Sixth Graders Take on "Battle of the Books" to Enhance Study Skills:
SKANEATELES, NY (March 3, 2017) – Members of the Skaneateles Middle School sixth grade took part in the semi-final round of the “Battle of the Books” this afternoon, a competition focused on building study skills.
Four teams took part in the competition with the winner of each semi-final round taking part in the “Battle of the Books” finale on Monday afternoon.
The competition featured questions from six pieces of literature including A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck, Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George, Scat by Carl Hiaagen, Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz, The Pinballs by Betsy Byars, and Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan.
Questions were asked of teams in alternating fashion, with teams having the opportunity ...
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Senior Pasta Dinner to be Served March 10:
PHOTO - Skaneateles High School seniors Hannah Drake, Kyla Sears, Alex VanRiper, Conor Driscoll, Maddie Van Riper and Taylor Hill are among those seniors ready to serve up some spaghetti at the annual Senior Pasta Dinner on March 10. (Dan Kapuscinski photo)
SKANEATELES, NY (March 3, 2017) – The Skaneateles High School Class of 2017 will be plating pasta dinners on Friday, March 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
The evening will include delicious pasta dinners, musical entertainment from the Skaneateles school music department, the annual silent auction, as well as the traditional Sophomore Circus taking place down the hall in the gym for children of all ages.
Families, senior citizens, students and athletic teams are invited to enjoy ...
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State of District Community Forum Set for March 22:
Join Skaneateles Central Schools Superintendent Ken Slentz as the district holds another Community Forum to address topics such as the 2017-2018 budget, Project 2021 - as well as a Q&A in regards to district events. The forum will take place in the Waterman School Auditorium.
On Facebook? RSVP to the event and let other community members know you plan to attend by clicking HERE .
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Project 2021: Why Now? Proactive Planning Provides Key Timing for Projects, Budget:
PHOTO - Stephen Somogy, an architect with the BCK-IBI Group, met with staff of the Skaneateles Middle School on Thursday to learn more about the school's needs and desires in relation to improved teaching and learning. The meeting is the first of four scheduled in the coming week with various district stakeholders to continue the proactive planning for the district's proposed Project 2021. (Dan Kapuscinski photo)
SKANEATELES, NY (March 2, 2017) – With a focus on proactive building maintenance and modern learning, the Skaneateles Central School District’s proposed capital project known as “Project 2021” continues in its planning stages, heading toward a district vote in November of this year.
Initial steps have already ...
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Ethan Goldstein Named U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate:
Skaneateles High School senior Ethan Goldstein is among a highly select group of candidates in the United States Presidential Scholars program this year.
Of the nearly 3.5 million high school seniors in the United States, Goldstein is one of about 4,000 selected to compete in the program. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars.
Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 53rd year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.
Goldstein earned a perfect score on the ACT test he took in April of 2016, which ...
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Grammy-Award Winner Mark Wood Returns March 14:
Grammy-award winning rock violinist Mark Wood will return to the Skaneateles High School auditorium for a performance on March 14. (markwoodmusic.com)
SKANEATELES, NY (March 1, 2017) – For the first time since 2012, Grammy-Award winning rock violinist Mark Wood will return to the Skaneateles High School Auditorium on Tuesday, March 14 as a part of the 2017 “Lead Your Students to Victory” tour.
The electrifying performance, which will see Wood work with Skaneateles orchestra students on the importance of discipline, practice, “feeling” the music, and giving the “Laker 110%,” will begin at 7 p.m.
“We are excited to have Mark work and perform with us,” said Karen Veverka, Director of the Skaneateles High School and ...
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Superintendent Slentz Meets Rotarians, Talks Future:
The future was in the spotlight when Superintendent Ken Slentz spoke to the Skaneateles Rotary Club recently.
“In the past, I’ve told you more about the ‘WHAT’,” Slentz said. “Now, we are talking more about the ‘WHY.’”
In everything the district is doing – from curriculum and budget planning to Project 2021 development – the future is key. Guided by the best research available, the district is looking ahead three, five and ten years or more. Where once there was an awareness that schools were preparing students for jobs in the future that didn’t exist yet, “now we are preparing kids for jobs NEXT YEAR that we don’t have names for,” Slentz said.
There also has been a change in ...
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OOTM Community Demonstration Set for March 8:
Third graders Celia Rogers (left) and Faith Azzam (right) are busy preparing for their first Odyssey of the Mind competition, which will begin with a community demonstration at the State Street School on March 8 at 6 p.m. (Kelley McQuiggan photo)
SKANEATELES, NY (March 1, 2017) – A total of 10 teams from Skaneateles Central Schools will once again be competing in the Odyssey of the Mind regional competition held at the Cayuga-Onondaga County BOCES campus on Saturday, March 11. To prepare for the competition and showcase their projects, all 10 teams will conduct a community demonstration in the State Street School gymnasium on Wednesday, March 8 beginning at 6 p.m.
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem solving competition that teaches students ...
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March Madness Activities Coming to Middle School:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 27, 2017) – For three days in the upcoming month of March, the Skaneateles Middle School will be providing March Madness Activities for students ranging from brain teasers and cupcake decorating, to arts & crafts and trivia.
One of the goals of the Skaneateles Middle School Improvement Team (SIT) is increased wellness and to assist in this goal the Middle School SIT went about identifying several clubs and activities that would help promote student wellness.
With the help of surveys, the SIT gathered ideas on clubs and activities that students and staff may enjoy participating in and combined that information with efforts already being put in place by the Middle School PTC and the Student Council.
The result of the collaboration is a host ...
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Community Member Perspective: Strategic Planning at Skaneateles Central:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 27, 2017) – Below is a letter from Skaneateles community member Ed McGraw documenting his perspective and thoughts on the Skaneateles Central Schools strategic planning process to this point, including “Project 2021”.
My name is Ed McGraw, I live in the Village of Skaneateles and my granddaughter attends State Street School. I am a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for the District and was asked to offer my thoughts and observations of the Committee’s work thus far. In my job I am blessed to work with some excellent educators and high performing school districts. Just like here in Skaneateles their students score well on key standardized tests, accumulate AP college credits and attend the best colleges ...
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Feb. 15: Honors English Looks Back on Valentine's Restaurant in "Years Ago" Column:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 17, 2017) – Skaneateles High School students enrolled in Kate Hardy’s 10 th grade Honors English class are working on a weekly project which sees the students research, select, and edit press archives of the past located in the Skaneateles Library and the Historical Society for submission into the “Years Ago” column within the Skaneateles Press.
The column, which is split into historical segments of 10-25-50-75 and 100 years ago, is a remembrance and celebration of past days in Skaneateles.
Below is the “Years Ago” column as it appeared in the Skaneateles Press on Feb. 15:
10 Years
Ten years ago this week, an article ran in the Press celebrating the history of the Valentines restaurant in town. The ...
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High School Grad Rate Stands at 96%; Advanced Diploma Rate Climbs:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 17, 2017) – Skaneateles High School once again achieved an overall graduation rate of 96% for the Class of 2016, with the number of students attaining a Regents diploma with advanced designation climbing to a new high of 69%.
The advance designation graduation rate of 69% is an increase from the Skaneateles High School Class of 2015, which saw a Regents diploma with advanced designation graduation rate of 63%.
“Both the overall graduation rate of 96% and the increased advanced designation graduation rate of 69% are certainly worth celebrating,” said Skaneateles Central Schools Superintendent, Ken Slentz. “These strong numbers and upward trends help us to increasingly ensure that every diploma has significant meaning ...
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Text Feature Added to School Messenger Service:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 17, 2017) – Based on a number of suggestions from parents and guardians following Wednesday morning’s snow event, Skaneateles Central Schools has added a text feature to its School Messenger service, working as an added element to keep parents directly informed on district happenings.
The text messaging feature of School Messenger joins the previously utilized methods of e-mail and voice mail.
“This service provides yet another way for the district to contact parents or guardians in any emergency and/or closure situation,” said Skaneateles Central Schools Superintendent, Ken Slentz. “We thank those who took the time to write in with various suggestions for improvements and to all of you for your assistance in getting ...
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Syracuse Stage to Perform for 8th Graders Feb. 28:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 16, 2017) – Members of Syracuse Stage will perform before Skaneateles Middle School 8 th grade students on Feb. 28, with a performance of “Rosalie Randazzo: Child Garment Worker.”
The performance, which focuses on a fictional character, is a composite based on the true stories of the millions of child laborers and immigrants working in America at the dawn of the 20 th century and is a part of the Syracuse Stage Backstory program.
The Backstory program is a live, interactive and creative history lesson for upper elementary students through adults.
Backstory performances invite students to step back in time for an interactive classroom experience with a featured historical character portrayed by a Syracuse Stage artist-in-residence. ...
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The Good News in a Bad Weather Morning:
The snowfall that caught everyone off guard today brought out the best in many people in the Skaneateles Central School District. Like all other area districts, Skaneateles was into the morning routine before the weather issue became abundantly clear.
As roads worsened, reactions by bus drivers, parents and others were inspirational, according to Superintendent Ken Slentz. “The teamwork that was displayed in ensuring the safe arrival of our students is truly admirable,” Slentz said.
With the first bus run completed (middle school and high school)and the elementary bus run beginning when the snow became dangerous, the district sent out a message to all parents saying the elementary schools would be open but that buses would be delayed “given the band ...
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Honors English Class Pens "Years Ago" Column:
Honors English teach Kate Hardy was featured in the Skaneateles Press 25 years ago. She brought puppies to share for show and tell with her first grade class. Currently Hardy advises students who work to create the Years Ago column each week for the paper. (Skaneateles Press)
SKANEATELES, NY (February 14, 2017) – Skaneateles High School students enrolled in Kate Hardy’s 10 th grade Honors English class are working on a weekly project which sees the students research, select, and edit press archives of the past located in the Skaneateles Library and the Historical Society for submission into the “Years Ago” column within the Skaneateles Press.
The column, which is split into historical segments of 10-25-50-75 and 100 years ago, is ...
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Guidance Offered on Flu Prevention:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 14, 2017) – While Skaneateles Central Schools have fared quite well this season in regards to absences due to sickness, the NYS Health Department is reporting a surge in the number of influenza cases reported this winter.
As a healthy reminder, Mark Snyder – District Health and Safety Officer – has issued an outline of detailed information from the New York State Health Department that may serve as a helpful reminder on flu prevention in the school setting.
Always be sure to:
Cover your cough or sneeze
Wash your hands
Stay home with flu-like symptoms
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Get a flu shot
Below are a series of quick links featuring helpful state and federal resources:
...
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BOCES Student Presentations Shed Light on Programs,Opportunities:
Kathryn Carlson, Skaneateles Central Schools BOCES Board of Education representative, lead a roundtable discussion with Skaneateles High School BOCES students (from left to right, around table) Clark Strang, Joseph McIntyre, and Thomas Greenfield about their experiences within the BOCES program.
SKANEATELES, NY (February 9, 2017) – Three Skaneateles High School students who take part in the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES program presented before the Skaneateles Central Schools Board of Education on Tuesday evening, bringing to light the many real world experiences and opportunities afforded to them through the BOCES program.
Skaneateles seniors Clark Strang and Joseph McIntyre along with junior Thomas Greenfield were the featured speakers, presenting on their experiences gained ...
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Kringer, Anna Earn John A McLeod Vanguard Award for 2017:
Micheal Kringer and Colleen Anna are the 2017 recipients of the NYIDE John A McLeod Vanguard Award. The award will be presented at the Community of Color Honors Awards Gala this Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn.
SKANEATELES, NY (February 8, 2017) – Members of the Skaneateles High School and Middle School Drama and Music departments will be recognized during Friday’s New York Institute of Dance & Education Community of Color Honors Awards Gala at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn, as Colleen Anna and Micheal
Kringer will receive the 2017 John A McLeod Vanguard Award.
The annual Gala will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Anna is the chorus and music instructor at Skaneateles Middle School and also directs the Middle School musical. This year’s ...
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Kid's Night Out Scheduled for Friday at Middle School:
SKANEATELES, NY (February 7, 2017) – The Skaneateles Middle School PTC will be presenting Kid’s Night Out this Friday at the Skaneateles Middle School from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Kid’s Night Out is open to all Middle School Students in grades six through eight, offering a variety of “night out” activities including a game room, bingo, karaoke, dodge ball, and a salon.
The annual gathering offers students the opportunity to experience a fun night out in a controlled environment.
Along with the help of teacher volunteers, snacks will also be provided.
The purpose of the Middle School PTC is to encourage and maintain close relations as well as to facilitate communications between parents and the Middle School. The PTC also promotes and funds ...
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