December 5, 2007

Quote of the week:

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.
       --Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Winton Woods High School News:

• A team representing Winton Woods High School attended the Ohio School Improvement Institute in Columbus, Ohio.  Principal Anita Williams hosted a one-hour presentation on “The Process of Building a Positive School Culture” that was well received by approximately 100 conference attendees.  In a second session, math teacher Mike DeMain shared his strategies for “Raising Test Scores and Comprehension in Algebra I” during three 20-minute roundtable sessions. 

Other staff members who attended the conference were Winton Woods High School Assistant Principal Diana Whitehead, Counselors Barbara Schnitzer and  Kevin Jones and Media Specialist Michelle Sisk.  Winton Woods Middle School staff participants were Assistant Brenda Hodges-Davis and math teacher Kendell Dorsey. The team plans to use information learned at the conference in planning for the 2008-2009 school year.

• “Warrior Madness” at Winton Woods High School was a huge success thanks to the Boys and Girls Basketball teams, the cheerleaders, Pep Band, Step Team and Color Guard. Thanks also to our high school students for a record-setting attendance that raised $700 in cash and the donation of 400 canned goods to S.O.U.L. Ministries Food Pantry for their holiday meals. 

• Members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet visited Winton Woods High School for a concert and Master’s class on Monday, December 3. “The quintet performed a concert for the high band and orchestra students and then held an after-school Master Class for the high school woodwind players,” said Band Director Dani Ashbrook.  The concert spanned 400 years of music with pieces from the Baroque Era, as well as a 1940s jazz arrangement.  During the Master Class, students learned about stylistic issues with particular types of music, staying in time with other performers, and how to play in a chamber group. At the end of the class, the high school musicians played through some new, high-level pieces with the CSO members. CSO Woodwind Quintet members who visited were: Joan Voorhees (flute), Ron Aufmann (clarinet), Chris Philpotts (oboe), High Mitchie (bassoon) and Gene Burger (French horn).

”It is very important for the students to hear professional tone quality and music,” said Ashbrook, adding the concert was also an important opportunity to reinforce proper concert behavior.

Ashbrook said the district tries to provide as many opportunities like this as it can and that the visit was encouraging to the high school musicians. “Ron Aufmann, the clarinetist, is a Forest Park High School graduate. It is really great for them to see that they can do this if they wanted to.”

• Members of the Winton Woods High School KEY Club are collecting canned goods during first bell for the next two and a half weeks. No boxed or bagged foods please—only canned items will be accepted.  The winning first bell class will receive a continental breakfast.  The class with the second most items will receive candy bars.  All items will be donated to Hartwell Baptist Church for its food pantry.

• Winton Woods families and community members are invited to “Wok 'n Rock at Molloy's,” a benefit in support of the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble’s trip to China.  The benefit will take place on Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 7:00–10:00 p.m.  Tickets are $25 per person in advance; $30 per person and cash only after January 3.  Food and soft drinks will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.

The evening will also feature entertainment by former Varsity Ensemble member Anna Beljin and her father, Milovan (www.annaandmilovan.com). Anna and Milovan have created an acoustic pop/folk/blues sound that will take guests from the 60's to the current hits.  Anna is currently a freshman at Miami University, but she and her father still perform regularly at such venues as Parkers Blue Ash Grill, The Blind Lemon, Arnold's, College Hill Coffee, and the Dilly Deli Restaurant.

Profits from this benefit will help the Varsity Ensemble further defray the cost of traveling to China in March 2008 to perform at “A Choral Salute to the Beijing Olympics.” All donations are tax–deductible. Checks should be payable to "Winton Woods Educational Foundation" and marked "China Trip."

For more information or for special table reservations for groups of 8–10, call Barb Cooper at 513-602-5602. Molloy’s is located at 10 Enfield Avenue in Greenhills.

• The Museum of Human Rights will open in the Winton Woods High School library on Wednesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 13 during the school day. It will also be open on the evening of December 13 from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. during the band concert.

The exhibits for this year’s event are based upon the rights addressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that acknowledges the basic rights that every human has regardless of the rules set by their government.  Students in Lauren Sabour’s World Affairs class are researching cases in which people are still being denied basic rights such as safe water, freedom of religion, freedom from slavery, right to education, and the right to seek asylum, among others.  

Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Winton Woods Middle School students got a lesson in how to tie a tie—and how to write a story—all at the same time.  Winton Woods High School graduate and published author Jonathan Lee taught the lesson during a visit to the classroom of his former language arts teacher Matt Alander.  Lee, writing under the pseudonym Jaydon Azariah, will have his first novel, Half Windsor, published in January 2008. 

“Jonathan's book is called Half Windsor, which is a type of knot for a tie,” said Alander.  “It is also an important symbol for one of the characters in the book because it represents the change that the character goes through.”

Lee used neckties during Alander’s class as a metaphor for the process of writing.  “The tie equals the idea for a poem, story, or essay,” said Alander.  “Then by manipulating it, working with it and twisting it around, you create the story—just like you are creating an acceptable fashion accessory.” 

Lee also stressed the fact that once you know the rules of grammar and style, you can break them.  His tie at first was very uneven but hidden by his sweater. He knew how to fix it but didn't because he wanted the look of a fatter knot.  Lee’s point?  “You can use fragments when it's purposeful and you can sling slang when it suits your purpose,” said Alander.

Lee graduated from Winton Woods High School in 2002.  While a student, he was active in Student Council, Key Club, Debate Club, AAA Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Sports Marketing (DECA).  He attended the University of Cincinnati for one year before transferring to The Ohio State University.  After his junior year, Lee took time to travel.  Before re-enrolling in college, he was given a modeling contract and relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he wrote Half Windsor.

• Progress reports will be mailed on Friday, December 7.  This is a different date than listed on the district calendar.  Extra time was necessary to have the reports created and mailed because of Fall Break. 

• Winton Woods Middle School will be holding two Positive Behavior events in December. The middle school’s Holiday Store will open the week of December 10 for students to buy gifts for friends and family with the Warrior Bucks they’ve earned this year for good behavior. The store will be open during homeroom in the school library.

On December 20, there will be a holiday bingo game during seventh bell. Students can pay 20 Warrior Bucks to attend. Each student will receive a goody bag, and there will be prizes for the winners.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Band, orchestra, and choir students are preparing and anxiously anticipating their first concert of the year on Tuesday, December 11.  This concert will be held at Winton Woods Intermediate School at 7:00 p.m.  Please mark your calendars to join us for this exciting event. The staff is organizing a bake sale before and after the program, and all proceeds from the sale will go toward supporting the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble trip to China this summer.  Please contact Mrs. Halt if you have any questions or would like to make donations.

• We would like to invite all parents to participate in a building-level PTA meeting on Thursday, December 6 at 5:00 p.m. at WWIS.  The purpose of this meeting is to increase parental participation at WWIS by volunteering for upcoming events and discussing opportunities for additional parental involvement.  Please contact Mary Smith at mary1943@zoomtown.com with questions.

• Progress reports will be sent home on Wednesday, December 5.  In order to improve communication, we will place progress reports and report cards in special envelopes.  Please sign and return the envelope to your child’s teacher. 

The staff at Winton Woods Intermediate School continues to explain the importance of academic achievement to our students.  We want them to work to do their best and have set aside time in the day to assist all of our students.  Please talk to your child about the intervention opportunities that are available during the school day.  Enrichment opportunities will not be offered daily to students that are struggling academically.

• Student Council representatives are planning many activities for the student body in the month of December.  Holiday parties will take place on Wednesday, December 19 from 2:00-2:55 p.m.  Students will return to their homerooms and our technology department will make a holiday film available for all classrooms in the building.  Some homerooms may decide to do alternative activities during this time.  Parents are encouraged to send treats to the classroom.  Some homerooms may plan alternative or additional activities. They will notify parents as soon as possible.

• The yearbook is coming to Winton Woods Intermediate School.  All fifth and sixth grade parents are welcome to attend our first yearbook meeting on Wednesday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the technology room of WWIS.  Mr. Keith Hughey of Walsworth Yearbooks will be available to give direction on how to put together a great yearbook for our kids. Do you have some creative ideas, an eye for detail, love to take pictures or are just interested in being involved?  Then we hope to see you there! Questions?  Contact Deborah Tekulve at 851-5215 or dnrtk4@hotmail.com.

• As the temperature continues to fall, please remember that students should be dropped off no earlier that 7:50 a.m.  We are unable to supervise students prior to this time and do not want to have them waiting outside in the cold.  We also remind you to dress your child in layers.  Students are permitted to wear navy, green, and white crew neck sweatshirts and sweaters over their uniform shirts.  Please remember that hooded items and coats cannot be worn in the classroom.  Students should also come to school with a warm coat, gloves, and a hat for outdoor recess.  Please remember to write your child’s name in these items so that we can return lost items.   

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Progress Reports will be going home with students on Thursday, December  6.  These reports will be sent home a day late due to a printer/copier breakdown.  We apologize for the delay.  Remember that these informative student grade reports can be viewed in even greater detail online by using Progress Book.  Please refer to our school newsletter for detailed instructions on how to access Progress Book for your student or call our main office at 619-2490 for assistance.

• Winton Woods Elementary School has been recognized as a Rumpke Recyling Challenge award-winning school.  “We are very proud of our students, our Recycling Club and our staff sponsors Cris Cornelssen and Sharon Greene,” said Principal Steve Denny.  WWES has been awarded $250 in prize money to spend on students.

Two of the Recycling Club sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Greene, won free Cincinnati Bengals tickets and will be going to the Bengals' next home game on Sunday, December 9 against the St. Louis Rams. The Greenes will be awarded “Bengals Bucks” to enjoy refreshments, Bengals souvenirs to bring back to the school and even time on the Jumbo-tron during the game. All of this is courtesy of Rumpke and the Cincinnati Bengals. “It just goes to show, when you do good things, good things happen,” said Denny.

• On Saturday, December 1, WWES held its community recycling event.  About 20 students and staff sponsors braved the cold to further the school's recycling efforts.  “Thanks to all the parents and community members who came by and dropped off aluminum cans,” said Principal Steve Denny.  “It was a great success a good learning experience for our kids.”

The WWES Recycling Club collects aluminum cans and helps with processing them through for collection.  Students are asked to bring in cans and drop them off in the large bins on their way in to school on Thursdays.

• Fun Friday for third grade students for November is scheduled for Friday,  December 7 during our school-wide Intervention and Enrichment time.  Fourth grade students will have the opportunity to have their Fun Friday the following week.

• Congratulations and thank you to Kathy Rodriguez and her fourth grade Select Chorus for their wonderful concert at the Forest Park Treelighting Ceremony at the Forest Park Fire Station this past Monday evening.  We had a wonderful turnout.  Thanks to all of you who attended this special event.

• The Cincinnati Mills bigg's announced the winning homerooms in their annual Fall Pumpkin Decorating Contest.  Congratulations to Ms. DiSalvo's fourth grade class for winning first place in the contest.  Ms. Minton’s fourth graders received second place.  In a four-way tie for third place were Mr. Pratt’s third grade class, Mrs. Fritz’s fourth grade class, Mrs. Owen’s third grade class and Mrs. Webb’s third grade class.  All homerooms at the school participated in this fun contest. The pumpkins had to be decorated by students, and the winners were chosen by shopper votes at bigg's during the month of October.  The winning prize is a $150 bigg's gift card for the homeroom teacher to spend. Mrs. DiSalvo has chosen to purchase Warrior t-shirts for each student in her homeroom to wear on Spirit Friday’s. 

• Holiday parties are scheduled for Thursday, December 20 from 2:00 - 3:20 p.m.  If you're interested in being a room parent or you're willing to help out in some way, we'd welcome your time and efforts.  Please give us a call at 619-2490.  Happy Holidays!
 
• If you have not already had a chance to purchase a WWES yearbook for 2007 - 2008, they went back on sale for a limited time starting on Monday, December 3.  The sale ends on Friday, December 14.  The cost is $8 for a high-quality yearbook that will capture memories from this school year for years to come.

Winton Woods Primary School News:

• Penny Wars between the North Pole (Primary North) and South Pole (Primary South) will take place December 3 - 20.  All students are encouraged to bring in their pennies which will be donated to Neediest Kids of All.  This is a caring project for our students to give to others who are not as fortunate as they may be.  Students may bring in change and deposit it in the containers during lunch.  Kindergarten collections will take place in their classrooms.  Money will be counted and announced weekly.  Thanks for your support!
 

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• Prize pick-up for the WWC PTA Walk-A-Thon is Thursday, December 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods Intermediate School lobby. Eligible students were given letters to take home to parents. The school is located at 825 Waycross Road in Forest Park.  Questions? Contact Angela Colyer at 742-9389.

• The next Winton Woods Community PTA Meeting will be on Monday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the library of Winton Woods Intermediate School. Everyone is welcome to attend.