Dimension - October 2011

In this issueA Message from the Superintendent ........................ p. 2

Middle School/HIgh School Update ..................................... p. 3

Elementary School Update .... p. 4

Holley Launches Real Life. Real Talk.® Program ................. p. 5

Do Not Pass a StoppedSchool Bus ................................ p. 6

Counseling News ..................... p. 7

October 2011 ........................... p. 8

DIMENSIONHolley Central School District October 2011

Thank you to the members of our Holley

Board of Education: (front, l-r) Norman

Knight, Kellie Spychalski, John C. Welch, Jr.,

and Dorothy Morgan; (back) Vice President

Brenda Swanger, President John Heise, Robin

Silvis, Sal DeLuca, Jr., and Elaine Berg.

School Board Recognition Week

HOLLEY DIMENSION October 2011

Holley Central School District2

A message from the SuperintendentCapital Project updateby Superintendent Robert D’Angelo

Our capital project continues to be on schedule as we are waiting for final approval from the NYS Department of

Education in order to proceed. Final approval should come within the next few weeks and once we receive that, we can go to bid on the various portions of project work. Hopefully, it will still be a favorable bidding environment and if so, it will allow us to accomplish all of the work that we have defined and possibly additional work. If all goes well, we hope to have the shovels hit the ground in November and perform some of the outside work on both the bus garage and the MS/HS cafeteria before we are hit with the worst of the winter weather. This will easily be a two-year project as we have a great deal of work to accomplish in both buildings as well as on the grounds. Roxanne Wagner, our athletic director, will be contacting those individuals in charge of the sports leagues that use our athletic fields to inform them of field availability or lack thereof during the project. Minutes from our capital project meetings will continue to be posted on our website. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Gene Mahaney, assistant superintendent for business, if you should have any questions about the project.

Holley District Brochure

wins state awardThe Holley District Brochure won an Award of Merit

in the 32nd Annual NYSPRA (New York School Public Relations Association) Communications Awards Contest in the category of Special Purpose Publication. In addition to submitting the brochure, a write up about the purpose of and target audience for the entry was required.

The contest, for which there were over 300 entries, is judged by communications professionals around the country. Awards are presented at the 2011 Convention of the NYS School Boards Associationin Buffalo on October 28.

The brochure can be viewed at http://www.holleycsd.org/district.cfm?subpage=557935

James Anthony O’Mara would have graduated from Holley High School in 1956, but instead he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country. On

September 19, over 50 years later, Mr. O’Mara was finally presented with his high school diploma. Board Vice President Brenda Swanger, who has known him for many years, presented him with the red portfolio containing the document. “It is a great honor to accept this,” said O’Mara. “My mom is looking down on me now. Mom, this is for you.” He thanked the board and John Penna, who was in the audience. “John and I grew up together on the same street. He was my mentor and taught me many things.”

In 2005, the State Education Department determined that Section 305 of the education law be amended to add a new subdivision, which reads as follows:

“The commissioner shall develop a program whereby any veteran of the armed forces who served during war time and who was unable, for any reason, to complete a secondary education, may be awarded a high school diploma based on knowledge and experience gained while in service.”

Any other Holley residents who were unable to receive their high school diploma due to service in the armed forces during war time are encouraged to contact the District Office at 638-6391.

Board Vice President Brenda Swanger presents Army Veteran James Anthony O’Mara with his high school diploma, which he would have received on June 23, 1956.

Board of Ed. awards diploma to Army veteran

Holley Central S c h o o l D i s t r i c t

Soaring to SuccessVisit us on the web at www.holleycsd.org

Holley Central School District 3


Middle School/ High School UPDATEby Susan Cory, Principal

We have had a wonderful start to this school year. Students seem to be back in the routine of school and enjoying both

the academics and social aspects of a new school year.

It is hard to believe that we will be approaching the five-week progress report point in a short time. Again this year, the five-week progress reports will not be mailed home for students in grades 7 -12. The progress reports will be available online through our student management system, SchoolTool. Many of you are already familiar with SchoolTool and access it regularly to check on your child’s day-to-day grades, assignments, discipline, and attendance. If you already use SchoolTool, you will just need to log in and click on “view progress report” to see your child’s five-week progress report. The first progress report will be viewable on Wednesday, October 12. If you have not signed up for access to SchoolTool, please complete the access permission letter at www.holleycsd.org/SchoolTool and send it to my attention or email it to me at [email protected]. If you do not have computer access or wish to receive a paper copy of the progress report, please call Penny Cole in the MS/HS Counseling Office at 638-6335, ext. 2192. We hope that the electronic versions will provide quick feedback as to your child’s progress. As always, feel free to contact your child’s teacher either by phone or email if you have questions or concerns.

Parents, have you checked with your child’s school to make sure your contact information is correct and up to date? It is really important to check that information at least yearly to make sure that the school district can contact you when necessary. If your child is in grades 7-12, you can contact Penny Cole at [email protected] or call 638-6335, ext. 2192 to update your contact information.

Good communication between home and school is a key to student success. Please let us know how we can help you and your family. We have a great mental health team that you may use as a resource for academic, social, and family support. Feel free to contact the Counseling Office at the phone number above to make an appointment.

Come join us for homecoming festivities on Friday, October 7. The pep assembly will begin around 9:15 a.m. in the MS/HS gymnasium. Students will be dismissed at 10:33 a.m. on that day. The parade begins at 6 p.m. with both a MS and HS dance following. Saturday promises to have something for everyone when it comes to watching sports. Check the sports calendar on this page for games and times. GO HAWKS!

As always, please contact the school for assistance with any questions or concerns.

Friday, October 7:Pep Rally MS/HS Gymnasium 9:15 a.m.Parade Holley Village 6 p.m.MS & HS Dances MS/HS Following parade

Saturday, October 8:Modified Boys Soccer Kendall 9 a.m. Modified Girls Soccer Kendall 10:30 a.m. Modified Volleyball Kendall 9 a.m. JV/V Volleyball Lyndonville 9:30/11 a.m. Varsity Football Alexander 1:30 p.m. JV Boys Soccer Roy-Hart 12:30 p.m. Varsity Boys Soccer Roy-Hart 2:30 p.m. JV Girls Soccer Alexander 4:30 p.m. Varsity Girls Soccer Alexander 6:30 p.m.

At the September 19 Board of Education meeting, Russ Albright, math teacher, and Principal Susan Cory presented sophomore Shelby Kunker with a Soaring to New Heights Award for scoring 100 percent on the Geometry Regents exam last August. Only six out of the 1,954 students within the Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES component district area who took the geometry exam scored 100 percent. And Shelby was the only student who scored 100 out of 167 who took the exam in August. Congratulations, Shelby!

Soaring to New Heights

2011Homecoming



Greetings from the Elementary School! We are off to a positive start and the new Morning Program is a great success! Instead

of waiting on the bus, students go right to the intermediate gym for social time or to the cafeteria for breakfast. At 8:40 a.m., the students join together to learn a new dance – so far the chicken dance, Macarena, and Cotton Eye Joe dances have been very popular and energize the students before a solid day of learning. At 8:45 a.m., the teachers arrive and everyone hears the day’s announcements and says the Pledge of Allegiance together. We also have small assemblies, recognize birthdays and students of the month, and focus on our character program. The program gives everyone a chance to start the day out on a positive note and builds a sense of community within our school. And there have been no bus referrals!

I’d also like to report on the success of our summer school. We had 34 students participate in the eight-week program. Students were recommended by their classroom teachers or attended the program due to low grades in a course. Summer school took place on Wednesdays and ran concurrent with the Summer Recreation Program for six of the eight weeks. Teachers Karen Quaranto and Kellie Chalmers, and Teaching Assistant Jennifer Morgan gave students extra help in English Language Arts, math and social studies, spending 30 minutes on two of the subject areas in each class. Students also received computer-assisted instruction using Successmaker Math and Reading, and Waterford Math, Reading, and Fast Math. At the end of the program, report cards were sent home to parents and given to the students’ teachers for the coming school year. Homework was assigned each week and local businesses donated gift certificates that were used as rewards for the completion of homework. Students received a chance to win a certificate each time they handed in a completed homework assignment.

The elementary Theatre Guild will be presenting The Jungle Book as this year’s play! Look for details as they become available. The Theatre Guild has given many of our students an opportunity to explore the world of theatre.

Last, but not least, if you are interested in volunteering, please stop in for a volunteer application. The process is easy and we would love to have you in our school.

Elementary School UPDATEby Regina Yeo, Principal

Local farmers help Holley students have a healthy first day of school

Amy Ellsmore, who works in the Elementary cafeteria, with some of the signage she created to recognize local farmers who provided fresh produce for the first day of school.

Holley students always have fresh fruits and vegetables available for their school lunches, but on the first day of school, they had a cornucopia of selections thanks to local

farmers. Food Service Director Vickie Scroger contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Albion to obtain a list of local farmers then contacted the farmers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of the farmers responded by donating produce to the district.

Students enjoyed homemade coleslaw, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn on the cob, salt potatoes, a salad bar, watermelon, peaches, plums, pears, and apples. Scroger, who is employed by the district’s food service company, Personal Touch, works with local farmers as part of the New York State Farm to School Program. The program’s mission is to connect schools with local farms and food producers; strengthen local agriculture; improve student health; and promote regional food systems awareness. “I buy produce from local farmers throughout the school year for as long as they have it available,” she said. “But the start of school is when so much produce is at its peak and the variety is great, so it’s the perfect time to promote healthy eating with the students and celebrate our local farmers.”

Cafeteria staff at both schools created beautiful displays with the fruits and vegetables, and Amy Ellsmore, staff member, made colorful signs with the names of all the local farms that participated.

First graders say the Pledge of Allegiance during the Morning Program. The entire Elementary School population gathers for a few minutes every morning to start their day out on the right foot.

Many thanks go to these businesses for their contributions:• Brockport Strand Theater• Crosby’s• Dustin’s Pizzeria• Lift Bridge Bookstore• Sam’s Diner

• Seabreeze• Subway• Tiki Hut Ice Cream• Walmart



Holley Wrestling Fundraisera successby John Grillo, Wrestling Coach

Holley launches Real Life. Real Talk.® program

As your child moves through his/her tween and teenager years they are

navigating through what can be at times difficult waters. They are dealing with issues around sex, peer pressure, alcohol and drugs, online and social websites, bullying, relationships, and friendships just to name a few. The best, strongest, and most influential person in guiding your child in these areas is you, the parent. While Holley, as a school system, can help impact and help teach your child how to handle these sensitive areas, they truly learn the most from you. A team of staff members, which includes MS/HS Principal Susan Cory, School Counselors Kristina Mack and Wanda Farrell, Social Workers Micaela Lauer and Samantha Zelent, and Health Teacher Renee Wolf, will be using the Real Life. Real Talk. program this year, encouraging families to talk about these issues at home. Issues of sex, drugs, alcohol, relationships, bullying, etc. can be awkward for some to talk about, but are of the upmost importance, especially in the world that your child lives in today. There isn’t a right, wrong, or quick solution to these issues. Every family is different. Every family has their own beliefs, experiences, values, thoughts, and feelings around these topics. What

is important is that every family talks about these beliefs and values. By merely sharing with your child and discussing your own personal beliefs and values around these topics you are making a huge impact on your child.

The Real Life. Real Talk. Team will be working with students this year in grades 5-12 on how to talk to their parents about these issues. They will also be working with you, the parent, through community meetings, on how to have these conversations with your child and how to make the most of these learning moments with them. Their plan is to have one meeting with your child in a small group session where they will talk about ways for them to approach and talk to you about these topics. These discussions will be age appropriate. If you do not want your child to participate in this small group activity, please notify your child’s principal.

This program will also be incorporated into the middle and high school health curriculum throughout the school year. The students will learn how to discuss certain situations with their family and friends. In order for the students to grasp the concepts, the information will be refreshed periodically throughout the

school year. Also, this is a time where many of the students will be changing and it is important for them to know how to ask for help and to be able to discuss issues that may seem uncomfortable. Some of the assignments will involve parent/student interaction at home, so please be aware that these assignments will be coming home with them. If you have any questions about the materials being covered in health class please feel free to contact Renee Wolf, health teacher, at 638-6335, ext. 2204 or email [email protected].

“We appreciate parents’ help and support and truly believe that as a team we can work together to help students learn how to make healthy decisions and choices,” said Mrs. Lauer, school social worker. The team encourages parents to contact them with any questions or concerns.

For more information about Real Life. Real Talk., visit

http://www.realliferealtalk.org/

The First Annual Holley Wrestling Coed Softball Tournament was held on

September 18 at Holley School District with eight teams entering the one-day event. “No Glove, No Glory” captured the top honors while “Fans of Wrestling” placed second, “Late Arrivers” placed third, and “JBS” placed fourth. Other participating teams were: “Butlers Bombers,” “Red Dogs,” “Holley Old Stars,” and “Team Avery.”

Many thanks go to New York Sportswear for sponsoring the T-shirt awards on a sun-

filled day of fun competition. Mike White, a Holley Wrestling youth coach and parent, organized the tournament with help from Gary DeFilipps, Sports Boosters president, along with the Holley Wrestling coaching staff and parents.

This tournament will be an annual event held at Holley Schools in mid September. The tournament committee would like to thank all of the parents, umpires, workers, and players for participating in the coed softball tournament.

Our District’s Mission

We, the students, parents, staff, and community

of the Holley Central School District, will work together to provide the opportunity and means for all students to acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to become responsible and productive citizens in a diverse and changing society. The ideal is to instill a passion for lifelong learning.



Back to school and the flu: Keeping your school age children healthy

Perhaps no factor is more important to ensuring a child’s education

than good health. As children across the country have now headed back to school, it’s important that both kids and parents remember five simple steps to preventing flu:

1. Get Vaccinated. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu. The traditional flu season starts in October and the vaccine is already available in doctor’s offices, drug stores across the country, and at Holley Elementary School on October 6 (see page 7).

2. Encourage health hygiene in your home. Remind kids to wash their hands and cover their mouths when they cough. Kids should always wash their hands when they come home from school.

3. Keep your kids’ play areas and toys clean. Use sanitizing wipes to wipe down toys, video games, the TV remote, phones, and the computer.

4. If your child is sick, keep him or her home from school.

5. Visit www.holleycsd.org/Flu for links to the latest news on flu, locate vaccines, and for more tips on how to keep your family healthy this

flu season.

PENALTIES FOR PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS:

By Conviction Minimum Fine

Maximum Fine

Possible Imprisonment

First Conviction $250.00 $400.00 Up to 30 days

Second Conviction (within 3 years) $600.00 $750.00 Up to 180 days

Third or Subsequent Convictions

(within 3 years)$750.00 $1,000.00 Up to 180 days

Passing a stopped school bus is against the law! The law states that drivers must STOP when the school bus red lights are flashing, even when the school bus is:

• in a parking lot• on school grounds• on a multiple-lane roadway• on the opposite side of a divided highway

DID YOU KNOW?• An estimated 50,000 motor vehicles illegally pass New York State school buses every day.

THE LAW SAYS:• It is illegal - and very dangerous - to pass a stopped school bus when the

large red lights located on top of the bus are flashing. Flashing lights mean the bus is picking up or discharging students.

• You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or from the rear.

• You must always stop for flashing red lights, even on divided and multilane highways and on school grounds.

• The first-time penalty for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 to $400 fine, five points on your license, and/or possibly 30 days in jail.

• Worse yet, the memory of hitting or killing a child may be one you carry for the rest of your life!

REMEMBER:• Yellow lights mean the bus is going to stop. Slow down!• Red lights mean students are getting on or off the bus.

For more information, visit http://www.safeny.ny.gov/opsafstp.htm

DO NOT PASS A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS



Flu vaccines available at HCSD on October 6

The Orleans County Health Department will be at the Holley Elementary

School cafeteria on Thursday, October 6 from 3:20 to 6 p.m. to administer flu, pneumonia, and HPV vaccines.

Children’s flu vaccines will be available in both the injectable and nasal versions. The injectable vaccine is recommended for children six months and older, while the nasal vaccine is for children two years and older who do not have a chronic health condition. All children’s flu vaccines are administered free of charge. No insurance is required.

For adults, the high dose and regular strength flu vaccines will be available. The high dose vaccine is recommended for seniors 65 and older who have not had a bad reaction to the seasonal vaccine. Adult pneumonia vaccines will be available to those 65 and older, and those 19 and over if they have heart or lung illnesses, diabetes, asthma, or are smokers.

Most insurance will be accepted as total payment for the adult vaccines. If insurance is not accepted (Medicaid) or a person does not have insurance, there is a fee of $35 for the flu vaccine, $50 for the high dose flu vaccine, and $71 for the pneumonia vaccine.

Also available will be the HPV (Gardasil®) vaccine for adults 19-27 years of age. This is administered free of charge and no insurance is required.

by Kristina Mack, MS/HS Counselor

The Annual Rochester Area Colleges Fair will be held in the Middle School/High School gymnasium on Tuesday, October 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

College representatives will be available to discuss programs and offer valuable information pertaining to the college application process.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be given at the Holley Middle School/High School on Saturday, October 15 from 7:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. All college bound juniors and sophomores are encouraged to take this exam. Students must register in the High School Counseling Office with School Counselor Andy Ruff. The cost of the exam is $14. Cash and checks are acceptable forms of payment, and checks should be made payable to Holley High School. Senior students should have toured colleges over the summer break and should be narrowing their search. They also need to register to take the SAT and/or ACT sometime in the fall. Students can register online at www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.actstudent.org for the ACT. Now is the time to be working on college applications, which should be completed by the end of November. However, students need to check the application deadline of the particular college to which they are applying.

Senior interviews will be held October 11-14. The purpose of the senior interview is to review high school graduation requirements and credits, make sure seniors took or are taking the classes needed to graduate, and to review post graduation plans such as college, military or work. If parents have any questions about their child’s interview, please contact the counseling office at 638-6335, ext. 2192.

Please visit the counseling website at www.holleycsd.org/counseling for information on college and career planning. On our scholarship page, scholarships are listed once they are received. Please feel free to review these scholarships and pay particular attention to the deadline dates.

Thank you and have an enjoyable year! Go Holley Hawks!

COUNSELING N e w s

PENALTIES FOR PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS:

By Conviction Minimum Fine

Maximum Fine

Possible Imprisonment

First Conviction $250.00 $400.00 Up to 30 days

Second Conviction (within 3 years) $600.00 $750.00 Up to 180 days

Third or Subsequent Convictions

(within 3 years)$750.00 $1,000.00 Up to 180 days

The Annual

Rochester

Area Colleges

Fair is coming

to Holley on

October 4

from 11:30 to

12:15 p.m.

For more information, please call the Orleans County Health

Department at 589-2874 or 589-3278.

1 SAT Exam

4 Rochester Area College Fair, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., MS/HS gym

5 Story Hour, “Australia,” 10:30-11:30 a.m., Community Free Library

7 Early Dismissal – Staff Development Day Secondary Students Dismissed at 10:33 a.m. Elementary Students Dismissed at 11:33 a.m. SAT Registration Deadline

7-8 Homecoming

10 No School – Columbus Day

12 MS/HS Interim Reports Available Online PTSA Meeting, 5:30 p.m., ES Library Story Hour, “Fire Safety,” 10:30-11:30 a.m., Community Free Library

14 ES Interim Reports Sent Home Senior Portraits Due

15 PSAT/NMSQT

17 Board of Ed. Meeting, 6 p.m., Board Room

19 Story Hour, “Apples and Pumpkins,” 10:30-11:30 a.m., Community Free Library

21 PTSA Grades 4-6 Social, 6:30-8 p.m., ES Cafeteria

22 ACT Exam

25 ES Picture Retakes

26 Story Hour, “Halloween,” 10:30-11:30 a.m., Community Free Library

28 PTSA Pre-K Halloween Party, 6:30-8 p.m., ES Cafeteria

Superintendent of SchoolsRobert C. D'Angelo

Board of EducationJohn Heise, PresidentBrenda Swanger, Vice PresidentElaine BergSalvatore De Luca, Jr.Norman KnightDorothy MorganRobin SilvisKellie SpychalskiJohn C. Welch, Jr.

Holley Dimension is produced with the assistance of the Communication and Technology Services (CaTS) Department at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES.

Editor: Grace Griffee, 585-349-9072, [email protected]

Photography: Grace Griffee

Layout & Design: Lisa Mott

OctOber 2011



Looking for a way to stay in shape?

HCSD Walking Program begins October 3

The Holley Walking Program is now underway offering the public the

opportunity to use the school for walking Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Walkers should enter and exit the school through the main foyer. The program will not be held when school is closed for holidays and breaks. Registration is required so that participants can obtain a “walking badge” to wear while using the building for walking. This registration will help secure our buildings after school hours. The “walking badge” will be mailed to you, along with a walking map of the school with mileage calculated and a walking tip sheet, once we receive your registration.

calling Sue Morreall at 638-6316, ext. 2015

or emailing [email protected]

Register by

Documents

Dimension - October 2011