Casey Families,

I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break with family and friends! As we return, we’re jumping right into our NYS testing schedule. Science testing begins today, followed by ELA on April 29th and 30th, and Math on May 6th and 7th.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Dr. Curella, Principal

The 2024-2025 Casey Middle Yearbooks are now for sale!

All orders must be placed online and submitted by

🚩April 30th 🚩

$21 for Hardcover

$16 for Softcover

Sienna Bruno, grade 5

From Mr. Taylor:

"Sienna is always kind to her classmates in orchestra and lessons. If someone forgets to bring their method book to lessons, Sienna is always willing to share. She goes above and beyond each and every day!"

Zoe Leverette, grade 5

From Mrs. Holyoke:

"Zoe shows character when tackling difficult problems in math class, learning from her mistakes and seeking out help when she needs it. She is a positive role model and exemplifies this through her effort and positive attitude!"

Nivisha Perumandla, grade 6

From Mrs. Weitz:

"Nivisha is thoughtful in her reflection and listens to learn. She has the ability to put herself in someone else’s shoes without judgement. This has been witnessed in classrooms and we are proud of her emotional intelligence"

Daisy Harris, grade 6

From Mr. Chrites:

"Daisy, just like her sisters Annabelle and Lily, has a positive, energetic and upbeat character. She is a true leader and is athletically gifted. More than her athletic abilities, it is her personal character that makes her a special Casey student!"

Dusan Bogunovic, grade 7

From Ms. Glaser:

"Dusan is a student who consistently shows kindness to others and creates a positive and welcoming environment for everyone around him. Whether it's a smile, a thoughtful word, or lending a hand, Dusan shows a genuine care for the well-being of others. Through Dusan's small acts of kindness, he inspires others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of goodwill that extends beyond the classroom."

Musaweer Rasool, grade 7

From Ms. Pulaski:

"Musaweer is an asset to our math class. He brings his best energy each and every day. His daily homework assignments are always complete and done to the best of his ability. Musaweer participates beautifully in class; offering think steps or recalling information from previous lessons. Musaweer's can-do mindset and willingness to participate in class make him the perfect choice for the Casey Student Spotlight!"

Aryna Mohan, grade 8

From Mr. Taylor & Mrs. Marcinkowski:

"Aryna always demonstrates a positive attitude in orchestra. She learns her music well and leads the viola section. She also plays tennis, is involved in dance, is a part of AYC (Amherst youth consortium) and the YES (Youth engaged in service). Aryna is polite and kind and willingly helps others all while accelerating in three honors classes."

Sahar Sheerzad, grade 8

From Mr. Addison:

"Despite being new to Casey last year with almost no background in English, Sahar has grown into an extraordinary student. She always wears a smile, is eager to learn, and consistently displays politeness and friendliness. Her English improves every day, and she never lets the language barrier hinder her learning or her positive attitude."

A community event open to all - experience the latest advancements in robotics and autonomy, see modern robotics in action, and see how they shape the world of tomorrow. Enjoy hands-on activities for K-12 kids, learn about cutting-edge robotics, and have fun with drones. Come discover the future of robotics!

April 27, 2025 10am - 4pm

Davis Hall North Campus

The District is conducting a Transportation Efficiency Study to help optimize transportation in the District. As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, our goal is to ensure efficiency with overall ride time for students and also streamline arrival and dismissal at our buildings. Parents/guardians need to submit a response for arrival and dismissal for each child. The survey will be open on WITS Tuesday, April 1st through Monday, June 2nd.

Please note that once a parent/guardian makes their selection, the Transportation Efficiency Study will no longer be available.

Williamsville offers math acceleration beginning in 7th grade, allowing students to complete Algebra 1 by the end of 8th grade. Some students enter this pathway by enrolling in Math 7AA or Math 7A in 7th grade; others may initially take Math 7 -- the course your child is currently in -- but later decide they want to accelerate and take Algebra 1 in 8th grade. However, self-nominating directly from Math 7 into Algebra 1 is not permitted because the two-year middle school accelerated sequence compresses three years of math into two, making Math 7A a required prerequisite.

To support students who wish to accelerate after successfully completing Math 7, we are piloting a new course in summer school called Math 7A Conversion. This course is designed to cover the Math 7A content that students would have missed in Math 7, ensuring students are prepared to enter Algebra 1 in 8th grade. By providing this option, students can join the accelerated math sequence at the middle school level, rather than waiting until high school to accelerate through summer courses.

If your child is interested in this option, please reach out to Casey's 7th grade counselor, Miss Medole.

The Williamsville Central School District is proud to provide students with a premiere public education, offering many opportunities for students to participate in advanced coursework and accelerate their learning.

We encourage all of our students and families to explore these educational opportunities offered by the District. The advanced courses offered in middle and high schools are available on the Advanced Coursework Opportunities webpage. Please be sure to review the pages for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science to understand the details associated with each content area. Middle school course descriptions are available on this webpage. High school course information for all content areas is available through each school’s Course Catalog, which is also linked on the Advanced Coursework Opportunities page.

Your child’s respective school is responsible for the development of individual student schedules. Questions related to advanced coursework should be referred to your child’s school counselor.

Recently, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her initiative of "Distraction-Free School Zones" throughout New York State. You can review the proposal and legislation on the Governor's website.

All school districts are required to submit a policy to the New York State Education Department by August 1, 2025 for implementation beginning September 1, 2025.

WKBW: 'A lot safer without phones': Parents, teachers, and pediatricians discuss proposed cell phone ban

ABC News: Teens spend over 1 hour on phones during school hours, new study finds

Main Office: (716) 626-8585

Attendance: (716) 626-8579

Health Office: (716) 626-8580

Guidance Office: (716) 626-8575

Fax: (716) 626-8562

You may already know now that WITS is your ultimate parent resource and communication platform for your child's school as well as the district. But do you know about all there is to offer? Click below for a quick tutorial on how to navigate the site and get the most out of what it has to offer.

The Williamsville Central School System provides an emergency notification system in which parents, faculty, staff, students, and community members can sign up to receive emergency notifications through e-mail, text message, and robo call. Please note: The District primarily uses e-mail and text message to send out messages. Click the link below to sign up. If you have any questions regarding eAlerts, please call our parent help desk at 716-626-8058.

EARLY RELEASES

If you are picking up your child for an early release that has been arranged with attendance, you will need to come into the Casey Main Entrance to sign your child out. Please remember to send in a note for early releases, late arrivals, and absences. You can also report your student's attendance by logging into WITS and clicking on the Daily Attendance line on the homepage.

DROPPING OFF FORGOTTEN ITEMS

If you are dropping off an item for your student, please ensure the item is labeled with the student’s name. For your convenience, post-it notes are available in our lobby across from the green drop-off carts. For sanitary reasons, we ask that any clothing items or shoes be placed in a bag before dropping them off. Your cooperation is appreciated.

VISITORS TO CASEY

All District buildings, including Casey Middle School, are using the RAPTOR system to sign visitors in/out. All visitors must enter the building at the main entrance on Casey Road. Please be prepared to show government issued ID, such as a valid driver’s license, upon entering Casey. We will scan your ID and issue a visitor's badge to be worn for the duration of your visit.

PARKING LOT REMINDER

Please avoid parking in the bus loop in front of the main entrance during morning arrivals (8:30-9:00am) and afternoon dismissal (3:15-3:45pm) so that your car does not get trapped by the buses coming into the loop. If you are coming to the school during these times, please park in the lot just north of the bus loop near the 5th grade wing.

• 4/24 - NYS Science testing (grades 5 and 8 only)
• 4/28 - Elementary Opening Reception WCSD ART Show at Audubon Library (5:30pm)
• 4/29 - Middle & High School Opening Reception WCSD ART Show at Audubon Library (5:30pm)
• 4/29 - 4/30 - NYS ELA testing (all grades)
• 4/30 - Deadline to order Casey yearbook
• 5/5 - 5/9 - PTSA Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
• 5/6 - 5/7 - NYS Math testing (all grades)
• 5/6 - Craft and Creativity Fair
• 5/7 - 7/8 Band, Band 6 Concert
• 5/15 - Band 5, Jazz 7/8 Concert
• 5/20 - Annual District Vote, North High School Gym, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• 5/22 - 7/8 Orchestra, 7/8 Chorus Concert
• 5/23 - 2nd Annual Casey Fun Run
• 5/26 - No School for Memorial Day
• 5/27 - 5/6 Orchestra, 5/6 Chorus Concert

For your convenience and planning purposes, we have included below the end of year exam schedule.

Open House for the 2025-2026 School Year will be on

Tuesday August 26th!

More information to come!

Come and be a part of our Casey Clubs! You can explore all of our club offerings on WITS. Reach out to club advisors with any questions.

**Please make sure you check the event calendar and announcements slides for club dates and any changes or cancellations.

It's never too late to join or renew your annual PTSA membership! If you haven't already, please consider joining. The PTSA is responsible for all the amazing events, activities, and "perks" provided to your students all year long. Made up entirely of volunteers, they work tirelessly year-round to give your students the most memorable and meaningful middle school experience possible. Membership is open to parents AND students! We highly encourage all to participate and take pride in your school!

The Casey Middle School PTSA worked closely with the school to provide students, staff, & families with new, fun activities, events, and programs this year! We also continued to support traditions that have been in place at Casey for years. We can't wait to do even more next year!

• 5th grade WEB Orientation luncheon
• Casey MS Open House Welcome table & food trucks
• Welcome Back Picnic for all students & staff
• Picture Day
• 5/6 Activity Night
• 7/8 Activity Night
• Teacher Appreciation Week
• Fun Run
• 7/8 Family Turf Night
• 5/6 Family Turf Night
• 8th Grade field trip
• 8th Grade t-shirts
• 8th Grade Moving Up Dance
• Teacher grants
• school Store
• Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
• Sponsor a Faculty Meeting
• End of the Year Picnic for all students & staff

6/4 - 7/8 grade Event Night, 7-8:30pm

6/11 - 5/6 grade Event Night, 7-8:30pm

Lawn games, music, food trucks, and more!

It’s that special time of year when we come together to show our appreciation for the incredible teachers and staff at Casey. They go above and beyond every single day, and we want to make sure they know just how much they mean to us.

As part of the week's festivities, we’re organizing a gift card drawing and we need your help. If you’re able to contribute a gift card, please take a moment to check out the sign-up below. Any amount or store is welcomed and appreciated.

Please drop off your gift cards at the Casey Main Office by Friday, May 2nd. You may label envelopes "Staff Appreciation".

Thank you for helping us show our teachers and staff how much they are loved and valued!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jackie DiNunzio @ jackiedinunzio@gmail.com.

The PTSA School Store will be open for students on select Fridays during lunches! Located just outside of the cafeterias, students can buy pens, pencils, erasers, stickers, and so much more!

Upcoming Dates:

April 25

May 9

May 30

Collect Dash’s Receipts and support our students!

Send receipts to the main office to Andrea Kulka.

Dash’s donates $2.50 for every $100 spent!

President Lindsay Mang (lindsaymang@hotmail.com)

President Christy McCarthy (christym381@gmail.com)

Membership VP Cheryl Rode (cherylrode01@gmail.com)

Treasurer Liz Cercone (enc1026@gmail.com)

Corresponding Secretary Jackie DiNunzio (jackiedinunzio@gmail.com)

Recording Secretary Amy Newkirk (amyenewkirk@yahoo.com)

SEPTSA Rep Amy Newkirk (amyenewkirk@yahoo.com)

PTSA Council Rep Andrea Smith (ascooper3@yahoo.com)

Board Liaison Mark Manna (mmannaboe@williamsvillek12.org)

Meeting dates/times are subject to change.

Please check the PTSA website for the most up-to date information.

May 14, 2025 @ 7pm

In the April issue of the WMB newsletter, find a special article on the passion and dedication of Casey's own Mrs. Eppich. She's one of our incredible band teachers and we're lucky to have her! Did you know she performed in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and has a surprising talent for competitive Irish dancing?! Read more about her inspiring story in:

The Musical Journey of Mrs. Eppich

Congratulations to our Junior Jazz Band and Casey Jazz Band for their outstanding performances at the Northside Jazz Festival featuring guest artist Michael Dease! Our students were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Mr. Dease during, learning from one of the leading jazz trombonists in the country!

• April 26 - NYSSMA Solo Festival - Buffalo Academy of Visual & Performing Arts
• May 2 - Early AM Band Rehearsal, 8:00am (please arrive at 7:45am)
• May 7 - 6th Grade Band & 7/8 Concert Band Spring Concert, CMS Auditorium, 7:00am
• May 8 - 7/8 Concert Band NYSSMA Majors performance, Amherst MS, 7:15am (CMS)
• May 15 - 5th Grade Bank, Jr. Jazz & 7/8 Jazz Spring Concert, CMS Auditorium, 7:00pm
• May 16 - Springville Jazz Festival, all jazz, Springville HS, during school day
• June 10 - Flag Day Concert, CMS Gym, school audience only, 9:00am

CLICK HERE to join Williamsville SEPTSA! See below for the SEPTSA Newsletter as well as some fliers.

Join us on Thursday, April 24

6:00 - 6:55 p.m.

Membership meeting

Special guest: Dr. Brown-Hall, Superintendent Williamsville Central School District

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Supporting Emotional Regulation in Neurodiverse Children:

Consideration and Strategies for Setting Children Up For Success

Presenter: David L. Meichenbaum, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic, Director of Community Consulting & Clinical Services, The Summit Center

RSVP: https://nysrcasd.org/events/1465/registrations/new