Western Reserve Local School District 3765 U.S. Rt. 20, Collins, Ohio 44826 Volume 23, Issue 6 January 11, 2016

LOCALPost Offi ceBoxholder

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Non-profi t OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DNorwalk OH 44857

WR Board of EducationPermit No. 18

NEXT EDITION: February 1, 2016 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 20, 2016

by Rodge F. Wilson, Superintendent

Maybe it’s just the season. It seems like this time of the year money is on many people’s minds. I know it is at my house. With all the holiday obligations, turning on the furnace, and preparing for the coming tax season, money seems like a scarce commodity for everyone. And at my house, like you, we’re starting to see those “new” school clothes looking a little tighter and a little shorter.

So money has come up at work here a couple times in the last couple weeks as well. As most of you know, we are starting an energy savings project this year at Western. So we have been talking about energy consumption and a few people have expressed surprise when it was mentioned we spend $20,000 plus a month for electricity. That does seem a lot, but if you consider that we are heating four occupied buildings and those buildings contain over 200,000 square feet, it starts to make sense. That is like heating one hundred 2000 square foot homes. Plus we run two commercial kitchens and must maintain our own waste water treatment plant.

Some of our expenses may surprise you just by the sheer magnitude of our district. The cost of bus tires alone is enough to choke you if you don’t consider there are eleven buses out each day. Multiply that by six tires per bus and the fact each bus travels

Perspectiveson average 100+ miles a day.

In this spirit, Mr. Jim Bartow of Operations, Grounds, and Maintenance, has started to write a series of articles surrounding what the cost of running our district entails. This month’s article follows and is in regards to just grounds keeping. This entails everything from pulling weeds to snow removal. We greatly appreciate the many compliments we get on the condition we keep our schools, and hope these informative articles and our continued transparency maintain the huge confi dence you’ve placed on us to take care of not only your children, but your buildings and property as well.

DID YOU KNOW?by Jim Bartow (Operations, Grounds, Maintenance)

Did you know that Western Reserve maintains more than 33 acres of grounds? This includes the maintaining of lawns, athletic fi elds, landscape beds, perimeter fencing, and trees. Each year, the athletic fi elds, front lawns, and other selected areas receive routine weed control and nitrogen treatment. In addition, the grounds and maintenance department is engaged in a tree replacement program, planting a predetermined number of trees per year, as the annual budget will allow. The grounds keeping staff consists of 2 part time employees whose combined hours total about 40 per week.

Western Reserve has a state contract with John Deere for the annual replacement of mowing equipment. This year, with trade in, we were able to obtain 2 new machines for the replacement cost of $8,517.

By the end of the 2015 mowing season, Western Reserve will have spent, in total, about $30,500 in maintaining the grounds.

Special thanks go out to F & L Lawn care for the outstanding lawn care service, and to Quiet Creek Farms for our tree planting.

by Melanie K. Conaway, PrincipalI wish all the Western Reserve

families a Happy New Year fi lled with hope and promise.

Welcome to 2016. Hoping everyone had the time to rest, relax, and enjoy family and friends. Here at WRE we are ready to make 2016 a year fi lled with success through hard work,

Happy New Year!and dedication by providing students with daily opportunities to grow. The hard work is the responsibility of the students, teachers, staff, families, and administrators. I know working together we can make learning an exciting adventure.

Bus Behavior ReminderIf your child rides the bus

please go over the importance of following the bus rules. The rules are few: Stay seated, keep your hands and feet to yourself, use quiet voices, no eating or drinking. If there is a problem on the bus please let the bus driver and principal know as soon as possible. Bus rules are for the safety of all individuals.

WeatherDon’t be fooled by the mild

December weather we have had. Winter weather will hit us in Collins, OH and we go out for recess in cold and snowy weather. Students should come prepared to go outside at recess. We do watch wind chill factor to determine when to stay in.

Please join us January 27 at 7:00 PM for the 5th grade music program.

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me at the Western Reserve Elementary offi ce at 419-660-9824 ext. 1001

We are WR!

A new texting service from the Ohio Department of Education now gives parents another way to be in the know about education news. Go to the department’s website at education.ohio.gov and enter the words text alerts in

Subscribe to Ohio’s new parent texting servicethe search box. This will take you to a web page where you can sign up to receive periodic texts on topics you choose including ideas for families with elementary, middle, and high school students; information on school choice

scholarships; facts on how your child can earn free college credit in high school; and information on earning a high school diploma after the age of 22. You can limit your choices to only the topics that interest you, so sign up today.

From the time children are little they are told to pursue their dreams; to never give up. They go after them with excitement, tenacity and determination, bound and determined their dreams will become a reality. Often times however the trials of life become too diffi cult and we feel as though we are forced to settle for status quo. Whether we face fi nancial trouble, family struggles, health impairments or simply the bombardment of daily life we often give up before fi nding our way to what we really want. Karina Bartow, a 2008 graduate

of Western Reserve High School doesn’t have an ordinary story. Just like any other child she had her dreams, and just like any other child, she was presented with the many trials and tribulations of life. Born to parents Jim and Brenda Bartow, Karina was diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder that while leaving her mentally unscathed, it disabled a number of physical functions. Karina had met her obstacle… the obstacle that for most children would derail a dream. For Karina her tenacity was too strong, her determination too fi erce, her excitement for life too infectious.

Since graduating from high school, Karina has gone on to write four novels, publishing her fi rst in a series Husband in Hiding, late last year. While Karina’s disability restricted her to typing with only one hand, the extra labor she put into her stories was simply a testament to the true meaning of ‘a labor of love’. She notes that her “disability was merely a word that she heard at therapy and in doctor’s appointments. Of course, being handicapped came with its

obstacles, as hard as my parents tried to help me to overlook them” but she never let the obstacles become permanent roadblocks.

Karina serves as an inspiration to our community and should serve as a role-model for all the students in our district that worry hurdles in life will be too much for them to overcome. She is a testament that nothing in our world is more powerful than the will to succeed and as part of your Western family, we couldn’t be more proud of her, or happy for her that she has.

Karina celebrated her book release with a signing at Western Reserve High School on December 2nd and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. She would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for all of those who have attended. She sent an email remarking that, “Western Reserve has always been special to me, so it was a great way to begin this new Chapter of my life. Thanks again for everyone’s support, and I hope you all enjoy the book!”

Karina celebrated her book release with a signing

Page 2 On the Western Front January, 2015

Editor in Chief :Kimberli Sheldon

Sales & Marketing Advisor:

Ann Todd

Layout Designer : James Wiles

Western ReserveBoard of Education

3765 US Route 20Collins, OH 44826

(419) 660-8508www.western-reserve.org

Board Members andContact Information

NOTE: PLEASE CONTACT THRU

E-MAIL WHEN POSSIBLE.

Mrs. Jamie White: 4744 Gibbs Road, Norwalk, OH 44857. (419) 660-9856.jwhite@western-reserve.org

Mrs. Louise Jackson: 5923 Lincoln Road, Wakeman, OH 44889. (440) 839-2784.ljackson@western-reserve.org

Mr. Michael Canfi eld – 4647 Nash Road, Wakeman, OH 44889. (440) 839-1430.mcanfi eld@western-reserve.org

Mr. Kris Green – 5004 West River Road, Wakeman, OH 44889. (419) 541-0993.kgreen@western-reserve.org

Dr. Scott Ommert: 2820 St. Johns Road, Wakeman, OH 44889. (440) 839-5152. sommert@western-reserve.org

The next deadline for On the Western Front is January 20,

2015.

Contact Kim Sheldon for article submissions

ksheldon@western-reserve.org

Ann Todd for advertising information atodd@western-reserve.

org

January, 2015 On the Western Front Page 3

Tucker’s Tales

For shift #4, students must discuss reading using evidence. This is an important transition to note because there is a burden to support from text. Students are used to providing opinions based on what they read, but now they have to go back and provide details that helped them form those opinions.

The following points provide strategies for students and parents as they tackle this shift.Students can…

• Find evidence to support their arguments

• Form judgments

by Mary SchaefferDirector of Curriculum, Assessment and InstructionWestern Reserve LSD

In this edition, we are returning to our discussion of the six key demands required for student success with Ohio’s New Learning Standards (ONLS) in English Language Arts. We will

Curriculum CornerPreparing for Ohio’s New Learning Standards:

Tips for Students and Parents

look at specifi c strategies parents and students can use. These focal points are critical because parents can provide a great deal of support if they have a clear vision of the expectations placed upon their students, and students can take ownership in their learning if they know what success looks like.

Shift #3 requires students read more complex material carefully. The following points detail some key strategies for successful implementation of this task. Students can…

• Re-read• Read material at comfort

level AND work with more challenging stuff

• Unpack text• Handle frustration and keep

pushingParents can…

• Provide more challenging texts AND provide texts they WANT to read and can read comfortably

• Know what grade- level appropriate looks like

• Read challenging stuff with them

• Show that challenging stuff is worth unpackingThe following chart

provides examples of grade-level appropriate reading selections for various grade bands.

• become scholars• Discuss what the author is

“up to”Parents can…

• Talk about text• Demand evidence in

every day discussions/ disagreements

• Read aloud or read the same book and discuss with evidenceSo, if you are a student who

is looking to boost your scores in all content areas, or a parent looking to assist your child in his/her academics you could start with something as simple as the

newspaper. Find a challenging article and read it together. Discuss the points the author makes. Use evidence from the article to support your opinions. The informational text you fi nd in a newspaper is a great starting point. You may be surprised by the great discussions it will generate.

Enjoy your reading, and check back in next month’s edition for the fi nal ELA shifts and some transition strategies.

Information for graphics taken from www.engageNY.org www.engageNY.org

Thanks to the generous donations from multiple merchants in town, Lyndsey Sprowls (pictured) was gifted a beautiful holiday basket. In addition, Corey Sutton and Bobbi Winder (not pictured) received equally beautiful baskets during the raffl e at the tree lighting ceremony.

As Wakeman kicked off their 2nd Annual Christmas in the Village the thick fog that morning didn’t keep residents and visitor’s away as Santa and his reindeer lit the way. There were crafts, cookies, holiday cheer, and of course, the Christmas caroling and that warmed everyone’s hearts as they went from place to place.

What a great community we have! A special THANK YOU to our Santa’s helpers:

St. Mary’s Church, Wakeman Congregational Church, Key Bank, Sell’s Christmas Tree & Reindeer Farm, Redcap Charity Board, Dillon Family Foundation, Wakeman Village Employee’s, Wakeman Fire Department, Wakeman Police Department, Citizens Ambulance, Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Mickey Mart/Subway, The Main Street Resale Co., Danielion, The Brew Pot, Shear Paradise, Wakeman Barber Shop, Wakeman Laun-Dri-Mat, Dollar General, PAKK Systems, Robson & Associates, East of Chicago Pizza, Spencer Signs, D & L Essential Oil, Wakeman Masonic Lodge, Wakeman

It’s was beginning to look alot like Christmas…

Friendship, Huron County Community Library- Wakeman Branch, CHL Farms, Morman Funeral Home, Wakeman Elevator, Buschur Racing, Mayor Chris Hipp, Linda Rogers, John Nolan, Amy Jordan, and Tim Brubaker.

What a great gift to give! The Giving Gazebo Food Drive Team (Rumblin’ Riders and Shining Clovers-4H Club, Wakeman Sno-Ballers, Wakeman Browns Backers, Wakeman Fire Department, Western Reserve Teachers, Girl Scout Troop# 1119 juniors, and Collins United Methodist Church) raising more than a ton of non-perishable food and related items and over $1,000.00 which was donated to the Caring Community. In addition, 75 hams were donated by Republic Services.

Congratulations to Bobbi Winder, Corey Sutton, and Lyndsey Sprowls as their Christmas in the Village raffl e ticket was pulled before the offi cial lighting of the village tree.

Thank you for celebrating with us and have a safe, happy New Year!

Let’s talk about Poop. Mom just read me a funny book called Everybody Poops. You should read it….made me laugh. But dog poop isn’t a laughing matter. It could spread disease or parasites. I am lucky to have a family that always picks up after me when we go to someone’s house or for a walk. We know that is a very good habit that we wish more people practiced. We met a lady named Gayleen who always reads my article and never misses a month…..thank you Gayleen for telling me that. She said she fi nds my articles informative and funny. I hope that you all continue

to read my articles and learn something to pass along to others. Today was poop. Remember to adopt from a shelter……not a pet store. We only want to love you.

Page 4 On the Western Front January , 2015

On December 15th the Astronomy/Meteorology class took a fi eld trip to the University of Toledo to visit the Ritter Plan-etarium and the Lowell Observatory that houses one of the biggest telescopes east of the Mississippi River. Pictured are Angelita Schmidt, McKinley Shawver, Hannah Beck, Kerri Lone, Collin Murdock, Logan Fell, Stephen Schaeffer, Don-ovan Nichols, and Kyle Bonness all enjoyed the experience.

January , 2015 On the Western Front Page 5

Page 6 On the Western Front January , 2015

The next deadline for On the Western Front is January 20, 2015.

Contact Kim Sheldon for article submissions – ksheldon@western-reserve.org

Ann Todd for advertising information – atodd@western-reserve.org

December Students of the Month

Western Reserve Elementary December Students of the Month are (front) Lexus Bashak, Joc-elyn Ryan, Gracyn Neuburger, Imani Bizzell, (back) Chad White, Holden Nuhn, and Kendall Weber.

Jocelyn Ryan is the Kindergarten student of the month. Miss Gastier says that she is a kind and thoughtful girl. Jocelyn is also helpful to her classmates and her teacher, she gets all of her work done on time, and does very neat work. Miss Gastier says that Jocelyn also gets many compliments from other teachers about her kindness and hard-working attitude. Congratulations, Jocelyn!

Imani Bizzell is the 1st grade student of the month. Her teacher, Mrs. Froehlich, says that she is a capable student who does well in all of her subjects. Imani is responsible and can be trusted to do whatever is asked of her, as well as assist others. Mrs. Froehlich says that Imani treats her peers and adults with

respect, and she cares about her classmates. Great job, Imani!

Lexus Bashak is the 2nd grade student of the month. Mrs. Boss says that Lexus is a hard worker. She always tries her best and is eager to please those around her. Mrs. Boss also says that Lexus is very kind and a pleasure to have in class. Congratulations, Lexus, on a well-deserved nomination!

Gracyn Neuburger is the 3rd grade student of the month. Her teacher, Mrs. Gastier, says that Gracyn is very responsible and completes all of her homework. She is caring and always willing to help other students that need assistance. Mrs. Gastier feels that Gracyn is extremely trustworthy, and she enjoys seeing her wonderful smile every day. Well done, Gracyn!

Chad White is the 4th grade student of the month, nominated by Mr. Bray. He states that Chad is an all-around great student. He

is intelligent, kind, and respectful. Chad is always willing to help others and goes above and beyond what he is required to do. Mr. Bray feels that Chad is a good role model for other students. Keep up the good work, Chad!

Kendall Weber is the 5th grade student of the month, nominated by Mrs. Tooman. Kendall is a helpful caring friend to all classmates, according to Mrs. Tooman. She adds an element of caring and community to the classroom environment. Thanks for all you do, Kendall!

Holden Nuhn is the 6th grade student of the month. Mr. McDonald nominated Holden because he is responsible and demonstrates positive behavior. He is respectful and demonstrates good leadership skills, especially in how he treats and deals with others. He is also a good citizen, demonstrating appropriate behavior throughout the building. Nice job, Holden!

Essential oils are liquids distilled from plants, their seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, fl owers, and fruits are therapeutic in nature. Not all oils are pure, and even 100% pure might have synthetic constituents and are not safe to ingest. These are not fragrance oils, these are medicinal oils, known to boost your immune system, support the respiratory system and all over wellness, while improving your appearance which helps not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. They contain oxygen molecules that help to transport nutrients to starving human cells. This is a holistic and preventative approach, not to take the place of modern medicine but to give you an alternative to your health care.

D & L ESSENTIALS, located in the Wakeman Elevator building has attracted customers from Northern Ohio, Toledo, Sandusky, Chagrin Falls and as far as Columbus. In October the business, owned and operated by Darlene Krieger and Lora Roeser, broke sales records and hosted an event by the parent company, doTERRA of Salt Lake City, Utah. The event was attended

ESSENTIAL OIL BUSINESS BRINGS MANY CUSTOMERS

by over 80 participants across Ohio with over 200 attendees anticipated next year. doTERRA means “gift of the earth”.

Each month Darlene teaches free classes on the uses of different oils. The second Saturday of every month a class is held at the Wakeman Elevator from 10:00am-12:00pm. The upcoming schedule is as follows.

January 9th OILS and EMOTIONS

February 13th REFLEXOLOGY AND OILS

March 12th OILS OF THE BIBLE (just in time for Easter)

Then once a month another class is given by Connie Yarab. This is a Make and Take Class. You will be taught to make you own facial scrub, detergents, cleaners, soaps, etc. This class is designed to teach you alternative methods other than toxic chemicals.

D & L ESSENTIALS Open Tues –Friday 12:00-

5:00pm AND Saturday 10:00 am-12:00pm OR, call 440-839-2925 for an appointment!

Like us on facebook, where you will fi nd information on the oils and our classes.

January , 2015 On the Western Front Page 7

WRE Student Council members proudly pose for a picture in front of the “Stocking Up for Christmas” collections.

We Are, WR!The Western Reserve

Elementary School recently completed its annual “Stocking Up for Christmas” campaign

WRE Students Help Out Local Caring Community Food Bankin which the whole school was encouraged to bring in personal care items such as shampoo, soap, cleaning supplies and paper supplies in order to support

the Wakeman and Collins area food bank. Western Reserve Elementary students and staff contributed just over 2,300 items to the Caring Community food

bank. This total doubles what was collected last year. Way to go!

The WRE student council would like to thank the community for their support as well as Dale

and Rita Daniels for transporting all the boxes.

Page 8 On the Western Front January , 2015

by Kristen StahlThe Western Reserve Girls’

Varsity Basketball team is halfway through the season and stand 5-6 overall with wins over Huron, Monroeville, Mapleton, Plymouth and South Central. Losses against Keystone, Perkins, Crestview and New London came against some of the best teams on our schedule and were great match ups for Western to have competitive games early in the season. Top scorers for the Lady Riders include: Andrea Robson with 20 points, Brooke Buckhannon, nine points against Huron. Keystone, Andrea Robson with 15 points, Rachel Downing with nine; Brooke Buckhannon, seven points and Cora Wyers, 18 points against New London. Even though the Riders did not get the win over the Wildcats, this was a great team effort game against a team that went to regionals last year.

In other action, Rachel

Girls Reaching Hoop GoalsDowning netted 12 points against Perkins; Andrea Robson with 20 against Crestview; and in her fi rst start, Cora Wyers put in 21 points as the Lady Riders defeated defending conference champions, South Central.

Scoring is not the only relevant aspect of the game. Shianne Hankins and Brooke Ommert have been playing tremendous defense. “These two players are responsible for defending the opponent’s best players and have been doing a great job of containing them,” commented head coach Laura Pierson. “their energy on the defensive end provides momentum for our offensive game.”

This year is a very young team with great leadership from the three seniors - Brooke Buckhannon, Rachel Downing and Shianne Hankins. The roster is rounded out with junior Taylor Good, sophomores Andrea

Robson, Brooke Ommert and Kennedy Riley who are learning very quickly and playing with upperclassmen expectations every game, and freshmen Cora Wyers and Jenna Skrada who are young and feisty, and play with intensity and drive every minute they are on the fl oor.

Coach Pierson is very excited for the process this team is going through. “We are challenging experienced teams and showing we know how to take a game plan and put it together on the fl oor.”

Be sure to check the schedule for upcoming contests. The Lady Riders will be playing their in their Friday night debut with conference foe New London on January 15. The JV contest begins at 6:00 p.m. with the varsity to follow. Witness where the girls’ program is headed, and the more people in the stands the better!

January , 2015 On the Western Front Page 9

by Luke BuckThrough nine games, the

Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team is sitting at 8-1 overall, and 5-0 in the Firelands Conference.

On opening night the Roughriders travelled to Margaretta and beat the Polar Bears 61-52. The following day they came away with a big win at Firelands 74-51, in which freshman Jaret Griffi th had 27 points.

A week later the Riders opened conference play against Monroeville, whom they beat 77-49 as junior Colton Puder had a good game in his return from a broken collarbone. The Saturday came their only loss to Keystone. Western was up by three points with four seconds remaining in regulation, when Keystone hit a fadeaway 30 foot bank shot that sent the game into overtime.

Varsity Basketball Undefeated in the Conference

Keystone carried the momentum from that shot into overtime, and eventually came away with a victory, beating the Riders 59-72.

The next weekend was a big one as Western hosted two conference games. December 11 against New London and the 12th against Mapleton. In a battle of potential conference leaders, Western Reserve pulled out a hard fought win over New London, 58-55. On that Saturday, the Riders beat Mapleton 71-44, holding Mapleton’s standout point guard to only four points, as multiple Riders scored double digits, including 22 from Griffi th.

The team played Plymouth and Wellington, on December and 18 and 19, respectively, winning both games in convincing fashion. In the conference game against Plymouth, the Roughriders won

83-58. The day after that, they trounced Wellington 65-37, improving their record to 7-1.

Most recently, the boys played Ashland Crestview. It was a back and forth game plagued by fouls and turnovers. However, the Riders were able to escape with a victory, 79-73.

Through the fi rst part of the year, the Roughriders have improved in key areas, such as defense and rebounding, which were their ultimate demise in the Keystone loss. Jaret Griffi th has led the team in scoring eight times and Colton Puder once. As the Riders look ahead the the next couple months of games, they know they must play more consistently and with more energy.

by Morgan BoswellBasketball is in full swing

and the Lady Riders have started their season off strong. The Lady Rider JV team hold a record of 8-3, taking wins against Keystone, Huron, Crestview, Plymouth, Monroeville, Mapleton, St. Paul and South Central, but falling short to the New London Wildcats, Shelby Whippets and the Perkins Pirates.

Tough teams to beat this season include St. Paul,

JV Girls Off to Good Start

Crestview and New London. Top scoring players for the Lady Riders are Keragan Fannin and Millie Dalton. Top defensive players include Brookelyn Hiesser, Keragan Fannin and Millie Dalton. “I love this team and I think we will do really well this season if we work on our passing and fi nishing our shots. We only have room to improve,“ says sophomore player, Keragan Fannin.

Big leaders on the team this season are Carly Craig and Brookelyn Heisser. “We have a great group of girls on our JV team this year. We have sophomores that are being great leaders for the freshmen, and freshmen who are stepping up into their roles nicely. These girls work really hard and I look forward to a successful season with them,” says JV Coach Casey Dragon.

Page 10 On the Western Front January , 2015

Community NewsGas Aggregate Program…

If you received a notice in the mail to change utility suppliers, before you make any changes, please note that Wakeman Village and Township has agreed to an aggregate program through Constellation as our utility supplier. An aggregate program means that when a group buys in bulk, savings will be passed along to you. You can choose Constellation or you can opt out. You will be getting notifi cation about this program shortly.

Wakeman Festival… The former Wakeman Festival Committee has disbanded. Proceeds from the festival were donated. The Wakeman Festival is always held the last Sat in July. Mayor Hipp says the festival will still go on and is looking for

anyone interested in taking on this project. Planning will start in February, contact the mayor.

Emergency 911 Broadcast System… Watch next month for a special report concerning the update of our present system.

Christmas in the Village… Mayor Hipp says he has received so many calls thanking the Village for this event. People from other towns heard about it and would like to see it continue; perhaps over two weekends or a two-day event. Caring Community received a record donation. “I’d like to extend a special thank you,” said Mayor Hipp, to all those that planned and attended. “This is what Christmas and Wakeman are all about. [It] was wonderful to see all the laughter.”

On the weekend of January 22nd and 23rd set aside some time to visit the Brew Pot Café! Whether you stop in on Friday or Saturday or BOTH you are sure to have a pleasant family experience inside the newly remodeled and cozy café that offers daily specials and a variety of different menu options. The Brew Pot Café is not a coffee house nor is it a burger joint, but rather a healthy alternative to dining out. You will have a choice of soup and sandwich for lunch and don’t forget the wonderful lemon dressing for your salads. Dinner offers a variety of specials anywhere from rigatoni to lobster Bisque. Everything is fresh and made to order with a beverage selection of wine, craft beer, spirits, toffee coffee and white tea.

While you are there, meet the owner, Kim Conklin who has

BREW POT CAFÉ OPEN HOUSEJANUARY 22nd and 23RD

a long background in the service industry before opening her own establishment. “I learned a lot from my mom growing up, I have been familiar with the service industry my whole life,” Kim says. She moved to Wakeman about 12 years ago, worked at Crossroads and then Bacardi’s until the fi re. Seeing an opportunity to open in Wakeman on Main Street, she and husband Randy began their remodel in November 2014 and opened in July 2015. “It’s time for my open house. We are growing more every week and thank everyone for their support. I love what I am doing.”

Stop by during Monday through Saturday 11:30am -8:00pm for an incredibly pleasant dining experience.

Closed Sundays to the public/available for private parties. Call 440-839-2233.

Picture it -- curling up in a chair near the fi replace with a good book, or warming up with a cup of hot chocolate after a day making snowmen or spending time on the slopes. Whether we have snow on the ground this winter or not during this Ohio winter, the middle and high school students will get the chance to visit the Alpine Ski Lodge Book Fair in the Library Media Center during English classes as January comes to an end and February begins. The ski lodge and snow theme will provide a great backdrop to the wide variety of books and accessories from Scholastic, Inc. These materials have been chosen with middle and high school students in mind. The Book Fair will give the students an opportunity to further their reading skills as well as help bring new materials into the school library. As we try to reach our $2,300 sales goal, the middle school students will visit the book fair Jan 27th-30th and the high school will have access February 1st-3rd. All sales will conclude on February 4th.

This year we are encouraging students and the community to help others with the “One For Books” campaign that helps children in need receive books. Simply drop loose change into the container at the checkout stand or add a snowfl ake to the décor with every dollar donation. Even if we don’t have snow outside we hope to have a fl urry in the library. Scholastic will match the amount collected and place books in one of three non-profi t organizations that help children and families in need.

Our online book fair (http://b o o k f a i r s . s c h o l a s t i c . c o m /homepage/western-reserve) runs from January 25th until February 8th for those family members who want to shop the preschool to adult selections from home. Unlike the books that go home immediately from the in-school book fair, these books will arrive mid-February and be delivered directly to the student at school.

MS/HS Book Fair Coming

Soon!

January , 2015 On the Western Front Page 11

Oh Baby!Do you like pie well enough

to eat two jars of baby food? Western students took part in a baby food eating contest to do just that. A pie for each grade level was the prize for the fi rst team to fi nish their jar of vegetables and jar of fruit. Students donated two dollars to compete in the contest and one dollar to watch. One partner was blind folded and given a baby spoon to scoop food into the other’s mouth. The quickest to fi nish received a pie. They were given the option to eat the pie or throw it into a willing friend or teacher’s face. Most students chose the pie in the face option

especially after eating what they called, disgusting food. Kudos to faculty members Mrs. Miller and Mr. Cook for taking a pie in the face. The event was sponsored by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to raise money to purchase toys for the community and Toys for Tots.

FCCLA combined there funds with Student Council and were able to spend just over $500 at Wal-Mart for toys. Thank you to everyone who participated in the FCCLA baby food eating contest and purchased candy grams from Student Council. Our school is the best!

The Western Reserve Endowment Fund Board would like to congratulate the following teachers that applied and were awarded up to $1000 grants for the 2015/16 school year. The board was excited about the variety of ways these teachers plan to enrich their classrooms and curriculum.

As the endowment funds grow, our ability to offer more funds for a larger number of teachers grows as well. Through contributions from staff, the community and generous donors, we were able to sponsor seven, $1000 senior scholarships last spring.

A special thank you to the following teachers for their dedication and vision:

Alicen Bell (7-12): Purchase of updated, shelf-ready nonfi ction books and promotional materials to increase reading options; resulting in higher reading comprehension.

Debra Henry (K-6 Music): Purchase of new percussion equipment for the music room increasing stress reduction, sociability, self-expression, mood enhancement and brain development.

Gayle Kovach (2nd and 3rd Grade): Purchase of enrichment materials to target vocabulary development from Word Root Kits. These materials will be used with all students, but also greatly benefi t our students that are identifi ed as “gifted”.

Lee Rowlinson (8th grade Science and Earth Science 11-12): Purchase approximately six used chromebooks to augment the current classroom collection as well as a raised relief map that would help students visually understand earth events and various land forms.

Ann Todd (grades 10-12): Purchase copies of Strengths Based Leadership, Training Activity Book and miscellaneous materials need for leadership activities. The leadership curriculum helps students to build the “soft skills” so desperately needed in the world of work and post-secondary success.

Endowment Board Selects

Grant Recipients

Page 12 On the Western Front January , 2015

by Melissa OpriaOften times as the New Year rolls around we focus our resolutions on weight, money and eradicating bad habits However, this year one of the

many resolutions we should make is to add some books to your bedside table… and actually read them! This list will give everyone in your family a book to start the year with.

Rider Book Recommendations

Frog on a Log by Kes Gray Ages: 3-5“Cats sit on mats, hares sit

on chairs, mules sit on stools, gophers sit on sofas, and frogs sit on logs.” This book will teach children to rhyme in fun ways. Each animal sits on their rhyming seat. The frog does not want to sit on a log, he looks for an alternative seat while asking his friend, the cat, a bunch of questions like, “Where do dogs sit?”

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew DaywaltAges: 5-7Duncan just wants to color

but his crayons have packed up and left, leaving only a letter from each crayon behind. Blue doesn´t want to color the water anymore and Orange and Yellow each believe their the color of the sun. How will Duncan get his crayons back? Will they forgive him for not treating them all fairly?

The Wonderful Things You Will Be

by Emily Winfi eld MartinAges: 3-7 The Wonderful Things

You Will Be is written through rhymes expressing the love parents have for their children. This is a book that all kids will love to have read to them, showing them how much you care and love your child.

Lost In the Sun by Lisa GraffAges: 10-15 Trent knows that his fi fth

grade year was the worst year of his life. An accident left one kid dead and Trent with terrible thoughts he can’t stop. he thinks it was his fault so, he hopes middle school will be a fresh start. Can he fi nd it? Will the girl with a mysterious scar across her face help him?

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

by Kelly JonesAges: 8-12Sophie Brown and her

parents move from Los Angeles to a farm they inherited from a great-uncle. The farm gets interesting when Sophie meets a chicken that can move objects with its brain. When an entire fl ock of these chickens come, Sophie cares for her fl ock by earning money from their eggs. When a farmer tries to steal them, Sophie must fi nd a way to keep them safe.

Mosquitoland by David Arnold Ages: 13 and upMim Malone’s family

collapses and she is dragged to Mississippi with her dad and her new step mom. When Mim fi nds out that her mother is sick she ditches her life in Mississippi to get to her mom. She meets fellow travelers on the bus ride there and her life takes a few unexpected turns.

My Heart and Other Black Holes

by Jasmine Warga Ages: 16 and upSixteen-year-old Aysel, is

obsessed with plotting her own death. With a dysfunctional family and classmates who hate her. She’s ready to turn her energy into nothingness. She doesn’t think she can do it alone, as she’s on the internet she stumbles upon a website that might just be her solution. Aysel meets a boy named Roman and they start to fi ll each other’s broken lives. She must choose between dying or convincing Roman to live.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick NessAges: 15 and upWhat happens when you

aren’t the one to stop the end of the world? What if you’re like Mikey? You just want to graduate and work up the courage to ask Henna out before the school gets blown up. Again. If you’re like Mikey you have to fi nd the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even when your best friend is praised by mountain lions.

We All Looked Upby Tommy Wallach Ages: 16 and upAs an asteroid hurtles

toward Earth, four seniors put their futures on hold as they await the damage and determine how to spend their last moments. They have nothing in common, one being the star basketball player, another being a girl who can’t wait to get away, the third being a girl deciding on her dreams, and fi nally a boy who doesn’t live in the moment. As the end of the world approaches these four unlikely friends spend their remaining time together.

*** The Wakeman Branch of the Huron County Library has partnered with The Western Front and will be carrying extra copies of The Roughrider Book Recommendations each month. Stop on out to our local branch to pick up a copy and see what other great selections they have in store for you!

Wakeman Branch of the Huron

County Library

January , 2015 On the Western Front Page 13

by Keri LoneJanuary is a very special

to fans of Winnie the Pooh or other famous characters from the Hundred Acre Woods. January 18th is the birthday of the genius behind these characters, A.A Milne.To honor him, this day has become known as Winnie the Pooh Day.The character and stories of Winnie the Pooh were based off of Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne, and his stuffed bear named Winnie.To this day the original bear is displayed at The New York Public Library. His fi rst story that featured Winnie the Pooh was published in 1926 and because of Milne’s imagination, Winnie the Pooh became a favorite worldwide.The words of A.A Milne, channeled through his beloved bear,Winnie the Pooh, continue to bring the child and innocence out of any person who reads them.Pooh bear passes his wisdom on to young and old children alike through some of the most prominent passages below.

“Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.“

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you’ll ever know.”

”If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.”

“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.“

It’s Pooh Bear’s Birthday!

by Kerri LoneAs the holidays come to

an end, kids start going back to school. Unfortunately this mild winter doesn’t bring forth the bitter cold that helps to kill many of the germs that make us feel miserable. Therefore, will you’ll

Tips and Tricks to Stay Healthy Through the Winter

save energy from not shoveling as much snow, you’re likely to face a few more fevers, runny noses, and sore throats.To keep your family healthy throughout cold and fl u season, make sure to practice good hygiene and follow these tips.

1. Get a fl u shot- Getting a fl u shot is the number one way to prevent the fl u. If going to the doctor is inconvenient, you could visit a local drugstore that provides walk-in fl u shots.

2. Wash your hands- As sickness begins to spread, everything you touch could be affected. It is important to

wash your hands many times throughout the day for 15-20 seconds to keep the germs away. If this is not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

3. Avoid touching your face- The most common way germs are spread is through a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth.Touching your face with contaminated hands will greatly increase your chances of getting sick.

4. Get extra sleep- It is always good to get extra sleep, but during fl u season it

See HEALTHY page 14

Page 14 On the Western Front January , 2015

by Breanna MurrayWhen the clock struck

midnight and 2016 was ushered in, chances are you were awake. You might have been partying with your friends; you might have been outside being amazed by thousands of fi reworks lighting up the black sky; you might have been calling your friends and loved ones to wish them a Happy New Year or, perhaps, you were quietly contemplating the 12 months to come and how to make them better than the 12 that have passed. But, whatever you were doing, there is no escaping the fact that the turn of the new year is a very big deal. Though, do you ever wonder why we have New Year’s? Or why different cultures

Why Are There Different New Year’s Around the World?

celebrate it at different times?In the United States of

America we utilize the Gregorian calendar, in which January 1st is the fi rst day of every year. This is because Julius Caesar felt the month named after the Roman god of doors and gates, “Janus” was most appropriate for the “door” of the year. Though, back then the celebrating consisted more of barbaric systems of fun, and that, unfortunately, did not change until centuries later.

So, what about other cultures? In China, the new year begins between January 21st and February 21st of our calendar. They festively celebrate with a collage of lanterns and silk dragons. Meanwhile in Thailand, they celebrate for three days in the middle of April during which they worship their religious icons. Then in Ethiopia they sing and dance and party on September 11th.

It all just depends on where you are. All over the world in many different countries and cultures and religions there are different yet certain dates and celebrations for New Year’s. However, in any culture or anywhere you originate from, New Year’s is a time for family and friends and good times.

by Colin Murdock

ARIES (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) - 2016 will be a year of adventure for you. There will be extreme ups, but also extreme downs this year. Enjoy the fun while it lasts, and prepare for the trials you are going through.

TAURUS (Apr. 20 - May 20) - Time to get working on those plans you’ve been thinking about. Whether the fence needs painted or the house needs renovated, this is the year to do it. Especially in your work, this will be a good year for good work.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) - You will fi nd true love this year. Prepare to put your charm on and go out to meet someone. Be patient and take your time. Slow and steady wins the race!

2016 Horoscopes

CANCER (Jun 21 - Jul 22) - Time to get the your dream body! Make your New Year’s resolution to be healthier and keep it throughout the year. Keep fi rm in your diet and be sure to exercise to work toward your goal.

LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 22) - You will make a ton of money this year! You will be blessed from hard work or simply winning the lottery. You will also have a desire to overspend. Be careful to save some of what you have earned.

VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sept 22) - In this 2016 year, you will be blessed with good luck. Build up the courage to talk to that girl down the street or that guy where you work. Take a chance on something you did not try last year!

LIBRA (Sept 23 Oct 21) - Family does not last forever, so be sure to love them a little more this year. They are the most important people in your life. They love you more than you can imagine, so love them back.

SCORPIO (Oct 22 - Nov 21) - There will be another addition to your family this year! Whether it is a pet or a baby, love

it with all of your heart. They will brighten up your year, so make sure to accept them with open arms.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 21) - While many people will get fi fteen minutes of fame in their lives, you will get yours this year and much more. Do not let all of your fame go to your head though, you will not be so popular forever.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 19) - Sadly, trouble with the law will befall you or a loved one this year. When you do, be sure to accept a just punishment because all actions have consequences. Be very cautious as you go through your days.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18) - This is a year to be courteous and generous to everyone you meet. There are many people in need and they would love to be helped. Even if it is a simple “hello” to a person walking down the street.

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20) - Do not listen to the harmful criticism you will receive this 2016 year. People will try to bring you down, but stand strong! Your values will be judged and actions criticized, but keep going on.

is especially important. More sleep decreases your vulnerability to the fl u because it raises energy levels and strengthens the immune system.

5. Eat healthy foods -Eating healthy foods and staying away from fatty, sugary ones, will boost your immune system. Foods rich in Vitamin D are especially benefi cial.

6. Refrain from sharing- Sharing foods or drinks with people even if they don’t look sick can put you at a greater risk to the fl u.

7. Remain active-Getting out of the house and staying active will strengthen white blood cells, which fi ght infections in your body.

HEALTHY from page 13

January , 2015 On the Western Front Page 15

Page 16 On the Western Front January , 2015