Dear Panther Community,
It seems like just the other day that the 2009-2010 school year began, but January is here. January is a very important month here at Wallkill Senior High School. We will end our first semester on Friday, January 29, 2010. This is the time of year where students are taking important tests such as Regents, mid-term exams, and final exams for half-year courses. Please spend time during the next few weeks of the semester making sure students are completing all class work and studying for their exams.
Regents Week will begin on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 and will end on Friday, January 29, 2010. We will be posting the exam and bus schedule on our website. Each student should know his or her exam schedule. The second semester and third quarter will begin on Monday, February 1, 2010.
A reminder to all students taking the ELA regents on January 27, 2010 and January 28, 2010: All students in eleventh grade English classes at Wallkill Senior High School and BOCES Career Tech are expected to participate.
As we continue to move through the school year, our teachers are working meticulously in their professional learning communities to analyze data to guide instruction. For example, our professional learning communities are analyzing formative and summative test results to improve student academic achievement and to create meaningful instruction to guide students in their learning. I’m confident that through this process not only will our test results increase, but that our instruction will be focused on the needs of all our students.
The month of January promises to be a busy month for extra-curricular activities. The winter sports season is well underway. Please check the schedules of the various athletic events on our website. We enjoy the attendance of our community members in support of our athletes. As always, our various clubs have a lot going on to assist with the school and local communities.
In December, the high school started the after school homework lab. The homework lab will be held every Tuesday and Thursday each week in room 127. It will begin at 2:30 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. Each session has one teacher assigned to assist students with any questions they may have. The students must sign up for the homework lab during the school day in the main office. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to complete their homework and receive any assistance they may need.
As we all know, these are difficult economic times through which we are living. I am proud to tell you that our students and faculty worked hard during the holiday time to enrich the lives of so many. Please allow me to tell you of the accomplishments of our school community.
The Student Government Association was involved in myriad activities such as:
• Holding our annual Senior Citizens Breakfast
• Leptondale Leadership Event
• Fall food drive
• Harlem Magic Masters Program
• Family Coat Drive
• McQuade’s Children Services Holiday Gift Drive
• Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party
The Leo’s Club was quite busy as well with the following activities:
• Participation in the Wallkill Woman’s Club Walk for Breast Cancer
• Creation and running of a haunted house for elementary students
• Wallkill Reformed Church Thanksgiving Food Drive/Delivery
• Volunteered at the Wallkill Fire House Dinner
• Gift drive and collection of donations through the community service organization, The Paper Chain
The National Honor Society has done a wonderful job of involving themselves in several activities. The following highlights their participation:
• Juvenile Diabetes Walk
• Breast Cancer Walk for the Woman’s Club in Wallkill
• Breast Cancer Walk in Woodbury Commons
• Leptondale 50th Anniversary Celebration
• Wallkill Library Used Book Sale
• Open House
• Freshman Orientation
• Faculty Tea
• Thanksgiving Food Basket donation to the Fishes and Loaves Pantry
• Baking for nursing home
The following are times of upcoming events/meetings in the month of January.
• P.T.S.A. Meeting - January 11, 2010 - High School Library - 7:00 p.m.
• Senior Celebration - January 12, 2010 - High School Library - 7:00 p.m.
• Regents Week - January 26-29, 2010
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I welcome hearing from you.
Have a great month!
Sincerely,
David Bernsley |
