Swbocesgreenburghspot BUDGET 06
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A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Fall 2008 Commitment to Excellence From the Board of Education Dear District Parents, Guardians, Community Dear Residents, Members and Friends, I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer. I warmly welcome you back to school as we begin the 2008-2009 school year. The schools and programs have been prepared over the Our school year kicked off to a good start with a course of the summer for the arrival of the students who are always excit - new central administration at the helm and an ed about entering a new grade, meeting their new teacher(s) and enthusiastic staff. You will find many new faces at embracing the myriad learning opportunities that are offered. Woodlands Middle/High School resulting from the To ensure that our District continues to make student achievement our implementation of the nine-period day. The new primary focus with on-going academic gains for our students, the District is schedule, which students and staff have adapted to embarking on the development of a Strategic Plan. The planning process very well, was devised to enable the middle and will include representation from all constituencies so that we have a forum high schools to comply with the many state-mandat - through which all perspectives can be heard as we chart a course of ed course requirements. In addition, the high school action to be followed over the next several years. can offer more electives to its students. Our theme this school year is Achievement Matters, drawn from the opening of the school convocation The Board would like to congratulate Michael address to our teachers by distinguished author Hugh B. Price, from the title of his book, “Achievement potlMi atters.” gTo this end, I inhvite every memt ber of the GC7 community to join in the process of Chambless and his administrative team for the IB S educating our youth to the best of our ability so that each student continuously strives for and achieves accreditation of Woodlands Middle School academic success. (see related story, p. 8). It is with pleasure that I report that all of our schools for the 2007-2008 school year are designated as The District has gone out to bid on the Woodlands Schools in Good Standing by the New York State Education Department. I am proud of the activities campus road repair. The bid is scheduled to be and programs of each of our schools. awarded at our November meeting and the work This fall Woodlands Middle School is distinguished by its authorization as an International will be completed in December. Baccalaureate (IB) World School. This achievement was awarded following an intensive curriculum During the summer months, the State auditors were review and site visit to our middle school by the International Baccalaureate Team. Additionally, the in as part of the New York State Comptroller’s initia - Richard J.Bailey School is now affiliated with Manhattanville College as a “Professional Development tive to audit all district schools. We were advised School.” Manhattanville College studen t- teachers will work with Bailey teachers in classrooms in the fall and spring. A Manhattanville college professor will supervise the student-teacher’s field experience that the report could take several months to com - and be available to our faculty throughout the year in this enriched school-college partnership. plete depending on the priorities of the Comptroller’s Office. We have added several new teachers to the GC7 faculty (see inside story), particularly at the high school level where we have modified the schedule from an eight to a nine-period day to ensure that The Board of Education had been discussing the there is ample time in the day for students to benefit from the varied and mandated course offerings. implementation of a Strategic Plan for some time. These professionals have enthusiastically joined the ranks of our existing faculty. The new teachers We put the project on hold last year since we were were greeted by the principals and central office staff at Teacher Orientation, which was held in in the process of hiring a new superintendent in August. They will also participate in a series of workshops on sound educational practices across the addition to working under an austerity budget. In year to foster differentiation of instruction as a strategy for improving student achievement throughout August, the Board retained Prism Decision Systems their careers. LLC to assist the District in the development of a As the school year unfolds, I wish you and the children/students of GC7 my best for continued success. Strategic Plan. The Superintendent is in the process I speak on behalf of the School District when I say, together we can overcome any challenge that may of establishing a committee that will include commu - seem to be in the way of a child gaining improved academic performance. Education is the gateway to success in life. Let us work together to educate every child. nity members. I look forward to another successful school year. Sincerely, Sincerely, Lloyd Newland, President Ronald L. Smalls, Superintendent of Schools Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District SGpoetttinliggthot Know the Board of Education Board of Education Goals Greenburgh Central School District No. 7 is governed by a Board of 200 8- 2009 Education comprised of nine members, each serving a three-year term. They may be contacted at the following numbers: 1. To engage the school community in the Lloyd Newland, President JD Cruz review of the District’s Mission Statement and vision as the first steps in the strategic 914-761-5672 914-347-1402 lnewland@ jdcruz@ planning process. greenburgh7.com greenburgh7.com 2. To approve job descriptions for every Term: 2008 – 2011 Term: 2007 – 2010 District administrative and supervisory Susan Penchansky, Vice-President Monique Haygood Massey position and approve a table of organiza- 914-644-8349 914-328-7111 tion in order to ensure that all necessary spenchansky@ mmassey@ administrative functions are being greenburgh7.com greenburgh7.com Term: 2007 – 2010 Term: 2008 – 2011 performed. To ensure future funding for these positions, this goal will be Stephanie W. Bellino David Warner completed prior to the conclusion of the 914-391-4331 914-993-3343 2008-09 budget review. sbellino@ dwarner@ greenburgh7.com greenburgh7.com 3. To establish a budget preparation and Term: 2008 – 2011 Term: 2007 – 2010 review process to ensure voter approval Charles Bronz Terry Williams on the first vote. 914-686-5224 4. To design and implement a communication 914-428-0449 twilliams@ plan to improve the District’s public image Term: 2006 – 2009 greenburgh7.co m Term: 2006 – 2009 to include personal, written and electronic communications. The Community Cora L. Carey Engagement Committee will present its 914-949-9038 strategies to the Board in November ccarey@ greenburgh7.com 2008. Term: 2006 – 2009 Thank you! Thanks go to District resident Harry Phillips, III, member of the NYS Board of Regents, For the for his donation of four SMART Boards, designated for the RJ Bailey School. Thanks also to the Hartsdale Rotary for its latest news, visit our web site: donation of five boxes of school supplies: erasers, spiral notebooks, pencils, pens, www.greenburgh.k12.ny.us crayons, glue, loose-leaf paper and com - passes. 2 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Greenburgh Commemorates Merlin German He wanted the foundation to be SThpoe towtlni ogfhGrt eenburgh has proclaimed Saturday, Nov. 15, as Merlin called Merlin’s German Day to commemorate Sgt. Merlin German (USMC) who was a Miracles. His Woodlands graduate, Class of 2003. dream was to grant the chil - Friends of Merlin remember Merlin’s witty dren’s wishes no sense of humor, constant positive attitude and matter what the huge smile. The summer after graduation, request. The foun - Merlin spent most of his waking hours working dation would be out and involved in a program where he used to make life would run with the Marines, trying to get in for these families shape for boot camp. Merlin enlisted in the a little easier, to Marine Corps in September 2003 and make their homes received a meritorious promotion to Private Marine Sgt. Merlin German accessible First Class out of boot camp. on duty in Iraq before he and/or climate- Sgt. German was stationed in Iraq in 2004 was injured. controlled, and as part of Weapons Platoon for convoy securi - take the family ty. German’s platoon sergeant and company on trips and out - ings. For these children, the sky is the limit. commander applauded him for his keen sense Merlin German of spotting Improvised Explosives Devices To honor Merlin, Merlin’s Miracles Foundation (IEDs). In the first six months of his deployment, care unit and more than 150 surgeries, he has teamed up with Greenburgh Central 7’s Sgt. German found eight IEDs with no one defied all odds and became known to Community Engagement Committee to sustaining any injuries. everyone as the “Miracle Man.” hold a special event on Saturday, Nov. 15, on the Woodlands High School campus In February 2005, after being burned over German was awarded the Purple Heart from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 97% of his body when a roadside IED bomb and became an inspiration to other exploded under his Humvee, Sgt. German wounded warriors. He died unexpectedly Come enjoy an all-day family event open to was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center in on April 11, 2008, after a routine surgery the public. There will be bouncing castles, San Antonio, Texas.