Yeshion House 8th Grade Science Students Become CT DOT Bridge Inspectors for a Day

Mrs. Rusnov's 8th grade science students took a trip to a $24 million bridge construction project in Naugatuck. CT DOT managers, engineers, inspectors, and contractors hosted 30 lucky students at the Route 63 bridge crossing the Naugatuck River and MetroNorth Railroad. With hardhats in place, the students saw crane operators, steel workers, framers,and concrete specialists at work. Richard Symonds, the CT DOT Project Manager, described the very complex nature of the job, including its design, materials of construction, costs, methods of construction, use of contractors and inspectors and job safety.

The students are in the midst of a bridge design competition facilitated by Mrs. Rusnov and math teacher Mrs. Camilleri. Hopefully, the students were inspired by seeing the real thing and will bring design innovations back to their model bridges. Winning bridges will be announced in June.

To close the day, students had a relaxing lunch at McDonald's and for some reason didn't seem too anxious leave!

-Mel Rusnov

Wallace Announces the April Students of the Month

Wallace Middle School has a student-of-the-month program. Each month, one student per grade per house is selected based on the following criteria:

Positive - Is respectful
Attitudes - Accepts responsibility
Working - Completes a high percentage of class work and/or homework
Safely - Follows school rules

Wallace Middle School's April Students of the Month

Wallace Students Visit Southern Connecticut State University

Forty Wallace Middle School eighth-graders, along with guidance counselors Ms. Brown, Ms. Jordan, and Ms. Formato, visited Southern Connecticut State University on Friday, May 14. Teachers Ms. Banks and Ms. Ogrodnik also accompanied the children.

-Jennifer Formato

Wallace Middle School Remembers Luis Vega

Luis Vega Jr.

Wallace School student

WATERBURY — Luis Vega Jr., 14, of 29 Boxwood Court, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Waterbury Hospital.

Luis was born Aug. 18, 1995, in Waterbury, a son of Luis Vega Sr. and Katty DeJesus, both of Waterbury. He was a student at Wallace Middle School and was a true Boston Red Sox fan. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving young man who will be missed by all who knew him and will never be forgotten.

Besides his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Joaquin and Moises, in addition to many, many family members.

Service and calling hour will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. today at Chapel Memorial Funeral Home, 35-37 Grove St. Burial will be private.

Click here for obituary.

The Wallace Family is collecting cash donations for the Vega family. Please give whatever you can to your homeroom teacher.

Wallace Welcomes Next Year's Sixth Graders

Wallace Middle School's faculty and staff welcomed next year's sixth graders to the school during an orientation in the student cafeteria on Thursday, May 6. Building Principal Dr. Louis Padua and House Principals Donald Rapuano, Gary Huckins, and Jack Yeshion introduced families to various aspects of the school. The Drum Line, performing under the direction of music teacher Louis Pontecorvo, impressed our future students and their families with a performance of some several cadences.

Mr. Dizenzo's Students Turn Themselves Inside Out

Students from Mr. Dizenzo's class turned themselves inside out. Mrs. Thurston undertook a fantastic project with our 7th grade science students. The students traced their bodies and labeled their internal organs. They also matched up similar facial characteristics. They posed with their clones and we almost could not tell them apart. Mrs. Thurston would not join in the picture, but she deserves a lot of credit for developing and implementing this lively learning activity.

-Mr. Dizenzo

Wallace's FOCUS Students Encounter Justice System

Eighth grade FOCUS students witnessed, firsthand, the workings of the judicial branch of government when they visited the Grand Street Courthouse on Thursday, April 29. US Marshall Preziosa gave students a tour of the lock-up and various court rooms. Judge Adelman, Public Defender Green, and State's Attorney Davenport met with the students, shared overviews of their roles and responsibilities, and answered questions. The visit ended with students' observing actual court proceedings of the criminal court.

-Ms. Porzio