Upcoming Events Spirit Week! - Falconer …...ceiling of the dome. This year it was especially...

FALCONER CENTRAL SCHOOL

DISTRICT

NEWSLETTER

November 2015

Home of the Golden Falcons

Upcoming Events

November:

3: Board of Education Meeting

@ MS/HS 7:30 p.m.

6: End of 1st Quarter (MS & HS)

1/2 Day - Elementary

Middle School Play

@ MS/HS Aud. 7:30 p.m.

6-7: NYSSMA Jr. High Area All

State@ Akron

7: Middle School Play

@ MS/HS Aud. 2:30 p.m.

SAT Test @ Fredonia

10: Temple Photo Retakes

11: Veterans’ Day (No School)


@ Fenner 7:30 p.m.

25-27: Thanksgiving Recess

(No School)

December:


@ MS/HS 7:30 p.m.

4: 1/2 Day - Elementary

End of 1st Trimester

(Fenner & Temple)

4-5: NYSSSMA Conference All

State @ Rochester CC/

Eastman

5: SAT Test @ Jamestown &

Fredonia

Spirit Week!

November 2015 www.falconerschools.org Falconer Central School

District 2

Falconer Central School 2 East Avenue North Falconer, NY 14733

(716)665-6624

Board of Education President Todd Beckerink Vice President Cathleen Kimball Members Gordon Buck Robert Carpenter Tom Frederes Jennifer Ribaudo Jamie Zaranek

Administration & Supervision Superintendent Stephen Penhollow High School Principal Jeffrey Jordan Middle School Principal Terry English Fenner Elementary Principal Gary Gilbert Temple Elementary Principal Holly Hannon Director of Special Education Julie Possai Director of Instruction & Staff

Development Judith Roach School Psychologist Ashly Warner Business Executive & Purchasing

Agent Brent Agett General Maintenance Mechanic David Micek Transportation Supervisor Scott Peterson Coordinator of District Data Judith Roach

Clipart obtained through FCS’ subscription to clipart.com

Update Emergency Contact Information

Please be sure that all your contact information is up to date so, in case of an emergency, the nurse can get in touch with you. Also, be sure all of your child’s medical conditions and immunizations are up to date with the Nurse’s Office.

Mystery Photo - Can You Help? We are looking to fill in some blanks about this picture. If you are able to assist, please contact Holly Hannon at Temple Elementary (267-3255).

Who: ?? What: Time capsule assembly When: ?? Where: Paul B.D. Temple Elementary

District Teacher Training RSE-TASC Coordinator Michele Boutwell from Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES facilitated a Formative Assessment training with all district teachers during the October 9 Superintendent's Conference Day. Teachers also received technology training, training on report cards, Michigan Model, and more.

www.schools.clipart.com


High School/Middle school 3

Planetarium Visits the Media Center Students at the Middle/High School once again kicked off the school year

with planetarium sessions in the Media Center. The Digitarium is a digital

planetarium that Mrs. Binkley borrows annually from the Erie 2 Boces Media

Center in Fredonia. The inflatable dome allows entire classes to observe day

and nighttime skies, planets, and deep space objects projected onto the

ceiling of the dome. This year it was especially exciting to talk about the supermoon lunar eclipse that

occurred on September 27. Sixth grade students explored the solar system during their science

classes and also came in for ELA classes to talk about the constellation mythology related to The

Lightning Thief. Eighth graders spent two days during Mrs.

Reynold's Science classes learning about the motion of the

earth, phases of the moon, eclipses, and more. Earth science

students also spent two days looking in detail at some of the

astronomy topics that will help them as they prepare for the

Earth Science regents in June. Physics and Problem solving

classes looked at some of the discoveries made by

astronomers and how they went about proving those

hypotheses. Mr. Thompson's class and Ms. Plumb and Mr.

Muscarella's Math classes looked at the planets and the shapes of their orbits around the sun. All of the

classes enjoyed finding Polaris as the stars spun around and the North Star remained still! The

planetarium is a phenomenal resource to give students the chance to visualize complicated ideas in an

entertaining and unique way.

Ally Week in

Falconer The week of October 13-

16, the Falconer Gay

Straight Alliance

sponsored Ally Week. It

was a week to learn about

how youth can support

each other and also

friends with alternative

lifestyles. Allies are

classmates, teachers,

principals, parents...

anyone who takes an

active stand against the

bullying, harassment, and

discrimination faced by

LGBT youth. Check out

the display outside the

media

center.

Highlighting Middle School Students

October

Septem

ber

Jillian Holmberg (7th grade)

Kiw

an

is T

err

ific

Kid

Justin Swan (6th grade)

Stu

de

nt

of

Mo

nth

S

tud

en

t o

f M

on

th

Alexis Adam (6th grade)

Sean Cobb (7th grade)

Kiw

an

is T

err

ific

Kid


Clubs/Sports 4

Honor Society and Homecoming Honor Society seniors were busy again! Homecoming week always brings with it Falconer fun and festivities. This year’s Honor Society seniors included a multitude of individuals involved in Varsity sports, Marching Band, high scholastic achievement, and seniors displaying amazing school spirit. However, they still had time to create the time-honored homecoming arch for the halftime festivities. This year, 24 of the 25 members took the time to come to school on their day off and work together to create a totally different arch – one that did not rely on helium,

which has not been cooperative these past couple of years. Kudos to them for their diligence and efforts – and especially to those who led in the creation!

“Walk4Paws” Campaign

Builders Club raised over $400 for Chautauqua County Humane Society's "Walk4Paws" campaign, held on Saturday, October 3. The two top earners were 6th graders, Karsen DePasquale and Reese Johnson, seen here wearing the shirts they earned by their successful fundraising. Way to go!!

FCS Future Business Leaders Host Fall District Meeting October 21 was a busy day for Falconer Future Business Leaders of America as they hosted members from Pioneer, Clymer, and Jamestown High Schools. The day-long event was designed to build member confidence and social skills. A “Meet & Greet” allowed students to mingle in a business-like networking environment. This workshop challenged the attendees to present themselves in a professional manner while enjoying refreshments

and discussing hobbies, school, and future plans with Falconer administrators. The “Team Work” workshop, presented by Falconer FBLA Vice President, Emily Johnson, focused on the characteristics of effective team building and the obstacles associated with working with others and solving problems. In addition, students learned about the NYS Program of Work, competitive events, and the FBLA Business Achievement Awards recognition program. It was a great opportunity for FBLA members from across Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties to get acquainted, socialize, learn, and have fun!


Temple/Fenner 5

September 3 B's Winners at Temple

AM UPK

PM UPK Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade

Math Grant at Fenner Congratulations to AIS teachers, Sue Arrance, Johneen Hoose and Cindy Nutt on receiving a math grant from Explore Learning entitled Reflex.

The grant is an individualized computer- based program that will help to improve math fact fluency for students.

Fenner Grade 5 Gets Back to Nature! The fifth grade at Fenner Elementary recently went on a field trip to Falconer Park. The conservation field trip had four stations for the students to explore. Students were given the opportunity to investigate life in the creek led by the Chautauqua Lake Watershed. Soft-shelled crayfish, snail eggs and water skippers were a few of the critters on the list

of discoveries. Students were also able to look at the sun through a special telescope and were taught a variety of solar system facts at a station that was held by the Martz Observatory. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department headed another station. Deputy, Mike Seeley, discussed the carrying capacity of the forest with the fifth graders. Andy Ohl, a fishing guide

and occupational therapist at Falconer School District, led the fourth station. He shared information on fish species that are found in Chautauqua Lake. He also shared a variety of fishing techniques and safe fishing practices with the children. Students were given an opportunity to win gift certificates to Chautauqua Reel Outdoors by practicing their newly acquired casting skills! It was a fantastic day of learning and exploration!

What’s Cooler than being Cool at Fenner? September was Library Card Sign-up Month. The American Library Association reminds families that the most important school supply for a successful year is a library card. Joe Cool, (Snoopy), was the Honorary Chair. On September 11, the Fenner Intervention Specialists held an assembly. Students learned the importance of library cards and were read Suzanne Williams’ Library Lil. Students and staff were challenged to get a "cool" card of their own. Students received a Peanuts bookmark.


Temple Elementary 6

Mr. Bianco's

Kindergarten class

brought in the most

library cards for

Kindergarten.

Mrs. Roth's 1st grade

class brought in the

most library cards for 1st

grade.

September Cheer

Bear Winners

Miss Adams 1st grade

class earned the most

compliment cards for

the month of September

and were awarded the

Temple Cheer Bear at

their 3 B's assembly!

Display Case

AIS Teacher, Holly Brainard,

created a clever owl-themed

display case for October.

Michigan Model

The Michigan Model for Health is a

comprehensive abs sequential K-12

health education curriculum that

aims to give school-aged children

the knowledge and skills needed to

practice and maintain healthy

behaviors.

Library Card Winners!

Mrs. Perry's 2nd grade class brought in the most library cards for 2nd grade.

Pictured is Mr.

Holt, School

Social Worker,

teaching a

Michigan Model

lesson in the 2nd

grade Pod.


Classes Utilizing Google For Education 7

Google Classroom Takes Over ELA 8 Throughout this year, the ELA 8 classrooms will be experimenting with Google Classroom, where students are able to access and work on assignments online. Students log into the classroom at the beginning of class to access the learning standards for the day on the classroom feed, open any documents for classwork and homework, and use the time in class to work individually, in a group, or as a class.

When a student accesses Google Classroom, a list of assignments that are due appears in the left hand column. If a student clicks “view all” the student can access all of the work that needs to be completed as well as all of the work that has been graded. Allisen DeJesus commented, “I like Google Classroom because it's easier to see what you have to do and what you didn't do.” Another benefit to using Google Classroom is that students will have access to all of their work they have completed throughout the year. Zach Callahan said, “I like it because it is pretty handy because you can get to assignments and other files. It also makes it very organized and pretty cool to use.” Students will no longer have to keep paper copies of all of their assignments after completing them, so their ELA section of their homework folder will not be full anymore. Katlyn Livermore added, “I like Google Classroom because it's less books and paper that I have to bring home and keep in my folder.”

Another benefit of Google Classroom is that every time a student works on an assignment, the work is automatically saved and retrievable from any device that can access the internet. Makayla LaRoy said, “I like Google Classroom because I don't have to take my homework home, it's already there!” Usually, students won’t have to bring home folders or papers for English because their work is organized online.

Students can also share their documents with teachers and students in the class to work together and get immediate feedback. Alyssa Wright said, “A student that can't go to the teacher during school can easily ask questions and comment from home. Personally, I think it is really cool to be able to see what other students write and be able to correct myself if needed.” Students are also able to ask questions about the assignments and get immediate feedback from students and the teacher.

Many students like the fact that they are typing instead of writing all of their work. John Kozlowski said, “I like it because I type faster than I can write, and I cannot lose my work.” Although some students would rather write than type, Lyndsey Saucier said, “I don't like Google Classroom because I don't like typing on a computer,” either way it helps prepare students for the 21st century world.

Social Studies Goes Google Classroom! Technology continues to evolve pushing teachers and students to further their abilities. At the High School, AP US Government and Politics students have been using Google Classroom to learn about current events over the summer. Prior to summer, students met with Mr. Markham and were introduced to this paperless system to submit assignments. Although there have been some slight bumps along the road, students have embraced the technology and are better prepared to deal with the paperless classroom once at college. Mr. Markham plans to expand the Google Classroom to his Global History II students throughout the fall. http://descasio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Google-Apps-for-Education-Drive-Slides-Apps-Search-Chrome.png


Backcover 8

Alma Mater

Falconer High School here’s to you best in the land. ‘Neath the

old gold and blue, we will proudly take our stand in

classroom study, field, or track with you dear as our guide, no honor ever shall you lack. I’ll

win your pride.

Mission Statement

The Board of Education, collective staff, and

community of the Falconer School District are committed to preparing our children to be productive members of

society. Through continuous evaluation and improvement, this partnership will provide

a quality educational environment for students to

meet the graduation requirements.

Reminder

The Fosberg Technology Center is open late on

Tuesdays for additional work time until 4:10 p.m. The late bus is available if needed.

Justin Gould, Miss Fisher; Educational Technology Specialist,

and Mikaela Johnson

Newsletter Produced by

Griffith Institute Honors Mr. Timothy Butzer Timothy “Butz” Butzer – A 1983 graduate of Griffith Institute has recently been inducted into the Pop Warner Hall of Fame. As a student, he played baseball, basketball, and football, lettering in each sport. In 1981, he was a finalist for the Connolly Cup, an award that recognizes outstanding varsity football players. In his senior year, he received the Pop-Warner Trophy, which is given to a varsity football player that demonstrates qualities of determination and dedication. In baseball, Tim was the 1980 District champion in the “Hit, Pitch, and Run” competition at Griffith Institute. In his senior year, he was also voted the Most Valuable Player. In college he played in the North-South All-star game and played Division I collegiate baseball at Canisius from 1984 through 1987. In his senior year, he was voted Most Valuable Athlete. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in history education from Canisius in 1987 and received his Master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia in 1993. He accepted a job at Falconer Central School in 1987 and has been teaching here for 27 years. He coached football, basketball, and baseball at Falconer for over 20 years, leading the baseball team to a state title in 2000 as an assistant coach and to the state finals in 2001 as the head coach. He was also an assistant coach when Falconer played in the Class C State Finals for football in 2006. Congratulations to Mr. Butzer on his accomplishment.

Falcon Productions Presents the Middle School Comedy Play:

Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 7 at 2:30 p.m.

Falconer High School Auditorium

Adults: $7 Students: $5

Senior Citizens: $5

Tickets available at the door the night

of the show only.

By:

John Glore

Based on the book by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

Support Drama at FCS!

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

www.playscripts.com

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