Newsletter - Chenango Forks Central School District Home

January 2009
Newsletter
A community where learners excel!
Vol. IX, No. 5
A magical painting
W
hether the next van Gogh was in the room
remains to be seen, but, indeed, some budding
artists showed their creativity as the Magic
Paintbrush Project
came to life for
Harshaw prekindergartners.
blend the colors. A unique canvas of art is created.
The children created works of art without the typical
boundaries of staying clean, staying in the lines and only
using paint brushes. O’Brien
discovered that when her
children were creating with
little to no limitations, she
found that numerous goals
of their IEP’s were being
met, including gross and
fine motor skills, speech,
and overall improvement in
their education.
The Magic
Paintbrush Project
initially started in
Jennifer O’Brien’s
mud room, where
she created a “free
zone” for her two
The mission of the Magic
children with
Paintbrush project is to work
special needs. A
with families and caregivers
Students squirt liquid paint onto the canvas.
blank cloth canvas
to explore every child’s
is placed on the floor. Children take liquid paint and squirt
potential. Since its inception, O’Brien has shared the message
away. Once all the paint bottles are empty, a plastic film is
of possibility and potential with thousands of families and
placed over the canvas and the children roll on top of it to
their children with special needs across Greater Binghamton.
See Paint, page 4.
Your vote counts
Kenyon students predict our next president.
E
very vote does count and Kenyon students learned that
when they participated in Studies Weekly, Every Kid
Votes, Online Election on Monday, November 3.
All third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students discussed the
candidates in their classrooms and learned about the election
process. On November 3, they voted in the computer lab on
the Studies Weekly Web site. After they voted, each student
received an “I Voted” sticker and smiled for the cameras as
three local television stations covered our mock election.
During the day, students were able to view the popular vote
tally in each state and
monitor the electoral
votes on the United
States map as the
polls closed. As our
nation prepares for
the inauguration of
President-elect Barack
Obama on January 20, be assured that every Kenyon student
will be watching the next phase of the election process with
interest and curiosity. Q
-Emily Regan, intermediate literacy coordinator &
administrative intern
Board of Education: Don Edwards-President; Gail Wrighter-Vice President; Jack Sines; Donald Vredenburgh; Judy Warner.
Superintendent of Schools-Robert Bundy; Assistant Superintendent of Schools-Carol Denz.
January 2009
District
Announcements go podcast
2
P
odcasts,
short audio
programs
placed on the
Web, are quickly
becoming
the means for
disseminating
information to
large audiences and
Chenango Forks
is joining the trend. High School students Jen Dayton and Brianna
Barnett read the announcements.
CF 08 graduates Holly Mazursky, Tori Matt and Allison Bruet.
CF grads at BCC
C
ollege sports are highly competitive and demanding
at all levels, but three Chenango Forks graduates
showed that dedication, determination and taking
what they learned in high school to college can bring great
success.
Tori Matt, Holly Mazursky and Allison Bruet, 2008 CF
graduates, were members of the Broome Community College
(BCC) NJCAA women’s soccer championship team. The final
match was held November 9 in Dallas, Texas.
The team’s season record was 20-1-1 and this is the second
year in a row that BCC women’s soccer team won a national
title. Matt was named to the all-tournament team at the
NJCAA Tournament and received all-conference honors.
Mazursky was named to the all-regional second team. Bruet
received all-conference honors.
It was an exciting time for these former CF soccer players.
Bruet said, “We had one vision in mind when we started this
season, and that was to make it to nationals. The feeling we
got when the final buzzer went off and we knew we won the
championship, was one I will never forget. Playing with my
teammates from CF made that moment even more special.”
Matt is majoring in education, Mazursky is majoring in
nursing and Bruet is majoring in accounting. They all hope
to play soccer after graduating from BCC and continue their
educations. Q
-Linda Myers, communications coordinator
Each morning, the
announcements in the Middle and High schools are recorded
and turned into a podcast. The podcast is then placed on
the individual building Web sites. Students can then listen
to the announcements if they arrive to school late or are
absent. Parents can also listen to the announcements to follow
activities at school. The students record the announcements
using an iPod with an external microphone. After the
announcements are read, HS lab monitor Maggie Murray
converts the recording into a podcast using the program
“Audacity.” The process to convert the recording takes only
a few minutes. Usually, by mid-morning the podcasts can be
found at www.cforks.org/HSMorningAnnouncements and
www.cforks.org/MSMorningAnnouncements. Q
- Cheri Panko, CIO/educational communications specialist
Buildings and grounds wrap-up
C
oming in the spring and summer 2009, the final
phase of our two-year construction project will occur.
Construction is expected to begin in June 2009 with
the start of the Middle School renovations. The 2009 K-8
Summer School will be housed in the CFE building to allow
construction to progress in the Middle School on June 28,
2009, wrapping up on August 21, 2009.
Below is a summary list of the work to be completed:
Site work: digital sign (HS/MS and Harshaw)
Middle School: carpet replacement (classrooms), door
hardware replacement, exterior door replacement (HS/
MS connector), security system upgrades, fire alarm system
upgrades, gymnasium light replacement, occupancy sensors,
HVAC upgrades (locker rooms, technology, art, activity
area, administration, science), power ventilation to replace
current gravity system, unit ventilator replacement, energy
management system installation and building HVAC
commissioning. Q
-Bob Bundy, superintendent
January 2009
District
Keeping a child home
S
ometimes it can be difficult for a parent to decide
whether to send children to school when they wake up
with early symptoms of an illness or complaints that
they do not feel well.
In general, during cold and flu season, unless your child is
significantly ill, the best place for them is in school, where
they have been exposed to the same germs and where they
are less likely to expose other more vulnerable people, like
the very young or very old, to their routine bouts of cold and
flu. Remind and show your children to discard used tissues
promptly, not to share personal items, to cover their mouths
when they cough or sneeze, to keep their hands away from
their face, and to wash hands thoroughly and often with
soap and warm water. Suggest that they silently sing Happy
Birthday twice while washing their hands.
There are some situations in which it is best to plan on
keeping your child home for a day to rest or to arrange for an
appointment with your health care provider. The following
are a few such situations that warrant watching and possibly
conferring with your health care provider:
Persistent fever greater than 100.4° orally, including a fever
that requires control with medication like Tylenol.
Child is too sleepy or ill, (vomiting and/or diarrhea),
to benefit from being in school.
Significant cough that makes a child feel uncomfortable or
disrupts the class.
Severe sore throat, accompanied by fever and/or
feeling ill that persists longer than 48 hours or after
known exposure to a confirmed case of Streptococcal
throat infection.
3
Honey-crusted sores around the nose or mouth or a rash
on other body parts that might be impetigo; or a rash in
various stages such as boils, sores and bumps that may
be chicken pox; a significant rash accompanied by
other symptoms of illness such as fever.
Red, runny eyes that distract the child from learning.
Large amount of discolored nasal discharge, especially if
accompanied by facial pain or headache.
Severe ear pain or drainage from the ear.
Severe headache, especially if accompanied by fever.
Any condition that you think may be serious or
contagious to others.
Whenever there is an outbreak of a specific contagious
infection, the school sends out a notice to alert you to watch
out for symptoms. If your child starts to develop symptoms, it
is important that you alert your health care provider. Be sure
to ask your provider when it is safe for your child to return
to school, both for your child’s health and for the health of
the rest of the school. If you send your child to school even
though you suspect there is significant illness as described
above, please call the school nurse to provide her/him with
phone numbers where you can be reached that day should
your child become more ill and require early dismissal.
Finally, if you know your child is still running a fever, it is not
a good idea simply to give them Tylenol and send them to
school because as soon as the medicine wears off, you are apt
to get the dreaded call from the school nurse to leave work
and come pick up your feverish child. It is better to let them
stay home in bed with a fever and take their medications at
home until they are off all medicines and ready to learn for a
full day in a classroom. If you detect a pattern in your child’s
asking to stay home from school, especially if they are
See Illness, page 5.
Pick up those
phones
W
hen your phone rings
on Sunday, February
8 between 1:30 and
7:30 p.m., pick it up. That’s
because on the other end is a
student calling for the Chenango
Forks Scholarship Foundation
(CFSF).
Students will be calling district
residents asking for contributions
to the scholarship fund. CFSF
is a volunteer organization that
raises money for scholarships to
be given to graduating Chenango
Forks seniors. The foundation
gives out more than $13,000
annually, assisting anywhere
from 30 to 40 graduating seniors
who plan on furthering their
education.
CFSF is affiliated with the
National Dollars for Scholars
organization and donations
are tax deductible. When that
phone rings, please pick it up and
consider making a donation. Q
-Carol Denz, assistant superintendent
District/Harshaw
4
I-Mentors at Harshaw
O
n Friday, November 21, the Chenango Forks
I-Mentors attended Harshaw’s morning program to
teach about Internet safety. I-Mentors are trained
high school students who teach others how to use the Internet
safely. During Harshaw’s morning program, nine high school
I-Mentors performed a skit to show elementary students how
to log on to the Internet safely. The I-Mentors demonstrated
the importance of always having an adult’s permission and
presence while
working on the
Internet. This
lesson was a part of
Harshaw’s Kingdom
of Caring, and
the high school
I-Mentors expressed
their care and
concern for the wellbeing of our primary
students while using the Internet. Q
-Bridget Garzo, I-Mentors, Harshaw morning program
PTA at Forks
C
ongratulations and Happy New Year. You made
it through the holiday season and though it’s still
cold outside, the kids are back in school and life is
returning to normal. All of us at the PTA hope your holidays
were warmed by the presence of family and friends, and that
the memories you carry will last you ‘til spring and beyond.
We hope, too, that those of you who purchased coffee and
other special beverages through the PTA’s Java Joe coffee sale
are still enjoying those delicious and soothing treats. This
program is a new one for the PTA and we are very grateful for
all your contributions, which fund many of our programs on
behalf of the Chenango Forks School District.
Special thanks to those of you who contributed to our
Holiday Giving Tree program by donating clothing, food,
household supplies and toys to deserving families in our area.
We send out our special thanks to Jane Fett for organizing
and leading this worthy program again this year.
We still need your help, participation and leadership. PTAsponsored and -funded activities are an enormous value to the
district, but we cannot achieve our full potential without the
support of active and committed PTA members who believe
we can make a difference in the quality of our children’s
education and school community.
January 2009
Paint, from page 1.
For Harshaw
prekindergartners,
the project
began when
they listened to
“Mouse Paint”
by Ellen Stoll
Walsh, a story
about mice
that paint.
Brendan Heaney and Tarik Cheeseman with their magic
The students
paintings.
became the
mice and squirted the paint on the canvas and mixed it up by
crawling across the canvas. Each child also created their own
work to take home.
A special thank you to Principal Doreen McSain, and Tami
Crane and Deborah Tweedie, pre-kindergarten teachers, for
welcoming this special project into our school. Q
-Laurelin Janda-Backman, committee on preschool special education
chairperson & pre-kindergarten coordinator
To become a PTA member, join us at our next PTA
meeting January 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Harshaw
Library, or call our Membership Chair Ms. Laurie Forker
at 648-9715.
We have lots of opportunities for volunteers and project
leaders who want to become more involved with our school
and the PTA. Volunteering gives you an inside track into
school activities, administrators, staff and teachers, and
allows you to have a personal and positive impact on your
children’s education. Get involved. Call any one of your
PTA officers and we’d be glad to speak with you.
Don’t forget to attend the next PTA meeting Tuesday, January
13, in the Harshaw Library at 6:30 p.m., where our special
guest will be High School Principal Kathleen Keir. We look
forward to seeing you there. Q
-Barry Arnold, PTA secretary
President:
Shari Sterling
204-0086
Vice President:
Michele Ashman
648-2298
Treasurer:
Dawn Krisko
727-8321
Secretary:
Barry Arnold
648-2071
Membership Chair: Laurie Forker
648-9715
Harshaw
January 2009
Illness, from page 3.
falling behind or appear anxious at the thought of attending
school, or if there does not appear to be any obvious physical
symptoms, it may be a good idea to contact your school
nurse and your health care provider to discuss your concerns.
Remember, whenever you keep your child home from school,
please call the school nurse or attendance office in advance of
the start of the school day and leave a message. From: http://
schoolhealthservicesny.com. Q
-Cindy Bucker, HP nurse
Harshaw January dates
1/1-2
No school
1/8
BOE mtg. @ 7:15 p.m., MS library
1/12
CFCA Board mtg. @ 7 p.m., HS Lect. 1
1/13
PTA mtg., @ 6:30 p.m., HP library
1/19
No school. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed
1/20
Harshaw Site Council mtg. @ 2:45 p.m.
Hands-on with little ones
B
ig kids and little kids can have so much fun together.
High School students in Deb Daniels’ class are
learning what fun it can be to interact with our little
ones.
The high school students work with Caroline Waddell’s and
Tracey Moppert’s kindergarten students as a part of their early
childhood development class. The classes meet every day six
for a fun and educational activity. The kindergarteners work
hard and learn a lot with their high school buddies. This
program creates a learning experience for all involved. The
kindergarteners gain a role model that they can look up to
while the high school students get an authentic opportunity
to work in a school setting with young children. Even the
teachers enjoy the opportunity to work collaboratively with
other educators. Q
-Nicole Knapp, HP primary literacy coordinator
5
Kenyon
6
January 2009
They all are unique
Chenango Forks Middle School.
I
The snowflakes are non-melting
snowflakes. The crystals are captured
by a special chemical that coats them
with the thinnest-possible layer of
clear plastic. This leaves a replica of the
crystal in all its detail, or a snowflake.
The students learned about the nature
of water molecules and why they “stick
together” in the pattern that they do.
t is true...each and every snowflake
is different. Kenyon fourth-grade
students in Roseanne Lapham’s class
took a close look at how different they
all are.
Tim Vermaat, eighth-grade science
teacher, and his students invited the
fourth-graders to the middle school to
learn about snowflakes. Students, with
the help of the eighth-graders, used a
microscope to look at the snowflakes,
investigate natural phenomena and learn
about their future in science classes at
Vermaat said, “This is a great
opportunity for our Middle School
students to aid younger students as
they investigate nature and learn about
A photo of one of the snow flakes students looked at.
science. It’s always a positive when older
students can teach younger students.”
Eighth-grader Marissa Gorenflo, agreed,
adding, “I like the little kids and I like
teaching them what I learned. It makes
me feel good when I know they learned
something from me.”
Fourth-grader Ryan Ehrets added, “It’s
fun being around older kids who can
teach you things. I liked coming
here.” Q
-Tim Vermaat, eighth-grade science
In the two photos above, eighth-graders Jon Bates and Marissa Gorenflo help fourth-graders with
the microscopes.
Kenyon January dates
1/1-2
No school
1/8
BOE mtg. @ 7:15 p.m., MS library
1/12
CFCA Board mtg. @ 7 p.m., HS Lect. 1
1/12-16
Grade 3, 4, 5 ELA Exams
(Specific dates will be sent home)
1/13
PTA mtg., @ 6:30 p.m., HP library
1/14
Kenyon 5th-grade band/chorus concert @ 7 p.m.
1/19
No school. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed
1/20
Kenyon Site Council mtg. @ 2:30 p.m.
1/21
Kenyon Math Night @ 6:30-8 p.m. (snow date 1/28)
1/30
Kenyon Recognition Assembly @ 1:30 p.m.
Fourth-grade classes will be going to Wegman’s during the months
of January and February. Each teacher will send a notice about
specific dates. (Also posted on the KI Web site, www.cforks.org).
Report cards will go home on Thursday, February 5.
Math night is here
S
ave this date. Math Night is
approaching. On Wednesday, January
21, from 6:30-8 p.m., Kenyon will host
its Annual Math Night.
3
+
This year’s theme is “The Lion, the Witch,
and the Wardrobe,” which is C.S. Lewis’ first
of seven books in the “Narnia” series. Kenyon
families will travel through the land of Narnia
during this hands-on mathematical adventure.
Hope to see everyone there.
1
2
+
The snow date is Wednesday, January 28, from
6:30-8 p.m. Q
Kenyon
January 2009
7
Bowling it over
A
strike. A spare. Either one was
fine as long as the students
rolled
their bowling
ball down the
lane and hit the
pins.
learned about the approach, the release,
rotation and basic scoring. P.E. Teacher
Kelly Hillis said, “Bowling is a lifetime
sport and we felt it was important to
show students
how to play.”
The students
had a great time
playing with
and against
their classmates.
Fourth-grader
Nick Markham
said, “I like
In November,
Kenyon
students
spent two
weeks in gym
class learning
the sport
of bowling.
Students
bowling because it is fun to knock the
pins down and play with my friends.”
Students were given a list of local
bowling alleys and encouraged to play
this fun activity
with their
family during
the long, cold
winter.
A special thanks
to Laurel Bowl
for loaning us
the equipment.
-Kelly Hillis, KI
P.E.
Caleb Link .....
makes his approach....
and releases.
English language arts
Time to take a snapshot of our students’
proficiency with English language arts
J
anuary marks New York state English language arts (ELA)
assessment time. Kenyon students will take the assessment
January 12-16. The following link is a parent’s guide,
which provides an overview of the exam, format and tips for
students: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/parentguide.pdf.
Copies are also available in the Kenyon main office.
I’d like to share a few thoughts about assessment. There are
many ways to assess student learning both formally and
informally. Informal assessment involves observation of
student work, conversations with students, and the knowledge
of how students perform with and without teacher support.
This type of assessment is ongoing, all day, every day.
Another way to assess student learning is formal assessment.
This is when the student is asked to perform a task on their
own. Often it is a task that is very much like natural or
“authentic” learning in and out of the classroom. They are
formal because they are standardized, meaning all teachers
administer and score the assessments in the same way and at
the same time. They show us how our students are doing with
real-world-type reading and writing.
There are formal exams that may cause some of us to cringe;
the much-talked about New York state ELA exams. This exam
requires all students in New York to read, write, listen and
think in similar ways.
More importantly, let’s help our children understand that as
readers and writers, we all need to read and write in different
ways at different times. The ELA exam is one of those times
to read, write and think to the very best of our ability. It is
a snapshot of how every New York student in grades 3-8 are
doing so far in school. We know that our CF students can and
will show how great a learning community we are. Q
-Emily Regan, intermediate literacy coordinator &
administrative intern
8
Kenyon
“Caught with Character”
January 2009
It’s who you are. It’s what you do. It’s the way you live your life. Character counts!
Front, l to r: Catie Lally (Mr. LoPiccolo), Ava Hudak (Mrs.
Abbey & Mrs. Ferranti), Elizabeth Jacobs (3rd-grade cafeteria),
Nicholas Rowe (Mrs. Beaudoin). Back, l to r: Sarah Knox
(Mrs. Bender), Caleb Casteline (Mrs. Stankevich), Nicholas
Hutchinson (Mrs. Baron), Jason Sefcovic (Mrs. Vasina),
Cassie Figuerado (Mrs. Hamlin).
Front, l to r: Sean Wiser (Mrs. Hillis), Brooke Maietta
(Mrs. Moody), Katherine Flynn (Mrs. Abbey), Ethan Knox
(Mrs. Green). Back, l to r: Cheyanna Miller (Mr. Sutton),
Makenzie O’Brien (Mr. Bender), Dylan Silvanic (Mr.
Bender), Terry Lindow (Mrs. Hillis), Callie Watson (Mrs.
Muraca-Miller).
Front, l to r: Kyle McDonough (Mrs. Winters), Anthony Webb
(Mrs. Winters), Aidan Houlihan (Mrs. Lapham). Back, l to r:
Dakota Sager (Mrs. Abbey), Kenoa Tio (Mr. Allport), Lauren
Rooney (4th-grade cafeteria), Elliot McRoberts (Mr. Allport).
Front, l to r: Jacob Flynn (Mrs. Baron), Tara Grospin (Mrs.
Beach), Julia Rhodes (Mrs. Hillis), Casey Clements (Mrs.
Miller). Back, l to r: Sabrina McCray (Mrs. Robi), Charlie
Syron (Mrs. DeAngelo), Shelby Rose (Mrs. Ferro), Colleen
Smith (Mrs. Errante), Billy Maines (Mrs. Will).
Front, l to r: Makayla Rinker (Mrs. Rowlands), Parker Urso
(Mrs. Hamlin), Mikayla Zummo (Mrs. Ferranti), Samantha
Samsel (Mrs. Hudak). Back, l to r: Brandin Paulhamus
(Mrs. Beaudoin), Kristian Woolston (Mrs. Rowlands),
Michael Panko (4th-grade cafeteria), Breanna Hoover (Mr.
LoPiccolo), Brad Wiley (3rd-grade cafeteria).
Front, l to r: Shayne Bowersox (Mrs. Bender), Kelly
Parmeter (Mr. Allio & Mr. Allport), Casey Lindow (Mrs.
Sanford), Rebecca Shoemaker (Mr. Allport). Back, l to r:
Collin Topa (Mr. Allport & Mrs. Emm), Matthew Conti
(Mrs. Beaudoin), Mackenzie Bronson (Mrs. Regan), Alyssa
Mulewski (Mr. Allport), Coulter Wiley (Mrs. Ferranti).
9
Kenyon/Middle School
to avoid punishment, to please their peers, or perhaps to not
Middle school conscience
disappoint their parents. They may not have yet learned that
January 2009
S
hould middle school educators concern themselves with
such things as conscience, values and ethics? Shouldn’t
teachers stick to teaching? Isn’t there enough to worry
about with state testing and academic teaching? It sure sounds
like educators already have enough to worry about.
However, the humorous statement that “all children start
out as sociopaths,” made by author Dan Savenge, gives us
something to think about. A sociopath is a person with heavy
anti-social characteristics. Without a doubt, many middle
schoolers often act anti-social, according to their own interest,
and without consideration of others. Some are also very clever
at manipulating themselves into positions of power. However,
most do not have the ability or the desire to do great harm, as
would a real sociopath. Most don’t exhibit the problems of a
person totally devoid of conscience.
Most middle schoolers do have a conscience. Yet not all rank
at the top of the class in that area and some at the top of the
class can sometimes slip. Furthermore, some of those who
know that certain things are wrong sometimes still do the
wrong thing. Many really do not yet have a fully developed
sense of conscience.
Most middle-level children need help with all stages of
development, and the area of conscience is no exception.
Children at this age are not perfect, they do make mistakes.
For instance, they may mislead. They may try to mislead
and manipulate for a number of reasons; to test the limits,
if you make a mistake, it is better to live up to it, deal with
the consequences, and then move forward. Cover-ups never
work. (Apparently that lesson was also missed by a couple of
our former presidents.)
A teacher cannot teach the subject matter if he or she has a
socially dysfunctional classroom. Teachers need students who
are truthful. They need students who are more concerned
with mastering the subject than with manipulation. Teachers
and students need an atmosphere of mutual respect, an
atmosphere where consideration of others is paramount.
So how does our Middle School seek to succeed in this area?
We honor students with good character awards and we use
teachable moments to emphasize why doing the right thing
is important. We expect mistakes. We make a strong effort
to make our punishments commensurate with the issues. We
are more concerned that the unwanted behavior ends, not
that all are heavily punished. We never write-off a child. We
expect respect from the children and we show respect to the
children. We know that we are teachers of children, not only
of subjects. And we know that the child who made his or her
fourth mistake this month may someday be our accountant,
our legislator, or our police officer.
Should we be involved in the development of conscience? We
have no choice. Q
-Bill Burke, MS principal
Kenyon character corner
O
ur journey to success continues in January as we add
two more building blocks to our pyramid: alertness
and action. According to Coach Wooden, alertness
is “what you learn after you know it all is what counts,” and
action is “being quick but not hurrying.” These traits will
prove to be beneficial for Kenyon students as they continue
on their journey to being their personal best.
Families are an integral part of student success. Not only can
parents/guardians reinforce the two character traits learned at
school this month, but they can also help their children set
goals to help make them flourish in 2009. Don’t forget, we at
Kenyon believe character counts.
If you have the time, check out www.coachwooden.com,
which is Coach Wooden’s official Web site, to learn more
about the “pyramid of success.” Q
-Lori Pourby, KI math coordinator
Kenyon’s Pyramid of Success.
10
Middle School
January 2009
Student of the month
Front, l to r: Jacob Stone (Home & Career Skills 7-L. Breck
& French 7-N. Dimatos & Music-N. Wildoner), Joe Silvanic
(Technology 7-L. Baxter), Laurie Dupnock (Regents Earth
Science-L. Brooks & French I-N. Dimatos & English 8-M.
Zappia), Danielle Darling (P.E. 6-P. Dykeman), Kayla DeNinis
(P.E. 7-P. Dykeman) Rachael Burns (Science-D. Rullo).
Back, l to r: Caleb Kellicutt (Music-N. Wildoner), Jacob
Hunink (Social Studies 6-P. Kamp), Brianna Jeavons (Academic
Achievement-P. Swartout), Samantha Guth (Math 7-M. Tio),
Ashley Williams (English-B. Garzo), Kaylee Krager (Art-J.
Russell), Morgan Furman (Spanish IB-J. Pepples).
Front, l to r: Alex Kelly (P. E. 8-P. Dykeman), Nate Barfield (Social
Studies 7-P. Griffiths), Andrew Ziegenfus (P.E.-P. Derr), Dan
Gridley (English-L. Chestnut), Nicholas Guditis (Spanish 7-M.
Gregrow) Aidan Klein (Home & Career Skills 8-D. Daniels).
Back, l to r: Sierra Torillo (Spanish 7-M. Gregrow), Josh Shelepak
(Math 7-D. Lynch), Carley Church (Math 6-T. Urda), James
Pattwell (P.E.-P. Derr), Blaine Russ (Science 6-K. Church), Natalie
Valla (Reading-L. Chestnut) Kevin Spencer (Regents Earth
Science-T. Conner).
Front, l to r: Alex Freije (Written Expression-M. O’Hearn), Krysta
Shannon (Art-J. Russell), Ashley Heath (Home & Career Skills
8-L. Breck), Noelle Valla (Health-S. Deuel & Science-T. Vermaat),
David Stermer (Band 8-J. Dybas).
Back, l to r: Abby Lewis (Technology 6-L. Baxter), Kristin Silvanic
(Reading -K. Church), Nichole Wiggins (Reading-J. Stark),
Matthew Swagler (Band 6-J. Dybas), Tim Robinson (Health-S.
Deuel), Douglas Vail (Home & Career Skills 6-L. Breck),
Maryanna Wells (Social Studies 6-P. Griffiths).
Front, l to r: Trevor Henige (Science-D.Rullo), Matt Jones
(English-N. Dimatos), Blaine Frederickson (Academic
Achievement 8-R. Fortier), Cody Link (P.E.-P. Derr).
Back, l to r: Alex Voorhis (Technology 8-L. Baxter), Josh Maus
(Computers-S. Deuel), Tyler Hurlburt (Written ExpressionJ. Stark/ J. Crandell), Evan Picciano (Band 7-J. Dybas), Nick
Cannon (Math 8-J. Stocum & Spanish IB-J. Pepples), Madeline
Arnold (Science 7-C. Church).
January 2009
Middle School
11
Science Night is a BIG
night out
S
cores of High School honors students and
students in the High School’s college-level
science courses hosted Science Night on
November 13 for hundreds of Chenango Forks
Middle School students and parents.
This annual event featured hands-on activities
and demonstrations covering minerals, DNA,
chemistry wizardry, skull anatomy, forensic
mystery, stream erosion, wildlife
anatomy, earthquakes,
comparative bone anatomy,
planetarium shows, forestry,
friction, photograms and
aquariums.
Austen Ferranti helps a Middle School student extract DNA from a banana.
The Chenango Forks PTA sponsored a special event
during Science Night called “Talons, a bird of
prey experience,” where master class falconer
Lorrie Schumacher performed and lectured
with the help of her entourage of wild birds of
prey. Science Night was a featured news story on
WBNG-TV on November 13 and 14.
Thank you to all our High School students who
helped out and to the Middle School students
and their families who attended. Q
-Tim Conner, HS science
Jesse Villella and a student experiment with candy friction.
Middle School January dates
1/1-2
1/8
1/12
1/13
1/19
1/20-23
1/23
1/30
1/30
No school
BOE mtg. @ 7:15 p.m., MS library
CFCA Board mtg. @ 7 p.m., HS Lect. 1
PTA mtg., @ 6:30 p.m., HP library
No school. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed
State ELA exams, grades 6,7,8
MS Dance 7:30-9:30 p.m.
MS/HS rating day, dismissal @ 11 a.m.
MS/HS ONLY
End 20-week marking period
Michael George and Emily Abdallah.
Pumpkin race winners
I
n the December edition, page 17, the photo above
had the wrong name in the caption. The girls’ winner
was Emily Abdallah, who is pictured in the photo.
Our apologies to Emily for listing her name in the photo
incorrectly. Congratulations to both Michael and Emily. Q
Middle School
12
Ask a Scientist
W
hen you don’t know the answer to a question, who
do you ask? The answer: someone who is an expert
in the area in which you are interested. Seventhgrader Jewelie Spencer did just that.
“Ask a Scientist” is a program where Binghamton University
(BU) faculty answer scientific questions submitted by local
students. Jewelie’s questions appeared in the December 8
edition of the “Press and Sun Bulletin.” It can also be viewed
on www.pressconnects.com or the BU Web site.
Her question was, “Why is radiation dangerous for cells?”
January 2009
The answer was provided by Susannah
Gal, associate professor of biological
sciences. Gal’s research area includes
molecular genetics of plants, cancer cell
biology and DNA computing. She holds
a Ph.D. from a joint program at Johns
Hopkins University and the Foundation
for Advanced Education in the Sciences,
National Institutes of Health.
Jewelie Spencer.
Jewelie is a student in Carol Church’s Middle School science
class. Her career interests include biochemistry and technical
engineering. Q
-Linda Myers, communications coordinator
Victorian gingerbread
A
lthough students in Mrs.
Dimatos’ seventh-grade English
classes enjoyed learning about
the life and times of Charles Dickens,
they preferred getting a “taste” of
19th century England by decorating
Victorian gingerbread houses.
This activity kicked off the unit
on “A Christmas Carol.” Their
gingerbread houses were on display
at The Discovery Center as part of
the exhibit entitled “A Victorian
See Victorian, page 19.
Blogging at Forks
B
logging has become the new form of self expression. All major political candidates this year had
blogs to let their potential voters read about their views and keep up with their campaigns.
What is a blog? It is short for Web log and is an online commentary or news information on
a particular subject. It allows the reader to comment on the topic, adding their own perspective or
knowledge.
What does this have to do with Chenango Forks Middle School?
Recently, Mike O’Hearn, sixth-grade teacher, has been using
blogs in his English language arts (ELA) classes to get students to
become better writers. O’Hearn begins the blog with a question or
situation and encourages his students to respond. As they progress,
they also respond to other classmates. The result is complete
interaction by teacher and student. The students are writing to a
more authentic audience, their peers, instead of just completing an Katie Matson works on a blog.
assignment for their teacher. They become more aware of what they
are saying and how they are expressing themselves. The result is better writing. We applaud O’Hearn and his students for using
this new 21st century skill. Q
- Cheri Panko, CIO/educational communications specialist
January 2009
Middle/High School
Congratulations first quarter honor roll students
Grade 6 - Highest Honor
Melissa Boeker
Hailey Brace
Michael Bubniak
Carley Church
Danielle Darling
Michael George
Mia Hayes
Seamus Houlihan
Jacob Hunink
Nicholas Hurd
Samantha Johnson
Garrett Krisko
Blaine Russ
Jack Sherwood
Kristin Silvanic
Sydney Slottje
Melissa Sweet
Jonathan Thrall
Natalie Valla
Grade 6 - High Honor
Ryan Bronson
Sara Clark
Hannah Conrad
Riki Donahue
Alexander Freije
McKenna Gill
Caleb Gould
Chelsea Henige
Devin Hopkins
Damen Kingsley
German Lavrinovich
Hunter Luybli
Victoria Markham
Katelyn Matson
Vanessa Mirch
James Pattwell
Isaac Pixley
Chad Raychel
Allan Rios
Christopher Roberts
Mason Rowe
Kalil Stark
Jonah Sterling
Alexander Stout-Moran
Taylor Thomas
Lucas Tiberi
Ethan Timms
Kelcey Watson
Maryanna Wells
Breana White
Grade 6 - Honor
Emily Abdallah
Daniel Ames
Audrey Arnold
Benjamin Conklin
Brooke Crowningshield
Tyler Denny
James Dyer
Brianna Felton
Derek Galla
Darrian Gardiner
Bronx Gibson
Gunnar Giordani
Kara Heath
Tyler Hurlburt
Zachariah Jeavons
Caleb Kellicutt
Virginia Korec
CoralRose Lake
Jordan Lambiase
Kaylea Lockwood
Lu Shanna McCray
Jake Meade
Bradley Norton
Zachary Norton
Natalie O’Brien
Audrey Orzelek
Casey Race
Miranda Raeder
Taylor Robinson
Tamara Shear
Matthew Swagler
Victoria Transue
Kendra Vest
DelilahaLynn Wells
Nichole Wiggins
Madison Willerton
Kayla Williams
James Wilson
Mackenzie Wilson
Brandon Woolston
Colleen Yatsonsky
Grade 7 - Highest Honor
Elliott Butler
Kelsie Davis
Jacob Gaworecki
Daniel Gridley
Samantha Guth
Matthew Jones
Sierra Kucko
Eduard Lavrinovich
Hallie Mayo
Alexander Niman
Jesse Redfern
Mariana Rogers
Krysta Shannon
Samantha Shepard
Jewelie Spencer
Madeline Staiger
Jacob Stone
Alicia Sullivan
Kellsey Wiser
Grade 7 - High Honor
Madeline Arnold
Nathan Barfield
Ashley Bennett
Anthony Bowersox
Nathan Butler
Sara Comfort
Scott Craver
Kayla DeNinis
Emily DeYoung
Veronica Dickel
Michael Diekow
Karis DuBois
Daniel Ehrets
Nicholas Guditis
Taylor Kimble
Morgan Leslie
Afton Link
Joseph LoPiccolo
Christopher Lowe
Jessica Mikulski
Emily Niman
Bailey Park
Evan Picciano
John Roys
Joseph Rudy
Rachel Serva
Carlene Solomon
Erin Sweeney
John Colm Sweeney
Danielle VanDeluyster
Jason Wilson
Andrew Ziegenfus
Grade 7 - Honor
Caitlyn Barrows
Kelsi Blakeslee
Diana Bouton
Ryan Brown
Bryan Browne
Robert Clapper
Austin Daye
Logan DePersiis
Rajinder Dhillon
Brandon Dutcher
Brandy Engel
Calogero Fanara
Peter Fett
Mitchell Gerard
Paul Groover
Logan Hall
Kristalyn House
Brianna Jeavons
Justin Lake
Taylor Latsha
Ryan Lewis
Samantha Malchak
Joshua Maus
Sean Miller
Lucas Moffitt
Darren Molter
Taylor Quackenbush
Brian Rhodes
Jordan Shelepak
Joshua Shelepak
Joseph Silvanic
Kathryn Stocks
Sierra Torillo
Joshua Weintraub
Robert Wildoner
Isaiah Zimmer
Michael Zurenda
Grade 8 - Highest Honor
Allyson Church
Courtney Cook
Laurie Dupnock
Kerry Heller
Rachel Kenyon
Douglas Klein
Kevin Spencer
Kenneth Starr
Haley Sterling
David Stermer
Kayla Sweet
Noelle Valla
Riley Walsh
Eric Yonda
Grade 8 - High Honor
Kelsey Brown
Rachel Burdick
Rachael Burns
Nicolas Cannon
Tyler Clements
Bruce Cook
Zachary Ford
Kristyanna Fuller
Morgan Furman
Trevor Henige
Veronica Kalashnik
Alexandra Kelly
Aidan Klein
Kaylee Krager
Taylor Lindsey
Dimitri Lobacz
Emily Markham
Rebecca Miner
Brandon O’Brien
Rebecca Ollerenshaw
Ashley Pasternak
Alicia Schulz
Joseph Sweeney
Samantha Thatcher
Michaela Transue
Callie Truex
Ashley Williams
Allison Yatsonsky
Jennifer Zeigler
Grade 8 - Honor
Christopher Ames
Cheyenne Barker
Nicole Barnes
Jack Barnett
Morgan Barrett
Jonathen Bates
Derek Battista
Bradley Bennett
Sarah Camp
Kelsie Carter
Zachary Casterlin
Keenan Conrad
Haley Cron
Brandon Cruz
Lauren Daniels
Cody DeOrdio
13
Thomas Eggleston
Brooke Freije
Tanner Giordani
Marissa Gorenflo
Jacob Green
Benjamin Haskell
Angelica Hauer
Ashley Heath
Kendra Hogan
Timothy Hulbert
David Jones
Kyle Kelly
Sethiah Lake
Evan Lally
Cody Link
Christian Melvin
Andrew Near
Jonathan Petitte
Megan Plahanski
Danielle Regan
Ashley Roman
Jared Stein
Alex Vandermark
Daniel White
Nathan Zweig
Grade 9 - Highest Honor
James Allen
Rachel Bouton
Andrew Collyer
Lindsey Crawford
Callie Gill
Laura Haley
Taylor Juran
Zachary Kolb
Connor Luybli
Kelly Martin
Mariya Pecheny
Taylor Powers
Ariel Roys
Christopher Rudy
Nicholas Shannon
Stephanie Zdimal
Grade 9 - High Honor
Alexandra Barvinchak
Kenneth Bowen
Adam Bronson
Nicole Clark
Ronni Crandle
Valerie Dybas
Jenna Flannery
Kelley Guth
Courtney Hadden
Lindsay Humphrey
Zachary Jeske
Erik Johnson
Alexis Kellicutt
Magen Kelly
Shelby Lawton
Ryan Leslie
Katelyn Luke
Gabriella Martinichio
Honor, next page.
14
Honor, from page 13.
Sarah Maximowicz
Steven Maximowicz
Nicholas McDonough
Christopher Miner
Kevin Pattwell
John Rhodes
Andrew Riecke
Alex Singh
Ashley Slavick
Nicole Szymkowicz
Jillian Truex
Marisa Valdes
Deidre VanDeluyster
Bethany Wallen
Marissa Walsh
Iyan Warren
Grade 9 - Honor
Tiffany Bryant
Joseph Burke
Courtney Casterlin
Sebastian Decker
Charles Evans
Ashley Ferris
Alec Fleicher
Phillip Hardy
Deziree Huyck
Chelsea Kane
Travis McGowan
Alexis Moore
Kasia Parliman
Courtney Smith
Amber Villecco
Taylor Zarrelli
Grade 10 - Highest Honor
Kristen Brooks
Lyndsey Church
Jessica Collyer
Benjamin Daniels
Thomas Dybas
Victoria Eastman
Lauren Gridley
Jackson Haskell
Kelsey Heller
Felicia Hertzog
Kaitlin Hulbert
Mary Kamp
Sarah Krizan
Chelsea Mikulski
Taylor Stephens
Grade 10 - High Honor
Emily Barnett
Melissa Belanger
Amanda Bowman
Troy Bowersox
Amie Curyto
Jacob DuBois
Mackenzie Faughnan
Cassandra Forsyth
Amanda George
Alyssa Hawras
Ryan Hogan
Middle/High School
Mallory Illsley
Andrew Krolczyk
Ryan Lally
Ryan Lamond
John Langevin
Tyler Lawton
Taylor Luce
Mehtasim Mahfuz
Natasha Malchak
Ashli Mikeska
Dallas Moffitt
Christopher O’Brien
John Pattwell
Yelena Pecheny
James Pietrosanti
Rachel Reynolds
Brooke Robertson
Hilary Rutkowski
Katelyn Skinner
Colin Staiger
Heather Terpak
Joseph Villecco
Carolyn Yonda
Grade 10 - Honor
Joshua Amatuccio
Sarah Andrus
Taylor Boughner
Jessica Bradley
Ashley Broderick
Joseph Burdick
Emily Burke
Maria Camp
Luke Carey
John Comfort
Cameron Cortright
Jason Cummings
Jack Felter
Breonna Fuller
Hunter Fuller
Kelsey Giordani
Kate Gitchell
Carolyn Holtzmaster
Andrew Hosier
Kira Hovancik
Jamie Kimble
Alexandra Koulikas
Nicholas LoPiccolo
Anthony Martinichio
Daniel Molter
Jason O’Brien
Emma O’Neill
Paige Orcutt
Holly Price
Patrick Reardon
Victoria Reigles
Shaun Sager
Eric Singh
Dalton Stinson
Peter Tiesi
Stephen VanKuren
Emma Whittaker
Bryan Zeigler
Grade 11 - Highest Honor
Sharon Hartzell
Matthew LeVasseur
Casey Redfern
Matthew Roloson
Nicole Weintraub
Chelsea White
Kelley White
Grade 11 - High Honor
Melanie Abbe
Matthew Banary
Brianna Barnett
Paul Bartlett
Martin Beach
Corey Bruet
Crystal Canniff
Derek Church
Kevin Coughlin
Patrick Creagh
Jennifer Dayton
Alexandria Driscoll
Mary Katherine Dugue
Trisha Dupnock
Joseph Furey
Brenden Garcia
Corey Gildea
Daniel Grady
Lauren Guth
James Haley
Taylor Hurt
Tyler Kutz
Alyssa Niman
Collin Nowalk
Travis Pasternak
Yuliya Pecheny
Courtney Robinson
Sophia Russ
Matthew Sebeck
Raychel Shannon
Daniel Smith
Jenna Snow
Robert Suer
Bridget Sweeney
Alexis Taylor
Alyssa Tye
Melody Wildoner
Grade 11 - Honor
Janee Caganek
Clare Carney
Stevie Davall
Amanda Dimmick
Frankie Dooley
Stephen Edwards
Justin Flannery
Christy Guzenski
Cameron Hallett
Joseph Hollenbeck
Adam Jeavons
Ashley Kenyon
Andrew Lewis
Tia Lewis
Jordan Luybli
Adrianna Maslin
Taylor Mazursky
Elizabeth McGowan
Alexis Morgan
Emily Petko
Alicia Reppard
Samantha Ridgeway
Malinda Robinson
Ian Rutkowski
Tyler Serva
Hanna Snow
Abbie Stafford
Brittany Terpak
Tyler Thatcher
Zachary VanKuren
Megan Walsh
Stevie West
Caitlin Williams
Alexander Yevtukh
Grade 12 - Highest Honor
Kacey Deamer
Christina Feldpausch
Corey Fletcher
Lucas Guinan
Alexis Lawton
Cassandra Lord
Christopher Powers
Michael Sackett
Grade 12 - High Honor
Emily Barvinchak
Courtney Blair
Molly Carney
Samantha Davern
John DeOrdio
Hope DeVigili
Steven Dimmick
Brittany Doris
Austen Ferranti
Kevin Gaydorus
Tyler Gill
Emily Ginty
Myranda Gove
Juvenal Griswold
Andrew Hallett
Jason Hamel
Michael Jeske
Drew Kachmor
Matthew Kane
Allison Krolczyk
Jackson Lesko
Emily Lowe
Nathaniel Oberhaus
Ryan Pasternak
Nicole Rapino
Andrea Rosenbarker
Emily Silverio
Meghan Spencer
Michelle Staiger
Caitlin Sweeney
Elizabeth Tiffany
Maria Urda
Haley VanTassel
Jason Waterman
January 2009
Julia Wickersheim
Grade 12 - Honor
Michael Baggerman
Shane Baron
Mark Bartlett
Alexander Berkowitz
Amanda Brooks
Kristen Bunker
Cassandra Burgin
Mackenzie Calvasina
Annastashia Dillenbeck
Tiffany Evanchof
James Felter
Ryan Freije
James Guth
Kevin Hamilton
Michael Hogan
Jacqueline Ivan
Colin Jenks
Erik Jones
Erin Kelly
Ashley Knox
Danielle LaNave
Jamie Lord
Mehzabin Mahfuz
Michelle Marinich
Patrick Michalski
Kevin Moppert
Kalyn Nichols
Corry Owen
Lizbith Page
Tanner Patrick
Karly Pero
Matthew Pratt
Nicholas Reynolds
Amber Sabo
Lindsay Sanaeko
Stephanie Shephard
Kody Smyder
Christopher Spear
Joseph Taylor
Sabrina Torillo
Jesse Villella
Parker Ward
Congratulations to our
out-of-district students
who received an 85
average or above.
Kurtis Coy
Nicholas Coy
Kelsey Franks
Ethan Ganoung
Amanda Letts
David Merritt
Ryan Mills
Kevin Thomas
Patrick Wallen Q
January 2009
High School
15
Girls swimming & diving
Coaches: Dan Kozlowski and John Hillis
Sportsmanship award: Cassie Lord
All-conference: MaryKatherine Dugue, Emily
Ginty, Molly Carney, Courtney Cook and
Courtney Hadden
Academic all-star: Molly Carney
Back, l to r: Cassie Lord, Mary Katherine Dugue, Emily Ginty and Molly Carney
Front, l to r: Courtney Cook and Courtney Hadden
Football-division champions
Row 1: Mike Baggerman, Rickey Bronson, Nolan Haycook, Tim Zdimal, Corry Owen, Shane Baron, Kevin Hamilton,
Dan Smith, Mike Jeske, Andrew Lewis and Tylor Gardiner. Row 2: Zach Youngs, Tyler Martinez, Jesse Barnett, Robert
Lumsden, Jesse Villella, Ryan Freije, Tyler Serva, Jordan Barnett, Dan Grady, Adam Jeavons and Mike Szymkowicz. Row 3:
Joe Aston, Tyler Lusht, Jim Miller, Matt McLaughlin, Jacob DuBois, Justin Flannery, Tom Raminger, Chris Singh, Lawrence
VanHorn and Ed Fisher. Row 4: Coach Dave Hogan, Coach Kelsey Green, Coach Dave Chickanosky, Juvenal Griswold, Matt
VanDoorn, Kevin Moppert, Jesse Smith and Frankie Dooley.
Row 5: Coaches Dennis Hovancik, Dave Pavlick, Paul Derr, Chris Spencer, Jim Bender and Marty Olsa.
Coaches: Dave Hogan, Kelsey Green and Dave Chickanosky
All-division: Shane Baron, Nolan Haycook, Ryan Freije, Tim Zdimal, Tylor Gardiner, Michael Jeske, Andy Lewis, Jake DuBois
and Jesse Villella
Sportsmanship award: Tylor Gardiner
Academic all-star: Michael Jeske
Ernie Davis senior all-stars: Nolan Haycook, Tim Zdimal and Shane Baron
January 2009
High School
Later, we met up with Trisia again at the Pompey New York
Studying fossils and terrain
Road Cut. We collected fossils for our own collections and
16
L
eaving the present time, the Chenango Forks geology
class took a voyage to the Devonian Period on October
19. That morning, we stopped at the Paleontological
Research Institute (PRI)
in Ithaca, New York.
The building, originally
the Odd Fellows Home
orphanage, was turned
into a collection-storage
site seventy-five years
ago. There we met
Paleontologist Trisia
Smrecak. She showed us
a two-foot-wide, yet-tobe-analyzed fossil that had
just been brought in by a
farmer near Binghamton.
PRI, with over three
Trisia and Chenango Forks students at the
million specimens and
Pompey fossil site.
many on display in the
museum, is a valuable resource for paleontologists around the
world.
The Institute has a large collection of Devonian specimens,
so Trisia showed us fossils that we might find in Devonianage rocks. After an hour of instruction at PRI, we headed
out to the field. We parted with Trisia and traveled toward
Taughannock Falls and Seneca Stone Quarry, where we
observed rock layers that had been bathed alternately in
warm, shallow seas, deep, dirtier waters and clean, abrasive
waves. We collected fossils of bivalves, crinoids, trilobites,
brachiopods and cephalopods for our personal collections.
took bulk samples of the shales and limestones in the horizon
two, three and four rock layers. The samples, which went
back to Chenango Forks High School with our class, will be
analyzed for Devonian-age fossils in our research project with
Cornell University and PRI.
We finished off day one of our trip with a lecture by Dr.
David Bailey, mineralogist, at Hamilton College. He
discussed the incredibly versatile igneous rock basalt,
whose features and applications span the areas of geology,
mineralogy, biology and chemistry. We also looked at the
scanning electron microscope in the Hamilton College lab.
Our class will continue to work with Cornell University and
PRI in analyzing our Pompey Road cut samples. Thank you
to Trisia Smrecak for her guidance. Q
-Sharon Hartzell & John O’Neill (11th grade),
Ryan Pasternak (12th grade), Jackson Haskell (10th grade)
Chenango Forks students and teacher Tim Conner at Seneca Stone Quarry.
Forkers in the geology field
T
he Chenango Forks High School geology class had the rare
opportunity on October 20 to visit some of New York’s most
intriguing geological sites. These included Trenton Gorge, Moss
Island and Beardslee Gorge. We also attended an eye-opening lecture
on the Permian extinction presented by SUNY Cortland Professor Dr.
Chris McRoberts.
The geology class exploring Moss Island in Little Falls, N.Y.
At Trenton Gorge, we experienced firsthand how hydroelectric power is
generated. Moss Island, in Little Falls, provided an interesting overview
of glacial melting which occurred roughly ten thousand years ago. At
Beardslee Gorge, we investigated rocks, joints and faults, a large cleft,
and an igneous intrusion. Later that day, we heard a Permian extinction
lecture by Dr. McRoberts. The Permian extinction was the harshest
extinction in the history of the earth, when 95 percent of marine species
and 70 percent of land species went extinct. Q
-Nick Reynolds & Parker Ward(12th grade), Marty Beach &
Colin Nowalk (11th grade)
January 2009
High School
Baby, think it over
T
een pregnancy
is a concern in
our country.
There are many efforts
to help educate youth
on preventing unwanted
pregnancies. One effort
being used at Chenango
Forks High School is
the “Baby think it over”
(BTIO) program.
Students in Deb Daniels’
family and consumer
science classes took
on the responsibility
of being a temporary
parent. Students cared
for RealCare Baby II,
a computerized infant
Kellsea Bronson comforts Baby.
simulator that must be
supervised by the student at all times. Known as “Baby”,
the infant cries, needs to be fed, burped, rocked and have
its diapers changed. The student is responsible for meeting
Baby’s needs at all times. The overall purpose of BTIO is to
give students the opportunity to experience the challenges and
responsibilities of parenthood.
The baby has to be cared for by feeding, burping, changing
the diaper, or rocking. Sometimes the baby is just fussy and
cries, and it is an actual baby cry for three minutes straight,
no matter how the student tries to comfort Baby. The
computer programs are based on real newborn schedules.
Students learn they are responsible for Baby 24 hours-a-day,
seven days-a-week, and that parenting can be frustrating and
stressful in addition to rewarding.
17
teens and their parents. She explained, “It opens the door for
discussions that many parents find hard to start otherwise.
When is a person “ready” to be a parent? How do I avoid
pregnancy? Why would it be so difficult for teens to raise a
baby? What was I like as a baby? When these questions arise,
the communication that takes place can be a great thing for
parents and their children.”
As the days progress, students return to school tired and
stressed. They learn very quickly that assuming the role of a
parent to an infant for 48 to 72 hours is exhausting. Eleventhgrader Kellsea Bronson wholeheartedly agrees, stating, “It was
so overwhelming. I didn’t realize you have to put so much
attention into taking care of a baby.” Daniels said while taking
care of Baby, students may have to change social plans, have
many sleepless nights, and find child care when they are
working or participating in extracurricular activities.
For tenth-grader Leslee Doyle, the experience was an eyeopener. She said, “I couldn’t handle school and taking care of
a baby. I now have a better understanding of being a parent
and respect for girls who have to be both a parent and a
student.”
The program truly gives students a real understanding of
being a teen parent. Daniels added, “I feel students learn a
great deal as they try hard to be a “caring and responsible”
parent and learn that it is a very hard role to fulfill. Because
students experience these feelings, hopefully, they think things
over more thoroughly before putting themselves at risk of
becoming pregnant as a teen.” Q
-Deb Daniels, HS home economics &
Linda Myers, communications coordinator
Twelfth-grader Sam Davern said it was stressful, adding, “It
was harder than I thought, taking care of a baby all the time.”
Baby has a very sophisticated computer that records how well
the student meets their baby’s needs. Mrs. Daniels reviews
the printout with the student. It records when care was given
and if there were any “missed care” sessions. It gives the exact
time Baby was in need of something. A comparison is made
of the printout to a diary that each student keeps during their
experience. The computer also records any mishandlings,
which include not providing head support, wrong position,
rough handling and shaken baby.
Daniels explained that another important aspect of the
program is the communication that can happen between
Kellsea Bronson and Leslee Doyle with their Babies.
High School
Student of the month
18
January 2009
Freshmen
Sophomores
Front, l to r: Ariel Roys (English 9-B. Garzo), Rachel Bouton
(Regents Earth Science-L. Brooks) Callie Gill (English 9-B. Garzo),
Stephanie Zdimal (Studio Art2-D-D.Sheehan). Back, l to r: Chris
Miner (Studio Art 2D-J. Russell), Lindsey Humphrey (Regents
Earth Science-T. Conner), Gabriella Martinichio (Studio Art2 D-D.
Sheehan), Sarah Maximowicz (Integrated Algebra 1-T. Sanford),
Alexis Kellicutt (Studio Art-K. Rosko).
Front, l to r: Jake Dubois (P.E.-N. Fersch), James Pietrosanti
(Foundations of Geometry-M. Fendick), Jackson Haskell (Math
11B-R. Dando), Nicholas Lopiccolo (P.E.-S. Busch). Back, l to r:
Amanda George (English 10-K. Taylor), Rachel Reynolds (Regents
Biology-T. Giovenco), Mary Kamp (Math 11B-D. Palmer), Megan
Guernsey (P.E.-S. Busch), Kristen Brooks (Spanish III-M. Black),
Kate Gitchell (Global Studies 10-J. Smith), Kelsey Heller (Math
11B-D. Palmer), Jessica Collyer (Band-N. Wildoner).
Juniors
Seniors
Front, l to r: Nicolette DiLuzio (Arch. Design-D. Sheehan), Chelsea
White (Foods I-D. Daniels), Alexandria Driscoll (Spanish 4-M.
Gregrow). Back, l to r: Austin Mills (Animation-K. Rosko), Daniel
Smith (Regents Chemistry-A. Rullo), Danny Grady (Regents
Physics-S. Laine), Corey Gildea (French IV-J. Myers), Matthew
Banary (Math 11B-A. Biddle), Martin Beach (US History (BCC)D. Hooper), Collin Nowalk (Spanish IV-M. Black).
Front, l to r: Jesse Villella (Pre-Calculus-A. Gronski), Meghan
Spencer (Participation in Government-R. Condon), Nicole Simonis
(AM IV-D. Palmer), Annastashia Dillenbeck (Spanish 4-M.
Gregrow). Back, l to r: Parker Ward (P.E.-C. Kozol), Andrew Hallet
(P.E.-N. Fersch), Michael Baggerman (Video Production-D.
Sheehan), Matt Kane (AP Chemistry-A. Sheridan-Brennan).
8th grade
High School January dates
1/1-2 No school
1/5
HS Site Council mtg. @ 2:15 p.m.,
HS conf. room
1/8
BOE mtg. @ 7:15 p.m., MS library
1/12 Yearbook parent ads due
CFCA Board mtg. @ 7 p.m., HS
Lect. 1
1/13
1/27-30
1/30
PTA meeting @ 6:30 p.m., HP library
Regents week
MS/HS rating day,
11 a.m. dismissal for MS/HS
students only
End of 20-week marking period
Eric Yonda
(Geometry-M. Fendick)
High School
January 2009
19
Victorian, from page 12.
Village of Gingerbread.” Continuing
with tradition, the entire seventh grade
attended a performance of “A Christmas
Carol” at The Cider Mill.
“
I can accept failure everyone fails
at something.
What I can’t
accept is not trying.
This is approximately the seventh year
our seventh-grade students have
benefited from this marvelous
educational opportunity. Q
-Nicole Dimatos, MS English
”
- Michael Jordan, NBA superstar
Bag an apple
T
eachers and target
practice. It’s not
something typically
seen in school but when it’s
for a good cause, staff and
students were game.
Karen Shapiro’s and Nick
Fersch’s archery classes, in
cooperation with many High
School faculty members,
participated in a fund raiser
called “Bag an Apple for
CHOW”.
Cheri Panko as P-Mac.
Sue Byrnes as the Mexican apple crisp.
Keith Rosko’s computer
arts class created posters of
faculty members with an
apple on their head. Using
their archery skills, the P.E.
students who hit the apple
on the posters raised 25
cents for each hit. The classes
raised $31.50 for CHOW.
Thanks to students and staff
for participating in this fun
and worthy activity. Q
-Karen Shapiro, HS health
Kathleen Quaranta as Caramel Q.
Marty Olsa as Marty Lou Who.
Home of the Blue Devils
20
January 2009
1 Gordon Drive
Binghamton, NY 13901
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 155
Binghamton, NY 13901
Superintendent of Schools
Bob Bundy
Assistant Superintendent
Carol Denz
ECRWSS
Postal Patron
Business Executive
Kathy Blackman
Communications Coordinator
Linda Myers
Meetings
Open swim offered
C
ome jump in the pool. The Chenango Forks
Swimming Club is offering more “Open Swims”
to our community from 7-9 p.m., December 12th,
January 9 and January 23. A $2 donation per person or $5
donation per family is requested. We look forward to seeing
you there. Q
-Dan Kozlowski, CFSC
1/1-2
No school
1/8
BOE mtg. @ 7:15 p.m., MS library
1/12
CFCA mtg. @ 7 p.m., HS, lecture 1
1/13
PTA mtg. @ 6:30 p.m., HP library
1/19
No school. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed
Basketball booster clubs
After-Prom Party
T
he next After-Prom Party meeting will be held on
Thursday, January 8, 2009, 7 p.m. in room 122 at
the HS (Home Economics room.) The success of this
event is largely attributed to the volunteers who help support
the activities at this event. Please mark your calendars and
come find out more. Call Shelly O’Neill, 648-4298 or Lori
Dayton, 237-9971 (co-chairs,) for more information. Q
-Lori Dayton, co-chair
T
he Chenango Forks Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball
Booster Clubs will be holding their 5th Annual
Night at the Races fundraiser at Genegantslet Golf
Course on Saturday, January 31, 7- 11 p.m. Admission is $8.
Wings, pizza, veggies-n-dip, soda and coffee will be provided
throughout the evening. If you’d like to purchase tickets or
have any questions regarding this event, please contact Laurie
Gildea, at 648-4763. Q
Budget group forming
Winter Concert
Fifth-Grade Band and Chorus
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
7 p.m., CFE Auditorium
A
t the November 13, 2008, board of education
(BOE) meeting, Superintendent Bob Bundy received
authorization to form a BOE Budget Advisory
Committee. The purpose of this committee is to provide the
BOE with recommendations for the level of spending for the
2009-10 school year.
If you would like to be considered for the committee, or
would like more information about it, please complete the
advisory committee form located on the CF Web site and
e-mail it to Superintendent Bob Bundy. Q
-Bob Bundy, superintendent
Have you moved?
I
f you have moved, please call the business office at 607648-7564, extension 3629, to report this change, or
complete the census form on our Web site at
www.cforks.org/census. Q
-Kathy Blackman, business executive