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NOVEMBER 8, 2011

BOLIVAR-RICHBURG CENTRAL SCHOOL NEWS

Nov. 2011

MONEYSAVER SHOPPING GUIDE

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Community Members, The early snow of this past week reminds us that before we know it, winter will be here, and along with it, the possibility of school closings due to weather. The decision to close school is one that is never made lightly, and we understand the difficulties parents may face when schedules are suddenly changed. However, the safety of our students is always our first and most important consideration. In the early morning hours, the current and predicted state of the roads, visibility, wind chill, and forecast snowfall are all examined in the light of how they might impact the safe transportation of children to and from school. When conditions indicate that the journey to school might be dangerous, or when the forecast predicts hazardous weather conditions for later in the day, we will close school and provide notification to everyone in as timely a manner as possible. Decisions regarding emergency school closings are made based upon information available at the time, and while those decisions may sometimes be controversial, I want to assure you that they will always be made based upon our childrens safety. Again this year, we will be using our Global Connect system to communicate with families about school events and reminders, as well as school closings. In order for our system to be most effective, we need to have accurate information. If your number has changed recently, or if you would like to add a number to be called please let us know by contacting our registrar, Patti McElheny, at 928-2913, or via email at pmcelheny@brcs.wnyric.org. The system will not call phone numbers with extensions, so please make sure that if you have a work number that you want us to call, that you provide us with a direct line. We hope you find this to be an effective means of communication between home and school. Last month we held our first Community Forum, where the topic of discussion was the new Common Core Standards that New York State has adopted as part of Race to the Top . Our Director of Curriculum, Mike Schott, gave a detailed overview of what these new standards represent, and how they will impact our students learning experiences. If you were unable to attend the forum, but would like to view his presentation, the PowerPoint is available on our website. Just click the District tab, then Curriculum and Instruction, then Common Core presentation. The Regents Reform agenda brings many changes to our public schools, including a great deal more accountability for everyone in our schools. At the forum, a community member asked what they could do to help. This was an excellent question, because it recognizes that none of us can do it alone. My response was that we should all focus on the students, and what we can do to help them to be successful. Across the country, public education is under attack, and it has become commonplace for people to criticize and second guess many decisions made by educators. While we will never agree on everything, there needs to be respect and civility in our conversation. The focus must be on children, not on adult concerns. Only by working together will we find solutions, strengthen our school and provide the best educational opportunities possible for our children. A critical part of student success is parent involvement. Parent-teacher conferences take place this month, and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to partner with your childrens teachers, working together to strengthen the learning experience. November is also a time to reflect and be thankful, so I take this opportunity to thank each of you for making a positive contribution to our school community over the past year, and for your support in helping us do what is best for our children. I wish each of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

If you would like additional information about this topic or have any questions regarding the types of programs offered in our building or district, please feel free to contact the school at 585-928-2561. Yours in Education,

John R. Marshall Secondary Principal

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS NEWS

Dear Families, The end of the first marking period will bring a new format for report cards for students in grades K-3. As you meet with teachers during Parent/Teacher Conferences, they will be introducing a standards based report card model. The Standards-Based Report Card defines standards for each grade and determines how well students are progressing to meet the standards set forth by the New York State Common Core Learning Standards. This type of report card will clearly communicate what students are expected to know and be able to do upon completion of each grade level. It is designed to give you more detailed information about how your child is progressing in each of the major academic areas. This is an exciting step for our school as we work towards ensuring that all students are successful at meeting grade-level standards. On many traditional report cards, students receive one grade for reading, one for math, one for science and so on. On a standards-based report card, each of these subject areas is divided into a list of content and skills that students are responsible for learning. Instead of letter grades, students receive marks that show how well they have mastered the content and skills. The marks show whether the student exceeds, is secure, is developing, or is beginning to meet year end expectations for his or her grade level. Students will receive separate marks for effort and work habits. These are important for parents to keep tabs on, even if these characteristics arent included in the assessment of the students academic skills. This new report card is helpful in multiple ways. First, it will ensure that there is more consistency of expectations from teacher to teacher. Second, it will help teachers and students focus on the standards from the very beginning of the year, giving students a chance to get help sooner if they are not making adequate progress. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, parents will learn exactly how their students are doing based on the standard. Theyll learn which big ideas and concepts their children have learned and what they need to work on to ensure they are ready for the next grade level. We look forward to working together to provide your child with the knowledge and tools to reach his or her fullest learning potential, and appreciate your support in this effort. Yours in education, Michelle McDowell Elementary Principal

Marilyn Capawan Superintendent of Schools

ELEMENTARY GUIDANCE:
Bully Prevention with Second Step As you may recall, one of my first priorities as the incoming principal was to enlist the support, input, and co-operation of all families in the school community to assure a safe, positive learning environment for elementary students. Therefore, the first phase was to gain understanding through surveying parents and students concerning bullying. The information you and the students provided, which has been posted on the district website www.brcs.wnyric.org under Elementary Guidance, was instrumental in choosing a program that fits the needs of students, staff and parents. As a result, within the coming weeks, we will begin implementation of Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum in our PK-5 classrooms. Second Step is a research-based curriculum that teaches social and emotional skills for violence prevention. The program is user-friendly and contains parent components. It aims to reduce impulsive and aggressive behaviors and increase protective factors and social competence in children from preschool through junior high. Children learn how to respond empathically to others and practice skill steps for calming down, reducing anger, and solving problems. The classroom-based curriculum, organized by grade level, teaches children to practice empathy, problem-solving skills, risk assessment, decision-making, and goal-setting. It is our hope that through this focus on prevention and education that BolivarRichburg Elementary will be a nurturing environment for every student to learn and grow in. Yours in education, Michelle McDowell Elementary Principal

SECONDARY PRINCIPALS MESSAGE

The Importance of Participation in Extracurricular Activities It is estimated that a child spends approximately 60% of their waking hours outside of the regular school day. What a child does during this time frame can have a significant impact upon their development and maturation. After school extracurricular activities have long been credited for helping students have a more well-rounded, beneficial and meaningful school experience. Some of the benefits associated with participation in extracurricular activities include improved social skills, enhanced academic performance, leadership skills, and a greater sense of responsibility and self-discipline. Furthermore, extracurricular activities can provide a student with a personal sense of belonging to the school, instilling feelings of accomplishment, self-worth, and higher levels of self-esteem. The Bolivar-Richburg Central School District recognizes the many benefits of extracurricular activities and provides numerous opportunities for student participation in these types of events. Within the middle and high school alone, we have extracurricular activities in the areas of athletics, academics, community service, and the arts. In an effort to help our students maximize their school experience, the district remains committed to the staffing and funding of these vital extracurricular activities. In an effort to make it possible for all of our students to benefit from these opportunities, we provide multiple transportation times, so that students can participate in these activities, while at the same time lessening the burden of transportation on the parents. Based upon the many benefits that are associated with and provided by extracurricular participation, I hope that you will encourage your child to take advantage of and participate in one or more of the many extracurricular opportunities offered by this wonderful school and district.

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SPANISH CLASS AT A GLANCE: NOVEMBER

Class / Teacher Spanish 8 Mrs. Lasnick Spanish I Mrs. Walker Spanish II Mrs. Lasnick Spanish III Mrs. Walker Vocabulary topics Weather, seasons Dining out Health preferencer Getting ready for special events Daily routines sporting events communicating feelings Grammar concepts Verbs and adjectives Subject pronouns adjectives, plurals the verb ser Reflexive verbs Ser / estar possessives preterit -IR boot verbs

HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE NEWS

Mrs. Crandall-Bean - November 2011 JANUARY REGENTS EXAMS SCHEDULED The State has set January 24-27, 2012, as the January Regents exam period for this school year. Students wishing to retake a Regents exam in January have been told to sign up at once in the Guidance Office. A list of the exams is posted outside the Guidance Office. There is no charge for taking a January Regents exam. For more information, call Mrs. Crandall-Bean at 928-2985. JUNIORS TAKE PSAT On October 12, many juniors and some sophomores took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) as a warm-up for the SAT they take next spring. The PSAT allows students to get a feel for the kind of questions that will appear on the SAT. In addition, it enters juniors into scholarship competition through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Also, it compares scores of our students to students from all around the country, giving students a sense of where they stand in their college preparation. Results from the PSAT will be returned to B-RCS in early December. At that time, Mrs. Bean will review and interpret the results to those students who took the test. MILITARY TEST AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS On November 8, any senior who is interested in a military career may take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) at the Belmont BOCES Center from 9 a.m. 12 p.m. This three-hour series of tests is given free of charge and is required for any student who plans on enlisting in any branch of the armed forces. The test measures a students math and reading abilities as well as occupational skills. To register for the ASVAB, students must sign up in the Guidance Office by November 5. FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE In December, parents of seniors will be receiving a letter in the mail inviting them to a meeting on January 9, where Mr. Troy Martin, Director of Financial Aid at St. Bonaventure University, will explain aspects of the process of filing for financial aid for the 2012-2013 college school year. No matter what college students will attend, they must complete the FAFSA application to qualify for financial assistance to college. The application is free and students may apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is vitally important that parents of seniors attend this financial aid meeting in January while the college financial aid representative is present to ask specific questions-especially if this is the first time as parents that you will be completing the FAFSA. Two of the best resources for parents to find more information on this process are at the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website: www.hesc.org and at www.finaid.org. These two sites are loaded with information for parents and are two of the very best and easiest to navigate. Further, these sites are not just for parents of seniors but for parents of any students who are considering college. Lastly, parents (or students) should never pay for help with a financial aid form or for a scholarship. Help with either can be provided by us or at the college the student plans on attending. Often times the services that advertise to help you with these are scams or, at the very least, a rip-off. They often promise students thousands of dollars in financial aid. The rule of thumb, If you have to pay, stay away! ASVAB CEP CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM FOR JUNIORS On November 29, all juniors will be scheduled to take the ASVAB exam here in the Bolivar Cafeteria Annex which will allow students to learn more about their strengths and interests concerning future career paths. In December, all juniors will then participate in a career exploration lesson in the computer lab. An ASVAB teacher will present the ASVAB score results and will interpret those results to students. Students will also complete the FYI, which stands for Find Your Interests, career interest inventory. This a wonderful career exploration program which is free to schools. Several area schools have been very pleased with this program and thus, we are very excited to be offering this service to our juniors. Parents of juniors, please be aware that the ASVAB results will be released at the end of the school year to military recruiters. However, please realize that the primary purpose of this program is for juniors to explore future career paths. This programs intention is not to lead students in any way, shape or form necessarily toward a military career. If you have questions regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Bean at 928-2985.

MONEYSAVER SHOPPING GUIDE NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Why learn a foreign language? Points to consider...

1) World Languages and global awareness are listed as essential for students in the 21st century by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills; 2) According to the National Research Council, a pervasive lack of knowledge about foreign cultures and foreign languages in this country threatens the security of the United States as well as its ability to compete in the global marketplace and produce an informed citizenry. 3) The National Research Council also concluded that early language learning in elementary and secondary school is key to establishing a pipeline of students who can eventually reach a high enough level of proficiency in foreign language and culture to meet national needs. 4) According to the 2000 census, only 9 percent of Americans can speak a second language, whereas over 50 percent of Europeans speak one or more foreign languages. 5) Strong evidence shows that time spent on foreign language study strongly reinforces the core subject areas of reading, English language literacy, social studies, and math. Foreign language learners consistently outperform control groups in core subject areas on standardized tests, often significantly. 6) Interest in and support for language study has been strengthened in the United States in recent years by the growing recognition that proficiency in more than one language benefits both individual learners and society. For the individual language learner, research has found a positive link between second language proficiency and cognitive and academic ability. (And)..a multilingual workforce enhances Americas economic competitiveness abroad, helps maintain our political and security interests, and promotes tolerance and intercultural awareness. (Marcos & Peyton 2000) 7) Students who studied four or five years of a foreign language have consistently outperformed students not taking foreign languages. In, 2006 students who studied four or five years of a foreign language scored higher on the critical reading, the math and the writing sections of the 2006 SAT than students who had studied any other subject besides except for science and math for the performance at more than four years was the same.(College Board 2006) 8) Students who were in rigorous programs in high schoolthat included three years of foreign language studywere likely to earn better grades in college and less likely to drop out. (Horn & Kojaku 2001) 9) The benefits to society are many. Americans fluent in other languages improve global communication, enhance our economic competitiveness abroad, and maintain our political and security interests. (Center for Applied Linguistics 2004)

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES Pre-K through Grade 12

November 9, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM And November 10, 2011 from 8:00 to 11:30 AM Report Cards will be issued at the conferences.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR BUS DRIVER POSITIONS

Bolivar-Richburg Central School District is accepting applications for Bus Driver positions. Rate of pay will be as per contract. Applications are available on our website www.brcs.wnyric.org or in the main office at either campus. If you are interested in applying, please submit your application by November 11, 2011 to: Connie Emery, Secretary to the Superintendent, Bolivar-Richburg Central School, 100 School Street, Bolivar, NY 14715

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING LIST

When it is necessary to delay school opening, close school, or dismiss early, the following TV and Radio Stations will be contacted. Channel 2 TV Channel 4 TV Channel 7 TV WJQZ, Wellsville WLSV, Wellsville WOEN, Olean WMXO, Olean WHDL, Olean WPIG, Olean WBEN, Buffalo WGRZ-TV Buffalo AM Program WIVB-TV Buffalo AM Program WKBW-TV Buffalo AM Program 103.5 FM Radio 790 AM Radio 1360 AM Radio 101.5 FM Radio 1450 AM Radio 95.7 FM Radio 930 AM Radio

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Bolivar-Richburg Central School News continued...

NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

I have been a resident of the Bolivar Richburg School district my whole life. I have a wonderful wife Lorraine Harmon who graduated from Richburg. Two wonderful sons, Shanon who graduated from Bolivar Richburg in 2004, graduated from Elmira with a Bachelor degree in Psychology and Biology in 2008, and graduated from Edinboro University with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. He is now attending the Chicago School of Psychology getting his Doctorate in Business Psychology. Sheldon (who we will never forget) graduated from Bolivar Richburg in 2006. Sheldon received his Associates degree in Animation from Edinboro University. He had an amazing career ahead of him. (FOREVER 21) I have been a supervisor for the past twenty years. My experience includes Friendship Dairies, Empire Cheese and Production Manager at Emmi Roth Kase in Penn Yan NY. I am really glad to be back working in the community, and I am looking forward to my new career here at Bolivar- Richburg Central School. I will work hard at keeping a safe and pleasant environment in our Schools for the students and community.

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Heather Ferris I am Heather Ferris and I am currently teaching first grade at BolivarRichburg. Within the seventeen years I have been teaching, I have also taught pre-first, first, second and fourth grades; as well as AIS reading at Portville and Fillmore Central Schools. I moved to Bolivar in 1995, with my husband, Matt. We have two daughters, Hadley and Kelsey. I am looking forward to many enjoyable years with the families of this district. Lance Feuchter Hello, Im Lance Feuchter, the new remedial math and instructional technology integrator. I grew up right down the road in Cuba, where I have lived all of my life. Upon graduating from Cuba-Rushford Central School, I then proceeded on to college, first attending Jamestown Community College where I earned my Associates degree. My next adventure took me to Buffalo State College where I earned my Bachelors degree in education. In a few short months, I will have my Masters degree in integration of technology in the classroom. I am very excited to be part of this wonderful school and community.

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Katie French Im Katie French, and I am the new fifth grade direct consultant teacher here at Bolivar-Richburg Elementary School. I currently live in Allegany, NY with my family where I was born and raised. I have two little sisters, and a very energetic Border collie puppy named Bella. I graduated from SUNY Geneseo in December 2010 with certifications in both Childhood and Special Education. This is my first full time teaching position, and I am very excited to be a part of the Bolivar-Richburg community!

Lindsay Lovell (Kindergarten) My name is Lindsay Lovell. I grew up in Roulette, Pennsylvania and attended Port Allegany High School, where I participated in track and volleyball. After high school, I attended Lock Haven University. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education in 2009. Since graduation I have worked as a substitute teacher in several school districts. I am currently teaching Kindergarten and living in Port Allegany with my husband, Alan, and our dog, Bailey.

Leah Scoville Hi! My name is Leah Scoville and I am the new 2nd grade teacher. I am so excited to be a part of the B-R community. Last year, I taught 1st grade at Scio Central School. In 2008, I graduated from Houghton College with my bachelors in Inclusive Childhood Education. In August, I received my Masters in Education, with a focus in Literacy, from Concordia University. I live in West Clarksville and enjoy crafting, being silly with my friends, and four-wheeling. Jennifer Jones Hello! My name is Jennifer Jones and I am very excited to be here at Bolivar-Richburg! I was recently hired as a Teaching Assistant in the BRCS Pre-K building. I am a graduate of St. Bonaventure University where I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Work. I previously worked as a Home-Based visitor for Head Start, volunteered in the elementary for 5 years, and worked as a substitute teacher for the past 2 years. I am married to Eric Jones, a self-employed digital illustrator, and we are the proud parents of 3 children who attend BRCS. Sarah (7th grade), Adam (5th grade), and Macy (4th grade) keep us busy with many extracurricular activities. As a family we enjoy 4-wheeling, attending our local church, vacationing at the beach and exploring caves. I am delighted to be part of the BRCS Pre-K team and look forward to a productive year! Tina Loucks Hello Bolivar- Richburg! My name is Tina Loucks and I was recently hired as a Teaching Assistant in the BRCS Pre-K. I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful team! Prior to this I was employed at the Allegany County Head Start for ten years where I had the opportunity to work with children from birth to age five. In 1999 I received my Associates Degree in Business. I have worked to obtain my Child Development Credential through the Child Care Education Institute, and most recently have become a certified teaching assistant. My latest endeavor includes working toward my Bachelors Degree from Ashford University. I have lived in Ceres, NY for almost my entire life. There I reside with my husband Ryan, and two girls, Danika (3), and Delaney (1). I enjoy cooking, going to Zumba Fitness, and playing with my children! I am looking forward to working together with Mrs. OGrady, the parents, the school and the community to ensure a fun and successful year for our students! Karie Farwell I currently hold certifications in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education, which enables me to teach students birth to sixth grade. Before joining the Wolverine team this September I taught Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at a private school in Olean. Previous to entering the classroom full time I was a Family Educator working with families and their children both at home and in the classroom for over seven years. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband Timm and our two children Terrance (14) and Corie Anne (7).

NEW TEACHING STAFF

Karen Cawley As many people know, I was raised in Bolivar and lived here until I graduated from Bolivar-Richburg in 2003. While I was away from home, I earned my BA in English writing at St. John Fisher in Rochester, followed by my MS in Library and Information Science with a specialization in School Media from the iSchool at Syracuse University. I also gained worldly experience by crafting espresso-based beverages at Starbucks, serving at a Relais & Chateaux resort in North Carolina, and working as a trainer/visuals specialist/technical support team member at Apple. Its been a fun journey, but Im ecstatic to be back home as the librarian at the secondary school. My goal is to maintain the library as an engaging learning environment where students can enjoy the discovery of information through all sorts of media and technological tools. Susan Ebeling My name is Susan Ebeling. I was born and raised in Wellsville, New York. After graduating from high school, I moved to Maine. I obtained my Bachelors degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Southern Maine. When I returned to New York I attended Alfred University, where I received my Masters degree in Literacy. Following college, I taught at Andover Central School. I am currently enjoying my role as the new remedial reading teacher in Richburg.

N A T IO N A L JU N IO R H O N O R SO C IET Y :
Inductions for the National Junior Honor Society are held every spring. To qualify for induction into the National Junior Honor Society of Bolivar-Richburg Central School, students must be in 8th or 9th grade and must maintain a cumulative average of 90% or higher. Leadership, character, service and citizenship both in and out of the educational setting are also considered. Last year students donated Christmas stockings to ACCORD as a service project as well as completing community service hours on their own.

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NOVEMBER BOOK IT! PROGRAM

This is a reminder that the elementary building will be participating in the Pizza Hut Book It! Program starting November 1. Students school-wide have a monthly reading goal of 300 minutes for November. When they reach their goal and turn in their monthly reading log, they will receive a certificate good for a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut and will have their names featured in the following months MoneySaver. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Julie Britt or Susan Ebeling in the elementary reading department.

Concerts are coming sooner than we think. Please make sure your child has concert attire for the upcoming concert season. Orchestra students in grades 6-12 wear white tops/shirts and black skirts/trousers with sensible black shoes. Flip flops are not acceptable and open-back shoes tend to be dangerous, so lets avoid them. All students are required to attend Christmas concerts, with the exception of the 4 and 5 graders, who havent started orchestra rehearsals yet. I look forward to seeing you at the concerts and enjoy your Thanksgiving. Musically yoursJennifer Berg, BRCS Director of Orchestras

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LEGO LEAGUE
FOOD FACTOR CHALLENGE On November 19, two teams of students will be heading to Houghton College to compete in this years First Lego League Challenge. The teams are coached by teachers Greg Sahm and Gina Livingston and have been working on ways to improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination. The teams have been exploring the topic of food safety and examining the possible points of contamination our food encounters from exposure to insects and creatures, to unsterile processing and transportation, to unsanitary preparation and storage then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORM NXT to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. First Lego League is a worldwide organization whose vision is, To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes. BUSINESS NEWS By: Mrs. Cady Business Ownership and Marketing Field Trip The BOM students experienced a great field trip at Alfred Universitys School of Business. The students participated in a Marketing Mix class given by Dr. Amy Rummel. The students thought of two products. The students were then given five minutes to create new products from the two products given. Students came up with new products like sneakers with computer chips that massage your feet. After lunch, the students were then given a tour of Alfred University by an AU student. Clair Updyke, Jonah Crump, Heidi Ellis, Brittany Fowler, Brandon Loomis, James Palidar, Casey Stuck, Justice Stein and Tim Trip had a great day.

ALLEGANY BUSINESS CENTER

Linda Baker, Loans and Operations Manager worked with 2011-2012 Business Ownership and Marketing student groups to create and write Business Plans for a Green Business. Four students won $62.00 each for writing Business Plans that will actually work. Pictured with Mr. Schott are: Brittany Gordan (top right), Caleb Mistric (bottom left), Anthony Colon (bottom middle), and Brad Ingalls (bottom right).

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

8TH GRADE SCIENCE

By: Mr. Sahm The 8th grade students chose the topic of weather next. One important concept in weather is density. Part of density is learning to use science instruments correctly using the metric system of measurements. The concepts of mass, volume, and density were all a part of what we have been learning. The students have had great success when it comes to measurements. Learning metric measurements has been fairly easy since the metric system used tens in their measurements. If it is so easy, why doesnt the U.S. change to this system? Thats what our class has been investigating. Some students chose to support the metric system, others the English system we all use every day. They read documents and found support for their positions. Next they wrote a supporting paragraph and now we are ready to hold the big debate. Which side will win out may depend on their debating skills as well as the information they obtained. We should know within a week. Next they will have to write a final summary on the position each student decides is best. One unexpected outcome came directly from the students. As we were beginning to work on this they asked, What does President Obama think about this? I had no idea. Based on this question, the students chose to write a letter to our elected officials. They will choose to write to the president, a Senator, or a Congressman. We are going to find out what our elected officials think. It is also an opportunity for them to learn to write a letter correctly, learn more about our political system, and be reminded of the importance of debate. Well update you with the outcome in the next newsletter.

LIFE SMARTS
Career and Financial Management students have begun to participate in Life Smarts. The students take daily quizzes and tests. Life Smarts was started in 1994 by the National Consumers League. Life Smarts concentrates on several crucial areas of real life: Personal Finance, Health and Safety, Environment, Technology, and Consumer Rights and Responsibilities. By working together for five months to learn these key topics and test their knowledge via the Internet, students can win prizes. Teams that score High enough are invited to compete at Schenectady County Community College in March 2012. Last year the BRCS Life Smarts team scored eleventh in the State of New York. Good luck students!

OCTOBER VEIN DRAIN IS A SUCCESS

The Business Ownership and Marketing Club sponsored another successful Blood Drive on Halloween. Thirty-one people donated to help 155 residents of Allegany County. The Community Blood Bank keeps all blood donations in Allegany County. The Business Ownership and Marketing Club thanks everyone for their support.

PHYSICS CLASS
Mr. Sahm What do you think of when you hear the word projectiles? Thats been the topic our class has focused on. We focused on objects going off buildings, being shot in the air, dropped or tossed up in the air. We dropped meter sticks to determine reaction time, we tossed balls in the air, and we shot balls from one side of the turf to the other, and yes, even tracked Angry Birds on our iPads, all in search of all kinds of projectiles. Where do we go next? Centripetal force where objects like Harry Potter, Superman, flying cows and pigs, and more go in circles round and round. Of course we will also be reminded of the song they sang in elementary school, the wheels on the bus go round and round. Feel free to join us as we work and sing.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT NEWS

By: Mrs. Eshelman The Lorax projects are done and the Living Environment students did a great job in presenting the future of the environment based on the actions of one small boy and a seed. Now we are moving ahead to fill in some information regarding photosynthesis and respiration, two processes that we have mentioned but need to delve deeper into. These processes are fundamental to life on this planet as they give us the oxygen we need for survival as well as the energy for daily activities. Keep up with labs and check for homework on the schools website.

HEALTH/P.E.
Ms. Lawton Parent Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. If you would like to meet you can either set up a time on Wednesday ( 4p-8p) or Thursday ( 8a-11:30a), or you can just stop by in the gym or room 304. Health classes are finishing up the new program featuring Maxine from the Allegany Health Department called Reducing the Risk. Maxine and I have been working with students to build skills to prevent pregnancy, HIV, and STDS. If you would like additional information about the program, check out this website labeled Reducing the Risk on my teacher site. Our next unit up is Nutrition and Fitness where we will explore the world of fitness as well as design a fitness program. We will also be doing some research to find more information about high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, splenda, chemical engineered food, etc. Parenting is finishing up effective parenting skills and moving on to Teens and Parenting. We will learn about and discuss factors that contribute to teen pregnancy, analyze risks of teen pregnancy, challenges for teen parents, effects of teen parenthood, options available for teen parents, and sources for support. All P.E. classes are now participating in the Football Unit and we will begin our Frisbee Unit next. We will start off with a crowd favorite, KanJam, then some Frisbee Golf (weather permitting), and finish up with a game of Ultimate Frisbee.

GREETINGS FROM THE ORCHESTRA PROGRAM HERE AT BRCS!

The year is off to a great start and the string program is stronger than ever. This year, we have over one hundred students involved in orchestra, grades 4-12! We are already beginning to choose our solo literature for solo festivals in grades 6-12, in preparation for both the county and state sponsored events. Students will be expected to prepare a solo to perform either at festival or for me. Playing individually fosters a sense of confidence and allows me time to work on your childs strengths and weaknesses during lessons. On Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5, I am pleased and proud to announce that Lydia Crump, Hadley Ferris, Sabrina Bucher and Freddie Dannheim Jr. will be representing our orchestra program at the Junior High Area All State Festival at Genesee Valley in Belmont. These students were selected from our string program, based on their scores from last years solo festival. Only students who perform solos at festival are eligible for this honor group and I am very pleased with all of them. Congratulations, Lydia, Hadley, Sabrina and Freddie!!

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Bolivar-Richburg Central School News continued...

TECHNOLOGY NEWS
The 8th grade Intro to Technology class has had a great start to the year. We just finished a unit making skimmer cars. Students were able to practice their measuring skills which were learned in the first unit to build a skimmer car. After several test runs, students then faced off against one another in a double elimination tournament. The field was narrowed down to a winner from each class. Each class was also able to vote for a second car to represent their class in finals held during advisement. The 8th grade class champion for this year was Justin Best. Below is a picture of the students that made the finals. We are currently working on our mechanical drawing unit. Your child is learning how to make three view drawings using orthographic projection. We will conclude the mechanical drawing unit by designing a bridge that the students will then build and test to see how efficient it is. I am very pleased with the progress and attitudes of this years 8th grade class. They are a great group of kids to work with. Pictured are: McKayla Boll, Andrew Morris, Justin Best, Hunter Evingham and Billy Cobb The System Technology class is doing several community service projects. We met with Clara Robinson from the St. Marys Catholic Church and we are currently refinishing several butcher block tables for the parish hall. Students in the systems technology class are also completing various individual projects to start the year. The area Girl Scouts were in the shop last week for their Pine Wood Derby clinic. Roughly thirty girls were in the shop working with their fathers, grandfathers or uncles to make a pine wood derby car to be raced in early November. This is always a fun night. The start of the year has been a lot of fun. I look forward Mr. Kinnicutt and his niece to the rest of the year being this rewarding. Jaelyn at the Girl Scout Yours in Education, Pine Wood Derby clinic Mr. Kinnicutt

8TH GRADERS VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES

Eighth grade is the year we really begin to focus on career and educational planning in middle school as part of transitioning students for their educational futures in high school and beyond. As part of our career exploration unit, on October 25th, 8th grade students had the opportunity to participate in two college campus tours. Students visited the Alfred University campus in Alfred and the Alfred Ag Tech campus in Wellsville. During their visit to Alfred University students were given a brief presentation by an admission counselor. Students learned about the different degrees and majors offered at AU as well as admission costs, sports and activities offered, graduation requirements, and what colleges are looking for from potential applicants. Students were then given a tour of the campus where they had the opportunity to see places such as the campus libraries, dining halls, dorms, career development center, and student activities center, as well as where certain classes were held. We then ended the morning with lunch in the student activities center. At Alfred State campus in Wellsville students started out with a brief presentation about different programs offered at the Wellsville campus. Students were then broken down into groups and given a tour of the different programs. These included building trades, auto body, auto mechanics, electrical, heavy equipment, and culinary. Students had the opportunity to learn about a house that was built using recycled material and powered off windmills and solar panels. In heavy equipment students were able to explore the different machinery and experience first hand what it would be like to be in the drivers seat of these big machines. This field trip was a great learning experience for our eighth graders! It is my hope that these college tours have enlightened some of our students on the importance of connecting how their success now in school will help them in the future as college students, employees and citizens of their communities. Angela Keiser, 6th-9th counselor

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NOVEMBER 8, 2011

RACHELS CHALLENGE NEWS

Angela Keiser, 6th-9th Counselor On October 4, we were pleased to welcome Rachels Challenge to our school for the second year running. This year students in grades seven through twelve had the privilege of viewing year two of the program: Rachels Legacy. Similar to the year one presentation, students listened as our presenter told a whole new set of stories about Rachels amazing young life and presented our students with a new set of challenges focusing on the power of one. This follow- up program encourages students to recognize their full potential and significance in life along with how to create their own legacy. Students were then asked to sign a banner accepting these new challenges. Students in grades five and six had the opportunity to view year one of the Rachels Challenge program: Rachels Story. Like last year, students were introduced to Rachels story through videos, stories, and writings by Rachel Scott. Students sat captivated as they learned about this amazing young girl who has made an impact on millions of people through her beliefs, actions, and writings. Students were encouraged to start their own chain reaction of kindness by reaching out to others and showing compassion. Since the presentation our Rachels Challenge F.O.R club (Friends of Rachels) has been busy organizing this years old and new club members into action teams such as the fundraising committee, chain links committee, announcement committee, new student welcoming committee, and an appreciation committee. These committees will make it more effective for our club to achieve the goals we have set for this school year. We recently kicked off our chain reaction links in the Middle and High school. Each time an act of kindness is recognized by a student, teacher, or staff member the act of kindness is written on a chain link. The chain links are then collected each week and put together to form our own chain reaction of kindness here at B-R. After only a week we have collected over 200 links!

FAMILY LITERACY FUN NIGHT

Please join us on December 1 for Family Literacy Night. There will be readalouds, crafts, snacks, and plenty of good old fashioned fun. The theme is a pajama party, so kids wear your pajamas! Later this month more information will be sent home with your student. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Britt at jbritt@brcs.wnyric.org or Susan Ebeling at sebeling@brcs.wnyric.org.

KINDERGARTEN
Miss Glover, Mrs. Lovell, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Rickicki..... The students have been learning a lot in reading. We have started to blend sounds to make words. The students are starting to sound out simple words in their reading books. They are doing well. Keep up the good work! This month we have read Julius, Life in an Ocean, Armadillo Orange, and Animal Babies in the Grasslands. We have also been working on compare and contrast, main idea, and setting. We have started learning about animals in our reading series. The students have loved hearing the stories about the ocean, armadillos, and animal babies. We have also learned how to write, identify, and the sound of the letters Mm, Ss, Aa, Tt, and Pp. The students do a wonderful job with the letter of the week. In math, we have been working on patterns and shapes. The students learned about shape, color, size, and growing patterns. We learned about both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes such as cube, cone, cylinder, sphere, and rectangular prism. The students have been working on numbers 0 to 10. The students are working on writing, identifying, and counting the numbers. Congratulations to Mrs. Rickickis November student of the month Kenna Garden! Happy November birthday to Alexandria Puccinelli on the 24th! Mrs. Lovell would like to congratulate her November student of the month Kori Thomas and wish a happy November birthday to Maria Hess on the 12th! Mrs. Mitchell would like to wish a happy November birthday to Dakota Hess on the 12th! Congratulations to Kira Lee for being chosen Novembers student of the month! Happy November birthday to Dustin Murray on the 20th from Miss Glover! Miss Glover would also like to congratulate Lily Robak for being the November student of the month! Have a terrific Thanksgiving!

Other activities coming up over the holiday season include a canned food drive, Christmas caroling, and helping to raise gifts for families in need during the holidays. Our F.O.R. club is looking forward to a fun and successful year as we work towards our goal of making a positive impact on our school and community. Your support as parents and community members is greatly appreciated! Please stay tuned for more information on our upcoming events! You can also check out current information on our school website under the Middle School Guidance link.

Senior Citizens Annual Christmas Dinner

Bolivar-Richburg Central School Bolivar Cafeteria Thursday, December 15, 2011 1:00 PM Call Connie Emery at 585-928-2937 if you need a ride or are unable to attend but would like a dinner delivered.

INTERESTING FACT FROM THE ELEMENTARY MATH DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Walters, Mr. Feuchter DID YOU KNOW?!?! Google is a popular search engine for the internet but Googol is the large number 1 followed by 100 zeros! 10100 = 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

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Bolivar-Richburg Central School News continued...

FIRST GRADE
Mrs. McClellan, Mrs. Farwell, Mrs. Ferris, Mrs. Scott..... It sure has been a busy October in first grade! In reading, we have completed our unit of study on animals. We have worked on mastering all of our short vowel sounds, blends, and sight words. Now the students are ready to face the challenging second unit, which will focus on the study of Communities. We will be introducing the study of long vowel sounds and more difficult sight words. Please read at home with your child every night so they can show off and practice their newly- acquired skills. In math, we continue to study addition and subtraction. We have added and subtracted using every way imaginable-cubes, counters, toys and even ourselves! We will continue to explore these concepts in depth throughout the coming weeks. Have your child add and subtract at any opportunity throughout the day- they cannot wait to show you what they have learned. We are looking forward to several important days in November. Parent-teacher conferences are Wednesday and Thursday, November 9 and 10. We are looking forward to discussing your childs progress with you and have many exciting things to share. We will also be discussing the importance of Veterans Day in our classrooms. Last but not least, we will explore the history behind Thanksgiving, Mrs. McClellans favorite holiday. We also have some first graders celebrating their birthday this month. Birthday wishes go out to: Zane Pangburn: November 16 Reese Wilbur: November 17 Haley Mascho: November 19 Alyssa Starks: November 20 Sawyer Johnson: November 25 Kudos to Veda Curtis and Castity Gowdy! They were selected as student of the month in their respective classrooms. What great role models these girls are - super job! Have a great fall and keep reading!

facts. In a couple of weeks, we are starting division, and your child will have an easier time with division if they know their multiplication. In ELA, students participated in completing a WebQuest on the popular novel, Shiloh. Students completed tasks on the laptops that highlighted several of the new Common Core Standards. As a culminating activity, students were invited to deliver a project presentation to the class. As we get into our new unit, students have been reading a variety of genre that focus on a common theme. Students were asked the big question, What does it take to achieve your dreams and goals? Responses were written in our class composition notebooks for future reference. We were also invited to attend a TheatreWorks presentation highlighting the life of Thomas Alva Edison. The presentation fit right into our theme and big question. Students really enjoyed the interactive learning throughout the program. In science, we finished with our properties of matter unit, and students turned in their October home activities. We enjoyed guest teacher Mrs. Busack, who presented two lessons to us, Snowflakes and Animal X-Rays. In social studies, we have begun learning about the People of the Longhouse and have begun our at home project work. We hope to have a classroom museum set up by the middle of the month. Congratulations to Skylar DeBoer! She was chosen student of the month in Miss Weitzels homeroom because she completes all of her assignments, prints her words and numbers neatly and gets good grades on tests. Mr. Pruchs student of the month is Alexis Dudley. Alexis had another great month. She is respectful, kind, hard-working and extremely helpful. Student of the month in Mrs. Perrys homeroom went to Felicity Mattison. Felicity is a very caring student to all of her classmates. She always encourages the other students to try their best. Felicity is a hard-working, conscientious student who takes great pride in all she does.

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5TH GRADE ~ ELA SECOND GRADE

Ms. Miles, Mr. Bogey, Mrs. Livingston, Miss Scoville..... Second graders really enjoyed a couple of great plays in October: Ramona Quimby from a well-known childrens book, as well as a play comprised of 3 Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling to enhance our joy of reading. Our students did a science unit on weather. They used their senses and scientific tools to observe, measure and record weather conditions. Who knows, we may have some future meteorologists at work! A very happy birthday goes out this month to Jocilynne Priddy who will celebrate her day on the 15th of November. Congratulations to the following students who earned the student of the month award: Antonio Chudy (Miss Scovilles room), Jessica Majot (Mr. Bogeys room), Gracie Zilker (Mrs. Livingstons room), and Tasha Winans-Brownell in Ms. Miles room. Hooray for a job well done! We hope the families enjoyed the annual Family Fun Night on the 27th. It was a great night of games, refreshments and good times for all! Mrs. Smith & Miss French..... This month, ELA has been a room filled with lots of reading and writing! We read two great stories: Satchel Paige~ a biography and Shutting OUT the Sky~ expository nonfiction. We learned about many great African American athletes from the past. Students had to research a famous athlete, take notes, write a draft, edit/revise, and then publish their biography. Every 5th grader did an outstanding job on their research project! To end our first unit in reading class, we used the Thoughtful Classroom strategy of Task Rotation. We also completed a poetry review with acrostics, rhymes, concretes, and haikus! The Student of the Month in our classroom is Rebecca Clark. Rebecca is a positive role model for others. She always shows respect to her classmates and teachers! Happy Birthday to Jarrett Best November 30

5TH GRADE MATH NEWS

Mrs. Greene..... This coming month will be loaded with new and exciting things in math. We will be working on solving mathematical expressions using order of operations then on to factors, multiples, and fractions. Working with fractions will be great. Your son or daughter will be able to practice their fractions as they help you with the holiday baking.

THIRD GRADE
Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Cawley, Mr. Smith..... Students of the Month - Taylor Murphy, Dominick Baldwin, and Nick Roberts. All of these students have been working very hard and are wonderful role models. Happy birthday to Landon Pilon, Sarah Clark and Kayla Wyckoff. In math, we all have been working on multiplication facts 0-5. The children are doing wonderful learning their facts. To work on multiplication facts at home, visit www.multiplication.com where you will find videos, games and practice sheets to help learn multiplication facts. In science, Mr. Smiths class is learning about buoyancy. The children are excited about another science kit and the activities that go with it. Mrs. Hills class is learning about Arctic animals and comparing and contrasting the North Pole and the South Pole. Reading has been very interesting the last month. In Unit 1, we learned about money and how to be responsible with money. We are now learning about penguins. The whole grade watched March of the Penguins to go along with the story we read. Some of the other things we have been working on in reading are grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

The Bolivar-Richburg Faculty Association held its annual Family Fun Night on Thursday, October 27. The night was filled with games, face painting, candy, cider, doughnuts and fun for all ages. Thank you to all of the teachers that donated their time, money, goodies and effort. A special thank you to the middle and high school students that helped create and run some of the games.

FOURTH GRADE
Mrs. Perry, Mr. Pruch, Miss Weitzel..... In math, we are working on multiplication facts and multiplication problems with two and three digits in the multiplicand and one or two digits in the multiplier. Parents, please work with your child studying their multiplication facts, as their success in math through their school years depends on how well and how quickly they know their multiplication
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IN NEW YORK OFFERS SUPPORT TO LUNG CANCER PATIENTS November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month Albany, NY (11/01/2011)(readMedia)- This NovemberNational Lung Cancer Awareness Month- the American Lung Association aims to increase public awareness of this deadly disease and encourage action to help prevent and treat it. Lung cancer is the single leading cancer killer of both men and women in the United States and here in New York State. While a major health burden, however, lung cancer remains largely overlooked. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of both men and women in New York State, said Irwin Berlin, M.D. Board Chair of the American Lung Association in New York. Lung cancer affects both smokers and nonsmokers. Regardless of smoking history, no one deserves lung cancer and thats the message we need all New Yorkers to hear and embrace. We need New Yorkers to do what they can to limit their risk and be aware of the resources that are out there to help them should they or a family member face a lung cancer diagnosis. The more we can raise awareness about lung cancer and gain the publics support to help fight this disease, the more lives we can save and the more we can improve the quality of life for those patients suffering from this disease. Approximately 373,489 Americans are living with lung cancer. In 2011, more than 221,000 new cases were diagnosed nationally and about 157,000 Americans were expected to die from lung cancer. Each year about 13,500 New Yorkers are diagnosed with lung cancer and about 9,200 men and women in New York State die of this disease. The causes of lung cancer include cigarette smoke, radon exposure, industrial exposures to hazardous materials like asbestos and arsenic; even some genetic factors pose a lung cancer risk. New Yorkers can take the following steps to help mitigate the risk of lung cancer:If you are a smoker-stop smoking. Quitting smoking is the single most important thing smokers can do to enhance the length and quality of their lives. The American Lung Association has many programs to help smokers quit for good.If you dont smoke, dont start. Smoking causes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and many other illnesses. When smoking is combined with another risk factor, such as radon exposure, the risk of lung cancer is even higher.Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Make your home smoke-free. You will not only protect yourself, but your family too. Learn about your rights to a smoke-free environment at work and in public places.Test your home for radon. One out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has a radon problem. You can test for radon with inexpensive, easy-to-use test kits sold at hardware stores.Be aware of industrial compounds. If you are exposed to dust and fumes at work, ask your health and safety advisor about how you are being protected.Help fight pollution. Contact local officials and work with others in your community to help clean up the air you and your family breathe. The American Lung Association funds nationwide research that focuses on preventing lung cancer, increasing the survival rate and reducing its effects on patients quality of life. In New York State, the Lung Association is funding a project entitled: Improving Lung Cancers Responsiveness to Chemotherapy at Cornell University in Ithaca. The Lung Association also advocates for increased lung cancer funding at the National Institutes of Health, especially the National Cancer Institute.
Facing a lung cancer diagnosis is extremely difficult for patients and their loved ones, but the American Lung Association is committed to supporting them by offering the following services and resources:The Lung HelpLine (1-800548-8252) provides one-on-one support from registered nurses and respiratory therapists to callers seeking information about lung cancer as well as smoking cessation counseling.Resources available through the Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Call to Action resource provide personalized education to quickly identify trial options that match each patients specific diagnosis, stage, and treatment history. The service aims to help lung cancer patients discuss with their doctor clinical trials that may be appropriate for them.A free-of-charge, online caregiving coordination service called My Fighting for Air Community is a platform to organize support for patients and their loved ones who are affected by acute and chronic lung diseases. The community includes an easy to use group calendar for scheduling tasks such as meals delivery and rides, a platform for securely sharing vital medical, financial, and legal information with designated family members, and customizable sections for posting photos, well wishes, blogs, journals, and messages. As someone who has battled lung cancer myself, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of learning everything you can about this disease, learning about the services that are available to help you and making sure that you have a strong support system in place, said Denise Hogan, Rockland County Coordinator of POWR Against Tobacco. The Lung Associations Lung HelpLine is a great place to start. The counselors are knowledgeable and caring and can alert you to a variety of resources that can help you. To learn more about lung cancer or to take action, visit http:// www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/lung-cancer/. fb