The Journey A Newsletter of the Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District
Mission Statement:The Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School District is committed to an educational environment that assures equitable opportunity for individuals to become College and Career Ready and ultimately, responsible, productive members of society. We will encourage all individuals to do their personal best, that they may gain a lifelong enthusiasm for work and learning.
July/August 2018 VOLUME 28, NUMBER 5 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts!
2018 Graduates’ Future Plans Kya Anderson Savana Conrade Meredith Hammond Kya will be attending Hartwick College and Savana will be attending SUNY Geneseo and Meredith will be attending Cornell University will major in Psychology. will be majoring in Political Science: Pre-Law. and will major in Animal Science. Brian Banks Delaney Coughlin Alec Hartwell Brian will be entering the workforce after Delaney will be attending SUNY Delhi and will Alec will be entering the workforce after graduation. major in Culinary Arts. graduation. Ethan Butts Jennifer Davis Auttum Hartwell Ethan will be attending SUNY Delhi and Jennifer will be attending BOCES to complete Auttum will be attending Hartwick and will will major in Business and Technology her barbering certification after graduation. major in Music. Management. Vasiliki Drapaniotis Nicholas Hartwell Daniel Chase Vasiliki will be joining the United States Air Nicholas will be entering the workforce after Daniel will be attending SUNY Delhi and will Force after graduation. graduation. be majoring in Accounting. Elizabeth French River Heath Mickenson Clune Elizabeth will be attending The College at River will be attending Valencia and will major Mickenson will join the United States Marines St. Rose and will major in History and Political in Business Marketing. after graduation. Science. Charlene Heisler Jessica Conklin Devin Fuller Charlene will be attending Wagner College after Jessica will be attending SUNY Delhi and will Devin will join the United States Marines after graduation and will be majoring in Music. be majoring in Culinary Arts. graduation. (Continued on page 2) Superintendent’s Message The Class of 2018 graduated at businesses that partner with us to bring opportunities to our 10:30 a.m. on June 23. On behalf of the students through these awards and recognitions. Board of Education and the entire dis- As many of you know, our gymnasium floor was a tre- trict staff, I would like to congratulate mendous challenge to our contractors in the capital project. each and every student and their fami- In September, students should return to a floor that we can lies on a job well done! Students have all be proud of! We are also facing cost challenges for the chosen different paths on their life’s renovation of the space for the School Based Health Clinic. journey and we are very proud of them The Board of Education is in discussions now on the best and feel honored to have played a role in way to move forward with the clinic. their personal and academic growth. We wish all graduates Please know that the office staff does work throughout the best of luck in their future endeavors. the summer as we prepare for school in the fall. You will Before school was out, we highlighted and celebrated be able to reach us five days a week between 7:30 a.m. and the accomplishments of our seniors when we had them 4:00 p.m. Due to meetings and vacation schedules, we rec- participate in our Annual Senior Walk. This is a great way ommend that you call ahead if you would like to meet with to celebrate student accomplishments while allowing our a specific staff member. Thank you to all of the staff here at younger students to begin thinking about their future plans. GMU for a great school year, and to parents, and community In May and June, we also celebrated the accomplishments members for your continued support of our students and the of all students’ at various ceremonies as well as at concerts programs we offer them in our quest to offer students a high and moving up ceremonies. Thank you to all of you who quality journey through their elementary and middle/high joined us for one or more of these events! Thank you also to school years at GMU! the many community members who sponsored one or more Have a safe and restful summer. of the awards/scholarships that our students received this — Mrs. Annette D. Hammond, Superintendent year. We are so appreciative of our community members and
Bryant Hill Dustin Nesbitt Zachary Pope Bryant will be attending SUNY Delhi and will Dustin will be entering the workforce after Zachary will be entering the workforce after be majoring in Construction Technology. graduation. graduation. Karli Hinman Scarlett Newman Mallory Robinson Karli will be attending SUNY Stony Brook Scarlett will be attending the University of Mallory will be attending SUNY Delhi and and will be majoring in Chemistry. Rochester and will be majoring in Business. will be majoring in Psychology and Social
(continued from page 1) (continued from 1) page Alyssa Hotaling Michael O’Connor Science.
Alyssa will be attending Eckerd College and Michael is the Class of 2018 Salutatorian. Tyler Scanlon will be majoring in Marine Biology. He will be attending Clarkson University and Tyler will be entering the workforce after Makayla Lewis will be majoring in Engineering. graduation. Makayla will be attending SUNY Broome and Hunter Oliver Samantha Sullivan will be majoring in Liberal Arts. Hunter will be entering the workforce after Samantha will be entering the workforce Hunter Lockwood graduation. after graduation. Hunter will be entering the workforce after Timothy Picozzi Shane Vreugdenhil graduation. Timothy is the Class of 2018 Valedictorian. Shane will be attending SUNY Delhi and will Madolin Lull He will be attending Susquehanna Univer- majoring in Culinary Arts. Madolin will be attending BOCES and will sity and major in Biology/Chemistry. Makayla Williams be pursuing her LPN training. Lucas Piedmonte Makayla will be entering the workforce after Rachel Lyons Lucas will be attending American University graduation. Rachel will be attending Onondaga Com- and will be majoring in Interdisciplinary Marena Zaczek munity College and will be majoring in Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Marena will be attending Flagler College Liberal Arts. Economics and Government. and will be majoring in Business Admin- Temara Martin Michael Pope istration. Temara will be attending SUNY Morrisville Michael will be attending SUNY Oneonta and will be majoring in Education.
2018 Graduates’ Future Plans and will be majoring in Nursing.
2 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 2018 Prom Court
Prom Queen: Hunter Christian Prom King: Austin Oliver First Princess: Jazmine Brooks First Prince: Ian LaBar Second Princess: Natalie Pistor Second Prince: Andrew Meyers Third Princess: Isabella Ramos Third Prince: Shawn Doherty
It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 3 Let’s Celebrate! PK-3 Awards 4-6 Awards Main Office News MAY SOARING EAGLES AWARDS: 3RD QUARTER HONOR & HIGH HONOR Congratulations to the Class of Responsibility 5th Grade — Honor Roll 2018! I wish them much success and Pre-Kindergarten Xavier Devine happiness in all that they choose to Evelyn Covington Brendon Eastman Willard Covington Skylar Lindroth do in life! They will be missed! Annabelle DiGiorgi Emma Lund With September comes the begin- Kindergarten Noah Pain ning of a new school year, new goals Natalie Raymond Lily Hauptfleisch and challenges, new friends, and Chase Simonds Kaylee Nichols the renewal of old friendships. How Juston Spathelf Kaylee Stewart exciting all of it can be! By now, all 5th Grade — High Honor Roll 1st Grade students should have received their Ariana Cornell Rece Nolan teacher assignments on their report Quinn Covington Emily Schermerhorn card prior to summer break. If not, Kyra Demmon they will be included in a letter with 2nd Grade Matthew Manwarren a supply list from their teacher in Carrie Doyle Emma Peck August. Delaney Dunnigan Anthony Shinol We were very busy in June, with Kaden O’Hara Alyssa Sorochinsky many activities going on. Orienta- 3rd Grade Hailee Walrod tion was held for 6th grade students Brandon Kendall 6th Grade — Honor Roll which gave them the opportunity Ashlynn Tiedemann Thomas Breslau to get to know their teachers and Mathew Walrod Kadence Canfield Taylor Gager classmates better, review some basic JUNE SOARING EAGLES AWARDS: rules and expectations and to try Kyle MacNeill Sportsmanship Andrew Stone their locker combinations. Pre-Kindergarten 6th Grade — High Honor Roll PK-6 Fun Days were a great Layla Covington Mackenzie Barnes success and fun was had by all. Raegan Beach Year-end award ceremonies were Tait Christensen Kindergarten Leah Cotten held with many of our students on Tyler Crisell Devon Hartwell the receiving end! Congratulations Cole Keuhn Alaina Maxson to all for their hard work! Ronald Prince Ella Thatford Middle and High School report Jagger Young HIGH HONOR AND/OR HONOR cards and schedules will be mailed 1st Grade home during the summer. This FOR ALL THREE QUARTERS Pacey Behnke 5th Grade will give students the opportunity, Jordan Gross before school begins, to review their Ariana Cornell 2nd Grade Quinn Covington schedules and make any necessary Gabriella Barnes Kyra Demmon changes. I wish each of you a rest- Daisy Crisell Skylar Lindroth ful and safe summer! I will be here 3rd Grade Matthew Manwarren throughout the summer preparing Madeline Astalos Noah Pain for September, so please do not Mia Mantellassi Emma Peck hesitate to contact me if you have Ashlynn Tiedemann Natalie Raymond any questions. Anthony Shinol — Heather Wilcox, Chase Simonds Acting Principal Alyssa Sorochinsky Juston Spathelf Hailee Walrod
4 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 6th Grade 5th Grade Healthy & Physically Mackenzie Barnes Ariana Cornell Active Leadership Award Kadence Canfield Quinn Covington Mackenzi Marron Tait Christensen 6th Grade Latham Retz Leah Cotten Taylor Gager Joseph Goodrich Music Award Taylor Gager Morgan Williams Devon Hartwell 4th Grade Alaina Maxson May Theme — Responsibility Cecelia Katalinas Ella Thatford 4th Grade Joseph Goodrich Memorial Award Ioannis Drapaniotis 4th Quarter Honor & High Honor 6th Grade Alexia Furgison 5th Grade — Honor Rylee Lum Thomas D. Breslau 5th Grade Anthony Shinol Daughters of the American Revolution Kadence J. Canfield 1st Place Taylor J. Gager Alyssa Sorochinsky Chase Simonds 6th Grade — Honor 6th Grade 2nd Place Barbara Fletcher Tait Christensen Skylar Lindroth Skylar T. Lindroth Ella Thatford 3rd Place Noah M. Pain WORK ETHIC AWARDS Emma Peck Trista L. Vaccaro 4th Grade 5th Grade — High Honor Olivia Fletcher Terry Christian Memorial Award Ariana N. Cornell Jaden Kuhn Mackenzie Barnes Quinn Gray Covington Mackenzi Marron Kyra B. Demmon Dannaka Rasmussen Triple C Award Matthew Manwarren Blake SanSoucie Ariana Cornell Emma Alexis D. Peck 5th Grade Anthony Shinol Anthony Shinol Ariana Cornell Alyssa Sorochinsky 7/8 Awards Quinn Covington Hailee M. Walrod Noah Pain ART AWARDS 6th Grade — High Honor Emma Peck Outstanding Artist — Grade 7 Mackenzie Q. Barnes Anthony Shinol Mackenzie Cherry Tait A. Christensen Alyssa Sorochinsky Aubree Palmer Leah M. Cotten 6th Grade Creativity in Art 7 Devon Hartwell Mackenzie Barnes Connor Lenhardt Alaina R. Maxson Tait Christensen Gabe Maiurano Ella Thatford Leah Cotten Effort and Work Ethic in Art 7 SOARING EAGLES AWARDS Taylor Gager Hannah Bonczkowski March Theme — Dependable Alaina Maxson Kross Lund 4th Grade Ella Thatford ENGLISH AWARDS Olivia Fletcher June Theme — Sportsmanship Excellence in English Jaden Kuhn Grade 4 7th Grade 5th Grade John Forbes-Conaty Connor Eberly Skylar Lindroth Alivia Plows Kendra Hammond Matthew Manwarren Grade 5 Fiona Held 6th Grade Quinn Covington Kross Lund Mackenzie Barnes Alyssa Sorochinsky 8th Grade Alaina Maxson Grade 6 Anika Christensen April Theme — Empathy Mackenzie Barnes Maya Farwell 4th Grade Andrew Stone Morgan Keuhn Madeline Pain Aurora Heath Lauren Radwan Alivia Vitek
It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 5 Most Improved in English 8 FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCES Maya Farwell Kailah Davis Outstanding Participation in FCS Otsego All-County Junior Band Creativity in English 8 Grade 7 NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Alivia Retz Connor Eberly Cello — VI A+ (99) Snare Drum — V — B- (81) FOREIGN LANGUAGE AWARDS Grade 8 Outstanding Achievement in Grade 8 Spanish Anika Christensen Brennan Finch Otsego All-County Junior Band Anika Christensen HEALTH AWARDS Dalton Proskine NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Outstanding Participation in Health Baritone — II — Excellent MATHEMATICS AWARDS Grade 7 Outstanding Academic Fiona Held Kendra Hammond Otsego All-County Junior Band Achievement Awards PE AWARDS Grade 7 Physically Healthy Active Student Fiona Held Mackenzie Cherry Grade 7 Otsego All-County Junior Chorus Fiona Held Hannah Bonczkowski NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental:
Rene Posner Rene Posner Alto Saxophone — II — Outstanding Grade 8 NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: II — Outstanding (26) Tammy Barnes Computer 8 Ryan McCall Outstanding Achievement Madeline Pain Dalton Proskine Anika Christensen Otsego All-County Junior Band Maya Farwell Academic Growth Awards — 8th Grade Morgan Keuhn Rene Posner Lauren Radwan Madeline Pain Otsego All-County Junior Band Daniel Tompkins Alivia Retz NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Flute — IV — Outstanding SCIENCE AWARDS TECHNOLOGY AWARDS Piano — V — A+ (98) Living Environment — Future Darwin Excellence in Technology Award for Naturalism Hannah Bonczkowski Lauren Radwan Maya Farwell Connor Eberly Otsego All-County Junior Band Kendra Hammond NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Highest Average Living Environment Fiona Held Piano — V — A+ (98) Madeline Pain Kross Lund Skye Wilson Highest Average in Science 7 MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC AWARDS Otsego All-County Junior Band Fiona Held Hannah Bonczkowski Outstanding Concert Band Member — Oram Rene Posner Otsego All-County Junior Chorus Lauren Radwan Academic Persistence in Science 8 NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: II — Excellent NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: IV — Excellent (25) Daniel Tompkins Outstanding Junior Choir Member — Monaco Anika Christensen Nathan Barrows Academic Achievement in Science 8 Otsego All-County Junior Band Lauren Radwan Outstanding Performance in a Otsego All-County Junior Chorus HS Musical, Supporting Role Academic Performance in Science 8 Hartwick Honor Band Anika Christensen Dylan McVey NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Dalton Proskine Flute — VI — A+ (97) Outstanding Performance in a Piano — VI — A (96) HS Musical, Ensemble SOCIAL STUDIES AWARDS NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: V — A+ (100) Kailah Davis Highest Average in Social Studies Maya Farwell Grade 7 Connor Eberly Fiona Held Otsego All-County Junior Band American History Award Rene Posner NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: II — Excellent This award is given to an 8th grade student that is in high standing in American History. Grade 8 Kendra Dunham Morgan Keuhn Anika Christensen NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: II — Excellent (24) Maya Farwell Morgan Keuhn Madeline Pain 6 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! Butternut Valley Grange Award 7/8 Honor and High Honor Girls & Boys State Representatives Female 7th Grade — Honor Girls Tammy Barnes Brackon M. Banks Shalleigh Taranto Male Bianca T. Plows Alternate Dylan McVey Kali M. Wilcox Hunter Christian Brian W. Wilson Boots Bernholz Achievement Award Boys Female 7th Grade — High Honor Andrew Meyers Ashlyn Marron Hannah L. Bonczkowski Mackenzie R. Cherry Butternut Valley Grange Award Male Carly Davis Grades 9-11 Dylan McVey Connor E. Eberly Hunter Christian Ethan Charron National Association of Secondary School Brennan L. Finch Principal’s — Leadership Award Kendra M. Hammond Seniors Fiona M. Held 7th Grade Temara Martin Kross M. Lund Fiona Held Michael O’Connor Rene L. Posner Kross Lund Liberty Bell Award 8th Grade — Honor 8th Grade Lucas Piedmonte Kadence Cindy Behnke Anika Christensen Autumn K. Demarais Dalton Proskine National Association of Secondary School Lane D. Dibble Principal’s — Leadership Award National Association of Secondary School Ryan A. McCall 9th Grade Principal’s — Citizenship Award 8th Grade — High Honor Olivia Held 7th Grade Teddy Sharkey Tammy L. Barnes Hannah Bonczkowski Anika L. Christensen Connor Eberly 10th Grade Angelina F. Correll Vanessa Nelson 8th Grade Kailah M. Davis Garrett Proskine Maya Farwell Maya C. Farwell Lane Dibble Morgan E. Keuhn 11th Grade Bree L. MacNeill Natalie Pistor NYS Attorney General’s Triple C Award Ashlyn C. Marron Corey Wilson Madison Lewis Dylan Michael McVey Connor Eberly Madeline R. Pain 12th Grade Dalton R. Proskine Meredith Hammond Presidents Education Award for Lauren L. Radwan Lucas Piedmonte Outstanding Academic Achievement — Alivia J. Retz 7th Grade National Association of Secondary School Samantha M. Shinol Principal’s Citizenship Award Ivy Stensland Skye N. Wilson Austin Bound 9th Grade High School Awards Emily Hammond 8th Grade Gavin Bonczkowski VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN Lauren Radwan Valedictorian Daniel Tompkins 10th Grade Timothy Picozzi Naamah Romano Presidents Education Award for Salutatorian Ethan Newman Outstanding Academic Excellence Michael O’Connor 7th Grade 11th Grade Fiona Held Tyler Costello Memorial Music Award Kelsey Pope Connor Eberly Nina D’Amato Andrew Meyers Corey Wilson 8th Grade 12th Grade Anika Christensen Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award Makayla Lewis Dalton Proskine Garrett Proskine Bryant Hill
It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 7 Presidents Education Award for Office of the State Comptroller Ethan Charron Outstanding Academic Achievement Student Achievement Award Otsego All-County Senior Band 9th Grade Savana Conrade NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Courtney Gross Bryant Hill Trumpet — V — B+ Zan SanSoucie Karli Hinman Alyssa Hotaling Hunter Christian 10th Grade Scarlett Newman Otsego All-County Senior Band Kienna Martin Brandon Harris RIT Computing Award Mickenson Clune Natalie Pistor Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band 11th Grade Isabella Ramos RIT Innovation and Creativity Award Savana Conrade Ian LaBar Corey Wilson Otsego All-County Senior Band Hartwick Honor Band 12th Grade University of Rochester — Susquehanna University Honors Wind Ensemble Jessica Conklin Bausch and Lomb Science Award Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Shane Vreugdenhil Nina D’Amato Drum Major Presidents Education Award for University of Rochester — George Eastman — Nina D’Amato Outstanding Academic Excellence Young Leaders Award Otsego All-County Senior Band 9th Grade Natalie Pistor Otsego All-County Senior Chorus Apolonia Drapaniotis Susquehanna University Honors Band Gavin Bonczkowski University of Rochester Frederick Douglass NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: & Susan B. Anthony Award Bassoon — VI — Festival 10th Grade Shalleigh Taranto NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: VIAS — A+ (98) Naamah Romano Sawyer Hinman Univ. of Rochester Xerox Award for Vasiliki Drapaniotis Innovation & Information Technology Otsego All-County Senior Band 11th Grade Corey Wilson Susquehanna University Honors Band Natalie Pistor Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Corey Wilson Wells College — 21st Century Leadership Award Elizabeth French 12th Grade Hunter Christian Otsego All-County Senior Band Timothy Picozzi Susquehanna University Honors Band Vasiliki Drapaniotis The Student Sage Award Shalleigh Taranto Emily Hammond GMU Booster Club Athletic Award Clarkson School Scholars Award Otsego All-County Junior Chorus Mickenson Clune Zone 8 Area All-State Mixed Chorus Natalie Pistor GMU Booster Club Expressive Arts Award NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: V — A (95) Clarkson School Scholars Award Lucas Piedmonte Auttum Hartwell Corey Wilson GMU Booster Club 3 Otsego All-County Senior Band Varsity Sport Athletic Award RYLA Otsego All-County Senior Chorus Hartwick Honor Band Bryant Hill Isabella Ramos NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: VI — Festival Scarlett Newman Alternate: Vocal Duet — V Outstanding (28) NYS Attorney General’s “Triple C Award” Nina D’Amato Charlene Heisler Mickenson Clune HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC AWARDS Zone 8 Area All-State Mixed Chorus Makayla Lewis Gavin Bonczkowski Olivia Held Society of Mayflower Descendants Otsego All-County Junior Band in the State of New York Otsego All-County Junior Chorus Otsego All-County Junior Band NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Elizabeth French NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Horn — III — Excellent Lucas Piedmonte Baritone — IV — Excellent NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: V — A+ (100) Hailey Cappiello Otsego All-County Senior Chorus
8 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! Karli Hinman Shalleigh Taranto Musician of the Year Otsego All-County Senior Band Otsego All-County Senior Band Nina D’Amato Otsego All-County Senior Chorus Otsego All-County Senior Chorus Hartwick Honor Band Hartwick Honor Band 4TH QUARTER HONOR AND HIGH HONOR Susquehanna University Honors Band Susquehanna University Honors Wind Ensemble 9th Grade — Honor NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Shayne Christian Baritone — IV — Outstanding NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Courtney Gross NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: Flute — VI — Festival Logan J. Lenhardt Vocal Duet — V Outstanding (28) NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: VIAS — B+ (89) Aiden A. Ryan Tyler Joslyn Corey Wilson 9th Grade — High Honor NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Otsego All-County Senior Band Gavin Bonczkowski Alto Saxophone — IV — Excellent NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Apolonia N. Drapaniotis Baritone Saxophone — II — Excellent Baritone Saxophone — VI — Festival Emily D. Hammond Olivia G. Held Vanessa Nelson Airyana Wright Zan E. SanSoucie Otsego All-County Senior Band NYSSMA Solo Festival Vocal: IV — Excellent (24) Theodore C. Sharkey NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Clarinet — IV — Outstanding Outstanding Symphonic Band 10th Grade — Honor Member — Oram Savannah Bresee Michael O’Connor Timothy Picozzi Kalvyn P. Cole Susquehanna University Honors Band Rebecca A. Fuller Outstanding Senior Choir Brandon R. Harris Timothy Picozzi Member — Perkosky Thomas D. Mealey Otsego All-County Senior Band Karli Hinman Alyssa M. Zaczek Hartwick Honor Band Michael Pope Susquehanna University Honors Wind Ensemble 10th Grade — High Honor Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Glimmerglass Opera Award Ethan M. Charron Conference All-State Nina D’Amato Kaitlyn N. Fuller Zachary M. Grabo Lucas Piedmonte Outstanding Performance in a HS Musical, Leading Role Sawyer G. Hinman Susquehanna University Honors Band Isaac A. Medina Mickenson Clune Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Vanessa N. Nelson Nina D’Amato Ethan M. Newman Michael Pope Michael O’Connor Kyli T. Odell Otsego All-County Senior Band Lucas Piedmonte Samuel Piedmonte Otsego All-County Senior Chorus Tavian E. Raymond Hartwick Honor Band Outstanding Performance in a Naamah Romano Susquehanna University Honors Wind Ensemble HS Musical, Featured Role Sadra Smith Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Gavin Bonczkowski Timothy Picozzi 11th Grade — Honor Naamah Romano Teo Sauvageon Jazmine Brooks Otsego All-County Senior Band Ian M. LaBar Otsego All-County Senior Chorus Outstanding Performance in a Andrew T. Meyers Hartwick Honor Band HS Musical, Supporting Role Kelsey R. Pope Susquehanna University Honors Band Karli Hinman Isabella M. Ramos Zone 8 Area All-State Concert Band Shalleigh Taranto Corey S. Wilson NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Outstanding Performance in a Alto Saxophone — VI — A+ (98) HS Musical, Ensemble 11th Grade — High Honor Violin — VI — A+ (100) Hunter Christian Hunter K. Christian
Theodore Sharkey Emily Hammond Nina R. D’Amato Otsego All-County Senior Band Meredith Hammond NYSSMA Solo Festival Instrumental: Alyssa Hotaling Trombone — IV — Excellent Rachel Lyons Scarlett Newman
It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 9 12th Grade — Honor 12th Grade — High Honor Makayla Lewis Ethan B. Butts Mickenson J. Clune Madolin Lull Delaney P. Coughlin Jessica L. Conklin Temara L. Martin Auttum S. Hartwell Savana Conrade Scarlett Y. Newman Rachel J. Lyons Elizabeth C. French Michael J. O’Connor Dustin L. Nesbitt Meredith Hammond Timothy Picozzi Shane Vreugdenhil Bryant J.P. Hill Lucas Piedmonte Makayla L. Williams Karli J. Hinman Michael A. Pope Marena Zaczek Alyssa R. Hotaling Mallory R. Robinson Congratulations! Healthy Summer Tips The following tips are from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control): Summer Sun Summer Water Safety UV Rays are strongest in the middle of the day. Plan indoor When protecting kids while swimming, most activities at that time or look for shade to prevent sunburn. parents think about life jackets, swimming les- Cover the skin with a shirt AND sunscreen to avoid sunburn! sons, and child proofing their pool. However, Wear a hat — preferably one that covers the neck and ears. When swimming in pools, lakes or water parks that wearing a baseball style hat, remember to apply sunscreen to are contaminated with germs can cause rec- the neck and ears. reational water illnesses such as: intestinal Sunglasses protect eyes from UV rays. Look for ones that wrap inflammation, Pink Eye, Swimmer’s Ear and around and block nearly 100% of UV rays. skin diseases. Use sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 and UVA/UVB protection. Some simple steps can keep everyone safe while swimming. In addition to teaching your child to not swallow water when swimming or playing in the water, you can help keep your child and everyone else healthy in the water if you: Keep your child out of the water when he has an open wound, diarrhea, pink eye, Hepatitis A, or other contagious diseases. Do not share pool or beach towels. Take younger children to the bathroom fre- quently so that they are less likely to have accidents in the water. Keep in mind that swim diapers and swim pants are not leak proof. Check and change them frequently for infants and toddlers who are not yet potty trained. Do not change diapers by the pool. Instead, take your child to the bathroom to change his diaper and then wash your child’s bottom well and wash your hands, too. Hope all of you have a very happy and safe summer. — Carol Angelone, RN, School Nurse
10 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! STUDENT VOICE Is Organic Really that Great? A Day in the Life: Jillian Dickerson The organic food industry is on the rise and this expensive While most of the world is still sound asleep in industry claims to have both environmental and animal benefits. their beds waiting for the horrid ringing of our alarms, However, new data and statistics say differently. Jillian “Jill” Dickerson, a cook in the cafeteria of What does organic exactly mean? Only packages labeled “100 Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School (GMU), is percent organic” contain ingredients that are 100 percent organic, just waking up at 4:45 a.m. in the morning, without the which means no GMOs, synthetic pesticides or fertilizers were aid of the alarm. As soon as she can drag herself out used. An “organic” label means that 95 percent of the ingredients of bed at the early hour, Jill goes to start her morning are organic. The label “made with organic ingredients” is for routine of feeding her cats, tending to the wood stove, products with 70 percent or more of the ingredients being organic. and hopping into the shower. One supposed benefit of organic farming is that it omits After rushing into work at 7:00 a.m., Jill puts on her less greenhouse gases and is better for the environment. This apron and sets to work for the day. Starting with making statement is only true when applied on a minute scale. Organic freshly baked muffins from scratch each and every farms yield less than conventional farms. To yield the same morning, making sure not to repeat the same kind of number of crops, organic farms need to occupy “84 percent more muffin twice in the same week. While the muffins are land” according to the Journal of Environmental Management. in the oven, Jill makes sure to give her work station a On the topic of land, in conventional farming a farmer can use quick clean. Jill makes the coffee, sets out the sugar and a herbicide to target specific plants, such as broad leaf plants if creamer, loads the milk cooler, and puts out the other this is the type of the plant that is hurting his/her crop. Organic options for breakfast for three hundred students. farmers cannot. Therefore, they must constantly plow their After running the register for the High School side fields. This creates a soft layer of top soil and a hard layer of dirt of the cafeteria until 8:00 a.m. when breakfast ends, underneath. When it rains all the top soil is taken away, causing Jill immediately starts with making, baking, and wrap- serious erosion issues. ping the cookie options of the day. Today the options Another misconception about organic farming is that it is pes- included 72 Chocolate Chip, 48 Peanut Butter Chocolate ticide free. Organic farmers only have to use “natural pesticides.” Chip, 48 Sugar, and 36 Double Chocolate Chip cookies. These pesticides are sometimes worse for the environment. During this time Jill usually has 3-4 seniors who pop in For example, copper sulfate, a natural pesticide, has caused liver for breakfast to avoid the near over-crowded cafeteria. disease in vineyard sprayers in France according to research Senior Jessica Conklin can usually be found talking to from Cornell. Copper sulfate is also less effective, so it must be Jill, Mrs. Dibble, and Mrs. Sebeck. While the cookies used more, unlike an herbicide that a conventional farmer would are baking during the first period, Jill gathers the bread use that only needs to be used once. Additionally, the USDA has that went uneaten for the deer that appear in her yard. a testing program that demonstrates that for both organic and Once the cookies are cooling, Jill washes and preps conventional farming, the level of pesticides used is at such low the fruit to go with lunch, and sets up for the lunches at levels that consumers do not need to worry about pesticides. 11:00 a.m. Running the register seems to be easy when Depending on one’s definition of animal cruelty, this can also you have Jill, though if she’s out they seem to need two be an issue associated with organic farming on smaller scale people to help pick up the weight that Jill helps to lift. farms. Organic farms cannot treat cows or calves with antibiotics. Though the work can be grueling at times, Jill looks Respiratory disease is common in calves. This disease is treated forward to talking with sophomore Mya Harrington and with antibiotics, but on organic farms these drugs cannot be senior Jessica Conklin during 6th period. She even has a used. Calves suffer until they eventually die from the disease. few elementary kids after her “never ending” line of fifth Antibiotics used on cows are safe. Cows being treated are milked and sixth graders that come through during 5th period. separately, and their milk is not mixed with other milk. After all three high school lunch rushes are through, The supposed benefits of organic farming, in fact are not Jill helps clean up the lunch rooms, wiping down the benefits at all. We should instead, buy local and fresh without tables, dealing with the compost and the milk bucket. thinking about if it is organic or not. By buying locally, con- Then that blessed time, after a stressful but rewarding sumers’ money stays in the local economy, and goes straight to day comes, ending her work day at 1:30 p.m. and going a local farmer not a big corporation. By buying fresh produce, home to unwind with General Hospital. one can support local businesses and get better quality produce. But after leaving work, Jill is not yet done with her If consumers have questions, they should talk to their local day, as she still has to make dinner, do the laundry, stock farmers and ask them about their farming practices. They will the wood stove and feed the cats before ending her day, be more then happy to inform you. and going to bed at 9:30 p.m. just to get up and do it all — Scarlett Newman again the next day. But Jill wouldn’t have it any other way. — Jessica L. Conklin It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 11 Info From The Health Office Medications at School
(Taken from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine/June 2018) Please keep this information handy INSECT STINGS — Keep away! for the start of the new school year. Flowery scents are a main attraction for bees, so on days If your child must receive medication during the you’ll be outdoors, consider using neutral-smelling hair products school day, please follow the procedure below which and lotion. Also know that wasps are drawn to food, especially fulfills NYS Education requirements. sweets, so cover food and garbage. If a bee or wasp comes near, Must have a written order signed by a doctor with move away calmly—into shade if possible. If you panic and swat, the following information: the insect could release alarm pheromones calling out support • Name of child from fellow buzzers. • Name of medication, dosage and time to be taken YARDWORK: Fruit trees are big attractants in late summer • Reason for medication and early fall, so don’t picnic under the apple tree then. Be alert • Side effect of medication for yellow jacket nests (gray honeycombs) on the ground and in • Length of time medication is to be taken piles of leaves or compost. Wasps prey on other insects, so if you Medication must be in a current prescription bottle see a papery wasp nest on the eaves of your house or a fence, let Parent/Guardian must deliver medication directly it be unless the wasps are bothering you. to school Health Office. Students may not bring it ONCE BITTEN: For a bee sting, quickly removing the in themselves. stinger reduces the amount of venom entering the body, which Parent/Guardian signs written permission for medi- starts happening within seconds. Wipe the area with gauze or cation to be given. scrape with a clean fingernail, then rinse with soap and cold Medication will be destroyed seven days after final water to get rid of any residue venom and reduce swelling. For all dose is given. stings, apply an ice pack or cold compress ASAP. Some people These requirements include ALL OVER-THE- say applying a paste of baking soda and vinegar can also help COUNTER MEDICATIONS AS WELL, including mitigate the reaction. cough drops. These must be in the manufacturer’s con- *** ALLERGY ALERT! *** tainer/package as well, with the student’s name affixed to the container/package. About 5% of people are allergic to insect venom. Call 911 for Thank you for your assistance with these directions. a swollen throat, tongue, or face, dizziness, or trouble breathing. — Carol Angelone, RN, School Nurse TICKS — Keep away! A repellent with DEET is the gold standard. For extra protection, spray your clothes with a permethrin-based product. If you’re hiking or working in brush or tall grass, wear a long- sleeved shirt and long pants tucked into socks. YARDWORK: Keep grass trimmed because ticks like to hang out on long grass and hop on deer or mice. If your yard borders a woodsy area, you can create a 3-foot-wide wood chip or gravel “moat” at that border to discourage ticks from making their way in. You can also set out tubes filled with permethrin- soaked cotton. Mice take the cotton for nests, and the chemical kills ticks hitching a ride. (The mice are unharmed.) ONCE BITTEN: Remove a tick by pulling straight up with tweezers; don’t leave any of the tick behind. Check to see if your doctor wants to ID the tick, says Adaija, MD, spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society. Then keep an eye out for Lyme disease symptoms; joint pain, fatigue, fever, rash. It can take a few weeks for antibodies to develop and result in a positive test, so you’ll likely have to get two tests a few weeks apart to confirm. Also know that doctors are advised to start antibiotics once you have symptoms, especially the characteristic bull’s-eye rash. — Carol Angelone, RN, School Nurse
12 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! Physical Education Sneaker/Attire Requirements
Grades PK-6 In addition to proper clothing and footwear, personal As we approach the 2018-2019 school year, we would hygiene items like deodorant, a towel, and brush or comb like to give a helpful reminder to parents and guardians that are also acceptable. Please note: no glass bottles or aerosol appropriate footwear/clothing is required for Physical Educa- bottles will be allowed in the locker room. Pump and plastic tion and is a part of every students’ PE grade each marking bottles are acceptable. period. Students must have properly laced or Velcro sneakers, If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Johnson. the fashion trend of loosely tied and tucked under the laces Have a great summer and don’t forget to get outside and be on sneakers is not only dangerous but not allowed. The heel active! of your child’s foot should not be coming out the back of the — Mr. Johnson sneaker when walking or running. Keep in mind that sneakers should be laced on top in such a way that they can easily be tightened if needed. Sneakers that are heavily padded at the back of the heel and on the top where the laces are, make it impossible to tie appropriately. To ensure your child’s safety, please avoid the following • Heelies or platform sneakers • Slip-ons that easily come off during activity • Walking sneakers that have a curved/rounded bottom (these are not appropriate for running) • Flat bottom sneakers that provide no support- these GMU FALL are usually the sneakers that are heavily decorated with glitter and sparkles and are fun to wear but not designed for long periods of activity SPORTS The above examples are not appropriate for the activities that we do in PE, and may result in serious injuries or cause future damage to your child’s feet. We also appreciate you taking the time to teach your son or daughter how to tie their own sneakers. Valuable PE time is wasted when activities have to be stopped for teachers to tie sneakers. Please check your child’s schedule and help them make appro- priate clothing choices on PE days. Comfortable pants/shorts and a loose fitting top will help the students move with ease and although dresses are comfortable, they are not suitable for most GMU Student-Athletes the 2018 Fall Varsity Sports of the activities we are doing. Low cut necklines or high waist Season will begin on Monday, August 13. tops are not permitted. Low rise below the waist pants should In order to participate you must have a current be accompanied by a long shirt. Thank you for your support and physical and your athletic paperwork turned in. we look forward to seeing your child next school year. More information on practice times Grades 7-12 and location will be announced. Starting in middle school (7th grade), students are required to change their clothes for PE class. This is for personal If you have any questions or concerns, hygiene reasons. Students need to have a change of clothes, please contact Mr. Bonczkowski. so that they can change out of their school clothes for PE. Phone: (607) 783-2207, ext. 124 Tank tops and other athletic tops are not allowed. Appropriate Email: [email protected] and allowable tops include t-shirts with sleeves, long sleeve shirts, or hooded sweatshirts. Athletic shorts are preferred, * Modified Sports can begin as early as August 20. but sweatpant type pants are acceptable. Footwear is also Your coach will be in contact with you. quite important. Sneakers need to have good treads, fit well, (More information on the start be supportive, and be able to tie securely. If the student’s of practice will be announced.) sneakers do not fit or cannot securely stay on their feet, it creates a safety issue. Socks are also required.
It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 13 Board of Education Highlights
May 8 Budget Hearing Meeting Reports: Positive Highlights: • Superintendent, Annette Hammond presented on the • Community Cleanup Day took place on April 23. It was final budget for students and community members who a huge success. attended the meeting. • The district held its first annual Family Literacy Night. Board Discussion: There was a great turnout with over 30 students who • District Clerk, Amber Birdsall handed out information on attended. Thank you to the culinary students who made the Rural School Association Conference that is taking cookies for this special event. place July 8-10 at the Otesaga in Cooperstown, NY. • The 3-12 Instrumental Concert was well attended. Mrs. Hammond will be presenting at this conference on • National Honor Society inductions, led by Cierra Stafford School Garden/Farm to Lunch Table. took place on April 26. Seven new members were Executive Session inducted at this year’s ceremony. • The board convened in executive session to discuss • The Band sponsored a Quarter Auction on April 28. Confidential/Exempt Salaries. They had a great turnout and would like to thank all the Action Items: community members who donated items for the auction. • Approved minutes from the April 17, 2018 regular • The district held an evacuation drill this week. Overall meeting. the drill was very organized and went well. • Adopted the proposed May 8, 2018 regular Consent • Congratulations to our 2018 Teacher of the Year Raquel Agenda. Norton and our 2018 Support Staff Member of the Year • Approved CSE/CPSE Consent Agenda. The meeting Edward Wilson. dates include April 5, 13, 19, 20, 25 and May 1, 2018. • Kudos to our GSA Club who initiated a day of silence. • Approved Financial Consent Agenda. Over 80 students participated in this event. • Accepted financial reports for April 2018. • The cafeteria will now be using an updated system where • Approved cooperative purchasing agreement, generic parents are able to pay for lunches with a credit card. resolutions, and food and cafeteria supplies. • Cafeteria Manager, Susan Sebeck received a $20,000 • Approved a resolution to refuse all bids for the general grant for a convection and steam oven, which will be construction of the school based health center. installed this summer. • Approved confidential and exempt salaries for the 2018- • PK-3 Awards took place on April 20. The character trait 19 school year. awards for Dependable and Empathy were given out. • Approved Personnel Consent Agenda. • Middle school girls attended a conference called Women • Accepted resignations for .5 FTE Art and Kindergarten Helping Girls Make Choices. This allowed students to Teachers. get connected to an interest in a career. • Accepted a retirement. • This week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. We • Approved two non-certified substitutes. thank all of our staff members for all that they do for • Approved an FMLA and a fall music director for the our students on a daily basis. 2018-19 school year. • The district said goodbye to our foreign exchange stu- • Approved the abolishment of an aide position. dent, Teo. Students wanted to give him the proper send • Approved New Items Consent Agenda. off so he was declared King for the day. A dance party • Approved the DCMO BOCES summer and school year in honor of him was also held in the gymnasium. transportation contracts. • The district recently sold a large bus, small bus, and Adjournment: tractor on eBay. The large bus sold for $11,100; small • The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. bus $5,800; and the tractor sold for $7,300. • May 9 is the Scholar Recognition Banquet: student June 13 Meeting Lucas Piedmonte and teacher Bernie Delaney will be Positive Highlights: in attendance. • Thank you to Board Member Barb Hill for securing Information for Members: donated funds to have a scoreboard installed at the • District Clerk, Amber Birdsall made the board aware softball field. of an upcoming board meeting that is scheduled for • Thank you to Board Member Larry Smith for his many May 24 for negotiation purposes. years of commitment to the GMU Board of Education. Public Comment: • Congratulations to Bryant Hill for being selected as the • No items were raised from the floor at this time. 2018 Rotary Scholarship recipient. 14 It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! • GMU was very successful at the Sherburne Pageant • Approved year end fund balance transfers and a SEQRA of Bands this year. Small Ensemble: 1st Place; Jazz resolution. Ensemble: 2nd Place; Concert Band: 1st Place; Parade: • Accepted two donations. 2nd Place; Cadence: 2nd Place; and also the Best in Class. • Approved the surplus of books. • Congratulations to former GMU student and community • Approved the Personnel Consent Agenda. member Lindsay Stone who was inducted into the 2018 • Accepted three resignations. CTE Hall of Fame at DCMO BOCES. • Approved a provisional appointment, a summer help • Academic, Athletic and Character Education ceremonies monitor and summer student workers. were well attended. • Appointed a Dean of Students and a driver. • The Class of 2018 participated in their annual senior • Approved two substitutes. walk at GMU. • Approved the New Items Consent Agenda • Grades 7-12 students had their last day of school on • Approved a change order, tentative agreement on the June 11. GMUTA contract, a transportation request and sports • Regents week has started. mergers. Information for Members: • Approved the withdrawal of the NY44 Health Benefits • The district clerk invited board members to graduation Trust Plan. which is taking place on June 23rd. Adjournment: Reports: • The board adjourned at 9:15 p.m. • Students reported on Women for a Change club proposal. The board was in consent with starting this club. • The Athletic Director reported on the possibility of merging sports leagues with other school districts in the near future due to the lack of students who have been signing up. on • The Literacy Coordinators reported to the board on the the overall student achievement for the 2017-2018 school year from using the Fountas & Pinnell literacy curriculum. • The District Clerk reported on the budget vote results. Be smart Board Discussion: • The Superintendent reviewed an exit poll survey that was conducted during the budget vote regarding the district internet hiring a school resource officer. • The Superintendent reviewed district goals for the Keep safe by being careful not to give out per- SAFE sonal information when chatting or posting online. 2018-19 school year. Personal information includes your email address, • The Superintendent and board discussed the bid s phone number and password. results for the upcoming School Based Health Center renovations. Meeting someone you have only MEETING been in touch with online can be Executive Session: dangerous. Only do so with your parents’ or carers’ permission and even then only when they can be present. Remember online • The board convened in executive session to discuss non- m friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them resident students, negotiations, music department and a long time.
coaches for the 2018-19 school year. Accepting emails, IM mes- Action Items: ACCEPTING sages, or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don’t know or trust can lead to • The board rejected all bids on the General Construction a problems—they may contain viruses or nasty messages! for the student health center. • Approved minutes from the May 8, 2018 budget hearing Someone online might lie about meeting. RELIABLE who they are, and information • Approved the proposed June 13, regular consent agenda. on the internet may not be true. Always check information with r other websites, books or someone who knows. • Approved the CSE/CPSE Consent Agenda. The meeting dates include May 3, 10, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 and June 6 and 7, 2018. Tell your parent, carer or a trusted adult if some- TELL one or something makes you feel uncomfortable • Approved the Financial Consent Agenda. or worried, or if you or someone you know is being bullied online. • Accepted financial reports for May 2018. t • Approved the authorization for the withdrawal and www.childnet.com appropriation of reserves. It’s the Quality of the Journey that Counts! 15 GILBERTSVILLE-MOUNT UPTON Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT P A I D 693 State Highway 51 Norwich, Gilbertsville, New York 13776-1104 NY 13815 PERMIT NO. 18 607-783-2207
BOARD OF EDUCATION Jeremy Pain, President Ethan Eberly, Vice-President Patricia Dunham DCMO BOCES Printing Service • Norwich, NY Hillary Giuda-Philpott Barbara Hill Mark Muller CURRENT RESIDENT OR Zachary Proskine
Annette D. Hammond, Superintendent ECRWSS Amber Birdsall, District Clerk BOXHOLDER
2018-2019 Bus Routes Bus 53: Cat Bus 66: -Shark Leave school at 6:55 AM to Mt. Upton Hill; Co. Rt. 37; Keach Rd.; Upper Leave school at 7:12 AM to Mt. Upton Old Rt. 8 North; Rt. 8 South to High Bridge Rd.; Phillips O’dell Rd.; Blower Rd.; Miller Rd.; White’s Hill Frank’s Turn-around, to Rt. 51; on to school. Rd.; Shumway Hill; to Rt. 8; on to school. Bus 67: Butterfly Bus 56: Deer Leave school at 7:12 AM to Co. Rt. 18; Lafayette Park; Co. Rt. 33; Crandall Leave school at 6:45 AM to High Bridge Rd.; Phillips O’dell Rd.; Rockdale Hill; Co. Rt. 37 to village turn around; Depot Street; on to school. Rd.; Camp Meeting Rd.; Fred Smith-Creek Rd.; Rt. 8 South to Old Rt. 8; Bus 72: Bear North on Rt. 8; on to school. Leave school at 6:50 AM to County Rt. 4; Murphy Rd.; Taylor Rd.; Coon Bus 58: Bunny Cross Rd.; Lobdell Rd.; Co. Rt. 5; to Sylvan St.; Commercial St.; Marion Leave school at 6:55 AM to Lilley Hill Rd.; Wilber Cross Rd.; Lulu Coon Ave.; on to school. Rd.; Wilber Hill Rd.; Butternut Rd.; Townline Rd.; Shaw Brook Rd.; River Rd.; Village of Gilbertsville, Spring St.; on to school. If you have any questions regarding your child’s bus number or pick-up times please feel free to call the Bus Garage at 783-2207, Ext. 115. or Bus 57: Puppy 783-2275. Leave school at 7:00 AM to Oregon Rd.; Halbert Hill Rd.; Copes Corners Rd.; Opperman Rd.; Musson-Erwin Rd.; Copes Corners Rd.; Bronson School Opens September 5 — Rd.; Copes Corners Rd.; Dunhams Rd.; Copes Corners Rd.; on to school. Please Drive Carefully! Bus 59: Star Leave school at 7:00 AM to Back River Rd.; Lockwood Hill; Jesse Rogers Rd.; Fisk Hill; Rt. 1 South to French’s Turnaround; Rt. 1 to State Rt. 8 North; on to school. U Bus 60: Bird U Prentice Gorge Rd.; to Maple St.; Sylvan St.; Baker Rd.; and on to school. Bus 62: Duck Leave School at 6:55 AM to Co. Rt. 8; Poochy Rd.; ShelleyMM Rd.; Co. Rt. 10; Bell Hill Rd.; Clarence Musson Rd.; Mill St.; Frog Harbor; Marion Ave.; on to school. Bus 65: CowGG Leave school at 7:05 AM to Co. Rt. 4; Dunhams Cross Rd.; Coye Brook Rd.; Rt. 51 North of Village; Hilton and Vine St.; Maple and Elm St.; on to school.