March 06 FINAL
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Mount Pleasant Central School District Newsletter fromthe Volume 5 Issue 3 Mount Pleasant — The Heart of Westchester County March 2006 Students are making school A better place to be Backstage, David Singer shows off the rack he and Kevin Krautle put together. mazing is how technicians from the Here are some students who through their own ini- Kevin mans the Paramount Theater in Peekskill described tiatives are making their school a better place to be. sound booth at Athe lighting and sound system in Westlake a high school High School’s theater. As the designers of the top- Masterpiece theater of-the-line system led the technicians through the The students responsible for the aforementioned assembly. maze of wires and equipment, they explained how sound and lighting system, and for breathing they researched and built it from scratch. The new life into the theater experience are seniors Paramount people were impressed, not only with David Singer and Kevin Krautle. the system’s sophistication, but the fact that its cre- In their four years at Westlake High School, ators were students. the two have transformed lighting and sound At Westlake, you see, students are not only from a ‘cumbersome operation with broken encouraged to seek out what interests them, but are and inadequate equipment’ as Kevin described actively supported. The opportunity for students to it, to a plug and play marvel that surpasses explore an interest, create a niche, fill a void or tack- some off-Broadway theaters (really!). le a project is there for the asking. And many do. Continued on page 2 GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY! WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS GRAB A FOURSOME FOR Education Foundation’s Westlake Athletic Club’s 1st Spring Dinner Dance GGrreeaassee annual Golf Outing Wednesday, July 12 Friday, April 21 March 24 & 25 at 8:00 p.m. Branton Woods Golf Club, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. Carmel, NY The Fountainhead in New Rochelle March 31 & April 1 at $150 per golfer / $50 dinner only Tickets $100 each • Dancing • Silent Auction 8:00 p.m. Includes 18 holes, cart, dinner, cash bar, • Raffles and prizes CALL 914-309-6733 (MPEF) Tickets: $10 ($8 students & seniors) – Call 741-6171 Call 747-4379 for tickets Students improve school A sporting chance Her big sisters were a major influence on Eighth grader Walter Hickey is one her. Kaitlin started the PALS peer mentor- Continued from page 1 determined guy. His passion is lacrosse, and ing program four years ago and Maggie was “They got their start building sets,” he would love to play for his own school heavily involved in the theater. remembers theater coordinator Heidi Cole. team. The only problem is that Westlake Guidance leader Donna Garr, a dancer “But their interest in electronics gave them doesn’t have one. herself, helped Victoria write a proposal the idea to learn about sound and lighting.” But Walter is and agreed to become the moderator. As sophomores, they reconfigured the hoping to change The Dance Club officially began in antiquated microphone system in the that. He went to October. Members teach each other steps to library for the Board of Education meet- athletic director ballet, lyrical, jazz, alternative and tap. ings. And things just spiraled from there. Josh Wagner and Guest choreographers are invited to teach When the bond was passed David and together, they are them also. The club will perform at the Kevin were there to make suggestions for trying to find a way. spring talent show and Senior Citizen’s theater improvements. With monies from Start up for a High Tea. the bond and the Westlake Players theater new team is no easy “At first you think ‘I can’t do this,’” she club, they began to organize and list what feat, as he found said. “But I talked to Ms. Garr and Dr. needed to be done. Gradually, the two out. When pro- Lodovico and they convinced me that I began to work their magic. posed merges with surrounding middle could.” They built patch panels to organize the school teams fell through, Walter persisted. wiring, researched sound equipment at And, this spring, the middle school will other schools and theaters, and spent hold lacrosse intramurals for the 37 boys countless hours configuring wires and and 18 girls who expressed interest. If the microphones and assembling receiver numbers stay high and the district OK’s it, units. The new system is one both they and they could form a modified team as early as the school can be proud of. next spring. But being one, maybe two In addition, at every assembly, play, meet- years ahead of a possible team, Walter may ing or presentation, David and/or Kevin are not be able to fully realize his dream. But in the booth running the show. They can’t that doesn’t matter to him. even begin to estimate the hours they have “It will benefit the kids that want to play,” volunteered during their four years. he said. “It may not be there for me, but it “I put in all my free time,” said David. will be there for them.” “I’m always in here doing something.” This year, the two blew away principal No club … no problem! Frank Viteritti by producing a live telecast Expressing herself through dance is of the homecoming football game on the Victoria Tagarelli’s love. The freshman Band-Aid II District’s cable TV channel. “It was phe- knew she wanted to get involved when she Like many teens, Freddy Farella, Justin nomenal!” said Mr. Viteritti. “They actually started high school this year, and it was her Huffaker, and Nick D’Addessio (above) had multiple cameras and monitors set up, feet that did the deciding. love music. They play in bands with their like you were watching a pro team!” “I was thinking of clubs to join because I friends and write their own songs. They Clearly the school will miss these two, but wanted to get involved. I like to dance and I also face one of the major problems high the feeling is mutual. “This has been one of thought of starting a school bands lack: a venue to play. the best times of my life.” beams Kevin. club.” So the trio decided to organize an event To ease the separation, Kevin that would showcase the talent of is writing a manual of sound Westlake’s student bands as well as benefit for those who will have to fill the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The their huge shoes. Battle of the Bands featuring Pandora’s And David, who was Mistake, The Society Above, Head First and accepted into an exclusive The Hang-Ups was held in the high school technical theater program at theater in the fall, and raised over $500. Purchase College will be “a “They did this all on their own,”said their comfortable shout away,”sighed impressed principal. “We set the date and a relieved Ms. Cole. provided the chaperones, the rest came from them.” Victoria Tagarelli, center, is It may have been their idea, but the three surrounded by members of the graciously acknowledged assistant princi- newly formed Dance Club. Continued on back page 2 BOARD INPUT SESSIONS: Now’s the time to fromthe make your concerns about next year’s school budget School Board known. See back cover for meeting dates. To become a board candidate District seeks willing citizens To be eligible to run for a board position, candidates must be: • at least 18 years old he Mount Pleasant Central School District is • reside in the district T in a vibrant and exciting phase of its history. • submit a nominating petition signed by at But, these are challenging times for public education. least 25 qualified voters to the District Clerk School boards across our nation are seeking men and by 5 p.m. on April 17. Petitions are available women who find excitement and satisfaction in con- at the District Office. fronting tough challenges and working collegially to WILLIAM CAREY overcome them. The Board of Education is a unique- ** There will be a Workshop for Prospective PRESIDENT ly American institution, consisting of elected citizens Board Candidates on Saturday, April 1 from that serve without financial compensation. It keeps 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Education House, 5 the country’s public schools flexible and responsive Homeside Lane, White Plains. To register call: to the needs and values of local communities. A 883-0094. member of a Board of Education in New York State “It’s a great takes on one of the most important responsibilities the communities children as their main focus and feeling to know that can be assigned: Helping to shape our commu- work with other members to accomplish the following: nities’ public school system and provide our young- • Create a shared vision for the district you had a hand sters with the educational foundation to become pro- • Set student standards in preparing ductive members of society. • Adopt an annual budget roughly 150 The Mount Pleasant Central School District has a • Adopt and maintain district policies graduates, each seven member Board of Education. Each elected • Foster a healthy environment for working and member serves a three year term. Each year two or learning year, for their three seats are up for election. This year three board • Ratify collective bargaining agreements adult lives.” seats are up for election. After twelve, very gratifying, • Hire and evaluate the Superintendent years of service, I will not seek reelection. Mr. • Maintain high ethical standards in all dealings.