Top Spellers Starstruck Competition with VEX Robotics
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Central School District Sandy Creek Newsletter Winter 2017 Holiday Concerts The Comet’s page 7 Tale Starstruck Competition With VEX Robotics Two teams of Sandy Creek Middle and High School students have been competing in the VEX Robotics competitions in the area. Team X and Team Z with members Logan Hatch, Oren McDougal, Alex Olin, Margery Yousey, Ashleigh Rosenbaum, Emily Ward, Trace Clark and Garrett LaPoint took to the arena recently at G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton for GRB’s annual Bodley Bot Bash. The Sandy Creek teams are coached by John DeGone, Members of the Sandy Creek robotics team compete at the Bodley Bash VEX technology teacher in the district Robotics Competition. and he praised the teams for their outstanding showings in the points by moving large rubber York State Championships at the highly competitive competition. stars and soft fabric cubes into SRC Arena on the OCC campus on th Luke Yerdon, Robbie Patterson “We performed very well,” zones in your opponents’ area. February 18 . and Matt Trudell are top spellers. DeGone said. “The X team placed Scores can also be obtained by Last year, the Sandy Creek 3rd in the qualification matches hanging your bot from a high or team, in alliance with a team Top Spellers and the Z team 12th. Both teams low bar during the autonomous from Oswego, took the top spot played well and smart but due or driver-controlled time period. in the State Championships and Representing Sandy The teams will face off in earned the right to represent Creek Middle School in one to alliance complications did not place as high as they normally do.” several other competitions New York at the VEX World of the oldest and most iconic leading up to the Northern New Championships in Louisville, KY. competitions, the Scripps The VEX competition require National Spelling Bee, three student-built robots, in alliances seventh grade students rose to of two teams to be maneuvered Jesse Cornell Earns the top of the spelling list: Luke around a 12’ x 12’ arena and Yerdon, Robbie Patterson and perform several tasks to score NROTC Scholarship points. The object is to score more Matt Trudell. Yerdon, who took Jesse Cornell was accepted the top spot, and Patterson, in the 1st round for the National who finished second advanced NROTC Marine Corps Scholarship. to the next level of the bee in There are roughly 20,000 students Syracuse. Local champions who apply for a ROTC scholarship took a written spelling test nationwide, and only about 5% and the top students advanced get accepted. They are judged th to the bee on February 11 on physical fitness, leadership televised on WCNY television qualities, and academic ability. He and sponsored by WCNY and has been given a full scholarship the Post Standard. valued at $185,000 to a school of The national bee began in his choice that has a NROTC unit. 1929 when nine newspapers He is hoping to attend the Virginia Military Institute or joined together to host a Norwich University, both are Senior Military Colleges. They pay spelling bee. Now, decades full tuition, books, uniforms, and provide a monthly stipend. He later, more than 10 million will go to the school during the year and in the summers, train students compete for the title with the Marines. He hopes to eventually commission as a of spelling bee champion. The Marine Corps officer upon graduating college. National Bee will be held in the He plans to major in international studies. Washington, D.C. area later in Congratulations, Jesse! 2017. Log on and search: www.facebook.com/ SandyCreekComets Sandy Creek Central School District Sandy Creek Central School District From the Superintendent’s Desk... I hope everyone had a safe and As we head into the budget season this year, it is important for enjoyable holiday season. As you the public to be aware that Sandy Creek will almost certainly receive know, we have been forced to deal a VERY small increase in State Aid, if any at all. With that being said, with many days of weather related we have been looking closely at different ways to use our funds wisely closings, delays, and cancellations. in a way that will help us preserve all programs and positions. We will I appreciate the very supportive continue to study and implement additional ways that we may be able feedback that we have received this to share certain services in an effort to reduce costs. Moving forward, winter as we always try to place the safety of our students and staff we want to be able to provide our students with new and innovative first. It is rarely an easy call, but rest assured that our team works programs that will help prepare them for a successful transition to together to make the best informed decision that we can. higher education or the work force. Every budget decision will be based on what is best for students. Your Board of Education and your administration have done an excellent job for many years budgeting Future Capital Construction wisely while also remaining fiscally responsible to the taxpayers. We On the evening of Tuesday, February 7, 2017 the District held its first will strive to continue that tradition. Capital Project Committee Meeting with our new architect Mrs. Kerry As I complete my first half year or so at Sandy Creek Central, I Tarolli, of King & King Architects, LLP. Mrs. Tarolli began the meeting continue to be very impressed with the culture of collaboration by giving an overview of the current state of the facilities, the existing that is evident here. I see a faculty and staff that genuinely enjoy projects that are currently being developed such as the Smart Schools working together and also put the needs of students first. We also Investment Plan (see page 8 for more details), and capital outlay have enthusiastic students who are engaged in their learning and are energy saving initiatives. The committee then reviewed a potential proud of their school. It is our goal now to improve upon the successes list of scope of work and then prioritized that list. Mrs. Tarolli then we have enjoyed in the past. There is always room for improvement presented a possible schedule of timing for future vote, design and and it is the job of the entire school community to place greater construction. At the next meeting the results of the prioritization emphasis on ways to get better. Our graduation rate is very high. But and in-depth project scope will be discussed. This meeting will be held that is not always enough. It is also our responsibility to make sure on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 6:30pm in the Board room. All are welcome. that our students are prepared to excel after high school. This is one If you are interested in joining our committee please contact the of the priorities that we will begin to focus upon in the near future. District Office and we will give you an in-depth review of what took place on February 7th! If you can’t donate your time for our committee Thank you for your continued support for our district. but want to learn more about the future projects please call our office! Respectfully, Kyle L. Faulkner Math & Movement Family Fun Night Set for March 1 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sandy Creek Elementary School is hosting a Math and Feb. 17 Spring Sports Sign Ups End Movement Family Fun Night on March 1 at the school. Dinner will Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day - School Closed begin at 5:30 with the Family Fun Night festivities at 6:00. There Feb. 20-24 Mid-Winter Recess No School for students is no charge for dinner, but registration is requested by filling Mar. 1 Math & Movement Family fun Night, 5:30 pm out the flyer that was sent home with your child. If you did not Mar. 9 Board of Education Meeting, 6 pm receive a flyer, contact the elementary office to sign up. Mar. 10 Spring Musical - “Annie” - 7 pm The event combines movements like hopping, skipping and jumping using fun inter-active mats and charts with math to Mar. 11 Spring Musical - “Annie” - 7 pm create an exciting and educational evening for all ages. Students Mar. 12 Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring are encouraged to wear their “crazy socks” for even more fun! Forward) Mar. 16 5th Grade Chorus Concert, 9 am Mar. 16 Early Dismissal 11:30 am, No PM Pre-K Mar. 16 Half Day Staff Development Mar. 17 County-wide Staff Development Day - No School for Students Mar. 27 - 31 Grades 3-8 ELA Testing Annie Apr. 6 7-12 Band Concert, 7 pm Apr. 7-8 OCMEA All-County Festival, Fulton Mark your calendars for Apr. 13 Board of Education Meeting, 6 pm March 10-11 and the Spring Apr. 14 Good Friday - School Closed Musical production of “Annie” Apr. 17-20 Spring Break - No School for Students Apr. 30 Clean the Creek Page 2 Sandy Creek Central School District Biome Habitat Presentations From the Superintendent’s Desk... Sixth graders at Sandy Creek Middle School did an in-depth study of one of the world’s major biomes and presented NHS Induction ceremony their findings to their class National Honor Society members prepare for a community service recently. They project as part of the tenets of membership into the elite organization could choose which embodies four principals: character, scholarship, leadership from regions and service. such as Tun- dra, Savannah, National Honor Society Grasslands, Rainforest, and Induction Ceremony other types of Sandy Creek High School’s Carpe Diem Chapter of the National regional loca- Honor Society recently held an induction ceremony where 16 new tions.