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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
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AUBURN ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
VOLUME 19, ISSUE 8
2. ACCESS Student Survey
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s): Auburn schools are par8cipa8ng in programs funded by New York State (Community Schools Grant Ini8a8ve) and the U.S. Department of Educa8on (School Climate Transforma8on Grant Ini8a8ve). Both programs are named ACCESS, and they are both designed to promote posi8ve learning environments and healthy behaviors in our schools and communi8es. A local evalua8on of the ACCESS programs is being conducted by the Youth Policy Ins8tute, Inc. As part of the evalua8on, students in grades 4-­‐12 are being asked to complete an anonymous and voluntary online survey. School personnel will be administering this on-­‐line survey to students in grades 4-­‐6 in the four par8cipa8ng elementary schools (Casey Park, Genesee, Herman Avenue, and Seward), to students in grades 7-­‐8 in Auburn JHS, and to students in grades 9-­‐12 in Auburn HS. This year, the survey will be administered May 4 through May 14, 2015. Two important features of this survey: 1. The survey is anonymous. Students will not have to provide their names or any personal iden8fying informa8on when taking the survey. School staff will not see any student responses and all student answers will be reported in aggregate form (such as averages or percentages). The survey is voluntary. You may decline to have your child take the survey. Your child may decline to take the survey at any 5me or may skip any ques5ons in the survey he or she does not wish to answer. If you or your child declines to par5cipate, your child will be allowed to read or par5cipate in some other ac5vity during the survey. There will be no nega5ve consequences if your child does not par5cipate. The survey addresses: school safety; alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; violence; school climate; and dental health. A copy of the survey is available at your child’s school if you wish to stop by and review it. The success of this evalua5on depends on responses from as many students as possible. I hope you will agree to allow your child take this survey. If you agree to allow your child to par5cipate, no ac5on is necessary. If you do not wish your child to par5cipate, please contact Camille Johnson, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, at (315) 255-­‐8801. If you have any ques5ons about the surveys or anything about the evalua5on, please contact Philip B. Uninsky, Execu5ve Director of the Youth Policy Ins5tute (315) 824-­‐0530 or [email protected]). Thank you in advance for your coopera5on. Sincerely, Constance D. Evelyn"
Superintendent of Schools"
SCHOOL ZONE TRAFFIC LAWS
This is just a friendly reminder to those that drop off or pick up their children from
school, or individuals that travel through school zones on their way to work. We ask
that you obey all traffic laws when traveling through these school zones. These laws
include blocking driveways, illegal turns, speed in school zone and pedestrians in
crosswalks just to name a few. Your cooperation will help insure that all children
arrive safely at their destination. Officer James Slayton, School Resource Officer, Auburn Police Department"
We Can Make a Difference!
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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
High School Athletes:
The requirements are changing
for students who enroll full time
at an NCAA Division I school
after August 1, 2016.
Students who wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I
or Division II levels must be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Please note that
Division III colleges, as well as junior colleges, do not require NCAA eligibility
certification. It is critical that student athletes and their families share their athletic
goals with their school counselor beginning in 8th grade to ensure that the students
are registered for the necessary NCAA-approved courses in high school.
Please know that additional information can be found at www.ncaa.org. Please also
keep the student's school counselor updated regularly regarding the student's
athletic goals. School counselors are available to assist with this important process,
and parents are encouraged to contact the school counselor to ensure that all
parties are fully aware of the student's athletic goals. To download the NCAA Eligibility Center High School Newsletter: NCAA
or at: http://hs.auburn.cnyric.org/ahsguidance/News
Owasco Owls
LOVE
Community
Service!
By Amie Bisignano, Owasco Elementary Teacher
Since September, the fifth grade
students at Owasco Elementary School
have been learning about the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),
a primary source used within the
Common Core for English Language
Arts. They have learned that, despite
their own advantages in life, not all
living beings share the same privileges. With that in mind, the fifth graders and
their teachers, Jacquelyn Aversa, Jennie
Bersani, Amie Bisignano, and Patricia
Foster, kickstarted a school-wide
campaign to collect supplies to assist
the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New
York. In December, Carol Russell of the
Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY visited
Owasco Elementary to speak to the
students about how the SPCA works
and what supplies the animals needed
very much. She even brought along a
mixed breed puppy who, at the time,
was looking for a forever home.
Students were happy to learn that
puppy has since been adopted. The
students were inspired to do their part
to help furry friends like Simone.
Fifth graders then spearheaded the
project, designing posters, making
announcements during homeroom, and
promoting the project among their
peers. The SPCA’s wish list, featured on
its website, http://www.flspcaofcny.org,
guided the collection of the many
supplies that rolled in from the Owasco
c o m m u n i t y. F i f t h g r a d e r s t h e n
organized the pet food, leashes, treats,
and cleaning supplies that rolled in from
Owasco’s students and staff. In March, Carol Russell returned to
Owasco Elementary so that the
students could present her with the
supplies. Students were anxious for her
to come back so that she would have
the items for the animals who need
them most.
This project was the second
of three civic engagement
projects the fifth grade class
at Owasco Elementary will
have completed this year. The
team’s focus has been on
fostering twenty-first century
thinking and learning.
“I learned I can make a
difference by helping
others.” Jack Kennedy, Fifth Grade
Owasco Owl
“I felt thankful that (the
Owasco) students were
coming into our room to
give things for the
animals because it was
nice of them to do that.”
Rylee Hastings, Fifth Grade
Owasco Owl
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
Students who are applying to colleges, please be aware that procedures for the confidentiality of student
records within the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) have recently changed. FERPA
permits school officials to disclose all education records, including disciplinary records, to another institution at
which the student seeks or intends to enroll. This now also applies to post-secondary institutions (colleges),
upon request.
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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
READY TO GROW
Kindergarten Readiness Program (Genesee, Casey Park, & Seward)
By Jon Roberts, Assistant Elementary Principal
The 2014-2015 school year is quickly coming
sense. All students will also be exposed to
to an end and kindergarten registration is
walking the hallways, participating in
fast approaching. It is not too early to begin
special area classes ( Art, Phys.ed and
th inkin g abo ut the n ew scho ol year,
Library) and learn how to properly access
particularly for our incoming kindergarten
the cafeteria during lunch. There will be
class of 2028. Last year, through Title I
plenty of opportunities for parents and
funds, Genesee Elementary School piloted a
caregivers to interact with their child and
kindergarten readiness program aimed at
other parents/caregivers throughout the
preparing those students without any presix-week program. The program goal is to
kindergarten experience as they entered their
help students build academic and social skills
first year of school. In working with the district’s
while building confidence and self-awareness in order
pre-kindergarten programs, Ready To Grow also
to gain a foundation for success in September.
helped to prepare students that needed more time
The program is free and is available for those
to adjust to a full day program. The AECSD will
kindergarten students entering Genesee, Casey Park
continue to focus on preparing our future students
or Seward Elementary for the 2015-2016 school year.
by continuing with Ready To Grow this summer.
Transportation will need to be provided by the
Designed to help students and caregivers prepare
parent or caregiver. Information will be distributed
for kindergarten, Ready To Grow will focus on
during kindergarten registration at Genesee, Casey
academic and school readiness. Students will learn
Park and Seward Elementary Schools. letter recognition and sounds to help support early
For more information, please contact Genesee
literacy along with number recognition and an
Elementary at (315) 255-8640 or Jon Roberts at
introduction to basic math to support early number
(315) 255-8636.
The Auburn Enlarged City
School District is One of
the Best Music
Communities for Music!
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has announced
the results of its sixteenth annual "Best Communities for Music Education"
survey, which acknowledges schools and districts across the U.S. for their
commitment and support of music education in schools. This is the third
consecutive year that Auburn has been recognized for this honor. Congratulations!
http://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/best-communities-music-education
The March 18th Kick Butts Day was set to raise awareness nationally of
tobacco marketing and the impact it has on youth in our communities.
The students
signed
postcards and
a giant poster
declaring that
they will not
serve as the
“replacement
smokers” for
tobacco
companies.
Students in the 8th grade Health Class of Kristi Newton at Auburn Junior High school learned about
tobacco prevention and Kick Butts Day from Reality Check of CNY. For more information, visit
www.seenenoughtobacco.org.
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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
Auburn High School
Family
Consumer Sciences
blah
blah&blah
Preparing High School Students for College, Careers and Life…
By Julie Liccion, Career & Technical Education Instructor
The Cooperative Education Program at
CAY 101: Foundations for College Success
Aubur n High School of fers students the
opportunity for paid, gainful employment in an
occupation that interests them. While in this
PEB & Cooperative Education
program, students have the advantage of receiving
valuable work experience, obtaining training from
skilled mentors, acquiring qualified references,
Child Psychology & Development courses
networking with professionals, and earning money
There are opportunities abound for high while still in high school. Many local businesses
school students interested in obtaining paid support this program and are a part of the
internships and early college preparation for Partners in Education and Business committee
success. Through the partnership between (PEB). Some of the area businesses affiliated with
Aubur n High School and the Cayuga this program and where our students may have
Advantage Program, CAY 101: Foundations internships include: Auburn Community Federal
for College Success is a course now available Credit Union, Beardsley, Dickman Farms,
to Junior and Senior students. This is a C u r r i e r P l a s t i c s , D r . K e v i n G o f f , D . C .
college-credit bearing course that prepares Chiropractor, and Nucor. Students must apply
students for college life, college studies, and for these internships and go through a formal
workplace success. Students taking this interview to be considered. Students are required
actively engaging class learn and practice to remain in good academic standing and be on
will be
s t r a t e g i e s t o h e l p t h e m w i t h t i m e track for graduation. This committee
st, from 6 pm
hosting
a
Career
Night
on
April
1
management, motivation, interpersonal skills,
self-management, self-awareness, developing to 9 pm at Auburn High School, to give students
emotional intelligence, and adopting life-long t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o f i n d o u t m o r e a b o u t
learning. Students enrolled in this course are occupations they are interested in. Several
taken outside the classroom to experience professionals and businesses will be at the school
college visits and field trips to area businesses to give students an overview of their occupations
to learn about employment opportunities. and to answer questions. A networking session
Guest speakers bring their expertise to the will take place at the conclusion of the evening.
classroom by educating students on topics
relating to workplace skills and how to make
sound financial decisions relating to college.
In addition, students enrolled in this course,
or who have successfully completed this
course, will be eligible for the Cooperative
Education Program.
Field Trip to Bristol-Myers Squibb
Students had a unique tour of MicroLabs
and Development Labs. They learned about
various manufacturing positions and had the
chance to see a display of a “real life” shop
floor under construction.
Students participated in the Biologics
Gowning Demonstration contest, and viewed
Robotics Demonstrations and Anoplate
Demonstrations.
Field Trip to National Grid,
sponsored by PEB/MACNY
Students learned about nanotechnology and
job opportunities within that field, as well as
various career positions available at National
Grid, Inc. They also attended a mini college fair at
this event and participated in different activities
to demonstrate a variety of occupations.
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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
GENESEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GOES UNDER THE SEA
By Anne Mlod, District Librarian
On March 26th, Genesee families were treated to a virtual trip across the ocean in the
form of a videoconference with Craig, a diver at the Great Barrier Reef aquarium in Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 5,000 sea creatures and families were able to
see and learn about many of these, as Craig talked with us throughout his dive. One of the
highlights of the videoconference was the time Craig spent in the predator tank, among
several species of sharks. Students were able to ask Craig questions, and were amazed
that we were able to communicate directly with someone on the other side of the world. The
Distance Learning staff at BOCES helped facilitate this
event.
This experience was part of Genesee's "Under the Sea"
Reading Month theme, which included a Scholastic Book
Fair, DEAR (Drop Everything and Read time), guest readers and a Principal's Challenge. Each
grade level set a goal for the number of books students would read during the month of March.
At the same time, each grade level was researching a specific sea animal, from the
kindergarten's Clown Fish to the sixth grade's Jellyfish. Find out next month if they met their goal,
and details on Principal Cummings' challenge!
Child Psychology Students Gain Invaluable Experience
By Julie Liccion, Career & Technical Education Instructor
Recent News in our Child Psychology &
Development courses include our students featured
in The Citizen for their outstanding work in creating
a bike rodeo and roadway event for our preschool
students, in order to teach them about bike safety
and “rules of the road”. Joe Mushock, from the NYS
Governors Traffic Safety Committee and Cayuga
Health Network donated several bike helmets to our
program. Joe generously made the time to bring his
equipment and instruct Advanced Child Psychology
students on the set-up for this educational, fun-filled
activity. Preschool children were taught how to look
both ways, recognize road signs and their meaning,
and they learned which side of the road to ride on
(difference between right and left). In addition, during
the roadway event the children had to make several
stops at the pretend bank, market, post office, car
wash, tollbooth, and gas station. They enjoyed using
play money to pay for things and even received
“mail,” where they were given a free ABC bookmark!
Through the Child Development courses, high
school students have multiple opportunities to
problem solve, use critical thinking skills, collaborate
with each other, mentor 1st year students, and
immediately apply concepts they lear n from
classroom instruction. Students who are seeking
careers working with children can work one-on-one
with toddler children and gain invaluable experience
learning first-hand about their development areas, as
well as having the ability to make a difference in a
child’s life.
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Quincy Atkins,3, going through the “car wash”
Guest speakers from various
occupations relating to children, such as
occupational therapy, play therapy, family
therapy, and representatives from the
Child Advocacy Center of Cayuga County,
come to the classroom to provide
students with valuable information on
careers that are of interest to them.
If businesses or professionals from
the community are interested in
becoming part of the COOP program, or
would like to share expert knowledge,
please send an email to:
[email protected]
Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
Highlights From BTW After School Programs
Brandon Wakeham, Program Director, Booker T. Washington Community Center (BTW)
Booker T. Washington Community Center (BTW) serves over 300 children daily
after school at four locations: Auburn High School, Auburn Junior High School,
Casey Park Elementary School, and BTW.
Many special events take place at BTW,
most recent of which was our annual “Love Dinner,”
which celebrates Black History Month and the
general feeling of love for one another. Our annual
Easter Dance and Fashion Show will take place
Easter Sunday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
Many people in the community attend our large
community events, but the day to day activities in
our after school programming is what really shapes
our youth.
The High School Program recently went on a three
day overnight college tour to campuses including:
SUNY Binghamton University, Albright College, Art
Institute of Philadelphia, Philadelphia University,
and Penn State University. Over the next two
months they will be visiting: SUNY Geneseo,
Nazareth College, Ithaca College, SUNY Oneonta,
Pace University, Culinary Institute of America, and
the College of St. Rose.
The high school program has also formed a
basketball team to compete in this year’s Easter
Tournament at BTW and spends considerable time
volunteering as “Big Brothers and Sisters” for
elementary students at the BTW and YMCA after
school programs.
The Junior High School Program offers many
recreational activities for students including:
bowling, roller skating, cooking, basketball, and even
professional training with instructors in Karate,
Boxing, and Kuk Sool Won. We also partnered with
SAVAR to work with our students regularly
teaching them about healthy relationships and
domestic abuse.
The Casey Park Program offers many of the same
extracurricular activities. They have their own
basketball team that competes with the BTW site
weekly. Other activities offered include African
drumming and gardening with a Master Gardener.
Recently, we had a reptile presentation for the kids,
which allowed them to see and touch turtles,
lizards, and even snakes!
The BTW Site serves youth in all other elementary
schools in the district. BTW has its own soccer team
that competes in a league at Champions for Life
twice a week in two age levels. BTW offers Life
Skills training and many of the same recreational
activities offered at Casey Park. They also volunteer
at Mercy Rehab a few times every month.
All programs participated in a talent show that
showcased talents from each site in one huge event
at the high school on March 27th.
NEW YORK STATE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY:
You can go online to find out if any sexual offenders live near you. The state Sex Offender Registry is available at:
www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/index.htm (search level 3 subdirectory and complete inquirer information).
The Cayuga County Sheriffs Office also has information about sex offenders living in the county at:
http://www.cayugacounty.us/LivingWorking/SheriffsOffice/CCSexOffenderRegistry.aspx
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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
April 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
April Fool’s Day
Thursday
1
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
FULL
AJHS PTO Mtg. 6:00PM
6
7
Passover
International Children’s
Book Day
Herman PTO Mtg.
6:00PM Library
5
NO SCHOOL
Genesee PTP Mtg.
Casey PTO Mtg. 6:30PM
8
Good Friday
9
10
11
LAST
Spring Break Week
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
World Health Day
Easter Sunday
12
National Volunteer Week
13
Owasco OPT Meeting
6:30PM
14
Grades 3-8
NYS ELA Assessments
20
21
Owasco Rollerskating
@ Reva 5:30-7:30PM
26
27
Owasco Spring Apparel
Sale Begins (ends 5/8)
15
Grades 3-8
NYS ELA Assessments
16
Board of Education Mtg.
@ 7:00PM AHS Library
18
NEW
ACT Test
7:30AM @ AHS
K-8 Marking Period 3 Ends
AHS Drama Club Show
AHS Drama Club Show
AHS Drama Club Show
7PM @ Auburn Pub.Theater 7PM @ Auburn Pub.Theater 7PM @ Auburn Pub.Theater
Tax Day
22
NYS Math Assessments
AJHS Grades 7 & 8
Elementary Grades 3-6
Board of Education Mtg.
@ 7:00PM AHS Library
23
24
NYS Math Assessments
AJHS Grades 7 & 8
Elementary Grades 3-6
NYS Math Assessments
AJHS Grades 7 & 8
Elementary Grades 3-6
29
International Dance Day
(www.unesco.org)
25
FIRST
National Arbor Day
Take Your Child
to Work Day
28
Herman Roller Skating
Party @ Reva 6-8PM
17
Grades 3-8
NYS ELA Assessments
Genesee Roller Skating
Party @ Reva 5:30-7:30PM
Board of Education Mtg.
@ 7:00PM AHS Library
National Library Week
19
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
National Poetry Month
(www.cbcbooks.org)
AJHS Report Cards
30
Elementary Parent/Teacher
Conferences 5:30-7:30PM
May 2015
March 2015
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Biology Students Attend Symposia on Owasco Lake Ecology
By Kathleen Austin, AHS Biology Instructor
On Saturday March 7, nearly 50 Biology
students from Mrs. Coye’s and Mrs.
Austin’s classes attended a science
symposium at Cayuga Community
College. Organized by the Owasco
Watershed and Lake Association
(OWLA), the event included research
presentations by scientists from Hobart
William Smith College and the
Environmental Sciences and Forestry
College. The topics included the status
of the health of the lake, and the effect
of phosphorus on toxic algal blooms.
Students greeted the public, collected names on petitions, showed microscope samples of algae, and
explained lake ecology using a model. In May, many of these students will participate in Seneca Lake
research using a boat, as part of the Science on the Seneca program, from the Finger Lakes Institute.
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Auburn Enlarged City School District Newsletter, April 2015
Students Enjoy Music Festival
On March 13 & 14 string players from Auburn High School, Auburn
Junior High School and Owasco Elementary School traveled to Fulton
to participate in the 2015 Oswego All-County Orchestra Festival. The
students had a wonderful experience working with their conductor, Mrs.
Julie Carr, a professor at the Ithaca College School of Music.
AHS Students
AJHS Students
Victoria Kinney,
AHS Orchestra Director,
(Left) with students
Adriana Baranska, Zane
Carnes, Taylor Griffin,
Sam Hensel, Chris
Holmes, Kavon Hunt,
Anu Irri, Lydia
Marteney, Sheelan
Mirza, Rose Morabito,
Meghan Smith, Jeffrey
Stechuchak, and Anna
Streeter
The Auburn High School
Student Government
Organization held a
Blood Drive on March 4,
2015, and helped save
135 patients! They had a
record of 26 first time
donors.
The need is constant.
The gratification instant.
Give Blood.
!
!
!
!
!
April 2015
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
Official Publication of the AUBURN ENLARGED CITY
SCHOOL DISTRICT
http://district.auburn.cnyric.org
L-R: Brianna Packard, Julia Ambrose, Julianna Blaisdell, Elizabeth
Diego, Nathaniel Villa, Ana Santiago, Liam Sanders, Deanna Palmer,
Ian Chisholm, Madison Hall, Erin Kennedy, and Sarah Costello.
(Adam Carkey, Orchestra Teacher)
Owasco Students
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Michael McCole, President
William Andre
Dia Carabajal
Sam Giangreco
Eli Hernandez
Kathleen Rhodes,Vice President
Andrew Roblee
Monika Salvage
Karol Soules
!
Nine students participated
from Owasco: (front)
Madison Caza, Chloe and
Luke Picciano (back) Meghan
Mahunik, Marissa Moore,
and Tommy Hoskins. Not
pictured: Quinn Brady, Abby
Lentini and Maddie
Sherman. (Nancy Schlenker,
Orchestra Teacher)
SUPERINTENDENT
OF SCHOOLS
Constance D. Evelyn
SCHOOL DISTRICT CLERK
Loretta Van Horn
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
Deborah J. McAvoy Leone
Composition & Production
We Can Make a Difference!
8