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Veronica E. Connor Middle School 2009
Principal
Mr. Bruce F. Benson

Veronica Connor Middle School District's Web Page.

Previous Middle School News Pages

Seventh Grade Student Is Connor’s Monthly Master - Jackeline Wilson - June 2009

   The final “Connor’s Monthly Master” for the 2008-2009 school year is seventh grade student Jackeline Wilson. Jackeline has liked and valued art for as long as she can remember. She says, “Art is important because it brings something different into your everyday life.” Although many artists and all kinds of art interest her, she is personally fond of working in either paint or pencil. In her free time, Jackeline likes to draw, paint and listen to music. She is pictured here holding her latest abstract works. Painted to the music of Cole Porter and Van Morrison, both works translate musical sounds and patterns into rhythmic marks and rich color harmonies. They are her favorite works yet. A natural painter, Jacqueline’s talent seems to run in her family; she has an aunt who she says is a gifted painter as well. Jackeline counts her seventh grade art class as being among her favorite art experiences and her teacher, Nora Klein, on behalf of the VCMS Art Department, would like to acknowledge her outstanding work, achievements and efforts by selecting her as the June, 2009 Monthly Master.

Modified Softball Completes 2nd Undefeated Season In Row - June 2009

(top row) Coach Meaney, R. Russell, J. Paternostro, E.E. Edwards, J. Amsdill, C. Alcorn, A. Kalinowski, Scorekeeper T. Moran; (middle) J. Sheehan, G. Scherrer, B. Little, K. Kalman, N. Argy, E. Glose, M. Ruffolo; (bottom) Captain M. Gibson, Asst. Captain J. Kelly.
Click photo for larger view
   The Connor Middle School Modified Softball program showed itself to be the class of the Niagara Frontier League once again, taking the field 14 times and coming away victorious each game. The girls are a well-oiled hitting, pitching, and fielding machine that will no doubt continue their success throughout their high school years.
   The team had 11 new players from last year's dominant squad and didn't miss a beat. The seventh graders included Natalie Argy, an outstanding player who had the team's third highest batting average (BA). Natalie loves the game and always brought a positive attitude to the ballpark -- we hope to see more of her as a lefty next year. Emily Edwards played a very solid first base and wants to hone her skills at every turn. Jillian Sheehan was an exciting lefty pitcher who won two games and also saw some quality time at first base. Jillian will be an important part of the rotation next season. Alexa Kalinowski was a versatile player with a great deal of energy who saw time at second base and the outfield. Kristy Kalman continued to improve as the season went by, bringing her on-base percentage (OB%) up over .600 by the end of the year. Jenna Paternostro had a .500 OB% and played a solid outfield in her contribution to the team. Brittany Little took over some of the catching duties as the season moved along and did a fine job. Brittany led the team in walks; perhaps because of her familiarity with the strike zone. Emily Glose brought some spark to the team, playing with heart and dedication. Emily also provided the team with an excellent commemorative DVD of the season. Other seventh graders included Marissa Ruffolo, Grace Scherrer, and Assistant Captain Julia Kelly. These three provided a good deal of offensive firepower and fielding savvy. Ruffolo led the team in home runs and played the infield corners flawlessly. Some shots were just towering. Scherrer led the team in hits, RBIs, and stolen bases. Watching Grace steal home is like watching a cat toying with a mouse -- it's almost unfair. Julia Kelly was a leader in the dugout and on the field. Kelly led the team in batting average and HBPs --anything to get on base, anything to stop a ball from leaving the infield. Next season looks more than promising.
   The team had four eighth grade "seniors," all of whom played vital roles in the team's success over the past two years. These girls leave the middle school having never lost a modified softball game -- 28 wins, zero losses. This is quite an accomplishment. Ciara Alcorn won this year's Most Valuable Player Award. She was third in on-base pct. and had an earned run average of less than one -- outstanding. Jessica Amsdill played an exceptional second base, had an OB% of almost .500, and pitched well when called upon. She was a solid veteran player. Rosalie Russell gave up only two earned runs in over 30 innings of pitching to post an ERA of 0.46 -- she dominated the league. Rosalie also contributed with a BA of almost .400. And finally, Captain Melissa Gibson. Melissa is a quiet leader who can organize, direct, and lead by example. She was the only player to go the whole season without recording a strikeout and had a solid .500 BA. Melissa must have thrown out at least eight attempted base stealers from behind the plate and will be backstopping in the high school for many years to come. Make sure you get out and watch her ply her craft -- she is an artist.
    The season was a great success thanks to the players, the fans, and the town groundskeepers. We would also like to thank scorekeeper Taylor Moran for her solid effort behind the pencil. Best of luck to those moving to the high school and "see ya next year" to those returning to the middle school in the fall.
   The team is coached by Arthur Meaney

First Place Middle School Concert Band - June 2009
   The Veronica E. Connor Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band competed at the Springville Pageant of Bands on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Under the direction of Miss Shannon Smith, the band performed two pieces and sight-read together as a group. The band received a very high score, winning first place at the competition! We are very proud of the students for all of their hard work.

Middle School Bald For Bucks Raises $9790 - June 2009

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    The Goin’ Bald for Bucks 2009 season is in full-swing! Dozens of schools and organizations from across Western New York are hosting Goin’ Bald events to raise funds for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Grand Island's own Connor Middle School recently participated in this Worthwile event. Over 45 students and faculty donated their hair for "locks of love" or had their head shaved in support for those who lose their hair during cancer treatments. Connor Middle school raised over $9,790 Goin bald for bucks. The top fundraisers were Lance Russo ($2,000), Christopher Swagler ($890), Ben Wright ($435), Shawn Fermoile ($367). Check out the photogallery of Connor Middle school or donate to Roswell Park through www.goinbaldforbucks.org.

Middle School Orientation - June 2009
   Orientation for students new to Veronica E. Connor Middle School, will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 10 a.m. This orientation is for all new students, registered to start in September 2009, and their parents. The orientation will take place in the Little Theater and run for approximately an hour and a half.
   At the orientation, students and their families will be given helpful information regarding their new school. Topics discussed will include 6th, 7th and 8th grade curriculum, extra curricular activities, adolescent developmental milestones, and other helpful information to assist your child to be successful in middle school. The school's curriculum and student handbooks will be handed out and a tour of the school will conclude the orientation.

Connor’s Monthly Master - June 2009

Art Student Michael Battaglia
   Pictured with his contour shoe drawing is art student Michael Battaglia, “Connor’s Monthly Master” for May 2009. Michael, a seventh grade student at Connor Middle School, is a talented student with many interests and ample creative ability. He has been interested in art since second grade and likes to spend his time drawing and making things from clay, his favorite medium. Many people recognize Michael’s innate artistic abilities. Beside the good grades he earns in his art class, friends and family recognize his talents and encourage and inspire him. Family members encourage Michael by commenting on his artworks; telling him what they like about his pictures and clay pieces. In addition to the encouragement he finds from his family, Mike’s artistic brothers serve as inspiration for him; in fact, Michael lists his brother, Alex, as his very favorite artist. When asked what he likes best about art, Michael says: “it allows me to be creative and open-minded.” Another inspiration and favorite art experience for this student was a trip with his family to the Vatican. The Connor Middle School Art Department is proud to recognize this student’s artistic achievements and the ways in which his work habits make him an artistic role model for his peers. It is a pleasure to name Michael “Connor’s Monthly Master” for May.

Middle School Character Connection Awards - May 2009

Kindness Awards Recipients
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    Connor Middle School is pleased to announce several recent recipients of the Connor Character Connection (C3). The recipients of the Kindness award had their posters on display in the front foyer of Connor Middle School for the month of April. In order to receive an Connor Character Connection award, a student must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at Connor Middle School. Students are chosen when their actions or behavior represent the monthly character trait. In order to nominate a student, teachers write a paragraph about the student. These inspirational paragraphs mention specific details about each child and how, in their everyday lives, they exemplify the character trait being awarded that month.

The complete list of nominated students for the kindness award are:
* indicates not present for the photo
 
Eyad Abdellatif
Jessica Amsdill*
Jenn Argy*
Michelle Aronica
Chris Barberic*
Christian Baumann
Selina Bichler
Kristen Call
Robert Carroll*
Alyssa Cinelli*
Angelina Colucci
Lauren Cook
Hannah Corrao*
Charles Corwin*
Nancy Dahlquist*
Anna DeMartin*
Chad Ducette
Joyce Endozo
Carleshia Evans
Brianna Farmer*
Leah Geis
Katie Gentz
Dylan Graff
Maxwell Grenda
Andrew Grinchinsin
Kassy Guyette*
Darren Huttenmeir
Kaitlyn Jennings
Kurtis Johnson*
Alyssa Karb
Jackie Kehoe
Christian LaMarco*
Michael McMahon*
Orendael Miller*
Catherine Navagh
Robin Neary
Maggie Nobumoto*
Aaron Noyes
Yiannis Papavramidis*
Alyssa Pizzuti
Sydney Quarantillo*
Kris Rassega
Andrew Reiderer
Eric Reiderer
Alyssa Schmidt
Brandon Stevenson*
Emilie Stinner
Joaquin Vasquez*
Madz Wright*