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OCTOBER 2012 • HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT • HASTINGS HAPPENINGS • 1 astings appenings H H H H H H Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2012 W elcome to the 2012-2013 school year and to our first issue of the Hastings Happenings Newsletter. We hope that you will come to expect and enjoy this periodic news update regarding your schools. In the future, we will publish our newsletter electronically and hope to pass along “hot topic” informa- tion. ere will always be space devoted to Board of Education news as well as student programs. e school year is off to a terrific start. Students arrived for their first day of the new school year on September 4th, eager and excited for the challenges ahead. As your new superintendent, I have had the pleasure of meeting with staff, students, parents and community members throughout the summer and look forward to seeing and meeting more of you at our various school functions. My first impressions have affirmed what everyone has been saying about Hastings. It is truly a great place to live and work. It is an honor for me to lead such an outstanding school district comprised of dedicated students, parents, educators and community members who are committed to working together “to create a vibrant learning community.” Roy R. Montesano Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools Continued on page 3 Your Guide to What's Happening in the Hastings-on-Hudson School District A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT A LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION O n behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to welcome everyone back to the schools aſter what we hope was a fun and relaxing summer. Each fall always brings a sort of “New Year” feel- ing to everyone involved in the schools, whether it is students with new classmates, new teachers, and subjects or teachers coming back from their summer learning opportunities with new ideas for their classes. ere are fresh starts and resolutions. For the board members this fall, there is a particularly strong “New Year” feeling Continued on page 2 The Fab Four.........................page 2 Where is Mrs.Sullivan?....page 3 The Dignity Act...............page 4 Coach Vaccaro................page 4 National Merit Scholarships ............................................. page 5 New Faces.....................page 6 Hillside Library News..page 7 LWECLC Letter..........page 8 Civil War Seminar......page 9 Summer Research...... page 9 Facility Improvements...page 10 Academic Challenge Team..... .................................................page 11 INSIDE
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Page 1: Hastings Happeings - Oct 2012

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 2 • H A S T I N G S - O N - H U D S O N U N I O N F R E E S C H O O L D I S T R I C T • H A S T I N G S H A P P E N I N G S • 1

astings appenings

HHHH

HHVolume 1 , Issue 1 , October 2012

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year and to our fi rst issue of the Hastings Happenings Newsletter. We hope that you will come to expect and

enjoy this periodic news update regarding your schools. In the future, we will publish our newsletter electronically and hope to pass along “hot topic” informa-tion. Th ere will always be space devoted to Board of Education news as well as student programs.

Th e school year is off to a terrifi c start. Students arrived for their fi rst day of the new school year on September 4th, eager and excited for the challenges ahead. As your new superintendent, I have had the pleasure of meeting with staff , students, parents and community members throughout the summer and look forward to seeing and meeting more of you at our various school functions. My fi rst impressions have affi rmed what everyone has been saying about Hastings. It is truly a great place to live and work. It is an honor for me to lead such an outstanding school district comprised of dedicated students,

parents, educators and community members who are committed to working together “to create a vibrant learning community.”Roy R. Montesano Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools Continued on page 3

Your Guide to What's Happening in the Hastings-on-Hudson School District

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

A LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

On behalf of the Board of Education, I would

like to welcome everyone back to the schools aft er what we hope was a fun and relaxing summer. Each fall always brings a sort of “New Year” feel-ing to everyone involved

in the schools, whether it is students with new classmates, new teachers, and subjects or teachers coming back from their summer learning opportunities with new ideas for their classes. Th ere are fresh starts and resolutions.

For the board members this fall, there is a particularly strong “New Year” feeling Continued on page 2

The Fab Four.........................page 2Where is Mrs.Sullivan?....page 3The Dignity Act...............page 4Coach Vaccaro................page 4National Merit Scholarships............................................. page 5New Faces.....................page 6Hillside Library News..page 7LWECLC Letter..........page 8Civil War Seminar......page 9Summer Research...... page 9Facility Improvements...page 10Academic Challenge Team......................................................page 11

INSIDE

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for two main reasons. Th e fi rst is the presence of our new superintendent. Dr. Montesano has jumped right in, deal-ing with a number of important issues including contract negotiations, hiring some new staff – including a Director of Physical Education and Athletics, implementing the State’s newly required teacher review process (or APPR, Annual Professional Performance Review), which requires a signifi -cant amount of training and paperwork, as well as respond-ing to the “focus” classifi cation of the middle school as a re-sult of student performance on state tests in 2010-11. Th e second reason is the completion of our most recent round of contract negotiations with each of our four bargaining units. We reached an agreement with our custodial union in the spring of 2011, and the administrative and clerical unions during the spring of 2012. Talks with the Teachers Association took a bit longer, but following Dr. Montesano’s arrival, progress was made and we were able to approve an agreement at our September 24 board meeting. Each of the unions agreed to substantive changes to their contracts that will help the district to control the growth of personnel expenditures in coming years. Th e board is appreciative of their cooperation and recognition of the continued stresses in the economy and the constraints on district revenues cre-ated by the property tax cap.

Th e presence of a permanent superintendent and the reso-lution of the contracts both provide a sense of stability to the educational and fi scal status of the district. Th is allows

the board, administration, and teachers to really get back to the core work of creating educational opportunities for our students.

During the coming year the board is likely to be focusing on a few areas, including facility projects – in particular the condition of the track at Reynolds Field, with the help of the Citizens’ Facility Advisory Committee that was formed last year, a comprehensive review of our middle school program based on a presentation seen at last fall’s State School Board Convention, technology usage, and curriculum articulation and alignment under the guidance of Dr. Mahony, our Di-rector of Curriculum and Instruction. We will also continue to follow legislative issues and may ask for your help in let-ting Albany know how their actions will aff ect our district, as we did with the mandate relief issue this past year.

Our intention is to have opportunities for community input and conversation on these topics. If you have ideas or con-cerns – on these or other issues – we encourage you to be in touch with board members, either during the public com-ment portions of our regular business meetings or by email or phone. All of our contact information is available on the school’s website under the Board of Education tab. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you a very successful school year.

Sincerely, Eileen BaecherBoard of Education President

Letter from the Board . . .continued from page 1

Scott Freiman is the creator of Deconstructing Th e Beatles, a series of entertaining multimedia presentations about the composition and production techniques of the

Beatles.

Scott ran an 80-minute dis-cussion with a class of 26 kids on the Beatles' song Strawberry Fields Forever. It was a lively presen-tation/discussion of the recording of the song and its revolutionary infl uence on music.

DISCUSSING THE FAB FOUR Composer and producer, Scott Freiman, speaks to Gerard Marciano's elective Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out: The Culture of the 1960s

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As you can see from the articles elsewhere in this issue, we welcome a number of new staff members to our District. Hastings continues to attract some of the best candidates in the fi eld and we are very excited about the new staff members who have chosen to join us this year. Th ere was a lot of work completed over the summer as our maintenance, custodial, secretarial, and administrative staff worked hard to ensure a smooth September opening. In addition, many of our teachers came in to get their rooms ready for their students.

Th e start of a school year brings with it excitement and challenge and this year is no diff erent. Th ere are a number of initiatives from the State Department of Education that will impact the work we do in our schools. Th e implementation of the Common Core Content Standards will provide a challenge as we work to align and articulate our curriculum to these new requirements. Th e Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. Th e standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, refl ecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.

In addition to the standards, the implementation of the new evaluation system required by all districts will change how we evaluate our teaching and administra-tive staff . Student achievement data will now be includ-ed as part of every teacher’s and administrator’s evalu-ation. We are working hard in collaboration with our professional staff to create an eff ective evaluation plan.

In September of 2010, the Dignity For All Act became law, and it takes eff ect with the start of the 2012-2013 school year. Th e Dignity Act seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimi-nation, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bully-ing on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. Th e Dignity Act also requires schools to include language addressing the “Act” in their codes of conduct. Additionally, schools will be responsible for collecting and reporting data regarding mate-rial incidents of discrimination and harassment.

Quality education that prepares students to meet the challenges and address the changes of the 21st century is a top priority in the Hastings School District. In his book, Th e Global Achievement Gap, Dr. Tony Wagner, co-director of the Change Leadership Group at the Harvard University Graduate School, writes “Work, learning, citizenship in the 21st century demand that we all know how to think – to reason, ana-lyze, weigh evidence, problem solve and to communicate eff ectively.”

Superintendent's Message . . .continued from page 1

Th at was the question for the

third graders this fall. As she has for each of the past three years, Mrs.

Sullivan started off the year’s study of conti-nents, oceans, and world communities by giving students in each class a set of clues detailing a city she visited during the summer. At the kick-off assembly, Mrs. Sullivan explained that she

had started her trip in London at the Summer Olympics — as a judo coach! Did you know that Mrs. Sullivan is a black belt in karate? She dem-onstrated some of her moves in front of the entire third grade at that assembly. Over the next four weeks, Mrs. Sulli-van gave students

in each class clues about where she had trav-eled. When they thought they knew the name of the city, country, and continent she had trav-eled to, a group would meet with Mrs. Sullivan. If the students were correct, she gave the class a picture and some additional information about the city. Finally, the grade came together to hear Mrs. Sullivan give a presentation about her en-tire trip. All of the children were excited to track her travels and to use their atlases, maps, and class globes to solve the answer to “Where in the World Was Mrs. Sullivan?”

e s y s r d f

e m

t e e s

Th at was the question for the

third graders this fall. As she has for each of the past three years, Mrs.

Sulli an started off the ear’s stud of conti

Continued on page 4

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Core academic subjects such as read-ing, writing, science, math, languages, social studies, and the arts remain the foundation of a comprehensive educa-tion and are more important than ever.

However, we must also develop each student's ability to think critically, ap-ply knowledge at high levels, and use technology and tools to access, evalu-ate, and communicate information. Both rigorous academic standards and 21st century skills are a bridge to au-thentic, intellectually challenging work by students in a world that holds un-precedented opportunities for educa-tion, personal growth, and fulfi llment.

Th e new school year is fi lled with much excitement and optimism. Th e various articles in this issue of the Hastings Happenings will introduce you to new faces as well as programs and activities. We are proud of our learning success-es and the outstanding performance of our students. As always, if you have questions or comments, feel free to give me a call or send an email at [email protected].

Dr. Roy MontesanoSuperintendent of Schools

“No Student shall be subjected to harassment by employees or students on school property or at a school function; nor shall any student be subjected to discrimination based on a person’s actual or per-ceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), or sex by school employees or students on school property or at a school function." - NYSED

The Dignity Act was created by the New York State Legislature and became effective July 1, 2012. The Dignity Act was established with the intent to provide a school environment free of discrimination and harassment. A component of this law requires school districts to create a reporting system that teachers, students, and parents can utilize to report situations that may violate this law.

The following link will allow you to report an event to the appropriate personnel within the Hastings-on-Hudson UFSD: http://tinyurl.com/bu5suyg

Superintendent's Message . . .continued from page 3

rassment roperty or at

nt be subjected actual or per-gin ethnic group

The Dignity ActEnacted July 1, 2012

After 24 years, Joe Vaccaro has stepped down from leading our Hastings Varsity football team. Above, Athletic Director Jesse Merchant presents Coach Vaccaro with a commemorative football. Please join us in thanking the coach for all his efforts over the years and wish him well as he devotes himself to his own family team of triplets.

24 years as Varsity Football - Head Coach – 1988-201199 Wins

Coach of the Year – 2000, 2006League Champions – 1995, 2000, 2003

Four Time Sectional SemifinalistSectional Finalist – 2010

THE END OF AN ERA — HASTINGS HONORS JOE VACCARO

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Hastings High School is very pleased to announce that 19 of its seniors were deemed National Merit Scholarship candidates. Th is September 12th, offi -cials from the National Merit Scholar-ship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifi nalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Of these 19, six Hastings students were recog-nized as NMSC Semifi nalists. With just 16,000 semifi nalists in the whole country, which is less than one percent of all high school seniors, to have six semifi nalists for such a small school is an achievement.

Th ese six academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to

continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $32 million, that will be off ered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifi -nalists must fulfi ll several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2013 will be announced in four nation-wide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. Th ese schol-arship recipients will join more than 291,000 other distinguished young peo-ple who have earned the Merit Scholar-ship title.

Six Hastings students recognized as NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

2013Candidates and Semifi nalists

SEMIFINALISTSMarcin Bisaga

Christopher ErdmanJulia LoganHaris NairAriana Ray

Sophia Swiderski

COMMENDED STUDENTSJohn Boyer

Matthew FilipekMiles HirozawaMeghan Hogan

Craig LaingNina Lerner

Nicholas MorrissImani Paul

Jacob PolsteinBerenice Tompkins

OUTSTANDINGPARTICIPANTGabrielle Ebron

Imani PaulJulia Logan

Haris NairChristopher Erdman

Ariana RayDayna Wilmot Sophia Swiderski Marcin Bisaga

the Merit Scholar-title.

CCCCCHastings Yellow Jackets 2nd Annual

All Former members of the Boys and Girls Teams!

Wednesday, November 21st @ 5:00 pm – Cochran GymRSVP to

Ezra Elliott [email protected] La Padula [email protected]

Reconnect with your former teammates and coaches!

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Imani PaulDayna Wilmot

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ADAM LODEWICKDirector of Physical Education and Athletics

Mr. Adam Lodewick is the new Director of Physical Edu-cation and Athletics here at Hastings. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communi-cations, Physiological Studies from the Uni-versity of Maryland, a Master of Science in Elementary Educa-tion from Mercy Col-lege and his School District Leader Ad-vanced Diploma from the College of New Rochelle. He played Division 1 lacrosse at the University of Maryland where he was a scholar athlete, an ACC champion and a National Championship runner-up twice. He coached collegiately at Bryant College. Mr. Lodewick says “Sports are my passion. Th ey teach communication, discipline, time management, responsibility, accountability and the importance of competition. Th ese are all very important qualities that will help one be successful in life and qualities I hope to help instill in the student-athletes here at Hastings.”

BENJAMIN LEVYHigh School English Teacher

Mr. Benjamin Levy is “thrilled beyond belief — and humbled beyond measure — to join the stellar Hastings

English Department.” He is also “tremen-dously excited” to integrate his 25 years of experience in other fi elds with the lan-guage arts curricu-lum. Mr. Levy has had an unusual career. For the past eight years, he has run a summer

camp program of his own design that focuses on brain and confi dence building. It combines all of his specialties, from origami and juggling to mnemonics and ballroom dancing. As a memory expert and author of the now-

NEW FACES IN HASTINGSstandard guide Remember Every Name Every Time he has been quoted widely, from Th e Washington Post to Th e Play-boy Advisor. He has made television appearances on shows from CNN’s Business Day to Th e View. As a dialog coach and memory trainer he worked with Broadway stars like Frank Langella and corporate stars like Mike Bloomberg. He has performed as a magician and entertainer at venues across the country, from White Castle to the White House. “But,” Mr. Levy says, “Nothing in my career — seriously — has been as rewarding as working with my dedicated col-leagues and my determined students!”

KEITH BARCA2nd Grade Teacher

Mr. Keith Barca is a new second grade teacher at Hillside Elementary. Mr. Barca grew up right here in Hastings-on-Hudson and is a proud Hillside graduate. Mr. Barca says, "Th is area has always been very special to me and I’m hap-py to once again be a part of the community." Mr. Barca received his Bachelor degree in Psychology from the University at Albany and a Master degree in Childhood Ed-

ucation from Sarah Law-rence College. He started his career teaching fi rst grade in Philadelphia, and has taught fi rst and third grades at Hillside. "I be-came an educator because I love interacting with stu-dents and enjoy the chal-lenge of developing a new generation of thinking

individuals. I feel privileged to have this opportunity and look forward to a great school year," said Mr. Barca.

ERIN McEVILY2nd Grade Teacher

Erin McEvily is a new second grade teacher at Hillside Elementary. "For as long as I can remem-ber," says Ms. McEvily, "I have wanted to be a teacher and my par-ents can certainly attest to that. One year, I remember getting a chalkboard for

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Christmas. I set up my entire basement as my classroom and made my young-er sister (and all my dolls!) act as my students."Ms. McEvily grew up in New Rochelle and currently lives in Larchmont. Ms. McEvily graduated from Fairfi eld Uni-versity and went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching from Manhattanville College. Previously, she taught both fi rst and second grade for two years at North Street School in Greenwich, Connecticut. "I am very excited to be a member of the Hillside Community and am looking forward to the year ahead!," says Ms. McEvily.

CAROLINE GIZZIHigh School Science Teacher

Ms. Caroline Gizzi grew up in Rockland County, New York. She gradu-ated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Th omas Aquinas College where she also obtained her Master of Science in Teaching degree. Ms. Gizzi was also a college athlete, playing on the tennis team. She says, "I love the fi eld of education and always knew that I wanted to become a high school chemistry teacher. Chemistry can be a very diffi cult subject to learn. My goal is to teach chemistry in a way that my students will enjoy what they learn and be encouraged to continue on in the fi eld of science."

Dual Language CollectionTh e beginning of our Spanish/Dual Language collection, which was funded by the Hastings Education Foundation, has just arrived and it is delicioso! Lots of nonfi ction for new-ish readers, picture books that we have in English are now available in Spanish for monolingual parents, bilingual Spanish speaking kids and Spanish learn-ing K-4 kids in school. Drop by and take a look at El Rincon Espanol.

Library TutoringTh e very successful high school program for aft er-school tutoring of third and fourth graders at Hillside began on Monday, September 24th, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in the library. We currently have 11 HHS tutors signed up. For more information, please email Ms. Ratterree at [email protected].

Library MuralWhen at Hillside, take a minute to admire the beauti-ful mural that three last-year seniors – Majia Honig, Daisy Lee and Antonia Barolini – painted for us during their internship in the last six weeks of school. Th e works of art join the hallway murals painted by three 2011 seniors – Darla Barolini (sister of Antonia), Nicole Pollini and Alden Freed. We are becoming the Sistine Chapel of Libraries!

eeara n-annd

ool thirdd

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Dear Parents,

I am reaching out to you today as a concerned parent and community member. In my positions as Co-Chair of the Lower Westchester Education Consortium and Legislative Chair of the Westchester East Putnam Region PTA, I have been made keenly aware of the impact that education reforms and legislation from both Albany and Washington, DC are having on public schools in our region. Hastings has been very lucky, relatively speaking, in that we have not had to dramatically cut staffi ng and programs like some of our neighboring communities, but if things do not change, we too will be facing diffi cult cuts.

New York public schools are fac-ing challenging times. Th ere has been a steady reduction in state aid, which in 2012 was coupled by the property tax cap levy, leaving ourschools with diminished sources of funding, and our school boards and superintendents with less local control. We have seen an increase in costly unfunded mandates, including, – beginning this year and, most profoundly, – the implemen-tation of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR). Th e APPR is an assessment tool for teachers and principals that relies on standard-ized testing, observations, and locally developed assessments to measure performance. Schools are respon-sible for the cost of administrative

training, purchasing and copying of standardized tests, test correction, and the storage of student and teacher data. School districts are also respon-sible for developing and funding local assessments.

Th ere are many other concerns as well, about the culture of standardized testing and how it will impact the quality of teaching and our students' classroom experiences. So many of us chose to live in Hastings because of the schools and we want them to refl ect a balanced approach to learn-ing. Th ere may be a time and a place for assessment, but we also want our children to be in an environment that allows for academic freedom, problem solving, exploration, and creativity.

School funding, local control, and the APPR are key issues that every parent should be aware of. It is with this in mind that we are organizing coff ees for later this fall. Th e Superintendent, School Board Members, and Admin-istrators from the district, as well as representatives from the PTSA, would like to meet with you to discuss these very important issues and to address any questions and concerns you may have.

If you would like to host a cof-fee, please contact me at: [email protected]. We will also be keeping you updated on legislative issues that could impact the district

both through this column and through a Lower Westchester Education Consortium link on our district website. I would also like to take this time to strongly urge you to become a member of the PTSA. Part of our power as parents will be as part of a voting bloc (much like AARP). We need to become public education advocates and voters. When we work together, our voices become more powerful.

Th ank you for your time and I amlooking forward to working with you....

Sincerely,Tracy PyperLegislative Representative

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What did you do this summer?

Students from the high school science research class had a very busy summer taking part in various internships across the country. As part of the research course, students fi nd a mentor who is willing to work with them to determine a research question to be answered and then assist the students in carrying out that research. Students are an active part of the research team and learn how authen-tic science research happens.

Th is summer was rich in experiences for the students! Sebastian Kane explored air entrainment in phosphate esters at ICL in Ardsley. Julia Logan and Carrie Freeman worked at the VA Hospital in Manhattan analyzing factors that may contribute to readmission to the hospital for patients who were initially admitted due to heart failure. Zoe Eisenberg worked at Metropolitan Hospital determin-ing if the smell of the doctors examining room aff ects the mood of the patient. Rachel Eisenberg went out to Berkeley College in California where she looked at carbon levels in the soil and plant growth as a result of applying compost and manure to grazing lands. Aleks Radovanovic was working at NYU Medical Cen-ter on a project determining if salt sensitivity changes when patients are given salt pills. Matt Fastman was at the New York Blood Center researching molecular modeling and drug design for the treatment of HIV. Ariana Ray was selected for the Simon’s Program at Stony Brook University where she worked in the Laser Teaching Cent er looking at moiré patterns. Haris Nair was selected for the Gar-cia Program also at Stony Brook University where he did research on fuel cells.

Students are preparing to present their research in various science competitions this fall and spring. We are also very excited to have the students present their research to the Hastings community at our fi rst Hastings High School Science Research Symposium on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

Matt Fastman

Aleks Radovanovic

Carrie Freeman

SUMMER RESEARCH AT HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL

FMS teacher leads CIVIL WAR SEMINAR

Rachel Eisenberg

Farragut Middle School social studies teacher Elaine Barella led seminars on the Civil War at Gettysburg College and on the United States Constitution in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Th is summer, Farragut Social Stud-ies teacher, Elaine Barella travelled to Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA, to serve as a Pedagogical Expert

by leading a seminar entitled “Th e American Civil War through Material Culture.” Ms. Barella also travelled to Frankfort, Kentucky to serve as the Pedagogical Expert for a TAH grant to the teachers of Kentucky on the Unit-ed States Constitution. Th e seminar in Kentucky was led by the renowned historian and Constitutional expert Dr. Richard Beeman of the University of Pennsylvania.

Th e Gettysburg Seminar, led by re-nowned historian Peter S. Carmichael

Continued on page 11

Elaine Barella

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Facility Improvements and RepairsAt the close of the 2011-2012 school year, the Facilities Committee identified several areas of school property that required attention. The buildings and grounds staff took advantage of the summer months for making much needed repairs and improvements to our facilities.

The path down to Reynolds Field has been completely refurbished. Repairs included replacing a collapsing retaining wall, new fencing and the removal of several dead trees.

The deteriorating floor of the middle school gymnasium was replaced by a much improved engineered wood flooring material.

The front entrance to the high school was completely renovated. The cracked and deteriorating steps leading to the high school entrance were replaced as well as repainting and replacement of railings in the vestibule.

Hazardous conditions around numerous window wells were remedied by new fencing and safety gratings.

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Owing largely to a generous $1000 grant from the PTSA, Hastings was there with two teams to defend its title as the National Champion in the Small School Division. Participants were "A" Team members Vassilis Roussochatzakis, Isaac Shimsky-Agosto, Matthew Ocana, and Christopher Erdman, and "B" Team members Jesse Guterman, Emmett Wechsler, Haris Nair, and Miles Lewis.

Hastings "A" team posted a record of 4-2 in the preliminary rounds, thereby earning the right to compete the next day in the single elimination phase of the tournament. Hastings "A" notched two victories in that phase which launched them into the Alexan rounds, losing its fi nal match, and the chance to compete on Sunday, by a mere fi ve points.

Offi cial word was received on June 11th that, for the third consecutive year, Hastings "A" scored enough points to retain the title of National

Small School Champion in Academic Challenge.

FRONT ROW: Emmett Wechsler, Jesse Guterman, Vassilis Roussochatzakis (standing)MIDDLE ROW: Miles Lewis, Haris Nair, Isaac Shimsky-AgostoBACK ROW:Matt Ocana, Chris Erdman

Offi cial word was received on June 11th that, for the third consecHastings "A" scored enough points to retain the title o

Small School Champion in Academic Challenge.

Hastings Academic Challenge Team retains SMALL SCHOOL NATIONAL ACADEMIC CHAMPION TITLE!

As it does every spring, the Hastings Academic Challenge Team competed in the National Academic Championship, held this year in three cities: Alexandria VA, New Orleans LA, and Chicago IL. Hastings competed in Alexandria on June 1-3, 2012.

of Gettysburg College and middle school teacher Elaine Barella, in-cluded seminar participants who were K–8 teachers, library educators, and National Park Service interpreters who had been selected by the Gilder Lehrman Institute in a competitive process.

Co-sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the Civil War Institute, the seminar explored the many ways that teach-ers can utilize artifacts, photographs, and historical sites as a means to understand the revolutionary ex-periences and consequences of the Civil War. Participants divided their time between the classroom, the Gettysburg battlefi eld, and various historic sites. Special attention was given to the ways that the “stuff of the past” can communicate how historical people made diff erent meanings and memories of the Civil War. Field excursions, combined with lectures and small group discus-sions, off ered teachers new methods and materials that can, in turn, be used to inform and engage students of all ages and learning styles.

Civil War Seminar . . .continued from page 9

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NEWSLETTER OF THE HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON UFSD

Roy R. Montesano Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

BOARD OF EDUCATION27 Farragut Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson NY 10706(914) 478-6200 www.hastings.k12.ny.usBOARD MEMBER (TERM EXP IRES)PHONE EMAIL

Eileen Baecher, President (2015)275-7318 [email protected]

Jodie Meyer, Vice President (2014)478-0619 [email protected]

Caryn Campbell (2013)674-8595 [email protected]

Lindsey Hicks (2015)478-4973 [email protected]

Donna Laing (2015)478-5788 [email protected]

Gabrielle Lesser (2014)478-1718 [email protected]

Wendy Naidich (2013)478-4146 [email protected]

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The Board of Education of the Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District does not discriminate in the educational programs and activities which it operates as per the requirements of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you suspect that your child has a disability that may require special education services or accommodations in order to access our educational and/or extracurricular programs contact:

Deborah AugartenDirector of Special Education Services

478-6261 [email protected]

If you need information about the Hastings-on-Hudson School Districtcontact the

District's Public Information Office at 478-6206 or visit the District Website at: www.hastings.k12.ny.us

or watch WHOH-TV