'AWESOME' visitor at Austin Road Elementary School fills young scientists with wonder.

   

When a robot came to visit Mahopac recently, it created quite a stir.

"I'm so excited," a first-grader at Austin Road Elementary School exclaimed. "He's awesome," said another. "It's got to be an optical illusion," a third-grader declared, "because his eyes are following me."

The robot, a wireless "autonomous and programmable humanoid," about two feet tall, with a plastic body, paid hour-long visits to both Austin Road Elementary School and Mahopac Middle School, offering a glimpse into the future.

"This is Nao (pronounced: now)," said Francesca McCarron, a sales representative of Tec, a Long Island classroom technology company, and the robot's handler. "He reacts to the environment. It all depends on how you program him."

The goal of the visit, McCarron said, was to encourage the use of technology in the classroom and to increase student and teacher interest in programming. "Computer programming is an incredibly powerful thing," she said. "But only one in 10 school districts currently knows how to teach code. Anyone from fourth grade up can be taught. You don't have to be a genius to code."

"I had no idea kids could learn to program a robot," an Austin Road student piped in.

Cost could be a factor in bringing robots to schools, McCarron said. A robot like Nao would cost about $16,000 to start, with programming and staff development adding as much as $30,000. For now, only visits are feasible. 

Any questions?

At both schools, hands shot up. "Can he jump? Can he do my homework? Can he speak other languages? What's he made of? Can he learn on his own? Where can I buy one?"

The robot sat comfortably on a table, waiting to be introduced. After several minutes, Nao began to move and speak: "It's a pleasure to be here in Mahopac..." The students were mesmerized, laughing with delight. And when the music started and the robot began to dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," everyone joined in.

James Gardineer, Austin Road's principal, had invited the school's teachers to each choose a handful of students they thought would be interested in a robot demonstration. The 20 or so students chosen, ranging from first through fifth grade, were thoroughly engaged. At the Middle School, a general invitation was issued to all interested students. More than 30 responded.

For those who missed the demonstration, Nao can be seen in action on Youtube.

Click here for more photos.

Mahopac High School Named 'Best' for Fourth Year

For the fourth year in a row, Mahopac High School has been named to Newsweek magazine's annual list of America's Best High Schools.

The selection, among thousands of high schools nationwide, is based on factors "proven to be the best indicators of college readiness," according to the magazine. They include on-time graduation rates, participation in college-level (AP) classes, average SAT and ACT scores and acceptance into a two-or four-year college program.

Mahopac proudly posts a 96% graduation rate with 89% of its graduates college bound and average SAT scores at 1550, according to Principal Dr. Adam Pease.

"Congratulations!" Dr. Pease wrote in a May 7 memo to the school faculty and staff. "Regardless of your position, you are all important members of the team. You all play a role in the success of our students. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to their success."

While SAT scores throughout New York and the U.S. are trending downward, Mahopac's results over the past six years have been heading decisively in the opposite direction, Dr. Pease reported.

"This is especially important as our students are competing for college spots on a national scale," he said. "Our kids are getting into more competitive colleges each year. That's especially good when put into perspective with the deep budget cuts we've had to endure."

Since 2007, Mahopac SAT scores in reading have trended upward from 499 to 516, while national scores declined from 502 to 496. In writing, Mahopac scores moved from 484 to 501; national scores decreased from 494 to 488. In math, Mahopac scores rose from 524 to 533, while national scores remained virtually flat at 514. New York scores trended similarly to the national results.

Math

Reading

Writing

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS at All County Festival

Mahopac Joins County Music Fest

Earlier this year, talented musicians from throughout Putnam County gathered together to participate in the Putnam County Music Educators' All County Music Festivals. Mahopac was well represented with nearly 100 students from Mahopac Middle School and Lakeview Elementary School participating.

George Fischer Middle School in Carmel hosted the seventh and eighth grade festival in February, and H.H. Wells Middle School in Brewster hosted the fifth and sixth grade festival in March.

Students and teachers started rehearsing music in the fall in anticipation of this two-day event. On Friday afternoon of each festival, the students met their guest conductor as well as participants from other schools. They rehearsed for a few hours then headed home. Saturday morning, they gathered together again for more rehearsals followed by a concert that afternoon.    

Music teachers Don Flynn, Evan McGregor and Heather Palkewick accompanied the Middle School participants. Music teacher Connie'Marie Rao accompanied the Lakeview Elementary School fifth grade chorus.

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   

Board of Education 

Thomas J. Manko

Jennifer Bisaccia   

Published by Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES: 

www.mahopac.k12.ny.us