F e b ru a ry
2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015, Corey Byers,
Senior at Thousand Islands High School
was recognized by the National Football
Foundation and College Hall of Fame as
a Scholar-Athlete Recipient. Corey, a
three year member of the Vikings'
Football Team and All Conference
Performer, has been recognized for his
commitment to academics, community
service and play on the field.
Congratulations Corey! Corey parents
are Dan Byers and Tanya Yates.
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Guidance
This Edition:
Guidance ----------------------- p1
Class ----------------------------- P2
Scholarships------------------- p2
New visions ------------------- p3
Music---------------------------- p3
Sources of Strength --------- p4
SADD ---------------------------- p5
PLTW ---------------------------- p6
AFS Award --------------------- p7
Athlete of the Week -------- p7
Art ------------------------------- P8
Preparedness Training ----- p9
Transportation Request --- p9
Closings & Delays ------------ p9
February 2, 2015 is the first day of the second semester.
Grades are due to Guidance on Tuesday, February 3rd and
report cards will be mailed home at the end of that week.
Mid-year reports will be sent to colleges for seniors the
week of February 3, 2015.
Students in grades 9-11 will begin scheduling their classes
for next year. The course outline booklet for 2015-2016
will be located on our school web page under high school.
If you have any questions, you may contact the Guidance
office. Click here for Course Book
February Events:
Feb. 2:
Booster Club Mtg.
-Library, 5:30pm
Feb. 3: BOE Mtg.
Feb. 7: Science Olympiad
ACT Test
Feb. 9: Senior Trip Parent Mtg.
-Auditorium, 7pm
Feb. 11: Dessert Theater
-Auditorium, 7pm
Silent Auction
-Cafeteria, 6pm
Feb. 16-20: Winter Recess
Feb 24. BOE Mtg.
-Library, 6pm
Feb 26: Sports Banquet
-Auditorium, 6:30pm
Syracuse National College Fair
Thursday, March 12, 2015
SRC Arena Onondaga Community
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
College
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Directions and Parking:
4585 West Seneca Turnpike
Parking is free of charge, park in lot 14.
Syracuse, NY 13215-4585
315/498-2622
Community Presentation on Drug Use
Thousand Islands High School will be sponsoring a presentation on the issue of drug
abuse in our schools and community. The presentation will take place at Thousand
Islands High School. Watch for additional information to come home with your
student, information on our website, www.1000islandsschools.org and in the
Thousand Islands Sun.
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Seniors – please remember to bring in your college acceptance letters!
Scholarships continue to arrive in the Guidance office frequently,
please check on a regular basis. If you do not apply, you cannot win a
scholarship! Also, all seniors planning on attending college must file
their FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you need help,
there is a statewide student Financial Aid Day at JCC at JCC on February 28, 2015.
Representatives will be available to help students and parents complete their FASFA.
There is no cost but you must register in advance at JCC, (315)786-2355. Please
contact the Guidance office if you need additional information.
Juniors – all juniors should take either the SAT or the ACT prior to the end of their
junior year. The next SAT is March 14th, registration deadline of February 13th. The
next ACT date is April 18th with a registration deadline of March 13th. Please make an
appointment in guidance to schedule your courses for next year. For students taking
the SAT Prep class, the remaining Saturday class schedule is 2-28-2015 (10-1), 3-212015 (10-2) and 4-18-2015 (10-1).
Sophomores – following a presentation by the BOCES Technical Center, sophomores
had the opportunity to sign up to visit the technical center in February. On
Wednesday, February 4th, students who expressed an interest in learning more
about vocational programs at BOCES will travel to Watertown. Students will go to see
two separate programs to help them decide if they would like to attend BOCES as
juniors. In addition, students will visit Jefferson Community College so they can begin
thinking about continuing their education after high school.
Freshmen – scheduling for underclassmen will begin shortly. Students will be
contacted when it is time to make appointments in the Guidance office.
Current Scholarship List:
New York Water Environment Association (6 scholarships) ......................... 2/10/2015
New York Water Environment Association (Major scholarship) ................... 2/10/2015
National Co-op Scholarship Application ........................................................ 2/15/2015
Buick Achievers Scholarship Program ........................................................... 2/27/2015
TI Booster Club .............................................................................................. 2/28/2015
State Farm Good Neighbor Scholarship Program ......................................... 3/2/2015
New York State Retired Teachers’ Association ............................................. 3/13/2015
North Country Goes Green – Scholarship ..................................................... 3/30/2015
North Country Goes Green – Technical Scholarship ..................................... 3/30/2015
Alpha Delta Kappa (education scholarship) .................................................. 3/31/2015
Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Annual Scholarship ................................... 3/31/2015
CSEA Jefferson Local 823 ............................................................................... 4/1/2015
JCC Freshmen Scholarship ............................................................................. 4/6/2015
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International ................................................... 4/10/2015
Tibbetts point Lighthouse Historical Society Scholarship ............................. 5/1/2015
Daniel James Onye Ekpe Memorial Foundation ........................................... 5/1/2015
Thousand Islands Education Association ...................................................... 5/1/2015
Ed Beerman Jr. Community Involvement Scholarship .................................. 5/8/2015
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Juniors have the opportunity to enroll in the New Visions Health
program during their senior year. This is a program for students who
have strong academic skills and a strong interest in the medical
field. The New Vision Health program provides an integrated
approach to learning by linking academics and all aspects of the health
care industry. Motivated college-bound students explore numerous health careers by
participating in weekly rotations throughout Samaritan Medical Center. Students
become immersed in the activities and work life of a health care professional.
Students will be working in every aspect of the industry––learning about everything
from emergency room protocol to hospital administration. Rotations include
Emergency Room Radiology/Diagnostic imaging, Primary Care, Dietary, Operating
Room, Obstetrics/Maternity, Social services, Rehabilitation services, Hospital
administration, Doctor, Nurse, Dentist, Pharmacist, Nutritionist,
Psychiatrist, Radiologist, Physical Therapist and Hospital Administrator. Students
can obtain English101 credit through Jefferson Community College by participating in
this program. Interested students should sign up in Guidance for more
information! Prospective juniors will meet with New Visions Health instructor, who
will discuss details of the New Visions class. There will also be a parent information
night (more information to be provided) at the New Visions classroom in
March. Students then complete an application, write an essay why they want to be
considered for the program, and obtain two letters of recommendation. The
application is due to the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES by April 1st. Students will then be
contacted for an interview, and will be notified of their acceptance by the end of
May.
Our entire Music Department student body has had an opportunity to
sign up for the NYSSMA solo festival, taking place at Carthage High
School on April 17th & 18th. If your student has not yet signed up for this
annual festival and intends on participating in it, please have them see
Mrs. Wiley or Mrs. Ingerson immediately.
Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Valentine’s Day Dessert Theater and Silent
Auction to take place on Wednesday, February 11th. Doors will open at 6:15 for
desserts and bidding. The music starts at 7pm. This year’s theme is: 50 Years of Rock
n’ Roll and will feature the Select Vocal Ensemble performing well-known favorites
from the 50’s through 2014. They will be joined by a live pit orchestra made up of local
professional and student musicians from our area. The Scoop, Len Mitchell and
parents will cater the event and Mel Busler will be our emcee for the evening. The
silent auction will include an amazing assortment of items and baskets from local
merchants. The drawing for our raffle will take place after intermission. 1st Prize: a 1Night’s Stay at the 1000 Islands harbor Hotel; 2nd Prize: a Spa Day at Creative Edge
Salon and River Wellness; 3rd Prize: a Verna Mason original Quilt. Raffles tickets are
$3.00 or 2 for $5.00. Bring your sweetheart to this Valentine’s Day event. Tickets are
$9 each or 2 for $16. Proceeds from this event will help fund the ensemble’s trip to
New York City April 25th – 27th, where they will perform for adjudication, attends
workshops and see the show Wicked.
Congratulations to the following high School band students who have been chosen
to participate in the JLCMTA Spring Bi-County festival band: Maura Warren, Ashlee
Bouquin, and Emily Fearnside. The festival will take place on Friday and Saturday,
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February 27th & 28th at South Jefferson High School.
The Sources of Strength program continues to be a positive addition to the high school. The
peer leaders and adult mentors have been busy planning various activities, spreading
messages of hope, health, and strength. The peer leaders broke down into smaller groups
and focused their efforts on various activities during the months of December and January.
Peer leaders presented an overview of the Sources of Strength program to the high school
faculty and the Board of Education. Other leaders helped to create a design that was put on
a t-shirt for all of the peer leaders and adult mentors to wear. Students also had a positive
post-it note campaign, where they wrote inspirational messages on sticky notes and posted
them around the building. Other students were surprised to find a chocolate bar in their
locker with a positive message on it. During Spirit Week in December, Jared Campbell from
the Blue Project performed for the high school student body. The Sources of Strength peer
leaders and adult mentors were excited to hear him talk up the Sources of Strength program,
saying that he personally has seen what a positive force it is in the many high schools he has
visited and performed at.
Recently, the peer leaders and adult mentors came together to discuss plans for the spring
semester. There will be a Sources of Strength Week, classroom presentations, and
promotional materials that will help in spreading the positive message of the program. The
most powerful impact comes from the students’ personal actions, conversations, and
creative activities.
What are the Sources of Strength? The eight sources of strength are areas that young
people at-risk for suicide will commonly mention as making a positive difference in their
lives. The key is to build many of these sources of strength around our youth. Healing,
strength, resiliency, or protection comes from a wide range of support and places. They
include mental health, family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities,
generosity, spirituality, and medical access. For more information,
visit http://www.sourcesofstrength.org
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Students against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
SADD members are beginning plans for the After-Prom Lock in on Saturday,
May 16th. The event is open to all TI students in grades 10-12 as well as all
prom attendees (grades 9-12). Members will begin collecting prizes,
donations and requesting chaperones for the event. If you are interested in
chaperoning, donating food, water or prizes please contact Mrs. Hummel in Guidance at
686-5594 ext. 5401. The next SADD meeting is Monday, February 2, 2015.
Students are also working on an educational presentation for the students prior to the
Prom. More details to follow.
New this year at the Lock-in: the “Money” Game (win up to $250 in CASH), inflatable
Twister, Laser Tag (favorite from last year), and Sailesh the Hypnotist! Watch for more
details!
T-Shirt Lock-in Logo Contest! Entry forms available in Guidance, designs due to Mrs. Badour
in the Art room by 3-27-2015. $100 Mall gift certificate to the winning design!
SADD members coordinated a school-wide effort participating in “Join the Shift”! A
safe driving contest sponsored by Erie Insurance and, locally, by Grant Dier Insurance
Agency. Thousand Islands High School placed first in the contest, winning $10,000 dollars to
support the annual lock-in and alcohol and drug-free activities and education for students.
Individual prizes of $100 were presented to Shelby Brass, Taylor Baird, Julia Bashaw,
Michael Campany, and Casey Webb.
Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on
the third Monday in February. Originally established in
1885 in recognition of President George Washington,
it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by
the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on
February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became
popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of
1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more
three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states
still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington,
Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly
viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.
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PLTW is the nation's leading science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) solution in over 6,500 schools across the U.S.
Up close. Hands on. Relevant.
Research Shows:
 High school graduates who participated in PLTW are nearly three times as likely to
major in STEM, and 3 to 4 times more likely to study engineering, versus non-PLTW
graduates.
 Students who take three or more PLTW courses while in high school are six times more
likely to study STEM, and eight times more likely to study engineering, in college than
their peers who had not taken PLTW while in high school.
 PLTW participation is significantly related to persistence into the second year of
college, especially for those students who had taken three or more PLTW courses.
 PLTW contributes to a strong, positive impact on mathematics and science
achievement.
 PLTW has a positive influence on students’ career interest and likelihood to continue
their education.
 PLTW offers a pathway to prepare and motivate students to enter careers in science
and engineering.
 A clear strength of the PLTW program is the intensive teacher professional
development program.
Click here to watch video.
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On January 27, 2015, Thousand Islands AFS exchange students Didi
Amal Che (Thailand) and Dominik Bedo (Hungary) presented the 2015
Top AFS School Award to principal Joe Gilfus at Thousand Islands High
School. Out of the 1, 500 current AFS partners, Thousand Islands was
awarded this honor as an exemplary example of fostering 21 st century learning skills
through international communication. As a benefit of this honor, students at
Thousand Islands High School can participate in the Top AFS School Scholarship
Competition. The top submissions will be awarded a $1000 scholarship to any 2015
study abroad program. For details, families can contact the AFS co-advisor Melissa
Balk at [email protected] .
Victory Promotion Athlete
Nicholas Nevala was chosen as Victory Promotion Athlete of the Week at the end of
December. The selection was made by the community, coaches and other athletes.
Congratulations.
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Courses in Art
The 2nd half of the school year we will be offering some new art
electives. Students in 10th -12th grade will have an opportunity to
take digital photography, ceramics and drawing & painting as well as a
brand new class called graphic design. All class are 1/2 year electives
earning a 1/2 credit.
Digital Photography will be offered 2nd period and allows students an opportunity to
explore the computer program Adobe Photoshop for photo manipulations as well as
design. Students will also build an online digital portfolio and complete weekly photo
assignments with their digital cameras.
Drawing & Painting will be 5th period with an opportunity to work with a variety of
painting and drawing mediums and surfaces. Students can improve their drawing
skills!
Ceramics is offered 8th period. Similar to the 1st half of the year students will learn
about the hand-building techniques of clay as well as taking a spin on the wheel to
"throw their own bowl."
Graphic Design will be 10th period. The graphic design course explores the use of
visual communication of text and imagery creatively while solving design problems.
Students will utilize Adobe Illustrator software to create logos, product packaging,
magazines, etc. As well as learn to work with text and imagery in a new way in their
artwork.
All of these courses and more can be explored on the high school art website. Be
sure to check out the photo gallery of student work!
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SAFE
North Country Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program
Governer Andrew M. Cuomo, Senator Patty Ritchie, Assemblyman
Ken Blankenbush, the River Area Council of Governments, and the
Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization invite you to participate in
the North Country Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program
that will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
Alternative Transportation Request
Parents who wish to have their child(ren) ride home with another adult
must complete the Alternative Transportation Request form ahead of
time saying specifically whom may take their child(ren) home. This note
must be pre-approved by the appropriate supervisor, i.e. Athletic
Coordinator, Music Coordinator, etc. A specific form must be submitted
for each instance.
Complete and print form: Click here: Alternative Transportation Request
This form can also be found in “School Locker” for Parents, TI Website.
The decision for closing or delaying the school will normally be made by 6:00am. If
school is closed or delayed, the announcement will be made via School Messenger
and over Radio Stations: Regents Broadcasting - 790 AM WTNY, 1410 AM WUZZ,
93.3 FM WCIZ, 97.5 FM WFRY; Community Broadcasters: 1240 AM WATN,
103.1/100.1/104.3 FM WTOJ Majic, 106.7/92.7 FM WBDI/WBDB The Border, 100.7
FM WOTT Real Rock, 102.7 WBDR KIX Country
TV Stations: TV 7 WWNY, TV 50 WWTI, TV 3 WSTM Syracuse and, News 10 NOW.
In the event that school is delayed, it will always be a two-hour delay. Parents should
be advised that bus students will be picked up two hours later than normal.
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