The Newsletter of the Spencerport Central School District October 2012

Mark your Calendars!

What’s inside• Superintendent

message

• School news

• 2012 Homecoming celebration

• And much more

The Spencerport High School STAGE Drama Club will present Singin’ in the Rain on:

• Thursday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.• Friday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., and• Saturday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Performances will be in the SHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $10 for adults, and $8 for students/senior citizens.

This year marks the 60th anniversary for the movie classic, Singin’ in the Rain,

which makes this production even more meaningful.

Student performers from Singin’ in the Rain participate in the Homecoming parade on Sept. 29.

Justin Burr, a SHS senior, said of being in the drama club, “I can honestly say that being in the STAGE Drama Club musicals has been one of my best high school experiences, and I will remember it forever.”

Of Singin’ in the Rain, Burr said, “An awesome, funny, rainy musical, fully equipped with amazing tap dances that I think is going to amaze the audiences. The talent, dedication, and hard work that everyone has put into this show will really make it one to remember!”

Laura Szymanowicz, advisor and director said, “This is such a well-known classic, and we are enthusiastic about getting the community to come!”

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It’s amazing to me how quickly our staff and students transition into a new school year, and I am especially proud

of the successful opening of 2012-13.

It also amazes me how our district continues to build on our academic excellence, while promoting social responsibility and citizenship toward each other and in our community. Through the years, we have frequently shared with you the programs and initiatives that Spencerport has implemented as it relates to positive behavior, our code of conduct, and encouraging students to make positive choices in becoming respectful global citizens. Programs that immediately come to mind include our confidential tip line, Rachel’s Challenge, PBIS Bus Program, Bucket Lessons, Cosgrove’s High Five, and the Rangers Creed.

Dear Community,With New York State’s new Dignity Act, we have had the opportunity to further develop our programs and reporting mechanisms. This act has sought to provide the state’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. As part of the regulation, Spencerport has:

• Promoted the Dignity Act within our schools, holding assemblies for our students on positive behavior, expectations, and reporting

• Trained all 750 members of our staff on the Dignity Act and reporting

• Established Dignity Act Coordinators for each building, and posted their names and contact information in our school hallways

I am committed to ensuring a learning environment that is free of taunting, harassment or intimidation, and through

this process of implementing the Dignity Act, I realize our district still cannot effect real change alone. It’s essential that students reach out to someone, whether it’s a peer, teacher, administrator, parent or community member when experiencing an unwanted behavior. We must encourage students to take that first step in reporting. Please encourage your child, classmate or student to call our tip line, contact one of our coordinators, or just tell someone.

On this page, we have once again provided the list of coordinators for your reference. Further information about the Dignity Act may be found on our website, www.spencerportschools.org along with the list of coordinators and an online reporting form.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Mike Crumb

Mike Crumb, Superintendent

Each school in our district has a Dignity Act Coordinator (DAC) who, along with the building principal, is responsible for investigating reports of harassment, discrimination, bullying, taunting or intimidation.

Dignity Act Coordinators

Bernabi Elementary School:Rachel Nelson

349-5440rnelson@spencerportschools.org

Canal View Elementary School:Edward Witkowski

349-5740ewitkowski@spencerportschools.org

Munn Elementary School:Jeanne Pacitto

349-5540jpacitto@spencerportschools.org

The following is a list of the DACs for each building:

For more on DA and the Student Code of Conduct, please visit our website at www.spencerportschools.orgCall the Confidential Tip Line at 1-877-474-9403.

Taylor Elementary School:Patricia Bevan

349-5640pbevan@spencerportschools.org

Cosgrove Middle School:Julianne Henninger

349-5342jhenninger@spencerportschools.org

Spencerport High School:Bonnie Frank

349-5245bfrank@spencerportschools.org

The Cornerstone2

The Spencerport Rotary Club visited third graders across our district in September to present each student with a dictionary. For the last several years, the Rotary has donated the dictionaries and facilitated conversations about civics and community service.

Students and staff are grateful to the Spencerport Rotary for their time and generosity! Pictured here are students at Canal View and Bernabi receiving their dictionaries.

Ways to Prevent Pertussis Transmission

HealtH news:

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We want to inform you that the Monroe County Health Department has confirmed a case of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in our district. We notified the parents and staff of the affected building through our automated phone system, web site and letter home, but as a further precaution, we wanted our entire district community to become more aware of Pertussis and its symptoms.

Pertussis is on the rise across the country and especially in New York State, and most school-aged children and adults already have the Tdap vaccinations. Prior immunization decreases the risk of getting the disease or lessons the symptoms if infected. Adults may get Pertussis too, so the Center for Disease Control recommends universal immunization against Pertussis for all individuals above six months of age. Vaccination is especially important if you have contact with anyone who is unimmunized, only partially immunized, dealing with a serious chronic medical condition, or has compromised immunity. If you are uncertain whether you have had the Tdap vaccine or would like to know more about its value, please contact your private physician.

In addition, if you have any reason to suspect that you or your child may have Pertussis, please do not send them to school or report to work until you have discussed the matter with your doctor. We also ask that you notify your doctor of the presence of a health-department confirmed case in our district. Moreover, we also recommend that staff and students consider discussing with your private health care provider both the new Tdap vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine, which can prevent or reduce the severity of illness in both cases.

Remember, to teach your children to keep their hands away from their faces, to use good respiratory hygiene with sneezing and coughing into their bent elbow, and to dispose of used tissues in a waste receptacle. They should remember never to share personal items. Please emphasize that the single best way to avoid infection from any cause is frequent handwashing, especially whenever hands are dirty, after toileting, and before eating. Please be assured that we will continue to follow the advice and guidance from the health department and our district physician, and we will provide any updates as needed.

For more information about Pertussis, please visit our district website at www.spencerportschools.org/district.cfm?subpage=6115

Pops and Parkinson’s WalkThe Spencerport Ranger wrestling and football teams participated in a walk for the National Parkinson’s Foundation of Greater Rochester on Sept. 16.

The student-athletes raised more than $1,200 for the organization, which holds a special place in the hearts of these teams because Robert “Pop” Dennis has the disease. Pop is a longtime volunteer and beloved among the students and staff.

Athletics

Pop Dennis cutting the ribbon to start the walk for our Rangers.

tHank Youto Spencerport Rotary

October 2012 3

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HomecomingThe Cornerstone4

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HomecomingOctober 2012 5

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FREE

Seventeen Taylor Elementary students participated in the Page Turners Tournament on Sept. 25.

During the summer, these students read six books and wrote two questions for each book. They were then placed on teams to answer those created questions. Tied in overtime, Team 2 was selected at random and answered their question correctly to take the win.

Spencerport High School students Joshua and Elizabeth Babb were among the crowd to welcome home US Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter Jenn Suhr from London on Aug. 27.

Joshua, a ninth grader, and Elizabeth, an eleventh grader, both participate on the Rangers track team, and have been inspired by Suhr and her coach Rick, who is also her husband and a Spencerport graduate. Last year, Suhr visited a SHS team practice, and later invited the Babb siblings for pole vault instruction at their home.

“(Watching the Olympics and Suhr’s success) inspired me to work hard so I can have this experience,” Elizabeth said.

Bernabi Elementary School celebrated International Peace Day on Sept. 21, when students placed their handmade pinwheels around the bus loop. Pictured here are the second grade classes with the pinwheels.

for peacePinwheels

Two SHS students among fans towelcome home medalist Jenn Suhr

Taylor students compete in

Page Turners tourney

CV jams forhealth, exercise

The Cornerstone6

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FREE

Canal View Elementary School students participated in the JAM World Record 2012 on Sept. 27, when all students and staff paused at 9:10 a.m. to perform the exercise routine.

JAM World Record 2012 is a national physical activity campaign, led by schools and kids to:

• Inspire America to move!

• Raise awareness about the importance of making good health choices and physical activity a daily habit

• Recognize the need to support schools to provide quality physical education for kids

• Spotlight educators for their work that is creating a healthier nation

Munn Elementary School held its first SOAR assembly of the 2012-13 school year on Sept. 14, when the safety patrol was sworn in by Ogden Town Supervisor Gay Lenhard. The safety patrol ensures the wellbeing of all students during the arrival and dismissal times.

Longtime Spencerport teacher, Larry Trippodo, will be inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame on Oct. 27.

Trippodo, who will be among 10 inductees, will be recognized for his accomplishments as a premier referee from 1974-2001.

“This honor means a great deal, because I see the people who preceded me and their names on the wall at Blue Cross Arena,” Trippodo said. “The inductees are also doing so many great things in the community, donating their time and effort to make sure Section V continues to be a success.”

In addition to being a top referee, Trippodo was named Board 60 Official of the Year in 1995 and Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) Official of the Year in 1998. He officiated in multiple Section V, Western Regional and NYSPHSAA Finals. Trippodo is also a 2007 Section V Football Hall of Fame inductee in recognition of his work as a referee. He is an active volunteer in the community and has been recognized for his tireless contributions by the Ronald McDonald House, Camp Good Days and Special Times and the Center for Youth.

As a teacher in Spencerport for 33 years, Trippodo taught at Munn, Taylor and Cosgrove. He retired in 2005 from the district, but remained a volunteer at Cosgrove until last year. These days, Trippodo enjoys his grandchildren and traveling.

Retiree to be inducted into

Basketball Hall of Fame

Ogden Supervisorswears in safeties

CV jams forhealth, exercise

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November 2012

Board of Education:Mr. William Sweeney, President

Mr. Jim Oberlin, Vice President

Mr. Gary Bracken

Ms. Jody Gillette

Mr. Kevin Hutton

Ms. Janet Tyler

Mr. Mark Young

School Board members are elected to three-year terms and serve without pay.

Superintendent of SchoolsMichael Crumb

Editor: Lanette Cypher 349-5104

Design: Karen Slayton

www.SpencerportSchools.org

©2012 SCSD Public Information Office

Designed and printed at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES

2-3 Jr High All State Music Festival5 Cosgrove winter sports sign up day5 SSBC, 6:30 p.m., DO6 Taylor roller skating, K-2, 3:30 p.m.6 Bernabi roller skating, 3:45 p.m.7 Cosgrove male winter sports recertifications, flex period8 Cosgrove female winter sports recertifications, flex period8 Munn picture makeup8 Taylor picture makeup8 Taylor roller skating, 3-5, 3:30 p.m.8 Taylor PTO, 6:30 p.m.8 HS musical, 7:30 p.m., HS PAC9 Bernabi bingo9 HS musical, 7:30 p.m., HS PAC10 HS musical, 2 & 7:30 p.m., HS PAC12 Veterans Day: no school12 1st day hockey practice12 1st day V/JV winter sports practices13 Board of Education, 7 p.m., SHS14 CVA, 6:30 p.m.14-15 Munn Fall Book Fair15 Bernabi picture makeup15 Cosgrove parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:45 p.m.15 Munn parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:45 p.m.15 CV parent/teacher conferences, 4-7 p.m.

16 Bernabi Turkey Trot/pasta dinner16 HS Red Cross blood drive16 HS report cards mailed home16 MSPA movie night16-17 Sr High All State Music Festival19 Bernabi parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:45 p.m.19 Munn parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:45 p.m.19 Taylor parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:15 p.m.19 HS parent/teacher conferences, 4-7 p.m.19 BPA, 6 p.m.19 1st day Mod A winter sports practices19 SMA, 7 p.m.22-23 Thanksgiving recess23 Rob Stultz Memorial basketball scrimmages26 Taylor parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:30 p.m.26 HS Business Honor Society induction, 6:30 p.m.26 1st day Mod B winter sports practices27 Board of Education, 7 p.m., DO28 Taylor parent/teacher conferences, 7:30-8:15 a.m.28 Bernabi parent/teacher conferences, 3:45-6:45 p.m.29 HS parent/teacher conferences, 3-6 p.m.29 CV parent/teacher conferences, 4-7 p.m.29 MSPA, 6:45 p.m.29 7th & 8th grade choral concert, 7 p.m.30 Taylor PTO family holiday shop, 5:30-8 p.m.30 Munn holiday craft night, 6:30 p.m.30-Dec. 2 NYSSMA all state music festival30 SMA movie night, 7 p.m., CMS

The Canal View, William Munn, and Terry A. Taylor Schools will be open for registered district residents to walk in the building hallways between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. on days that school is in session, beginning October 23 until May 31.

Registration will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 24, and 12-2 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the Volunteer Office at the Terry A. Taylor School, 399 Ogden Parma Town Line Road. To register, enter by the west door, Entrance 6, and follow the signs.

For more information please call the Volunteer Office, 349-5682, any day between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Spencerport

Walk for ExerciseProgram