I want to thank all of the community members who have attended recent meetings to discuss the Board of Education budget. Your input and support is invaluable. The initial budget proposal representing a .99% increase failed at the February 5th Board of Finance meeting. The Board of Education responded by proposing a 0% increase over the 2008-2009 budget. This budget was accepted by the Board of Finance at their February 12th meeting. The process continues with a Town Budget meeting on April 7th at the Old Town Hall and finally on to the referendum on May 5th. It is important to be present at meetings and to continue to show support for the budget.

On January 29th Hall Memorial School hosted the annual Science Night. The eighth graders participated in an “Invention Convention” while the sixth and seventh graders continued with the tradition “Science Fair” format. First place in the Invention Convention went to Gina Sinsigallo for her E Z Water. Mary Zalewa took second place with the Done Deal Duster and Christine LaCroix came in third place with her Safe T Slicer. Honorable Mentions went to Ryan Suchy, Gabe Rodriguez and Andrew Campbell.

In the Science Fair category Luciana Mueller won first place with her project on bacterial growth in the waters around Willington. Second place went to Liam McLean for his study of the effect of Calcium on the growth of mealworms. Vanessa Lusa took third place with her study of fear and gymnastics. Finally, Kayley Crooke took fourth place for her experiment that looked at mold growth on spaghetti. Honorable Mentions went to: Skyley Parizek, Lucas Hannagan, Brenden Boasa, Linde Thatcher, Tim Nolan and Josh Littell. Congratulations to all of the students who participated and good luck to those going on to represent Hall memorial at the state competition.  

The Hall School Geography Bee was held on Tuesday, January 13th. The Geography Bee is a national competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society. There are three levels to the National Geography Bee - school, state, and national. Knowing that Mount Sunflower is the highest point in Kansas clinched a victory for Ryan Seery in this year’s Hall Memorial School Geography Bee. The students that participated in the school level competition were: Griffen Worthen, Will Luchon, Daniel Twiss, Hannah Makuch, Liam McLean, Chris Dwelley, Ethan Baker, Ryan Seery, Sam Governale, and Gabe Rodriguez. In order to participate in the state level of the Geography Bee contestants must take a 70-question test. The top 100 students will be selected to participate in the state level competition. Ryan Seery has taken the test and we will receive results of the test some time in March. Congratulations to all of the contestants in the school Geography Bee!

On January 27th, author Terry Golson visited Center School and read her book, Tillie Lays an Egg to the kindergarten and first grade students.  The author of numerous cook books, Ms. Golson shared with the students how her real life experiences on Little Pond Farm inspired her to write her first children’s book.  Ms Golson talked with the students about how they can write stories about their own lives as well. 

Throughout the month of February, Center School students enjoyed a physical education unit on snowshoeing.  Physical education teacher Sean Conlin led students on walks around the school and through the nature trail adjacent to school.  The snowshoes were purchased a few years ago with the support of the Willington PTA. 

The Willington PTA 5K Race and Fun Run is again scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.  This is a popular event with the school community and everyone is invited to attend.  A silent auction with prizes or services from local businesses is held on the day of the race with proceeds supporting the Center School physical education program as well as school wide assemblies and enrichment. 

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.