Long Lake Central School Newsletter

 

Kevin O. Crampton - Superintendent                                                                    Fred Short - Acting Principal

                                                          

 

Superintendent’s Office - 624-2147                                            February 2006

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

www.longlakecsd.org

 

To close or  not to close…that is the question.  One of the trickiest parts of this job is deciding when to close school, when to delay the beginning of the day or when to end the day early. Another factor in our area is how drastically the weather can change from one community to the next.  It is better to err on the side of safety and veteran school superintendents tell me we are lucky if we make the correct decision 50% of the time.

With these thoughts in mind I felt it was important to let you know what goes into this decision making process.  The first concern of course is always the safety of our children and our staff.  The watch usually starts the night before based on local weather reports.  Early the next morning the phone is buzzing with calls to and from the road crews, neighboring school superintendents and staff. A decision needs to be made by 6 A.M. so everyone can begin planning his or her day.

I have been told Long Lake enjoys a reputation of hardly ever closing and much to the dismay of some students, I would prefer to maintain this fine tradition.  However, the changing weather patterns we are experiencing may not be in agreement with this history.   Delaying the start of the school day one - hour is a reasonable solution. We do not have the amount of road miles to cover compared to neighboring districts and the road crews can usually have us ready to go given an extra hour to do their jobs. This helps us to not have to use a two- hour delay and we can proceed pretty much on our normal class schedule.

            The month of January is a good example of how making the decision to delay or close is critical to the operation of the school. Mandated state testing emphasizes the need to administer mandated assessments on time.  January 9-13 was grade 3-5 ELA testing and January 17-20 was the scheduled grade 6-8 ELA State assessments. There are provisions for make up days in the state plan but if at all possible it is best to maintain the original schedule.  Also, students are now half way through the school year and need to be half way through their particular curriculums.  Re-scheduling disrupts an already tight school year calendar. 

Dismissing school early is debatable.  The common thought is, if students are here, and there is heat and light they are safe. Also, some parents may not be able to make arrangements to get their children on short notice of an early dismissal. It is best to follow a normal schedule.  These decisions are not made in a moments notice and consideration is given to every circumstance. 

If we do a one hour delay on Pre K days, Pre K can follow the normal schedule.  If we do a 2 - hour delay, Pre-K will be cancelled for that day.  If you have any thoughts or concerns with this process, please contact me directly.

I would also like to note the fine turnout for the Long Lake winter carnival that I observed.  The weather did not cooperate fully for a winter carnival, but the spirit of the town was evident and we enjoyed a rousing fireworks display.  Kudos to all that made the winter carnival a success.

On January 24th @ 7 PM there was a Q&A session on affordable housing (not to be confused with low income housing) at the town hall. I have attended one of their meetings and I am interested in the project the town is trying to bring along.  Even if you are not eligible, your presence at town and school meetings can only help spread correct information. I see this as having a positive impact on our school and community, I hope you do too.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Kevin Crampton

Superintendent

 



 Guidance News

 

New Notification of Rights under FERPA (annual)

 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. 

Parents and eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access.  A written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect should be submitted to the school principal.  The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

Parents and eligible students have the right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.  Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend a record should write the principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed.  If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

Parents and eligible students have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.  One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using its own employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which the student seeks or intends to enroll.

Parents and eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Long Lake Central School to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are:

 

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-5920

***************************************

Adirondack Community College has hundreds of excellent programs for adult personal and professional development offered throughout the year in workforce development, computer training, home improvement, gardening, hobbies, arts & crafts, writing/literature, summer enrichment, music, financial planning, fitness and self-actualization/improvement.  Many are one-day programs offered at a very reasonable rate.  We get catalogs for these courses each semester in the Guidance Office or you could request a course catalog by contacting ACC at 743-2238. 

Seniors should be working on their federal financial aid form.  This should be filed as soon after January 1st as possible.  They should also be busy filling out scholarship applications forms.

Long Lake Graduates still attending college Don’t forget to call the Guidance Office and request your Klue Scholarship Application for this year.  This scholarship must be applied for annually.

Juniors will be attending the annual shadow day in the Glens Falls area on March 22nd.  This event is organized and sponsored by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and we appreciate their hard work.  Students spend the day at a workplace related to the field of their choice learning about the job and meeting with people at the worksite.


 

Don’t let scholarship opportunities pass you by!

 

New York State Scholarship Programs

 

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is New York's largest grant program. It helps eligible New York residents attending in-state post-secondary institutions pay for tuition. TAP grants are up to $5,000, based on the applicant and family NYS net taxable income. Start the TAP application process using the FAFSA.

 

The Aid for part-time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies.

 

The Child of Veteran program provides grant assistance to students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency.

 

Memorial Scholarships provide financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York. Student must establish eligibility by submitting a Memorial Scholarship Supplement. (For study in New York State)

 

The NY Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship is given to one student from every public and non-public school that applies. (For study in New York State)

 

New York State offers scholarships to new members of volunteer fire companies and volunteer ambulance squads. For study in New York State. Applications may be obtained by contacting the Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372.

 

New York State Regents Health Care Opportunity Scholarships are awarded annually to students studying medicine or dentistry in New York State.

 

Information about applying to any of these scholarships is available at www.hesc.com.

 

Students pursuing a career in one of several professions may be eligible to apply for the New York State Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships.

 Associate Degree Programs (2 year)

Dental Hygiene

             

Ophthalmic Dispensing

Dietetics/Nutrition

 

Physical Therapy Assistant

Massage Therapy

 

Registered Physician Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant

 

Veterinary Technician

 

 

 

Baccalaureate Degree Programs (4 year)

Certified Public Accountancy

 

Registered Nurse

Architecture

 

Occupational Therapy

Athletic Trainer

 

Pharmacy

Dietetics/Nutrition

 

Physical Therapy

Professional Engineering

 

Registered Physician Assistant

Interior Design

 

Veterinary Technician

Landscape Architecture

 

 

 

 

 

Master's Degree Programs

Acupuncture

 

Occupational Therapy

Architecture

 

Physical Therapy

Audiology

 

Registered Physician Assistant

Landscape Architecture

 

Social Work

Midwifery

 

Speech Language Pathology

Nurse Practitioner

 

 

 

 

 

Doctoral Degree Programs

Chiropractic

 

Podiatry

Optometry

 

Psychology

Pharmacy

 

Veterinary Medicine

 Law

 

 

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year for up to 4 years of study or up to 5 years in certain programs. Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students, depending on the program.

Students must study full time and be matriculated in an approved program of study in NYS, be a NYS resident and U.S. citizen.  Selection is prioritized for those who are economically disadvantaged, members of a minority group historically underrepresented in the chosen profession or enrolled in or graduated from an opportunity program such as SEEK, College Discovery, EOP or HEOP.

Upon completion of study, the student must work as a licensed professional 1 year for each annual payment received. Employment must be in the studied profession and must be in New York State.  If the student does not begin practice within 1 year of program completion, s/he will be required to repay twice the amount of all scholarship monies received plus interest.

Apply by requesting an application and further information from:

 

NYS Education Department
Bureau of HEOP/VATEA/Scholarships
Education Building Addition
Room 1071
Albany, NY 12234
Phone:  (518) 486-1319



CABIN FEVER SUNDAY PROGRAMS

 

“Songs & Stories of the Adirondack Work and Workers”

 

Logging camps and mining towns were found throughout the adirondacks in the late nineteenth century.  Dangerous conditions, long hours, and low pay characterized the work of lumberjacks and miners.  Museum Educator Christine Campeau will share historic photographs from the museum’s collection and present stories of life in logging camps.  Musician Lee Knight will sing traditional ballads of logging camps, mining towns, and Adirondack communities.  Museum Members and children of elementary school age or younger are admitted without charge.  Admission for Non-Members is $3.00.  For more information call The Adirondack Museums @ 518-352-7311.

 

**** February 19, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. @ The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake****

 

****February 26, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. @ The Lake Placid Center for the Arts in Lake Placid****



LLCS DISTRICT DRAFT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

December 7, 2005 Regular Meeting

 

·         Approval of the November 9, 2005 meeting Minutes as amended.

·         Next meeting date scheduled for Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in cafeteria.

·         Bryan Geiger gave a presentation to the Board on the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. for which he attended with financial support from the Board.

·         Approval October, 2005 Treasurer’s Reports.

·         Approval of Warrants #10 and #11.

·         Comprehensive Budget Status Reports and Tax collectors Report were reviewed.

·         The Board will continue the joint venture project at the Geiger Arena at the original obligation of $30,000 until it is exhausted.

·         Approval of the annual independent audit as presented by Reece & Associates, for the 2004-2005 school year.

·         The Budget Information Worksheet was reviewed.  Discussion took place on a new bus and extending our roofing warranty.

·         Approval for the Superintendent to sign a letter of intent with Leonard Bus Sales to purchase a new 48 passenger bus, upon voter approval in May 2006.  Bus 20 will be traded in.

·         Fifth Grade Social Studies test results ranged from 77-98.

·         The High School students went to see Of Mice and Men in Lake Placid.  Students will be going to see Phantom of the Opera at Proctor’s Theater in February.

·         Parent/Teacher Conferences were held last month.  Next year the high school may do a “Follow Your Child’s Schedule” format.

·         First Quarter Honor Roll was presented.

·         Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation members presented awards to this years winners: Prudence Dechene, Jillianna Miller, Margaret Smith, Kelsie Adams, Melissa Clark, and Bryan Geiger.

·         Approval of a side letter of agreement with the Long Lake Teachers' association appointing Rose-Marie Ordway as computer/technology coordinator for the 2005/2006 school year.

·         Approval of ten 2 hour sessions of Adult Ed “Bakerball” beginning Tuesday’s in January 2006 from 7:15-9:15 p.m.

·         A 2006 Yearbook timeline was presented to the Board.  The PTSA has also offered to help the Yearbook club should they need it.

·         The District Planning Committee is looking to produce a color brochure informing potential community newcomers about our school district.

·         Items discussed while in Executive session were personnel issues, faculty contract negotiations, and CSE Recommendations.

·         Approval of CSE Recommendations.

·         The Board accepted the resignation of V. Lynn Malerba as Co-Advisor to the Outing Club.

·         The Board accepted the retirement of Charles R. Farr as part-time school bus driver effective December 31, 2005.

·         The Board appointed Charles R. Farr as a substitute bus driver.

 

LLCS DISTRICT DRAFT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

January 12, 2006 Regular Meeting

 

·         Approval of the December 7, 2005 and December 16,2005 Board meeting minutes.

·         Next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 13, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.

·         Melissa Clark reported on the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. for which she attended with financial support from the Board.

·         Michael Farrell commended Ms. Michelle Gannon and the Art students for the mural painted on the trophy case in the cafeteria.

·         Approval of November & December, 2005 Treasurer’s Reports.

·         Approval of Warrants #12 and #13.

·         Comprehensive Budget Status Reports were reviewed.

·         BOCES Annual Election and Vote will be Monday, April 24, 2006.

·         Dept. of Health Cafeteria Inspection Report was presented.

·         The Budget Information Worksheet and a first look at the 2006-2007 school budget was reviewed.

·         A Field trip has been planned on February 9, 2006 for students to see Phantom of the Opera at Proctor’s Theater.

·         The winners of the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation Field Days contests are shown in the recent edition of the Hamilton County News.

·         ELA Testing has begun for students in Grades 3-8.

·         Hamilton County Trailblazers program activities were presented to the Board.

·         The 2006 Yearbook timeline is being followed and is on time.

·         The Building Condition Survey needs a few adjustments, and then the final product is to be submitted to NYS Education Dept. by January 15, 2006.

·         The Senior Class Trip to California is finalized and a review of their plans was presented.

·         Items discussed in Executive session were personnel issues and faculty contract negotiations.

 


 

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE

By Deborah Havas

 

     The New Year has begun and Family and Consumer Science classes continue.

 Home and Career Skills has started a large unit entitled Foods and Nutrition.  We’ll be looking at the components of healthy eating and how to keep our cooking experiences safe and sanitary.  We’ll be learning the names of various kitchen tools and the terms used in recipes.  Of course we’ll learn about the different ways recipes may be written and how to follow them.  We’ll be cooking up various recipes and finalize with our very own cream pie, made individually from scratch, crust and all.  Yum!  Yum!  Each student will take his or her pie home.  Be sure you get some!

              Before Christmas, the two Food Science sections participated in a candy exchange.  Plates were made up for the administration and secretaries as well as their own.  I hope you got to taste some!  I felt the quality was excellent.  In January, each designed his/her own Food Science Experiment to answer some question that each have been wondering about.  How will different amounts of vanilla affect Chocolate Chip Cookies?  What effect will butter, margarine or shortening have on Blondies?  How will the use of different flours-white flour, whole wheat flour or oat flour-affect a Basic Muffin recipe?  In making Peanut Butter Cookies, how will the use of granulated sugar, brown sugar or confectioner’s sugar affect the final product?  I am anxious to see the results (and taste them, too), listen to the explanations, and hear the conclusions reached with reasoning as to why each happened as it did.  A written report will be handed in and an oral presentation will occur before the class.

 In Working with Children, Brooke Armstrong wrote and illustrated a children’s book entitled, “Where is Johnny’s Snowman?”  The audience which she selected to write for was grades 1/2.  When she read it to them, they were delighted!  Now on to learning about and planning some nutritious snacks that Kindergartners can make themselves as we explore the area of Tots and Nutrition.

Introduction to Gourmet Cooking had Will Cortis planning, preparing and serving his final dinner to four guests in the Family and Consumer Science room.  The menu included an appetizer- fresh vegetables and tortilla strips with a tofutti/salsa dip.  The entrée was Lobster Newburg with Italian-Style Spinach and Maple-Glazed Turnips.  We ended the meal with Hot Apple Spice and Cinnamon Diamonds a la crème with melon balls.  Will has developed a flare for presentation ideas.  Nice job, Will!

 


FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

Sharon Waagner

 

LIBRARY NEWS

 

                Congratulations to Hayley McCottery and Kailah Armstrong, our December prizewinners.  Each month the library has a drawing for prizes.  Each time a student in grades 1 through 6 files a book report with the library, their name is entered in a monthly drawing.  The December prizes were headset radios while the January prizes will be animal posters.

                Congratulations are also in order for Meg Smith and Jessica Pitcher who recently joined the Library Hall of Fame by reading 25 books since September.  The district goal is for each student at the elementary level to read 25 books within the school year.  The library supports this goal by offering incentive prizes.  In addition, charts are maintained outside the Elementary Library where students may check on their status. Book reports are filed with Mrs. Waagner and prizes are awarded at 10, 18 and 25 books.  We invite you to stop by the Elementary Library where a slide show is on display, which features the pictures of our winners at the three levels.

 

PARENTS AS READING PARTNERS

 

                Our annual Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program will take place during the month of March.  By the end of February, information packets will be sent home with students in grades K through 6.  This year’s theme will be “I love New York.” Parents or guardians are asked to spend at least 15 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week reading with their child.  Reading could also be done with older siblings or babysitters.  Students will have weekly time sheets where time will be recorded. Parents are asked to initial these sheets and the sheets are due in on the following Monday.  There are weekly prizes and incentives for students who return their slips on time.  In addition, we are busy planning the annual Family Fun Night that will take place on Friday, March 31. On that day students that are enrolled in PARP are invited to stay after school and to participate in a variety of games and activities. We also include sustained silent reading times.  Parents are invited to join us for supper and to participate in games and activities following supper.  The evening ends at 8 p.m.

 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

 

                Our second Book Fair for the year is scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 9 through Tuesday, March 14.  This is a great time to find some new books to share with your child during PARP, to buy some special additions for those Easter baskets, or to stock up on birthday gifts. Funds raised by our book fairs are use to purchase books and incentive prizes for students participating in PARP and other reading programs.


 

FIRST AND SECOND GRADE NEWS

By Mary Hall

 

The first and second graders have elected new officers for the next marking period. They are as follows:

      President- Austin Pierce,

      Vice President- Jessica Pitcher,

      Secretary- Joao Santos,

      Treasurer- Ethan Bush and

      Classroom checker- Mynga Santos.

 

                These two classes are working very hard and have progressed nicely. We are already more than half way through the math programs. The first graders are through 3 of their 5 reading books. We are learning how to write complete sentences with proper punctuation. This will be very handy when we write our final reports on animals that they have chosen to study in our science class. We are doing the animal part of the living things unit and working on a properties unit as well. In health we are using the Great Body Shop lessons and are learning about different parts of our bodies and the jobs they do.

There is a lot for these youngsters to learn in the course of a year. As their teacher I strive to keep them on target while at the same time remembering that they are young children and need time to be young kids.  It isn’t always “book” learning going on in my classroom, we try very hard to use different games and activities to practice skills they need to be able to do.  The kids seem to enjoy the chance to learn through play. I can’t imagine why.  Can you?

                I am also proud to announce that all of the first and second graders are more than half way through their required 25 outside reading books. They are supposed to read at least 25 books by the end of the year and we have three students that have already read more than 25, one that is at 21 and the other that is at 14. They will all reach their goals for sure and I wouldn’t be surprised if we were the first classes to accomplish that goal. Parents, if your child is reading at home remind them that they can bring those books in for credit as well. Good readers help produce better students!