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Veronica E. Connor Middle School 2007
Principal
Mr. Bruce F. Benson

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Connor Middle School News - May 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Thursday, May 24, 2007 . . .The 8th grade Spanish and French students will begin to take the New York State Proficiency Exam. The dates they will take place are: 5-22, 5-23, 5-24, 5-29, 5-30, and 5-31. Some students may have already taken their speaking test on May 17th. Students taking these exams will be given a pass to the office, and they should take no more than 15 minutes. Students will receive a grade out of 20. Most students may finish in 5 to 10 minutes, and they should also arrive a few minutes before their speaking time.
   There is no school on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day.
   Good luck to the orchestra students attending Spring Sting Fling at Houghton College. We hope you do a great job with your performance, and have just as much fun as you did last year.
   There are only three weeks of school left but students shouldn’t be winding down yet. The last report cards have not come in yet, they arrive after school ends.

Connor Middle School News - May 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Thursday, May 17, 2007 . . .The Kaleidoscope concert and the Connor Middle School Spring Instrumental Concert were great. The orchestras were amazing on Monday especially with the middle and high school orchestras combining to play Hatikva. The multiple different middle school groups did an outstanding job on Tuesday. The eighth graders were presented with roses on Monday and we will see them on Tuesday, June 19th for moving up day.
   The art show was set up in the Viking Mall in the high school on Monday, May 14 and kept there for a few days. The different pictures, drawings, and other works of art were phenomenal. Pieces from grades K to 8 were displayed. Some teachers even said they would buy the art pieces if they could!
   Tomorrow there will be a bomb drill at the Connor Middle School and Grand Island High School. Students will board buses and be evacuated to the elementary schools. Last year an apparent bomb threat at the school had made this an annual mandatory drill.

Connor Middle School Eighth Grade Honors Breakfast - May 2007

May 2007 . . . What started out with an eighth grade team leader collecting his Burger King gift certificates to treat those students who consistently excelled academically at Connor Middle School has now become a tradition know as the Eighth Grade Honors Breakfast. This event, held every May, celebrates those students who maintain academic averages on the Honor Roll or High Honor Roll for the first three semesters of the eighth grade. This year, students gathered before school on Friday, May 11th to enjoy a buffet breakfast, compliments of the Student Council and PTA. Mr. Robert Christmann, District Superintendent, and Mr. Bruce Benson, Connor Middle School Principal, offered some words of praise and encouragement. They say 'It takes a village to raise a child'. What a great job the village of Grand Island is doing to prepare our students to excel in life!

Connor Character Connection - April 2007
The recipients of this month’s Connor Middle School Connor Character Connection (C3) have been announced. The character trait selected for this month was Sportsmanship and student posters have been displayed in the front hall for the duration of the month of March. Those nominated were chosen for their character and ability to control themselves in sports, school and in life.

Students pictured (not in order): Michael Avery, Jessica Bamberg, Katie Brady, Dominique Degregorio, Sydney Dudish, Helen Eckman, Anna Ferrante, Michael Fitzgerald, Ashley Gorman, Taylor Marino, Courtney Mergel, Ryan Miller, Aren Shanor, Ashley Swiantek, Sarah Williams, Robert Vanthoff

Award Recipients Not Pictured: Jonathan Boorady, Donald Brant, Chris Field, Christian Gibson, Thomas Kalman, Jenna Lee, Jodi Lee, Sam Oursler, Shelby Milkas, Sarah Stanczyk, Ben Tomkins Click photo for larger view.
   This character initiative was implemented by the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports Committee (PBIS) at Connor Middle School as a supplement to the district goals of providing opportunities for Character Education. The faculty and staff at Connor Middle School are very proud of all of the award recipients. It has been observed that as the program has progressed throughout the year, it is having a positive impact on student attitudes and behaviors. Students view the wall that displays the awards and display with a sense of pride as they see themselves and their peers being honored for their actions.
   In April, in keeping with the uplifting weather of Spring, the Connor Character Connection trait is Cheerfulness. Teachers will be selecting students and staff who are full of good spirits, happy, willing, pleasantly bright, likely to dispel from gloom or worry.

Connor Middle School News - April 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Thursday, April 5, 2007 . . .The 3rd quarter has finally ended for Connor Middle School Students. Report cards should come in the next couple of weeks. Schedules for the 4th quarter were given out last week. There is no School Friday, April 6th as Spring Break begins; there is also no school through the 15th. School will resume Monday, April 16th.
   Great job to everyone performing in the school play. It was fantastic; it must have taken a lot of hard work. We can’t wait until next years play.

Connor Middle School Schoolhouse Rock Live Is Hit With Audience - April 2007

Jeff Stange Photos - click for full view
Schoolhouse Rock, Live, a musical presented by Connor Middle School students Tuesday evening, April 3, 2007 in the Grand Island High School auditorium, received a well deserved applause for their performance. High school social studies teacher, Michael DeDario, played the part of Mr. Mizer, the teacher. String orchestra teacher Debra Remson, directed and choreographed the show, with sets by Connor Middle School tech teacher Ed Anker. Costume designs were the work of Andrea Wilson, a high school art major. Student choreographers included Ashley Green and Kim Snell. The cast and crew celebrate their success with a cast party at the Niagara Sailing Club after the show. See "Cast/Crew"

Connor Character Connection - January 2007

Students pictured are (front left) Taylor Scheuing, Liz Kowalik, Kevina McCaw, Dylan Martinic, Kevin Salonek, Alexa Territo, Brianna McGuire, Jessica LoBrutto; (back) Cassandra Bennett, Brendon Lutnick, Brent Fred, A. J. Jasek, Allie DeMita, Brianna Beadles and Allison Donahue; Award recipients not picture are Christopher Rose, Thomas Petz, Jordan Davis, Bethany Cinelli, Cory Ludwig and Makallie Banker.
   Faculty and staff at Veronica Connor Middle School have announced the recipients of this month' Connor Character Connection (C3). The character trait that was selected for January was Kindness. Teachers were looking for students that displayed the willingness to perform good deeds and bring happiness to others.
   This character initiative was implemented by the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports Committee (PBIS) at Connor Middle School as a supplement to the district goals of providing opportunities for Character Education. The faculty and staff at Connor Middle School are very proud of all of the award recipients and see this as a wonderful opportunity to recognize and reward the positive attributes that many of the students display on a daily basis.
   The Connor Character Connection trait for February will be Respect. The nominated students will be civil, courteous, gracious, polite, and follow the Golden Rule. Students should be tolerant of others and of their differences, use good manners and language as well as deal peacefully with anger, insults or disagreements.
   In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., famous Civil Rights Leader, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically... Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

Connor Middle School News - 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Monday, January 29, 2007 . . . Because of two staff development days, there is no school on February 2nd, and February 8th is a half-day. Students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m.
   Last week's 8th grade orientation was great. Some of the featured classes and clubs were DECA, Art Club, and many others. The students did a great job setting up and the booths were very unique. The teachers gave interesting presentations on the classes available for freshmen next year. The high school students in the play gave us a sneak-peek at their performance and it was fantastic.
   Speaking of the play, the high school's “The Beauty and the Beast” play is being performed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of February at 7:30 p.m. and there will be a Saturday Matinee at 1 p.m.
   Yearbook order forms were sent out last week; each yearbook costs $10 and is in full color. The orders should be handed into the office.
   Our modified girls and guys basketball teams are doing great. Keep up the good work.

Connor Middle School News - January 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Monday, January 22, 2007 . . . According to business teacher, Mrs. Cheryl Chamberlain, there will be an added bonus to this year’s 8th grade orientation that will take place on Thursday, January 25th. All of the clubs and activities will be in the large gym and booths will be set up to entice incoming freshmen to join these worthwhile organizations. DECA, a business and marketing club, is just one of the many organizations taking part.
   As I said before, grades closed last week and report cards should be here soon. All students got there new schedules. If you have any problems with your new schedule you can see the guidance counselor. And the ELA state testing that took place last week is finally over.
   For any student interested, the school counselors are having a contest. In honor of National School Counseling Week, the school is looking for words of wisdom written by students. Any student may write something about being fair, honest, kind, trustworthy, and a good decision maker. A winner will be chosen from each topic and will be announced and given a gift. Winners will be announced during National School Counseling Week from February 5th to the 9th. Entry forms may be picked up in student services and returned to student services by January 30th.
   For anyone interested, next week the high school musical is being performed. They are performing “Beauty and the Beast” on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of February at 7:30 p.m. I am sure they will be great. Click for Times/Ticket Information

Connor Middle School News - January 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Monday, January 15, 2007 . . . We are still encouraging everyone to take part in this year's play “Schoolhouse Rock-Live.” The auditions are on January 22nd and January 23rd and packets may still be picked up from Miss Remson in the high school.
   Thank you for buying carnations all of last week. They are being delivered on Valentine's Day, Wednesday February 14th to the day 1 mod 1 classes.
   Attention girls grades 6 through 8, there is a technology conference at the University of Buffalo on March 17th. For a small fee of $5.00 per person, you can meet professional women who can share information about different careers. This includes workshops, and lunch. You may go to student services for more questions.
   The end of the second quarter is this Friday, so report cards should be in the mail within the next couple of weeks.

Connor Middle School News
Back To School - January 2007
By Brooke Chamberlain (8th grade) - Student Writer
   Monday, January 8, 2007 . . .Welcome back to school students and teachers. Our first week back in the New Year and still no snow! There was no ski club last week, but it should hopefully resume this Saturday. And the school musical is here. This year we will be performing “Schoolhouse Rock-Live.” The auditions are January 22nd and the 23rd, and any students interested should pick up an audition packet from Miss Remson starting January 8th. The scripts are also available in the library.
   All County auditions are this week on Saturday, January 13th for all who are trying out. Also, there is no school on the 15th. And what everyone has been waiting for, New York State ELA Exams take place from January 16th to January 19th for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. The end of the second quarter is the 19th.