October 10, 2007

Quote of the week:

"I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."

        --Abraham Lincoln

District News:

• The Winton Woods City School District is again offering five weeks of Chinese language classes for adults. The class will focus on basic Chinese language and culture and is taught by Qin Wang, a visiting teacher from China.

Classes will take place from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Winton Woods Board of Education office located at 1215 West Kemper Road in Forest Park. Class dates are: Monday, October 29, November 5, November 12, November 19 and Tuesday, November 27. A registration form is available on the district website at www.wintonwoods.org. Cost of the class is $50.00, which includes all materials. Registration and tuition should be sent to: Winton Woods City Schools, ATTN: Gina Burnett, 1215 West Kemper Road, Forest Park, OH 45240. Registration and payment must be received by October 26.

• A listing of available Tutoring and Intervention programs for students is now on the district website under the Parents page. Hard copies can be found in the school offices. 
 
• The Sprinters teams from Winton Woods Intermediate School (WWIS) and Winton Woods Elementary School (WWES) had strong finishes at the Run for the Nuns 5K Race on Saturday, October 6 at Winton Woods Park.

Sprinters medal-winners in the 1-14 age group were: Boys: sixth grader Evan Stifel (2nd place) with a time of 22:11 and fifth grader Jared Beiersdorfer (5th place) with a time of 26:18. Girls: Fifth grader Hayley Perkins (2nd place) with a time of 29.39, third grader Fola O’Neal-Akerelea (3rd place) with a time of 35:38, sixth grader Monai Brown (4th place) with a time of 36.07, and fifth grader Shanaya Jones (5th place) with a time of 36.11.

Two Winton Woods Middle School students, Sean Jetter and Zachary Williams, were also medalists. Jetter, who is a Sprinters alumnus, finished in third place with a time of 23:20; Williams finished in fourth place with a time of 23:35.

“I am so proud of every person who crossed that finish line,” said Sprinters Coach Janet Smith, who is a science teacher at Winton Woods Intermediate School. “We have worked hard to train for this race.”  Smith said that there were 59 students and 8 teachers from WWIS who ran in the Run for the Nuns.

Winton Woods Elementary teachers and Sprinters coaches Sheri Conrad and Taisha James had 35 students and four adults in the race. “All 35 students that started the race finished it,” said Conrad. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of our students. They were so excited and well behaved. Our parent and family turn out was more than we could hope or even ask for.”

Both Smith and Conrad plan to reward their sprinters with a pizza party to celebrate the completion of their first big race this year and to give out some awards. Smith said she’s already looking forward to the spring season for Sprinters, which will start in March to train for the Flying Pig 5K on May 3, 2008. 

Winton Woods Elementary School Sprinters who completed the Run for the Nuns are:
 (Boys) Nicholas Jones (28:03); Lijah Robinson (28:50); Tyvon Anderson  (30:38); Alex Simon (33:06); Jacob Hill (33:07); Demetrius Suesberry  (34:44); Elijah Bright (34:47); Elijah Hutchinson (34:49); Deon Mack  (35:59); Miykael Freeman (40:22) Antonio Hairston (40:23); Joshua  Sienkiewicz (40:25 Terrence Smith (34:59); Anthony Digiacomo (35:09);  Silas Baur (35:10); James Thompson (36:06); Alexander Young (36:37);  Antonio Cheatham (38:06); Sevaughn Ollison (38:53); Michael Barwick  (39:44); Quran Ramer (40:15); Michael Fiore (40:26); Andrew Kerobo  (41:10); Austin McKee (44:01); Samari Thurmond (45:01); Montana  Howard (46:11); Eli Brodbeck (49:36); Zach Mavridoglou (53:54).); Noah  Hill (40:39); Alexis Bernal (43:58) and Nate Williams (46:59).

 Winton Woods Intermediate School Sprinters who completed the Run for  the Nuns are: (Boys) Evan Stifel (22:11); Jared Beiersdorder (26:18).

 (Girls) Hayley Perkins (29:39); Monai Brown (36:07); Shanaya Jones  (36:11); Samantha Christianson (40:54); Morgan Strupe (40:57); Dana  Jetter (42:57); Dasia Suesberry (42:59); Selina Hairston (43:00);  Alexandria Blanchard (47:11); Chiara Meier (53:46); Renee Zareski  (53:55).

  
Winton Woods High School News:  

• Winton Woods High School’s annual College Information Fair will be Thursday, October 11 in the school cafeteria from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Representatives from many colleges and universities will be in attendance. All students in grades 9-12, as well as parents and community members seeking information from visiting colleges are encouraged to attend.

• Winton Woods High School offers peer tutoring Monday through Thursday from 2:10-3:00 p.m. in room 112. Tutoring is provided by our school’s juniors and seniors. Please encourage your student to attend if academic help is needed.

• Winton Woods High School’s library has undergone a transformation since last year with the addition of new oak chairs and blue laminate top tables and a new coat of sky blue paint. In addition to its new appearance, the library has many new resources and technologies available to the student body 24/7. These include:

Home access to the library catalog.  Students can now log onto the library catalog, called Destiny, from home as well as school. The address for home access is http://destiny.wintonwoods.org.
E-books.  Ten new titles have been digitized and are accessed by computer. These may be accessed either at school or at home with a password from the Destiny page.
INFOhio.  A statewide cooperative school library and information network that provides access to quality electronic resources for Ohio’s pre-K-12 students. Home use requires a user name and password.
PLAYAWAYS.  These audio books loaded onto a special MP3 player allow students to listen to a book or follow along with the printed text as the book is read to them.

High School Media Specialist Michelle Sisk conducted orientations with all students through their English classes to introduce these new technologies and resources. User names and passwords for home access were distributed during these orientations. Students needing additional assistance with how to use these resources or another copy of he home use password should see Mrs. Sisk.

• Seniors in the Biotechnology program had the opportunity to see what labs are like outside the high school as they participated in an annual event put on by UC’s Raymond Walters College. The students spent the day at the college learning new lab techniques, as well as meeting students from other Biotech programs in the area.

• Congratulations to Winton Woods High School volleyball coach Jeff Merrill who recently celebrated 100 wins as a varsity volleyball coach. Merrill’s achievement was reached as the Winton Woods Lady Warriors defeated Ross on September 17. The win was also Merrill’s 73rd as the Warriors coach.  

• Congratulations to football coach Troy Everhart who picked up his 50th career victory with the Warrior’s 44-7 win over Roger Bacon on Hall of Fame night.

• This year’s Warrior Card “Blitz Day” was a record-breaking effort by our student athletes. Thanks to our families and community members for supporting this single biggest fundraiser for our Athletic Boosters! According the Athletic Director Herb Woeste, “Blitz Day” took in a record $7,283, with the total climbing to over $8200 since that day. Warrior cards are only $10 and can be used for discounts at 16 different businesses throughout the area. If you are interested in purchasing a Warrior Card, contact Herb Woeste in the athletic office at 619-2422.

• The Winton Woods Homecoming Parade will be October 12 before the Homecoming football game between the Winton Woods Warriors and the Milford Eagles. Student groups affiliated with each school are welcome to participate in the parade. It's lots of fun and a good way to show your Warrior spirit!

The parade will begin at 6:15 p.m. at Winton Woods Intermediate School and then proceed west on Waycross, right into Central Park and on to Charlie Fredrick Stadium.
 
• Winton Woods High School will host Stringfest on Tuesday, October 16.  A combined orchestra of approximately 120 students from Winton Woods, Northwest and Colerain High Schools will perform at 7 p.m.  Families and community members are welcome to this free event.
 

  Winton Woods Middle School News:

• Congratulations to Winton Woods Middle School eighth graders Adrianna Ivory, Tom Foertmeyer and Caleb Simpson who have auditioned for and been accepted into the Cincinnati Jr. Youth Wind Ensemble. Students from all over the city auditioned to be part of this musical group made up of students in grades 6-8. In addition to their involvement in middle school band, all three are members of the school’s Jazz Band. 

Jr. CYWE is a new addition to the CCM Preparatory Ensemble division and is the only area wind ensemble for middle school students in the greater Cincinnati area.  The ensemble consists of clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, and percussion players. Dr. Ann Porter is the ensemble’s musical director and conductor.

• Winton Woods Middle School parents are invited to attend the school’s  parent-teacher conference night on Thursday, October 11 from 5:00 – 8:25 p.m.  Parents should contact the middle school counseling department at 619-2442 to schedule an individual conference with your child’s teacher.  If this date does not work for your schedule, feel free to contact your child’s teacher directly via email or phone. Parents may also have their student’s counselor arrange an alternate conference date.  Mrs. Goins serves students who last names begin with A-K; Mrs. Sterwerf serves students whose last names begin with L-Z.

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

• Winton Woods Intermediate School will have Curriculum Night on Wednesday, October 17 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Parents will follow their child’s daily schedule.  Each teacher will provide detailed information regarding the learning expectations for each specific content area.  We look forward to seeing you there to share this important information.

• The Scholastic Book Fair will be held at Winton Woods Intermediate School from October 15-19 in the PDC.  Students will visit the Scholastic Book Fair with their teachers during the school day.  Parents and students will also have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair during Curriculum Night on October 17.

• Winton Woods Intermediate School students will participate in the WWCS PTA Warrior Walk-A-Thon on Friday, October 12.  The students are excited to participate in the event and have collected many pledges.  They will also be showing their Warrior spirit on Friday by wearing their Warrior gear.  Homerooms will be competing to see which homeroom models the Warrior Way character to the fullest extent this week.  Homerooms will be judged on behavior, attendance, and school spirit.  One fifth grade and one sixth grade homeroom will win breakfast with the principal. 

• Winton Woods Intermediate School will hold their first Student of the Month Luncheon on Tuesday, October 16.  These students will be selected for their accomplishments which range from academic excellence, positive character, or academic improvement. 

• On Friday, October 5 Winton Woods Intermediate School served popcorn during lunch to all students who had perfect attendance from October 1-5.  The students enjoyed Popcorn Friday, and the staff enjoyed recognizing the students for their accomplishment.  

• Congratulations and good luck to the Winton Woods Intermediate School students who finished in 1st place in the local NFL-Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick Competition.  They will now compete in the Sectional Competition on October 12.

 10-11 year old boys - Samuel Sims
 10-11 year old girls - Elizabeth Boateng
 12-13 year old boys - Austin Barrett
 12-13 year old girls - Mari Carmen Martinez Lugo
 
 The following students finished in 2nd and 3rd place:
 10-11 year old boys - Josh Sienkiewicz & Austin Fisher
 10-11 year old girls - Tashina Wilson & Kiarah Straus
 12-13 year old boys - Jaylen Sloan & Jarrell Foster
 12-13 year old girls - Ciarra Rucker & Kenny Soto

• The following students were named Warriors of the Week for October 1-5: Tyler Hagens, Brittney Crumpton, Kamaren Barnes, Ashley Schreider, Treauna Lewis, Joh’anna Richardson, Shanaya Jones, and Bao Truong. 

These students were recognized for modeling Warrior Way Character during the week.  All students that have been selected as Warriors of the Week this school year have also been invited to participate in the Homecoming Parade on Friday. 

• Mr. Carl Paff was named as the staff Warrior of the Week.  Mr. Paff has spent many hours working with administration to develop and improve the lunch, recess, and dismissal schedule.  His assistance has been crucial to a smooth start for the building and the safe dismissal of 550 students.  We appreciate his dedication to Winton Woods Intermediate School.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

• The administration of the third grade Reading Ohio Achievement Test on October 2 was a very successful.  Thanks to all our third grade families for getting their students to school and on time. Results should be back by late November.  Go Warriors!

• The WWES Dad’s Club for October is Saturday, October 20 from 12:00 -  2:30 p.m. This month’s activity is miniature golf.  A flyer will go home later this week that details this activity.  Our Dad’s Club is intended to involve dads, grandfathers, uncles, older adult brothers or any positive adult male who plays the role of a “dad” in the life of one of our students.  You and your child are invited to attend!

• WWES is now taking part in the Rumpke Recycling Challenge.  The school will be competing against other schools from all over the region for cash prizes and incentives.  Please bring in aluminum cans to help our cause.  Thanks to Ms. Cornelssen and Mrs. Greene for their efforts in coordinating this program with Rumpke Recycling.  Thank you to our school community for your help with this as well!

• The first third grade Fun Friday was held on Friday, October 5.  Fun Friday for fourth grade students will be this Friday, October 12 from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. in the gym.  Students will be notified by their teacher if they have met the criteria for participation. 

Fun Friday is intended to recognize and thank our many students who excel academically and conduct themselves in an excellent fashion day-in and day-out.  The criteria for Fun Friday include: no tardies to school, no unexcused absences, all homework turned in on time, no disciplinary referrals and no checks or color changes for poor behavioral choices for the past calendar month.

• WWES’s inaugural Accelerated Reader Ice Cream Social and Reading Night is Thursday, October 18 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  Everyone is invited to attend this fun evening.

• The WWCS Community PTA Walk-a-Thon is Friday, October 12.  WWES students will go to the playground (or the gym if weather is inclement) for their specials time instead of their usual location.  Please encourage your child to obtain as many sponsors as possible for this easy school fundraiser.  More information will be coming home this week including information about student prizes.

• The September Student of the Month Luncheon was a great success.  A sincere thanks to Ms. Calvelage, Ms. Conrad, Ms. Remer, Ms. Qayoumi and Ms. Johnson for all their help with this special occasion.   Students were treated to pizza, pop and ice cream to recognize their achievements.   Congratulations to our WWES Warrior-scholars!

• Yearbooks are on sale now.  The cost is only $8. Thanks to Ms. Conrad for all her work on our WWES yearbook.  Please contact her for further information or questions you may have about this.  Information and order forms went home last week for the 2007 – 2008 WWES school yearbook.  If you did not receive an order form, feel free to contact the school at 619-2490.

• Book Fair is October 15 - 19.  Stay tuned for more details.

Winton Woods Primary News:

• Fire Prevention Week began Monday, October 8.  The Greenhills Fire Department volunteers visited Primary North students to discuss the importance of fire safety in their homes.  Each student was given a coloring book to bring home.  Parents please take time to review the book with your child and practice fire safety in your home, beginning with checking your smoke alarms.

Students at Primary South were visited by members of the Springfield Township Fire Department who brought their “smoke house” so students could practice escaping from a smoke-filled room. Students were also able to “tour” the fire truck and squirt the fire hose. Thanks to Firefighter-Paramedics Alan Guile, Josh Borkosky, and Ben Casteel for visiting WWPS.
• Ms. Stanbery had a art poster contest with the theme “Diversity is Beautiful!”  First place in Grade One was Mrs. Wolfson’s class; first  place in Grade Two was Ms. Nolan/Rielag’s class.  Runners-up included Ms. Reardon’s class in grade one and Ms. Virgil’s class in grade two.

Community News:

• There will be a Chemistry Show at the Greenhills Branch Library on Monday October 22 at 4:30 p.m.  Come and celebrate National Chemistry Week 2007 with Proctor and Gamble chemist John Janusz. This 45-minute program is designed to educate and entertain children ages 6-12, but everyone is welcome.  No pre-registration is necessary. For more information, call Greenhills Children’s Librarian Judy Adams at 369-4441 or email: judy.adams@cincinnatilibrary.org.