The Board of Education will be meeting on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 7:00 a.m. in the District Offices.
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Board of Education 7-13-2015 Meeting 7:00am at District Office
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Reflections Newsletter Summer 2015
Reflections Newsletter Summer 2015
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Cunningham Named New Athletic Director
Croton-Harmon’s Board of Education voted to appoint Thomas Cunningham as the district’s new director of physical education, health, athletics and wellness during its July 21 meeting.
Mr. Cunningham joins Croton-Harmon from the Haldane Central School District, where he served as director of health, physical education and athletics, as well as dean of students, since 2010. His previous experience also includes coordinating fall and winter sports at Somers Middle School and High School, as well as coaching junior varsity boys’ lacrosse, modified wrestling, junior varsity football and women’s crew at Ithaca College.“Croton has a great reputation for preparing students to achieve at a high level in the classroom, as well as in extracurricular activities,” said Mr. Cunningham. “I look forward to joining in the journey to educate your child to have a positive experience here in Croton.”
Mr. Cunningham was selected to be brought before the Board for approval after a lengthy vetting process. In addition to an initial interview, the candidates for the athletic director position were interviewed by two committees – one made of up of Croton-Harmon administrators, and a second that included a number of students, teachers, coaches, Booster Club representatives and other outside organizations. The Board of Education reviewed all community input, interviewed candidates and ultimately appointed Mr. Cunningham.
In addition to his administrative experience, Mr. Cunningham has taught physical education at Somers Middle School and elementary physical education at Greenwich Catholic School. He holds a B.S. in physical education from Ithaca College, an M.S. in recreation from SUNY Cortland, and a professional diploma in school administration and supervision from Mercy College.
“We need to prepare our students to be ready for the challenges in school, as well as in life,” Mr. Cunningham said. “This can be accomplished with a team effort from the teachers, administrators, staff and parents playing an active role in the educational process.”
Mr. Cunningham will officially begin his new position in Croton-Harmon in August.
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Spring 2016 After School Program & Adult Education Brochure
After School Program Spring 2016 Brochure
Adult Education Program Fall 2015 Brochure
** These documents are also available from our Community drop down tab, located at the top of all district webpages **
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Policy Corner Update- August 6th, 2015 BOE
Click to view the Board of Education Policy Corner-- Updated for August 6th, 2015
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Parent Letter 2015-16 School Year
Parent Letter 2015-16 School Year - From Superintendent Dr. Fuhrman
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District Welcomes Six New Staff Members
Croton-Harmon Union Free School District students will see some new faces at the start of the school year, as the district has welcomed six new staff members. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah O’Connell introduced them to administrators during an orientation session on Aug. 26.
The new staff members are:
• John Bohunek, social studies teacher, eighth and 11th grades• Kayla Martin, student assistant counselor in the middle and high schools• Victoria McGuire, school psychologist• Kirby Mosenthal, high school guidance counselor• Chase Stevens, fifth-grade art teacher and high school photography teacher• David Xavier, special education teacher
Bohunek and Xavier, who had completed their student-teaching requirements at the district, said they wanted to continue their professional careers in Croton-Harmon. The reason, they said, was to give back to the district, which instilled in them the traits of what a great educator should be.
“They really showed their commitment and desire to the district and that’s because they felt a connection to the district’s mission and vision,” Dr. O’Connell said.
She also spoke about the importance of community, in which each teacher or faculty member plays a role. In turn, new staff members said they are excited to work with the community, meet their students and continue to grow the programs at the district.
“They are reflective and have a great grasp of looking at the whole child and the importance of social-emotional learning,” Dr. O’Connell said of the six new staff members
During the orientation session, faculty worked in pairs over an icebreaker challenge, allowing them to get to know each other and introduce their partner to the rest of the group. They also learned about the software they will use and were given an overview of the district’s mission and goals, as well as the evaluation system and other procedures.
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CHHS Presents ‘Museum’
Croton-Harmon High School will present “Museum,” a play by celebrated American playwright Tina Howe, on Oct. 23 and 24. Local theater director Myrlin Valerio is directing the production.“Museum,” Howe’s 1978 satirical comedy, takes place on the final day of a group show of three fictional contemporary American artists being exhibited in a major museum of modern art. Over the course of the day, some 40 people walk through the show: art lovers, skeptics, foreigners, students, lost souls, fellow artists and museum guards. The play is about the movement and yearning of these people.
Performances are Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15/adult, $12/student and free for seniors, and may be purchased at the door.
According to Howe’s script notes, "It is my hope that any group wanting to present ‘Museum’ use the large cast size as a challenge and not as a restriction. The play was written to serve the versatility of actors." Director Valerio chose this play for just that reason — the opportunity to “offer 18 young actors the challenge of playing 40 distinct characters. The actors are more than rising to this challenge, offering characters who are funny, vicious, intense and often moving.”
The cast includes: Aidan Baker, Maddie Barnes, Ben Bauder, Harry Cooper, Haylee Dowd, Meredith Kehoe, Jack Mahoney, William Mahoney, Dante Mancinelli, Sophia Mathews, Reed Oka-Maclaren, Dillon O’Keefe, Sophie Paolicelli, Emily Riedel, Thomas Sinclair, Julie Smith, Sarah van Ells and Mia Villeneuve, as well as stage manager Tom Minett.
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Getting Creative with Leaf Printing
Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School welcomed back local artist Joe Mullins the week of Oct. 5 for exciting art opportunities. Under Mullins’ direction, students were able to test different colors to create leaf prints. Fourth-graders participated in the annual fish printing project, while third-graders were introduced to a new initiative, nature printing, a centuries-old technique that uses the surface of a natural object to create a print.
The third-graders put on their art smocks, dipped their brushes in acrylics and painted over the two sides of a leaf. They were allowed to choose the colors they wanted to use – turquoise, yellow or black – for their individual art projects. Mullins helped each child place the colored leaf onto rice paper and cover it with another piece of paper before the student pressed on it. “It was pretty fun because even though I draw a lot, I never really used printing that way,” third-grader Joe Rader said. “I learned that yellow and black makes green. I also learned that you can paint on something to make a print out of it.”
Mullins, who has been teaching workshops at the district for the last five years, said he wanted to show students that they could easily create art from an everyday object. “I think it’s important to present something to them in a different way because it helps stimulate their interest in the arts,” he said.
Third-grader Sadie Spagnoli said she liked getting the paint on the leaf and discovering what the final product would look like. “I got really excited when I saw it because I could put it on my wall or show it to my parents,” she said.
Mullins also held a Gyotaku Fish Printing workshop for fourth-graders, who had the chance to explore the Japanese art form by creating a mono print of a Hudson River fish. Art teacher Brienne Johannes said the lesson tied into the class’ study of the Hudson River.
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High School Again Earns Reward School Distinction
For the third consecutive year, the New York State Education Department has named Croton-Harmon High School a Reward School. Recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, CHHS was given this designation based on its high-performing students.
In a letter to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edward R. Fuhrman Jr., NYSED Assistant Commissioner Ira Schwartz wrote, “We applaud your efforts and look forward to assisting your district in having all of its students achieve college and career-ready standards.”
A total of 365 buildings across New York State were recognized on the Reward Schools list based on high performances on relevant standardized mathematics and English assessments, as well as a high graduation rate.
“I am proud of our students and teachers for continuing to work hard for academic success,” said Principal Alan Capasso. “We look forward to another year of growth and learning at Croton-Harmon High School.”
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Curriculum Coordinators Look Ahead to New Year
Croton-Harmon administrators and staff members are looking forward to the new school year and to continuing their work in the district.
During their meeting on Aug. 27, curriculum coordinators reflected on the work they’ve done to support reporting student progress and alignment of assessments to learning standards. The goals of the meeting were to reflect on the interconnectedness of the work we do to “reporting student progress;” review the CH philosophy and purposes of grading and develop an understanding of the protocol for aligning assessment to student learning.
In addition the team discussed metacognition, a term faculty members have defined as the act of students thinking about how they learn. Its primary goal is to encourage independent learning and give students a chance to evaluate how they learn.
“This is a year of possibility, a year of dreams and a year of untapped potential,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah O’Connell told the staff. “Thank you for walking this journey with us. Side by side, we can help students take one step closer to realizing their dreams…Never underestimate the power you have as an educator.” Dr. O’Connell reminded staff members that their work is ongoing and the district will continue to support them throughout the school year.
Maryann Zabbia, English curriculum coordinator at the middle school, said faculty members have been working on aligning their curricula to the Common Core standards.
“We’re assessing and grading students on these standards [and] we’re creating rubrics for children so they can see what it means to be proficient,” Zabbia said. “Now that we have the new standards-based report card, we have to align our assessments and tests to it.”
The curriculum coordinators also discussed the purposes of grading, ways to report student progress, and developing a plan for sharing this year’s work.
Kelly Ingraham-Friedman, support services curriculum coordinator for grades 9-12, said working with the administration and other curriculum coordinators throughout the district has been fulfilling.
“My work focuses on adapting the Common Core standards and the district’s mission and vision to meet our students’ needs and the needs of teachers,” she said.
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A New Year of Learning Begins
Croton-Harmon students of all ages returned to school on Sept. 2, ready to begin a new year of learning, growth and excitement.
Kindergarten students met their classroom teachers for the first time and made new friends with peers before saying goodbye to their parents. Middle and high school students found their new lockers and classrooms and took time to compare schedules with friends before heading off to begin the year.
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Administration Welcomes Back Faculty & Staff
The new school year marks a fresh start for the district’s staff members, who get to meet new students and make a difference in their lives. Superintendent Dr. Edward Fuhrman welcomed back staff members during Superintendent’s Conference Day on Aug. 31.“We’re very fortunate, no matter what we do in this room, to work with children,” he said. “Each year is a new beginning. We get the opportunity to start again. We face new challenges every year from the state [and] from the national level, yet we keep on moving forward.”
Dr. Fuhrman said the district’s focus for the school year would be on grading and reporting school progress, and on the skills that are at the heart of the district’s mission and vision. They include ensuring students are effective communicators, problem-solvers, creative thinkers, collaborative workers and independent learners. “You play a role in making a difference for our students,” he told all faculty members. “You impact all the children. They need you. And please remember, regardless of the distractions that may come our way from outside our system — and there are distractions — we will always be on a forward path.”
Dr. Fuhrman also introduced 19 new staff members who will be responsible for making a difference in each child’s life and following the district’s mission. “The new school year is always exciting,” said Alan Capasso, high school principal and president of the Croton-Harmon Administrators Association. “It offers us an opportunity to work with new students using some of the things we learned from previous years. It’s a profession that allows us to get better.”
Board of Education President Giuseppina Miller told educators that Board of Education members are there to support them throughout the year.
“At the end of the day, what is most important is what happens in the classrooms and with students,” she said. “I know they’re going to have a great year.”
Croton-Harmon Teacher Association President Ivelaw Carrington said he would like the district to enjoy a “trouble-free, high-expectation and high-results” school year.
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Big Buddies Help Freshmen Make Smooth Transition
Croton Harmon High School ninth-grade students walked through the school’s hallways, sought out their lockers, visited their new classrooms and felt a little less overwhelmed on Sept. 2 thanks to their “Big Buddies.”
Seventy seniors who are part of the mentoring program Big Buddies walked alongside their younger peers one day before the official start of the school year. The goal was to make the freshmen’s transition into high school a little easier. “They’re giving us a lot of useful information, showing us around and giving us tips on how to get around,” said freshman Sara Martinez. “There are a lot of twists and turns around the halls. It’s good to know that someone is there to show you around.”
Seniors said they could relate to the freshmen because they remember their first days of high school three years ago and how an older student helped guide them through the same process.
“The goal for us is to stick together to develop yearlong relationships,” senior Ijang Marie Abam-Depass said. “We’re trying to make friends out of this situation,” senior Jordan Scott added.
The Big Buddies and younger students met in the spring to share personal information with one another, including the types of sports and clubs they’re involved in and their study habits. They kept in touch over the summer and answered any questions their peers had. “[The program] is really instrumental to making the freshmen feel at home,” said Eric Rosen, Big Buddies co-advisor and high school psychologist. “We selected a solid group of seniors who are just fantastic. They’re looking to pave the way for the next crop of students, making sure that our kids are as successful as they were.”
Senior class president Susan Rykowski told the younger students that CHHS is a wonderful place where they connect with their teachers, learn from them and look forward to many exciting events and opportunities.
“I was nervous, but not anymore,” freshman Zoe Donovan said. “Now, I’m excited.”
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‘Like’ Croton-Harmon Schools on Facebook
In an effort to further improve communications and make district news and announcements accessible in another platform to residents, the Croton-Harmon School District has launched a new Facebook page in time for the 2015-16 school year.“We are excited to share important announcements and news about our schools and students with residents through the Facebook platform throughout the year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edward R. Fuhrman, Jr.
The new Facebook page can be viewed here. Please be aware that the page is intended only to provide the community with information regarding the district and not for public posting or dialogue. Any comments posted will be removed from the page.
“We are constantly sharing a wealth of information on our website, www.chufsd.org, and hope the Facebook page will help residents more easily find and access announcements relevant to them and their children,” said Dr. Fuhrman.
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Kindergartners Start School
Kindergarten students and their parents entered Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School for the first time on Sept. 2. The excited kindergartners were greeted with smiles by Principal Kelly Maloney and Assistant Principal Kerri Bianchi, who led the families to the kindergarten wing of CET. There, students met their classroom teachers for the first time, found their names among the rooms’ cubbies, hung up their backpacks and started on their first school activities during the one and a half-hour sessions.
Kindergarten continued the rest of the week with gradually longer days to help the students progressively transition into a full day of school.
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Board Brief for 9-3-2015 BOE Meeting
Click to view the Board Brief for September 3rd, 2015
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PVC Starts Year on Positive Note
Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School’s student body got excited for a year full of positivity when the Advisory program kicked off in style on Sept. 4.“The purpose of this assembly is not only to get pumped for the school year, but to get pumped for each other,” said Assistant Principal Michael Plotkin.
A number of eighth-grade students spoke with their peers about the theme for this year’s program, “I am,” encouraging the students to reflect on the type of person they are and the type of person they wish to become.
Each grade and all of the school’s administrators, faculty and staff were recognized and applauded at the assembly before the Croton-Harmon tiger made an appearance.
Following the assembly, students gathered in their Advisory classes to begin discussions about the year’s theme and participate in team-building activities. The theme of “I am” will continue during Advisory meetings throughout the year to allow students the opportunity to explore essential questions such as “How do my beliefs influence how I see the world?” and “How do I deal with setbacks, achieve my goals and stay optimistic?”
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Student Singers Honor Community Heroes at 9/11 Memorial
Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School fifth-grade students sang “Together We Can Change the World” at the Croton-on-Hudson/Buchanan/Cortlandt 9/11 Memorial Service at Croton Landing Park on Sept. 11. They were among several groups of performers, community members, local dignitaries and members of the Croton-on-Hudson fire and police departments who gathered to honor the heroes who were killed 14 years ago.
Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School music teacher Marlena Roberts, who directed the fifth-grade chorus, said she hopes her students — who weren’t yet born when the U.S. was attacked by terrorists — could learn more about 9/11 and remember the day in a positive light.
Student Nick Godek, a member of the performing chorus at the 9/11 memorial service, said he knows Sept. 11, 2001 was a day that changed lives forever. He said he felt honored to perform alongside his fellow fifth-graders.
“Even though I don’t like this day, I want to know more about it, and being at the memorial will help me learn,” he said. “It will help me mourn everyone who died.”
Gathered around the 9/11 “Reaching Through the Shadow” memorial, students and community members observed a moment of silence to remember the following community members who were killed in the attacks: William F. Abrahamson, firefighter George C. Cain, Police Officer Stephen P. Driscoll, James A. Oakley, Gregory E. Rodriguez, Thomas E. Sinton III, Randall L. Sprance and Joseph J. Zuccala.
Superintendent Dr. Edward Fuhrman said he was honored to attend the ceremony because 9/11 is an important day for all Americans to remember.
“The beautiful words and songs remind us all of the sacrifices that came before us and the importance of our freedom,” he said.
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Olweus Rolls Out at CET Unity Day
Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School students gathered to celebrate Unity Day on Oct. 21 with a special program, geared at reinforcing messages of anti-bullying. Students and staff members dressed in orange to symbolize their unification and listened intently as Principal Kelly Maloney introduced the new Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
Maloney reviewed four new rules for the student body that included 1) We will not bully others; 2) We will try to help students who are bullied; 3) We will try to include students who are left out; and 4) If we know that someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and at home.
The special program concluded with a teacher skit that demonstrated what students should do if they or if someone they know is being bullied.
Students also participated in additional hands-on Unity Day activities, including creating an orange unity chain and making paper dolls about friendship.
The following day, students attended assemblies with James Vagias or “Magic Jim,” who presented his “Bully-Proof Your School: The Magic of School Part II” program.“The assembly reinforced our Olweus Bullying Prevention Program,” said Assistant Principal Kerri Bianchi.
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