa or Mastercard.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Winton Woods High School students Brittany Armstrong, Jason Dudley and Samantha Fishwick recently attended the Rotary Club Camp Enterprise. The camp is a three-day seminar for high school juniors that promotes economic literacy by helping teens explore the nature, development, and opportunities of the free enterprise system. The students learned about the free enterprise system, personal financial planning, time management and personal marketing, personal and business ethics and entrepreneurship.

“The students participated in groups with students from other schools to problem solve in business,” said Winton Woods High School Counselor Barbara Schnitzer. “The seminar culminated in a job fair providing an opportunity to meet with representatives from different business and professional fields. All three students shared that they had a wonderful time and that the experience was of value to them as they explore different career opportunities.”

Camp Enterprise is sponsored by the Blue Ash/Montgomery Rotary Club.

• Students stayed after school to rehearse lines and staging, build sets and focus lights, and practice instrumental parts for the Winton Woods High School spring musical, Annie, presented April 15-16. Daily rehearsals often lasted as long as the entire school day—up to six or seven hours with just a break for dinner. But the students' love for the stage and commitment to one another meant another long-standing tradition at Winton Woods High School was kept ... presenting one of the best shows in Cincinnati.

• Thirty-two Winton Woods High School students, along with Senior Counselor Kevin Jones, traveled to Cincinnati Financial Corporation for the company’s World of Work tour on Tuesday, April 12. “During the seminar, professionals from Cincinnati Financial spoke to the students about how to write a resume, how to conduct job interviews, and what to expect working in a professional environment,” said Jones. Students also learned about setting goals and how to communicate effectively with others. There was also a writing seminar about the importance of developing and improving their writing skills.

At lunch, each group of three students had a Cincinnati Financial associate sit with them and further discuss the topics presented during the seminar. “It was a great opportunity for the seniors as they prepare for graduation and for stepping into the next stage of their lives,” said Jones.

Winton Woods students participating in this event were: Davontay Robinson, Brittany Cheatham, Alicia Higgins, Darrion Jones, Rakim Rowland, Janae Sneed, Jay Barnes, Zauntre Dyer, Kendra Harvey, Kareesha Jones, Lashawne McIntosh, Aaron Patton, Amber Glaze, Chris Stallworth, Brandi Oliver, Keeno Hollins, Tiffany Peterson, Kareesha Springer, Miranda Frisby, Cindy Pineda, Rebekah Lowery, Sharlene Bernardo, Louisa Marfo, Tresor Vunda, Daryl Williams, Johnniece Hitchcock, Antonio Poole, Dianne Samano, Jon Jones, Alaina Platt, Alyssa Brown, and Shanita Stewart.

Winton Woods High School student Zauntre Dyer is shown at the seminar at Cincinnati Financial Corporation. Behind him is Robert Miller from Cincinnati Financial, who set up the event.

• Plans are under way for the 2011Senior Reflections, an annual parent- sponsored event at Winton Woods for graduating seniors to reflect on their relationships with classmates and family and the many years leading up to graduation. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Forest Chapel United Methodist Church, located at 680 West Sharon Road. Parents have the opportunity to submit photos of their student and order a DVD of the slide show presentation that takes place at this event. Please see attached flier for more details.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• A benefit or a nuisance? A convenience or an addiction? Whatever you call it, the use of technology certainly plays a huge role our lives. "I knew my use of technology had become a problem when I was texting during my daughter's fourth grade concert," explains Elizabeth Lucas, eighth grade reading skills teacher. She shared with her students that she was going to take a time-out from technology to be more mindful and intentional about its use. After encouraging her students to join in, 10 students pledged to refrain from using cell phones, Internet, and video games for 24 hours.

Was it easy? Yes and no. One student said doing homework took longer because she didn't use the Internet. Others reported that their parents don't let them spend much time using technology at home, so it didn't present much of a change. Some said they enjoyed playing outside or talking to their siblings when they couldn't get on the computer. Lucas was most surprised to hear that students want to try the experiment again for a longer period of time. "Children desire boundaries and limits, even though they may not act like that's what they want,” said Lucas. “Technology is a great thing, but it's up to us as the adults in their lives to be role models of balance."

• Mrs. Weldon's seventh grade Language Arts classes are just completing the novel, Scorpions, by Walter Dean Myers. It depicts twelve-year-old Jamal in trouble at home, at school, and on the street. His big brother, the leader of the Harlem Scorpions, is in jail for robbery. Now Jamal is expected to lead the gang and even has to carry a gun. When two of the Scorpions call him out to the park to challenge his leadership, Jamal takes the gun with him -- a decision that will change his life forever.

In connection with the novel, the students are making posters promoting a "Do-Good" Gang with symbols and positive causes to work for. Look for them in the hallway by Room 128 soon.

• Members of the WWMS Writing Group have finished their yearly chapbook. The Colonizers of Dreams will feature some marvelous poetry and prose by Parker Sarra, Etsubdink Daniel, Cameron Mobeley, Ona Brown, Dayanna Rockemore, Tiana Bane, Kamella Wolfork, Chris Armstrong and Linda Flores.

However, if you think that’s all, then you haven’t been paying close attention to your infomercials. For no extra charge, we’re also throwing in beautiful and striking artwork by Sadie Stump, Ashley McCartney and Simon Asem.

What was that? You still don’t think it’s a good enough deal?

Fine. Don’t tell my supervisor, because I’m not supposed to do this: Just for you, I’ll add gorgeous full color cover art by Morgan Strupe.

Anyone in their right mind would gladly pay thousands for a deal like this, but we're offering it for the low price of $3 per copy.

Contact Anthony Klancar at [email protected] for ordering information. Supplies are limited and will be going fast.

• This week, WWMS ESL students were treated to a visit from a very special guest teacher, Nichole Gfroerer, who taught French in our building a few years ago before transferring to Lakota Schools. Now she is working on her TESOL endorsement so that she can teach ESL as well. Gary Giblin, the district’s ESL coordinator, is mentoring Gfroerer while she is here. Gfroerer said she was très heureuse (“very happy”) to be back in Winton Woods. Not only is she getting to know some cool bilingual kids, including a French speaker from Togo, but she’s also getting a chance to see some old friends and colleagues—and even one of her high school teachers. (We won’t mention any names!) Gfoerer isn’t planning to leave Lakota, but, of course, anything is possible. “With my TESOL endorsement I’ll have another option,” she said, “plus, it’s really great working with kids from other cultures! You learn from them as much as they learn from you.”

• Physical education teachers at Winton Woods Middle School have implemented fitness stations into their curriculum this year “to help combat the obesity epidemic in our country,” said physical education teacher Will Bowman. “Our goal in physical education is to have our students develop an understanding of lifetime fitness. At 12 and 13 years old, they can begin developing fitness habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

Students have 10 stations of exercises that they perform for two minutes. The exercises include: push ups, sit ups, wall squats, deep jumps, tricep dips, bicep curls, pull ups, speed ladders, mountains climbers and upright rows. “At the conclusion of the station workout day, they have endured a rigorous, complete body workout,” said Bowman.

Stations are performed on a weekly basis, every Monday and Wednesday. Every third Friday, the students have the opportunity to track their progress in the stations by recording their total maximum reps for every exercise.

On test day students are encouraged to set goals and achieve a personal record (PR) by performing at least one more repetition than the previous time. “If a student is successful at achieving personal records in all of the various station exercises, the student’s name is recognized on the Perfect PR Board for all of the other students and teachers to see,” said Bowman.

Bowman said he and his fellow health and physical education teachers, Mallory Gardner and Derek Christerson, have seen improvements in the students' overall fitness levels. “We have some students who are not very athletic, but enjoy working out instead. Also, our ‘Perfect PR Board’ is growing bigger each time we test them. Overall, I’m very pleased with the outcome of this new program.”

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• The trip to Camp Campbell Gard is quickly approaching. We are beginning to collect money for our trip. The cost of camp is $100 less the money earned from the fundraiser. Total cost of camp: $100.00 Less fundraiser: 0 (# cards sold x $7.00) Total owed: $100.00

Please send cash or a money order made payable to Winton Woods Intermediate School. (Sorry, no checks.) You may send your money in right away, but it is due no later than Friday, May 6. All balances must be paid before your child goes to camp. This includes school fees.

Students and staff will be testing during the week of May 2-6. If you have any questions about camp during that week please call the office to schedule a time to talk with a staff member or administrator at 619-2450. Please contact Ms. Harden, Ms. Herzog Ms. Gelhot or Ms. Styles.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School students participated in the American Heart Associations Jump Rope and Hoops for the Heart event during their physical education class the week of April 4. All money raised was given to the American Heart Association for heart research. Students collected a total of $ 728.00. Abby Ewald was the top collector turning in $126.00. The students listed below will be treated to a pizza party for their efforts of collecting money or being a top performer in jumping rope or shooting hoops. During the event we also discussed heart healthy facts and ways to improve your heart fitness. Thanks to all for a great job!

Hank Haskins, Jamesha Rains, Jasmine Green, Kayla Haugebrook, Kalen Stafford, Brent McCarthy, Tatiana Quinto, Kemaiya Clark, Jaylen Thomas, Craig Moore, Amari Manning, Candice Mixon, Caria Burton, Andrew Lemon, Alexis McCoy, Arion Miles, Asia Harding, Aaliyah Scott, Amari Jones, Michael White, Dezray Rycek, Jordan Pogue, Shane Warren, Celeste Hackmann, Robby Surber, Sandra Cox, Abby Ewald, Kristopher Smith, Betty Miller

• Students at WWIS will take the Ohio Achievement Assessments the week of May 2. Testing will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The testing schedule is as follows:

MONDAY, MAY 2- READING TUESDAY, MAY 3- READING MAKE-UP TESTING WEDNESDAY, MAY 4- MATH THURSDAY, MAY 5- SCIENCE (5TH GRADE ONLY) FRIDAY, MAY 6- MAKE-UP TESTING

Attendance is critical and required. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast each morning.

Students who display extraordinary effort and have perfect attendance during testing week will be able to be out of uniform on Friday, May 6 and watch a movie with the students in their homeroom.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Our aluminum can drive, sponsored by our Environmental and Recycling Club, was a huge success! Congratulations to Mrs. Owen's third grade class who won the competition bringing in 3,090 cans. Our aluminum can total was 16,332 cans in five weeks. What a way to kick off Earth Week! A round of applause to third grader Devin Price who brought in almost 2000 cans on his own.

• Our students will have a dance on Thursday to celebrate making our Benchmark goals this year! Every homeroom made at least one of their goals for winter or spring Benchmark! Congratulations on "reaching new heights!" Thanks to Mr. McGuire (husband of fourth grade teacher Gina Vannoy-McGuire) for serving as our DJ!

• Ohio Achievement Assessments are coming soon. When we believe, we will achieve! o 3rd grade Reading - Monday, May 2 o 4th grade Reading - Tuesday, May 3 o 3rd grade Math - Wednesday, May 4 o 4th grade Math - Thursday, May 5

Winton Woods Primary News:

APRIL

• 21 PS "Spare Change Challenge" ends • 22 Good Friday (No School) • 25 School Reopens • 29 PN/PS All Library Books Returned

MAY

• 2 PN/PS Teacher Appreciation Day • 3 PN/PS Volunteer Appreciation Day • 12 PN Popcorn Day • 12 PN 2nd Grade Zoo Field Trip • 9-13 PN/PS Right to Read Week • 9-13 PS Scholastic Book Fair (Primary South ONLY) • 23/24 PN 1st Grade Parky's Farm Field Trip • 24 Good Behavior Dance Party (Primary North ONLY) • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 31 Teacher Record Day

• The Primary North Fine Arts Program on April 14 was a great success! Thank you to music teacher Jennifer Blincoe for all the dedication and hard work in helping our students "Celebrate all Cultures ... We All Smile in the Same Language!" There was standing room only as our first and second grade students put together a program of multi-cultural music. Each class studied a different county and learned a folk song. These songs were performed in the native language and accompanied by a traditional dance and a small ensemble of indigenous instruments. Parents also enjoyed viewing the talented artwork of their students under the creative direction of art teacher Nancy Bleisch.

Special thanks to:

• Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe, the WWCS administrative team, and the Winton Woods Board of Education for their ongoing support. • Principal Katie Klei for her unwavering support of the music program and her guidance in planning the event. • Nancy Bleisch for helping the students create wonderful art displays for the event, being the creative force behind the flag t-shirts, and her limitless support for the music program and its endeavors. • Lisa Barclay for volunteering extra time and for her limitless wealth of ideas that made this show exceptional. • The WWPN administration, teachers and staff for volunteering their time and effort to create the t-shirts and make the program run with cohesion and ease. • The WWPN PTA for providing refreshments for this event • Waycross Community Media for videotaping.

• Fine Arts Night at Winton Woods Primary South was an impressive show of both art and music. The musical ARF was performed to a packed house! The second grade students were incredible and the time and effort put forth was obvious. Thanks to music teacher Lynn Porter, parents who did an wonderfully creative job on costumes and set design, and, last but not least, the students who sang, danced and delivered their lines like true actors. Thank you to all involved for a fantastic show!

Art teacher Katie Forney has also been working tirelessly these past few months to wow all of us with the artistic talent of our students. She displayed some wonderful work on Art Night with Dr. Nasbe and a few short weeks later she impressed us again with the hallways full of art on display for Fine Arts Night. Thank You Ms. Forney and all of our artists in training for brightening our school!

• Primary North students used a writing assignment to explain how "music makes a difference!" Two students’ quotes were selected to be published in the Performing Arts Program on Fine Arts Nights. Congratulations to Brooke Robinson and Colin Runyan on a job well done!

"Music is so great because some music calms you down, some music makes you excited and some music makes you laugh!" - Brooke Robinson, 2nd grade

"Because you get to dance to it. Because it sounds good. Because you can listen to it when you're bored." - Colin Runyan, 1st grade.

• Mr. Nick would like to give special recognition to second grader Destiny Shelton in Mrs. Lumsden's class. First and second graders have been working on scarf juggling during gym class for the last couple of weeks. Mr. Nick has asked all of his students to practice their juggling at home so they can improve their skills. Destiny has done this, and, according to Mr. Nick, she is the best second grade juggler at Primary North. She can juggle three scarves 10 or more times, which means she is an official juggler. Congratulations, Destiny!

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning "Good Character Hands"' for the week of March 15: Kavon Parson, Riley Hungler, and Kayleb Roberson. The students received "Wee Warriors Kids of Character" t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Vandivier's second grade won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch's gift certificates.

• Music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that Mrs. Sterling’s second grade class received the Music Class Award the week of March 7 and for the week of March 14.

• “Welcome to McDonald’s” is not a phrase normally heard in a primary school, but Julianne Mueller-Smith, Brandon Schneider and speech therapist Beth Alt helped their multi-handicapped students at Primary South open a McDonald’s for the day. The class had been working on a community helpers unit and as a final project they became the staff at their very own McDonald’s. The office staff, therapist and two other classes were able to order ahead of time and the students were given jobs including greeters and servers.The project was a wonderful success and the service was the best ever. I give this McDonald five stars!

• The following students were recognized for the Character Counts trait of "integrity" for the month of April at Primary South: Deasya Smythe, DeMeirakle Carter, Tyree Clark, Taylor White, Elijah Spence, Sharlym Rios-Cruz, Ashley Brewton, Matthew Harris, Jeremi Reynolds, Wendi Lopez, Jaylen Gooding, Gael Duenas, Isayiah Coats. They each received a certificate and a pencil.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Since 1984, National PTA has designated the first full week in May as PTA Teacher Appreciation Week, a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children. PTA events at the national, state, and local levels celebrate the outstanding contributions teachers make.

Sometimes a simple thanks is all a teacher needs to feel valued. A hand written note of thanks or a drawing from a student can say it all. Sometimes a school wants to do more for those at the heart of learning. Winton Woods Community PTA has a long-standing tradition of honoring the teaching staff at Winton Woods City Schools with a weeklong celebration. Parents wishing to help with the planned activities or donate items such as desserts, salads, canned drinks, bottled water, and paper goods are asked to contact the parent volunteer listed below:

WW Primary North – Jan Mavridoglou, [email protected] or 300- 2849 WW Primary South, Dave Prentosito – [email protected] or 328-0057 WW Elementary, Eileen Mannira, [email protected] or 851-3369 WW Intermediate – Leah Hassertt, [email protected] or 742-3870 WW Middle School – Amy Murrell, [email protected] or 742-4823 WW High School – Debbie Day, [email protected] or 265-2374

Thank you for your continued support and involvement! If you have additional questions please contact WWC PTA President Paul Kuhn at [email protected] or 742-5591.

• There’s still time to order Market Day and receive a free one pound bag of French Toast Sticks and a four pack of Teriyaki ChicNSteakes with qualifying purchases from the May order guide.

Order online at marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, April 27 or drop your completed order forms off at school by Friday, April 22. These orders will be ready for pick up on Monday, May 2 between 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

We appreciate your support and we’re looking forward to seeing you at our Market Day Sale!

April 8, 2011

Quote of the week:

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness. Napoleon Hill

District News:

• School districts throughout Ohio continue to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, birth through age 21. For children birth through age two, a disability means that child has a delay in one or more of the following developmental areas: adaptive behavior, cognition, communication, physical development, sensory development and/or social or emotional development. For children ages three through five, a disability means that child has a documented deficit in one or more of the following developmental areas: communication skills, hearing abilities, motor functioning, social- emotional/behavior functioning or vision abilities. For school-age students, a disability means a person having one or more conditions such as autism, developmental handicap, hearing handicap, multi-handicap, orthopedically and/or other health handicap, severe behavior handicap, speech and language handicap, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury or visual handicap. Many unidentified children with disabilities are preschoolers. If you know of a child who you think may have a disability, please contact: Student Services/Special Education Department, Winton Woods City School District, 8 Enfield Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45218, (513) 619-2320.

Winton Woods High School News: • Jeremy Prater, a senior at Winton Woods High School and a resident of Springfield Township, received the 2011 Math and Science Award from the township trustees at their meeting on Tuesday, March 8. The award recognizes students who show exceptional accomplishments in the mathematics and/or science curriculum. He was nominated for the award by Winton Woods High School Senior Counselor Kevin Jones.

Prater is ranked thirty-first out of 301 students in his class and carries a 3.5 weighted GPA. He is currently taking AP Calculus and AP Physics and has completed AP American History. “Jeremy is one of our top students and has achieved the honor roll and Student of the Month, and has received the Top Student Award for his accomplishments in American History,” said Jones. In his nomination, Prater is described as resourceful, personable, considerate, prepared and accomplished. He is involved with the Top Teens of America program and gives his time to work in the community at the Ronald McDonald House and the Boys and Girls Club of Cincinnati. This year Jeremy was named to the National Nominating Committee for the Top Teens of America Program.

The Springfield Township trustees began recognizing student achievements in October 2010 as an initiative to support local schools.

• Winton Woods High School will present its spring musical, Annie, on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Annie is a great family show with memorable songs and has a historical angle with its representation of the Great Depression.

Winton Woods Middle School:

• There was still plenty of work being done at Winton Woods Middle School over spring break with new carpet installed in the auditorium. We would like to give a very big thank you to Winton Woods Community PTA and also the Winton Woods Music Boosters for their generous donations toward helping to pay for this long overdue improvement.

• "Quick, quick, slow. Quick, quick, slow." This was the refrain heard around Winton Woods Middle School on Thursday, March 24 as a group of students learned how to Salsa. Eighth grade Spanish I students and some PE students were treated to Salsa lessons from District Literacy Coach Mimi Khayo and Winton Woods High School Counselor Kevin Jones. "I thought this would be a great opportunity for students to learn first-hand about a really fun aspect of Latin culture,” said Spanish teacher Lisa Giblin. “Salsa music is a blend of African, Caribbean and European rhythms and beats, and it developed primarily in Cuba and New York. It is a great way to teach students about dance, how cultures influence one another, and about migration."

Mrs. Khayo and Mr. Jones wowed the students with a great demonstration of a Salsa dance number. They then taught the students three basic Salsa steps: the basic, the second, and the underarm turn. After practicing as a group, students broke up into partners and put their new learning to the test. "It was awesome!" said eighth grade Spanish I student Ashley McCartney. "I wish we could do this every day," agreed classmate Irene Onianwa.

• The Scuba Diving Club traveled to Crystal River, Florida over spring break to embark on their open water certification. It was a long 11-hour caravan to Florida, and, due to traffic, it was an even longer drive back (14 hours). But it was all worth it when we came back with 11 newly-certified divers. The group was so big that we had to be accommodated with two pontoon boats for manatees and King's Spring. The whole group had the opportunity to hang with the manatees, and even touch them. It was amazing! We snorkeled in Three Sisters, hid out in Devils Den cavern and dove the Rainbow River before coming back. Talk about a great time!

The next scuba class is already underway. Please e-mail John Fiely ([email protected]) if you are interested in participating in the next scuba certification class.

• The students in Mrs. Leiss’s and Mrs. Tilton's Study Skills classes have been making it a habit to use their plan books. The week before spring break, an incentive was held to see who could bring and use their planner correctly the entire week. The students created "Me's" that hung on the wall, and, as long as they used their planner correctly every day, their "Me" got to remain there. However, if they slipped up, their "Me" fell.

At the end of the week, the following students proved they could "hang" with their planners: Zoraeda Cortes, DeShaun McGrone, Michael Moss, Jocelyn Vargas, Ryan Whitfield, Brandon Williams, Mashallah Corbett, Yesenia Gallegos, Donovan Jenkins, Paige Mack, Estefany Madrigal-Vazquez, Bryan Nieto, Caressia Ruff, Uriyah Brookins, Rehyna Hocker and Miah Savage. The students were rewarded with a positive behavior referral and a free pizza certificate that they can redeem at home, or at lunch on Wednesday, April 6, with their teachers. The next incentive began on Monday and will run through April 15.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

April 2011 7- Student Council Meeting 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 5th Grade Choir and 6th Grade Drumming Ensemble Concert @ 7:00 p.m. 8- Camp Cambell Gard/Papa John’s Pizza Fundraiser Ends 12- 5th and 6th Grade Band Concert, 7:00 p.m. @ WWIS 15- Progress Reports Go Home 19- WWIS Spring Pictures – Uniform pants must be worn. Students may wear the shirt of their choice—no tank tops or shirts with inappropriate logos or language. 20- National Elementary Honor Society Meeting, 3:00-3:45 p.m. 22- Good Friday – No School Earth Day 29- Ohio Achievement Test Pep Rally, 1:15-2:00 p.m. 30- Sprinters 5K Flying Pig Marathon

Looking Ahead: Attendance for the Ohio Achievement Assessment testing is critical and required by the State of Ohio. The testing dates are: • Monday, May 2: 5TH AND 6TH Grade Reading • Tuesday, May 3: Reading Make-up Testing • Wednesday, May 4: 5TH AND 6TH Grade Math • Thursday, May 5: 5TH AND 6TH Grade Science • Friday, May 6: Make-up Testing

5TH Grade Camp Campbell Gard Information: All payments are due by Friday, May 6. Camp chaperones are still needed!

• Winton Woods Intermediate School is celebrating the commitment of 13 of our students who earned five blue ribbons on Study Island over spring break. These students took the time to review their reading, math, and science skills. Each student who earned the ribbons was entered into a drawing to win a $30 gift certificate to CoCo Key Indoor Water Resort. Marcus Shadd was the winner of the CoCo Key gift card. We congratulate all of these students for their commitment to excellence: Anna Johnson Simone Bhoolai Darion Hassertt Andre' Jackson Brandon Jones Sarena Minn Aversa Prentosito Marze Cromwell Abigail Ewald Jerron Cage Malique Lee Ashley Lewis

• Winton Woods Intermediate School continues to offer after-school tutoring each Monday and Thursday through the month of April. We would like to thank all parents and students for their participation and commitment to the Mighty Warriors Tutoring. Please contact the school if you would like your child to participate prior to Ohio Achievement Assessments. Students at Winton Woods Intermediate School will take their assessments during the first week in May.

• WWIS Students of the Month

Blue Blazers: Juwan Glover - Since Juwan has moved into the Winton Woods district he has had a positive attitude. He has fully applied himself to his school work and working with others. His hard work has shown through especially in his work with fractions. As long as Juwan keeps working hard and staying positive he has a bright future in front of him. Jennifer Sorto - Jennifer has always been modest about her achievements. She is the silent achiever, and we want to be sure to recognize her. Jennifer always has her homework turned in and assignments completed in a more than timely manner. You can often find her completing extra work when she has finished her class work. Jennifer works extremely hard and her grades and quality of work definitely reflect this dedication. She is a model Warrior!

Silver Sharks: Journey Bond - Journey challenges herself to do her best in class. She is quite a class leader. She completes all of her work on time and does a super job. Yoselin Santos - Yoselin is a very hard worker who enjoys helping other adults and fellow students. She shows respect to everyone she deals with. Yoselin can be counted on to always be prepared for class.

Purple Panthers: Desiree Reaves - Desiree Reaves is such a hard worker. She enjoys working with others, is a very good team player, an excellent note taker, and is always on time for class. Desiree works hard at completing and turning in all her assignments. Desiree is a pleasure to have in class. Chelsea Kinney - Chelsea is an outstanding student. She is always respectful and polite. She works hard every day and is a responsible, reliable student. We are so proud of Chelsea. Congratulations Chelsea!

Specials: Madeline Kelly - Madeline is a very respectful student. She listens during instruction and always tries her best. Madeline is a problem solver and helps other students around her at all times. Madeline is very responsible. She is willing to help out in any way possible. Ebony Owens- Ebony goes above and beyond to be a great student. She is very creative and thinks outside the box with all of her specials projects. Ebony is a responsible student who always turns her work in on time. You can count on Ebony to go above and beyond expectations.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Our final benchmark challenge has ended, and our official results are in! The Young Warriors of fourth grade have defeated the Lil' Warriors of third grade. The official score is 174 to 127. Congratulations to our fourth graders on reaching new heights! All fourth grade homerooms made their math goal on the Spring Benchmark. Our lovely benchmark trophy will begin to travel to each fourth grade homeroom for a final victory lap. Our third graders worked hard as well, as many of our homerooms met their goals in reading and math. "When we believe, we will achieve!"

• Congratulations to our April Students of the Month: Malcolm Mosley, Bhavya Shah, Theresa Phoenix, Dekhyia Irvin, Makyla Adams, Alana Jones, Raphael Canela, Robert McClain, London VanCamp, Alexis Beamon, Cayla Gray- Thomas, Christian Wright, Keyshawn Sims, Wilmer Esquivel, Mariah Harlan, Lonna Jones, Lawrence Love, Nick Parks, Sheldon McCloud and Bhagwati Gautam.

• Congratulations to the winning homerooms in our StEP (Student Enterprise Program) events. These homerooms had the highest combined total of dollars "sold" in our Winter and Spring Marketplaces: • 3rd grade - 1st place: Mrs. Barnes' class; 2nd place - Mrs. Geisler's class; 3rd place - Ms. Harris' class • 4th grade - 1st place: Mrs. Carpenter's class; 2nd place - Mrs. Fisher's class; 3rd place - Mrs. Gardner's class. Congratulations to all of these students who will be representing Winton Woods Elementary School in the citywide StEP Fair at the University of Cincinnati!

Winton Woods Primary News:

APRIL

• 11 PS "Spare Change Challenge" begins • 14 PN Fine Arts Night (6:30-8:00 p.m.) • 14 PS Fine Arts Night (7:00-8:30 p.m.) • 21 PS "Spare Change Challenge" ends • 22 Good Friday (No School) • 25 School Reopens

MAY

• 2 PN/PS Teacher Appreciation Day • 3 PN/PS Volunteer Appreciation Day • 12 PN Popcorn Day • 12 PN/PS All Library Books Returned • 12 PN 2nd Grade Zoo Fieldtrip • 9-13 PN/PS Right to Read Week • 9-13 PS Scholastic Book Fair (Primary South only) • 24 Good Behavior Dance Party (Primary North only) • 23/24 PN 1st Grade Parky’s Farm Field Trip • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 31 Teacher Record Day

• March Madness visited Primary North! Students at PN used current events to relate to Academic Content Standards. Students used mapping, researching, measuring, comprehension, comparing, and graphing skills during this current event lesson. Trophies were awarded to Mrs. Vandivier's second grade class as the team having the most wins from all three teams and also the Championship Team. The trophy will proudly be displayed in Mrs. Vandivier's class for the duration of the school year. Congratulations!

Fun Fact: UConn and Butler combined for just 41 points in the first half of Monday's national title game. The Huskies “caught 'fire” in the second half to defeat Butler 53-41 to give UConn its third national title.

• Jennifer Blincoe, Primary North music teacher, is proud to announce that Mrs. Noel's first grade received the Music Class Award the week of April 4.

• Fine Arts Night is coming to Primary North and Primary South. Families are cordially invited to the schools on Thursday, April 14.

• This year at Primary North the first and second graders are preparing a program of multi-cultural music. First and second grade students are asked to arrive at 6:30 p.m. with their parents to prepare for the musical. The expansion of global perspective at the high school with the creation of the Academy of Global Studies inspired our students to study different countries and cultures as well. The students will perform a song from another country in the native language and will offer some of the knowledge they gained during the project. Their performance will feature the countries of Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, England, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Portugal, South Korea, and Uganda.

• Primary South students have worked diligently to prepare for their Fine Arts Night. Family and friends may join us at 7:00 p.m. to view the artwork. A special music presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. Students have been creating and selecting their best artwork all year long, and their artwork will be posted throughout the building for everyone to view. In addition, a select few students will be chosen to receive a reward from art teacher Katie Forney for their excellent artwork. Winning artwork will be marked with a ribbon.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Thank you for your Market Day order this month! We’re looking forward to seeing you when you pick your order up on Thursday, April 7 between 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. You can find us in the cafeteria at Winton Woods Intermediate School. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Bays at 258-7872.

• WWC PTA monthly board meetings feature a guest speaker or topic, general WWC PTA business, and a review of activities and events taking place in each of our district’s six school buildings. PTA business will begin at 7:00 p.m., and our guest speakers will begin at approximately 7:30/7:45 p.m. Upcoming WWC PTA meeting dates: *Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 7:00 p.m. (WWHS Library) WWC PTA 2011-2012 Board Elections followed by School Safety Presentation (Please note – the presentation will include a video that covers topics such as the Columbine High School shootings, which includes violence and language not suitable for young children.) Presented by Forest Park/Greenhills/Springfield Township Police Depts.

*Please note change in date and topic from original PTA meeting schedule.

Refreshments will be served. Children are welcome – please see note regarding May 17 meeting. For additional information or if you have questions please contact WWC PTA President Paula Kuhn, 742-5591 or [email protected].

• The WWC PTA nominating committee is actively recruiting candidates for next year's PTA officer positions. While the current PTA President, Executive Board and Committees are working hard on many things still to come this year, we must start to plan for next year. A nominating committee has been formed to propose a slate of officers for the 2011- 2012 school year. The PTA membership will vote on the slate at the last PTA meeting of the year on May 17. Many positions are open, and we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in a PTA leadership position. We are seeking individuals who are interested in serving as:

• President • Vice President • Vice President – Primary South • Vice President – Primary North • Vice President – WW Elementary • Vice President – WW Intermediate • Vice President – WW Middle • Vice President – WW High • Recording Secretary • Corresponding Secretary • Treasurer

If you're interested in learning more about these opportunities, or if you already know that you would like to volunteer, please get in touch with a member of the nominating committee:

• Bobbie Johnson [email protected] • Leah Hassertt [email protected] • Eileen Mannira [email protected]

Listed below is a brief description of each position, as written in our WWC PTA bylaws:

The President shall: a. Preside at all meetings of this local PTA. b. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating and audit committee. c. Coordinate the work of the officers and committees of this local PTA in order that the purposes may be promoted. d. Appoint committee chairmen with the exception to nominating committee. e. Perform duties prescribed by WWCPTA bylaws, standing rules, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Ohio PTA.

The First Vice President shall: a. Act as an aid to the president. b. Perform the duties of the president in the president’s absence or inability to serve. c. Perform duties prescribed by WWC PTA bylaws, standing rules, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Ohio PTA. d. Attend monthly WWC PTA meetings.

The Building Vice Presidents shall: a. Act as aides to the president. b. Be the elected WWC PTA representative at each assigned school: WW Primary North, WW Primary South, WW Elementary, WW Intermediate, WW Middle School and WW High School c. Coordinate the work of the committees at their designated school building in order that the purposes may be promoted. d. Perform duties prescribed by WWC PTA bylaws, standing rules and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Ohio PTA. e. Attend monthly WWC PTA meetings.

The Recording Secretary shall: a. Keep a record of all meeting of the association, and shall be custodian of the permanent file. b. Have a current copy of the bylaws and standing rules. c. Maintain a membership list. d. Perform duties prescribed by WWC PTA bylaws, standing rules, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Ohio PTA. e. Attend monthly WWC PTA meetings.

The Corresponding Secretary shall: a. Shall be custodian of the WWC PTA email contact list. b. Only use the WWC PTA email list for approved WWC PTA purposes while always maintaining the privacy of the general membership. c. Perform duties prescribed by WWC PTA bylaws, standing rules, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Ohio PTA. d. Attend monthly WWC PTA meetings.

The Treasurer shall: a. Have custody of the funds and maintain a full and accurate account of the receipts and disbursements belonging to this local PTA. b. Make disbursements as authorized by the president, executive board, or this local PTA in accordance with the budget adopted yearly by this local PTA. c. Have checks signed by two people: the treasurer and one other officer. d. Must provide a financial statement at each meeting. e. Present an annual report of the financial condition of the organization. f. Submit the books annually or upon change of officer for an audit by an auditor or an auditing committee of no fewer than three members, who, satisfied that the treasurer's annual report is correct and shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report. g. Report the findings of the annual audit to the executive board. h. Be bonded for a sum sufficient to protect the unit from loss. Equal to and no less than $200,000. i. Perform duties prescribed by WWC PTA bylaws, standing rules, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Ohio PTA. j. Attend monthly WWC PTA meetings.

Community News:

• The Forest Park Environmental Awareness Program has added subsidized summer “Nature” Day Camp experiences to its selection of summer programming. The Forest Park Environmental Program has partnered with the Hamilton County Park District and the Cincinnati Zoo to offer interesting, fun and educational day camp experiences for Forest Park and Greenhills children ages 4 to 14. Qualifying children are eligible to one subsidized “selected” camp experience (50% off camp cost). The limited funds for the camp subsidy will be granted on a first come, first served basis. Residents submitting a “scholarship application” form with the supporting documentation (camp receipt) should expect to receive their reimbursement in September. For registration information, camp selections and a scholarship application form, visit the Forest Park Environmental Awareness homepage at www.forestpark.org/environmental. For additional information, please contact Wright Gwyn, program manager at 595-5263.

May 18, 2011

Quote of the week:

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go. Dr. Suess

Winton Woods High School News:

• College apparel could be seen throughout Winton Woods High School on Tuesday, May 17 as seniors traded their uniforms for t-shirts announcing the colleges and universities they will be attending this fall. “Our seniors will be attending schools across the country, as well as entering the work force and serving in our Armed Forces,” said Senior Counselor Kevin Jones.

Every year Jones puts up a “College Wall of Fame" at the school to honor those attending college. Each paper on the wall contains a senior's name and the college or university the student will attend.

Sporting their college gear during senior week, and shown in front of the “College Wall of Fame” are: (kneeling front, l-r) Jacqueline Rodriguez (UC), Ashante May-Hill (Eastern Carolina University), Rachel Stothfang (UC), Jennifer Jordan (Georgetown College), Jeremy Prater (Florida A&M), Kareesha Springer (University of Akron); back row, l-r) Brittany Fields (Miami University), Alexis Simpson (Bowling Green State University), Kaitlin Otto (UC), Patrick Kelly (United States Navy), Orlando Santiago (United States Air Force), O’Bryant Campbell (United States Navy), Malcolm Thompson (Bowling Green State University), Corey Stewart (The Ohio State University), Christina Ingle (Bowling Green State University), Demetrius Boswell (The Ohio State University), Spechal Roberts (Morehead State University), Aaron Patton (The Ohio State University), Chintan Patel (UC), Alicia Higgins (The Ohio State University), Katie Sherman (The Ohio State University), Christina Dawson (Berea College,) and Kela McBride (University of Kentucky).

• What are you doing with uniforms you may no longer be wearing? Too short, too small, missing a button, need a patch, bottoms too frayed—or maybe you are graduating and leaving your uniform years behind.

District nurse Cindy Marcou has offered to help with washing, mending and recycling them as her summer project. She just needs donations! Please consider giving your old uniforms to help others in need. A collection box will be in the lobby beginning Monday.

• Winton Woods School District students again have the opportunity to visit area colleges and learn more about their campuses during the school’s fifth annual "College Tour" from June 20-24. Winton Woods High School Senior Counselor Kevin Jones will be leading the tours, which will take place from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day. The cost is $15 for each day attended or $75 for the week. Students should bring money for lunch each day they attend and should choose the schools they want to visit and sign up for those days. This year’s colleges are:

Monday, June 20 - Wright State and Central State Universities Tuesday, June 21- Miami University and University of Cincinnati Wednesday, June 22 – The Ohio State University and Cincinnati State College Thursday, June 23 – University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University Friday, June 24 – Northern Kentucky University and Sinclair Community College

“What a great opportunity for students to compare ten different colleges and universities,” said Jones. “We will be talking to the admission offices about the programs they offer, eating on campus, taking a walking tour of the classrooms and facilities, and viewing the dorms.”

Registration is limited to the first 40 participants. Money and completed permission slips should be given to Winton Woods High School Guidance Department Secretary Pat Woeste in the guidance office. For more information, contact Kevin Jones at 619-2414.

• The annual Winton Woods High School Music Awards were held on Monday, May 9, to honor band, orchestra, and choir students, as well as members of the drill team. Special awards presented that evening include:

The Jack Wimmer Award honors former Greenhills/Forest Park Music Supervisor Jack Wimmer and is accompanied by a $250 Music Booster scholarship. This department-wide award is given to the student who "exemplifies motivating spirit, enthusiasm and dedication to the art of music.” The award was presented to Corey Stewart.

The Patrick S. Gilmore Award honors the service and dedication of a high school’s best band students. This year’s award was presented to Kareesha Springer and Christina Dawson.

The John Philip Sousa Award is the most prestigious of the band awards. This is in recognition of outstanding achievement and interest in instrumental music, for singular merit in loyalty and cooperation, and for displaying those high qualities of conduct that school instrumental music requires. The award was presented to Corey Stewart.

The National School Orchestra Award is the highest award given in orchestral music at the high school level. It is presented "in recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding contributions to the success of the school orchestra program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities of conduct." The award was presented to Malcolm Thompson.

The Ambassador Award for Orchestra was presented to junior Sam Rocklin for being a good ambassador outside of the program. Senior Patrick Kelly was recognized for Distinguished Service to the Orchestra Program.

The National School Choral Award is the highest award given in choral music at the high school level. It is presented "in recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding contributions to the success of the school vocal program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities of conduct.” The award was presented to Malcolm Thompson.

The James Cox Memorial Choral Musicianship Award was established by the Winton Wood High School Choral Department in honor of former Greenhills Choir Director James Cox. The award is given to a student who demonstrates superior musicianship skills and leadership. The award was presented to Ifunanya Okwumo.

The Choir Student(s) of the Year Award is given to students who have distinguished themselves in a singular way through leadership, cooperation, commitment and enthusiasm, particularly during their senior year. The award this year was presented to Brittany Fields, Kaitlin Otto, Nila Rudolph and Jacqueline Rodriguez.

The Choral Service Merit Award, new for 2011, was presented to the student who invested the greatest number of service hours into the music program. This award was presented to Ryan Phillips.

The Academic Achievement Award, new for 2011 is presented to two students at each grade level whose academic achievement distinguished them from their peers at the highest possible manner. This award was presented to Keynan Johnson and Kareesha Springer.

The Warrior Award, new for 2011, was given to the student who is either "most improved" student or whose dedication, habits, and work ethic distinguish them in an extraordinary way. The award was presented to Jennifer Jordan.

The Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence was presented by the United States Marines in recognition of diligence, dedication, and musical excellence as a performing high school bandsman and soloist. The award was presented to Kaitlin Otto.

The 2011 Winton Woods High School Music Boosters Scholarship is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the character and tradition of the outstanding music program at Winton Woods High School. This year’s scholarship was awarded to Corey Stewart who was chosen through music director recommendations as well as an essay he wrote about what music has meant in his life.

Winton Woods High School music award winners for 2011 are (l-r) Kareesha Springer, Keynan Johnson, Ifunanya Okwumo, Nila Rudolph, Kaitlin Otto, Jennifer Jordan, Corey Stewart, Malcolm Thompson, Brittany Fields, Christina Dawson, Jacqueline Rodriguez, Ryan Phillips, and Patrick Kelly.

• Winton Woods High School Fine Arts Facilitator David Bell presented parents (l-r) Jeanette and John Jordan, Tina Stewart, and Janet and Ed Steele with the 2011 Friends of the Arts Awards at this year's Music Awards. Bell gives the award in memory of his father, the Reverend Vernon Bell, who was a friend and supporter of the arts.

• Band, orchestra and drill team members from Winton Woods High School headed to New York City on April 18 for a whirlwind three days of performances and site seeing. Orchestra members performed at the Madison Avenue Atrium, which is part of the Trump Building, while members of the band and color guard performed at the Namburg Bandshell in Central Park. “This is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke and many famous groups have performed,” said Band Director Dani Ashbrook. “It was a beautiful day and amazing to perform there.”

In addition to performing, students had a chance to be on the Today Show, received a tour of Radio City Music Hall, had an up-close-and- personal workshop with a Broadway performer, went on a guided tour of the Financial District, visited the memorial for the World Trade Center, and saw the show Memphis on Broadway. They even had time to shop in and tour Times Square, 5th Avenue, Chinatown, and Little Italy and to go on a dinner cruise that took the group around the Statue of Liberty.

“Students never missed a beat in being where they needed to be and represented the school and community very well,” said Ashbrook.

• Winton Woods High School senior Abe Wolke won the top prize of a $2000 college scholarship in the Artists Reaching Classrooms (ARC) Show held on Wednesday, May 4. Wolke competed with students from 12 area schools and was the unanimous choice of the judges.

Seven students— Chhayly Chea, Suniti Nelson, Mogos Tsegay, Courtney Kuhl, Kristen Budke, Cesar Esquivel and Wolke---from art teacher Carol Becci- Youngs' AP/Advanced Art Class at Winton Woods High School participated in the ARC Show, which was held at downtown branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The students’ art is currently on display at the library.

• High school juniors are invited to apply for UC’s summer economics program and earn college credit while learning about Cincinnati’s economy. The Economics Center is now accepting applications from high school juniors interested in the three-week summer program called Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders. It will take place June 13 – July 1. Students should apply at www.economicscenter.org/tl2. The course covers concepts such as opportunity cost, comparative advantage, supply and demand, elasticity, competition, and monopoly.

During the program, high school students become college students as they are enrolled in an undergraduate Economics course (Econ 101). In addition to classroom activities, they will learn about the local economy by touring Cincinnati businesses such as: Clovernook Center for the Blind, CitiGroup Financial Services, Ford Motor Plant and Procter & Gamble. The program is kicked-off with a city bus tour moderated by Dan Hurley and the Regional Chamber of Commerce. Hurley will give students’ insight to the foundational beginning of Cincinnati, explaining the history of the city and how we became the city we are today.

The purpose of this summer program is to provide an early college experience while exploring the great opportunities Cincinnati has to offer our future leaders. The application deadline is May 20, 2011. Seats are limited, so interested students should apply soon. Juniors may apply at www.economicscenter.org/TL2. Check out student testimonials and learn what TL2 alumni are saying about this program. Click here to check out photos from the 2010 TL2 class.

For more information please contact Kimberly Moon, Program Manager at 513.556.8545 or email [email protected].

• Orchestra students had their final concert of the year on Tuesday, May 10, with special recognition given to graduating seniors. “We especially recognized Patrick Kelly and Malcolm Thompson as Patrick played the second movement of the ’Telemann Viola Concerto,’ and Malcolm accompanied him,” said Orchestra Assistant Lois Bell.

Junior Sam Rocklin, who plays double bass in the orchestra, played in the joint concert of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) which marked the last concert by Conductor Paavo Jarvi. “This is a concert that all the students enjoy because they get to sit side by side with the symphony players,” said Bell.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• The Winton Woods Middle School bands, choirs, and orchestra did an outstanding job at the District XIV OMEA Jr. High Large Group Adjudicated Event on Friday and Saturday, May 13-14. “Students demonstrated professionalism and performed from the heart,” said Band Director Kara Barbee. Below are the ratings received by Winton Woods Middle School groups this year. Ratings are based on a scale from 1-5 (1- Superior, 2-Excellent, 3-Good, 4-Fair, 5-Poor); groups may also play for judge's comments only (festival performance).

Superior Rating (I) WWMS Mixed Choir, Class B

Excellent Rating (II) WWMS 8th Grade Band, Class A WWMS Treble Choir, Class B

Good Rating (III) WWMS Orchestra, Class B

Festival Performance (Comments Only) WWMS 7th Grade Band

• Students in Heather Edler’s eighth grade Gateway to Technology engineering class are working in teams as mechanical, electrical, and computer programming engineers. “Each team needs to complete seven jobs,” said Edler. “The jobs include simulating a drive to the movies, controlling a stop light, designing a spinning store sign, and more.”

Students are shown creating a machine to simulate an earthquake. One member builds the model with Fischertechnik pieces, another member wires the motors and lights to the RoboPro TX interface controller, and another member writes the Robo Pro program.

• There will be a student art show, sale and auction in the school library on Monday, May 23 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. All are invited to attend. Students will keep 90% of the winning bid, and 10% goes to the art fund for scholarships next year to help pay for field trips and other art events. The auction will run the entire length of the show, with bids closing promptly at 6:30 p.m. The last person to enter a bid will receive the artwork.

The silent auction works like this. The art displayed will have a sheet that: 1. Identifies the artwork (artist, title if applicable and any other details the artist includes). 2. Includes an opening bid. 3. Has numbered lines for buyer(s) to put their name, phone number and bid 4. Lets buyers see what has been bid, and they decide if they'll bid higher. If so, the bidder enters his or her name and contact information with a higher bid.

• "I never knew people ate that!" exclaimed several of the eighth grade foreign language students as they toured Jungle Jim's International Market last week. As a culmination of units on food, markets, mealtimes, and shopping, 42 Chinese and Spanish students from Winton Woods Middle School spent an enjoyable and educational hour at Jungle Jim's in Fairfield. Students were given a tour of the store, taught where different foods come from and how they can be prepared, and given a chance to try a variety of foods--from peach salsa to sushi, from fresh mozzarella to Jarritos--a Mexican soda. "One of the best parts of the trip was actually seeing some of the things we talked about in class," said eighth grade Spanish student Ashley McCartney. After the store tour, students and chaperons enjoyed a picnic on the Greenhills Commons.

• The Colonizers of Dreams, this year’s chapbook by members of the WWMS Writer’s Group, has officially sold out. The Writer’s Group members would like to thank those who purchased copies, and we hope that you have enjoyed them. Once again we wish to extend our gratitude to Principal Lisa Votaw for the huge support she placed behind us.

In other great news, Teri A, Jacobs, author of The Void and Secrets of Bones, will be attending the Writer’s Group’s after-school meeting on Thursday, May 19 to discuss her career as an author as well as listen to and discuss the work of the members.

• On April 30, 2011, 19 seventh and eighth grade students, and four of their favorite teachers, tackled mud, math, marshmallows, and measurement as they battled at Camp Kern for the title of “Challenge Champion.” One student even said, “My mama said I could get dirty today, and I won’t get in trouble!”

As soon as the teams were given their maps of the different challenges for the day, they were off and running. Students swung on the giant swing as their teammates hoisted them up on a rope. They then used the data from the swing to determine if the mass of the person swinging or the length of the rope the student was hanging from affected the period of the pendulum. Mrs. Lumpkin took one for the teams sliding down the mine shaft into a mud puddle so her team could calculate her speed to get points. Cameron Mobley caught eight marshmallows in his mouth as his teammates dropped them from the top of a 40-foot tower. All three teams created a hole large enough for the team to walk through out of a single piece of 8.5 x 11 inch paper. This just describes some of the feats accomplished by the students as they completed their journey through the Challenge. The Challenge Champions are both Mrs. Piron’s and Mrs. Meyer’s teams due to a tie. The students on these teams were: Armani Brown, Jillian Lloyd, Kiara Ramsey, Sidnie Harden, Cameron Mobley, Tia Evans, Darion Parker, Darrell Mann, Dayanna Rockemore, Bryan Nieto, Uriyah Brookins and Nie Lee.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

WWIS MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

16 -18- 5th graders to Camp Campbell Gard 18 - 6th grade Science Terra Nova Assessment 20 - 6th Grade Dance (during school hours) Student of the Month Breakfast 23 - 5th grade Field Day Orchestra Concert at 7:00 p.m. at WWIS 25 - WWIS Staff vs. Students Competition at 1:30 p.m. Early dismissal at 2:00 p.m. 26 - 6th Grade Field Day at Winton Woods High School Early dismissal at 2:00 p.m. 27 - Last Day of School for Students 6TH Grade Awards Ceremony at 9:00 a.m. – Students are permitted to leave with an authorized adult after the ceremony. 5th Grade Awards Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Early dismissal at 2:00 p.m.

• Sprinters Club members from Winton Woods Elementary (WWES) and Intermediate Schools (WWIS) participated in the Flying Pig 5K Race on Saturday, April 30. “The WWIS Sprinters had 25 students and three teachers, and WWES had 30 students and three teachers run in the race,” said WWIS science teacher and Sprinters Club sponsor Janet Harden, who ran the Flying Pig Half-Marathon the next day. Physical Education teacher Sheri Conrad is the Sprinter’s Club sponsor at WWES.

“The weather was perfect, and the students and parents had a great time,” said Harden. “Ms. Conrad and I are so proud of all of our students who finished the race. This is an accomplishment that they will remember for a long time.”

• Congratulations to the WWIS Crystal Apple Teaching Award Winners for the 2010-2011 school year!

Carl Paff There are so many positive things that we can say about Mr. Carl Paff. He is one of the most helpful staff members on our team, and he has been this way for so many years. Carl serves as our physical education teacher daily, but this is only one of the roles he plays in the building. He is one of the co-advisors of the Student Council as well as a member of the Building Leadership Team. One of our greatest moments here at WWIS was the “Warriors for the Cause” staff vs. students fundraiser basketball game—and guess who one of the major players in this success was? Carl Paff, of course! He does so much for the school, including organizing the March Madness basketball tournament, helping to plan the honor roll celebrations, and setting up for the band and orchestra concerts. He heads up the Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart campaign on a yearly basis, and the Fantabulous Flower sale is always a hit. So many things would not happen if it weren't for Carl's devotion to the students at WWIS. He donates countless hours of his time to see that things run smoothly! Thank you, Carl! We couldn't do it without you.

Delores Morson Delores Morson is spending her last year here at WWIS as a sixth grade math teacher, but she is so much more to so many people. Ms. Morson is a seasoned veteran and leads her team with experience. She has supported St. Jude's Children's hospital for years by allowing her students to participate in the math-a-thon to raise money. Her other talent that she shares with us is her singing. She has honored us by singing the National Anthem at many of our events, as well as participating in many of the holiday concerts as a soloist. She has many artistic talents to go along with her expertise in teaching. This is the last year that Ms. Morson will be a part of our staff, and it has been our pleasure to have her grace our presence. Thank you, Delores Morson, and we will miss you!

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Right to Read Week themed "Camp Read to Achieve" has begun! Feel free to stop in and check out Camp Read to Achieve set up in our front lobby. On Monday, we read books in our comfy pajamas. On Tuesday, we did paired reading with third and fourth grade classes combined. The rest of our week includes: crazy sock day, mystery readers, read a button day and breakfast with a book! In addition, our book fair will be culminating with an evening Ice Cream Social on Thursday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. Fourth grader Alvion Sanders is pictured at Camp Read to Achieve.

• The Greenhills/Forest Park Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a "Reaching New Heights" reading contest. This contest is designed to allow students to showcase the skills they have attained throughout the year. It is also a chance to use their creativity to share a story they have read with others. The Kiwanis Club will be providing an awesome grand prize to one third grader and one fourth grader. Thank you, Kiwanis Club!

• It's a big week in music at Winton Woods Elementary! Our third graders are having "Bring a Grown Up to Music" week. In these sessions, parents have a chance to participate in music class by practicing songs, rhythm and playing interactive games with Miss Rodriguez. We had a great time! In addition, our fourth grade music and chorus concert will take place this evening at 7:00 p.m. We'd love to see you there!

Winton Woods Primary News: MAY

• 17 -18 PS 1st Grade Field Trip to Parky's Farm 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. • 18 PN 2nd Grade "Step-Up" visit to WWES 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. • 19 PS Volunteer Appreciation Brunch • 23/24 PN 1st Grade Parky's Farm Field Trip • 23 PS 2nd Grade "Step-Up" visit to WWES 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. • 24 PN Good Behavior Party with the Principal - at 2:25 p.m. • 24 PS 2nd Grade ~Academic Achievement Night at 6:00-8:00 p.m. • 25 PN 2nd Grade ~Academic Achievement Assembly at 2:00 p.m. • 25 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 26 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 27 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 30 Memorial Day ~ School Closed • 31 Teacher Record Day

• June 1 Report Cards Mailed Home

• Primary North and Primary South would like to thank our PTA representatives and our principals for all the special treats during Teacher Appreciation Week. Our wonderful PTA representatives volunteered their time and energy to organize a variety of activities this year such as Doughnuts With Dad, Muffins With Mom, Spare Change Challenge, movie nights, popcorn days, and so much more. During Teacher Appreciation Week the teachers were given daily surprises, breakfast, dessert treats and as a wonderful lunch on Friday.

• Winton Woods Primary North would like to thank Jan Mavridoglou for being our PTA representative and for her endless time and energy in supporting our staff and students. Also special thanks to our PTA representatives Leah Hassertt, Kim Bays, Shelley Dirr, and Alicia Bierle for all their support!

• Winton Woods Primary South Staff would like to thank Dave and Tina Prentosito for being PTA representatives this school year and for all you have done for us and for our students!

• "Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all Ages, Winton Woods Primary North and Primary South proudly celebrated Right to Read Week: "Book Carnival … Your Ticket to Read." A special thank you to the cafeteria staff at WWPN (Kathy Moore, Shari Spaw, and Marilyn Sanders) and the cafeteria staff at WWPS (Linda McKeehan and Mary Phillips), who surprised all the students by dressing up as circus clowns while Food Service Director Karen Homan and Secretary Kathy Westendorf read books to the students while they ate lunch. In addition, Karen

Homan made sure that all students were treated to a bag of animal crackers and purchased books for the "lucky tray" give- away. Primary North "mystery readers" read and sang poems to our students each morning, and Principal Tonya Bray at Primary South recited poetry by Shel Silverstein. Thank you for visiting the Scholastic Book Fair at Primary South for a “buy one, get one free” sale. Thanks to all who have helped us celebrate the right to read!

• Reading in the summer is cool! Miss Amy, the children's librarian from the Greenhills Public Library, visited Primary North on May 12. The students were encouraged to join "Team Read" and participate in Summer Reading 2011! Read all summer to win cool prizes like Coney Island passes, Reds tickets and a Nook Color! Visit www.cincinnatilibrary.org/summerread or your local library location for more information and to register!

• Primary North’s green thumbs were busy on Saturday, May 7 for the school’s second annual WWPN Garden Party. Parents, teachers, and staff participated in beautifying the grounds at Primary North. Special thanks to Speech Therapist Kaci Snell for hosting this wonderful Garden Party and to our PTA for supplying snacks. The party was a great success, and everyone who helped had a great time. We were able to clean out the Stevie Lawler Memorial Garden and Land Lab, as well as beautify other areas of the grounds. Special thanks to all who came out and participated! First grader Sarah Dirr is shown at the Garden Party.

• Primary South would like to congratulate Julieanne Smith’s and Cindy Boehm’s MH classes for winning the recycling challenge for April. These classes brought in over 30 pounds of cans throughout the month, and the whole school brought in a total of 116 pounds. Only three more collection days this year so remember to bring in those cans for recycling!

• Winton Woods Primary South is grateful to all the volunteers who have helped our students throughout this school year. Thank you for your time and energy! Pictured are volunteers (l-r) Joan Purves, Terri Doten and Marlene Johnson with WWPS students (l-r) Esmerelda Diaz, Joseph Hernandez, Lariya Bullock, Diman Batoma, Marcus Johnson, Maria Rodriguez, and Brianna Avalos.

WWC PTA News:

• There’s still time to get your Market Day order in and help us end the year strong! Take advantage of the biggest savings of the year. Order online at marketday.com until 11:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, May 28 or return your order form to school by Wednesday, May 25. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, you can call Kim Bays at 258-7872.

We appreciate your support and are looking forward to seeing you at our Market Day sale on June 2!

• The Amended Substitute House Bill 153 was passed by the House of Representatives on May 5. This version of the budget includes components that increase vouchers and charter schools while cutting funding for gifted education and slashing funding to K - 12 education.

The bill has now moved to the Senate. We need to contact the senators to let them know this is unacceptable. As a PTA member, concerned citizen and parent, let them know that public education is a priority in Ohio!

You can send a message to your senator by going to the capwiz tool on the Ohio PTA website and filling in your information.

Go to the Ohio PTA website: www.ohiopta.org Advocacy Page (tab at top) Capwiz (Hit Take Action)

Fill in your information and hit send.

Please take action today and help Ohio PTA let our state leaders know that education is a priority!

• Congratulations to the newly-elected 2011-2012 Winton Woods Community PTA Executive Board members:

President ~ Rochelle Prater First Vice President ~ Dave Prentosito Recording Secretary ~ Jan Mavridoglou Corresponding Secretary ~ Debbie Day Treasurer ~ Eileen Mannira WWPN VP ~ Rebecca Strong WWPS VP ~ pending WWES VP ~ Stephanie Johnson WWIS VP ~ Leah Hassertt WWMS VP ~ Yvette Edwards WWHS VP ~ Paula Kuhn

Thank you for the commitment of your time and energy to the students and families of Winton Woods Schools. It is greatly appreciated!

Current board members will remain in their positions until the end of the PTA’s fiscal year on June 30. The 2011-2012 Board will begin their office term July 1, 2011.

Alumni News:

• Forest Park High School graduate Ron Aufmann was recognized for his 25th year of service to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at a recent concert. Ron plays bass clarinet in the CSO and teaches clarinet at both NKU and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

When Ron was a Forest Park High School student, he was awarded the John Phillip Sousa Award during his senior year. In addition, his mother, Mary Lou Aufmann, is a former teacher for Winton Woods City Schools and is still a resident of and active volunteer with the district.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School alumnus Chonnette Leathers (Abel), from the class of 1987, whose book, Die to Live, has been published through Tate Publishing. "Many students have been touched by our dedication to education and I hope that my daughter's story will bless your life as much as it has mine," said Antionette Hurley- Duke, Chonnette's mom and a retired substitute teacher in the district. To learn more about "Die to Live" or to order a copy of the book, visit www.dietolivebook.com..

Community News:

• Due to the extensive flooding around Winton Lake, the Hamilton County Park District is having a special Winton Lake Flood Cleanup on Saturday, May 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help remove debris and trash that has been left behind by the flood waters at Winton Woods.

The entire public, including Scouts, youth groups, church groups and school groups are encouraged to come lend a helping hand. All of those who participate will be rewarded with a discount coupon for one free hour of boat rental (a $10.00 value) with the purchase of one hour.

This is a rain or shine event. Volunteers will meet at Kestrel Point in Winton Woods (adjacent to Winton Centre) at 8:00 a.m. and sign in, receive a name tag, and choose a designated cleanup location around the lake. At roughly 9:00 a.m. a few announcements will be made and then volunteers will go with their assigned cleanup leader and will follow them to their cleanup site.

It is highly advised that volunteers dress for the occasion, such as boots and pants, and to be prepared to get dirty. The Park District will provide garbage bags and latex gloves, but it is recommended that volunteers bring their own work gloves. Young children who volunteer must be accompanied by an adult.

Winton Woods is located at 10245 Winton Road in Springfield Township. For additional information prior to the event, please contact Communications Specialist Kimberly Whitton at (513) 521-7275 ext. 249 or at [email protected].

• The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the Forest Park Fire Department and the Village incorporation of Forest Park will be Sunday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Forest Park Senior Center, located at 11555 Winton Road. Dinner will be served. The cost is $10.00 per person. RSVP at 595-5202 or send an e-mail to [email protected] by May 15. Checks should be made payable to the City of Forest Park. The Fire Department will hold an Open House preceding the celebration from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Main Fire Station. There will be fun, food, games and prizes for all ages.

• Join Summer Reading at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and you can earn prizes as you have fun reading. Sign up online at http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/summerread/2011/ and start tracking your reading after June 1. Kids earn a free book after reading five books, and they earn other prizes each time they read another five—or they can keep track of the time they spend reading. There will be drawings for Coney Island tickets and Reds tickets, too. The best part is that the whole family can do summer reading because there are parts for preschoolers, kids, teens and adults. Looking for fun things to do? Check out our fun summer programs at each library location too. The Forest Park Library is at 655 Waycross in Forest Park, and our phone number is 513-369-4478. Go to www.cincinnatilibrary.org to see all the great things the library has to offer!

• The fourth annual Kiwanis Cares Family Safety Fair will be held June 18 at the Kemper Heights Early Learning Center, located at 924 Waycross Road. This fun event runs from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. with many activities for children and parents focused on learning about safety at home and play. Free bike safety helmets will be given to the first 50 children participating in the bicycle safety station.

Other activities include the smokehouse, demonstrating fire safety, Safety Rocks interactive program, and health screening for parents. The Fair is presented by the Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis, SW Ohio Kiwanis for Kids, the Forest Park Fire Department and the Forest Park Police Department. Come join us for free refreshments and a fun afternoon!

• The Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center is offering summer enrichment at its facility at 880 Compton Road in the Winton Woods School District. Weekly drop-in classes are offered for ages 2 ½ to adults, and fun summer dance camps are offered as well. CDMC is offering a 10% discount to all Winton Woods students, with a 20% discount for Winton Woods students in the reduced-price lunch program, and a 50% discount for Winton Woods students in the free lunch program. Please see the attached registration form for details regarding the summer dance classes, or call 521-8462 for additional information.

May 25, 2011

Quote of the week:

The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse. Edward Koch

District News:

• Friday, May 27 is the last day of the 2010-2011 school year for students. We wish you all a happy, fun and safe summer!

• The Winton Woods Board of Education unanimously approved the first two phases of budget cuts totaling over $2.5 million at its May 23 meeting. The district’s new budget includes in its first phase cutting 16 teachers, three administrators, and 19 classified staff. The second phase is a recently negotiated three-year staff salary freeze with no cost of living or step increases for teachers and administrative/exempt staff. The third phase of the district’s budget process, negotiations between the board and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE), begins this week.

According to John Pennycuff, president of the Winton Woods Board of Education, staff cuts are necessary due to estimated reductions in state funding totaling $2.1 million in 2011-2012 and over $800,000 in 2012- 2013. Phase I of the new budget reduces the district’s teachers by 6%, administrators by 14%, and classified staff by 10% and streamlines district operations, saving an estimated total of $1,592, 585.

In grades K-8, positions reduced include a technology teacher, two science lab teachers, three reading/ language arts teachers, three intervention specialists, a library media specialist and a physical education teacher. At the high school, reductions include a business/technology teacher, a credit recovery teacher, two intervention specialists and one teacher from the district’s Project Success program. The district is also cutting two assistant principals, one supervisor, four custodians, two office assistants, three instructional assistants, and 10 special education instructional assistants.

In addition to the personnel cuts, the district will achieve additional savings through more efficient business practices, including reduced utilities costs. “The district will implement a summer work schedule of four 10-hour days from June 20-August 1 to reduce costs,” said Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe. “On the plus side, we have gained 14 new students with our newly-adopted open enrollment policy, which generates new revenue for the district.”

Nasbe admitted that with the current state of the economy and with budget cuts occurring at school districts throughout the area, that this is a very difficult time for her teachers and support staff. “It is difficult as well for this district to lose well-qualified, dedicated staff members.” For those affected by the personnel cuts, the district has offered to provide assistance with resumes and interviews. “This hasn’t been an easy process, but we’re doing everything possible to maintain a quality, world-class education for our students,” said Nasbe.

• Clear backpacks can be purchased at the Board of Education office for $10. They will be available all summer while supplies last.

• On Tuesday, May 24, the district hosted a “Window to Winton Woods” meeting. Community members, local governmental officials, and pastors of local churches were invited to come and learn more about our district and our newest programs. Community members interested in being added to the guest list for future meetings may contact Gina Burnett at [email protected] or 619-2301.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Congratulations to the graduating class of 2011! This year’s seniors have earned over $6 million in scholarships and are attending colleges across the country. Graduation will take place on Thursday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Cintas Center. We wish all our seniors the best of luck in their future endeavors!

• Winton Woods High School will compete athletically as an independent school for the 2012-2013 school year. This decision came after serious consideration of an offer from the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference (CMAC) to include the school in its conference even though Winton Woods is not part of the Cincinnati Public Schools system.

“We sincerely appreciate Cincinnati Public Schools for accepting our application when no other conference would,” said Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell. “However, in looking at sports offerings, high school enrollment, and the number of junior varsity and ninth grade teams available to compete against, it was simply not a good fit.”

Winton Woods High School will re-apply to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) during the 2011-2012 school year in the hopes that the ECC will take applications next school year. Their application to be an original member of the league was turned down. “The ECC is our best fit,” said Campbell. “Currently the league has only seven teams and accepting another high school will make it easier for everyone to schedule games.” The teams currently in the ECC are Loveland, Turpin, Walnut Hills, Anderson, Glen Este, Kings, and Milford.

Campbell will address the Winton Woods Board of Education at a special meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 4:00 p.m. to present the rationale for the decision and the costs associated with going independent. He will be joined by Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden. At 6:30 p.m. they will speak to the school’s Athletic Boosters in the high school cafeteria.

“Our Athletic Boosters have been extremely patient with this long process,” said Holden. “While we know going independent for the 2012- 2013 school year is strictly a short-term solution, we are confident that our Boosters will do everything they can to support our athletic program and our student-athletes through this transition.”

• Winton Woods City School’s annual “Superintendent’s Scholars” reception was held on May 19 to pay tribute to the top 16 scholars from the Winton Woods High School Class of 2011. These seniors were honored by Superintendent Dr. Camille Nasbe for their superior academic success at a reception at Molloy’s on the Green in Greenhills. The reception was also attended by the students’ parents and by the teachers chosen by the students as their “Most Influential Teacher” during their years in the district. Each scholar received an engraved medal and certificate. A plaque with names of the 16 students will hang in the office at Winton Woods High School. The awards were sponsored this year by parents Glenn and Barb Drees of Greenhills.

The students in class rank order, and the colleges they will be attending are Valedictorian Christina Ingle – Bowling Green State University; Salutatorian Chhayly Chea) – University of Cincinnati; Malcolm Thompson – Bowling Green State University; Renee Chandler – Miami University; Corey Stewart – The Ohio State University; Lachelle Brooks - The Ohio State University; Chintan Patel - University of Cincinnati; Jennifer Jordan – Georgetown College; Jacqueline Rodriguez - University of Cincinnati; Aaron Patton - The Ohio State University; Kaitlin Otto - University of Cincinnati; Katelyn Sherman - The Ohio State University; Jade Lewis – University of Kentucky; Sonya Sorrells - University of Cincinnati; Rebekah Lowery - The Ohio State University; and Alicia Higgins - The Ohio State University.

• The top 16 scholars in the Winton Woods School District thanked their most influential teachers for the impact they had on the students’ lives and education at a special dinner on May 19. This year’s “Most Influential Teacher” honorees from Winton Woods High School are calculus teacher Jim Breyer, Social Studies teacher and drama director Michelle Kozlowski, Language Arts teachers Shannon Curran and Michele Stahl, Spanish teacher Ann Erhart, Chemistry teacher Ann McGahan, Media Specialist Michelle Sisk, Engineering teacher Myrtis Smith and Choir Director David Bell. Also honored were Mary Barnes from Winton Woods Elementary School, Christine Townsell from Winton Woods Intermediate School and Larry Day, former Winton Woods High School drama director who is the principal at the district’s alternative education school.

Chin Patel was warned by his siblings about Jim Breyer’s Calculus class long before he stepped into the classroom, but Patel praised Breyer, saying, “I have learned that sweating during math homework is a sign of your brain functioning.” This year’s salutatorian Chhayly Chea said Breyer “is not the type of teacher that just goes through the lesson neglecting whether the students are learning or not. He makes sure every student learns and no one is left behind.”

Valedictorian Christina Ingle praised Adam Gergen as coach who “has pushed me to my physical and emotional limits” and as a teacher who “strengthened my organizational skills and taught me valuable knowledge.” Katie Sherman, who also chose Gergen, said, “One of his own quotes is to ‘live life for a purpose greater than yourself.’ He’s taught me that if you do that, then you’re living life and doing great.”

Jade Lewis said Ann Erhart “reminds her students of how important it is to take one’s education seriously.” Rebekah Lowery’s influential teacher, Ann McGahan, “made science fun, with her sense of humor, creative labs and even staying after hours to give extra help.” Shannon Curran, who was chosen by Alicia Higgins, not only taught English but “taught us how to be respectful, how to present ourselves to others and how to always believe in yourself.” Her fellow language arts teacher Michele Stahl was praised by Lachelle Brooks. “Mrs. Stahl has made her mark in my life and I thank her for every lesson she has taught, every moment she has taken time for me and every smile she has brought to my face.”

Malcolm Thompson said, “Mr. Day has shown me that school is a stage of life that is meant to develop students into thinking individuals that can create and contribute valuable things in society.” Renee Chandler chose Michelle Sisk because “her work ethic and efficiency has influenced me to become a librarian and I really appreciate her constant presence in the defining years of my life.” Choir members Jennifer Jordan and Jacqueline Rodriguez chose their director, Dave Bell, as most influential. “He is intelligent but always learning, and humble but always succeeding,” said Jordan. “He pushes me and my peers beyond what we ever expect from ourselves. He’s taught me to not be scared; to not be afraid to exceed what is expected of me,” added Rodriguez.

Drama director Michelle Kozlowski was thanked by Kaitlin Otto for “pushing me to do better, whether it was for acting or school.” Aaron Patton found a love of engineering and a career path from Myrtis Smith. “Through her lesson plans and her hands-on activities, I have not only learned about the field of engineering, but how to problem solve in everyday life.”

Two students went back to grade school to choose their influential teachers. “This teacher, no my supporter, my school mom, the person I look up to, has been in my life since I first walked into her room in 2001,” said Corey Stewart of Mary Barnes. Primary teacher Christine Townsell had her arm around Sonya Sorrells as Sorrells told her, “You were not only kind but you took me under your wing and guided me as one of your own.”

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• “Thank you to everyone for your support, words of praise for the students’ work, taking time to come to the show, purchases, food and ice donations and congratulations on a successful art show and sale and silent auction,” said Winton Woods Middle School art teacher Patty New. Totals earned to help fund art scholarships for next year to help pay for field trips and other art events include:

Students' "off-the-wall" sales: $268.00 Students' sales from the silent auction: $305.00 Total: $573.00

Thank you again for making the art show and sale a wonderful and successful experience!

• More than 100 people attended the Winton Woods ESL (English as a Second Language) Family Celebration on Tuesday evening, May 17 at the middle school. Students and family members from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific enjoyed traditional ethnic foods, as well as such “international” staples as pizza, cookies and chips. Fiction and non-fiction books, dictionaries and educational games were raffled off to the delight of everyone, young and old alike. The event was organized by the Winton Woods ESL department, funded by the district, and hosted by Principal Lisa Votaw.

Gary Giblin, ESL coordinator for Winton Woods City Schools, said this was a great opportunity for families to come together, to make connections, and learn about resources that can benefit them. “We offer a summer ESL program to help prepare kids for the upcoming school year, so we can make sure that families know about that,” he explained. “Plus we have a group of teachers developing a Latino literacy program to help families stimulate a love of reading in both English and their native language.” Other outreaches, including a homework program sponsored by the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church of Forest Park, were also promoted during the event.

Given the enthusiastic response and the area’s growing multicultural community, the Winton Woods School District hopes to make this an annual celebration and community outreach event.

• The Winton Woods Middle School choirs had an extraordinarily successful year of music-making and team-building throughout 2010-2011. Over 140 students at WWMS are involved in choir, and their teacher, Janna Frank, could not be more proud of the accomplishments they have achieved and the challenges they have overcome this year.

On May 11, the annual Spring Sing was held in the WWMS auditorium. The auditorium is currently getting a face lift with thanks to the WWC PTA, Winton Woods Music Boosters, and our diligent and encouraging principal, Lisa Votaw. Honorees at the Spring Sing were:

• 8th grade Directors Award—Outstanding Choral Member - Alex Kuhn • 8th grade Outstanding Vocalists - Anna Clark & Kayla Wiley • 8th grade Directors Award for Participation - Jasmine Edwards & Tiffany Hudson • 8th grade Most Improved - Aliyah Ledford • 7th grade Director’s Award—Outstanding Choral Member - Alysha George & Kamella Wolfork • 7th grade Outstanding Vocalists - Simone Anthony, Kamiy Bomar, Delaney Lindeman • 7th grade Most Improved - David Keeling & Ana DeLeon.

Spring Sing served as a tune-up for OMEA Large Group Contest which was held at Mt. Healthy on Friday evening, May 13. Both the seventh grade Treble Choir and the seventh and eighth grade Mixed Choir competed in class B. The Treble Choir received an overall II (Excellent) rating. The Mixed Choir received an overall I (Superior) rating. The musicians carried themselves with the pride and dignity of Warriors, and represented Winton Woods with maturity and class. A special thanks to Assistant Choir Director Elizabeth Barth and to accompanist Jeanette Jordan for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Many thanks, as well, to the parent chaperones who volunteered their time so that the contest trip could run smoothly.

To end the year, Bob Schuning, language arts teacher at WWMS, composed a song for the eighth graders who will go on to shine in the high school music program next year. Frank sang “Soar Like Eagles” as Schuning played piano during the final choir class of the year. Congratulations to all musicians for another outstanding year of music making at WWMS!

• Physical education teacher Derek Christerson’s health classes once again teamed up with the Forest Park Fire Department and Safety Officer Jermaine Hill to get trained and certified in CPR. Students were taught many life saving strategies as well as the new techniques and regulations for CPR. Over the past three years there have been over 150 Winton Woods students certified in CPR, and the number grew even larger this semester.

Students who received certification were: Tyrell Evans, Dreshaun James, Christopher Wright, Michael Williams, Mikala Sundin, Dushaiylah Hamilton, Tyshon Capell, Jordan Carpenter, Tenkorang Dorga, Alysha George, Jade Hudson, David Keeling, Taylor Smith, Hannah Van Dyke, Jessica Vaughn Dillan Mariani, Kamry Brown, Victoria Collins, Sarai Dean, Justin Moore, Priscilla Quao, and Elvis Diaz.

• The Winton Woods Middle School Writer's Group held their final meeting on Thursday, May 19. “The year was filled with laughter, tears and too many arguments over the relative merits of the Twilight and Harry Potter series while we shared writing and ideas on ways to improve our craft,” said Anthony Klancar, Writer’s Group sponsor and building substitute. “Somewhere along the course, we also put out a chapbook, The Colonizers of Dreams, that sold out and met much praise. It was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to the year, but we had plenty of pizza and cupcakes to sop up the weeping.”

Also, Teri Jacobs, author of The Void and Secrets of the Bones, joined the group to send the year off in style. “She shared a story of her own, listened to poetry and stories by group members, provided feedback and advice and talked a bit about her life as a writer,” said Klancar. “The last act of the group was to officially rename it ‘The Head Cases,’ because no sane person would care so much about scribbles on paper. I wholeheartedly look forward to the opportunity of spending another year with my fellow Head Cases and wish the best for those leaving us for the high school.”

• “This Family” by 7th grader Carlie Treat

This family always has time to laugh… This family never splits in half… This family’s bond is strong… This family worries because it won’t be long… Until school’s out and this family… Has to move away... But you know we’ll always stay… A family that is so super cool… A family that lives in school.

• Congratulations to Heather Edler's Technology 8 first bell class for winning the Campbell's Labels and Box Tops for Education competition. Edler's class collected 600 labels to win an "out of uniform" day on this past Friday. The second place class was Maria Leiss’s first bell class with a total of 297. The third place class was Lisa Giblin's class with at total of 222. The seventh grade teachers will be reminding students to collect over the summer because we will collect labels next year.

• Winton Woods Middle School’s Honors Night took place on Wednesday, May 18. Seventh and eighth grade students were honored for many different achievements including honor roll, citizenship, excellence in education, sportsmanship, music, and perfect attendance. Staff members were even awarded for their work with students. The following are some highlights of the awards given:

• Outstanding Music Student: Anna Clark • Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award: Hayley Perkins and Anthony Phillips • Kathy Kaiser Memorial Award: Jasmyn Vines • Principal’s Two-Year 4.0: Hayley Perkins • Pat Schuck Award: Anna Clark • Siddartha Shah Award: Kendra Jackson • Teacher of the Year Award: Katherine Sparke • Extra Mile Award: Gregory Franklin • Student Choice Award: Gregory Franklin

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

May

25- WWIS Staff vs. Students Competition - 1:00 p.m. Early dismissal – 2:00 p.m. 26- 6th Grade Field Day at WWHS Out of Uniform Day for all students Early dismissal at 2:00 p.m. 27- Last day of school for students 6TH Grade Awards Ceremony – 9:00 a.m. (Students are permitted to leave with an authorized adult after the ceremony.) Dress for Success 5TH Grade Awards Ceremony – 1:00 p.m. D.A.R.E. t-shirts and uniform bottom Early dismissal at 2:00 p.m.

• Seventy-six WWIS students and staff attended the afternoon Cincinnati Reds Game against the Pittsburg Pirates on Thursday, May 19. This exciting opportunity was provided by Paul Jones, a Forest Park resident and Junior Achievement teacher at WWIS. The students selected to attend from the Purple Panthers Pod demonstrated excellent behavior and worked hard to do their best on the OAA. In addition, students with excellent behavior and perfect attendance throughout the year were invited to attend. The students were given the opportunity to meet and greet with Reds officials, including Reds Manager Dusty Baker. Mr. Jones has been teaching Junior Achievement at Winton Woods Intermediate School over the past four years and has truly connected with our students. We appreciate his generosity and support of the students and staff at WWIS. We look forward to continuing the partnership.

• WWIS would like to thank all students, parents, and community members for a wonderful year of learning. We appreciate your support and dedication to education throughout the school year!

• Parents and guardians are reminded that all school textbooks which have been signed out at the main office must be returned to the office by Friday, May 27. Books that are not returned will be added to school fees. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Our "Reaching New Heights" Reading Contest was a huge success! This effort was sponsored by the Greenhills/Forest Park Kiwanis Club. Students had to create a project that helped others understand the story they read, demonstrated the skills they have attained in Language Arts and displayed their creativity. The grand prize winner in each grade won a brand new bike. Congratulations to third grader Shanoah Moore and fourth grader Anyia Thompson who were our grand prize winners. We also want to acknowledge our winners from each homeroom: Mariza Diaz (Grand prize - Honorable Mention), Aria Gaines (Grand prize - Honorable Mention), Arris Ferry, Lemor Carlton, Brian Williams, Dylan Nieto, Clarrisa Kester, Zaire Deck, Lindsay Thompson, Leah Alexander, Amari Brandy, Faye Webber, Jessy James, Cherina Duckworth, Alexis Beamon, Hakeem Griggs, Robert McClain, Sierra Perry. The Kiwanis Club also surprised Mr. Dorsey with an honorary membership to the organization.

• We also want to spotlight the incredible job our chorus and fourth graders did at the chorus concert and recorder recital. The recorder “Karate Program” placed students at karate belt levels based on their skill at playing the recorder. In addition, the chorus performed a variety of wonderful songs. Fourth grader Kate Ingram graced us with a wonderful piano solo. Principal Kendell Dorsey even directed a spiritual with the chorus. It was a wonderful night. Thanks to music teacher Kathy Rodriguez and our students for showcasing their talents.

• We want to acknowledge our retirees: Dianna Rieth (Title 1 Math Teacher), Francie Owen (third grade language arts teacher) and Tom Miele (school psychologist). We thank you for the many years you have committed to serving children of our district. We will miss you all greatly!

Winton Woods Primary News:

MAY

• 25 PN 2nd Grade ~Academic Achievement Assembly at 2:00 p.m. • 25 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 26 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 27 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 30 Memorial Day ~ School Closed • 31 Teacher Record Day

JUNE

• 1 Report Card Mailed Home

• Spring is in the air in Room 2 at Winton Woods Primary North as the preschoolers have been studying spring and sports. Teacher Theresa Ramsey and teacher aide Diana DeWeese read and implemented the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle to teach the students about healthy foods, days of the week, numbers, colors and metamorphosis. During the story, the caterpillar eats different amounts of food each day of the week, and at the end of the story changes into a beautiful butterfly.

"The scene outside the classroom door was inspired Eric Carle's illustrations which were created with collage techniques using hand- painted papers that are cut, layered, and shaped to create this colorful artwork," said Ramsey. "The pages of the book vary in size, which is also part of the fun." Throughout the year, Ramsey talked about the parts of a book and ended the year by encouraging the students to become their own illustrators. So with inspiration from Carle and other illustrators and authors, the preschool students in room 2 created what they imagined the caterpillar saw when he became a beautiful butterfly. "Pre-school is a fun- filled learning environment here at Primary North," said Ramsey, who will be returning next year. "It can be a life-changing experience for you and your preschooler."

• Congratulations to the Primary North and Primary South students for their many accomplishments this year and a special thanks to all our teachers and staff for the dedication of teaching, encouragement and support. "A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops."

• Primary North students and staff had a fabulous time partying with Principal Katie Klei on Tuesday, May 23. Everyone enjoyed celebrating their successes this year with dancing and singing. A special thank you to the super D.J. "Johnny D." who brought the party to all of us at Primary North.

• Primary North music teacher Jennifer Blincoe is proud to announce that students in Mrs. Sentker/Mrs. Vandivier's second grade, Class B received the "Music Class of the Year Award” for their outstanding accomplishments.

• This year at Primary North students completed many interesting projects in Art class. Art teacher Nancy Bleisch has chosen two first graders and two second graders who consistently worked hard on every project. The awards for Outstanding Effort in Art go to first graders Mikayliah Lumpkin and Julian Vaca- Iber and second graders Keyonte Dangerfield-Bates and Alondra Sotelo.

• Jennifer Blincoe, Primary North art teacher, would like to recognize two students who showed great musical skill this year. These students consistently followed directions and led their classes with respectful, responsible behavior. In the first grade the Outstanding Music Student of the Year is Stacey Serwaa in Mrs. Noel's class. In the second grade the Outstanding Music Student of the Year is Mark Behrendt in Mrs. Townsell's class. Congratulations to these students!

• It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to Susan Doan, Primary South's office assistant. Susan has spent many years at Primary South, and all of her children attended the school when it was Lakeside Elementary. She was the coordinator of the HOSTS program for eight years and then joined the office staff four years ago. When you walk in the office door she is the first person you see. And no matter who it was— students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and guests—she greeted everyone with a smile and catered to their every need. We will truly miss Mrs. Doan and wish her the best luck in all of her future endeavors!

• From June 1 - July 31, join Team Read, the library’s 38th annual summer reading program. This year there are more ways to win than ever before. The more you read, the more chances to score and win. All sorts of fantastic prizes for preschoolers, kids, teens, and adults are available this summer. These prizes include: books, toys, ear buds, flash drives and entries to grand prize drawings for Reds tickets and Coney Island passes. The child, teen and adult who read the most at each library location will win a Nook Color! Kids and their families are invited to stop by the Main Library’s Children's Learning Center or any of our branches on Saturday, June 4 between 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. to decorate a Team Read pennant and enjoy refreshments courtesy of Costco Wholesale. We’ll supply everything you need to personalize your pennant. A couple of special guests will be helping us kick off Summer Reading. Meet the Cincinnati Bearcat at the Anderson Branch and Cincinnati Kings soccer players at the Pleasant Ridge Branch. Signing up is easy. Just use our online registration form or sign up at any one of our libraries. Then, beginning June 1, use the online reading log to keep track of the books/minutes read. For every reading level you complete, you're eligible to win a prize.

• We encourage all our Primary North and Primary South families to continue to visit the Winton Woods website for updates throughout the summer at www.wintonwoods.org A list of basic classroom supplies and material that our teachers would like students to have for the 2011-2012 school year will be posted prior to the first day of school. Please remember that it is district policy that our students’ backpacks be clear or mesh.

• We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer!

Alumni News:

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School alumnus (2008) and University of Cincinnati graphic design student Karen Budke who has had her design chosen as the poster for the Cincinnati Streetcar Project. “One of my studios is focused around the Cincinnati Streetcar Project, and we’re designing a system of icons along with signage applications for the project,” said Budke. “LPK, a brand design agency, created the 'Let's Go' logo and the ‘Cincinnati Streetcar’ letter treatment. I designed the streetcar icon and the layout of the poster.” Budke said the collaborative posters can already been seen around the Findlay Market area.

May 4, 2011

Quote of the week:

My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope. Herbert Hoover

Winton Woods High School News:

• Congratulations to our young vocal artists in Varsity Ensemble who received a number 1 or "Superior" rating at OMEA State Contest this weekend!

• Winton Woods High School recognized its top academic students with an Academic Signing Day on Friday, April 29 in the school's library. The district's "Superintendent's Scholars," the top 16 students in the class, were honored at a standing- room-only ceremony reminiscent of athletic signing ceremonies.

During the event, the students had the opportunity to announce the colleges they applied to, where they were accepted, and where they have chosen to attend. Admissions representatives from all schools were in attendance to congratulate their new students.

Winton Woods High School’s top 16 students (in class rank order) for the 2010-2011 school years, and the schools they are attending, are:

1. Christina Ingle (Valedictorian) – Bowling Green State University 2. Chhayly Chea (Salutatorian) – University of Cincinnati 3. Malcolm Thompson – Bowling Green State University 4. Renee Chandler – Miami University 5. Corey Stewart – The Ohio State University 6. Lachelle Brooks - The Ohio State University 7. Chintan Patel - University of Cincinnati 8. Jennifer Jordan – Georgetown College 9. Jacqueline Rodriguez - University of Cincinnati 10. Aaron Patton - The Ohio State University 11. Kaitlin Otto - University of Cincinnati 12. Katelyn Sherman - The Ohio State University 13. Jade Lewis – University of Kentucky 14. Sonya Sorrells - University of Cincinnati 15. Rebekah Lowery - The Ohio State University 16. Alicia Higgins - The Ohio State University

• Winton Woods High School Friends of the Theater presented drama scholarships to seniors Corey Stewart and Kaitlin Otto at the school’s 18th annual drama awards on Monday, May 2. Among other roles, Stewart played Daddy Warbucks in this year’s spring musical Annie and the Scarecrow last year in The Wizard of Oz. Otto played Miss Hannigan in this year’s production of Annie and Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz. They are pictured with Winton Woods High School Drama Director Michelle Kozlowski.

• Congratulations to senior Walter Richardson who received a football scholarship to Georgetown College to play for the Georgetown Tigers. Richardson is pictured with (l-r) Winton Woods High School Athletic Director Dwight Campbell, his mother Eloise Richardson, and Winton Woods High School Principal Dr. Terri Holden.

• Band, orchestra and drill team members headed to New York City on April 18 for a whirlwind three days in the city. Orchestra members performed at the Madison Avenue Atrium, which is part of the Trump Building—a beautiful venue and a great place to perform. Members of the band and color guard performed at the Namburg Bandshell in Central Park, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke and many famous groups have performed. “It was a beautiful day and amazing to perform there!” said Band Director Dani Ashbrook.

In addition to performing, students started their trip with a chance to be on the Today Show, received a tour of Radio City Music Hall, had an up close and personal workshop with a Broadway performer, went on a guided tour of the Financial District, visited the memorial for the World Trade Center, and topped off the trip with seeing Memphis on Broadway. Students had time to shop in and tour Times Square, 5th Avenue, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Everyone enjoyed the DJ/dinner cruise that took us around the Statue of Liberty. The boat stopped in front of the Statue, and everyone went up top to see the incredible view. They played patriotic music, and it brought some to tears.

“Students never missed a beat in being where they needed to be and represented the school and community very well,” said Ashbrook.

• Students from Maria Luckey’s theater arts class will present acting scenes on Thursday, May 5 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School auditorium. This is a free event and open to the community.

Winton Woods Middle School News

• Congratulations to Band Directors Kara Barbee and Matt Buhl who played in the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band Concert on May at Miami University Middletown. Barbee was guest conductor for the piece "Variations on America" by Charles Ives.

• The Forest Park Senior Steppers came to Winton Woods Middle School on April 28 to line dance with physical education students. “This is the second time we have partnered with the steppers this academic year and it continues to be a huge success,” said Health and Physical Education teacher Mallory Gardner. “The Steppers are an example to the students that you can still be fit well into your elderly years. The Steppers dance together once a week, and we are so glad that they decided to meet at Winton Woods Middle School for that week. The students really enjoyed grooving and chatting with the Steppers. The Steppers are living proof of lifelong physical activity and are such a joy to be around. The PE staff at Winton Woods Middle School feels that the students have a better understanding of practicing fitness habits after their encounters with the Senior Steppers.”

• Student Council members wish the entire staff at WWMS a great and wonderful Teacher Appreciation week. In return for the dedication and commitment our staff shows to the students, Student Council has been delighting the staff with goodies all week that include such items as a continental breakfast, bookmarks, pencils, notepads and sweet treats.

• On April 27, many of the teachers at Winton Woods Middle School wore a pattern to reinforce the concepts taught in their classes. Students learned in math class to identify and analyze transformations. That knowledge is being reinforced in the art room while students are working to create patterns via paintings. Art teacher Patty New, along with a few other teachers, offered Warrior Bucks and even extra credit if students observed and commented on the patterns worn by their teachers. Students were given even more praise if they could correctly identify the transformation as a reflection, translation or rotation. In an effort to join together to recognize "ah-ha" moments, encourage awareness, and/or have a fun educational diversion, the teachers of Winton Woods Middle School joined forces, and it turned out to be a great success.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

MAY 2- 5TH AND 6TH GRADE READING OAA TESTING 3- OAA READING MAKE-UP TESTING 4- 5TH AND 6TH GRADE MATH OAA TESTING 5- 5TH GRADE ONLY SCIENCE OAA TESTING 6- OAA MAKE-UP TESTING ALL CAMP PAYMENTS ARE DUE 13- ORLEANS HANNA MATH PLACEMENT TEST 6TH GRADE ONLY 16-18- 5TH GRADERS TO CAMP CAMPBELL GARD 20- 6TH GRADE DANCE-DURING SCHOOL HOURS STUDENT OF THE MONTH BREAKFAST 23- 5TH GRADE FIELD DAY ORCHESTRA CONCERT 7PM @WWIS 25- WWIS STAFF VS. STUDENTS COMPETITION 1:30 P.M. EARLY DISMISSAL 2:00 P.M. 26- 6TH GRADE FIELD DAY AT WWHS EARLY DISMISSAL 2:00 P.M. 27- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS 6TH GRADE AWARDS CEREMONY- 9 A.M.- STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO LEAVE WITH AN AUTHORIZED ADULT AFTER THE CEREMONY 5TH GRADE AWARDS CEREMONY- 1 P.M. EARLY DISMISSAL 2:00 P.M.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• A giraffe hero is someone who "sticks their neck out" for others, is persistent, courageous, caring, and trustworthy. Congratulations to our staff giraffe Heroes who raised the most money: Mrs. Snellgrove, Mrs. McGuire and Mr. Dorsey. They all took a pie in the face for a good cause—sticking your neck out for others.

Our student giraffe hero was Shanoah Moore. Shanoah has given money to a classmate who didn't have any money at the Book Fair and helped a girl in her class who was being bullied to feel better about herself. While Shanoah suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia, she works hard to make sure that her disease does not stop her from enjoying being a kid, being a part of school clubs, and learning. As our student giraffe hero, she had the task of hitting our staff giraffe heroes in the face with a pie!

• Congratulations to the members of our Sprinters' Club who participated in the Flying Pig Marathon last weekend! They had a lot of fun, did a great job and were great representatives of Winton Woods Elementary School. Thanks to our staff sponsors of the club: Ms. Conrad, Ms. James and Mrs. Rieth for all of their help this year! Ms. Conrad is pictured with sixth grader Alicia Webster and fifth grader Bo Vera-Philpot from the WWIS Sprinters.

Winton Woods Primary News:

MAY

• 2-6 PN/PS Teacher Appreciation Week • 2-6 PN/PS Dibels Testing for grades K-2 • 3 PN/PS Volunteer Appreciation Day • 9-13 PS Nurse Appreciation Week • 9 PS 2011-12 GTA testing 9:30 a.m. • 11 PS Summer Reading Program Assembly 10:00 a.m. • 12 PN Popcorn Day • 12 PN 2nd Grade Zoo Field Trip • 12 PS KDG Zoo Field Trip • 12 PN Summer Reading Program Assembly 10:00 a.m. • 13 PN 2011-12 GTA testing 9:15 a.m. • 9-13 PN/PS Right to Read Week • 9-13 PS Scholastic Book Fair (Primary South ONLY) • 17 -18 PS 1st Grade Field Trip to Parky's Farm 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. • 18 PN 2nd Grade "Step-Up" visit to WWES 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. • 19 PS Volunteer Appreciation Brunch • 23/24 PN 1st Grade Parky's Farm Field Trip • 23 PS 2nd Grade "Step-Up" visit to WWES 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. • 24 PN Good Behavior Party with the Principal - at 2:25 p.m. • 24 PS 2nd Grade ~Academic Achievement Night at 6:00-8:00 p.m. • 25 PN 2nd Grade ~Academic Achievement Assembly at 2:00 p.m. • 25 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 26 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 27 PN/PS Early Release Day at 3:10 p.m. • 27 PN/PS Field Day • 27 Last Day of School for Students • 30 Memorial Day ~ School Closed • 31 Teacher Record Day

JUNE

• 1 Report Cards Mailed Home

• For the past two weeks Primary South students participated in a food drive to help local food pantries in Springfield Township, Forest Park and Greenhills. For every item collected the food pantry received $1.00. The class with the most items collected received a pizza party. Mrs. White's, Ms. Boehm's and Mrs. Smith's classes together won the challenge with a total of 247 cans. Primary South collected 857 food items for the pantry. Thank you to all the families whose generosity made this year’s food drive such an awesome success. What a great way for our students to show good character by helping those in need in our community. Great job, students!

• On April 11-21, the students at Primary South participated in a spare change challenge where students were encouraged to bring in change to go toward the Winton Woods Community PTA and PTA- sponsored activities. The results were very impressive! Overall Primary South raised $1,168.33, with Mrs. Berkemeyer’s and Ms. Marlar’s class winning the challenge by bringing in $151.39 for the afternoon class and $151.34 for the morning class. We raised nine times as much as we collected last year. Fantastic work, kids!

• Pam Weiss has been a teacher in the Winton Woods City School District for over 20 years. She is one of those quietly efficient people who make a major change in the lives of so many children. She has worked in three different schools within the district and only came to Primary South in 2008, but we have been a better school for having her with us! When we were discussing her retirement at the end of this school year, Mrs. Weiss talked about missing both the staff and the students. Speaking for those of us at Primary South, “We will miss you too!” We have been incredibly lucky to have Mrs. Weiss in our district and wish her the best of luck in her retirement!

• Primary North congratulates the following students for earning “Good Character Hands” for the week of April 29. They are: Jason Ware and Josephine Quao. The students received “Wee Warriors Kids of Character” t-shirts to wear on Fridays as school spirit wear. Mrs. Robertson’s kindergarten class won the Classroom Good Character award and received pencils and Frisch’s gift certificates.

WWC PTA News:

• We would like to thank everyone who supported our May Market Day sale. Please look for the June order guide to come home soon or visit marketday.com to order today. This will be our last sale of the school year so be sure to stock up on your favorites!