Around the school
ELA is great with Miss. Dema
By Lyna Faulkner
Recently I was able to interview the new writing teacher in Cluster 4, Miss. Dema. I learned many wonderful things about her. She said, as a young girl that she was extremely shy, but she would always get compliments from her middle school English Language Arts teacher about her writing skills. Miss. Dema said ELA was her favorite class and she still remembers this teacher as a very kind, warm, and inspiring person!
I have also learned some other things about Miss. Dema that not many people know. She said she learned to push herself to take on challenges. For example she joined her school newspaper and took AP English in her junior and senior years of high school. She said, “My teachers fostered within me a desire to learn, challenge myself and explore. I decided that through teaching, I could affect the lives of many students who experienced similar challenges as I faced.” She explained that because her teachers pushed her, she now wants to make the same impression on her students.
I also learned why her class seems different from other classrooms. It’s very important to her that her classroom has a fun and engaging atmosphere. She explained how she wants her classroom to be different from the rest of the teachers in our school and reflect her style. She hopes that everyone who takes her class knows that she has a lot of fun teaching. Miss. Dema also explained how she wants her classroom to be a safe area where students feel welcome and calm. She said she believes that a festive classroom (along with a fully engaging teacher) can lead students to success!
Outside of school, Miss. Dema said she likes spending time with her four-year-old German Shepherd named Jax. She enjoys going on long hikes with him year-round. Also, she loves to travel; she has been to 11 countries across the world and 18 states in the United States. Hopefully you will have a chance to be in her class or meet her as Miss. Dema has a personality that is pretty cool!
Recently I was able to interview the new writing teacher in Cluster 4, Miss. Dema. I learned many wonderful things about her. She said, as a young girl that she was extremely shy, but she would always get compliments from her middle school English Language Arts teacher about her writing skills. Miss. Dema said ELA was her favorite class and she still remembers this teacher as a very kind, warm, and inspiring person!
I have also learned some other things about Miss. Dema that not many people know. She said she learned to push herself to take on challenges. For example she joined her school newspaper and took AP English in her junior and senior years of high school. She said, “My teachers fostered within me a desire to learn, challenge myself and explore. I decided that through teaching, I could affect the lives of many students who experienced similar challenges as I faced.” She explained that because her teachers pushed her, she now wants to make the same impression on her students.
I also learned why her class seems different from other classrooms. It’s very important to her that her classroom has a fun and engaging atmosphere. She explained how she wants her classroom to be different from the rest of the teachers in our school and reflect her style. She hopes that everyone who takes her class knows that she has a lot of fun teaching. Miss. Dema also explained how she wants her classroom to be a safe area where students feel welcome and calm. She said she believes that a festive classroom (along with a fully engaging teacher) can lead students to success!
Outside of school, Miss. Dema said she likes spending time with her four-year-old German Shepherd named Jax. She enjoys going on long hikes with him year-round. Also, she loves to travel; she has been to 11 countries across the world and 18 states in the United States. Hopefully you will have a chance to be in her class or meet her as Miss. Dema has a personality that is pretty cool!
Teacher of the year: Mrs. Navickis
By Nancy Nguyen
Annually, Washington Middle School selects a teacher of the year. This year’s recipient of that honor is Mrs. Rosemary Navickis. She has been a special education teacher in our school for 23 years, and works with students across all three grade levels. Both students and staff find Mrs. Navickis to be supportive and very helpful.
Mrs. Navickis' desire to be an educator started when she was just a young girl. In particular, she knew that she wanted to concentrate on helping those children diagnosed with special needs. She has earned both her Bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree and she helped to fund her own education by waitressing. As a teacher, the subject she enjoys the most is reading, and instilling an ability and a love for reading are her two main goals with her students.
As a child, Mrs. Navickis was involved in many extracurricular activities and she encourages kids today to do the same. Along with Mrs. McBride, a Cluster 2 math teacher, Mrs. Navickis co-advises The Builder’s Club, which is a club that promotes community service. Her two daughters also went into occupations where they help people. Olivia is a science teacher and Emma is a registered nurse. In addition, she has a stepdaughter, and is also a proud grandma two times over!
In her free time, Mrs. Navickis likes to spend time with her friends, family & her fur babies--dogs, Jenny and Cricket. She comes from a large Irish family and is close to her four sisters and one brother. She also enjoys her second home in Maine and going kayaking. On a lovely fall day, I took a seat to interview the wonderful Mrs. Navickis.
Q: Why did you want to be a teacher and what inspired you to be a teacher?
A: I wanted to be a teacher all my life. I set up a classroom in my garage as a child. I knew I always wanted to help those children with special needs, and during high school, myself and my best friend helped with disabled children at New Haven Regional Center. I then went onto college and lived my dream of being an educator.
Q: How many years have you been working as a teacher, what job did you have before?
A: I waitressed at restaurants in Cape Cod, Massachusetts during the summers. I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with the restaurant patrons. Waitressing afforded me the opportunity to help pay for a large portion of my own college tuition.
Q: Do you have a favorite hobby, what do you do in your free time?
A: I have a special place in Maine that I go to and it’s where my family goes to reconnect and catch up with one another. My husband taught me how to kayak and I love it.
Q: In three words how would you describe yourself?
A: I feel that I’m friendly, and I like to spend time with my friends. I am also helpful because I like to help others, and I’m dedicated to my career.
Q: Do you have any pets, if not do you have a favorite animal?
A: I have two dogs, a 16 year old Labrador named Jenny, and a 6 year old Labradoodle, Cricket.
Q: As a teacher, what do you enjoy most about being in school and working with students?
A: I absolutely love to read. Sharing my love of reading and of books is a passion of mine with my students. I am also looking forward to a productive year of running The Builder’s Club with Mrs. McBride.
Q: When working with special needs students, what’s the most challenging thing?
A: The most challenging thing for me is finding the time to give each of the kids the exact amount of help that they require.
Annually, Washington Middle School selects a teacher of the year. This year’s recipient of that honor is Mrs. Rosemary Navickis. She has been a special education teacher in our school for 23 years, and works with students across all three grade levels. Both students and staff find Mrs. Navickis to be supportive and very helpful.
Mrs. Navickis' desire to be an educator started when she was just a young girl. In particular, she knew that she wanted to concentrate on helping those children diagnosed with special needs. She has earned both her Bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree and she helped to fund her own education by waitressing. As a teacher, the subject she enjoys the most is reading, and instilling an ability and a love for reading are her two main goals with her students.
As a child, Mrs. Navickis was involved in many extracurricular activities and she encourages kids today to do the same. Along with Mrs. McBride, a Cluster 2 math teacher, Mrs. Navickis co-advises The Builder’s Club, which is a club that promotes community service. Her two daughters also went into occupations where they help people. Olivia is a science teacher and Emma is a registered nurse. In addition, she has a stepdaughter, and is also a proud grandma two times over!
In her free time, Mrs. Navickis likes to spend time with her friends, family & her fur babies--dogs, Jenny and Cricket. She comes from a large Irish family and is close to her four sisters and one brother. She also enjoys her second home in Maine and going kayaking. On a lovely fall day, I took a seat to interview the wonderful Mrs. Navickis.
Q: Why did you want to be a teacher and what inspired you to be a teacher?
A: I wanted to be a teacher all my life. I set up a classroom in my garage as a child. I knew I always wanted to help those children with special needs, and during high school, myself and my best friend helped with disabled children at New Haven Regional Center. I then went onto college and lived my dream of being an educator.
Q: How many years have you been working as a teacher, what job did you have before?
A: I waitressed at restaurants in Cape Cod, Massachusetts during the summers. I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with the restaurant patrons. Waitressing afforded me the opportunity to help pay for a large portion of my own college tuition.
Q: Do you have a favorite hobby, what do you do in your free time?
A: I have a special place in Maine that I go to and it’s where my family goes to reconnect and catch up with one another. My husband taught me how to kayak and I love it.
Q: In three words how would you describe yourself?
A: I feel that I’m friendly, and I like to spend time with my friends. I am also helpful because I like to help others, and I’m dedicated to my career.
Q: Do you have any pets, if not do you have a favorite animal?
A: I have two dogs, a 16 year old Labrador named Jenny, and a 6 year old Labradoodle, Cricket.
Q: As a teacher, what do you enjoy most about being in school and working with students?
A: I absolutely love to read. Sharing my love of reading and of books is a passion of mine with my students. I am also looking forward to a productive year of running The Builder’s Club with Mrs. McBride.
Q: When working with special needs students, what’s the most challenging thing?
A: The most challenging thing for me is finding the time to give each of the kids the exact amount of help that they require.
Washington welcomes Mrs. Showerda as vice principal
By Maddy Fitzgerald
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Showerda, our new 7th grade vice principal. During our chat, she shared her plans for Washington Middle School, and a little bit about herself too.
Q: How is being Vice Principal of a middle school different than being a teacher at at high school?
A: I have a lot more responsibility, but I also have a lot more challenges. I get to work with a lot more great people and I get to use a lot more of my leadership skills to make Washington an even better school.
Q: What is one thing you want to change for Washington Middle School to become better?
A: Kindness. I would like to encourage each and every student to remember how meaningful it is to be kind to one another.
Q: What is one thing you enjoy about Washington Middle School?
A: I love the diversity with the students, every student has their own story. One of the things I like to do is talk about education goals and work with students on succeeding with their goals.
Q: How long have you been working in schools?
A: I have been an educator for 16 years. 15 years at Maloney and one year at Washington.
Q: Is it different being in charge of a school, instead of just being in charge of a classroom?
A: Absolutely yes, probably because there is more responsibility, and more accountability.
Q: Have you ever failed in your career and wanted to give up, how did you get over the failure?
A: Yes, but my motto became “keep your eyes on the prize”. That motto encouraged me everyday to remember the goals that I️ set for myself. I don't like to fail.
Q: Was working in schools your first choice?
A: No, I actually wanted to be a lawyer, I got an entry level opportunity to work in the school and I decided that I could become a teacher and share my business background with students as a business teacher. So, at that time, I went back to school to become a teacher.
Q: Do students’ failures affect you?
A: Everyday students fail, their failures are my failures, when students don't succeed we have to work harder for them.
Personal Questions:
Q: If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?
A: Ireland because my ancestors are from Ireland and it is a beautiful country with so much to explore.
Q: What is your favorite hobby out of school?
A: I don’t want to sound like a nerd, but I love reading outside of school.
Q: Is it hard to balance your work life and home life?
A: No because I am an excellent multi-tasker, one of my best skills is planning and organizing.
Q: Is there anything that I haven't asked you, that you would like to tell everyone?
A: I am so happy to be at Washington Middle School. I have been very nicely welcomed as a leader. I will work hard each and every day for the students and the staff at Washington Middle School.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Showerda, our new 7th grade vice principal. During our chat, she shared her plans for Washington Middle School, and a little bit about herself too.
Q: How is being Vice Principal of a middle school different than being a teacher at at high school?
A: I have a lot more responsibility, but I also have a lot more challenges. I get to work with a lot more great people and I get to use a lot more of my leadership skills to make Washington an even better school.
Q: What is one thing you want to change for Washington Middle School to become better?
A: Kindness. I would like to encourage each and every student to remember how meaningful it is to be kind to one another.
Q: What is one thing you enjoy about Washington Middle School?
A: I love the diversity with the students, every student has their own story. One of the things I like to do is talk about education goals and work with students on succeeding with their goals.
Q: How long have you been working in schools?
A: I have been an educator for 16 years. 15 years at Maloney and one year at Washington.
Q: Is it different being in charge of a school, instead of just being in charge of a classroom?
A: Absolutely yes, probably because there is more responsibility, and more accountability.
Q: Have you ever failed in your career and wanted to give up, how did you get over the failure?
A: Yes, but my motto became “keep your eyes on the prize”. That motto encouraged me everyday to remember the goals that I️ set for myself. I don't like to fail.
Q: Was working in schools your first choice?
A: No, I actually wanted to be a lawyer, I got an entry level opportunity to work in the school and I decided that I could become a teacher and share my business background with students as a business teacher. So, at that time, I went back to school to become a teacher.
Q: Do students’ failures affect you?
A: Everyday students fail, their failures are my failures, when students don't succeed we have to work harder for them.
Personal Questions:
Q: If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?
A: Ireland because my ancestors are from Ireland and it is a beautiful country with so much to explore.
Q: What is your favorite hobby out of school?
A: I don’t want to sound like a nerd, but I love reading outside of school.
Q: Is it hard to balance your work life and home life?
A: No because I am an excellent multi-tasker, one of my best skills is planning and organizing.
Q: Is there anything that I haven't asked you, that you would like to tell everyone?
A: I am so happy to be at Washington Middle School. I have been very nicely welcomed as a leader. I will work hard each and every day for the students and the staff at Washington Middle School.
Geography Bee at
Washington Middle School
By Globe Staff
On December 4th and 11th Washington Middle School in Meriden hosted the annual National Geographic Bee. Over 150 students participated in the preliminary competition from grades 6-8. Student competitors participated in seven rounds in the preliminary competition and were narrowed to just ten finalists. The school champion was eighth grader Scott Angilly of Cluster 3, and the school runner up was eighth grader Mason Zorovich also of Cluster 3.
Students were asked trivia style questions to test their knowledge of the social studies. Other finalists were eighth graders, Samuel Hurlburt of Cluster 3 and Ryan Rosario of Cluster 2. The seventh grade finalists included, Hailey Jensen of Cluster 6 and Alex Nedinsky (perfect score in the preliminary competition), Anthony Valerie, Aziz Bismillah, Jaedan Curcio all of Cluster 4. There was one sixth grade finalist, Michael Melendez of Cluster 7. The teacher monitors were Mr. Langlois and Ms.Stolfi, who would like to thank all the contestants, as well as our school interim Principal Donna Mik for hosting this special academic event. We look forward to our champion qualifying to participate in the state-level competition at Central Connecticut State University in March, 2018.
On December 4th and 11th Washington Middle School in Meriden hosted the annual National Geographic Bee. Over 150 students participated in the preliminary competition from grades 6-8. Student competitors participated in seven rounds in the preliminary competition and were narrowed to just ten finalists. The school champion was eighth grader Scott Angilly of Cluster 3, and the school runner up was eighth grader Mason Zorovich also of Cluster 3.
Students were asked trivia style questions to test their knowledge of the social studies. Other finalists were eighth graders, Samuel Hurlburt of Cluster 3 and Ryan Rosario of Cluster 2. The seventh grade finalists included, Hailey Jensen of Cluster 6 and Alex Nedinsky (perfect score in the preliminary competition), Anthony Valerie, Aziz Bismillah, Jaedan Curcio all of Cluster 4. There was one sixth grade finalist, Michael Melendez of Cluster 7. The teacher monitors were Mr. Langlois and Ms.Stolfi, who would like to thank all the contestants, as well as our school interim Principal Donna Mik for hosting this special academic event. We look forward to our champion qualifying to participate in the state-level competition at Central Connecticut State University in March, 2018.