The 4th Annual Get Smart for Wilton 5K will be held on Sunday, May 27th, 2012. Registrants can arrive beginning at 8:00 a.m. and the race begins at 9:00 a.m. Come out with the whole family to run or walk, cheer on your neighbors and classmates, enjoy our beautiful town, and support our schools. Get a T-shirt, have a bagel, and see lots of friends. It will be a great way to start the day on the Spring holiday weekend! The cost is $20 per entrant. All proceeds will go to the Wilton schools to fund technology, the arts and professional development. Cash prizes will be given to the top 3 male and female runners, and awards will go to the top 3 runners in each division.

To register, please visit:
Active.com
The Last Mile

To learn more about this year’s race, visit:
Wilton Patch

For information regarding last year’s race, visit:
Wilton Patch

A new – if perhaps costly – technology SMARTBoards have become such an integrated part of technology that the Chair of Wilton’s Public Facilities Council said that architectural aspects of the school’s renovation should be sure to integrate space for classroom technology. They’ve also been deemed important enough that every classroom at Miller-Driscoll School (MD) is equipped with one, thanks in part to fundraising done by the MD PTA and the Wilton Education Foundation and the Wilton taxpayer.

Yet SMARTBoards go beyond being a fancy whiteboard. They integrate touch-screen technology with the projection of a computer screen, allowing for a number of incredible educational teaching opportunities. For example, in this video you can see a SMARTBoard user swoop down on snowy mountain peaks and investigate the specifics of a city skyscraper while using Google Earth.

From candlelight to lightbulb

Max Gabrielson, who teaches in the World Languages Department of Wilton High School, was one of the first teachers in his department to get a SMARTBoard four years ago. He said that the new technology has become an “integral part” of his routine and are well-received by the students.

“Kids love it and recognize its advantages. They’re happy to use it in the classroom,” he said.

Gabrielson believes that this technology has completely phased out the need for an overhead printer, and that SMARTBoards provide a more intuitive, fluid classroom experience. He can go to the board and make marks, or switch slides, and “still face the students,” promoting classroom engagement.

The SMARTBoard also allows for notes, or notations on a file, to be saved as a PDF file, which can then be uploaded directly to the Edline website for students looking for more study materials or for those who may have missed class. The SMARTBoard eliminates the need for Xeroxing class notes, lectures, and some study materials because it just lets the teacher upload a massive amount of data, to be used by students as they wish. Using a Document Camera, the SMARTBoard allows users to snap a picture and then integrate that photo into a presentation, where it can be modified, inserted into a slideshow/PowerPoint, and marked to the user’s desire.

“It’s a tremendous labor-saving device,” said Gabrielson.  “I can mark the text with an electronic marker, then save an extensively long file—20, 30, 40 frames—and I can save dozens of these in one click of my mouse, and then save the presentation as a PDF document and put it on Edline for students.”

And perhaps coming soon, Gabrielson can give students a first-person, 3-D view of the ruins of Pompeii on Google Maps (albeit with tourists, which you apparently can’t even escape in the virtual realm). The possibilities appear to be limited only by the amount of virtual software available and ease of compatibility; actual museums from all over the world can be virtually toured in Google Art Project, something an art department would probably find useful.

Matt Hepfer, the Director of Technology for Wilton schools, is also proponent of SMARTBoards. He said the new technology has a plethora of uses which “reaches all different types of learners,” by allowing a hands-on “engagement” and offers students the ability to “relieve the class discussion with audio” and real-time note-taking . This could be especially beneficial for students in special education, who may require more time on certain subjects.

“We’re visual learners,” said Hepfer. During a focus group study in Wilton, “so many students talked about how the SMARTBoards helped them learn.”

Even well-established teachers, such as some “veteran” kindergarten instructors, are adapting to the new technology because it is so well-received by pupils, said Hepfer.

When it’s used for the first time “immediately all the faces in the classroom light up” said Hepfer. Hepfer suggested that even if a teacher isn’t technologically inclined or even a luddite, the enthusiasm shown from the students was enough to win over the skeptics.

Some teachers love it just as much: “For me to go back to an overhead projector would be like using candles instead of electricity,” wrote Gabrielson in an email advocating the importance of SMART technology.

Budgeting and buying

As innovative and exciting that this new technology may be for teachers and students, it comes with a price.

If the proposed Board of Ed budget passes, Cider Mill would have all class rooms equipped with SMARTBoards, said Hepfer. Right now, Cider Mill is at “about 87 percent” of its 100 percent goal, he said.

According to the proposed budget, $40,294 is allocated for Cider Mill SMARTBoard purchases and technology training, which includes the purchase of 11 new SMARTBoards. The aforementioned Document Cameras come at an additional cost. Cider Mill is requesting an additional $7,392 for Document Cameras, which are add-ons to the SMARTBoard, with the “implementation” defined as “equip[ping] two classrooms at each grade level per house” with the cameras, according to the Board of Ed’s budget proposal.

Middlebrook, which has SMARTBoards in about half of its classrooms according to Hepfer, is asking for $29,085 for its “Team SMARTBoard Upgrade” project. This includes rail-mounted SMARTBoards to be “mounted on each academic team to double the number of these devices on each team,” “ceiling-mounted projectors” and training costs, according to the Board of Ed’s budget proposal.

Miller-Driscoll is requesting $11,399 for SMARTBoard purchases and training. An additional $7,392 is asked to “equip five classrooms at each grade level” with Document Cameras.

Wilton High School is asking for several SMARTBoards, including a  SMARTBoard and projector in two science rooms ($4,069) and the implementation of SMARTBoards and LCD projectors in the “remaining four world language rooms that currently do not have them” as well as equipping existing SMARTBoards with “Bluetooth connectors” ($13,608). Other areas of the WHS budget also ask for Bluetooth connectivity, which would eliminate stray wires which may pose a safety hazard. (Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of all SMARTBoard technology asked for by WHS).

The Wilton Education Foundation (WEF) has donated to Wilton schools “$86,000 to SMARTBoards” and “$5,000 to SMARTBoard training” out of “$160,000” over the past three academic school years, said WEF Chair Christopher Smith in an email to Patch. “Our goal is to donate at least $75,000 again this year, with at least $40,000 more going to SMARTBoards,” he wrote.

Wilton PTAs also contribute to SMARTBoard funding through a variety of fundraising activities, such as this past weekend’s Winter Carnival.

Before Wilton votes on the education budget, voters can head over to the Tech Expo 3.0, which is to be held at MiddleBrook School on March 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

- By Craig Donofrio

The room was filled with the sounds of children yelling out corrections to their peers and teachers as the adults tried to determine whether the children’s answers were actually right.

The four contestants — three teachers and a National Merit Scholar finalist — took to the Clune Center stage. Each answered seven questions written by Cider Mill Elementary School fifth-grade teachers.

“It’s a time to be funny and ham it up,” Wilton High senior Will Jankowski said before the show started.

And two-time emcee Sal Giaimo, a kindergarten teacher at Miller-Driscoll Elementary School, hit his stride, entering the auditorium by running through the aisles and then doing push-ups on stage.

Gaining the audience’s approval was a factor, as Cider Mill science teacher Kevin Meehan soon discovered. When asked how many outs there are in mattball, he said “two.” But when the audience groaned, he quickly said, “But hold on!” He revised his answer with help from Gerri Fox, who correctly answered “four.”

“Wilton is so centered on sports, and this is a good counter balance to that,” said Foundation Chair Kit Smith. “This gives the students a chance to shine, too.”

“I think it’s a really great showcase for the kids,” said Debbie McGrath, a live-in nanny in Wilton. “It’s very encouraging for the kids to have all the encouragement coming up from the audience.”

Each contestant made sure to bring the kids into their answers. For each question, a fifth-grader would sit next to the podium. Frequently, a contestant would ask who was best at a category such as Third Grade Math or Fifth Grade American History.

On top of that, the contestants were given a “copy, a peak and a save,” Giaimo explained at the start. That meant a contestant could use the fifth-grader’s answer, look at their answer, or if the kid was feeling nice, they could save the contestant from getting the answer wrong.

In the end, all four contestants and the 24 students walked away winners. The proceeds from the event will go toward buying SMARTBoards for every classroom.

- By Alissa Smith

Will wasn’t the only contestant to be stumped on Friday night as they participated in the Wilton Education Foundation’s second annual Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, a competition based on the popular game show.

Four teams of Cider Mill fifth graders took the stage against four contestants: Janet Nobles, chorus and general music teacher at Middlebrook; Karen Brooks, art teacher at Miller-Driscoll; Kevin Meehan, a science teacher at Cider Mill; and Will Jankowski, a senior and National Honor Society co-president at Wilton High School.

Much like the event’s TV inspiration, contestants were asked questions under such categories as “fifth grade science” and “fourth grade social studies.” For every question, contestants could choose a student consultant from a team of students to answer the same question. If a contestant didn’t know the answer, he or she could opt to “peek” or “copy” the student consultant’s answer. If they guessed incorrectly, they had one chance to be “saved” if one of the fifth graders could provide the right answer.

Will could only name three stages of the water cycle, but was eventually saved by his team of student consultants, who unanimously supplied the final answer with a shout of “accumulation!”

Fifth grade students across Cider Mill took a general knowledge test in order to qualify for the night’s event. This year, the 20 students to earn themselves a seat on stage were Andrew Abi-Karam, Purab Angreji, Grace Bracken, Ethan Fang, Cameron Farrar, Gianna Filipponi, Bailey Foltz, Gerri Fox, Isabelle Giller, Alex Killian, Nicholas Koenigsberger, Davis Langhoff, Arden Lee, Alex Li, Daniel Ottavi, Christopher Porricelli, Joseph Redmond, Elena Savas, Hannah Segerson, Hannah Taylor, Natalie Wallon, Tony Wilox, Brandt Williams, and Jonathan Wu.

According to WEF co-vice chairman Matthew Greene, last year’s event drew a full house and raised $15,000 for Wilton schools. He went on to say that organizing events like these requires “a lot of partnership between the schools to see what we can offer.”

Kit Smith, WEF chairman, later estimated that 700 people came to Friday’s show, with WEF raising $13,000 to $15,000. Based on the program’s success, he suspects and hopes it will be returning next year.

“This event is extraordinary,” said Mr. Meehan, who participated last year as well. While the original show thrived on the embarrassment of its contestants, Mr. Meehan said of his students that “at this age, they’re probably rooting for me,” though he added he suspected there would be a deliberate lack of science questions considering his background.

Mr. Meehan commented on the foundation’s mission of supporting Wilton schools by raising money for new technology, fine arts and student enrichment programs, and professional development for teachers.

In the wake of budget cuts, Mr. Meehan said, the past five years has seen the disappearance of Cider Mill’s science clubs, as well as the loss of the science department’s full-time aide.

Despite cuts like these, Mr. Meehan said he feels “very supported” by his school community, and appreciates the efforts of the foundation to fill in the blanks when it comes to the school budget.

For many, however, the night was more than a fund-raiser. “It was amazing,” said a smiling Joseph Redmond, a fifth-grader who helped define a polygon for Mr. Meehan. He also added that he hadn’t been nervous.

It is hard to say if the same could have been said for everyone on stage that night, particularly as contestants were faced with questions on topics they might not have had to think about in years. As Ms. Nobles asked after answering her “fifth grade writing” question on the definition of a memoir, “Am I right? Oh please tell me I’m right!”

She was, though she may have been helped by a few fifth graders.

- Written by Sarah Anderson

The inception began about two years ago, when WEF members were new fundraising event ideas. Eventually, someone called out, “’What about, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?’ and the idea just kind of stuck,” said Christopher (Kit) Smith, the Chair of the WEF.

As ideas were fleshed out, the event picked up steam and “became this force” which raised $15,000 last year, said Maxine Berg, the Development Chair of WEF.

“It was really cool last year, to look around the auditorium and see all the families together, and they’re all trying to figure out the answers along with the contestants,” said Berg.

The finalized idea is more than just a game show tribute: WEF has worked hard to make a family-friendly event that includes all aspects of Wilton.

“We took the idea and ran with it,” said Berg. “We made it very Wilton” and tried to “incorporate all different parts of the academic community,” she said.

And “very Wilton” it is. This year, live-action commercials, interspersed between contestants, will be presented by B-Chic, Wilton Sports and Fitness, and Walter Schalk (expect dancing). During intermission, winners of the Middlebrook Science Fair will show off their experiments in the lobby via a SMARTBoard. Also available will be refreshments (cookies) and promotional items including CDs from WEF partner Acoustic Wilton.

These commercials came when “we started thinking, how do we get business involved?” said Berg, who then reached out to local shops for participation and sponsorship.

“It’s a kind of three-ring circus,” said Smith.

It was a memorable event, too.

“There was one question that someone in the audience shouted they knew the answer to which nobody else knew,” recalled Smith. That question was “What fort was fired upon that started the Civil War?” The answer was Fort Sumpter, as provided correctly by person the audience member, who also happened to be First Selectman William Brennan’s wife.

There’s no real win-or-lose, prize-or-penalty aspect to Wilton’s “Are You Smarter” show. The event is about community and family, with the goal of raising money by WEF which supports technology, music and arts for Wilton’s public schools—and having fun while doing so.

“It’s one of our biggest fund-raisers,” said Smith.

Contestants this year include “Miller-Driscoll art teacher Karin Brooks; Will Jankowski, high school senior and co-president of the National Honor Society and co-caption of the indoor track team; Middlebrook music teacher and avid recycler Janet Nobles; and science instructor and Ambler farmer Kevin Meehan,” according to a press release sent out by the WEF. Coming back for a second run will be Kindergarten teacher Sal Giaimo to work the audience as emcee. To select the fifth graders for their part of the show, the WEF distributed a test for kids, and the winners were given the opportunity to be on stage.

Tickets are still available; see below for purchasing information. Scroll down even further to take a sample of questions pulled from various episodes of the national “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” show which spawned this community event.

Ticket info: Reserved seating is available this year for $15 per student and $25 per adult. General admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults. All tickets are “will call” to be picked up that evening. Tickets are only sold online at www.wiltoneducationfoundation.org. For any questions or more information, contact Patty Connor at shelby27@optonline.net or 203-761-0163. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, if available. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will last until about 9 p.m.

- By Craig Donofrio

- By Tom Evans

Auditions started this week for the Wilton Education Foundation’s “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?”

The auditions of for more than 120 Cider Mill Elementaryschool fifth-graders were  based on a 35-question test combining language arts, math, science, social studies, world language, music and art.

The Education Foundation has been working with the administration at Cider Mill to bring the game show back for a second year. Last year’s event was sold-out, packing the Clune Center with 850 students, parents, friends and alumni. This year’s show is scheduled for Friday, March 2, at 7 p.m.

Cider Mill teachers will correct the screening tests, and 20 students will be selected to take part in the show. The teachers are also compiling a bank of questions for the show.

Advance tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door: $15 for students, $20 for adults.

Additional information (including information about reserved tickets) is available through the WEF website.

“Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?”

is WEF’s important fundraising event of the year. The event will be held on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Clune Center of Wilton.

March 2, 2012
The Clune Center of Wilton
395 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897

Last year was a HUGE success!!!! Clune Center was sold out for the first time to a non-profit organization which equates to 850 seats!!! $15,000 was raised for the Wilton Public Schools. We would love to surpass last year’s numbers!!!!!!

There is a program for the evening’s event and there are opportunities to advertise throughout the program. You have the option of advertising your business or you may take out a personal friends and family advertisement to support your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, friend, cousin or neighbor in the schools.

If you would like to advertise in the program, there is an option of a ½ page – $50.00 donation or full page – $100.00 donation. Please submit any artwork in 100 % hi-resolution JPG or hi-resolution PDF. Please email your artwork to Carrie Preisano at apreisano@hotmail.com Please fill out the attached form for the business advertisement and family and friends support advertisement. Deadline for ad submits is 2/6/12.

We will be publicizing this event in our local papers, Facebook page and website. We also will be providing a town wide thank you letter after the event with a list of donors.

Wilton Education Foundation Federal Tax ID: 22-3252632. Please check with your accountant as to tax deductibility.

Many thanks, in advance, for your consideration and support. Please visit our website at www.wiltoneducationfoundation.org.

Respectfully,
Maxine Berg
Development Chair

Please contact Kara Bingaman at karabingaman@gmail.com with the name(s) of anyone you would like to honor, their respective school and the amount that you wish to give. Please send a check to Kara addressed to 47 Indian Hill Road. Once she receives the check, she will print the certificate and deliver it to the school.

Thank you for supporting your schools through the Wilton Education Foundation! Happy Holidays!

All three — Ellie Mendola, Megan Daversa and Cara Lamason — are students at Wilton High School, and they gathered recently at Ellie’s house to talk about how and why they joined the musical group that has been so enthusiastically embraced by the town.