"Hoops For Haiti"
Basketball Game -
30 members of the Schalmont Teachers' Association joined
forces with administrators and staff to play basketball in
an effort to raise money for the people of Haiti, whose
country was devastated by an earthquake in January.
It was a close game, with the Red team outscoring the Blue,
but it was a lot of fun for the packed gym. We raised
over $5,000 for the cause. Kudos go to Stephanie Bush,
a
Jefferson Elementary teacher, who organized the event.
Would you like to
make a donation to help the victims of the earthquake in
Haiti?
Click here to be directed to the
NYSUT site. All moneys will be donated to the
NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund. If you prefer, mail a
contribution (tax deductible) to: NYSUT Disaster Relief
Fund, NYSUT, Attention: Jeff Lockwood, 800 Troy -Schenectady
Road, Latham, New York 12110. Indicate
"Haiti Relief" on the memo line.
High
School Teachers Earn National Board Teacher Certification
Congratulations to
Tracy Pontin and Sarah Mattice, Schalmont High School
English teachers, for achieving National Board Teacher
Certification.
National Board Certification signifies that a teacher is
accomplished, having met challenging professional
standards as evidenced by performance-based
assessments. It is a year-long process designed to
examine the teaching techniques and classroom practices
of a teacher leading to improved student learning.
They
join more than 20 other Schalmont teachers who have
achieved this recognition.

STA Sponsors
District-Wide 5 or $5.00 Food Drive -
The STA sponsored a district-wide food drive which collected
more than 30 boxes and bags of food and over $350 for the
Schenectady City Mission. Many thanks to all who
supported the effort. A special thanks to Chris
Bailey, Mike Libertucci and Jeff VanHoesen for assisting in
the delivery of the food. More
photos

STA
Member Featured in Daily Gazette - Lorinda
Gandrow, Middle School Math teacher was recently featured in
the Schenectady Daily Gazette for her "Game of Life" lesson.
The lesson focused on students using their math skills in
"real-life" situations such as buying a house and earning a
salary in their "chosen" field (determined by drawing out of
a hat), budgeting for taxes and other expenses.
Lorinda is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been
teaching in the middle school for 9 years.
See article..

STA
Members Attend Leadership Conference-Eight
STA members attended the NYSUT Leadership Conference which
was held November 6-8 at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing.
Workshops were presented on a variety of topics including:
Basic Negotiations, Basic Grievance Processing, Technology
and Union Issues, Teachers Retirement, Communicable Diseases
in the Schools, Educational Issues and many more.
Members also heard from a representative from Congressman
Scott Murphy's (20th Congressional District) Office and Lee
Cutler, NYSUT Secretary/Treasurer. On Saturday
evening, members purchased tickets supporting " Making
Strides for Breast Cancer" and prizes donated by
individual locals were raffled off. Our STA donated a
nice gift basket and our own Joann Lasky was one of the
raffle winners! Congratulations, Joann!
(Alisha Couse, STA Treasurer and MaryBeth Flatley, STA
President, pictured at left with STA donation to the raffle) See more pictures.
Due
to the
Faculty Hoops
for Haiti
Basketball game, the February 1, 2010
STA Executive Board
meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting will be
on
Tuesday, March 2, 2010.
The meeting will be in Room 109 of the Middle School at 3:30
P.M.
Making Strides for
Breast Cancer Walk -
Schalmont teachers joined members of the high school
cheerleaders, football, girls basketball and volleyball
teams as they participated in the "Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer" Walk held on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Together we
raised over $2600 as we honored the STA members and
other Schalmont family who have been affected by this
disease. Special thanks to Lorinda Gandrow and Melissa West
for organizing the event.
More photos
Congratulations to
STA members who received tenure:
Roberta Albrecht, Jefferson); Lisa Audette, HS; Bonnie
Barner, Jefferson; Don Brandt, Middle School; Courtney
Deming, Middle School; Melissa West, Jefferson; Betsy
Wright, Jefferson; Mary Zanta, Jefferson. Each was
presented with an STA bookbag for their accomplishment.