What's Right with Spackenkill! November 16, 2018

 

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Northern Dutchess Symphony Holiday Concert

Midnight Madness Basketball

Coat Drive by Youth Group

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What's Right with Spackenkill!

November 16, 2018

 

blue ribbon schools

blue ribbon schools

Dear Spackenkill Community,

Winter has arrived—and early! I would like to take a moment to explain how weather delays and closing decisions are made once again. First, the question is always asked, “Who makes the decision?” The “buck” stops with the superintendent on weather decisions. If there is a threat of inclement weather I confer with our business official and facilities director normally starting at 4:30 am.  Typically, we discuss the options the day before in school with principals and the athletic director. For example, the high school play, With Their Eyes, was scheduled for three showings, tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday. As a general rule, when school closes all activities are canceled that day. Principal Malkischer spoke in advance with our play advisors and determined that all tickets for tonight could be honored at other performances and we prepared to inform families of this decision.
 
Another example of contingency planning is the question of the half-day parent conferences. If school were canceled how would that be handled? We decided yesterday that the half-day and parent conferences would be rolled over to Tuesday, November 20th, if school closed today. Principals would send out a SchoolMessenger notice to parents today informing them of this plan. Parents can, of course, schedule conferences directly with their child's teacher if this schedule does not work for you.


Closing school is our last option. So this morning at about 5 am, after some deliberation, we determined to delay school by three hours in the hopes of opening, albeit late. We knew that there was a likelihood of another wave of snow coming in about 7 am, but forecasts regarding the intensity and duration of the snow varied. At 7:45, I spoke again with our business official and facilities director and it was apparent that the next wave of snow had arrived and forcefully. Our groundsmen worked throughout the night plowing, and building custodians shoveled all morning. It was disheartening to have to close, but it was impossible to predict the final timing to the end of snowfall and the condition of roads, walkways, and parking areas.

A superintendent has to consider student safety first. I realize that my decision can be maddening for working parents sometimes. My wife and I dealt with that issue when our children were school age. Our staff worked very hard last night and this morning to stay open. On days like today, I can still hear my children’s gleeful voices when we said, “School is closed today, guys” as we tried to figure out childcare arrangements.

My best,

Mark Villanti

Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

 

Drama Production Is This Weekend!

Friday Night Performance Canceled


With Their Eyes

Spack Onstage's Production of With Their Eyes is canceled tonight, November 16th, due to the weather. Performances will continue as planned on Saturday November 17th @ 7pm and Sunday November 18th @ 2pm. Friday's Tickets will be honored at either of these performances.ith Their Eyes tells the stories of the students of Stuyvesant High School and the events they witnessed on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The performances take place on Friday, November 16 at 7 pm; Saturday, November 17 at 7 pm; and Sunday, November 18 at 2 pm. All performances are held at Richard D. Woolley Auditorium at Spackenkill High School. Tickets are $5 for all. Tickets may be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com, accessible through the drama club's website, www.spackonstage.com.

 

 

 Appreciating Our Drivers

Student Government hosts Busdrivers Breakfast
Todd Student Government held a Bus Drivers Appreciation Breakfast this week. Drivers enjoyed musical performances, singing, dancing, and even some comedy while they took a well-deserved break. The students put together the program themselves, said Student Government advisor Norma Vazquez. Thank you to Victor Catanzaro for leading his band students and of course to all of our drivers. Click here to view more photos and performances.

Nassau Scientists at Work

Mrs. Strapec's and Mrs. Turner's second graders have been busy learning about ways to conduct a fair test in science class. Students are pictured on the first day of an experiment testing to see if something is flexible or not. The next day the students were given only a few items and were told to try to build a structure to support the weight of a textbook. In the photos below you will see students planning, sketching, building, and testing. “We were very excited to have a few of our tests work!” said Mrs. Strapec.

nassau scientists
nassau scientists

Egg Engineers

Last week, two IBM professionals visited Todd to do an engineering project with 8th grade students in Elyse Joy’s physical science class. Antonio Mazarelli and Joe Sheridan spoke to the students about gravity, the Mars Rover landing, Newton's Laws, and engineering principles, while helping them design a package that would protect an egg from being crushed on impact.

IBM visit

Happy Reading!

Sponsored by the Spackenkill Teachers Association, the Ninth Annual Book Swap took place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the High School library. At the swap, students were able to scoop up gently used titles that were new to them. Thank you to Jodi Girard for once again making this great event possible!
book swap

 

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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