DEW Newsletter October/November2015 Edition

26 Pages·2015·2.77 MB·English

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DEW Newsletter in the DEW?
Brought to you
Oc tober/November2015 for the

students by the
Edition
students.

Special Thanks to the Following People:
Writing Advisors: Mrs. Panucci, Mrs. Fazio, and Mrs. Chiarelli
Student Editors: Emma Dischner, Eric Jozwiak, and Isabella Mannino

Student Council Advisors: Mrs. DiClemente and Mrs. Fazio
DEW Student Council PR Committee
Student Writers: Nini Curcione, Eliza Zwikl, Bella Tirone, Josh Knapp, Emily English, Meghan McNabb, Riley
Hensley, Vanessa Rodgers, and Morgan Hayes

Student Photographers: Nini Curcione, Bella Tirone, and Eliza Zwikl
Month i n Review
by Angela Fazio
This year’s cookie dough sale was a huge success! Thank you for all
who participated. The dough will be delivered Wednesday, November 11 between the hours
of 3-5. If you would like to come earlier, please call ahead so that we can have your order in
the office.
The following students won the Halloween costume contest and were awarded a $10 Top That
Yogurt gift card:
5th Isabella Hoffman
6th Angelia Badini, Caleb Williams
8th Makenna Dobrowsky, Jordan Lane, Mason Moll
Sept:e mber’s You’ve Been Caught October’s You’ve Been Caught Being
Being Respectful winners were the Responsible winners were the following:

following:

Each winner was awarded with a $25 Mall at Robinson gift card. Congratulations all!
September You’ve Been Caught Being October You’ve Been Caught Being
Respectful winners Responsible winners

Students of the Month

Bac k row, from left to right: Jacob Barthalemy, Chase Schaltenbrand, Cheyenne Johnson, Bella Tirone
Fro nt row, from left to right: Aiden Cavanaugh, Marcus Cetrone, Hannah George
Not pictured: Allison Zane
Introducing Your 2015-2016 Student Council
Submitted by student writer Nini Curcione

This year as the class of 2020, there were 50 students that showed qualities that made them
special to be chosen to be in the 2015-2016 8th grade Student Council. During the last month of
school, the coordinators of Student Council, Mrs.Fazio and Mrs. DiClemente came down to the
excited 7th grader’s and told them about the opportunities that awaited them in the coming year.
Students having at least a 3.0 GPA can fill out the application to run for Student Council.
Once the student submits the application, he/she is placed on the ballot. Each student writes a
speech about why he/she should be selected to be in Student Council. Students who write
th
speeches visit each 7 grade homebase and present their ideas to off their peers and outgoing
members of Student Council. Those who were selected by vote and teacher recommendation are
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announced at the 7 grade awards assembly.
When the start of the school year rolled around, those 50 students started their new
responsibility of being Student Council. Nominations were held once again, officers had to be
chosen. Speeches were made to just the student council members, and each member casted a
vote for president, vice president, treasure, and secretary. This year, the officer positions are
being held by the following: Rachel White as President, Isabella Mannino as Vice-President,
Emma Dischner as Secretary, and finally Hannah Bosco as Treasurer.
From there Student Council Representatives split up into different committees, each
specializing in their different ways to help the school and to make a fun environment. This year
there are 11 committees: Public Relations with Elizabeth Zwikl as Chairman, Talent Show with
Nini Curcione as Chairman, Olympic Day with Alex Pretka as Chairman, Pep Rally with
Logan Persinger as Chairman, Birthday Wishes with Carolyn Hornichak as Chairman, School
Store with Hannah Bosco as Chairman, Dinner Dance with Emma Dischner as Chairman,
Fundraising with Mara D’amore as Chairman, Hall Decorating with Bria Washington as
Chairman, Community Services with Eric Jozwiak as Chairman, and STA with Nathan
Donahue as Chairman.
Student Council runs the activities and tries to make school fun for students at David E.
Williams. They are role-models, mentors, tutors, and most of all a team-players. Student
Council isn’t run by one person but by the students within it. Working together as a team,
collaborating ideas, brainstorming inventive ways to give back to the school are only a few of the
things that they do. Student Council couldn’t be possible without the help of Mrs. Fazio and Mrs.
DiClemente as they have pushed each Student Council to the limit every year, and every year it
gets better and better. Student Council is behind mostly every activity in this school. From Pep
Rallies to Talent Shows, this organization is not run by adults but by the students that come to
school every day to learn and grow.
Montour Melodies
Submitted by student writers Josh Knapp, Emily English

Ms. Mancini is the David E. Williams chorus director. This year, she decided to start a seventh
and eighth grade select choir for the students at DEW. Named Montour Melodies, this group is made up
of seventh and eighth grade’s best choral singers together in one group. These are students who want to
try challenging music such as a cappella style music. The group is influenced by the famous a cappella
group Pentatonix and other similar style groups.
This year, the group aims to perform extra music for the winter and spring concert, and
obviously, try to have fun making pop music! They also target to challenge themselves by learning and
performing more challenging choral music. They additionally plan to represent DEW by performing
around the area. As mentioned earlier, they plan to sing pop songs and some classic songs like
“Somebody to Love” by the famous rock band Queen.
The group practices on Mondays and Fridays during activity period. There will be a concert on
December 7th to showcase their talents to the parents for the first time as a group at David E. Williams.
Ms. Mancini organized Montour Melodies to provide a place for students to challenge themselves
musically. Also, with the huge success of Pentatonix, students were very interested in singing a cappella
music. She saw this as a great opportunity to start an ensemble that was unique and could be a lot of fun
to participate in!
The 2015-2016 School Store
Submitted By student writer Eliza Zwikl

The School Store at David E. Williams is officially up and running! The store is headed by
Student Council treasurer and head of the School Store committee, eighth grader Hannah Bosco and co-
chair Maura Porto. Other members of the School Store committee include Arina Dillinger, Victoria
Swearingen, and Gabriella Marsico. During each grades’ lunch times students are selected from the two
accelerated classes in each grade to operate the store. “The school store is where students buy supplies
and Spartan wear,” states Hannah Bosco. “We like to use the feedback from the students and staff to sell
materials in the school,” adds Miss. Bosco. She then explains, “Proceeds from the School Store fuel
numerous student activities throughout the school year and benefit fundraisers, such as the Champions for
Charlie Foundation.” We look forward to seeing you at the School Store this year!
Red Ribbon Week
Submitted By Student Writer Eliza Zwikl

David E. Williams took part in Red Ribbon Week starting October 26th through October
30th. The first National Red Ribbon Campaign began in 1985 and was started and organized by
the National Family Partnership. Red Ribbon Week raises drug prevention awareness in schools
all over the country. Every day of the week included a theme involved with drug
prevention. Monday started the week off with students wearing red to say “Red’y to live a drug
free life.” Next was “I’m too Bright for Drugs Day” where students and staff wore bright colors
on Tuesday. Then, everyone wore their favorite team jersey to “Team Up Against Drugs” on
Wednesday. Thursday was when students and staff participated in the theme “I’m a Jean-ius;
I’m Drug Free” by wearing jeans to school. At the end of the week the building got the chance
to “Say Boo to Drugs” by wearing orange and black. Students and staff also received the
opportunity to sign the “I pledge to be drug free” pledge.
Pep Assembly
Submitted by student writer Bella Tirone

On October 30, 2015. David E. Williams held the Fall Pep Assembly! This year, students
were dancing and lip-syncing to a song. Each homeroom in every grade level had a chance to
choose a song to dance and lip-sync to. This year, Student Council dressed up as nerds and were
dancing to a “Thriller” and “Monster Mash” remix. Before the dancing and fun began, 8th grader
Meara McNabb sang the “Star Spangled Banner” to the students and staff. Homerooms could
challenge another homeroom in their grade level to have a better chance at winning. There was a
winner from each grade level for the best performed song. The winning homerooms for each
grade level is as follows: 5th grade, Mr. Johnson; 6th grade, Mrs. Baron; 7th grade, Mr. Griffith;
th
8 , Mr. Lukondi.

Mr. Griffith leads the crowd in the “YMCA.” Fifth grade costume winner Bella
Hoffman strikes a pose.
5th Grade Potlatch
Submitted by student writer Bella Tirone

On October 29, 2015, all 5th grade students participated in the 5th grade annual Potlatch.
Students had the opportunity to learn more about the Native American culture while having a ton
of fun! Students had the chance to come to school dressed as a Native American to pretend to be
an authentic Indian. In the morning, Native American guest dancers came to David E. Williams
to show 5th grade some tribal dances. After that, students did various crafts and activities which
included making belts, and writing stories in Native American symbols. Another guest came to
David E. Williams to show a presentation to 5th grade about some of the clothing Native
Americans wore, and some things they made to survive. After a packed day of having fun with
learning about the Native American culture, 5th grade had a feast in the gym with many different
foods to try. Following the feast, the students had a Native American gift exchange- where the
students exchanged gifts with one another just as the Native Americans would have. To add to
the atmosphere, various 5th grade teachers dressed up like Native Americans for the exciting
day!
Going Green
Thanks to the help of Mr. Nick weaver, a technology and innovation coach at Montour, Mrs.
Vrana’s sixth grade social studies students culminated their Five Themes of Geography Unit
creatively. Following a rubric with set requirements, students worked in groups of five to
research the five themes of geography (location, region, movement, human- environment
interaction, and place) in a city of choice. Each group then presented their research through a
green screen video production using the Touchcast app. Using an iPad, Mr. Weaver videotaped
students against a green screen monochrome backdrop. He then assisted the students when
superimposing themselves onto pre-saved virtual backgrounds and videos. The students took
charge during the editing process. They were each excited to blend their group’s introduction,
individual theme segments, and conclusion into one smooth masterpiece! Mrs. Vrana’s students
celebrated their efforts by enjoying a green screen video and popcorn day. All students proudly
shared their videos while gaining powerful feedback from classmates. What a clever and
authentic way to demonstrate knowledge! Thank you Mr. Weaver!

Left to right are Jenna DeGori, Lucas Cain, Jaedyn Rumble, Zach Weber, and Angela Maietta