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What's Right with Spackenkill!
October 5, 2018
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.png "National Blue Ribbon")
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Dear Spackenkill Community,
This is a very proud week for the Spackenkill Union Free School District with the naming of the High School as a Blue Ribbon School by the US Education Department on Monday. This is a historic honor—one that very few schools can ever look back on as an achievement. However. I think I’m speaking for all the teachers, administration, and the Board of Education when I say that we look at this as a K-12 achievement, even though the High School has been named. What happens in kindergarten matters. What happens in third grade matters. What happens In sixth grade matters. They all matter to the future success of the student at the High School. And I salute every current and past administrator, teacher, and Board of Education member who have been part of this legacy of achievement.
At a meeting I held with the principals this past week about this upcoming recognition ceremony, it was said we believe that we have much more room for improvement. So as proud as we are of this award, we would never suggest that we have reached some pinnacle of success. There are so many ways that we believe we can get better as a school district. This acknowledgment, however, reinforces that we are moving in the right direction.
The school cannot be separated from the community. Families in the school district, you are the number one teachers of your children. You deserve a piece of this recognition. Most of all, we salute our students for their performance, your attention to your studies, your involvement in co-curriculars like music and art, and your going above and beyond in subjects like science and math. However, just like we can’t rest on our laurels, nor can you. Seniors, keep working hard, and doors will open for you in life.
Enclosed with the many attachments is a flyer on the BOCES Capital Project that will be discussed at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night. This will affect the district and Dutchess County taxpayers. Our meeting start time is a little different this week: It begins at 7:30 pm. Our full agenda is always listed on BoardDocs https://www.boarddocs.com/sufsd/Board.nsf/Public.
Finally, congratulations to everyone. This was a banner week for the Spackenkill Union Free School District.
My best,
Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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Spackenkill HS Named
National Blue Ribbon School
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Spackenkill High School has been recognized as an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School for 2018 by U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Nationally, 349 schools received this honor in 2018. Of that number 62 are high schools. Spackenkill High School is one of only 13 2018 National Blue Ribbon High Schools in New York State and the fourth school in Dutchess County history to receive this honor in the 36 years of the program’s existence.
Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has sought out and celebrated great American schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.
High School Principal Steve Malkischer and math teacher Eleanor Pupko, along with district Superintendent Dr. Mark Villanti, will attend a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC, on November 7 and 8. The school will be presented with a National Blue Ribbon School plaque and flag as symbols of its achievements.
Click here to read Spackenkill High School’s profile on the National Blue ribbon site.
Click here to read school profiles of all 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
School profiles of all 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Watch a video of the announcement.
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Students Support ThinkDIFFERENTLY
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Spackenkill High School students recently volunteered at Poughkeepsie’s First Friday ThinkDIFFERENTLY Dash and Queen City Mile races. Shown left to right in the group photo above are Rassiel Peña, Philip Rottkamp, Bella Cupano, Andrew Ruan, Chris Piatek, Abigail Straus, and Elodie André. The students created chalk art for the Dash (in which there were more than 350 participants!) and also cheered on participants on the course.
Visit the ThinkDIFFERENTLY website, a comprehensive resource for those living with special needs and their families.
See more photos and video from the event at. https://www.facebook.com/DutchessCoGov/
https://www.facebook.com/DutchessCoGov/videos/263959777566556/
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Register for Winter Sports
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 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
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Welcome Back, Todd
The Todd Welcome Back Social, sponsored by Student Government, was lots of fun for students. There were plenty of contests: tug of war, hula hop, three-legged race, ping pong, and corn hole included. Free cookies, open gym, and soccer were among other perks.
The PTSA also sold pizza and refreshments.
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Science Scholar
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.jpg "Jacob Ruppert with Principal Steve Malkischer")
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Congratulations to Jacob Ruppert, who represented Spackenkill High School and the State of New York at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston. At the Congress, he was taught by some of the greatest living minds in medicine. Jacob was presented with an official Award of Excellence, certifying his successful completion of the Congress.
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Happy Reading!
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The Elementary PTA sponsored a book fair this week at Hagan. The students were excited to see a whole gymnasium full of titles. Thank you to the incredible volunteers who guided the students through the process of choosing books and making their purchases (while also learning about sales tax). The students had fun browsing and making their selections.
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Marching Band & Cheerleaders Serve Community
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The Marching Band has been busy performing at football games and in Poughkeepsie’s recent Year of the Veteran Parade, in which veterans from World War II to the present gathered on Market Street. Scenes of the band and the Spackenkill Varsity Cheerleaders are below. Great job!
See videos:
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Health News
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| Please read a notice from the Department of Health regarding measles. |
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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.
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Think Pink
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The Varsity Girls Soccer Team organized a "Pink Out" game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The team collected over $400 in donations for the local Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. The players also dedicated the game to Coach Lanza's wife, Concetta Lanza. In the group photo she is shown receiving the honorary game day shirt. The Varsity Boys Soccer Team was there to support the cause.
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Staying Safe
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| Nassau students learned all about bus safety today. School Social Worker Jessica Mills and Physical Education Teacher Carrie Spiegel helped the children practice safe behaviors on and off the school bus and surrounding areas. Students also learned about appropriate crosswalk behaviors and expectations with School Resource Officer Corey Kilfoyle. Parents and guardians can review these bus safety rules with their students at home: 1. Speak Quietly. 2. Stay in Your Seat. 3. Keep Hands and Feet to Yourself 4. Hold the Railing. 5. Look Both Ways. Thank you to bus drivers who helped out and also to parent volunteers! |
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15 Croft Road, Poughkeepsie, NY
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(845) 463-7800
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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.
Please submit story ideas to [email protected]
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