Union Springs District Newsletter

2015 CNY Scholastic Art Awards

The Scholastic Art Awards is the largest national art competition in the country. This year, approximately 2,200 student artists from our region, representing 92 area schools, submitted 5,845 pieces of art. After a two day judging process comprised of over 50 judges, only 1,433 works in 14 categories won an award. The awards are Gold, Silver, and Honorable Mention. The Gold key winners move on to be nationally judged out of 300,000 in NYC where only 5-7% will win an award. This year, Union Springs garnered 10 Gold, 7 Silver and 11 Honorable Mentions. That is quite a feat considering we are a very small district in comparison to others district sizes. The Scholastic exhibit can be seen the week of May 20 thru 22 in our high school library.

Gold Key Awards: Cassie Brown

Maia Casper ~ Portfolio

Mikaela Cummings (2)

Emily Irving (2)

Jasmine Jackson

Robyn Richardson

Abby Salico

Rebecca Mills

Silver Key Awards: Maia Casper (2)

Gracie Groesbeck

Rachel Morgan

Cassy Raymond

Grace Shepard

Jenna Zammett

Honorable Mention: Maia Casper Meyson Paz

Andrew Head Connor Siracusa

Emily Irving (2) Jenna Zammett

Elysia Koffler Jimmy Thurston

Dominic LoMascolo Alexandria Nemo

“Excellence….Together We Achieve It!”

April 2015

Budget Hearing

Monday, May 11th @ MS/HS 6:00 PM

Budget Vote and School Board Election

Tuesday, May 19th

Noon ~ 9:00 PM @ MS/HS

VOTER REGISTRATION

IMPORTANT: In accordance with NYS Education Law, if you have

NOT voted in the last four (4) years, after this budget vote/board

member election your registration card will be removed and you

will need to re-register to vote in future school district elections.

If you are not currently registered to vote in school district

elections voter pre-registration will be held on

TUESDAY, MAY 5th from 3-7 PM

District Office Conference Room

If you have any questions, please contact the District Office @

889-4101.

Pre K thru 12 Art Show

Middle/High School Library

Opening Night ~ Tuesday, May 19, 2015

5:00 - 9:00 PM

May 20 thru 22 ~ During School Hours

Please stop at Visitor’s Booth to sign in

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

April 13 - Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

April 14 - Local Scholarship Applications Due

After Prom Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

April 14 thru 16 - ELA Assessment Grades 3-8

April 17 - MS/HS Mid-Marking Period

April 18 - ACT Exam

April 20 - Booster Club Meeting - 7PM @ HS

April 22 thru 24—Math Assessment Grades 3-8

April 22 - Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

April 24 - Jill’s Dance Demo @ HS

May 2 - SAT and Subject Tests

May 4 - AP Environmental Science Exam

AP Psychology Exam

May 5 - AP Calculus Exam

May 6 - AP ELA Lit/Composition Exam

May 6- MS/HS Sports Physicals

May 6 - PTO Mtg. @ AJ - 5 PM

May 7 thru 9 - Yorker’s Trip

May 8 - End of MS/HS Marking Period

May 8 - ACT Registration Deadline

SAT Registration Deadline

May 10 - Happy Mother’s Day!

May 11 - Budget Hearing - 6 PM @ HS

Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

May 12 - Cayuga Elem. Curriculum Fair - 6:30 PM

After Prom Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

May 16 - Junior Prom

May 18 - Booster Club Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

May 19 - Budget Vote 12-9 PM MS/HS

AJ Curriculum Fair 7 PM

May 19 thru 22 - K thru 12 Art Show @ MS/HS

May 20 - Sports Physicals (HS)

May 25 - Memorial Day - No School

May 26 thru 29 - NYS Science Exam - Grade 4

May 26 - Board of Education Meeting - 7 PM @ HS

May 27 - MS/HS Spring Chorus Concert - 7 PM

May 28 - High School Awards Assembly - 7 PM

May 29 - MS/HS Mid Marking Period

June 1 - NYS Science Written Exam Grades 4 & 8

PTO @ CES 5 PM

June 2 - Common Core ELA Exam 8 AM

Common Core Geometry Exam 12 PM

Senior Scholarship Dinner

June 4 - MS/HS Spring Band Concert 7 PM

June 4 - COSBA Dinner

June 6 - SAT and Subject Tests

Cayuga Co. Music Ed. Assoc. Solo Festival @ Wdspt

SUBSTITUTE POSITIONS AVAILABLE

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS:

Non-Certified Substitute Teacher ~ $88 per day

Certified Teacher ~ $95 per day

SUBSTITUTE BUS DRIVERS:

CDL B-PS License required for School Bus Drivers

We will train.

SUBSTITUTE CLEANERS: We will train.

Applications are available on the District’s website @ uscsd.info.

in the Employment Section

*You must have NYSED Fingerprint Clearance prior to

Board of Education appointment. For more information, please

contact the District Office @ 889-4101.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest, resume, and

certification (if applicable) to:

Superintendent Jarett Powers

Union Springs Central School

239 Cayuga Street

Union Springs, NY 13160

Box Tops for Education

Please continue the save the “Box Tops for Education” labels.

The box tops can be found on many different items. The dollars

really do add up and the funds are used to purchase items for our

students.

Drop Off boxes can be found in each building. Thank you for your

support!

Our Military Bulletin Board

We are looking for current photos of alumni that are serving in the armed forces. If you have a family member that is currently serving, please send their name and the year that they graduated from high school. A brief biography of where they are stationed, their rank, and any other special information would be appreciat-ed.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Sciortino 889-4137.

A Message from Our Superintendent

Greetings:

Since arriving in Union Springs, I have been actively looking for opportunities to have students engage the

school administration in ways the Union Springs Central School District can better serve its student

population and to provide students a forum to give their perspective on the school system and its ongoing

initiatives to improve student learning and achievement. In January we established the Superintendent’s

Advisory Council and gave students a forum to express their views about our school district openly,

constructively, and in a collaborative manner. Since we began meeting, students have contributed to

discussions with school administrators and their peers about various topics such as internet filtering, code of

conduct, communication, co-curricular offerings, class size, and budget initiatives. This council informally

advises the superintendent on educational and student success as well as discusses the great things happening

in our schools and educational program.

As we seek to improve opportunities to empower our students in providing input into the educational and

governance processes that directly impact them, the Board of Education will propose a ballot initiative this

May that will offer the district the opportunity to create a student representative to the Board of Education.

Through this position, the student voice will be present at Board meetings. The student representative will

serve in a consultative and advisory capacity without any voting rights, and not as an official member of the

Board of Education. The student will have the privilege of the floor on any public topic and will also have the

opportunity to address the Board at every voting meeting. If the community agrees to establish this

opportunity for our students this May, each spring thereafter, a senior high school student who has attended

school in Union Springs for at least the prior two school years, will be selected by their peers to serve as the

student representative to the Board of Education.

As we prepare students for active engagement in a democratic and pluralistic society, fostering civic

engagement and giving students a voice in the decisions that relate to their education is a way to move our

students into being active participants in our governmental system. Below for your review, is a copy of the

ballot initiative that will be voted on during our budget vote.

Proposition #2

Should a high school senior student be designated to serve

as ex officio member of the Board of Education, and

thereby be entitled to sit with Board members at all of its

public meetings, and participate therein, but without the

authority to vote on matters before the Board or to attend

executive sessions?

Thank you for your consideration of this important idea.

Educationally Yours,

Jarett Powers

Superintendent

2015 Scholastic Art Award ~ Gold Key

Maia Casper

Middle School / High School News

This winter has certainly been one for the record books with relentlessly cold temperatures and an ongoing snow pack. On the positive side, however, there have been recent glimpses of better weather and with that, all of those outside activities we haven’t been able to do in months. This winter has been very busy at the Middle/High School. The fourth marking period recently ended as we look ahead academically. Seniors should be meeting with the guidance office staff to make sure all paperwork and forms are filled out for college applications, scholarships, and financial aid. Students should be using “SISGRADEBOOK” to help monitor their progress. Students are encouraged to stay after from 2:15-3:00pm for extra help or stay from 3:00-5:00pm in the “After School Program” where they can get extra help and have access to one of our computer labs. The spring sports season has just begun with athletic contests scheduled throughout April. Make sure you check the sports calendar frequently. As to date, this spring has been snowy, wet, and cool. Looking ahead into May we have a number of extra-curricular events and trips. The Yorkers will be heading to the Niagara Falls region for the Annual SHIP conference on May 7, 8, and 9. The Junior Prom is May 16th, once again being held at Highland Country Club in Auburn. The eighth grade class trip this year is going to Boston during the weekend of May 29th. That will be followed by the Senior Trip to Cedar Point, Ohio the following weekend. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at the High School Office at (315) 889-4110.

Charles Walker Mike Wurster Middle/High School Principal Assistant Prinicipal

Mr. Z’s Chem Class

Students were studying limiting reactants by placing zinc metal in

hydrochloric acid. The reaction produced hydrogen gas which was caught in

a balloon. After the data was collected and analyzed we had time for some

fun. We reviewed bond dissociation energy by exposing the hydrogen

balloons to a flame resulting in a short-lived fire ball.

2015 Scholastic Art Award Winners

Mikaela Cummings ~ Gold Key

Jasmine Jackson ~ Gold Key

Jenna Zammett

Cassie Brown ~ Gold Key

A Note from Our Principal at A.J. Smith ~ Mrs. Burcroff

Welcome to 2015! It has been a long bitter-cold winter and we are all very anxious to get outside! In the meantime we

kept our students active by challenging them to read, write, think, solve and move.

Every year our students impress us with their new abilities and talents. For example, students compute faster and “just

think differently” when presented with abstract mathematical problems. Students are able to make connections between different

texts, and provide evidence to back up their opinions/claims. They certainly are rising to the challenges set for them, while finding

ways to personalize their learning. Several 6th graders participated in a novel writing group, all 5th graders constructed their

toothpick bridges, and 4th graders are planning for their future by using technology to research and present information about

careers.

If you work hard, you should be able to play hard – and that we plan for as well. The AJ Site Base Team held their second

annual Snow Ball in January with over 75 students (and their parents) attending. The DJ kept things rockin’ while the bubble

machine kept things poppin’! Students practiced their dance steps ahead of time during lunch recess and the R.E.A.L.

Team members provided the decorations. Students enjoyed bowling at Starlite Lanes in January and roller skating at Reva

Rollerdrome (Literacy PLC’s Read & Roll in February and a Skating Party in March). Lastly, All-Star students (who participated in

Early Birds during the AM Zone) challenged the staff in volleyball and basketball before the winter and spring breaks.

Several years ago Mrs. Burcroff set a personal goal to read all past and present Newberry Award winning books. Since

then students have been invited to join in her quest… participating in Burcroff Book Club meetings during lunch. So far this year,

we can check Shiloh, Sounder, Crispin, Crossover and Flora & Ulysses off the list!

Looking forward to our PTO Walkathon on Thursday, May 21st (raindate May 22).

AJ Smith students recognized during

ECHOES presentation

Our Literacy PLC and the Frontenac Museum & Historical Society co-hosted the annual Read Across America Celebration in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. All participants took a goodie bag home and a book.

Kaijah VanHouten models an old-fashion duster used to protect women’s clothes.

Emily Irving ~ Gold Key

Pre-K thru 12 Reading Exchange at the

High School ~ March 20, 2015

Music Happenings at AJ Smith

By: Mr. Beaudin & Mrs. Franco

The music program at AJ is buzzing with innovative and creative energy! So far this year every student has learned or

advanced their skills on ukuleles, pianos, and drum ensembles. They are working on basic and advanced skills on these

instruments which they put to use when arranging performances with their class, accompanying the chorus, or playing with each

other outside of school. The students study a variety of modern popular music, such as songs by One Direction, Imagine Dragons,

and Lorde; as well as a mix of traditional songs during their music classes. We strive to make our general music program produce

functional musicians who understand how music works.

Last year the Choralaires won a contest sponsored by the New York Lottery. The ensemble submitted a video to the New

York Sings contest and, thanks to all of you and your dedication, received the most votes and the grand prize of $10,000. You have

probably been wondering what we have done with our prize money. So far we have purchased a brand new live-performance

sound system consisting of a mixing board, two speakers, two monitors, six microphones, and some LED stage lights. Already the

students have used the new system for a few school performances. We look forward to many more live performances utilizing the

new gear.

The band program got a technological boost this year with the acquisition of SmartMusic software. With this computer

program, students can download the music they are studying in their lessons and ensemble and then practice while

being accompanied by a recording of professional musicians. The instant assessment has created a competitive motivation for the

students to improve their score every time they play. In addition to being a practice tool, we are able to create assignments for

students. They are able to log into their accounts, work on their assignment, and once satisfied with their score, submit their

recording for a grade.

Lastly, and of great significance, here is an update about Perform 4 Purpose, the non-profit organization that provides AJ

students with after school Guitar and Ukulele Clubs. The Union Springs community welcomed Perform 4 Purpose into the district

last year with the formation of a guitar club. The club met weekly and organized a benefit performance at the American Legion in

May that raised over $600 for Project Hope, a USCS charity. This year the organization has expanded its reach into a total of 4

school districts including Weedsport, Auburn, Union Springs, and Moravia. Union Springs has expanded its program to include a

ukulele club. We look forward to your continued support at upcoming events!

Sr. High All-County Students

Back row (Left to Right): Gabby Greer, Danielle Haff, Lauren Roe, Rachel Morgan, Grace Van Horn Front Row (Left to Right) Maria Staehr, Leah DeGraw, Hannah Yorkey, Hannah Thurston, Greg Grant, Samuel Katovitch

Robyn Richardson ~ Gold Key

Abby Salico ~ Gold Key

A Note from Our Principal at Cayuga Elementary ~ Mrs. LaDouce

Our grant funded Universal Full Day Pre Kindergarten program is fully operational with 30 students enrolled within the district. Four year olds attending this program are provided a minimum of 5 hours of instruction daily. A students’ day consists of learning through an integrated approach which incorporates all the domains of early learning. The district is fully committed to providing this program next year to all eligible four year olds. Third grade students are preparing to take their first state assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The assessments measure student’s ability to demonstrate their learning of the Common Core learning standards These standards serve as a consistent set of expectations for what students should learn and be able to do at the third grade level. Two upcoming events that involve student /parent participation will be held this May. A Math night for students in Pre K thru third grade will be held on Friday, May 1st from 6:30-8pm at Cayuga Elementary. The focus of this evening is to allow students and their parents an opportunity to sharpen their math skills in a carnival like atmosphere. Cayuga Elementary will host its annual Curriculum Fair on May 12th from 7-8 pm. Students and their families are encouraged to attend this building showcase of the year’s learning, as well as visit other classrooms of interest. The Scholastic Book Fair will be available that evening for book purchases. Thank you for your support of our PreK-3 program, we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Mrs. LaDouce Cayuga Principal

If I Were President…

Emily Aguilar

If I were President, I would not want big

bottles of soda only little bottles. I would be

serious with my job. I would give

orphan kids homes. I would make kids

healthy. There would be no smoking allowed. There would be

no bullying. I will be loyal and kind to kids and grownups and

animals. I will give kids lollipops and do good things for kids.

The Leprechauns Gold

Devin Platt

One day I saw a rainbow. I

followed it all the way to the end. At the end of the rainbow I

coulden’t belive my eyes! At the end of the rainbow there was

a big pot of gold. Then a mean leprechaun came and stole it.

The leprechaun had light green and black cloths. The

leprechaun was ugly because he had teeth that were missing,

he was short with a light brownbeard, he had light brown hair

and his ears were elf shaped.

He always like to steel gold from the end of the rainbow.

Then I realized it was Saint Patricks Day. The leprechaun said,

“Now this is my gold. Better luck next time!” So the

leprechaun ran away. Then I walked home impressed that the

leprechaun could carry that much gold.

If I Were President…

Shane Perkins

If I was President I would make a new holiday. If would be

called Ice Cream Day. Everyone would eat ice cream for

dessert. It must be three kinds, chocolate, vanilla and cookies

and cream. I would have a new law. It would be called the No

Bullying law. So no one would bully.

So Much Candy

Dylan Schoonmaker

One day I saw a rainbow. I followed it all the way to

the end and I couldn’t belive my eyes! At the end of the

rainbow there was chocolate coins. The rainbow was made of

rainbow cookie. It felt like a pillow and it smelled like a fresh

baked chocolate cake right out of the oven. I took a bite of the

rainbow and the chocolate coins and another rainbow popped

out of the ground! Then I ate more and more and more and

then…..I went to get more buy I could not because it would not

let me take a bite. I could not eat the rainbow either. No more

chocolate coins and no more rainbow cookies or a soft pillow.

No more fresh baked chocolate cake right out of the oven. So I

will wait until tomrow and hope the rainbow comes back.

Please enjoy the following passages from some of Mrs. Gordon’s second graders. The writing has not been edited.

Coach Zdanowski’s two-day

winter camp was a success as

our state ranked varsity team

lead instruction for our little

leaguers!

The Booster Club has been busy this winter. We provided a concession stand for our boys and girls basketball teams in

conjunction with volunteers from the Class of 2017. As we have done in the past, the class received a donation of $500 from the

Booster Club to thank them for their help. Our spring sports season has started and we will once again be providing concessions

at events when possible. In order to provide this service at ALL home events, we are always in need of more volunteers. Our fall

clothing and spirit sale was a big success and we are in the middle of our spring sale. Order forms can be found in all of the

school offices. Be sure to look for new items in our fall 2015 sale. Our final winter fundraiser was providing desserts and baked

goods at the Legion Fish Fry Dinners on Fridays.

As a result of our fundraising efforts, we have been able to support many student activities. We were able to make

donations to the 2015 Yearbook as well as the After Prom Party and the musical. In addition, we will be able to purchase all the

awards for the Spring Varsity Awards Ceremony and will once again be providing camp scholarships to interested students.

Application forms for these scholarships are available in the Guidance Office.

The Booster Club strives to provide support to ALL Union Springs Middle and High School groups, including those related

to the Arts and Academics. Please consider attending a meeting to see how you can become a part of this. We meet on the third

Monday of each month at 7pm in the High School Art Room. Check your district calendar for changes due to holidays or

vacations.

Girls 7th Grade Basketball Team Goes Undefeated

The Girls 7th grade Basketball Team finished its 2015

season with a 12-0 record. The team scored an

average of 39 points per game. It was the defense

that was extremely tough, as the team only limited

opposing teams to 10 points per game.

Pictured:

Front: Allayna Dillon, Allie Wilmot, Jodie Jenkin,

Hailey Hawker, Shannon Simons, Brittney Waters

Back: Coach Gunnip, Renee Park, Skyler Albino,

Riley Cunningham, Tiernan Love, Hunter Pettit,

Maddy Walters

Booster Club News

Gracie Groesbeck Rachel Morgan Grace Shepard

Athletic News

JV Boys Basketball Team

Modified Girls and Boys Basketball Team

Kneeling: T. Stokes, M. Burtless, G. Goodrow, F. Brown,

B. Chadwick, N. Valentino Standing: H. Dreschler, Z. Crane,

R. Evener, K. Cunningham, L. Corcoran, Coach Hodges

Not included: C. Anthony, J. Anthony, I. Park

The 2014-2015 Winter Athletics season was quite successful for the teams from Union Springs as we had winning records for all teams and all competed for league supremacy. The JV boys Basketball team had a great year, sharing the top spot in our division with Moravia. That title had to be decided with a tie-breaker game which was one of the most exciting and well played games of the season. Union Springs won a hard fought game and advanced to the IAC Championship game where we eventually fell to Spencer Van Etten. The Girls Basketball program also had two winning seasons with the Varsity team scoring victories over Lansing and Southern Cayuga along the way. The Varsity girls advanced to the Sectional tournament and represented themselves well. Our modified teams in both girls and boys showed great promise also. All of the teams had tremendous seasons with the 7th Grade Girls running the table to finish with an undefeated season. 7th grade Boys 10-2. 8th grade Boys 10-2; and 8th grade Girls 11-1. As you can see, our future looks good on the basketball court! Our newest team in the Union Springs Athletic Department is the Boys and Girls Varsity Bowling Team. In their first season they emerged as a threat to the league title eventually finishing third in the regular season and second in the IAC Tournament. The team competed in the Tom Sullivan Memorial Tournament where they were the Small School Champion. Two bowlers advanced to the State Qualifier, Brandon Cecchini and Zach Bobbett. Zach placed 15th overall while Brandon placed 32nd. It was a great first season for all of the athletes from both Union Springs and Port Byron. Probably our most successful team this Winter was the Indoor Track team. They had some great individual performances along the way with school records being shattered regularly. Maria Staehr (1500m), Olivia Leonti (3000m), Bailey Burr (High Jump), Alex Tucker, Maria Staehr, Olivia Leonti, and Kyra Dawkins (1600m relay) and Evan DeGraw (300m/600m) all set school records. Evan continued his season at the Section IV meet where he was the champion in both the 300/600 meter events for both the Section IV and State Qualifier meets and advanced to the State Championships. He placed 7th overall in the 600 meters at that meet to conclude a fantastic season, and he is just a Junior!

Chris Pinckney completed a great career with the wrestling team at Port Byron. He finished his career with an overall record of 126-41, with 74 of those wins coming by pin. Last year he advanced to the State Champion-ships. Unfortunately his season was plagued with injuries that shortened his season. Chris will go down as one of the most successful wrestlers in Union Springs history.

Rural Route or Boxholder

US Postage Paid

Union Springs, NY

Permit #3

Non-Profit Organization

Union Springs Central School

239 Cayuga Street

Union Springs, NY 13160

Spring Concert Schedule

MS/HS Spring Chorus Concert ~

Wed. May 27 @ 7 PM

MS /HS Spring Band Concert ~

Wed. June 3 @ 7 PM

Cayuga Spring Concert ~

Wed. June 10 K-1 7 PM @ HS

Thurs. June 12 2-3 7 PM @ HS

AJ Spring Concert ~ Mon. June 15 7 PM @

HS

Music

Jr. High Area All State

Hannah Thurston, Emma Lutkins, Gabby Greer, Flynn Anderson

Hannah Yorkey, Zahra Vaughn, Madison Sochan, Lily Greer

Sr. High Area All-State

Chorus Women’s Ensemble

Connor Coleman

Registration for 2015-16 Universal Pre-Kindergarten in Union Springs

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program is an integral component of the Union Springs District. This program is available to students who are four years old on or before December 1, 2015. This program offers an integrated approach to learning and is available at no cost for eligible children. Full day programs are available at the sites listed. You are welcome and encouraged to visit any of the sites before completing you application. Please contact the site to arrange a visit.

Open enrollment for 2015-16 began on March 1, 2015. All applications must be completed and turned in to Cayuga Elementary by May 30, 2015. For more information please contact Jennifer Henry at 889-4170.

2014 High School All-County Chorus

Nathan McKay, Owen Wawrzaszek, Connor Coleman,

Morgan Hand, Dylan Vivenzio, Bre Gulbe,

Flynn Anderson, Lily Greer, Gabby Greer,

Leah DeGraw

Pre-K Site Program Contact

Cayuga Elementary Full-Day 889-4170

BOCES Full-Day 253-0361

Spring Street Preschool Full-Day 889-5094

Elysia Koffler