Dear VVS School Community,

Thank you for choosing to make Vernon Verona Sherrill Central District your home. Also known as VVS, the Vernon Verona Sherrill School District aspires to be valued as a district of distinction by our community. This vision drives us to serve the needs of every child who attends our schools each day as well as the community that collaborates with us in achieving this vision.

School as most of us experienced it has changed dramatically and will continue to do so. While this may be exciting as we prepare our students for a future that none of us can truly envision, it is fraught with confusion brought about in part by the politicizing of education and the impatience of so many who expect instant results as represented by standardized tests, teacher and principal evaluation systems, and comparisons to other countries based on national and international assessments. As with any worthwhile endeavor, it takes time to re-tool our curriculum and instruction along with patience on the part of everyone to realize the fruits of our labor.

Most school curricula were designed for a world that is vastly different from the one we live in and that which our children will encounter during their school years and throughout their lives. We know that a firm academic foundation in traditional core subjects; English, reading, literature, oral expression, writing, mathematics, the sciences, civics, government, economics, foreign languages, history and geography, health, and wellness, represented in the rigors of the district curriculum, is essential. However, so too is an additional set of competencies to help students meet the rigors of higher education, career expectations, application of new technologies, and the challenges of a globalized economy. These competencies include: critical thinking and problem solving applied across all disciplines and circumstances, collaboration, knowledge of and respect for other cultures and societies, creativity, innovation, flexibility, leadership and responsibility, citizenship, information and media literacy, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.

We all know that educating a child, like raising a child, takes place over the entire life of the child and is measured frequently and in many ways. This is certainly reflected in the academic achievements of our children, it is also reflected in the ways in which our children conduct themselves, their leadership, their compassion for others, in the effort they put forth each day, how they handle adversity, and in the choices they make in school, in the community, in the workplace, in the arts, in athletic competition, and in their lives well beyond graduation.

Thus far the vast majority of VVS students have enjoyed success in college, in the workplace, and as citizens. However, we must reflect on our efforts and seriously contemplate how to best continue in preparing our children for success in college, in work, and in life in an increasingly changing world and fast-paced global economy.

The involvement of the VVS community is essential to our success. During the next school year members of the community are invited to engage in community discussions around preparing our students for the 21st Century. We look for the involvement and collaboration of students, parents, local, state and national businesses, higher education institutions, local organizations, District staff and the community-at-large to actively engage in this important dialogue.

The VVS School District takes its responsibility to serve the children and the community very seriously. We appreciate the importance of working in concert with families, students, and the larger community to thoughtfully plan and act to ensure the very best for our students; recognizing that the school, the parents, the students, and the community cannot succeed without the commitment of us all. We are each dependent upon the others to ensure the success of our children.

My thanks to all those who contribute to the success of VVS; it is your talent, ideas, involvement, and support for learning that makes VVS a great place to learn, to work, and to live!

Warmest Regards,

Martha K. Group Superintendent of Schools

Quarterly Publication ofVERNON-VERONA-SHERRILL CENTRAL SCHOOL • CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF SHERRILL

www.vvsschools.org

FALL 2014 VVS - IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN!

Superintendent’s Message

In The Spotlight . . .Sixty-Fourth Annual VVS Commencement

It was a proud moment for our VVS community as 143 students received their diplomas on June 28, 2014. Sixty-six of these graduates were honor graduates with an overall average of 90 or above. Students in this class will be remembered for their community work, accomplishments in the arts and athletics, and compassion for others. We wish these students well as they represent the VVS community at colleges and universities, in the work force, and in the armed forces.

Valedictorian – Dane CarlsonDane is extremely dedicated and maintains a strong focus on what he wants to

accomplish. He has tremendous enthusiasm for learning. I had the pleasure of having Dane as a student in AP Chemistry and AP Physics; he consistently rises to the challenge. I have seen many examples of his strong work ethic and leadership abilities. His problem solving skills both on paper and in the laboratory are extraordinary. In the classroom, he consistently maintains a positive attitude and is extremely helpful in spreading this attitude to others. He is quick to help and does a phenomenal job working as a team. It has been an honor and a pleasure to have known Dane and I look forward to seeing where his gifts and ambitions will take him.

-Mrs. Gardner,Science Teacher Leader

Salutatorian – Kelly BreckenridgeIt is difficult to express in words the impact Kelly has made on this school. I believe

her resume speaks for her accomplishments. Kelly, having been Class President in grades 9-11, as a Senior represented all high school students as a member of the Board of Education. Among the numerous school accomplishments under Kelly’s leadership, two accomplishments stand above. First, Kelly has logged hundreds of hours of community service to help others while modeling that standard to younger students. Secondly, this year, Kelly made the inaugural VVS Wall of Distinction event possible. Now, through her endless efforts, that “Wall” will last beyond our time. Kelly is truly amazing and we will continue to watch with pride as she travels down the path of life. Best of luck.

-Mr. BrownHigh School Principal

Congratulations Class of 2014 Graduates!

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3Class of 2014 Post-Graduation PlansJ’nese Avenia Mohawk Valley Community CollegeKayla Baker Mohawk Valley Community CollegeTyler Baker SUNY ITAmilio Beavo Mohawk Valley Community CollegeChristopher Beavo MarinesEdward Bentley, Jr. Mohawk Valley Community CollegeAlexander Berry Mohawk Valley Community CollegeBronson Bosley Mohawk Valley Community CollegeKelly Breckenridge SUNY CortlandAlexander Brenon SUNY ITAshley Brenon Ithaca CollegeGabrielle Brewster Houghton CollegeEmily Brown Mohawk Valley Community CollegeJoshua Bush Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMikayla Card Morrisville State CollegeDane Carlson SUNY BinghamtonKaden Carney Mohawk Valley Community CollegeJayme Coe Old Dominion University (VA)Danielle Colon EmploymentAmber Comings Cazenovia CollegeJessica Cook Morrisville State CollegeNicole Cook Utica CollegeAmanda Cooper Mohawk Valley Community CollegeFrank Coss EmploymentDalton Cousin Alfred UniversityKristen Curro Penn Foster Online CollegeRyan DeBarr Paul Smiths CollegeSamantha Dixon Madison-Oneida BOCESEmily Dugan Herkimer CollegeEric Eaton Mohawk Valley Community CollegeAndrea Egan Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMichael Elliott, Jr. Old Dominion University (VA)Megan Emmerich Le Moyne CollegeSamantha Ernest SUNY BrockportAshley Esengard SUNY ESFErica Esengard Madison-Oneida BOCESJonathan Fewer MarinesPaul Fink Mohawk Valley Community CollegeJulianne Finley Union CollegeMatthew Finley Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMaylynn Finley Mohawk Valley Community CollegeKelsie Fort Morrisville State CollegeLane Frost Niagara County Community CollegeRebecca Galla University @ BuffaloMakenzie Green SUNY ITSelena Haas Boston University (MA)Courtney Hall Mohawk Valley Community CollegeTimothy Hartley Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMichael Hilliker Rochester Institute of TechnologyBrandon Hilts University @ BuffaloDrew Hoehn St. John’s UniversityJessica Hohn Morrisville State CollegeAllison Holmes Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)Danni Hopkins-Brenner Employment

Jeremey Howard MarinesSamuel Htun SUNY GeneseoKaiti’n Hurley Finger Lakes Community CollegeDavid Jewell, Jr. EmploymentCasey Jones Queens University of Charlotte, NCHarvey Jones-Smith MarinesRonnie Judge University of RochesterKyle Kegebein Mohawk Valley Community CollegeCarter Kimball SUNY OswegoMikayla Kingsley Utica CollegeSamantha Kogut Keuka CollegeLaura Krawiec Cazenovia CollegeRachel Krawiec Cazenovia CollegeRebecca Krawiec Cazenovia CollegeAlexis Laclair Morrisville State CollegeBrian Leach Mohawk Valley Community CollegeTess Legler SUNY OswegoZackery Legler Mohawk Valley Community CollegeCaylee Link Robert Wesleyan CollegeDakota Little SUNY ITJacqueline Lohr EmploymentTheresa Lohr Hobart & William Smith CollegesArica Lyman Utica CollegeMitchell Malbouf Hartwick CollegeChristopher March MarinesAubrey Matt Mohawk Valley Community CollegeRachel Matt Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMatthew McCoy Utica CollegeCourtney Mennig Mohawk Valley Community CollegeTyler Metz EmploymentRebekah Meyers EmploymentDovie Millington EmploymentAustin Mitchell SUNY BrockportLogan Mumford Mohawk Valley Community CollegeNabila Nahhas Mohawk Valley Community CollegeAdam Nell Herkimer CollegeBradley Nellenbach Alfred StateAshley Nemeyer Erie Community CollegeGeorge Netzband Mohawk Valley Community CollegeDalton Nicol Le Moyne CollegeAlexander Nikolaus Onondaga Community CollegeJamie Noble Niagara UniversityAmber O’Neil Le Moyne CollegeMaxwell Palese Mohawk Valley Community CollegeStephanie Parmeter Binghamton UniversityAmanda Pawlikowski Utica CollegeTaylor Peck Onondaga Community CollegeSahara Post Mohawk Valley Community CollegeJustin Potocki Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMichael Powell Mohawk Valley Community CollegeSamantha Prendergast St. John’s UniversityDalton Prievo UndecidedEvan Pritchard SUNY CobleskillAllison Randall Mohawk Valley Community College

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4Angel Rimes Tocaire CollegeCaitlin Roberts Mohawk Valley Community CollegeMartin Roser EmploymentAshley Salisbury Herkimer CollegeMeghan Sanchez Mohawk Valley Community CollegeSamantha Savachka Onondaga Community CollegeAlex Schaal Temple UniversitySeth Schaefer Onondaga Community CollegeNicole Schlick Onondaga Community CollegeJustin Schmalz EmploymentRachael Schmeichel Mohawk Valley Community CollegeHannah Schuldt Syracuse UniversityCody Serianni Mohawk Valley Community CollegeConnor Shay Mohawk Valley Community CollegeKatherine Snyder SUNY OneontaKatlyn Spear Wagner CollegeAlessandra Spoletini Mohawk Valley Community CollegeJulia St. Louis St. Elizabeth College of Nursing

Trevor Stacy NavyJames Swalgin Robert Wesleyan CollegeAbby Tallarino Mohawk Valley Community CollegeKyle Tarry Utica CollegeAnthony Thomas Utica CollegeJoshua Thomas Mohawk Valley Community CollegeSidney Tillson Mohawk Valley Community CollegeGarrett Vanderhoof Mohawk Valley Community CollegeAnnamarie Visalli Rochester Institute of TechnologyBrittnee Warren Mohawk Valley Community CollegeChristopher Watkins SUNY CobleskillSteven Watson Mohawk Valley Community CollegeSkyler Whaley ArmyZachary Wheelock Morrisville State CollegeAnnabelle Willey Wake Forest University (NC)Alexis Wittman SUNY GeneseoHunter Woodcock Morrisville State CollegeEmma Zulch Bates College (ME)

Class of 2014 Post-Graduation PlansContinued from previous page.....

V.V.S. Student ServesNew York State AssemblymanV.V.S. student Sam Htun served as a representative to NYS Assemblyman,

Anthony Brandisi’s committee which discussed educational issues facing our students in today’s schools. Sam provided valuable insight from the VVS student perspective.

V.V.S. Students Pledge Not to Text

and DriveV.V.S. students pledge not to text and drive. Students

at V.V.S. High School participated in Teen Traffic Safety Day sponsored by Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente, Jr. Students completed a number of activities throughout the day that focused around teen safety, responsible decision making, and good choices, especially during the prom season.

Pictured with the AT&T “No Texting Pledge” are L-R Andy Brown, High School Principal, Randy Thomas, SADD Advisor, Anthony Thomas, SADD President, Tom Giruzzi, Coordinator Oneida County Stop DWI, Erica Lyman, SADD Vice President, Andrew Nagle, AT&T, Matthew Dana, AT&T

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V.V.S. students hit the air waves to promote the district’s vision. V.V.S. seniors Casey Jones and Kelly Breckenridge were the featured guests during a live broadcast on Mix 106 Radio. The topic was “What does it mean to be a District of Distinction?”

Caption: Pictured L to R: Tom Sawyer, station manager, Casey Jones, Kelly Breckenridge, Andy Brown, High School Principal, and James Rozwod, Sherrill Elementary Principal

V.V.S. High School Students Promote District Vision

V.V.S. Middle SchoolGet on the Learning Train...we are moving full

STEAM ahead!My name is Carrie Hodkinson, and I am the middle school principal.

On behalf of our middle school faculty and staff, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 2014-2015 school year. We look forward to the opportunities and achievements ahead for our students. We are excited to watch all of our students continue to grow and develop into future leaders and well-rounded citizens. In order for students to be successful, it is important that students, parents, faculty, and staff work together.

We would like to welcome Mr. James Smith and Ms. Ashley Avery, our two new special education teachers and Mrs. Maggie Bristol, our new literacy specialist, to our middle school. They are very excited to build positive relationships with all of our students, families, and staff.

As you may be aware, we have been involved in raising standards and accountability for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. This has resulted in a continued focus of attention and professional development training on curriculum, instruction, assessment, and students’ social-emotional needs. Our teachers continue to utilize the New York State Common Core Learning Standards as the foundation for their lessons to prepare students to be college and career ready. Middle school teachers have also been collaborating within both their departments and teams to develop several STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities to incorporate more real life projects into the middle school curriculum. Our goal is to involve area businesses in some of these projects so students are better equipped to transfer information learned in school to real life applications.

Some of the middle school initiatives for the 2014-15 school year are:

• ImplementmoreSTEAM/project-basedactivitiestocontinueto increase student achievement.

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6• Continuetoexpandtheuseoftechnologyintheclassrooms.

• Continuetopartnerwithbothparentsandthecommunityinordertomeet our students’ social, emotional, and academic needs.

• Increasethenumberofstudentswhoreachmasterylevelonlocalandstate assessments.

• Recognizeallofourstudents’achievementsinandoutoftheclassroom.

• Continuetoincreasetherigorofourcurriculumtopreparestudentstobe college and career ready.

• Continuetodevelopprograms,incentives,andextracurricularactivitiesfor our students because learning is social before it is cognitive.

Students, I encourage you to welcome the challenge of a new school year and wish you success on your journey. I look forward to working with each one of you. Please remember, we are a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)!

V.V.S. Middle SchoolContinued from previous page.....

Welcome Our New Faces Our hallways will not only be filled with many new student faces this fall, but many new faculty members as well. We are pleased

to welcome these standout teachers to our District of Distinction!

•AshleyAvery–SpecialEducationTeacher •JessicaArnold–FourthGrade

•KimberleySmith–MathTeacher •JamesSmith–SpecialEducation

•MargaretBristol–LiteracySpecialist •VictoriaGilliand–MathAIS

•EileenKolb–FirstGrade •ChristineThomson–LongTermSubstitute

•MatthewBonville–ThirdGrade •AndreaHart–FirstGrade

•CarlyCooper–PETeacher •SaraWillis–SpeechPathologist

•RebeccaTrevasani–ReadingTeacher/ReadingTeacherLeader

E.A. McAllister...Where Kids Can Be Kids! We have some new staff members joining our team this year. Miss Hart is teaching first grade replacing Mrs. Moher who will

be enjoying retirement! Miss Hart attended school locally and most recently has been teaching in Tennessee. Miss Arnold joins our fourth grade team and is replacing Mrs. Zirilli who obtained a teaching position closer to her home and family. Miss Arnold did a fabulous job filling in for Mrs. Geroux’s maternity leave last year. Additionally, Ms. Gilliland is teaching academic intervention services in the area of mathematics. Lastly, we have an exciting new program, taught by Mr. Maphia covering keyboarding, computer applications, and financial literacy. Mr. Maphia teaches also business classes at our high school.

We look forward to continuing to offer a top notch academic program while balancing the need for “kids to be kids.”

J.D. George Elementary School Ready, Set, GOAL! Welcome back! I hope that everyone has enjoyed some relaxation and family time this summer. Mr. Zimmerman and the entire

V.V.S. custodial staff have done a great job preparing the building so that the hallways can be filled with student work once again! As over the past few years, my goal is to further develop the partnerships between our families, the community, and the J.D. George faculty and staff. I am excited about the year to come and all of the programs and learning experiences we have planned.

As the principal of J.D. George, I am fortunate to be able to lead a phenomenal team of faculty and staff, to provide each child with a positive school experience that will challenge them both intellectually and socially and guide them toward independent thinking and problem solving. We strive to promote healthy development in all aspects of each student’s life while developing a student body of good character and students who make good choices and decisions resulting in successful and healthy outcomes.

Looking back at the 2013-2014 school year, I continue to be impressed with the work that we did and all that was accomplished! We exceeded many of the goals that we set, thanks to the students, families, faculty, staff, and community. Looking ahead, we have identified the following goals that will support our belief of educating the whole child.

GOALS for 2014-2015• Increasethenumberofstudentsreachingproficiency(90%)andmastery(40%)levelinELA,Math,Science,SocialStudies

and all special area courses

• Enhancetheemotionalsafetyofallstudents

• Provideapositiveenvironmentwherefaculty,staff,families,students,andthecommunitycanworkcollaborativelyto promote student success.

To support these goals, the following learning experiences will take place:• StudentswillworkwithinstructionalteamsofteacherstodeveloptheskillstheyneedtomeettherigorousCommon

Core Learning Standards (CCLS).

• Studentswillbepartofaproject-basedlearningteam.

• StudentswillknowandbeabletodomorethroughmeetingtherigorousstandardsoftheCommonCore.

• StudentswillbeexposedtotheCCLSthroughavarietyofmediatostimulateinterestsandimprovestudentlearning.

• Studentswillbetrainedinsafetyproceduresandknowledgetoimprovetheirphysicalandemotionalsafetybyallowing ample time to practice the skills obtained.

• Studentswillfurtherdeveloptheirsenseofindividuality,aswellastheirroleonateamthroughanemotionallysafe learning environment where they are encouraged to take risks and will be provided with opportunities to reflect on their experiences.

• Studentswillbeprovidedwithopportunitiestoincreasetheirinvolvementinthecommunity.

• Studentresponsibilitieswillbeincreasedtopromotetheconceptofbeingactive,involvedmembersoftheirschool community.

• Studentswilllearnaboutprideandhowitisdisplayed.

• Studentswillworkaspartofateam(family,faculty,andstaff)duringavarietyofschoolsponsoredeventsandlearning experiences.

• Studentswillunderstandthatthereisadirectconnectionbetweenhomeandschool.

• Studentawarenessoflocal,national,andglobalissueswillberaisedthroughgradelevelappropriateactivities.

Once again we look forward to serving you and your children. Together we will make it a fabulous year.

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W.A. Wettel Elementary SchoolCollaboration Will Take Us Places!

Welcome back! I hope you all had a great summer vacation with friends and loved ones. I look forward to the new school year with a great deal of enthusiasm.

AsIreflectonthe2013/2014schoolyear,Iwanttothankallstaff,faculty,andourfamiliesforthemanygoalsweachievedoverthelastseveralmonths.Iamhappytoreportthatgoalssetforthatthestartofthe2013/2014schoolyearwererealized.Duetothe great work and efforts of many folks we:

• Offerednewanduniqueexperiencesforourstudentsincludingbutnotlimitedto:aFriendshipFeastduringthe month of November; a surprise fieldtrip to see the movie, Frozen; a Winter Carnival; a pancake breakfast before State Assessments were administered, and among other awesome experiences, an Invention Convention;

• ProvidedandfacilitatedseveralS.T.E.M.orS.T.E.A.M.learningexperiencesincludingthedesignandracingofminiature bobsleds during the month of February;

• Offeredmoreafterschoolassistancetoourstudentsthaninanypreviousyear.Iamespeciallyproudofourstudentsand teachers whose dedication and commitment was inspiring;

• ContinuedtoexpanduponafterschoolenrichmentexperiencesforourstudentsincludinganActiv8club,abeyblades’ club, and among other new programs, a garden club;

• HostedourThirdAnnualFamilyFunNightinMarch2014,whichattractedseveralhundredfamilymembersandchildren;

• Blendedourreadingincentiveprogramwithourgoaltoimprovemathfluency;

• Connectedwithmorecommunitypartnersforservicelearningprojects;

• Pilotedanewformofprovidingassistancetofamilieswiththeirchild’shomeworkcalledT.I.P.S.(teacherinvolving parents in schoolwork);

• Sentcloseto50PompoPostcardstostudentswhoexhibitedleadershiptraits.

Aswecontinuetoplanforthe2014/2015schoolyear,weonceagainlookforwardtoyourcontinuedassistanceinservingourchildrenandtheV.V.S.community.Pleasefeelfreetocallmembersofthefaculty,staff,and/ormeshouldquestionsariseregardingyour child’s progress or any of our school’s programs. Best wishes for a rewarding school year and I hope to see you throughout the year.

Transportation News...School’s Open! Drive Safe!

School’s Open, Be Safe! For twenty three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends

with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus. Before children go back to school or start school for the first time, it is essential that adults and children know traffic safety rules.

Drivers• Whenbackingoutofadrivewayorleavingagarage,watchoutforchildren

walking or bicycling to school.

• Whendrivinginneighborhoodswithschoolzones,watchoutforyoung people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.

• Slowdown.Watchforchildrenwalkinginthestreet,especiallyiftherearenosidewalksinneighborhood.

• Slowdown.Watchforchildrenplayingandcongregatingnearbusstops.

• Bealert.Childrenarrivinglateforthebusmaydartintothestreetwithoutlookingfortraffic.

• Learnandobeytheschoolbuslaws.Learnthe“flashingsignallightsystem”thatschoolbusdriversusetoalertmotoristsof pending actions:

• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children • Gettothebusstopatleastfiveminutesbeforethebusisscheduledtoarrive.

• Whenthebusapproaches,standatleastthreegiantsteps(6feet)awayfromthecurb,andlineupawayfromthestreet.

• Waituntilthebusstops,thedooropens,andthedriversaysthatit’sokaybeforesteppingontothebus.

• Ifyouhavetocrossthestreetinfrontofthebus,walkonthesidewalkoralongthesideoftheroadtoapointatleastfive giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

• Usethehandrailstoavoidsfalls.Whenexitingthebus,becarefulthatclothingwithdrawstrings,andbookbagswith straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.

• Neverwalkbehindthebus.

• Walkatleastthreegiantstepsawayfromthesideofthebus.

• Ifyoudropsomethingnearthebus,tellthebusdriver.Nevertrytopickitupbecausethedrivermaynotbeabletoseeyou.

Parents • Teachchildrentofollowthesecommonsensepracticestomakeschoolbustransportationsafer.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, www.nhta.gov

Please assist our drivers in teaching your children their address, phone number, and bus number. Walkers, riders, and student drivers should refer to the student and family handbook for information about walking, riding bicycles, and driving to school. Parents who drive students to school are asked to avoid bus lanes in school parking lots and to remember to always stop for buses with flashing lights.

We appreciate your assistance in helping to maintain a safe and efficient transportation experience for all of our students. If you have any questions regarding bus routes, delays, or other transportation concerns, please contact your school building secretary or the transportation department (829-7415).

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V.V.S. Community DayThe return of V.V.S. Community Day is just around the corner! V.V.S. Community Day will be held at V.V.S. High

School on Sunday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the sixth consecutive year. Admission is FREE. The event features craft vendors, school clubs, area churches and civic organizations, various food vendors, and a focus on community safety, health, and fitness because our community is a great place to learn, work, and live. The Community Day Committee again plans to make a monetary donation to each of our three local V.V.S. food pantries from this year’s proceeds. In addition, we will collect non-perishable food items and gently used clothing and coats; please bring your donations to the school on the day of the festivities. Community Day is all about giving a gift to our community for the purpose of coming together for education, fun, food, and friendship.

United Healthcare, one of this year’s major sponsors will bring their healthy eating campaign with Sesame Street; in fact, rumor has it that the dog doctor, Dr. Health E. Hound, will make an appearance. Another major sponsor, Oneida Healthcare, will highlight their Circle of Care.

Children will be entertained with the Kids’ Carnival featuring recreational activities conducted by school groups and organizations. Air Time Inflatables promises to bring additional inflatables for the children

to enjoy, and what child doesn’t enjoy playing and jumping for joy while laughing with friends and family!

Nine area fire departments will be recognizing Fire Safety Month and sponsoring a Safety Expo at Community Day. Participating fire departments include Sherrill-Kenwood, Vernon, Vernon Center, Verona, Sylvan Beach, Durhamville, Westmoreland, New London, and Oneida Castle. The theme for this year’s Fire Safety Month is smoke detectors; remember to check your smoke detectors and

their batteries regularly. The Oneida County Smokehouse is scheduled to be on site as well.

The Health and Wellness Fair features more than 25 area health and wellness providers offering a wide array of medical and health information. Bassett Healthcare is scheduled to bring their Mobile Mammography Coach for mammograms. Appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling the Cancer Services Program at 798-5248. If you do not have health insurance, ask about getting your mammogram for free!

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Community Day isSunday, October 19, 2014

10am - 4pmThis year the Central New York Blood Mobile will to return and be part of Community Day. Those

interested in donating blood should call Wendy Hunt, the Health Fair Coordinator, at 798-5229 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. All donors will receive a coupon for a free V.V.S. FFA chicken barbecue the day of the event.

Flu season is around the corner. A flu-shot clinic for walk-ins age 18 and older will be hosted by Rite Aid Pharmacies.

For those with a little shopping in mind, fifteen area crafters have already registered to exhibit their products and crafts in both high school gyms. Come out and see the variety of products offered.

Sundry food is always available at Community Day with the usual Hofmann hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, homemade pies, ice cream sundaes, fried dough, French fries, and more.

Back by popular demand, the V.V.S. FFA will be serving a chicken barbecue starting at 11:30 a.m.

Although admission to Community Day is free, several community outreach initiatives are being supported by V.V.S. students through Community Day. Participants are asked to bring donations of canned food items or gently-used clothing and winter coats in support of area charities. Donations will be collected at the main entrances. The event is open to the public. Visit V.V.S. Community Day on Facebook. For more information, contact Paulette Schiebel at 335-3075 or communityday@vvsschools.org.

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VVS a great place to learn, to work, and to live!

Craft Fair

Chicken

Want to know more about VVS? Visit our web site: www.vvsschools.org

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. PostagePAID

Permit No. 6Verona, NY 13478

FYI:From time to time, we get a telephone call or a note from someone who has not been receiving the newsletter or has missed a particular issue. We want to include all of our families and friends on our mailing list. If you know of someone who has not received this newsletter or has never been included in our mailing, please call:

Mark Wixson829-2520 ext. 7412

We will do our best to include you in the future.

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central SchoolCity School District of the City of Sherrill5275 State Route 31, PO Box 128Verona, New York 13478-0128

BOARD OF EDUCATIONThomas Moats, PresidentShelly Gilmour, Vice-President

Steve AdamkowskiLinda ChambersKipp HicksJuliane JohnsonMelissa PalmerCatherine SuttmeierPaul Thompson

DISTRICT VISIONThe Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District aspires to be valued as a district of distinction by our community.

DISTRICT MISSIONThe Mission of the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District is to serve the community by preparing individuals tovalue challenges, learning opportunities, diversity and civic responsibility.

The Sheveron Communicator is a Quarterly Publication of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School

CARRIER ROUTE PRE-SORT

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12It’s Almost Time... VVS Community Day!

The return of V.V.S. Community Day is just around the corner at the V.V.S. High School on Sunday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the sixth consecutive year. Admission is FREE. The event features craft vendors, school clubs, area churches and civic organizations, various food vendors, and a focus on community safety, health, and fitness because our community is a great place to learn, work, and live. The Community Day Committee again plans to make a donation to each of our three local V.V.S. food pantries from this year’s

proceeds. In addition, we will collect non-perishable food items and gently used clothing and coats; please bring your donations to the school the day of the festivities. Community Day is all about giving a gift to our community for the purpose of coming together for education, fun, food, and friendship.

...See Page 9 for more information on V.V.S. Community Day 2014.