THE WINCH WORD
V OLUME 17, I SSUE 4
Annual Bring a Parent to School Day
Thursday, February 6, 2014
See page 6 in this newsletter for the
registration form. Registration is mandatory.
Light breakfast and spending the
morning with your students adds up to
a Fun Time! Hope to see you there!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
J ANUARY 2014
Bulldogs Against Bullies 
We will not bully others.

We will try to help students who are bullied.

We will make it a point to include
students who are easily left out.

If we know someone is being bullied, we will tell a teacher at school
and an adult at home.
The mission of the South Glens Falls
Middle School is to develop motivated
learners who will demonstrate both the
social and academic skills, make a successful transition from childhood to adulthood, and become responsible citizens of
their local and global community.
2
Breakfast and lunch
3
Calendar of Events
Spelling Bee
4
Art, Music & Technology
5
Memory Book and Missing Homework
6
Bring a Parent to School Flyer
At OLIVER W. WINCH MIDDLE SCHOOL
the students and staff:
7
Minds On Pictures
Respect themselves, each other, and the
rules of the school.
8
7th &8th Grade White Team News
Value the commitment to do their personal best.
9
7th Grade Blue Team News
Express caring attitudes toward each other.
10-18
Red 7 News, Teen Town, Library News,
and Family Fitness Night
Work together to make their school better.
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ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Please help us to avoid the problems caused by students loitering in the neighborhood. To be a good neighbor, students should enter the building directly from their buses at 7:41 AM. For all non-bus students the front door will be opened at 7:30 AM. Students who arrive at school prior to
7:41 will be directed to the LGI to sit until they are released to their lockers at 7:42.
At the 2:11 dismissal bell, bus students will go to the loading area at the back of the building. All non-bus students should exit the front of the
building and head directly home. Students waiting for a ride must wait on school district property.
Late detention will run from 2:15 to 4:30 PM
The activity period runs after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:15 to 3:20 PM. Regular detention is scheduled from 2:15
to 3:20 PM and late detention is from 2:15 to 4:30 PM. School transportation will be provided following all scheduled sessions. Following the detention
period, students should follow the instructions of the detention supervisor regarding the boarding of buses. Procedure for non-bus students is the same as
after school.
Under no circumstances, at arrival or dismissal, should students loiter in the neighborhood. Building administrators, as well as local law enforcement officials, will be working together to educate our students with regard to loitering, trespassing, and disorderly conduct issues. Most importantly, we will demand that our students show respect for our neighbors and their property. Student and parent cooperation with this process will be greatly
appreciated.
Parents, when picking up or dropping off your child in the front of the school, please practice all of the rules of safe driving. In the morning, please pull up on Hudson Street towards the north end of the school and the Student Drop Off sign to avoid
blocking access to the south end lot. Please avoid using neighborhood driveways or U-turns to navigate on Hudson Street. Also
help by directing your child to utilize the cross walks. Your efforts to keep our arrival and dismissal safe are greatly appreciated!
The South Glens Falls Central School District hereby advises students, parents, employees, and the general public that it offers employment and educational opportunities, including career and technical education opportunities, without regard to gender, race, color,
national origin, or disability. Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the individuals listed below:
Inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy may be directed to:
Title IX Coordinator (sex discrimination) Section 504 Coordinator (disability discrimination)
Audrey Varney
Kristine Orr
Title IX Coordinator
504 Coordinator
6 Bluebird Road
6 Bluebird Road
South Glens Falls, NY 12803
South Glens Falls, NY 12803
518-793-9617
518-793-9617
Please Provide Notes for Absences
An unexcused absence, or being absent from school without a legal excuse, is not acceptable. For an absence to be considered excused a written note signed by the parent or guardian will need to be supplied to the school.
State law dictates that the only lawful excuses for absence or tardiness are sickness, serious illness or death in the family, weather or impassable
roads, religious observance, quarantine, court appearance, music lessons, attendance at organized clinics, remedial health treatment, an approved cooperative work program, or an approved educational field trip.
If you have any questions regarding attendance notes, please contact Mrs. Meade in the Middle School main office at 792-5891.
Breakfast and lunch are available for students at the Oliver W. Winch Middle School.
For 2013-2014 breakfast will cost $1.00
cents and lunch will be $1.90.
In this section we will note important events that occur in the middle school community. Students, parents, faculty and staff are encouraged to
submit items to Tracy Paris in the main office by the third Wednesday of each month for publishing.
*Events are located at the Oliver W. Winch Middle School unless stated otherwise.
January 6
January 10
January 13
January 15
January 16
January 20
January 30
January 31
January 31
February 6
Classes Resume
Teen Town sponsored by SADD
Home School Association Meeting
Spelling Bee
Spelling Bee– Snow Day
Martin Luther King Day– No classes
8th grade Transition program at the High School
2nd Quarter Marking Period Ends
Superintendent’s Conference Day
Annual Bring a Parent to School Day
7:00-9:00 pm
6:30 PM Library
The Oliver W. Winch School Wide Spelling Bee Contest will be
held in the Large Group Instruction Room on January 15, 2103.
Three student-participants from each grade level and team will
have qualified for this spectacular and competitive event. The
winner of the school wide bee will qualify for the televised
Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in Troy at Proctors Theater. Good
luck spellers!
Art,
Music &
Music Notes
Congratulations to the following 7th and 8th grade students that were selected to participate in the
All County Choral Festival in February.
Technology
Artist of the Month
Erica Paton
Abby Corentto
Abby Glans
Olivia Brynes
Abby Fuller
Brandon Sarti
Anthony Migliori
Frankie Triolo
Josh Daley
Bryan Currie
Mrs. Adie’s
8 Grade Art Class
th
Mrs. Adie has created an online art gallery for her 8th
grade art students on Artsonia ( www.artsonia.com),
the largest online student art museum. OWMS joins
thousands of students whose artwork is showcased on
Artsonia. It is a wonderful way to get parents and family
members more involved.
Artsonia takes technology in the art room to a new level.
Anyone can view the artwork online, leave comments
in the artist guestbook and may purchase keepsakes
with the student’s artwork, and 20% of the revenue is
given back to the school art program.
Permission slips were sent home with students and
only students with permission from their parents are
able to participate. Call or email adiek@sgfallssd.org
for more information.
Anyone can view the school gallery online at:
www.artsonia.com/schools/OliverWWinch1. Visitors
can browse the artwork in the school gallery by grade
level or by specific exhibits. More artwork will be coming!
Each month the art department picks out a
student creation to display in the HSA Artist
Spotlight showcase. The artist of the month
for December is Erica Paton from
Mrs. Adie’s 8th grade art class. Erica’s artwork is a collage of linoleum block prints inspired by the Pop Art of Andy Warhol.
Art Enrichment
The fall session of Art Enrichment concluded
with a holiday party where students created
holiday cards.
The winter session starts January 8th. See
Mrs. Adie in room 204 for more information.
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Memory Book Club
PLEASE join! Every student is welcome! The meetings will be held after school in Mrs. Dempsey’s room. Listen to morning announcements for the specific date. Help us create this year’s Middle School Yearbook.
Pre- Order your Memory Book
ONLINE at balfour.com
Click on “Yearbook” & enter our school (Oliver Winch)
Below the yearbook picture, select ‘Add to Cart’
Enter Student Information
Enter buyer information & payment method.
** Price $29+ $1.00 (handling fee) = $30.00 at checkout or to Mrs. Dempsey.
Checkout! – Yearbooks will arrive in homerooms in June.
Missing Homework . . .
When your student is ill and will
be out for more than one day, please
call our Guidance Department at 7925891. Guidance Secretary Mrs. Hope
Barber will assist you in getting work for
your child. She will notify your child's
teachers and collect work in the Guidance Office. Work can be picked up
there after 2:45 PM on the day that you
call.
Students are encouraged to develop homework buddies for each class
that they have. By doing so, students can
call each other and share information
regarding assignments as needed.
This district wide character education effort addresses the values of Respect, Responsibility, Trust and Citizenship as reflected in Bulldog Pride.
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OLIVER W. WINCH MIDDLE SCHOOL
ANNUAL BRING A PARENT TO SCHOOL
DAY
T HURSDAY , F EBRUARY 06, 2014
[Mandatory Registration form due January 30, 2014]
7:30 to 7:45 AM
Greeting and Light Breakfast
7:30 AM
Guest Badges and Visitor Information Distributed
7:45 AM
Parents and Students to Homeroom
7:55 to 10:50 AM
Parents and Students to Periods 1, 2, 3, & 4
10:50 AM
End of Program
Registration is simple but mandatory. Just fill out this form and return it to the Assistant Principal’s office by Thursday, January 30, 2014. This will allow us to make arrangements for classroom seating and breakfast.
Name of Student
________________________________________________________
Name of Visiting Parent(s)
_________________________________________________________
Grade Level (Circle)
6
Team (Circle)
6 Green
6 Orange
6 Purple
7 Red
7 Blue
7 White
8 White
8 Red
7
8
6 Yellow
Silver
8 Blue
H OME P HONE
________________________________________________________
e-mail Address
________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone
________________________________________________________
***The phone numbers/e-mail may be used to confirm attendance. If you have any questions or concerns about the day,
please call 792-5891 or email Wendy Morin at morinw@sgfallssd.org . ***
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On November 25, 2013 over 40 OWMS students
participated in an Enrichment Program at the
Queensbury Hotel called Minds On. The program
is hosted by the Rensselaerville Institute and was
sponsored by our Home School Association and the
Guidance Student Support Fund. Students participated in one of four programs- The Underground
Railroad, Math Enrichment, Frightening Fiction
and DNA Goes Bananas. Our students enjoyed a
fun filled day of hands on learning!
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White Team 7 & 8 News
Student of Month
The White Team is proud to announce our Students of the Month for the month of November. The 7th grade Student of the
Month for November is Chad Combs. Chad has been a great addition to the White Team this year, and we are proud of his work
completion and class participation. He is a great asset to our team.
The 8th grade Student of the Month for November is Katie Holodook. Katie is actively involved in school activities, and sets
a positive example for other students. Her class participation is outstanding, and her work ethic provides a good model for others.
Students of the Month receive a Certificate of Excellence and a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Barnes and Noble.
White Team Science
The 8th grade White Team students studied Motion and Forces, as well as Simple Machines throughout December. They conducted a
variety of lab activities, from experimenting with race cars and a balloon rocket, to building a sling shot and using other simple machines. They will begin studying Density in January.
The 7th grade White Team students recently completed their unit on genetics and heredity. They completed a lab to solve a crime, as
well as constructed models of DNA. They will begin their study of classification and diversity in January.
White Team English
Mr. Philo’s White Team English 8 classes are working towards the completion of our Progressive Era unit. We are currently in the
nonfiction book Flesh and Blood So Cheap. The tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in 1911 is explored as well as many
elements of the Progressive Era. After the Christmas break we will be wrapping up the unit with individual projects on different aspects of the Progressive Era.
For seventh grade, we just finished reading Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, the thrilling story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914
expedition to Antarctica. Shackleton wanted to be the first explorer to cross the continent of Antarctica, but he and his crew found
disaster instead. This nonfiction book tells us the life-threatening conditions he faced as he and his men tried to survive one of the
harshest places found on Earth. After the Christmas break we will begin a poetry unit.
White Team Social Studies
In 8th Grade Social Studies, we have spent the past few weeks covering the Progressive Era. We will begin to cover Imperialism after
the break, which begins our study of modern American history. Students just completed some amazing Free Choice projects dealing
with Progressive Era reform; I am very proud of their efforts!
In 7th Grade Social Studies, we have spent the past few weeks covering the causes of the American Revolution. We will cover the
war in depth after the break. This is a challenging subject, so please reinforce the need to keep up with homework and study vocabulary at home; this will definitely help students understand the material more effectively.
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BLUE 7 NEWS AND NOTES
Our Blue Team students of the month for November!
Here’s what’s going on in the classroom--Science: Following the Holiday Break we will be studying Human Body Systems.
Social Studies and ELA: Early in 2014 students will be reading Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson in both ELA and social
studies classes. To accompany this piece of literature (fiction) students will also be reading about the story of Solomon Northup, a
man with local ties to the Saratoga area, as he struggles to regain his freedom.
A quick reminder to continue
checking the Blue 7 Team
Webpage for homework
assignments, upcoming tests
and
quizzes and other important
information for your child.
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RED 7 NEWS
ELA
Quarter 2 Essential Question:
How do selfless acts impact a person, others, and the world community?
The Red 7 students are in the process of wrapping up our Helen Keller Unit. This has been such a
rewarding experience for both teachers and students respectively. The students spent a great deal of time
immersing themselves into Helen Keller’s world. We have role played and spoke with individuals who
were afflicted with either deafness or blindness. We simulated various activities, engaged in in-depth discussion, and have grown in the understanding of how truly remarkable Helen Keller was. She was a true
inspiration to all
Speaking of selfless acts: We are proud to report that our Red 7 kids
donated $130.00 to support the upcoming South High Marathon
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The Learning Bricks
Young minds use knowledge to construct thought,
Carefully building with scaffolded bricks,
Layering ideas to form a firm wall
With underpinning core standards the base of it all.
They inquire, investigate, analyze,
The wording of a poem, a story, or an essay;
Understand a character’s motives, or
What is literal, figurative, or implied.
Study writers who craft pictures and mirror lives in
Plots, subplots, themes, and points of view.
Listen to student speeches, confidently delivered.
Create projects, presentations to portray insight and imagination.
Discuss, debate, peer review, and share wisdom.
Achieve collegiality, collaboration, classroom community.
Arrange sentence parts to convey clarity and concision.
Rearrange, expand, organize, edit, and revise.
Grapple with options of formal and informal language.
Employ fundamentals of style, syntax, and structure.
Brick upon brick core standards build thinking mindsMinds, strong walls, solid enough to debate and respond to inquiry,
Stalwart enough to apply learning to innovative products.
These minds, constructed on strategic foundations,
Withstand the rigors and challenges of life-long learning.
`Marge Bloom
THE WINCH WORD 11
Home and Careers
We recently finished up our entrepreneurship unit. All 5 of the classes worked very hard and it paid
off! They all had very successful businesses. They will be enjoying their profits on December 19th.
December 18th kicks off the first Real Food Challenge of the year. Letters F, L, R, and X will kick us
off. They will be reporting on a fruit, vegetable, or whole grain. The challenges will run monthly through
June. It keeps the message of eating real food going all year.
Lastly, we have started our centers in the clothing unit. We will spend 10 days working in 4 different
centers. By day 10 we should have constructed 20 – 24 walker bags that will be donated to hospitals and
nursing homes. The fashion research assignment will be due on January 22nd. This assignment focuses on a particular time period for each student. We will learn about clothing through the ages.
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SCIENCE
Science classes have completed our review of Genetics and will begin studying the Human
Body Systems when we return from holiday break in January. Human body systems we will
begin with include: Lymphatic, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Muscular & Skeletal Systems.
Remember to visit our Red 7 Team web page for the week’s assignments and other science
related information. As always, I encourage you to contact me if there are any questions or
concerns. Thank you for your continued support.
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MATH
This year all seventh grade students have online access to the Digits by Pearson website.
Each student has been provided with a new username and password. The website is full of
resources for both parents and students. Please see the flyer for more information. If you
have any questions please contact me, Blythe Hveem, at hubertb@sgfallssd.org.
Please be reminded that every student needs a scientific calculator for everyday use in the
classroom and for the state test on April 30th, May 1st and 2nd. It is important for students to
have the calculator they will be using for the state test in class in order to learn all the functions. Scientific calculators can be purchased at Walmart, Staples, Target, or K-mart. A scientific calculator should not cost more than $20.
Digits_Parent_Letter
_SNP_access.pdf
This is a fantastic resource.
THE WINCH WORD 14
SOCIAL STUDIES
We have been studying Chapter 5, the “Beginning of an American Identity.”
Focus has been placed on early American culture, the roots of representative
government and the French and Indian War. We are headed into the causes of
the American Revolutionary War time period.
Helping Hands Club
The club has been very busy! December 6th was our
annual Teen Town. Thank you to all who chaperoned for us that evening. We could have not
done it without you!
We also held our annual food drive the week of
December 9th. Thank you to all who brought in cans and
boxes of food. All of the items were donated to the
Moreau Community Center.
Lastly this month the club members are selling Make-AWish Stars. All of the proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish
foundation. With this money, wishes are granted to very
sick children in our area. Thank you to all who purchased
a star. Members will be selling them through December
20th.
The Helping Hands Club wishes everyone a happy holiday season and best wishes for a happy
and healthy 2014.
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Oliver W. Winch Middle School
October 1, 2013
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Each year our school clubs and organizations take turns sponsoring a Teen Town. A Teen Town is
not just a dance. The kids also play sports, board games and just have a great time socializing. Teen Towns
are held once a month from September through April. They are always held on a Friday night from 7:00
to 9:00 PM. Below is our Teen Town Schedule for this school year. Parent support is critical. In order to
hold a Teen Town we must have 45 parent chaperones. Without the minimum number of chaperones, we
are forced to cancel!
We are again asking our parents or guardians to register online at www.sgfallssd.org if you are able
to donate some time to chaperone at one or more of our Teen Towns this year. Registration consists of
giving your name, email address and/or phone number and then you check yes or no if you are able to
chaperone the current Teen Town. If you are not able to register online, you can simply call the main office at 792-5891, extension 20100 to register. Each month you will receive an email as a reminder that if
you are available to chaperone at the next Teen Town you need to go online and type in only your name
and click yes or no. If you initially called to register, we will give you a call to see if you are available to
chaperone. It’s quick; it’s easy and such a huge help!
All of the club advisors and students truly appreciate your help and support. With you, our Teen
Towns can be a great success! The students, clubs and organizations of Oliver W. Winch Middle School,
thank you very much!
2013-2014 Teen Town Schedule
January 10, 2014
SADD
7:00 - 9:00 PM
February 7, 2014
International Club 7:00 - 9:00 PM
March 21, 2014
Student Council
7:00 - 9:00 PM
April 4, 2014
Student Fund
7:00 - 9:00 PM
THE WINCH WORD 16
Library News
December is upon us already.
December 9th and 11th Ms. Cornell’s 7 Red students are working on the Real Food Challenge and beginning the Clothing Through the Ages research project. For this project students will be using the
bookmarking site Diigo.
December 10th, 12th, 13th, 16th-20th, Mr. Dicken’s 8 Red students are working on beginning their research project on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
Our “Holiday Book Fair” was the week of December 2nd. Thank you to all those families who supported our school library through the book fair.
The 6th grade Green Team will be visiting the library to sign up for Noodletools, to learn more about
creating a works cited for their upcoming research project on Ancient China.
Mrs. Harrison’s Orange Team students will be coming to the library this month to begin their research on people, organizations, that have had positive impact on our world.
The library has adopted a family for Christmas this year through the Moreau Community Center. We
have faculty and staff buy gifts for the family who are in need and the presents are delivered to the
Moreau Community Center to be delivered to the family before Christmas.
Since September the number of students who visited the library is 2387. Circulation stats since September are 1573. The most popular book for those months is Game Changers.
Just a friendly reminder, if students go to the Middle School Library page, they can access Overdrive,
which is a collection of ebooks and audiobooks that can be downloaded to any device. A username
and password is needed, just visit the library for more information.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season.
Remember: Keep reading!!
Mrs. Borgeest
Library Media Specialist
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Oliver W. Winch Middle School
“A School To Watch”
NON PROFIT
ORG
OLIVER W. WINCH MIDDLE SCHOOL
99 Hudson Street
South Glens Falls, New York 12803
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PAID
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PERMIT 511
THE WINCH WORD 19