January 2014 - Walton Central School District

WALTON
Central School
Walton, New York
January 2014
NEWSLETTER
Introducing Our New Website!
The Walton Central School District invites the community to
check out our new website. We hope you enjoy the updated look
and feel. Besides having a dynamic new look, there are features
to help keep the site more relevant and up-to-date, which makes
it an important place for people to come for news, updates and
anything else to do with our District.
Our website is also very user-friendly and information is
easy to find and access. We thank you for your patience as we
continue to work on the site and add more information.
SOME OF THE NEW FEATURES
OF THE SITE INCLUDE
• School Pages—Townsend Elementary, George F. Mack Middle
School and O’Neill High School each have their own pages
and content. You can easily access any of the pages by clicking
on the school name at the top of the main page.
• Closings/Delays or Special Messages—When there is a
closing, delay or special announcement, a banner will be
displayed prominently across all pages of the site.
• Menu System—The menus are designed and organized to
make it much easier to navigate through the website. The left
side of the page features touts, which give users easy access to
some of the most popular pages. Menus at the top and bottom
of each page also make navigation easier.
• Staff Directory—There is a searchable staff list on the site.
Users can search by name, building or District. Contact
information for staff members is available.
• Calendar—The user-friendly calendar allows visitors to search
events by building or District. Calendars will also be on each
school page, so parents and community members can see
events specific to an individual school.
• News Sections—On the District’s main page, as well as on
other relevant pages, there are news sections providing users
an easy way to see up-to-date news about the District.
We encourage you to click around the website, explore and
see what we have to offer. Again, we thank you for your patience
as we make our website the first place the community goes to
find out what’s happening in the Walton Central School District.
1
HOBY Winners
Congratulations to Serena
Simpson and Hunter McCall
on being chosen as this year’s
ambassadors to the Hugh
O’Brien Leadership Conference
(HOBY). This three day conference will allow them to explore
their personal leadership style
and help them make a positive
impact on their community.
Richard Wood was named the delegate.
The Walton Lions Club of Walton donated money to help
send our delegates.
Congressman Gibson Visits
Congressman Chris Gibson and Superintendent
Clough listen as Middle School Principal Julie Bergman
discusses some educational policies.
Congressman Chris Gibson stopped at the District to meet
with school officials and students. He toured the buildings
with Superintendent Clough and visited Mrs. Constable’s
business class to talk to students about any concerns they
had or issues they wanted to discuss.
He shared his vision of what he would like to see the
Legislature tackle in the upcoming year and encouraged the
high school students to be part of the process by contacting
his office with their opinions.
He also stopped into an 8th grade history class and shared
some of his military service experiences. He explained he
was the face of their representation at the Legislative level
that they are learning about.
From The Superintendent
Walton Leads the Way to Enact
Stricter Penal Law for the Safety
of our Children and Staff
Dear Walton School District Community,
Allow me to start by thanking everyone for welcoming
me and my family into the District. The transition has been
smooth and a great experience. We couldn’t be happier to
be part of the Walton community and school District and
look forward to the future. I hope everyone had a wonderful
holiday season!
As we move into 2014 one change we recently instituted
is a new website. We have been working hard creating a
user-friendly site which will be continually updated with
news about the District. The site has some great features and
I encourage you to please take a moment to check it out at
www.waltoncsd.org and let us know what you think!
Late in 2013 a group of administrators and staff members
met for two days to discuss our current scheduling system
so we could plan on making a change in 2014-15. The idea
is to make it so teachers can work in both the Middle and
High Schools, thus giving our students more opportunities.
By creating a similar bell schedule between the two schools, it
makes it possible to share teachers and services without issue.
Our faculty and staff members have been working amazingly hard and I am constantly impressed with their level of
professionalism. They have the ability to bring out the best
in our students.
Finally, I want to let the community know that the Board of
Education and I began budget discussion in October and we
will be holding public forums in 2014. We will let the community know about these dates as soon as they are confirmed.
Wishing you all the best,
Roger Clough II
Superintendent
Superintendent Roger B. Clough II and several members
of the Walton Central School Board of Education attended
the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)
Convention in Rochester on October 24-26, 2013. Members of
the Board and Administration attended workshops, seminars
and presentations on a variety of topics, including student
achievement, governance, finance, legislation, health and
safety.
During the Business Meeting on Saturday, October 26,
the Walton Board of Education presented the following
Resolution to the voting delegates.
PURSUE AN AMENDMENT TO
PENAL LAW ARTICLE 240
RESOLVED, that the New York State School Boards
Association pursue an amendment to Penal Law Article 240
entitled Falsely Reporting an Incident to criminalize falsely
threatening use of a gun or making threats of gun violence
on public school property.
RATIONALE
The School District had been subject to a member of the
public falsely reporting imminent gun violence on several
occasions in an online forum; and the false reports of gun
violence had caused the school to activate its safety plan
repeatedly and frequently. The District administration, staff
and Incident Command Team worked closely with the local
police agencies throughout the duration of the online threats.
The District was forced to enact lockout procedures at
the Elementary, Middle and High School buildings; and as a
direct result of the false threats of gun violence, the District
was forced to close their Elementary school building for one
day, thereby losing State Aid for that closure.
The District actively pursued all legal remedies but has
been advised by the Delaware County District Attorney’s
office that Penal Law Article 240 does not apply to false
reports of gun violence.
The Resolution passed overwhelmingly, clearing the way
for our State Association to bring its resources to bear on
the NYS Legislature on our behalf. In addition, many of the
delegates from over 250 school districts represented at the
meeting stated that they will pursue the matter with their own
Legislators as well.
It is the Board’s expectation that as we go forward, the
successful addition of the proposed language to the law will
stiffen the penalties for those who would threaten the safety
of our students and staff.
Universal Pre-K Registration
If your child will be four years old on or before
December 1, 2014, he/she will be eligible to attend our
UPK class next year. Lottery Registration forms will be
mailed in the spring to all residents in Walton. Funding
from NYS only allows for 36 children in the program each
year, so names are pulled in a lottery system to determine
who can attend.
After filling out the lottery registration form, please
bring it to the Townsend Elementary School office by May 2,
2014. The UPK Selection Day will be on June 6, 2014.
Formal registration forms and health records will be
sought for those students accepted in June. There will be
an Open House in August before school starts. A waiting
list will be compiled if interest exceeds 36 students.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
call the school office at 865-5220.
2
Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
Anti-Bullying Flash Mob
On Monday, October 7 WCS celebrated National Blue Shirt
Day which is an Anti-Bullying awareness program. All of the
students in Townsend School dressed in their brightest blue
shirts and reviewed and signed anti-bullying contracts that
remind them to “be a buddy” or “if you see something, say
something.” New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR)
also provided all the students and staff at Townsend with green
anti-bullying bracelets.
The Guidance Department in the High School is integrating monthly class meetings to address bullying issues, build
class cohesion and focus on a broad range of topics relating
to peer relationships and overall school climate. It is a place
for student voices to be heard to discuss issues in an environment in which their opinions and concerns are taken seriously.
Fourteen teachers will host these meetings in their classrooms.
Class meetings began last year when the OLWEUS plan was
implemented in the district.
Class meetings are also a forum for students to understand
the anti-bullying rules, the consequences of bullying and what
they can do to address bullying when it arises. The students
in the high school were divided alphabetically and assigned a
teacher with whom to meet during their activity period.
The groups were organized in an effort to bring together
different students for interaction and start building relationships that might otherwise never be considered. Students brainstormed ideas in their OLWEUS groups and are working
toward the tolerance and acceptance needed to make a
peaceful school community.
Our students were invited to take part in a one-of-a-kind
event at the Delhi football field that left them with an experience they will never forget.
The long-time rivalry between our Walton Warriors and the
Delhi Bulldogs is legendary, so it was a statement in itself that
the two schools teamed up together to perform a flash mob
show at half time of the annual football game. Seeing the rivals
approach each other from opposite sides of the field to join in
the coordinated dance was a moving experience.
Choreographed by Raegan Reed of Delhi, the two student
bodies had prepared a show, dancing to Katy Perry’s Roar,
with an anti-bullying message. The students had worked together practicing the dance in physical education classes and
via videos sent to Walton to teach the choreography.
Tee-shirts were made available from Catskill Mountain
Embroidery in Delhi, and the field was a sea of white shirts
with the message, Keep Calm and Stop Bullying.
The video was edited and submitted to a nationwide contest
to host a Katy Perry concert by Delhi officials. Even though the
video didn’t win the prize of a live concert, the experience was
one that students and adults alike said they would never forget.
The Flash Mob of Walton-Delhi students and community
dance to Katy Perry’s Roar.
The Townsend Staff posed for a picture in their blue shirts
as part of the anti-bullying campaign day.
Students from Walton are all smiles after the half-time
performance. L.-r.: Alyssa Carey, Dahlia Alvarez,
Melissa Soto, Serena Simpson, Rhyan Howe, Chelsea
Darling, Sierra Caruso, and Emmaline Freeman.
High School students brainstorm in OLWEUS
class meetings that are designed to bring about
diversity and acceptance.
3
Fire Safety Poster Winners
Museum March
The annual Fire Safety Poster Contest winners were announced at Townsend School. Back row l.-r.—Kierstyn Jones,
2nd place, 5th grade; Mallory Sprague, 1st place, 5th grade;
Benny Sanford, 1st place, 3rd grade; Dustin Copeland,
3rd place, 5th grade; Jillian Wright, 3rd place, 4th grade;
Annaliese DelBalso, 1st place, 4th grade; Emma Hall, 2nd
place, 4th grade. Front row l.-r.—Cheyanne Reese, 2nd place,
2nd grade; Noah Covell, 1st place, 2nd grade; Griffin Jackson,
3rd place, 2nd grade; Brody Moore, 3rd place, 1st grade;
Addison Yetto, 1st place, 1st grade; Abigail Wright, 2nd place,
1st grade; Charlotte Bayne, 3rd place, 3rd grade; and Heidi
Decker, 2nd place, 3rd grade. Firefighter Bob Lang coordinated the contest again for the Walton Fire Dept. Children
received a place ribbon and a plaque for their win.
Fifth-grade students walked around the block as
part of their quest to raise money for their spring trip
to the NYC Museum of Natural History. They walked
with their PE teachers, Ms. Moffett and Mr. LeBlanc,
and their classroom teachers, circling the block of
Townsend School three times. Some of the students
wrote cadence marches about their school subjects
and used them to keep warm and in step.
This was one of the student’s marches:
I’ve been learning how to round, the numbers go
up but never down.
Mathematics has properties, expanded forms and
identities.
Decimals and fractions are the same, just going
by a different name.
Organisms are living things; they may have legs
or fins or wings.
Every plant has chloroplast, to make it green, like
the green grass.
Round blood cells run through your veins, taking
oxygen to your brain.
The cell membrane surrounds a cell, holding it
together very well.
My nerve tissues all work together; they give me
goose bumps in cold weather.
Nerves send signals from the brain, bringing messages like an info train.
They also had chants for history and math, and
the marches helped them stay in step and have fun
as they walked. A great time was had by all and the
students raised about $1,841 in pledges from family
and friends.
Leaf Raking Lots of Fun
The Walton Varsity Club spent Sunday, October 20 raking leaves for
people in the village who could not do it, or could not get to it. They
raked over a dozen lawns under the direction of Advisor Deb Liddle.
Though it was a lot of work, they certainly seemed to have fun while
doing it, and many hands made light work.
Pictured l.-r. are: Morgan McAdams, Morgan Beardslee, Jared
Beach, Jeffrey Lam, Michael Lindsay, Katie Escobar, Kiley
Lamoreaux, Hannah Wagner, Megan McNamara, Austin Kilmer,
Kaitlyn McNamara, Kelsey Smith, Deb Liddle, and Matt Sinistore.
Missing from photo: Samantha Layton and Kim Huntress.
4
Walton Central School Looks
to Change Scheduling
In an effort to maximize resources and teachers, the
Walton Central School District is looking to change its
high school and middle school schedules for the 2014-15
school year and beyond.
Elliot Merenbloom, a renowned educational consultant
spent two days at Walton on November 25-26, exploring
the different options with administrators and staff members. “We’re trying to determine how we can share teachers
between the middle and high schools in the most efficient
way,” Merenbloom said. “And we’re trying to explore
class options.”
Currently, Walton is set up with two different bell
schedules for the Middle and High School. Therefore, it
makes it difficult for teachers to be able to teach in both
schools. “Although there’s a school of thought that there
should only be middle school and high school teachers,
I think it’s inevitable that we have some shared staff in
light of the efficient use of personnel,” said Merenbloom,
who has been consulting schools for nearly 20 years, following a 33-year career in Baltimore County (Maryland)
public schools.
“This is an important step for our School District,”
Walton Superintendent Roger Clough said. “This session
gave us the opportunity to look at scenarios that will help
us give our students the best educational experience possible.” Merenbloom also noted Walton is looking at trying to have a better functioning middle school schedule
as well as trying to give middle school students a proper
balance of specials, including those who need AIS and
use of the resource room.
Teachers and administrators were gathered for the
two-day session to help hash out ideas and shape the
future of scheduling in the school, said Justin Preston,
a guidance counselor in the high school. “Everybody
has a different agenda for scheduling,” he said. “So
this allows staff to brainstorm to see what we have and
what’s working.” The ultimate goal, he said, is to make
the schedule best for students, as well as offer the best
available courses. “We want to make a change, not just
for one year, but something we can use down the road,”
Preston said.
Walton is also looking for maximum flexibility,
said Julie Bergman, Walton’s middle school principal.
“We still want to maintain programs and maximize
our opportunities,” Bergman said, “and, for all of our
kids—middle school and high school—to have as many
options as possible.”
—PJ Harmer
Bus Driver Appreciation
The Townsend School Select Chorus entertained the bus drivers at the School Bus Garage for Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
The Chorus, directed by Miss Theresa Bolton, is made up of 2nd
and 3rd graders, and they sang a customized Batman song for the
delighted drivers. The Select Chorus also performed at area Senior
Meal Sites and churches, as well as the Delaware River Stage
Company’s Christmas show at the Walton Theatre.
Their voices and fun motions to their songs make them a delight
for all audiences.
Standards Based Report Cards
Parents and guardians should check the January Townsend
Parent/Guardian letter for specific workshop dates regarding the
new standards-based report cards. These workshops (approximately
30-40 minutes in length) will explain the new standards-based
report cards in detail and discuss how to understand the new
grading system.
It is anticipated that the new report cards will start to be used in
the second half of this school year. The new report card gives parents
more information about how their child is doing and specific
I can statements make it easier for the parent and child to understand where the child excels and where more help may be needed.
Confidential Toll-Free Line
Troop C of the New York State Police would like to remind
people of the creation of a toll-free line for confidential reporting
of potentially dangerous situations in the 16 school districts of
the DCMO BOCES. The number is 1-866-535-5599, and the line
is answered by a machine at Troop C headquarters and regularly
checked by police officials.
This number is not for callers who experience an immediate
threat. In that situation you should still call 911 or the local police.
Summer Jobs
If your students are looking for a summer job, have them
stop into the Guidance Office this spring and sign up to get an
application from CDO Work Force. If economic conditions apply,
they can submit an application and CDO comes to the school to
interview the students and try to put them in a job for the summer
that fits them best.
See Charla Brown in the HS Guidance Office for more details.
5
A Note to Juniors
and Sophomores
It is not too early to be considering what colleges
you want to attend! You need to be thinking now about
what course you would like to pursue and you can plan
a few visits to campuses. Be sure to mark down the
dates for the SAT (May 3) and ACT (June 14) and sign
up to take them now. Also, discuss the college credit
courses available at WCS and at the BOCES Harrold
Campus with your Guidance Counselor. Many are
two-year courses you take in your junior and senior
years. Some courses are designed to give you college
credit while you are still in high school. This not only
helps you decide if the program is right for you, but
also saves you money!
Also, as a Senior, you are eligible to participate in
the New Visions courses that include Allied Health,
Teaching and Law and Government. These courses
allow you to take your required courses at the high
school and spend half a day shadowing in actual work
environments in the field you are exploring. This
invaluable real-world experience helps you make
an informed career choice. Students must submit an
application and be accepted during their junior year
to participate.
Adult Basic Education/
High School Equivalency
Are you interested in earning a high school
equivalency diploma, or improving your reading,
writing and math skills? There are free, educational services available through Afton’s Adult
and Continuing Education program.
Afton Adult Education sponsors classes twice
a week at the Townsend Elementary Library
from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You may join at any time. Classes are free and the
work is individualized with a certified teacher.
For those unable to attend a class, there is a
program offered through the mail called GRASP
(Give Adults a Study Program). This program is
designed for motivated people 21 and over who
work well on their own, and possess good reading skills.
For more information about the GED program
in Walton, you can call 865-5220, ext. 4044.
For more information about GRASP, please
contact June White, Director, at 607-639-2811
or 1-800-792-2145.
Attention Parents of Seniors—
It is Time to File Your FAFSA!
With only six months left of the school year, seniors are busy making plans for college and life after high school. In trying to help with
these transitions, here are a few items of which you should be aware:
• Statewide Financial Aid Nights are held at area SUNY campuses.
If you have questions, you can talk to the Guidance Department
in the High School who will be glad to assist you. Or to obtain a
list of sites you can go online at www.suny.edu.
• Complete and submit your college applications. Applying to a
specific college does not mean you are committed to going there,
but you should have several options to help you make a sound
decision. Also, being accepted to more than one college can help
you with financial considerations and negotiations with each
institution.
• Go visit colleges you are interested in to see if you like the campus,
location and atmosphere. Many colleges offer similar curricula,
therefore it is always a good idea to see if the environment is a
good fit for you.
• Seek and review scholarship applications from area businesses,
schools and internet resources. Need help? Contact the Guidance
Department for more information.
• Listen to the High School announcements for times and dates college
representatives will be visiting the Walton Central School District.
• If you are not going to college but are interested in a Technical
School, the Guidance Department can also help you evaluate trade
schools which may be geared for your desired employment field.
No matter what school you apply to, ALL students who continue
their education must fill out a FAFSA form to be eligible to receive
financial aid, governmental grants and loans.
WHAT IS THE FAFSA?
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)—The Federal
government uses this form to determine a student's eligibility for
financial aid: grants, scholarships, work study jobs and loans.
Prospective colleges are looking for this form to be filled out before
they can offer you a financial package or scholarship. In order to
maximize the amount of aid your student is eligible for, you should
file this form as soon as possible after January 1. Parents/Guardians
will need their tax information to fill it out. This form determines
the expected family contribution and provides an amount that will
need to be met through Federal, State, school or private funding
sources. It's important to keep in mind when filing for aid that grants
do not have to be paid back, but all types of loans are paid back. The
percentage rates and terms of repayment vary. Parents/Guardians
can obtain a FAFSA form by calling 1-800-4-FED AID (1-800-4333243) and the application is typically received in the mail in three to
seven business days. A PDF version is also available to download at
www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. The form can then be filled out
and submitted electronically or printed and mailed to the address
provided. The Federal government is encouraging online applications citing less errors and faster turn around time. Also, when you
file your FAFSA online, you are automatically referred to the NYS
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to apply for NYS grant money.
6
New York Alert System
The New York Alert System is a service that provides
electronic updates about events in your area or any area
that you choose. This service gives the public access to
the system by going to their website, www.nyalert.gov.
You can choose a geographic area or even narrow that
down to a street address. Some of the notifications
you can choose from are severe weather alerts,
transportation issues, AMBER alerts, public health
alerts, sex offender notifications and consumer
protection notices.
To access this service, go to the website and choose
the notification tab on the left. You have to give
your email address and other relevant information
and choose a password. A signup wizard guides you
through the process. You can receive alerts via email,
texts, pager or phone calls, and you can choose up to
15 locations.
Community Wellness
In an effort to promote health and wellness in the
community, the schools will be open for residents
who would like a safe, warm place to walk during
the winter months.
The schools are open from 4:00-9:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday during the school year. Please stop and
sign in at the front desk in the elementary or middle
school hallways when you come in. The back door,
closest to the nurse’s office, is the door you should
enter from the parking lot at Townsend and the Middle
School door is your access at the MS/HS building.
If activities are cancelled due to weather or the buildings need to be closed for any reason, a sign on the
door will indicate that the buildings are not available
that evening.
During January, February and March, residents can
come and exercise on Sunday afternoons at the Middle
and High School gyms. The cost is $3 per person and
the hours are 1:00-3:00 p.m.. Shoot a few baskets or
play some indoor soccer; it’s a great place for alumni
to gather while home on break.
The gyms in all three schools are also available to
non-profit groups but must be signed out in advance,
and school events take precedence. You may pick up a
Use of Building application in any of the three school
offices. Most use is free to the public but charges may
apply in some situations.
When the weather permits, the High School track is
also an ideal place to exercise and just four laps equals
one mile. Many walkers keep track by switching lanes
each lap and when you have completed the cycle, you
have walked 1½ miles! Bring along a friend and stick
by those New Year’s resolutions.
Tips for Parents from the
School Health Office
Many parents ask, “When is my child sick enough to stay home
from school?” This is not always an easy question to answer!
We hope these tips can help!
A child will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to
spread the illness to other children and staff. We suggest making a
plan for childcare ahead of time so you will not be caught without a
comforting place for a child to stay if he/she is ill.
Our school policy state that you should not send your child to
school if he/she has:
• Fever, vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
• Chills
• Strep throat (must have been on an antibiotic 24 hours before
returning)
• Bad cold, with a very runny nose, or bad cough, especially if it has
been bad enough to keep the child awake at night
• Head lice—until your child has been treated according to the nurse’s
instructions
If your child becomes ill at school and the teacher or school nurse
feel the child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to
other children, you will be called to come and take him/her home. It
is essential that your child’s school nurse have a phone number where
you can be contacted during the day and a reliable emergency number
in the event you cannot be reached. Please be sure arrangements can
be made to transport your child home from school and that childcare
is available in the case of illness. If your daytime or emergency phone
number has changed since the beginning of the year when it was
provided please notify the office or your child’s teacher immediately.
Please call the school’s health offices if you have any questions
or concerns. At the High School/Middle School you can reach Dawn
Northrup, RN at 865-4116, ext. 6121, and at Townsend School you
can reach Gladys Frazier, RN at 865-5220, ext. 4029.
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Read-A-Rama
Walton Education Foundation
Gives the Gift of Reading
To w n s e n d S c h o o l
PTA’s Read-A-Rama program started on January 6
when the students returned
from break. It’s an at-home
reading program designed
to help make kids readers
for life. Students from
UPK to 5th grade read
books at home, and then
fill out a paper telling
about the book or chapter
they have read.
Parents tell us that curling up with their children
and a good book is one of
their favorite childhood
memories. Even the older
Aubrie Butler and Autumn Mattice children still enjoy being
pose with their prizes earned at
read to, so parents can
last year’s Read-A-Rama.
read alternating chapters
of books to keep the children interested; that gives parents an
opportunity for discussion of the book and characters.
The PTA will also be holding a Book Swap throughout the
program, and a Reading Celebration Night on January 24.
The younger students, grades K-2, have Storytime where
guest readers come in and read books in a comfortable setting
gathered around on the playroom floor. The older students,
grades 3-5, participate in Primetime, where they bring their
blankets and pillows and settle in with their friends on the
auditorium flood for 1½ hours of free reading time. They also
have dinner and activities in between. Reading Celebration
Nights have been held twice before this year, and one more
is scheduled for April 25.
The children earn points based on how many books they
read and win prizes each week from the Prize Patrol when they
visit their classroom. Students move up through the levels and
get different prizes at each level. At the end of the 6 weeks,
those who reached the highest level are invited to an All-Star
party after school. There they can eat pizza and ice cream and
have a chance at the grand prize per grade level. This year the
party will be held on Friday, February 28.
The Walton Education Foundation gave all the boys and
girls books for Christmas, so they had a great head start filling out the Holiday Book Sheet that was sent home with their
new book.
Even after the program ends, we encourage you to read with
the children in your life and support them when they read for
fun. It’s a gift of a lifetime when you encourage children to
read for pleasure.
The Walton Education Foundation has a mission to enhance and promote learning. Thanks to a donation from their
President Chad Hall, the Foundation purchased more than 500
new books at the Penguin Publishing Company’s warehouse
sale in November and from the Scholastic Book Club program.
Foundation board members Diane Meredith, Wendy ReidJackson, Jessica DelBalso, Melissa Grossmann, Roger Clough,
and volunteer Barbara Lister delivered the books to each classroom, where they were greeted by eager students who were
delighted to be receiving books. Every student in Townsend
School got a book, and some were also donated to HeadStart.
The books were a great jump start for the PTA’s recreational
reading program Read-A-Rama that started on January 6.
Students got a bonus sheet to start reading over the holiday,
and many students expressed the desire to use their new book
to do just that.
Walton Education Foundation members (l.-r:) Jessica
DelBalso, Diane Meredith, Wendy Reid-Jackson, Melissa
Grossmann, Barbie Lister and Superintendent Roger Clough
Students in Miss Jennis’ class are excited about the books
given to them from the WEF. Posing in the classroom are
(l.-r.) Alyssa Sarrantonio, Rachel Vesterfelt, teacher and
WEF member Maureen Jennis, Drew Gates, Austin Miller,
WEF President Melissa Grossmann, Emma Hall, WEF
member Jessica DelBalso, and Brieanne Babcock.
8
WEF 2nd annual 5K Race
WEF Warrior fest
Homecoming Celebration
and All-Classes Reunion
The Day of Events ended with a Homecoming Celebration
and All-Class reunion, which was a relaxed, informal gathering of community members and alumni, who represented over
50 years’ worth of WCS graduating classes. The most senior
alumni in attendance graduated in 1957 and the most recent
graduate represented the class of 2008. Graduates from the
1990s came the closest to having an alumnus from each class
in a decade, with only the class of 1992 not represented.
They enjoyed good conversation, good food and wonderful
hospitality provided by Cortnie Hannan Russell (WCS 1999)
and the crew at Danny’s Restaurant.
Melissa Grossmann, right, of the WEF had several student
helpers at the refreshment stand at the WarriorFest. L.-r.:
Andrew D’Addezio, Ryan Petty and Meadow Wood helped
sell drinks.
Reviving the Alumni Association
The Walton Central School and the Walton Education
Foundation are excited about a new project. They are trying
to revive the alumni association in order to keep records of
addresses and contact information so that you can be kept
up-to-date on happenings back here at home. The contact
information will be available to publicize special events, reunions, tours of our schools’ improvements and to recognize
our alumni—highlighting the successes you have achieved
after leaving Walton Central School. Perhaps we can draw
upon that success to:
• Develop an alumni-student mentoring program
• Invite guest speakers to share an area of expertise
• Participate in career fairs
• Host student interns in career shadowing experiences
• Provide resources to Dollars for Scholars
• Support the Walton Education Foundation
Would you like to be involved? It is easy! Go to the Contact
Us page on the Walton Education Foundation’s website
(waltoneducationfoundation.com) to provide your current
contact information. Your contact information will only be
accessed by district and Foundation staff and class officers.
Many alumni have come forward offering their support, and
we look forward to others stepping forward to help us create
a thriving alumni association.
We would also love to see pictures of your fondest high
school memories on the Facebook page (Walton Central
School Alumni). Dig through those old albums and upload
your favorites. Then, keep in touch! Stop back often to see
what your old friends and neighbors are doing now.
Our alumni represent our greatest achievements and we
want to stay connected. Contact Patty Wood at 607-865-4116,
message us on our Facebook page or drop us an email at
[email protected].
Inflatable slides and games made the
WarriorFest a fun day for all.
The Walton Education Foundation sponsored their 2nd
annual Warrior Fest at the Homecoming Game in October,
which included the 5K running event for all ages.
Many families ran the event together, and groups of friends
helped spur each other over the finish line.
The Walton Education Foundation’s Directors sponsored
the Homecoming Day of Events to kick off the Foundation’s
fundraising initiative; introduce the Foundation and its goals to
the community and WCS Alumni; and give our community and
Alumni some fun ways to celebrate and enjoy Homecoming.
Inflatable houses and games of skill lined the field behind the
school for all to enjoy while the football game was played.
The Walton Education Foundation has a mission to enhance
and promote learning and excellence for all Walton students,
teachers and community. They are organizing several different projects and events to help raise the money to provide
additional opportunities. If you would like to donate please
go to their website, waltoneducationfoundation.com, or mail
donations to the Walton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 66,
Walton, NY 13856. The Foundation is a registered 501-(c) (3)
tax exempt public charity. Donations are tax-deductible to the
extent allowed by law.
9
Townsend Students Help Others
North Sea Gas
On Friday, September 13, the Scottish band North Sea Gas
began their North American tour by spending the afternoon
at Walton Central School. They spent an hour in a workshop
with the High School Orchestra and the High School Chorus
students preparing them to perform at the afternoon assembly.
North Sea Gas is one of Scotland’s most popular folk bands
with tremendous vocals and three part harmonies. Guitars,
mandolins, fiddles, bouzoukis, whistles, bodhrans, banjos
and good humor are all part of the entertainment. They have
received Gold and Silver disc awards from the Scottish Music
Industry Association and regularly have sold out shows at the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Thanks to Music on the Delaware, the group came in a
day early to teach the workshop and perform an assembly at
the school. This concert and the workshops were arranged by
Music on the Delaware and sponsored by Courtney Funeral
Home and the Walton Family Care office of Dr. Eric Dohner.
The school is grateful for their involvement as this kind of
close connection to professional musicians is invaluable.
During an eighth period assembly, the rest of the Middle
and High School students joined them in the auditorium where
they heard a full performance by North Sea Gas and had the
special treat of watching their own peers in the High School
Chorus and Orchestra performing during the final number.
It was a great experience for our students, and they enjoyed
learning some new Scottish folk songs.
Mrs. Carolyne Dutcher’s Kindergarten class wanted to do
something for other children during the Christmas season so
they decided to collect stuffed animals to give to Delaware
Valley Hospital for children who were sick or scared.
Dotti Kruppo, Director of Community Relations
at UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, came to school to
meet the students and pick up their donation. She said,
“I left with a huge bag filled with stuffed animals.
It was such a pleasure to see their excitement as they made
these gifts to other children. I told them that many children
will feel so much better now when they have to come to the
hospital.”
Girls On the Run
This spring, the Walton Education Foundation will be
sponsoring a unique program called Girls on the Run and Girls
on Track for Walton’s girls. The mission of Girls on the Run
is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a
fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates
running.
Girls on the Run is a transformational, physical activity
based, positive youth development program for girls in grades
3 through 8. The program teaches life skills with dynamic,
interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared
to complete a celebratory 5K running event. The goal of the
program is to unleash the girls’ confidence through accomplishment, while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health
and fitness.
The goal is to envision a world where every girl knows and
activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her
dreams. The cost of participation in the program is $10 per girl,
and the Walton Education Foundation will cover the remainder.
For more information go to http://www.girlsontherun.org.
Sunday Gym
Open Sunday gym started on January 6 and continues
every weekend through March 30. If you’re home on
break from college, or just have a New Year’s Resolution
to get fit, come out and play basketball, indoor soccer
or run/walk in the building. Cost is just $3 a person, but
if you are under 21 you must have an adult come sign
you in. Hours are 1:00-3:00 p.m. Please bring your own
equipment as the locker rooms and equipment are not
available. You can enter at the Middle School doors to
sign in. Both the High School and Middle School Gyms
are available for different sports. Hope to see you there!
10
Holiday Concerts
The Townsend School Winter Concert was another festive
event with the 2nd and 4th Grade Choruses, Elementary Band
and Orchestra performing.
Amid lots of red and green, and a special appearance by
Rover, the crowd clapped and cheered appreciatively.
Thanks to the Townsend Music Dept. Miss Theresa Bolton,
Ms. Carol Erlandson and Mr. Erik Parry; and of course, to
the children who gave us a wonderful holiday performance.
The Middle School and High School also had Holiday
Concerts with performances by the Middle School Orchestra,
conducted by Ms. Carol Erlandson; the Middle School Chorus
directed by Mr. David DeSiro and accompanied by Mrs. Karen
Ball; the 6th Grade Band and the 7th and 8th Grade Band under the direction of Mr. Raymond Bartlett; and the 6th Grade
Chorus directed by Mr. Erik Parry.
The High School Winter Concert took place on Monday,
December 16 and featured the High School Chorus accompanied by Mrs. Karen Ball and directed by Mr. David DeSiro; the
Jazz Band conducted by Mr. David DeSiro; the High School
Orchestra directed by Ms. Carol Erlandson; and the High
School Band, conducted by Mr. Raymond Bartlett.
The High School Orchestra also came to the elementary
assembly to perform for them. Their rendition of the TransSiberian Orchestra’s Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24 had them
transfixed.
All of the Music Department concerts are free to the public
and we encourage the community to come out and enjoy the
performances.
2nd Grade Chorus
Elementary Orchestra
Middle School Chorus
4th Grade Chorus
Thanksgiving Feast
The Thanksgiving Feast was re-enacted by the second
grade classes, their teachers and volunteer parents. Students
dressed as Pilgrims and Native Americans and sat together to
enjoy turkey and all the trimmings. Parents came in to help
bake pies and serve food, and the cafeteria made the turkeys
for the classes. It’s a favorite tradition at Townsend School,
and Principal Mike Snider and Superintendent Roger Clough
were invited to join them celebrate as well.
Mr. Snider feasts with Mackenzie Backus and Colton Lum.
11
Renovations Complete
Holiday Gift Drive
Most of the beautiful new walkway at the High School
was covered with snow when this picture was taken, but
the front walk and steps are all newly renovated on the
high school campus. There are also new tennis courts and a
brand new cafeteria dining room. Mrs. Simone Tucker and
Mr. Roger Clough watched students Heather Ogden and
Haley O’Connor cut the ribbon to christen the new dining
room on the first day of use. The new booths along the outside
walls have been a big hit with students.
Townsend School got a kitchen upgrade and the new setup
is kid-friendly and bright. The cafeteria crews and custodians
deserve accolades for the extra work they did while the kitchen
and dining rooms were under construction.
From l.-r.: Walton Superintendent Roger Clough,
Joy Trimbell, Sierra Budine, Elise Bray, Kaitlyn
Carey, Katrina Muller, and Walton teachers Sonnet
Constable and Stephanie Rosa. Photo by PJ Harmer
The Walton Central School District worked together to
make Christmas better for nearly 50 Delaware County families. In conjunction with Delaware Opportunities, the Walton
Central School District runs a gift drive each year, sponsoring
families for the Christmas season. The event has been going
on for more than a decade, according to Walton teacher Sonnet
Constable, who coordinates the drive.
This year, Walton sponsored 49 families, which included
132 children. Walton staff members, students and groups—
such as the Honor Society, the FBLA and the Future Farmers
of America (FFA)—all get involved. Constable also noted
the Board of Education and others have donated financially
to the drive.
Staff members and students donating each year usually
equal about as many kids as are sponsored. “To see what our
staff and students are doing is an impressive act of kindness,”
Walton Superintendent Roger Clough said. “It’s heartwarming to see everybody wanting to give back, especially during
this time of year.”
“I’m amazed at the generosity of our faculty, staff and
students, who come together for this event,” Mrs. Constable
said. “It says a lot for our community and school to do this
year after year.”
PowerSchool™ Parent Access
PowerSchool™ Parent Access allows parents to access
their HS/MS child’s grades, attendance and the school’s
daily announcements through the internet. It also allows
you to communicate with your child’s teachers via email.
To receive your PowerSchool™ Parent Access log in information, please contact your child’s guidance office.
12
Crush Tackles Hunger
Food Drive a Big Success
Every year the Varsity Football Team and Football Moms
organize a food drive called Crush Tackles Hunger to give
back to the community who supports them all season.
The Varsity players visited the Elementary school to promote the drive. They asked the students to come watch them
play and bring some food for the Walton Food Bank. The
boys had to pose with nearly the whole first grade when they
stopped into the Cafeteria. The students treated the Varisty
players that visited (l.-r.): Tanner Goodrich, Tom Frear,
Austin Kilmer and Colin Adam like professional ball players
they were so excited!
Nathan Swiatek drives the sleigh that collected canned
goods from the high school classes. Elves (l.-r.) included:
Kimi Kehr, Adrianna Thompson, Rebecca Cetta, Stephen
Dutcher and advisor Simone Tucker.
The Walton Central School Student Council received more
than 525 cans of food during its annual food and clothing drive
that ran for two weeks in December. Walton senior Rebecca
Cetta organized the event this year and made it a competition
between classes. The senior class easily won the competition,
bringing about 450 cans of food. For contributing the most,
the senior class earned the right to watch a movie the day
before winter started.
“It’s pretty amazing awareness for a senior,” said Walton
teacher Simone Tucker, who serves as the advisor to the
Student Council. Tucker said generally the food stays local,
and that Vabina Meyers, the director of the local food bank, is
always happy with the donations the school brings. This year,
Rebecca shared some of the gifts with the Norwich Food Bank,
as they had been hit with some losses this year.
This year the team was able to bring several big boxes to
donate to the Food Bank. Players who delivered food were
(l.-r.): Matthew Sinistore, Robert Merrill, Lucas Hammond
and Trevor Zandt.
Animal Shelter Scores Some Gifts
Mrs. Carson’s 5th grade class didn’t want to forget our
furry friends in the holiday season. They pose with just some
of the many treats and food they collected to take to the local
animal shelter.
Back row l.-r.: Scott Barnhart, Kaylieb Stanton, Garett
Sargent, Matthew Decker, Michael Algarin, Jordan
Blincoe; second row: Kaitlyn Ostrander, Emma Harby,
Sierra Tweedie, Lauren Frank, Mackenzie Fitch, and
Brynne Backus; third row: Abigail Closs, Karissa Hawk,
Anthony Cetta, Dustin Copeland and Mario Rosario; front
row: Evan Miller and Colin Lynch.
13
Showing Compassion and Goodwill
Mrs. Howard’s 4th grade class collected change in the
classroom and stopped into the office to pour it all into the
donation bucket. L .-r.: Alexis Lotterman, Jayden Carman,
Nicholas Lane, Garrett Day, Chyler Barnes, Zoey Gilmore;
front row: Jillian Wright (pouring), Ceara Robinson,
Madison Greene and Austin Conway
Many Townsend School students and classrooms showed
their good hearts this holiday season with some projects they
felt could help the less fortunate. Townsend School donated
$400 that was collected in change from students and staff to
go to the Walton Food Bank in the annual Let’s Talk Turkey
fund drive. The goal each year is to collect enough to buy a
turkey from each classroom. The money is donated after the
Thanksgiving holiday to help the Food Bank pay for the baskets they distributed. The school received a lovely thank you
card from Vabina Myers, Food Bank Director for the donation.
Mrs. Jodie Day showed her third grade class the website
for Operation Smile, a program designed to help children born
with cleft lips and cleft palates. The class decided that instead
of exchanging gifts at school for Christmas, they would donate
to the organization, which is an international children’s medical charity that heals children’s smiles. The charity provides
surgical care at a per child cost of $240. The class donated
enough money to help a child get surgery.
Mrs. Bayne’s third grade class donated to a charity called
Ryan’s Well that brings clean water to Third World countries
that they read about in class. Ryan Hreljac was just a first
grader when he learned about the problem of the lack of clean
water in Third World countries. He decided he could help and
set about to earn the $70 he thought would fix the problem.
After spending four months doing chores to earn that amount,
he realized that it was figuratively a drop in the bucket. He set
his new goal at $2,000, which was the amount it would cost
to drill a well in Uganda. That was sixteen years ago, but his
commitment to helping produced the charity Ryan’s Well that
has been collecting donations and drilling wells ever since.
The third graders read his story in their ELA studies and
14
just like Ryan, they realized that they too could help in small
ways. They decided to collect money instead of exchanging
gifts in the classroom to send to the Canadian charity. Ryan
said it best, “My advice to anyone is that in order to make a
positive change in the world, you need to find something you
are passionate about, and then you need to take steps to act.
For me, the issue is water and sanitation. Water is essential to
all life. I hope my story is a reminder that we can all make a
difference—it applies to each and every one of us.”
Chloe Madrigal, a student in Mrs. Bayne’s class was also
touched by the plight in the Philippines and wanted to do something here to help them in recovery from Typhoon Yolanda.
Chloe enlisted both her grandmothers to help her find a way
to help. Thelma Madrigal, a Philippine native, has donated
for years to the ABS-CBN Foundation which is embedded in
the Philippines to help with social programs and outreach, so
Chloe’s Walton grandmother Peg Gancio helped her get online
and find a California address where you can send a donation
to help. Chloe chose to help as she is of Phillipine descent and
wanted to continue the global outreach of the lesson.
Many other classes collected items to give to others.
Mrs. Core’s and Mrs. Wagner’s first grade classes collected
treats and food for the Delhi and Sidney animal shelters.
The fifth graders did the same, and collected food to donate
to the Walton Food Bank. As with Thanksgiving, they take
the food to the Food Bank in January, as that is when they
experience a lull in donations.
Each of these events helps our students learn that giving
can be as rewarding as receiving and helps them to become
the strong, civic-minded adults we seek to encourage.
Hats and Mittens
Sidney Federal Credit Union employees sponsored a hat
and mitten drive and donated the proceeds to the Townsend
Elementary School for the holidays. Children can borrow a
hat or mittens if theirs get wet or ruined during recess. The
generous donation, which came from Credit Union members
and staff, was very appreciated at the school.
Sidney Federal Credit Union employees Crystal Moore,
left and Ashley Gransbury, right, bring a donation to
Townsend School Nurse Gladys Frazier, middle.
Halloween
Caught Being Good and NED
For the first time
in over a decade, the
To w n s e n d S c h o o l
Halloween parade had
E!
to be held inside. Rainy
MIK !
E
MIK !
weather didn’t cooperate
E
MIK !
E
with our plans to take the
MIK
parade outside, so we had
to parade in the school
with standing room only
for parents and friends.
The children didn’t
seem to mind as lots of
ghouls, princesses and Duck Dynasty costumes paraded the
hall to the Auditorium and through the Playroom.
The high school band came over to still give it a parade air
and played from the stage in the Auditorium.
5th graders were awarded prizes for the best Halloween
Window Painting downtown. Winners were Karissa Hawk,
Emma Harby, Kaitlyn Ostrander, Lauren Frank, Chloe
Alonzo, Kora Young and Jubilee Klimas. They received
certificates, ribbons, and great big candy bars!
Townsend School has had a reward system for students
called Caught Being Good for years. Students earn tickets to
bring to the office for remembering their manners, working
hard in class or helping others. They get a hand stamp for
each ticket and slips are drawn each week for a small prize.
This year the older students in Grades 3-5 are participating
in a reward system based on the NED principles, (N)ever Give
Up, (E)ncourage Others, and (D)o Your Best. Students in these
grades work toward earning six NED tickets to be eligible for
monthly prizes. The students look forward to their names being
announced and coming down to claim their prizes.
Pictured with their Caught Being Good prizes are, back row:
Carter McNamara, Hailey Ferranti, Akyra Barriger and
Olivia Barnes; front: Trenton Merwin, Madison VanFossen,
Sabine Meckel, Grayson Palmer and Chassidy Constable.
5th Grade Art Walk
The 5th grade went for a walk to visit historic Walton buildings this fall, combining lessons from Library and Art as they
drew their own renditions of the buildings. Mrs. Lori Cuciarre
and Mrs. Barb Geidel combined classes to teach them about
local history and then walked to a few of the buildings for the
students to sketch them.
The first NED winners of the year were l to r: Kaitlyn
Ostrander, Emma Harby, McKenzie Fitch, and Kali Bosket.
Area businesses Top Dog and Yarn Over contributed gift
certificates as prizes for the children.
15
If Gravestones Could Talk
Students from the WCS Drama Club helped the Walton
Historical Society present their program, If Gravestones Could
Talk, in September at the Walton Cemetery.
The Historical Society picked both some well-known, and
some lesser known Waltonians, who are buried in our Walton
cemetery. Parts were assigned to bring the “ghosts” to life
on a tour that included biographies of each person. Students
practiced their parts throughout the summer months, alongside community adults, and a couple of teachers got in the
act as well.
Students Willow Reed, Alexander Ellerson, Lillian
Siniscalchi, Devin Hulse and Nicholas Beardslee all played
named characters and Emme Freeman, Kayla Manfrede and
Dahlia Alvarez were tour guides and hosts, reading historical
information as the people walked through to each gravesite.
People rode the trolley or walked around the cemetery to
visit each grave and heard the stories from the actors who
were in period dress. Did you know that a circus performer/
contortionist named Freida Morrow is buried here? Or that
a sheriff tracked a murderer to our town? These were some
of the interesting stories that were told. WCS music teachers
Mr. Erik Parry and Mr. Dave DeSiro portrayed Farmer John
Miller and Dr. James Holley respectively. DVDs of the tour
are available at the Walton Historical Society if you missed it.
The Drama Club members also lent their acting
abilities to the Walton
Theatre Preservation
Association to add a flair
of southern charm to their
showing of the first in
the Classic Flix series
Gone With the Wind. When
moviegoers arrived, they
were greeted by Scarlett
(Willow Reed) and Rhett
(Alexander Ellerson)
themselves, which gave
a fun atmosphere to the
movie’s showing.
We look forward to many more performances by this talented group of thespians this winter and spring. Their upcoming play Murder in the House of Horrors will be presented on
January 24 and 25. The play takes place at a museum where
there is a special exhibit on display. They are incorporating
some of the information they learned from the Cemetery Tour
as part of the museum exhibit. This play involves a lot of
audience participation and should be a fun time for everyone,
please join us.
Lillian Siniscalchi and
Alexander Ellerson
Willow Reed
Mr. Erik Parry
Mr. David DeSiro
Nicholas Beardslee
16
MS Advisor Adventure
Birch Tree Landscapes
7th grade students Haven
Woolsey and Riley McAdams
pose with their winter birch tree
landscape paintings. The students learned about artist Kessler
Woodward as they created watercolor pictures using wet on wet
and salt techniques. Students also
learned how to create depth and
form using shadows and color.
All Middle School students got to enjoy a fun day at their
Advisor Adventures in September. The focus of Advisor
Adventure is to promote team building and cooperation as well
as have fun. Eighth grade students went to Camp Hilltop in
Hancock. They went through the low ropes course as well as
the Big Swing. Sixth and seventh graders spent their days at
Austin-Lincoln working in groups doing hands-on activities
that promoted team-building and trust. Their smiles indicate
that a great time was had by all.
Branch Art
Alyssa Sarrantonio
drew this holiday art in
her 4th grade art class.
This is an example of an
expanded shading exercise and is an example
of Learning Standards:
1 and 2.
All the students had beautiful drawings to take home for
their holiday.
Sixth Grade
Student’s Photography
High School Students are taking a photography class with
Art teacher Lara Fassler this year and there have been many
beautiful pictures already developed. There are a few samples
from the students.
Seventh Grade
Courtney Wheeler, Gr. 10
Box Tops for Education
and Campbell’s Labels
Please take the time to save the Box Tops that come
on your grocery items and send them to school with a
Townsend School student. The Fifth Grade is collecting
them to help pay for their field trip to the Museum of Natural
History in New York City, and all the rest of the grades
collect them to compete in a friendly competition to win
a free movie at the Walton Theatre at the end of the year.
Townsend students collect Campbell soup labels to
buy extra classroom supplies and equipment. They help
Math AIS teacher Anne Hartman process the labels and
use it as a math lesson at the same time. There’s lots of
sorting, matching and balancing, but we end up getting
some nice stuff.
If you have labels you can bring them to the Townsend
School office or send them with any student, or mail them
to 42-66 North St. Thank you for helping the Townsend
Elementary School!
Stacia Crandall, Gr. 10
Kaitlyn Escobar, Gr. 9
Jessica Reynolds, Gr. 10
17
Walton Represented
in Washington
It’s a Guy Thing
It’s A Guy Thing is a
program sponsored by the
DCMO BOCES. Held in
October, middle school
students from each of the
16 Districts gathered to
speak with mentors that
helped them look for goals
in their high school years
and beyond.
The program works to
assist young men in career
Alex Brooker and Ty Robinson
planning, by discovering
spar in a friendly competition at
their passions. They highthe DCMO BOCES event.
light the importance of
remaining in school, whether it is high school, trade school,
or college, to enable them to achieve their career goals.
They also discuss how to overcome obstacles and build up
resilience, so they can become meaningful, productive members of society. They showcase the availability of opportunities
for jobs/careers that highlight Math, Science, and Technology.
Doing this in an all-male environment helps them focus on
their true goals and let them aspire to higher ambitions with
students who are at the same stage of the process.
This year Alex Brooker, Josh Closs, Garett Foster, Braden
Pavlik, Ty Robinson and Preston Skaine attended with their
advisor Mrs. Nancy DiJiulio.
In the spring, the girls have the same kind of opportunity
in a program called Women Helping Girls Make Choices.
Mrs. Kelly Gates, Walton’s UPK teacher, met with
other professionals in Washington to speak with Senator
Charles Schumer and other legislators.
There are ongoing discussions at the National level about
the future of early education. The National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC) chose eight professionals from New York State to be on a team that would meet
with New York State’s representatives in Washington.
Walton’s own UPK teacher, Kelly Gates, was chosen as one
of eight early childhood professionals from New York State
that would meet with Sen. Chuck Schumer and Congressman
Chris Gibson.
Of the eight members, three were teachers. The other two
teachers taught UPK in New York City. The other members of
the New York team represented other early childhood professions. Two were college professors, one was the director of the
New York State affiliate of the NAEYC, another the director of
a preschool in the city, and another early childhood advocate.
NAEYC chose members from all 50 states to visit with
their US senators on this NAEYC Day on Capitol Hill.
Prior to heading to Washington, DC, the members of all the
teams had to read a multitude of documents and attend a webinar that detailed the day they would spend on Capitol Hill.
They were all asked to bring samples of children’s work,
parent letters, and/or a story about their experience in early
childhood education. Mrs. Gates brought two samples of UPK
student work and two letters from parents of her current UPK
students. These letters talked about the quality of the Walton
UPK program, the accessibility of the program, and the progress they saw in their children while in the UPK program.
She also brought “UPK is #1/Townsend Elementary, Walton,
NY” pencils to distribute.
The New York team met with Senator Charles Schumer
and his Legislative Assistant, Congressman Chris Gibson,
and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Senior Advisor. Mrs. Gates
summed up the day this way, “It was a very rewarding day,
and it was a privilege to speak about the benefits of early
education for all.”
Winter Carnival
The High School Student Council took a bit of a different
approach this year with the winter carnival. They focused more
on anti-bullying and organized a dodge ball tournament among
the various OLWEUS groups. It was a lot of fun.
Each team came up with a name and a slogan and created a poster. For example one team was the MC Hammers,
and their slogan was “You can’t touch us . . . emotionally.”
Mr. Clough picked the two best as the tournament kick-off.
Each team played a 5-minute round, and the teachers of each
team had to exchange compliments to one another for every
point his/her team earned.
Teachers and students seemed to really get into it, and it
was a great way to encourage students to play as a team with
classmates they might not otherwise have chosen. It encouraged their bonding with new, different people, and getting to
know each other in a fun and lively way! The Student Council
hopes to encourage more tolerance and acceptance activities
into more of their events.
18
Holiday Fact Fest
We are Bucket Fillers!
The fifth annual Holiday FactFest Tournament was held
from Dec. 16 through 18 at Townsend School. Third through
fifth grade students voluntarily participated in the fun and
fast-paced three day tournament that had students taking timed
tests to improve their speed and accuracy in basic math facts.
One hundred and forty-one students competed across the
three grade levels for the opportunity to be named the Holiday
FactFest Champions. This year the fourth grade handily won
the contest by improving their fact scores by 719 points. A total
of 1,636 points were scored by the participating students.
While having a friendly competition, several students were
able to reach Operational goals by passing either a multiplication, division, addition or subtraction timed test with 80 correct
answers in a two- minute time period.
First Grader Joey SousaFeraudo took the message
to heart. His Halloween
costume? A filled bucket!
By grade level, the following
students were named MVPs
for having improved by the
most points over the course of
the tournament (l.-r.): Fifth
grade, Sierra Tweedie; Fourth
grade, Gideon BackusWildey; and Third grade,
Charlotte Bayne.
The Townsend School is
promoting the idea of being bucket fillers during this
whole school year. As part of
the OLWEUS anti-bullying
kickoff all the students were
read a book that taught them
to be bucket fillers, meaning
to say nice things to others
and be kind. Compliments and
offers to help or play together
are great bucket fillers, while
insults or not sharing would be
bucket dipping.
Please help us promote
this practice by being bucket
fillers at home whenever you
can! Fill them up!
WCS Band
Barnes and Noble Trip
Every June Summer Reading Logs are distributed to Middle
School students to promote summer reading. After all were
returned, twenty students had met the challenge of reading ten
books over the summer. They were rewarded with a shopping
trip to Barnes and Noble in Vestal. Congratulations to all our
readers!
The Walton Central School Band marches in many of our
local parades. They are directed by Mr. Ray Bartlett. In the
picture, they are coming back across the bridge in the Veteran’s
Day parade, which honors our local military heroes.
They also took part in the Christmas parade and played at
the Townsend School even after the Halloween parade was
cancelled. They play at each home football game and we love
to hear that Orange Crush played with each touchdown scored!
Play 4 the Cure
Back row l.-r.: Hailey Gardner, Taylor Gardner, Katie
Brooks, Emily Richards, Olivia Harby, Anna Koch; second
row: Kyle Wright, Nick Lamoreaux, Anthony Armstrong,
Peyton Barnes, Claire Loker, Angel McClenon, Justin
Mack; third row: Madison Barnes, Mara Little, Michelle
Ritter, Brooke Gerace, Donovan Connelly, Isaac Vesterfelt.
The Varsity Field Hockey Team participated in a Play 4 the
Cure event to help raise breast cancer awareness. The girls collected donations and raised $565 for the National Foundation
for Cancer Research.
19
Spanish Cooking
Walton Football Coach
Jim Hoover Voted Best Coach
in New York
Mrs. Tracie Dieter’s Spanish IV and V students took part
in a fun cooking class to create some of the dishes they had
learned about from Spanish-speaking countries.
Prior to cooking students researched several countries and
delivered a presentation based on the country they chose.
After their presentations, they researched typical food served
during the holiday season. As a class they decided which food
they would like to try and made them. They made food from
Honduras, Mexico, Argentina and Spain. The menu included
chicken enchiladas, tronca navideña, bistec a la pobre, arroz
pinto, tres leches cake, salad olivier, arroz con rajas y queso,
pionono and mango smoothies.
In October of this year,
USA Today sponsored a
contest to find the best high
school football coach in
the United States. The first
round of the contest, which
ran from September 30 to
October 8, was a vote to
find the best coach in each
home state.
USA Today staffers selected eight active head football
coaches in each state and Washington, D.C. They spent a
month in conversation with local media and other state/school
officials that had high school football expertise. From there,
the fans decided which coach emerged as the state winner
from a list of 408.
Jim Hoover, the Warriors’ head coach for 38 years, holds a
298-79-1 record and has won 14 sectional titles and 19 division
titles. In 2007, Hoover won his second state title (Class D),
outscoring the opposition by an incredible 707-48 margin. His
first state title, won while in Section C, was in 1994. He is a
member of the Section IV Hall of Fame, and not only teaches
the players to be good football players, but good sports and
good men also.
In the first round of the contest, Coach Hoover won with a
total of 38,654 votes or 48% of the vote, besting 2nd place Joe
Casamento of the Christian Brothers Academy, from Syracuse,
who earned 30% of the vote.
Mr. Hoover then advanced to the second round which was
to find the Best Coach in the Nation. He garnered another
137,117 votes, finishing 3rd. In both rounds, he was up against
much bigger schools and programs, but our community rallied behind the beloved coach, and we were proud to show
the nation what we already knew: Walton football is a force
to be reckoned with.
Jordan Johnston, Rebecca Cetta and Chelsea MacDonald
whip up some Spanish holiday treats in the Home
Economics room as part of their Spanish class celebration.
Mrs. Dieter helps
Hannah Velardi add
beans to the recipe they
prepared after studying
Spanish customs.
Section IV All-Stars
A Healthy Snack Recipe
Congratulations to the following Football Warriors
players for being selected as Section IV All-Stars.
Senior Austin Kilmer (RB) Also played in the
Exceptional Senior Ernie Davis Classic
Senior Colin Adam (DB)
Junior Quinn Harby (LB)
Junior Jacob Wright (CB)
Junior Tyler Griffin (OG)
Sophomore Derek Mead (DB)
Honorable Mention:
Senior Cody Steinbrecher (OG)
Junior Nate Sparling (DT)
From UHS Delaware Valley Hospital and Stay Healthy
Kids!
Kids can make it themselves or with just a little help!
PEANUT BUTTER BANANA ROLL-UPS
Ingredients:
1 6-inch whole wheat tortilla
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1 small banana
Directions:
Spread peanut butter onto whole wheat tortilla.
Lay banana on top of peanut butter and roll tortilla up
—Dotti Kruppo, Director UHS Community Relations
20
FOOTBALL
Warrior Scholar Athletes
GIRLS’ VARSITY SOCCER
Back row (l.-r.): Jordan Somers, Cody Steinbrecher,
Austin Kilmer, Robert Merrill, Tyler Griffin; front: Logan
Robinson, Christian Rutherford, Kevin Malia and Nick
Mathews. Missing from photo: Quinn Harby, Tom Freer,
Hunter McCall
Back row (l.-r.): Madeline Vitti, Kim Kehr, Morgan Taddeo,
Janine Velardi, Rebecca Cetta, Heather Ogden, Hayley
O’Connor; front row: Julia Steitz, Sara Yambor, Kelsey
Smith, Hannah Wagner, and Kaitlyn Escobar
GIRLS’ VARSITY VOLLEYBALL
FIELD HOCKEY
Kiley Lamoreaux, MaKayla Klinger, Kaitlyn McNamara,
Megan McNamara, Emily Bartlett, Nicole Fisher; front:
Jolene Kemp, Samantha Bowker, Taylor VerNooy, Elise
Bray, Riley Westcott. Missing from photo: Rachael Bartlett
Back row (l.-r.): Joy Trimbell, Morgan McAdams, Carrie
Winfield, Jordyn Lee; front row: Alyna Haywood, Jessica
Reynolds, Lacey Speidell. Missing from photo: Tiara Nichols
HIGHEST AVERAGE AWARD
Section IV All-Stars
Congratulations to the following Girls’ Varsity Soccer
for players being selected Section IV All-Stars.
1st team—Kim Kehr
Honorable Mention—Heather Ogden and Madeline
Vitti
Congratulations to the following Boys’ Varsity Soccer
players for being selected Section IV All-Stars:
1st team—Nate Pieper
2nd team —Jared Beach, Will Farrell and Cameron
Murphy
The soccer team also took first place in the Jim
Campbell Tournament in Downsville, were Division I
Champions and played in the MAC Championship game
vs. Greene.
Congratulations to the following Girls’ Varsity
Volleyball players for being selected Section IV All-Stars:
1st team—Cassie Huntress
2nd team—Megan McNamara
The highest average award in Fall Sports went to these
Scholar Athletes: Austin Kilmer (football), Will Farrell
(soccer), Tiara Nichols (volleyball), Heather Ogden (soccer)
and MaKayla Klinger (Field Hockey).
—Scholar Athlete Photos by Tom Coddington
21
Congratulations MAC Division 1 Champions
Congratulations to the MAC Division 1 champions
boys soccer team. This was the first outright divisional
title for the Warrior boys soccer program. In 2010 they
were co-divisional champions. The boys hosted the
MAC championship game at Townsend field and lost
a tough battle to Greene 2-1, who went through the
league undefeated.
The Division victory came on the afternoon just
before the Homecoming Parade. What a great celebration that was for them with the parade down Delaware
Street!
For more Homecoming pictures please see the collage on the next page.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Both schools were granted the Energy star rating for 2013.
This rating saves the district money on heating costs and is
attained through conservation of energy whenever possible.
to have lunch. The students invited teachers or staff who were
special to them and served them pizza, drinks, and desserts.
They all enjoyed a wonderful pre-holiday lunch together.
• This year the Distinguished Service Award was presented to
Mary Covell in honor of her late husband, Pat Covell, who
was a substitute teacher and volunteer coach for many years
at the school. Mary also taught 2nd grade in the District
for many years and continues to substitute when needed.
Pat was very involved in the Walton Fire Dept. and was a
Director of the Delaware Valley Agricultural Society that
runs the Delaware County Fair. The family was very moved
by the honor, and students and staff alike had moist eyes.
The Covells have been a great example of how to give back
to your community and great role models for the students
to know.
• There is a program called Transitions at Walton Central
School that can help families navigate the decisions and
paperwork needed to apply and pay for college. The program
is open to Juniors, and those interested should contact Justin
Preston in the High School Guidance Office.
• Each year Delaware Valley Hospital hosts a MASH Camp
designed to let high school students tour the different
departments at the hospital to get a feel for working in
the health care field. We are lucky that so many of our
students are able to attend to get this first-hand look at job
opportunities. This year the following students attended:
Steve Dutcher, Will Farrell, Wyatt Finn, Meredith
Hammerslag, Austin Kilmer, Steven Klein, Kiley
Lamoreaux, Megan McNamara, Heather Ogden, Nate
Pieper, Carly Pitt and Katie Thorakos. We thank UHS
and Delaware Valley Hospital for this opportunity for our
students.
• The Varsity Wrestling team took 3rd out of 13 teams at the
Walton Cuneen-Doane Tournament in December, They had
more champions than any other team. Four wrestlers won
their weight class at the tournament, and two other wrestlers
placed. Caleb Robinson, Logan Robinson, Dylan Wood,
and Dawson Beers all won. Quinn Harby, Dakota Coffey
and Ian Kilmer placed in the top 6. Dylan Wood was
voted most outstanding wrestler by the coaches. Dylan also
received the honor at the Windsor Christmas Tournament. At
that event Logan Robinson placed 5th and Dawson Beers
took 4th in their respective weight classes. The team looks
forward to continuing their impressive season.
• New Honor Society inductees at the high school are Logan
Alvarez, Ryan Cobane, William Farrell, Austin Kilmer,
Jeffrey Lam, Michael Lindsay, Robert Merrill and Janine
Velardi. They were inducted on October 21 at the High
School.
• We have a new physical therapist who started seeing students in
January. Mr. Deepak Aggarwal will be with us through the end
of the school year. There is also a new part-time Occupational
Therapist Mrs. Mindy Small that will be working with
Ms. Alina Denton. We welcome them to the District.
• Mrs. Trish Robinson’s students hosted a Random Acts of
Kindness luncheon on December 18, and the students were
each allowed to invite a staff member with whom they wanted
22
23
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAI D
Walton, New York
13856
Permit No. 235
WALTON, NEW YORK 13856
Board of Education:
Judith B. Breese, President
James D. Hoyt, Vice-President
William Beers
Melissa H. Grossmann
Harold A. Neale, Jr.
Patricia G. Reynolds
Ronda Williams
The Walton Central District
Newsletter is published three times yearly.
EDITOR: Patty Wood
Important Dates
JANUARY
24 Friday Night Primetime/Storytime, 5:00 p.m.
27-30 Regents Week
FEBRUARY
3 HS/MS 2nd semester starts
6 Community Budget Forum, 6:30 p.m. @ HS cafeteria
12 Kindergarten Registration @ TS
14 Read-A-Rama ends
17-21 No School—February Break
28 Read-A-Rama All Star party @TS, 5:00 p.m.
MARCH
7 MS Activity Night, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
14 ½ Day Conference Day—Staff Development
21 TS Science Fair 6:00-8:00 p.m. (3/28 snowdate)
28-29 All-County Music Festival
APRIL
1-4 NYS ELA tests Grades 3-8
8 Spring String Thing, 7:00 p.m. @ HS
14-18 No School—Spring Break
25 Friday Night Primetime/Storytime, 5:30 p.m.
30-5/2 NYS Math tests Grades 3-8
MAY
2 TS Spelling Bee, 5:00 p.m.
3 SAT test date
6 Budget Hearing, 7:30 p.m. HS Auditorium
7 TS Art Show & Recital 7:00 p.m.
9 No School—Superintendent Day
9-10 NYSSMA
13 HS Spring Concert, 7:00 p.m.
15 TS Spring Concert, 7:00 p.m.
20 MS Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m.
20 SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE, Noon-9:00 p.m.
@ BUS GARAGE
23-26 No School—Memorial Day
28 TS Chalk Art Day
30 TS Track Meet
JUNE
12 HS Awards Concert, 5:30 p.m.
13 TS Family BBQ Picnic
14 ACT test date
28 HS Graduation, 10:00 a.m.
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
ECRWSS
POSTAL PATRON
Student of the Month
TOWNSEND SCHOOL
Emma Yakalis, May
Isaac Vesterfelt, June
Mallory Sprague, September
Jeremiah Harrington, October
Jacqlyn Gransbury, November
Sierra Tweedie, December
DR. GEORGE F. MACK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Michael Thorakos, May
Madison Graupman, June
Christina Goodrich, September
Katie Brooks, October
Preston Skaine, November
Rae Hodges, December
O’NEILL HIGH SCHOOL
Jessica Fisher, May
Peter Phraner, June
Kurt Yoon, September
Victoria Celli, October
Robert Merrill, November
Fawn Palladino, December
We Want to Hear From You!
You can contact the school in a number of ways, and
parent and community feedback is always welcome.
Phone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 607-865-4116
Email (any staff)
. . . 1st initial, last name (up to 8 letters)@waltoncsd.org
District website. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.waltoncsd.org
Facebook Alumni Page. . . . . Walton Alumni Association
DCMO BOCES Printing Service
WALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL