George Zini
Superintendent
Michael Brennan
Business Manager
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George Zini Michael Brennan
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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.
Background
" The purpose of the evaluation system is to ensure that there is an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective leader in every school. The evaluation system will also foster a culture of continuous professional growth for educators to grow and improve their instructional practices.
Under the new law, New York State will differentiate teacher and principal effectiveness using four rating categories – Highly Effective, Effective, Developing, and Ineffective. Education Law §3012-c(2)(a) requires annual professional performance reviews (APPRs) to result in a single composite teacher or principal effectiveness score that incorporates multiple measures of effectiveness. The results of the evaluations shall be a significant factor in employment decisions, including but not limited to promotion, retention, tenure determination, termination, and supplemental compensation, as well as teacher and principal professional development (including coaching, induction support, and differentiated professional development)."
(Excerpt from the New York State Education Department's document, "Guidance on New York State's
Annual Professional Performance Review
for Teachers and Principals
to Implement Education Law §3012-c and the Commissioner's Regulations")
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The Ichabod Crane Central School District is pleased to announce that the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Program again has bestowed the prestigious ENERGY STAR Label on all three of its campus school buildings for 2012.
This recognition is presented to the most energy efficient schools in the country, and this is the fifth time the District has received this award.
The School District also has announced that for the second time, the District as a whole is currently eligible for two Energy Star Leader Awards: The 30% Improvement Award (for achieving 30% energy reduction compared to baseline period 2004-05) and the Top Performer Leader Award (for achieving a district-wide EPA score above 75, ICCSD=96). Although Martin H. Glynn and Martin Van Buren are no longer being operated as school buildings, these reports show that when open these buildings were among the most efficient K-12 schools nationally, as well as in New York state.
Robert Thorsey, Ichabod Crane Energy Manager, explained that Ichabod Crane has been in an energy conservation program with Energy Education, Inc. (Energy Star Partner) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSEDA) Energy Smart Schools Program since 2004. Recognizing that utility prices continue to increase, the program helps support K-12 schools in their pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainability.
Working in partnership with Energy Education Inc. and TRC Energy Services in Clifton Park, the District closely monitors and analyzes energy use data for the District, which includes staff and student use of equipment, hours of operation, heat and air conditioning controls, and other energy consumption.
Mr. Thorsey stated that the staff and students have become aware of their energy use on a daily basis and have made a significant impact on reducing energy costs. He stated, “As the district energy manager, I want to thank everyone for their efforts in energy conservation! This is a great accomplishment for our district and well earned.”
“We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition from ENERGY STAR,” said Ichabod Crane Central Interim Superintendent Lee Bordick. “Our energy conservation effort not only saves taxpayer dollars but also benefits the local environment. We are proud of the staff’s response to the challenge of reducing energy consumption and that these efforts have been recognized by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program.”(Posted July 2, 2012)
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Ichabod Crane Odyssey of the Mind teams were very successful at the competition on March 10 at Rensselaer City School District. The tournament, sponsored by Questar III (BOCES), involved more than 600 students from Rensselaer, Columbia, and Greene counties.
Ichabod Crane fielded seven teams, with the Primary School team performing at a noncompetitive level to prepare them for future tournaments. "They did a great job," said Carrie Dugan, Ichabod Crane Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator.
One Elementary School team placed first and will be competing at the state level on March 31 in Binghamton. The other two elementary teams each placed second. The Middle School teams placed second, third and fourth.
The winning Elementary School team in Division I tackled "Problem 5: Odyssey Angels." The competing teams performed a skit where they traveled throughout various places and found negative situations they needed to change for the better (one of the angels could not speak and one needed a special power created by the team).
Also at the tournament, Andrew Dugan, a junior at Ichabod Crane High School, won an "OMER award" for designing and building a game used at the tournament. The award recognized the student volunteer for exemplifying the spirit of Odyssey of the Mind.
The Ichabod Crane Middle School Team B, with Coach Clemente, also won an OMER award for displaying exceptional team spirit. The team competed in the “To Be or Not to Be” problem.
(Posted March 20, 2012)
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Twenty-one Ichabod Crane students had artwork selected for display at the third annual K-8 Empire State Plaza Art Collection Exhibit. The artwork was exhibited from March 6-12, 2012 on the South concourse at Empire State Plaza in Albany. A reception was held for students, parents, and teachers on March 6.
This event is the only Capital Region exhibition for K-8 students. It is an opportunity for students to showcase how their art was inspired by artwork from the Empire State Plaza Permanent Collection. Ichabod Crane students looked at the artwork of Sven Lukin, Alexander Calder, and Claes Oldenburg.
Artwork by the following students was selected for this exhibit:
Grade 1: Margaret Grace, Sofia Pantoja
Grade 3: Madasyn Manginelli, Emma Stigi
Grade 5: Emily Abbati, Erica Agan, Brendan Carey, Larry Devito, Lucas Fores, Jan Karl Galia, Tyler Halstead, Rebecca Mabb, Areli Meza, Sean Mueller, Erica Neale, Joshua Nooney, Lauren Palladino, Jenna Rothwein, MacKenzie Scheuttig, Jenna Upright, Madison Wagner
This exhibit was held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month and sponsored by the NYS Office of General Services and the Capital Area Art Supervisors (CAAS) group.
Ichabod Crane Primary School and Elementary school teachers participating in this event were Elizabeth Addison, Jessica Borrell, and Elizabeth Leonard.
Capital Region students at the reception for the K-8 Empire State Plaza Art Collection Exhibit including Ichabod Crane students Emily Abbati, Lucas Fores, Joshua Nooney, MacKenzie Scheuttig, Emma Stigi, and Madison Wagner.
For additional information regarding the District Art Department, click here....
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(April 21, 2010 ) Required Announcement of Conclusion of Review by the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Vocation and Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Vocation and Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) completed a Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) Transition Compliance Review in the Ichabod Crane Central School District. This review examined the District’s compliance with selected federal and state laws and regulations governing the education of students with disabilities.
The review was conducted by VESID’s SEQA office as well as school district staff. The review process included a review of school records of selected students with disabilities, classroom visitations, and surveys of staff and parents. Meetings of the Committee on Special Education were also observed. A copy of the report may be obtainedfrom the Superintendent's office located in Central Office in Middle School, 2910 Route 9, Valatie, NY 12184
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Non-Discrimination Compliance Statement
The Ichabod Crane Central School District hereby advises students, parents, employees, and the general public that it offers educational opportunities including vocational opportunities without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, handicap or religion. Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination policy may be directed to: Title IX Compliance Officer Shannon Shine, Principal, Ichabod Crane Elementary School, Valatie, NY 12184 (518) 758-7575 and Section 504 Compliance Officer Robert McCloskey, Director of Special Education, Ichabod Crane Central School District, Valatie, NY 12184 (518) 758-7575. A copy of the “In Compliance with Section 1.4 (a)” is available in the Superintendent’s Office.