Vol. LXVIII • No. 5 • June 2014 • A Publication of the Westhill Central School District

http://www.westhillschools.org

Hill & Vale

Onondaga All-County Band and OrchestraThe Elementary All-County Festival features band, orchestra and chorus students in grades five and six from across Onondaga County. Students are chosen for this honor group based on the recommendation from their band director. This year’s festival took place on April 4 and 5 at Corcoran High School and included sixth grade band members; Sarah Schwartz (oboe), Grace Lesselroth (flute), Emmett Donnelly (trumpet), Will Davis and Trevor O’Hearn (trombone), Emily O’Reilly (French horn), Jacob Fricano (alto saxophone), Zach MacCollum and Will Hunter (percussion), Scott MacBain (tuba) and Quinn Mannion and Allison Lyons (clarinet).

Still Cookin’ at WesthillOnce again, Westhill Employees Union has chosen Casey’s Place as our Community Outreach Project. This organization is an overnight respite for children with multiple medical needs. Over the past year, we have been selling our Westhill cookbook and have been able to donate $1,000 to this great cause. Thank you to our friends and families of the Westhill students and staff for your generous support of this project.

We will continue to have these fantastic cookbooks available for your purchasein all four school offices. The children of Casey’s Place were very excited

to receive their own copy of the cookbook as well as the thoughtful donation from their friends at Westhill!

2June 2014

Westhill High School

A big thank you goes out to the students who participated in OCRRA’s countywide Earth Day Cleanup on April 11 and 12. These students worked diligently to clean up the school grounds as well as roadsides near the high school. In just a few hours, students collected over 10 garbage bags of plastic and Styrofoam items and glass bottles and cans that littered the school property and roadsides. Several local residents driving by gave the “thumbs-up” and said thank you to students for helping to beautify the area and care for Mother Earth!

Earth Day Clean UpWhat do you get when you mix learning, exercise and environment-friendly activities?…the ECOS Olympics! And that’s just what happened when Westhill High School’s ECOS (Environmentally Conscious Organization of Students) students visited Onondaga Hill Middle and Cherry Road Schools in April and May. Students had the opportunity to be teachers and stewards for Mother Earth as they engaged the 3rd and 5th grade classes in activities such as “Where Does Your Trash Go and How Long Does It Stay There?” and the “Recycle, Reduce and Reuse Relay Race.” Students also played in the soil in the “How Does Your Garden Grow” activity, planting their own vegetable or flower seeds to bring home to take care of and watch grow. With some sunshine, water and a little bit of luck, students will be eating their homegrown veggies this summer.

ECOS Olympics

Westhill High School’s Character Education hosted the annual fundraiser on Saturday, May 10. Staff and students from all buildings in the District successfully raised $1,600 to donate to HOPE for Ariang. Participants played games, had their faces painted, made bracelets, tossed water balloons and participated in races. All proceeds went to benefit lost boy Gabriel Bol Deng’s foundation, HOPE for Ariang. The foundation works to provide a primary education to the area around Ariang Village in South Sudan. Thank you to all who participated. For more information on the foundation or to donate, visit the HOPE for Ariang website at www.hopeforariang.org.

7th Annual Walk/Field Days for South Sudan

3June 2014

Westhill High School

A well-balanced team of seniors, underclassmen and newcomers to the team led to a very successful 2014 season for the Westhill-Ludden Girls Outdoor Track Team. The hard work and perseverance of this group led them to a well-deserved Section III Class A-2 Championship. Westhill-Ludden earned a resounding 175.

Athletes performed exceptionally well in four individual events. Genny Corcoran took first place with a personal record performance in the 1500m run. Noelle Coolican was the day’s top pole-vaulter with a first place finish in that event. First time track athlete, Anna Ross, finished first in the high jump and Bella Sterly continued her dominance of the shot put as she again took first in that event.

The team effort was also demonstrated by the team’s ability to score in all three of the relay events. The 4 x 800 team took second place with terrific performances by Erin Morrell, Noelle Coolican, Ciara Hoyne and Emily Washburn. Our 4 x 400 team was also a strong second with great efforts by Mary Washburn, Caroline Coates, Olivia Daigneau and Anna Ross. The 4 x 100 team was not to be denied a spot in the scoring as they took sixth place with a great job by Katherine Doherty, Molly Etoll, Carly Cristoforetti and Olivia Daigneau.

Important high-scoring top three efforts were accomplished in a wide range of events. Second place finishes were taken by Emi l y Washbu rn i n t h e 3 0 0 0 m r u n , Annibel Coolican in the steeplechase and high jump, Katherine Doherty in the pole vault, Anna Ross in the shot put, Kayla Wild in the discus and Erin Christensen in the pentathlon. Third place efforts were turned in by Alaina Kenny in the 1500m run, Mary Washburn in the 400m run, Caroline Coates in the 800m run, Annibel Coolican in the 400m hurdles, Maddie Nowicki in the 3000m run, Erin Morrell in the steeplechase, Kayla Wild in the shot put, Bella Sterly in the discus and Zoe Fortin in the pentathlon. Other important members of the team included; Lisa Bogardus, Molly Clark, Haylei Coolican and Cameron Aiello.

Congratulations to the girls for a tremendous season and for their first Section III Championship since 2005!

Outdoor Track Team Wins Section III, Class A-2 Championship

Westhill High School Fitness Center Adult Program

Dates & Times 2014

Summer Session 2014 - June 23 – July 31Training Orientation: 6/23 & 6/24

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pmEvenings: M,T,W,TH – Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Important Note: The Fitness Center is closed when school is not in session with the exception of the summer session. The center is closed on all non-scheduled dates, holiday periods, weekends, and emergency closings. Check our school website at www.westhillschools.org for further information and announcements to confirm emergency closings.

Registration: To be eligible to use the facility, district residents (adults post high school age) must register and complete the training orientation program by contacting the high school main office at 426-3100. Individuals who have previously completed the training orientation are eligible to continue to use the center as scheduled.

4June 2014

Grade 12Barney, Alexis Anne-Therese Bleskoski, Joseph Kenneth Brown, Alexander Joseph Brown, Michael Jacob Brusa, Christopher John Burrows, Christopher Louis Carkner, Abigail Lynn Carr, Vincenzo Carroccia Cash, Kaitlin Rainey Celeste, Brian Patrick Chapin, Fletcher Taliesin Christensen, Erin Elizabeth Coates, Caroline Phillips Condon, Daniel Jacob Dashley, Victoria Lauren DeKay, Sean Michael DeLaura-Ariola, Nicole Suzanne Delles, Lindsey Marie Denzak, Brian Patrick Denzak, Kevin Michael Elias, Daemon Rizk Failoni, Michael William Farrell, Patrick Julian Files, Jordan Daniel Flanders, Reed Michael Galloway, Olivia Erin Gedney, Annaleigh Crispin Grabda, Marina Elizabeth Guindy, Lina Evette Helfeld, Brianna Elizabeth Hughes, Justin David Kelly, Timothy Robert Kernan, Edward William King, Tyler John Klink, Elizabeth Rose Kosciewicz, Christine Marie Kumanowski, Christopher W. Laible, Ryann Elizabeth Lawn, Kara Grace Liberati, Maggie Lynn Lippert, Lindsey Renee Loyd, Chandler Barrett McAfee, Malia Michelle McGrath, Ashley Elizabeth Moffitt, Scott Aaron Moffitt, Shannon Marie Moran, Haley Joy Morrissey, Amanda Elise Mrozek, Alexander Robert Mulroy-Robbins, Brieana Marie Negus, Aaron Jerome

Owens, Joshua Christopher Paraszczak, Kalyna K. Paraszczak, Michael J. Powers, Grace McMenamin Puglisi, Brett Joseph Pullano, Nichole Louise Rinaldi, Hope Christina Ristoff, Jared Jerome Rocker, Ashley Morgan Root, Jennifer Anne Ross, Anna Theresa Scott, David Thomas Scrimale, Santina Elizabeth Shaffer, Jennah Justine Sizing, Zachary Taylor Skeele, Alexander LaMont Slade, Elizabeth Lauren Sovocool, Zachary Mark Spinek, Molly Kathryn Stack, Hannah Marie Stallknecht, Marc Lee Sterly, Isabella Bailey Stevenson, Williams McCabe Tadros, Jeryis Anthony Timoshchuk, Vitaly Unz, Alexander Chase Useva, Anastasija Toni Washburn, Emily Margaret Wensel, Greta Mae Willey, Erin Elizabeth

Grade 11Abbamont, Thomas Edward Albright, Christian Thaddeus Ballard, Cain Thomas Burgay, Stephen Francis Carrock, Abigail Catherine Clark, Molly Barbara Commisso, Katelynn Michele Culligan, Crue Patrick DeMauro, Daniel Joseph Diefendorf, Claire M. Dougherty, Joshua Liam Eassa, Brianna Elise Easterly III, Richard Bruce French, Andrew John Geiler, Michael David Gosson, Lydia Kathleen Hewitt, Claire Deanna Hoyne, Ciara Catherine Hurteau, Lily JoanYing Jones, Natalie Elizabeth

Kersey, Michael Jacob Lesselroth, Hannah Louise Lippert, Kelly Jean Mancabelli, Olivia Marie March, Ethan Andrew Marnell, Christopher Guy Miesner, Nathaniel C. Millman, Nicole Janelle Monds, Tatiana Montemayor, Joseph Fox Murphy, Cole C. O’Connell, Daniel Brennan O’Neill, Mae Harrington Obrist, Ryan Patrick Olesh, Dmitriy S. Onoff, Nina Katherine Padovano, Benjamin John Peluso, Alissa Morgan Polacek, Alexandra M. Purcell, Mark John Radio-Rodriguez, Xiomara Rathbun, Cristin Mary Rolince, Tyler Joseph Ruckyj, Samantha Katherine Sheridan, Brian George Simmons, Brandon O’Brien Smith, Kaelan Rose Timoshchuk, Irina Wall, Alyssa Evelia Walsh, Samuel Thomas Whipple, Donovan James White, Jennifer Rose Williams, Ryan Ellis Zabycz, Matthew Jacob Zeppetello, Rachel Leigh

Grade 10Ahern, Conor Vincent Albert, Brittany Elizabeth Badman, Cody Dalton Bogan, Stephen Palmer Burrows, Meaghan Lee Canavan, Bradley Paul Cannucciari, Minel Rena X. Carello, Joseph Francesco Chester, Jesse Daylan Christensen, Douglas Otto Coolican, Annibel Jacqueline Coon, Mary F. Corcoran, Genevieve Mary Daigneau, Olivia Argelida de Veyra, Katherine Terese

WHS Honor Roll 2013-2014 Quarter 3

5June 2014

DeMauro, Corey Steven Dolan, Madison Kaeley Dower, Gabrielle Elizabeth Durand, Adam Jeremy Elleman, Max Joseph Feliu, Connor Joseph French, Adam Michael French, Nicholas David Frost, Anna Patricia Glielmi, Morgan Elizabeth Hayes, Morgan Elizabeth Henneberry, Arlana Leah Jetter, Natalie Ann Kelly, Elizabeth Ann Kernan, James Michael King, Bryan Christopher Kinney, Fallon Byrne Klein, Dori Sophia Klink, Teresa Marie Knapp, Leah Rose LaBarge, Thomas Warne LaChance, Sarah Noel Langdon, Kyle Thomas Ludovico, Regina Ann MacCollum, Nicholas John Malfitano, Montana Grace Martin, Delaney Rose Mayott, Julia Marguerite McAnaney, Matthew O’Brien McGraw, Brian Brennan Mechowski, Bryce Mitchell Mondo, Carolyn Rose Mullen, Jake Joseph Nares, Ella Elizabeth O’Mara, Brian Timothy Olesh, Michael Stepan Puglisi, Jake Matthew Remillard, Garnet Clemo Salvaterra, Andrew Joseph Schermerhorn, John W. Sekowski, W. Luke Stack, Allison Rose Stack, Shelby Grace Swartwood, Will Randal Tarolli, Kayla Rose Thomas, Courtney Carin Veit, Kelly Rose Washburn, Mary Katherine Whitbread, Alyssa Marie Zell, Joseph Bernard Zimmerman, Ryan Patrick

Grade 9Alam, Farukh Argentieri, Silvino Elias Bennett, Luke Daniel Bergett, Martha Jeanne Bogardus, Lisa Maureen Cady, Samuel Cash, Makayla Riley Catone, Colin Brendan Colella, Nicolas Robert Coman, Brian David Cristoforetti, Carly Anne Cunningham, Thomas Edgar Dashley, Cassandra Noelle DeMatties, Dominique Marie Dwyer, John Edward Dwyre, Megan Elizabeth Evans, Meghan Marie Fagan, Claire Marie Farrell, Haileigh Fitzgibbons, Emma Forth, Michael Joseph Gentile, Lauren Elizabeth Gill, Julius Wesley Guariano, Mia Elizabeth Handy, Tyrus Theodore Hewitt, Connor Andrew Holl, Jonathan Michael Kersey, Andrew Gregory Kilpatrick, Elizabeth Rose King, Owen Edward LoCurto, Gabrielle Margaret Lougen, Bridget Elizabeth MacBain, Katherine Eliza Mannion, John Aloysius March, Abbey Elizabeth McPeak, Isabelle Ann Mengucci, Elizabeth Anne Miller, John Patrick Missert, Kathryn Lyn Monds, Jayanna Cheyann Mooney, Kate Lauren Moore, Mary-Elizabeth Mrozek, Benjamin John Mullen, Abbey Moran O’Connell, Kathleen Shannon O’Connor, Rory Sarsfield Pierce, Adele Carol Pirong, Kimberly Polacek, Jacob Frank Puleo, Anthony Paul

Randall, Jesse Dominic Ranieri, Elise Marie Robinson, Daniel Joseph Rolince, Noah Patrick Smith, Paige Virginia Stack, Abby Mae Stensland, Gavin Eric Vecchio, Carly Rose Walsh, Calvin Joseph Willey, Sean Patrick Williams, Tyrin Khalil Wisner, Kai Scott Yeates, Avery Claire

 

WHS Honor Roll 2013-2014 Quarter 3

6June 2014

During the month of April, two standout Westhill athletes signed their Letters of Intent to participate in collegiate athletics. On April 17, Isabella Sterly and Emily Kessler signed their National Letters of Intent. Isabella, daughter of Jeffrey Sterly and Devon Bailey, will be joining the Le Moyne College Track and Field team where she will throw shot put. Emily Kessler, daughter of Eric and Lori Kessler, will become a Lenoir-Rhyne Bear as she continues her lacrosse career in Hickory, North Carolina.

Warriors Sign Letters of Intent

Isabella Sterly, Jeffrey Sterly and Devon Bailey Emily Kessler, Lori Kessler and Eric Kessler

On May 28, senior Patrick Farrell was awarded the Time Warner Cable News Scholar Athlete of the Week. Patrick is a varsity hockey player who excels on the ice and in the classroom. Patrick plans to continue his education next year at the University at Albany where he will major in criminal justice with a minor in English and a concentration in pre-law.

TWC News Scholar Athlete of the Week

Westhill High School

7June 2014

The French Club and French National Honor Society have been busy this spring! Our French Club and French National Honor Society president, Alex Mrozek, won the Most Outstanding Senior in French award, given by the American Association of Teachers of French. Bravo, Alex!

French National Honor Society members have been busy working on their community service hours and keeping up their grades so that they will have the honor of wearing the bleu, blanc, rouge honor cord for graduation on June 28. Félicitations!

Honor Society members participated in the second annual Paint Westvale Purple 5K to raise money for cancer research. Participants included Abby Carrock, Allie Polacek, Bri Linton, Alex Mrozek, Ryann Laible, Mae O’Neill and Nicole Millman. Most of us walked, but Mae ran the whole race - fantastique!

French Club Members and French National Honor Society members had a French evening on June 3 at Chez Pascale, a wonderful restaurant in Fayetteville.

The French Club bake sale in May was a great success with a large selection of sweets contributed by French Club and National Honor Society members. All items were handmade with amour, nothing was bought at the supermarket! While everything was delicious, Stephen Burgay outdid himself again with his famous “biscuits souvaroff”! Our traveling saleswomen, Regina Ludovico and Allie Caparelli, carried trays of goodies around the school to bring a little cheer to teachers and students working in classrooms. Mr. Roscoe especially enjoyed the French rap music we were playing as musical accompaniment.

French News and Activities

Central New York’s ‘Feats of Clay’ was established in 1988 as a means to foster education of the ceramic arts for Syracuse area high schools. It has grown to include schools from Watertown and the North Country to Binghamton and the southern tier. Feats of Clay has several different events, from mug production to blindfolded wheel throwing. This year, 39 students from Westhill High School participated in Feats of Clay which was held at Onondaga Community College. The Westhill team did quite well at the competition taking second place in the no-hands, wheel-throwing event.

Feats of Clay

Westhill High School

8June 2014

Students in our Gay Straight Alliance and advisor Debbie D’Angelo participated in the 2nd annual AIDS Walk/Run on June 1 at Beaver Lake. Our Teen AIDS Task Force and our Acceptance Coalition have been working together to raise money for the walk all year. The group placed first for school fundraising with a donation of $1,700. Samantha Schermerhorn raised the most money in the group with $500 in donations. The funds raised for the walk stay in Central New York and are used to support the education services in schools and other programs that ACR Health sponsors at their site, as well as out-reach programs. The walk raised a total of $181,000. Great job, Westhill, for being a part of the cure!

AIDS Walk/Run

Samantha Schermerhorn and Erica Wild

In keeping with the Westhill tradition, French students did extremely well on this year’s National French Contest!

At the 8th grade level, Natalie Lyons captured 1st in the 11-county Central New York area and 2nd nationally. Alaina Kenny placed 2nd in Central New York and 3rd nationally. Other OHMS students who ranked in the top ten nationally include; Emma Carrock, Shannon Celeste, Julia Durand, Sophie Nares, Richie Pirong, Luke Puglisi and Evan Watt.

Not to be outdone by their middle school counterparts, high school students also competed well. In French 3, Luke Sekowski placed 1st in Central New York and 6th nationally. At level 2, Jake Polacek placed 3rd in CNY and 7th nationally. Many other students placed in the top ten in Central New York. In French 2, Megan Dwyre captured those honors. In French 3, top-ten students included; Stephen Bogan, Meaghan Burrows, Doug Christensen, Ella Nares, Kayla Tarolli and Ryan Zimmerman. French 5 students placing in the top ten in Central New York included; Vincenzo Carr, Brian Celeste and Fletcher Chapin.

Congratulations to all the students who worked very hard to prepare for the competition. Considering only top students from around the country participate in the contest, ranking in the top 10 as these students did is quite an achievement. They certainly proved themselves to be “la crème de la crème.”

Vive le Francais! Vive Westhill!

Westhill High & Onondaga Hill Middle Schools

9June 2014

Westhill High School ninth graders Jon Holl (Baritone Saxophone), Katie MacBain (Trombone) and Daniel Robinson (Alto Saxophone); and Onondaga Hill Middle School seventh grader Adam Robinson (Trumpet) performed with the Onondaga County Music Educators Association Junior High All County Jazz Band on April 12 at Skaneateles Junior/Senior High School. This was a particularly special year for the festival as Westhill High School band director, Mr. Anthony Mastrobattisto, was the featured conductor-clinician of the jazz ensemble. The students were selected, via audition, to perform with the best junior high school jazz musicians from across Onondaga County.

Jazz All County Honors

Mr. Mastrobattisto rehearses the OCMEA Junior High Jazz All County Band

Music Department AwardsBand students in grades 7-12 traveled to Skaneateles Junior/Senior High School on April 9-10 and performed for the New York State Schools of Music Association (NYSSMA) Major Organization Festival. The Middle School 7th/8th Grade Band, directed by Mrs. Elizabeth Buell, Westhill High School Symphonic Band, directed by Mrs. Erin Tapia, and Westhill High School Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mr. Anthony Mastrobattisto, performed for two New York State certified adjudicators to receive ratings based on their performance of three songs picked from the NYSSMA leveled repertoire list.

The 7th/8th Grade Band received a Level II Gold, the Symphonic Band received a Level III Gold with Distinction, the Jazz Ensemble received a Level V Gold and the Wind Ensemble received a Level VI Gold. Congratulations to all of the Westhill student musicians and instrumental music teachers for their outstanding performances at NYSSMA!

The 7th/8th grade band warms up for their NYSSMA performance.

Westhill High & Onondaga Hill Middle Schools

10June 2014

OHMS Honor Roll 2013-2014 Quarter 3

Grade 8 High HonorAlbert, Ryan Jeffrey Bleskoski, David Edward Bobbett, Mary (Molly) Jane Bryant, Emma Kaitlin Carrock, Emma Winifred Celeste, Shannon Margaret Clancy, John Allen Conan, Donald Francis Coolican, Noelle Marie Costello, Brian Andrew Cunningham, Zierra Christine Delano, Margret Anne Derrick, Cassandra Leigh Diefendorf, Leah Marie Dorfman, Hannah Elizabeth Durand, Julia Erin Eassa, Benjamin Neil Easterly, Kateney Rose Elmer, Morgan Maureen Feliu, Alexander William Grabda, John Francis IV Helfeld, Kayla Diane Johnson, Natalie Botagoz Jones, Madeleine Olivia Karleski, Katelyn Ann Kelly, Patrick Lundy Kenny, Alaina Catherine Lantry, Michael Declan Larrabee, Brooke Ann Laszlo, Michael David Lyons, Natalie Claire Markham, Clayton John McAnaney, Maura Rose McDowell, Luke Chryst Niezabytowski, Cal Michael O’Reilly, Megan Rivet Olesh, Stacy Pirong Jr., Richard Daniel Puglisi, Luke Emmet Savage, John Frances Schwartz, Connor Lauren VanOrnam, Cade Ward Vigliotti, Angela Marie

Grade 8 HonorAgostini, Rachel Josephine Ahern, Robert Thomas Alcaro, Timothy James Athanas, Nicholas Daniel Buccina, Giovanna Maria Carkner, Timothy James Carr, Carmela Giovanna Centore, Noah Henry Costello, Christopher Joh Dadey, Sean Patrick Dwyer, Kevin Patrick

Felter, Liam AndrewFeyerabend, Abby Lynn Furco, Dante Joseph Gacek, Paige Alexandra Geer III, John Stuart Gere, Alexander Michael Griffin, Matthew James Holstein, Alyssa Claire Holt, Christopher Bryan Hoyne, Owen Micheal Huddleston, Tykaala Janae Jackson, Jasmine Marie Jetter, Anthony Paul Kahan, Benjamin Tyler Keller, Sarah Ann Killory, Mark William Kochanek, Elizabeth Marie Lesselroth, Kathryn Brenna Lubel, Grace Karelyn Mahoney, Conor Fergus Marshall, Joshua Anthony Matukas, Owen Patrick Mikus, Brennan Joseph Mikus, Haley Anne Murphy, Marlena Nadine Nares, Sophie Marie O’Hara, Riley Shae Owens, Zachary Michael Petty, Eamonn Stoyan Powers, Mackenzie Jordan Radio-Rodriguez, Isabela Maria Raus, Abby Katherine Ringwood, Emma Claudine Robb, Cailey Loren Rossetti, Angelina Marie Sauro, Nicholas John Schwarz, Genevieve Moon Sgroi, Sophia Mary St. Amour, Amanda Brooke Suddaby, James (Jake) Matthew VanBuren, Samantha Fall Watt, Evan Daniel Wheeler, Annabelle Rose Zell, Bradley Jerome Zion, Jared Alexander

Grade 7 High HonorAlbert, Christie Jayne Antonacci, Jacqueline Taylor Argentieri, Camille Ann Ballard, Evan Alexander Bennett, Ryan Joseph Bergett, Julia Brooke Caloia, Dino (DJ) Joseph Caron, Kevin Jacob Coman, Patrick Thomas Coolican, Haylei Marybeth

Cortez, Camryn Ashleigh Czyz, Joseph Walker Dhamoon, Jaideep S. Etoll, Chatarina Quinn Hahn, Christina Maria Heinrich, Brigid Walsh Herne, Adam Robert Hofmann, Alyssa Marie Hurteau, Claire Hynes, Zoe Marie King, Nathan Howard Lougen, Danielle Andrea MacCaull, Kendra Marie MacLachlan, Sarah M. Martin, Mackenzie Maureen McPeak, David Joseph Miller, Caroline Ann Nowicki, Madelyn Savannah Rewakowski, Brendan James Robinson, Adam Nicholas Roesch, Daniel Patrick Sizing, Reilly Joseph Stensland, Grace Eleanor Wiezalis, Ashley Elizabeth

Grade 7 Honor Adams, Stephen Thomas Amidon-Crawford, Brandon Taylor Bistrovich, Justin Patrick Blossey, Walker Cole Bolesh, Charles R. Britt, Meghan Dwyer Case, Anthony James Cassidy, Ariel M Chaddock, Thomas Henry Clifford, Grace Meister Coates, Benjamin Phillip Conley, Britney Nicole Corning, Andrew Matthew Cunningham, Elana Zonea’ Czaplicki, Jacob AndrewDaigneau, Elena Lorene Dashley, Samuel Logan DeMatties, Noah Robert Edgar, Abigail Jean Eicholzer, Lily Victoria Etoll, Mack Joseph Fullmer, Anna Kay Gasky, Jack Michael Gedney, Montanna Patton Gentile, Madison Christi Gilmartin, Ryan Patrick Graves, Sydney Lee-Ann Grooms, Jack Thomas Hart, Sydney Meris Henson, Lucy Grace Hodkinson, Mia Katherine

11June 2014

OHMS Honor Roll 2013-2014 Quarter 3

Howard, Thomas Edward Kane, Jessica Joan Kelly, Quinn Conall Krahling, Caitlyn Victoria Lavigne, Wyatt Cooper Malone, Carmen Jared Mathews, Anila Milham, Brandon Alexander Morrissey, Brian O’Connor, Thomas William Olesh, Mark Stepan Ososkalo, Ester Raisa Rabozzi, Emma Elizabeth Rey, Olivia Margaret Ristoff, Justin McCormick Robb, Liam Jonathan Roberts, Jacob Douglas Russell, Lauren Maureen Salanger, Lauryn Anne Shampine, Emma Rose Straughter, David Ty’rell Taber, Rylie Paige Tetley, Carolyn Xiaokang Thomson, Aubrey Michaela Thomson, Brooke Elise Usakewicz, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Usev, Andon Toni Waleski, Maya Rose Walker, Ryan Halliday Washburn, Daniel William Wheeler, Stephanie Alexandria Young, Justine Renee Zeppetello, Daniel Joseph

Grade 6 High HonorAjagbe, Oluwafeyisayo Bendall, Lauren Elizabeth Bradley, Jackson Thomas Bryant, Rusden Patrick Cannucciari, Arden Rose Mei Coman, Thomas Kevin Cronin, Abigail Lynn Cundall, Geoffrey Robert F. Daniul, Rachel Marie Davis, William Machold-Sheldon Demperio, Dominic Jacob Derrick, Chelsea Lynn Domanski, Alyssa Rose Donnelly, Emmett Ryan Dower, Grace Catherine Evans, Katherine Rose Fricano, Jacob Steven Frost, Sophia Ilene Geer, Reilly Erwin Gere, Jenna Gilhooley, Rebecca Sue Grabda, Christopher Cosselmon

Heffernan, Ashley Nicole Holstein, Lauren Elizabeth Hunt, Margaret Fitzgi Kessler, Elizabeth Anne Larrabee, Jenna Kathryn Lasher, Julia Estelle Leonardo, Benjamin Jacob Lesselroth, Grace Ann Lyons, Allison Mary MacBain, Scott Matthew MacCollum, Zachary James Mahoney, Alice Margaret Mannion, Quinn Patricia Masterpole, Ellie May McMahon, Grace Helen McQueeney, Aline Nicole Miggiani, Josiah Ethan Nizam, Sana Noor O’Hearn, Trevor Daniel O’Reilly, Emily Brennon Olesh, Yuliya Redmond, Megan Alanna Remillard, Will Clemo Satalin, Meghan Teresa Schwartz, Sarah Catherine Sexton, Brianna Odell Sheridan, Sarah Mae Smolen, Victoria Rose Stamey, Thomas Robert Thayer, Christopher Gerald Turner, Sydney Carroll Wheelden, Madelyn Elizabeth

Grade 6 Honor RollAlam, Faisal Amaya, Adam Anthony Bistrovich, Nikolas John Bogan, Phillip Mason Brown, Cameron Daniel Camardella, Angelina Maria Carfagno, Dominick Michael Carkner, Jessica Ann Carroll, Mikayla Noelle Centore, Andrew Michael Crimi, Roman Joseph Dillon, Rachel Terese Durand, Ryan Jay Dwyer, Grace Elizabeth Falcone, Stephanie Marie Ferrara, Michael Patrick Fountain, Spencer Francis Fricano, Nathan Lawrence Galante, Sara Marie Guindy, Angelique Lilly Hagrman, Kyle Evan Helfeld, Benjamin L. Hubert, Anne Martha

Hunter, William Daniel Kaufman, Michael Ethan Kelly, Kevin Allen Kelly, Luke Patrick King, Adam Stephen Kinney, Garvin Thomas Knapp, Jack William Lasher, Emma Jane Mahaney, Payton Virginia Marshall, Lauren Elizabeth McIntyre, Caitlyn Kirkpatrick McNitt, Riley Jordan McPeak, Eamon Andrew Militi, Gianna Josephine Mitchell, Jonathan Fitzpatrick Mooney, John (Jack) Patrick Moran, Mackenzie Rose Morgan, Kaia Jacey Murphy, Ryan Rebecca Nesheiwat, Chase Jordan Patrie, Shawn Michael Peck, Caitlyn Marie Perkins, Brianna Marie Perkins, Mackenzie Ann Pineda III, Manuel Emilio Prebish, Ian David Puglisi, Kyle Bernard Rea, Fiona Jacqueline Rice, Camden Richmond, Kaley Ann Rolince, Ryan Charles Romeo, Nina Rose Rudiger, Allison Elizabeth Sanborn, Liam Joseph Savage, Michael Patrick Sheridan, Hannah Riley Sherwood, Gabrielle Renee Smith, Miranda Marie Suddaby, Joseph Michael Taber, Keegan Rai Thabet, Ahlam Thomas, Mya Tyne Trimble, Owen Noah Michael Valenti, Izabella Rose Valerino, Giovanni James Vertigan, Hailey Renae Walsh, Ava Theresa Wicks, Jillian Olivia Wolken Jr., Kevin David

12June 2014

APRIL

5th GradeEmma Mulherin is a conscientious worker who always strives to do her best. She is sensitive to the needs of her peers and helps without hesitation. Emma can always be depended on to be a leader in the classroom and take a proactive approach toward her learning.

6th GradeWill Remillard is an excellent student who is always willing to help others. He approaches everything he does in an enthusiastic and positive way. Will accepts any challenge put before him and is a great role model for others.

7th GradeCami Cortez always has a smile on her face no matter what challenges she faces. She is kind and considerate to everyone and excels in all her classes and extracurricular activities. She is a gifted singer and her enthusiasm is contagious. Congratulations, Cami!

8th GradeAmanda St. Amour puts great effort into everything she does. She is friendly, polite and helps her fellow classmates out when necessary. She is a pleasure to have in class!

Students of the MonthMARCH

5th GradeJackson Powers is hardworking, patient and very helpful to all of his classmates. He is a quiet leader in the classroom and gives his best effort every day. Congratulations, Jackson!

6th GradeJessica Carkner is a sweet, kind-hearted girl who always works as hard as can be. She is polite and kind to everyone. She is a good student and a good friend. She is patient and accepting of others and is always smiling!

7th GradeBrendan Rewakowski has a great attitude and always has a smile on his face. He is extremely helpful to both classmates and teachers. He has a strong work ethic and puts 100% effort into everything he does. Great job, Brendan!

8th GradeAngela Vigliotti is a great student who is always polite and respectful. She asks good questions and always does her best in class. She is nice to others, unassuming and kind.

Jackson Powers, Jessica Carkner, Brendan Rewakowski and Angela Vigliotti

Amanda St. Amour, Cami Cortez, Will Remillard and Emma Mulherin

Onondaga Hill Middle School

13June 2014

Onondaga Hill Middle School

OHMS science teacher, Doug Heath, was recently selected for a NYS Teacher Excellence Award sponsored by Senator DeFrancisco’s office. Mr. Heath was nominated by a member of the Westhill community. Mr. Heath teaches living environment and 7th grade physical science. Congratulations, Mr. Heath!

OHMS Teacher HonoredCongratulations to National Spelling Bee Participant, Alaina Kenny. After winning the OHMS and the Post-Standard Spelling Bee, she represented Westhill in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC where she placed 13th. Amazing job, Alaina!

National Spelling Bee

Mandated Health ScreeningsNew York State Department of Education has issued

new guidelines regarding parent notification of mandated health screenings.

If, during the screenings, there are any unusual findings or cause for concern, the School Nurse

will contact you for further discussion. In the event that additional evaluation is needed, you will be

notified in writing and a referral form will be sent home for you to take to your

private healthcare provider.

Over the past several months, the students and staff in fifth grade have been collecting bottles and cans as a way to make a donation to the local SPCA. Recently, Nancy Graham, Community Director of the SPCA,came to Mrs. Bove’s classroom for an educational visit. She brought along Kulak, an American bulldog mix. He was the highlight of the visit, and is hoping to be adopted soon. Mrs. Bove’s students learned about what happens at the SPCA as well as how the animals are cared for by the kind and professional staff. Our donation of $150 will be put to good use for a great cause.

Helping a Friend in Need

14June 2014

Mrs. Feyerabend’s 5th grade artists are working on drawings of pastel bowls, not of fruit the usual go-to subject matter many artists draw or paint, but whatever they could find. They are popping items such as a soccer ball, lacrosse stick, basketball, saxophone, paintbrush, Harry Potter glasses, a lightening bolt scar or book into the bowls, just to name a few. The students are shading, highlighting and blending the colors to create 3-D bowls of goodies. The surface the bowl is resting on is a painted background achieved by painting the paper and scraping away the paint which leaves a very cool textural design. Great job, 5th graders! Madison Shanahan’s bowl is shown.

The Art RoomUsing junk, recyclables and an assortment of doodads, the 6th graders in Mrs. Feyerabend’s art classes are building awesome sculptures. The limitations of attachments methods (no tape or glue) are forcing these artists to think outside the box and attach the body parts of their sculptures with staples, wire, pressure fitting, tacks, paper fasteners, etc. The students are truly clever and creative! Pictured here is Lauren Bendall’s peacock.

The 8th graders in Mrs. Feyerabend’s art classes are working on self-portraits, grid-style. Many of the students took selfies or had their pictures taken and are using their observation skills to draw an enlarged version of their photos. Alex Amaya is hard at work sketching his portrait. They are also working on “zen-tangle paint splat” compositions. Annabelle Wheeler’s finished painting was created by diluting paint and dripping it from 3’ above. She then found images in the negative and positive spaces to create creatures and patterns using a sharpie. The students were challenged to find ideas for small drawings of objects, fictitious creatures, animals, etc.

Onondaga Hill Middle School

15June 2014

Dozens of musicians livened the hallways of OHMS performing solos and small ensemble pieces throughout the evening while students and parents wandered the middle school admiring student work. Pictured are Zierra Cunningham, Amanda St. Amour, Hannah Travis, Kayla Helfeld, Maddie Rogers, Mrs. Buell, Carolyn Tetley, Grace Stensland and Alaina Kenny.

Small Ensembles Entertain at Open House

To learn and appreciate different cultures, students in the 8th grade Spanish classes created PowerPoint presentations on 2 different countries; A Spanish-speaking country and a country of their heritage. The projects were done in Spanish and included information such as foods, holidays, sports, exports, famous people, population, important cities and tourist attractions of those countries.

Students presented their presentations to the class, and we all learned a little more about the world, our classmates and ourselves. Some students brought food from their own culture. Anna María LaParne brought in apple strudel, a tasty German dessert. Mateo Griffin brought in homemade hummus, a delightful healthy snack from Jordan. Marisol Karleski brought in Chruscik, a sweet dessert from Poland. Victoria Lubel made czekoladowe trufles (chocolate truffles), another tasty Polish dessert. Raúl Markham brought in savory Polish pierogies. Margarita Buccina shared a delicious baked ziti to represent her Italian heritage. Alejandro Amaya treated the class with Aguas frescas de piña (fresh pineapple water/juice). Veronica Travis prepared tasty quesadillas to represent her Guatemalan culture. Ana María Larrabee baked Irish Soda Bread. María Radio-Rodriguez brought in a sweet Puerto Rican snack, tostones, fried plantain bananas with a mayo/ketchup sauce. We also enjoyed Goya mango wafers from Brazil. ¡Qué sabrosa estaba toda la comida! It was a wonderful experience for all!

8th Grade Spanish Classes Celebrate Different Cultures

Onondaga Hill Middle School

16June 2014

Our last Cherry Road Reads for the school year was The World According to Humphrey. This is a book written from the perspective of a class pet, Humphrey the hamster. For our book launch, all students met our new school pet, our own Humphrey! Each day, classes were scheduled to come in to visit with Humphrey and to record their observations. Each class also had their own stuffed animal of Humphrey. The stuffed animal went home with a different student each night. Students wrote about Humphrey’s adventures with them, from the hamster’s point of view, of course! We enjoyed having Humphrey with us.

Cherry Road Reads

To celebrate poetry month, adults in our school read some of their favorite poems to students during their lunchtime. Pictured is OHMS Principal, Mark Bednarski. The students were very excited to have visitors read their favorite poems. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Celebrating Poetry Month

The fourth graders recently took a field trip to the Salt Museum at Onondaga Lake Park. There they learned all about the salt industry that was such an important part of the growth of our area. The Iroquois first discovered salt springs in the mid 1600’s, but it wasn’t until 1806 that the first salt well was dug. This industry created the City of Syracuse and supplied the entire nation with salt! At the museum the students saw the site of an original boiling block where brine (salt water) was turned into what was then considered one of the country’s most precious commodities. They were able to see the actual kettles, wooden barrels and other equipment that were used in this fascinating process which came to an end in the 1920’s. Did you know there were two main methods for making salt back then? The boiling method came first but gave way to the solar method, which took longer but was much cheaper to use. While at the museum, children dressed in costume to play important citizens from the salt industry to help classmates learn more about why the discovery of salt was so important. Pictured are Emma Kobasa, Daniel Carrock and Nate Procopio from Ms. Sullivan’s class.

Salt Museum Field Trip

Cherry Road School

17June 2014

Two Cherry Road teachers received Senator DeFrancisco’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Jeremie Auge, grade 4, and Marianne Glose, grade 2, received awards on Thursday, June 5 at Jordan-Elbridge High School. Jeremie and Marianne were both nominated for this award by Westhill parents. Congratulations to our treasured colleagues!

Cherry Road Teachers Honored

He’s a Ringer! That’s what the third graders were saying when they played the game of Ringer (a marble game) during their science unit on motion. Once the students learned all about motion, they put it into action by playing the game of Ringer. Students had to apply what they had learned to create motion, determine and control force and transfer energy in order to win the game. What a fun way to use the skills they learned!

Motion Games

Nicoletta Scrimale, Shawn Mayes, Ashley Bolesh and Andy Sondej of Mrs. Persons’s class.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have two brains? Third graders have been learning about the body systems and how to make good choices to keep their bodies healthy. They have been learning about the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. The students have been able to learn through some hands-on activities such as making a “brain hat” and an edible model of the spinal column. They have sung songs and played “Simon Says” with the names of the bones. Learning about the body can be fun!

Brain Hats

Mrs. Persons’s class wearing their “brain hats” and showing off their edible spinal columns.

Cherry Road School

18June 2014

Monday, May 12 was author day at Cherry Road School. Students and staff welcomed author and illustrator, Jason Chin, who writes non-fiction books. He had some great stories and pictures of the research trips he has taken. He also showed us how his art progresses from simple sketches to beautiful full color illustrations. We learned that producing work that you can be proud of takes quite a bit of revision and rewriting -- a good reminder for all our budding writers. The visit was organized by CRS Library Media Specialist, Karin Backus, and funded by WEST.

Author Day

The Golisano Children’s Book Closet is no longer bare thanks to the students at Cherry Road School. During Children’s Book Week in May, students were asked to donate new books to the closet. The students’ thoughtfulness and generosity spoke volumes as the books piled up. “I don’t know exactly how many books were donated, but I do know it was a lot”, says Mrs. Ziober. “I’m so proud of our kids for reaching out to help brighten the day of another child!” Also, a big thanks to our friends at WPS who were able to donate some titles as well. Kristi Griffin from Golisano Children’s Hospital commented, “I hope you know how much joy you have brought to so many children through these books.” Way to go students, you help make a difference everyday!

Book Closet

The fourth grade students are finishing up their fifth science unit of the year by learning all about rocks and minerals. Did you know that there is a rock cycle that occurs in nature? The fourth graders could tell you all about it. As part of the unit, each student received 12 unidentified rock and mineral samples. They then performed tests to help identify them. Some of the tests performed were the streak test, a hardness test, a magnetism test and an acid test. After compiling the results of these tests, they were able to identify their samples. Some of the samples identified were marble, graphite, obsidian, sandstone, pumice and talc.

Rocks and Minerals

Ms. Sullivan’s fourth grade students Liam Mahar and Anthony (AJ) Moore are performing the acid test on their rock and mineral samples.

Cherry Road School

19June 2014

WPS had a visit from Holly Hart. You may recognize her from the Onondaga Free Library. Mrs. Hart works there in the children’s area. She wants all parents and students to know that OFL has a fun and exciting reading program called FIZZ BOOM READ that will keep kids interested in books all summer long. Students can report about the books they read at the library and enter a raffle to win fun prizes. There are also weekly prizes for readers. We hope you join the fun at OFL!

June 6 was the last Friday Program of the year at WPS. First grade students met Mrs. Mulderig, principal of Cherry Road School. Mrs. Mulderig let first graders know that she is excited to have them as second graders at CRS starting next school year. Mrs. Kramer, principal of Walberta Park School,told the first graders that she is sad to see them go but she is very proud of all the work they have done. We will miss you, first graders!

WPS hosted a Switch & Read Day during the month of June. During Switch & Read Day, first grade students visited their kindergarten teacher who read a story while kindergarten students visited a first grade teacher who also read them a story. The first grade students enjoyed visiting with their kindergarten teacher one final time before going to CRS.

Fizz Boom Read

Friday Program Switch & Read

Walberta Park School

Westhill Educational Foundation Announces Teacher Grant Applications

For Fall 2014

The Westhill Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that we will be accepting grant applications for Fall 2014. In June, grant applications

and supporting documents can be downloaded from our website WesthillFoundation.com. This will allow time for teachers to engage in

summer planning for projects to be implemented in the 2014-2015 school year. The deadline for returning grant applications to building

principals is November 1, 2014 and funding will be awarded by January 1, 2015.

We are looking forward to the innovative and creative project ideas that will enrich our children’s educational experience. Please be sure to contact the Westhill Educational Foundation with any questions at

WesthillFoundation@gmail.com. Thank you once again for your generous support of our mission to enhance the educational

programming within our district.

BOARD OF EDUCATIONWesthill Central School District400 Walberta RoadSyracuse, New York 13219-2214

Non-profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 3523Syracuse, New York

BOARD OF EDUCATIONLisa M. O’Reilly, PresidentGary P. Lowery, Vice PresidentRoseanne ScrimaleJennifer L. RoseJames K. Wickersham

The Westhill Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, sex or race in its employment practices or educational programs.

Westhill District News