WSA NEWS
WESTSIDE ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 2014
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL HICKS
In this issue:
Principal’s Message
1
History Bee
1
Classroom News
2
Winter Sports
3
PBIS Update
3
Dear Parents, Families and Friends
All schools want their students to succeed. The Westside
Academy team believes that we can make a lasting difference when we focus on specific goals and strategies for
change.
As we work to improve student achievement levels by
enhancing the curriculum, creating a positive environment
for learning, and by increasing parent involvement. Real
change takes time. The incremental improvements we have
made are significant. Successful school-parent partnerships are supportive
relationships that continually need nurturing. Let us continue on this path for
the success of our students.
WSA attends Game 3
601 Tully Art Prgm.
8TH GRADERS TEST FOR NATIONAL HISTORY CONTEST!
The National History Bee is an
academic competition for elementary
and middle school students that tests
knowledge of a wide range of
historical topics. The competition is
divided into three distinct stages:
Stage 1: An optional Intramural Bee
and a mandatory Online Regional
Qualifying Exam which students take
at their school or home, under the
supervision of a Sponsor.
Stage 2: The top students from the ORQE compete against each other in a
buzzer competition Stage 3: The top finishers from the 37 Regional Finals are
eligible to advance to the National Finals
Recently, four of our eighth grade students took the Online Regional Qualifying
Exam for the National History Bee. These students successfully completed the
online test comprised of fifty multiple choice questions. I am proud to announce
that all four students qualified for the Syracuse Regional Qualifier competition.
The participants are Mikalya Cruz, Dashawn Harry, Cedric Snow and Destiny
Trimm. Westside Academy at Blodgett is going to host the Regional Qualifier
which will be held on Friday April 11, 2014. The top scores from the Regional
Qualifier will have the opportunity to participate in the National History Bee in
Atlanta, GA.
4
FEBRUARY EVENTS
-7th Report Card Distribution
-12th 1/2 Day Parent/Teacher
Conference
-12th Board of Ed Mt.g
-17th-21st Holiday Recess
-26th Staff Mt.g
P.2
Class News
Mrs. Heron's 6th grade social
studies class has been learning
about Ancient Egypt. They read
about many inventions the
Egyptians had created and how
they effect our life today. One
of the inventions we focused on
was the shadoof, an ancient
way of getting water from the
Nile to the irrigation canals.
Interestingly enough this process is still in use today. The
students built their own shadoofs and tested them to see if
they would actually work.
Mrs. Heron
6th Grade Social Studies
8th Grade Green SCSD Energy group has been working hard to monitor energy use in our building. After observing energy usage, students found that the biggest concerns facing our building are people
leaving lights, computers, and electronics on when no one is in the
room. The Green SCSD team asks that everyone remember to TURN
OFF lights when not in use and UNPLUG extra electronics when you
are not using them. Look for our posters around the building and
more information on how you can help Westside Academy save energy!
Melinda Bastedo
8th Grade Science
Healthy Fruit Mondays
Since November, WSA students have been receiving a healthy fruit
snack every Monday, thanks to the generosity of Nojaims Market
and a grant from Mr. Thomas Dennison, Director of Lerner Center
for Public Health Promotion Maxwell House, Syracuse University.
Healthy Monday is a national initiative to help end chronic preventable diseases by offering weekly prompts and programs to support
people and participating organizations in starting and sustaining
healthy behaviors.
Mrs. Kline,
Health Teacher
P.3
WSA News
MIDWINTER SPORTS TEAMS
Congratulations to the following students for representing our school sports program. Have a great, winning
season.
Kaya Carrasquillo 8
Coral Hernandez 8
Vernazjae McCullogh 8
Genazia Jones 8
Charisma Sykes 8
Esther Leyva 8
Gorgeous Williams 8
Aijianna Lanterman 8
Jocelyn Malone 8
Doriangeliz Morales 8
Kiera Davis 7
Ambrielle Gregory 7
Virginia Smith 7
Arieonna Adjie 7
Oneta Marks 7
Alliyah Nunez 7
Chamar Short 8
Cameron Brown 8
Sincere Adams 7
Mikeese Robinson 7
Quavell Baxtron 7
Gina Ferrante
Physical Education Dept.
WSA CHEERS SYRACUSE ON TO
VICTORY AGAINST NOTRE DAME
Westside Academy was in the house, at the Carrier Dome on Monday,
February 3rd to see the matchup between the Orange and Notre Dame.
Students, Families and Friends enjoyed a superb game and the explosive shooting of Trevor Cooney, making 9 three point baskets during the game. Westside students got a wave going during the game led by students sitting with the rowdy professor Crisafulli.
PBIS
Kelly Rotella,
CELEBRATES WINTER OLYMPICS
Students who did not earn a referral this
quarter are eligible to participate in WSA’s
own winter Olympics. Students will enjoy a
time of ice skating at clinton square and sledding at skiddy park.
7th Grade Inclusion
-
P.4
601 TULLY STREET ARTS PROGRAM
Students, Parents and Families
Great afterschool arts programs abound on the near west side.
Currently, 2 programs are being offered for middle school students.
the 601 Tully team designed, built, and programmed this house into
a contemporary arts space that links university, neighbor, and
artists in the coproduction of new culture. Located across from
Westside Academy School.
Here is the link for their after school programs. Students can register for one or both. Both are free,
and they run from 3:45-5:30pm.
http://601tully.syr.edu/after-school-programs/
Mondays/Thursdays
Creative Expression Workshops (CEWs) – presented by 601 Tully
This program includes academic support and a chance to work with guest artists in various art disciplines
ie. creative writing, dance, graffiti
Students can register for CEWs online, and I am also attaching the paper version to this email.
http://601tully.syr.edu/2014/01/creative-expression-workshops-cews/
Tuesdays/Fridays
smART art program - presented by the SU Office of Engagement Programs
smART registration is only available in paper form right now. Please call 442-1297 for additional program
details.
This is a publication of Westside Academy at Blodgett, 312 Oswego Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.
Alton Hick* Principal, Eliezer Hernandez* Vice Principal, Charlene Baker* Vice Principal
Commissioners of Education Patricia Body* President Maxwell Ruckdeschel* Vice President Commissioner Bill Bullen*
Commissioner Davide Cecile* Commissioner Derrick Dorsey* Commissioner Michelle Mignano* Commissioner Stephen
Swift Administrative Staff* Sharon L. Contreras, Superintendent* Jaime Alicea, Chief Operations Officer* Kim Bradley,
Chief of Staff* Jeremy Grant-Skinner, Esq., Executive Director of Talent Management* Brandan Keaveny, Ed. D, Chief Accountability Officer* Laura Kelley, Chief Academic Officer* Suzanne Slack, Chief Financial Officer
Syracuse City School District The Syracuse City School District hereby advises students, parents, employees, and the
general pu lic that it offers employment and educational opportunities, including vocational education opportunities, without
regard to age, gender, race, color, religion, marital status, sexual preference, national origin or disability.