April 16, 2008

Quote of the week:

“There is no such thing as a ‘self-made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success."          
– George Matthew Adams

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.

 

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 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.
• Students who are interested in pursuing an education in the arts have been invited to Miami University for a tour of the campus and a look at the Fine Arts departments.  Thirty students will be selected to travel to Oxford on April 23 to meet with Dr. dele jegede (yes, his name is spelled in lowercase), the chair of the Department of Art, and Clifton McNish, director of Diversity and Outreach for the School of Fine Arts.  The students will tour the art and music buildings, travel the Freedom Summer Walking Tour, and meet with admissions representatives to talk about requirements for entering college.  The students will also be treated to a lunch at a campus dining hall.

This opportunity is part of a larger program to build a partnership between the Fine Arts Department at Miami University and Winton Woods High School.  Our art and music teachers have been meeting with representatives from the school since spring 2007 to help Winton Woods students pursue their dreams by realizing an education and career opportunities in the arts.  Winton Woods has been previously visited by Dennis Tobin, professor of ceramics, in the spring of 2007 and Larry Collins, professor of painting, in the fall of 2007. 

• Congratulations to junior Marizzel Garcia whose winning essay has won her a $1,200 scholarship to attend the Freedoms Foundation, "Spirit of America Youth Conference” in Philadelphia from April 24- 27.  Only 13 students were selected from the Cincinnati area.

The four day Spirit of America Conference is an exclusive program for high school students interested in discovering what their role is as a citizen and leader.  Conference highlights include a “Freedom Summit,” which gives students the opportunity to discuss constitutional issues affecting American citizens such as terrorism, the Patriot Act, and immigration; “Mock Trial,” where participants travel to Philadelphia’s Federal Justice building and participate in a simulated Supreme Court case; and “Leadership Challenges” where participants go through several 30 to 40 minute blocks of leadership training designed to develop their understanding and abilities in the areas of leadership, communication, group dynamics, and attributes of an active citizen.  Students will also tour historic Valley Forge and Philadelphia.

• Students from Winton Woods High School participated in a Job Fair at the Forest Park Senior Center on Wednesday, April 9.  The Job Fair was sponsored by the Forest Park-Greenhills Kiwanis, the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, and Winton Woods City Schools.  Senior Counselor Kevin Jones helped plan the event with Kiwanian Dan Beam and Chamber of Commerce representatives.  Key Club members and Kiwanians greeted students and provided employment information, interview schedules, refreshments, and door prizes.  Approximately 60 Winton Woods High School students interviewed for summer employment at 15-minute intervals with local employers including the City of Forest Park, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, Wal-Mart, Meijers, Kroger, McDonalds, Red Lobster, and Cincinnati Financial. 

• Congratulations to senior Rico Williams who signed with the University of Charleston for a tennis scholarship.

• Winton Woods High School band members will be holding a Tag Day on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to raise money for new band uniforms. Students will wear their old band uniforms and will travel door-to-door in neighborhoods throughout the district to ask for donations. “We are not asking people to buy anything,” said Band Director Dani Ashbrook. “We’re asking community members to please consider giving a donation of even a few dollars to help us outfit our Marching Band.”

• 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 Middle School News:
 
• Winton Woods Middle School held its OAT assemblies for seventh and eighth grade students on Wednesday, April 16 to help create some excitement about doing well on the upcoming achievements tests. The assembly included a performance by the Winton Woods High School “Spirited Steppers” (Skye Gillespie, Quentin Carr, Michael Speller II, Alandria Allen Tiffany Peterson Jasmin Beavers, Chris Jackson and their coach Evelyn Garcia) and a motivational talk by former Winton Woods High School student-athlete Brandon Miree, who graduated in 1999.

Miree, who played football for the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers before retiring to produce feature films, talked to the students about turning dreams into goals, overcoming obstacles to their education, and being successful. Congratulations to the winners of the iPods that Miree gave away: 7th graders Ashley Smith and Jacob Ottaway and 8th graders Chynna Smith and Cody Foley. 

• 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.

• Winton Woods Middle School is looking for a few talented students for its first ever “Warriors Got Talent.”  Auditions began April 7, but the school is still looking for unique acts in music, dance, comedy and other areas of entertainment. Students should prepare a 2-3 minute audition. The show premieres May 9.

Winton Woods Intermediate School News:

• Congratulations to Winton Woods Intermediate School MH Interventionist Marj Pitzer on the publication of her second book, My Up & Down & All Around Book. The book is the second in the series and features all models with Down syndrome in various prepositional situations (up/down, in/out.)  Marj took all of the photographs for the book and took one on the playground at WWIS. The book is the second in a series featuring babies with Down syndrome. Pitzer’s first book, I Can, Can YOU? was also published by Woodbine Publishing. My Up & Down & All Around Book will be in stores in June.
 
• The Proficiency Godmother, Dr. Camille Nasbe, has been visiting students at WWIS to help prepare them for the upcoming Ohio Achievement Tests.  Dr. Nasbe will be at WWIS on April 18 to visit classrooms throughout the building.

The Ohio Achievement Tests begin on Monday, April 21. Our fifth grade students will take four tests: reading, math, Social Studies, and science.  Our 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.  
 
• Winton Woods Intermediate School held their third quarter honor roll celebration on Friday, March 11.  The 157 students who earned As and Bs began their celebration with ice cream sundaes.  After this delicious treat, the students participated in indoor events because of inclement weather.  These events included karaoke, corn hole, crab soccer, and wiffle ball.  We congratulate these students for their accomplishments.

• The Scholastic Book Fair has been postponed at Winton Woods Intermediate School. The rescheduled book Fair will be held from May 12-16.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School honors our Warriors of the Week for April 7–10: Trianna Carmichael, Eric Behrendt, Precious Dyer, Sabrina Sorrells, Kenae Greer, and Jordan Edwards.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School will host the April Student of the Month luncheon on April 17.  Congratulations to the following students:  Paris Bell, Ryan Capal, Taylor Dungey, Kim Smith, Sharon Jarmusik, Brittany Colyer, Nick Baur, Kenneth Drummond-Artis, Demetrius Henderson, Devonte Reid, Stephanie Cartegena and Tyler Woodall.

• Mrs. Eversman and Mrs. Pearson will hold an art opening and reception of outstanding student work from Winton Woods Intermediate School students at the Central Office Board Room on April 28 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. 

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 WWES 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.  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 will be holding a spring Book Fair Family Night on Thursday, April 17 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m.  Any and all families with kids who love to read are invited to attend. If anyone is interested in helping with this wonderful family event, please contact Angela Colyer at 742-9389 or angcolyer1@netzero.net.

Winton Woods Primary News:

• Primary North and South Fine Arts Night will be held in each Primary school on Thursday, April 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Students’ artwork will be on display and there will be an Open House for new families.  Everyone is invited to view the accomplishments of our very talented Primary students.

• Primary North and South Right To Read Week will be celebrated the week of May 12-16.  “Reading Road to the Beach” will be our theme this year at the Primary schools.  There will be many reading activities for the classes that week, as well as the spring Scholastic Book Fair.  Plan your summer reading now!

• The Primary North and South Scholastic Spring Book Fair is coming.  Plan to attend Family Night at the Fair on Tuesday, May 13 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Students will be visiting the book fair during the day with their class and making "wish lists" to bring home.  Flyers will also be sent home in May.
 
• Primary South second graders are scheduled to go to a Winton Woods shelter for a picnic and Frisbee golf on May 28 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Community PTA News:

• The Winton Woods Community PTA invites all pre-K to sixth grade students and their families to Family Fun Night on Friday, May 2 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Winton Woods Intermediate School. Join us for an evening of carnival games, prizes, a concession stand, and a PTA grand raffle. Tickets for both games and food will be sold at the door and are four for $1 or a family roll of 50 tickets for just $10. Wear your Warrior Spirit Wear for four free tickets at the door. Each child in attendance will also receive a free kid’s meal certificate to CiCi’s Pizza, compliments of CiCi’s and the PTA.

The raffle includes the grand prize of a 2008 Greenhills Swimming Pool family membership pass (a $185 value), as well as Warrior Spirit Wear and additional prizes. One free grand raffle ticket is included with the purchase of a family roll of game tickets. Additional raffle tickets are available to purchase.  We hope to see you at Family Fun Night!
(Please remember that students must be accompanied by an adult.)

Parents interested in helping at Family Fun Night are asked to contact Eileen Mannira, tmannira@cinci.rr.com or 851-3369.

Winton Woods Educational Foundation News:

• The Winton Woods Educational Foundation has raised over $37,000 from the launching of its Founders Society last December to establish an endowment to raise money for the students of Winton Woods Schools.  The Foundation is currently looking for knowledgeable and interested individuals who are willing to serve as advisory representatives to its marketing, communications, finance, grant and recruitment committees. It is also in need of volunteer support in the area of finances, possibly a CPA. “We know that ample expertise exists within our school community and appreciate any suggestions that will support the Foundation’s mission,” said WWEF President Dale Heidotting.

Community News:

• The Winton Woods Community Coalition invites you to the 2008 Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Forest Park Senior Center located at 11555 Winton Road.  For additional information, contact thr group at 742-2203.  WWCC is a local, substance-abuse prevention, non-profit group serving Greenhills, Forest Park and Springfield Township.