News from Dr. Gruber
Olmsted’s three top seniors, Shianne Cooke, Rebecca Leon, and Hana Zulquarnian, along with the top three students from high schools throughout Erie and Niagara Counties, were honored at the annual SAARD’s Dinner held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens on May 16th. Each student was awarded a Crystal Bison in honor of their academic accomplishments.
Olmsted middle school students participated in a recent Bridge Design Competition. Congratulations to the team of Hannah McAndrew, Cosette Thimot, Helena Crotty, and Christopher Honrado on winning for most inventive bridge design and for being the designated winning team for the most structurally efficient bridge. Thank you to Mr. Collins for preparing the students for this competition.
The following students participated in this year’s WNY Invention Convention: Gus Karyczak, Makayla Matthews, Nate Gorten, Hannah Nisengard, Charlie Stewart, Mia Abraham, Brooklyn Brant, Sadie Dubick Coniglio, Kaymya Brown and Sophia Molfese. All the students are 5th graders. Congratulations to Mia Abraham who took 2nd place in her group. Thank you to Mr. Milley for coordinating this event.
At a recent Boy’s Baseball game, the umpire just walked over to the parents of the boys & told them the Olmsted boys are the most respectful group he officiates. He said “best kids in the city.” These students are great representatives for our school and a tribute to their parents.
Brianna Grine, who is considered to be the best distance runner in the city, won the 1500 last week with a personal best of 5:33.8 at the All High Meet. Miquela Hunter won the 100m, 200 m, 400 m and was part of the 4×400 relay team. Milton Tarpeh won the triple jump and Lawrence Jackson was first in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:02.2. At this same meet Lauryn Whiteside took the triple jump.
The Unified Team Basketball Team finished its season last Thursday. The team had a great season and came in second in their division. Congratulations to these athletes on their hard work and the effort they put into each game. They were a pleasure to watch. Thanks to Mr. Bartram for all of his efforts with the team
Ashley Latchford recently earned three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2019 US Junior Open for Artistic Swimming competition in Greensboro, North Carolina. She received the top score for her free solo, winning the gold medal, and she earned the silver medal in the technical solo event. She and her duet partner also competed in the technical and free duet events, earning the top score and the gold medal in both events. Ashley is a high school student and a member of the Swimkins Synchronized Swim Team.
Our annual Creativity in Bloom took place on May 22nd. The large number of student work showed the extent of the creativity of Olmsted students. Thank you to Mrs. Potempa and Mrs. Dulak as well as Olmsted’s special area teachers for their work on this event.
Olmsted’s third annual Color Run took place on Saturday, May 18th. Sponsored by the Olmsted Foundation this event helps raise funds to support school programs. Thank you to the Olmsted Foundation for coordinating this event and to all who supported it. Everyone had a great time.
The National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held on May 11th: The following students were inducted into the NJHS: 8th graders – Kyle Everette, Logan Loveless, Hannah McAndrew Sydney McFoy, Vanessa Miller, London Mitchell and 7th graders – Zigabor Banuna, Felicia Evans, Jackson Heferle, Deliyna Hoang, Alvi Mahmud, Helena Michels Gabriella Pattoli, Grace Rivera, Hannah Schmidbauer, Fawziyah Uddin, Lillian Wagner Samarra Zoll. Thank you to Mrs. Folckemer and Mrs. Darling for preparing the ceremony and to Michelle Agosto, the Director of Art, who was the keynote speaker.
Eliza Conyers, a member of the Girls’ Basketball team, made the cover of Business First’s upcoming edition focusing on education in western New York.
Olmsted’s Music Program continues to grow and thrive:
- Two Students were selected for the Junior High Area All State String Orchestra
- Two Students were selected for the Senior High Area All State Full Orchestra
- Two Students were selected for the Junior North All County Full Orchestra
- One Student was selected for the Senior High All County Full Orchestra
- 29 Students participated in January All County Solo Festival
- 19 Students participated in the Spring NYSSMA Solo Festival
- The High School Orchestra performed at Kleinhans Music Hall in a Community Spotlight Concert
- The High School Orchestra received a Gold Award from NYSSMA
- The High School Orchestra received an Outstanding with Distinction rating at Darien Lake
- The Junior High Orchestra received an Outstanding with Distinction rating at Darien Lake
- The High School Orchestra received First Place for the Strings AA Division at Darien Lake
- The Junior High Orchestra received Fourth Place for the Strings A Division at Darien Lake
The Science Club completed many hours of practice and training with Dr. Gene Yang at the University of Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in downtown Buffalo. On May 18th they competed against four other western New York schools in the drone and surgical robotic competition. Olmsted was the only Buffalo Public School competing and placed second. Congratulations to the Science Club students and thank you to Mrs. Pryor-Moncrieffe for her work with this club.
Olmsted had one of the largest representations of students at the Pride Parade. Thank you to members of the Olmsted school community for all you do to make sure our LGBT+ students and families feel welcomed and accepted for who they are. Thank you to Ms. Bertlesman for coordinating the SAGA Club.
Our annual Field Day, for students in grades 5-8, was held today. Students had a great time. Thank you to Mr. Potempa and Mr. Fredo for organizing this event and to all the parents and staff who assisted in any way. Food trucks will be here on June 17th for high school students as they have their Field Day.
Regents examinations begin on June 18, 2019. Only those high school students taking the Regents examinations have to attend school on the dates of the scheduled examinations.
The last day of school for 8th-grade students is June 25th and for students in grades 5-7 the last day of school is June 26th.
The 8th grade Moving Up Day Ceremony is on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 9:15 am in our school auditorium. The ceremony will be followed by a luncheon at Acqua at 11:00 am.
The high school Commencement Ceremony is on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at 10:15 a.m. in the school auditorium.
The Graduation Breakfast on is Friday morning June 14, 2019, at Acqua and the Junior-Senior Prom is that evening at the Pearl Street Grill.