Casey Chronicle

Casey Families,

As we approach our two-week break, I want to take a moment to wish all of our families a joyful and restful holiday season. This time of year offers a wonderful opportunity to recharge, connect with loved ones, and reflect on the moments that make the holiday season special.

Additionally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Debbie Collura for her 22 years of dedicated service to Casey Middle School. Her contributions have left a lasting impact on our community, and we wish her all the best as she embarks on a well-deserved and wonderful retirement.

A special thank you goes out to the Hiller, Curella-Callisto, Dokania, and Kwiatkowski families for generously sponsoring our December faculty meeting with sweet treats. Your kindness is truly appreciated by our entire faculty and staff.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Dr. Curella, Principal

Crafting Club brought the holiday spirit to Casey as nearly 100 students stayed after school to create festive gingerbread houses. This creative event was made possible thanks to the dedication of Mrs. May and Mrs. Murray, who organized the activity, and the support of the 6th grade team, who volunteered their time to assist.

Last Friday, Casey students participated in the Hour of Code! The Hour of Code is a global initiative that introduces students to computer science and programming sponsored by Code.org. During this one-hour event, all Williamsville Middle school students participate, along with schools across the world, in fun and engaging activities that demystify coding and show that anyone can learn the basics. By participating in the Hour of Code, students get a start on developing interest in computer science and essential skills like problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking, setting the foundation for future success in the digital age.

Are you a 6th, 7th, or 8th grader and interested in doing more amazing projects like this? Join the Computer Science Competition Club! This club is for students in grades 6-8 interested in Computer Science, including technology, robotics, coding and futuristic thinking as well as problem solving, teamwork, creativity and resiliency. Club is split between discussion, fun activities and also the planning phases of a project. Projects are created at home since most students spend far more time on them than we have in club. Students will then apply to have their project accepted to the Buffalo State computer science showcase. We have had many Casey students place at the showcase and even more get honorable mention. All students grow in their abilities and interest. Does this sound like something you'd like to be a part of? Click below to join!

The proposal for new school start times will be presented at the January 14th Board of Education meeting.

Following this meeting, there will be a comment period for community feedback. A "Frequently Asked Question" document will be available on the District website, along with additional research and information, on the District's School Start Times Informational Page.

Main Office: (716) 626-8585

Attendance: (716) 626-8579

Health Office: (716) 626-8580

Guidance Office: (716) 626-8575

Fax: (716) 626-8562

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 visitors 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.

The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a Gifted Math Program (GMP) geared towards students who rank in the upper 1% of their national peer group. This means that students should be more than "best in class" or "above average in math." Students who are currently in sixth grade are now eligible to be tested by UB for the 2025-2026 academic year (nomination deadline: Thursday, January 23, 2025). Interested nominees compete for one of only sixty (60) places in the program beginning in seventh grade. Prospective students are evaluated on the basis of a battery of tests, a completed questionnaire that includes two essays, and a family conference.

Students who successfully gain admission commute to the university twice weekly for 75-minute classes through each academic year. Students study an enriched and accelerated mathematics program in grades 7 through 10, and in grades 11 and 12 students study three semesters of calculus and one semester of linear algebra, accumulating up to 22 semester hours of university credit throughout the entire program. The GMP’s coursework can replace one’s home school’s math courses; however, grades for the GMP courses and any math courses taken at one’s home school will appear on a student’s report card. For more information and/or to nominate a student for admissions consideration, please visit UB’s Gifted Math Program website at the link below.

• 12/23/24 - 1/3/2025 - No School for Winter Recess
• 1/7 - Williamsville South HS Course of Studies/8th Grade Orientation Night
• 1/8 - SUNY Niagara Tech Wars Field Trip
• 1/9 - 5/6 Chorus, 5/6 Orchestra Concert
• 1/16 - 7/8 Band Side By Side Concert at North HS
• 1/20 - No School for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• 1/21 - 1/24 - Regents Examination Period
• 1/23 - Band 5, 7/8 Jazz Concert
• 1/24 - End of Marking Period 2
• 1/29 - No School for Lunar New Year

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.

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

All orders must be placed online and submitted by May 1st.

$21 for Hardcover

$16 for Softcover

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!

We are so excited to have our 2nd Casey Middle School Fun Run this year. The Fun Run will be held on Friday, May 23rd during the school day. More details to come as we get closer to the event!

In order to make this a success, we are reaching out to our Casey families to see who would be interested in being a community partner with us in helping sponsor our event day t-shirts for all of our Casey students! Please see the attached Business Sponsorship form. There are three different sponsorship levels: Premium ad sponsor $750, regular ad $500 & small ad $250. We look forward to having a successful fundraiser and event for our whole school!

Please reach out to Lindsay Mang at (716) 207-1499 or lindsaymang@hotmail.com if you are interested in being a sponsor this year for our Fun Run!

We are looking for volunteers who would be interested in sponsoring our Casey Middle Faculty Meetings each month!

What: Any quick breakfast items of your choice - Muffins, pastries, bagels, fruit, doughnuts, granola bars, coffee

When: Faculty meetings are held once a month @ 7:45am

Where: Casey Middle Library

Why: To show our appreciation for all of the wonderful Casey staff and all that they do for our kids.

How: Use the sign up link below to pick a date that would work for you! Families can drop off their donations the day before (to the main office) or the morning of the faculty meetings they sign up for, or they can come set it up in the library and mingle with the staff before their meeting officially begins.

Save the date, 7th and 8th graders! Your Activity Night is Friday Feb 7th from 7-8:30pm!

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:

December 20

January 10

January 24

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.

January 8, 2025 @ 7pm

March 12, 2025 @ 7pm

April 23, 2025 @ 7pm

May 14, 2025 @ 7pm

Introducing the Williamsville Music Boosters first newsletter!

Your feedback and suggestions for our future editions are warmly welcomed.

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