November 16, 2011

Quotes of the week:

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.

~H.U. Westermayer

May your stuffing be tasty May your turkey plump, May your potatoes and gravy Have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious And your pies take the prize, And may your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off your thighs!

~Author Unknown

District News:

Winton Woods Today will not be sent out next week because of Thanksgiving

break. Enjoy your holiday!

Winton Woods High School News:

The Academy of Global Studies @ Winton Woods High School (AGS) will host an Open House on Sunday, December 4 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at Winton Woods High School. “The Open House is designed for prospective parents and students to meet the teachers and learn about the program,” said Principal Dr. Terri Holden. “We will highlight academics, technology, mentoring, service, travel, and tutoring. In addition, those attending will learn about New Tech and the International Studies Schools Network, our partners in this program.”

Winton Woods High School will present its fall play, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, on Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, with tickets available at the door. All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten focuses on ordinary people and their perspectives of daily life. At the heart of each story are various lessons for life, which range from simple observations about human interaction to a moment of personal enlightenment. Congratulations to this year‟s artwork designers (l-r) Wilson Harris, Katelyn Budke, Kristen Budke and Michael Spalding.

For Chris Willertz, fourth year varsity wrestling coach at Winton Woods High School, the mission of his wrestling program is to train boys to become championship wrestlers and men. In addition to the time his athletes put into daily workouts and weekly tournaments, Willertz adds an additional dimension to the program. “This year we will continue to do community service, virtue training, school-to-work programs, academic study halls, and one-on-one mentoring,” said Willertz. “We have many great things planned for our young men.”

But many of those things come with a price, and Willertz‟s athletes don‟t always have the money to participate. “Again this wrestling season, the young men must pay a $60 pay-to-play fee,” said Willertz. “That‟s a lot of money for some of our students to come up with to play one sport, especially a sport like wrestling which doesn‟t attract a tremendous number of participants. So, as in the past, I am asking for donations to our wrestling program via Adopt a Warrior Wrestler.” This program allows the wrestlers to participate in the wrestling season and make community connections at the same time. I‟m asking businesses, community organizations and individuals to adopt a wrestler for the 2011-2012 season by providing all or part of their pay-to-play fee,” said Willertz. “In exchange, participants will receive a year‟s worth of community service. We‟ll do any work an organization or individual may need volunteers for—setting up for a festival, cleaning up, mowing grass. You call, and a Winton Woods Warrior wrestler will be at your service.” Willertz is quick to point out the success of two of his recent wrestling graduates. “Moges Tsegay made the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team as a walk-on, and Pryde Geh who did the same at Ohio University,” said Willertz. “They are our latest success stories and show we are making a difference.

“Our Warriors are earning a reputation around the Cincinnati wrestling community as great young men, and this is happening because of the support of many people,” said Willertz. “Whatever help anyone can give is appreciated.” For more information on the “Adopt a Warrior” program or to adopt a Winton Woods High School wrestler, contact Chris Willertz at Winton Woods High School, 1231 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45240 or at 766-5483. Emails may be sent to willertz.christopher@wintonwoods.org. Checks should be made payable to Winton Woods Athletic Boosters, attention Wrestling.

Winton Woods High School girls basketball player Chanel Stokes signed a letter of intent to play basketball for the Lady Terriers at Wofford College in South Carolina next year. Stokes (seated) is picture with her coaches, David Lumpkin (left) and Calvin Johnson.

Congratulations to the Winton Woods High School Music Department whose video for the Glee "Give a Note" Contest made it to the next round of judging and is being reviewed by the panel that will determine the winners. The contest will award $1,000,000, with 73 schools winning between $10,000 and $50,000. The Winton Woods video team chose a "reality vs. dream" theme, showing the reality of what the band, orchestra and choir programs work with on a daily basis--but focusing on the fact that our music students never give up on their dreams.

Alex Kuhn and Micaiah Dawson, students in the Academy of Global Studies @ Winton Woods High School, placed second in the Chinese Singsing Competition held at Miami University in Oxford. Students from Oak Hills, Miami Valley, Talawanda, Mason and Seven Hills High Schools competed.

“The song they sang was „Beijing

Welcomes You‟ (北京欢迎你),

which was the song for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,” said Boris Wang, Chinese teacher at Winton Woods High School. “Both boys love learning about

China and have done a great job in Chinese class.” Kuhn and Dawson will split the $180 prize for the competition.

Come join us for a fun-filled night of trick hoops and alley-oops as the Harlem Wizards take on the Winton Woods All Star Basketball Team! Student admission is $6.00 in advance; general admission is $8.00 in advance. Refreshments and souvenirs will be sold at the game. There will be a free autograph session following the game. Ticket order forms are available at all school offices. Call 619-2425 for more information.

The Winton Woods High School engineering program, Project Lead the Way (PLTW), was recently awarded a $300 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Teacher grant from Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company. Engineering teacher Myrtis Smith applied for the grant at the beginning of the year to raise money for the school‟s robotics team.

“Winton Woods High School‟s PLTW program has a team that participates in the First Tech Challenge robotics competition,” said Smith. “Last year was our first year competing, and we came in eleventh place out of thirty-two teams. We‟re now raising funds to build a portion of the practice field and buy additional robot parts and a software license. Our goal is to raise $2500 to cover all of the expenses and to have money to cover next year‟s registration.” Smith said the robotics team has raised over $1000, including the grant. “Great Oaks, which runs the Project Lead the Way program, paid for our team registration, and we've received a couple donations from individuals,” said Smith. To help reach their goal, the engineering students have started a t-shirt advertising campaign. The t-shirts are “similar to the t-shirts people wear at charity walks. We‟ve begun contacting local business to see if they would be interested in buying advertisement space on the shirts for $100.

“The students will wear the shirts at the First Tech Challenge Robotics competition, which draws hundreds of students, parents and spectators. An investment of $100 increases a business‟s visibility and image by reaching these potential customers,” said Smith. Additionally, the t-shirts will be worn by the robotics team at the school on Spirit Fridays.

Anyone interested in helping the Winton Woods High School robotics team reach their goal can purchase a t-shirt ad, or make a donation, by contacting Myrtis Smith at smith.myrtis@wintonwoods.org or 513-619-2420.

The Winton Woods Band truck is sporting a new logo thanks to the design work of seniors Katelyn and Kristen Budke. “For years, we've watched the tractor trailers from other schools pull up to our football games and unload their instruments and equipment for their marching band and team,” said Steve Denny, the district‟s executive director of accountability and business affairs. “These trailers always had spiffy district logos and mascots painted on them.

While I'm thankful we have a band truck, and we certainly utilize that vehicle for many other district uses that benefit our kids and schools, when we looked at our band truck, I'm sure we noticed the gap.

“So the district recently joined forces with a local vehicle detailing shop, HyperPerformance Motor Sports, who took the student-created design and „professionalized‟ it a bit without losing its original student-created design elements, and affixed it to the side of the truck for a song. “Now when this vehicle pulls up at football games or musical events, or even when it's just rolling around our community during the school week or summer, it can proudly represent Winton Woods, our schools and the best „darn‟ band in the land,” said Denny.

Please see the attached flyer regarding cheesecake orders which are due on Monday, November 21.

The football team is trying to win new football jerseys. Please go vote for them at www.nikefootball.com/NikeRivalryContest/.

Winton Woods Athletic Boosters is having an Early Black Friday sale. You may purchase two Winton Woods spirit watches for a cost of $30.00 for the set of two or $18.00 for one watch. The original price for one watch was $23.00. Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

Winton Woods Middle School News:

On Thursday November 10, fifty eighth grade students from Team Five Star gathered to celebrate their academic achievement. Students proudly celebrated the accomplishments of their fellow classmates who had received honor roll for the first quarter. Students on Team Five Star who achieved this honor are: Cristian Cruz, Paige Mack, Dashayla Merritt, Jocelyn Vargas, Ja‟juan Young, Marissa Brown, Joshua King, Gavyn Ripley, Tahja Sanders, Chantel Smith, Sidnie Harden, Keir Hardy, Rayshia Thomas, Jasmyn Vines, Dwayne Wilkins, Angel Cunningham, Jacob Goins, Ciera Knott, Yasimean Long, Patricia Lyles, Cheyann Stevenson, Mikala Sundin, Juan Torres, Delaney Lindeman, Elizabeth Martin and Paa Nkrumah. Mrs. Lucas, Mr. Merrill, Mrs. Bowling and Ms. Beumer would like to say congratulations and keep up the great work!

Winton Woods Middle School Band and Orchestra are sponsoring a canned food drive to help families in need this Thanksgiving. Students and staff have been asked to write their names on canned and non-perishable food items brought in Tuesday, November 15 - Tuesday, November 22. Food donations will also be accepted at the WWMS band and orchestra concert on Monday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Suggested donation at the concert is two canned goods.

The bands and orchestra will also perform for the student body on Tuesday, November 22 during first and second bells. Student and staff donations will be entered in a raffle, with prizes ranging from Warrior bucks to a chance to conduct the band!

A huge congratulations to the four middle school band students who were selected for the OMEA District 14 Jr. High Honor Band: Linda Flores, grade 8, 10th chair flute; Etsubdink Daniel, grade 8, 3rd chair clarinet; Zoraeda Cortes, grade 8, 6th chair trombone; and Ravyn Ramsey, grade 7, 9th chair trombone. Directors were asked to nominate their top 15 musicians to audition. From those auditions, very few are actually selected for the group. We are proud of these students and look forward to hearing their performance on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Princeton High School.

Congratulations to November‟s “Students of the Month” here at Winton Woods Middle School: Ayanna Jones, Sierra Moss, Robert Phillips, Tresean Smith, Delaney Lindeman, Bryan Nieto, CJ Stumpf, Jessica Weems and Ronnie Willis. These students were nominated by the teaching staff for good character or a noteworthy deed. The criteria for nomination includes, but is not limited to: demonstrating leadership, citizenship, being a role model to their peers, good grades or grade improvement, attendance, school achievements and outside of school recognition.

In order to honor our veterans, the technology students of WWMS participated in a web-based scavenger hunt in which students were required to find the answers to veteran-related questions, then have a group discussion of the answers found. The culminating activity will be pictures posted in the classroom representing some of the answers, and students are to identify them in a timed challenge with prizes.

The WWMS band and orchestra would like to thank everyone who helped make the first Halloween Concert and Costume Contest a huge success! The auditorium was taken over by such characters as Raggedy Anne, zombies, the Mad Hatter, Hermione, a nurse, Abe Lincoln, pirates, clowns, warriors, a Cabbage Patch Kid, bumble bees, skeletons, princesses, and even a banana.

The volunteer-based musical ensembles performed selections including “Count Rockula,” “The Addams Family,” and “Rosin Eating Zombies.” Over five pounds of candy was collected to send to the troops and over $400 was donated to the middle school‟s band and orchestra departments.

The winner of the costume contest was seventh grader Nick Behrendt, who dressed as “Flo” from the Progressive commercials. He received a Halloween trophy and a cash prize. Keep your eyes open for this concert again next year as Band Director Kara Barbee and Orchestra Director Sarah Gardner hope to make this a yearly tradition.

Each year Winton Woods Middle School hosts a huge fall art show that fills the school wall-to-wall with admirers and creative high-achieving students. This year the event became an even greater opportunity for the students, parents and community to celebrate. The Parent/Community Committee decided to expand the art show to include academics and athletics. The night was full of excitement and pride as appreciative parents and proud students viewed their achievements at the first ever WWMS Arts, Academics and Athletics Show Case. The festive

event was a huge success. Tremendous thanks go out to the committee, the Winton Woods Community PTA, students, parents, guardians, and staff for their support, sophistication and style!

Winton Woods Intermediate News:

Calendar 17- Homework Help 3:15-4:00 p.m., 5th Grade Band Recital, WWIS Gym at 7:00 p.m. 18- WWIS Picture Re-takes (in uniform), WWIS Student of Month 23- Conference Exchange Day, NO SCHOOL 24-25 Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL

On Friday, November 4, Winton Woods Intermediate School awarded students who earned 100 stamps for being Respectful, Responsible, Safe, Problem Solvers. These students had a day out of uniform and were able to select a special activity of their choice during their scheduled specials time. All participating students were also able to participate in a raffle for prizes. Congratulations to our winners and grand prize winners: $10 Walmart gift card: Chanze Cromwell, Ethan Mills and Rachel Hughes; fun prizes: Mikayla Howe, Stephanie Thompson, Craig Moore II, Jiana Jones, Emily Rose Baez, Caleb Willis, Brielle Wright, Mariah Harlan, Jada Atkinson, and Amari Brandy.

This Thursday, November 17, fifth grade band students will get the opportunity to teach an adult family member the fundamentals of playing an instrument. What started as a Master's project idea for Band Director Kara Barbee has turned into a beginning band tradition. Students will show parents how to hold the instrument, form an embouchure (a.k.a. "band face"), breathe deeply, and produce a sound. They will learn how to read and finger three notes, and the parents will perform what they've learned as a group. Parent response has been overwhelmingly positive over the years, but the main reason for the event is to showcase what the students have learned. Teaching is at the highest level of Bloom's taxonomy, so if a student can teach someone else the fundamentals, it's a demonstration of their understanding of the concepts. Student report time is

6:15 p.m. to the WWIS band room. The concert will begin in the WWIS gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.

Winton Woods Elementary News:

On Monday, November 14, Eric “Broadway” Jones, a member of the Harlem Wizards basketball team, wowed WWES students with his tricks and talent. Teachers Troy Pratt, Ellie Gelhot, and student teacher Jamil Manning were selected to participate in the show, as the Harlem Wizards take on the Winton Woods All Star Basketball Team on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Winton Woods High School gym. Many students were chosen for this opportunity as well. Hope to see you there!

The November Students of the Month will

be honored at a luncheon on Thursday November 17. These students are: Maalik Miller, Cameron Sanders, Emanuel Cue, Bay‟ron Mendoza, Ariana Overton, Makayla Schmidt, Derek Hooten, Bianca Horner, Elizabeth Mavridoglou, Destiny Shelton, Allen Donegan, Kylee Fritz, Malik Wright, Mariah Webster, Olivia Newberry, Elijah Battle, Jasmine Horner, Iris Arango-Silva, Jessy James, and Jamal Young. Congratulations to our hardworking students!

Fourth graders Trenaia Jones and Ta‟shoun Horton from Winton Woods Elementary won the school‟s Fire Safety Poster Contest this year. Forest Park Fire Prevention Officer Jermaine Hill presented the two with special t-shirts and a pizza party for their class. Pictured are (l-r) WWES Principal Kendell Dorsey, Ta‟shoun Horton, Trenaia Jones and Jermaine Hill.

The annual WWES Spelling Bee is Thursday, November 17, with 23 students competing. Each student was given a list of 450 words from first to eighth grade level. With three practices after school, the students are excited

and prepared for this event! Third grade participants include Makayla Schmidt, Cynthia Kudatsi, Jade Harris, Kailas Kirby, James Djangmah, Madison Kutchera, Alex Ingram, Demetreana Dillard, Amaya Strong, Nicol Prentosito, Elizabeth Okemmiri, and Aariyah Kittles. Fourth grade participants include Markell Harden, Nana Sarfo-Bonsu, Shelley Mbidi, William Gronefeld, Brianna Bradshaw, Kylee Fritz, Matthew Bernardo, Noah Gray, Fatimata Gassama, Isaiah Smith, and Nathan Washam. The winner will have a chance to take an on-line test in January in hopes of qualifying for the regional spelling bee in downtown Cincinnati. Good luck to all!

Deondra Means, a staff member from the Children‟s Theatre of Cincinnati, is

back in our classrooms to finish up his “anti-bullying” program. He visited a couple months ago to talk with each homeroom about bullying and the damage it can do to someone. This time his visits get the kids up and moving, acting out scenarios about the playground, classroom, or other places bullying can happen. We are glad to have Mr. Means with us to help teach such valuable lessons to our students!

VIW‟s (Very Important Warrior) are given to those

students who exemplify what it means to be a Respectful, Responsible and Reliable Warrior. Two weeks ago our VIW winners were Matthew Bernardo, Elijah Battle and Nicholas Herrington. Last week our winners were Marcus Washington, Eriana Jones and Jaiden Turner. Congratulations to our winners!

Winton Woods Primary News:

Primary Schools Calendar of Events:

NOVEMBER 2011

7-22 PN PTA Cookie Dough Fundraiser 17 PN Picture Retakes (uniforms) 17 PS Movie Day (PTA) 4:30-6:00 p.m. 23-25 Thanksgiving Break (No School)

DECEMBER 2011

1 PS Picture Retakes (uniforms) 14-16 Early Release (3:00 p.m.) 15 Pre-school Winter Parties (11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.) 15 PN 2nd Qtr. Party w/the Principal (1:30-2:30 p.m.) 15 PS 1st Semester Party w//the Principal (1:00-2:00 p.m.) 16 PN/PS K-2 Winter Holiday Party (11 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.)

JANUARY 2012

2 Professional Development Day (No Students) 3 School Resumes 16 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School) 26 Conferences Night (5:00-8:25 p.m.)

Winton Woods Primary South is proud to announce it has received a National Schools Of Distinction status from the Schools Fighting Hunger program. We are one of less than 2000 schools nationwide to be given this status. Check us out on www.schoolsfighthunger.org and remember to send in those canned good so that we can continue our fight against hunger.

Once again we would like to congratulate, and maybe even brag a little about, the incredible artwork created by our students at Primary South! Each month art teacher Katie Davis selects winning art projects to be put on display in the school lobby. As usual this month‟s display is beautifully creative and just plain fun to see, so come in and check out the art! Our art winners for October are: From first grade, Laila Gordon, Richard Bedford, Keyasha McMeans, Kaydence Bell, Naima Salaam and Sonee Boyd. From second grade: Synae Powell, Naima Hoskins, Edwin Short, Jaydin Hagans, Jaylinn Crump and Ashley Britton.

On Monday, November 14, the students at Primary South were visited by a fun and talented guest. David “DP” Paul is a member of the Harlem Wizards basketball team, and he came to give students and staff a preview of the fun to be had at the big game on Tuesday November 22 when the Wizards will be

playing some of the staff from Winton Woods City Schools. The Wizards are a group of talented ball players who combine talent, tricks, teamwork and a lot of comedy. Along with the show of talent from “DP” and a few of our students, Principal Tonya Bray showed her basketball talent … and she did it while wearing heels! Mrs. Bray and second grade teacher Buddy Homan will be representing Primary South on the Winton Woods team, so come and cheer and join the fun on November 22 at Winton Woods High School. Go Winton Woods Staff!

On Monday, November 14, the students at Primary North were visited by Eric “Broadway” Jones, a member of the Harlem Wizards basketball team. He came to talk to us about teamwork and having fun while working together. He used many students and teachers during the assembly. He showed us his tricks and we saw a few of Miss Klei‟s tricks as well! The staff and students had so much fun. We are all excited to see him and his teammates play next Tuesday at the high school gym. We hope to see all of you there!

Each month Primary North nominates students who demonstrate positive character traits in their classroom and throughout the school. Congratulations to first grader Juan Madrigal for being nominated for the character trait of fairness. First grade teacher Liz McCardle writes: "I nominate Juan Madrigal for the character trait of fairness. Juan is always ready to solve a problem by talking about the problem. I have witnessed him giving up some of his own counters in games just to make it fair to the other players. He does not look for a reward for this, he just is a giving individual, who looks out for everyone else. I am proud to nominate Juan Madrigal for the character trait of fairness.