Posted 8/31/11

Lucas (Luke) Romano passed away on Monday, August 29th at Albany Medical Center after a courageous seven-year battle with Leukemia. Luke was a 17-year old senior at Shenendehowa H.S. 

Luke’s zest for life, charismatic personality, infectious smile, and fearless determination to beat the disease won the hearts of family, friends and, in many instances, complete strangers. During his life journey, he inspired many because of his perseverance, generosity, and courage. He was determined to never let the disease control his life. He valued family and friends and lived every day to the fullest. 

By his nature, Luke was a competitor and loved all sports. Prior to bone marrow transplant in 2007, Luke was introduced to the sport of thoroughbred horseracing by Jay and Colleen Cummings.  Soon all aspects of the horse racing industry became Luke’s passion. He was taken under the wing of Colleen’s parents Colum and Jackie O’Brien who are thoroughbred trainers at Belmont and Saratoga. Luke loved spending mornings at Colum’s barn and being on the back side of the track. His dream was to make a career in the equine industry.

He was the loving son of John E. and Annette Brokx Romano of Clifton Park; caring brother of Jaclyn Romano and Marcus Romano, both of Clifton Park; cherished grandson of Dr. John and Beatrice Romano of Utica and Dr. Peter and Maria Brokx of Hamburg, NY; dear nephew of Elaine (David) Trevisani of New Hartford, NY, Paul Romano of Johns Creek, GA, Jennifer Romano of Utica, Lidwyn (Edward) Bijnsdorp of Vught, The Netherlands and John (Katy) Brokx of Hamburg, NY.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, September 2, 2011 from 3-8 PM at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, NY. A service of prayer and remembrance will be observed at the church on Friday evening at 7pm. All are invited.>

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at St. Edward’s by Rev. Patrick Butler, Pastor.<

Interment will be in Jonesville Cemetery, Clifton Park, NY.

Contributions may be made in Luke’s memory to Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer at Albany Medical Center Foundation or Nick’s Fight To Be Healed Foundation, all care of the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065.

The Romano family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Joanne Porter, Janis Koshgarian, and the entire staff at Albany Medical Center for “never giving up” on Luke and providing immeasurable kindness and compassion during his medical treatment.  They would also like to thank the Shenendehowa CSD staff and Clifton Park community for supporting our family during this journey.

"I shed a tear for thee" by Dr. L. Oliver Robinson inspired by Lucas and in remembrance of all of our students who have gone before him

Posted 8/29/11

In 2009, NYS passed the Dignity for All Students Act, “DASA,” that goes into effect on July 1, 2012 and protects students from harassment, discrimination and bullying by other students or school employees. It provides that no student shall be subjected to discrimination based on his or her actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, weight, sexual orientation, sexual identity, or sex. DASA explicitly states that bullying, taunting and intimidation on these protected grounds are all forms of harassment.
Harassment under DASA
Harassment under DASA is the creation of a hostile environment by:
• conduct or verbal threats;
• intimidation or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being;
• conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for their physical safety
Note that under DASA, conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse includes but is not limited to that based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.
What the Shenendehowa doing to create a nurturing environment where all students can learn
The District’s Director of Policy and Community Development Rebecca Carman is representing the Shenendehowa on the state-wide DASA Task Force. This year, she will be in charge of collecting data to determine where and what the issues are to evaluate what needs to be done. The district’s Character Education Committee will play a vital role by incorporating character building activities in classroom and school programs. The schools have plans to prevent bullying and encourage positive behavior.
• Two elementary schools (Okte and Orenda) will be implementing the OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program. It is the most researched and best known bullying prevention program known today that has been proven to prevent or reduce rates of bullying throughout a school setting.
• Three elementary schools (Arongen, Shatekon, Orenda) will be implementing the Peaceful School Bus Program, a school wide program whose purpose is to create a climate of cooperation and respect on the school bus and to decrease inappropriate behavior. It is designed to change the social dynamics on the bus by building strong relationships among students and the bus driver.
• The Middle Schools are implementing CAPE (Coalition for Achieving a Positive Environment) This committee has shown an overwhelming commitment to making the middle school a safer, more positive place to learn and work.
• At the High School, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) is a systems approach to preventing and responding to school and classroom discipline problems. It aims to reduce behavioral problems to create and maintain safe learning environments.

Posted 8/26/11

The Board of Education approved the 2011-12 tax levy setting the tax rate for each town. Click here to view chart with equalization rates.

2011-12 school year

Clifton Park-$29.61, a 3.86% increase after equalization rates.
Halfmoon-$27.70, a 0.51% increase after equalization rates.
Malta-$17.17, a 3.86% increase after equalization rates.
Waterford-$49.06, a 0.89% increase after equalization rates.
Ballston-$17.89, a 0.47% decrease after equalization rates.
Stillwater-$17.70, a 1.72% increase after equalization rates.

Explanation 2011-12 Property Tax Calculation due to state cap in STAR Reimbursement Percentage

There is some confusion in the property tax calculations on the 2011-12 tax bills. First, the bills are correct. The problem is that when you do the straight-line calculation it does not compute. The reasonthe STAR savings was capped at no more than 2% increase with the new Tax Cap Law. So the district is required to add the difference back into the tax bill. In other words, if a person’s STAR savings from this year to last year exceeded 2%, the state is not reimbursing the amount above 2%, and requires that we add that back to the bill. Click here for a sample bill calculation.

Posted 8/25/11

NYSED ELA and Math exams scores are posted on the parent portal. Cut off scores needed for proficiency on NYSED tests for Math and ELA.

Posted 8/18/11

Opening Day Message from Dr. L. Oliver Robinson

The prevailing winds of change that we've been expecting are upon us. As a school community we are faced with some unprecedented and even historical transformations that have changed and will continue to change how we think, behave, and ultimately do the job of educating your children. Clearly the status of the state’s fiscal crisis, coupled with the increasing demands placed on schools, makes it even more challenging to preserve high quality programs and services. Over the next several months you will be hearing more about the state’s common core and national standards, the new teacher and principal evaluations, changes in graduation requirements, more rigorous testing standards and the unprecedented restrictions in financing with the approval of the 2% tax cap law.

• Through the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative, governors and state commissioners of education from across the country developed a “common core of standards that are internationally benchmarked, aligned with work and post-secondary education expectations, and inclusive of the higher order skills that students need.” In 2010, the NYS Board of Regents adopted the CCSS for math, English language arts and literacy in history/social studies, science and technical subjects. While the Core Standards for College and Career Readiness build on the work Shenendehowa has already done in developing a standards-based system, there is still much to be done to foster 21st century learning and teaching that includes national and international models of exceptional education.

• New York State will implement a statewide comprehensive evaluation system for teachers and principals that is designed to measure effectiveness based on performance, including measures of student achievement and evidence of educator effectiveness in meeting New York State teacher or school leader standards. The law requires annual professional performance reviews (APPRs) to result in a single composite teacher or principal effectiveness score. 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.

• Pledging to provide relief to suburban homeowners, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York legislative leaders have agreed to place a 2% cap (or the rate of inflation, whichever is less) on property tax increases for 2012-13…"a plan that rivals the toughest in the nation." However, the burden of that plan will be borne by our students and this community with the real possibility of eroding in the quantity and quality of services. For instance, even if $700,000 in reductions are made to administration and every employee takes a salary freeze, the district will have to cut an additional $5 million from the 2012-13 budget under this legislation. After three years of cutting as a result of reductions in state aid and no real mandate relief on the horizon, there will be nothing left to do other than cut an additional 90-150 positions. There is no more trimming around the edges. Without any increases in state aid, we will be forced to look at all non-required programs and services. It is not an overstatement to say that future students will not have access to the same programs and opportunities as students do today without the support from you as parents and this community to over-ride the tax cap with a 60% majority approval.

• NYSED has indicated that they would like to possibly increase graduation requirements suggesting more information would be provided in early 2011. The state eliminated the January Regents due to funding (although money has now been donated to now hold the 2012 January Regents exams) and has proposed changing the passing score from 65 to 75. They have also removed the RCT safety net for Students with Disabilities (SWD)

• In 2010-11, the NYS Department of Education changed the scoring for gr. 3-8 testing for English language arts and math. In the past, students had to score a 650 to score a level 3 (at grade level) on the math and ELA exams. This has been increased by 8 to as much as 34 points depending on the exam. At Shen, the average scores earned by students were roughly the same as the previous year, but we still experienced a decline in “passing” rates that was attributable chiefly to raising the standard, rather than a decline in student or school performance. These new standards further challenge us to diligently evaluate programs, develop curriculum and implement various steps to provide the best possible instruction, guidance, and resources to help all students think critically, ask discerning questions, and read with comprehension and intelligent reverence.

Although we now face a catapult moment in time where severe fiscal constraints threaten our system , we will be fortified in our commitment to pragmatically embrace the challenges afoot with a keen sense of inventiveness and ingenuity, all fueled by ambitious and energetic professionals.

As always, we will look to the future, not with the pessimism of the intellect, but with the optimism of a willing spirit knowing what is at stake for the boys and girls who will walk through our doors this September. We remain committed to your child’s success and will endeavor to make the most of this year’s educational experience.

Posted 8/19/11

New administrative appointments

Celeste Keane was appointed academic administrator for special education gr. 6-8 and will start on 9/12/11. She comes from Oak Hill School for students with special needs where she served as the assistant director. Prior to that she was assistant superintendent for community and human resources at the Enlarged City School District of Troy and a psychologist and CSE chairperson at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and public justice and a master’s degree in school psychology from SUNY Oswego.

Jill Barker was appointed academic administrator for special education gr. 9-12 and will start on 9/1/11. She comes from Columbia High School in East Greenbush Central Schools where she was a special education teacher and where she completed her administrative internship. Prior to that she worked in sales and management. She has a bachelor’s degree in business from Bentley College, a master’s degree in business administration from Suffolk University and a master’s degree in special education and educational leadership from the College of St. Rose.

Jill Gould was appointed as Interim Principal of Skano Elementary School to serve in Mary Fitzgerald’s leave of absence. While the appointment is effective 9/1/11, she will begin working now with the Skano staff to ensure a smooth transition and opening of school. She will receive a leave of absence from her current position as the Director of Instructional Programs and Planning (K-12). She was hired at Shen in 2006 as academic administrator for math/science (k-5). Prior to that, she taught for 9 years at the elementary level at Cobleskill/Richmondville CSD and grade 6 in Chatham Middle School.