Long Lake Central School Newsletter

Long Lake Central School Newsletter
Kenneth Slentz - Superintendent Fred Short - Acting Principal	Superintendent’s Office - 624-2147 May 2004 Acting Principal Office - 624-2221

Long Lake Central School Newsletter is published irregularly by Long Lake Central School, PO Box 217, Long Lake NY 12847-0217

From the Superintendent’s Desk…

The only thing better about this time of year than the warmth of the sun is the fact that baseball season is here. Whether you’re a Yankees fan or not, there is a little something for everyone in this great game. The same holds true for our newsletters – a little something for everyone. Enjoy the read!

Community Forum

In the initial weeks of May, I will be again inviting you to join me in a discussion about the future of LLCS. Specifically, we will look at enrollment projections, staffing issues, program concerns and benefits to students. Please watch the mail for this invitation.

Kid Time

Last month I spoke of the need to practice manners with our children. Continuing on a similar theme, the notion of service is one that we need to introduce to our kids at an early age so that by high school, it is a matter of course, not a matter of force. Whether it is helping out a neighbor, a younger sibling, or whomever, serving others without expectation of monetary return is something that we are building into our new plan for the senior trip. The transition to this new plan will depend upon all of us to provide guidance to our kids in terms of what service really is. Similar to manners, service remains a critical component of our society and one that makes communities such as ours that much better. For those that helped in recent community events such as the ice rink construction, the snowmobile races or the winter carnival, and for those that volunteered at the fitness center, thanks for your role modeling – we depend upon it!

Budget Time

Please mark your calendars for May 18 for the budget vote. The Board of Education has adopted the budget for the 2004-05 school year and will present it to the public on May 11, 2004. As suggested in an earlier newsletter, this is a very tight budget as the overall spending increase is less than $35,000. As you will see at the budget presentation, we have been very diligent in managing our resources during these tight times. We hope to see you on the 18^th.

Board of Education

This group of five people function largely behind the scenes save for their assembling twice a month for what are usually two to three hour meetings. The job of board member is often times thankless and is becoming more and more technical with each year that passes. Dealing with critical financial issues, legal issues and lawsuits, making critical decisions, while always focusing on what is best for kids is not a role for the feint of heart. Nonetheless, this group does it without pay and often without acknowledgement. Should you get the chance, take a moment to thank Mrs. Gibbs, Mr. Farr, Ms. Bond, Mrs. Plumley and Mrs. Hamdan for the work that they do for our kids and community.

Thanks for reading on and enjoy the spring. Maybe even slow down long enough to watch a Yankees game!

Kenneth G. Slentz

Superintendent

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MARCH 24, 2004

Minutes of the March 11, 2004 board meeting were approved, as amended.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Mr. James Bateman, Business Manager, reviewed the bid results of the Locker Room Renovation and Electrical Service Upgrade projects. Contract signing is tentatively scheduled for the April 20, 2004 board meeting.
The Board approved the proposed final General Fund budget to be put out for voter approval.
Mr. Bateman informed the board that a building security assessment has been arranged.
The annual BOCES meeting, election and vote is scheduled for April 26, 2004. Mr. Brian Farr is on the ballot for reelection.
Mr. Kenneth Slentz, Superintendent, reported that work with the district’s counsel and Bernier, Carr & Associates continues in developing an interagency contract more suitable to the district’s legal protection.
Mr. Slentz reviewed the recently released School Report Card.
The Board approved the proposed contract services with Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES for school year 2004-2005.
Ms. Aminda Jennings was approved to the substitute list, pending fingerprint approval.
Faculty activities associated with the March 19, 2004 Superintendent’s Conference Day were reviewed.
A brief review of obtaining and maintaining a high school science certification was presented.
Board members were given a detailed itinerary for the upcoming 7^th and 8^th grade field trip to Boston.

Full board minutes are available in the Main Office during regular school business hours and are available on-line at www.longlakecsd.org.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH

As he steps up to the plate

He is filled with a sudden hate

For the pitcher

Staring him down from beneath his cap

First pitch, up and in

Almost brushing his chin

But he isn’t fazed

Flashing the pitcher a sneer

The next pitch is on the way

A rocket down the pike

He swings with all his might

The ball takes off

A line drive

The shortstop dives

But the ball is past him

Into the outfield and off the wall

The leftfielder takes it off the short hop

Guns it home

He rounds third

Running like the wind

Trying for the plate

Ball and batter arrive

At the same time

He dives, outstretched hand

Barely brushing the plate on his way by

As the dust clears

The whole stadium goes silent

Awaiting the umpire’s call

The catcher still holding the ball

The batter waiting with baited breath

"Safe!" cries the ump

And the stadium erupts

The Red Sox have won

They beat the Yankees zero to one!

Alex Smith English 7

ADULT ED PILATES CLASS TO CONTINUE

A Pilates class will be held from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays starting April 26^th and continuing through May 26^th 2004. Please bring your own exercise mat. We will spend five sessions reviewing the fundamentals with breathwork then continue to an advanced beginner level. Pilates balls will be used on lessons 6-10.

You may call the school to register for this workshop (624-2221). The instructor will be Bernice Burnham . Checks should be made payable to Long Lake Central School in the amount of $10.00. The class will be held at the Town Hall.

MORNING PROGRAM

The student of the month in Morning Program for March was Shaneka Burch. Shaneka has been a wonderful addition to our Morning Program family. She is very enthusiastic and loves to learn. Shaneka is a very hard worker and a good role model. She is always ready to lend a helping hand and is a friend to all. Congratulations, Shaneka!

GUIDANCE NEWS – APRIL

Senior College Acceptance Letters – Paul McIntyre (Adirondack Community College)

Junior Career Day –Juniors participated in a job shadowing experience in Glens Falls on March 24^th at the following sites: Army National Guard, Entertronics Inc. Broadcasting/Radio Station, The Post Star and the Chapman Historical Museum. Student evaluations of the experience were very positive and excited about the experience. This program is organized and sponsored by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and we thank them for their hard work and efforts to continue this valuable experience!

ACC College Visit/Career Day –Students from the junior and senior class visited the ACC campus on April 2nd to investigate available programs and tour the campus.

Summer Programs - DEC summer camps/Camp Colby, DeBruce or Rushford are available for students ages 12-14. Camp Pack Forest is available for students ages 15-17. There is a standard fee of $225, but the school can nominate one interested student for a fee waiver. Applications available in the Guidance Office until April 26^th.

Camp Sacandaga is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension for students ages 8-19 and runs from July 4-August 13. Applications are available in the Guidance Office until June 4^th.

Long Point Camp is sponsored by the Salvation Army for students ages 7-12. Camp dates are July 23-28, July 30-August 4 and August 7-11. They also run a Teen Camp for students ages 13-17 from August 13-17. Applications are available in the Guidance Office until June 1^st.

Junior Statesmen Summer School is offered for 9-11^th grade students interested in politics and current events. This program is run on the campuses of Georgetown, Princeton, Yale, Stanford and Northwestern. Students can access program and application materials at www.jsa.org/summer.

College & Career Info to Students in grades 7-12 has included a Water scholarship application to seniors (for anyone on town water), an article on alternatives to college and ways to find success after high school to grades 10-12, an article on the worth of different college majors to 11-12, the Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship application to seniors, a new career world magazine to grades 7-9 and a new college & careers magazine to grades 10-12. Students in grades 9-12 will be meeting with me after Spring break to discuss courses for next year, post graduate plans, reviewing graduation requirements and college testing.

Long Lake Central School

P.O. Box 217

Long Lake, NY 12847-0217

Administration

Kenneth Slentz, Superintendent 624-2147

Frederick Short, Acting Principal 624-2221

Main Office 624-2221
Board of Education

Patricia Gibbs, President

Brian Farr Vickie Plumley

Hallie Bond Michelle Hamdan

James Bateman, Clerk of the Board

ECR WSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER

CLASS OF 2005 MOTHER’S DAY PLANT SALE

Orders will be taken from April 20, 2004 to May 2, 2004 for Spring flowering plants, hanging baskets and dish gardens for delivery in time for Mother’s Day.

Orders for bedding plants will also be taken and delivery will be in late May.

If you wish to order and have not been contacted by a student, please call the office (624-2221) and leave a message for Karen Butters, Class Advisor. Thank you.