WGTA members have made numerous contributions that benefit the West Genesee children, the school district, and the local community.

May 2009

Wins National Consumer's League LifeSmarts Competition

Carol Glor, CMS Home and Careers teacher, had some students win first place in the National Consumer's League LifeSmarts competition. This program encourages students to develop consumer and marketplace skills. Her class of students were winners in the first-ever state championship event.

Wins Emerging Leader Award

Michelle Lepak, CMS Social Studies teacher, earned the Emerging Leaders Award from the Onondaga County Teachers Association for her work with the WGTA.

Accepted to Spend One Week Aboard a Research Vessel on Lake Heron

Patricia Connor, WGMS Science teacher, was accepted to spend one week with COSEE
Great Lakes aboard a research vessel on Lake Huron. Previously, she spent two weeks in 2006 aboard a NOAA research ship as a "Teacher At Sea" on the Atlantic
and two weeks in 2007 at Annapolis with the Naval Oceanography department taking classes and spending time on their research vessel.

March 2009

Three West Genesee Teachers Reach for the Stars

The WGTA would like to congratulate Craig Dowler (West Genesee High School), Rick Chapman (West Genesee Middle School) and Sue Potrikus (Camillus Middle School) on their selection into the Honeywell Educators Space Academy Program! All three science teachers will be participating in the Space Camp training at Cape Canaveral and at the United States Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Ala. Their selection followed a rigorous application process involving more than 1,000 competing teachers from around the world. Sue will be receiving the initial program training. Craig and Rick, who received their initial training two years ago, were two of only 24 teachers selected this year to participate in the Advanced Program.

During the training each educator will participate in a variety of activities including approximately 50 hours of classroom, laboratory and field training. They will also have the unique opportunity to participate in astronaut training exercises including a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training and a state-of-the-art flight dynamics program. The teachers will also experience simulated shuttle missions, as the program shows them how to teach aspects of space exploration and space sciences.

Honeywell has sponsored the program for middle school science teachers since 2004 through its Hometown Solutions community outreach division, to promote math and science education, according to its Web site. The program includes tuition, food, accommodations and travel expenses.

Congratulations to Craig, Rick and Sue from the WGTA!

Rick Chapman (left) and Craig Dowler have been selected to attend
the Advanced Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program.
(photograph from www.westgenesee.org)

Sue Potrikus has been selected to attend
the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy Program!
(photograph by Lynn Davis)

The training facility at the United States Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Ala.
(photograph from www.spacecamp.com/educators/gallery/)

The training includes simulated space station repair space walks.
(photograph from www.spacecamp.com/educators/gallery/)

DECEMBER 2008

Things Go Better With Coke!

Sixth-grade teacher Courtney Updegraff donated a Dell desktop computer, including a flat screen monitor and an ink jet printer, to Camillus Middle School. Updegraff won the computer equipment, valued at $1,548, when she entered a contest sponsored by Coca-Cola Corporation to win a home computer as well as one for her designated
school building.

Hall of Fame Inductee

Congratulations to Bob Deegan, High School science teacher and Assistant West Genesee Lacrosse Coach, who was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame on October 19, 2008.

Coach Deegan
Photo from wglax.com

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2008

Money Raised For Breast Cancer Research

Thank you to all who donated to Lee National Denim Day. A total of $1,350 was raised for breast cancer research.

Workshop Presenters

Congratulations to Emily Buchanan, Becky Rossi, Erin Stepowany, Sandy Whatman and Tammy Annicharico, all of whom presented workshops; and Rick Chapman, who spoke at the New York State Middle School Conference on October 24.

A Clean Sweep

Thank you to Sue Giannini, Margie Thiele, Theresa Mosey, Mike Cost, Bonnie Young, Michelle Lepak, Betsy McLane, Val Koll and her husband Rob, Andrea Moore, Greg Allen, Conner Murphy and Lynn Davis for participating in the highway cleanup.