|
|
|
|
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 
|
|
A Gala Sendoff for Class of 2013
 | |
VALEDICTORIAN Madeline Dery
|
"Few things make me more proud as the Principal of Mahopac High School than seeing our seniors walk onto the commencement stage as students and walk off as alumni," Principal Dr. Adam Pease told the 430 members of the class of 2013 at their recent graduation.
"As a class, led by an exceptional student government, you exceeded my wildest expectations. I could not be more impressed with your performance."
Many of the graduates will be going on to the finest colleges and universities in the United States, Dr. Pease said. Others will be joining the military and the workforce. "By all accounts this has been an exceptional class."
Valedictorian for 2013 is Madeline Dery, a national Merit Scholarship award winner who earned an Advanced Regents Diploma with honors in math and science. A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute medal award winner, Madeline will attend RPI in the fall as a chemical engineering major. Salutatorian is Daniel Katz, an AP Scholar who will be attending Northeastern University in the fall with an interest in studying alternative energy and business.
 | |
DR. PEASE and graduate Ronald Ayala
|
A series of academic honors were presented to the students on May 30 at the annual Senior Awards event, including prizes from the Mahopac Education Foundation, the PTO and Parents Association along with honors in music, art, language and community service.
At the Senior Athletic Awards June 6, recognition was given to athletes in football, cheerleading, lacrosse, hockey, basketball, road running and wrestling as well as to scholar athletes.
"Our students only reach the highest levels when they are surrounded by supportive parents and community members, talented teachers and support staff, strategic leaders and positive role models," Dr. Pease said. "My heartfelt thanks go out to all members of our school and community who have prepared our graduates to excel in whatever post-secondary choice they have made."
|
|
|
|
|
 | | FULMAR Spirit of cooperation: art teacher Sharon Tobin and school carpenter John Tytlar who installed the portrait in the school lobby. |
Fulmar's Spirit Bird Takes Place of Honor
Fulmar Road Elementary School celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Spirit Day legacy project in June with a giant silver and gold portrait of the fulmar bird hung in the school's entrance hall.
Designed by art teacher Sharon Tobin and crafted by fifth graders, the portrait is the 25th such legacy project created each year by the school's departing students. With its hundreds of paper-clip feathers and surrounded by gold metallic tiles produced by all the school's students, the bird portrait is a testimony to creativity, legacy and cooperation.
"Lines, patterns and designs are important," Ms. Tobin told the student artists." If you're going to do letters, do good looking letters. This is going to be hanging here for years. You'll come back with your kids some day and say... 'that's my tile.' You don't want it to be crooked. Make them awesome."
 | |
NURSE OF YEAR award was presented to nurse Noreen Beichert by Principal Gary Chadwick
and students, from left, Michael Kertelits, Alexandra Baranowski and Kurt Ebinger.
|
(In the wild, the fulmar bird is a gull-like oceanic bird that flies low over the ocean in both the North Atlantic and the Pacific.) Previous legacy projects at Fulmar have included a brick walkway, garden sculpture, a climbing wall, a mobile and a variety of interior and exterior art, each work exhibiting a spirit theme -- from the Olympics to "going green," wildlife, family, courage, heart and imagination. Also celebrating Spirit Day this year was a performance by the Fulmar Chorus, singing a medley from The Sound of Music. The chorus is led by teacher Dan Moriarty who has been at Fulmar for 23 years. Noreen Beichert, the school's nurse, was honored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as "School Nurse of the Year." |
 | |
Mahopac Falls Elementary School
|
Farewell to the Falls as New Chapter Begins
Mahopac Falls Elementary School, a beloved kindergarten center, closing after 13 years of operation was a "special place in the sun," Principal Aaron Trummer said at a recent breakfast for faculty and staff.
"Whether you were a teacher, a custodian, a nurse or an aide; a monitor, psychologist, secretary, assistant or a volunteer that wasn't even paid; being in the Falls was special, where everyone knew your face. Being here in this building, with children and colleagues, made our world a better place," he said.
 |
THE ORIGINALS on staff at Mahopac Falls Elementary School, include, from left,
Diane Lapis, Jenn Borst, Diane Binns, Jill Talcovitz, Margaret Bartholomew, Fran Shea,
Suzanne Coluccio and Ro Mazzella.
|
The Falls School, as it is widely known, was built in 1961, becoming an active kindergarten center for the district's youngest school children in 1999. Its closing is due both to budget considerations and the thought that it makes sense, as kindergarten becomes a full-day program, to house those classes in the district's other elementary schools -- Austin Road, Fulmar Road and Lakeview, according to Don Beverly, assistant superintendent. "Declining enrollment gave us this opportunity," he said. While this year's graduating class numbers close to 400, next year's kindergarten enrollment is anticipated at 280. Going forward, the district will continue to rent classrooms to several preschool programs and may expand to include additional programs and the YMCA, said District Superintendent Thomas Manko. After all interest in room rental is determined, the district office will relocate to the school if there remains sufficient space, he said. "If this should occur, then the current district office, at 179 East Lake Boulevard, will be rented as professional office space. Pupil Personnel Services and Support and Instructional Technology departments have already been relocated to the Falls," he said. Eventually, professional workshops and meetings that are currently held at The Academy on Secor Road will be relocated to the Falls, as well. Virtually all the Falls current teachers and staff will move to the other elementary schools.
 | |
APPRECIATION certificates and gold colored apples were presented to faculty and staff by Principal Aaron Trummer.
|
|
 | |
WELCOMING wall of tiles brightens Lakeview entrance.
|
Lakeview's Welcome Wall of Tiles A welcoming project, two years in the making, was unveiled at Lakeview Elementary School last month, with the help of students, school staff and enthusiastic parents.  | |
THE WAY IT WAS: PTO member Debbie Bloomer shows the wall before the tiling.
|
The project a 9- by 12-foot mural of tiles installed at the "Children's Entrance" to the school, transforms what was a bland gray wall into an encouraging message meant to inspire children "to focus on their many unique and positive character traits and consider the opportunities each day brings," said the project designer, parent Debbie Bloomer, chair of the Lakeview PTO Beautification Committee. "I wanted every child in the school to be a part of the project and feel connected to the school for generations to come and so came up with the idea and the caption "Welcome to Lakeview...Your Future Starts Today...What Will You Be?" Mrs. Bloomer said. With the cooperation of Lakeview's art teacher Laura Davis, who incorporated the mural theme into the art curriculum, students were able to create drawings for the tiles that responded to the theme question.
The overall effort was supported by PTO volunteers Lisa Copeland and Lorraine Lore along with the Lakeview maintenance crew. Approximately two-thirds of the project funding was provided by the Lakeview PTO, with additional project-specific fundraising from supportive Lakeview families and local businesses: Home Depot, Brewster; Mike at Sam's Ceramic & Tile; Bloomer Painting, Inc.; and TC Graphics.
 |
UNVEILING, from left, Ernie Blenis, Aaron Wisotsky, Al Forkell, Lisa Copeland, Earl Bellows and Jennifer Pontillo. On right, Debbie Bloomer, Tom Manko, Tilde Zimmerman, Megan Bloomer and Riley Massett.
|
|
 | |
TAKING NOTES from archeologist Eugene Boesch is a career fair sophomore.
|
Roadmap to the Future: Sophomores Explore Careers As many as 39 local business owners and professionals spent the day at Mahopac High School recently talking to 10th graders about the future. Judges, physicians, veterinarians, engineers, police and members of the Army and Air National Guard were among the speakers. The occasion was "Roadmap to the Future!" a career-exploration event sponsored by the school's counseling department.  | |
DR. SUSAN KATZ discusses radiology with Craig Browning and Brenden Camastro.
|
Students gathered in the gymnasium, examining exhibits and questioning "the pros" about such matters as "what is the job outlook for this profession," "what do you like most and least about your career" and "what is the average salary?"
Maggie Caulfield, a sophomore visiting a table manned by Principal Aaron Trummer, said she is planning to teach elementary education as an adult. Students Craig Browning and Brenden Camastro talked with Dr. Susan Katz from Westchester Medical Center about the future of radiology and ultrasound. Jack Baker and Kyle Cibelli explored vibration therapy with chiropractor Chris Perrone.
Counselors planning the event were Terry Lauchman and Jayne Thorpe. Career exploration is part of the ongoing counseling effort for students at the school. "It's a big question. Being exposed to what's going on is part of the process that helps you define your future," Lauchman said.
 | | QUESTIONNAIRES were filled out by students. Amanda Dellacamera found the presentation "very helpful" and the exhibit offerings enjoyable. "I like to shop a lot," she said. |
|
|
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
|
|
|
