-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

November 2011 A community where learners excel!NewsletterNewsletter

Vol. XII, No. 3

Board of Education: Don Edwards-President; Jack Sines-Vice President; Spyros Dimatos, Melissa Stephens, Judy WarnerSuperintendent of Schools-Robert Bundy

Associate Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction, Health/Safety Matters & Special Education-Kathleen Dixon

CF staff help CF families

A group of Chenango Forks teachers pitched in to help fl ooded CF residents. Th e group visited two families to help clean, haul and tear up fl oors. It was heartening to see so many of their

neighbors helping out as well. Although not everyone will be able to physically help with fl ood recovery eff orts in our area, many have voiced a desire to help those who have been fl ooded in other ways. At CF we are working to coordinate donations of items and resources and will provide more details as we continue to organize this eff ort. Th anks to Lasting Raize-Hairtka Salon, Best Bagels in Town and Angela Reh for their generous donations of cleaning supplies.

-Drew Allport, CFE band teacherPictured (l to r): CF teachers Karen Shapiro, Tami Crane, Susan Erickson, Drew Allport and Karyn Church helped two families in the Forks who were affected by the fl ood.

Starr appears in Macy’s parade

The tradition of the Macy’s Th anksgiving Day Parade just got a little closer to home as one of our own Chenango Forks musicians will be part of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band in the world-famous parade. Junior Kenny Starr will play trumpet in the band, which includes 220 of America’s fi nest high school student

musicians.

Kenny was one of four musicians from New York who was selected to be a member of the marching band. Working with high school band director Nancy Wildoner, Kenny submitted an audition tape of him playing the trumpet, demonstrating various musical requirements for that particular instrument. Shortly after, he found out he made the band.

He received his sheet music in October so he could memorize the music and be prepared to practice with the band. He will leave for New York City the Saturday before Th anksgiving. Th e band will hold rehearsals for fi ve days.

Stepping off from Central Park, the band will be cheered by the 2.5 million spectators expected to line the parade route. Arriving at Macy’s, they will perform for celebrity hosts, a grandstand audience, and an estimated 50 million television viewers watching the broadcast live on NBC. Th e Macy’s Th anksgiving Day Parade is internationally recognized as the offi cial start of the holiday season and world famous as a uniquely American entertainment extravaganza.

Look for Kenny in the band as it marches in front of Macy’s. Congratulations on being part of this prestigious band and for representing Forks so well.

November 20112 DistrictDistrictState testing dates set

The New York State Education Department has issued the schedule for the state assessment tests. Th e education department did not announce these dates

before school districts around the state, including Chenango Forks, published their school district calendars.

Please note that the ELA is the week following spring break (April 6-15). We ask families to plan accordingly with vacations and appointments during the testing dates.

Th e dates for the 2011-12 grades 3 through 8 assessments are below.

-Bob Bundy, superintendent

Chenango Forks Elementary SchoolELA Grades 3-5: April 17 and 18, 2012. Make up dates: April 19 and 20, 2012.

Math Grades 3-5: April 23 and 24, 2012. Make up dates: April 25 and 26, 2012.

Science Performance Test Grade 4: May 23-June 1, 2012.

Science Written Test Grade 4: June 4, 2012. Make up dates: June 5 and 6, 2012.

Middle SchoolELA Grades 6-8: April 17 and 18, 2012. Make up dates: April 19 and 20, 2012.

Math Grades 6-8: April 23 and 24, 2012. Make up dates: April 25 and 26, 2012.

Science Performance Test Grade 8: May 23-June 1, 2012

Science Written Test Grade 8: June 4, 2012. Make up dates: June 5 and 6, 2012.

S3TAIR means share

Many families and businesses in our Chenango Forks community were devastated by September’s record fl ooding. Our partner school in the S3TAIR Project, Frank A. Sedita Elementary in Buff alo,

was quick to respond. Staff and students held a bake sale run by their eighth-graders. Th is eff ort raised $375 to support Chenango Forks families in need of fl ood relief.

Th e Chenango Forks School District is fortunate to be partnered with the kind and generous community at Sedita Elementary. Our thanks are extended in friendship to everyone at Sedita for their generosity in our time of need.

S3TAIR Project is a federal Special Education Development Grant awarded to New York state. Administered through the VESID offi ce within the New York State Education Department, the project aims to identify what schools are doing to demonstrate research-based eff ective practices.

New York’s project is designed to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by helping educators increase skills in literacy, positive behavior intervention, and special education instruction. Forks applied to participate and was accepted as an eff ective practice school (model site). Forks partners with Frank A. Sedita Elementary in a mentoring relationship, which allows districts and schools that have eff ective, evidence- based practices in the above mentioned areas to mentor schools in need of assistance or intervention as they implement similar practices. Th is is the second year that Forks has had Sedita as a partner.

Eighth-graders from our S3TAIR partner school, Frank A. Sedita Elementary in Buffalo, hosted a bake sale to benefi t families in Chenango Forks who were affected by the fl ood.

-Anne Marie Martino, district RtI coordinator

3November 2011 DistrictDistrict“STAND UP” to bullying

Bullying: “When someone is repeatedly and on purpose saying or doing hurtful things to another person who has a

hard time defending him or herself.” Th at is bullying and it’s defi nition has not changed over the decades, but we hope how to handle it and prevent it has. At Forks, we are working to educate staff , students and the community on exactly what bullying is and what we all need to do to stop it from happening in our schools.

According to Dan Olweus, Ph.D and Susan P. Limber, Ph.D, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is an excellent way to provide teachers and other staff with step-by-step instructions and the necessary background information to eff ectively address bullying in our schools. As good fortune would have it, we are also able to receive federal support from the S.H.A.R.E. Grant of Broome-Tioga BOCES to help us provide this training to our staff during this school year.

In October, Chenango Forks middle and elementary school teachers and staff began an intensive course in bullying prevention with Regional SHARE - OLWEUS trainer Mary Waskie. Each building team is in the process of working with our District Health Advisory Council to create a safe and secure “Zero Tolerance for Bullying” practice a priority for students and staff members at Chenango Forks.

We’ll keep you updated with news and dates of our progress throughout the year.

-Kathleen Dixon, associate superintendent for curriculum/instruction, health/safety matters &

special education

Scholarship pancake breakfast

The Chenango Forks Scholarship Foundation (CFSF) was founded in 1990 and is a Chapter Affi liate of Scholarship America (formerly Dollars for Scholars). Th e Foundation is a tax exempt charitable

organization under IRS Regulation 501(C)(3). Th e purpose of the CFSF is to grant scholarships to as many of the graduating seniors of Chenango Forks High School as feasible in support of their continued education.

Since its inception, scholarships totaling $254,510 have been awarded to 710 graduates thanks to the continuing generosity of our community. Th e Foundations membership includes students, parents, school staff , and community members. Anyone, whether students, parents, school staff , or community members, is welcome to become a member. Th ere are many committees on which members can become involved: executive committee, fundraising, publicity and recognition, membership and awards.

Th e foundation encourages and needs students the involvement of CF students, beginning as freshmen in high school and through their senior year. Th e success of our fundraising events depends on a high level of student involvement as well as the support of the community.

Students benefi t from their membership and participation. Active participation by individual students enhances scholarship award considerations. Looking ahead to building a resume of high school activities and successes, involved students are helping to provide an important community service. Th ere are leadership opportunities and fundraising experience. It is a time for positive social interactions with peers and adults. Adult membership is rewarding as well. All eff orts of the Foundation membership directly benefi t our students. Beyond the community and fundraising involvement, it can be a mentoring opportunity; a chance to instill in our students the importance of working toward a goal. Th e Foundation continues to look for ways to reach out to the community and alumni. Th e more donations received, the more we are able to support our students with their continuing education.

Our fi rst fundraiser for the 2011-2012 school year is the Annual Pancake Breakfast. Th is year the breakfast is Saturday, November 5, from 7:30-11 a.m. in the high school cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Foundation members and can be purchased at the door.

We need student helpers. For the early risers, come at 6 a.m. when the preparations begin. Th ere are eggs to scramble, sausage to cook, pancakes to make, and tables to be set. Come to a later shift and their are friends and families to serve.

For the late sleepers there is the clean up with tables to wash and pans to scrub. Th ere will also be envelopes to stuff in preparation for the Scholarship Phon-a-thon mailings scheduled in February. Th ere is plenty of work for everyone. You will be rewarded with the satisfaction of being involved in a successful event to benefi t your future and...it’s fun! You can sign up for as many shifts as you want by contacting a current member of the Foundation or stopping in the HS guidance offi ce. We ask parents to encourage their students to get involved. Adult help is also appreciated and, of course, plan on bringing the entire family to the breakfast for all you can eat pancakes.

-CFSF committee

November 20114 CFECFEAuthor visits students

On November 10, CFE will welcome author Katherine Hannigan to our school. Hannigan is the author of novels and books for elementary-aged students, including “Ida B . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster and “(Possibly) Save the World,” “Emmaline and the

Bunny” (which she also illustrated), and “True (…Sort Of).” Her fi rst novel, “Ida B,” was a New York Times best seller, a Book Sense best seller, and a Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner. She was born in Lockport, New York, and currently lives in northeastern Iowa.

She graciously off ered to visit local schools for free during her visit to the Broome County for Kids’ Bookfest on November 12. A special thank you goes to Starr LaTronica, Youth Services/Outreach manager for the Four County Library System and to Katherine for giving our students this wonderful opportunity.

-Nicole Laura, CFE library media specialist

PTA at the Forks

We greatly appreciate all of the teachers, staff and parents who have joined our PTA this school year. Th ank you for your support and the interest you

have shown in our organization. We hope you can join us at one of our next meetings, November 1, 6 p.m., or December 6, 3:30 p.m., in the CFE Library.

It’s not too late to join the PTA. All that’s needed is a positive attitude and a commitment to our school. Contact our membership chair Laurie Forker at 648-9715 if you would like to become involved. Our membership form is also available on the district website.

Th e PTA sponsored a book drive this fall to help restore the personal libraries of the teachers and children at MacArthur School in Binghamton. We appreciate the overwhelming generosity of our families. Th ank you for assisting a neighboring school that experienced great devastation due to the recent fl ooding. Box tops collected during the months of October and November will also be donated to MacArthur to assist them with the purchase of necessary supplies.

Don’t forget to attend our fun-fi lled Fall Festival on November 4. Many thanks to Heather Lake, Michelle Episale,

Bonnie Drumm and the rest of the Fall Festival Committee for their creativity, time and hard work in planning and organizing this wonderful event. We look forward to even more fabulous PTA events this school year.

Call or email any of our 2011-2012 PTA offi cers with questions or comments. We’d be glad to hear from you. President: Henry Arciolla, henry.arciolla@gmail.com, 648-2258 Vice-President: Christine Duff y-Webb, duff y-web@sunybroome.com, 222-7520 Treasurer: Candace Madison, candiemaddie@yahoo.com, 648-4399 Secretary: Kerri Vail, dkvail@frontier.com, 648-8010

The PTA Book Fair.

Katherine Hannigan.

-Kerri Vail, PTA secretary

5November 2011 CFECFE“Caught with Character”

It’s who you are. It’s what you do. It’s the way you live your life. Character counts!

Tracey Moppert’s kindergarten class

Patricia Lawton’s 1st-grade class

Brittany Harris’ 2nd-grade class

Heather Hudak’s 3rd-grade class

Jen Sanford’s 4th-grade class

Vince Allio’s 5th-grade class

November 20116 CFECFEPrincipal’s messageGiving thanks

It’s hard to believe that a quarter of the school year is nearly completed. Th ough the year seems to be fl ying

by, this is a great opportunity for us to stop, refl ect and give thanks for all the wonderful things this school year has brought us with the help of the “Golden Rules.”

Be Safe:Th e building has completed numerous fi re drills, a go home early drill and a drill other than fi re.Th e Chenango Bridge Fire Department visited the school to review fi re safety with our students. Community helpers visited our fi rst-grade students to talk about what they do in our community to help keep us safe and keep things operating.

Be Kind:Th ere was outreach by our staff and community to help fl ood victims in the district and in surrounding areas. Th ank you to the many organizations and teams who made a diff erence in our community providing monetary support, clothing, classroom materials and supplies. Students in grades PK-2 have begun the tradition of attending morning program on day 6 and we are preparing for our fi rst Recognition Assembly for grades 3-5 on November 18.

Be Happy:We welcomed more than 20 new families to our school district since July, bringing our total school population to 747.Open houses are done and our teachers have gotten to know the families of their new students.

Added to the whirlwind of the fall months is the approaching winter season. Please be sure your child comes dressed appropriately for outdoor play. Teachers make determinations based on weather daily in order to get students out of the building for some fresh air as much as possible.

Also, don’t forget parent conferences are in full swing. If you have not made an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher, please call to schedule with them as soon as possible.

As always, our offi ce staff is available to support you in any way we can. Th e number is 648-7580.

-Nicole Knapp, CFE principal

Morning program is underway

Another year of Morning Program has begun. Th e 2011-12 Morning Program theme is “Th e Kingdom of Caring.” Students can earn crown awards for demonstrating the

monthly character trait. Like last year, we will have student helpers and class share time each month. Parents are always welcome.

In September, we celebrated the start of a new school year. In October, our Morning Program character theme was team work and friendship. We’re becoming teams in our classrooms and our whole building is working on becoming one big elementary school team. We sang “Th e More We Get Together,” and had some fun singing Halloween favorites, too.

In November, our character theme is thankfulness. We are thankful for all that we have this month, like a beautiful school, great teachers, good friends and loving families. What are you thankful for?

Morning Program this year is every day 6, at 9:05-9:40 a.m. in the CFE auditorium. We’d be so thankful if you came.

-Nicole Laura, CFE library media specialist

CFE November dates

11/1 PTA mtg., @ 6 p.m.11/5 Scholarship pancake breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., HS cafeteria11/6 Daylight savings time ends11/10 BOE mtg., @ 7 p.m., MS library11/11 Veterans Day. No school.11/15 Site council mtg., @ 2:35 p.m.11/17 Report cards issued11/18 Recognition assembly, grades 3-5, 10 a.m.11/23-25 Th anksgiving recess.

7November 2011 Middle SchoolMiddle SchoolStudent of the month

11/1 PTA mtg., @ 6 p.m.11/4 School photo make-up11/5 Scholarship pancake breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., HS cafeteria11/6 Daylight savings time ends11/7 Site council mtg., @ 2:15 p.m.

11/10 BOE mtg., @ 7 p.m., MS library MS/HS 10-week report card period. 11/11 Veterans Day. No school.11/21 Science Night, 6-7:30 p.m., HS science dept.11/23-25 Th anksgiving recess.

Middle School November dates

Front: Rachel Furch (Academic Achievement 8-R. Fortier), Hannah Huyck (Math 8-M. Tio), Haley Benscoter (Spanish IB-J. Pepples), Ava Hudak (Home & Career Skills 8-L. Breck). Back: Kaitlyn Bambino (P.E.-P. Derr), Karleigh Voorhis (Band 7-J. Dybas), Shianne Engel (Science 8-A. Brennan), Katherine Flynn (Technology 6-L. Baxter), Cassandra Pinataro (Social Studies 6-P. Kamp), Meira Hogan (P.E.-P. Derr). Unavailable for photo: Morgan Vavra (Home & Career Skills 7-L. Breck).

Front: Destany Howe (Written Expression-M. O’Hearn), Kelly Parmeter (Technology 8-L. Baxter), Jacob Flynn (Spanish IB-J. Pepples), Taylor Robinson (Home & Career Skills 8-D. Daniels). Back: Aleksa Zabadal (Academic Achievment-J. Crandell), Dakota Testa (Reading-K. Church), Ryan Ruvola (Home & Career Skills 6-L. Breck), Aidan Houlihan (Social Studies 7-C. Spencer), Michael Feldpausch (Regents Earth Science-L. Brooks). Unavailable for photo: Keteri Shiff ner-Villie (Math 6-T. Sanford).

Front: Darrin Gerringer (Math 7-D. Lynch), John Miller (P.E.-P. Derr), Ryan Ehrets (P.E.-P. Derr & Information Literacy-M. Santacrose), Nathan Lewis-Sague (Information Literacy-P. Sweeney). Back: Patrick Saroka (Health 6-K. Shapiro), Matthew Martinichio (French I-J. Myers), Caleb Link (P.E.-P. Derr), Nate DeOrdio (English 8-M. Zappia), Ethan Knox (Technology 7-L. Baxter & Science 7-C. Church).

Front: Lyndsey Stone (Art-J. Russell), Lauryn Stocks (Health 8-K. Shapiro), Alaijah Cheeseman (Art-J. Russell), Kylee Warner (P.E.-P. Derr). Back: Kaitlyn Walsh (Information Literacy-J. Russell), Dah Shawn Warren-Howard (Science 6-T. Vermaat), Parker Urso (Academic Achievement 7-M. Nirchi), Guari Reyes (Math 6-T. Urda).

November 20118 Middle School/High SchoolMiddle School/High SchoolMiddle school students collect books

The fl ood of 2011 brought incredible devastation to our region. As a CF community, we worked over the past month to ensure that our own students and their families received what supplies and help they needed to put their

lives back together.

Other communities and their school districts were also aff ected. Two in particular, MacArthur Elementary School in the Binghamton School District, and Owego Apalachin Elementary School in Owego, were hard hit. Students, teachers and staff were displaced, and most, if not all school supplies were lost. With that in mind, the Blue Devil spirit kicked in with a Chenango Forks Middle School Book Drive.

In a little more than two weeks, students collected gently used K-8 reading level books (picture books, short story, novels,) and one composition notebook (to be used as

a journal) for students in the MacArthur and Owego elementary schools.

Th e original goal was to collect 300 books, but the students far exceeded that goal by collecting 1,115 books through the month of September. Middle School Student Council members sorted and packaged the books then delivered them in October.

Not only was this a wonderful community service project, it was also a way to incorporate various curriculums such as English language arts, reading and math. Sixth-grade teacher Mike O’Hearn, who coordinated the book drive, said, “Students catalogued and

inventoried books, wrote a brief synopsis of each book collected, and added a general well wish for those students receiving the books in both school districts. Reading comprehension, writing and math skills were all part of this activity.” Sixth-grader Morgan Ashman said,“I felt good doing the book drive and I think a lot of my classmates did too. It was fun. We made a thermometer to reach our goal, which was 300. We reached it on our second day of doing the book drive. It felt good to help the two schools. I hope the schools learn from the books and enjoy them.”

Principal’s messageTaking stock

Soon we will be a quarter of the way through the 2011-12 school year and what an opportune time for Middle School students to honestly ask themselves, “How did

the fi rst ten weeks go?”

Looking at their fi ve-week notices, and pretty soon, their progress reports, will help answer these questions, “Is it time to up the ante?” or “Do I need to buckle down and get more serious about my academics?” Th ese might be some questions that come to their minds.

Maybe they are doing a great job getting to class on time and

completing assignments, but they feel they can raise the bar and do that much better. Maybe they need to spend more time completing assignments and staying organized because they haven’t given it their all. Self-evaluating their progress and being honest with themselves this early on in the new school year is something students can and should do. It also brings them one step closer to being independent, successful young adults. We are here to help every child reach his or her goals and will assist them in both setting and achieving them.

Dylan Frey gives the thumbs-up.

Sean Lally and Samantha Beston at the book thermometer.

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

-Lori Pourby, MS principal

9November 2011 High SchoolHigh SchoolStudent of the month

Students attend boys state

This past July, four CF high school students attended the American Legion Boys State of New York at SUNY Morrisville.

Rising at 5 a.m. each day, they made their beds military style, tidied their quarters, and completed calisthenics with members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Afternoons were fi lled with meeting local and state offi cials, participating in mock legislative sessions, and learning about county caucuses and state party conventions.

Th e boys were nominated by school offi cials and selected by our local legionnaires to represent Chenango Forks High School. Th ey joined more than 1,000 other young men from across the state. Th is annual event has been sponsored by the American Legion since 1938 and is dedicated to teaching citizenship and leadership.

Michael George (Earth Science-L. Brooks), Seamus Houlihan (Spanish II-S. Byrnes & Regents Biology-T. Giovenco), Cameron Schmidt (Earth Science-T. Giovenco), Jack Sherwood (Geometry-M. Fendick).

Freshmen

Front: Isaiah Zimmer (P.E.-V. Kwartler), Sabrina Harris (Drawing Basics-K. Rosko), Krysta Shannon (Spanish III-J. Pepples). Back: Zachary Violando (French III-J. Myers), Corey Sager (Foods I-D. Daniels). Unavailable for photo: Brianna Jeavons (Algebra Part II-D. Palmer), Joseph LoPiccolo (Spanish III-C. Panko).

Sophomores

Brandon O’Brien (Advanced Placement Biology-T.Giovenco), Courtney Cook (English 11-A. Gumble). Unavailable for photo: Derek Battista (P.E.-N. Fersch), Yuriy But (Algebra II-A. Biddle), Kenneth Starr (Band-N. Wildoner), Nicolas Cannon (Psychology-C. Spencer).

Juniors

SeniorsAriel Roys (AP Physics-S. Laine), Alexis Kellicutt (Calculus-R.Dando), Emily Feldpausch (Calculus-R. Dando). Unavailable for photo: Gabrielle Martinichio (College Algebra-D. Palmer), Deziree Huyck (Geometry/Trig II-A. Biddle), Alan Ingraham (Design & Drawing Production-G. Reid), David Williams (Health-K. Shapiro).

Kevin Pattwell, Zach Jeske, Alex Singh and Andrew Riecke.

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

November 201110 High SchoolHigh SchoolStudent designs mural

From ketchup packets to murals, there is no medium that Stephanie Zdimal can’t tackle. Th is time, she took on the wall of the concession stand at the CF athletic fi eld,

creating a mural of a Forks football player bursting through the cinder blocks.

CF football boosters Amy and Steve Bronson thought the stand could use a little sprucing up so they approached Stephanie.

Amy Bronson said, “Th is gave Stephanie the opportunity to leave a part of her great artistic ability behind as she moves on to college next year.”

Not only will Stephanie be able to add this to her art portfolio for colleges, but the entire CF community can enjoy her art work for many years to come.

-Linda Myers, communications coordinator

High School November dates11/1 PTA mtg., @ 6 p.m.11/5 Scholarship pancake breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., HS cafeteria11/6 Daylight savings time ends11/7 Site council mtg., @ 2:20 p.m.11/10 BOE mtg., @ 7 p.m., MS library

11/10 MS/HS 10-week report card period. HS make-up photos11/11 Veterans Day. No school. HS marching band in Veterans Day parade11/21 Science Night, 6-7:30 p.m., HS science dept.11/23-25 Th anksgiving recess.

Stephanie Zdimal painted this mural in the concession stand at the CF athletic fi eld.

Student wins state award

Junior Rachel Burdick put her research skills to work last year as part of a local history project in Karon Bielenda’s

tenth-grade English class and in the high school library with Melissa Santacrose. Her six-page research paper, “Th e History of the Green Brothers Apple Hills,” was submitted to the New York State Archives Research Award competition, receiving a Certifi cate of Merit in the high school category.

The NYS Archives Research Award program encourages students to explore historical records found in archives, libraries, and museums throughout New York state. Th e records could also be from community organizations, businesses, families or individuals. Th is was the focus of Rachel’s research as she looked into the history of her family’s business.

She explored business ledgers and receipts from Green Brothers Apple Hills, a deed of the property, family photographs, personal interviews and clippings from local newspapers. With all this

information, she wrote about the transformation that has taken p l a c e in the f a m i l y a n d the bus iness , particularly how technology has changed Green Brothers Apple Hills from a family dairy farm to a fruit orchard.

-Melissa Santacrose, HS library media specialist & Karon Bielenda, HS English

teacher

Students host Science Night

On Monday, November 21, 6-7:30 p.m., the high school science department will host the Annual Science Night for sixth-grade students. Th is

always popular and fun event is a way for middle school-age students to learn about some of the science curriculum they

will see as they progress through the middle school grades and into high school. Many activities will be presented and there will be plenty of hands-on fun. Sixth-grade students are urged to attend. Science Night has been a great success in the past and we look forward to another fi ne turnout this year.

-HS science department

11November 2011 High SchoolHigh SchoolRefl ections on the fl ood

After missing the fi rst two days of school because of the fl ooding, and not knowing which students might have been aff ected, I thought it would be important to change my original “fi rst-day- of- school plan.”

Acknowledging that the community was experiencing varying degrees of suff ering, I decided to let the students write about what they saw and experienced fi rsthand, as well as what they witnessed other people go through during the historic fl ooding.

I prefaced the assignment with a brief account of my own experience, which began on Wednesday, September 7, and continued through the weekend. I said that as a community some of us were aff ected just a little, some of us lost electricity temporarily, some of us had water in our basements and some experienced much more. I left the assignment open, simply telling them to write about their thoughts and feelings, and what they saw.

I saved the “Tales of the People” section from the “Press & Sun Bulletin,” which documented people’s individual stories from around the region. I displayed it, as well as many of the students’ written responses, on my bulletin board in the classroom.

-Axie Roma, HS English teacher

Junior Ashley Heath writes down her thoughts on the fl ood.

The bulletin board display on the fl ood in Axie Roma’s English classroom.

Flood 2011“When I woke up that day it was raining. I looked out into my front yard, and I knew it was bad. My yard had water running across the edge of it, fl owing like a stream or a river. Th e rain picked up, my basement fi lling with water. Th ere were fi re trucks roaring down my road. All the roads to my house were closed, except for one. I worked for hours carrying eight to ten gallon buckets upstairs in a feeble attempt

to remove the water. Th e neighbor’s yard turned into a pond. I was working as hard as I could, fearing that my parents would not make it home. Th e power went out and I was carrying buckets for twelve hours trying to get the water out of my basement. It took most of Th ursday too. Luckily my parents made it home and we had power on Th ursday. -by Kevin Spencer, junior

Principal’s messageParticipate and get engaged

It’s November and we’ve had a very successful fi rst two months of school. Five-week reports have gone home and fall sports seasons are beginning to wrap up. Our Freshman/

Sophomore Academy is in full swing and grade-level teams are meeting frequently to assess the progress of our students.

Students often talk about clubs and organizations, student council initiatives, drama productions, sporting events, unit tests and much more. After school, our facilities are loaded

with teens and adults engaged in many extracurricular activities off ered at Forks.

As I’ve said before, research shows that students who participate in interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities have greater success in school and are more likely to graduate. Consequently, it’s the challenge of all our students to graduate on time and become productive members of society. It’s our hope that, together, we can encourage our students to become active in the school community and participate in some of these great off erings.

-John Hillis, HS principal

November 201112 Home of the Blue DevilsHome of the Blue Devils1 Gordon DriveBinghamton, NY 13901

Nonprofi t OrganizationU.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 155Binghamton, NY 13901

Meetings & Reminders11/1 PTA mtg., @ 6 p.m.11/5 Scholarship pancake breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., HS cafeteria11/6 Daylight savings time ends11/10 BOE mtg., @ 7 p.m., MS library11/11 Veterans Day. No school.11/14 CFCA board mtg., @ 7 p.m., HS lecture 111/23-25 Th anksgiving recess.

Superintendent of SchoolsBob Bundy

Associate Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction, Health/Safety Matters & Special Education Kathleen Dixon

Business ExecutiveKathy Blackman

Communications CoordinatorLinda Myers

ECRWSS Postal Patron

NoticeTown of Chenango residents

No parking1 a.m. to 7 a.m.

On all town and county roads and right-of-ways

STRICTLY ENFORCED

Eff ective November 15, 2011 to April 15, 2012

Band BoostersBand Booster meetingTuesday, November 15, at 6 p.m.HS band room

Th ere will be no December meeting. -CF Band Boosters

Scholarship pancake breakfast

The Chenango Forks Scholarship Foundation will hold its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, November 5, at 7:30-11 a.m., high school cafeteria.

Please note this is a new date for the breakfast.

Cost is $5-adults, $3-students, free for children under 5.

All proceeds fund scholarships for graduating CF high school seniors.

-CF Scholarship Foundation committee

State test dates setChenango Forks Elementary SchoolELA Grades 3-5: April 17 and 18, 2012.

Math Grades 3-5: April 23 and 24, 2012.

Science Performance Test Grade 4: May 23-June 1, 2012.

Science Written Test Grade 4: June 4, 2012.

Middle SchoolELA Grades 6-8: April 17 and 18, 2012. Math Grades 6-8: April 23 and 24, 2012.Science Performance Test Grade 8: May 23-June 1, 2012Science Written Test Grade 8: June 4, 2012.

See page 2 of this newsletter for more details.

Winter concerts & performancesDrama Club Show Choir Performance, December 2 & 3, @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium

HS/MS Band Concert, December 12, @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium,

HS/MS Choral Concert, December 19, @ 7 p.m., HS auditorium

5th-Grade Band & Chorus Concert, January 18 @ 7 p.m., CFE auditorium