Fallsburg School Scene 2015

SCHOOL SCENE A Special Supplement to the Sullivan County Democrat

A look at activities in the Fallsburg Central School District

SECTION F, JANUARY, 2015 • CALLICOON, NY

2F

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015

School community galvanizes to work on projects, problems

T

he faces tell it all. As part of a new website and Facebook page for Fallsburg Central School District, a scrolling display of photos captures students tapping industriously on computers, singing from the stage and smiling into the camera with their teachers.

The media project/slide show, entitled “The Faces of Fallsburg,” showcases the daily doings inside and outside classrooms, underlining the great things happening in the District.

“Fallsburg,” emphasizes Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ivan

Katz, “has many faces – teachers who work long and hard to support our kids, kids who strive to excel and achieve great things for themselves and their school, employees who come to work every day to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.”

There are faces of parents and community members, and successful Fallburg High School graduates who have gone on to powerful pursuits.

Last year, Fallsburg made unfortunate headlines when several incidences of drug use and sales impacted the schools, a matter still

A school year of promise and accomplishment, with an engaged constituency of parents and community members, has Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ivan Katz smiling.

under police investigation.

But the episodes have jumpstarted some healthy new initiatives on the part of the 1,500-student District.

REACHING OUT TO OTHERS The new Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council

ALLSBURGSSTUDENTS TUDENTS LFIBERTY

Sullivan County’s Own . . .

Locally Raised . . .

Get 1

Hours:

22703 22701

845-434-5051 800-770-6347

ADMISSION PASS

Thu - Fri: 7pm-10pm, Sat: 1pm-4pm & 7pm-10pm Sun: 1pm-4pm

19832

24580

BOGO

Call for details (845) 292-3288

See Our Website For More Info murrayschicken.com

5190 Main Street S. Fallsburg, NY

(SCAC) brings together parents, community members and school district staff to meet regularly with Dr. Katz. The group offers input into matters affecting the school community and also gains accurate information about the successes and challenges of the District.

In December, the group organized a successful community forum that enhanced awareness of drug abuse problems and highlighted existing prevention programs. The SCAC will meet early this month (January) to review and discuss the forum’s feedback and distribute the findings to the school community.

In another initiative, Fallsburg has partnered with Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) to draft a strategic family engagement plan.

EPIC is a national non-profit that offers services to parents, schools and communities.

1234 Old Route 17, Ferndale, NY 12734 stakersworldny@gmail.com skatersworldny@gmail.com www.skatersworldny.com

STOP IN AND MEET OUR NEW MANAGER.

FREE

with every purchase

24/7 EMERGENCY PROPANE SERVICE GUARANTEED PRICING PROGRAMS MONTHLY PROPANE AND SERVICE SPECIALS

(845) 434-7710

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

Like most school disCore Learning tricts, “We have been chalStandards and in the lenged in engaging parkey areas of teaching ents in meaningful ways English language that result in improved arts and math. student achievement,� “The coach visits said Dr. Katz. “With classrooms and proincreasing expectations vides embedded from the New York State support (during Education Department, daily classroom we need to better engage activities and rouwith our parents and arm tines) for teachers,� them with strategies they explained Katz. can use with their chil- Dr. Ivan Katz Instructional dren at home.� coaches also help Superintendent of EPIC is now gathering implement the new data and working with Schools | “response-to-interstaff and community to vention� framework, create the blueprint for which insures that, action. EPIC will also train teachers through early identification and and parents on the impact of fami- support, students with learning and lies on student success in school. behavior problems receive the help they need.

MOVING INTO NEW PLACES In other personnel matters, former This school year opened with District Technology Director Jane three veteran teachers serving as Tinsley now serves as Director of instructional coaches for their col- Staff Evaluation and Student Data, leagues. Kasey Conrow in the allowing for the hire of Keith Junior-Senior High School and Peter Edwards as Director of Technology, Dworetsky and Catrina Gladding in who has focused on helping teachthe elementary school offer support ers use technology more in their in aligning curricula with Common classroom instruction.

‘...we need to better engage parents and arm them with strategies they can use with their children at home..’

3F

PHYS ED ADVENTURES Construction of Fallsburg’s new Project Adventure course – funded by a federal Carol M. White Physical Education Grant – got underway this summer and will see student use in warmer weather. The dynamic phys ed course uses cooperativeproblem solving activities to build teamwork, leadership and trust at the same time as it challenges students physically.

Such opportunities abound at Fallsburg Central School District. “Fallsburg is defined,� the superintendent said, “by the many wonderful things that happen in our school district throughout the year in the name of educating our students and in providing them with the best opportunities available.�

SERVING

THE AREA SINCE

1908

Mon-Fri 7 to 5 • Sat 8 to 12 • Sun 9-12 13 Laurel Ave., South Fallsburg, NY

434-6161 Fax 434-6997

BOOM TRUCK

DELIVERY

FREE DELIVERY

Everything to Build Anything!

Credits: All photographs and stories for this special School Scene are by Sullivan County Democrat Photographer/Reporter Kathy Daley.

The Democrat would also like to thank the Fallsburg Central School District for all its cooperation in this project.

• Benjamin Moore Paint • Composite Decking • Hardware • Roofing Supplies & Materials • All Your Building Needs

DEALER

21449

JANUARY, 2015

5.062"; 5.25"; 1; -; Display Ad; Black; Server Files:Pre 1 Display PDFs:10823.pdf; 514; No; No; No; Boces

Options for All Ages:

Career Building ~ College Prep ~ Online Courses ESOL Instruction ~ HS Equivalency Diplomas

Where Futures Begin & Dreams Are Achieved !

(845) 295-4000 www.scboces.org

Office locations: Main Office: P.O. Box 333 / 6872 Route 209 Wawarsing, NY 12489

548 Broadway Monticello, NY 12701 Call for appointment

Phone (845) 647-4800 • (800) 4 COOMBE www.coombebender.com Email: pcoombe@coombefinancial.com

11232

10823

Investment Advisors Creating and Preserving Wealth Philip Coombe III, CFPÂŽ Catherine Bender, CFPÂŽ Lynn McDonald

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

4F

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015

Music makes the world go ’round at Cosor ES T

he halls are alive with the sound of music.

On Fridays, students at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School sing or play the instrumental version of “The Star Spangled Banner” across the public address system.

Sometimes, the school resounds with a musical “flash mob” with, for example, the whole third grade of 115 kids meeting suddenly in the front corridor to belt out a tune they’ve learned.

On regular days, Cosor students find themselves humming a piece they’ve studied in music class as they make their way through the rest of their academic day.

“With music, I feel I can be myself,” says sixth grader Madelin Moran. “It sets my soul free.”

The teachers behind all this joy and good will – music teachers Andrea

Henderson and Lauren Bernard – say that for certain, the benefits of singing and of learning to play instruments are many.

“Music teaches logic, working together to achieve a goal, commitment, problem solving, creativity,” said Henderson. “Math, science, history, you name it, music is there.”

In fact, students involved in music and art tend to do better on state testing and on Regents exams as well, she added.

Bernard noted that recent studies corroborate music-making’s fascinating effect on the brain.

“Neuroscience is revealing that parts of the brain actually light up when you play or sing – and that that doesn’t happen with anything else,” she said.

Musical training also helps develop the left side of the brain, which

85 N. Main St., Liberty •

START YOUR NEW Y GYM fOR THE NEW YEAR and YOU Choose How to LOSE! Join our

For Women, Men & Teens

Performing musician Lauren Bernard teaches in new keyboard lab at Fallsburg’s Cosor Elementary, along with General Music and band.

keyboarding.

A music teacher in Fallsburg for eight years, Bernard is thrilled to supervise the District’s newest musical purchase

845-292-0756

EAR’S RESOLUTION WITH US!

Spin with Us!

SUPPLEMENTS SOLD HERE! Myofusion, Gold Standard, Amino’s, Jacked, Mass Gainers, Test Boosters and More!!!

processes language development, she said.

At Cosor, all 800 students study General Music. Henderson teaches kindergarten through fifth grade, imparting music basics like beats and rhythms and how to use your singing voice instead of your talking voice.

Students first learn to play recorders, and then guitars by the end of fifth grade.

A Fallsburg teacher for 26 years, Henderson also instructs students in chorus, bell choir, and recorder ensembles.

Bernard teaches fifth and sixth grade band and piano skills, along with sixth grade General Music. In the latter, students learn to compose basic rhythms and to perform their compositions on classroom instruments. She also teaches fifth and sixth grade band and

NEW CLASSES ALL WEEK LONG!

REGISTER NOW!

TRX SUSPENSION TRAINING Every Friday at 4:45pm w/Andre!

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES... Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Andre Turan, SilverSneakers

and INSANITY! Come join in the fun!

Our WEBSITE: www.Libert yFitne ssCenter.net

3 MONTHS

105

$

80 OR

*

For ANY

$

189

349

* $7 Registration Fee May Apply All Sales Expire January 30th

“BODY”... SHAPE YOUR LIFE

Get Your

Winter Tan

DROP-IN CLASSES TYPES OF CLASSES:

ZUMBA • Yoga • Adult Fitness ANY 10 CLASSES INSANITY • Kettle Bells • Spinning Group Training w/Andre ID *REQUIRED Step Aerobics • Line Dancing and SilverSneakers!

50

BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS Every Monday at 7:30pm

Ballroom DANCE PARTIES February 7th & March 7th at 7:30pm

OPEN 7 DAYS

$

HERE...

FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT GYM MEMBERSHIPS

High School/ High School Students

$

OR

JOIN US for FUN and FITNESS!

GOLDEN TANNING 10 Tans for $50 1 Mo Unlimited for ONLY $60

PERSONAL TRAINING SERVICES Male or Female Trainers Available to Assist YOU in Your Fitness Journey!

Monday-Friday 6am-9pm • Saturday 8:30am-4pm GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE Sunday 8:30am-3pm

Check Out Our COUPONS on Facebook!

CALL NOW! 845-292-8810 w w w. p t a n d c h i r o p a i n r e l i e f . c o m

12021

Adults

ANY 10 CLASSES

OR

22233

$

1 YEAR

6 MONTHS

Gabrielle Pantel, Jamie Rein and Madelin Moran work on their flute playing during recess.

out the rest of the room hearing. I can broadcast one or more students to the rest through the headsets.”

Fallsburg is one of the few districts that provides use of its instruments free of charge, opening doors to students who would not otherwise be

able to learn clarinet, alto saxophone, flute, tuba, trombone, trumpet and percussion.

Groups like band and chorus are also open to all versus the audition system that prevails elsewhere.

“We take bright kids, needy kids, challenging kids, and we work with them to get them on the same playing field,” Bernard said.

Some students find their true home in music class.

“There are students who can’t thrive elsewhere, whether it’s socially, academically, behavior-wise,” said Henderson. “They come here and do well.”

And that often is not easy. In an ensemble, for example, a student must know which note to come in on, how to play the note and know their place in the ensemble. And to do it all differently the next second.

“I love watching the children grow,” said Henderson, who serves as organist for a church in Claryville on weekends.

Her co-worker Bernard is a performing musician who has played clarinet and bassoon with the Pine Bush Community Band and others for seven

5F

years. She agrees there’s nothing like teaching music.

“I love instilling the love of learning and of creativity that is so self-motivating,” Bernard said, “and that goes for whether a student becomes a professional musician or a hobby musician.”

A veteran music educator, Andrea Henderson helps student Genesis Zelaya on recorder.

JOIN OUR TEAM Become p art of a dynamic gr oup part group ofessionals at the nation’ of pr professionals nation’ss premier specialty center for premier children and adults with complex children chronic disabilities, medical and chronic frailties and autism.

THE REGION’S EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

«Ài i à Ûi Li iwÌà É

«Ài i à Ûi Li iwÌÃ É " à Ìi `>ÞV>Ài É Û>Ì Ûi " à Ìi `>ÞV>Ài É Û>Ì Ûi employee wellness pr ograms programs

HUMAN RESOURCES DEP PAR ARTMENT T 29 HOLMES ROAD MONTICELLO, NY 12701 20995

a modern digital piano lab with 16 student keyboards.

“The keyboards have an interface system that allows interaction tbetween students and teacher,” said eBernard. “I can also isolate one student :electronically to help him or her with-

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

CURRENTL RENTL LY A VAILABLE A OPENINGS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: • Residential Associate eacher Associate e Associa •T Teacher • Whole Foods Cook • Baker NOW ACCEPTING NG APPLICA ATIONS T FOR APPLICATIONS • Summer Camp Counselors UU iÀÌ wi` vi}Õ>À`

iÀÌ wi` vi}Õ>À`

SCCAAN WITH W SMART PHONE P TO APPLLY NOW

APPLY APPL LY ON ONLINE: thecenterfor thecenterfordiscovery.org discovery.org

25187

JANUARY, 2015

6F

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015J

CATSKILL DERMATOLOGY Steven J. Fishman M.D. • Board Certified in Dermatology Member of The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Mount Sinai Medical Center All New Aesthetic & Laser Center Assistant Clinical Professor Visit Our Website For More Information ZECHARIA LIND RPA-C LOREE ANN STANTON RN, HT All disorders of Skin, Hair & Nails Biologics For Psoriasis • Surgical/Non-Surgical Skin Cancer/Mole Treatments IPL/Laser For Blood Vessel/Hair Removal Botox For Sweating Blulight For Acne & Sun Damage ACNE, WARTS, SKIN ALLERGIES, MOLES & GENITAL WARTS 21228

www.catskilldermatology.com 110 Bridgeville Rd., Monticello, NY 1997 Route 17M, Goshen, NY 845-794-3030 845-294-6123

We don't just sell cars, we are a Full Service Dealership. We Service what we sell. We Inspect what we sell. We warranty what we sell, and we offer extended warranties up to 48 months.

We also do oil changes, car washing, detailing and NY State inspections.

S & M Auto Sales is a Full Service Auto Dealership.

We have been in business for over 15 years and all we do are cars & trucks. And if we don't have it on our lot, we can get it for you!!!

845-436-9447 • www.sandmautosales.com LEE FELDMAN SNOW TIRES Many Brands To Choose From

GO COMETS!

22590

1175 Rte. 52, Loch Sheldrake, NY Next to Sherman’s Service Center

845-434-8890 TRUCK TIRES After Market and OE Wheels Self Service Car Wash On Premises

And Most Major Brands Tires For Anything

5334 Route 42 • South Fallsburg, NY

14194

Fallsburg Technology Director Keith Edwards consults with teacher Amanda Scully, who is exploring a ‘flipped classroom,’ whereby she videotapes a lesson, sends it out to her students at home, and then in class, works on the lesson.

Mobile technology on the move into Fallsburg’s classrooms

S Pre-School Day Care • Developmental Evaluations Special Need Services Nancy McDonald, M.S. in Ed. CCC, Director 504 South Woods Drive Monticello, New York

(845) 794-6037 BFSI-110467

20749

ome experts argue schools are way behind in embracing the kind of technology that the big world outside the classroom accepts as second nature.

School districts like Fallsburg would challenge that thinking.

Skype, “flipped” classrooms, handheld tablets as teaching tools, wireless in every classroom – it’s happening there now.

“We are a Google school,” adds Fallsburg’s Director of Technology Keith Edwards, explaining that Fallsburg’s relationship with Google permits a focus on curriculum and

technology integration through one system, with parents, students and students going to one place to get information.

Outreach to the community beyond the school walls is a must for Edwards. He’s designed the new district website and is aggressive in posting information on facebook and twitter “so people can see how much good we do on a daily basis.”

Edwards has also created a Fallsburg app to be downloaded on tablets or phones.

“We recognize that most Internet traffic is from mobile devices,” rather

than at-home or at-work computers, he said.

Included are news feeds, the District calendar, school lunch menus, information on athletics, the Board of Education and on school closings. The student management system can also be accessed via the

“Where It’s Always Reigning Cats & Dogs”

Boarding & Grooming 89 Rock Ridge Dr., Monticello, NY 12701 Fax (845) 791-7450

LAVA TOWING & RECOVERY

5.062"; 2.5"; 1; -; Display Ad; Black; Server Files:Pre 1 Display PDFs:23754.pdf; 514; No; No; No; Lava Towing & Recovery

24-Hour Service • Local & Long Distance Bruce M. Gettel Owner

Wrecker & Flat Bed Service, Lock-Outs, Equipment Hauling, etc . . .

23754

7873 State Route 52 Narrowsburg, NY 12764

845-252-7200 cell 845-665-9827

We Proudly Welcome

Ronen Bar-El, FNP to the office of

PAUL D. SALZBERG, M.D. Board Certified in Family Practice Pediatric through Geriatric Medicine Certified in Geriatrics

A hometown doctor where you’re more like family than a patient

Serving the local community and beyond for over 30 years PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF OUR NEW HOURS: Mondays 8am-Noon, 1pm-5pm

TUESDAYS 8AM-NOON, 1PM-5PM Wednesdays 8am-Noon • Thursdays 2:30pm-6:30pm Fridays 8:30am-12:30pm Directions: SR 97 north, 1.5 mi. from blinking light in Callicoon.

Brick Building, second from Holy Cross Church

845-887-6112 9741 State Route 97, Callicoon, NY 12723 MEDICARE & MOST MAJOR INSURANCES ACCEPTED

Our patients are very important to us.

20793

(845) 791-7444

7F

Shop Like a Genius

Rock Ridge Kennels

MEMBER

offers access to addition and subtraction applications; in English Language Arts, applications allows students to focus on word problems and to create storybooks with animation, graphs and writing.

Teachers can distribute assignments electronically, and students can complete the assignment and send it back for feedback and grading from the teacher.

In classrooms like Amanda Scully’s, the “flipped classroom” allows the teacher’s direct teaching to become homework via electronics. Scully records a video of herself teaching a science lesson, and the video is accessible to her students at home through the District’s Google Classroom system. Then, in the classroom the next day, Scully delves into the work and teaches with small groups.

A much different world from that of only a few years ago, agrees Edwards.

“It wasn’t that long ago that the only way kids could access information was by going to a computer lab or being clustered in a corner of the classroom,” he noted. “With Chromebooks and tablets, all you need is wifi, and we’ve got it going into every classroom.”

19733

High School student Oscar Beltren takes a test on a classroom computer, while new mobile electronics make their way into teaching and learning in the District.

app.

“We’re added text messaging to the roster of new (outreach) initiatives,” he said.

Students in the two Fallsburg schools work on 250 Google Chromebooks – light and inexpensive laptops – available on carts.

Chromebooks are designed for use with most applications and data residing “in the cloud” rather than on the computers themselves.

This month (January), the District will introduce 50 Android tablets – Google’s version of the small, handheld iPads by Apple – into the first classrooms.

“We’ll have one classroom in the elementary school and one in high school Spanish with the tablets,” the tech director said.

In the case of both the Chromebooks and the tablets, “we’ve chosen devices that are easy to use and manage,” he added.

The nearly one-on-one availability of electronic devices sets a new standard for the schools.

“My vision,” said Edwards, “is that we will have work stations in every classroom utilizing the tablets.”

The tablets all possess apps to meet curriculum needs. Math in first grade

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

24454

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015

Back-to-School School Supplies Art Supplies Computers Multifunction Printers Sales & Service Furniture

Your local source for All Your School & Art Supplies!

KRISTT COMPANY Our main place of business: Kristt Company Monticello Location

369 Broadway, P.O. Box 548 Monticello, NY 12701 845-794-6639

Our branch office: Kristt Company Honesdale Location 863 Main Street Honesdale, PA 18431 570-253-9011

Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM

WWW.KRISTT.COM

FALLSBURG SCHOOL SCENE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

JANUARY, 2015

“I want a health plan that helps my son breathe easier.”

Quality health coverage. It’s Our Mission.

Fidelis Care offers quality, affordable New York Statesponsored health insurance for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life.

From NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, to Child Health Plus, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicare Advantage, Managed Long Term Care and more, we have a program that meets your needs.

And, with our growing provider network, you can see a Fidelis Care doctor almost anywhere you go in New York State!

Save the Dates for Open Enrollment!

Product:

Enroll From:

• Metal-Level Products in NY State of Health

November 15, 2014 February 15, 2015

• Child Health Plus • Medicaid Managed Care

All Year Long!

Products not available in all counties.

To learn more about applying for health insurance including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, the Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

We have a health insurance program that's right for you – and the ones you love.

1-888-FIDELIS | fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547) •

To renew your coverage each year, call 1-866-435-9521 H3328_FC 14160 CMS Accepted

21287

8F