SCHOOL SCENE A Special Supplement to the Sullivan County Democrat
A look at activities in the Wayne Highlands School District Honesdale, PA
S E C T I O N
H
•
S E P T E M B E R
2 2 ,
2 0 1 5
•
C A L L I C O O N ,
N Y
2H
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2015
Out of the ‘50s and into the ‘10s: Honesdale High gets makeover J
udy Kich was hard at work but smiling broadly as she unpacked Honesdale High School's book collection. She shelved the volumes into a blissfully bright and open space – the renovated school library. “Before, we were an old library trying to keep pace,” said the school librarian. “Now we're a state-of-theart facility.” The library features two computer labs for student small group discussion as well as for research, test preparation and composing papers. “Colleges want students who are able to work collaboratively,” explained High School Principal Diane Scarfalloto, “because that's what they will face in the workplace.” Training an eye on the future while living in the present is a balancing act that Wayne Highlands has come to master. This spring and summer, the District gently escorted the high school out of the 1950s, when most of the school was built. Refinancing an existing bond at a lower interest rate allowed for a $6.5 million building project that overhauled the main entrance, main corridor and music suite of band and choral rooms along with the library. The funds also helped reconfigure the school's main office, installing the special security vestibule that today's world demands. The need to welcome students back
The new entrance to Honesdale High School awaits finishing touches and a sign.
after the summer without any serious electronic or technological hitches required a week-long delay of school's opening this September. “The scope of work done was huge,” said Superintendent of Schools Gregory Frigoletto. “Opening when we did was a much better plan. Our Information Technology team, our administrators and staff at the high school were incredible. I couldn't be more proud of them.” In practice, “we try to stay on top of
Honesdale School Scene Published by
Catskill-Delaware Publications, Inc. Publishers of the
(845) 887-5200 Callicoon, NY 12723 September 22, 2015 • Vol. CXXV, No. 28
needed repairs over time,” said the superintendent. “Piece by piece, we have renovated the high school over three years – the electrical system, [asbestos] abatement, technology upgrades, painting, plastering. “We try to be fiscally responsible and progressive, both,” he said. Smart and thrifty Over the last five years, Wayne Highlands has consistently won recognition as a high-achieving, lowspending school district. This year
Publisher: Senior Editor: Sports Editor: Editorial Assistants: Advertising Director: Advertising Coordinator: Advertising Representatives: Special Sections Coordinator: Business Manager: Business Department: Telemarketing Coordinator: Classified Manager: Production Associates: Distribution:
was no different. Taking into account a district's standardized test scores and its proportion of economically disadvantaged students, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranks school districts annually. Its highest honor, the Overachiever, went for the second year in a row to Wayne Highlands. “For the second year, we are fifth in the state in overachieving based on our demographics,” said Frigoletto. He stressed, however, that the
Fred W. Stabbert III Dan Hust Ken Cohen Alex Rau, Allison Ruef, Richard Ross Liz Tucker Sandy Schrader Cecilia Lamy, Barbara Matos Susan Panella Susan Owens Patricia Biedinger, Joanna Blanchard Michelle Reynolds Janet Will Nyssa Calkin, Petra Duffy, Elizabeth Finnegan, Ruth Huggler, Rosalie Mycka, Tracy Swendsen Bill Holmes
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2015
Honesdale High School Librarian Judy Kich shelves books in part of the new school library. The old room was constructed when the school was – in 1958.
3H
! " # " $ % " $ " $ &
'()
* + ' , %
+
)
- ! . $ / 0 1 # 2
0 ! - ! . $ /
3 0 #
2 # !
/ 3
! . #
* +4 + 5
+6
32250
District views its poverty rate, which hovers around 40 percent, as a nonfactor in academic success. “We don't recognize it as a reason or an excuse for why kids don't achieve.� Rather, the District works hard to build a culture of success in its five school buildings, from establishing
respect for teachers to demanding big things from students. Quoting from the firm belief of a prior superintendent, Frigoletto reminded teachers this year: “Every parent is sending us the best they've got.� The issue for the faculty to ask themselves, he said, is, “Do I care about my students?� That care was expressly manifested this past June, when on the 15th, school closed for the summer, and on the 16th, elementary school teachers were expected to attend a four-day educational workshop – and all 41 showed up. So do they care? “Absolutely,� said the superintendent.
6 +(6 +65 5 2 # 6 +%5&+ 6%6 * 6 +(&%+7& ' " 3
6 +755+&66
TRI-COUNTY EAR, NOSE & THROAT P.C.
PHILIP G. LIU, M.D. AMERICAN BOARD OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY HEAD & NECK SURGERY
570-491-5255
650-2 Park St., Honesdale, PA 18431
Rt. 209, Westfall, Pa (beside Milford Landing)
www.tricountyent.org
!" #
$ %$ & '%#
# ! ( # ( )#
10207
570-253-0202
20600
4H
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2015
‘All together now, build that cell tower!’
O
dyssey of the Mind tryouts will begin next month, and Hannah Holbert and Taylor Maxson can't wait. “We can do a lot better this year,” said Hannah. “After seeing what other kids did, we want to step it up and do new things, like gymnastics and music.” Hannah and Taylor are eighth graders at Wayne Highlands' Preston Area School, and their Odyssey of the Mind team, performing last year for the first time, beat out 11 other schools to win the regional tournament at Pocono Mountain in March. The Preston students went on to take fourth place out of 12 schools in a later statewide competition in Berwick, Pa. “Odyssey of the Mind is based on problem-solving,” explained Don Burchell, a Preston educational technology teacher who is one of two coaches for the Odyssey program. The other coach is Greg Adams, who
teaches technology and engineering education at the K-8 school. An international educational program that welcomes students from kindergarten through college, Odyssey of the Mind enlists seven students per team from each of its participating schools. Meeting after school – and when competition time nears, even on Saturdays – the teams work on solving problems ranging from the construction of mechanical devices to the interpretation of literary classics. The coaches support their students in developing collaborative and teamwork skills and, as Taylor Maxson said, “in thinking outside the box.” But the adults cannot do the work for the kids. “We are not allowed to tell them anything – the students have to discover things on their own,” said Adams. “Each time they fail, they learn something,” added Burchell. “Each
Preston Area School eighth graders Hannah Holbert and Taylor Maxson, with coaches Don Burchell and Greg Adams, show off their Odyssey of the Mind team trophy, which rests on top of their award-winning project: a balsa wood structure that successfully supported 1,000 pounds in weight. Their team also includes students Grace Maxson, Breanna Gleim, Emily Bialecki, Dominic Thompson and Andrew Cantu.
time they succeed, they learn too.” Teams work during the school year on one long-term problem. Last year, students were required to build a structure out of balsa wood that would support a tremendous amount of weight. The structure had to be at least eight inches high and weigh only 16 grams, or the weight of seven pennies. To advance their design plan for what looked like a miniature weight-
bearing cell tower, the Preston students researched tall structures. In some cases, kids enlisted their parents to drive them around to look at actual cell tower construction. At the competitions, students typically present the structure they've built but also must perform an original skit that relates to that piece. Teams arrive at the tournaments with their own sets, costumes, music and dialogue
Located in the beautiful and historic former Hawley Silk Mill, The Lake Region Center offers 20 degree programs. Here are today’s Spotlight Programs: Hospitality Management – Offered through The Mary & Harry Kiesendahl School of Hospitality & Tourism. This program prepares students for management positions by applying a guest-centered philosophy to the operation, communication, marketing, management, and advancement of the hospitable experience.
AFFORDABLE EDUCATION CLOSE TO HOME AT
Lackawanna College’s Lake Region Center
Physical Therapist Assistant – This challenging and fulfilling program offers an entry to students wishing to work in the field of Physical Therapy. A Physical Therapist Assistant works under the direction of a Physical Therapist and helps execute patient rehabilitation plans. Sustainable Agriculture degree takes an educational approach to a specialty field that is growing quickly as efforts are sought across the country to maintain farm lands through economically viable ways. Our society needs skilled persons to develop and promote sustainable ways to support local food production. Students will take a variety of hands-on courses, including Organic Crop Production, Sustainable Livestock Management, and Plant Propagation. Graduates are prepared for work as skilled farm laborers, managers, or entrepreneurs, and work with farm bureaus and other agencies.
Associate AssociateDegree DegreeAvailable Availablein:in: Physical • Hospitality Management Administration PhysicalTherapist TherapistAssistant Assistant • Hospitality Management••Business Business Administration Education CriminalJustice Justice••Human HumanServices Services••Sports/Recreation Sports/RecreationManagement Management Eduction • •Criminal
31075 31795
• Apply Online at www.lackawanna.edu/admissions • Small classes and personal attention • Affordable Tuition with Financial Aid
(570) 226-4625 www.lackawanna.edu
If you’re interested in these or any of our degree or certificate programs, contact us today and Find Your Future at The Lake Region Center of Lackawanna College.
Program night SENIOR START-UP October August 21st 6th at at 5:30 5:30 PM PM
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
ative and theatrical a niche,� said Burchell. “To see the students take the regular STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] classroom education and extend that into a diverse competition such as Odyssey of the Mind is rewarding,� added Adams. Odyssey pushes students to think, work and enjoy themselves. “I like it that it's practical, more practical than classes,� said Taylor. “You are building stuff and working as a team.� “And,� said Hannah, “we really do have a lot of fun.�
You can rent the instrument, but you can own the memories....
22
$ ...LIMITEDÍłTIME RATES
ready to go. The Preston students won regionals with their balsa cell tower that, amazingly, supported 1,000 pounds in gymnasium-style weights. Their skit won raves as well. “Seeing other teams' work [at the competitions] was really fun,� said Taylor, reflecting the Odyssey emphasis on a healthy respect among all the students competing. The Odyssey coaches and kids say the program serves many purposes. “It creates a sense of community for the team, and it gives kids who are scientifically-minded but are also cre-
5H
Covers your ďŹ rst 5 months
For a Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Viola, Bell or Drum Kit. Other instruments available at great rates. (5 month minimum rental)
100
$
Covers your ďŹ rst 10 months
For a Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Viola, Bell or Drum Kit. Other instruments available at great rates. (10 month minimum rental)
AL’S MUSIC SHOP (845) 858-2475
31297
SEPTEMBER, 2015
41 Fowler St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 www.alsmusicshopny.com
............................ We are eager to help you and your child experience the best in music educaĆ&#x;on............................
Frank L. Miller Placement Advertising & More Honesdale Collectable T-Shirts Tie-Dye Shirts, Hoodies, Socks & Onesies
31108
$1.00 OFF ALL BRIGHT TIE-DYE SHORT SLEEVES $1.00 OFF ALL HONESDALE COLLECTABLE SHIRTS • THE STOURBRIDGE LINE • CENTRAL PARK • THE FALLS AT TRYON STREET • IRVING CLIFF NOW SELLING MASH HATS & T-SHIRTS! $1.00 OFF SHIRTS
$2.00 OFF SWEATSHIRTS 110 - 9th St., Honesdale
570-253-5549
20055
' !
Certified Public Accountant
Brian T. Kelly, CPA
"" #$ $ "
& Associates, LLC
616 Main Street, Ste 203 Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431 Phone: 570-253-8899 Fax: 570-352-3350
32416
32-34 N. Scott Street Carbondale, Pennsylvania 18407 Phone: 570-282-2800 Fax: 570-282-2827
! " " # $%&
%&'( %)( $" %&'( %)(*+%,
!
6H
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2015
It’s ‘Mission Possible’ time at the Middle School W
hen inventor and cartoonist Rube Goldberg began drawing his whimsical machines with dozens of moving wheels, gears and handles, he wasn't thinking of the Wayne Highlands Middle School students who would one day build something just like his contraptions. But this year, that's what’s happening. The middle school's Science Olympiad team – and hundreds of other kids across the nation – will compete in a contest to build a Goldbergtype device that features springs, motors, switches and wheels all moving at once. “The event is called ‘Mission Possible’,” said Middle School teacher Chris Roos, who coaches the team along with teacher Kelly O'Neill. “You push a trigger, and a bunch of things are happening all at the same time.” Science Olympiad is a national competition to increase student interest in science. Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic meets in biology, earth science, chemistry, engineering, physics and computers. Teams compete in 23 events that range from building structures like a thermodynamic box or a working robot to coming up with the solution to a crime, which involves testing for fingerprints and fibers as real detectives do. Each year, events crop up that reflect the ever-changing nature of science, so students might work on a project on invasive plant species or on genetic research. “We compete in groups of either two or three, depending upon the event,” according to student Camille Stanton,
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Backed by their coaches Chris Roos and Kelly O'Neill, both Wayne Highlands Middle School science teachers, is the school's award-winning Science Olympiad team: front row, Abby Panza, Stephanie Matlaga, Camille Stanton, Alexa Yatwa; second row, Dan Langroudi, Dominic Maglione, Zoie Meyer, Megan O'Neill, Jason Demers, Natalie Zeglen; back row, Andrew Latourette, Nate Mansfield, Liam Carmody, Kayla Taninies, Arjun Fulp. An important partner is the fundraising group Friends of Science Olympiad Middle School.
who delivered a report at the end of last school year to the Wayne Highlands school board. “All rankings are used to determine the team standing, so everyone must work hard at their events. Some events are very content-oriented, and others require us to build devices or perform lab skills.” The middle school launched its first
Country Café and Pizzeria “Home Style Cooking with an Italian Touch”
M - T - W - 6-3 • Th - Fr - Sat - 6-8 Sunday 7 - 8
19883
1041 Beach Lake Highway Beach Lake, PA 18405
570-729-0004
D DOW LING FAMILY EYE CARE LISA DO OWLING, O.D. Most insurance accepted Flexible hours
Open 7 Days a Week
www.CountryCafeandPizzeria.com
Science Olympiad team 13 years ago and has met with significant success. “Over the years, our teams have consistently finished first place in the category of Experimental Design,” noted Middle School Principal Chris Pietraszewski. Furthermore, in the past four years the team has placed in the top six at
the regional competition – held last year at Penn State's Wilkes-Barre campus – allowing them to go on to the state tournament. Last year, the team took a fourth place medal in one event and scored in the top 50 percent in an additional 10 events, all at the state tournament held at Juniata College. The team, which meets at school from 3-5:30 p.m. twice each week, typically has attracted the academic and non-athletic students. But in the last few years, Wayne Highlands has witnessed a broader interest in Science Olympiad. “We've got B-students, kids who are athletes, kids who love an aspect of science, kids from the band and soccer,” said O'Neill. Because Science Olympiad allows students to develop the kind of projects they want within the parameter of loose rules, the program encourages process and growth. “It challenges kids in subject areas that they might not otherwise have access to,” said Roos. “Kids have to build their knowledge base every year.” The rewards of Science Olympiad are many. “When our kids go to high school,” said O'Neill, “they are very well-prepared for the rigors of advanced-level science class. They know how to work collaboratively, how to read additional materials, they're used to gathering information on their own.” “The program develops in kids a strong work ethic,” said Roos. “They're used to the pressure, they learn how to manage stress and improvise when something goes ‘south’.
160 GRANDVIEW AV A ENUE HONESDALE, PA 18431 TELEPHONE: (570) 251-9100 0 FAX: (570) 251-9926 15442
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2015
7H
How to grab student attention: Boot up the technology
C
aptivated, absorbed, enthralled. That's how Wayne Highlands School District wants its students to feel about learning. And so the District is ramping up its emphasis on technology. For example, science teacher Mike Jurkowski filmed a 15-minute segment of himself lecturing and demonstrating a dissection of a cow's eye. He then “sent” it to his students so that they could watch it at home, as their homework. The next day, Jurkowski's students got right to work on dissection, with the teacher serving as facilitator, able to give individual attention rather than standing up lecturing. The technique, called “flipping the classroom,” is one creative measure teachers are using this year to keep their digitally-aware students involved to the max. “Technology is allowing multiple avenues for students to successfully get the material,” says Assistant Superintendent Timothy Morgan. “It lets us tailor education to every style of learning – visual, oral, kinesthetic.” Last year, Wayne Highlands secured a Rural and Low Income Schools federal grant to purchase iPad Minis for the high school sophomore class as a pilot. This year, the grant is funding
the first year of a four-year agreement to purchase over 800 iPad Minis that are now in the hands of every high school student and teacher. That means adults and teenagers are introduced to exciting software applications like Quizlet, which allows students to make their own electronic flashcards to help study. Or the notetaking and archiving software Evernote, which also permits students to film a teacher's classroom lecture or lab experiment so that they can rewatch the lesson at home or in study hall. This school year, “we want to reach a broader scope of students and on a deeper level,” Morgan said. “When our kids leave us for college, jobs or the military, they go into a world where the use of technology is part of what they experience every day.” Technology also helps teachers
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 Wayne Highlands School District for all its cooperation in this project.
dents benefit this year, too – with the introduction of last year's 260 high school iPads on mobile carts, going from classroom to classroom along with laptops. Morgan also noted that this year will usher in special professional development in the new technologies for faculty members. All these high-tech goings-on are possible by a complete overhaul of the District's wireless infrastructure, a huge effort spearheaded by District Director of Technology and Information Services Scott Miller. Miller applied for and received a $400,000 grant from the E-Rate program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The funds paid for upgrading the existing wireless infrastructure and installing new wireless. The work is all geared towards sparking kids' interest in learning. “We've heard now and then from parents who say, ‘I have a child who's usually not into the work but is excited about doing this with the iPad,’” said Morgan. “Interest is sparked when the level of curiosity is engaged.”
Shop Like a Genius 19733
Teacher Jamie Brown works with Brianna Cawley on an iPad during a Spanish lesson. Brown, chosen by the District to attend an intensive summer workshop as a Keystone Technology Innovator, will work on this year's push to assist teachers with new educational technologies.
gauge instantly how students are grasping a lesson and which student needs extra help. At Wayne Highlands, a device called Socrative provides immediate feedback for students, which then motivates them to quickly improve performance. For teachers, the real-time understanding that, for example, 40 percent of the students have not understood the lesson, allows the teacher to reteach. “It changes the dynamic in the classroom when a student having trouble with a lesson sees immediately that others don't understand it and that ‘it's not just me,’” said Morgan. IPads are issued like textbooks, one to each student, with the device returned at the end of the year. But updating software and educational content is not as expensive or cumbersome as updating textbooks. Last year, the District spent $36,000 for textbooks; this year, that amount is slashed to $12,000. Savings also show up in the District's paper and ink costs as teachers and students work electronically together. Wayne Highlands' younger stu-
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
Our branch office: Kristt Company Honesdale Location 863 Main Street Honesdale, PA 18431
369 Broadway, P.O. Box 548 Monticello, NY 12701 845-794-6639
570-253-9011
Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM
WWW.KRISTT.COM
HONESDALE ED TAB
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2015
Do You or Does Your Child Need Health Insurance? Apply for enrollment all year long for these New York State-sponsored health insurance programs
Child Health Plus
Medicaid
Free or low-cost monthly premiums For children under 19 who live in New York State. There are no copays for care or services. Coverage may be free or as little as $9 per child per month based on income and family size.
No monthly premiums! Medicaid Managed Care is for children and adults who live in New York State and who meet certain income and disability requirements.
Benefits to keep kids healthy and on the go • Well-child care and checkups • Immunizations • Prescription drugs • X-rays and lab tests • Diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury • Dental and vision care • Hospital inpatient and emergency care • Speech and hearing care • and much more!
Benefits for you and your family • Checkups • Well-child visits • Preventive care • Immunizations • Women’s health and pregnancy care • Treatment for illness or injury • X-rays and lab tests • Hospital, emergency, and urgent care • Prescription drug coverage (copays may apply) • Dental care • Eye exams and glasses • Speech and hearing therapy (limits may apply) • and much more!
It’s easy to apply - all year long! Apply for Child Health Plus and Medicaid Managed Care offered by Fidelis Care through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, at www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov. A Fidelis Care Representative can help you complete an application form. Call 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547). 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.
1-888-FIDELIS | fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547) •
30979
8H