What's Right with Spackenkill September 28, 2018

 

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Coat Drive

DCC College Fair

 

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What's Right with Spackenkill!

September 28, 2018


A tradition of excellence with a vision for tomorrow



Dear Spackenkill Community,

The parent survey will end this week, so if you haven’t participated and wish to do so you are running out of time. For those of you who took the time to respond I thank you.

On October 9th the Board of Education’s agenda includes a presentation from our external auditors. In addition, as you may know, Dutchess County BOCES is planning a Capital Project Vote on December 11th from 12 pm to 8 pm in our high school lobby (and in other locations in each school district). At the Board meeting on October 9th,  Dr. Richard Hooley, BOCES superintendent, will present more details on the project and answer questions from our Board and the public.

I also want to add my thanks to the English Department, who gave their time this past Saturday prepping seniors on writing their college essays. The college essay can be significant factor in college admittance, especially with highly competitive colleges.

Within this newsletter is information on Narcan training for parents, caregivers, and high school students. This opportunity may interest some of you.


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.

 

Students Learn About Clubs

Todd Offers Many Activities

 This week during lunch periods Todd students held a Clubs and Activities Fair. Students were excited to learn about the many possibilities, including Science Symposium,  Student Government, Book Club,  School Store, Chess Club, Handball Club, Peer Mediation, and more!

Todd fair

 

 

Community Leader


Erik AdolfssonCongratulations to high school junior Erik Adolfsson, who earned his Eagle Scout Badge on September 17th after completing his community service work at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie. Erik led a team of volunteers to improve drainage on walking trails.  We are very proud of him and thank him or his leadership in making our community a better place! 

 

The Write Stuff

Seniors Finesse College Essays

.college essay boot camp

On Saturday, September 22nd, 30 seniors attended the College Essay Boot Camp offered by the high school English department. The workshop gave students the opportunity to ask questions, work with peers, and conference with multiple English teachers. Some students brainstormed, others drafted, and some edited and revised as they put the finishing touches on their essays. Although students work on their personal narratives in English class and after school, this was a great chance for them to get additional conference time with teachers whom they might not see on a regular school day. The workshop was a great success! The high school English teachers would like to thank all students who participated!

 

library helpers 

Spackenkill High School teaching assistant Karen Baker was so appreciative of the help students offered in checking off new books, she snapped this photo. Pictured from left to right are volunteers Nick Sassano, Jake Spero, and Michael Schmauch.

 

Coaches Get Narcan Training


Narcan trainingSpackenkill High School held two Narcan training sessions on September 18 after school for coaches. High School Nurse Elizabeth Giancaspro provided the training. There were 29 coaches in attendance between the two sessions. 

Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, an opioid antagonist medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Timely administration of naloxone is critical if an overdose is suspected. The New York State Department of Health/Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services is encouraging school districts to have naloxone on hand. More information is available by clicking on this link to the New York State Department of Health

Please click here for information on an upcoming event focused on Narcan training for teens.

 

Register for Winter Sports

Family ID

The Spackenkill Athletics Department is now offering the convenience of online registration through FamilyID https://www.familyid.com/organizations/spackenkill-ufsd-athletics(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. When you register through FamilyID, the system keeps track of your information in your FamilyID profile and you only have to enter your information once. You can upload sports physicals and check your profile to see if your son/daughter is cleared for participation. 

Winter Sports registration opens October 6, 2018 for all high school sports (JV and Varsity) and October 13, 2018 for all middle school (modified) sports. 

Click on the link below to register:
 http://www.familyid.com/spackenkill-ufsd-athletics

 

Computer Savvy Students

kindergartners with Chromebooks

The Nassau Chromebook roll-out was in full swing this week. Technology integration teacher Marcella Byrne visited classrooms and gave a lesson on Chromebook basics, from the screen and keyboard to how to use a QR code to log on. The scenes above show kindergartners in Mrs. West's and Mrs. Davis's classes learning all about their new computers.

 

Therapy Dogs Return

 

therapy dogs

To the delight of Hagan third graders, the Paws for a Cause therapy dogs visited the school this week. The all-volunteer non-profit pet therapy organization has been coming to Hagan for years. Owners explained how the dogs work as a team with their owners. The children all had an opportunity to pet the pooches and tell stories about their own animals. Thank you to Mrs. Shaffer and the volunteers! To read more about the benefits of animal-assisted activities, please visit the organization's website by clicking here.




Flu Clinic at SHS

The Spackenkill School District in conjunction with Rite Aid Pharmacy will be offering a flu vaccine clinic for adults and for children ages 5 and up.
 

WHEN:
Thursday,  October 18     
5:00pm to 7:00pm
  
WHERE: High School Health Office

To schedule an appointment so that we have enough vaccines, please contact:

Elizabeth Giancaspro RN
Spackenkill High School School Nurse
845-463-2043
[email protected]

Most insurances are accepted.

 

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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