FFALCONERALCONER CCENTRALENTRAL SSCHOOLCHOOL Home of District Newsletter the Golden Falcons THE FALCON December 2014
Upcoming Events Congratulations Cast and Crew!
December: 1: Start of i-Ready Benchmarks 2: Board of Education Meeting MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m. 4: Winter Concert @ HS Aud. Grades 9-12 @ 7 p.m. 5: Half Day Elementary End of 1st Temple Trimester 6: SAT Test @ Jamestown HS 10: Winter Concerts @ HS Aud. Grade 6 @ 6:30 p.m. Grade 7 & 8 @ 7:15 p.m. 11: MS/HS Progress Reports 12: Winter Program @ Temple Grade 1 @ 2:00 p.m. 13: ACT Test @ JCC 16: Board of Education Meeting MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m. 17: Winter Concert @ HS Aud. Grade 5 @ 7:00 p.m. Beginning in September, about 20 Middle School students, along 24-31: Winter Recess with Mrs. Binkley and Miss Fisher, began their odyssey of presenting Don Zolidis’ The Seuss Odyssey, which is Homer’s January: classic tale put on in a Dr. Seuss style. With an additional eight 1-2: Winter Recess other Middle and High School students as crew, the play was 6: Board of Education Meeting presented on November 7 and 8. Everyone worked very hard, MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m. and a fabulous show came together. Good work and 7: Winter Pictures 10: Chautauqua Band Day congratulations to all who were involved. 15: MS/HS Progress Reports 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School) 20: Board of Education Meeting MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m. 24: SAT Test @ Jamestown HS 26-29: NYS Regents Exams 30: 1/2 Day All Buildings End of 2nd Marking Period THE FALCON Administration 2 High School Principal Letter:
Connecting with our Past Two years ago, we remembered the past with a yearlong celebration of one of our more famous graduates from Falconer Central School, Hugh Bedient. Hugh pitched in the 1912 World Series for the Boston Red Sox and made Falconer his lifelong home. In an effort to reconnect with former students, we have created an alumni board in the High School lobby. The “Golden Falcons, where are they now?” will be displayed and rotated throughout the school year. Graduates Board of Education President from any year are welcome to send in their information. If you know Todd Beckerink of a graduate that would like to be added to our Golden Falcon Vice President Alumni board, visit our website at www.falconerschools.org under Cathleen Kimball the community section and click on alumni. Please fill out the Members informational form and scan a photo if one is available. We welcome Gordon Buck Robert Carpenter alumni from all past classes to participate. Thank you for helping us Tom Frederes maintain our Golden Falcon tradition and pride. Jennifer Ribaudo Jamie Zaranek Notes from the Technology Committee:
Administration & Supervision Superintendent Stephen Penhollow High School Principal Email Jeffrey Jordan Glogster (electronic posters), Prezi (zooming slide show), Voki Middle School Principal (talking animations), Schoology (Online Learning Environment), Terry English GoogleDocs (Online collaborative tool), Turnitin (plagiarism Fenner Elementary Principal Gary Gilbert checker) and many other online learning tools require logins by Temple Elementary Principal students. In an effort to accomplish this in the safest way possible, Holly Hannon Falconer has begun issuing students school emails. These emails School Psychologist are for school use only and can be monitored by the district. Emails Ashly Warner will be phased in slowly as required by use of these online tools in Business Executive & Purchasing Agent classes. Brent Agett Director of Special Education Julie Possai Computer Access Director of Instruction & Staff In an attempt to provide more computer access and work time for Development students, the Fosberg Technology Center is now open late on Judith Roach Tuesdays. The lab remains open from 3:10 to 4:10 for additional Building & Grounds Supervisor Randy Ingrao work time for homework, projects, and assignments. Students who Transportation Supervisor stay are able to utilize the 4:10 late bus for transportation. Scott Peterson Coordinator of District Data Technology Committee Members: Judith Roach Miss Lorraine Adams Miss Jennifer Fisher Mrs. April Binkley Ms. Kathy Hedstrand
Falconer Central School Mr. Randy Boardman Mr. Stephen Penhollow 2 East Avenue North Ms. Sherry Bower Mrs. Cindy Nutt Falconer, NY 14733 Mr. Terry English Mr. Dan Steele (716)665-6624 Mr. Lee Fehlman Mrs. Michelle Turecek
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org THE FALCON High School/Middle School 3
El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) The Spanish 1 and 1B students celebrated El Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, by making their own papel picado (perforated paper) and calaveras (colored skulls)! The Day of the Dead is a holiday that originated in Mexico. The people honor and remember their deceased loved ones through celebrations and festivities.
A Memorable Journey Through WWII
On Wednesday, October 29, Maria Welker of Jamestown, NY, gave her living testimony of WWII in Mr. Muscarella’s classroom. Maria’s life story is an incredible journey with tremendous sacrifice, fear, and survival. Her journey began outside of Germany and ended in a violent Russian concentration camp. Maria spent over two and a half years in a Russian camp, when finally her mother led her children to freedom. Maria, along with her other family members, relocated to America, where they would reside with Maria’s Aunt who had lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Muscarella is hoping that Maria will return to Falconer and share her story with the entire school.
Middle School Student Council
In Early October, Middle School Student Council had a campaign speech assembly. Nine candidates for four offices gave speeches to almost 300 fellow classmates. All speakers did an excellent job! The student body elected David Allen as President, Kaden Bianco as Vice President, Hudson Johnson as Secretary, and Johnathan Terry as Treasurer. Congratulations to the new officers!
Student Council started the year with a fundraiser for field trips and guest speakers. We made over $2,000 selling coupon books and sincerely thank everyone who supported the effort.
During Spirit Week, Middle School classes competed for Battle of the Classes points by participating in the dress-up days. We had a great showing of Falcon spirit at the Homecoming Parade, with the best turnout of participants in years.
At the end of October, the Middle School classes put their art skills to the test to decorate pumpkins to celebrate Fall and Halloween. 2nd Place: Mr. Glatz's 1st Place: 6th graders Mr. Schrader's "S'More" 3rd Place: 7th graders " Miss Main's Minion" 8th graders "Ewok with Baby"
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org THE FALCON Clubs and Sports 4
Ally Week at Falconer High School FBLA’s Fall District Meeting Falconer’s GSA supported the LGBT Ally On Tuesday, October 21, Falconer Future Business Week October 27-31. Ally week is the Leaders of America hosted the District 13 Fall support from people to end bullying and District Meeting. They welcomed FBLA members harassment that youth face in schools. from Pioneer, Jamestown, Randolph, and Clymer. It was a great opportunity to make new friends, learn more about competitive events, and listen to guest speakers on the topics of business etiquette and performance event do's and don'ts.
Falconer’s Honor Society Honor Society seniors were at it again! With the Homecoming week bringing lots of opportunities for festivities, these dedicated individuals balanced sports, scholastics and school spirit. They arrived very early on Friday to kick off homecoming weekend, working diligently to complete one of the biggest balloon arches Honor Society has yet to create. The arch was used for the pep assembly and later the homecoming court during the game. These seniors came prepared with positive attitudes, work ethic, and a lot of blue and gold. They displayed teamwork and camaraderie as they crafted an arch of almost 400 balloons. Kudos to them for their efforts and attitudes -- and to everyone involved in make homecoming a memorable success!
Falconer Key Club and Builders Club Key Club and Builders Club have been very active since the beginning of the school year. On Saturday, September 27, members volunteered their services for Celeron's "Step-Up-for-Autism" walk and were honored for their service by receiving an engraved plaque to showcase their efforts. On Saturday, October 4, members began their day by supporting the Chautauqua Humane Society's "Walk4Paws" campaign and ended their day by helping out with Falconer Kiwanis' annual chicken BBQ.
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org THE FALCON Harlem Wizards 5
Welcome Harlem Wizards!
The PTO brought back the legendary Harlem Wizards for a second year. This marked Tojo's last year, after 50 years in show basketball. One of the wizard players, King Arthur, traveled to both Fenner and Temple spreading the positive words of encouragement, ethics, and value of hard work. He even gave the students homework. King Arthur asked the students to think about 3 things they wanted to accomplish when they grow up, and to think about how they are going to accomplish those goals.
We had new players join The following Temple our Fearless Falcons Elementary students were team, including 3 high selected by grade level and school students. As received 2 Harlem Wizards always, the Wizards tickets donated by the brought a fun night to all Falconer PTO. Falconer families that attended. The PTO would like to thank all those who donated their time and effort in making this event successful. http://www.harlemwizards.com/library/img/logo.png
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org THE FALCON Fenner 6
Hockey Players Read to Fenner’s Fourth Graders
Tuesday, October 14, the 4th grade classes had some exciting visitors come to their classrooms to read. Matt Brzozowiec, Luke Sunde, Mark Sunde and Victor Mccutcheon from the Xpress Hockey team in Jamestown came to read Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare by Patricia Polacco. Every child in 4th grade received a hockey ticket for the October 24 hockey game against Metro’s hockey team. After reading the story, the hockey players answered questions and signed autographs.
Kaylacares4kids Donation Drive
Kayla Lynn, 4th grader at H.C. Fenner Elementary, held a donation drive for Kaylacares4kids.org, a cause that was started by a young girl whose name also happens to be Kayla. The organization collects DVD's, books, electronics and games and distributes them to Children's Hospitals throughout the United States. Kayla also asked for donations in lieu of presents at her recent birthday party. She had enough donations between her birthday, Temple and Fenner Elementary Schools to make donations to both Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.
Fenner’s Halloween Thank You for the Troops Fenner 3 B’s Award
HC Fenner Elementary School students gathered up the extra Mrs. Randazzo’s 3rd Grade Class Halloween candy they had and wrote letters of thanks to our won the October 3 B’s Award. troops. Students wrote poems expressing how they feel about our soldiers. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 865 and the Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 20, along with the Paladino family, compiled the candy and letters to send out a Heartfelt Homefront Halloween to our men and women overseas.
Reg Lenna Field Trip On October 3, the 3rd and 4th grade students went to the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts to see grammy award winning singer/songwriter Tom Chapin (brother of Harry Chapin). The show featured a collection of songs focusing on locally grown and eaten food, Farmer's Markets, school lunches, home gardening and other healthy ways of eating.
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org THE FALCON Temple 7
Temple Hosts Parent Meeting Temple Cheer Bear Temple Elementary hosted Parent Meetings in Kindergarten through Grade 2 on October 21st.
Mrs. Roth's first grade class won the Temple Cheer Bear for the month of September by AIS teachers Michelle earning the most compliments’ cards! Buccola and Jane Long Students get “hands on” with Reading! hosted an AIS parent session. Mrs. Brainard's students are "hands on" with reading! The children who come to her reading Michael Earle room really enjoy using magnetic letters to do and Emma their "word work". Here you see a group Black were the building words with the short i sound! Honor Society Volunteers.
Ashley Digirolamo shared counting strategies with the Kindergarten parents.
The 3 B’s
Kristy Winchester talked about the 2nd grade Math Modules with parents
In September the above students were 3 B's winners! Each student was recognized by their classroom teachers and received a 3 B's award.
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org THE FALCON Back Cover 8
Fenner and the Middle School Use TTL4 Mission Statement
The Board of Education, After much research by the Technology collective staff, and community Committee last spring, over the summer the of the Falconer School District District transitioned to Sunburst’s Type to are committed to preparing our Learn 4 or TTL4. Students from third through children to be productive eighth grades are utilizing this program. members of society, through Beginning with a pretest, students are placed continuous evaluation and on a lesson based on their score. Each improvement, this partnership https://c336017.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/icon- typetolearn4.png lesson contains instruction on new keys, will a provide quality practice, a few games, and then a final educational environment for assessment before students are able to move on to the next students to meet the graduation lesson. Students are also challenged with a “Security Check” in requirements. which they must type the words on the screen perfectly or start the check over again. TTL4 has been installed on most computers Alma Mater at Fenner and the Middle/High School. Falconer High School here’s to you best in the land. Students seem to be enjoying ‘Neath the old gold and blue, the change of pace from the we will proudly take our previous typing program. stand in classroom study, Students are able to monitor field, or track with you dear their progress using the as our guide, no honor ever reports option. shall you lack. We’ll win your pride. Average Speed Goals: Attention Parents Words per Accuracy Remember to update Grade contact information, Minute % including: addresses, phone 3 10wpm 90% numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts 4 15wpm 90% 5 20wpm 90% Newsletter Produced by... 6 25wpm 90% 7 35wpm 90% 8 45wpm 90%
Justin Gould and Elizabeth Hanson Free typing games and tests online: http://www.mrspeaker.net/dev/game/flappy/ Desktop Publishing Students www.funtotype.com Instructed by Miss. Fisher, www.rapidtyping.com Educational Technology Specialist http://games.sense-lang.org
FCS December 2014 www.falconerschools.org