HH INSDALEIGHLIGHTSVol. 8, Issue 6 February 2008

On Jan. 9, Hinsdale Central School hosted the professional exhibition team, the Harelm Wizards, and the evening will be remembered for years to come. Overheard by more than 700 people in attendance were: “Amazing”, “Hilarious”, “How did they do that?” “Great fun for the whole family” and “Simply awesome!”

The Harlem Wizards - consisting of Tojo Henderson, Cross Magic Dadzie, Donnie Dazzle, Jermaine Wright Maniac, Loonatik and Swoop Simpson - arrived in the after-noon at HCS to meet with students and teachers in the classrooms. They told stories about how they got to where they are today, the importance of education and how to make the right decisions in life. Later, a school-wide pep assembly took place and the students were given a preview of their jaw-dropping basketball skills and humor.

The HCS staff and alumni team played along with the Wizards’ antics and proved that they, too, have talents other than teaching. The game was fi lled with high-fl ying slam dunks, mesmerizing dribbling displays, precision half-court passes and unending laugh-ter. In the end, the visitors prevailed, but everyone left with a smile and an appreciation for having witnessed an amazing event.

Mr. Blendinger would like to thank: the community for their zealous support; the French Club for its tireless effort; the Board of Education; Mrs. McCarthy and adminis-tration for embracing the event; Mr. Crino for his generosity; Mrs. Henton, Mrs. Jaquith and Mrs. Clayson for their guidance and patience; Mrs. Wick for her in-credible artwork; Mr. Lungerhausen for his dazzling rendition of the National Anthem; the HCS cheerleaders for their creativity; the HCS staff and alumni for being great sports; Mr. Ballard and his unique style of refereeing; and, of course, the Harlem Wizards for bring-ing us all together in the name of family, friends, laughter and most importantly … community.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be Early Dismissal at 2 p.m. on March 4 for grades Pre-K to 12.

IMPORTANT DATES

fothalspanofcoWininfalaimco

PLEASSE NOTTE TTh ill b

Feb. 7 Bookmobile, 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Feb. 13 Board of Education Workshop Mtg., 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 No School – Presidents’ Day

Feb. 19 No School – Staff Development Day

Feb. 20 Board of Education Mtg., 7 p.m.

Feb. 21 Bookmobile, 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Feb. 28 TIPS Grades Close

March 4 Early Dismissal 2 p.m. for Pre-K – 12

Wizards were magical!

See page 3 for more photos.

2 Hinsdale Highlights February 2008

As the turn of New Year 2008 has come and gone, we are already planning our budget for the 2008-09 school year. This is accom-plished by following some careful steps: teachers assess their needs for supplies and textbooks, our transportation and maintenance departments look at past expenses and plan for future expenditures, our technology uses are evaluated and judgments are made about possible gaps we have and how to fi ll them.

We look at all of these needs as well as the expenses we know we’ll have such as salaries, health insurance, payments for busses, etc., etc. At the same time, we keep a careful ear out for what is happening in the whole state’s fi nancial picture. At some point, we will get preliminary fi gures on possible state aid—and, for the most part, they really are preliminary. What happens on Wall Street, the dependency of other state departments and agencies which also count on state fi nancing, and the general economic outlook are all taken into consideration in the process.

As the progression of next year’s budget unfolds, we will always keep in mind fi scal responsibility as well as fulfi lling the ongoing and vital educational needs of our children. If you have any questions about this, please contact me.

Working Together for the Benefi t of Hinsdale Children,

Judi McCarthy,Superintendent of Schools

dministration reaNotes from the Superintendent

Balancing fi scal responsibility with educational needs

By Judi McCarthy,Superintendent of Schools

Do you have a teen that began to work over the holidays and is considering con-tinuing that job into the winter and spring? Perhaps some of these facts should be taken into consideration as a family, be-fore the fi nal decision is made!

The High PointsTeens who work 10 hours a week ●have higher grade point averages and achievement test scores than non-working teens.Working teens may develop fi nan- ●cial responsibility by learning to budget their income.Teens who fi nd jobs that relate ●to their career interests are more likely to be satisfi ed with working while in school.Teens who work in career fi elds ●that interest them continue to learn new skills and apply them to academics.Teens who work in high school ●and continue their education past high school earn more money six to nine years later than people with more education who didn’t work in

high school.The Low Points

Only about 11 percent of students ●reported saving most of their money for college; only 3 percent contributed earnings toward their family’s living expenses.Students working 15 hours or ●more had lower grades, did less homework, had higher dropout rates, and were less likely to go to college.Students working more than 20 ●

hours a week reported using drugs and alcohol 33 percent more than their non-employed classmates; they also experienced greater psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue.Students who participate in ex- ●tracurricular activities are often more successful in life; working teens are less likely to be involved in school, church or community events. Many working teens don’t have much extra time.Overworked teens generally spend ●less time with their families and may struggle to stay connected with family life.

The Answer? Parents and teens should discuss the

reasons for working—what does he or she hope to gain out of it, how many hours will be spent on the job, and what is the “opportunity cost”—what will have to be given up for the hours spent working. As in all things, moderation may be the key. While working part-time may prove to be benefi cial both in the present and future, too much work wipes out those gains and can be detrimental to a teen’s life.

Teens working ... the real story

3 Hinsdale Highlights February 2008

TheThe

20082008

Harlem Wizards

Harlem Wizards

4 Hinsdale Highlights February 2008

BOARD

BRIEFS

December 2007

MINUTESApproved minutes of Business Meeting • of November 28, 2007, and Workshop Meeting of December 12, 2007

FINANCIALApproved Warrants for the A-Fund • Approved Warrants for the C-Fund • Approved Warrants for the F-Funds • Approved Budget Status• Approved Treasurer’s Report for • November 2007Approved Extra Classroom Activity • FundApproved BOCES borrowing funds to • replace the usual monthly payments by school district during the months of February to June and September through December

PERSONNELApproved Gerhard (Gary) Kuhs as a • substitute bus driverApproved extending the contract of • Superintendent Judi McCarthyApproved Mrs. Grace Stevens as • temporary cook managerApproved Evelyn Faulkner, certifi ed • in grades 7-12 math, as a substitute teacherApproved Theresa Thierman as a non-•

certifi ed substitute teacherAccepted resignation of Gary Cuddy as • bowling coach Approved Chad Obenrader as the fi fth- • and sixth-grade basketball coachApproved Warren Schulze as bowling • coach for winter 2007-08

SPECIAL EDUCATION

DISTRICTApproved disposing of the double • warming oven from the cafeteriaApproved Policy #6230 - • “Professional Certifi cation: 175 Hours of Professional Development Requirement.”

Approved Regulation #623R – • “Professional Certifi cation: 175 Hours of Professional Development Requirement.”Approved changing workshop meeting • in January to Tuesday, January 8, 2008Approved proposed softball trip in the • spring to Myrtle Beach

SUPERINTENDENT A. SED has received our Capital

Project data B. Winter sports are under way C. Student Council’s Fund-raising

Calendar D. SADD and Youth Group holiday

projects to help community members

E. Holiday Concerts F. SED releases Accountability

Reports for grades 3-8 G. Update on managers’ surgeries H. Distance Learning opportunities I. Staff Development Day, January 2,

2008

EXECUTIVE SESSIONAdjourned to Executive Session•

ADJOURNMENTReturned to the Meeting and Adjourned•

News fromStudent Council

The Snapple machine in the lower lobby now has new fl avors. Support the Student Council and buy your drinks all day long!

Studnets in grades 7-12 are sell-ing Niagara Chocolate to be delivered before Easter. The funds will be used to pay for school activities.

Pictured above are members of the Hinsdale Youth Group enjoying wrapping presents for their “Christmas for Children Program.”

Wrapping it up to help others

5 Hinsdale Highlights February 2008

In the past couple of months we have made some improvements to our athletic program. As these improve-ments have taken place, we have kept you apprised of them. Recently, we have reintroduced an old program into our winter season. Fifth- and sixth-grade basketball for boys and girls is now in full swing again and we wish them the very best of luck in their schedule of games. Boys and girls in grades fi ve and six will par-ticipate in a couple of home and away games, as well as at least one tourna-ment. A full schedule will go home with the boys and girls soon, and will be made available in our basketball programs when complete.

I would like to take this opportu-nity to welcome the coaches for this program. Emily Hurlburt is a Hins-dale alumna and is our girls’coach for grades fi ve and six. Chad Obenrader is a substitute teacher her at HCS and is coaching our boys’ program. We look forward in the coming years to watching this program help improve our future boys’ and girls’ varsity teams. These two coaches are doing a great job, and we know we will see great results. Thanks for coming aboard and welcome to our coaching staff!

See you at the games,

Mark CrinoHSC Director of Athletics

Cattaraugus County Turns 200 Years Old

on March 11, 2008!

Save these dates: August 17 and 18for the wagon train!

Watch for information on DVD titled, “Hinsdale in Pictures and Postcards,” in addition to a county history book, essay contests, cookbooks, shirts, Christmas tree ornaments, music and storytelling around a camp fi re.

Whether it is helping sell 50/50 tickets at a basketball game, making baked goods to sell at a basketball game, or making phone calls to recruit parents …THE AC-ADEMIC BOOSTER CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP! To become a volunteer, call 557-2227, ext.400.

Everybody needs love and appreciation in order to thrive. But in the rush of everyday life, it’s sometimes easy to forget how much our children need to hear encouraging words from us. Simple phrases such as “good job” or “I’m proud of you” can go a long way toward building kids’ self-esteem … and self-esteem, in turn, can go a long way toward ensuring that children have the confi dence and the inner strength to make good decisions throughout their lives.

Although some self-doubt is normal and healthy, children who generally feel good about themselves are better able to:

Take responsibility• Handle peer pressure• Act independently• Tackle new tasks and challenges• Handle their emotions appropriately•

Parents play a crucial role in ensuring that their children have good self-esteem. Simple gestures such as a smile, a hug, or a pat on the back can make all the difference. Giving children specifi c praise such as, “I like it when you …” or “You’re doing such a good job at …” not only can help your child to develop confi dence, but also can reinforce good behavior.

Other things parents can do to build their children’s self-esteem include:Teach your child positive self-talk and model it yourself. An example of this • would be, “This job might be a little diffi cult, but I know I can handle it.” Remind your child of times when he or she overcame an obstacle successfully. Criticism should be behavior-specifi c, and not about the whole child. “I don’t • like it when I have to ask you three times to get out of bed in the morning” is a much better statement than “You’re always so lazy.” Private criticism – a quiet talk away from others – is always more effective than bringing up the child’s shortcomings in public. Remember that in criticizing your child, you are trying to teach him or her to make more appropriate decisions, not to make him or her feel shame.When your child has a problem, try to help him or her think of possible ways • to solve it, rather than solving it yourself. This will help your child to become more independent and to develop the belief that he or she can handle life’s challenges.Keep a sense of humor! Show children that you can laugh at yourself and that • life doesn’t always have to be serious. Helping your child to develop and value a good sense of humor is one of the best things you can do for their emotional well-being.

Tips for raising a confi dent child

The wagon train is coming!

Basketball is back for students in fi fth

and sixth grades

Academic Booster Club needs your help

6 Hinsdale Highlights February 2008

Accelerated Reader requirements

The students in Mrs. Bergstrom’s and Mrs. Bushnell’s classes are striving to become more thoughtful readers by making connections to the various texts they read throughout the day. These connections can be made in three different ways:

Text to Self - ● a connection between the text and your lifeText to Text - ● a connection between storiesText to World - ● a connection between the text and world events

After reading “The Alvin Ailey Kids: Dancing as a Team” by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, a weekly story from our new reading series that describes the world renowned Harlem dance program for children, two dance enthusiasts in Mrs. Bushnell’s class brought in their tap shoes to show the other members of the class their “Text to Self” connections. Kristin Chapman and Jordan Hurlburt (pictured at right) demonstrated various tap and ballet steps they have learned in their weekly after-school dance classes. Their classmates were impressed with the talent of these dancers and soon joined in to try several basic dance positions.

Thanks to the connection and enthusiasm of these thoughtful readers, the class was able to more closely appreciate the hard work and dedication of the young dancers in our weekly story.

To help prepare students for the ELA and the Regents exam in English, and to add to their information base, all students in grades 7-12 are required to read Accelerated Reader books each quarter of the school year. To earn credit, they must score 60% or better on the computerized test.

Grade 7 - For the third marking period, students are to read two or more books for a total of 12 or more points. For full credit, tests must be taken by Tuesday, March 18. Tests taken after March 18, but by March 25, will receive a reduced grade of 50%.

Grade 8 - For the third marking period, students are to read two or more books for a total of 12 or more points. For full credit, tests must be taken by Tuesday, March 18. Tests taken after March 18, but by March 25, will receive a reduced grade of 50%.

Grade 9 - For the third marking period, students are to read one book, level fi ve or higher, for six or more points. For full credit, tests must be taken by Tuesday, March 11. Tests taken after March 11, but by Friday, March 14, will receive a reduced grade of 50%.

Grade 12 - For the third marking period, students are to read one book for 10 or more points. The book is to be approved by the teacher. For full credit, they will write a paper; there will be no test. The teacher will set the deadline.

The Olean Public Library is now scheduling winter workshops and educational programs for their Children’s Department. Visit www.oleanlibrary.org

for more information!

Order your priceless edition of the 2008 Hinsdale Panorama. They may be purchased online at hinsdalebobcats.org, or from Mrs. Wick in the art room.

Tapping out ‘Text to Self’

Don’t forget to check out the public libraryOrder your Panorama Yearbook today!

7 Hinsdale Highlights February 2008

27 Brea

kfast

Pizz

a, Ce

real,

Toas

t, Juic

e

Hot H

am &

Che

ese S

andw

ich,

Vege

table,

Fru

it

Bre

akfa

st/L

unch

Men

u fo

r Feb

ruar

y 20

08 FRID

AYM

ON

DAY

TUES

DAY

WED

NES

DAY

THU

RSD

AY

1 Fren

ch To

ast, C

erea

l, Juic

e

Tuna

Fish

or E

gg S

alad S

andw

ich,

Salad

, Veg

etable

, Fru

it

5 Omele

t, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Juice

Hot H

am &

Che

ese S

andw

ich,

Salad

, Veg

etable

, Fru

it

6 Brea

kfast

on a

Stick

, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Ju

ice

Chick

en N

oodle

Sou

p, Pe

anut

butte

r Sa

ndwi

ch, S

alad,

Fruit

7 Hot P

ocke

t, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Juice

Pizz

a, Sa

lad, V

egeta

ble, F

ruit

8 Waffl

e, S

ausa

ge, C

erea

l, Toa

st,

Juice

Fish S

andw

ich, M

acar

oni &

Che

ese,

Roll,

Salad

11 Cere

al, To

ast, J

uice

Philly

Che

ese S

teak S

andw

ich,

Salad

, Fru

it

12 Fren

ch To

ast, C

erea

l, Juic

e

Bake

d Ham

w/S

callo

ped P

otatoe

s, Sa

lad, F

ruit

13 Brea

kfast

Pizz

a, Ce

real,

Toas

t, Juic

e

Roas

t Tur

key,

Mash

ed P

otatoe

s, Ve

getab

le, F

ruit

15 Panc

akes

, Sau

sage

, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Ju

ice

Tuna

Fish

or E

gg S

alad S

andw

ich,

Salad

, Veg

etable

, Fru

it

18 NO S

CHOO

L

Pres

iden

ts' D

ay

19 NO S

CHOO

L

Staf

f Dev

elopm

ent D

ay

20 Fren

ch To

ast, C

erea

l, Juic

e

Chick

en N

ugge

ts, F

renc

h Frie

s, Sa

lad, F

ruit

21 Hot P

ocke

t, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Juice

Pizz

a, Sa

lad, V

egeta

ble, F

ruit

22 Waffl

e, S

ausa

ge, C

erea

l, Toa

st,

Juice

Fish S

andw

ich, M

acar

oni &

Che

ese,

Roll,

Salad

25 Cere

al, To

ast, J

uice

Hot D

og, F

renc

h Frie

s, Sa

lad, F

ruit

26 Panc

akes

, Sau

sage

, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Ju

ice

Chick

en B

urge

r, Fre

nch F

ries,

Salad

, Fru

it

14 Scra

mbled

Egg

s, Ce

real,

Toas

t, Ju

ice

Pizz

a, Sa

lad, V

egeta

ble, F

ruit

Asso

rted f

ruit j

uice s

erve

d w/br

eakfa

st. M

ilk (2

% w

hite,

1% ch

ocola

te) av

ailab

le da

ily. G

rab-

and-

Go B

reak

fast a

vaila

ble da

ily. R

egula

r or fl

avor

ed co

ffee a

nd ho

t cho

colat

e ava

ilable

mor

nings

for h

igh sc

hool

stude

nts on

ly. S

ubs a

nd sa

lads a

vaila

ble da

ily fo

r midd

le an

d high

scho

ol. S

alad b

ar, fr

uit &

yogu

rt av

ailab

le da

ily. P

repa

id lun

ches

avail

able

in ca

feter

ia. M

enu s

ubjec

t to ch

ange

with

out n

otice

. Lu

nch p

rices

: K-1

2 $1.2

5; Ad

ults $

3.50;

al ca

rte pr

icing

to al

l. Br

eakfa

st: R

egula

r - $

.75. R

educ

ed (m

ust q

ualify

) lunc

h $ .2

5, br

eakfa

st $ .

25.

In th

e op

erat

ion

of p

rogr

ams

that

feed

chi

ldre

n,

no c

hild

will

be

disc

rimin

ated

aga

inst

bec

ause

of r

ace,

co

lor,

natio

nal o

rigin

, age

or d

isab

ility

. If

you

belie

ve

that

you

hav

e be

en d

iscr

imin

ated

aga

inst

, writ

e im

med

iate

lyto

Dep

t. of

Agr

icul

ture

, Was

hing

ton,

D.C

. 202

50

4 Cere

al, To

ast, J

uice

Chick

en B

urge

r, Fre

nch F

ries,

Salad

, Fru

it

29 Fren

ch To

ast, C

erea

l, Juic

e

Tuna

Fish

or E

gg S

alad S

andw

ich,

Salad

, Veg

etable

, Fru

it

28 Omele

t, Cer

eal, T

oast,

Juice

Pizz

a, Ve

getab

le, S

alad,

Fruit

Hinsdale Central School3701 Main StreetHinsdale, NY 14743www.hinsdale.wnyric.org

BOARD OF EDUCATIONJohn Fitzpatrick - PresidentBobbi Jo Kent - Vice PresidentJohn AmesMark Ash Jeffrey Hewitt

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION Judi McCarthy, SuperintendentLaurie Edmonston, Principal Pre-K to 12Jennifer Jaquith, Business Administrator Andrea McLaughlin, Director of Pupil Personnel Services

POSTAL PATRON LOCAL

NON PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPermit No. 1

Hinsdale, NY 14743

BMI ScreeningEvery year each student is screened for height, weight, vision, hearing and scoliosis

by the medical offi ce. Starting with school year 2008-2009, New York state is requiring we also calculate each student’s BMI and send home a notice for those that are not in the average range. You have probably heard about BMI recently but are wondering exactly what that is and how will we be calculating this. Below you will fi nd a brief description.

What is BMI?BMI is an abbreviation for Body Mass Index. BMI is calculated from your child’s

weight, height, sex and age. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used as a tool in treating children who may be overweight or underweight.

Understanding BMIIn adults BMI is rather easy to calculate and interpret, as a BMI between 20 and 30 is

considered overweight and a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese.

With children, BMI is a bit more complicated. Since each child is unique and grow-ing at their own pace, we must take into account the child’s age and map boys and girls differently. Adding to the confusion, instead of a classifi cation of overweight or obese, children are classifi ed in four different categories. Please see the chart below.

WEIGHT STATUS CATEGORY PERCENTILE RANGE Underweight Less than 5th percentileHealthy Weight 5th to less than 85th percentileAt Risk of Overweight 85th to less than 95th percentileOverweight 95th percentile and above

How is BMI used for children and teens?The Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics recom-

mend the use of BMI screening beginning at 2 years of age. If from our screening here at school, your child is found to be underweight, at risk of overweight, overweight, or you have specifi c concerns about your child’s overall health, please contact your physician for further assessments to determine heath risks.

Super BowlChicken Barbecue

Sunday, Feb. 3 Noon to ?Dinners - $7.50

Splits - $4

Pre-Sale Tickets and Take-Outs Available

Held at Hinsdale American Legion Post #1434

and sponsored bySons of the American Legion

Proceeds benefi t graduation scholarships and student activities

for Hinsdale Central School

Annual school health screenings to include Body Mass Index