What's Right with Spackenkill September 14, 2018

 

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What's Right with Spackenkill!

September 14, 2018

 

A tradition of excellence with a vision for tomorrow


Dear Spackenkill Community,

Sustainable energy practices was a key topic at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. Dave Downes, Facilities Director, reviewed the second year of our Energy Performance Contract (EPC) with Ameresco and the savings that the district has already accrued. In addition, Con Edison Solutions provided the groundwork for a roof-mounted solar project that could generate 90% of our electrical needs. This Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) could possibly guarantee the district stable and below-market electrical rates for 20 years without any capital or maintenance costs. 

At our next Board meeting on September 25th, we will discuss with the Board our tuition student policy. Secondly, Luis Rodriguez of the Palombo Group will be providing feedback on Phase I of the Capital Projectcosts, schedule, and quality assurances.

We hope that you are off to a positive school year. 
 

My best,

Mark Villanti

Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

 

Take the Parent Satisfaction Survey

Parents and guardians can take the Parent Satisfaction Survey by clicking here. The survey will be live until September 30 and can also be found on the district home page,  www.spackenkillschools.org.

 

Art Students Consider Career Choices

.SCAD visit

Todd Middle School and Spackenkill High School art students had an eye-opening visit from representative Chris Peterson from Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) last Tuesday. As one of the largest design schools in the country, SCAD not only has traditional visual arts programs but also game design, animation, immersive reality, and more, enabling it to partner with top companies like Adobe, BMW, Uber, Disney and Delta Airlines. "These companies can go on your resume," said Mr. Peterson.  Art teacher Roberto Romani has brought SCAD to the district for a number of years because he wants students to know that they can make a career of art. "If you're going to go to school, you want to be able to find a job, and they are one of the top schools to make job placement a reality," he said. "Ask questions of college reps. Don't be shy: It's your future."

 

Alumni Corner:

Meet Zuha Anwar, Class of 2015

zuha anwarFive years after she began working on a scientific research paper as a 16-year-old student at Spackenkill, Zuha Anwar has published her work as a co-author in the journal Anaerobe

“I wanted to share the article with you both and say a BIG Thank you!!!” she wrote to former teachers Amy Matts and Jennifer Maloney.  “If it weren't for this class and amazing teachers like yourselves, I would never have been able to even gain the opportunity to do something incredible like this. You both were pivotal in my success in this project and helped me grow as a student in many different ways. I can never truly thank you enough.”

Ms. Anwar graduated from Spackenkill High School in 2015 and is currently attending Hofstra University, where she is obtaining a BS in Neuroscience with a minor in Biochemistry. She will graduate this December. 

Congratulations to all!

Please click here to read the article, “Identification of Epsilon Toxin-Producing Clostridium perfringens strains in American Retail Food.”
 

 

Science in Action 

.Anne Riehl doing chem experiment

Hagan STEM students in Mr. Alnwick's fourth grade class learned about the properties of liquid nitrogen this week. Enrichment teacher Anne Riehl borrowed some ideas from high school AP chemistry teacher John Latino and demonstrated how liquid nitrogen can make things really cold, really fast! Students could feel the cold vapors in the air as Ms. Riehl poured it on flowers, which made them brittle and snap. She also used the nitrogen to turn marshmallows so hard that they shattered when hit with a hammer. Ms. Riehl challenged the students to guess what would happen in a video when a cola can was immersed in liquid nitrogen. Some hypothesized that it would freeze or explode, but it actually turned the soda inside the cans to something resembling powder. The students look forward to trying even more fun experiments as the school year unfolds.

 

Quiet Time...

student working in Todd Middle School Library
A student enjoys a calm study period in the Todd Middle School Library. 

 

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 society.

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