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Winter 2017 NEWSLETTER

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Superintendent of SchoolsMichael Brooks

Board of EducationPresident

William Bell

Vice-PresidentSusan Horton

TrusteesRussell Conley

James KuhaFrank Milazzo

JoAnn ReedJeffrey Walker

To R

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erMarlboro

District Begins Rolling Out 1:1 Device Initiative

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE CHROMEBOOKS AS PART OF PILOT PROGRAM

It’s the dawn of an exciting new technological era in Marlboro as hundreds of students at

the Middle School and High School received Chromebook laptops as part of a pilot program for the District’s new 1:1 Device Initiative.

The program is partly the result of New York State’s Smart Schools Bond Act, which was approved by voters in 2014. The legislation authorized the State to issue bonds to fi nance

educational technology and infrastructure, making Marlboro eligible to receive $1.07 million over the next several years.

“Our goal is to help students keep up with 21st century skills that they will need in order to stay competitive in a global environment,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Robin Hecht said at the time.

While Marlboro waits for the Smart Schools funding to come through, a $45,000 grant secured by Senator William Larkin has allowed the

Continued on page 2

Grade 9 students in Marissa Rantinella’s English class at Marlboro High School use their Chromebooks to type argument essays in Google Classroom.

Marlboro High School English teacher Marissa Rantinella assists Grade 9 student Adam Bach as he completes an in-class assignment on his Chromebook. Also pictured is Grade 9 student Obi Okasi.

Marlboro Goes PaperlessInspired by a worldwide eff ort to “go green,” the

Marlboro Central School District has launched an

exciting new initiative: paperless report cards.

Beginning this winter, report cards for all students

in Grades 6-12 can be viewed online along with other

important student information, including schedules,

attendance, and assignments, through SchoolTool, the

District’s student management system. In addition to

reducing paper use, this eff ort will help lower costs

associated with mailing home printed report cards.

For more information about how to access the

SchoolTool portal, parents can visit www.marlboroschools.org/domain/576. Students

should log on to www.marlboroschools.org/domain/819.

A Message from Superintendent Michael Brooks

The second half of the school year is well

underway and our schools are busier than

ever. This issue of the newsletter is fi lled with

details about the exciting things that have

been happening throughout the District.

Students participated in STEM activities,

academic and art competitions, veteran

tributes, and more. Most of these activities

represent Marlboro’s strong focus on the

“Three A’s:” academics, athletics, and the arts.

As a District, we are always looking for

ways to help prepare our students for the

realities of 21st century life. To this end, we

are proud to have begun rolling out our “1:1

Device Initiative.” This exciting new initiative

will provide Chromebooks to all secondary

students for use in school and at home. These

mobile computers will give students access to

everything they need, right at their fi ngertips.

The program is being funded by New York

State at no cost to taxpayers.

In the coming weeks, our administrative

team will begin working with the Board of

Education to draft the 2017-2018 budget

proposal. As always, we remain committed to

supporting program growth while promoting

fi scal responsibility.

Please stay tuned for more information.

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Continued from page 1

District to begin rolling out the 1:1 Initiative. Chromebooks were distributed to all Grade 8 students and Grade 9 English Honors students in February.

“The District’s long-term plan is to expand this initiative so that all students in Grades 6-12 will be issued Chromebooks for use both in school and at home,” explained Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Technology Michael Bakatsias, adding that the devices will give Marlboro students more access to their personal Gmail accounts and Google Drive folders, which allow documents to be shared electronically. They will also give teachers the opportunity to expand their use of Google Classroom and other platforms that encourage peer collaboration and help facilitate communication between themselves and their students.

“We are very excited that the District is participating in this initiative that will help our students with college and career readiness skills,” said High School Principal Ryan Lawler. Middle School Principal Debra Clinton added that she is pleased that Grade 8 students were included in the pilot program. “It’s great that they’re being given the opportunity to become familiar with the Chromebooks before they get to the High School,” she said.

Middle School ELA teacher Alicia Hudak is hopeful about what the initiative will mean for her students. “They’ll have the world at their fi ngertips,” she said. “This will be such an advantage for them and their futures.”

Marlboro Middle School Principal Debra Clinton assists Grade 8 students Lisa VanTassell and James Warrenas as they work on their Chromebooks.

Alexandra Tsangarakis (left) and Margaux Snow, Grade 9 students in Marissa Rantinella’s English class at Marlboro High School, work on their Chromebooks during class.

High School Students Join Eff ort to Improve Their Town

Students in Brian Barbulean’s College Government class at Marlboro High School

(MHS) met with John Behan of Behan Planning and Design recently to brainstorm

ideas to help make their community a better place.

Behan, a landscape architect, has been commissioned by the Town of Marlborough to

assist in developing a Master Plan for future land use. To help guide the town’s decision

making, four MHS students—Aiden Higgins, Maria Hall, Will Conti, and Joe Nugent—

have volunteered to create and distribute a survey asking their peers for feedback on

what they think should be done to improve things like accessibility, transportation, and

youth facilities and services.

“We’re trying to make the

town a better place to live and

we need your help,” Behan

told the students, adding that

understanding the area where

they live will help them better

understand the rest of the world.

“I’m really excited about this

project,” said MHS Principal Ryan

Lawler. “It’s a great opportunity

for the students to become more

involved in their community.”

A group of promising and creative young artists from Marlboro High

School (MHS) earned an impressive 47 Gold and Silver awards and 45 Honorable Mentions in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing regional competition.

The students endeavored to create their best work in order to compete with thousands of entries from throughout the Hudson Valley. The Gold and Silver Key winners received their awards during a ceremony on February 3 at the Studley Theatre at SUNY New Paltz, and an exhibition featuring their works was on display in the campus’ Fine Arts Rotunda throughout the month of February.

MHS art teachers Emeline Hastings and Amy Tremblay said they are proud of their students and excited for the opportunity for the Gold Key winners to be judged at the national level.

The Scholastic Awards is the nation’s longest running recognition program for creative teenagers and the largest source of scholarships for talented young artists and writers.

Artistic submissions are judged by luminaries in the visual arts and panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.

Congratulations to the following students:

Gold Awards (Number in parenthesis indicates awards won in that category)Jake Diana – Painting (1)Sophia Fulgoni – Photography (3)Cora-Ann Gannon – Photography (2)Kiley Hogancamp – Painting (1)Hannah Sullivan – Photography (1)Julie Truncali – Photography (1)Maria Tsangarakis – Photography (1)

Silver Awards(Number in parenthesis indicates awards won in that category)Jake Diana – Photography (3)Cora-Ann Gannon – Photography (5)Nina Guido – Drawing and Illustration (5)Kiley Hogancamp – Painting (4)Travis Livingston – Photography (1)Skylah Morano – Drawing and Illustration (1)Hannah Sullivan – Photography (5)Nina Tamburri – Photography (2)Maria Tsangarakis – Photography (6)

Marlboro High School’s Skyla Morano earned a Silver Key award for her work titled “Watermelon.”

Marlboro High School student Nina Guido earned a Silver Key award for “Apple Eater.”

Student Artists Earn Regional Recognition

Jake Diana’s work “Fuzzy Fingers” earned him a Gold Key award.Prince West

and Naversia Alexander, Grade 8 students at Marlboro Middle School, work on their Chromebooks during Alicia Hudak’s ELA class.

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Spelling BeesCC ongratulations to Marlboro Middle School (MMS) Grade 7

student Gianna Barbero and Marlboro Elementary School (MES) Grade 5 student Harrison Solomon, who won fi rst place in their schools’ respective Spelling Bees, held on December 8.

Also earning top prizes were MMS students Jaisal Patel, who took second place in the competition, and Juliana Duarte, who won third. Over at MES, Holden West placed second and Claire Devine took third.

A total of 71 students from Grades 4-8 competed in the District-level Spelling Bees, which were sponsored by the Marlboro Central School District REACH Program. To qualify, students from both schools had to score well on a written exam and complete practice sessions.

Marlboro’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction Robin Hecht coordinated the Spelling Bees, with help from secretary Kathy Fabrizio and MMS teacher Kassia Messina. MMS English teacher Alicia Hudak and Library Media Specialist Robin Amer were the announcers for the events and judges included Superintendent of Schools Michael Brooks, MMS Social Worker Lisa Cracolici, Integration Technology Specialist John Marallo, Director of Pupil Services Roseanne Mele, Board of Education Trustee JoAnn Reed, and MES Principal Patricia Walsh.

The fi rst place winners went on to compete in the Scripps Capital Region Spelling Bee, held in Schenectady, New York on February 7.

Kudos to all who participated!

FUNwith STEMSTEMStudents in Christy Porter’s Kindergarten

class at Marlboro Elementary School had

fun in STEM centers this January. The

students worked as engineers to plan

and create LEGO mazes, arctic igloos, and

cup towers. These fun hands-on activities

were designed to grow the little ones’

skills in the areas of science, technology,

engineering, and math.

Marlboro Middle School’s 2017 Spelling Bee participants.

This year’s Spelling Bee contestants from Marlboro Elementary School.

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Non-Discrimination Statement of Marlboro Schools: Marlboro Schools offers equal educational and employment opportunities, including career and technical education opportunities, without regard to age, religion, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, as defi ned by New York State Human Rights Law. The MCSD prohibits discrimination and harassment of students on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender (including gender identity and expression) as defi ned in the New York State Dignity for All Students Act. Direct all inquiries or complaints regarding the MCSD’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Title IX Complaint Offi cer, M. Bakatsias, MCSD, 21 Milton Tpke, Milton, NY 12547, (845)236-4639. The District Offi cer will provide information, including policies and complaint procedures, to any citizen, student or employee who feels that s/he or her/his rights under Title VI, VII, IX/EEO, Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been violated by the MCSD or its offi cials.

High School Marks Anniversary of Pearl HarborFormer and current servicemen and women

from all branches of the military were invited to Marlboro High School (MHS) in December to witness a Remembrance Ceremony marking the anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

The annual event, which was hosted by the Student Senate and the National Honor Society, was full of ceremonial rituals, including a moment of silence, a tolling of the bells, a fl oral tribute, and the playing of “Taps.” Several students also recited World War II-era poems and speeches. Guests enjoyed a luncheon in the school’s library following the program.

According to MHS Assistant Principal Bruce Cortalano, the Pearl Harbor ceremony was organized for years by former teacher and military veteran John Igo, who passed away in 2014. “We continue it as a way to honor John’s legacy,” said Cortalano, a retired Air Force major. He added that the event has become an integral part of teaching students about an iconic time in United States history.

“It’s a wonderful way to salute our veterans and inform our young people about this unfortunate event that happened and changed the course of history,” he said. “As a retired offi cer, it’s something I feel very strongly about.”

Local veterans salute during Marlboro High School’s annual Pearl Harbor ceremony.

Everyday Heroes

United States Air Force Senior Master

Sergeant Leah B. VanStrander visited

Kindergarten classrooms at Marlboro Elementary

School (MES) recently to remind students about

the brave men and women who serve our

country and live in our communities. To help

illustrate her message, VanStrander, a MES parent,

read students the book Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood. Written by Valerie Pfundstein, the

book tells the story of a young boy who discovers

that many members of his community—the

butcher, the barber, the librarian, etc.—have

also helped protect our freedom and liberty

by serving in various branches of the military.

“The story helps foster an appreciation for the

service men and women who are also our family

members, friends, and neighbors,” said MES

Principal Patricia Walsh. “We are grateful to

SMSgt. VanStrander for sharing it with our students!”

Marlboro Students Compete in Geography Bees

Angelina Calderone, a Grade 5 student from Marlboro Elementary School,

and Ryan Crosby, a Grade 8 student from Marlboro Middle School (MMS),

won their schools’ respective Geography Bees on January 25.

The competitions, which were organized by MMS teachers Geoff rey Pesano

and Kassia Messina, served as the fi rst round in the 29th annual National

Geographic Bee, sponsored by the

National Geographic Society.

According to Messina, this is

the third year that the Marlboro

Central School District has

participated in the event , which

gives students the opportunity

to learn and grow in the area of

geography.

Angelina and Ryan will now

take a written test in an attempt

to qualify for the New York State

Geography Bee on March 31. The

National Geographic Society will

provide each state winner an all-

expense paid trip to Washington D.C.

to participate in the National Bee

Championships in May.

The winner of that competition

will receive a $50,000 college

scholarship and other prizes.

Veterans representing all branches of the military listen during the Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony, held at Marlboro High School this past December.

From left: Marlboro Middle School (MMS) teacher Geoffrey Pesano poses with MMS Geography Bee winners Ryan Crosby, fi rst place; Seamus Daly, second place; and Noah Gecht, third place. Also pictured is Director of Curriculum and Instruction Robin Hecht.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Robin Hecht (back left) and Marlboro Elementary School (MES) Principal Patricia Walsh (back right) pose with MES Geography Bee winners (from left) Holden West, second place; Angelina Calderone, fi rst place; and Tommy Rusk, third place.