HS and MS students perform at festivals:
A select group of high school students represented SCS at the 2017 Senior High All-County Music Festival January 13-14 at Fayetteville-Manlius High School and a select group of middle school students attended the Junior High All-county Music Festival January 20 and 21 at Solvay High School.
Attending the Senior high festival were Ben Blackwell, Nolan Meier, Calvin Blackwell, Julia Hearn, Hope Glowacki, Sierra Sander, and Rachel Teixeira. They performed in the All-County Chorus, which was conducted by Jose "Peppie" Calvar, Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Choral Activities at the Setnor School of Music at SU. The students were selected by audition and performed with students from around the county. Conor Driscoll auditioned and was accepted, was ...
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Sixth graders get tips from HS students:
Skaneateles sixth graders focus on social media etiquette and usage during a two week unit in their social studies classes. This week, high school volunteers spent their study halls visiting with the younger students and sharing their wisdom.
Social Studies teacher Mitch Major said the unit is “basically social media 101” and is designed to help sixth graders learn the “dos and don’ts” of social media. The sixth graders learned the benefits and the pitfalls of using things like Snapchat and Instagram. They discussed things to consider before posting, such as: is it safe? Will it hurt anyone? Who will see it? They also learned to double check grammar and spelling before posting.
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Kindergarten registration for 2017-2018:
Waterman Primary School is accepting kindergarten registration for eligible students for the 2017-2018 school year. To be eligible for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old on or before December 1, 2017. Parents who have received a registration form in the mail should complete it and send it to Waterman School as soon as possible. Parents and guardians of incoming kindergarteners who have not received registration information in the mail should contact the business office at 291-2205.
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Survey spotlights principal search:
Steve Widrick, center, greeted students on the first day of his first year as principal at Waterman. He is also principal at State Street, where buses line up to drop students off.
The district has released results of the recent Principal Search Survey which was taken by parents, community members and employees. The survey is part of search process for a new elementary level principal to replace Steve Widrick, who retires at the end of the school year.
The survey asked participants to select the top five statements most important to them when selecting a principal. Of the people who responded, the highest number ranked communication and interpersonal skills as most important qualities in a future principal.
To see the responses to that question, and ...
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Focus on the Future at Jan. 25 forum:
Save the date! 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Waterman School
Focus is on the future at January 25 State of the District community forum
Whether they are number-crunching for a budget, working with architects to plan for renovations or interviewing candidates for a job, SCS officials have one end goal in mind: preparing students K-12 to be ready for their future.
How is that goal going to be met?
That is the subject of a community forum (or State of the District address) to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, in the Waterman School auditorium.
Community members are invited to learn about the 2017-18 budget, Project 2021 (for which there will be a vote next fall) and educational initiatives – all which go back to that end goal of ensuring that ...
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CNY Scholastic Art Awards:
The above three photos are from the Silver Key senior portfolio by Luca Kunz. See photos from Madelyn Brogan's Gold Key senior portfolio below.
Twenty six Skaneateles students received 41 awards at the CNY Scholastic Art Awards.
Skaneateles High School and Middle School had a total of 13 gold keys, 10 silver keys, and 18 honorable mentions. A total of 26 students were honored! Three senior portfolios earned recognition.
Senior Madelyn Brogan received a highest honor when she earned a Gold Key for her senior portfolio.
Senior portfolios are difficult to get into the show. Also earning recognition for senior portfolios were Luca Kunz (silver) and Kao Howard (honorable mention).
Three middle ...
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"Admissions Game" returns Feb. 8:
Save the date! “The Admission Game ® ” comes to Skaneateles
Interactive workshop demystifies the college admission process
Peter Van Buskirk will present “The Admission Game” in the Skaneateles High School auditorium at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 8. Families with students in high school will find the content of the two-hour program insightful and useful. Juniors and their parents are urged to attend.
A different program will be presented to sophomores and juniors on Thursday during the school day. Students who are able are encouraged to attend both the evening and the daytime presentations because the content is different, said Counselor Barb Drozynski. “The evening program includes a behind-the-scenes discussion ...
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Students meet new MS principal:
When Mike Caraccio met with middle school students this week, he posed a question he assumed might be on their minds: “How did the guy directing traffic in the parking lot end up in the middle school principal’s office?”
Caraccio joined the district this fall and – in addition to his duties as Humanities Coordinator – he helped with MS morning traffic flow. That was likely the place where students and parents saw him, until January 3 when he took over the very visible position of middle school principal.
To answer that question, and to show why he is “super excited” to be in his new role, Caraccio shared a bit of his personal story – and then shared some of his thoughts on key topics: learning, hard work and kindness.
But first, ...
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Three staff members receive the Laker Way Award in December!:
Each month The Laker Way award is given to a faculty or staff member(s) who has been nominated by one of their peers for going above and beyond in their job and their service to others. There were three recipients in the month of December!
Kevin Blowers – Maintenance Crew (not available for picture)
I would like to nominate Kevin Blowers for the 110% award. Kevin is a team player who has a do it right the first time attitude and the knowledge and work ethic to back it up. Not only does Kevin have a strong work ethic, Kevin communicates and understands the urgent and non-urgent issues here at Skaneateles Central schools. He exercises caution when needed and also is available for any issue that may arise. Since Kevin has started here at the district he ...
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Administrative shifts to benefit SCS:
MS Principal Gary Gerst will become full-time Director of Learning (overseeing special education program and teachers). Mike Caraccio, middle photo, will become MS Principal.
Pat Brown, right, will become K-12 Humanities Coordinator.
When Skaneateles students return from the holiday vacation, they will find familiar faces in new places.
Middle School Principal Gary Gerst will become the full time Director of Learning for the district and Mike Caraccio will take over as Middle School Principal. Caraccio currently is the 6-12 Humanities Coordinator.
The changes were made at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting based on the recommendations of Superintendent Ken Slentz and will take effect January 3.
The appointments are in ...
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Students brighten the holidays:
By Jason Gabak, Skaneateles Press
Most any time even a small gesture can make a big difference in the life of a family or individual.
This is a lesson State Street teacher Heather Buff has seen firsthand and is a lesson she has worked to share with the students who pass through the halls of State Street.
For the past six years students from each class have created miniature Christmas trees which are donated to less fortunate families.
Buff found the inspiration for this project from her own life.
“My husband’s grandmother was in an assisted living facility and we brought her a little tree,” Buff said. “For the people there it was something special and the idea kind of grew from there.”
Buff said Principal Steve Widrick has been ...
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Twelve Days of Giving:
As part of their 12 Days of Giving, fourth graders in Pete O”Connor’s class read holiday stories to first grade students at Waterman. This event was a big hit for students in both grades (see photos below). Other projects during their 12 Days of Giving have included the collection of pet food for the SPCA and the creation of cards for senior citizens, pictured above.
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Community-wide cookie drive FRIDAY:
With the snow day, packaging for the community cookie drive is Friday!
Help add sweetness to the Skaneateles Outreach holiday gift baskets for area families in need.
Donate a dozen (or more!) to the Interact Club's annual cookie drive.
Deliver to the MS/HS Office Friday, December 16, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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In the Rack or in the Pack!:
We have implemented a new school-wide initiative here at the high school with regards to student cell phone use. In an effort to give students the opportunity to spend the bulk of the school day “unplugged” without the distraction of incoming text messages and social media, etc. we are asking them to “check” their phones at the start of each class period by either concealing them in their backpacks or putting them in a cell phone “rack”. The high school PTC has provided funding for soft “shoe rack” style cell phone holders to be placed in each and every classroom. Teachers will monitor phones being left and taken from the rack. Phones and devices will still be used as instructional tools during times that teachers deem appropriate ...
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Real world experience in art class:
Great things happen when people step into our schools to share their expertise. Recently, three Adobe Illustrator experts from Chase Design spent an entire class period with students in Jessica Sawchuk’s Graphic Design class.
Andy Schweitzer, Bonnie Dudden, and Jon Cammarata are full time Graphic Designers from Chase. "There were a lot of Ah-HAHs and Oh Wows as students learned new things that they had been trying to figure out throughout their process," Sawchuk said.
“We’ve been in their seats,” Schweitzer said. “It is nice to tell them some of what we’ve figured out.” He said designers at Chase also "cross polinate" by sharing what they've learned.
Sawchuk hopes to have the designers continue ...
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Students collect coins for children in Uganda:
Students in Ellen Wolford’s fifth grade class at State Street School are spearheading a schoolwide coin collection in an effort to help children in rural Uganda.
The educational needs of the Ugandan children became personal for the local students through the experiences of Wolford’s son, Matthew Wolford, a 2012 Skaneateles graduate who is living in a rural village and working at a medical clinic.
Recently, Wolford’s students went to other classrooms at State Street School to share a PowerPoint that tells the story of how children in Matthew Wolford’s village cannot take school for granted. They are often without supplies or the opportunity to attend school.
Wolford graduated from Union College in 2016 and received ...
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Look who was "Caught Giving Their Extra Ten Percent":
We’re all doing it, but please join us in congratulating the person nominated for The Laker Way award for November 2016!
Jenel Fortino
I would like to nominate Jenel Fortino!! She appears to effortlessly juggle endless tasks that promote Skaneateles spirit. She spends a great deal of extra time and money without looking for recognition or praise, and gets the job DONE!
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SCS to be closed second straight day:
Superintendent Ken Slentz has canceled school for the second day, due to the relentless snow storm that has paralyzed much of Central New York.
With reports of snowfall continuing until 4 a.m. Tuesday, Slentz determined it would be almost impossible for local crews (as well as school district crews) to keep up. He urged everyone to travel safely. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Students explore careers in visit to Chase Design:
Skaneateles High School art students were given an inside look at Chase Design during a career exploration field trip. Students in Jessica Sawchuk's graphic design and advanced art classes as well as some independent study students learned about the history of the Chase Design, what they do, and how the creative process works.
Doug Whitehouse told the students that a designer must first find out what the problem is -- and then solve it. He said it is important to have self-confidence and to present ideas with pride.
"Ultimately you must do your own best work, and choose what to present." He said.
"We call our team members problem solvers," he said. "We don't look for people who are super specialized; we want people who have many different life experiences." ...
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Will a school close? Research continues ...:
Will the Skaneateles Central School District close a building in the near future, as a result of declining enrollment?
District continues to research best building usage
As students and staff continue through the busy day-to-day of another school year, Superintendent Ken Slentz and others continue to look into the future of the district and its facilities.
A key question involves whether or not to close a building due to declining enrollment.
A recommendation about facility use is targeted to be made in the 2017-18 school year, Slentz recently said in a report to the Board of Education. That is when he expects to present a plan by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, an advisory group that has met regularly for the past two years.
“We have the good fortune ...
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