Important Dates June 6/20: Early Dismissal (11:45 AM), Last Day of School August 8/26: New to District Orientation 8/28: Open House for Incoming 6th Graders September 9/4: First day of School 9/8: BOE Meeting 9/12: 6th Grade Parents’ Coffee (9-10 AM) 9/22: BOE Meeting 9/25: CLOSED – Rosh Hashanah 9/30: 6th Gr. Back to School Night October 10/7: 7th/8th Gr. Back to School Night 10/22: Dr. Michael Bradley presents drug and alcohol seminar-RHS PAC (7 PM)

2013 - 2014 PTO, District & DynaCal Calendars

Click here for the entire PTO calendar. (5/21/14)

Click here for the revised district calendar. (2/27/14)

Click here for the DynaCal Calendar (All Bernards Town-

ship Schools’ Events).

Visit www.wamspto.com for more information. Submissions to the Viking Voice Quarterly may be sent via email to

Heather Wenzel at WAMS-VVE@verizon.net.

Welcome to the Viking Voice Quarterly, a publication of the WAMS PTO, issued at the end of each marking period to celebrate the events and happenings at William Annin Middle School.

For information on upcoming events, please refer to the current week’s Viking Voice Express on the WAMS PTO home page.

President’s Letter by Monique McHenry 2

PTO News & Information 3-4

Staff Appreciation Luncheon 5

Volunteers Appreciation Brunch 6

8th Grade Celebration 7

7th Grade Field Day 8

8th Grade Dance 9

Music Department’s Hershey, PA, Trip 10

Student Recognition 11-13

Inside this issue:

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO NEWS & INFORMATION

June 20, 2014

Dear WAMS Families,

By means of the final Viking Voice issue, I wish to thank everyone who volunteered throughout the school year. The PTO could not have

accomplished so much without your support! It has been an amazing year and we are so excited to be able to fund ALL of the items on the

Teachers Wish List...yippee!!

A HUGE thank you goes to Heather Wenzel for preparing the Viking Voice Express & Quarterly...Heather has done a fantastic job on the

VVE & VVQ, both are a wonderful source of communication!

We have several outgoing Board Members who have been serving on our PTO Board: Monika Gupta-VP of Fundraising, Alyson McCauley

-VP of Programs, Kathy Krell-Treasurer, and Abha Kundargi-VP of Volunteers. Thank you, ladies, for your hard work and commitment!

It has been a pleasure serving with you!

A warm welcome to our new Board members: Sophia Hu-VP of Fundraising, Ged Ong-VP of Programs, Barb McCabe-Treasurer, and

Maria Splendorio-VP of Volunteers,.

Many thanks to our Parent Advisory Council (PAC)! 6th Grade Reps: Linda Fagan, Karen Gray and Renee Mitzner; 7th Grade Reps:

Sona Mukadam, Jen Staples and Kim Matarante; and 8th Grade Reps: Elaine DiDario, Linda Ingling, Betsy Bacot-Aigner and

Irene McDonnell.

Thank you to WAMS AO Coordinator, Rita Zarabara, and to the WAMS AO Board: Jen Solon, Kelly Mertz, Renee Mitzner (AO Liaison),

Donna Horn, Kelly McGinnis and Katie Mohan, for all the opportunities for our student athletes.

As the school year comes to an end, I would like to let you know that I am enjoying representing the PTO as President. It is a privilege to be

a middle school parent and to work with the administration, guidance, staff, teachers, parents and students at William Annin Middle School.

I am so appreciative to all of the dedicated families at WAMS who worked tirelessly this year to support WAMS and the PTO. I know

myself and our wonderful PTO Board Members: Christine Ziegler, Heather Wenzel, Maria Splendorio, Ged Ong, Sophia Hu and Barb

McCabe, will continue to work hard and do a great job! I wish you an enjoyable summer and thank you all for your continued participation.

A special thanks to our exceptional principal, Karen Hudock, and to our assistant principals: Adam Torrisi, Dan Lederer and Kristen

Zizelmann. The amazing staff in the main office: Mary Knell, Helen Beck, Kathy Poles and Vivian Meisner. Much appreciation to our

SRO’s, Officer Tracy Baldassare and Officer Hank Werner. Our caring school nurses: Debbie Karuppan, Anita DeAngelis and Darlene

Persak. Our wonderful guidance department and counselors: Barbara Bush, James Buist, Kathy Mahoney, Amy Kamenir, Cara Miscia,

Andy West, Stevie Chatellier and Diane Ragsdale. Our special education department Child Study Team: Lara Jackson, Susan Madorma,

Jim Garrity, Joyce Manfra, Megan Mongno and Debbie Bove. We appreciate all your support!

Looking forward to the 2014-2015 school year…Have a wonderful summer!

Monique McHenry

WAMS PTO President

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO NEWS & INFORMATION

The WAMS PTO Board meets monthly to discuss current and future PTO events. The members work diligently to make the best decisions possible with PTO funds while supporting the PTO’s mission:

2013-2014 PTO BOARD President (Co-President) Monique M cHenry Secretary Christine Ziegler Treasurer Kathy Krell VP of Communications Heather Wenzel VP of Fundraising Monika Gupta VP of Programs Alyson M cCauley VP of Volunteers Abha Kundargi

2014-2015 PTO BOARD President (Co-President) Monique M cHenry Secretary Christine Ziegler Treasurer Barb McCabe VP of Communications Heather Wenzel VP of Fundraising Sophia Hu VP of Programs Ged Ong VP of Volunteers Maria Sblendorio

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO NEWS & INFORMATION

COMMUNICATIONS

Please visit our home page regularly to stay current on all the latest events and information at William Annin Middle School. Our home page news bubbles will continue to be updated over the summer with pertinent announcements. Our web site also contains Resources such as forms, FAQ’s and important links; as well as ways to get involved and how to support our school. Be sure to sign up to receive the WAMS Friday Folder which includes our weekly newsletter, the Viking Voice Express (VVE), as well as the Viking Voice Quarterly (VVQ), published after each marking period. INVOLVEMENT Committee Chair and volunteer positions are available for the 2014-2015 school year. Click here to learn more. To inquire about becoming a Board member, please contact Monique McHenry. GENERAL PTO MEETINGS Each General PTO meeting highlights PTO news and events and includes a WAMS update from Principal Karen Hudock. As part of PTO news, a Board of Education member, a WAMS AO Representative, and a District Curriculum Committee member provide a general status. Full Meeting Minutes and a list of future dates and topics may be found on the PTO web site.

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO HAPPENINGS

In May, the PTO showed its gratitude to the staff, teachers and administration who keep our

school running smoothly each day, in so many ways, by serving up a delicious lunch. Thanks

to committee chairs, Heather Olivo and Christine Reilly, and to all of their wonderful

volunteers who contributed food and beverages, and helped set up the event.

STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO HAPPENINGS

In June, the PTO Board thanked all of our volunteers, without whom none of our amazing

events would take place, with a scrumptious brunch! Outgoing Board members Monika

Gupta, Abha Kundargi, Kathy Krell and Alyson McCauley (pictured left to right with Monique

McHenry) were acknowledged for their contributions. New Board members for the 2014-16

term were also inducted and welcomed. Our new Board (pictured left) now consists of:

Christine Ziegler, Barbara McCabe,

Maria Sblendorio, Geg Ong, Sophia Hu,

Monique McHenry and Heather Wenzel.

Many thanks again to all of our

committee chairs and volunteers!

PTO VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATION BRUNCH

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO HAPPENINGS

Our fabulous 8th graders bid farewell to WAMS on a glorious June day where they

enjoyed celebrating the end of their middle school years with lots of food, fun and

yearbook-signing! Huge thanks to committee chairs Noha Al Agizy, Nazan Shahni and

Leslie Sherzer for organizing such a special day. Many thanks as well to Betsy Bacot-

Aigner and Linda Ingling for working with Ms. Hamilton to get those yearbooks ready to

fill up with lasting memories and well-wishes!

8TH GRADE CELEBRATION

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO HAPPENINGS

The 7th Grade Field Day Co-Chairs, Sona Mukadam and Bridget Jaeger, would like to extend their special thanks to the parents who volunteered to make Field Day a success! Despite the cool weather and rain date change, we had plenty of parents manning the water stations, serving lunch, setting up and cleaning up. The kids really enjoyed all the activities that the teachers prepared. Thank you, 7th grade teachers and the WAMS administration, for all your hard work and commitment to this day for our 7th graders. We would like to thank the following parents for volunteering their time:

Beth Rosevear Betty Ann Menza Bev Cwerner Dan McCauley Debbie Marcus Donna Corley Doreen Beim Doug Roberts Ed Lafean Ellen Chwatek Emilita Castejon Gayle Shimoun Gina D’Amato Heidi Vigeant Hyesung Kim Jennifer Davidson Jigna Bhalla Jill Reimer Jiyoung Chung Karen Burkart Kathy Balzarotti Katie Van Cleef Kristina Folkart Laura McInerney Laurie Dobson Lisa Olmstead Lois Taddeo Lorri Layton Marcy Murray Maria Kavouras Maria Serluco Mona Doshi Nancy Gallo Nicole Rusas Raj Sugathan Smita Verma Stacey Irvine Tanya Minassian Tina Lakshmanan Tom Jurewicz Youngan Ha Yvette Hober

7TH GRADE CELEBRATION

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Fourth Marking Period

PTO HAPPENINGS

Our 8th graders enjoyed an elegant evening of dancing and mingling as they celebrated their final days at William Annin Middle School. The PTO congratulates all of our graduates and sends our very best wishes as they continue their educational journey on to high school. Committee chairs, Irene McDonnell, Christine Ziegler and Elaine Edge, along with their talented volunteers, did a wonderful job organizing and creating a very memorable and special event for our rising students!

8TH GRADE DANCE

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Fourth Marking Period

WAMS SCHOOL EVENTS

In May, the music department visited Hershey Park where they received the following awards: Concert Choir - Excellent 2nd Place, Select Mixed Choir - Excellent 2nd Place, Select Treble Choir - Superior 1st Place, and Best Overall Choir Award. Now that’s music to our ears! Congratulations!

MUSIC DEPT’S TRIP TO HERSHEY, PA

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Fourth Marking Period

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Congratulations on Outstanding

Performance

2013-2014 School Year

Each marking period, the 8th grade teachers recognize a group of students as student stars. Students are chosen for their good moral character, contributions to the school, concern for others, cooperative spirit, respect for school and others, and sense of responsibility. These

students demonstrate the attributes that contribute to a successful school community.

8TH GRADE STUDENT STARS

Blue Team

Grace Cheo-Issacs

Peter DeNicola

Gina Giordano

Greg Laversa

Patrick O’Toole

Amanda Wang

Gold Team

Brett Asay

James Crowley

Hersh Gupta

Erin Keefe

Jessie Kransdorf

Grace McCreesh

Green Team

Megan Horn

Jennifer Houston

Lindsay Lakos

Sydney Lawrence

Cameron Roth

Jordan Ziegler

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Fourth Marking Period

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Congratulations on Outstanding

Performance

2013-2014 School Year

7TH GRADE VIKING VIP’s

Blue Team

Cooper Bobowicz

Stanley Chou

Sarah Cwerner

Rachael Richards

The 7th grade teams honor students who exemplify Viking Values every marking period. Each team of teachers nominated and voted on students based on the Viking Values. The four values

are: Courage, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility. Students who win the VIP award display the courage to do the right thing when no one is watching, treat others with respect, demonstrate

responsibility, and act with integrity. This award recognizes the actions of the true VIP’s at WAMS. The 7th grade teachers are proud of these students and their accomplishments, and

recognize their efforts at making our community a better place.

Gold Team

Ciarra Criscione

Varun Gongireddy

Rohan Jinturkar

Maya Mukadam

Green Team

Julia Cox

Caroline Mohan

Collin Schwab

Christopher Velasquez

13

Fourth Marking Period

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Congratulations on Outstanding

Performance

2013-2014 School Year

6TH GRADE MOST VALUABLE VIKING

Blue Team

Kelly Fitzpatrick

Meghan Jin

Kaitlin King

Colin Young

The Most Valuable Viking (MVV) is a program designed to recognize students who have consist-ently demonstrated a positive and cooperative attitude in their school community by demon-

strating one (or more) of the four Viking Values: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity and Courage. While many students demonstrate good character each and every day, these student’s efforts and

actions went above and beyond, earning them this outstanding award.

Gold Team

Heather Cortese

Annabel DelGiorno

Liana Giacobbe

Chloe Neuman

Sinmar Singh

Green Team

Haylee Ficuciello

Tommy Forzani

Jack Maloney

Jamie Marsters

Shreyas Menon