January 2 No School—Happy New Year!

January 3 School Re-opens

Welcome Back!

January 3 Winter Modified Sports Begin

January 3 BOE Meeting 5:30

January 11 PTO Meeting 5:30 –Elem Sch

January 16 Martin Luther King Day

No School

January 17 Board of Education Workshop

5:45

January 27 End of Marking Period

End of 1st Semester

January 30 No School — Conference Day

January 31 Start of 2nd Semester

February 3 Report Cards Mailed Home

February 6 BOE Meeting 6:30

February 8 PTO Meeting 5:30—Elem Sch

February 14 Happy Valentines Day

February 17 No School—Mid-Winter Recess

February 20 No School—Mid-Winter Recess

February 21 School Re-opens

Watkins Glen

Middle School

Calendar of Events

January-February 2012

Watkins Glen Middle School January February 2012 Newsletter

Worth Quoting

Happy Winter!

Snowflakes are one of nature’s

most fragile things,

But just look what they do when

they stick together!

No winter lasts forever;

no spring skips its turn.”

NOTICE

Change to School Calendar

School will be session April 27

No School March 16

We hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season, and we wish a fulfilling 2012 to all our students, staff, and community members!

As we move into a new year, it is a time to reflect on the past, refocus, and plan for the future. Throughout the year, as educators and parents

we contemplate the goals that we would like for our children. With the

holidays past and new resolutions made, let us all recommit ourselves to

excellence in education for the year 2012.

We appreciate the importance our families place on their child’s educa-

tion. While many of our students have achieved a great deal, we realize it is our parents and guardians who instill the value of a strong work

ethic, perseverance and pride in our students! Make education a part of

your child’s quality world!

ARCHITECTURAL AWARENESS

MR. GRODEM

FUTURE VISIONARIES!

Students from 6 area middle schools have been learning about adaptive

reuse through the Architectural Awareness Program, a joint effort

between the schools, the Career Development Council, the American

Institute of Architects and Corning Inc. Not only does it preserve

historic landmarks, but it reduces the need for new buildings, saving

materials and cutting down on urban sprawl.

The students picked old buildings somewhere in their community, visited

the sites, then worked with a teacher and a local architect to come up

with ideas for transforming the buildings to suit a new purpose.

Watkins Glen students selected to redesign Lafayette Park using

models, renderings, and slide shows to share their vision at the Corning

Museum of Glass auditorium (see above picture).

This is the 14th year of this program, which is also supported by Hunt

Engineers, the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger

Lakes. A total of 45 students participated.

Congratulations kids! Great Job!

Jacob Grey

Alex Schimizzi

Julian Thornton

Alexis Weaver

Trevor Thurston

Alexis Chapko

February

Observances

February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification,

via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 (full moon) in the old

lunar Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be

added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a

monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 713 BC. February

remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the decemvirs

(c. 450 BC), when it became the second month. At certain intervals February

was truncated to 23 or 24 days; and a 27-day intercalary month, Intercalaris,

was inserted immediately after February to realign the year with the seasons.

Under the reforms that instituted the Julian calendar, Intercalaris was abol-

ished, leap years occurred regularly every fourth year (after a few years of

confusion), and in leap years February gained a 29th day. Thereafter, it re-

mained the second month of the calendar year. The Gregorian calendar re-

forms made slight changes to the system for determining which years were

leap years and thus contained a 29-day February.

In Finnish, February means "month of the pearl"; when snow melts on tree

branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again, they are like pearls of

ice. In Ukrainian, February means the month of ice or hard frost.

In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the seasonal equivalent of August in

the Northern Hemisphere. February starts on the same day of the week as

March and November in common years, and on the same day of the week as

August in leap years. February ends on the same day of the week as October

every year and January in common years only.

"Thirty days hath September,

April, June, and November,

February has twenty-eight alone,

All the rest have thirty-one;

Excepting leap year, that's the time

When February's days are twenty-nine."

“February, when the

days of winter seem

endless and no

amount of wistful

recollecting can bring

back any air of

summer."

- Shirley Jackson

Did Ya

Know?

January Monthly Celebrations and Observances:

National Oatmeal Month, Hot Tea Month, Be On-Purpose Month, National Book Blitz

Month, Bread Machine Baking Month, Candy Month, National Clean Up Your Computer

Month, Clinical Trial Awareness Month, Egg Month, Family Fit Lifestyle Month, Glaucoma

Awareness Month, National Gourmet Coffee Month, High-Tech Month, Image Improve-

ment Month, International Creativity Month, International Quality of Life Month, Mail

Order Gardening Month, National Mentoring Month, Personal Self-Defense Awareness

Month, Poverty in America Awareness Month, Random Action Month, Reaching Your Po-

tential Month, Senior Women's Travel Month and Yours, Mine, & Ours Month

January

Observances

January is the first month of the year in the Julian & Gregorian calendars, & one of 7 Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. The first day of the month is known as

New Year's Day. It is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the

Northern Hemisphere (where it is the 2nd month of winter) & the warmest month of

the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere (where it is the 2nd month of sum-

mer). In the Southern Hemisphere, January is the seasonal equivalent of July in the

Northern Hemisphere.

January starts on the same day of the week as October in common years, & starts on

the same day of the week as April & July in leap years. In a common year, January ends

on the same day of the week as February & October, & ends on the same day of the

week as July in a leap year. January is named after Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the

doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word

for door (ianua)–January is the door to the year. Traditionally, the original Roman cal-

endar consisted of 10 months, totaling 304 days, winter being considered a monthless

period. Around 713 BC, the semi-mythical successor of Romulus, King Numa Pompilius, is

supposed to have added the months of January & February, allowing the calendar to

equal a standard lunar year (355 days). Although March was originally the first month

in the old Roman Calendar, January became the first month of the calendar year either

under Numa or under the Decemvirs about 450 BC (Roman writers differ). In contrast,

years in dates were identified by naming two consuls, who entered office on May 1 &

March 15 before 153 BC when they began to enter office on January 1.

• January's birthstone is the garnet which represents constancy. • Its birth flower is the Dianthus Caryophyllus or Galanthus.

*Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday ~ observed the 3rd

Monday in January *(Actual DOB 1-15-1929)

Ever Heard Rock Music

Played on the Cello? Hank Roberts—Resident Artist, March 5-22

Don’t miss this opportunity to see

our students and Hank Roberts perform on

March 22nd at 7pm!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR World renowned Cellist, recording artist Hank Roberts is

one of the most accomplished jazz improvisers on his in-

strument. Born in Terra Haute, Indiana he began study-

ing classical cello at age ten also experimenting with the

trombone, guitar, and piano in high school. At 19, Roberts

attended the Berklee School of Music, where he began

to develop an improvisational style that incorporated

jazz, blues, folk, and classical music. He didn't enter

music professionally until the '80s, when he moved to

New York state, eventually settling in Ithaca where he

taught school for a few years to spend more time with

his children.

Roberts is a champion of music education (his mother

was a music teacher) and will be celebrating 20 plus

years of coming to Watkins Glen to work with the 7th

grade technology and music classes.

What’s

going on

in class!

7th Grade Science

Mr. Pettet

7th grade science classes are learning about bacteria and

how it impacts our daily lives. Bacteria are the simplest

of creatures considered alive - small single cells whose

whole purpose in life is to replicate.

They are in the bread you eat, the soil that plants grow

in, and even inside of you. They are used to make food

like cheese, yogurt, & pickles.

Bacteria is the source of about half the oxygen we

breathe. They take nitrogen from the air and convert

it into a different kind of nitrogen . Almost all of our

antibiotics are made from bacteria to cure disease.

They can clean up pollution and they gobble up our waste

by breaking down dead organisms and recycling their mol-

ecules creating new forms of life. Without bacteria, the

world would be choked in waste materials.

Wow!

I did not know that bacteria

was so interesting!

Hey, move over, there are a

million more of us trying to

get on that pinhead.

HONORS

Fifth Grade

Dustin Bellinger, William Cook, Ashley Curren, Sean Ervay, Sean Kelly,

Katrinna LaTorre, Jonathan Lokken, Kishan Patel, Kody Phelps, Karissa

Stutzman, Harmonei Tuttle.

Sixth Grade

Patrick Bannon, Jarrod Beardsley, Steven Bradley, Calvin Buckley, Caitlyn

Butler, Michael Doane, Ray Forker, Jacob Grey, Hailey Hoose, Dayne

Hughey, Thomas Nelson IV, Johnathan Reed, Matthew Riggs, Alex

Schimizzi, Jonathan Seaman, Alexis Shea, , A.J Specchio, JR., Seth

Swinnerton, Reese Tague, Mitchell Terry IV, Gavin VanDerEems, Ethan

Voorheis.

Seventh Grade

Alexis Bingham, Ryan Clark, Dakota Cole, Cameron Connelly, Phillip Craven,

Daryn Cummings, Aidan DeBolt, Casey Falls, William Fitzsimmons, Chad

Hunter, Jacob Kelly, Braden Layton, Elizabeth Mason, Brendan Neira,

Amanda Pike, Christopher Ploucha, Eryka Rodriguez, Dominick Rolston,

Shawn Rutledge, Juliana Schwartz, Alexander Sheesley, Alexis Weaver,

Angel Williams.

Eighth Grade

Brandon Barber, Trentin Barber, Tiazza Bascom, Keith Blodgett, Ian

Chedzoy, Wilson Daigle, Matthew Doppel, Brandon Gould, Amanda Grinolds,

Katlyn Harrop, Justin Kelly, Dakota Landon, Ashley Miller, Cassana Niver,

Dana Paradiso, Sarah Payne, Mikayla Rhoads, Nathan Swarthout, Sarah

Swarthout, Michael Taylor, Jordan Tuttle, Gianna Willsey-Moline.

MERIT Fifth Grade

Jonathon Hatch, Kassidy Samuels, Blake VanDyke.

Sixth Grade

Calvin Buckley, Hannah Hornby, Jakob Johnson.

Seventh Grade

Austin Dalrymple, Jordan Dillenbeck, Emily Franklin, Chase Richtmyer, Kacey Samuels, Tyrone Smith.

Eighth Grade

Bradly Eslick, Skyler Mann, Jordan Rappleye, Jacob Slater, Cassidy

Tesar, Juanita Wright.

Honor

Roll

HIGH HONORS

Fifth Grade

Joseph Arcangeli, Cierra Barber, Kali Bond, Wrett Brower, Wyatt Brower,

Braden Castellaneta, Joseph Chedzoy, Dylan Clarke, Kathleen Clifford, Clint

Craven, Bella DiMeo, Abigail Donelson, Isabella Fazzary, Megan Gallagher,

Allison Gibson, Rachael Greist, Matthew Herold, Nancy Jackson, Elizabeth

Kilcoyne, Jillian Kilcoyne, Danielle Leszyk, Julie Liu, Phoebe Majors, Dylan

Markley, Cameron Mushock, Kelsey Phelps, Hannah Pulis, Nathaniel Rose,

Madison Ryan, Regan Scholtisek, Carter Seeley-Ion, Jena Slater, Ashley

Smith, Emilee Stephani, Kai Sutterby, Nikole VanDyke, Austin Voorheis,

Casen Weeden, Annika Wickham, Grace Wickham, Nathaniel Wickham.

Sixth Grade

Shannon Alger, Elise Allington, Gabriel Amisano, Amber Benjamin, Emilia

Bond, Garrett Bower, Alexis Castellaneta, Clara Chedzoy, Tyler Couch,

Dalton Cummings, Gabriella Decker, Haileigh Delzell, Amber Denmark,

Jackson Dunham, Hanley Elliott, Makenna Fraboni, Mariah Gonzalez, Corey

Hancharik, Meghan Hayes, Megan Hazlitt, Torie Hill, Sean Holland, Ryanna

LaMoreaux, Kendra Larson, Hannah Matusicky, Sara McManus, Wyatt

Mosher, Daniel Paradiso, Aaron Planty, Julia Reilly, Paige Robbins, Tanner

Ryan, Jared Sandritter, Jazmin Shea, Kayla Smith, Hannah St. Julien,

Kiersten Stiles, Kathleen Swinnerton, Julian Thornton, Trevor Thurston,

Kaitlyn Valla, Johanna VanEtten.

Seventh Grade

Alyssa Arcangeli, Jacob Carocci, Liam Fitch, Ruthe Gardner, Sara Gardner,

Alexander Gibson, Elaine Gublo, Samuel Hanley, Patrick Hazlitt, Aran

Holland, Mathew Hulbert, Courtney Irwin, Jacob Lokken, Marah McCauley,

Abby Miller, Sara Morrissette, Maxwell Schimizzi, Connor Seeley-Ion, Jo-

elle Slater, Brienna Solomon, Katherine Taylor, Payton Watson, Cambria

Weeden, Phebe Wickham.

Eighth Grade

Emma Allington, De’naja Blanchard, Margaret Bond, Amanda Cherock, Megan

Chilson, Emma Congdon, Alexis Dolliver, Megan Hoy, Noelle Johnson, Claire

McManus, Katherine Meehan, Brenen Murphy, Bernadette Osborne, Ashley

Palmer, Maya Palumbo, Parker Pangallo, Brandon Pike, Ryan Rhodes, Brooke

Shaffer, Jordan Shea, Cheyenne Stansfield, Allison Teed, Sydney

VanAlstine, Portia Wells, Lucas Wickham.

2nd Marking Period Honor Roll

5

Want to learn a fun way to learn about state trees? Check out Mr. Pettet’s Botony class!

Students have been busy making their own board games focusing on each state’s “state tree”.

Higher Level

Thinking Skills at Work!

Mapping out rules and directions for the game. ⇒ How do you win? ⇒ Minimum and maximum number of players ⇒ Writing out the directions ⇒ Ensure that the game concept is fun and educational

Board design—Create the game pieces. ⇒ Create & decorate board with images focused on individual state trees.

Test and retest. ⇒ Test your game with friends and family in order to iron out

bugs or pitfalls.

Botony Class

Mr. Pettet Students have a

“Monopoly” on State Trees

NY

State Tree

Sugar Maple

2nd Annual

Science Fair!!!

March 17, 2012

Have you ever wished you could learn about some-thing YOU care about and not what your teachers or

parents tell you to? Now’s your chance!!!

The sky’s the limit!!

OPEN TO ANY STUDENT IN THE

WATKINS GLEN SCHOOL DISTRICT

GRADES K-8

8th grade students are beginning a Career Exploration unit. They

will establish a portfolio and learn how to use the Bridges Career

Exploration software provided by the WG School District. Each

student will take several quizzes designed to help individuals

discover their career strengths and interests. Then, students

will explore a rich database of information about thousands of

different career clusters and pathways. While we don't expect

students to settle on a firm career direction at this age, it is

beneficial to begin expanding awareness of opportunities in the

world of work and to discover personal attributes that will help

them discern appropriate direction through high school and

beyond.

What’s

going on

in class!

Grade 8 Home and Careers

Mrs. Bristow

French Café

Home and Careers students in

collaboration with the 8th

grade French class are earning

their way to a field trip to Cornell in April by hosting

a “French Café”. Tickets were sold to purchase Choc-

olate truffles, coconut macaroons, chocolate mousse,

along with other refreshments, plus tea and coffee

all in a French Café style atmosphere.

Students have been learning French, and how to make

delicious, decadent French desserts, plus practicing

customer service skills.

Maggie Bond 8 Nateah Cornish 8

Katherine Meehan 8

Maya Palumbo 8

Brooke Shaffer 8

Allison Teed 8 Mikayla Rhoads 8

Bernadette Osborne 8 Gianna Willsey-Moline 8

Destiny Weber 8

Courtney Mundt 7 Alyssa Pratt 7

Mikenna Ayers 7

Alexandra Coots 7

Makayla Merrill 7

Girls Modified Basketball

Coach Colin Pritchard The team has started off the season with 7 wins and 1 loss

High School Junior Varsity Basketball

Coach Alicia Learn 3 Middle School Girls Play on the squad

Amanda Cherock, Madison Myers, and Amanda Pike

♦ Amanda Cherock is averaging 4 pts a game.

♦ Amanda Pike is averaging 12 pts a game—Team’s best shooter!

♦ Amanda Cherock and Madison Myers are great defenders.

Emma Allington 8

Elexis Ameigh 8

Alicia Butler 8

Alexis Chapko 7

Ruthe Gardner 8

Sara Gardner 8

Liz Mason 7

Andrea McNeil 8

Katherine Meehan 8

Sara Morrissette 7

Dana Paradiso 8

Angel Williams 8

⇒ The 200 yd Medley Relay of Ruthe Gardner, Katherine Meehan, Emma Allington, & Angel Williams took 2nd overall with a 2:38.47

⇒ Emma Allington took 1st in the 50 free with a 29.33

⇒ Emma won 50 butterfly with a 32.49

⇒ Katherine Meehan won 50 breastroke with a 39.08 ⇒ Alicia Butler took 3rd overall in the 200 freestyle with a 2:46.55

Girls Modified Swimming

Coach Kelsey Wood

Sports

Page

8th Grade—Finished 10-2

Maggie Bond

Taryn Buisch

Amanda Grinolds

Megan Hoy Katherine Meehan

Maya Palumbo

Brooke Shaffer

Portia Wells Nateah Cornish

Makayla Rhoads

Allison Teed Bernadette Osborne

7th Grade—Finished 8-4

Emma Allington

Emma Congdon

Gianna Willsey-Moline

Sydney VanAlstine Brionna White

Cheyenne Stansfield

Elaine Gublo

Courtney Irwin Hannah Howard

Girls Modified VolleyBall

Coach Westervelt

Modified Boys Basketball

Coach Ben Connelly

7th Grade—Finished 3—8 8th Grade—Finished 7—4

Justin Kelly 8

Parker Pangallo 8

Jordan Shea 8

Lucas Wickham 8

Michael Taylor 8

Zach Kelly 8

Jake Kelly 8

Jordan Rappleye 8

Jacob Lokken 8

Dom Rolston 8

Jacob Carocci 8

Matt Hulbert 7 Connor Seeley-Ion 7

Chris Ploucha 7

Alex Gibson 7

Max Schimizzi 7

Alex Sheesley 7

Chad Hunter 7

Tyrone Smith 7

Trevor Bardeen 7

Anthony Naylor 7

Dylan Platon 7

Sam Hanley 7

Collette Bradshaw

Katlyn Harrop

Sarah Payne

Desirae Wood

Daryn Cummings

Abigail Miller

Eryka Rodriguez

Samantha Shea

Katherine Taylor

JV Cheerleaders

9 Middle School Girls on the Squad

Grade 5 English Language Arts

Mrs. Conklin & Mrs. Weeden

READING EQUALS PIZZA!

Reading is the Ultimate Super Power!

Mrs. Weeden and Mrs. Conklin has enrolled their classes in

the “Book It!” program sponsored by Pizza Hut to motivate

students to read. The program runs from October through

March, and is really simple and lots of fun! Students can

earn certificates by meeting monthly reading goals that the

teachers set. Certificates can be redeemed at Pizza Hut

for a free Personal Pan Pizza. Please encourage your child to

meet their goals by reading every day.

French 7

Mrs. Searles

During the month of February

Grade 7 French students have

been researching French Holidays and

French-Speaking Countries. They are learning how to

make crepes in class and trying other French foods.

In addition they are learning to play several games

that were originated in French-speaking countries

this month.

Grade 7 ELA - Social Studies

Mrs. Bubb and Mr. Morse

February is

Black History Month 7th grade English Language

Arts (ELA) classes are working

on a Black History unit merging

with 7th grade Social Studies

classes offering students an opportunity

to honor the numerous accom-

plishments of black Americans

in every area of endeavor

throughout our history."

Grade 7 CORE Classes

7th grade students took their mid-terms in January.

Student’s hit the books and showed how much they

have learned in the first semester!

After all of that, during the months of February and

March, students and teachers are gearing up for state

tests in April.

Do Your Best and Good Luck!

Courtney is a member of the National Junior Honor Society

and also a Peer Mediator for 2 years. She is very involved in

the ballet program at Leslie School of Dance. Described as

being conscientious, hardworking, and kind to others, she also

has a positive attitude and puts forth a great effort in everything she does.

These attributes have earned her a spot on the High Honor Roll every marking

period in 5th, 6th, and now 7th grade. She has a brother Matt.

7th Grade—Courtney Irwin

Ryan is described as being conscientious, hardworking, and

kind to others. He has a positive attitude and makes a great

effort to attain Honor Roll grades. He plays hockey, foot-

ball, golf, and belongs to the Horseheads LaCrosse Club. Be-

ing in giving back to the community, he recently volunteered

in a canned food drive, and Skate For Diabetes.

7th Grade—Ryan Clark

Jordan has been described as having a very positive attitude.

He is conscientious, extremely polite, friendly, and is a hard

worker and leader. He says, “I pay attention in my classes and

try to do my best even if it means working harder to get extra

credit”. His grades earn him an Honor Roll position every marking period. Con-

tratulations Jordan! Keep up the good work.

8th Grade—Jordan Tuttle

Sydney is described as being a role model and a leader. She

has a positive attitude, is conscientious, and friendly. Sydney

is on the High Honor Roll every marking period. She says, “I

work on keeping my grades above a 90 and I put as much effort

as I can in everything I do”. In addition to this she has been a

Peer Mediator for 3 years. When not in school, she plays volleyball and soft-

ball. Sydney has an older sister Brooke, and a younger sister Ella.

8th Grade—Sydney VanAlstine

Elizabeth’s teachers say that she comes to

school prepared to learn—a High Honor Roll stu-

dent, she is always attentive, on task, and challenges herself.

She is a quiet student but always willing to help others. “When

she smiles, she lights up the room”. In her spare time she is learning to figure

skate, enjoys drawing and painting, and volunteered for Seneca Santa in 2011.

She has a twin sister, Jillian, and another sister Madeleine.

5th Grade—Elizabeth Kilcoyne February

Student

of the

Month

Kelsey’s teachers describe her as an extraordinary student—

striving to do her very best and takes a true interest in learn-

ing. She is an exceptional writer and goes above and beyond in

this area. She is a great role model, with many good friends,

but is able to balance school and social well. Kelsey belongs to

the after school program, plays basketball, and her hobby is horseback riding.

5th Grade—Kelsey Phelps

Megan’s teachers describe her as a well-rounded young lady who

exels in many areas. She is very conscientious about her stud-

ies and exhibits an excellent work ethic. Her grades consist-

ently earn her a spot on the High Honor Roll. Megan gets along

well with her peers and is a joy to have in class. She belongs to

the After School Program, the Ski Club, and the Leslie School of Dance. Megan

is the youngest in her family. She has 2 older sisters, one in the high school,

one in college, and an older brother in the middle school.

6th Grade—Megan Hazlitt

Trevor is described as being respectful, patient, kind, and dili-

gent. He is very active in the After School Program, Boy

Scouts, and church on Sunday. He strives to attain High Honor

Roll grades. Trevor has a brother Colby, and said that he enjoys

being with his friends and family.

6th Grade—Trevor Thurston

Do more than belong—PARTICIPATE.

Do more than believe—PRACTICE.

Do more than be fair—BE KIND.

Do more than forgive—FORGET.

Do more than dream—WORK.

Do more than care—HELP.

Mrs. Simiele, Student Support Counselor

went into 6th grade science classes to train

students for the Peer Mediation Program.

Six worthy students were selected to be

Peer Mediators from this training:

Kayla Smith

Julian Thornton

Makenna Fraboni

Hannah Matusicky

Garrett Bower

Gabriella Decker

Congratulations!

Counselor’s

Corner

Grade 6 Peer Mediators

Austin was selected because he is bright, hardworking, and

has a great sense of humor. “He always puts forth his best

effort”. He is also a great athlete. Austin belongs to the

After School Program and his favorite activity is kickball

because he can “kick it really far.” His favorite sport is football and describes

himself as “being good at it too!” Austin is proof that you can be cool AND

smart at the same time!

5th Grade—Austin Voorheis

Abi’s teachers chose her because she is

very hard working young lady. She is

also very conscientious and always goes

above and beyond what is expect of her.

Abi is always smiling and has a friendly attitude toward all. She is very willing

to lend a hand to her peers or teachers. Her favorite subjects are Math and

ELA. She loves softball and basketball. When she grows up she thinks she

wants to be a pilot.

5th Grade—Abigail Donelson January

Student

of the

Month

Garrett’s teachers describe him as a kind, polite young man

who works extremely hard in the academic areas. “He al-

ways offers a hand to anyone in need”. Garrett is very

proud of his accomplishments, including winning a JR’s Golf

Game, many soccer games, and helping decorate trees for

Christmas at the hospital. When he is not in school, he likes to play the X-Box

360, ride 4 wheelers and his dirt bike.

6th Grade—Garrett Bower

Johanna was chosen as Student of the Month because she is

kind, compassionate and shows effort in everything she does

according to her 6th grade teachers. She does well in school

and sports, especially softball. Johanna feels that her great-

est accomplishments are having caring friends and family. She

loves her family so much and says that she knows they love her. They include

her “lovely” mom, stepfather Mark, and brother Jeremiah.

6th Grade—Johanna VanEtten Brenen has been selected for the second time as student of

the month. His teachers describe him as responsible with

every assignment, respectful, and is kind to all people all of

the time. Outside of school he likes to play soccer and video

games, and is going to be part of the group called TIES, helping children with

disabilities. His favorite subjects are math, history, PE, and science. His fami-

ly consists of his dad, mom, brother, cat and dog. Last but not least, Brenen

loves the middle school and wish he did not have to leave next year.”

8th Grade—Brenen Murphy

Ashley is described as a mature student exhibited by her

impeccable manners, sense of dedication, and doing all her

work with excellence. She is proud of herself for consist-

ently getting A’s in all her classes and being on the High

Honor roll. She is in Student Council and the National Jr.

Honor society. She lives with her mom, dad, sister, brother, and dog “Doglaus”

and enjoys spending time with them. Ashley loves to sing and will be joining

the track team in the spring.

8th Grade—Ashley Palmer

This is Cambria’s 2nd time as Student of the Month because

of her cooperative, responsible, and respectful behavior

in her classes. She loves to run cross-country track, is on

the Student council, and belongs to the National Jr. Honor

Society. She stays busy after school volunteering at the elementary school

and at the Watkins Glen Presbyterian Church. Cambria has a younger brother

Casen and a dog named Padme. When she is older she thinks she may want to

be a vet.

7th Grade—Cambria Weeden

Payton is described as being a role model. He is coopera-

tive, responsible, and respectful. This is his 2nd time be-

ing chosen as Student of the Month. He holds the posi-

tion of Secretary in Student Council and is a member of

the National Jr. Honor Society maintaining a 97 average.

In his spare time he plays soccer and loves to swim. He has 2 brothers and a

sister. His pets include a turtle named Bently and a dog named Darth.

7th Grade—Payton Watson