April 9, 2008

Quote of the week:

It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.
        -Moliere

District News:

• Winton Woods City Schools is looking for host families for 30 students from China who will be visiting the district this summer for Chinese Youth Camp. The Chinese students will be joining 30 Winton Woods eighth, ninth and tenth graders for camp at Winton Woods Intermediate School from August 4 – 15 to learn more about global leadership. The camp day lasts from 8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. 

 Host family requirements are that students must have their own bed (not their  own room), a packed lunch and transportation to and from camp each day,  and transportation to and from the airport. There are no other financial  obligations, and the Chinese students are covered in case of an emergency.   This is a great opportunity for our district and families.  If interested in  hosting, please contact Winton Woods Character Education Coach Mimi  Gilmer at 619-2413 or gilmer.mimi@wintonwoods.org 

• Please visit the district website’s “Spotlight” section and click on the survey link to give valuable input on the district’s upcoming budget cuts.  To view the April 2 Budget Cut Meeting, please go to www.waycross.org.

• Information from the Winton Woods Community Coalition regarding “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” has been posted on the district website under “Parents.”  Please feel free to visit this portion of the site for valuable information regarding underage drinking.

Winton Woods High School News:

• Winton Woods High School will present its spring musical, The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19 at 8:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Tickets are $8.00 for preferred seating, and $7.00 for regular seating. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the night of the show or are available ahead of time by calling 619-2420.
 The Sound of Music is the story of Maria, a young girl whose superiors think  she’s not suited for religious life. Maria becomes the governess to seven  children in the home of Captain von Trapp and also becomes their friend  through a mutual love of music. Maria and the Captain fall in love and marry,  but the family is forced to leave Austria when the Nazis invade.
• The Winton Woods High School Ambassadors are sponsoring an International Fair on Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11. “The fair is a celebration of the diversity that exists within Winton Woods High School,” said Ambassadors President Megan Schneider.  A group of student Ambassadors created the fair to inform students and community members about the eleven countries that Winton Woods students and foreign exchange students come from.  The fair will feature displays from Japan, Nigeria, Guatemala, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Jamaica, Peru, Vietnam, Germany and Sweden. The displays will have information and interactive activities for students to learn about basic geographical information, food, entertainment, fashion, and art as Winton Woods High School students from around the globe share their experiences.

The fair will take place during the evening on Thursday, April 10 for parents, teachers, friends, and community members. It will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library, and there will be an international food tasting in the cafeteria.  Students will be able to visit the fair during the school day on Friday, April 11.

• Twelve Winton Woods seniors had lunch with Miami University President David Hodge and his wife, Valerie, on Friday, April 4 at the Forest Park Senior Center.  The students, who have all been accepted at Miami, were able to ask questions about all aspects of college life. The Winton Woods students attending the lunch were Noleena Booker, Karen Budke, Steven Cleary, Shannon Flury, Allison Hudson, Jamie-Lee Morris, Emily Russell, Megan Schneider, Derick Sekyere, Katherine Siragusa, Lidya Tsegay, and Ashley Whyte.

• Winton Woods High School junior Anthony Talbert has been offered a football scholarship by the Akron Zips.

• To see photos and hear some of the performances from the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble’s recent trip to China, visit http://www.wintonwoods.org/china-trip.

• The Cincinnati Pops invites friends and family of Winton Woods High School to enjoy a 25% discount off the May 9, 10 and 11 “Magical World of Disney” Pops show at Music Hall. Members of the Varsity Ensemble will be performing with the Pops for these three performances. Tickets may be ordered online at www.cincinnatisymphony.org and insert promo code 2498 to receive your special discount, or call the CSO Box Office at 513-381-3300 and mention that you are a friend of Winton Woods High School.

• Winton Woods High School Senior counselor Kevin Jones and group of Spanish students visited Spain over spring break with stops in Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, The Rock of Gibraltar and Tangier, Morocco.  Students who went on the trip were Paul Lockard, Kaitlin Stewart, Mitchell Williams, Sierra Arens, Kylie Schmittou, Hope Monroe, Jazmine Burton, India Steward, Lyndsay Tankersley and Tyler Lendl. Also on the trip were Winton Woods High School Spanish teacher Ann Erhart, counselor Barb Schnitzer and former assistant principal Linda Lushbaugh.

• You can own a piece of Winton Woods history and help the band raise money for new uniforms by purchasing a Winton Woods band pillow.  Pillows are made from old band uniforms, come in “button front” and “W front” designs, and are $40.00 each.  Delivery will take 4-6 weeks from the time of order. Checks should be made out to Winton Woods High School and orders sent to Band Director Dani Ashbrook, Winton Woods High School, 1231 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, OH 45240.  Questions? Call Dani Ashbrook at 619-2437 or email ashbrook.danelle@wintonwoods.org.

• Many Winton Woods juniors and seniors have signed up to participate in a “job fair” at the Forest Park Senior Center tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The fair is sponsored by the Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis Club, the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Winton Woods High School and is intended to make it easier for students to find summer jobs.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Phoenix Academy, formerly known as Project Advance, will have an open house on Friday, April 18, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Students will show off their progress, giving testimony as to how they are like the legendary phoenix, which exemplifies a new beginning for students who are behind in academics.  Everyone is welcome to attend to see the progress these students have made.

• Fifty eighth grade students at Winton Woods Middle School will be participating in a student-led leadership conference on Friday, April 11 at the school.  “The purpose of the conference is to strengthen leadership skills by examining the character qualities needed to become a person of excellence,” said Winton Woods Character Education Coach Mimi Gilmer. “Another part of the conference will focus on preparing these students for the upcoming transition to high school.”  The middle school students were selected by the counselors based on their academic scholarship and positive character qualities.

Eight freshman representatives from the high school have been in training for the past several weeks and will help facilitate the day’s events.  They are Corey Stewart, Geneva Williams, Kela McBride, Janae Sneed, Mylah Edwards, Ronee Eberhart, Jazmin House, and Destiny Joiner. Thanks to Mr. Paul Yeckel, Winton Woods High School freshman Student Council advisor, and Mr. Chris Gibfried, Winton Woods High School Student Council advisor, for their help with this project.

• Winton Woods Middle School is proud to announce its “Students of the Month” for March 2008. These students were nominated by the teaching staff because of the quality of their work, their efforts in class, their responsibility level and behavior at school, their attitude, and their relationship to their peers and teachers. Seventh grade “Students of the Month” are:  Jasmine Daniels, Daisha Lewis, and Nate Musselman; eighth grade “Students of the Month” are: Savannah Bryant, Meghan Stifel, Jackie Robinson, Chanel Williams, Adam Anthony, and Joy Woodall.

• Students at Winton Woods Middle School are busy preparing for the Ohio Achievement Tests until official testing begins on April 21.

• “Warriors Got Talent,” the Winton Woods Middle School talent show, will be presented on Friday, May 9 in the Winton Woods Middle School auditorium.

• Winton Woods Middle School will be participating in a track meet on Thursday, April 10 at Talawanda.

• Winton Woods Middle School Soccer Club Blast is Wednesday, April 9.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• The third quarter Honor Roll Celebration will be on Friday, April 11 at 1:45 p.m.  Students who have earned A & B’s will be able to participate in activities planned by Student Council.  If you would like to volunteer for this event, please contact the office at 619-2450.

• The Scholastic Book Fair will be April 14 -18 in the Professional Development Center.  Students will visit the Scholastic Book Fair with their teachers during the school day. 

• The Ohio Achievement Tests are quickly approaching.  Testing will begin on April 21.  Fifth grade students will take four tests: reading, math, Social Studies, and science.  Sixth grade students will take two tests: reading and math.  Parents are encouraged to work with their student to be sure that they are completing all of the review materials sent home by their teachers.  The internet based program, Study Island, is another resource that parents can use to work with their students at home.  

• 305 Winton Woods Intermediate School students received recognition for positive behavior choices for the third quarter on Thursday, April 3.  These students not only received popcorn with their lunch, but they also received a gift certificate to a local restaurant.  Some students received a free buffet at Ci Ci’s Pizza, others were given a free buffet at Golden Coral, and some received a certificate for a free Big Boy and a Coke.  We commend all of these students for making positive choices.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Third and fourth grade students completed their last round of practice testing for the Ohio Achievement Test just before break in March.  The results from these practice tests are in, and we're very pleased overall with our students’ progress.  The actual OATs will start on Monday, April 21 for our fourth grade students and will run through that week.  Third grade students will begin testing on Monday, April 28 and conclude testing on Wednesday, April 30. 

Because every student must take these tests by law, it is critical that all students be present on these days.  Please plan any out-of-town trips or schedule any appointments for days and times other than these weeks.  Please be sure that students get a good night's sleep during those weeks since the tests can be quite demanding both mentally and physically.  A full breakfast on the morning of testing days would also be ideal. We will still offer breakfast at school in-room first thing on those days.  Please continue to encourage your child to do his or her very best on these important tests.  We all want our students to have the very best opportunity to be able to show all that they know and have learned this school year.  Thanks for your ongoing support with this.

• Our entire school will be taking a field trip to the Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center on Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21—and we need chaperones! The third grade will be making the trip on Tuesday, while the fourth grade visits on Wednesday.  This is a wonderful and highly educational opportunity for all of our children. 

To make this happen, we will need plenty of parent chaperones.  The ratio we are after is one adult for every 10 students.  Bus transportation and free admission will be provided at the 10:1 rate.  Any parent interested in attending may do so, but some parents may have to pay if there is more than one adult for every 10 children actually accompany our students.  Please call WWIS at 619-2450 to request the Winton Woods Community PTA's main office.  Thanks to our WWC PTA for their support with this, and thanks to the Freedom Center for sharing its "Schooled On Freedom" grant and financial resources with WWES.

• Another high-powered, educational field trip is taking place for our fourth grade students on Wednesday, May 14.  Fourth graders will travel by bus to the University of Cincinnati to take part in a large-scale economics simulation that they've been working on in-class for some time entitled the StEP or Student Enterprise Program.  This is an entrepreneurial fair that several schools around the city take part in at UC each year. 

Students create their own communities and economies within their classrooms and then market the products that they develop and produce to other classes and to other schools at the culminating event in May at UC at the StEP marketplace fair.  Our students will also have the opportunity to tour the UC campus a bit and see what a university is all about.  Again, we'll need a 10:1 student:adult ratio, so if you're interested in being a chaperone for this event, please contact the WWES main office at 619-2490. 
 
• The fourth grade Spring Concert will be Monday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

• Our Dad's Club event for April is Saturday, April 19, and the activity will be miniature golf.  Please note that this is a different date than on the district calendar. We'll meet at the Fairfield Golf Center in Fairfield from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.  The special rate is $6 per adult and $4 per child (under 12).  We welcome students to come with any significant adult male figure in their lives—dads, step-dads, granddads, godfathers, uncles, older brothers, cousins ... you name it.  Come on out, golf a little, make some connections, it'll be fun!
 
• Winton Woods Elementary students had the opportunity to experience an opera classic entitled "The Barber of Seville" on Friday, April 4.  It was a great show, and the kids really enjoyed it.  Thanks to our WWC PTA for bringing this show to us.
 

Winton Woods Primary News:

• Primary North and South will hold their third quarter Awards Assemblies on Friday, April 11.  Students will be receiving awards for their third quarter accomplishments.

• Spring pictures have arrived at Primary North and South, and the packets will be sent home with the students.

• "Fine Arts Night" for Primary North and South is scheduled on Thursday, April 17 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

• Plans are underway for the National "Right To Read Week" at Primary North and South the week of May 12 - May 16.  The theme this year is "Take a Reading Road Trip to the Beach."  During this week each school will hold its Scholastic Book Fair.  This will be a great opportunity to purchase books for your child's summer reading.  Students will visit the Book Fair during the day with their class. A "Family Night at the Fair" is scheduled on Tuesday, May 13 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  A flyer will be sent home with your child later this month with more information.

• Winton Woods Primary South would like to congratulate Amara Bryson and Princess Dyer, and Winton Woods Primary North would like to congratulate Austin Burnett, for being recognized by PTA for their participation in the Reflections Cultural Arts Contest.  All the entries were wonderful!  The students did a good job expressing their interpretations of the topic, "I Can Make A Difference By...."  Please plan to participate next year when the Reflections theme is "Why?"

Community News:

• The renowned African Children's Choir (ages 7-11) will present a free performance on Sunday, May 11 at the Dayspring Church, 1060 Smiley Road in Forest Park (near Wal-Mart) at 10:40 a.m.  The choir's joyful music is a blend of song and dance and of the diversity of the African people. It features more than ten languages and unique cultural dancing. The children in the choir come from very poor villages, and many are orphans who would like the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness they already know so well. 

Our students are becoming more aware of the world outside their community this year with events such as the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble trip to China and the district’s Operation Letter Storm for our military troops. The African Children's Choir experience gives our students yet another great opportunity to broaden their awareness of children, just like them, who are in need.  You can visit the choir’s website at www.africanchildrenschoir.com.

• April 22 is Earth Day. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, people around the world have been creating their own ways to celebrate the earth, to observe the beauty and vitality of nature, and to renew their commitment to saving our living planet. Try to make every day earth day by recycling, reducing waste, and reusing things that you would normally throw away.  Try to give back to the earth and help protect the environment and habitats of our endangered animals.