Willets Road Celebrates Anti-Bullying Month

Willets Road Anti-Bullying Pledge

Be an Upstander!

In recognition of National Anti-Bullying month, all the students at the Willets Road School are attending a workshop presented by our guidance counselors Mr. Stander and Mrs. Stein.  The workshop offers students strategies to combat bullying in school, in our community, and in cyber-space.  The central theme of the workshop is to Be an Upstander not a bystander.  Students learned that they need to develop the courage to report bullying to a trusted adult at school and to their parents at home.  Additionally, bullying may be reported anonymously via a link on our school's website or by written form in the drop box located in the guidance wing.  I'd like to offer a special thank you to our counseling staff for their dedication to this terrific program and to Mrs. Hardy for creating the fantastic pledge banner that our students are signing.  When you visit Willets, please stop by our guidance wing to take look.

 

6th Grade Student Government Election Assembly

 

 

During the second half of lunch today, our 6th grade students had the opportunity to hear the platform speeches of our four outstanding candidates for the position of 6th grade Vice President. Each candidate delivered a superb speech. The candidates were poised, confident, and well versed on the issues that affect 6th grade students. Additionally, all the candidates spoke of the charitable efforts they would like our school to participate in. After the speeches, I offered my praise and best wishes to the candidates. I expressed, regardless of the election outcome, they are all leaders within our school and their future commitment and leadership is invaluable.

 



 

Welcome Back to My Blog!

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents,                                                                                October 2012

It’s hard to believe that it’s mid-October already. For me, it seems that time moves faster each year as both my children grow and I get older. This year my older daughter started high school and my younger daughter is completing her last year of middle school. For my wife and me, it’s as if we blinked our eyes and magically two young women live with us. Incredible!

As parents, it’s critical that we always view our children’s educational experience through multiple lenses. First, we need to ensure that our kids are going to school feeling safe, respected, and cared for. Second, we need to know that our children are surrounded by a faculty and staff that will do whatever is necessary to help them learn and grow as young adolescents. Third, we want to see that our children are being challenged each day, pushed to think critically, expanding their knowledge, and seeing things from different perspectives and points of view. Finally, we want our children to smile, laugh, learn and feel that school is a very special place to be.

This year, as we meet the challenges of State and Federal initiatives and mandates, I assure you that your children (and mine) are in good hands. They are indeed surrounded by teachers who will inspire them and bring them to new levels of success and achievement. Within the new Common Core State Standards, our commitment to your children remains steadfast. We will continue to make learning creative, challenging, engaging, and fun by creating interdisciplinary learning experiences, reading higher-level texts, developing highly skilled writers, and designing assessments that are interesting and authentic.

As educators we will focus on bringing state-of-the-art technology to our classrooms. We will create challenging units of study that inspire our students to model the behavior of scientists, mathematicians, writers, poets, artists, and musicians. We will inspire our students to become creative problem solvers and global thinkers. We will foster an environment of kindness, care, respect, and honor for all.

As much as I want time to slow down, I have a sneaky feeling this year is going to be a quick one too! I want to thank you for your continued support of our school and its mission. Together, we will make a difference in the lives of our children and each other.

Best wishes,

Stephen Kimmel

Principal

Tourette Syndrome Association Visits Willets Road

 

On Wednesday, October 10th, representatives of the Tourette Syndrome Association (insert names) along with members of the TSA Youth Ambassador Program presented What is Tourette Syndrome to our 5th and 6th grade students and staff.  Youth Ambassadors, Jared and Tyler Bloch taught our students about this prevalent medical condition that affects many children and adults.  The program included a presentation of the facts, symptoms, and myths about TS.  Jared and Tyler also led the students through an activity that simulated what its like to live with TS.  One of our courageous Willets Road students also presented and answered questions about his experience with TS.  I am so proud of our students for their sense of interest in understanding TS and the compassion they expressed in helping people with this condition.

Willets Road Spark Leadership Team

The SPARK Leadership visited the Avalon assisted living facility in Westbury on June 6.  Our students sung songs, played music, did a craft project with the residents, and served delicious treats.  What a wonderful way for our students to develop their leadership skills, build self-confidence, and give back to our community.  We are so very proud of them!  Special thanks to Mr. Stander and Dr. Ozimkowski who advise the team.

Willets Road SPARK Leadership Team in Action!

This month the Spark Leadership Team’s 40 members (6^th & 7^th grade) are learning about the leadership quality of “Confidence”…and they are building their confidence by heading over to the North Side School to work with the Kindergarten students on a Social Emotional Learning Project.  Team members will be in the Kindergarten classes throughout the month of March and April to read and discuss various social & emotional topics that Kindergarten students often face.  The team is energized to make a difference!    

Nassau County Veterans of Foreign Wars Visit Willets Road

On Friday, January 20th members of the Nassau County Council of Veterans of Foreign Wars visited Willets Road to present 6th grade student Megan Kirschner with a certificate and award for her participation in the 2011 Veterans Day ceremony.  Megan memorized and read a poem paying tribute to our veterans.  The members of the chapter under the leadership of Commander Charles Boyd, visited Mr. Roaldsen's social studies class to present the award.  Mr. Kimmel shared with the students the mission of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization and discussed the importance of recognizing the commitment and sacrifice that the men and woman of our Armed Forces make to protect our freedom and way of life as Americans.

It was an honor and privilege to have theses American Heroes visit our school.  Way to go Meagan!!!

Klezmer All Stars Visit Willets Road

The Willets Road School PTO Cultural Arts Program was proud to host renown klezmer music artist Frank London and his band the Klezmer All Stars on Friday, January 6th. Frank London and his band played a wonderful concert for our entire school community.  The performance also featured a lesson on how klezmer music is played on the typical musical instruments associated with this music genre.  We thank the director of our district cultural arts program Mr. Mark Meyers for bringing this amazing performance to our school.