- Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District
-
Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District Location 2292 Saunders Settlement Road
Niagara County, New York, 14132
United StatesInformation Funding type Public Motto Falcons don't glide, they soar Established 1956 Superintendent Carl Millitello Faculty 208 Grades K-12 Enrollment 4,200 Color(s) Black and White and red homepage = [1]
Mascot Falcon Nickname N-W Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District is a public school district in New York State located in Sanborn, New York, about 10 miles (16 km) from Niagara Falls, New York. The District serves students from the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield.
Contents
Purpose
Mission Statement: The Niagara Wheatfield School District will serve its diverse community to enable its learners to attain the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes within a supportive environment so that students become responsible and productive individuals.
Vision Statement: Niagara Wheatfield Central School District will graduate successful students who are sought after by both post-secondary institutions and the work force due to their commitment to produce high quality work in both independent and collaborative settings.
As facilitators of learning, teachers will utilize a broad set of instructional strategies, including technology, to actively engage all segments of our diverse student population.
Our schools will be community-oriented and model a team approach to education in which all members play an important role in the educational process. Parents feel welcome to share their knowledge and are actively involved.
Our schools will be student-centered offering an environment that is clean, safe and inviting where people feel self-worth and a sense of purpose and achievement.
Because of inspired staff, involved parents and motivated students, the level of achievement will rank Niagara Wheatfield among the nation's best schools.
Board of education
The Board of Education (BOE) consists of 7 members who serve rotating 3-year terms. Elections are held each May for board members and to vote on the School District Budget.
- William Conrad - President
- Michelle Hoerner - Vice President
- Mike Brock
- Kathy Fleming
- Kristin MacKenzie
- Samuel Monin
- Kevin Smith
Schools
The school district operates six schools.[1]
Elementary schools
- Colonial Village Elementary School
- Errick Road Elementary School
- West Street Elementary School
- Tuscarora Indian School
Middle school
- Edward Town Middle School
Is Connected to the Senior High
High school
- Niagara-Wheatfield High School
School Colors and Mascot
Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School's official school colors are black & white and red. The school's mascot is the Falcon, and its sports teams and other competitive teams are also referred to as the "Niagara-Wheafield Falcons."
Academic and Behavioral Statistics
Overall, Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District's academic and behavioral statistics are higher than the New York State average. In 2006 the average attendance rate for all high school students was 93%. Total suspension count for the year was 94 incidents. 96% of the Class of 2006 earned New York State Regents diplomas, while only 4% earned local diplomas. 56.8% of total students earned New York State Regents diplomas with advanced designations (honors). 69.2% of students with disabilities earned New York State Regents diplomas.
Sports and Academic Organizations
Athletics: NW has an array of sports programs, including baseball, football, basketball, bowling, wrestling, cheer-leading, track, cross country, tennis, volleyball, swimming, golf, soccer, hockey and softball. Niagara-Wheatfield competes in the NFL (Niagara Frontier League) with rival schools such as Lewiston-Porter, Niagara Falls, and Lockport. Niagara-Wheatfield is in New York's Section 6.
Academic Organizations: Niagara-Wheatfield also offers a wide variety of other organizations that students can join based on their interests.
Music: The NW Music program features a concert band, symphonic band, jazz band, pep band, chorale, concert choir and vocal jazz. The school repeatedly earns honorable recognition in both the chorus and band departments. NW also casts and directs a musical once per year which also receives honorable reviews from attendees and music professionals.
Math and Science: The math club allows students interested in problem-solving to work on advanced math problems and to compete with other schools in mathematics competitions. The science club offers students the opportunity to explore unique topics in biology, earth science, chemistry and physics.
Art: The Art Club offers opportunities for students interested in painting, drawing and other creative activities. The club features a student-fundraised trip to Europe every few years in order to view historic sites such as Michaelangelo's Statue of David and the Sistine Chapel. The trips are generally co-sponsored by both the Art Club and one of the language clubs.
Language: NW's language program focuses on preparing students for basic communication skills in French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. Students have the opportunity to join language-focused clubs enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the languages, special holidays and cultures.
Other Clubs: Other clubs available to students include the Ski Club, the National Honor Society, School Yearbook Committee, Falcon Newspaper, PAVAS school spirit club, Play Fest, Student Leadership (by teacher nomination only), Student Government, Bible Club, Archery Club, the Homecoming Committee and the Winterfest Dance Committee.
School Events: Students can look forward to the Homecoming Football Game and Homecoming Dance in October, the Winterfest Dance in February, band and choral concerts throughout the year, sporting events throughout the year, and life-long friendships with classmates.
Notable alumni
Rashad Evans, Class of 1998, is a former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion. During his time at Niagara-Wheatfield, he was known for his significant contributions to the NW Falcons' varsity football and wrestling teams, with guidance and leadership from Coach Ace Cacciatore.
Johnny Destino, Class of 1994, is a Niagara Falls City School District Board Member.
Coach Armand "Ace" Cacciatore, a 2002 inductee into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and a 1999 inductee into the New York State Wrestling Coaches' Hall of Fame. Ace dedicated his career to teaching and coaching at Niagara-Wheatfield and formed the school's wrestling program in 1963, compiling a record of 330 wins and 30 losses during his wrestling coaching tenure, sending over 35 wrestlers to New York State Finals. He was named to head varsity football coach in 1970, and within three years led the Falcons into their first league championship. His football record is highlighted with 158 wins in 26 years, three Section VI Class Double A championships (two of them consecutive, in 1996 and 1997), seven divisional championships, two Connelly Cups, and five trips to Rich (Ralph Wilson) Stadium. Cacciatore became known not only as a superb coaching tactician, but a molder of men. A strong believer that character matters, he instilled a strong sense of purpose and values in every athlete who ever played or wrestled for his teams. Coach Cacciatore often took an interest in the personal lives of struggling student athletes, and assisted many in obtaining college scholarships or otherwise achieving to their best potential.[2]
Post-High School Career Paths
The majority of each year's graduating classes go on to pursue two and four-year college-level degrees. 38.5% of students in the Class of 2006 went on to start a 4-year degree program (91 students in-state and 4 out of state), 46% went on to start a 2-year degree, 4.3% went on to start other vocational training programs, and 28 students total started employment immediately post graduation.
2008: 50 Year Golden Anniversary
In 2008, Niagara-Wheatfield celebrated its "golden anniversary" of 50 years with a 1950's-style sock hop, inviting all NW alumni who have graduated from the school since its opening 50 years ago.[1]
Brief History and Student Demographics
Prussian Immigrant Foundation: The original high school was built on the Haseley family farm land in 1958, which the family sold to the state. The dual Edward Town Middle School and Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School complex is located on Saunders Settlement Road (NYS Route 31) near the hamlet of "Walmore",[3] an original Franco-German (Prussian) Lutheran settlement formed in the 1880s, to which the Haseley family is related. There are still several families living in the town of Wheatfield today who are descendants of the original Franco-German (Prussian) immigrant families. The families established the hamlets of Johnsberg, Bergholtz and Walmore after escaping harsh religious persecution in their former European homeland.[4]
Tuscarora Nation History: There is also a Native American population (the Tuscarora Nation, one of the Six Nations of Haudenosaunee) with a deep history that has a historical presence in the school district. The Tuscarora reservation (founded in 1803) is located directly across the street from the middle school and high school, and is home to the Tuscarora Nation.
Italian, Irish and Other Heritages: The school district also is home to several students of Italian ancestry, as well as students many other diverse origins and backgrounds such as Irish-American, Asian-American and African-American.
A Growing Population in a Difficult Economy: Despite issues with job loss in the manufacturing industry due to globalization and the transition of America from a manufacturing-driven economy into a service-driven economy, the Town of Wheatfield is one of the fastest-growing towns in Niagara County. West Street Elementary School located in Sanborn, NY was built and added to the school district in the late 1990s to accommodate the growing population of school-aged children.
References
External links
Categories:- School districts in New York
- Niagara Falls, New York
- Education in Niagara County, New York
- Schools in Niagara County, New York
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
