|
|
|
|
Welcome!
Welcome to the Mahopac Online Bulletin, an email opportunity to show you what and how our students are learning, creating and growing in Mahopac schools.
We hope you enjoy receiving this e-newsletter, which we will be sending out periodically.
If you received this from a friend, please be sure to Join Our Mailing List by clicking on the link below. Feel free to forward this bulletin to others whom you think may enjoy it. You may unsubscribe to these newsletters by clicking on the SafeUnsubscribe link below. Thank you. Sincerely, Thomas J. Manko Superintendent 
|
|
 | | KINDERGARTEN computer lab: "The kids love it," teacher Jenn Borst reports. |
Kindergartners Log on to Read
"Mahopac Falls' new computer lab, installed in September, is registering success with both students and teachers. "The kids love it," says building coordinator and teacher Jenn Borst. They come into the lab for 15 minutes three times a week, log onto a Waterford Early Reading program and work at their own individual pace. The program progresses as the child does and, using a game format, provides strategies for success. "See, it has my name right here," said Ross Silver, excitedly pointing to his name in the corner of the screen. He explained how the program works and helps him read, clearly understanding all he needs to know. Is it fun, a visitor asked? "Yes," he said. Is it hard? "Kinda."  | |
IT HAS MY NAME, Ross Silver says proudly of the computer program at Mahopac Falls.
|
With the 25 tiny laptops in the computer lab linked, teachers can pull up reports on how an entire class is progressing as well as review the work of each individual student.
Today's kindergartners are almost all familiar with computers and comfortable using them, Ms. Borst said. Using the lab gives each child time with an online tailored lesson plan and tutor all his own.
 | |
ATTENTIVE and thinking about it...
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | | TALKING IT OVER: Mahopac High School senior Megan Shea learns from the kindergartners she teaches. |
High School Students Learn to Teach at the Falls
"I love kindergarten kids. They're so happy and upbeat, they make me happy," said Christina Toso, a Mahopac High School senior, explaining her ambition to be a kindergarten teacher. "They progress so well it's shocking."
Christina and four other Mahopac High School seniors are enrolled in a P/NW BOCES New Visions Education program at Mahopac Falls Elementary School with six students from other school districts, all with the goal of getting a head start on a teaching career. Their work there affords them the opportunity to earn 12 college credits while zeroing in on just what it takes to be a teacher.
Being at the Falls, surrounded by classrooms full of energetic five and six year olds, helps the older students observe how teachers work in a variety of situations and gives them a taste of the flurry of day-to-day activity.
The New Visions program provides college-level classes in English Composition and Literature, Public Affairs, Child Psychology and Introduction to Teaching, said New Visions teacher Deborah Ashley. They also learn teaching techniques, class management, special education, Common Core standards and the concepts of APPR, the annual professional performance review. They prepare lessons and intern in classes, starting with kindergarten then rotating around the district to first, third, fourth and fifth grades; special education; middle school English Language Learners; high school; counseling and administration.
The idea is to expose young people who believe they want to become teachers to the wide range of options that exist in in the field of education, Ms. Ashley said.
Discussion on a recent morning showed how appealing kindergarten is.
"I like this age," said student Sarah Ammirato. "The kids are excited and not corrupted. They trust you and tell you everything."
"They're young enough that they need you to help them and guide them," said Christina Basso.
 | |
MAHOPAC SENIOR Christina Toso, foreground, is part of the New Visions Education program at Mahopac Falls, discovering what it means to be a teacher.
|
"My mom was a kindergarten teacher," said Megan Shea. "I really love the age. They are young, innocent, sweet and cute." Having volunteered in kindergarten classes for seven years, Megan says she is definitely on track to make teaching a career.
The Falls' regular teachers appreciate having the senior students in their classrooms. Barbara Malzo, a teaching assistant in Christine Salo's class, said, "The extra hands are useful and the students are always helpful and willing to go the extra mile. Bringing teenagers in to connect with younger children helps bring the whole community together."
"They bring their creativity and newness to the program and they give the children a chance to have a 'teacher' work with them one-on-one," said teacher Suzanne Colluccio.
 |
ONE-ON-ONE: Sarah Ammirato works with a young artist creating an octopus.
|
|
 | |
IDITAREAD ENTHUSIAST, teacher Amy Morrison: "Reading is the most important thing any student can do."
|
MUSH! Austin Road Readies for IditaRead When the renowned Iditarod sled-dog race takes off in Alaska, March 3, on the first of 1049 miles, Austin Road Elementary School will be ready. On March 4, the children here will kick off a school-wide trek of their own, called IditaRead, with the goal of reading 1049 chapters or books. Among the first books on tap are The Bravest Dog Ever, Togo and The Incredible Life of Balto. The Iditarod race, held each year since 1973, commemorates the courageous trek by dog sled in 1926 to carry vaccine a thousand miles from Anchorage to Nome to save the lives of children threatened by diphtheria. To connect the school's reading program with that exceptional race accomplishes several goals, said Austin Road Principal James Gardineer. The children are energized by the drama; they are stimulated to read; they learn about history and courage; and they get to know the culture of another part of the world. It also provides a way to fund-raise for the victims of Hurricane Sandy: The children can solicit $.25 family pledges for every book they read. The IditaRead idea appealed naturally to Amy Morrison, an Austin Road instructional support teacher, who organized the program here. Ms. Morrison has four Siberian Huskies -- the breed of dog most identified with the Iditarod race. There are Husky photos in her classroom and Husky toys and, as plans for the program progress, she will bring in artifacts, such as her dog sled, snow hook, lines and harnesses for a display in the lobby.  "I'm well known for liking dogs," Mrs. Morrison said.
Every class will be involved in the race, Mr. Gardineer explained. The lobby display case will be filled with Iditarod-associated items. Classroom lessons in English, math, social studies and science will relate to the race, if possible. A giant map of Alaska will be posted in the lobby, charting each class level's progress along the race trail. The Austin Road Site Based Team is where the IditaRead idea began, and the school's Parent Teachers Organization purchased relevant books for student use. "It's a real team effort," Mrs. Morrison said.
|
 | |
SUMMER ARTISTS: left to right, standing, Joey Grassia, Jack Clifford and Matthew Clarke; sitting, Mackenzie Milka, Annie Caraher, Shaylah Fennessy, Megan Bloomer, Cameron Dinsmore, Charlie Woolley, Isabella Ferriera, Kerrianne King and Rebekah Muldoon. Not pictured: Erin Sheedy.
|
Lakeview's Four Seasons Brighten the School Halls With the completion of the summer scene, Lakeview Elementary School artists have transformed a bland school hallway into a celebration of the seasons: fall, winter, spring and summer. The murals, begun last spring with inspiration from the Lakeview Parent Teacher Organization's Beautification Committee, were painted by students after school with guidance from committee chairperson Debbie Bloomer. Mahopac High School student volunteers also assisted with the project. "The children are super proud of their work," Mrs. Bloomer said. As they should be.
"We are thrilled with the result," said Principal Jennifer Pontillo. "I cannot thank the PTO enough, and specifically Debbie Bloomer, for transforming what was once a dull hallway into a bright, cheery and inviting one," she said. "Debbie had the vision for that hallway and some very talented Lakeview students helped execute it."
 | |
SPRING ARTISTS: left to right, Maddie Levinson, Nicole Silvagni, Erin Sheedy, Mackenzie Milka, Ilia Arcery, Rebekah Muldoon, Isabella Nieto, Kathryn Kennedy, Megan Bloomer, Isabella Ferriera. Standing: Jack Clifford, Sean Gillespie, Benjamin Pearsall. MHS Volunteers: Christina Scarane, Kayla Johanson and Marisa Viggiano.
|
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS |
 |
FULMAR'S FINEST, cited for exhibiting respect, January's featured character trait.
|
Fulmar's Finest Are Back ... Promoting Character
A student recognition program once alive and well at Fulmar Road Elementary School is back after 15 years and shining in the limelight.
Fulmar's Finest, originally designed to honor student achievement, has been revived and reinvigorated to do even more, promoting character development and supporting the national "Dignity for All Students Act," said Principal Gary Chadwick.
Each month, for Fulmar's Finest, the school focuses on a specific character trait, nominating one student in each class who especially exemplifies that trait. The students are recognized with a school-wide announcement, certificates, pins and a photo with the principal.
"It's a good idea and we're happy to bring it back," Mr. Chadwick said. Every morning a different grade is acknowledged with the morning's announcements at 9:20 a.m. after the pledge. "We're recognizing children in a positive way for doing good things. The idea ties in with character education and the Dignity Act, which reinforces the need to create good, well-rounded students."
The program began with the start of the new year and "the kids are certainly inspired to be recognized," he said. The character traits being featured each month are responsibility, October; citizenship, November; caring, December; respect, January; fairness, honesty and trustworthiness, February; courage, April; self-reliance, May; all the above, June.
Even before this program, children were being recognized at Fulmar for making good decisions in the cafeteria and on the buses, Mr. Chadwick said. Paper gingerbread men line the walls of the cafeteria naming children whose good behavior was noted by monitors. Teacher Allyson Fallman has been working with the monitors and the Fulmar Road Site Based Team to develop these programs.
 | |
CAFETERIA recognition marked by gingerbread men.
|
|
 | |
MIDDLE SCHOOL essayists: from left back row, Nick Abbondola, Anthony Volpicella and Steven Daly; front row, Taylor Kalensky, Morgan Kirby and Lily Weiss.
|
Then and Now from 7th Grade
"You can be proud of what you did," Mahopac Middle School seventh graders would like to tell America's Founding Fathers. "The framework of the government works," they said in so many words.
Six students in Michael Evers' Social Studies class were honored recently for the 400-word essays they each wrote in a Patriots Pen contest, sponsored by the VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The students are Anthony Volpicella, Lily Weiss, Morgan Kirby, Nick Abbondola, Steven Daly and Taylor Kalensky.
To compete, the students had to submit typewritten essays on this year's theme, What I would tell America's Founding Fathers. "The essay ties in with my Social Studies curriculum and the national Common Core standards," Mr. Evers said. "Students had to do research on the founding fathers as well as on today's national issues and explain what they would tell our founding fathers if they were alive today. Many focused on how proud they are of the founders and how successful their governmental framework has become."
The contest has multiple levels and the national winner is awarded a $5,000 scholarship. "I am happy to announce that six of my students have advanced to the next level," Mr. Evers said.
|
 |
ENTREPRENEURS in focus: Student Erick Balcacer presents his research to teacher Erik Yost and the class.
|
On Your Own: Learning to Be an Entrepreneur
There's nothing like the real thing.
That could be the motto of Mahopac High School's curriculum on Entrepreneurship. The four-year-old business class makes ample use of real-life entrepreneurs as examples, mentors, roll-models and cheerleaders.
"The spirit of these entrepreneurs is awesome," said teacher Erik Yost.
Take Mike Bucci, of Bucci Brothers Deli in Mahopac. Mr. Bucci has come several times to the 8:30 a.m. Entrepreneurship class to talk to students about his experience starting and running a business. He talks candidly and offers students advice, Mr. Yost said, even encouraging them to call him if they need help and offering a free sandwich as a reward for a research paper.
Joe Lucia, an investment counselor in Mahopac also meets with the class, doing double duty as a personal finance advisor. Other community volunteers include the proprietor of Ariano's Trattoria; Donna Massaro, who owns the Freight House Café; and funeral director Joseph J. Smith.
The goal of inviting local speakers into the classroom and taking students on field trips to area businesses is to "expose them to the benefits of being self-employed and running their own show," Mr. Yost said. Students really respond to the idea and become especially creative when they are asked to dream up a home-based business for themselves.
Some of the businesses students have imagined are holiday home decorating, lawn care, fashion consulting, videography and photography, taking photos at sweet-16 parties and graduations.
Along with the real-life research, students learn about franchises; "advertainment" -- marketing in movies; technological connections; supply and demand; and the realities of overhead, which is also an exercise in math, figuring out percentages, profits, pricing and costs.
The course is an elective, five times a week, in the social studies department. It covers, math, economics, sociology and "the whole realm of business opportunity," Mr. Yost said. "Students start with an idea or a dream, go to business people outside, talk to them and ask questions, then write a paper on their experience. Some do videos or power points. They really work at it and want to be the best."
|
|
Mahopac Mission
Our mission is to ensure that every student in our schools acquires the skills, knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills that will permit him or her to operate effectively
in the broader community and lead a successful, productive life in a changing world.
Board of Education
Raymond Cote, President; Michael J.Sclafani, Vice PresidentEarle Bellows; Patricia Caputo; Patricia Greenwood-O'Keefe; Lawrence Keane; John Malara; Leslie Mancuso; Penny Swift
Superintendent of Schools
Thomas J. Manko
District Clerk
Jennifer Bisaccia
Published by Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES:
Barbara Coats, Editor/Photographer; Maria Ilardi, Art Director
www.mahopac.k12.ny.us
|
|
|
