April 2, 2008

Quote of the week:

All truth passes through three stages.  First, it is ridiculed.  Second, it is violently opposed.  Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer

District News:

• Reminder:  There will be a community meeting on budget reductions TONIGHT, Wednesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the Forest Park Senior Center so that district staff, families and community members can provide feedback to the administration on proposed cuts due to the failed levy.

Winton Woods High School News:

• The Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble has returned from their trip to China with the sound of applause ringing in their ears.  The trip was a huge success, and our students gave amazing performances.  Their musical excellence was commented on by our Chinese hosts and by the directors and parents of the other choirs who attended the music festival, Perform in Harmony—With Olympic Spirit.

Sincere thanks go out to the many people who donated time, money and resources to make this trip happen for our students.  Check the district website in the near future for pictures and details of the trip.

• The spring musical, The Sound of Music, will be performed on April 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium. 

• The Winton Woods High School Ambassadors will sponsor 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 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, Guatamala, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Jamaica, Peru, Vietnam, Germany and Sweden.

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 food will be served in the cafeteria.  Students will be able to visit the fair during the school day on Friday, April 11.        
 
• 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.

Winton Woods Middle School News

• Many Winton Woods Middle School band, orchestra and chorus students will be performing on Saturday, April 5 at the OMEA District XIV Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event at Madeira Middle School.  

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Winton Woods Intermediate School will have its third quarter honor roll celebration on Friday, April 11 at 1:45 p.m.  Students who have earned A and Bs 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 following Winton Woods Intermediate School students were selected as “Warriors of the Week” for March 17-20: Jyrell Thomas, Delion Riley, Tori Bussey, Anthony Doxie, Stephani Cartagena, Jeff Savage Jr., Sydney Reid, Kaleb Kinebrew, Diego Sanchez, Tony Fishwick, Kiara Ramsey, Emma Byrd, and Joey Martin.

• The Scholastic Book Fair will be held at Winton Woods Intermediate School from April 14-18 in the PDC.  Students will visit the Scholastic Book Fair with their teachers during the school day. 

• Forty-five students from Winton Woods Intermediate School were given movie passes to attend a private screening of Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who on Thursday, March 13 at the Springdale Cinemas.  These sixth grade students were selected based on the positive choices that they have made this school year.  We would like to thank the students and to encourage them to continue to do their best.

• The Ohio Achievement Tests are quickly approaching.  Testing will begin at the Intermediate School on 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 students 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.  

• The very first WWI yearbook is almost sold out!  There are only 9 yearbooks left, and they are available on a first come, first serve basis.  Order forms are available in the school office.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• Third and fourth grade students just completed their final run of practice testing for the Ohio Achievement Test before spring break in March.  The results from these practice tests are in, and we're very pleased overall with our students’ progress.  The actual OAT's will take place starting 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, May 1. 

Because every student must take these tests by law, it is critical that all students be present on the days these take place.  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 for our youngsters.  A full breakfast on the morning of testing days would also be ideal. As usual, we will 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 best opportunity to show all they know and have learned this school year.  Parents, 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. 
 
• Our third grade spring concert on March 18 was a great experience. Congratulations to the 165 third grade students who sang that night and to Ms. Kathy Rodriguez for putting together such a great show.  The concert lived up to its name ... it "Was A Zoo!" out there!  Thanks to everyone who helped out, thanks for your support and thank you to all of you who attended that night.  Our fourth grade Concert will be Monday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. 
 
• 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!
 
• On Friday, April 4, we have a special event planned for our school courtesy of our Winton Woods Community PTA.  Our students will have the opportunity to experience an opera classic entitled "The Barber of Seville."  We'll have two shows, one at 9:30 a.m. for fourth graders and one at 12:45 p.m. for third graders.  We're excited at the prospect and appreciative of our WWC PTA for bringing this show to us.  Our parents are invited to this event as well!

Winton Woods Primary News:

• Primary Report Cards go home with students on Thursday, April 3.

• Primary South will have mobile dentists visiting their school on Friday, April 4, for students who have been signed up by their parents.

• Primary South’s third quarter Awards Assembly is scheduled for April 11.

• Primary North and South’s "Fine Arts Night" for each primary school is scheduled on April 17 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.   This is an opportunity to view student work and is an Open House for new parents.

Winton Woods Community PTA News:

• The next Winton Woods Community PTA meeting is on Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the library of WW Intermediate School.  All K-6 grade parents and guardians are welcome to attend! 

Winton Woods Community News:

• Cinderella Formal Wear Sales and Tuxedo Rental is open Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and by appointment. This prom support initiative is sponsored by the Winton Woods Community Coalition and is an attempt to save juniors and seniors money on prom expenses. The group is accepting gently used dresses for resale in their Prom Boutique.  Dresses are only $15, and tux rental is $39.95 and up. Call 742-2203 for an appointment. The boutique is located at 11100 Winton Road, Suite C.