Tri-Valley School Scene 2015

A S p e c i a l S u p p l e m e n t t o t h e S u l l i v a n C o u n t y D e m o c r a tSCHOOL

SCENE

A look at activitiesin the

Tri-Valley School District

SECTION T, FEBRUARY, 2015CALLICOON, NY

Tri-Valley Focuses on STEM:To encourage college and career readiness

Nestled between the Nev-ersink and Rondout Res-ervoirs, Tri-Valley Central

School District in Grahamsville isthe second largest Sullivan Countydistrict in terms of land area, cover-ing 192 square miles. The nearly1100 students come from six differ-ent townships and live in bothUlster and Sullivan Counties.

Well known for its award-winningagricultural education program, thedistrict’s greenhouses, gardens and50-tree organic apple orchard isunrivaled in the county. However,Superintendent Thomas Palmer isexcited about a new passion that issprouting – the proliferation of sci-ence and technology at this small,rural school.

It makes sense – science and tech-nology are critical parts of a popularprogram like agriculture, but acrossthe board, from the elementarythrough high school, science and

technology are hot topics at Tri-Valley on many different levels.

“STEM is the obvious buzz word –science, technology, engineeringand math,” explained Palmer.“We’re trying to take it beyond theclassroom and give kids the oppor-tunity to put what they have learnedin the classroom to work in practicalapplications, and we’re doing that ina series of after-school programs.”

IT STARTS EARLYAt the elementary level, an after-

school STEM program is just start-ing up for fourth-graders. There wasso much interest, it had to be bro-ken into multiple sessions that willcontinue until every student whowants to participate has had theopportunity to do so. The program,which will teach students how tobuild a water filtration system, isspearheaded and organized by 4thgrade teacher Jacquelyn Borello.

Fifth and sixth-graders, workingwith 6th grade teacher John Ballard,just finished up a STEM programthat taught them how to build sim-ple electronics, including lessons inbasic fiber optics.

At the secondary school, seventhand eighth graders just finished apartnership program with SUNYSullivan’s robotics students andteacher Dan McCullough, wherethey built and designed their ownrobots. A second program isplanned that will incorporate greentechnology including solar panels, ahydro kit-car and windmills.

“We are trying to offer our stu-dents opportunities and the abilityto develop skills that will be useful

Tri-Valley Superintendent Thomas Palmerhas seen an upsurge in interest in scienceand technology at a district known for itstop notch agricultural programs.

2T TRI-VALLEY SCHOOL SCENE SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT FEBRUARY, 2015

Catskill MountainSugar House, LLC

10 Sugarhouse LaneGrahamsville, New York, 12740

Producers of maple syrup, maple cream & sugarSupplying local vendors year-round

Available locally at the Grahamsville Deli, Monticello Farmer’s Market, Catskill Harvest in Liberty, Peck’s Markets throughout Sullivan County, Eureka Market in Grahamsville, and GMart in Wurtsboro

845-985-781520780

Call for details (845) 292-3288

1234 Old Route 17, Ferndale, NY [email protected]

Hours:Thu - Fri: 7pm-10pm,

Sat: 1pm-4pm & 7pm-10pmSun: 1pm-4pm

2270

1

LIBERTY STUDENTS

BOGOGet 1

ADMISSION PASS

FREEwith every purchase

TRI-VALLEY STUDENTS

22705

[email protected]

Published byCatskill-Delaware Publications, Inc.

Publishers of the

(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723

February 3, 2015 • Vol. CXXIV, No. 66

School SceneA Look at Activities in the

Eldred School District

Publisher: Fred W. Stabbert III Senior Editor: Dan Hust Editor: Frank Rizzo Sports Editor: Ken Cohen Editorial Assistants: Jeanne Sager, Kaitlin Carney, Kathy Daley, Eli Ruiz, Guy Harriton, Allison Ruef, Alex Rau

Advertising Director: Liz Tucker Advertising Coordinator: Sandy Schrader Advertising Representatives: Cecilia Lamy, Barbara Matos Marketing Director: Tera Luty Business Manager: Susan Owens Business Department: Patricia Biedinger, Joanna Blanchard Telemarketing Coordinator: Michelle Reynolds Classified Manager: Janet Will Production Associates: Ruth Huggler, Tracy Swendsen, Rosalie Mycka, Elizabeth Finnegan, Petra Duffy, Nyssa Calkin Distribution: Bill Holmes, Thomas Duffy

Tri-Valley School District

February 17, 2015 • Vol. CXXIV, No. 70

ellenvilleregional.org | 10 Healthy Way | Ellenville NY 12428 | (845) 647-6400

At Ellenville Regional Hospital our Digital Diagnostic Imaging Department employs the latest equipment and procedures, expert technologists, and reassuring personal care. Digital imaging creates a new standard of diagnostic accuracy, and we offer all these services on site:

It’s good to know that a highly experienced Digital Diagnostic Imaging Department is located comfortably close to home. When you need answers fast, call (845) 647-6400 ext. 271.

When you need an accurate diagnosis,our digital imaging leads the way

Tom Burke, RT, MRI Technologist

• MRI and CT scan• Nuclear medicine• Digital mammograms with CAD

and bone density screening

• Cardiac stress tests and echocardiograms

• Ultrasound• General diagnostic imaging

Tom Burke, RT, MRI Technologist

2562

1

FEBRUARY, 2015 SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT TRI-VALLEY SCHOOL SCENE 3T

in a global economy, while at thesame time, provide programs thatare sustainable on our end,” saidPalmer.

ADVANCED PRINTINGWhile a 3D printer was briefly con-

sidered for the technology depart-ment, cost for materials was a bighindrance.

Instead, the district recently addeda laser engraver printer that can etchon wood and other materials.

“It does us no good to start a greatprogram with expensive equipment,only to find we can’t afford it in thelong run. So we are seeking out thetechnology and skills our studentsexpress an interest in and that wecan provide continuous supportfor,” Palmer said.

When it comes to science, theexcitement at the elementary levelwas palpable at the second annualPTO Science Fair, held on January23. Over 200 people attended, with36 students entering projects fromthird through sixth grades.

The PTO also offers a Mad Scienceafter-school enrichment programthat is facilitated by Mad Science ofthe Mid-Hudson out of Goshen. Thesecond session of this programbegan in January and filled upimmediately.

“We are so fortunate that our dis-trict supports the PTO’s efforts tobring enrichment programs andfamily-based events like the sciencefair to our community,” saidElizabeth McAndrew, PTO treasurerand the driving force behind the sci-ence fair.

Looking ahead, Palmer is opti-mistic about the future of Tri-Valleystudents. “Our goal is to give themthe opportunity to experience manydifferent types of real-world situa-tions, whether it be learning a mar-ketable skill or experiencing the dis-cipline of taking college-level cours-es as they progress in high school,”he said. “Whatever path our stu-dents choose to take, we want to doeverything possible to make thatpath an accessible one.”

Investment AdvisorsCreating and Preserving Wealth

Philip Coombe III, CFP®

Catherine Bender, CFP®

Lynn McDonald

Office locations:Main Office:

P.O. Box 333 / 6872 Route 209

Wawarsing, NY 12489

548 Broadway

Monticello, NY 12701

Call for appointment

Phone (845) 647-4800 • (800) 4 COOMBE

www.coombebender.com

Email: [email protected] 11232CALL NOW! 845-292-8810

w w w. p t a n d c h i r o p a i n r e l i e f . c o m 1202

1

We don't just sell cars, we are a Full Service Dealership. We Service what we sell. We Inspectwhat we sell. We warranty what we sell, and we offerextended warranties up to 48 months.We also do oil changes, car washing, detailing andNY State inspections.

S & M Auto Sales is a Full Service Auto Dealership.We have been in business for over 15 years and allwe do are cars & trucks. And if we don't have it on ourlot, we can get it for you!!!

845-436-9447 • www.sandmautosales.com1175 Rte. 52, Loch Sheldrake, NY Next to Sherman’s Service Center

22590

LAVA TOWING & RECOVERY7873 State Rte 52, Narrowsburg, NY 12764cell (845) 665-9827

Bruce M GettelOwner24-Hr. Service Local & Long Distance

2375

7

Guidance Department:

Helps students, families plan for the future, live for today

Last winter, Tri-Valley HighSchool welcomed two newguidance counselors, Eric

Marburger and Tara James-LaMonica. Not only were they newto the district, but both were startingtheir first job in this particular pro-fession.

But don’t mistake their youthful-ness for naivete – the past year hasproven to be productive andrewarding as new resources havebeen deployed and outreach hasbeen streamlined in an effort toassist students make the goodchoices along the bumpy road toadulthood.

Drawing on their not-so-distantpast experiences and commitmentto working with the whole student,Marburger and LaMonica are morethan coordinators of schedules,

career counselors and college plan-ners. While these are importantfacets of their role, LaMonica stress-es that none of that matters if a stu-dent is struggling with other issues.

“That is where the ‘whole student’concept comes in – for example, astudent who is facing major obsta-cles at home isn’t going to focus onplanning for next year or even nextmonth, so we do all we can to helpwhere we can,” she said.

Working with students in grades 7-12, Marburger and LaMonica saytheir approaches are tailored to dif-ferent grade levels and studentneeds. Both agree that a primarygoal at any age is to keep studentsengaged, focused and always think-ing about what will come next.

“It’s our goal to help studentsthrive academically, personally and

socially, and give them every oppor-tunity to explore the paths thatinterest them,” said Marburger. “Weare here to advocate and be thatvoice for them, and hopefully moti-vate them to make good choices.”

For students interested in contin-uing their education after high

school, the counselors help stu-dents and parents get through thecollege application and financial aidprocess, and connect them withcommunity resources to help themsucceed both during high schooland after graduation. The schoolwebsite’s guidance page was recent-ly updated to include more infor-mation to help parents do just that.

“I was the first in my family to goto college, so I can totally relate tofeeling intimidated by the process,”said Marburger. “I want to be thatperson that helps to guide andinspire students – and their parents.It can be a confusing, frustratingroad, and it’s my mission to makethat road a little easier to navigate.”

A challenge for students, accord-ing to LaMonica, is motivation.“Sometimes it can be difficult for


��

��Options for All Ages:

Career Building ~ College Prep ~ Online Courses ESOL Instruction ~ HS Equivalency Diplomas

Where FuturesBegin & DreamsAre Achieved !

(845) 295-4000www.scboces.org

��

10823

‘Sometimes it can be difficultfor students to think beyondtoday or even the near future,but we always encourage themto see the big picture...’

Tara James-LaMonicaGuidance counselor |


2222

0

449 Broadway • P.O. Drawer 1069Monticello, NY 12701

845/796-1010Fax 845/796-1040

THE LAW OFFICES OF

Walter Garigliano &Barbara A. Garigliano

From left, guidance counselors Eric Marburger and Tara James-LaMonica work with juniorKatelin Jester.

2099

6

them to think beyond today or eventhe near future,” she said. “But wealways encourage them to see thebig picture and give them as muchsupport as we can, starting as earlyas we can. By supporting each stu-

dents individuality and uniquequalities, we hope they will see thepotential they have to become pro-ductive, contributing young adultswhen they move on from Tri-ValleyHigh School.”

CREDITSAll photographs and stories for this special Tri-Valley Central School Scene are bySul livan County Demo crat Reporter/Photographer Allison Ruef. The Democrat would also like to thank theTri-Valley Central School District for all its cooperation in this project.

Although it’s an off-period andthere’s no class in session, thetechnology and industrial arts

classrooms at Tri-Valley are buzzing –literally. Students are busily workingduring their free period on variousprojects and table saws buzz asteacher Todd Huebsch shows off thelatest piece of equipment, a laserengraver printer.

The machine takes PDF and JPGimages from a computer and etchesthem on wood, anodized metals andeven plastic. The printer can engravewords and images, large and smallwith great detail and Huebsch andhis students look forward to using itto help create the many plaques andawards bestowed by the district eachyear.

“We can help save the schoolmoney and at the same time, it givesour students the experience usingthe machine. It’s a win-win,” he said.

In addition to the laser engraver,the well-appointed industrial artsshop boasts pretty much anything awood-worker would need to createeverything from tables to woodenvases to put on top of them.

At one time, Huebsch had to fight fornumbers to fill up his classes, but notany more. “They realized it was a fun,

hands-on course,” he said. “Whilesome students realize they are learn-ing a truly practical skill that they can

use throughout their lives, most justlove to be creative and have a non-tra-ditional outlet to do it.”

Non-traditional vs. traditional aca-demic learning is always a conun-drum that schools, teachers and stu-dents face.

“Some kids just don’t thrive in atraditional academic environment,but when they step into the shopand apply all they have been learn-ing throughout their school years, itclicks for them,” explained Huebsch.“I think it’s kind of ironic that STEMis all the rage. In this classroom, it’salways been about STEM.”

Next door, Huebsch’s colleague PhilPompeii’s classroom is also filledwith students busily working on proj-ects. FFA members are screen-print-ing tee-shirts for their annual leader-ship conference on a full-sized com-mercial silk-screen press. Others aremaking note pads on an offset print-ing press. In addition, a photographydarkroom and drafting tables givestudents the opportunity to takeadvanced woodworking, technicaltheater production and architecturaldrawing, giving them the potential to

Jared Malone, left and Jordan Geraine print note pads on the schools offset printing press.

Not your father’s shop class:Industrial arts and tech-ed

pack them in


TK

845-292-2686 • Liberty, NY - Insured & Established 1985 • Visit us at tkconst.com

• New Homes• Log Homes• Additions• Kitchens• Siding

• Garages• Windows• Drywall• Metal Studs

• AcousticalCeilings

• Jacking /Leveling

“It’s Your HOME...Have It Done

Right”

1587

4

Residential & Commercial

const.

Now’s the perfect time to plan for Spring/Summer renovations

845-292-7620ALLI-00952719813

INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS CORP.NEW CONSTRUCTION• RENOVATIONS • MAINTENANCE

CARLISLE CENTURION APPLICATORCOMPLETE COMMERCIAL ROOFING PROFESSIONALS

MARY JEAN ADRIAANS President

23039

(845) 985-2070Fax: (845) 985-2071

P.O. Box 574Neversink, NY 12765

Blooming GreenLawn Service

Over 20 years of Custom Lawn ServiceBen Knight, Owner

Neversink, NY(845) 985-0516

19585

set off a spark of interest in creativemanufacturing and productionprocesses.

Another benefit of technology andthe industrial arts is that it levels theplaying field for students. “Whenthey step into the shop for the firsttime, most are using the equipmentfor the first time,” says Huebsch.“Hands-on learning requires a differ-ent skill-set than traditional class-

room learning, so those who mightstruggle in the classroom have achance to blossom here. It allows stu-dents to be active and to producetangible, functional results.”

According to a 2009 study fromPurdue University, eighth-gradersusing hands-on engineering tech-niques learned more than studentswho learned from books and lec-tures. Another study by the Little

Hoover Commission in Californiashowed that students who participat-ed in shop classes were likely to staylonger in the education system.

For Huebsch, the goal is to give stu-dents a competitive skill for the work-place or college. “Everything we do inthe tech shops is for the benefit of thestudent,” he said, although he doesn’thave to. As the bell rings and the pro-

duction rooms fill up, it’s obviouswhy these courses have gone fromlow participation to trying to findenough room to accommodate allwho want to participate.

“Our kids truly want to learn andcreate. I’m really proud of them bythe end of the year – and they areproud of themselves, which is evenbetter,” said Huebsch.


ShopLike aGeniusShopLike aGenius

Back-to-SchoolSchool SuppliesArt Supplies

ComputersMultifunction PrintersSales & Service

Furniture

1973

3

KRISTT COMPANY

Your local source forAll Your School & Art Supplies!

Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM

WWW.KRISTT.COM

Our main place of business:Kristt CompanyMonticello Location

369 Broadway, P.O. Box 548Monticello, NY 12701845-794-6639

863 Main StreetHonesdale,PA 18431

570-253-9011

Our branch offi ce:Kristt CompanyHonesdale Location

20095

Ryan Banks shows off the end product.

Industrial arts student Ryan Banks uses the Epilog laser engraver/cutter to carve a designonto a wooden vase as teacher Todd Huebsch looks on.


Quality service. No referrals for network providers. And with some of the top dental providers in the area, Fidelis Care’s youngest members have a lot to smile about.

Fidelis Care offers full coveragefor preventive and routine dental care for kids.

(1-888-343-3547) • 1-888-FIDELIS | fideliscare.orgTo learn more about applying for health insurance including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State ofHealth, the Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

21288

Documents

Tri-Valley School Scene 2015