2018 Monticello School Scene

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SCHOOL SCENE A Look at Activities in the Monticello School District

SECTION M • OCTOBER, 2018 • CALLICOON, NY A

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Supplement

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the

Sullivan

County

Democrat

MONTICELLO SCHOOL SCENE

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OCTOBER 2, 2018

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Who is Monticello? It's teacher Lisa Hrbek’s class of second graders delighting in learning yoga moves from school social worker Elisa Mendels.

Monticello invigorates learning, advances kids’ academic lives

ealthy boosts in student reading ability and a high school graduation rate that’s off the charts has the Monticello Central School District in rejoicing mode.

But the real impact of the school district’s verve and creativity may be most illustrated in the changed lives of kids who, in the past, managed to challenge the patience of family, school or neighborhood.

Take sophomore Afton Florez.

“I was always a good person, but after school, I was a bad person,” said Florez.

Getting into trouble now? No way, says Afton.

At Monticello, Afton is firmly entrenched in the year-old My Brother’s Keeper program, which offers intense academic, recreational and social/emotional services to the toughest kids on the block. Participants sign a code of conduct that includes expressions like “demonstrating our best attributes” and that prohibits foul language, horseplay and lack of self control.

“I’m serious about My Brother’s Keeper,” said Afton. “It has changed me. I see opportunities now.”

Building Vigorous Learners Giving schoolchildren what they need to access learning has the school district engaged not only in My Brother’s Keeper but also a robust new afterschool program, funded by New York State, that is designed to invigorate learning for elementary school students. Elsewhere throughout the District, social-emotional wellness programs strengthen young minds and spirits to do better in class and later in their teenage and adult lives.

In June, the District recorded an 85.7 percent graduation rate, that is, the

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STORY AND PHOTOS

BY KATHY DALEY

MONTICELLO SCHOOL SCENE

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Who is Monticello? It's high school sophomore Afton Florez, who is linked to a dynamic new program called My Brother's Keeper.

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MONTICELLO SCHOOL SCENE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3M

percentage of the student body who earned high school diplomas. New York State's graduation rate as a whole hovers around 80 percent.

Moreover, District teachers are watching reading skills climb in their classrooms.

“We’re seeing amazing growth,” said Superintendent of Schools Tammy Mangus. “We’re extremely proud of that. Our kids are gaining skills and abilities.”

Teachers use the assessment tool Lexile, which measures a child’s reading ability. They also employ NWEA, which assesses each student’s particular academic performance in math, reading, language usage and science.

An important factor in student achievement are kids learning in healthy, welcoming school buildings, and Monticello is hard at work to provide dynamic settings for students and teachers.

On Nov. 14, school district residents will take to the polls to vote on a bond that will address the most critical repairs to school buildings throughout the District, at no cost to taxpayers.

“We want to fix the things most necessary to health, safety, wellness and student opportunities,” said Superintendent Mangus.

The $54 million project will cover replacements or improvements to roofs, boilers, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical systems and windows throughout the District.

Taxpayer wallets will not be affected because the new project's cost will replace an old bond approved 18 years ago. The District has repaid that debt.

Particularly in need is the 50-year-

OCTOBER 2, 2018

SNO OW MUCH

‘We’re seeing amazing growth.

We’re extremely proud of that.

Our kids are gaining skills and abilities.’

F N! FUN

Tammy Mangus Superintendent of Schools |

old high school, which has witnessed no significant updates since it was built.

“There are some labs that are exactly the same as when I was a student,” said School Board President Lori Orestano-James, who graduated from Monticello High School in 1981. James went on to study education and served as teacher, assistant principal and principal for her home school district.

She and Mangus point out that areas in the high school are out of commission due to flooding. Boilers, electrical connections and heating and cooling systems are failing and are unrepairable because the parts to fix them are obsolete. Uncomfortable indoor temperatures, improper ventilation and slippery floors due to moisture condensation are big issues for students and teachers.

Inadequate drainage systems and rotting pipes often lead to leaks and sink back-ups, taking these spaces temporarily out of commission and interrupting student learning time.

Should the November vote fail, the District would still have to make improvements, particularly at the high school, but it would lose its state aid for those improvements. The state typically contributes 53 percent of the cost of such reconstruction but not if voters turn down the project. That, pointed out Mangus and OrestanoJames, would actually impact taxpayers.

“We have a fiduciary responsiblility to start this work,” said OrestanoJames. “We wouldn’t ‘not fix’ our own homes. We can’t not fix our schools.”

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New admins at Monticello

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

New administrators are on the job this year at Monticello Central School District. From left are Rachel Blount, Assistant Principal at Monticello High School; Kurt Buddenhagen, Athletic Director; Chris Palmer, Principal, George L. Cooke Elementary School; Jackie Beamer, Supervisor of Special Programs; Linda Oehler-Marx, Director of Curriculum; Melanie Hector, Assistant Principal, George L. Cooke Elementary; and Paul Dorward, Assistant Superintendent for School Administration. Not in photo: Dana Taylor, Executive Director of Special, Summer and AfterSchool Programs; Stephen Lewis, Director of Facilities.

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My Brother’s Keeper: Keeping It Real And Forging The Future STORY AND PHOTO

BY KATHY DALEY

D

ayshawn York admits it straight up. He was not headed for success.

“I was not going on the right path,” said the eleventh grader. “My mind wasn’t what it should be. I had no type of support system.”

Along came the new Monticello program called My Brother’s Keeper, and York’s world of trouble and care turned upside down, thankfully.

“My Brother’s Keeper is a way you can change,” the student said, “a way to see that you are going in the wrong direction. They help us make right choices.”

Launched last school year, My Brother’s Keeper is directed by school

social worker Michael Regan.

“It’s an honor to be doing this,” said Regan, “an honor to be on the journey with these students and with our amazing staff. We are always moving forward, showing unconditional love and support, always striving for growth.”

The Obama administration launched MBK, as it is called, as a way to uplift African American and Hispanic boys and men who struggle with failing grades, behavior problems and poor school attendance.

The Obama Foundation now continues funding MBK projects throughout the U.S. The Monticello school district will receive $150,000 each year for four years.

Last year, 17 students participated

fully, said Regan. By the end of the year, the program had made significant progress in student lives. The MBK cohort’s passing rate for grades improved by 66 percent. Several MBK-ers made honor roll for the first time, and one student earned high honor roll status. Discipline referrals showed reductions ranging from 58 percent to 73 percent.

How did it happen? MBK offers academic tutoring, mentors, paid internships, volunteer community service projects, athletics and music.

Leadership training, outdoor exploration, professional development, field trips to colleges, museums and plays are all part of the package. The program runs five days a week from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and occasionally on weekends and during the summer.

A character education component builds strength of mind and spirit.

“Students should be kind to one another and treat peers with mutual respect,” says the Code of Conduct.

“Just follow the Golden Rule. Treat others the same way you want to be treated. Roasting friends and cracking jokes can get carried away at times and keeps us all distracted from getting things done and having fun.”

Students enjoyed eight field trips last year, including one to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. This year, the program plans monthly family gatherings such as an a MBK teen talent show, Thanksgiving food drive, a holiday

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School Scene

A Look at Activities in the Monticello Central S.D. Published by

Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the

(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 October 2, 2018 • Vol. CXXVIII, No. 32

Publisher: Co- Editors: Editorial Assistants: Advertising Director: Assistant Advertising Director: Special Sections Coordinator: Advertising Coordinator: Business Manager: Assistant Business Manager: Telemarketing Coordinator: Monticello Office Manager: Classified Manager: Production Associates: Circulation & Distribution:

Fred W. Stabbert III Joseph Abraham and Matt Shortall Isabel Braverman, Margaret Bruetsch, Kathy Daley, Patricio Robayo, Richard Ross, Jeanne Sager, Autumn Schanil, Ed Townsend Liz Tucker Barbara Matos Susan Panella Lillian Ferber Susan Owens Patricia Biedinger Michelle Reynolds Margaret Bruetsch Janet Will Rosalie Mycka, Elizabeth Finnegan, Nyssa Calkin, Petra Duffy, Claire Humbert, Peter Melnick, Jessica Roda, Kaitlyn Malzahn Linda Davis, Larissa Bennett, Anthony Bertholf, Phil Grisafe

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My Brother's Keeper Director Michael Regan, center, commends students Afton Florez and Dayshawn York for their life-changing efforts with the program. The three are backed by a huge photo of the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., which the MBK students visited in May. To follow My Brother's Keeper, click on Monti-MBK on Facebook.

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through the arts. There, students are learning to make and record music and, for some, to explore potential careers in the industry.

Notably, the Monticello MBK organized the first statewide retreat conference for New York MBK programs this past August. Held at Honor's Haven Resort in Ellenville, the event featured workshops and a speech by New York State Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia.

For students like Afton Florez, MBK continues to roll out such new experiences.

“We learn from them,” Afton said, noting that one of the highlights for him was the trip to Washington D.C. “I see opportunities now, and it has changed me.”

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party and a “spring fling” dance.

Partnerships with local organizations acquaint kids and families with SUNY Sullivan’s Liberty Partners, who mentor students, and with other helping agencies. Plans this year include work with the non-profit ENGN in Callicoon, which offers creative space in the old weigh station at 12 Lower Main St. “MBK is about engaging students and families in a creative way that is meaningful to them,” said Regan. “We identify their needs and concerns and we respond.”

This school year opened with students’ introduction to their own stateof-the-art recording studio at the Dream Tank, the Lakewood Avenue office of a crime prevention program for teens that focuses on enrichment

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Helping young learners communicate and regulate their emotions STORY AND PHOTO

BY KATHY DALEY

T

o put it in terrible English, when kids feel bad they don’t learn good.

Such is the reality and it is backed by years of research, says George L. Cooke Elementary School social worker Elisa Mendels.

Recently, Mendels took to the front of a Cooke classroom. There, she lost her buoyant, straight-backed posture to wear a woeful expression, her head bowed, shoulders rounded, feet shuffling.

“What am I feeling?” she asked the class of second graders.

“Sad!” shouted out one student.

“Lonely!” cried another.

Mendels is introducing students to a chart called the Mood Meter, which is an educational tool to help students understand their own feelings and that of other students. The tool is part of RULER, an evidence-based approach for integrating social and

emotional learning developed by the Yale (University) Center for Emotional Intelligence.

“Decades of research show that the skills of emotional intelligence are essential to effective teaching and learning,” says Mendels. And, she adds, essential to students’ sound decision-making, physical and mental health and success in school and beyond.

The RULER approach is designed to promote emotional “literacy.” It focuses on Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing and Regulating emotions.

For example, the Mood Meter chart is divided into four color quadrants red, blue, green, and yellow — each representing a different set of feelings. Feelings are grouped together on the mood meter based on their pleasantness and energy level.

Yellow feelings are high in energy and more pleasant: happy, excited, and curious. Red feelings are high in energy but are more unpleasant, that

is, feeling angry, scared and anxious.

Blue feelings are those low in energy and more unpleasant: sad, disappointed, lonely. Green feelings are low in energy and more pleasant: calm, tranquil, and relaxed.

“Last year, we introduced the concepts to our students through our Social Emotional Wellness (SEW ) program,” said Mendels, who is Cooke's SEW facilitator. Her counterparts are Sarah Mootz at Rutherford Elementary and Maryann Swensen at Chase Elementary. “This year, we are beginning to fully implement the program in all of our classrooms.”

The elementary schools employ four of RULER's “anchor tools.” First, each class and teacher create a class charter, that is, an agreement between teacher and students to recognize and label how everyone needs to act. One class, for example, brainstormed that they wanted a classroom where they felt proud, connected and contented and discussed how they needed to behave in order to

‘Decades of research show that the skills of emotional intelligence are essential to effective teaching and learning.’

Elisa Mendels GL Cooke Elementary Social Worker|

experience those emotions.

Second, the students expand their emotional vocabulary through the mood meter. Then they learn to “check in” with their feelings and actions, and finally, they are taught how to regulate their emotions and make better choices when express-

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Beyond the Bell: New fun and learning extend the school day STORY AND PHOTOS

BY KATHY DALEY oday’s elementary school students belong to Generation Z, the demographic cohort right after those termed the millennials, “and what we know about Generation Z kids,� says Principal Michelle Knowlton, “is that they choose their careers based upon their hobbies.�

So in developing plans for a fiveyear, $7.2 million state-funded program called Empire Extended Day Program, Monticello is now offering after-school clubs in what students love and may eventually work in.

Think robotics, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Travel Around the World, cooking and yoga. Also available are clubs in geography, animal sciences, gardening, writing and Yearbook.

The after-school action takes place

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Rutherford Elementary School Principal Michelle Knowlton spends a quiet moment with, from left, kindergartner Jeri Duplessis and pre-kindergartners Isabella Hernandez and Lilliana Totten. The three children are enrolled in the District's new after-school program.

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in Monticello's three K-5 elementary schools: Rutherford, Chase and Cooke. “Giving them choices is important,� said Knowlton, principal of Rutherford, “and the program also gets them involved in the community.�

Throughout New York State, extending the school day beyond the 3 p.m. dismissal bell is helping to level the playing field for low income families. After school, children like those in Monticello and in neighboring Fallsburg can participate in highquality programs and experiences that are easily available to students in wealthier communities.

Governor Andrew Cuomo made an appearance last year to welcome Monticello to the Empire State AfterSchool Program. “This investment in our youn-

gest New Yorkers is an investment in the very future of this state,” Cuomo said.

Studies show that after-school programming often results in increased academic performance and improved classroom behavior.

And working parents gain peace of mind that their children are in a safe place.

The program at Monticello includes childcare, including for children enrolled in the Monticello-based prekindergarten Project Excel, run by Easter Seals New York, along with academic support in reading and math, enrichment, and recreation.

“Students and families are able to choose from a menu of options that best serve their needs,” said Dana Taylor, Monticello’s After-School Programs Executive Director.

Monticello staff members do the tutoring and run most of the clubs, but the wider community is involved as well.

“I am so excited about the Catskill Regional Medical Center’s Warrior Kids partnership,” said Taylor.

The CRMC project offers four ses-

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

sions of health education and highenergy workouts to inspire children to develop lifelong healthy habits.

Those habits include eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, no more than two hours of “screen” time per day, one hour of physical activity every day, and no sugary beverages at all.

Links with the Monticello public library are in the works, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Town of Wallkill comes to offer its Triple Play Club, on health and wellness, and Torch Club, on character development.

The program began in June with a notice to parents and then with parental sign-ups. Now, there is a waiting list. Students are more than excited.

“Kids are actually proposing clubs every day to me,” said Taylor. “I created positions in some of the schools called ‘Program Developers,’ who are fifth grade leaders in charge of listening to the Empire kids. Recently at Chase Elementary, the Program Developers told me that they wanted a Pokémon and a Minecraft Club. I said, go for it!”

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Do your homework first, and then have fun, say fifth graders Brandon Lee, Tristyn Watson and Ahmih Owens Harris at Rutherford School's extended day program.

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Students thrill to growing food and sketching nature

Third grader Leah Santillo takes a break from her time learning and helping out at the Chase Elementary School garden.

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Student Leah Santillo cherishes gardening time at Emma C. Chase Elementary School.

“I love seeing all the fruit and vegetables and flowers and everything,” said the third grader. “They change a lot, from flowers and blossoms to actual fruits.”

Classmate Troy Sedlack agrees.

“Look at this cute tomato,” he says as he gingerly grasps a cherry tomato that's bright red and perfectly shaped, as tiny as it is.

Chase’s outdoor school garden provides vegetables for sauces and salads created in the cafeteria by cook Peter Kunz. But the benefits are wider than munching on home-grown lettuce, kale and tomatoes at school.

“We are trying to teach the students the importance of healthy eating and show them how they can actually grow their own food,” said Gar-

den Coordinator and art teacher Laurie Kilgore.

“I often bring my Art classes to draw the plants and flowers they see in the garden,” Kilgore adds. “We will also be working on painting rocks to decorate our garden and working on sculptures and other art projects to enhance our garden's aesthetics.”

Often, other Chase teachers use the garden to teach lessons in math, social studies, language arts and science.

The space was created in the 201617 school year through funds of Catskill Mountainkeeper, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Center for Workforce Development, Green Village Initiative and Sullivan Renaissance along with the CHASE Parent Teacher Organization and EPIC (Every Person Influences Children).

With Kilgore at the helm, the green “backyard” filled with flowers and veggies is named Young Artists

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STORY AND PHOTOS

BY KATHY DALEY

Garden. A Monticello native, Kilgore is known regionally as a painter and muralist. Her class trips to the Bashakill wetlands in Wurtsboro for outdoor painting and learning have thrilled youngsters for years.

Back in the Young Artists Garden, “we are starting fall and winter planting for the spring and getting our beds ready to sleep for winter,” said Kilgore. “In the winter we start collecting our containers for planting seeds. In the spring we start working in the Art room on planting our seeds and watching them start to grow indoors. Then we plant our garden before we leave for summer.”

“Now, we’re also trying to decide on the perennials that we want to plant,” she added. “I am new to gardening and I'm enjoying learning with my students. I believe that aesthetics are important, and I want to turn our garden into a warm, beautiful, calming and comfortable place.”

As for the young gardeners, “They are eager to help during class time and when they have extra time,” Kilgore said. “They take it very seriously and enjoy being a part of it, especially when they are able to get their hands dirty!”

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The perfection of a tiny cherry tomato amazes Troy Sedlack, third grade.

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Athletics going strong at Monticello The Panthers’ 2018-19 athletics campaign is off to a good start, as their fielding varsity football, girls tennis, volleyball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls cross country teams this fall. They also have football cheerleading.

Take a look at some early season photos!

Highlights from the 2017-18 athletic year Boys Soccer won the Van Etten Tournament and qualified for the

Sectionals. Girls and Boys Tennis both had winning seasons.

Boys Basketball qualified for the Sectionals and lost a close Sectional game to Cornwall.

Boys and Girls Ski Teams won the League and Sectionals and qualified for the States.

The winter Cheerleading Team won the Sectionals and qualified for their first ever State Meet.

In Boys Track, Khadeem Richards won the Sectionals and finished first in the NYSPHSAA state meet winning

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The Monticello Panthers position themselves at the line of scrimmage, waiting on Quarterback Aidan Dietz’s signal for the ball to be snapped.

the 100-meter and 200-meter races.

Monticello’s Scholar-Athlete breakfast attracted over 125 attendees and our Senior Recognition Dinner over 200.

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Ryan Rodgers shows off his speed on a punt return.

Boys Basketball Monticello hosted the 7th Annual Jingle Ball Classic – and won the tournament. The event raised over $300 for the Holiday Toy Drive.

They organized the 10th Annual Sullivan County BCANY vs Cancer Classic and helped to raise nearly $6,000 for the Oncology Unit at CRMC. They helped to organize and raise over $4,000 for the American Heart Association in the 4th Annual Slam Dunk Heart Disease Games.

Dannez Moore was named to the All-Tournament team at the Lake Region Tip-off Tournament in Wallenpaupack.

Alberto Florez and Josh Gattling were named to the Section IX Class A All-BCANY Team and played in the BCANY Showcase games back in October Alberto Florez, Josh Gattling, and Dameion Nedd were named Sullivan County Democrat All-Stars.

Alberto Florez was the school’s Max Preps Player of the Year.

Aiden Johnson was an NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete

Boys Golf Luke Farrow qualified for the OCIAA Golf Championship. Ryan

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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

OCTOBER 2, 2018

MONTICELLO SCHOOL SCENE

champion in the 100 and 200 meters, breaking school records in both events. He was also a sectional and county champion.

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Jerome Luckey tied the school high jump record, won the state qualifier and competed at States.

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Lady Panthers’ Jessica Blakesley vies for the loose ball.

Alpine Skiing The boys alpine ski team won the Section 9 and the Division I titles.

Individually, Shane Bittinger won the Section 9 title and qualified for states.

Kyle Foss and Ryan Grodin also qualified for states. The girls alpine ski team won the Section 9 title. Drew Taylor, Sarah Grodin, and Jessica Blakesley qualified for states.

Inquire about the TSTT program and benefits.

Call or email to schedule a meeting with the TSTT team & consider partnership opportunities at your school!

“More than 20 Years of Inspiring Our Next Generation of Teachers and Strengthening Classrooms and Communities through Mentorship and Scholarship”©

Boys Outdoor Track Khadeem Richards was a State

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Monticello’s Krystal Pupo connects on a header.

Founded in 1994 by Dr. Bettye H. Perkins, President & CEO, TSTT is a unique school based mentoring program that recruits and mentors culturally diverse and economically challenged high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching, provides financial assistance for students to attend college, and places them as teachers and leaders who will inspire and strengthen their communities.

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845-295-4032 • www.tstt.org • sam.smith@scboces.org 6 Wierk Avenue, Liberty, NY 12754

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Grodin qualified for his second straight OCIAA Championship.

MONTICELLO SCHOOL SCENE

SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT

OCTOBER 2, 2018

TRANSPOR RTING THE MOS ST PRECIOUS CARGO Our drivers go above and beyond when it comes to the safety of our passengers.

Each year, Rolling V drivers are responsible for the safe transportation of more than 7,000 school children. School is back in session, so please remember to drive carefully – it could be your child on a bus nearby!

To learn more about our commitment to providing safe transportation for the children in our community, y, visit rollingv.com/parent-portal

To join our winning team, visit rollingv gv.com/recruitment

845-434-0511 www.Rollin gV.c om

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