The Newsletter of the Spencerport Central School District March 2013

What’s inside•2013-14schoolyearcalendar

•CommonCoreStateStandards

•Athleticnews

•Andmuchmore

Elementary students celebrated 100 days of school on Feb. 12, and each school marked the milestone in unique ways. Second grade teachers at Canal View dressed up to be 100 years old, and at Taylor, Betsy Pereira’s class held a 100-day fashion show with first graders incorporating 100 in some style of clothes or accessories.

100 days of school

The Cornerstone2

Dear community,Everyyear,wereporttoyouonourbudgetdevelopmentprogress,withuniquechallengespresentingthemselvesalongtheway.

For2013-14,wecontinuetobuildonoureffortsfrompastyearsinpursuingaqualityeducationforourchildren,whileensuringfiscalresponsibilityandlong-termfinancialsustainability.Wehavemaintainedthislong-termapproach,andappreciatetheongoingsupportofourstaff,BoardofEducation,families,andcommunityvoters.

Rightnow,ourfiguresreflectaprojectedbudgetof$71.4million,whichhasbeenimpactedby:

•Thestate-comptrollerincreasesintheteacherretirementsystem(TRS)andemployeeretirementsystem(ERS),and

•Theannualincreasesalwaysrelatedtoeconomiccosts(fuel,utilities,etc.)andrunningaschooldistrict.

Wehavebeenabletoholdthoseexpenseswithinourcontrolthroughtrendlinedata,efficiencies,attrition,andnewpartnershipssuchasfuelagreementswiththetown,villageandsheriff ’soffice.Wealsotrytomitigatetheimpactofuncontrollablecoststhroughparticipationinsucheffortsasthehealthconsortiumwithothercountyschooldistrictstosecurelowerratesthanthepublicsector.

Whiletheseeffortstrulyhelpusholdbudgetexpenses,westillhavemanyunknownfactorsrelatedtorevenues.OnceNewYorkStateadoptsabudgetwithourstateaidprojections,wewillhaveaclearerpictureofouraidandoverallrevenuestooffsetourexpenses,whichwewillthenbeabletocommunicatethedetailswithourcommunity.

Inthemeantime,allofourpowerpointpresentationsfromtheBudgetFocusGroupandBoardmeetingsaswellasbudgetresourcesareupdatedregularlyonourwebsiteatwww.spencerportschools.org>2013-14budgetdevtAsinyearspast,wewillalsobeholdingaseriesofpublicpresentationsoncethebudgetisadopted,andweencourageyoutoattendanyone(orall!)ofthosemeetings.

MichaelCrumbSuperintendent

Mike Crumb, Superintendent

The objectives of the seminar are to:•Helpyoulearnwhatroleyoucanplayinyourschooldistrict’sgovernance

•Describewhatschoolboardmembershipinvolves•DemonstratethekindsofassistancetoexpectfromMCSBAandschooldistrictleadersifyoudecidetorun

•Recommendtechniquesforgettingelectedifyoudecidetorun

Thinking of running for the Spencerport

Board of Education, but would like to know

more about the position first?

TheMonroeCountySchoolBoardsAssociationwillhostaseminarforpotentialcandidates

from 8 to 11 a.m.

on Saturday, March 23,

at the Airport Holiday Inn.

Registration is $10 andcoversacontinentalbreakfastaswellaswrittenmaterialsthatincludelegalrequirementsofcandidates,samplecandidateliterature,andexpectationsofschoolboardmembers.

Prospective school board candidate seminar

Visit http://www.monroe.edu/webpages/mcsba/index.cfm for more information.

March 2013 3

Board of Education 2013-14 school year calendar

TheBoardofEducationadoptedthe2013-14schooldistrictcalendaronMarch12.Importantdatesarelistedbelow:

September

4 schoolopens:fulldaysession

October

11 Superintendent’sConference Day,noschool

14 ColumbusDay

November

8 Superintendent’sConference Day,noschool

11 VeteransDay

27-29 ThanksgivingRecess

December

23-31 HolidayRecess

January

1-3 HolidayRecess,cont.

6 Schoolreopens

17 K-5ReleaseDay (Grs6-12insession)

20 MartinLutherKingJr.day

27-30 Regentsexams

February

17-21 PresidentsDay/Mid-winter recess

March

14 K-5Releaseday (Grs6-12insession)

April

14-18 Springrecess

May

26 MemorialDay

June

3-4 Regentsexams

17-20 Regentsexams

23-26 Regentsexams

vacancies for 2013TheBoardofEducationwillhavetwoseatsupforelectionthisyear.Thethree-yearterms,currentlyheldbyWilliamSweeneyandGaryBracken,willcommenceonJuly1,2013andendonJune30,2016.

Theprimaryfunctionsoftheboardaretodevelopthebroader,longer-rangegoalsandpolicieswhichdeterminethebasicframeworkfortheeducationalprograms,servicesandfacilitiestobeofferedtotheyouthofthecommunity.

CandidateswillbeavailabletoansweryourquestionsduringtheMeettheCandidatesportionofthepublichearingonMay7.Inaddition,profilesofthecandidateswillbepublishedintheMaybudgetissueofCornerstoneandpostedonourwebsite.

Munnfaculty,familyandfriendsbraved30-degreeweatheronFeb.10tojumpinLakeOntarioaspartofthe13thannualPolarPlunge.TheeventraisesawarenessandmoneyforthelocalchapteroftheSpecialOlympics,andMunn’steam,withthemoniker“TheMunnsicles,”donatedmorethan$1,500tothecause.Overall,theschoolhasraisedmorethan$3,000forlocalcharitiessinceSeptember.

ThisactofkindnesscomplementsMunn’sRachel’sChallenge,whichstates“ifonepersoncangooutoftheirwaytoshowcompassion,thenitwillstartachainreactionofthesame.”

“Munnsicles” take Polar Plunge

Important dates to remember:• April 22:lastdayforfilingnominationpetitions

• April 23:drawingforballotpositionsonvotingmachines• May 7:budgethearingandmeetthecandidatesnight

• May 21:budgetvoteandboardofeducationelection

The Cornerstone4

Parent’s backpack guide to

Common Core State Standards

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In 2011 New York adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to make sure that all children succeed once they graduate from high school. Below, you will find some frequently asked questions and answers about the standards. It will be updated over time. Please contact your child’s teacher or principal to learn more about your school’s work with the Common Core.

What are the Common Core State Standards?

A:TheCommonCoreStateStandardsshowwhatstudentsinPre-Kthrough12thgradeshouldknowandbeabletodoinEnglishlanguageartsandmathematics(scienceandsocialstudieswillbereleasedsoon).ThestandardswillhelpallstudentsacrosstheStatelearnthesameskills.Thiswillmakesurethattheyarereadyforcollegeandcareers.Thestandardsincludechanges,or“shifts,”inhowteachersteachtohelpchildrensucceedinthetopicsandskillsthatmattermost.Thestandardsaredesignedtohelpallyoungpeoplegetpreparedforcollegeandcareers.

Does having common standards mean everyone will learn less?

A.No.TheCommonCoreStateStandardshavebeenbuiltfromsomeofthebeststandardsgatheredfromStatesacrossthecountry,aswellasfromothernationsandextensiveresearchonwhat’sneededtosucceedinjobsandhighereducation.TheCommonCorestandardsaskteachersandstudentstodigdeeperintothecoreskillsandconceptsforeachgradelevel.Thismeansthatstudentswilllearnmuchmoreaboutfewertopics.Italsomeansthatteacherswillhavemoretimetocoversubjectsingreaterdetail.Thisgivesstudentsanopportunitytoreallyunderstandwhatisbeingtaught.

Do the standards tell teachers how to teach?

A.No.Theyareatooltohelpteacherspreparethebestclassroomlessonsandactivities.TheteachersinSpencerportareworkingdiligentlytoalignourcurriculumtotheCommonCoreandarecollaboratingonthebestapproachtoaddressthesechanges.Thestandardsalsohelpstudentsandparentsbyshowingthemwhatittakestobesuccessfulineachgradelevel.Theyareanimportantroadmapforteachers,studentsandparents.

How were the standards developed?

A: Forty-sixstatesbroughttogetherexperts,teachersandresearcherstowritetheCommonCoreStateStandards,alongwithalmost10,000commentsandsuggestions,includingmanyfromNewYorkteachersandparents.NewYorkadoptedthemin2010.Thestandardsarewell-matchedforourclassroomsandwillhelpourstudentslearnmore.Pleasevisithttp://corestandards.org/the-standardstoreadthefullsetofstandards.

Will this mean more tests?

A. No.TheCommonCoreStateStandardsdonotmeanmoretests.Buttherewillbedifferent,andbetter,tests.StartinginApril2013,theNewYorkStateAssessmentswillteststudent’sCommonCoreknowledgeandskillsfor3rdgradethrough8thgradeinEnglishlanguageartsandmathematics.Thesenewtestswillreflectthechanges,or“shifts,”inthestandards.Thetestswillmakesurethatstudentscanmeetgrade-levelexpectations.

Will these new tests be harder?

A.Atfirst,thenewtestsmayseemmoredifficult.Thisisnormal.Thenewtestswillbebasedonthe“shifts”inthestandards.Overtime,studentsandteacherswilladjusttotheclearexpectations.Therealsoisapossibilitythatstudenttestscorescoulddropinthefirstorsecondyearofthenewtests.

However,thetestsareanimportanttoolforimprovingstudentachievement.Thenewtestswillhelpprincipalsandteachersidentifythosestudentswhomightneedextrasupporttosuccessfullymoveontothenextgradelevel.

What does this work mean for students with disabilities and English language learners?

A. Thestandardswillhelpteachershavemoretimetocoversubjectsingreaterdetail.Thisgivesstudentsanopportunitytoreallyunderstandwhatisbeingtaught.ThereisaclearguideforapplyingthestandardstoEnglishlanguagelearnersandstudentswithdisabilities.Also,allstateswillbeworkingtogethertoconstantlyimproveupontheseissues.Thiswillresultinastrongsupportsystemforalllearners.

What will the Common Core State Standards mean for students across the country?

A:Thestandardssetclearexpectationsforstudentlearningacrossthecountry.Inthepast,everyStatehaditsownsetofdifferentacademicstandards.ThismeantthatU.S.studentswerelearningdifferentskillsandconceptsatdifferentrates.TheCommonCoreStateStandardsgiveallNewYorkstudentsanequalopportunitytolearnthesamehighstandards.Thisleadstoagreaterchanceofsuccessincollege,careerandlife.

If standards are raised, is it more likely that students will drop out of school?

A:Itisnotmorelikelythatstudentswilldropoutofschool.Researchpointsoutthatmanyfactorscometogethertocauseastudenttodropoutofschool.Researchalsoshowsthatstudentswanttobechallengedmoreinschool.Forexample,7in10youngpeoplewhohaddroppedoutsaidtheywerenotmotivatedorinspiredtoworkhardinhighschool.Two-thirdsofthedropoutssaidtheywouldhaveworkedharderifmorewasdemandedofthem(suchaswithhigheracademicexpectations,morestudyingandmorehomework). (continued on p. 5)

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March 2013 5

CanalViewElementarySchoolhonoredareaveteransonFeb.14withitsannualValentinesforVeterans.TheCanalViewServiceLearningCluborganizedtheevent,whichincludedaspecialappreciationceremony,presentationofthank-youvalentines,andindividualclassroomvisitsfromveterans.

ShellyRemillard,teacherandserviceclubadvisor,saidoftheevent,“Itwasawonderfulexperienceforourstudentsandourguests.Oureldestveteran,agentleman91yearsyoungsaid,“Ihadagrandtime!”

Valentines for Veterans

Pictured here are first graders making valentines and the celebration on Feb. 14.

Munn Elementary first graders celebrated Dr. Seuss birthday on March 1, when classmates dressed in Seuss characters and read with their parents. Dr. Seuss’ actual birthday was March 2.

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

Q Is the adoption of common core standards in English language arts and mathematics going to limit student access to other subject areas, such as the arts or career and technical education?

A: No.NewYorkunderstandstheimportancethatallsubjectshaveinpreparingstudentsforsuccessbeyondhighschool.Graduatingwell-roundedstudentsisimportantfortheState’sfuture.TheclearerstandardsoftheCommonCorewillactuallyhelpteachersintegratelearningacrosssubjectareas.Thismeansthatstudentswillbegivenlessonsthatbringtogethermathematics,science,socialstudies,Englishlanguageartsandothersubjects.

Do the Common Core State Standards penalize students in low-performing schools by creating unrealistically high expectations?

A: No.Alltoooften,studentsinlowperformingschoolstodayareheldtolowerexpectations.NewYorkhasadoptedtheCommonCoreStateStandardssothatallstudentsreceiveanexcellenteducation.

Glossary: • Shift–Achangeinhowteachersteach

andhowstudentslearn• Text–Anywrittenwork• Non-fiction–Textsaboutreal-life

eventsorfacts• Evidence–Bitsofprooffromthetext• Arguments–Howstudentstoconvince

someoneofsomething• Judgment–Astudent’sconclusion

aboutwhattheyhaveread• Focus–Learningmoreonfewertopics• SpeedandAccuracy–Howquickly

astudentcansolvemathproblemscorrectly

Sources: • CommonCoreStateStandards

Initiative:http://www.corestandards.org/• CouncilofGreatCitySchools:

http://www.cgcs.org• EngageNY:www.engageny.org• NationalPTA:http://pta.org

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Parent’s backpackguide to Common Core

State Standards

(continued from p. 4)

The Cornerstone6

TheSpencerportRanger’sBoysSwimmingandDivingTeamhasbeenselectedastherecipientoftheRochester-MonroeCountySwimmingandDivingOfficial’sSportsmanshipAwardforthe2012-13Season.

Theawardisgiventotheteamwithcoaches,athletesandparentsthathavepromotedrespect,encouragement,fairness,goodjudgmentandteamspiritintheirprogram.

TheRochester-MonroeCountySwimmingandDivingOfficialsdevelopedthisawardtohighlighttheteamsthatunderstandtherealvalueofcompetitivesports.Theteamsnominatedfortheawardareonlyfromthoseschoolsthathavegoneaboveandbeyondwhatisnormallyexpectedtopromotesportsmanship.

TheawardwaspresentedatSectionalFinalsonFriday,Feb.15,attheWebsterAquaticCenter.

TheRangersarecoachedbyJoshNellistandStephanieHodgewithTrevorBensonandDougNicholsservingascaptains.

Ranger boys swimming & diving

Pictured back row from left, Jared Kettinger, Jacob Wilson, Max Wersinger, Zach Mulvihill, Doug Nichols (capt), Leo Buoye, Trevor Benson (capt), Bailey Plummer, Nolan Benson, Alex Thornton, Amanda Ventrella (Mgr), Alissa White (Mgr); front row, from left, John Rodman, Mod B Coach; Stephanie Hodge, JV Coach and Josh Nellist, Varsity Coach

awarded

Girls Varsity Basketball and Varsity Cheerleading during check presentation of $4,500 during senior night ceremonies. Feb. 12.

Boys Varsity Basketball and Varsity Cheerleading during check presentation of $4,500 to More than a Game Foundation. Feb. 13.

March 2013 7

Taylor Elementary School students participated in its annual Jump Rope for Heart on Feb. 15, and raised more than $8,000, for the American Heart Association.

“TheMusicDepartment

facultyissoproudof

theseyoungmusicians.”

CongratulationstothestudentslistedbelowwhowereselectedtorepresentSpencerportatthe2013MonroeCountyMusicFestivals.AsdeclaredbyAndrewCuomo,GovernorofthestateofNewYork,MarchisMusicinOurSchoolsMonth.EachyeartheMonroeCountySchoolMusicAssociationorganizesaseriesoffestivalsthatoccureachweekendinMarch.Spencerportstudentsperformineveryoneofthesefestivals.

OnceagainSpencerportservedashostfortheJazzFestivalonFridayandSaturdayMarch7th&8th.TheVocalJazzgroupwasrepresentedbysingersAlexisWaiteandKellyAllen.WhilethesefinesingerswererepresentingSpencerportattheAllCountyFestival.ManyotherswereattendingtheBerkleyJazzFestival.

FridayMarch14th’srehearsaloftheSeniorHighFestivalwasheldatWestIrondequoitHighSchool.TheSaturdayrehearsalandperformancewereheldatthebeautifulEastmanTheatreonMarch15th.PerformingasmembersoftheBandwereAnnaMiller,MattMiller,CatherineCaton,HeatherHavens,AllisonHavens,SamMcCagg,MarkGrassi,AndrewDeRooyandDanielleMontecalvo.LynetteCollazo,CoriBarnard,EmmaEverett,KarleyRene,MeghanMaier,andCeciliaChapmansangasmembersoftheWomen’sChoir.MembersoftheMixedChorusincludedKellyAllen,BrittanyAbraham,Samantha

Lind,SaraPark,EvanBurr,MikePalozzi,MalcolmErdoganandJustinBurr.

RobertsWesleyanCollegewasthesiteoftheElementaryFestivalonFridayandSaturdayMarch29th&30th.PerformingasmembersoftheChoruswereThomasHager,QuintynMcLeod,KarennaWaite,JazminPhommavanh,MikaylaJacobs,MadelineShaw,JaysonNewman,Shane

Herring,DanaGormel,NinaParry,DominiqueOtizandNatalieDennison.

TheJuniorHighFestivalwasheldatEastRochesterHighSchoolonFridayandSaturdayMarch22nd&23rd.ChorusmembersincludedFaithStrohm,VictoriaDavis,JoeyLoiacono,AlexYoung,RyanGill,JaredMoore,RyanBauer,GraceMingoea,MacKenzieWood,NaKaylaNorris,BrookeAntinoroandAriannaLeathers.Performingasamemberof

theBandwasSarahHonan.AubreyHillmanandJacobAuchmanweremembersoftheOrchestra.

TheMusicDepartmentfacultyissoproudoftheseyoungmusicians.Theyarecertainlydisplayingtheirloveofandpassionformusicintheirpursuitofexcellence.Teachersworkedwiththesestudentsforthepasttwomonthspreparingthemfortheseoutstandingenrichmentevents.Itisourpleasuretoprovidethesespecialopportunitiesforourstudents.

All County Music FestivalsSpencerport Musicians Perform in

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FOllOW uS ON

18 HealthAdvisoryCommittee,DO 4:30p.m.

18 HSFrenchHonorSocietyinduction, HSeastcafé 7p.m.

19-20 MunnBookFair

20 HSSenior100daycelebration

20 MunnGrandparents&Special PersonsNight 6:30p.m.

20 CVA 6:30p.m.

21 DistrictwideMIOSMbandconcert, HSPAC 7p.m.

22 TaylorBingoNight 6p.m.

22 7th/8thgradeactivitynight 7p.m.

22-28 DistrictArtShow,DO

22-23 JrHighAllCountyMusicFestival

25 1stdayModBSpringSportspractices

26 BoardofEducation 7p.m.

27 TaylorInterdisciplinaryConcert 6:30p.m.

29 Superintendent’s Conference Day, no school

1-5 Spring Recess, no school

8 SSBC,HSeastcafé 6:30p.m.

8 SMA,CMS 7p.m.

9 SpringsportsModA&ModBparent/ SAmtg,CMS 5:30p.m.

9 BoardofEducation 7p.m.

9-10 CVspecialpersonbreakfast 8a.m.

11 Munnspringpictures

11 TaylorPTO 6:30p.m.

13 ACTexam 8a.m.,HS

16-18 Grs3-8assessments

17 MSPA 6:30p.m.

18-21 HSmusictrip

19 HSreportcardsmailedhome

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: Lisa Mott

www.SpencerportSchools.org

©2013 SCSD Public Information Office

Designed and printed at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES

2013March 2013April

AbbreviationsCV CanalViewDO DistrictOfficeGr GradeHS HighSchoolCMS CosgroveMiddleSchoolSMA SpencerportMusicAssociationSSBC SpencerportSportsBoosterClub

Bernabi BPACanalView CVAMunn MSPATaylor PTO

Parent Teacher Organizations

Children’sbookauthorSteveSwinburnevisitedourfourelementaryschoolsrecently,andspokewithstudentsabouthisnon-fictionbooks,thewritingprocess,andpublishingexperiences.Swinburne’svisitwasfundedbyeachschool’sParentTeacherAssociationsaspartoftheirliteracyweekcelebrations.

Children’s book author visits

Pictured here, Swinburne with students at Bernabi.