SUMMER 2007 - Taconic Hills Central School District

SUMMER 2007Vol.20 No.3 TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2Looking Back:A Talk with Former TH Superintendent David PacienciaEditor’s Note: In late June, as Superintendent David Paciencia was gettingready to step down and new superintendent Mark Sposato was preparingto step in, the Titan Herald asked Mr. Paciencia to share somereflections about his time here, his career in education and his future.Q: It sounds strange to say “former superintendent.”Why are you retiring?A: My doctors are recommending it. My body is apparently wearingdown, and I am tired of being tired… This job, done well, requires longhours and can frequently keep you up at night. I will address my sleepneeds first, my health needs next… Then, after my doctors do somework and I have healed, I will likely look at the opportunities that havebeen offered to me by several agencies, corporations and associations.Q: In 35 years in education, you’ve had a lot of jobs.What position have you liked best?A: I really liked them all, from being a classroom mathematics teacherto a principal and superintendent, among others. The only difference isthe level of responsibility, accountability and stress.Q: Why the costumes on the first school day every year?A: I have always felt that the first day of school for kindergartenersshould be the most exciting and happy experience. However, often theyend up crying because it is the first time they leave their mother, fatheror grandparent. The cartoon character makes them get focused on thecharacter and school. They don’t cry, and before they know it, they arein school with their new teacher!Continued on page 9Mark Sposato Becomes TH Superintendent of SchoolsOn July 1, Mark Sposato began his tenure assuperintendent of Taconic Hills. Mr. Sposatowas most recently the superintendent ofthe Beekmantown Central School District inWest Chazy in Clinton County.Prior to that, he served as associatesuperintendent for instruction in the BuffaloSchool District and as district strategic plannerfor the Rochester City School system.Other changes in the TH administrationinclude former elementary principalTony Marchesano taking over the positionof Director of Organizational Development, former high schoolPrincipal John Gulisane becoming elementary school principal, andthe resignation of John Mullins Jr. from the Board of Education forhealth reasons. The TH Board appointed Bruce Meyers to fill Mr.Mullins’ vacancy until the next election. The Fall 2007 Titan Heraldwill feature more information about Mr. Sposato and other changesin the school administration.BOARD OF EDUCATIONPaul B. Robertson, President (2009)Robert Garon, Vice President (2008)Tom Bailey (2010)Neil Howard, Jr. (2009)John Mastropolo (2011)Bruce Meyers (2008)Robert McComb (2012)Ronald Morales (2012)P-L Schroeppel (2008)BOARD MEETINGS — The Board ofEducation meets on Wednesday eveningsonce a month as noted in the annual schoolcalendar. The meetings are held in theBoard Room at the school and begin at7:00 p.m. The Board welcomes and encouragesthe public to attend these meetings.PUBLIC FORUM — Two 10-minute “PublicForum” sessions are scheduled at each Boardmeeting, at the beginning and near the end.These times are set aside so that residentsmay address the Board directly on issues ofimportance. Because the Board has a greatdeal of business which it must attend toduring its meetings, the public is asked toconfine its participation to these public forumsessions.DISTRICT OFFICE(518) 325-0310 or (toll-free) 1-877-359-5393Mark A. Sposato Ed.D . . . .SuperintendentAnthony Marchesano. ....... Director of.......... Organizational DevelopmentMary Grden. .....School Business OfficialMark A. Sposato Ed.D . . . . . .District ClerkCarol Curtis ....Food Service CoordinatorOtto Meilick ..........Facility ManagerRobert McGhee (325-0335) .Transportation.........................SupervisorHarriett Kane ............ Tax CollectorPLEASE ADDRESS MAIL TO:Taconic Hills Central School DistrictDistrict OfficeP.O. Box 482Craryville, NY 12521BUILDING ADMINISTRATION• 9–12 High School: 325-0390• 5–8 Middle School: 325-0420Steven Drescher – Principal• K-4 Elementary School: 325-0370John V. Gulisane, Jr. – Principal• 9–12 Dean of Student Services: 325-0400Drew Hopkinswww.TaconicHills.k12.ny.us

TH Model U.N. StudentsEarn Invitation to SouthAfrican Conference, SeekCommunity SupportIn late March, a Taconic Hills student delegation partici -pated in a regional Model U.N. conference at CornellUniversity. Also attending the conference, in which studentsdebate global issues, was a team of students fromSouth Africa under the auspices of a foundation calledEducation Africa. The Education Africa representative,Mrs. Shehnaz Rangwala, was impressed by the TH studentsand spoke to Model U.N. advisor Barry Emberlin.Based on what she saw and heard, Mrs. Rangwala invitedthe Taconic Hills team to an international conference inCape Town in the fall. Mr. Emberlin was ecstatic.“We didn’t win top prizes at Cornell,” he said. “But I’venever had a group of students conduct themselves betterthan this one did. This group really deserved recognition,and they got it in a big way with this invitation.” TaconicHills is one of four schools in the U.S. invited to the CapeTown conference.Having gotten the go-ahead from the TH school boardand Superintendent David Paciencia, Mr. Emberlin willtake five TH students in October. The conference, similarto the Model U.N. program at Cornell, will include delegatesfrom England, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa,among others nations. Mr. Emberlin is now activelycourting donors to help fund the trip. The cost of sendingthe students—Mr. Emberlin had to make some toughchoices from an outstanding team—is $3,650 each. Themoney must be raised from local donations.“I’m optimistic that people in our area will help supportthis mission,” Mr. Emberlin said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity,the kind of thing that can change a life. It’s a creditto our students and our community that we received thisinvitation.” Above, Mr. Emberlin and his Model U.N.team posed for a photo at the school. ▲STUDENTSREMINDINGSTUDENTS…In early May,the TH chapterof SADD,Students AgainstDestructiveDecisions, stageda demonstrationcalled “The GrimReaper.” The studentsdramatizedthe frequency—one every 33 minutes—with which people are killed by drunk drivers. SeniorDylan Keenan volunteered to play the role of the Grim Reaper and SADDmembers and other students took the role of accident victims. As the Reapermoved around the school, students he tapped with his scythe became “dead.”These students had their faces painted white with a black tear, and could notspeak to “living” students or participate in activities. A red carnation wasplaced on their school desks. Mrs. Amie Moore, a health teacher and advisorto SADD, said that the students chose the date to coincide with prom weekendand to serve as a reminder to their fellow students. Mrs. Moore singledout Darrin French, Kelsie Krien and Alyssa Kraft as SADD members whoshowed leadership and initiative this past year. ▲….TO HAVE A GOOD,SAFE TIME AT THE PROMThe 2007 Junior Prom was a safeand successful event. Sandra Smithand Jordan McComb were queenand king.3

6CODY SCHRODERAn engineer, maybe.Discussing his immediatefuture, Cody Schrodersounded a little unsure.“I wasn’t overly ambitious aboutapplying to college,” he said. “Alot of kids applied to six or sevenschools, but I only applied to threeplaces.” He got into all three. Thencame a decision.“My first thought when I startedthinking about going to college was:‘I’ve got to get out of this place.’But when the time came to choosebetween colleges, I ended up choosingthe school that was closest tohome, even though that wasn’t theonly reason I chose it.”The school he chose was RensselaerPolytechnic Institute, one of the premierengineering universities in thecountry. Cody is cautious, he said,because he’s not sure about an engineeringcareer.“I have this image of my roommatebeing a Star Trek nut,” he said.“I know it probably won’t be likethat, but still…”Cody didn’t get into RPI by accident.He finished second in his classand gave the salutatory address atgraduation. Throughout school, heexcelled at math and the sciences. Soeven though he has his doubts aboutengineering as a field of study, heknows that he has the skills to give ita go. And being close to home suddenlydoesn’t seem so bad.Cody started school at Ockawamickin kindergarten. Throughout school,he played sports, snowboarded,played in the band, hung out withfriends and got good grades.“Sports were a big deal to me,” hesaid. He played soccer for 13 years;baseball and basketball for seven.He was captain of both the JV soccerand baseball teams, played threeyears of varsity soccer and was captainthis year, as well as the team’sleading goal scorer.In school, his approach was to“just study and get the work done. Itdoesn’t always come easy, but if youput the work in, you can do well.”“In 8th grade I found out that Iwas near the top of my class. Afterthat, I just kept pushing myself.”Cody has an older sister who justgraduated from Bentley College. Hisolder brother went to college for ayear and now works with his fatherin his steel fabrication business.“I don’t know if I fit the mold foran engineer,” he said. “I guess I’llfind out.” ▲AMANDA SMITH“One person can do a lot.”On June 23, Amanda Smithgraduated from high school.Then she went back toschool. On July 12, she graduatedagain, one of 33 students—only six of whom are high schoolage—to graduate from the Careerand Technical Education NursingProgram offered at Questar III inHudson. Soon she is going back toschool again, this time to college. Sheis planning on graduate school, too.“I got intrigued with nursing whenI was ten,” she said. “My mom is anurse, and I saw how much she likedher work. I knew it was something Iwanted to do.”The Questar program was byapplication only. Having beenaccepted into the program, Amandabegan spending half her days at thefacility in Hudson during her junioryear. She began working at ColumbiaMemorial Hospital, giving shots,treating wounds and doing normalnursing care. All the while, she continuedher regular studies at TaconicHills, a course load that includedAP calculus, physics and economics.

Essentially, in a single day, Amandadid twice as much work—or more—than a typical high school student.Did she ever regret taking on somuch?“Hundreds of times,” she saidcheerfully. “I thought: ‘I’m doingfour to five hours of home work,studying pharmacy instead of goingout with friends.’ I missed a lot ofthe social activities my classmatesenjoyed. But I think it’s worth it. I’mvery excited about going to college,doing something no one in my familyhas done before, pursuing a careerI’m really interested in.”As an LPN—she needs to take herboard exam first—Amanda could gointo the work force now. But she wasaccepted at Mount St. Mary Collegein Newburgh and plans to study fora B.S. in nursing.“The LPN program at Questarwas very rigorous,” she said. “Wecovered 15 different topics; anatomyand physiology to microbiology. Andif you failed a course you failed theprogram. When I started at the hospitalit was pretty nerve-wracking atfirst, but I got used to it quickly. Thepatients tended to do a double takewhen I came in the room. They wereused to nurses in their 30’s and 40’s,not a high school student. Then theytended to be very intrigued.”Between her second graduation onJuly 12 and going off to college inAugust, Amanda plans to enjoy herfree time. Then it’s back to work.“One person can do a lot to helppeople who are not feeling well orwhen they’re sick,” she said. ▲KYLE CRUZEN“In the E.R., you have to beon your toes.”Kyle Cruzen was looking fora challenge. In school, hewas coasting and he knew it.He had always been curious aboutmedicine though he wasn’t exactlysure in what area. Then, representativesfrom Questar III’s Medicineand Allied Health program came toTaconic Hills to meet with studentswho might want to pursue an intensive,integrated college-level curriculumin anatomy and physiology,medical terminology, medical ethics,English, government and economics.Kyle liked what he heard. Forhis senior year, he left the familiarconfines of the Taconic Hills campusfor a classroom in the administrationbuilding at Columbia MemorialHospital, where a teacher fromRussell Sage College coordinateda daily regimen of academics combinedwith eventual rotation workin the hospital as well as with anEMT rescue squad team. Kyle wentinto the program thinking aboutmedicine. He came out wanting tobe a doctor.“My favorite part of the programis when we got to do rotations inMay,” he said. And his favorite partof that was the emergency room.“You see everything there. A guycuts his leg with a chain saw. A guyhas a car fall off a jack and land onhim. Mentally unstable people, peoplein dire straits—you have to beconstantly on your toes.” Kyle wasinspired by the doctor he shadowed.“He took me under his wing andtaught me a lot.”In the fall, Kyle will be at theUniversity of Vermont in Burlington.Because of his experience in the program,he plans to enter a pre-medprogram right away.“I don’t know what will happen,but that’s the path I’m choosing rightnow.”Joining the program came witha sacrifice. “I didn’t see as much ofmy friends,” he said. “I had a tonof homework; the academics wereextremely difficult… But then I foundout I could do it, that I could reallyapply myself more than I thought Icould. It gave me much better studyhabits, and I think it showed mewhat college life would be like. I feellike I matured a lot this year.”“I am so excited about going awayto college now. This last year hasbeen awesome,” he said. ▲7

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF...First Year Spanish Teacher Laura-Ann CammisaSpanish teacher Laura-AnnCammisa has had a lot of jobs.She was once a personal assistantto the actress Susan Strasberg.She worked in an antique store onMadison Avenue in New York, dealingwith customers around the world.She took the stage at the New YorkCity Opera as an extra in productionsranging from “La Traviata “ to“Le Coq d’Or.” For quite a while sheran a catering business; cheese cakeswere a specialty. Her first real careerwas in the travel industry; based inManhattan, she traveled extensively.Not long ago, she was the executivedirector of the Columbia-GreeneHumane Society; she is the currentPresident of the New York StateHumane Association. She wrote a foodcolumn for a while.Now, she can add something elseto her resume. She has finished herfirst year as a middle school Spanishteacher at Taconic Hills.How did she get here—and howdid the year go?“It was the best year,” she said, sittingin her classroom on the last dayof school. “This job has been a gift.”Ms. Cammisa’s students had justgone home for the summer. She didnot seem in any hurry to leave. Shepicked up a Spanish conversationstarter she uses in class. She talkedabout her colorful past. She rememberedthe year she spent in Pisapursuing Renaissance studies in college;that was where she learnedItalian. She had already learnedFrench and Spanish.She became a teacher much laterin life by substituting in HudsonHigh School while she was runningher catering business out of herClaverack home. During that time,she started an after-school Italianclass as part of an enrichment programwith a few dozen Taconic Hillsstudents and also taught in the continuingeducation program here.Then she taught Italian and Spanishfull-time at Hudson for four years.When a Spanish position opened upback at Taconic Hills, her home district,she jumped at the opportunity.At Taconic Hills, she works with90 students a day. Her approach isto keep her classroom lively, to useas much Spanish as possible and notto overwhelm her students’ attentionspans.“I’m teaching differently than theway I myself was taught,” she said.“I’ve had to adjust to the way kidsare today. I use a lot of differenttechniques. Role playing, repetition,games and active review.”This past year, two-thirds of herstudents scored 90 or above on stateassessments.“I don’t teach to the tests, but youcan’t help but have them in the backof your mind.”“I want students to realize thatthey’re not just learning a language,they’re learning about culture, a wayof life, respect, seeing differences andsimilarities around you. I point out acommon phrase or name like the RioGrande River, and what that says toa Spanish speaker. I try to get themto think in Spanish.”She emphasized the support shehas gotten from her fellow languageteachers, Kristina Shepard andKaren Fitzharris, as well as formerSuperintendent David Paciencia andPrincipal Steven Drescher.Besides the pleasure she gets fromhelping her students learn a new language,she said she feels good thatshe could conquer a new challenge atthis point in her life.“I didn’t really need a new career.But it turns out that of all the thingsI’ve done, this is my favorite,” she said.“I’ve always had a lot of energy.But there’s something about this joband working with kids… For me, it’svery energizing.” ▲8I want students to realize that they’re not just learning alanguage, they’re learning about culture, a way of life, respect.

A Talk with Former TH Superintendent David Pacencia. . . continued from page 2Q: How would you describe yourself as a person?A: A blue collar worker in a white collar job. I am firstgeneration in this country. My father came here alone, asa teenager with two dimes in his pocket. I never got anallowance, and I learned from him a strong work ethicand the power of positive thinking.Q: You must have many good memories.But are there some bad ones?A: I do have some sad memories over the years. In thepast, I have attended many needless funerals becausekids were driving before they really knew what they weredoing and/or because of drug or alcohol use while driving.And there have been times when I have seen adultsgive up on a child. That has always made me sad. I trulybelieve every child can learn—it’s just that each of uslearns differently.Q: If you could change something in publiceducation today, what would it be?A: There are many things. I would have more parentsrealize the importance of being a parent first and a friendlater. I would reduce the amount of testing that is putupon our kids. I would make all educators accountable,not the trend that is presently occurring. I wouldlengthen the school day. I would allow for kids to holdjobs only on weekends and to focus on schooling first.I would make pre-school mandatory.Q: Any perception changes you’d like to see?A: I’d like people to realize that you cannot have a successfulschool system without outstanding bus drivers, outstandingclerical support, outstanding maintenance staff, acafeteria staff that provides food that kids will buy, enjoyand is healthy for them, and of course administrators whoreally make this all happen. All of these groups need to beequally respected, in addition to teachers. It is the entireteam that makes education successful, and another integralpart of that team is to include the parents as part of it.All of us together help a child succeed.Q: Anything else?A: Yes. “The administration” needs to be recognizedwithin the school system not as a monolith but as humanbeings with human feelings. I’m afraid that people hereare quick to point at the administration as an “it.”Everyone who works here is a person first and a titlesecond. None of us was born with a suit on. This systemhas so many activities after school, and our administratorsare so few, that it requires a lot of evenings out.Our principals put in extraordinary hours. It doesn’tleave a lot of time for family and rest. Larger schoolsystems have layers of administration. Most rural schoolsdo not because we tend to be more responsive to keepingtaxes lower. It’s easy to make a mistake or two whenyou are not rested. Not everyone realizes this. I wish ourprincipals were appreciated more.Q: Do you have thoughts about the systemof tenure?A: I have never believed in tenure. I never kept a tenureletter that I received. I have never seen a district get rid ofsomeone who was highly competent. The most accountablejob in a school district is that of the superintendent,and that job cannot get tenure—nor should it. Tenuredoesn’t make it impossible to dismiss a teacher, but itdoes make it very costly to taxpayers to do so. I’d liketo see this changed.Q: Any follow-up comments on restoration workon the school building?A: It was a big job that required a lot of behind-thesceneswork. Most of the companies were helpful to us.The object was to get the problems fixed, not to blamepeople. By the end of July, all the planned remediationefforts should be concluded. Just like a large home orstore, a facility this large will always face the likelihoodof a problem or two with age in the future.Q: How do you see the future for Taconic Hills?A: I see incredible possibility and some big challenges.It used to be hard to recruit teachers here. Now it is not.We have some wonderful younger teachers and turnoveris down. We’ve expanded our A.P. program. Our graduationrates are up and test scores are moving in the rightdirection. I honestly believe that this district has thechance to be one of the best in the state. Our two biggestchallenges, in my opinion, are declining enrollment andescalating costs, including unfunded government mandates.Fewer children are being born in this district andhousing is not affordable for young families. In addition,it will be a constant challenge to maintain an affordableschool budget as we have these past years.Q: Any advice to TH students?A: Believe in yourself. Focus on your education—allthe other “stuff” can wait. Your success in the futuredepends largely upon your focus on education—withoutthe other distractions. Act and dress respectfully, andothers will give you respect; it all has to be earned. Asmy father told me, no matter how hard it may be, youmust believe in yourself before you can expect others tobelieve in you.Q: Anything you’d like to add?A: It has been an honor and a privilege to serve thisgreat school and community of ten townships. I think ofthis area as “Camelot.” ▲9

TESTING NEWS: TH STUDENTS SHOW IMPROVEMENTGrade 3–8 ELA Assessment % Proficient% Proficient100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 82005–06 Grade2006–0710At the time this edition went to press, Titan Herald readers could usethe web links provided by local newspapers (www.nystart.gov/publicweb/)to check TH test scores for the 2005–2006 school year.At the same time, the district had access to newer scores for 2006–2007.As part of a statewide trend, TH middle school students showed impressiveimprovement in this past school year. TH students in grades 3–8 had thehighest average English Language Arts scores in the county, with 75.8 percentof those tested scoring in the top two levels of the test. Last year, 45 percentof TH students scored in those levels.In 6th grade math, the percentage of students scoring in the top two levelsrose from 48 to 67 percent and in 8th grade math the improvement was from40 to 54 percent.Middle School Principal Steven Drescher credits the teaching staff for helpingstudents make these improvements on their test scores.“The teachers prepared over last summer, organized their schedules to createmore time for review, and worked hard on problem areas identified fromthe year before,” he said.Mr. Drescher pointed out that the most accurate reading of test results isnot necessarily comparing this year’s 8th grade with last year’s, but insteadcomparing this year’s 8th grade results with last year’s 7th grade results.“That way, you follow a class’s progress as it moves through the school,”he said. Reading results in this manner, he pointed out, showed an overallpicture of improvement. “Some classes made major strides. Most did quitewell or at least held their own,” he said. “We are encouraged that we’re onthe right track.” ▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲SETTING THE BARIn the spring, TH pole-vaulterImelda Muller practiced hertechnique. As a member of thegirls track team, Imelda wasone of many TH athletes whowere recognized as scholarathletes. To be recognizedas a New York State scholarathlete team, varsity playersmust combine for a gradepoint average of 90 or higher.This spring, the boys and girlstrack and field teams and theboys tennis team earned NYSscholar athlete team statuswith averages of 93.7, 91.7and a 90.5 respectively.

TH Graduation 2007On a bright day in June, familiesand friends took photos ofa gathering group of freshlyminted TH graduates outside ofschool. Beforehand, the graduatesreceived some last minuteinstructions. On the Thursdaybefore graduation, the middleschool held its annual moving upceremony. At left, English teacherJamie Keegan shared a hug.Lauren Osterhoudt, ElizabethHamm and Angelina Oszustposed for a photo. Jean Philippe(J.P.) Fabio looked sharp for theoccasion.11

GREAT MUSIC, BIG FUN AT THEP.A.C. THIS SUMMER…Saturday, August 4 at 7:30 p.m.Patty Larkin This guitarist extraordinaire will play her award winningcross-over blend of folk, rock and world music.$18 Students, $20 AdultDoors Open at 6:30Friday, August 10 at 2:00 p.m.Ventriloquist Steve Charney and His Amazing Dummy, Harry!Hilarious fun for families.Doors Open at 1:30All Tickets $5 (Weather permitting, this event will be held in theoutdoor amphitheater.)Saturday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m.Eastern Standard Jazz Trio Classic jazz played by some of thepremier musicians from across the Northeast. Not to be missed.Doors Open at 6:30$12 Students, $15 AdultsFriday, August 17 at 2:00 p.m.Bindlestiff Family Cirkus “Wild West Jamboree” The Americanfrontier through storytelling, lasso tricks, target-snapping bullwhip, linedance, juggling and a cowpoke sing-along. “Old-fashioned variety entertainment—butwith twists!”—The New York TimesAll tickets $5. Doors open at 1:30(Weather permitting this event will be held in the outdoor amphitheater.)Friday, August 24 at 7:30 p.m.The Sky Smeed Band With Special Guest Bobby SweetCountry Music at its finest.$10 Students, $12 AdultDoors Open at 6:30September 4September 5September 6October 8CLEARING OUT On the last few daysof school, TH students cleaned outtheir lockers for the year.Superintendent’s Conference DaySuperintendent’s Conference DayFIRST DAY OF SCHOOLColumbus Day — No SchoolDATES TOREMEMBER12THE TITAN HERALDis published by theTaconic Hills Board of EducationEditor: John SlotePhotographer: David LeeDesign: Toelke AssociatesPlease address correspondence to:The Titan Heraldc/o Taconic Hills School DistrictP.O. Box 482Craryville, NY 12521TACONIC HILLSCENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTP.O. BOX 482Craryville, NY 12521Please deliver to…BOXHOLDER—ORRURAL ROUTE RESIDENTof the Taconic Hills Central School DistrictNON-PROFITORGANIZATION U.S.POSTAGE PAIDHUDSON, NY 12534PERMIT #211