Eighth grade technology students at Jennie F. Snapp had the opportunity to launch rockets that they created during the week of May 20.

Mr. Howes launching a rocket

The students in Mr. Gravelding, Mr. Howes, and Mr. Kavulich's classes created the rockets as part of a Flight and Space unit in the Gateway to Technology (GTT) curriculum (the middle school precursor to the high school Project Lead the Way Program). The students rolled the rockets out of a material similar to wallpaper around a plastic mold, cutout and glued on fins, pack parachutes, and inserted different size engines. They were then launched over several days in the fields outside JFS.

Mr. Gravelding launching a rocket

The unit is a favorite among students and teachers, according to Mr. Gravelding and Mr. Howes.

The artistic creations of several U-E High School seniors are now on display in the UEHS Tree Room.

The lobby area is covered with paintings, sketches, pottery, and other works created in classes throughout the year by senior class art students.

A reception was held on May 23.

Some of the district's best fourth, fifth, and sixth grade music students performed at the District Office on May 20 for the annual recital in honor of R. Crawford Stahl.

The students performed solos in front of parents and judges and were selected based on their high NYSSMA performance scores. Two winners will be announced at awards ceremonies or concerts at the end of the year. R. Crawford Stahl was a music teacher at UE for 35 years. The Crawford Stahl Awards were first presented in 1984.

Here is a list of this year's participants: Stephanie Marco, viola and flute; Bailey Dupuy, cello; Alexander Tait, trumpet; Halle Quinones, violin; Austin Tleon, clarinet; Maggie Little, violin; Isaiah McMurray, viola; Rebeccalyn Barber, trumpet; Robbie Blay, violin; Alexander Cass, trombone; Eseoghene Amata, violin; Stephanie Marco, flute; Quinlan Ingraham, Alto Saxophone; Kevin McManus, violin; Mary Orji, tenor Saxophone; Alexandra Georgoudes, violin; Amy Tye, cello; and Emma Hubeny, viola.

Bravo!

Thomas J. Watson Principal Emily Regan celebrated the culmination of the school's Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) month by dressing up as Charlotte the Spider (from "Charlotte's Web") on May 17.

TJW students read over 100,000 minutes during PARP month. She is pictured with the top readers from each grade (right to left): Alexander Scalcione (third grade), Ava Vongkhamchanh (Kindergarten), Aiden Potter (fourth grade), Emma Moquin (second grade), and Emma Butler (first grade). The top reader for the fifth grade, Maura George, was unavailable for the photo.

More than 150 Union-Endicott High School students participated in mock interviews for the career of their choice during the school's "Resumania" event on May 22.

UEHS English teachers Dr. Reed, Mrs. Guccia, and Ms. Wood lined up community volunteers to interview the students and give helpful feedback at the District Office. Interviewers included district administrators, Broome County Sheriff David Harder, and various other members of the community and business world.

All of the students who participated are taking communications at UEHS.

Mrs. Brozovic's Participation in Government class hosted a schoolwide blood drive on May 23.

The drive, from 8-2, was the class's leadership project for the marking period. They were hoping for 150 donors and worked with the American Red Cross. The drive is timely because of the donations currently being asked for from the victims of the recent Oklahoma tornado tragedy.

All PIG students have to organize and execute a leadership project to pass the class.

It wasn't enough for Mrs. Krieger's English class at U-E High School to read "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare in class, they had to act it out complete with costumes and props in the UEHS Auditorium on May 23.

The students had fun dressing the part and acting out the play.

Miss New York will visit George F. Johnson Elementary in June thanks to the efforts of fifth grade student Colleen Denmon.

She made it her mission to raise enough money to invite Miss New York - Shannon Oliver - to bring her anti-bullying message to the school. Thanks to help from the community, Denmon has raised $350 to bring Oliver to GFJ for an anti-bullying program at 2 p.m. on June 4. Oliver, a trained diversity educator, travels around the state teaching students the importance of accepting their peers as unique individuals, rather than as members of a stereotyped demographic.

Colleen Denmon at her bottle drive on May 13

Denmon held a bottle drive on May 13 and also received support from the Union-Endicott Education Foundation and the GFJ Parent-Teacher Association.

The Food and Cultures class at U-E High School has been busy this year studying and sampling food from across the world.

Class sitting down to an Irish meal

Mrs. Rathfon said they welcomed two speakers recently: Cheryl Naslund, who presented a program on Argentina and Frank Roma, a UE graduate who presented a program on his many work related trips to Russia for consulting on their power plant facilities. Each speaker brought a new dimension to what local life is like for citizens of these countries.

Argentinian Meal

In addition, the class prepared menus with food from: Thailand, Madagascar, France, Argentina, Australia, and Ireland.

All four UE elementary schools have received bronze level awards from the US Department of Agriculture as part of its HealthierUS School Challenge.

From the May 6 UE BOE Meeting (l-r). Back row: BOCES Food Services Director Mark Bordreau, Legislator John Black, Legislator David Jensen, UE Food Services Director Tom Nunn, Food Service Site Manager Josie Henningsen. Front row: CFJ Principal Pamela Riddleberger, GFJ Interim Principal Pam Selitto, TJW Principal Emily Regan, AGM Principal Tim Lowie.

Ann G. McGuinness, Charles F. Johnson, George F. Johnson, and Thomas J. Watson are part of the three percent of 101,000 schools in the nation that will receive a HealthierUS status this year. Each school received a plaque, a banner, and a $500 check in recognition of their efforts. The school's principals and food service staff members were officially recognized on May 6 by the UE Board of Education as well as Broome County Legislators John Black and David Jensen.

For more information about the Challenge, please click HERE.

Local musician Jared Campbell performed two assemblies at George F. Johnson Elementary on May 6 to help with the school's anti-bullying efforts.

Campbell's performance was part of his "Blue Project." His visit was paid for and coordinated by the GFJ Student Government and PTA.

Jared with the GFJ Student Government

For more information on the Blue Project, visit Jared's website: http://jcblueproject.com/

Union-Endicott has received a safety award from Utica National Insurance for the tenth straight year.

The district was awarded with a School Safety Excellence Award - Titanium Level - the highest level possible in recognition of UE's efforts to create a safer school environment. This is the tenth straight year that UE has received the titanium level award from Utica National. All 10 plaques are now hanging in the UE District Office.

The 2013 plaque was presented to Director of Buildings and Grounds Gerald Abbey and School Safety Specialist Callie Kavleski by the UE Board of Education before their May 6 meeting.

If you have a district event to publicize, please send the details to:
Chris Schmidt, Public Information Coordinator, uetigers@uek12.org