August 1, 2007

Quote of the Week:

Everyone’s life is an object lesson to others.

- Karl G. Maeser

WINTON WOODS CITY SCHOOLS RATED EFFECTIVE!

Congratulations everyone!  The final data just came in from the State of Ohio, and we have again received an EFFECTIVE rating on the State Report card.  We achieved upward changes in attendance across the district and an increase in the 2007 graduation rate from 86.9 to 94.6! The district made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in all buildings.

As our new slogan states, we are certainly “Cultivating a World Class Education.”

District News:

New Website Launched

Winton Woods City Schools has updated its website with more information, photos and news about our district.  Please visit us at www.wintonwoods.org.

Winton Woods Music Boosters Yard Sale

The Winton Woods Music Boosters are hosting their first gigantic yard sale on Saturday, August 4th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Many vendors will be there, and the band students will perform their band camp show at 1:00 p.m.

You can help in several ways:
• Donate your items for Boosters to sell – Drop off is Wednesday, August 1st between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the stadium concession stand. We are especially looking for used school uniforms.
• Volunteer to help sort, set-up and sell – Help is needed on Thursday, August 2nd from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 4th from 7:00 a.m..-.3:00 p.m. Call Barb Cooper at 602-5602 to volunteer.
• Volunteer to sell concessions during the sale on August 4th.  Call Tom Rieger at 728-5395. There are various shifts available.

Winton Woods Chorus Benefit Concert a Resounding Success

A benefit concert by the Winton Woods High School Varsity Ensemble (VE) and friends of the group on July 28 raised over $2000 toward the choral group’s possible trip to Beijing, China to perform in “A Choral Salute to the Beijing Olympics” in the spring of 2008.

“I am still basking in the glow of so many special moments shared with special people,” said Choral Director David Bell. “We raised $2000.65 in contributions at the benefit concert.” In addition, Bell announced at the concert that the group had received an $8000 commitment from the Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis Club and a $25,000 contribution from Jenny and Gerry Albers of the Albers Family Foundation.

“We are over the $50,000 mark,” Bell said. “We still have a long way to go, but we are surely moving in the right direction.” The group needs to raise $100,000 through private donations by an August deadline to make the trip possible for the VE students. The students would then be responsible for raising an additional $60,000 to pay for the trip.

News anchor Courtis Fuller of WLWT-TV emceed the first half of the concert, which featured performances ranging from gospel to Broadway. Members of the Southern Gateway Chorus also performed to help raise money for the trip. 

 “Our communities have been so generous in their support of this effort,” said Bell. The concert took place on the lawn of the Kemper Road Christian Church. “None of the church members have students currently involved in the choir, but they did it out of love and wanting to support our kids,” Bell added. Students have also manned booths at the Greenhills Pioneer Days Festival, made two radio appearances to promote the event, held signs for a local business and held a car wash. 

“The cost of the trip would be over $4000 per student,” said Bell. “I don’t see that as a doable thing for our student body.” Because over 40% of the district’s population is economically disadvantaged, “we need to bring down the cost of this to about $1000 per student.”

If you are interested in contributing, tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Winton Woods Educational Foundation, Inc., Treasurer, 1215 West Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240. Donations should be earmarked “China Trip.”       

Winton Woods HS and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Assist Students with School Supply-Uniform Drive
  
Terry Wooten is excited about her new job as assistant principal at Winton Woods High School and about reaching out into the community. “One of my goals for this year is to assist Winton Woods High School in bridging the gap between the school, home and the community,” said Wooten. To help achieve that goal, Wooten has been working with the Forest Park chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to organize a book bag-school supply-school uniform drive.

“In order to facilitate the transition from junior high school, the members of Zeta Phi Beta would like to assist in alleviating some of the financial costs that may be associated with purchasing school supplies and uniforms,” said Zeta Phi Beta representative Shonita Black.

“The drive is aimed at the families of ninth grade students who may be experiencing financial hardships or who may not have the resources to provide these items for their child,” said Wooten.

To request assistance, contact Shonita Black via email at shonita_black@yahoo.com by August 15th. Assistance will be provided to the first 25 families to respond by the August 15th deadline. If requesting a uniform, please specify the size and the gender of your child. If school supplies are needed, parents are requested to choose from the following items: 3-ring binders (1 to 2 inch), loose leaf paper, graph paper, pencils, pens, colored pencils, compass, protractor, scientific calculator, combination lock, clear or mesh book bag.

Winton Woods Community PTA

Membership and fundraisers are an important part of the role of PTA in helping to provide quality support for all of our PreK - 6th grade students. Money earned by the PTA goes toward a long list of support items for our children, including school buses for field trips, air conditioners for our buildings, and fun, educational programs. Your support of the Winton Woods Community PTA this year would be greatly appreciated.

Looking for an easy, top of the line dinner tonight? The Winton Woods Community PTA is offering Market Day sales, which will benefit all four Winton Woods Elementary schools. How do you order these quality products? Just go to www.marketday.com or call 1-877-632-7753 and be sure to use the new account number 25950. Orders for the August sale must be placed no later than noon on Monday, August 6th and can be picked up at Winton Woods Elementary School (formerly Winton Forest Elementary) at 1501 Kingsbury Drive in Forest Park on August 10th between 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Who can order? ANYONE! Tell your family members, coworkers and friends.

The PTA will be offering membership sign-up on August 10th during the Market Day pickup times. The cost to be a member of the new Winton Woods Community PTA is only $5.00, and there are no strings attached. Your membership does not require you to volunteer unless you would like to, but it does make you part of an extremely beneficial, fun, energetic family that serves all Winton Woods elementary school students in our community. Please help us help our kids!

Changes Will Greet Students Throughout the Winton Woods District

When students in the Winton Woods District return to school on Monday, August 27, they will be met with positive changes throughout the district.

The reconfiguration of all elementary buildings includes the closing of Cameron Park and the conversion of the other four schools into grade-level buildings. These include:
• Winton Woods Primary North Campus (formerly Beechwoods) to grades Pre-K – 2 with Principal Dr. Claire Crook. School will be in session from 9:10 a.m. - 4:10 p.m.
• Winton Woods Primary South Campus (formerly Lakeside) to grades K-2 with Principal Linda Giuliano. School will be in session from 9:10 a.m. - 4:10 p.m.
• Winton Woods Elementary (formerly Winton Forest) to grades 3-4 with Principal Steve Denny. School will be in session from 8:35 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
• Winton Woods Intermediate (formerly Waycross) to grades 5-6 with Principal Tonya West, who had been assistant principal at Winton Woods High School. School will be in session from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

At Winton Woods Middle School, school will be in session from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; and at Winton Woods High School times will be 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

“There are many new educational opportunities for our students during the upcoming school year,” said Communications Coordinator Sharon Oakes. Students in grades 3-4 will be offered Chinese language and culture classes, science labs in their building, and technology classes. Students in grades 5-6 will be offered Spanish language and culture classes, technology classes, and outdoor education classes, which include year-round gardening on school grounds. In addition, many students will have the opportunity to participate in the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) for Math and Science; daily band or orchestra classes, Gifted and Talented Education classes, and choir.   

According to Oakes, the district has also recently introduced a new logo and slogan. “Our new slogan ‘Winton Woods City School District: Cultivating a World Class Education’ gives a better sense of the global direction the district is heading in,” said Oakes.    

School assignments, lists of school supplies and fees, and uniform requirements are all available on the new district website at www.wintonwoods.org. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, the light blue color for elementary student shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts has been discontinued and replaced by navy blue.

In December 2006, the Winton Woods Board of Education voted to reconfigure the district’s elementary schools to reduce operating costs, address declining enrollment, offset the long-term loss of state dollars in tangible personal property taxes and promote instructional improvements and equitable opportunities for all students.

Picture your child at kindergarten camp...

for 5 year-olds, who are entering Kindergarten in August, who did not go to pre-school
or who need an extra boost. This is a free program featuring learning centers, play time, and snacks.

Greenhills Community Church, Presbyterian
Winton & Cromwell Roads

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Aug. 7, 8, 9,14,15,16, 21, 22, 23
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Register or receive more information by calling the church at 825-8400 or Coordinator Mrs. Keith at 825-2689 or pick up forms at Winton Woods Enrollment Center.