Niskayuna 2008-09 school district calendar available online
The 2008-09 calendar will be mailed to residences of parents of Niskayuna students by August 8. A PDF of the calendar may be downloaded and printed from the Web site. Dates in the printed calendar are subject to change. The district also maintains online calendars by month, which are updated throughout the year to reflect any change in the dates of district events.

Niskayuna school community welcomes new math and science department directors
Jacqueline M. Carrese has been named the next director of K-12 science, effective July 21.
For the past five years, Carrese has served as the science supervisor for grades K-12 in the Albany City School District, where she was responsible for administrating science curriculum throughout the district’s 19 buildings, and supervising more than 44 science teachers. More
The Board of Education appointed William Wales to the position of director of mathematics K-12, effective July 1. For the past five years, Wales has served as the coordinator of math and technology in the Schenectady City School District. He previously served as assistant principal for the Schoharie Junior/Senior High School and supervised the district’s summer school program. Wales taught honors math courses and pre-calculus at Shenendehowa High School, while also completing his administrative internship. He began his educational career in 1996 teaching math in the Lake George School District. More

Summer Reading
Summer is a great time for children and teens to exercise their minds by reading a good book or two. Summer reading also helps prepare students for the upcoming school year. For your reference, district librarians and teachers have put together lists of summer reading activities and programs.
Grade 6, Grade 6 Reading Chart (PDF)
Grade 7 (PDF)
Grade 8 (PDF)
Recommended Books for Grades 6-8
High School
YALSA Top Teen Nominated Books 2008

Congratulations Class of 2008!
Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady was standing-room-only on Thursday, June 26, as family, friends, faculty, administrators and staff congratulated Niskayuna High School's Class of 2008. Approximately 360 graduates received their diplomas following an evening of memories, music, inspiration and tradition. Graduating seniors presented four crowd-pleasing musical performances. Meghan Ferrelli and Sara Smigen, accompanied by Michael Reilly on piano, performed “For Good,” a song from the Broadway show, Wicked, and written by Stephen Schwartz. Matthew Gillen and Robert Kosineski were joined by Class of 2009 members Stefan Dosch and Colin McCormick performing, “Wading in the Velvet Sea,” by Phish. Guitar in hand, Leanna Pace dedicated her performance of her original song, “Believe,” to her fellow graduates. Finally, a half dozen students, including David Baglow, Meghan Ferrelli, Jacob Finkle, Bailey Fitzgerald, Jenna Havis, Eliza Kalm, James Pagano, James Perrella, Maxim Schuler, Sara Smigen and Emily Young wowed the audience with their rendition of the Paul Simon classic, “Bridge Over Troubled Water." View more pictures

Summer School information
Niskayuna Central School District residents in grades 9-12 during the 2007-2008 school year may register for summer school classes on Monday, June 30 from 8 am–12 pm at the pool lobby entrance of the high school. Non-residents may also register during this time. Classes begin on Monday, July 7. More information about class offerings and schedules.

Class reunion news
Two reunions are scheduled for August: The Class of 1992 will hold a "Sweet 16" reunion; and members of the Class of 1976 are invited to a 50th birthday bash. The Class of 1968 announced plans for a 40th reunion this September, while the Class of 1969 will host its 40th reunion in May 2009. Van Antwerp School's Class of 1953 is planning a 55th year reunion in October. For more information about these events, or to send updated information for your class reunion, click the "Alumni" button on the upper left side of this page. For current news about your former classmates, register and search Niskayuna's Alumni Database.

If you build it, they will play
Birchwood Elementary School's new playground open for business
They couldn’t wait. Hundreds of students tested out the new slides, swings and climbing ropes minutes before a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of Birchwood Elementary School’s new playground.
On Friday, June 6, students and their families joined school district administrators and local dignitaries to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new play area. The project would not have been possible without the many parent and community volunteers who devoted much time and elbow grease to build the school’s playground. Birchwood’s Parent-Teacher Organization sponsored a variety of fundraising events to raise money for the project, and received generous support from NYS Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, NYS Senator Hugh Farley and the Schenectady County Legislature, which helped make this new facility a reality for the school’s children and families. The Birchwood community also thanks the dozens of local businesses that provided food and other support to volunteers during the playground build.

Glencliff Elementary School celebrates opening of new classroom additions

Glencliff Elementary School hosted the first of several ribbon-cutting ceremonies that will take place throughout the school district over the next few years. Students joined district administrators and Board of Education members in cutting a red ribbon to celebrate the completion of Glencliff’s two new classroom additions on the north and south ends of the building. The new wings house a total of five classrooms, most of which are now in use. Kindergarten students enthusiastically helped their teachers and parent volunteers move classroom supplies, such as books, blocks and games, into the new space late last week. On the opposite side of the building, fifth-graders energetically worked to move into their new classrooms. One kindergartner described his new classroom as “Awesome!”
Construction on the new classroom additions began in earnest last summer. Work continued throughout the school year to complete the new rooms in late spring. This summer, the project proceeds with renovations to all of Glencliff’s existing classrooms. View more photos

Board of Education honors school district retirees at special ceremony
In a ceremony on June 2, the Board of Education recognized 22 retiring faculty and staff members for their combined 400+ years of dedication to students and commitment to Niskayuna schools. During the ceremony, school principals and administrators shared their thoughts and fondest memories of these dedicated professionals. This year's retirees are: Brian Aylward, Paula Brinkman, Beverly Bryant, Leslie Casey, John Connolly, Yvonne Couch, Grace Cramer, Evelyn Dreyer, Michele Fox, Suzanne Fryling, Miles Garfinkel, Victor Greco, Sven Gudmundsen, Janet Hebert, Donald Launer, Rita Lazarek, Douglas Lohnas, Susan Manny, Charles McCambridge, Mary Jane Olsen, Kathleen A. Smith and Joan Young.

Significant progress made during first year of construction
With the one-year mark drawing near, Niskayuna Central School District Board of Education members viewed the progress made on the district’s extensive $94.5 million building project. The project architect and members of Sano-Rubin's project management team joined district officials on a walking tour of the new construction and renovations at Niskayuna High School on Tuesday, May 6, prior to the district’s public budget hearing and regular board meeting. Read more

Niskayuna High School student selected for prestigious national art summer seminar
Hana Omiya, a junior at Niskayuna High School, is one of sixty students from around the country selected for the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation Summer Seminar. This full scholarship program is available nationally to artistically gifted high school juniors (2007-08) in public and private schools through a National Portfolio Competition. The Summer Seminar, held on the campus of Colorado College in Colorado Springs, is designed as an art institute offering an intensive visual art studio program for students. Omiya is the third student from Niskayuna High School in the last ten years to be accepted into this prestigious program.

Summary available of 2008 survey on student perceptions of drug and alcohol abuse
During the 2007-08 school year, Schenectady's Promise—The Alliance for Youth conducted a survey of Niskayuna students to determine the attitudes and perceptions of students regarding substance abuse, as well as the contributing factors and risk and prevention factors for substance abuse. This recent survey follows up on a Prevention Needs Assessment Survey of students in grades 6-12 in Schenectady County schools that was administered in 2006. Results of the 2008 survey revealed some positive trends in student behaviors and perceptions, while other trends remain a cause for concern. View a comparison of the data from the two surveys
The school district's Health Advisory Committee, comprised of teachers, health professionals, board members, parents and community, will consider the results of the surveys as part of its review of school district health curriculum and program.
For further information contact: Dr. Deborah Shea, Asst. Supt. for Instruction and Programs, 377-4666 ext. 50714, or Dr. Larry Gillooley, 382-2511 ext. 4361

Basic calendar for 2008-09 school year
The Board of Education adopted the 2008-09 school calendar during its Jan. 28 meeting. This basic one-page calendar lists the first day of school, holidays and school vacations. It does not include elementary or middle school parent conference days, which will be determined in the spring and published in the complete district calendar that will be mailed in August. Download the basic 2008-09 calendar

Niskayuna schools follow precautions to guard against drug-resistant "Staph" infection
This past year, attention has been focused on an infection caused by a strain of bacteria known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA originated in hospitals more than a decade ago, but has since been found in the general population. This form is commonly referred to as community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA. Isolated cases of this infection have been reported in virtually every area school district, including Niskayuna schools. Upon the advice of the Schenectady County Health Department, the district is required to monitor cases and report only if there is a cluster of this infection in a school building. More information

Scholarship fund established in memory of Susan Burke
The Scholarship Committee of the Niskayuna Teachers Association has established a college scholarship in memory of middle school social studies teacher Susan Burke who passed away in January. The NTA invites those interested in supporting a scholarship in her name to send donations to Mitzi Flynn (Scholarship Committee Chair) c/o Van Antwerp Middle School, 2253 Story Avenue, Niskayuna, NY 12309. Please make checks payable to NTA Scholarship and note on the check that it is for the Susan Burke Scholarship. Please include an email address with your contribution so that the committee may acknowledge your generosity. Thank you in advance for considering a donation to this worthy cause.

Board of Education adopts Elementary Class Size Enrollment Management Plan
During its Jan. 28 meeting, the Board of Education adopted an Elementary Class Size Enrollment Management Plan designed to help preserve neighborhood schools and address Niskayuna’s elementary class sizes in future years. District officials and school board members held a series of meetings at the elementary schools to discuss the plan and gather feedback from parents and the community before taking action. View the plan

Niskayuna's e-Community Bulletin Board provides 24-7 access to information about upcoming community events
Looking for information about local events? Maybe you want to learn more about summer programs at Proctor's Theatre, or find out how to register your child for Niskayuna Soccer leagues? You can find this and more information about community events on Niskayuna Central School District's e-Community Bulletin Board. Read more about this community resource.

Niskayuna school community honors those who serve
A group of Niskayuna teachers, students and staff have united to recognize and honor all Niskayuna graduates who have served in the armed forces since September 11, 2001. The group is planning a series of events and activities — including a permanent display in the high school listing the names, pictures and service information of these exemplary graduates and community members.
If you would like to include a relative, friend or neighbor who is currently serving or has served during this period, please provide the following information:
• Name
• Year of NHS graduation
• A picture (preferably in uniform but not necessary)
• Branch of service and rank
• Dates of service and locations (please note the dates and number of tours of duty, if deployed to a war zone)

Send information to:

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This page was last updated August 6, 2008