FALCONER CENTRAL SCHOOL

THE FALCON

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the

Golden Falcons

District Newsletter

March 2015

March:

2-5:

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National Foreign Language,

i-Ready Benchmark Week

Board of Education Meeting

MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m.

Spanish Market Day

Scholastic Fair @ Fenner

MS/HS Progress Reports

Sup’t Conf. Day (No School)

Sr. High Musical

HS Aud. @ 7:30 p.m.

Annual Pi Day Gr. 6-8

Sr. High Musical

HS Aud. @ 7:30 p.m.

SAT Test @ Jamestown HS

Sr. High Musical

HS Aud. @ 2:30 p.m.

Board of Education Meeting

MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m.

Grade 8 Music Program

MS/HS @ 7 p.m.

End of 2nd Trimester at

Temple Elementary

Grade 2 Music Program

Temple @ 2 p.m.

MS/HS Progress Reports

Grade 2 Music Program

Temple @ 10 a.m.

Start of Spring Recess

Upcoming Events

6:

7:

14-16:

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22-24:

24:

End of Spring Recess

Board of Education Meeting

MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m.

Grade 3-8 NYS Tests

Board of Education Meeting

MS/HS @ 7:30 p.m.

Grade 3-8 NYS Tests

End of 3rd Quarter

April:

FCS Teachers Recognized

Master Teacher High School Math Teacher, Ms. Mary Plumb, was recently selected

as a NYS Master Teacher, joining 62 other Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics Master Teachers from the Western

New York region and 550 teachers

from across NYS. These teachers

have been recognized for their

dedication to providing innovative

STEM education to their students,

their commitment to ongoing

professional growth and their

enthusiasm for sharing their

successful practices with

colleagues. The selection process

was rigorous, and included an in-

depth written application, subject

matter exam, panel interview, and

a presentation to peers of original and current research. Over the

next four years, Ms. Plumb will participate in more than 200 hours

of intensive professional development focusing on STEM education

through workshops, seminars, courses and participation in

Professional Learning Teams developing new ways to address

specific issues in mathematics and science education.

Coach of the Year Coach Hardy of the Section 6 Class B Champions Lady Falcons

Soccer Team was awarded the Coach of the Year award by The

Post-Journal after a hard fight during the 2014 season.

Congratulations Coach Hardy on your hard work and dedication.

Board of Education President Todd Beckerink Vice President Cathleen Kimball Members Gordon Buck Robert Carpenter Tom Frederes Jennifer Ribaudo Jamie Zaranek

Administration & Supervision Superintendent Stephen Penhollow High School Principal Jeffrey Jordan Middle School Principal Terry English Fenner Elementary Principal Gary Gilbert Temple Elementary Principal Holly Hannon School Psychologist Ashly Warner Business Executive & Purchasing

Agent Brent Agett Director of Special Education Julie Possai Director of Instruction & Staff

Development Judith Roach Building & Grounds Supervisor Randy Ingrao Transportation Supervisor Scott Peterson Coordinator of District Data Judith Roach

Falconer Central School

2 East Avenue, North Falconer, NY 14733

(716)665-6624

THE 2 FALCON District Spotlight

www.falconerschools.org March 2015 FCS

Senior Jake Penhollow Goes to States Senior, Jake Penhollow, traveled to Albany to compete in the New York State Wrestling Championships during the last week of February. He competed in the 195 lb. weight class and had a record of 34-5 going into the State competition. Prior to beginning his journey to the State Championships with his coaches Mr. Daniel Morales and Mr. Drew Wilcox, Jake participated in a send-off parade around the Middle School/High School building. He received words of encouragement and good luck wishes from faculty, staff, and fellow students.

Good Luck Jake!

www.falconerschools.org March 2015 FCS

THE 3 FALCON High School

Falcons on Campus Seventy students in grades 9 through 12 traveled to Jamestown Community College on February 4.

This event was organized by Corrine Case, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment. Students were

welcomed by Vice President, Kirk D. Young. They then broke into groups to discuss the importance

of Campus Life, followed by a campus tour, a student question panel, and then lunch. After lunch,

students watched comedian and magician, Michael Kent’s, performance. Upon departure from JCC,

students were provided with free admissions to JCC vs Genesee Community College Basketball

Game on Thursday, February 12, 2015.

2015 CCMTA Winter All-County Festival On February 7, 2015, select Falconer students participated in the 2015 Winter All-County Festival at

Chautauqua Lake Central School. This years performing groups included: The High School Jazz

Ensemble, Vocal Jazz, Percussion Ensemble, Women’s Chorus and Elementary Band. Students were

selected for this festival based on their teacher’s recommendations. Falconer school sent eight 6th

grade band students to participate with the Elementary Band. Our Falconer students were selected

based on their attitude, participation and practice habits. The following students were selected:

Macy Youngberg (flute), Erika Binkley (flute), Cassie Mosher (flute), Eliza Schrantz (clarinet), Jacob

Thierfeldt (clarinet), Alexandria Davis (alto saxophone), Madison Horton (trumpet), Robert Miles

(mallets) and Lauren Allen (clarinet) who was accepted but was unable to attend. Also this year, two

High School students were selected to participate as well. They were Daniela Casado with the High

School Jazz Ensemble and Justin Gilbert with the Percussion Ensemble. Every one of these students

worked hard preparing for the festival, and their final performance proved to be one they, and the

public, will surely not forget.

www.falconerschools.org March 2015 FCS

THE 4 FALCON Clubs and Sports

Bowling Teams Both the boys’ and girls’ bowling teams are enjoying a strong finish to their season. Both teams qualified for sectionals, while the girls finished 2nd at county roll-offs, losing to Dunkirk by 19 pins.

FBLA The Future Business Leaders of America took on the challenge at their recent Spring District Competition and came out with flying colors. After weeks of taking sample tests, preparing speeches, and practicing problem sets, five members reported to Randolph Central School on Saturday, February 1, ready for competition. Each of them was honored to earn the

opportunity to represent District 13 FBLA at the State Leadership Conference in April with their 1st or 2nd Place win in their District Elimination Events.

Kayla Brentley 1st Place- Client Service 2nd Place-Business Communication 3rd Place-Business Calculations

Madelaine Bartholomew 1st Place-Job Interview 1st Place-Business Communication 2nd Place-Business Calculations

Emily Brentley 1st Place-Basic Decision Making 1st Place-Business Math

Mikaela Johnson 2nd Place- Impromptu Speaking 3rd Place-Business Communication

Emily Johnson 1st Place-Public Speaking I

Hoops for Hospice For the past four years, area residents and students of Falconer Central School have come together to raise funds for the Chautauqua County Hospice organization at the annual Hoops for Hospice benefit. The fifth annual Hoops for Hospice event was held on February 18, 2015, with the Lady Golden Falcon’s games. This year’s event raised awareness for brain cancer. A Chinese auction, where over 20 gift cards and gift baskets were available, a baked-good sale, concessions and a grand raffle for a LCD television also contributed to the proceeds. The girls raised just over $6000.00 for this very worthy cause in our community! Congratulations to the Lady Falcon Basketball Team and associated sponsors for an outstanding 2015 "Hoops for Hospice!"

Falconer Flyers Youth Track & Field Track & Field will resume this summer. It will be open to Falconer students entering grades 3-7 in September 2015. Tentative dates are Mondays, June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Last year the cost was $20 per athlete and a maximum of $50 per family, but they are hoping to lower that price for 2015. Each athlete will get a T-shirt and end-of-season awards. Falconer high school athletes will assist in the coaching. Sign-ups will be sometime in the latter part of May. More detailed information will be sent home with your children this spring. Questions may be sent to lebaron@falcon.wnyric.org.

Falconer Track & Field Invitational The 13th annual Falconer High School Track & Field Invitational will be held Friday night, May 8, under the lights. Teams competing are Holland, Silver Creek, Randolph, Portville, Maple Grove, Westfield, Cattaraugus/Little Valley, Allegany/Limestone, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Harborcreek PA, Jamestown, East Aurora, Southwestern, West Seneca West, Olean, Gowanda, Fredonia, Iroquois, and Falconer. Last year approximately 720 athletes competed, which included some Section VI Champions, NYS Champions, and National All-Americans.

www.falconerschools.org March 2015 FCS

THE 5 FALCON Middle School

Middle School Swim Night

Middle School students enjoyed a night of swimming at the Frewsburg MS/HS pool on January 23. Thanks to the monetary support from Middle School Student Council, the event was FREE! Thanks to generous parents who provided snacks and drinks for all the students to enjoy!

Middle School Battle of the Classes The PACT (Parents, Administrators, Community, Teachers) group, lead by Mrs. Tordella, grade 6 math teacher, meets regularly to plan activities (PACT). Will you be included in the next event? Join the fun with BATTLE OF THE CLASSES on Friday, March 20, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Falconer Middle/High School Gym. Help is needed to execute this annual event! Watch for information coming home with students soon! The Battle of the Classes is a fun, competitive activity for our students. There are several events that will both challenge and entertain the students. Throughout the year, the grades have been earning points through a variety of activities, but now the real competition begins. Every student attends the day events and all are invited to come to the evening events, either as a participant or spectator to cheer on their class! Also, all families are invited to watch! In order to make the event a success, we really need parent volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please email Barb Tordella, Battle Coordinator (btordella@falcon.wnyric.org or at 665-6624 ext.4307).

Helpful Encouragement for Kallie’s Krusade Students in Mrs. McDonald's and Mrs. Lodestro's class took a time out to help cheer up an amazing little girl. Recognizing that they could make a difference and be a bright spot for someone, the students created hand-crafted cards for Kallie. The students cut, pasted and wrote little notes of encouragement for this brave young girl. Kallie's Krusade is a community effort to "fight like a girl" against pediatric cancer and other childhood illnesses. One hundred percent of the monies raised for Kallie’s Krusade at the annual fundraiser events will be utilized to help other families in our community whose lives have been stricken with pediatric cancer. Additional Information can be found at www.kallieskrusade.org.

Pennies for Patients On February 3, the Middle School held a kick-off assembly for the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Pennies for Patients charity event. Students learned about the different types of blood cells in their bodies and how blood cancer impacts the way our blood functions. They also watched stories of the families of two children who have survived blood cancer. Middle School Student Council raised over $770 in coins and small bills, beating their school-wide goal of $600 and nearly doubling the amount raised last year!!! The money is donated to the WNY LLS. Mr. Glatz's 6th grade homeroom took first place by raising over $270 and the 8th grade took the prize for earning the most "paper" pennies. Classes earned points for the annual Battle of the Classes competition. Thank you to everyone who generously donated and to the staff at Falconer Tops for helping with the Coinstar Machine when counting 1,085 quarters, 1,770 dimes, 1,367 nickels and 12,564 pennies caused the need for some repairs!

www.falconerschools.org March 2015 FCS

THE 6 FALCON Fenner/Temple

Fenner Participates in Jump Rope for Heart Students at Harvey C. Fenner Elementary School participated in the Jump Rope

for Heart event on February 12th. This year was Fenner’s 27th year hosting the

event to help raise funding for the American Heart Association's extensive

research efforts, heart education and programs to help all of us live healthier

lives. Over the past 27 years, the students at Fenner have raised and donated

nearly $220,000.00 to this worthy cause.

Future Newsletter Editors A group of students in Mrs. Payne's 4th

grade class have started publishing a

monthly newsletter. They provide a

variety of interesting articles, complete

with current events, important dates,

jokes, fun facts, puzzles, students of the

month, interviews, science corner,

artwork, and original fiction and comic

pieces. Mrs. Payne's future editors are:

Garrett Carlson, Curtis Hannon, Liam

LaForest, Andrew LeBaron (not pictured),

Michaela Olson, and Jacob Sears.

The students and staff in

Mrs. Conlan's class are

working on their art work

for Gallery 132.

http://static.heart.org/ahaanywhere/sites/ym2012/jump/img/logo.png

Mrs. Conlan’s

Art Gallery at

Temple

Elementary

www.falconerschools.org March 2015 FCS

THE 7 FALCON Temple

3B Winners for January 2015 Shown below are the Kindergarten and Second Grade Winners of the 3B award for January 2015.

Cheer Bear Winners Mrs. Tracey’s and Mrs. Winchester’s 2nd grade classes tied for the Temple Cheer Bear for the month of January with 130 compliment cards each.

Foundational Literacy Skills Mrs. Kibbe & Miss Buccola attended a Foundational Literacy Skills: Phonology & Orthography training through Erie 2 BOCES. They shared their training with the Staff during their cross grade level meeting.

Mrs. Collins’ Class writes with Kindness

Mrs. Collins” 2nd grade class shared their “Kindness” writing with Mrs. Hannon and Mrs. Roach.

SADD Coloring Contest Winners Michelle Pitts coordinated a SADD Red Ribbon Coloring Contest. SADD wanted to raise Drug Awareness for the students of Temple Elementary. Below is a picture of the winners.

THE Back Cover 8 FALCON

www.falconerschools.org FCS March 2015

Mission Statement The Board of Education,

collective staff, and community of the Falconer

School District are committed to preparing

our children to be productive members of

society. Through continuous evaluation and

improvement, this partnership will a provide

quality educational environment for students

to meet the graduation requirements.

Alma Mater Falconer High School here’s

to you best in the land. ‘Neath the old gold and

blue, we will proudly take our stand in classroom

study, field, or track with you dear as our guide, no honor ever shall you lack.

We’ll win your pride.

Desktop Publishing Students Instructed by Miss. Fisher, Educational Technology Specialist

Reminder The Fosberg Technology

Center is open late on Tues-days for additional work

time until 4:10 p.m. The late bus is available if needed.

Newsletter Produced by… Justin Gould and

Liz Hanson

The Big Read of 2015 Each year communities in our area participate in an event called “The Big Read” in which a book is chosen, events are planned, and schools, libraries, and community organizations try to get as many people to read that book as possible. Past titles have included Fahrenheit 451, To Kill A Mockingbird, Call of the Wild, stories by Edgar Allan Poe, and the poetry of Emily Dickinson. The program is made possible by the work of coordinators at the Daniel A. Reed Library at SUNY Fredonia. Grants allow schools to receive copies of the reading materials and guides for teachers who wish to participate.

This year The Big Read is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Big Read events will take place from March 23 - April 24. There will be events planned in local libraries, and many of our high school students will read the book. Keep an eye out for Big Read programs in your community. If you’ve never read The Great Gatsby or, if it’s been a while, this spring will be a perfect time to pick up a copy and participate in this year’s Big Read!

h p://www.publicbookshelf.com/images/

GreatGatsby423x630.jpg 

Falcon Productions Presents...

The show will be presented Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., as well as Sunday, March 15, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets will be available beginning in March for presale at the High School Security Office and will also be available at the door the nights of the show. Ticket prices for adults are $8 and $6 for students and senior citizens. Mark your calendars!