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WEST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News West and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald edition areas
Serving the communities of Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
December 5, 2021
Issue No. 49
westsidenewsny.com
Chestnut Ridge School second graders fly their own Thanksgiving parade balloons
U.S. Army Veteran Robert Rapone with his dog, Casper.
Inspired by the story of the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade told in the book Balloons Over Broadway by author Melissa Sweet, young readers at ChurchvilleChili’s Chestnut Ridge Elementary School created their own video version of the famous parade, complete with fanciful balloons and entertaining commentary. Second-grade teacher Jodi Piontkowski wanted students to get excited about reading and participate in a memorable learning experience. She worked with Enrichment Specialists Andrea Lynch and Stephanie Ricci to design a special lesson that incorporated reading, analysis and discussion, creative writing, art, science and engineering principles, along with collaboration skills and teamwork. After reading the book, which tells the story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer tasked with creating the parade balloons that made the Macy’s event famous, student partners worked together to design their own balloon animals: whimsical giraffes, foxes, flying horses, and lions, to name just a few. They decorated their balloon puppets with a variety of colorful materials, taking care not to pop them. Students also had to consider how they would control and fly their finished balloons, as they were not filled with
Veterans Hall of Fame inductee visits Hilton social studies classes For the past few years, U.S. Army Veteran Bob Rapone has generously shared with Hilton students his knowledge about service to his country. Most recently, he visited Pam Tenny’s social studies classes at Merton Williams Middle School to talk about being a paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and his experience getting his service dog, Casper, four years ago. Originally wanting to be a cook, Rapone decided to enroll in Airborne School instead. He quickly advanced to the rank of E-5 Sergeant and served two tours in Vietnam as a paratrooper and ranger doing reconnaisance missions. While in Vietnam, his unit was awarded numerous commendations and citations. Among Rapone’s many awards and medals are the Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Silver Star, and the Army Commendation Medal. When Rapone returned home in 1969, he, like many veterans, began suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He shared with students how the America’s Vet Dogs program has dramatically improved his quality of life. In the video, Rapone explains the process of getting Casper, his therapy and PTSD guide dog. Casper is always dutifully by Rapone’s side as he participates in many events sharing his experiences, bringing awareness to veterans’ health issues and advocating for their wellness. Just the day before Rapone visited Hilton, he was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Veterans’ Outreach Center. The Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans from New York State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life. At the conclusion of the classes, students shook hands with Rapone and thanked him for his service. Provided information and photo
Team members keep their balloon from taking flight too soon.
Teacher Jodi Piontkowski helps students consider different methods they can use to control their balloon.
A fierce lioness balloon gets ready to join the CRS Parade.
lighter-than-air helium. Their engineering process was much like that followed by the original parade designer Sarg, who faced the same challenge in the early 1920s before helium was used in his balloons. After much good-humored trial and error (and a few exploded balloons), team members guided each special balloon as it took flight across a green screen, soon to be replaced by a video backdrop of the actual Macy’s storefront in New York City. Team members each wrote a description of their parade animal. They took turns recording each other’s scripts as parade day commentary. Teachers pulled the technology pieces together into a final video of the CRS Thanksgiving Day Parade, which can be viewed at https://www.wevideo. com/view/2462923992. Provided information and photos
A fluffy orange fox balloon is ready for his video close-up.