Volume 3, Issue 1Volume 3, Issue 1

September 2013September 2013

North Colonie Central School District

Thea MacFawn, SHS English teacher, was chosen as one of twenty teachers nationwide to be an education fellow at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington this past summer. Thea’s interest in history, literature and social justice and her commitment to conveying their importance to her

students, led to her selection for the program. Her goal of using literature to convey history also fits with the type of teacher the museum seeks to be one of its ambassadors. Thea traveled to Washington in July and attended the training with the intent to use this to enhance the curriculum, and design a Holocaust Remembrance Day at Shaker High School. “We’re currently working on projects that have a human rights angle to them within our 10th grade curriculum. It will be an opportunity for students to take what they learned about the Holocaust and to apply it to a social justice issue that’s important to them.” Congratulations Thea!

September

October

November

UPCOMING EVENTS

Over the summer, JHS Social Studies Teacher Seth Harris participated in the American Bar Association's "Federal Trials and Great Debates in US History" teacher institute in Washington DC. Seth got the ultimate Supreme Court experience when he was able to sit in the Supreme Court courtroom as they released their major decisions to the public. He heard Justice Anthony Kennedy read his majority opinion in the Defense of Marriage Act case and Justice Antonin Scalia read his scathing dissent. Afterward, he met with Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her chambers and heard the inside scoop of how the court operates. Seth reports that it was an amazing experience and we know that he will be able to translate his experiences into the classroom setting. Awesome!

Justice Sonia Sotomayor

and Seth Harris

Page 2 The Ins ide Resou rce Volume 3, Issue 1

“The Capitaland Chorus was asked to sing the national anthem at the Opening Day at the Saratoga Race Track as part of their 150th-year celebration” Marilyn Semerad, SHS

“My family was the "Safari of the Day" at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney World. We got a nice upgrade and had a blast at the parks!” Angela Stadnik, LR

“I completed a stone wall after nearly 5 years of back-breaking labor and love -Vacationed on the New Hampshire and Maine shoreline -Watched my 12 year old son enjoy life.” Marc Jackson, SHS

"I completed an intensive yoga teacher training in Saratoga. I enjoyed working with amazing people while gaining strength and peace" -Erika Pelletier, DOL

“I enjoyed kayaking, reading, gardening, spending quality time with family & friends, and treasuring every precious moment with my nephew Jared. Oh, Life is Good!” Tracy Fitzpatrick, BH

“I went to Marco Island, FL with my husband's entire family. My baby started

to walk too.” Anna O’Donnell, DOL

“I went to the Cape for a curling tournament, worked 38 games at Valleycats, went to visit my friends’ new baby down in NYC, went to Lake Vanare twice, went on the

boat and the best: just sat in the sun by my pool!!!”

Michael Springstead, LV

“My husband and I finally figured out how to keep the kids occupied for a while…a week on Emerald Isle – absolute paradise!” Erin Mailloux, JHS

“My family and I traveled to Niagara Falls.” Patricia Carlson, BC

“I went to California for the first time to visit my sister. I saw the Hollywood sign, walked along Venice Beach, ate some

amazing food, and toured around Los Angeles. I also took a day trip to the San Diego Zoo.” Jamie Longtin, SHS

“Our family spent a week on Cape Cod and hosted a Fresh Air Fund teenager (his 6th year with us) and lots of baseball!” Eileen Satterlee, BC

"I dressed up as Elton John and performed Crocodile Rock in front of hundreds of people at the legends show on my cruise to Port Canaveral, Nas-sau, and Freeport." Shane Pacelli, BH

“I kissed a sting ray!” SooYeon Kim, BH

“I hiked every week in the Adirondack Mountains and

have completed 10 mtns with firetowers....only 8 to go to meet the ADK Firetower Challenge!!”

Faith Turner, SG

“I ran my first Half Marathon, participating in the Warrior Dash, slalom water skiing, spent a week in Cape Cod, and met fashion designers, and a jeweler/sculptor at a fashion show for The Ronald McDonald House” Lynn Marie Paris, SHS

“I spent a wonderful two weeks on Nantucket Island with my family!” Jennifer Fletcher, BC

“My wife and I traveled to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic .” Robert Massie, SHS

“I went to the PGA tournament in Rochester for the first time.”

Carol Kemp, BC

“I spent my 48th summer working at a

children's camp in New Hampshire!” Priscilla Griffin, BH

“Took another trip to Europe with a few of our students. Visited London, Paris, south Western France to Barcelona. Awesome experience for all! Family vacation to Maine - St. George area, Tenant Bay Harbor area.

Did my usual volunteering at Pruyn House, various road races. Relaxed!” Marbry Gansle, SHS

“My family traveled to Canada, Cleveland & Mexico.” John Slyer, JHS

Volume 3, Issue 1 Page 3 The Ins ide Resou rce

Heidi Quackenbush, Teacher Aide, Blue Creek Heidi Quackenbush and her daughter Kara (6th grade at Blue Creek) decided to give of themselves, literally, by donating their hair to Locks Of Love. Heidi donated 12” of hair and Kara donated 10”. This is not the first time that Heidi has donated her hair to this outstanding organization. She did it about 4 1/2 years ago with her daughter

Kelsey, who is now a Shaker graduate. Heidi and Kara went to Rumors salon, where they took care of everything, from the hair donation to a free hair cut. Locks Of Love uses the donated hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

Heidi and Kara have already started the process of regrowing their hair, so they can make another donation in the future. Thanks Heidi and Kara for your selfless contribution!

North Colonie Inspiration Stories

Heidi before, during and after her donation to Locks of Love Kara before

and after

“My husband Bob and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in Aruba”

Darlene Comproski, BH

“My wife and I made progress as aspiring Adirondack 46ers. We summited Porter, Cascade, & Wright, bringing our total to 12.” Jim Colton, SHS

“Maintained my weight loss! Went to Gettysburg Battlefield for 150th Anniversary of Battle, and Hershey Park. Sent my son to Korea for 10 days for World Tae Kwon Do Youth Camp!” Pat Lorini, SHS

“I took a baking class at King Arthur Flour, went to a beautiful lavender farm where I harvested my own lavender, took a pottery class and spent some time at the ocean. I also had a chance to spend time with my daughter

from California.” Pamela Lavallee, BH

“My husband and I went to

the Rock and Roll Hall of

Fame in Cleveland, OH for

the first time.

It was fantastic!!”

Nancy Rapsard, SHS

“Deejayed Breanne Collins, now last name Taylor's wedding. It was incredible.” Caroline Kurkowski, BC “Took a tour of the Los An-

geles skateboarding parks. I have a 16 year old who loves to shred (aka skate!!!)” Beth Carroll, LV

“I went to Hawaii for 2 weeks. Visited Pearl Harbor, went to a luau, visited Oahu, Kawaii

and Maui. Beautiful!!!” Leo Rausch, SHS

Have news that you want to share? email: hr@ncolonie.org

Page 4 Volume 3, Issue 1

In Memoriam Nancy Contois

Mrs. Contois passed away on July 5th at the age of 59. She was a graduate of Shaker High School and later was a cook at North Colonie for several years.

Adelaide Keetz Mrs. Keetz passed away on September 1st at the age of 83. She taught Business at Shaker High School and Mechanicville High School.

The Ins ide Resou rce

New Arrivals Amber Cost, Science Teacher, SHS

Son: Cayden Thomas, June 14

Kenneth Rizzo, Social Studies Teacher, JHS

Son: Parker William-Joseph, June 24

Meghan Testa, Classroom Teacher, LR

Daughter: Charlotte Suzanne, June 25

Kathryn Sheridan, Spanish Teacher, JHS/SHS

Son: Colin Matthew, June 26

Tina Forgea, Classroom Teacher, LV

Son: Ryan George, July 8

Diana Karl, Music Teacher, SG

Son: Thomas Vincent, July 17

Lindsay Tresansky, Mathematics Teacher, SHS

Son: Lucas Joshua, July 20

Tara Proper, Teacher Aide, SHS

Daughter: Kaidence Harper, July 26

Kelly McCloskey, Special Education Teacher, BH

Son: William Patrick, August 5

Kristin Lopez, English Teacher, SHS

Daughter: Katherine Mary, August 9

Heather Lane, Classroom Teacher, BH

Son: Ryan Joseph, August 12

Maryjane Vece, Teaching Assistant, JHS

Son: Benjamin Jude, August 19

Thank You!

William Patrick McCloskey

Kaidence Harper Proper

Parker William-Joseph Rizzo

Lucas Joshua Tresansky

Name Changes Sarah Fetcho is now Sarah Kalinkewicz

Breanne Collins is now Breanne Taylor

This summer was extremely busy time for the District as

we hired a large number of new employees. There was so

much work to do! From reviewing resumes, coordinating

interviews, checking references, on-boarding, inputting the

new hires in our HRIS/payroll system, preparing the Board

agenda and finally, welcoming our new staff!

We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who

worked so hard in making the process smooth for our

administrators and new hires. Specific recognition goes out

to Michele Bianchino, Linda Treffiletti and Eileen Wood (all in

Pupil Services); Jane Dawson and Dottie Bovard in the

Human Resources Department, as well as Jennie Crandall,

Kathy Delehanty and Carol McAuliffe in the Payroll

Department, for all of their long hours, attention to detail and

outstanding customer service. The work that they performed

was exceptional and is thoroughly appreciated by all!!