Dimension - September 2011

DIMENSIONA great way to spend a

Open House

REMINDERPlease note that this year both the Elementary School and Middle School/High School Open Houses will be held the night before the first day of school – Tuesday, September 6. The Elementary Open House is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the Middle School/High School Open House is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parents can help their children find their classrooms, meet their teachers, drop off school supplies, and learn about the expectations for the school year.

The PTSA will be serving its Open House Meal Deal in the Elementary cafeteria from 5 to 6 p.m. For only $2 per person, get a hamburger or hot dog, chips, cookie and drink served by the Board of Education. Samples for the pie/cake fundraiser will also be available.

This summer, a new security entrance system was installed at the main

entrances to the Elementary School, the Middle School/High School, and the District Office.

Visitors will notice that when they approach these entrances during the regular school day, the doors are locked and a button needs to be pressed for access. When activated, the person will be monitored and access will be granted. Visitors will still need to proceed to the attendance area in both schools upon entering.

This system has been installed in order for the district to maintain and ensure a safer school environment and account for all who enter our buildings.

This is not designed to limit visitors’ access to the school; it simply helps us to regulate who enters. Continued student safety is always our goal.

Those with questions or concerns may contact building principals at any time.

New security system installed in district buildings

summer day

Counselor Jessica Nenni (right) and camper Briana Lucci build a birdhouse together during the Holley Summer Recreation Program, which is free for students in grades K-6. On Wednesdays and Thursdays for six weeks, campers enjoyed arts and crafts, games and sports. The program is run by Holley graduates Lora Bower and Jessica Bower, and Teacher’s Aide Leslie McMillion with the help of student counselors and counselors in training.

Holley Central School District September 2011

In this issueHolley CSD goes electronic ... p. 2

PTSA news ................................ p. 3

MS/HS news .............................. p. 4

Vacation planner .................... p. 5

Counseling Office news ......... p. 6

Connect to your child’s classroom ................................. p. 7

September 2011 ...................... p. 8

HOLLEY DIMENSION September 2011

Holley Central School District2

A message from the SuperintendentDear Holley Parents:

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! We look forward to the opportunity to work with you this

year. Our community, schools, and students are a great source of pride. Please share that pride and help us to offer our students an experience that fosters success. We will continue to build upon our accomplishments and always have a student-driven focus. With this in mind, we will continuously strive for improvement not only in our academic programs, but also in maintaining a safe and inviting environment for everyone in our schools.

If you have any questions at any time during the school year, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, principal, or me. The school, in isolation, can never fulfill its mission of assuring each child’s success. We need your help and urge you to join us in providing the very best for your child. Please join us each day in celebrating the joy and satisfaction that we achieve in helping our students to grow academically and socially.

Sincerely,

Robert C. D’AngeloSuperintendent of Schools

Holley CSD goes electronicwith district communications

For the 2011-2012 school year, the Holley Central School District will not be printing its calendar or district newsletter.

However, the information is still readily available by visiting www.holleycsd.org

• For the district calendar, click on “Calendars” at the top of the home page and then select “2011-2012 District Calendar” from the drop-down menu. You can customize the calendar to show only the events you want, display it in calendar or list format, or print it. Also, both Mac and PC users can download an event or entire month’s events and import them into their calendar program.

• For the parent handbook, which is part of the printed version of the calendar, click on “Parent Handbook” under Quick Links on the home page. It is also listed under the new “Parents” tab.

• For the Dimension newsletter, click on “Files and Documents” under Quick Links on the home page, then select “Dimension District Newsletter.” New issues will always be announced under “News” when they become available.

The decision not to print the district calendar and newsletter is a cost savings measure for the 2011-2012 school year. If you do not have a home computer, computers are available for public use in the Community Free Library and Holley Community Center.

SchoolTool and Connect-Ed keep parents “in the loop”Most parents have already registered for SchoolTool (the district’s

student management system) and can view their child’s daily attendance and discipline information. Parents of students in grades 6-12 can also view their child’s schedule, attendance, and interim and report card grades. Parents who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so by visiting www.holleycsd.org/SchoolTool where they will find a downloadable sign-up form and instructions. The sign-up form may be returned to either school’s main office. Parents only need to register once to have access to this secure system.

Parents also need to be sure their child’s school has current telephone numbers, so that they do not miss out on important communications through Connect-Ed, the district’s telephone messaging service. This service enables the district to personally communicate with parents about emergency situations, school events, and important issues impacting Holley students. Parents can update their phone numbers by calling the main office of their child’s school.

Our District’s Mission

We, the students, parents,

staff, and community

of the Holley Central School

District, will work together to

provide the opportunity and

means for all students to acquire

the skills, knowledge, and

attitudes to become responsible

and productive citizens in a

diverse and changing society.

The ideal is to instill a passion for

lifelong learning.

Holley Central School District 3


Welcome back! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful summer break. This summer, we held the community summer

recreation program at the Elementary School. Children enjoyed games, crafts, snacks, and had plenty of fun! In conjunction, we offered a summer school program. Grades three to eight participated in individualized instruction with their teacher and computer aided instruction one day per week for two months. Karen Quaranto and Kellie Chalmers were this year’s teachers, and enrollment was excellent. Running the program through our district was one of this year’s cost saving measures. The program is sure to grow based on the success of the program this summer.

We have been busy preparing for the new school year. New this year is the secure entry system in both buildings. To gain entry, people will push the buzzer by the main doors. The office staff will release the lock for admittance. The doors will be unlocked during student arrival and dismissal each day for parents to pick up or accompany their child.

Also new this year is the Morning Program for students. This is a community-building initiative for all grade levels. Students will meet in the intermediate gym each morning and morning announcements will be delivered there.

In an effort to be cost conscious and environmentally friendly, we want to send as much information home via email as possible. Please provide your email address on the emergency form so you can receive newsletters, updates, and other important information. Of course if you do not have access to an email account or computer system, a hard copy of notices will be provided.

by Regina Yeo, PrincipalNEWS from the Elementary School

Karen Quaranto works with a group of students on math problems in the lounge area of the library.

Academically talented, underrepresented minorities and young women are invited to apply for the STAR (Science,

Technology, Arts at Rensselaer) program. Experience life as a Rensselaer student — attend classes, tour the campus, visit the laboratories and facilities, and meet with current Rensselaer students. Students accepted to participate in the STAR program will receive a confirmation packet from Rensselaer.

The STAR program begins Thursday evening with a dinner reception and concludes Saturday at the close of the Fall Open House. Weekend activities will include:• Academic exploration • Overview of undergraduate research, co-op, and study abroad programs • Campus tour • Student panels • Student organizations and clubs fair • Lodging and meals with current students

The deadline to apply is September 16. Interested students can apply online at

https://apply-undergrad.rpi.edu/register/?id=05689856c48f46dca5a2a75dd71d6d57 or visit their school counselor.

The PTSA will be offering a “meal deal” in the elementary school cafeteria from 5 to 6 p.m. before Open House on

September 6. For only $2 per person, get a hot dog or hamburger, chips, cookie, and drink served by the Board of Education. Samples for the PTSA pie/cake fundraiser will also be available. The fundraiser runs September 12 – 30. Proceeds support PARP (Parents As Reading Partners), Homecoming, Halloween parties, Arts in Education, Theatre Guild, the high school musical, field days, Flag Day, senior scholarships, field trips, and many other events that benefit Holley students and their parents.

The PTSA membership campaign will launch at Open House. PTSA membership is only $6 per person. Membership forms are available on the website at www.holleycsd.org/ptsa Completed forms with payment can be submitted to either school’s main office. Members are not required to attend meetings, but are welcome. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Elementary School library. The first meeting of the school year will be held September 14. Everyone that is willing to help is encouraged to call me at 638-6483 or email [email protected]

P T S A N e w s

Supporting the Holley PTSA is a gift to the students of our schools. Programs and events that invite the community into our schools make better communities AND better schools!

STAR Program at Rensselaer – October 13-15by Carm Miller, President



I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to a new and exciting school year. I am looking forward

to my new role as the Middle School/High School principal. As always, there was a lot of work done over the summer to make sure that the school is a safe and inviting place for students to learn. The code of conduct and the attendance policy have been revised and updated, and can be viewed on the district website.

Respect, responsibility, and accountability will be common themes for the school year. It is my expectation that our entire school community have respect for themselves and others, be responsible and accept the responsibility that is given to them, and for us all to be accountable for our actions. In our ever changing world, people who possess and understand these qualities will be ready to take on daily challenges while being productive citizens in their community.

The first day of school for students is Wednesday, September 7. We are back to a traditional nine (9) period school day. The first class of the day begins at 7:30 a.m. and period nine ends at 2:21 p.m. following the afternoon announcements.

On the first day of school students will attend every class. Students will also be presented information on the changes to the code of conduct and attendance policy, the issues – social and legal – around sexting and texting, and get information about upcoming class activities, especially Homecoming, which will be October 7 and 8. We will be reminding students to “Pause Before You Post,” a public service program from Jostens encouraging everyone to make smart decisions about personal publishing, such as posting comments to Facebook. All faculty and staff will receive a Paws (Pause) pin reminding them to think before sending any messages.

Regular communication between home and school is always encouraged. It is important for parents to have open communication with all members of the school community. Please do not hesitate to contact teachers, staff and administration with any questions, comments or suggestions. Please use the district web site to get the most updated information on school events and programs.

It is my hope that all students, parents and community members take pride in our entire school program. Best wishes for a productive and enjoyable school year.

Great wrestlersin the making

Fifth grader Kory Puente does

stretching exercises at the start of

wrestling camp, which took place over

four days in August. Coaches John J.

Grillo, Rich Hannan and Andrew Grillo

began each day with a group warm

up followed by lessons in wrestling

techniques, tournaments, and wrestling

games. Over 40 wrestlers of all ages

were in attendance.

NEWS from the Middle School/ High Schoolby Susan Cory, Principal



Free and reduced price meal applications accepted throughout the school year

Parents/guardians needing assistance paying for their child’s meals are encouraged to complete an application

for free and reduced price meals. The application can be found online at www.holleycsd.org (select “Food Service” from the “Departments” menu). Extra copies are also available in District Office.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New York State Education Department, the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide meals in schools that meet federal nutritional guidelines. Schools receive reimbursement for meal-related costs for each meal served through the programs.

For the 2011-12 school year in Holley, student lunches will be $1.50 at the Elementary School and $1.60 at the Middle School/High School, and breakfasts will be $.85 at both schools.

Parents can easily keep track of their children’s food purchases and add money to their accounts by signing upfor MyNutriKids, a secure online prepayment service. Visit www.holleycsd.org/MyNutriKids for more information. Remember that students are not able to charge any portion of their meal selections. Students without payment will be given a sandwich, fruit, and milk.

Vacation plannerThe Holley School District recognizes the importance

of vacations to families and thus provides several recesses throughout the school year. When students are absent from school due to extended family vacations, important instructional time is lost and may be difficult to make up. Therefore, the Holley School District discourages vacations that would cause children to be absent from school. Take time to plan vacations with your child’s academic development in mind.

There will be NO School on the following days:Thursday, September 1, 2011 – Staff Development Day Monday, September 5, 2011 – Labor Day Tuesday, September 6, 2011 – Staff Development Day Friday, October 7, 2011 – Staff Development Day (Half day for students) Monday, October 10, 2011 – Columbus Day Friday, November 11, 2011 – Veterans’ Day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, November 23-25, 2011 – Thanksgiving Recess Friday – Friday, December 23 - 30, 2011 – Holiday RecessMonday, January 2, 2012 – Holiday Recess Friday, January 13, 2012 – Staff Development Day (Half day for students) Monday, January 16, 2012 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday – Friday, February 20-24, 2012 – Mid-Winter Recess Friday, March 16, 2012 – Staff Development Day (Half day for students) Friday, April 6, 2012 – Good Friday Monday – Friday, April 9-13, 2012 – Spring Recess Friday, April 27, 2012 – Staff Development Day (Half day for students)Monday, May 28, 2012 – Memorial Day Friday, June 15, 2012 – Elementary Work Day (No school for grades pre-K-6) Thursday, June 21, 2012 – Last day for Elementary School (Half day for students K-6) Friday, June 22, 2012 - Rating Day (No school for students)

Bailey Schubmehl practices his lay-up shot during Basketball Camp in August. Coach Willis Haring worked with students in grades 7-8 in the morning and grades 9-12 in the afternoon over the course of five days helping them hone their skills.



PSAT/NMSQTThe PSAT/NMSQT will be given at Holley on Saturday, October 15, 2011. All college bound juniors and sophomores are encouraged to take this exam. Students must register in the High School Counseling Office. The cost of the exam is $14. Checks should be made payable to Holley High School.http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html

Don’t know which career path is right for you?

Explore CEIP!The Career Education Internship

Program (CEIP) is an innovative program through Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES enabling high school juniors and seniors to intensively investigate future career options not offered in the WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Program or at their high school. Once the student’s goal is determined, a career site in the community and a mentor are selected. The student will spend approximately 108 hours in an unpaid internship with mentors in one to four career areas, rather than in a conventional classroom. In addition, the student will be required to attend classes on employment preparation and college readiness.

The 150-hour CEIP is NYS Education Department approved and results in one unit of high school credit for graduation.

CEIP gives students an opportunity to:

• Participate in a different learning experience

• Identify with their career choice• Meet people employed in the field• Explore a career choice in a realistic

setting• Explore local employment

opportunities• Obtain recommendations for future

employment and/or college• Develop a career focus as they

ready themselves to enter their postsecondary career educational experience

• Use their career experiences when applying and interviewing for colleges

For more information on CEIP, contact your child’s school counselor.

News from the MS/HS Counseling OfficeMark your calendars for upcoming College Fairs• College Night at the Mall will take place

from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21 at Marketplace Mall and Thursday, September 22 at The Mall at Greece Ridge Center.

• The Rochester Area College Fair at Holley is Tuesday, October 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Middle School/High School gymnasium.

Registration packets are available in the High School Counseling Office, or students may register online at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html

Learn more about the SAT Subject Tests at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/lc_two.html

Holley CEEB CODE: 332-415

NATIONAL TEST DATES TEST REGULAR REGISTRATION

DEADLINE ($49)LATE REGISTRATION

DEADLINE ($75)

Oct. 1, 2011 SAT & Subject Tests Sept. 9, 2011 Sept. 21, 2011

Nov. 5, 2011 SAT & Subject Tests Oct. 7, 2011 Oct. 21, 2011

Dec. 3, 2011 SAT & Subject Tests Nov. 8, 2011 Nov. 20, 2011

Jan. 28, 2012 SAT & Subject Tests Dec. 30, 2011 Jan. 13, 2012

Mar. 10, 2012 SAT ONLY Feb. 10, 2012 Feb. 24, 2012

May 5, 2012 SAT & Subject Tests Apr. 6, 2012 Apr. 20, 2012

June 2, 2012 SAT & Subject Tests May 8, 2012 May 22, 2012

SAT and Subject Tests National Test Dates

ACT National Test Dates

Registration packets are available in the High School Counseling Office, or students may register online at www.actstudent.org/regist/elecreg.html

Holley CEEB CODE:332415



DEADLINE ($55)

Oct. 22, 2011 ACT Sept. 16, 2011 Sept. 17-30, 2011

Dec. 10, 2011 ACT Nov. 4, 2011 Nov. 5-18, 2011

Feb. 11, 2012 ACT Jan. 13, 2012 Jan. 14-20, 2012

April 14, 2012 ACT Mar. 9, 2012 Mar. 10-23, 2012

June 9, 2012 ACT May 4, 2012 May 5-18, 2012

Scholarship information availableInformation on scholarships is posted regularly at www.holleycsd.org/scholarships and is available in the Counseling Office. Check the list often and make note of application deadlines!



Want to give your child the best school experience possible? Team up with her teacher! Don’t be

discouraged from coming into class because “you’re not educated enough” or because you don’t feel you have anything to contribute — your child’s teacher would love to strengthen the bond between school and home. How do you strengthen that bond? Read on for teachers’ tips.

•Talktoyourchildeverydayaboutschool— it’s a great way to find out what he’s learning and to identify potential problems that you might need to discuss with his teacher. Start a conversation with “What was your favorite activity today?” instead of “How was school today?” to avoid vague answers.

•Readeverythingthatcomeshome. Most teachers send daily or weekly newsletters with info about class projects and field trips and requests for parent volunteers. But it’s easy for your child to forget to pass them on to you, so check her backpack regularly. More communications will be sent home via email, so please provide an email address on your child’s emergency form.

•Communicate. Send a note or schedule a conference at the beginning of the year, and let your child’s teacher know about anything unusual that’s going on in your child’s life that might affect him at school — from crises like illness and divorce to less drastic changes, like a grandmother moving in or a mother getting a new job. Mention any medication your child uses, even if he doesn’t take it at school. But don’t take problems to the principal unless you’ve already talked to your child’s teacher.

•Beacheerleader! Don’t just focus on problem areas — let your child’s teacher know about his strengths too. You’ll help her to think of new ways to engage him.

•Respecttheschedule. When there’s an emergency, don’t hesitate to call the school at any time. For more routine matters, it’s smart to find out early in the year when the best times are to contact teachers. Ask at Open House, or send a note or email in the first week.

•Spendtimeintheclassroom. Not only are parent volunteers “worth their weight in gold” to teachers, paying regular visits to the classroom is also a great way for you to learn about your child’s experience firsthand. Offer to tutor individual students or help with special projects. You can also chaperone on field trips, give a talk on your career or your cultural background, or teach the class how to make a special dish or art project.

•Bringlearninghome. Find ways to relate everyday activities at home to concepts your child is learning in school. For instance, explain percentages at breakfast using the nutritional info on the back of cereal boxes, or talk about the fat content of skim versus two-percent milk.

•Don'tbeafraid.Your child’s teacher wants to hear from you. Of all people, teachers understand that there’s no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away!

Source: Scholastic.com

Connect to your child’s classroom – teachers’ tips for keeping in touch



DEADLINE ($55)

Oct. 22, 2011 ACT Sept. 16, 2011 Sept. 17-30, 2011

Dec. 10, 2011 ACT Nov. 4, 2011 Nov. 5-18, 2011

Feb. 11, 2012 ACT Jan. 13, 2012 Jan. 14-20, 2012

April 14, 2012 ACT Mar. 9, 2012 Mar. 10-23, 2012

June 9, 2012 ACT May 4, 2012 May 5-18, 2012

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)

Asbestos removal projects, when required, are performed by licensed contractors in accordance with strict state guidelines and in accordance with our district’s asbestos management plan. Copies of the plan are available for viewing through the district office. For more information, contact Donald Penna, superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, at 638-6316, ext. 2568.

REMINDER

the MS/HS Open House

is Tuesday, September 6

from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Please be sure

to stop by the

Counseling Office!

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to

determine the student’s body mass index or “BMI.” The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. A sample of school districts will be selected to take part in a survey by the New York State Department of Health. If our school is selected to be part of the survey, we will be reporting to the NYS Department of Health information about our students’ weight status groups. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent. However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report. The information sent to the NYS Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier. If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the survey this year, please complete the form found on the district website at www.holleycsd.org/BMI

1 No School for Students Staff Development Day

5 No School Labor Day

6 No School for Students Staff Development Day Elementary Open House, 5:30 - 7 p.m. MS/HS Open House, 6 - 7:30 p.m. PTSA Open House Meal Deal, 5 - 6 p.m., ES Cafeteria

7 First Day of School Kindergarten Orientation A-M: 9-11 a.m.; N-Z: 1-3 p.m.

Pre-Kindergarten Orientation AM Session: 10-11:30 a.m.; PM session: 12:30-2 p.m.

9 SAT Registration Deadline

10 ACT

14 PTSA Meeting, 5:30 p.m., ES Library

16 ACT Registration Deadline

19 Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m., Board Room

23 PTSA After School Movie, 3:20 - 5 p.m., ES Cafeteria

28 Band Recruitment Night, 7 p.m., ES Cafeteria

29 PR Walk Sponsored by the HTA, 3:30 p.m.

Superintendent of SchoolsRobert C. D'Angelo,

Board of EducationJohn Heise, PresidentBrenda Swanger, Vice PresidentElaine BergSalvatore De Luca, Jr.Norman KnightDorothy MorganRobin SilvisKellie SpychalskiJohn C. Welch, Jr.

Holley Dimension is produced with the assistance of the Communication and Technology Services (CaTS) Department at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES.

Editor: Grace Griffee, 585-349-9072, [email protected]

Photography: Grace Griffee

Layout & Design: Lisa Mott

Body Mass Index notification

September 2011


Holley Central Schools8

Dimension - September 2011

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