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 25^th reunion in Summer 2008. Members of the Class of 1968 recently announced plans for a 40^th reunion in September 2008. Van Antwerp School's Class of 1953 is planning a 55^th 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