Highlights

Albion Central SchoolTHE

L I N KHOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Volume 26, Number 4 www.albionk12.org Albion, NY May 2011

Peter Pan Amazes Audiences! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Albion Volleyball Team Receives Honor . . . . . . . . . . 2

Freshman Takes 1st Place in Tech Wars . . . . . . . . . . 3

Interact Club Reaches Deep into the Amazon . . . . . 3

Excellence in Teaching Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Albion FFA Shares Their Enthusiasm . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

All Winter Sports Teams Scholar Athletes . . . . . . . . 5

Spotlight on Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

National Junior Honor Society Induct Members . . 6

Middle School Performs Cinderella . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Middle School Wrestlers Receive Award . . . . . . . . . 7

Filling Empty Bowls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chess Dynasty? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Albion Elementary School Spelling Bee . . . . . . . . . 8

ACS EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR The Albion Central School District seeks nominations from staff and community members for the Educator of the Year award. Each year, the Board of Education bestows this award to a staff member during the June board meeting.

If you would like to nominate someone for this award who you feel is an exemplary ACS educator, please send the following information:1. Name of educator you wish to nominate2. Reasons this person should be awarded Educator of the Year. Demonstrate how this individual strives to demonstrate our Mission, Vision, and Values.3. Please include your name in case we need to contact you for more information.

SEND NOMINATIONS (either via email or hard copy) TO: Albion Central School Mrs. Sharon Lang, District Office 324 East Avenue, Albion, NY 14411 ATTN: Educator of the Year or e-mail: slang@albionk12.org

We will accept nominations through May 13, 2011.

Attention Albion Central School District Parents!!It’s time to start planning for the summer!

2011 Summer Recreation RegistrationMon., May 2 and Tue., May 3 • 4:30 - 7:00 PM

Albion Elementary School Large Gym

Programs Include: Swim lessons, Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball camps, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer camp, Football camp, Track camp, Cheerleading camp, Competitive Swim camp and

Summer Instrumental lessons

If you have questions about registration, please call 589-2056.

Budget HeaRingMay 10, 2011

7:00 p.m.HS LGI

Budget VOte

May 17, 2011ES Conference Room A

Noon – 8:00 p.m.

Senior Citizen day at albion High SchoolMay 11, 2011

Please join us for coffee & tea, a nutritious lunch & a day of fun!9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Welcome & Continental breakfast, High School Cafeteria B

9:50 - 11:00 a.m. Activities of your choice: compete at bingo, play deck games, browse art gallery and more!

11:30 - 12:30 Lunch will be served, High School Gymnasium Enjoy music from the Jazz Band. Watch performances from the Select Chorus & Drama Dept.

For additional information, please call Emily Wemmer at 585-589-2040 ext. 8414

"Peter Pan" amazes audiences!

Peter Pan flies by and steals a bomb from Captain Hook

The musical "Peter Pan" graced the stage at the Albion Middle School for three performances on April 8 and 9. The nearly sold-out audience saw an enthusiastic Peter, played by Jackie Madejski, fly across the stage in an unprecedented series of special effects. Four of the cast members (Peter, Wendy, John and Michael) took flight during several scenes, which left the audience wondering “How did they do that?” Director Gary Simboli said, “I have wanted to do this production for several years and it is amazing to see Peter catapulting across the stage.” Most amazing was that the aerial choreography was learned on the ground and the actors only had about a week to practice in the air. Students were trained how to “fly” and how to make actors “fly” in a short time by a professional rigging company, D2 Flying Effects. The students were trained in safety and execution of the choreography. Crew member Tony Reed said, “We trained for two days nonstop and then had an eight-hour rehearsal the weekend before the opening.” He also was surprised at how physically exhausting the task is for the crew members. Also unique to this production was the special effects used in the character Tinkerbell. The attention to detail and the incredible talent that is showcased in this production made it top notch! High school students made up the entire cast, crew and 90 percent of the orchestra. After seeing this type of quality production, there is no doubt why Albion Central School District has earned the recognition for the last three years as “A Best Community for Music Education” by the NAMM. Cast members were: Meg Logan, Allen Sanford, Martha Smith, Lydia Erakare, Malia Rogers, Joram Bierdeman, Steven Stauss, Jacqueline Madejski, Annaliese Mergler, Lauren Burroughs, Melissa Dibley, Kayla Osborne, Jenna Reigle, Jessica Riegle, Bradeen Walders, Gregory Albertson, Michaela Miller, Shannon Vanderlaan, Margaret King, Joyce LaLonde, Lucas Smith, Jacob Tynan, Geoffrey Symonds, Robert Stilwell, Matthew Degnan, and Sebastian Erakare. Student members of the orchestra were: Brandon Doyle, Brie Olsen, Molly Church, Hannah Joslyn, Caitlin Francis, Emalee Soule, Rebecca Flanagan, Faith Bentley, Sarah Connor, Mark Graham, Hayley Schmidt, Emily Bannister, Joe Condoluci, Nicole Gramlich, Jonathan Trembley, Joe Callicutt and Colby Prentice. Student members of the production team were: Lauren Burroughs, Nicholas Tolle, Cheryl Johnson, Annaliese Mergler, Abigail Caldwell, Benjamin Kirby, Haley Huey, Cassie Langdzon, Amber Smarpat, Gina Marie Montanari, Gretta Smith, Alise Pangrazio, Chad DeSmit, Ryan Haight, Nicholas Ostafew, Anthony Reed, Alissa Francis, Jordan Grimble, Ryan Gurnsey, Emily Joslyn, Michael Karcz, Rachel Katsanis, Kendra Morrison, Alicia Rowland, Steven Stauss, Shawn Whittier, Julissa Curcie and Tina Gers.

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The LINK May 2011

ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

Mr. Michael Bonafede has resigned from the Albion Central School District Board of Education. In his resignation, he thanked the district for the opportunity to serve, stating he considered it a privilege and an honor to serve. He noted that the Board is well prepared to continue to move the district forward. “I am completely confident in the current board, and I am excited about the emerging leadership. The board is absolutely child centered and committed to continuous improvement. The board embraces the importance of our district culture while remaining focused on Albion Central School District becoming a Community School of Excellence.” Mr. Bonafede served on the Board of Education for 16 years, including 12 as President. He has been instrumental in many of the initiatives of the district. “I feel privileged to have worked as a team member with so many excellent staff, administrators and community members in developing and promoting our mission, vision, and values.” He is well-recognized as a school district and community leader. The Board of Education accepted his resignation with much regret and best wishes for his future, offering praise and thanks for his dedicated service. Mr. Bonafede’s service will be recognized at a program to be scheduled later this year. Before resigning his seat on the Board, Mr. Bonafede nominated Mrs. Margy Brown for the position of President of the Board of Education, noting that she has partnered with him since her selection as Vice President in July. President Brown nominated, and the Board selected, Mr. Dean Dibley as their new Vice President. Both will serve until June 30, the remainder of the one-year term for each position. The timing of Mr. Bonafede’s resignation was very intentional, allowing the district to fill the vacancy at the annual election in May—eliminating the expense associated with a special election. Recognizing this, the Board of Education directed that the seat Mr. Bonafede vacated will be filled via the May 17, 2011, election. Two seats (the newly vacated one and the one held by Mrs. Iva McKenna, whose term ends June 30, 2011) will be filled at that election. The candidate with the greatest number of votes at the May 17 election will be seated for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2011. The candidate with the second highest number of votes will serve the remainder of Mr. Bonafede’s term, immediately following the election tally through June 30, 2015.

Albion School Board President Resigns Albion Volleyball Team Receives Honor

This year, the Albion Girls' Varsity Volleyball team had one of the best seasons in the history of the team. They were champions in the Niagara-Orleans League and took their season to the Section IV Class B Finals, where they suffered their first loss of the season to the eventual state champion Eden squad. Their overall season record was 21-1. Not only did they have an outstanding season on the court, they had an outstanding season off the court as well. They were named a NYSSPHA scholar athlete team for attaining a cumulative grade-point average of 95.28 percent. They join the other six fall athletic teams in achieving status as a scholar athlete team. The Scholar Athlete Team Award Program is offered through the NYSPHSAA (New York State Public High School Athletic Association). The program is designed to recognize varsity athletic teams that have obtained outstanding grades during their season. A grade-point average for the team is calculated using the individual student grade-point averages. When the teams’ grade point average is a 90.00 percent or above, the team is recognized as a Scholar Athlete Team. So far this year Albion’s athletic teams are on target for being named a “School of Distinction” by the NYSSPHA for the second time in as many years. The “School of Distinction” title recognizes those schools where every varsity team earned Scholar Athlete honors. Recently, the Volleyball team also gained recognition from the Western New York Girls Volleyball Officials Association (WNYGVOA) for the 2010 – 2011 season. They were awarded the 2010-2011 Sportsmanship award. At the completion of each contest, the officials forward the names of schools they felt stood out with regard to sportsmanship and exemplary behavior, especially under pressure. At the conclusion of the season, the schools that had been nominated were then reviewed and ultimately voted on. WNYGVOA Chairperson, Marilyn Ann Keogh said, “Under the direction of Ann Capacci, the ladies exhibited exemplary behavior before, during and after all contests. They displayed a great sense of camaraderie and respect toward our officials at all times, no matter what the situation. Consideration is given to how the teams interact with each other, and also how the players interact with opposing coaches, their own coaches and team members, and even with the fans. Team records are not taken into account when choosing the recipient for this award. Our organization feels developing the athlete’s attitude and demeanor on and off the court carries way beyond the sport arena. This is why we feel it is important to recognize the school and coaches for supporting this philosophy, and applaud them for a job well done. Our officials felt the 2010 Albion Volleyball Program achieved these high standards and wanted to recognize them for it.” When the award was announced, A.C.S. Athletic Director, Randy Knaak said, “The girls demonstrated the three qualities that we strive for with all of our athletic teams: Academics, Sportsmanship and Athleticism.”

Red Cross Blood Drive Held at Albion High School

The American Red Cross visited Albion High School on March 18 for the second time this year to recruit students and faculty to donate the gift of life. There were 16 first-time blood donors. The blood drive at Albion was attended by 48 blood donors and 39 units of blood were collected. This represented 95 percent of the 41-unit goal that the Red Cross had set. The blood donation has the potential to save the lives of up to 123 people, since one unit can help as many as three patients. American Red Cross spokesperson Lacie M. Donbkiewicz said, “The American Red Cross relies heavily on the support of area high schools in order to ensure a constant availability of blood products at hospitals locally and throughout the country. Without the support of high schools like yours, countless patients would go without the blood products they so desperately need to survive.”

Spring is a great period of renewal! The snow is gone and plants are beginning to bloom. Spring sports are underway. Plans for end-

of-the-year activities are taking shape. Many are even preparing for next school year.

Last week I attended a kindergarten registration session where I had the privilege of meeting several of the members of the Albion Central School Class of 2024. Isaac and Jett were among those excited about the arrival of September and the start of the new school year! The excitement about the start of kindergarten that day was contagious! On April 4, the Board of Education adopted the 2011-2012 budget that will be placed for voter approval on Tue., May 17. Much has been said about the state’s financial condition and its impact on schools, but for the fifth straight year, the proposed Albion budget includes no increase in the school tax levy. Further, the budget cuts no programs or activities available to students. (The SOAR program, funded with a two-year grant, is still slated to end as the grant has run its course, though we continue to seek other grants to expand opportunities for our students.) There are some staff reductions in the budget. These include positions that became or will become vacant that will not be filled and six and a half additional positions. The reductions are as much a result of our declining student enrollment as the reduction in state aid. From last year to next, student enrollment will decrease 6.35 percent. Proposed staff levels have decreased by 5.92 percent during the same period. Cuts include administrative, teacher, and support positions. In essence, the district continues to “right-size” to our student population. Our district’s fiscally conservative budget preparation and execution have made it possible for the district to propose such a budget—with no tax increase for five straight years. In fact, the district’s efficient budgeting and high-quality student results were recognized when Albion Central was awarded the highest ranking of the Center for American Progress in their study on the return on investment of American schools. Albion spent less per student than 97 percent of all New York schools while our students scored in the top third of all New York schools on state exams. But again, I want to remind you that opportunities–academic and extracurricular–remain available to our students. I know that our students will continue to excel because of these opportunities. Recently I was overcome by the talent of our students. The All-District concerts, the school musicals, and the March music concerts were entertaining showcases of our students’ artistic abilities. Just today I received an e-mail from GO ART! honoring our music program. A full story is included in this newsletter. Our student talents are not limited to the arts! Each of our winter varsity teams (like all of the fall varsity teams) earned scholar athlete honors for team averages of 90 percent or better. Our volleyball team who also played a season that included only one loss to the eventual state championship team, was recognized for their sportsmanship - making them a true triple threat with scholarship, sportsmanship, and victories. And the academic honors continue. Forty seniors, 20 percent of the class, will be honored for maintaining four-year high school averages of 90 or greater. They will be recognized at the annual Academic Honors Convocation. Eighteen of our students were honored for their exceptional performance in the career and technical program competitions at BOCES. The achievements of our students highlighted here and elsewhere in this newsletter remind us that there are many reasons for Albion to celebrate - and much to look forward to in the future! I hope that you are as proud of our students as I am.

Superintendent Bonnewell

A Message from the Superintendent …

These happy boys, who live in a small village along the Peruvian Amazon, are among the many who now enjoy clean water, adequate school supplies, uniforms, and shoes, thanks to the combined efforts of the Albion Rotary Club and the Albion High School Interact Club.

Albion High School Rotary Interact students are culminating a two-year project that is leaving a lasting mark, bringing clean water and educational supplies deep into the Amazon jungle. Last year the students, supported by the financial help of the Albion Rotary Club, sponsored the digging of three clean-water wells in remote villages of the Peruvian Amazon. The contact came through adviser Tim Archer, who has friends working in the region. An added benefit of the project was that Archer, fellow teacher Janice Scott, and four other community members made the trip to Peru and actually helped install the wells alongside locals – footing the travel bill themselves. “It was a great project,” Archer noted, “that helped bring clean drinking water to a region that suffers greatly from sickness and disease. The potable water will reduce illness in these areas dramatically.” As great as that experience was though, it wasn't enough. With the onset of a new school year, Interact officers met in September 2010 and decided to take it a step further. With the approval and support of the local Albion Rotary Club, they used the proceeds of the St. Patrick's Day dinner this year to fund educational supplies and clothing for those same villages that received water a year earlier. “While in Peru, Janice and I visited the schools,” Archer said. “What we saw was quite discouraging...lack of supplies, proper clothing, and poor facilities. The teachers begged for help. We felt pretty helpless.” Although the team did activities with the school children and generally encouraged them, it didn't make much of a tangible dent. As a result, this year money will be sent to Peru specifically for uniforms (a requirement of students to attend school), shoes, and basic school supplies. A matching grant from the Rotary district representing Western New York will make the contribution a sizable one. Interact President Molly Church said that besides local activities, the active student group performs an international project every year. They have supported school projects in the Hindu Kush mountains of Pakistan and the civil-war-ravaged region of southern Sudan, among other places. Church was especially grateful to the Albion Rotary Club for their continued support of Interact programs. For the last five years, the Club's St. Patrick's Dinner has benefited an Interact project. “It gives the Albion Rotary Club great pleasure to partner with the Interact members in enriching educational experiences for students in these Peruvian villages,” Albion Rotary member Bonnie Malakie said. “It is part of the Rotary purpose to aide those throughout the world in receiving education and opportunity. Through this project, we will help meet those goals for those less fortunate and at the same time, teach valuable lessons to youth and adults here.”

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ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

Albion Freshman Takes First Place at the G.C.C. Tech Wars

Albion High School Junior Takes First Place at Regional SkillsUSA Competition!

Albion High School National Honor Society Welcomes 30 New Members

Twenty-three students from the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers came home from the SkillsUSA Region 1 Leadership Conference and Skills Olympics winning the right to compete at the New York State Competition in April. The competition was held at SUNY Alfred where students spent the day competing against students from Alleghany, Steuben, Monroe, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Cattaraugus and Ontario counties. Albion High School junior Levi Boyer took first place in Electronics Technology. Levi is

looking forward to the New York State Competition. At the April Albion Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized the students who placed in the 2011 Local Skills USA competition. The Albion Central School District had six students who took first place. The first place winners were Nicholas Bourke for Auto Body II - Custom Paint Panel; John Livingston Jr. for Auto Body I - Weld Construction; Anthony Reed for Auto Mechanics I -Automotive Technology I; Ashley Pahura for Early Childhood Ed I - Jr. Preschool Teaching Assistant; Levi Boyer for Electricity/Electronics - Electronic Technology I; and Eric Herring for Building Trades - Interior Finishing. Albion also had four students place second. Our second-place winners were Derek Howes - Computer Technology II; Mike Genno - Food Service I; Mattie Bolthouse - Health Occupations Tech II; and Noah O'Kussick - Building Trades. Six of our students took third place in the competition: Ryan Wildschutz for Auto Body I; Brandon Meakin for Auto Mechanics I; Nathanael Howes for Auto Mechanics II; Elizabeth Aldaco for Cosmetology I/L; Katherine Henshaw for Early Childhood Education I; and Mike Conlon for Welding II.

Albion ninth-grade student Brandon Doyle recently took home first-place honors in the bridge design competition at the Genesee Community College Tech Wars. Brandon competed against 20 other schools and 25 bridges. Brandon’s bridge weighed 4.2 pounds and held the max weight of 400 pounds, showing little or no structural stress. The second-place finisher was a team of two from Wayland. They had a bridge weighing 6.2 pounds that supported almost as much weight. Brandon took first place honors, since his design weighed less and was therefore more efficient. This is the second year that Albion has competed at G.C.C. Tech Wars. High School Technology teacher Kristen Martin said, “I am so proud of Brandon. He put in a lot of work into

the design and construction of his bridge and I was glad to see him get the recognition he deserves.” The Middle School team of Jordon Hamilton and Dyer Benjovsky took first place in the Rube Goldberg competition and the Team of Alex Bison and Gary Moore took second place in the Design Challenge portion.

Albion High School 2011 National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

On Wed., March 23, 2011, the Albion High School National Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony for new members. The National Honor Society recognizes outstanding high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. (www.nhs.us) National Honor Society (NHS) is an organization that has been active in Albion for many years. Students with a 90 or above average after the first 20 weeks of their junior or senior year are invited to support their candidacy for membership. This consists of filling out several forms, writing an essay, and obtaining four letters of recommendation. Membership is granted only to those selected by the Albion NHS Faculty Council using the information provided by the candidate in the areas of leadership, service, and character as well as input gathered from Albion High School faculty, staff, and administration. Albion High School welcomes the following students to the National Honor Society: Brittany Allis, Alan Barrile, Joram Bierdeman, Abigail Caldwell, Melissa Dibley, Katie Donnelly, Abigail Edwards, Jolene Flammger, Elliott Foos, Ryan Golden, Mark Graham, Nicole Gramlich, Julie Irvine, Hannah Joslyn, Jennifer Knaak, Paige Levandowski, Meg Logan, Jacqueline Madejski, Rachel Maxon, Chelsea McClellan, Michaela Miller, Nicole Nesbitt, Sara Olles, Kayla Osborne, Nicholas Ostafew, Simeon Pepe, Sabastian Piedmont, Malia Rogers, Josue’ Serafin and Haley Watkins.

Albion Interact Club Reaches Deep into the AmazonSubmitted by the Albion High School Interact Club

Albion Central SchoolCommunity Pool HourS Effective May 1 – June 24, 2011.

Adult Lap SwimMonday – Friday 5:30 a.m. – 7:20 a.m.

Family SwimMonday & Wednesday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Pool Closed 6/25/11- 7/10/11

The LINK May 2011

4 ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

Class of 2011, be sure to register to take advantage of the Genesee Promise Plus Scholarship Program at Genesee Community College this summer. This is the program that allows each senior graduating in June of 2011 to take two FREE classes at the Batavia Campus or at any of the Campus Centers. This gives you the opportunity to get a head start on college study and develop college study skills. The cost of a college credit hour at Genesee Community College for the summer of 2011 is $140.00. A three-credit course would cost $448.00 (includes a $2.00 per credit hour technology fee & $22.00 college fee). That means you could save $896.00 by taking two classes this summer. What a great graduation gift from GCC! It could also reduce the length of time you spend at college by half a semester. The application will be available on Genesee’s web site http://www.genesee.edu/Promise and at the high school guidance office. In May, GCC forms will be available and you may complete your application, residency form, and register for the classes you are interested in. Both GCC and ACS staff will be happy to help you take advantage of this great offer. The deadline for enrollment is June 17, 2011. Make sure to take advantage of this great opportunity!

Seniors – Don’t forget!“Genesee Promise Plus”

Provides FREE College Credits

Mrs. Wickman receives Excellence in Teaching Award!

Albion FFA Shares Their Enthusiasm with Younger Students

Mrs. Wickman and National Honor Society Representative

Mrs. Nancy Wickman, an Albion High School Science Teacher, was honored at the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on March 13, 2011, with the Excellence in Teaching Award. As recipient of the award, Mrs. Wickman spoke to the new inductees at the ceremony about the importance of pursuing a career in something that you love. The Excellence in Teaching Award recipient is chosen by the current National Honor Society members for their teaching skill and their ability to connect to students in a positive way. Congratulations, Mrs. Wickman!

FFA member introduces her llamas to curious Elementary School Students

The Albion High School FFA club concluded their weeklong activities by turning the garage into a barn of sorts. Once a year students involved in FFA bring in their own animals in order to educate the Elementary School students about them. All day long students from the Elementary School walked over and learned about the variety of animal on display. Also on hand was a variety of tractors from area farmers.

Knaak Earns Spot on 2010 Scholar All-State

Football Team

Albion senior Scott Knaak earned a spot on the 2010 Scholar All-State Football Team. He was selected by the New York State High School Football Coaches Association. The coaches of the association selected Scott because he was a significant contributor to his team, while excelling academically and exhibiting good citizenship. Knaak participated in three varsity sports, earning eight scholar athlete awards and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Rotary Interact Group. In the classroom, he has maintained an impressive academic average of 93.56 percent. He has also accumulated over 135 community service hours in the last two years.

This year we are fortunate to have the following business partners:

Agape Physical Therapy Services Albion Central School DistrictAlbion Police Department Arnold Gregory Ambulatory ServicesAssemblyman Stephen Hawley’s office Brighton SecuritiesCase-Nic Cookies Country Lane Veterinary ServicesD.K. Autobody Dr. Eileen KosierackiElsewhere Hospice of Orleans County Lakeside Health System LIFE Program at Albion Middle SchoolLittle Wonders Day Care Medina Hospital Orleans County Chamber of Commerce Orleans County Dept. of Public HealthOrleans County District Attorney Orleans County Soil and Water Rainbow Preschool Saint Gobain Technical FabricsThe Neal Family’s Farm The Villages of OrleansWGRZ Zambistro Restaurant

When Maura Pierce, our district’s School to Career Coordinator, first contacted me about mentoring a student intern, I have to admit I was a little nervous. Many questions came to mind about the whole process. Would I have enough time to devote? What kinds of things did I know that I could teach her? After our first meeting, my nervousness disappeared and all of those questions were answered. Intern Taylor Armstrong and I came up with a plan for the semester. Taylor was interested in communication and journalism. I knew right away that she was a gifted writer simply by the questions she asked. We talked about what she wanted from her internship, and I realized that with a little planning, I could provide meaningful opportunities for her in those areas. Our first project was to create and construct a web page for the high school internship program, a project that had been on my “to do” list. Taylor handled every part of it beautifully. She came up with a format to gather information, went to internship sites, photographed individuals and locations and put it all together on what is now our high school internship page! She was very excited about the project and so was I. Taylor also wrote articles for the LINK and created a sports summary form to collect information about sports from coaches. The sports summary is used for the LINK, the website and will appear in the yearbook for each sport. When the semester was almost over, I realized that being a mentor for a student intern was a positive experience for both of us. I was able to share my skills and talents with someone with similar interests. Taylor was able to learn real-world skills outside of a conventional classroom. I was able to complete additional projects thanks to the extra manpower. By the end of this school year, we will have over 50 students who will have interned in area businesses. For more information about becoming a business partner, please call Maura Pierce at 589-2086. I highly recommend it!

What is a Business Partner?by Mary Ann Donnelly

The LINK May 2011

5ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

Swimming The Girls' Varsity Swim team finished with a record of 1-8-1 in the league and 3-10-1 overall. The Boys' Varsity Swim team finished the season with a record of 7-3 in the league and 10-5 overall. Senior swimmers were Katie Donnelly, Matt Gardner, Scott Miller, Steven Papponetti, Steven Prentice, Garrett Smith and Robert Yost. Coach Burroughs said, “It was a pleasure to coach this year’s swimmers. They worked very hard and showed improvement throughout the season. Seniors, thank you for all you have done.” Key swimmers this season were Bram Davies, Katie Donnelly, Hannah Joslyn and Garrett Smith. At the Boys’ Niagara-Orleans All-League meet, Garrett Smith placed first in the 100 Breaststroke. He went on to compete at the Sectional meet in the 100 Breaststroke. During the season, Katie Donnelly broke her own school record in the 50 Free and set a new pool record. Congratulations to both teams on fine seasons!

Boys' Varsity Basketball The Boys' Basketball team finished the season with a league record of 4-10 and an overall season record of 6-14. Matt Webster earned a second-team All-League spot and Mike Haight earned an honorable mention. Key to their success was Mike Haight with 8.1 ppg (points per game) and 10.3 rpg (rebounds per game), Matt Webster with 11.8 ppg and 4.9 rpg and defensive standout Nick Santos. Nick also had 7.2 ppg. The senior team members were Mike Haight, Shyhiem Rhodes and Matt Webster. When asked about the season, Coach Croff said, “The 2010-2011 boys' varsity basketball team is a great group of young men. I think everyone involved with this team would agree that it has been a very challenging season in several different ways. I’m proud of the fact that we continued to work hard throughout the entire season, no matter the situation. When times got tough, on or off the court, we understood what we needed to do to grow as individuals and as a team.”

JV Boys' Basketball The boys played hard all season and played with a lot of heart. They scored 860 points this season and averaged 48 points /game. The highlight of the year was beating Wilson 69-34. Captains were Connor Barleben, Chris Reed, and Marquise Riddick. Steven Stauss was named Offensive Player of the Year. He scored 143 points, and grabbed 110 rebounds. Marquise Riddick was awarded the Mr. Purple Eagle award for character and leadership; he also scored 138 points and grabbed 167 rebounds. Steven Jones was named Defensive Player of The Year with 36 steals and 103 defensive rebounds. The boys finished 8-6 in league play.

Basketball Cheerleading The Basketball Cheerleaders placed fourth at the Rochester Cheer and Dance Championships. The girls competed in the intermediate division where they missed third place by half a point. This year JD Smith earned the Most Improved Award and Kaitlyn Hamilton won the Purple Eagle Cheerleader Award. Varsity Captains were Julie Irvine and Kaitlyn Hamilton. The seniors this year were McKayla Allen, Julie Irvine and Kaitlyn Hamilton. Coach Renee Liberti said, "This team was made up of 26 cheerleaders. They were very hard-working, dedicated and a lot of fun to work with. I am very proud to have coached all of them!"

Girls' Varsity Basketball The Girls' Varsity Basketball team ended the season with a 10-4 league record and an overall record of 12-8. The team earned a 2nd place finish in the Niagara-Orleans league and went on to play in the sectionals. Chelsea Beecher earned a spot on the first-team All-League. Chelsea also became the sixth leading Albion career scorer with 694 points and tied the school record for 3-point game goals. She was selected to both the Dansville All-Tournament Team and to the Cheektowaga Western N.Y. Exceptional Senior Game. The senior players were Taylor Armstrong, Chelsea Beecher, Molly Church and Emalee Soule. Key contributors to the season were Chelsea Beecher – 332 points, 115 rebounds, 53 steals and 40 assists; Abby Edwards – 124 points, 36 assists and 40 steals; Brittany Bennett Allis – 141 points and 132 rebounds and Paige Levandowski with 103 points and 129 rebounds. Coach Beecher said, “Our varsity girls' basketball team was a hard working group of girls that committed to do their best, played bigger than they were, and battled to win games, creating a successful season for themselves. They had some exciting wins, including an OT win against Batavia, a buzzer beater win against Roy-Hart, as well as a big win against undefeated Medina in the first round. The team finished second in league, with a 10-4 record, won their first round sectional game against Depew with a convincing 47-28 home finisher and then fell against the #1-seeded Pioneer team in the next round. This was a truly enjoyable group of intelligent, talented girls to coach and I will greatly miss the seniors next year. Good luck in your future, girls!”

JV Girls' Basketball The Girls' JV Basketball team finished the season with a league record of 9-4 and an overall record of 11-6. Key players this season were Abby Beecher, Tanisha Moyer and Sarah Papponetti. Coach Price said, “The growth that this team displayed during the season was tremendous. By the end of the season, we were a team that understood what it takes to win at the JV level. I look forward to working with the girls that will be returning to JV, and I am also excited to see what roles the girls that are moving to varsity will have.”

Varsity Wrestling The Varsity Wrestling team wrapped up the season with a third place finish in the Niagara-Orleans League (4-2) and a 12-5 overall record. During the season, the team placed at the Barker Tournament, Akron Tournament and the Victor Tournament. Jim Mapes, Azael Tapia and Scott Knaak won the Niagara-Orleans Championships. Key individuals this season were Jim Mapes at 119 lbs, Azael Tapia at 145 lbs. and Scott Knaak at 171 lbs. Senior wrestlers were: Thad Dedee, Kyle Erway, Henry “Hatchet” Haines, Dylan Hall, Scott Knaak, Alyssa Leggat, Jim Mapes, AJ Mastrangiola, Azael Tapia and Brad Uderitz. Coach Piccirilli was honored this season by receiving the Section 6 Officials Coach of the Year Award. When asked about the season, he said, “The 2010-2011 wrestling team was often a group of over-achievers. The fact that they were willing to work hard in the practice room helped both the varsity and JV teams to have relatively successful seasons. At the individual level, congratulations to Jim Mapes and Azael Tapia, both placed third at the small school state qualifier tournament. Azael Tapia earned an at-large bid to compete at the New York State Championships.”

Spotlight on SportS

.

All Winter Sports teams Qualify as Scholar Athlete teams!

Boys' Varsity Basketball Composite Grade Point Average 94.07%

Girls' Varsity Swimming Composite Grade Point Average 91.28%

Boys' Varsity Swimming Composite Grade Point Average 92.98%

Varsity Wrestling Composite Grade Point Average 92.02%

Girls' Varsity Basketball Composite Grade Point Average 95.46%

The LINK May 2011

6 ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

ACS Students Reach Out to Help Those in Need!

A.C.S. National Junior Honor Society Inducts 35 New Members

Middle School Performs "Cinderella"!

Kindergarten Students Learn about the Flag

Albion Elementary and Middle School students hold the cranes they made.

Mr. Martin’s fourth- and fifth-grade Japanese enrichment classes and his third-grade AIS class have been busy making cranes while learning about the Japanese culture. Following the recent disaster in Japan, many of his students began asking what they could do to help the Japanese people. They were directed to a web site called dosomething.org. The organization had initiated a project to encourage the Japanese people by uploading images of origami cranes to their site, and at the same time, sending messages of sympathy and encouragement along with them. The students began writing and photographing the cranes they had been making, uploading them and sending notes to the site. Through the organization’s site, it was announced that the Students Rebuild would receive $2.00 for every crane that they received. The project is funded through the philanthropic Bezos Family Foundation. Mr. Martin said, “It so happened that a few years back, my Japanese enrichment class, along with the high school Japanese Club, folded 1,000 cranes for the districts’ Cultural Diversity event. Those cranes hung in the Board of Education meeting room in a display. The Board of Education agreed to allow my students to send the cranes to the Students Rebuild organization in order to show support and raise money to help in the building of homes and shelters in Japan through Architecture for Humanity. Altogether, Albion will raise over $2,000.00 to help with the rebuilding efforts in this devastated country, just by sending something that our students worked hard to make.”

On April 13, 2011, 35 Albion Middle School students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Current members reminded the inductees of their responsibility to uphold the five pillars of the organization: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship. The new inductees are: Miranda Allen, Dylan Bader, Stacie Barnett, Daniel Beam, Bethany Bowman, Matthew DeCarlo, Alex DeSmit, Cheyenna Eagle, Mariah Elsenheimer, Jared Fearby, Kelley Flanagan, Matthew Flanagan, Aleah Foos, Sarah Graham, McKayla Hastings, Meghan Hurley, Robert Klatt, Abigail Maines, Caitlin Malanowski, Sara Maxon, Alyce Miller, Ellen Narburgh, Justice Nauden, Olivia Neidert, Meredith Patterson, Katelyn Perry, Katlin Pieniaszek, Jessica Putnam, Zachary Shaffer, Kelsee Soule, Gabriell Struble, Melissa Symonds, Raven White, Ben Vanacore and Mikayla Yaskulski. Students receiving service pins were: Andrea Aman, Drake Arnold, Abigail Beecher, Monica Benjovsky, Theodore Benjovsky, Alex Bison, Mallory Broda, Aaron Burnside, Madyson Coville, Isabella Cox, Dominic Dicureia, Nicholas Ettinger, Morgan Ferris, Brittany Francis, Logan London, Kyler McQuillan, Sara Millspaugh, Gary Moore, Kellie O’Hearn, Carol Pritchard, Ryan Reed, Megan Rosato, Morgan Seielstad and Jacob Squicciarini.

The Middle School Theatre Department finished out its season with the rousing success of three performances of "Cinderella" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. All of the performances were well attended by the community. Here are some “did you know” facts about the show:

Seventy-eight middle school students were involved in the production. Of the 78 students, 55 •were able to maintain a cumulative average of 90 percent or better (38 of them had above a 95 percent). All of the students involved maintained a cumulative average of 80 percent or better for the run of the show.To reproduce the feel of a fairytale village, the crew created and painted an original and vibrant •village backdrop. It took four students 35 hours to create the drop. A touch of enchantment was added to Cinderella's transformation scene by constructing a giant •pumpkin carriage. The carriage was so huge it had to be built on the stage since it would not fit through any of the stage doors. The carriage shimmered, sparkled, and appeared to move across the stage as if by magic.An atmosphere of an opulent palace ballroom was created by having the students look and act the •part of ball guests. Twenty-five ball gowns were among the 50 costumes that were painstakingly sewn by the director and parent volunteers for this production. To show off these costumes, the cast learned to waltz and gavotte, traditional forms of dance nearly 300 years old. The students truly became royal guests as they executed the precise steps of the gavotte and twirled around the stage in an intricate four-minute waltz all while remaining in character.The elegance of the ballroom was enhanced by a chandelier handmade by the crew. The •chandelier included over 12,000 beads (some of which came from AMS's original production of "Cinderella") and was fully illuminated. The chandelier took a small group of crew members 45 hours to hand bead and another 12 hours to assemble.

The following students made up the cast of characters: Madeline Fournier, Laura Flanagan, Alyce Miller, Vivian Rivers, Charlyne Olick, Zachary Shaffer, Kyle Thaine, Melissa Symonds, Nathanial Trembley, Mathew Flanagan, Miranda Allen, Nick Arieno, Daniel Beam, Nita Bela, Emily Blanchard, Bethany Bowman, Shannon Broda, Cheyenna Eagle-Hungerford, Kelley Flanagan, Aleah Foos, Carley Fox, Brittany Francis, Sarah Graham, Halie Gray, Kassidy Hastings, McKayla Hastings, Michayla Kovaleski, Alyssa Lawrence, Logan London, Joe Madejski, Abigail Maines, Caitlin Malanowski, Sara Maxon, Samantha McClellan, Joshua Metzler, Meredith Patterson, Carol Pritchard, Katie Rustay, Emily Shabazz, Yasmeen Shabazz, Kiara Smith, Skyler Smith, Elizabeth Spies-Hunt, Karisa Stark, Evan Steier, Clara Stilwell, Michael Stilwell, Gabriell Struble, Catherine Thom, Savanah Wirth and Destiny Wolfe. The student crew members were;: Josh Budde, Emilee Barleben, Amber Barson, Desiree Barber, Emalynn Carr, Allison Carloni-Geldard, Josey Conn, Jared Hollinger, Danielle Miller, Bella Prest, Nicholas Reed, Katrina Smith, Angela Tarricone, Haley Wegman, Hannah Yocum, Elena Mergler, Bianca Stauffer, Jacob Squicciarini, Alex De Smit, Brittani Diaz, Ben Miller, Jordan Sanchez, Mikayla Yaskulski, Sierra Chudy, Zaria Rice and Zhoe Starkweather.

Corrinne Pahura reads a book about the flag to kindergarten students

Kindergarten students at Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School recently received a visit from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Strickland Post 4635. The ladies were at school to award the kindergarteners their very own American flag and present them with the Young American Award. The award is presented to students when they have properly learned the Pledge of Allegiance. Ladies Auxiliary representatives, Corrinne Pahura, Sue Boyce and Patricia Nolan, spoke to the students about the symbolism of the flag and how to properly treat the flag and to show respect.

The LINK May 2011

7ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

P.T.A. Wraps up a Busy Year!

Albion Middle School Celebrates Read Across America Day!

Filling Empty BowlsBy Melissa Symonds and Wynter Dumont

Orphan Trains – A Piece of Local History!

Middle School Wrestlers Receive Award!

P.T.A. Officers (l-r) Nicole McQurn, President; Kathy Harling, Treasurer;Megan Radder, Vice President and Karli Ward, Secretary.

The second PTA-sponsored dance for third- through fifth-grade students was held on Fri., March 11. The dance was well attended, with over 225 students present. DJ Jeff Radder put on another great show, assisted by announcer Cathy Schwenk. A boy versus girl dance-off was the highlight of the afternoon, with teacher chaperones voting for the winners. While both groups put forth a great effort, the break-dancing skills of the boys earned them the win over the girls. The last dance of the year for third- through fifth-graders will be held on Fri., May 6, from 3:30 – 5 p.m., in the elementary school gym. In addition, the PTA will host a dance for middle-school students that same evening from 6 to 8 p.m., in the elementary gym. The PTA, with the assistance of elementary school teachers and staff, organized a basket raffle in conjunction with the March PTA meeting. Baskets were donated by teachers in each grade level, as well as elementary office staff, district office staff and parents. In total, 19 baskets were raffled off. The donated baskets were outstanding, with themes such as “I Have a Green Thumb” and “Welcome to Spring.” The raffle raised over $700 to benefit our students and school. The PTA is extremely grateful for the support of such a wonderful group of teachers and staff. Many thanks to all who donated to the raffle! In April, the PTA held the first-ever “smencil” sale in honor of Earth Day. Smencils, (or “smelly pencils” as they are referred to by office staff and students alike) are scented pencils made of recycled newspaper. Smencils come in ten gourmet scents, which are guaranteed to last for two years. The smencils were a huge hit with students, with orders for over 300 coming in on the very first day of the sale. The Earth Day celebration continued in the month of April with a can and bottle drive. The PTA challenged students, teachers and staff to donate their unwanted cans and bottles to the school. All funds raised by the drive will be matched by the PTA and used to purchase energy-efficient products for the elementary school. The Campbell’s Soup Label drive has been resurrected. Our current balance is 29,900 credits and more labels are in the process of being counted. Our sincere thanks to the many parents who have generously volunteered their time to help count the labels. Credits are redeemed for products for the school including art supplies, classroom supplies and gym equipment. The soup can collection bin is located outside the main office so start saving those labels! On Sat., May 21, the PTA will host a Spring Celebration in the yard behind the school. This family fun festival will feature a free hot dog, drink and chips to all in attendance. In addition, kids will have the opportunity to play games and win prizes, have their faces painted, make edible sand art (sandy candy) and participate in other fun activities with friends and family. What a great way to enjoy quality family time as well as give students the opportunity to hang out with their friends outside the school setting. Volunteers will be needed for games and prize booths. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please e-mail us at albion_pta@yahoo.com. More information will be distributed as the Spring Celebration gets closer. We hope to see you there! The next PTA meeting will be Wed., May 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the elementary school media center. We will have refreshments, crafts and door prize giveaways. We would love for you to join us. Any questions or comments for the PTA can be directed to albion_pta@yahoo.com. Thank you for your continued support!

NEA’s (National Education Association) Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd - Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books. Middle School Librarian Mrs. Brady teamed up with Middle School Teacher Mrs. Berg to bring this reading activity to students at the Albion Middle School. Dressed in character, guest readers and students took turns reading different Dr. Seuss books during the morning. Albion Middle School faculty were not the only readers who donned a Cat In the Hat outfit to participate in Read Across America Day. First Lady Michelle Obama and NEA President Dennis Van Roekel welcomed a star-studded lineup of readers and 400 local schoolchildren to the Library of Congress today for the national kickoff of NEA's Read Across America.

Empty Bowls is a Service Learning project that is in its second year. The Empty Bowls project began as a way to raise awareness about the many people that go hungry each and every day in our own community and around the world. The event raises money to benefit the Orleans County Community Action Food Pantry. Mrs. Feder, the middle school art teacher, is the head of this event. She and her students begin making clay ceramic bowls months ahead of time for the dinner/auction. This year the community was invited to come in and make bowls to support the event during our Bowl-a-thon. In preparation for the event at the Albion Middle School, other students, faculty, and members from the community made bowls to be sold. A group of students met weekly to plan and organize the event. On March 31, 2011, the Empty Bowls event was held in the Albion Middle School cafeteria. The event drew a large crowd who gave a five dollar donation. In return they received a handmade bowl of their choice and a simple soup dinner. There was also a short student lead presentation on hunger in the community. That evening, we managed to raise over $1,300.00 which was donated to the Community Action Food Pantry. Whether dressed like a giant dancing bowl, making bowls or helping with sales, everyone had a really fun time and our work benefited the empty bowls in our own community.

Albion Middle School seventh graders (above l-r) Vladimir Mendoza, Katlin Pieniaszek, Israel Florentino, and Jonathan Welles demonstrate various jobs that NYC children did on the streets before being rescued and sent across the country to welcoming families on Orphan Trains. The trains stopped in Orleans County and left many young children here to be adopted and raised by local families. Bud and Holly Canham came to Mr. Archer's service learning classes to discuss this unique part of local history.

Modified Wrestling Coach Pat Holman presents

the Mike Hollenbeck award.

The Mike Hollenbeck award is given out each year to a junior high wrestler who demonstrates a high level of wrestling ability, sportsmanship, leadership, commitment and loyalty. This year, for the first time, a seventh grader and eighth grader were both selected for this award: Trey Hart (7th) and Mike Henshaw (8th). Congratulations to both young men. Look to hear about them on the JV and Varsity Wrestling squad in the future.

The LINK May 2011

8 ALBION CENTRAL SCHOOL --- Achievement, Character, and Success for Life!

Explorations Express

Express: an Explorations Program Journal

The Explorations Program is an enrichment program offered at the Middle School. The goal of the program is to provide students with unique learning experiences through small-group instruction, cross-disciplinary projects, and other challenging programs. Students from grades six through eight participate in the program. Students study the stock market, play chess, learn about astronomy, prepare for the SAT, and much, much more. Explorations students have several new opportunities this year. We have two new competitions. One is a competitive spelling program, and the other is a competitive geography competition. We also have a large group of students entering the New York State History Day competition. Finally, students in the Explorations Program can join our Journalism Team. The focus of that team is to create a newsletter for parents and staff, document the many happenings in the Explorations Program, and to find avenues to publish their written work in the community. This edition of The Link showcases some of our students' writings. Please look for our contributions in future editions.

Chess Dynasty?By: Albion Middle School student Cheyenna Eagle

Albion Elementary School Spelling Bee Winners Fifth-Grade Students Participate in Band Olympics

At the sound of a single word, the long game comes to an end. One team is giddy with the joy that accompanies a win. That team is the Albion team. What was that one powerful word? Well, that word would be “checkmate.” Starting out five years ago, there would have been few kids that even thought twice about joining a chess club. The expectation for turnout was low, and nobody ever could have imagined how much this club would grow. Now in the fifth year, the Albion chess club has grown from a small unknown club to an enormous group. Ranging from 20 to 50 students participating per year, this club helps the students think fast and quickly avoid problems that suddenly occur. This year, everybody knows what name to fear in the world of chess, and that name is Albion. Three years ago, the Albion Middle School chess team started competing in the high school league. The first year they competed they placed fifth, then sixth, but this year they shocked everyone jumping from good to stupendous. This year the middle school team earned in second place! While the middle school placed in second, the high school placed in fourth.

The Albion Elementary School completed their annual Spelling Bee for the fourth- and fifth-grade students on March 25. Three representatives were sent from each class to compete in the grade level bee. In preparation for the bee, each contestant was given a very long list of words to study for about 10 days. The top three spellers and an alternate went on to compete in the Niagara Region P.T.A. Spelling Bee which was held on April 9 at Tonawanda High School. The contestants are sponsored by the Elementary School P.T.A. The P.T.A. pays to send the contestants and for the awards. The fourth grade winners were Evan Allen, Brennan Moody and Mckenna Boyer. The alternate was Anna Geldard. Congratulations to all of our winners!

During the second marking period, fifth-grade band students took part in a competition in Mrs. Pritchett's instrumental lessons. Students earned points by attending lessons and band rehearsals, having a signed practice chart, and being able to play a variety of rhythms on their instruments. The students were excited throughout the competition as the point totals were extremely close. At the conclusion of the competition, the top-ten finishers received recognition during their morning band rehearsal with an

Olympic awards ceremony with the presentation of medals and ribbons. The Top Ten – Nathan Fearby (Gold Medal), Alexis Maines (Silver Medal), Rebekah Thompson (Bronze Medal), Andrew Moore (4th), Jules Hoepting (5th), Kaitlin Zwifka (6th), Justin Robinson (7th), Riley Seielstad (8th), Nate Smith (9th), and Erika Hryhorenko (10th). Congratulations to all students for their participation!

“Albion is becoming a bit legendary,” said Albion Explorations teacher, Mr. Keller. “We’re the team to beat.” Early on one of the advanced players was Joe Pearl; he won our first in-house tournament. The following year Cody Stymus and Nikiel Harden were two of the best players. Not to mention, the legendary Fitzak brothers, Nick and Alex. They were amazing then and continue to amaze now. They led their division to many wins this year. Nick also won the “Top Scorer” award this year. This year’s ninth grade class has an awesome group of chess players. These players include Brett Zicari, Robert June, Brandon Doyle, and Patrick Yannatone. Patrick secured first place for his team during the last match of the regular season. The chess players stay after during the week learning new moves and strategies. From all the hours and time that they put into this game, it’s no wonder that when they compete, they place so high. The longer this club goes the more and more students become interested in joining. Gaining speed with every win, these teams won’t stop until they reach the top of the ladder of success. Most people would think that being on the chess team would be just plain boring. That’s not the case here at Albion. The chess team is a fun and exciting way to learn how to escape problems, find solutions, and make new, competitive friends. So you decide, are these players just on a lucky streak or is this the start of a whole new type of dynasty? A chess dynasty.

Elementary Students Raise Money for Leukemia!By: Erika Hryhorenko

Pictured at the left: Members of the Elementary School Leadership Council

The students of the Albion Elementary School collected money for the Pennies for Patients program. The program supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Student Leadership Council was responsible for going room to room to collect money during the month-long project. This is the second year that the Elementary School has participated in this project. The total that we collected for Pennies for Patients was $1,276.14!