Eagle Express
March 4th, 2019
From the Plank South Leadership Team
Plank South Families,
We're really looking forward to seeing you over the next few weeks with Parent-Teacher conferences. Please be aware that because of conferences there are three half-days in the next few weeks. Here are some dates to be aware of:
- Thursday, March 14th: Half day. Normal start time, buses leave at 11:20.
- Friday, March 15th: Half day. Normal start time, buses leave at 11:20.
- Thursday, March 21st: Half day. Normal start time, buses leave at 11:20.
- Friday, March 22nd: March Break, No School!
There are also some other events/opportunities coming up this week:
- TONIGHT (Monday, 3/4), 6:30-8pm: Webster CSD Families of Color Meeting. See the details below. ALL families are welcome.
Wednesday, 3/6, 6:30pm: Parent workshop on School Anxiety.
Wednesday-Friday (March 6-8th): Baseball and softball equipment drive! Please see the flyer below!
Thursday, 7pm: PTSA meeting! The Spring is always very busy so lots of support and ideas needed!
Your Plank South Leadership Team,
Scott Wilcox & Jen Sullivan
Webster CSD Hosts NEW Empire Justice Center’s Families of Color Meeting
Webster Central School District (WCSD) is excited to announce the formation of the district’s Families of Color group. This new group is an extension of the established Empire Justice Center’s Families of Color program. The Families of Color group’s mission is to bring together a strong collective of parents, concerned family members, and allies passionate about building a racially- and economically-just community for children in WCSD.
The intent in forming this group is to meet regularly and share insights into our children’s school experiences, provide social support, and establish meaningful connections with one another. In order to ensure this group is welcoming to all families in WCSD, including families of color, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and people of different religious backgrounds, we choose to leave racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and other “isms” at the door.
By coming together, the newly formed Families of Color group will form a supportive team that allows us to lean on and learn from each other, and advocate for any changes we want to see in our local schools and community.
The first meeting is Monday, March 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Webster Town Library’s community room, 980 Ridge Road, Webster, NY. The children's librarians will be planning activities for children during this meeting. If you would like to have your child participate, please email Terry McCarthy, WCSD director of humanities and district liaison to the Families of Color group, at terrance_mccarthy@webstercsd.org to reserve a spot.
We look forward to sharing this group experience with you!
From the Plank South PTSA!
TSA Meeting:
The next Plank South PTSA Meeting is this Thursday, 3/7 at 7pm in the Think Tank Room (there will be signs!). Come join us to find out about the upcoming events for this spring!
Coordinators/Co-Coordinators Needed!
Ice Cream Social: Co-Coordinator needed (email our coordinator Karla (karlab25@aol.com), or the PTSA co-chairs for more details)
Science Fair: Co-Coordinator needed (This event is celebrating 40 years this spring!)
Email Plank South PTSA Co-Chairs Michelle Lowe (michelleloweptsa@gmail.com) or Sue Ball (Sball002@yahoo.com) for more information on any of these roles!
2019/2020 Plank South PTSA Steering Committee Openings:
2019/2020 Plank South PTSA Steering Committee openings will be advertised soon. If you have had an interest in getting more involved, now is the time! More information to come!
Upcoming Events
· Thursday, 3/7 at 7pm – Plank South PTSA Meeting (in the Think Tank Room)
· Thursday, 3/28 – Saturday, 3/30 (Times Vary): Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella @ Thomas High School
· Wednesday, 3/20 – Plank South 40th Anniversary Science Fair
· Friday, 4/5 – Plank South Spring Dance
· Saturday, 4/6 – Community Arts Day
Community Arts Day!!!
Community Arts Day is coming up on Saturday, April 6th and you'll find lots of flyers below, including one to sign up for the talent show. Community Arts Day only works because of the amazing volunteers who help out so here is a link for those of you who can help volunteer. One easy way to help out is to donate a prepackaged baked good and drop it off at Plank South on 4/4 or 4/5. That option is the first one at this link. Thanks!
From the Board of Education: March 2019
Tammy Gurowski, President tgurowski@webstercsd.org
Linda Dioguardi, Vice President ldioguardi@webstercsd.org
Sue Casey scasey@webstercsd.org
Dave Metzger dmetzger@webstercsd.org
Maria Rigillo mrigillo@webstercsd.org
Jan Strege jstrege@webstercsd.org
Mike Suffoletto msuffoletto@webstercsd.org
Common Sense Media Presentation Now Available on WCSD Website
If you were unable to attend last month’s presentation by national speaker Steve Garton of Common Sense Media, you may now watch it in its entirety by visiting the district website:
http://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1659
Common Sense Media is the leading independent nonprofit organization of media and technology. They strive to empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all students’ lives.
Slides from Mr. Garton's informative presentation may also be viewed by visiting the district's Digital Citizenship Resources page at http://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1591 (scroll to the bottom of the page to "Resources").
Strike Up the Band… for the 25th Year!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Willink Student-Parent Band, and for its silver jubilee the performers are pulling out all the stops for an amazing night of music!
A Webster tradition since 1994, the Willink Student-Parent Band brings students, family, and community together to create music and have fun in the process. It doesn’t matter if performers haven't played in 20 years; the band welcomes all levels of experience, beginner to advanced!
Rehearsals began in January for its anniversary concert set for Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School cafetorium. Since this is an extra special year, the Willink Student-Parent Band is planning an exciting program as well as some special guests, so mark your calendars and don't miss it!
If the Shoe Fits!
Following on the heels of Spry Middle School’s Guys & Dolls, Jr. (staged March 8-9), the district’s enchanted musical season continues with Webster Thomas High School’s presentation of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella later this month. There will be performances March 28-30 at 7:00 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a magical Breakfast with Cinderella event on Saturday, March 23 at 9:00 a.m. You can learn more about the show and purchase tickets by visiting websterthomasplayers.com.
WonderCare Online Registration Begins Monday, March 18
WonderCare, Webster CSD's new before and after school program, will begin online registration on Monday, March 18. There will be no paper registration for the program and you will need to create an account to register your child(ren). Please visit www.websterschools.org/wondercare for more information.
You can also learn more about WonderCare by attending the remaining Parent Information Nights:
Monday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Schlegel Road
Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Klem Road North
Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at State Road.
These evenings will be geared for parents only. (Family meet and greet nights will take place in August.) If you are unable to attend your home school date, you may attend any of the three remaining meetings.
WonderCare has been established in an ongoing effort to ease the transition for families as the district prepares to shift to an earlier start time for elementary schools in fall 2019. New start times for elementary schools will be 7:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m., and 8:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. for secondary schools (middle and high schools), with all times plus or minus five minutes.
If you have any questions, please contact wondercare@webstercsd.org or call 216-0017. You can also follow WonderCare on its new Facebook page, @wondercarewcsd.
5th Grade Parent Orientation RESCHEDULED. Monday, March 11th!
The 5th grade parent orientation meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, 11th, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Spry Auditorium. As part of orientation the Spry team will share with you information regarding the middle school program and course selections your child will make. Here is a link to the full 2019 5th Grade Parent Letter that was sent to you earlier this month.