1 Volume 7, Issue 1 The Inside Resource NEW SCHOOL YEAR - NEW LOOK The Inside Resource NORTH COLONIE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Volume 7, Issue 1 September 2017 Your News Source for Employee-Related Information at North Colonie Upcoming Events - September Sept 5, 6 - Supt. Conf. Days Sept 7 - First day of school Sept 21 - Rosh Hashanah, All Emp Holiday Sept 25 - Board Meeting, New Staff Reception, SHS Media Center, 7:00 p.m. District Mission: All students are provided the opportunity and necessary support to engage in relevant, challenging work which contributes to their academic and social development. All staff, teachers, and ad- ministrators are part of a larger learning community, working together to build col- lective capacity in order to provide a high quality, relevant, equitable education for all. The Inside Resource turned seven this summer and it was time for a face lift! You’ll still find lots of employee-related news inside, along with familiar regular items such as upcoming events, staff moves and new hires, employee recognitions and new arrivals. A new feature, Safety Tips, will debut in the next issue and offer helpful tips to keep you safe in your work environment. There were a lot of changes over the summer: Kathy Skeals was promoted to Deputy Superintendent. This new title more accurately reflects the evolution of her duties to include a vital role in the budgeting process, district operations and the capital project. Our new Director of Physical Education & Athletics, Matt Stein, started on July 1. Find out more about Matt in a separate article on page 2. Scott Hoot, begins work on September 1 as the new Assistant Superintendent for Business. Scott is profiled in more detail on page 2. There are lots of other new faces as well. The Human Resource Department and Administrators were busy interviewing and hiring many, many new instructional and instructional support staff to fill vacated and newly budgeted positions. Check out the Staff Moves and New Hires sections . The capital project is still in the planning stages, but will occupy a lot of time. Stay tuned for updates! If you have an event, recognition, celebration, etc. that you would like mentioned in The Inside Resource, please send it to [email protected]and we will try to include it in an upcoming issue. Welcome to a new school year!
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Volume 7, Issue 1 The Inside Resource
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Volume 7, Issue 1
September 2017
Your News Source for Employee-Related Information at North Colonie
Upcoming Events - September
Sept 5, 6 - Supt. Conf. Days
Sept 7 - First day of school
Sept 21 - Rosh Hashanah, All Emp Holiday
Sept 25 - Board Meeting, New Staff Reception, SHS Media Center, 7:00 p.m.
District Mission: All students are provided the opportunity and necessary support to engage in relevant, challenging work which contributes to their academic and social development. All staff, teachers, and ad-ministrators are part of a larger learning community, working together to build col-lective capacity in order to provide a high quality, relevant, equitable education for all.
The Inside Resource turned seven this summer and it was time for a face lift! You’ll still find lots of employee-related news inside, along with familiar regular items such as upcoming events, staff moves and new hires, employee recognitions and new arrivals. A new feature, Safety Tips, will debut in the next issue and offer helpful tips to keep you safe in your work environment.
There were a lot of changes over the summer:
Kathy Skeals was promoted to Deputy Superintendent. This new title more accurately reflects the evolution of her duties to include a vital role in the budgeting process, district operations and the capital project.
Our new Director of Physical Education & Athletics, Matt Stein, started on July 1. Find out more about Matt in a separate article on page 2.
Scott Hoot, begins work on September 1 as the new Assistant Superintendent for Business. Scott is profiled in more detail on page 2.
There are lots of other new faces as well. The Human Resource Department and Administrators were busy interviewing and hiring many, many new instructional and instructional support staff to fill vacated and newly budgeted positions. Check out the Staff Moves and New Hires sections .
The capital project is still in the planning stages, but will occupy a lot of time. Stay tuned for updates!
If you have an event, recognition, celebration, etc. that you would like mentioned in The Inside Resource, please send it to [email protected] and we will try to include it in an upcoming issue.
Scott Hoot - Assistant Superintendent for Business
Kathleen Skeals - Deputy Superintendent
Matt Stein - Director of Physical Education & Athletics
Matt Stein, Director of Physical Education and Athletics, started on July 1, 2017. Previously, Matt served as director of athletics, physical education and health at Rotterdam-Mohonasen School District. He has also worked as a physical education teacher and has significant coaching experience. Welcome Matt!
At its annual organizational meeting in July, the Board of Education voted unanimously to change Kathleen Skeal’s title from Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction to Deputy Superintendent .
“Kathy is an exceptional leadership presence who is held in the highest regard within our educational community,” said Superintendent Joseph Corr. “Her commitment to the district has always been to all facets of district leadership, and this new title reflects recognition of the comprehensive role that she has taken to move the district forward and ensure that all students are provided the high-quality, relevant and equitable education they deserve.”
“I am very excited to become a part of the North Colonie School District team. It is my hope that through 20 years of experience in public education I can help continue to move our programs forward and achieve new heights.”
Scott Hoot has a proven record of public school administration as a School Business Administrator and as an Asst. Supt. of Finance and Administrative Services and he brought that experience to North Colonie when he began work on September 1 as our Assistant Superintendent for Business.
“I cannot adequately express how thrilled I am to be joining the North Colonie Central School District community. I have been very impressed with everyone that I have had the opportunity to meet throughout the interview process and subsequent to my appointment. I look forward to my official start on September 1st and meeting everyone as the school year begins. Together with the dedicated staff, I will have an unwavering focus on the mission and achieving the district goals. I am truly honored with being named as the Assistant Superintendent for Business of this exceptional school district.”
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Volume 7, Issue 1 The Inside Resource
North Colonie receives high grades
Flu Shot Clinics Scheduled
Paul Fedden - named “Technician of the Year”
Again this year, we are partnering with Adirondack Health and Wellness to sponsor flu shot clinics at various locations in the District. Appointments are not needed and shots will be administered on a walk-in basis; just bring your insurance ID card. If your coverage is with CDPHP or MVP, there will be no cost to you. If your coverage is with another provider, check with them to ask if the shot will be covered. Without insurance coverage, the cost is $30.00. Employees and their dependents, age 18 and older, are welcome to attend.
Junior High School - October 18, 2017 - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
High School - November 7, 2017 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Niche.com has released its 2017 ranking of best school districts in New York State. North Colonie was named 18th of 556 as the best school district for athletes; 79th of 670 as the best school district in the state; and, 77th of 574 as a district with the best teachers in New York.
“North Colonie Central School District is a highly regarded school system in upstate NY’s capital region. The district has comprehensive academic programs; a large variety of clubs and organizations; and Class A sports teams. NCCSD also prides itself on meeting the needs of Special Education students with support systems, resources, and follow through.”
Paul Fedden, an Automotive Mechanic in the Transportation Department since 1983 was named Technician of the Year by the NY Assoc. for Pupil Transportation. Congratulations Paul!
“This award is given to a mechanic who exhibits skill and professionalism with a dedicated focus on stu-dent safety. Paul has always been our DOT point man, working directly with DOT inspectors. His work eth-ic and attention to detail is the vast majority of the reason why we’ve achieved a 100% DOT pass rating for so many years. Paul started as a part-timer at the garage right out of Shaker (HS) and has been here ever since. He’s looked up to as a role model for other mechanics. His modesty and no-nonsense approach serve him well.”
John Myers, Director of Transportation
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Volume 7, Issue 1 The Inside Resource
Employee Recognitions
NYS Paid Family Leave
In 2016, Governor Cuomo signed the NYS Paid Family Leave (PFL) bill into law. The bill becomes effective January 1, 2018. The bill does not apply to public employers, including school districts. North Colonie is not subject to this law and will not be offering this benefit. Please consult your union contract/memorandum of understanding for information on available paid leave benefits.
Diana Karl, SG Music, Brook Greco, BC Music, and SooYeon Justesen, BH Music were recognized by Ben Lewis, CEO of Young Voices International for coordinating student participation in the American Young Voices program.
Lisa Ostrowski, School Lunch Director, was recognized by the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council for receiving a grant in the amount of $4,500 to be used to purchase two milk coolers for Forts Ferry and Latham Ridge Elementary Schools.
Sara Detmer and Katherine Palanza, SHS Foreign Language Teachers, were recognized by Galina Kats, Foreign Language Supervisor, for planning and organizing an excellent program for a student trip to Quebec. Also recognized were Karen Keegan, Anna Shkaf, SHS Foreign Language Teachers, and Crystal Fox, SHS Hall Principal, for serving as chaperones for the trip.
Anna Shkaf, SHS Foreign Language Teacher, was recognized by the American Council of Teachers of Russian for her students’ successful participation in the ACTR 35th National Russian Essay Contest.
Siobhan Matrose, SHS English Teacher, was recognized by Pamela Burns, SHS English Department Supervisor, for her role in the college essay-writing workshop and her enthusiastic and continuous work in training student writing consultants and in collaborating with colleagues to use the Writing Center as a resource for fostering independence and authority amongst student writers.
Matt Abel, Brendon Benack, Ed Bouleris, Jenny Cerroni, Bob DelSignore, Vince DeSess, Joann Dwyer, Dan Hogan, Craig Jewett, Neil St. Louis and Rick Terpening of the Custodial Department and Chris Aldi, Jeanette Gates, and Mike Sicko of the Transportation Department, were recognized by Mark Wiegert, Director of Custodial Services, and William Furlong, Asst. Supt of Business, for their help with parking and setup of the Goodrich Building for the budget vote.
Janice Patrie, Secretary II and Clerk of the Board, was recognized by William Furlong, Asst. Supt of Business, for her efforts in coordinating the budget vote and for the overall professionalism that she exhibits under pressure and in the public eye.
Jennie Crandall, Payroll Clerk, and Marianne Collins, Finance Clerk II, were recognized by Kathleen Caulfield, School Business Supervisor, for performing extra duties to assist in the transition of the new treasurer.
Karen Crogan, Bus Driver, was recognized by John Myers, Director of Transportation, for receiving the 2017 Foundation Award from the American Automobile Association for her safety record, attendance, professional attitude, interaction with students and parents and her ability to work well with her peers.
Kimberly Jeram, SHS Special Education Teacher, was recognized by CAP COM Federal Credit Union, for receiving a 2017 Making A Difference Award in the amount of $500 to be used to help pay for programs in her classroom.
Karen Keegan, Brenna Muldoon, Aimee Gauthier, Anna Shkaf and Lisa Morgan, SHS Foreign Language Teachers, were recognized by Galina Kats, Foreign Language Supervisor, for the time and effort they put into developing and implementing the NYS Seal of Biliteracy program in the district.
Staff Resources Link Has Moved! The link to the Staff Resources page is now found on the main web page, www.northcolonie.org under Quick Links, on the right hand side of the page.
Kristen Calahan, Spec Educ, SHS, is now Kristen Rafalik
Nicole Finnegan, Science, JHS, is now Nicole Burke
Amber Knise, Spec Educ, SHS, is not Amber Manke
Jessica Lahue, ENL, SG/BH is now Jessica Voerg
Jennifer Manning, Spec Educ, SG, is now Jennifer Janczak
Erica McCarthy, FACS, JHS, SHS, is now Erica McGowan
Jennifer Rivera, Elem, BH, is now Jennifer Jones
Jessica Schubmehl, Psychologist (SHS/CO) is now Jessica Chiweteoke
Jamie Stall, Elem LR, is now Jamie Pollay
Deborah Umina, Reading, LR, is now Deborah Ungerer
Patricia Womer, Instructional Coach, is now Patricia Farley.
Name Changes
New Arrivals
Kara Becker, Psychologist, SG
Daughter: Margaret Elizabeth
July 25, 2017
Jessica Lansing, Librarian, FF
Daughter: Avery Helen
August 10, 2017
SooYeon Justesen
Daughter: Kaia Rose
June 26, 2017
Kelly McCloskey, Spec Educ, BH
Son: Harrison Drew
July 4, 2017
Lauren Sheldon, Reading, LR
Daughter: Eloise
June 15, 2017
In Memoriam
Andrew Tarbay passed away July 2, 2017 at the age of 94. He taught English and Social Studies at Maplewood, the school he attended as a child, for 24 years before retiring in 1985.
