Linkageswww.geneseocsd.org Communicating Excellence to the Community November 2011

Self-Help Musical On GCS McCarthy Aud Stage

A fast and funny self-help musical comedy, set in the era Open Swim Times of TV’s Mad Men series, is the Morning Lap Swim: fall production of the Geneseo Monday-Friday, 6-7:30am Central School Drama Club. It’s How To Succeed In Business Family Swim: Without Really Trying, and this Tuesday & Friday, 7-8:30pm classic play will be given three During week-long school breaks, the performances, November 17, 18, pool will be open Tuesday and 19 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are and Thursday, $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and noon-2pm for students. All seating is reserved. family swim. Advance sale tickets may be ob- tained by calling the box office at 243-3450, ext. 3013. With a brilliant song score by Frank Loesser, How To Suc- ceed In Business Without Really Trying is a sharply observed satire on office life. It follows the progress of an ambitious, “clear- GCS Board of Education eyed” window washer J. Pierpont Finch, who uses his wiles and a Marlene Hamann-Whitmore, handbook to climb the corporate President ladder of the Worldwide Wicket Stephen Miskell, Company. Kathryn Nesbitt and Ethan Fletcher are climbing the Vice President ladder to success – the easy way – in the classic musical Playing Finch, the opportunist How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. It Catherine Bennett who capitalizes on misunder- will be presented November 17, 18, and 19 at 7:30 PM Roger Collins standings and dropping the name in McCarthy Auditorium. Leah Fletcher, Ph.D. of the company president at aus- Mark Peace picious moments, is Ethan Fletcher. Kathryn Nesbitt is featured as Rosemary, the secretary Craig Phelps who is instantly smitten with Finch. Jon Stone plays J.B. Biggley, the President of Worldwide Wicket. Ben Kelly is cast as Finch’s nemesis Bud Frump, Biggley’s obnoxious nephew. Timothy C. Hayes, Other office space archetypes are depicted. There’s mailroom head Mr. Twimble (played Superintendent by Kyle Fletcher); Director of Personnel Mr. Bratt (Matthew McClure); his secretary Smitty Kyle Adamczak, (Liz VanSickle); Biggley’s humorless secretary Miss Jones (Melita Kingston); Biggley’s Linkages Editor continued on page 4 2 Geneseo Central School District

Taking Stock by Superintendent Timothy C. Hayes

In any field, it’s critical to take stock in the league and our girls soccer team difficult time adjusting to 8:00 a.m. of where you are. At this moment our won a first round sectional game. start time District is having success in so many dif- As the athletic teams have been practic- • Changes in bus routes and drivers ferent areas that I feel it is important for ing on the fields and courts, our award • A shortage of GCS bus drivers result- us to reflect on how every person in our winning drama club has been rehearsing ing in the utilization of contracted First organization contributes to the success for their production of the musical How Student drivers to cover vacant routes of our students. This morning Business to Succeed in Business Without Even The District is committed to determin- First released its rankings of the schools Trying. I am certain that this production ing if the single K-12 school day is the in the upstate area. Of the 431 districts will be a hit with our school community. most effective and efficient schedule that were ranked, Geneseo Central was As you can see, it’s been a great fall here for our schools. In January 2012 all ranked 66th. This places us in the top at GCS. GCS families and staff will be surveyed 15% of the rankings. Details regarding regarding the single K-12 schedule. This the survey can be found at http://tinyurl. Single K-12 School information, along with financial and com/upstate2011 The achievement Day Changes staffing considerations, will be utilized to results that account for our District’s high determine the schedule for the District in A major change that occurred in our rankings in recent years are due to the 2012-2013 and beyond. District this fall is the move to a single outstanding work being done in class- schedule for grades K-12. As with any big Property Tax Cap and rooms and the professional development change, the institution of a single K-12 that has strengthened our curriculum and School Budgets: school day has brought benefits and chal- our practice. lenges. As Districts across New York State Along with this very positive academic begin to build budgets for the 2012-2013 news comes the achievement of our fall Benefits include: school year, the property tax cap will play sports teams. As I write this column our • Increased flexibility and availability of a huge role in determining final budget Football Team has just one the first Sec- K-12 staff numbers. Although the tax cap has been tion 5 football title in school history. Our • A common schedule for all staff identified as a “2% tax cap”, in reality Boys Soccer, and Boys and Girls Cross • A later start time for adolescents the final tax levy numbers may differ. Country Teams have also won Section • An earlier end time for elementary stu- The actual property tax cap by law is a 5 championships. The Girls Volleyball dents cap on the growth of school property Team finished second in the sectional • All students in a family on one schedule taxes at 2% or the Consumer Price Index tournament. Our Boys Soccer, Football, • Reduced number of bus runs & mileage (CPI), whichever is less. If the CPI is less Girls Volleyball and Girls Cross Coun- Challenges with the new than 2% (which it was last year), then try Teams all placed first in the regular schedule include: the property tax cap would be less than season league standings. Meanwhile the • An earlier start time for elementary 2%. The property tax cap law also allows Boys Cross Country Team placed second students – some students have had a certain costs to be excluded from the cap. Payments for capital projects and employee benefit increases in retirement Parental Access Support System In Place costs above 2% are excluded from the property tax cap calculations. Munici- Parents now have the option to access information regarding their middle and high palities (including school districts) may school students via the GCS District website. It’s through the Parent Access Support also present a budget to the community System (PASS) that parents can find their children’s marking period grades, current that exceeds the property tax cap limit. classroom grades, schedules, test history, and vaccination information. In order to be adopted, this budget must pass by a “super majority” of 60% of the The PASS link can be found in the “Parents” section of the GCS District website. It voters. is where information from Schoolmaster and the Student Information System can be viewed. To access this information, parents use the student’s six digit Schoolmas- In theory, the property tax cap sounds ter ID and a four digit pin number selected by the parent. simple. In reality, it is a complex calcula- tion that will have a dramatic impact on To request an account, download the PASS form from the District website and school budgets across New York State. return it to Kathy Mackey in the school counseling office. Stay tuned! Communicating Excellence to the Community 3 Capital Project Update Phase I: If you have visited campus Two items that were originally planned ings, lighting, flooring are included. The this fall you know that it was a very for Phase I - Elementary Playground brown wall tile in the main pool area will busy summer for construction at improvements and removal of the tennis be painted in order to brighten up the GCS. The first phase of our $11.4 mil- courts – were not included in the sum- space. New showers, lockers and seating lion project has been completed. mer work and have been moved to Phase are included in the locker rooms. II of the project. These items will be Substantial work on the plumbing and Here is a review of the main completed in the summer of 2012. components from Phase I: chemical feed system is also included. Phase II: Most interior renova- 5. Middle/High School (large) 1. Art and Technology Classroom tions will be completed in Phase II of Gymnasium, Locker Rooms and Renovations – The middle and high the project. Phase II construction is Team Rooms – The same treatments school art classrooms as well as the scheduled to begin in late December. that transformed the small gym in Phase middle school industrial technology I will take place in the large gym during classroom had new flooring, cabinets The following major items are Phase II. However, the large gym will and Smartboards installed. included in Phase II: not have the floor replaced as the cur- 2. Elementary (small) Gymnasium 1. Classrooms and Media Centers rent wood floor is in excellent condition. – This space has been transformed in – Classrooms in the District Office A permanent wall will be added behind to a beautiful multi-function teaching Hallway, the band and chorus rooms, the bleachers to enclose the mezzanine space. New ceiling, lighting, flooring and and the elementary and MS/HS Media area and provide additional instructional windows have created a bright and open Centers will be renovated. Work will space for physical education classes. The learning and play environment. This is included heating, ventilation and air addition of a heavy vinyl drop curtain truly a highlight of the project to date. conditioning (HVAC), lighting, flooring will allow the gym to be divided in half 3. Bondi Field (upper track and and casework. for classes and practices. field complex)– A new all-weather The elementary media center will have New showers, lockers and seating are track has been installed along with new walls added so that the entire area will included in the locker rooms and team field event venues. A new fence and be enclosed. A small group instruction rooms. An additional team room is be- scoreboard have been added. A ramp area will also be added. ing created in the current MS/HS Girls from the main parking lot to the west 2. New Technology and Business Locker Room. side of the field has been added to make Classroom and Computer Lab– 6. Cafeterias and Kitchen – The the complex fully accessible. The other half of the art and technol- cafeterias will have new ceilings, lighting 4. Don Debadts Field of Dreams – ogy hallway will be renovated in Phase and windows installed. The kitchen will New drainage was installed and the turf II. The old auto mechanic shop will be renovated to provide more serving was treated and re-seeded to create a be converted in to two classrooms for and storage space. New equipment will better and more durable playing surface. business and computer assisted design allow for healthier and speedier food The Field of Dreams will be ready for (CAD.) The “old” CAD room will become preparation (no more deep fryers!) play in August of 2012. a computer lab designated mainly for 7. District Hallway – The MS/HS art, business and technology users. 5. Main Campus Roads, Bus Loop, Nurse’s Office, Special Education Office, Parent Loop, and Parking Lot 3. McCarthy Auditorium and Lobby Superintendent’s Office and the Cur- – The biggest face lift for Phase I saw a – The auditorium will see improvements riculum Office will see some redesign new parking lot design which separates to the lighting and sound systems, new of usage and renovations of the ceiling, bus, student drop off and pick up, and carpeting and refurbished seating, as lighting, flooring and HVAC systems. parking lot functions. New sidewalks well as additional handicapped seat- and curbs help to define pedestrian ing on the main level. The Lobby will This is an exciting time for our school walkways while black top repairs have have new ceiling and lighting as well as community. Although construction improved the driving conditions. A upgraded HVAC. comes with dust and noise and dis- ruption, the new spaces will improve left hand turn lane was added to make 4. Pool Area – The swimming pool and the learning environment and safety exiting campus easier. New lighting has pool locker rooms will undergo substan- features of our facility. greatly improved night time safety. tial renovation and upgrades. New ceil- 4 Geneseo Central School District

Musical continued from page 1 “close friend,” secretary Hedy LaRue (Emily Mullin); and the Alyriana Boughton and Kelsey Marnon are costume chiefs, Chairman of the Board Wally Womper (Jim Symington). with Lexi Connor, Haley Moran, Anna Miskell, Paige Moreland, Also in the office pool are cast members Bram Adams, Gwen Norton, and Martha Norton. Hair and makeup is super- Desiree Alexander, Jamie Andrest, Skye Lynn Boughton, Han- vised by Georgia Foor. nah Case, Makenzee Cohoon, Natalie Clough, Mallory Crane, Shifting scenery are the running crew of Sean Aho, Pat Ariel Dee, Ashley Dee, Logan Ellis, Matthew Esham, Sara Finn, Brothers, Riley Ellison, Stacy Ledwith, Ian Peterson, Hannah Makenna Gagnier, Stefanie Graham, Hannah Gressinger, Evan Marie Vanwuyckhuyse, Maggie Wheeler, and Niccolo Zambiasi. Halstead, Tom Hartvigsen, Kate Hochbrueckner, Theresa In- Propmasters are Nelli Argentieri, Phoebe Hartvigsen, Autumn gro, Elizabeth Kaye, Ben Kelly, Sean Kelly, Eric Leary, Heather Lux, Kara Meierdiercks, Julia Pavio, Emily Watkins, and Jordan Leary, Claire Linton, Zach Messerschmidt, Claire Miskell, Vic- Welch. House manager is Kayla Bradford, assisted by Lydia toria Nolan, Caroline Ragan, Connor Ragan, Mary Rutigliano, O’Brien-Lynn. Cameron Skidmore, Andrew Sykes, Dan Teall, Felicity Thomas, and Tevin Whitt. The script was written by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert and is based on the best-selling satirical self-help How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying is book of the same name, written in 1952 by advertising executive directed by Bettina DeBell. Vocal music director is Chandra Shepherd Mead. Downs. It is produced by Chuck Nesbitt. The score by Frank Loesser is topped by the rousing anthem Working behind the scenes are stagemanger Rebecca Esham, “Brotherhood Of Man” and the humorously self-affirming “I assisted by Kyle Scoville and Jake Lyon (who doubles on light Believe In You.” There’s also the cautionary “The Company board). Running the spot lights are Sean Bennett and Abigail Way,” the lament “Coffee Break,” and the spoof college fight Phillips. Sound is by Max Callahan assisted by Ian Peterson. song “Grand Old Ivy.” One of America’s foremost songwrit- ers, Loesser provided lyrics and music Fletcher In The Scholastic Arts Spotlight for more than 20 movie musicals, such as the Danny Kaye favorite Hans Christian Ethan Fletcher, who will soon be seen in the upcoming Drama Club production Andersen as well as for a string of clas- of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, was the first student this sic Broadway shows, including Guys And school year to be profiled on WROC TV’s News 8 feature, “Scholastic Arts Spot- Dolls. light.” Loesser’s biggest stage hit was How Ethan appeared in his first play when he was in the sixth grade. Since then, To Succeed In Business Without Re- he’s appeared in 15 shows the most recent being the Geneseo Community Players ally Trying, which opened in 1961 and production of Pippin last summer. ran until 1965. The show would win the Next spring, he’ll direct Geneseo middle schoolers in a production of Charlotte’s Tony Award for Best Musical and the Web. After that, Ethan plans to attend college and devote himself to career and a Pulitzer Prize. In the original cast were lifetime pursuit of the arts. Robert Morse as Finch and Rudy Vallee as Biggley, and both repeated their roles in the 1967 movie version. In 1975, ABC television network broadcast a situation Perfect Score For Nesbitt comedy series based on the play. A major Broadway revival was mounted in 1995, Kathryn Nesbitt has been selected for the New York State School Music with Matthew Broderick cast as Finch. Association (NYSSMA) Conference All-State Women’s Chorus. To qualify, student vocalists from throughout the region engaged in a competitive audition. A second Broadway revival is currently running, featuring Daniel Radcliffe as Kathryn earned a perfect score of 100 on her Level VI NYSSMA solo last spring. Finch. Many of the GCS Drama Club cast Her selection was announced in August. members saw this version last spring The All-State ensembles will rehearse during the 76th Annual NYSSMA Winter during their chorus trip to New York City; Conference, to take place in Rochester, December 1-4. Kathryn is scheduled to their enthusiastic response was a reason perform with the Women’s Chorus on Saturday night at the Eastman Theatre. for its selection for the fall production. She can soon be seen in the upcoming Drama Club production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Communicating Excellence to the Community 5 New Faces

Geneseo Central School is pleased to welcome our new staff. Each brings excellent credentials and energy to our students and will be an outstanding addition to the knowledgeable and committed GCS faculty. Parents that are interested in learning more about the credentials or qualifications of their child’s teacher may contact the District Office. More new staff will be presented in our next newsletter. ELYSE BORESS JANNET ORTIZ BETSY NEIDERBACH Position: AP Biology and 6th grade sci- Position: Secretary Position: Instructional Aide ence Family matters: Education: Master’s in Social Work Hometown: Pittsford Spouse Jose; chil- from SUNY Buffalo dren Elishia (21) and Education: Ithaca College; Indiana Family Matters: Husband Mike and Amanda (11) University; St. John Fisher College children Max (9) and Zoe (6). Hometown: Family Ties: Josh (husband) Reside in: Geneseo Brooklyn, NY Prior to GCS: Spencerport HS Prior to GCS: Homemaker On my bookshelf: 44 Charles Street by On my bookshelf: Dr. Seuss books, I Danielle Steel never get tired of reading them. Must see TV: Grays Anatomy KATIE HARDING On my ipod: Beatles, Chicago, Billy How I keep active: Cycling; skiing Position: Elementary main office Joel, The Police, U2 secretary I root for: Indiana Critic’s Choice: Les Miserables (play); Education: BS University Basketball It’s A Wonderful Life (film); M*A*S*H Biology, Empire (TV) Always room for State College more: Lobster How I keep active: Hometown: Walking and Freetime: Cleveland, Ohio swimming Sporting events; Children: photography Volunteerism: Johnny, Charlotte, Cub Scout Den and Freddy Leader since 2008. Freetime: Gardening

for the GCS Class of 2012 Senor Bash! FOOD PROVIDED BY RENEE’S CUSTOM CATERING MILEYDIS RODRIGUEZ & PARENTS OF THE Position: Foreign language teacher GCS CLASS OF 2012 Education: BA from SUNY Geneseo in December 7, 4-7 pm Adolescent Education Spanish; MA from Geneseo Central St. John Fisher in Special Fare $9 (take-outs available) School Cafeteria Education 7-12 4050 Avon Road Geneseo NY 14454 Turn up the radio for: Country Entrees Come for dinner and stay for the pulled pork or beef on wic Must see TV: Friends GCS All-Bands Winter Concert! For presale tickets contact Lin I root for: Buffalo Sides Callahan at 243-3450 ext. 2267. Bills salt potatoes tossed salad homemade mac & cheese

6 Geneseo Central School District Ahead of the Curve

New and seasoned GCS faculty gathered in late August for a two-day mentoring workshop.

Geneseo Central School has had a fac- ulty mentoring program for new teachers since 1991. Since then, the NYS Education French Awarded Grant Department has mandated that all school districts have such a program in place in High school science teacher Randy French was which new teachers are mentored for at awarded a Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) least one year. GCS goes beyond the man- program grant. The TGC provides a professional date, however, mentoring new teachers development opportunity for middle and high until they are tenured. school teachers to participate in a program aimed at globalizing U.S. classrooms. It is a program of The goals of the mentoring program are the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educa- to increase student success and achieve- tional and Cultural Affairs and is administered ment, maintain professional educators, by the International Research and Exchanges provide expertise and knowledge in board. teaching, and gain a better understanding of teaching as a profession. Mr. French was one of 65 teachers from across the U.S. who will participate in a ten day visit Every August GCS holds a two day to one of six countries: either Brazil, Indonesia, workshop for our mentors and interns. India, Ghana, Morocco, or the Ukraine. This This year’s session included a trip to will take place next spring, and as yet he has not Randy French Livonia Central School to hear Brian been assigned his destination. Mendler speak. Mr. Mendler is the author of several books which provide practical Selection was based on a competitive application process. Preparation in- ideas for working with challenging and cludes an eight week online course and pre and post travel symposiums in unmotivated students. Washington, DC. After the lecture, the interns and “The goal is for us to bring a more global perspective and awareness to the mentors enjoyed a picnic lunch at Vitale classroom,” said Mr. French. “We will be meeting with teachers and other educa- Park, before returning to the GCS for tors while in country and possibly co-teach some classes. another afternoon work session. This “Hopefully, I’ll be able to correspond with my GCS classes while away, via included a discussion of the morning computer or blogging,” he added. “I want the students here to realize all the pos- presentation and a brief introduction to sible places and things there are to see and do in the world.” the community. Communicating Excellence to the Community 7 School Pesticides Fire Inspection Notice

On July 1, 2001, a state law came into effect requiring every Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for the year school to maintain a list of parents who wish to receive ad- 2011-12 of the Geneseo school building of Geneseo Central vance notice of pesticide application in their school building. School for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of stu- Each time pesticides are scheduled to be applied at the school, dents, teachers, and employees therein, has been completed and parents on the list must be provided with a written notice at the report thereof is available at the office of Geneseo Central least 48 hours in advance specifying date and location of the School at Geneseo for inspection by all interested persons. application, the name and EPA registration number of the product being applied, the name and number of a person at the school who can be contacted to discuss the precautions being taken to protect children from exposure, and telephone numbers of information services that can provide specific information about the pesticides being applied. Therefore, if AHERA Management Plan you wish to be notified of such use, please fill out this form The annual Geneseo Central School Asbestos Hazard Emer- and return to the Business Administrator at Geneseo Central gency Response Act (AHERA) Management Plan is available for School prior to December 10, 2011. For further information review by contacting Tom Curtin at 243-3450, ext. 4168. While please contact the Business Administrator at 4050 Avon Road, all friable asbestos has been removed from the district, ongo- Geneseo, NY 14454, 243-3450, ext. 2219. In the event of an ing maintenance and inspection activities will be conducted to emergency application necessary to protect against an immi- ensure non-friable asbestos-containing materials (i.e. floor tiles) nent threat to human health, a good faith effort will be made remain in safe condition. to supply written notification to those on the 48 hour prior notification list.

Geneseo Central School District Request for Pesticide Application Notification

Date______

I am the parent (or guardian) of______

who attend(s) Geneseo Central School in the following grades:______. Please consider this my formal request to be placed on the list to receive pesticide notices and information. All notices are to be mailed to the following address: (Please Print Clearly)

Name______

Street Address or Post Office Box______

City______State______Zip______

I can be reached by telephone at the following numbers:

Daytime______Evening______

Sincerely,

______Upcoming…

November 17, 18, 19, 7:30 pm Drama Club’s How To Succeed In New Telephone Calling System Introduced Business Without Really Trying November 23-25 GCS is partnering with Teleparent to make broadcast phone calls to keep families Recess aware of important school news. December 5-9 This system will be used to inform families of events at the school as well as commu- Elementary Book Fair nicating any information that needs to be put out immediately, such as school closings. December 5, 7:00 pm The phone number that will be called is the primary phone number listed in School- K-2 Choral Concert master, our Student Information System. However, parents have the ability to add other phone numbers and additional contact information such as email addresses and December 7, 7:00 pm cell numbers for text messaging alerts. All Bands Concert To request an account to update your contact information, or to request that ad- December 8 & 9 ditional calling numbers be added, go to the “Parents” section of the GCS District K-6 Parent / Teacher Conferences, website and click on Teleparent. K-6 Dismissal at 11:00 am Please note that when you receive one of the phone calls from our Teleparent sys- December 13, 1:00 pm tem, it will not be coming from our (585) area code, so if you have caller ID it will show Superintendent’s Coffee Hour up as an “unknown number.” December 13, 7:00 pm 3-5 Chorus & 2-5 String Concert Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Notice December 15, 7:00 pm MS/HS Chorus & Strings Concert The new parking lot design creates an exclusive loop for the purpose of student December 21, 9:00 am drop-off and pick-up. Senior Citizens Breakfast by the NHS • When dropping off or picking up your student, please use the loop closest to the December 26-January 2 middle school. Recess • Cars should pull over to the right side of the loop to drop off students. January 9, 2012, 7:00 pm • Students can be dropped off anywhere in the loop as there are sidewalks all along Junior Parent Night the loop for students to follow safely in to the building. January 16 • Short-term visitor parking is located in the loop for drop-offs and pick-ups through- Recess out the school day. January 18, 6:00 pm • Only properly registered and identified vehicles should use the handicap parking Music Boosters Desert Fundraiser spaces located within the loop. These spaces are available throughout the day for any January 18, 7:00 pm length of time. MS/HS Jazz Band & Show Choir The new parking lot was designed to separate bus traffic from student drop-off and Concert pick-up traffic and parking lot traffic. Please do not use the parking lot for student January 24-27 drop-off and pick-up. This defeats the safety advantage of the new design. Regents Exams

Thank you for your dedicated community service and your efforts on School Board Recognition Week behalf of our students! October 31 to November 4, 2011 was declared School Board Recognition Week by Marlene Hamann-Whitmore, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. President Geneseo Central School is fortunate to have seven outstanding people serving on the Stephen Miskell, Vice President Board of Education. These individuals serve countless volunteer hours dedicated to chil- Catherine Bennett dren, learning and the community as they continually strive for improvement, excellence and progress in education. Roger Collins Leah Fletcher, Ph.D. These community leaders attend twice monthly meetings and participate in workshops on the local level and in Albany. They serve on committees, attend school plays, concerts, Mark Peace and athletic contests. They oversee the educational policies, programs, and finances of Craig Phelps our District. They are the eyes and ears of our community for the Geneseo public schools.