What's Right with Spackenkill! February 1, 2019

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STA Applebee's Fundraiser

Opioid  Awareness Movie

Spiking for Sparrows

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What's Right with Spackenkill!

February 1, 2019

 

blue ribbon logo

blue ribbon logo

Dear Spackenkill Community,

I feel compelled to talk about the weather in this newsletter. First, I want to thank everyone for your patience and flexibility. This is the first time in my career where I was involved with a late arrival and early dismissal all in one day. Delaying schools because of cold weather is another first.  I recently read a Hudson Valley Weather blog that said, and I’m paraphrasing, that it’s becoming increasingly challenging to predict weather patterns, as they are highly irregular. The volatility and variability of the weather in the last few years makes forecasting closings, early dismissals, and late arrivals very challenging.  I’m grateful for your understanding. 

Teaching and learning on a revised schedule almost daily is challenging, but that's our job. Our first responsibility is safety while ensuring that learning occurs each and every day in each and every classroom. I’m daydreaming now of spring weather. It can’t arrive soon enough...

My best,

Mark Villanti

Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

 

ENHANCED STAR TAX RELIEF CHANGES FOR SENIORS
Beginning with applications for 2019, senior citizens must apply separately for the Enhanced STAR (School Tax Relief) exemption by March 1. 

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration is scheduled for February 20th and 21st, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Nassau Elementary School.
Click here to read registration letter

Upcoming PTSA Meetings

February 11th High School
March 11th Todd
April 8th High School
May 13th Todd
June No meeting

All meetings at 7 PM in middle or high school library

K-9 Unit Visits SHS

Ms. Girard’s Government class has been studying Due Process Rights, including the 4th Amendment Rights against unreasonable search and seizure. In conjunction with this lesson, Officer Mikelic of the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department visited their classroom with Canine Kyle to demonstrate how dogs are part of police search procedures. Kyle was able to locate a potential hazard in the classroom (planted by the Officer) and sat by it, as trained, to alert police to its presence. Everyone enjoyed the presentation, especially getting to pet Kyle afterward!

Canine Unit visits SHS

Click here to see Canine Kyle in action.

 

Senior Vies for Coveted Scholarship

Coca-Cola Scholars FoundationRachel Li has been named a Regional Finalist for the 2019 Coca-Cola Scholars Program.  She is one of 251 high school seniors selected from a pool of 95,715 applications from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities. Rachel is moving to the next round of the selection process and could receive a $20,000 college scholarship. Learn more at www.coca-colascholars.org.

 

Basketball Team Honors Alum

Former Spartan basketball player and standout golfer Erik Stauderman was honored prior to the boys basketball game on Friday, January 18th. Erik won the 2018 NYS Golf Federation Tournament Championship last June. Below: Pictured with Erik (holding plaque) are (from left) Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Bill Murin, former Golf Coach Keith Humphrey, and Director of Athletics Marco Lanzoni.  

 

Erik Stauderman honored

 

Spring Sports Registration!    register for sports    

The Spackenkill Athletics Department is now offering the convenience of online registration through FamilyID (www.familyid.com). FamilyID is a secure registration platform that provides you with an easy, user-friendly way to register for sports, and helps us to be more administratively efficient and environmentally responsible.  

Spring Sports registration opens: 
February 4th for all high school sports (JV and Varsity) 
February 11th for all middle school (modified) sports
Click on the link below to register:
 http://www.familyid.com/spackenkill-ufsd-athletics

Math Team Ranks High in State

math problems
The Spackenkill High School Mathematics Team has the 17th highest New York Mathematics League (NYML) score in the state! Congratulations to Advisor Eleanor Pupko and team members.

 
 

Scientists By Nature

As part of the second grade Science 21 program, students in Mrs. Zanca’s class tested the effects of wind or water erosion on a sandcastle.  Students designed a way to help prevent or slow down erosion by using two different items (such as cheesecloth, craft sticks, coffee filters, and toothpicks).  After testing each sandcastle, the groups shared their designs and decided on the method that worked the best.  Students then had to use evidence to support their claims.

2nd grade science experiment

Brownies Explore Braille

Spackenkill’s Brownie Troop worked to earn their senses badge by focusing on the sense of sight. They learned about ways those who are blind receive help from professionals to navigate in the world without seeing. Troop  co-leaders Kelly Krakowski and Margaret Brower taught them about Braille, where it came from, and  common places where one could find it, such as elevators and on classroom doors.  The Brownies even learned how to spell out their own names in Braille!

Brownies learn about Braille
 

15 Croft Road, Poughkeepsie,  NY

(845) 463-7800

Mission: Inspired by a tradition of excellence and a spirit of continuous improvement, the Spackenkill School District will provide all of our students with the academic and social skills necessary to pursue their goals and become responsible citizens in an interdependent global community.

Vision: All Spackenkill graduates will be lifelong learners who are inspired to pursue their dreams and contribute to the global societ.

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