The Math Counts team, assisted by Coaches Jeff Agresti and Brett Daniel, competed successfully in the Regional meet held February 1 at Santa Rosa Middle School. This team began practices before school on Tuesdays in the fall, and increased their practices to twice a week in January. Their hard work paid off with excellent team scores, loads of fun, and great team spirit. Team members include: Michael Barrett, Danielle Brown, Lucas Buccafusca, Emma Edson, Kyle Ibrahim, Carie Paine, Kyle Torquemada, and Drew Wilde.

One of the team members, Lucas Buccafusca, will compete at the State meet March 15 in Sacramento. As he prepares, we wish him well, knowing that he will represent us with honor. We look forward to his participation as an excellent anchor for next year's team.

Math Counts provides opportunity for exploration in creative math problem solving as well as excellence in traditional math skills. The State competition is held in both northern and southern California with scores transmitted electronically for simultaneous results. Go Lucas!

Nine Windsor Middle School students have taken the SAT test as a part of admission application to the Johns Hopkins CTY program. Applicants will receive their notification of acceptance soon.

The CTY program offers GATE identified students in grades 4-12 extended academic opportunities, career and college entrance counseling, and a chance to meet GATE students from around the world. Students room on university campuses during the summer for classes and field trips. These activities range from three to six weeks in length and are taught by instructors from the host universities. Available courses vary from marine biology to Latin, from astro-physics to creative and essay writing. One of our former Windsor Middle School students will travel to Hawaii this summer for a course in geo-politics.

Editor's Minute
As parents and educators, we often admire the GATE student for creative and extended thinking abilities. We encourage, enhance, and delight in the brilliance a student displays. As a student grows into adulthood, we expect each student to use those abilities. For some students the use of those abilities becomes a point of frustration because they lack basic skills.
A brilliant mathematician investigates concepts only by accessing accurate, fast arithmetic skills. A creative writer is effective only when using extensive vocabulary, varied sentence structure, and standard grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Musicians internalize scales, modes, and composition theory. Athletes train and train and train before their gifts are useful.
Above-average thinking ability is not enough for our students. Although students may complain about rote grammar or arithmetic exercises, those exercises serve to allow students easy access to the skills that will enable them to use the great talents they possess. Until a student possesses academic skills well above grade level, he or she would do well to practice and practice and practice. Few enjoy the discipline this requires, but most successful adults recognize the benefit of a "standard" education. A firm foundation in the "basics" allows a GATE person the structure to develop and communicate ideas. Requiring competence in basic skills frees our students from the limitations and frustration of mediocrity.

- Katherine Sterling, M.Ed., NBCT -

The AVID Program, now in its second year at both Windsor Middle and Windsor High Schools, has been a proven program for well over two decades in various
parts of the nation. It provides organization, study skills, and incentive for college-bound students who need extra support for academic success. Sometimes GATE students are not organized enough for school success, or they have not internalized the necessary study skills. The AVID elective offers these students support, counseling, and extended learning opportunities through college based programs and field trips. Advisors Kelly Hunter and Katie Benavides select students for this class beginning this spring. In the spring there will be an opportunity for students to apply and interview for next year's AVID class.

Windsor High School's counselors work closely with 8th grade GATE students to insure proper placement next year. Counselors have a list of GATE identified students, and parents are encouraged to contact the counselors with questions concerning the registration process. Parent nights are February 24-25. Course request forms are due by March 3 when high school personnel pick them up from the middle school.

Parents interested in watching differentiated curriculum in action are invited to our second family night March 14 at 6:00 P.M. As with our Language Arts Family Night, this Science Night will include a typical academic lesson and pizza.

Mr. David Whitehead will present a science lab on the explosive properties of hydrogen gas, complete with explanation of how that lesson meets state standards. Then Mr. Whitehead will expand the understandings gained from the experiment to include higher order thinking skills and challenge all family members to draw conclusions about their new understanding.

Pizza and soda will be served at a cost of $4 per person. Reservations are required so we order the right amount of pizza. RSVP Katherine Sterling or Debbie Olcott at 837-7737.

Odyssey of the Mind team members practice several times weekly in preparation for competition March 8 at Elsie Allen High School. Team members ready themselves by preparing projects displaying creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. Some of the tasks are extemporaneous, and some are prepared before the competition, but the real purpose is to challenge the team to think and perform in new and different ways. Occasionally they also have fun.

Advisor Dan Cutler and OM Team members have committed themselves to practices every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday through the competition. A peek into their practices frequently finds them laughing, conferring, planning, organizing, and researching their chosen task. All parents and students are invited to watch the actual competition.

Windsor Middle School Academic Pentathlon team scored first place in the practice competition in early February. Twelve students chosen on the basis of grade point average and interest and enthusiasm compete against six other middle school teams in a variety of academic tasks. Each student writes an essay, answers questions about science and math, and analyzes a modern novel. The school with the highest scores wins the competition, but teams and individuals are also recognized.

Students and parents are invited to the final competition in March. Contact Advisor Don Rasmussen for specific time, date, and location.

Every Saturday rain or shine finds the crew of SSS Orion on the water in sail or powerboats. Wednesday evenings the crew practices for competitions, but crew members who attend Windsor Middle School also practice seamanship skills Thursdays during lunch in room D106.

Beginning February 24 a Basic Boating Safety class will be held in D106 from 3:30 to 5:30 P.M. It is an 8-week course open to all students regardless of age; parents are welcome, too.

Call 528-6677 for further information.

GAC - WMS GATE Advisory Council has decided to focus on four areas of concern this year. For input or information on these areas, please contact:

Differentiated Learning Plan
Mark Archambault 836-1983
Loren Barker 837-7737, ext. 103
Katherine Sterling 837-7737, ext. 125
Clusters
Besty Prestis 838-1755
Todd Milliken 838-1914
Deb Olcott 837-7737, ext. 102
Teacher Training
Bryan St. Amant 838-8784
Katie Benavides 837-7737, ext. 123
Diane Machado 837-7737, ext. 129
Catherine Serpa 837,7737, ext. 161
Measure Success

Betsy Prestis 838-1755

Dan Cutler 837-7737, ext. 164
Mark Archambault 836-1983