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Significant
progress made during first year of construction
With
the one-year mark drawing near, Niskayuna Central School
District Board of Education members viewed the progress made on
the district’s extensive $94.5 million building project. The
project architect and members of Sano-Rubin's project management
team joined district officials on a walking tour of the new
construction and renovations at Niskayuna High School on
Tuesday, May 6, prior to the district’s public
budget hearing and regular board meeting.
Read more
Advanced
Placement exams schedule
All morning
exams, with the exception of Spanish, German and
Music Theory, will be given at Iroquois Middle
School. Room assignments will be posted on the
exterior doors at Iroquois. Buses will be
available, leaving the NHS bus area at 7:15 a.m.
Buses will return to NHS at the completion of
the morning exams (11:30 a.m.-12
p.m.). Seniors with parking passes may drive to and
park in the Iroquois parking lots. All afternoon
exams are given at NHS.
View the schedule
VOTE ON-LINE FOR “NISKY SPIRIT” beginning May 8
Niskayuna
High School students compete in Time Warner Cable’s “How Cool Is
Your School” video contest
A
production team from Steve Honicki’s Studio Video II class,
including students Nicholas Batson, Nicholas Collisson, Stephen
Gemmiti, Paul Lyons, Christopher Murphy, Keenan Roberts, and
David Stopera, recently participated in the “How Cool is Your
School” Video Production Contest sponsored by Time Warner
Cable. The competition was designed to encourage and challenge
local students to use their creativity to promote their school’s
unique spirit while also developing their video production
skills. The production will be judged on its relevance,
effectiveness, production technique, creativity and marketing.
The winning school will be featured in a Capital News 9 story
and will receive a $1,000 gift card to use to purchase new
video/editing equipment. The winning team will also receive a
tour of CNN’s New York City studio. The video can be viewed on
News 9 ON Demand, digital cable channel 1009 starting May 8.
Viewers are encouraged to VOTE online at
coolschool.twalbany.com
from May 8–21.
Twenty percent of the production team’s score is based
upon online votes!
NHS
Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorale to perform "Carmina
Burana"
on May 29
The Niskayuna High School Music Department is proud to present
Carl Orff’s masterpiece Carmina Burana in concert on
Thursday, May 29 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The
NHS Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorale will be joined by a
special Children’s Chorus and guest soloists Elissa Premerlani
(Class of 1999), Jesse Conti (Class of 2005) and Eric Rubinstein
in a Gala Concert to benefit the Niskayuna Friends of Music
Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are now available by mail order. The high school Box
Office will be open May 27, 28 and 29 from 10:45a to 1:15p and
one hour prior to the performance. All seating is general
admission and there are no refunds.
Download a ticket order form
Lacrosse
players show support for local family
On
April 27, members of the Boys Varsity, JV, Freshman and Modified
lacrosse teams participated in Miracle Miles for Michele, a 5k
Run/Walk in support of Michele Harland, a Glencliff parent who
is undergoing treatment for leukemia. More than 50 players,
approximately half of the entire Niskayuna lacrosse program,
along with many lacrosse family members, ran or walked in the
event to raise funds for the Harland family. “It was a great
team building activity and opportunity to show community
support” said teacher and lacrosse coach Frank Adamo.
Iroquois
student wins regional contest about financial responsibility
Natalie
Olsen knows what it takes to be financially responsible. The
Iroquois Middle School eighth-grader recently won a regional
contest called "Be Money Wise," for a poster she created that
promotes the importance of managing money wisely. Olsen and her
classmates learned about financial health and being a smart
consumer in teacher Jennifer Deeb's health class in April, which
is Financial Literacy Month. The students were then assigned the
task of creating a poster about financial responsibility.
Olsen’s was selected from numerous entries, from around the
region, that were submitted to the Be Money Wise contest. Olsen
received a cash prize, an award, and her poster will be entered
into the national contest where it will be judged against other
entries from across the United States. Congratulations and best
of luck!
Niskayuna
Board of Education adopts proposed 2008-09 budget
The Niskayuna Central School District Board of
Education unanimously adopted a recommended $70.1 million budget
for the 2008-09 school year during its March 24 meeting.
District residents will vote on the proposed plan on Tuesday,
May 20 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Niskayuna High School.
Superintendent of
Schools Kevin Baughman said the proposed 2008-09 budget reflects current economic trends. “The budget developed over the past
three months represents both our lowest spending increase and
estimated tax levy increase in the past five years,” he said.
“We are cognizant and respectful of the challenges that everyone
is facing given current economic conditions.”
more
about the proposed budget
Learn
more about
candidates running for the Niskayuna Board of Education
Five Niskayuna residents are vying for two seats on the Board of
Education. The two candidates receiving the highest votes on May
20 will be elected to serve three-year terms beginning July 1.
Terry Weiner and Deb Oriola are seeking re-election, while
Ronald Anzalone, Robert Gardner and Peter Glaser are seeking
first terms.
Learn more about the
five candidates.
Hillside
fifth-grader wins essay contest; rings opening bell
 |
John
Koelmel, center top, CEO of First Niagara Financial gets
some help from four upstate New York students, left to
right, Brooke Testa, Griffin Lenkiewicz, Lauren Litz and
Bradley Schneider.
(c) 2008, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Reprinted with
permission. |
Lauren Juliana Litz, a
Niskayuna fifth-grader, had an opportunity that many adults only
dream about. On April 14, she traveled to New York City and
helped ring the opening bell at the NASDAQ Stock Market in Times
Square—signaling the beginning of trading for the business day.
Litz, who attends Hillside Elementary School, joined three other
students from across New York State who entered and won an essay
contest sponsored by First Niagara Bank.
Litz’s essay was selected from approximately 400 entries
submitted by fifth-graders. In the essay, students had to
describe a new business that they would start that would help
people in their community the most.
Read Lauren’s essay
In addition to an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City,
including transportation, hotel, and sightseeing, the four essay
winners earned $1,000 donations toward computer equipment
for their elementary schools, plus $250 personal savings
accounts at their local First Niagara Bank branches. The essay
contest marked First Niagara Bank’s 10th anniversary as a public
company listed on the NASDAQ.
Friends
exhibit brings sobering message to Niskayuna High School
During the next few weeks,
high school students will have an opportunity to view “Friends:
One Day, One Wrong Turn,” a memorial to four college students who lost their lives in a tragic DWI car
accident near Colgate University in 2000. Every high school
student will view the exhibit at least once either during
physical education or health class.
"We have many activities planned for our health classes," said
teacher Lonnie Wilson. "We are using the exhibit as a learning
experience for our students and also a service project."
Middle school health teachers have planned a field trip for all
Grade 8 students during which high school health students and a
Niskayuna police officer will conduct workshops for them to
attend in addition to viewing the exhibit.
The Friends exhibit remains
on display at Niskayuna High School through May 23. Download a
schedule of dates and times when it will be open for public
viewing.
Niskayuna
High School Junior Prom is May 10
Students planning to
attend the prom on Saturday, May 10, must sign a Contract for
Safety before purchasing tickets. Contracts will be made
available in the high school beginning April 18. More
information about the prom and after-prom party is
available here, including a link to download a copy of the
contract.
Summary
available of 2008 survey on student
perceptions
of drug and
alcohol abuse
During the 2007-08
school year, Schenectady's Promise—The Alliance for Youth
conducted a survey of Niskayuna students to determine the
attitudes and perceptions of students regarding substance abuse,
as well as the contributing factors and risk and prevention
factors for substance abuse. This recent survey follows up on a
Prevention Needs Assessment Survey of students in grades 6-12 in
Schenectady County schools that was administered in 2006.
Results of the 2008 survey revealed some positive trends in
student behaviors and perceptions, while other trends remain a
cause for concern.
View a comparison of the data from the two surveys
The school district's Health Advisory Committee, comprised of
teachers, health professionals, board members, parents and
community, will consider the results of the surveys as part of
its review of school district health curriculum and program.
For further information contact:
Dr. Debra Shea, Asst. Supt. for Instruction and Programs,
377-4666 ext. 50714, or Dr. Larry Gillooley, 382-2511 ext. 4361
Niska-Day
2008 Planning Well Under Way
The
theme for Niska-Day 2008 is "We're Under
Construction." As a result of the construction
at the High School, festivities will be held at
Craig Elementary School on Saturday, May 17. The
format of the day will remain much the same. For
more information about the parade and the day's
other activities, please visit our new Web site
at
www.niskaday.org
Members
of Niskayuna High School Jazz Ensemble hit the big stage with
Grammy Award-winning band at Proctor's
Student
musicians from Niskayuna High School’s Jazz Ensemble had
the opportunity of a lifetime when they opened for Blood Sweat &
Tears on Friday, April 4 at Proctor’s Theater.
Senior Matt Gillen (trombone); juniors Eli Grant (alto sax),
Matt Barnes (guitar), Colin MacCormack (drums), and Markus
Salasoo (bass); sophomores Anthony Bellino (trumpet) and Shane
Porter (tenor sax) played melodies of jazz
icons Thelonius Monk, Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock. The
students later joined the band on "God Bless the
Child" during the main performance. Blood Sweat & Tears is
celebrating its 40th anniversary with a 25-city tour, which
included
the stop at Proctor’s Theater in early April.
Family
Literacy the topic of Craig Elementary School Parent Night
Nancy Garmley and Kim
Prettyman, two third-grade teachers from Craig Elementary
School, developed a PowerPoint on literacy that was shared with
parents during a recent “parent night” at the school.
View the presentation
Basic
calendar for 2008-09 school year
The Board of Education
adopted the 2008-09 school calendar during its Jan. 28 meeting.
This basic one-page calendar lists the first day of school,
holidays and school vacations. It does not include elementary or
middle school parent conference days, which will be determined
in the spring and published in the complete district calendar
that will be mailed in August.
Download the basic 2008-09 calendar
Niskayuna
schools follow precautions to guard against
drug-resistant "Staph" infection
This past year, attention has been focused
on an infection caused by a strain of bacteria
known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus. MRSA originated in hospitals more than a
decade ago, but has since been found in the
general population. This form is commonly
referred to as community-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA.
Isolated cases of this infection have been
reported in virtually every area school
district, including
Niskayuna schools. Upon the advice of the
Schenectady County Health Department, the district
is required to monitor cases and report only if
there is a cluster of this infection in a school
building.
Niskayuna staff will
continue to practice universal precautions in
caring for individuals with suspected infectious
diseases including CA-MRSA, and rigorously
follow existing procedures to clean and
disinfect classrooms and other common areas in
the schools. Additional measures to ensure the
health of students and staff include the
installation of dispensers containing
hand-sanitizing gel at key locations in the
elementary and middle schools, such as in
cafeterias and gymnasiums. Dispensers have also
be placed in the weight room, the Blatnick gym
and concession areas at the high school. The
maintenance staff has also been instructed to
clean high-contact surfaces, such as doorknobs,
more frequently.
More information
Scholarship
fund established in memory of Susan Burke
The
Niskayuna community mourns the untimely passing
of Susan Burke, a wonderful teacher, colleague,
mother, and friend. She remains a positive role
model and inspiration to both students and
faculty throughout our school district. Mrs.
Burke taught social studies at the middle school
level for over two decades and was active in
many worthy and important causes. For example,
she was the first educator to serve as a pilot
fellow for Region To Region, an international
exchange program between Russia and the United
States. She loved teaching, and made learning an
authentic and fun experience for her students.
In memory of Mrs. Burke, the Scholarship
Committee of the Niskayuna Teachers Association
has established a college scholarship in her
name.
Many community members have reached out to ask
if they might honor Mrs. Burke's memory in some
way. The NTA invites anyone interested in
supporting a scholarship in Susan Burke's name
to send donations to Mitzi Flynn (Scholarship
Committee Chair) c/o Van Antwerp Middle School,
2253 Story Avenue, Niskayuna, NY 12309. Please
make checks payable to NTA Scholarship and note
on the check that it is for the Susan Burke
Scholarship. Please include an email address
with your contribution so that the committee may
acknowledge your generosity. Thank you in
advance for considering a donation to this
worthy cause.
K-12
Counseling Center launches new electronic newsletter
Niskayuna's counseling
staff introduces a new online resource for parents: an
electronic newsletter. The e-newsletter will appear under Quick
Links on the right side of the district's home page. This new
feature will contain articles written or selected by the K-12
counseling department based on trends counselors see at each
level. Elementary, middle and high school will each have a page
within the newsletter and parents are encouraged to read ahead
to help prepare for their child’s upcoming school years.
View the new e-newsletter
Board
of Education adopts Elementary Class Size Enrollment Management
Plan
During its Jan. 28 meeting, the Board of Education
adopted an Elementary Class Size Enrollment Management Plan
designed to help preserve neighborhood schools and address
Niskayuna’s elementary class sizes in future years. District
officials and school board members held a series of meetings at
the elementary schools to discuss the plan and gather feedback
from parents and the community before taking action.
View the plan
Class
reunion news
The Class of 1983 will
celebrate
its 25th
reunion
in Summer 2008. Members of the
Class of 1968 recently announced plans for a 40th
reunion in September 2008. Van Antwerp School's Class of 1953 is
planning a 55th
year reunion in October. For more information about these events, or
to send updated information for your class reunion, click the
"Alumni" button on the upper left side of this page. For current
news about your former classmates, register and search Niskayuna's
Alumni Database.
Niskayuna's
e-Community Bulletin Board provides 24-7 access to information
about upcoming community events
Looking for
information about local events? Maybe you want to learn more
about summer programs at Proctors
Theatre,
or find out how to register your child for
Niskayuna Soccer
leagues?
You can find this and more information about community events on
Niskayuna Central School District's
e-Community Bulletin Board.
Read more about this community resource.
Single
dismissal time for scheduled half days becomes effective in
October
Rather than releasing grades 1-5 students a half-hour later than
kindergartners, all elementary students will dismiss at
10:35 a.m. on scheduled half days beginning with the
parent-teacher conference day on Friday, October 26.
On district-wide Superintendent’s Conference half-days, the high
school will dismiss at 11:30 a.m., and the middle school will
follow at 12:15 p.m. This schedule will remain in effect
throughout the school year.
Read more
View answers to frequently asked questions about the district's
full and half day schedule. (PDF)
Niskayuna
school community honors those who serve
A group of Niskayuna
teachers, students and staff have united to recognize and honor
all Niskayuna graduates who have served in the armed forces
since September 11, 2001. The group is planning a series of
events and activities — including a permanent display in the
high school listing the names, pictures and service information
of these exemplary graduates and community members.
If you would like to include a relative, friend or neighbor who
is currently serving or has served during this period, please
provide the following information:
• Name
• Year of NHS graduation
• A picture (preferably in uniform but not necessary)
• Branch of service and rank
• Dates of service and locations (please note the dates and
number of tours of duty, if deployed to a war zone)
Send information to:
Niskayuna
grad named New York State Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Richard
Ognibene, a 1981 graduate of Niskayuna High School, on being
named New York State’s Teacher of the Year for 2007-08. The New
York State Education Department recently selected Ognibene, a
veteran science teacher at Fairport High School, near Rochester,
from among five educators across the state who were named as
finalists for this distinguished honor.
Read more
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This page was last updated
May 9, 2008 |