Sad News: High School Math teacher Ben Gerardo's wife, Gail, passed away this week.  Funeral Services will be at Demarco-Stone on Saturday, July 24, 2010.  Calling hours are 6-8 P.M. on Friday, July 23, 2010.

NYSED's Preliminary Draft of Teaching Standards Available for Comment: The State Education Department formed a Teaching Standards Workgroup which was responsible for developing a draft of Teaching Standards for New York State. According to Joseph Frey of State Ed, "The Teaching Standards Workgroup is composed of stakeholder representatives from over 22 interested parties with a common commitment of improving student learning through the development and support of all NYS teachers." You can now view the preliminary draft online online and use their web response form to make comments or suggestions through August 16, 2010.

NYS 3-8 Test Results Announced on July 26 with Higher Cutoff Scores.  In a effort to raise standards, the "cutoff scores" for the NYS state tests administered in Spring, 2010 will now be higher.  As a result, many more students will now be eligible for AIS services.  However, for the 2010-11 year, districts will be able to use the cutoff scores from 2008-09 as thousands of teachers have been laid off due to budget cuts in the state.  In addition, the Regents agreed to seek a federal waiver during this transition year so the greater number of students scoring at Levels 1 and 2 do not impact the ability of schools and districts to make Adequate Yearly Progress. (More)

STAPLES Teacher Appreciation Day: Staples is saying "thank you" to teachers during its annual Teacher Appreciation Day on August 21 from 9:00 A.M - Noon. Click on the link for a store near you!

Congratulations to our Newest Retirees: 7 STA members have joined the rank of "retiree".  Thank you for your many years of service to Schalmont and to our STA family.  Retirees will receive a questionnaire from STA with the results posted on the Retiree Connection of the STA Website.  This year's retirees include:  Anne Austin - HS, Bev Haringa - HS, Diana Cichello - HS, Sandra Merrill - HS, Carol Russell - HS, Nora Guzewich-Jefferson, Kathy Mize- Middle School.

Tenure Awarded to STA members:  Congratulations to the following STA members who were recently awarded tenure: Krista Bonda, Sarah Dinan, Stephanie Bush, Alicia Gorski, Joanne Manikas, Nora Sabatini, Kathryn Sargent, Michele Weeks, Cheryl Zirpoli, Danielle Zogby, and Jessica Zupan.  See pictures

Early Retirement Option Signed into Law: Governor Paterson signed into law a bill granting an early retirement incentive for most public employees.  It provides employers with the option to authorize employees to take advantage of a retirement incentive of either (A) one month of service credit for each year of service up to 36 months, or (B) retire without penalty with at least 25 years of service and reaching age 55.

The Schalmont Board of Education approved Part A for targeted employees.  Teachers and other staff in targeted positions have been notified of their eligibility.

Members who were targeted for Part A and have questions should contact the New York State Teachers' Retirement System immediately to request an estimation of their retirement benefits.  More information is available from the NYSUT website.

Elections Results for Building Reps - Elected Building Reps for 2010-11 are: HS - Chris Bailey, Kevin Meachem, Fred Orlando and Carol Russell; MS - Bob Anderson, Don Brandt, Laurie Macken and Mike Libertucci; Jefferson - Sue Hennessy, Lori DeMeo, Shannon Farrell and Amy Glick; Woestina - Cori Kinns; Mariaville - Kim Knapik.  Congratulations to all.

Earth Science Students Reap Benefits of IDEA Grant - On beautiful Monday, May 17, 2010, 55 Earth Science students from Schalmont Middle and High Schools visited the site of the original entrance to Howes Cavern – The Cave House Museum.  The trip was lead by local geologists from the Hudson Mohawk Professional Geologist Association, who gave students a lesson in both the history and science behind this local wonder.  Students worked in small groups at 5 stations to explore the site, which includes a working quarry, a museum of mining and geology, a garden of boulders from across New York State, several accessible exposed bedrock outcrops and a rarely visited section of Howes Cavern.  Using equipment funded by an STI IDEA grant, the students collected samples, made sketches, and truly learned what it is like to work in the field like a geologist. More

VOTE-COPE: Now more than ever, NYSUT is lobbying to legislators to urge them not to eliminate funding for our most important asset, our children.  It is not too late to contribute to VOTE-COPE.  IF you are already a contributor,  please consider increasing your donation.   This is perhaps the most important donation you can make on behalf of your colleagues in education.  This past spring there were thousands of jobs cut, with a number in our own district.  NYSUT, with your help, has launched a campaign to educate people about the devastation that will ensue with these cuts. If you have not increased your donation in a few years, now is the time to consider doing it...the job you save may be your own.  If you have any questions regarding VOTE-COPE, contact Joann Lasky at the Middle School or Lori DeMeo at Jefferson. (VOTE-COPE is a non-partisan organization and represents the interests of all of us in education.)

"Hoops for Haiti" Recognition in New York Teacher: Schalmont TA was mentioned in an article in the February 18, 2010 issue of the New York Teacher, recognizing the efforts of Jefferson teacher, Stephanie Bush, who organized the Hoops for Haiti Faculty/Staff Basketball game.  It is located on the back cover in the center column.  Check it out!

STA Website and STATIC Earn NYSUT Recognition Again:  NYSUT  has announced that the Schalmont Teachers' Association website and newsletter (STATIC) have each earned the "Award of Merit" in the 2009 Journalism Contest.  This is the 2nd year in a row that STA has been recognized for their efforts.  Congratulations to Kelly Healy and Carol Carelli, STATIC Editors and to Carol Carelli as webmaster!  Carol and President Mary Beth Flatley attended the NYSUT Journalism Conference and awards ceremony on March 27, 2010, accepting the recognition on STA's behalf.

"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

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.

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