  George Zini Michael Brennan
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUICK LINKS
Adult Education
Alumni
Art Showcase
Board of Education
Budget Information
2013-14 Calendar At-A-Glance
2012-13 Calendar At-A-Glance
2012-13 Calendar/Handbook
Crane Acting Troupe
Contact Us
Directions to Our Schools
District News
Employment
Events
Guidance Dept
Health Services Dept.
Lunch Menus
Parent Resources
Registration Forms
Registration Forms (Spanish)
Registration Guide for Parents
Registration Guide for Parents (Spanish)
Sports Schedules
POS Services
Student Meal Accounts
Instruction Guide for Creating an Account
District Departments
Board of Education approves proposed budget for 2013-2014
Increased state aid helps reduce the tax levy and restores programs to address academics, student services, communication, technology, facilities, and safety.
Members of the Board of Education and approximately 70 attendees heard welcomed news from Superintendent George Zini as he presented the final proposed budget for 2013-2014.
At the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, April 9, Mr. Zini reported that Ichabod Crane received a substantial restoration of aid in New York State’s final budget. Specifically, Mr. Zini reported that Ichabod Crane has received $11,903,208 in state aid, an increase of $653,909 since the previous budget presentation at the March 25 community forum.
Mr. Zini was quick to point out that due to fiscal prudence and sacrifice through the last three budget cycles, Ichabod Crane entered the budget process in sound financial condition. The original proposed school budget included funding for existing staff and program levels without any cuts due to fiscal constraints.
However, with the last minute infusion of additional state aid, Mr. Zini and the administrative staff went to work to review the most prudent allocation of the additional revenue, remaining mindful of the comments and recommendations made by the public at the past four community budget forums. Mr. Zini indicated that additional expenditure allocations were made judiciously, given the instability of the economic climate.
In the revised budget report to the Board, Mr. Zini proposed that with the additional state aid funding, the tax levy be reduced from the originally proposed 3.84% to 2.9%.
Additionally, Mr. Zini made recommendations to allocate funding in the areas of staffing, student services, technology, communications, facilities, and safety as follows:
•Addition of six teaching assistants, grades K-5
•Addition of three lunch monitors in the Primary School to free teachers to provided additional instruction to students as needed
•Increased support for field trips and extracurricular activities
•Additional support in the Informational Technology Department
•Contract with Questar for a part-time Communication Specialist
•Allocation of funds for partial support of School Resource Officer
•Allocation of funds for classroom space needs
The Board of Education approved the proposed 2013-2014 school budget of $34,911,862 with a tax levy of 2.9% to be put to the community for a vote on Tuesday, May 21.
At its meeting, the Board also approved a proposition for voter approval that authorizes the purchase of six (6) school buses with the cost not to exceed $376,000. For the safety of the students, Mr. Zini stressed that maintaining a dependable fleet of buses is critical, and no additional taxes are incurred by the residents.
To review Mr. Zini’s PowerPoint presentation of the proposed 2013-2014 budget, click here…
To view summaries of previous public budget forums, click here...
2013-2014 Budget Documents
To view the 2013 - 2014 Budget Report sent to all District Residents, click here...
To view the 2013 - 2014 Budget Proposal with Questions and Answers, click here...
To view the 2013 - 2014 General Fund Budget Document, click here...
The budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 8 am to 9 pm in the High School gymnasium.
(Updated on May 3, 2013)
___________________________________________________
Four Residents Vie for Three Seats on the Board of Education
Four District residents have submitted their petitions to run for three vacant positions on the Ichabod Crane Board of Education. Each vacancy is for a three-year term.
Two candidates, Anthony Welcome and Regina Rose, are seeking re-election. The two other candidates seeking election are Tricia Gerkman and Kyle Aschenbrenner.
To view the biographies/statements as submitted by the candidates, click here...
The Board of Education election will be held along with the District's annual budget vote on Tuesday, May 21, from 8 am to 9 pm in the High School gymnasium.
(Updated on May 15, 2013)
_____________________________________________________
The Kinderhook Education Foundation Arts and Humanities Endowment
Message from the Advisory Board...
Dear community, alumni, students, teachers, and lovers of the arts:
Perhaps we can think back in time as young people to some pivotal moments in our lives that had a lasting impression and shaped our future path. Many of the moments may have occurred outside the classroom. School funding reductions have severely curtailed these opportunities in recent years.
We have a chance to help our ICC District students and pay it forward!
The Kinderhook Education Foundation Arts and Humanities Endowment is an independent fund which provides money to our District students for fine, performing arts, and literary experiences. The initial startup was a generous money award from world renowned artist, Ellsworth Kelly, a Columbia County resident.
Our advisory board has awarded approximately $10,000 in grants each year since 2009 for many arts and community projects and also to the Valatie Community Theatre.
However, December 31, 2013 is our deadline to match the funds given. We risk losing this valuable resource. We have a ways to go and need your help. We invite you join us in contributing to this fund to meet the December challenge.
- Donations are tax deductible. Visit the Kinderhook Education Foundation Website for information on how to contribute.
- Also important to note: This fund is independent and will not impact school taxes. The money goes directly to programs selected from Berkshire Taconic Foundation which holds this endowment.
Please check back for updates as we get them on activities and communications.
This effort is for the future of our students and community. Our sincere thanks. We need to dream BIG!
Gratefully yours,
Karen Hummel
Advisory Board Co-President
The Kinderhook Education Foundation Arts and Humanities Fund
(Posted on May 17, 2013)
____________________________________________________
Ichabod Crane High School Students Sponsor Prom Safety Week
On May 3 through 9, student members of the High School club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), sponsored Prom Safety Week.
The program concentrated on raising student awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of wearing seatbelts.
Events consisted of a “Grim Reaper Day,” with a dramatization bringing statistics to life by showing that every 33 minutes a life is lost as a result of impaired driving.
Also, a demonstration of a mock crash and rescue was presented by the members of the Valatie Rescue Squad, the New York State Police, and the Niverville Fire Department.
Additionally, students viewed the results of a rollover accident when passengers were not wearing seatbelts through a rollover simulator demonstrated by the New York State Police.
The High School SADD advisor is Maureen Sgambelluri, Health and Physical Education Teacher.
 |
|
| Students from the High School club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), share statistics and demonstrations with their classmates regarding the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of the use of seatbelts through a week-long program prior to the High School prom. | |
 |
 |
(Posted on May 16, 2013)
_____________________________________________________
The Class of 2015 Held First Annual Color Splash Run on April 20
The Class of 2015 held it's First Annual Color Splash 5K Run on April 20, 11 am at Ichabod Crane High School
Despite challenging spring weather, the class enjoyed offering this colorful event, which was a great way for the community to come together for a fun time.
Fun for all ages -
In addition to the fun run, activities included:
- BBQ including hot dogs, hamburgers and snacks at the concession stand sponsored by the Class of 2016
- "Splash your teacher!" event sponsored by the Class of 2013
- Face painting sponsored by the ICHS Art Club
- Bean bag toss, guessing jar, and snow cone booth sponsored by the Ichabod Crane Bus Drivers Association
To see the poster for the event designed by the class, click here...
Elisabeth Cousineau and Nancy Konkle are Class of 2015 and 2016 faculty advisors.
(Updated April 22, 2013)
____________________________________________________
Ichabod Crane High School Art Students Win Awards at Juried Art Exhibit
Jessica Mink, a junior at Ichabod Crane, was awarded First Prize for her ceramic sculpture at the 24th Annual Questar III High School Invitational Art Exhibit at WMHT.
Jessica created her sculpture, entitled “Ectoplasm,” in the Advanced Sculpture and Ceramics class at the high school.
Her classmate, senior Maria Balli, received Honorable Mention for her ceramic sculpture. Also, senior Julie Puiatti received a certificate for her self-portrait created in Drawing and Painting class.
Awards were distributed at a reception for the artists at WMHT studios in Troy on April 17. The exhibit continues through May 10, 2013.
Jessica Mink, winner of the First Prize Award at the Questar III High School Invitational Art Exhibit, is congratulated by Ichabod Crane Assistant Principal Daniel Farley.
(Posted on April 20, 2013)
_____________________________________________________
Ichabod Crane Team Wins New York State Odyssey of the Mind Title - Advances to World Finals
Ichabod Crane students ranging in age from six- to 11-years-old presented their creative problem solution on March 23 in Binghamton to earn the New York State Odyssey of the Mind Championship for Problem 1 in the Elementary Division. The seven-member team has worked together since September developing an eight-minute skit involving three delivery vehicles and a trick-doing pet. Team members Blanca Payne, Lauren Bertand, Alex Regan, Timothy Balon, Andrea Payne, Samara Regan and Julen Payne are coached by Laura Michell-Regan and Maite Ascasibar.
This team now has the opportunity to represent Ichabod Crane and New York State at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals on May 22 through 25 at Michigan State University. From now until then, the students will be busy perfecting their solution and fundraising to help defray some of the costs of traveling to the event.
Odyssey of the Mind encourages students to develop creative problem-solving skills. The program requires students to develop ideas and create their props without the assistance of coaches or anyone else. They must work together to solve problems, generate ideas, resolve conflicts and cooperate in creating their unique solution. Their adult coaches can teach the team skills they want to learn such as how to sew or use certain tools but may not introduce any ideas or create anything for their solution. The students learn a great deal in the process.
In the first round, the Ichabod Crane teams attended a Region 4 Competition in early March at the Rensselaer School District, where they competed against teams in their age division (kindergarten through five, middle school, or high school). Teams that placed first in each division then competed at the state tournament. The first and second place state tournament teams qualify for the world finals.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the Ichabod Crane community to be represented at the Odyssey of the Mind international competition, and donations to help defray costs incurred by participating in the world competition in Michigan would be sincerely appreciated. Checks made out to Ichabod Crane Central Schools may be mailed to Odyssey of the Mind, C/O Laura Michell-Regan, P.O. Box 405, North Chatham, NY 12132.
To learn more about the Odyssey of the Mind program, click here....
(Posted April 15, 2013)
______________________________________________________
Thoroughly Modern Millie Delights Audiences
The Crane Acting Troupe presentation of the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" delighted audiences of all age groups. The show was held on March 21 through March 23 in the High School auditorium.
_____________________________________________________
Congratulations Boys' Volleyball Team - Regional Class B Champions
The Ichabod Crane Boys' Volleyball Team shut out Oneida from Section III to win the Regional Championship for the third consecutive year. The team went 21-1 for the season.
2013 Ichabod Crane Boys' Volleyball Regional Champions
Ichabod Crane Boys' Volleyball Co-Captains, Derrick Fennoff and Alex Potts, proudly display the teams' Regional Championship plaque.
______________________________________________________
ICC STUDENTS HAVE TALENT!
For more, click here...
_______________________________________________________
ICHS Art Club Raises $1,600 for Valatie Food Pantry at “Empty Bowls” Supper
The Ichabod Crane High School Art Club raised more than $1,600 at its fifth annual “Empty Bowls” supper on Tuesday, February 5 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the ICHS cafeteria. A check for donations was presented to the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry.
_______________________________________________________
Residents Approve the Capital Improvement Bond
By a vote of 499 yes to 147 no, residents approved the District's plans for building improvements and technological upgrades throughout the Ichabod Crane campus. The $7 million project will have no tax impact on residents.
_____________________________________________________
Board of Education Approves APPR Plan
At its meeting on December 11, the Ichabod Crane Board of Education approved the District's Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) of teachers and building principals.
_____________________________________________________
The Nation’s Report Card
What Every Parent Should Know About NAEP
"Today’s students take tests for everything. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), though, is different.
It’s called The Nation’s Report Card because it tells us how students across the country, not just in one particular school or state, are doing."
Excerpt from US Department of Education brochure,
The Nation’s Report Card: What Every Parent Should Know About NAEP
This brochure describes for parents the NAEP initiative to improve the nation's schools.
To view the brochure (available in English and Spanish), click on the National Center for Educational Statistics Website here...
For questions regarding this information relative to Ichabod Crane students, contact Melissa Murray, Principal for APPR, in Central Office at 758-7575, Ext. 3002.
___________________________________________________
New York State Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 Common Core Learning Standards
The New York State Education Department has adopted Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. These standards will define curriculum and instruction.
They will also be the basis of the state assessments beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. The Common Core Standards have been adopted by most states across the nation.
To find out how this affects your child, click here...
(Posted August 2, 2012)
_______________________________________________
