TAKE ONE FREE
SCHOOL SCENE A Special Supplement to the Sullivan County Democrat
A look at activities in the Roscoe Central School District
SECTION R • MARCH, 2019 • CALLICOON, NY
2R
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
EXPLORE MORE Where the halls are alive OUTDOORS with the sound of music STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DALEY
I
n Sullivan County’s smallest school district, music-making is huge. That’s important long-term because for adults, music triggers memories, affects moods for the better and makes people feel good. Singing, playing and listening to music is famed for reducing stress and anxiety, easing physical pain and providing comfort. And for kids in Roscoe and elsewhere, science affirms that singing and playing music also stimulates young brains and works on small muscle skills. It aids in language development. Music-making teaches time management, coordination, patience and collegiality. “What is wonderful about teaching music,” said Roscoe General Music and vocal teacher Rachel Kleinman, “is
FROST VALLE VA EY YMCA
DAY CAMPS
that we can reinforce all of those skills, sometimes in one lesson. “For example, in the lower elementary grades,” Kleinman continued, “students learn how to ‘rotate’ and share classroom instruments, which is an important skill to learn at a young age.” Kleinman teaches pre-kindergarten through eighth grade General Music and, for high schoolers, choir and a course entitled “Music in Our Lives.” There, “We cover music in the brain and music in preparing for a recital,” she said. “We analyze music videos and this year, had a Music and Disabilities unit in which we invited the Center for Discovery to come speak to us.” Teaching General Music allows Kleinman to implement various teaching styles. “Particularly in the lower grades, I
from June to Sept Safe affordable fun for ages 4-16 including teen adventure camp, horseback riding camps, and farm camp! Bus stops in Delaware, Sulll ivan & Ulster Counties.
Apr 15-19 for ages 4-15 Daily activities include hiking, sports, crafts, climbing, a trip to a local pool, and much more.
COME TO AN
OPEN HOUSE:
APR 28 • MA AY Y 19 • JUN 9
REGISTER TODA AY Y!
frostvalley.org 845 5-9855 2291 69722
Spring Break ak Camp
Each spring singers from Roscoe Central School, above, take to the stage for Bethel Woods’ annual acappella music concert entitled Acappellooza. Last year they performed alongside the Monticello High School Chamber Singers, Middletown High School’s Frequency, South Glens Falls’ Vocal Point, and The Center For Discovery Choir.
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
focus on an Orff style of instruction,” she said. The Orff approach is a child-centered way of teaching music education that treats music as a basic system like language. The method is kinesthetic, in that it encourages children to sing, chant rhymes, dance, and clap instead of simply learning to read notes. Another Kleinman strategy is to create an interactive, peer-friendly environment for learning. “Conversation between peers is a skill I use not only to reinforce their understanding of a concept, but also how to effectively communicate with their peers on a higher level,” she said. Today’s kids tend to have their heads bent down to peer at their phones or other devices, and eye contact is not what they are used to. But Kleinman will gently urge a student to look at a fellow student who is performing. “I want students to be comfortable creating, performing and providing constructive critique to one another,” she said. Kleinman also teaches the acappella group of some 20 Roscoe students,
3R
where kids learn melody lines, harmonies and song patterns in this popular style of singing unaccompanied by instruments. “Rosc-a-Ppella has seen many changes since its conception in 2012,” she said. “What began as a high school group has now become a group comprised of third to eighth graders performing contemporary music that features soloists, vocal percussion and movement.” This year, the group will perform with others from Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties at Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center at the annual Acappellooza, which is directed by none other than Rachel Kleinman. Roscoe’s students will be singing “Island in the Sun,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and a Rhianna song, “Disturbia.” The acappella group is a fine project on its own, Kleinman noted. But it’s also a “great feeder” into the fifth and sixth grade Choir and seventh through 12th grade Choir, she said with a smile. Kleinman directs both of those Roscoe singing ensembles.
Best Wishes to the Roscoe School Staff & Students. Especially, Pamela Carpenter, Robert & Emma Buck and Tyler Carpenter Nancy Buck Sullivan County Treasurer
School Scene
‘A look at activities in the Roscoe Central School’ Published by
Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the
(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 March 5, 2019 • Vol. CXXVIII, No. 76
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, 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, Peter Melnick, Jessica Roda Linda Davis, Larissa Bennett, Anthony Bertholf, Phil Grisafe
59009
Roscoe’s Rachel Kleinman teaches General Music and vocal music, incorporating life skills like working with others and paying attention.
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
Teachers pinpoint ways to help students succeed STORY AND PHOTO BY KATHY DALEY
T
he process begins with the lessons based around that,” said nationally recognized NWEA Morello. “I also collaborate daily with testing system that precisely the fifth and sixth grade teachers and measures an individual student’s try to align my instruction as best as I academic level and needs in math, can with what they are teaching.” science, reading and language arts. It “I usually have five students in my then translates that information into room and they are usually working teaching tools to help the students on different things depending on advance. what skill they need to improve on,” AIS, or Academic Intervention added Griebel. “For example, I have Services, operates in most school dis- second graders come into my room tricts, and in Roscoe, those important and we complete rocket math,” services are delivered by teachers which is a structured program for Catherine Griebel and Krista Morello. learning math facts that kids love. “We provide various Then Griebel’s stuinterventions and learndents move on to their ing strategies to best own work that she plans support students’ acafor them based upon demic growth,” said their data results. Morello. Morello has anywhere “To help plan my lesfrom four to six students sons for each student, I in her ELA and math analyze the data results groups. from the NWEA and “I will prepare a lesson from DIBELS (a series of and write the student’s ‘I short tests that assess CAN’ statement on my early childhood ability to whiteboard every day so read and write),” said that each understands Griebel. “In the reports, what they are going to be it tells what skills the stulearning or continuing to dents need to reinforce work on,” she said. and develop. I focus on Both teachers use eduthose to help the student cational games and visuKrista Morello build up to their grade al aids to make the work level.” interesting for kids. Teacher | Griebel works with In first and second grades 1-4 and Morello grade, Griebel screens takes on grades 5 and 6. They work students on the Dolch word list, with students individually or in small which is age-appropriate listing of groups. the most most frequently used words The NWEA assessments break in the English language. She creates down math and reading and writing worksheets such as Word Searches, into small sub-categories and topics, and uses “flash plates” to assist stusaid the teachers. dents in word learning: “I write the “I then use those topics identified words on paper plates because the as difficult for my students and plan round circle draws their eyes to the
‘I will prepare a lesson and write the student’s ‘I CAN’ statement on my white board every day so that each knows what they are going to learn...
63795
4R
MARCH, 2019
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
Former kindergarten teacher Catherine Griebel, left, now helps students in grades one to four to succeed in areas of learning that give them trouble. Right, Krista Morello does the same with fifth and sixth graders, noting that both value the strong relationships they gain with students in making them feel confident about their studies.
vocabulary, provide examples and key words, provide graphic organizers, and so on, she said. Both teachers love their work and relish making a difference in the academic lives of their students. Morello is delighted when a student says, “When you teach it to me, it’s easy.” Griebel said not long ago, she was working with a student on addition. “Every day, I would explain that you can start with the larger number and then count up.” The student kept counting up the first number and then trying to continue counting the second number on their fingers. Then, one day, the student looked up and said, “I got it.” “The student asked me to listen and then worked out a few more problems out loud,” said Griebel. “I almost cried because I could see the understanding in their face. It was an exciting moment.”
65508
center of the plate,” she said. “I work a lot with word work because it helps to build speed and fluency when students are reading,” Griebel added. Morello creates dry erase cards that students keep on their desks and manipulate as needed when solving equations. Students also make a decimal bookmark “where we split a large flashcard into quarters and write different rules about adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals,” she said. “I also modeled how to make a divisibility rules flip book that the students can refer to when finding the greatest common factor of numbers,” Morello added. Then, for her English Language Arts students, students have interactive notebooks. “Whenever they learn a new topic, together we create a notebook page where we define the
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
5R
6R
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
Roscoe Athletes Shine in Winter Sports
ANTHONY MORGANO | DEMOCRAT
Madison Rhodes led the Lady Blue Devils in scoring with seven points during their Senior Night game against Sullivan West.
ANTHONY MORGANO | DEMOCRAT
From left, Roscoe’s Nikolas Breihof and Erick “B” Hill made the Downsville Tournament’s alltournament team.
JOSEPH ABRAHAM | DEMOCRAT
Roscoe’s Connor Gartland shows off his athleticism on this play, rising up for a Blue Devils’ basket.
JOSEPH ABRAHAM | DEMOCRAT
Roscoe’s Noah Hendrickson, right, drives by Eldred’s Dylan Jennings.
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
7R
‘The Little Mermaid’ and other Lyrical Events
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Roscoe Central School District will host two performances of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” on Friday, March 22 and again on Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
65618
R
oscoe Central School will offer a performance of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the school. Students in grades 4 through 12 have prepared for this year’s dramatic production since November. Directing is music teacher Kelly Bullis assisted by Jackie France, who heads up the District’s Pupil Personnel department. The play centers on a magical underwater kingdom, where beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the hand-
some Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking. Admission is $5 per person, and all are welcome. Also scheduled for this month was the March 1 and 2 All County Festival at Liberty Central School. Talented students in Roscoe were also among others in the county: Alisha Trautschold on euphonium; Rebecca Stickle and Sarah Gorr on clarinet; Gianna Ballard, tenor saxophone; Liam Haering on trumpet; Wesley Kinne on alto sax. A March 6 annual Pops Concert at Roscoe Central was due to feature the Roscoe Performance Ensembles and also projects from teacher Gilat Aharon’s Animation Class as well as a live painting presentation from teacher Michele Hood’s Drawing and Painting Class.
65274
BY KATHY DALEY
8R
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
The T Rhythm of learning to play music for now and the future STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DALEY
en-year-old Celeste D’Andrea is delighted to experiment with the flute. “It’s fun to try to challenge yourself with an instrument,” the fourth grader said. “If you work at it, you can make it sound pretty.” Celeste learns instrumental playing from Roscoe music teacher Kelly Bullis, who teaches instrumental playing to all fourth graders. Bullis then goes on to instruct the fifth through 12th graders who elect to learn an instrument. She also teaches a high school piano elective. “Music is a unique discipline and an integral piece of a well-rounded education,” said Bullis, who supervises the school band as well, along with the annual drama production in the spring. “Music reinforces responsibility, expression, emotional understanding and multi-cultural connections.” That concept is highly endorsed by Roscoe Principal Janice Phillips, said Bullis. For example “with Mrs. Phillips’ guidance, I changed the focus of the Fourth grader Landen Ryder is serious about studying the trumpet.
THALMANN’S
Locally Owned & Operated
SERVICE CENTER
Foreign & Domestic AUTO REPAIR & SERVICE and Complete COLLISION REPAIR & BODY PAINTING G
Brakes • Shocks • Tires Exhaust • AC Services Computer Diagnostics Alignments • Transmissions Regular Maintenance Certified NYS Inspection Station
RoscoeLumberYard@yahoo.com
65184
64468
CALL US TODAY! 845-292-4808
63892
188 Lake Street • Liberty, NY 12754
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
band program from teacher-directed to a student-led discovery experience,” Bullis said. “It enables my students to have ownership of the band program and to have a musical voice within our ensembles. “I guide and coach more than I direct,” Bullis added. “Students have blossomed with musicality and respect for one another and for music.” Many of her former students stay in touch. “They have reached out to me to share how they make music a part of their adult life,” said Bullis, “not only those who have made it their career, but also those who make music a part of their life for expression and stress relief.” It’s all good, said eleventh grader Alisha Trautschold, who has been chosen to perform with the Sullivan County Music Educators All-County Music Festival and with the New York State School Music Association conference. “Music takes practice, focus and dedication,” said Trautschold as she wielded a euphonium, which resembles a small tuba. “Each time you
9R
In pink sweatshirt, Celeste D'Andrea takes to the flute as her class experiments with various instruments.
rehearse, each time you put a mouthpiece to your mouth, you improve. Even if it's only 10 minutes, you are getting something out of it.” Couldn’t agree more, says nineyear-old Landen Ryder. “My dad used to play music, and I
wanted to know the experience of playing,” said Landen. “I’ve watched a lot of movies and videos about music. I’m very serious about playing.” Does this fourth grader see a musical career in his future?
F Begin Where Futures & Dreams s Are Achieved!
Sullivan Sulliva a n BO OCES Off Offers ffers.... . Career Care e er & Te echnical chnicall Educat E d ucation t ion Prog Prr ogrrram am s Specialized Specialize e d Educ E duc cational cat att ional Prog Prr ogrrrams ams Ad A dult ultt & Contin Contt in nuing EEducat d ucation t ion &m more re
Preparing stude ents of all ages for a glo obal economy
65768
CTE: Health Occupations Program
Like & follow us at Sullivan County BOCES
66188
(845) 295-4000|scboces.org
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
“I might become a musician,” he said, “but I’m also thinking of a couple of other jobs: being a cop or being a professional snowmobiler.” When you’re in elementary school, the future is as wide as the mouth of a trumpet.
10R
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
Learning about words and the world in second & third grade STORY AND PHOTO BY KATHY DALEY
C
hildren don’t enter the world knowing their long and short vowel sounds and the value of speaking in complete sentences. Their parents are their first teachers. And Roscoe teachers Donna Greenthal, second grade, and Jennifer Portz, third grade, are right up there in importance. “In second grade, children are coming into their own, there’s a feeling of independence, feeling more self-confident and it’s about building on their confidence,” said Greenthal. Portz notes that in third grade, students “take what they have learned already and run with it.” English Language Arts-wise, Greenthal works on phonemic awareness, that is, the ability to focus on and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. For example, she teaches vowel sounds, such as the short vowel sound of the letter “a” in the word apple and the long vowel sound of the letter “a” in acorn. Consonants like the letter “B” have their own sound, as in the “buh” sound in “boy.” Then there is the word “chunks,” which means two letters together that make a different sound such as the “sh” sound in the words show and wash. Or the “ph” sound in telephone. Greenthal teaches two-syllable words like nap-kin or pic-nic. Or trick words that are pronounced oddly in the English language, like the word “they.” “In second grade, they are learning a lot about sentence structure with nouns and verbs,” adds Greenthal. “There’s more reading for understanding. They are looking for context clues for meaning.” By the end of the year, second graders will be adept at composing persuasive letters to someone in their
Second grade teacher Donna Greenthal and third grade teacher Jennifer Portz are veteran educators and passionate about their work.
family, community or world. They will choose topics based on their own interests and advance arguments to support their position. “They also keep journals of their thoughts and opinions. We’re building on information-type research and writing,” Greenthal said. “By the end of the year, they will be able to write a story with a definite beginning and ending.” “It’s really important for them to get their thoughts on paper,” she added. “I’m trying to get them comfortable with writing.” Second graders work on ipads and Chromebooks as they develop their skills in reading, writing and speaking. And in science, Greenthal has them engaged in problem solving and independent thinking. For instance, “The students picked
a bird to research,” said Greenthal, “and especially what the bird eats. We then did prototypes of a bird feeder specifically for that bird.” On laptops, they access the website Raz-Kids, where kids can listen to, read and record themselves reading books while teachers customize assignments, view reports, and track student progress along the way. “We also have what’s called Readers Theater, where they read a play from a script,” said Greenthal. “There are some costumes, some props. We did Greek mythology: Pandora’s Box, and King Midas. They love it because it’s all about super heroes.”
DEEP INTO THIRD GRADE Next year, Greenthal’s students will move into the classroom of colleague Jennifer Portz.
This year, Portz’s 20 students are tackling independent reading and writing. A unit on the frog, that tailfree amphibian with the short squat body and long hind legs for leaping, drew students’ attention right from the start. “They absolutely loved it,” Portz said. Then there was the unit on books and how difficult it can be, worldwide, for children to access reading material. “We read ‘My Librarian is a Camel’ and discussed how hard it is for children to have what we take for granted.” In that book, the author describes the sometimes startling ways books are made available to children by different kinds of libraries around the world. In discussions, Portz’s students learn to speak in full sentences, which is so important in having a complete thought, she noted. For example, she might ask 'What are some of the ways that children get books?” “Camel,” one student might say. But no, Portz encourages the kids to declare instead: “Some other ways that children get books is by camel.” “There is a strong correlation between the way you speak and the way your write,” she noted, pointing out that 90 percent of the students in her class now speak that way. Third grade is the time for thinking about a text’s meaning, lesson and important ideas. Students learn to delve into ways the characters in a book change over time. Collaboration in pairs or small groups begins in earnest. Third graders slowly learn that one person doing all the talking is not appropriate, and they come to respect different opinions and personalities. Portz urges her students, “look in someone’s eyes when you are talking to him or her.” Good advice at any age.
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
11R
Spring is Coming! Great Ideas to Help Your Business Grow! EDUCATION
TOURISM
SCHOOL SCENE
A Special Supplement to the Sullivan County Democrat
Catskills Take One Free
C O N F I D E N T I A L
BUSINESS
Bethell, NY
Sullivan’s voice heard at Pattern’s breakfast INSIDE: DINING
“FOR A W E E K E N D, A SEASON OR A LIFETIME”
SHOPS R E C R E AT I O N LO D G I N G E N T E R TA I N M E N T R E A L E S TAT E PROFESSIONAL S E RV I C E S C A L E N DA R AREA MAP
A look at activities in the Livingston Manor School District SECTION L, MARCH, 2018 • CALLICOON, NY
Livingston Manor School Scene Ad Deadline: March 6 Publication Date: March 15
HEALTH
President’s Message page 2
Story and Photos by Fred Stabbert lll
casino lift off
2 0 1 5
2018
SPRING 2018
Volume 17 Number 8
S P R I N G
Catskills Confidential Edition
Bethel Destination Guide
Ad Deadline: April 15 Publication Date: May 15
Ad Deadline: May 1 Publication Date: May 17
S
ullivan County’s strong presence did not go unnoticed at last Monday’s Pattern for Progress County Leaders Breakfast at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. Pattern for Progress President Jonathan Drapkin, who hails from Rock Hill, welcomed the more than 30 Sullivan County business and government leaders who attended the event to a rousing round of applause from the 250 attendees. Heading the list were legislators Scott Samuelson and Cora Edwards as well as County Manager Josh Potosek. And three of the individuals most instrumental in helping Sullivan County win the casino license – Partnership President Marc Baez, Chamber President
Chapin Estates adds two new partners page 5 Roscoe businesses investing in the future page 8 The housing market is thawing out in Sullivan page 12
Pattern for Progress President and CEO Jonathan Drapkin, left, was the moderator at last Monday’s Leaders Breakfast in Poughkeepsie. From the left are Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, Ulster Executive Mike Hein, Orange Executive Steve Neuhaus and Sullivan County Legislature Chair Scott Samuelson. Cathy Paty and Visitors Assn. President Roberta Byron Lockwood – also made the trip. Sullivan County’s casino proj-
Big Turnaround Ulster County has certainly had one of the biggest turnarounds during the last decade. “Ulster County had the biggest job loss during the last 10 years of any county in the state,” Drapkin said. “During the last two years, Ulster had the biggest job gain.” Hein said precision manufacturing has helped lead the way, with some companies exporting their projects to such far-off places as Asia. “We have to create a climate where businesses can succeed. We have lowered taxes for three years in a row,” Hein said. Neuhaus agreed, “It’s the leadership inability to get things done [in a timely manner]. We literally have five or six communities which are booming because local leaders are getting things done. “We will see good fortune as long as we get cooperation,” Neuhaus said.
ect is still the buzz across the region. “A casino means a lot for Sullivan County – and the region,”
Neuhaus also said that the casino competition pointed out “the speed to market” Orange County can attain when it needs to. He said that kind of cooperation and effort is needed on every project. “When state funds become available for economic development or infrastructure, you have to have plans ready to go for bridges and roads,” Neuhaus said. Samuelson said, “Sullivan County is so different than these three other counties. We are much more rural and focused on the environment. “But now we can say to the world ‘We are here,’” he said. “The casino project will be a catalyst and support system which will give us the confidence to feel like we can do anything. “We have to rebuild [our infrastructure] and rebuild quickly,” Samuelson said. “We are also looking at workforce development and the tourism market, which will rise.”
Sullivan County legislature chair Scott Samuelson said. “It’s a win-win for the Hudson Valley and the state.” Samuelson said that Montreign Casino, which will be built on the former grounds of the Concord Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, will be an economic catalyst for the entire region as the $1.1 billion building project breaks
Please see PATTERN, page 3B
Chamber plans night of fun at The Sullivan page 14 Jeff Bank promoted Rhonda Decker page 15 MAP out your small business plan page 16 New kitchen available at Cornell Cooperative page 17 Ruby Group builds on page 20
Sullivan County had more than 30 attendees at the Leaders Breakfast in Poughkeepsie last Monday including Partnership President Marc Baez, right, and Partnership board member Gary Silver.
Sullivan County Business Edge Ad Deadline: March 8 Publication Date: March 19
REAL ESTATE
home c ou n t r y
A Sullivan County Democrat publication MAY, 2018
PRICELESS
H E A L T H&W E L L N E S S
PRICELESS
in the
To find out more about these Award-Winning Special Publications, February 2019 Bill Flyer_TabFullPg
Call 845-887-5200 Today! Healing indulgences A Special Section of the Sullivan County Democrat,
March 2018
Voted
Best Real Estate Guide in New York State
‘Celebrating 128 years of Community Journalism’
Health & Fitness Ad Deadline: March 6 Publication Date: March 15
With offices in Callicoon & Monticello
www.scdemocratonline.com
Home in the Country Ad Deadline: April 10 Publication Date: April 19
ROSCOE SCHOOL SCENE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
MARCH, 2019
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
65298
12R