North Colonie Central School District

March 2015 Volume 4, Issue 6 FOUR HS SCIENCE TEACHERS NAMED NYS MASTER TEACHERS UPCOMING EVENTS

March

2nd, 5th, 9th, 16th, 19th, 26th and 30th BOE Budget Meeting, CO, 7 p.m.

8th Daylight Savings Time begins Set clocks ahead one hour

11th Friends of Music, SHS, 7 p.m.

17th St. Patrick’s Day

20th Superintendent Conference Day Kelly Ryan, Jessica Vaccaro-Piper, Jodie Kimbrough, Sarah Kowalski and Pam Rossi, Shaker High School Science Teach- ers and NYS Master Teachers.

HazCom/Anti-Harass Training, SHS, 11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. There are only 552 Master Teachers in State and six of them work in the North Colonie School District. Jessica Vaccaro-Piper (Biology), Jodie Kimbrough What to Expect When You’re (Chemistry), Sarah Kowalski (Earth Science), and Pam Rosi (Physics) received NYS Expecting, JHS Room,B209 Master Teacher recognition in January 2015, joining Kelly Ryan (Biology) and Elizabeth 3:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. Carroll (8th grade Math), who were recognized in April 2014. Selection as a Master Teacher is made based on an extensive application and interview process including a TRS Info Session, CO content area test, submission of written essays and presentations. 3:30 pm.—5:00 p.m. We congratulate our teachers for achieving this prestigious honor. As stated by

23rd Superintendent Joe Corr, “These awards are a tribute to the hard work and dedication BOE Meeting, BH, 7:15 p.m. of our teaching staff. . .who consistently focus on meeting the needs of students and improving and growing professionally throughout their careers.”

DISTRICT MISSION: All students are provided the opportunity and necessary support to engage in relevant, challenging work which contributes to their academic and social development. All staff, teachers, and administrators are part of a larger learning community, working together to build collective capacity in order to provide a high-quality, relevant, equitable education for all. P a g e 2 The Inside Resource Volume 4, Issue 6

ED DOPP, DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL Shaker Players Honor Teachers EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS, February 10 was “Teacher Appreciation Night” at the Shaker High School Basketball game held at Siena EARNS TOP HONOR College’s Alumni Recreation Center. During halftime, a ceremony recognized outstanding educators who were Ed Dopp, Director of Physical nominated by the players. Proceeds from the game Education and Athletics, was benefited student scholarships. selected by the NYS Athletic The following North Colonie teachers were recognized: Administrators Association as Brandon Barlow recognized Lisa Morgan, SHS Chapter 2’s Athletic Administrator recipient for 2015. This award is Madison Barrett recognized Sheri Popkoski, SHS given to an athletic administrator Chris Comproski recognized Dan Weaver, SHS who has shown evidence of Arianna DeNault recognized Hope Dills, SHS devotion and idealism to athletics through the NYSAAA and has demonstrated his or her influence Ben Diamond recognized Garrett Couture, SHS and power in the promotion of athletics in a positive Colleen Felt recognized Karen Wells, SHS manner. Brian Hayes recognized Lynn Holmes, SG Ed Dopp began working for NC in 1981 as a student Matt Holmes recognized Brian Kerins, SHS teacher. He has since taught physical education and Maryanna Lansing recognized Siobhan Matrose, SHS coached football, , indoor track, and and was named “Coach of the Year” in 2003. Mr. Omari Lewis recognized Lisa Morgan, SHS Dopp has also served as the District’s Faculty Athletic Audrey Martino recognized Carmella McCarthy, SHS Manager, summer school principal, interim Brian Mawejje recognized William O’Brien, SHS elementary school principal, and Director of Continuing Education. Cece Mayo recognized Leslie Kassel, SHS Mr. Dopp will receive the NYSAAA award at the Roy Seamus McHugh recognized Thomas McDonald, SHS O’Neill Conference Awards Banquet on Thursday, Jess Messina recognized Brian Kerins, SHS March 19 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Lyndsay Miller recognized Mark Kaercher, SHS Congratulations, Mr. Dopp! Erin Pepe recognized Karen Amedio, SHS Tyler Roach recognized Joe Rispole, SHS Five Timeless Life Lessons from Nick Ross recognized Carrie Lue, SHS “I Love Lucy” Becky Rossier recognized Lisa Morgan, SHS Shyla Sanford recognized Jennifer Singleton, SHS 1. Never give up on your dreams. Jayson Seiter recognized Scott Dolan, SHS 2. Funny trumps pretty any day. Edwin Shields recognized Leo Taggart, SHS 3. A best friend is simply priceless. Kayleigh Shufelt recognized Nicole French, LR 4. Laughter is the best medicine. Vianah Smith recognized Jaimee Shipley, SHS 5. Be yourself. Matt Woods recognized Greg Sheeler, SHS P a g e 3 The Inside Resource Volume 4, Issue 6 Ask HR This year especially, we look forward to the month of Dear HR: March because it means Spring will soon be here! Do I noticed that a general information session with TRS you know that March is also: is scheduled to provide general information. Is  National Nutrition Month anything available that provides more specific  National Peanut Month information? Planning Ahead  National Women’s History Month Dear Planning Ahead:  American Red Cross Month TRS offers PREP (Pension and Retirement Education Program) Seminars to assist members in careful In addition to St. Patrick’s Day, the following financial and retirement planning, no matter how “holidays” are celebrated in March: far along you are in your career. PREP seminars are  March 14—Potato Chip Day free but require reservations. Visit NYSTRS.org and  March 15—True Confessions Day go to the Retirement Planning › PREP page for dates and instructions for making reservations.  March 20—Corn Dog Day You can attend the full session from 8:30 a.m.—  March 23—National Puppy Day 3:30 p.m. or attend only the modules that will help  March 30—National Pencil Day you the most. Every year, March starts on the same day of the week as November. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on *March 20, 2015 — NCTA Maternity Workshop, March 1, 1961. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, JHS, Room A Presidential Order signed March 3, 1931 made “The B209, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Star Spangled Banner” our National Anthem.

On March 6, 1836, Fort Alamo in San Antonio, Texas *March 20, 2015 — TRS Retirement Workshop, CO fell to Mexican troops, spurring the rallying cry of Training Room, 3:30 -5:00 p.m. “Remember the Alamo” and leading to the defeat of This workshop will provide general information on Santa Anna in April. the Teacher Retirement System. It is designed specifically for teachers with five or more years of service in TRS.

*May 7, 2015 — ERS Retirement Workshop, CO Training Room, 3:30 -5:00 p.m.

This workshop will provide general information on the Employee Retirement System. It is designed for all members, regardless of number of years of service in ERS.

Have news that you want to share? email: [email protected] P a g e 4 The Inside Resource Volume 4, Issue 6

Have news you want to New Hires and Staff Changes share?

Nicole Finnegan Sometimes it’s okay to brag! If you have news Teacher Aide (REACH), JHS you would like to share, such as, an award or degree you received, the birth of a child, or your recent marriage, please send the details to [email protected] and we’ll try to include them Jennifer Fletcher in The Inside Resource. Elementary Teacher, BC If you have questions or would like more (long-term leave) information on benefits, job openings, and District policies, send us your questions and suggestions so we can include articles on those topics. There’s a good chance other employees Milestones have the same questions. Since The Inside Resource reaches all employees, you get your question answered and help other employees Sari Van Sleet, Guidance Counselor, BH who are seeking the same information! will be a panelist at an upcoming CASDA Seminar HR welcomes your suggestions and comments on how the newsletter can be improved. It’s our Confronting Poverty in Suburban Schools goal to provide “news you can use”. Let us know March 19, 2015 what that news is! SUNY Albany East Campus YOU Make a Difference!

In Memoriam

We knew him as Dan, but his full name is Daniele Alfredo Valention Carloni. Dan passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 21 after a long illness. Dan was born in Montreal, Canada in 1949. Dan was employed by North Colonie Central Schools as a Bus Aide since October 2007. He really loved working with children. Prior to coming to North Colonie, Dan worked as an actor and model and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He also worked as an Editor with Walt Disney in California. Funeral services will be held in Montreal. Dan’s friend and companion of 26 years, Jacqueline Burrell, is also a Bus Aide with North Colonie.