August 29, 2007

Quote of the week:

Today, plan for the future since you are the architect of your own life.
       -Helen Steiner Rice

District News

• A big thank you to Winton Woods City School District staff members, who through payroll deduction, have donated $10,000 to the Varsity Ensemble China Trip!  For information on the Varsity Ensemble China Trip and donation options, visit the district website at www.wintonwoods.org.

• Winton Woods City Schools teachers Sheri Conrad and Jenni Jung were honored by their colleagues with the Stevie Lawler Memorial Award at the district’s Convocation ceremony on August 24. The award is presented in recognition of excellence in teaching and contributions to the district.

Conrad, a physical education teacher at Lakeside Elementary School (now WWPS), has been with the district for 14 years. Jung, a science teacher at Winton Woods Middle School, has been with the district for 9 years. 

“Sheri Conrad makes each student feel valuable and capable,” said award presenter Will Bowman. “She teaches her students that although body shapes and speeds vary, heart rates determine how hard a person is working, not what is seen on the outside.”

Bowman went on to describe Jung as a “team player” who is always willing to help students and fellow teachers. “When [Jenni] starts a new unit with her eighth grade classes, she always tries to integrate the material into her seventh grade classes to get them ready for the following year.”

The Stevie Lawler Memorial Award was created to honor Stevie Lawler, a speech pathologist for Winton Woods City Schools who also served as president of the Winton Woods Teacher Association (WWTA). Lawler died suddenly in 2003. “Stevie was a woman who touched everyone she knew with her kindness, dedication and positive example,” said Bowman. “Stevie’s students were the focus of her daily schedule as she taught them to overcome their speech difficulties She brought out the best in each of her students as she discovered their needs and interests.”

The Stevie Lawler Memorial Award recognizes deserving educators who have mirrored Stevie’s commitment to the children of the Winton Woods District.  Conrad and Jung received an inscribed brick on the Winton Woods Primary School North Memory Lane that is dedicated to Stevie Lawler, an inscribed plaque, and a $250 account from the WWTA to be used for classroom materials, software, or field trips.

• Operation Letter Storm is the opportunity for all students in the Winton Woods City School District (PreK-Grade 12) to write letters or create works of art to show our thanks and support to those who are currently serving in our military.  This tribute and community service project will teach students character education, patriotism and citizenship.

 Winton Woods City Schools will partner with the Dayspring Church Yellow Ribbon Support Group, the Thank You Foundation, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts of America, and many community businesses.

 Students and their families are invited to send pictures of family and friends they wish to honor. A flag will then be created and displayed on a Yellow Ribbon Wall at each school, to honor those currently serving in the military. Please email Karen Emmons (emmons.karen@wintonwoods.org) the following information for your school’s flag or send it ATTN: Karen Emmons at Winton Woods Primary North, 73 Junefield Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45218:

- Name, rank, branch of service, and a picture of your family member or friend currently serving in the military.
- Student’s name, grade, school, and relationship to the military member.
 
Letters and works of art will be picked up at all schools on the following dates:

- Letters for Veteran’s Day are due by Monday, October 22, 2007.
- Letters for Thanksgiving are due by Monday, November 5, 2007.
- Letters for Christmas and Winter Holidays are due by Monday, December 3, 2007.
- Letters for Valentine’s Day “Heart for our Heroes” are due by Monday January 21, 2008.
- Letters for Memorial Day are due by Monday May 5, 2008.

 Each school will have a designated mailbox for students’ letters and artwork.  These will be mailed FREE, along with care packages from the Dayspring Church Yellow Ribbon Support Group, to troops stationed around the world.

• FALL FAVC TICKET PRICES 2007-2008

*Varsity Football $6.00 adult/$3.00 pre-sale student (purchased at schools)
All tickets at the gate will be $6.00 for anyone 5 years old and up.
 
 Boys/Girls Soccer $6.00 adults/$3.00 students
   Frosh/JV Football $4.00 adults/$3.00 students
 Volleyball  $6.00 adults/$3.00 students

 *Football Pre-Sale Tickets

Primary, Elementary, Intermediate Schools:  Student pre-sale tickets only will be available in the main office from the secretary from Tuesday-Friday during regular office hours (home games only).

Middle School:  Student pre-sale tickets only will be available in the Athletic/Physical Education Office from Jeff Merrill from Tuesday-Friday during regular school hours (home games only).

High School:  Student pre-sale tickets only will be available in the Athletic Office Tuesday-Friday from Herb Woeste or Sandy Emeigh during regular school hours (home and away games).

Winton Woods High School News

• The Winton Woods Teacher Association (WWTA) has made a contribution for $500 toward the Varsity Ensemble’s trip to China to sing in “A Choral Salute to the Beijing Olympics.” In addition, the entire Winton Woods City Schools staff (teachers, administrators, support staff, bus drivers, custodians and maintenance staff) has committed to over $8700 in payroll deductions and personal checks to help VE with the trip. That brings the group’s total fundraising to over $62,000.

“Many thanks to the Winton Woods staff for their generosity in supporting our students,” said Choral Director Dave Bell. “That big-hearted gift just underscores how caring, supportive and generous the Winton Woods City School staff is.”
• If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Varsity Ensemble’s trip to China, there are now two options available:
  Checks may be made payable to:
Winton Woods Educational Foundation Inc., Treasurer
 1215 W. Kemper Road
 Cincinnati, OH 45240
  Donations should be earmarked “China Trip”.
OR
 Make a secure online credit card donation through Paypal (a Paypal account is not necessary for credit card donation) at www.wintonwoods.org.
• Members of the Winton Woods High School Marching Band attended Band Camp at Wright State University from July 29 - August 3. Our students and staff braved sweltering heat to learn the new half-time show, West Side Story. T-shirts for this show were designed by senior Karen Budke.

 Band Camp Awards presented for 2007 were:

Best Overall Freshmen – Jazmin House and Corey Stewart
Best Overall Sophomores – Megan Hein, Kindra Wallace, and Jay Jordan
Best Overall Juniors – Brianna Davis and Danny Rodgers
Best Overall Seniors – Emily Russell, Shannon Flury and Steven Cleary
Best All Around Band Members – Karen Budke, Ariana Sanders  and Whitney Varney
Best Marching Section – Field Commanders Karen Budke, Ariana Sanders and Whitney Varney
Most Spirited Members – Steven Cleary, Tyler Lendl, Keenan Harmon, Megan Schneider and Erynn Townsend
Crankin’est Section – Flutes: Brianna Davis, Ashley Williams, Kiley Steinhauer, Dominique Reeves, Katie Sherman, Lechelle Jackson and Antoinette Pope
Most Improved Player – Danny Rodgers
Most Improved Marcher – Nathan Hackman
Most Improved During Camp – Chris Hopster
Fastest Memorizer – Danny Rodgers
Fastest Freshmen Memorizers – Wondra Hudson and Demetrius
Boswell
Leadership for Colorguard – Allison Hudson, Erynn Townsend, Sequoia Bennett and Kendria Williamson

Awards were also given for outstanding musicianship (36), outstanding  marching (37), teamwork (14), great attitude (28) and  outstanding effort (64).

The Leadership Award is the highest award given at camp.  Students earn a chevron to wear on their band uniform all year.  This award is given to the students who are not only shining  examples of what is expected but influence others to work to their highest potential.
Leadership Awards were presented to:  Karen Budke, Ariana Sanders, Whitney Varney, Brianna Dennis, Kiley Steinhauer, Dominique Reeves, Emily Russell, Sarah Landis, Dani Dearth, Caty Spalding, Shannon Flury, Kyle Day, Emily Cooper, Danny Rodgers, Justin Chaney, Megan Hein, Kindra Wallace, Jimmy Peters, Keenan Harmon, Kyla Scott, Jake Rasmussen, Steven Cleary, Tyler Lendl, Randy Knepp, Jadienne Lord, Ryan Hopster, Jay Jordan, Jason Doan, Michael Day and Megan Schneider.

Winton Woods Middle School News

• It was another successful Back-to-School Picnic and Open House on Thursday, August 23 at Winton Woods Middle School.  Students and their parents were able to pay fees, fill out emergency cards, receive schedules, visit classrooms and teachers, and learn more about clubs and extra-curricular opportunities at the school. Hot dogs, chips and drinks were served in the cafeteria.

Winton Woods Primary North and South News

• Primary School "Open Houses" went extremely well with hundreds of visitors in attendance.  Everyone enjoyed popcorn and visited classrooms.
• "Meet the Teacher" evening is Wednesday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. for students in grades K-2.
• New school hours:  9:10 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. 
Buildings opens at 9:00 a.m.  There is no supervision before this time so please do not bring your children before 9:00 a.m.  Please note that these hours are different from previous years.
• Breakfast is served from 9:00-9:10 a.m.
• Primary School Dismissal Procedures:  We have changed afternoon pick ups for our students to help ensure their safety.  All students must have an adult sign them out at the end of the day if they are not riding a school bus.
 Primary North Procedures.  We are searching for the safest way to get our  children to and from the building.  We may change procedures along  the way until we have the safest plan.
 A.M. Drop-Off:  Currently, parents may drop off their students in the  morning, in front of the building in the “car” lane.  Students will take the  crosswalk to the front door. 
 P.M. Pick-Up: Because of the number of busses, it is safer for parents to  drive to the back of the building to pick up their students after school.   Students will be waiting in the gymnasium.  Parents will sign for the  children as they pick them up.  Thank you for helping us keep our children  safe!
Primary South Dismissal Procedures: We have a new driveway, off Corbett Road, where adults will enter and park.  Parents then go to the first classroom, Room 23, to sign students out.  Drivers will then exit back onto Corbett Road. 
We are not dismissing any children from the front of the building.  The front is only for bus riders.  Daycare providers will go through the same driveway and pick up students from Room 26.  We thank everyone for helping us keep our children safe!

Winton Woods Elementary School News

• We're off to a fantastic start at WWES!  Thanks to all of the teachers, support staff, parents and students for all of their efforts to make this week a successful new experience.  We'll be practicing lots of procedures, routines and safety drills this week and learning about how to operate at WWES in order to be successful as students.  We will also focus on actively teaching, modeling and practicing proactive approaches to positive school-wide behavior support.  This will set the stage for our students to be able to fully focus on their number one reason for being in school—learning!

• Things have also gone extremely well with regard to uniforms and dress code.  Our students have arrived to school looking sharp and ready to learn.  Just two reminders—belts are now a part of the uniform for all WWCS students starting in third grade and light blue shirts are no longer a uniform color.  All shirts must be white, hunter green or navy polo-style shirts.

• Friday, August 31 will be our first Warrior Spirit Day.  Students are encouraged to wear Warrior shirts with their uniform bottoms—that's uniform pants, shorts, skirts or skorts with a Winton Woods Warrior top.  These shirts can be purchased from our high school spirit wear store, bigg's, Meijer's or Kroger's.  Our PTA will also be selling Winton Woods spirit wear as the school year progresses.

• Parents who wish to pick-up or drop-off their WWES child at school, please be sure to follow the previously communicated traffic-flow patterns.  All traffic for pick-up and drop-off must occur on the school-side of Kingsbury Drive.  Only school buses and daycare vans will be permitted to enter the school driveway or the parking lot between 8:20 to 8:40 a.m. and 3:20 to 3:40 p.m.

The side of Kingsbury Drive opposite the school is a posted no parking zone and fire lane.  The Forest Park Police Department has communicated that no parking can take place on this side of the street, and that those in violation will be ticketed.  Additionally, it is unsafe to pick-up or drop-off a student on the side of the street opposite the school because then your child must cross in a busy, high-traffic area. 

Please drive up Kingsbury Drive from Norbourne Avenue toward Lincolnshire Drive and Kemper Road. There are routes that have been communicated to all parents from Waycross Road, Mill Road and Kemper Road that facilitate this traffic flow.  If you have any questions, please call the WWES main office at 619-2490.  Thank you!