Superintendent's Message
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Quarterly Publication of VERNON-VERONA-SHERRILL CENTRAL SCHOOL • CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF SHERRILL www.vvsschools.org FALL 2015 VVS - IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN, TO WORK, AND TO LIVE! Superintendent’s Message Dear VVS School Community, Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! I hope you enjoyed your summer, finding time to relax, refresh, and enjoy family and friends. Thank you for making your home in the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District, where we aspire to be valued as a district of distinction by our community. This vision drives us to serve the needs of every child who attends our school each day as well as the community that collaborates with us in achieving this vision. There are many exciting things happening in our community as new business and industry evolve throughout our area over the next few years providing numerous employment opportunities for our graduates in nanotechnology, mechatronic, chip fab and agriculture. Employment and economic growth will provide additional needs in construction, retail, the service sector, and other ancillary businesses resulting from growth in the region. VVS is preparing for the future through courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, (STEM) and the Arts (STEAM) beginning in the elementary schools and on through our dual (high school and college) credit agreements with Mohawk Valley Community College. Our academic program now requires students to complete four years of study in both high school math and science, in addition to our rigorous written and oral communication program. All of our programs, beginning in pre-kindergarten, require students to think, solve real world problems, work collaboratively, and respect and consider the opinions of others. The VVS School District takes its responsibility to serve the children and the community very seriously, and relies on the involvement and support of the VVS community, so essential to our success. This year, we will continue our community discussions around preparing our students for success in the 21st Century. We know we can count on the involvement and collaboration of students, parents, local, state and national businesses, higher education institutions, local organizations, District staff, and the community-at-large to actively engage in this important dialogue. We appreciate the importance of working in concert with families, students, and the larger community to thoughtfully plan and act to ensure the very best for our students, recognizing that the school, the parents, the students, and the community cannot succeed without the commitment of us all. We are dependent upon one another to ensure the success of our children. My thanks to all those who contribute to the success of VVS; it is your talent, ideas, involvement, and support for learning that makes VVS a great place to learn, to work, and to live! Best Regards, Martha K. Group Superintendent of schools page 2 In The Spotlight...V.V.S. Top Two Soaring to Perhaps it’s the diverse talents New Heights that Tyler possesses that make Valedictorian – Tyler Brewer him so unique. Whether singing, dancing, kicking a soccer ball or College: Cornell University solving a math equation, Tyler Major: Environmental Science excels. Tyler was a member of the Parents: Ken and Kristin undefeated boys’ varsity soccer Siblings: Nathan (10th) and Morgan (7th) team and lead in the Drama Club’s From: Verona award-nominated production of Singin’ in the Rain. Advice to fellow graduates: Learn to manage your time wisely, and spend it doing something you’re passionate about. From Mrs. Miller: “Every year as a teacher, I have the privilege to watch students grow and change. I have never been more honored to be a part of this than with Tyler. He is a young man who has continued to exemplify the definitions of character, dedication, motivation, and citizenship. Tyler is the kind of person that has not been just a student at VVS, but a member of our school and community whose name will be revered for years to come. He has truly left a legacy and nailed a heart print that others should strive to achieve.” From Mr. Mitchell: “It is important to note that I know Tyler outside the classroom. He has been a part of my life since his birth. I have watched him mature into a responsible, hard-working, dependable young man. I can honestly say that I have never known nor taught an individual that is his equal. To define in terms such as “good kid” or even “one of the best” fails to describe Tyler. He rises above these. He is the best of the best. As a father, I can only hope that my boys will grow to follow in his footsteps. Tyler is one of those students a teacher always remembers throughout his career.” Salutatorian – Abigail Schmalz Abby’s friends truly mean the College: University of Massachusetts at Amherst world to her and they have literally traveled the world together. Abby’s Major: Nursing love for dance shines through in all Parents: Edyth Russell and Steve Schmalz of her performances. Siblings: Melissa (VVS Class of 2013) From: Sherrill Advice to fellow graduates: If you work hard, you will succeed in everything that you do. Find something you’re truly passionate about and you will always find happiness. From Mr. Williams: “Abby has always been a naturally motivated young woman. The first words that come to mind when I think of Abby are “consistent excellence.” Abby is an academic vacuum; everything you teach, she absorbs and seems to remember forever. She is a quiet, stoic leader that a lot of her classmates look up to. As Abby moves on to college, our district will be losing a great student that has excelled in and outside the classroom. However, after experiencing Abby and everything that she represents, I know she is moving on to bigger and better things. Abby is someone that I know will make a great impact on other people’s lives. Watching her grow over these last four years has been rewarding.” From Mr. Sullivan: “She is a humble, intelligent, determined young lady who has developed into a leader within our school community. Her character has never been in question and she makes her decisions based on what is morally and ethically sound, instead of letting peers influence her choices. I have much respect for Abby because she is always one to stand up for what is right and is always someone who will treat other people kindly and respectfully. I believe she is mature beyond her years and has character traits that are lacking in many of today’s youths.” Congratulations VVS Community.... page Our Grads are Going Places! 3 Charlee Adams Utica College Alexandra Evans Cazenovia College Dillon Adams Employment Tyler Evans Employment Cassandra Allen MVCC Gabriel Faherty SUNY Poly Tyler Arnold MVCC Caitlin Faulkner Herkimer College Courtney Avery OCC Janelle Faulkner Herkimer College Dillon Bates Employment Alison Felici Marymount Manhattan College Timothy Beal Rochester Institute of Technology Ashley Findlay Employment Samantha Bellinger St. Elizabeth School of Nursing Jeffrie Finen, Jr. Hartwick College John Bickom SUNY Oswego Jillian Flagler St. John Fisher Molly Blehar Employment Lauren Fletcher Albany College of Pharmacy Danielle Blom MVCC Andrew Foeppel MVCC Isabella Borst D’Youville College Liam Furman SUNY Poly Carley Breckenridge Cinema Makeup School Glen Garnsey MVCC Ryan Breckenridge SUNY Poly Dustin Gates Morrisville Simon Breckenridge SUNY Oneonta Jeffrey Gawarecki, Jr. Employment Tyler Brewer Cornell University Jeffrey Gibson MVCC Joshua Brodnicki Employment Mollie Gilmer SUNY Geneseo Krysia Browka Rochester Institute of Technology Jessica Graham Cinema Makeup School Spencer Brown Employment Lucas Graham SUNY Cortland Amanda Burkle MVCC Kendra Green Elmira College Branden Burns MVCC Jack Harrington SUNY Geneseo April Butler MVCC Samuel Harris SUNY Morrisville Bradley Calhoun Marines Patrick Hart Employment Stephanie Calhoun MVCC Wyatt Hasty OCC Alyssa Card MVCC Xavier Hopkins Brenner Employment Angela Carolla Employment Taylor Hughes Herkimer College Kyle Chandler OCC Ryan Hull MVCC Brandon Chesebro Ohio Tech Brittany Hummel MVCC Gabrielle Clark SUNY Cobleskill Lacy Janowski Sage College Donald Coffin MVCC Bryer Jeannotte SUNY Fredonia Allison Collins MVCC Tyler Jones OCC Jette Collins MVCC Sydney Keenan St. John Fisher Jason Colon Oneonta Tessa Knudsen Keuka College Ryan Compoli Marines Austin Lallier University of Binghamton McKenzie Conroy Herkimer College Austin Lynch SUNY Purchase Rachel Conte SUNY Oneonta John MacDonald MVCC Tiffany Cortes Employment Jacob Marris SUNY Poly Devin Croad SUNY Oswego Katerie Marris Le Moyne Sundance Davenport Employment Joseph Martin Employment Tiffany Davis MVCC Taylor Mautner University at Buffalo Eric Day OCC Montanna McCouliff MVCC William Decker University of Northwest Ohio Melody McCoy-Cole Hobart & William Smith Christopher DeNova SUNY Potsdam Ryan McNamara FMCC Justin DeWolfe Employment Ashlyn Metz Utica College Andrew Dietz SUNY Fredonia Nicholas Metzger Syracuse University Jessie Dixon SUNY Cobleskill Taylor Miller SUNY Morrisville Alexis Dougherty Saint Michael’s Julian Moffett OCC Breonah Dunham MVCC Rikki Moore MVCC Ian Dunster MVCC Christopher Nelson Sage Trucking School Rakel Durant MVCC Jacqueline Neverette Le Moyne Zachary Durant Siena Mackenzie Nicol Le Moyne Brooke Ebersold SUNY Oswego Skyler O’Grady Monroe CC Colton Elerick MVCC Continued on next page............ page Leading up to the Junior Prom, V.V.S. students participated in teen traffic safety day featuring 4 local law enforcement from the NYS Troopers and Oneida County Sheriff’s Department. The event was sponsored by Oneida County Stop DWI and County Executive Anthony Picente. Pictured from left to right: Randy Thomas, Tom Giruzzi, Therese Pitman, Sierra Thieme, Cecelia Kaido, Kacey Engler Our Grads are Going Places.... Continued from previous page..... Christine Oliver Pratt MWP James Slaven MVCC Ryan Oliver Utica College Matthew Smith Employment Joshua Olney Employment Kenny Stover III MVCC Hayley Ossont MVCC Dylan Sutherland Employment Sarah Peavey SUNY Cobleskill Makenzie Talbot SUNY Canton Rachel Przbylski St.