February 2012 District News Review

EAST aurora union free school district

March is Music Month

Congratula ons to our East Aurora student musicians and their teachers, Ms. Nanna, Mr. Blackwell, Mr. Davis, Mr. Hughes, and Mrs. O’Connor on the following selec ons to a 2012 ECMEA All-County Ensemble:

Elementary (Mr. Hughes & Mr. Blackwell):6th grade band students -Elementary Band:

Tanner Newell, trombone (alternate)Grace DelVecchio, fl ute (alternate)Emma Oar, fl ute (alternate)

Chorus (Red Chorus):Anna Engle, sopranoEmily Krieger, sopranoRiley Jeff e, altoHelena Schmi , alto

Middle School- Junior High South (Mr. Black-well, Mr. Davis, Ms. Nanna, Mrs. O’Connor):8th and 9th grade band students selected for Junior High South All-County:

Erika Davidson, hornLissa Giacalone, fl uteGwendolyn Haff enden, oboeSamantha Hirsch, bass clarinetAaron King, percussionJacob Mikula, trumpetNathaniel Stoll, percussion (alternate)Grant Vignaux, percussionCassi Zimmerman, clarinet

East Aurora Middle School has been selected by New York State as one of nineteen schools nominated for the 2012 “Na onal Blue Rib-bon Schools” award. EAMS was nominated for the award as an “Exemplary High Performing School” through its ranking in performance on state assessments. The Na onal Blue Ribbon Schools award rec-ognizes both public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are producing outstanding results. Schools recognized as Na onal Blue Ribbon Schools are those that have demonstrated consistent excellence, and in some cases, those that have made progress and closed gaps in student achievement. The Na onal Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U. S. Department of Educa on eff ort to iden fy and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching prac ces. “This is a point of high pride,” commented Middle School principal Mark Mambre . “We strive to run a safe, happy, healthy learning en-vironment. Having the NYS Department of Edu-ca on recognize our successes and nominate us for recogni on on the na onal stage is very affi rming. This award is a tes mony to the good work our faculty, staff and students do each and every day.”

Na onal Blue Ribbon Schools are honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, where each receives a plaque and fl ag to signify its Na- onal Blue Ribbon School status. The schools

serve as models for other schools throughout the na on and details of their achievements are shared on the U.S. Department of Educa on’s website. Each year since 1982, the U.S. De-partment of Educa on has sought out schools where students a ain and maintain high aca-demic goals, and the program has honored more than 6000 of America’s most successful schools. The school will be no fi ed if they re-ceive the award in fall of 2012.

NYS nominates Middle School for “National Blue

Ribbon School”

EAHS All-County Ensemble members

Grades 7th -9th grade orchestra students selected for Jr. High South All-County:

Rosanne Carbone, Violin (alternate)Caroline Horva ts, ViolinBrynna Kelly, ViolinTara Porter, ViolinClaire Russ, Violin (alternate)Erin Weppner, ViolinHannah Weppner, oboeSydney Warren, ViolinAndrew Wren, Violin (alternate)

SATB Chorus:Marielle Burt , soprano (SATB)Jessica Benstead, alto (SATB)Molly Border, alto (SATB)Jane Po er, soprano (SATB)

8th grade SSA Chorus:Katelyn Leman, altoMa lda Musial, sopranoMaria Seeber, soprano

10th -12th grade Senior High All County Ensembles (Mr. Blackwell, Ms. Nanna, Mrs. O’Connor):

Band:Grace DeSan s, Bass ClarinetMyra Engle, ClarinetGarre Folger, Trumpet

Con nued next page

On February 7, composer, performer, and percussionist Anthony Miranda visited the EAHS music department. He spoke to our musi-cians about careers in music and the music industry, and worked with the EAHS Jazz Ensemble and a group of percussionists. Mrs. O’Connor noted that it was a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet someone who has worked in the fi lm and music industry as a producer, musician, and composer. Photos/P. O’Connor

The East Aurora High School Jazz Ensemble par cipated in the 4th an-nual Buff alo State College Jazz Ensemble fes val on Saturday, February 11, 2012. The jazz ensemble performed “Sister Sadie” by Horace Silver, arranged by Bryan Kidd and “Bistro La no” by Jeff Jarvis in a non-com-pe ve environment. Adjudicators were Dave Schaivone, John Maguda, and John Witmer whom are highly respected musicians in Erie County. The ensemble received posi ve comments from the adjudicators and a clinic led by saxophonist Dave Schiavone. The EAHS Jazz ensemble is grateful to the HS PTO for funding the transporta on for the fes val.

Kate Gelsinger, ClarinetHeather Tomczyk, Flute (piccolo-alternate)Alex Wilson, Alto Saxophone (alternate)

Orchestra:Madelyn Atendido, Violin (alternate)Frederick, Gwyn, Viola (alternate)

Chorus:Hannah Braun, AltoNick Cahill, Bass Emily Crow, AltoEd Crow, BassElisabeth Engle, SopranoCaitlin Hasselback, SopranoJus n Hewi , TenorKathryn Mentecki, SopranoLilli Naughton, SopranoJulia Shea, Alto

Mr. Blackwell notes that the chorus members above sang fi ve quartet selec ons and performed a diffi cult sight-singing piece in the audi on, a er which all ten students were chosen for the select chorus, a record number for East Aurora, and the fi rst me that every EAHS student audi oning has made this honors chorus. All ten students received grades of 96-100. Moreover, eight out of the ten students received 10 out of 10 in the sight-singing category, while the other two students received a grade of 9.

All-County Ensembles, con nued

Briefly...In February, Middle School staff members collected $115 for the American Heart Associa on.

The EAHS Key Club has always been commi ed to community service and this school year is no excep on. Members began the school year with a clothing drive for “Hope’s Closet” at the Ma hew Urban Center in Buff alo. The items collected were given to needy women so that they would have professional looking apparel to wear to job interviews.

In October, the Key Club hosted the Halloween party for members of the Ak on Club and members organized the food, music and decora- ons. The club’s holiday project focused on the Interna onal Ins tute

of Buff alo, a group that helps immigrants and refugees coming to America adjust to their new country. Key Club members collected many new kitchen and bathroom items and they were delivered to our new-est ci zens. The Key Club, in conjunc on with the Kiwanis, volunteered at the World’s Largest Fish Fry on February 17, and have many other projects planned for the spring including “Going Bald for Bucks” for Roswell Park and the Senior Ci zens dance. All students are invited to par cipate in Key Club ac vi es. - Mrs. Marian Whitcomb, club’s advisor

The East Aurora Bombers just won their 43rd consecu ve division championship this past week. Amherst came in undefeated and look-ing for an upset but was on the losing end 121-59. Individual winners were Larkin Bohanan, Jon Ketcham, Sam Zagrobelny and Jeff Ma er in the 200 Medley Relay, Jack Zagrobelny in the 200 Free, Sam Zagrobelny in the 50 free, Jeff Ma er in diving, Sam Zagrobelny in the 100 Fly, Larkin Bohanan in the 500 free, Jeff Ma er, Jon Ketcham, Carl Davidson and Sam Zagrobelny in the 200 Free Relay, Jon Ketcham in the 100 Breast and Ma McLaughlin, Jack Zagrobelny, Carl Davidson and Larkin Bohanan in the 400 free relay. Congratula ons to the

en re team. On Saturday the Bombers won their 10th con-secu ve Small School ECIC championship. The team scored 509 points with the next closest team score was 323.5. The meet started with Larkin Bohanan, Jon Ketcham, Sam Zagrobelny and Jeff Ma er placing fi rst in the 200 Medley Relay. The fi rst individual event saw three EA swimmers place 1,2,3. Greg Murnock won the 200 Free followed by Jack Zagrobelny-2nd, Lar-kin Bohanan-3rd, Ma McLaughlin-5th, Kevin Murnock-10th and Robbie Coulter-12th. In the 200 IM Jon Ketcham placed 2nd, Carl David-son 3rd, Victor Cyran 15th, Chase Szafnicki 17th, Read Bohanan 24th, Kyle O’Brien 27th

and Tanner Reese 36th. Sam Zagrobelny placed 2nd in the 50 free followed by a 5th place fi nish by Jeff Ma er, Pat Laff erty 8th, Aubrey McLaughlin 10th, Colind Denfrund 20th, Corey Friess 29th and Andrew Strazzella 36th. Jeff Ma er defended his diving tle and also qualifi ed for the State meet and Cody Link placed 10th. Sam Zagrobelny also defended his 100 Bu erfl y le and Carl Davidson placed 3rd, Sco Lehmann 14th, Victor Cyran 15th and Read Bohanan 29th. In the 100 Free Ma McLaughlin was 4th, Robbie Coulter 6th, Au-brey McLaughlin 9th, Colin Denfrund 22nd and Corey Friess 26th. Greg Murnock placed 2nd in the 500 Free along with, Kevin Murnock 4th, Larkin Bohanan 5th, Chase Szafnicki 7th and Nicola Gnecco in 16th place. The 200 Free relay of Ma McLaughlin, Jeff Ma er, Carl Davidson, and Sam Zagrobelny placed fi rst. In the 100 Backstroke Pat Laff erty placed 7th, Andrew Strazzella 16th, Craig Poturalski 26th, and Nicola Gnecco 35th. Jon Ketcham captured his fi rst ECIC tle in the 100 Breast stroke. Jack Zagrobelny placed 2nd, Cody Link 5th, Kyle O’Brien 8th, Peige Malys 14th, Tanner Reese 20th, and Charlie Decarlo 29th. The team ended where they started with another fi rst place, the relay team of Ma McLaughlin, Greg Murnock, Carl Davidson and Larkin Bohanan won a er dropping 7 seconds from their season best me.

Congratula ons to the team, Captains Sam Za-grobelny, Larkin Bohanan, Jon Ketcham, Greg Murnock and Cody Link, and assistant coach Andy Gonzalez. - Coach Rob Gipe

Division Champs for 43 consecutive years!

Save the date: Hockey for Hope March 2 at 7 PM in the EAHS gymnasium

$5 at the door or pre-sale from school representatives Mrs. Evans - Parkdale, Miss Hanavan or

Mr. Hill - Middle School; Mr. Hycner or Mrs. Yuhnke - High School

The NYS Public High School Athle c Associa- on believes that the athle c par cipa on of

students enhances their academic performanc-es. Varsity teams who earn a 90.0% or higher average during their sport season qualify for the NYSPHSAA award. The following East Aurora High School winter teams have earned this award:

Boys’ Basketball ~ 91.519%Quinn AikenChristopher BourneBrendan CoxMa hew NasonMichael RhoadesStanley WierBradley Wier

Girls’ Basketball ~ 92.657%Madeline KelchlinHillary NasonErin NasonEmily NasonMadeline Punne Anna SchmuckenschlagerChris na Wright

Boys’ Swimming ~ 91.295%Read BohananLarkin BohananRobert CoulterCarl DavidsonNicola GneccoWilliam Cody LinkMa McLaughlinAndrew NeuCraig PoturalskiTanner ReeseSamuel Zagrobelny

February 10 marked the 101st day of school, so Ms. Jenner’s kindergartners celebrated by dressing as dalma ans, reading 101 Dalma ans and ea ng “puppy chow.” In lessons, they drew dalma ans that had ten groups of ten dots, plus one more to equal 101, and a 101 day wri ng exercise: i.e., “My parents tell me 101 mes to ______ and I could eat 101 _____!”

The East Aurora Police Department K9 Unit recently came to visit members of the Middle School Explorers Club on February 7th, 2012. Offi cer Krieger spoke to the fi h and sixth graders about the importance of having a police dog on the force. He fi elded many ques ons from the students as well as demonstrated how the dog sweeps buildings and people to fi nd drugs and other illegal substances. The Explorers Club would like to thank Offi cer Ferrara for helping to set-up this great opportunity with Offi cer Krieger and his dog. The Explorers Club is open to any 5th and 6th grader looking to explore new and interes ng things. The Co-Advisors to the club are Mrs. Bilson and Mrs. Krull.

Ten students from EAHS earned cer fi cates as a result of their performance on the Na onal German exam. This exam is elec ve and is usually taken by only the most mo vated students in the country. Hannah Braun and Caitlin Hasselback won gold awards and quali-fi ed for the compe on for an all-expense study trip to Germany next year. Myra Engle and Katarina Bojanowski won silver awards. Elizabeth Jones and Andrew Lazickas won bronze awards. Cer fi cates of Achievement were awarded to Trevor Bentley, Taylor Cole, Amanda Dzuiba, and Lydia Kegler. Congratu-la ons to these students and their teacher, Ka e Reimers!

Con nued next page

Mr. Brown’s fi rst grade students have been working very hard in both reading and wri ng, and the group recently decided they wanted to try something new. So, in a new loca on--under the central Parkdale staircase--the students completed “Read to Self” and “Work on Writ-ing,” two components of the “Daily 5” framework for literacy. Said Mr. Brown, “It was a great way to keep the students mo vated, and they

proved to stay focused on their work even though it was in a peculiar place. It doesn’t ma er where you read or write, what ma ers is that you are reading and wri ng!” In the rear right side of the photo above, Mr. Brown is working with a student, while student teacher, Jill Nurmi is in the le foreground.

con nued from previous page

Jacob Vasbinder, Class of 2012, has met all require-ments necessary to advance to Finalist standing in

the Na onal Merit Scholarship Compe on. All Finalists will be consid-ered for Na onal Merit Scholarships to be off ered in 2012. Congratula- ons to Jacob!

192 EAHS students took the Regents ELA exam in January. Eleven students earned a perfect score and 143 scored 85 or higher (74%). Congratula ons to our students and the members of our English de-partment.

The East Aurora High School Jazz Ensemble par cipated in the 4th an-nual Buff alo State College Jazz Ensemble fes val on Saturday, February 11, 2012. The jazz ensemble performed “Sister Sadie” by Horace Silver, arranged by Bryan Kidd and “Bistro La no” by Jeff Jarvis in a non-com-pe ve environment. Adjudicators were Dave Schaivone, John Maguda, and John Witmer whom are highly respected musicians in Erie County. The ensemble received posi ve comments from the adjudicators and a clinic led by saxophonist, Dave Schiavone.

Middle School Drama Club performance

The 7th and 8th grade Drama Club performed Kevin Stone’s play

A er Hours on February 1. The cast, consis ng en rely of 8th graders,

put on a fl awless performance to an entertained crowd of families and

friends.

Co-directors Mr. Ambrose and Mr. Terhune would like to thank and

congratulate the en re cast for their hard work and dedica on to the

performance. Photo/B. Converse

The curtains have closed on the 2012 EAHS musical produc on of Thoroughly Modern Millie,

but the show is not over yet, according to Director Chris Cummins. The cast will perform a brief selec on for

Kenny Award judges at a Shea’s Performing Arts Center compe on on Saturday, May 12. Local high schools compete for recogni-

on in individual lead and suppor ng roles, as well as areas of set and prop design, choral performance, visual eff ects, and orchestral

performance. The awards are sponsored by the Lipke Founda on to recognize local high school talent for excellence in producing and

performing musicals.

A endance was very good for the February performances, according to Mr. Cummins. “Each audience enjoyed the humor and

supported the actors with ooohs, ahhs, and laughter,” he said. “Many people commented on the dancing skill of actors and actresses,

and some even said it was the best musical they’ve seen in years.”

Tickets for the Kenny Awards can be purchased through the theater or Mr. Cummins at ccummins@eastauroraschools.org.

Parkdale Literacy Night The Parkdale PTO sponsored their annual literacy night (“For the Love of Literacy”) on Thursday, February 16. Each year, Parkdale parents, staff and teachers volunteer their me to encourage the love of read-ing and wri ng in their students. The event included a poetry lounge, writer’s fair, author’s reading room, crea ng your own pop-up books, a storyteller, story starters on the computers, a scavenger hunt, a library challenge, a book swap, and a book walk. To add to the excitement this year, many Parkdale teachers dressed as their favorite children’s book character. Some popular characters rep-resented this year were Amelia Bedelia, Sam I Am, Mrs. Wishy-Washy, Max from Where the Wild Things Are, Annie from the Magic Tree House series, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Pippi Longstocking, Pinkalicious and Purplicious. Photos/C. Edholm

Clockwise from right:

Mrs. Lisa Brown as “Sam I Am”

Students making pop-up books

Mrs. Susan Koszka in the poetry lounge with students

Full slideshow at Parkdale’s web-site: www.east-auroraschools.org/parkdale

In a February math lesson, Miss Jenner’s kinder-

garten class surveyed Mrs. Davis’ fourth grade

class with ques ons they created, like, “Do you like

chocolate chip cookies” and, “Do you like the Buf-

falo Bills?”

A lesson about surveys combined with a math

lesson in data collec on. A er surveying the fourth

graders, the kindergarten students discussed their

results. As a culmina ng lesson, the fourth graders

came down to the kindergarten to help prepare and

compile graphs to illustrate the data that was col-

lected. Photos/C. Jenner

“And the survey says....”

This is a publica on of the Offi ce of Community Rela ons; contact kward@eastauroraschools.

March 2 Hockey for Hope; third annual staff /alumni fl oor hockey game at the EAHS gym begins at 7 PM; ckets are $5 at the door, and all proceeds will benefi t a scholarship fund for the Raab family. Four games: a rematch of last year’s champs, High School vs. Alumni; followed by Middle School vs. Parkdale; a loser match; and a winner match. There will be hal ime entertainment and refreshments for sale by the Middle School Spirit Club.

March 6 EAHS Student Government will host a Red Cross Blood Drive in the auditorium from 8 AM – 2 PM.

March 7 and 21 Board of Educa on mee ngs; 7:00 PM in Middle School Library

March 8 2012 Kindergarten Informa on Night at Parkdale Elementary (parents only); 6:30 – 7:00 PM. Principal Klimchuck will address a va-riety of topics including the screening process, classroom placement and transporta on. For more informa on, please call Parkdale Elementary School at 687-2352.

March 13 Middle School Band Pops Concert; 7:00 PM in the High School auditorium

March 18 Middle School March Band in Buff alo St. Patrick’s Day Parade; 2:00 PM

March 20 High School Prism Concert; 7:00 PM in the EAHS auditorium

March 22 Middle School Talent Show; 7:00 PM in the High School auditorium

March 27 Help send the Middle School Marching Band to the Kentucky Derby with the purchase of a Chicken BBQ; dine in or take out from 3:30 – 7:30 PM at the Middle School cafeteria, where the Band will perform and a bake sale will benefi t the eff ort. Purchase $9 ck-ets at the door or email MDenny@eastauroraschools.org to purchase in advance.

Also:Prescrip on Drug Abuse Awareness Symposium for parents of children grades 7-12; this joint presenta on is sponsored by the EA School District, EAPD, Boys and Girls Club and will feature William Kane of the US Department of Jus ce and other speakers; Aurora Theater from 7 – 9 PM. Contact the High School offi ce for more informa on.

March 28-29 Parkdale Musical - The Jungle Book; 7:00 PM in the auditorium

March 30-31 You Can’t Take It With You - High School Drama Produc on; 7:30 PM in the EAHS auditorium

April 27Dancing With the Staff annual compe on and fun at 7:00 PM in the EAHS auditorium, sponsored by EAHS AFS and SADD

Some upcoming events...