Ten talented students from the Phoenix Central School District participated in the New York State School Music Association Senior High Area All State Music Festival from November 20 to November 21at Little Falls High School.

Students were selected to either the band, chorus or orchestra based on their previous year’s solo festival scores and teacher recommendations. Student Mattingly Gleason, oboe, and Daniel Knowlton, trumpet, performed in the all-state orchestra while Zachary VanGorder, tenor, and Meghan Lees, soprano, performed in the all-state chorus. The following students performed in the all-state band: Brian Breen, mallets; Derick White, French horn; Sean Sievers, trombone; Jacob Nicolini, trumpet; Marcus Berube, bassoon; and Zachary Thompson, alto saxophone.

PCSD directors David Frateschi and Brian Logee cheered on their students throughout the music festival.

Phoenix Central School District students celebrate their participation in the annual New York State School Music Association Senior High Area All State Music Festival, held November 20 and November 21 at Little Falls High School.

At Emerson J. Dillon Middle School, students have embraced the random acts of kindness theme as they strive to make a positive impact on their school community.

Keeping with that theme, students in Sandy Silky’s class recently made decorative falls jars and presented them to five randomly selected teachers. The recipients were grateful to the students for their thoughtfulness.

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students Daren Jackson and Ashlyn Wallace display the fall jars they created for staff members as part of a “random acts of kindness” initiative. Looking on are teacher Laurie Doss and teacher assistant Andrea Fisher.

According to EJD teacher Laurie Doss, the project served as a life lesson in the importance of giving.

“Students are learning the importance of spreading kindness,” Doss said.

John C. Birdlebough High School students carried on the Phoenix Central School District’s rich music tradition, as nine musicians were recently inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

The nine newest members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society at JCB gather for a group photo after a recent induction ceremony. JCB student musicians recite the pledge of membership to signify their induction into the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

The inductees included Josh Margrey, Josh Dievendorf, Joseph Brennan, Ned Greenough, Alyssa Harrington, Olivia Ripley, Allison Strang, Abigail Venskus and Samantha Zerbinos.

“You guys are incredible musicians,” said JCB High School Principal and Tri-M co-adviser Greg Molloy. “Thank you for everything you bring to the JCB community.”

In addition to the students’ musical talents, Molloy noted that induction into the Modern Music Masters organization was also based on academic achievement and community service.

“You are well-rounded students and we are grateful that you share your musical gifts with your school and community,” Molloy said. “You are leaders, you are fine students and you are talented musicians.”

The students vowed to continue enhancing the reputationofthe PCSD asacenterformusicalenrichment as they took the oath of membership.

A trio of students in the Phoenix Central School District have tackled a service project aimed at helping elderly community members during the winter season.

For the past three years, eighth-grader Caitlin George and juniors Jon George and Nicole Hetko have put together Blizzard Bags to distribute to senior citizens in the Phoenix area. The students pound the pavement to get food donations from local businesses such as Tops, Walmart, Target and Price Chopper. The nonperishable items are then separated and bagged for distribution to clients enrolled in Oswego County Opportunities’ Nutrition Services.  

Phoenix Central School District students Jon George, Caitlin George and Nicole Hetko prepare Blizzard Bags as part of a community service project they have done in each of the past three years.

This year, the trio prepared 110 Blizzard Bags, which will provide clients with an emergency food supply if there is inclement weather and the Meals on Wheels program is unable to deliver.

According to PCSD teacher Nicole George, the students began this year’s collection efforts in August and the bags were completed in mid-November.

“Christine Parks, who works at Meals on Wheels, is always overwhelmed by their work,” Nicole George said, noting that the students’ contributions will be added to the others that are donated by different community organizations. “The kids do a great job giving back to the community.”

Many Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students were recently honored with a Citizenship Award for their contributions as good citizens in school this fall.

Students in grades five through eight who exemplified respect, responsibility and good character, and who were role models for classmates received the honor. Teacher Raina Hinman presented students with a certificate and commemorative pencil, and Principal Sue Anderson was on hand to congratulate the students on their achievement.

Fifth-grade recipients include: Katy AuClair, Chase Bacon, Jonathon Burgess, Mackenzie Chetney, Hayley Dygert, Evan Fox, Shawn Froio, Kenidee Grover, Mallory Hess, Jamie Pergrem, Cody Perry and Lillianne Quinn. Sixth-grade recipients are: Alissa Bova, Adrianna Breckheimer, Gracie Britton, Chloe Coughlin, Mary Crandall, Madisen Guerrero, James Hagg, Bethany Hook, Karson Kimball, Kelsey Redhead, Kylie Russo and Nicholas Sisera. Seventh-grade awardees are: Amaya Baker, Natalie Brown, Francesca Goodell, Katherine Holbrook, Zack Mills, Tyler Redhead, Lily Roberts, Aidan Trumble, Thomas Uhl and Mason Watkins. Eighth-grade recipients are: Emma Allers, Olivia Bigelow, Katey Carbonaro, Danielle Case, Jeffrey Cooper and Hailey Goudy.

Students at Michael A. Maroun Elementary School recently “hunted” and “gathered” food for a traditional Thanksgiving Day “feast” in their physical education classes.

Physical Education Teacher Alice Benjamin said students were taught that while people now drive to the store, purchase food to cook or order pre-cooked meals, those who joined together for the first Thanksgiving had to hunt or gather their food themselves before it appeared on the table. Several fun physical endurance stations were set up in the gymnasium for a second-grade class, such as bowling for turkey, building a food pyramid out of buckets representing different food groups, gathering food tossed into nets, and throwing spears (foam) to catch food. Challenges intensified with older grades.

At the conclusion of each class, students spoke with teachers about whether they thought they would have made good hunters or gatherers.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary Second-grader Sara Speich, left, jumps for joy after she successfully threw her ball into a bucket, which represented her ‘gathering’ vegetables for a Thanksgiving feast. All students participated in the physical education event in honor of the recent Thanksgiving holiday.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary School students made sure 150 senior citizens throughout Oswego County have an emergency food supply - when their Meals on Wheels food cannot be delivered due to inclement winter weather.

During a Blizzard Bag packing event on December 15 in the school’s intermediate cafeteria, third-graders excitedly placed nutrition bars, noodle packets, tea bag, crackers, candy, juice and other items into bags decorated by second-graders.  While fourth-graders designed holiday cards for the event, the entire student body and staff members contributed food donations.

Blizzard Bags were donated to Oswego County Opportunities Nutrition Services Program, whose staff members aim to collect 700 goodie-filled bags county-wide. Volunteer Coordinator Christine Parks said MAM has donated the most Blizzard Bags at one time.

School Guidance Counselor Nora Germain said the effort served as one of several community service projects for the school and it relates to the school’s character monthly character education trait of empathy.

MAM Third-Grader Relehonna Pope proudly holds up a Blizzard Bag full of 
non-perishable food items for a senior citizen. The whole school came together to
collect food and pack bags for 150 Blizzard Bags, for seniors to use when their Meals
on Wheels delivery cannot come to them this winter due to inclement weather.

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School Seventh-Grade Technology Teacher Corey Szyikowski has been named the 2015-2016 Central New York Technology & Engineering Educators Association Teacher of the Year.

He was nominated for the award by his colleague of 10 years, EJD Eighth-Grade Technology Teacher Michael Harter, who recognized Szyikowski for his ability to excite students about learning various trades.

“I like to teach things for them to be successful later in life.” Szyikowski said. “It’s to give them confidence to say, ‘Hey, I did this in seventh grade!”

The CNYTEEA honor is the first of its kind he will receive for work in education. Szyikowski has worked as the EJD seventh-grade technology teacher since 2002. Students learn home repair skills, coding and how to build their own web pages where they record class notes. He also has collaborated with Clarkson University in Potsdam to bring a robotics component to his classroom.

Szyikowski doesn’t lecture in class, rather students watch video lessons at home. In the flipped-learning environment, students are able to learn at their own pace and he has more time to focus in class on struggling students.

He said his classroom success wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Phoenix Central School District administration and Information Technology department, EJD renovations which created a technology workshop and the support of his wife, Kris, and their two children, Ryan and Hailey.

Szyikowski will receive the CNTEEA award this spring, with a date and location to be determined, according to association president Matthew Starke.

Several Emerson J. Dillon Middle School Students have earned either a gold or silver star honor on their report cards for Marking Period 1, which ended Nov. 13.

Students who achieved a quarterly average of 90 or higher earned a gold star, while students who achieved a quarterly average of 85 to 89.99 earned a silver star. The following gold and silver star recipients were treated to a special activity to honor their accomplishment.

Fifth-grade gold star recipients include: Kathryn AuClair, Chase Bacon, Isaiah Bergman, Allenmichael Borasky, Grayson Brady, Jonathon Burgess, Elisabeth Caltabiano, Courtney Carter, Meghan Clothier, Reghan Conley, Blake Duncan, Hayley Dygert, Mark Eusepi Jr., Michael Farrar, Madison Fatcheric, Evan Fox, Damian Fratello, Zoe Gordon, Lindsey Goudy, Mia Graham, Kenidee Grover, Mallory Hess, Jason Hilton, Blake Hoyt, Mattie Hunt, Brandon Ingoldby, Evan Isabell, Olivia Isabella, Alexis Izyk-Treece, Alan Jacques, Conor Jones, Chase Kenner-Carbonaro, Morgan Lynch, Lillian Maty, Brooke McCann, John McDonald, Peyton Nichols, Tateum Patnode, Jamie Pergrem, Cody Perry, Logan Petrie, Lillianne Quinn, Hannah Reilley, Sheriden Southworth, Zoey Stone, Ryan Thompson, Alexander Whaley, Austin Wilder and Julianna Williams.

Fifth-grade silver star recipients are: Shauna Besaw, Donnivan Bukowski, Peyton Callahan, Liam Campanino, Solomon Campbell, Victoria Cerullo, Isaac Chesbro, Jocelynn Coballes, Dominic Croteau, Emily Dunn-Hulett, Milani Eldred, Robert Finch Jr., Shawn Froio, Chloe Harvey, Riley Huntley, Dylan Jones, Merlin Lough, Jakob Maginn, Mikayla Maxam, Edward Pitcher, Lillie Shaffer, Adrianna Sullivan and Celia Tangorra.

Gold star recipients in sixth-grade are: Sarah Andrews, Sarah Ashby, Virginia Bednarski, Mason Bell, Zackery Bennett, Mathew Bernard, Alissa Bova, Adrianna Breckheimer, Gracie Britton, Conner Calkins, Kaitlyn Chesbro, Chloe Coughlin, Mary Crandall, Isaiah Gordon, Joseph Green, Madisen Guerrero, James Hagg II, Bethany Hook, Alexandra Hopps, Alaina Hubbell, Jayde Jacobson, Nicholas Joseph, Autumn Kelly, Grace Landis, Nevaeh Lando, Maggie LaPine, Larissa MacDonald, Hannah McArthur, Grace McDonald, Erick Moreira, Max Morgan, McKenna Neiss, Jacob Neupert, Gabriella Payne, Carter Pinkley, Katelyn Pyzdrowski, Kelsey Redhead, Ariana Richway, Kylie Russo, Taylor Smith,Brooke-Lynne Springer and Daniel Stellingwerf.

Silver star recipients in sixth-grade include: Landon Armstrong, Noah Bartholomew, Stephen Beal, Sydney Bingham, Matthew Breton, Ian Burgett, Thomas Checksfield, Johnathan Dion, Matthew Files, Nicholas Hanson, Jonah Hawthorne, Jalyn Henry, Alyiah Huff, Tye Hughes, Zackary Hunter, Shane Jacobson, Willyam Jolly, Lee Ketaily, Karson Kimball, Dominick Mason, Nicholas McCann, Brady Munger, Jarvis Piscitelli, Curtis Pitcher, Hanadi Sardo, Nicholas Sisera, Jacob Smallman, Olivia Snyder, Sean Stevens, Chastity Thomas, Austin Wagar and John Wallace.

Seventh-grade gold star honorees are: Isabella Allen, Shay Altman, Emily Babbitt, Amaya Baker, Nicholas Bartlett, Ashleigh Besaw, Haley Bowersox, Natalie Brown, Sara Brunell, Kelsie Burgess, Chloe Calkins, Cameron Cerul, Hannah Charleston, Emma Clark, Tabitha Clark, Sophia Crandall, Brielle DeRoberts, Alicia Durst, Francesca Goodell, Noah Gordon, Cierra Harvey, Mattison Hess, Nathan Kosakowski, Patricia Lamach, Alivia Lamphere, Miranda LaRobardiere, Jock Li, Megan Lytle, Owen Lytle, Zack Mills, Robert Minard, Garret Morrissiey, Imari Piscitelli, Andrew Quinn, Keaton Renfrew, Connor Roberts, Lily Roberts, William Semanchuk-Enser, Aiden Southworth, Isabella Stacy, Liam Sweeney, Corinne Thibault, Zoie Tracy, Melody Trask, Sophia Trinca, Aidan Trumble, Thomas Uhl and Mason Watkins.

Seventh-grade silver star honorees are: Gracie Altman, Sarai Brown, Kaelyn Cartwright, Jedidiah Chesbro, Alexander Coons, Hailie Dailey, Ethan Fox, Hailey Fredericks, Madison Gaca, Zachary Green, Katherine Holbrook, Braden Jolly, Amanda Justian, Molly Kelly, Jacob LaRocque, Tori-Lenn Loosen, Nathan McCarthy, Samangha McLoughlin, Alex Olschewske, Joseph Palmer, Tyler Redhead, Jacob Smith, Garrett Strang, Caitlyn Sutkus, Benjamin Thibault, Ashlyn Wallace and Molly Werth.

Gold star honorees in eighth-grade include: Violet Ameele, Grace Arnold, Jadan Bruno, Danielle Case, Cheyenne Cook, Jeffrey Cooper, Elisabeth Dona, Darren Fischel, Camron Fordyce, Julia Francisco, Caitlin George, Hailey Goudy, Allison Grabowski, Samuel Guthrie, Adam Hahn, Cassadee Handville, Samantha Harrison, Keera Hazen, Brianna Horn, Laila Jones, Ann Joseph, Madison Kalt, Katelyn Kenner-Carbonaro, Jena Klimaszewski, Brigid Lawless, Julianna Lewis, Tina Li, Hailey Liscomb, Chloe Lytle, Christian McKay, Abigail Meaker, Caitlyn Mitchell, Joseph Murphy, Savannah Neupert, Kelise Newby, Keva Newby, Skyler Patnode, Taylor Petrie, Ethan Remington, Aubrianna Renfrew, Vanessa Rivera, Leah Schlachter, Jacob St. Laurent, Tamika Stobart, Sarah Thorn, Nicole Tulowiecki, Teresa Uhl, Nicholas Vaverchak and Grace Vestigo.

Silver star honorees in eighth-grade include: Emma Allers, Riley Belknap, Olivia Bigelow, Mason Bresett, Lana Brown, Brianna Buonagurio, Alexis Capenos, Conner Cole, Belle Foster, Leah Green, Stephanie Grenga, Ethan Harley, Trish Harris, Carly Ingerson, Paige Isabell, Zaya Koegel, Bradyn Lough, Joshua Lovins, Matthew Maestri, Amaya Malambri, Alan Merrill, Alexandria Mills, Brooke Palmer, Madison Pelton, Love Phillips, Lilly Salotto, Alan Seever, Ayden Slack, Carissa Watkins, Madison Watkins, Seth Watkins, Paige Weldin and Destiny Whitcomb.

Emerson J. Middle School fifth- and sixth-grade students spread holiday cheer through music during their winter concert, held Dec. 9 in the John C. Birdlebough High School auditorium.

The fifth-grade band kicked off the night by going back to musical basics of good posture, beginning notes and keeping time. Band director Liza Grethel paused the performance to share with audience members that for every 100 minutes of band practice, parents are encouraged to send in 25 cents with their child. That money is collected for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. Former Wish recipient Chase Carbonaro, a band member, said the foundation sent him to Walt Disney World. He encouraged audience members to donate that night.

Other concert highlights included the fifth-and sixth-grade combined chorus singing the traditional French Christmas carol, “Noel Nouvelet,” and the sixth-grade band’s collection of spoken words and instrumental holiday songs.

Students from John C. Birdlebough High School recently packed nearly 285 boxes of donated food items from their annual holiday school food drive that will help local families in the community.

Joining forces with the Phoenix Lions Club, the Phoenix Central School District exceeded the 220 boxes that were packed last year. Donation bins were made available at each building in the District and also advertised at holiday concert performances.

The annual holiday school food drive usually takes place in the month of December just before the holiday season. Coordinator of the donations and High School Physical Education Teacher Angela Neiss said to keep watch for next year’s drive and don’t miss the chance to make someone else’s holiday season a little brighter.

Students at John C. Birdlebough High School recently teamed with the Phoenix Lions Club to make the holidays brighter for area residents in  need. They packed boxes full of food items that will help nearly 285  families in the community. Pictured, from left, are students Kellen Arnold and Hunter Nerber; Phoenix Lions Club charter member Gordon Tappan; student Lauren Porter; and JCB teacher Angie Neiss.

Several John C. Birdlebough High School students have the spark to ignite greatness!

Principal Gregory Molloy recently honored 44 students with inaugural Spark Awards, which are given to JCB students to exhibit at least one of the following sparks: citizenship, integrity, responsibility and perseverance. He said staff members and school administrators have discussed JCB becoming a school of character. Building the spark-based core value concepts will make students well-rounded and employable, Molloy said.

Examples of recognition include students taking on extra responsibilities, a student who bought another student’s lunch who didn’t have money one day, hard work and dedication throughout the marking period, and work completed on time with no complaints, among a multitude of other reasons.

“What you bring to JCB every day is invaluable,” Molloy told the students. “Your demeanor is infectious; you are the reason we love coming to school every day.”

Each teacher from throughout the building may nominate a student of their choice for a Spark Award each quarter.

Recipients received a certificate and an ice cream coupon to use in the school cafeteria. At the end of the school year, two Spark Award recipients from each grade level will join the top 10 from each class on a special trip in June to either Darien Lake or Hershey Park.

Pictured are recipients: Gabriella Allen, Kara Barrow, Alexis Bowering, Ryan Clark, Bradley Dietz, Elissa Fordyce, Matthew Francis, Becka Fuller, Brianna Gates, Leah Harke, Caroline Harrington, Natalie Hart, David Hull, Derek Izyk, Britney Jewell, Bailey Johnson, Morgan Johnson, Ashley Kenner-Carbonaro, Portia Krichbaum, Trevor LaRobardiere, Evan Logee, Danielle LeFebvre, Brianna Luke, James Lynch, Joshua Margrey, Ross McFarland, Jacob Palmatier, Niko Pangaro, Joseph Pickett, Hannah Root, Michael Sadoski, Jacob Sharp, Derick White and Trevor Worden. Absent from the photo are: Kearra Backus, Christopher Champan, Daniel Davis, Teona Draper, Maliek Edwards, Hayleigh Ladd, Cory Lawrence, Natalie Lytle, Meghan Rowe and Bradley Weldin.

John C. Birdlebough High School alumni returned to their alma mater recently to share their college and career experiences during a panel discussion in the auditorium for an audience of current JCB 11th- and 12th-grade students.

The alumni encouraged students to seek college-level classes while still enrolled in high school, apply to colleges early and often, seek multiple scholarships before and during college, develop time management skills between work and studies, don’t base college decisions on where friends may attend and network to develop career connections.

“You want to find a job that’s worth going to; you definitely have to apply everywhere,” said Cassie Tighe, a 2011 JCB graduate who is now employed as a laboratory technician for Byrne Dairy.

Kenneth Roffo, a 2012 JCB graduate and current SUNY Oswego senior physics, math and computer science major, encouraged students to immerse themselves in the whole college experience by making diverse friends, joining clubs and living on campus.

The panel was hosted by the JCB Leadership Group.

Students seeking college and career information are encouraged to visit their school guidance office.

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School’s Room 102 was transformed into Santa’s workshop during the school’s Polar Express shopping event just days before Christmas.

Thanks to area businesses, churches and EJD staff members’ generous donations, several students acted as elves during the celebration, as they were able to pick out one gift for every member of their household. Tables were filled with stuffed animals, board games, Barbies, tools, fragrances, mittens and hats, houseware, trinkets and many other items.

Sixth-grader Maria Main found presents for her siblings and classmate Mackenizie Bennett said it was hard to choose the perfect gifts for everyone in her family.

“This is for my sister because she loves Frozen!” said one student, as he held up a Disney’s Frozen stationary set.

“The Polar Express” movie played throughout the day in the classroom gift shop.

Upon selection of gifts, students went to a wrapping station in the library so gifts were ready to be placed under the tree just in time for Christmas morning.

EJD Middle School Counseling Intern Samantha Rose, left, helps Sixth-grader Maria Main wrap gifts during the school’s Polar Express shopping event.

Student council members from Emerson J. Dillon Middle recently launched the annual Adopt-a-Cause campaign to help a local animal care organization.

For the second year in a row, the students chose to support the Oswego County Animal Welfare League, which rescues and cares for pet until they are given a forever home.

Students have already started their fundraising efforts by hosting a candy counting contest. As part of the contest, students had an opportunity (for a small fee) to guess the number of pieces of candy in two separate jugs. The winners were Tatetum Patnode and Nicholas Hanson.

The fundraiser netted $212 for OCAWL. However, students are pushing to make an even bigger impact. More fundraisers are planned for the coming months, including a hat day, food and supply collection, and other activities.

The eighth-graders of the Phoenix Central School District recently took a trip to John C. Birdlebough High School (JCB) where they were introduced to the many elective choices that will be available to them next year.

Students rotated through classrooms, exploring the words of art, music, technology, business and leadership. They were able to talk with teachers and get a feel for what the classes would be like. From band, to engineering concepts, to accounting principles, there is plenty for the students to get involved with next year.

Some electives even offer the earning of college credit at no cost. Guidance Counselor Nora Germain said that many students in the past have graduated with more than 20 credits, enabling them to graduate early from college. Parents were invited to the school that evening for the chance to explore the school and its classes with their students.

To conclude the morning, Birdlebough’s Chamber Singers put on a performance for the eighth-graders in the auditorium, singing the hit Disney song “Let it Go” from “Frozen” among others. Students from the singing group encouraged those in the eighth grade to plug in to what the school has to offer and to not miss out on the opportunities available to them.

Phoenix eighth-grade students Brianna Buonagurio, Taylor Petrie, Grace Arnold and Madison Kalt display their welcome folders as they explore the art classroom of John C. Birdlebough High school at eighth-grade orientation.

Fifteen Emerson J. Dillon Middle School students are among the elite artists in the region, as they were recently recognized with Scholastic Art Awards.

The annual art competition showcases student creativity in a variety of categories. Nearly 5,000 pieces of art are submitted from thousands of seventh through 12th-grade students, and a team of professional artists judge the submissions to determine the winners.

“We are pleased to announce that 15 EJD students were among the winning selections for the 2016 Scholastic Art Show, including three Silver Key honors and two Gold Key awards,” said EJD art teacher Ashley Modafferi. “Congratulations to the winners from EJD!”

Students Tamika Stobart and Savanah Neupert took home Gold Key awards, while Silver Key awards went to Alexis Capenos, Grace Arnold and Ayden Slack. Honorable Mention awards were presented to Brianna Buonagurio, Alexandria Mills, Vanessa River, Tina Li, Katelyn Kenner-Carbonaro, Natalie King, Danielle Case, Julianna Lewis, Teresa Uhl and Morgan Kosakowski.

The students’ artwork will be on exhibit from Jan. 15-26 at the Whitney Applied Technology Center at Onondaga Community College. This exhibit is free and open to the public. 

Several John C. Birdlebough High School students participated in the Oswego County Music Educators Association All County Band Festival Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 in the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Junior-Senior High School auditorium.  All JCB band students were encouraged to audition for this honor in December.

Selected for this year’s ensemble include: Brian Breen – Flute/Piccolo, Mattingly Gleason – Oboe, Emily Roberts – Clarinet, Morgan Bajish – Bass Clarinet, Dixon Ameele – Alto Saxophone, Derick White – French Horn, Zoe Heckert – French Horn, Jacob Nicolini – Trumpet, Daniel Knowlton – Trumpet and Sean Sievers – Trombone.

These JCB students performed the following songs alongside students from throughout Oswego County: “See Rock City” by Brant Karrick, “O Magnum Mysterium” by Morton Lauridsen (arr, Reynolds), “Three Celtic Dances” by Brian Balmages, and “National Emblem” by EE Bagley.

John C. Birdlebough High School students were selected to participate in the 2016 OCMEA All
County Band Festival. In the front row, from left are band members Morgan Bajish, Emily
Roberts, Derick White and Zoe Heckert. In the back row, from left are: Dan Knowlton, Dixon
Ameele, Sean Sievers, Brian Breen and Jacob Nicolini. Absent from the photo is Mattingly Gleason.

Emerson J. Dillon Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society chapter members remain committed to becoming leaders throughout their school and community.

So far this school year, the group participated in a fall CROP Walk and raised $270 to help end hunger worldwide, sang carols and made Christmas cards for residents of Elderwood Nursing Home in Liverpool and organized a hat fundraiser day which collected $106 to help purchase stuffed animals from Build - A - Bear Workshop for children who require treatment at Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse.

In February, the NJHS will sponsor a Valentine’s Day dance and half of the proceeds will go toward the Phoenix Central School District’s Dollars for Scholars program. A family fun night will also be held in March.

NJHS requirements include maintaining a grade point average over 93 for two years, involvement in community service projects and leadership skills.

Pictured in the front row, from left are: Keva Newby (vice president), Allison Grabowski, Hailey Goudy and Grace Arnold. Kneeling in the middle row, from left are: Violet Ameelee (secretary) and Brigid Lawless (treasurer). In back, from left are: Sarah Thorn (president), Teresa Uhl, Catie George and Gracie Vestigo. Group advisors, not pictured, are Helen Abbott and Jennifer Mainville.

Several John C. Birdlebough High School students took a step back in time so they could explore a career that involves working with children by visiting their elementary classrooms.

The high schoolers assisted Michael A. Maroun Elementary teachers with lessons, interacted with students and gained unforgettable hands-on experience as part of the annual “Back to the Future” (BTTF) event. Elementary and High School Guidance Counselor Nora Germain said BTTF often serves as the high schoolers’ first tangible exposure of working with children in a formal setting.

The older students remained actively engaged in the elementary learning environment throughout the day. Alexa Hoag, 10th grader, began her day in Desiree Moore’s third-grade classroom by getting to know students as they finished their breakfast and practiced math skills. Hoag said she enjoys spending time with children and is considering a career in nursing. Down the hallway, repeat BTTF Participant and JCB Senior Tyler Gabriele assisted Second-Grade Teacher Joelle Hendry by using a SMART Board to record student answers to be used for a synopsis for parents of what the class accomplished throughout the week. Gabriele said he too enjoys working with children and he has a passion for computer science.

Both JCB Senior Chris Nicolella and JCB Sophomore Catherine Musumeci said they may consider careers in the field of education. They spent time in Lucille Mercer’s kindergarten class helping students with a number bingo game and rhyming activities.

The BTTF program also gave an opportunity for elementary students to learn about high school.

Other JCB students participating in the “Back to the Future” event included: Bryon Halstead, Josh Margrey, Emma Brown, Lawrence Karl, Jessica Jones, Evan Logee, Lauren Schmidt, Sarah Hoag, Corinne Januska, Brad Dietz, Ashley Margrey, Zoey Heckert and Wendy Li.

Michael A. Maroun Elementary Kindergarteners Emily Petrella, left, and Lana Thompson, right, enjoy
spending time with John C. Birdlebough Sophomore Catherine Musumeci during a number bingo game.
The annual Back to the Future event provided high schoolers first-hand experience working with children.