Learning is the Mission

Schoharie CentralSchool

Schoharie, New York

Vol. # LXXX, No. 4 JANUARY 2007

A Message fromTHE SCHOOL BOARD

To the students, parents, faculty, staff and entire com-munity of the Schoharie Central School District, we sendour best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season, andfor a prosperous new year. We look forward to workingwith all of you in providing a safe, successful and reward-ing education to all of our students, throughout the com-ing year and beyond.

Respectfully,Chris SpiesPresident

A Message fromTHE SUPERINTENDENT

It is our sincere hope that you had a festive and enjoyable holi-day. This month's message will be somewhat eclectic in nature.First on the agenda is our continuing to address the informa-tion gathered in the multiple surveys being analyzed. Goodcommunication with our parents and parental participation isparamount. With our commitment to increased communica-tion we need your help and are looking for parents/communitymembers to serve on two of our school committees; the firstbeing the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and the sec-ond being the Audit Committee.

Parent members of the CSE attend half day and sometimes fullday meetings during the year and act as advocates for our dis-abled students and their families. These committee membersmust be the parent or guardian of a child classified as disabled.We are also looking for several committee members to workwith the business operations staff. These Audit Committeemembers meet five or six times per year in the evening toreview the reports of the external and internal auditors andthen suggest policy and procedure changes to the Board ofEducation. A degree or background in accounting is NOT arequirement. This is a great way to learn more about schoolbudgets. If you are interested in serving on one of these com-mittees, please call my office at 295-8132.

On another note, the ELA Assessments for grades three througheight take place later this month. The Math Assessments areonly three months away. New York State has a website for par-ents that provides activities for you to do with your childrenand more information on the assessments. It can be accessedat: www.NYSParents.com/nys

A reminder now that we are almost through half a year ofschool, please remember not to pass buses with their red flash-ing lights on. This includes the area in front of the school whenthe buses are discharging students in the morning and loadingin the afternoon. It is a dilemma we are trying to improve upon.

On behalf of the Board of Education, the staff, and the adminis-tration, have a healthy and happy new year!

Sincerely,Brian ShermanSuperintendent

Mr. Lomax & Christmas Carolers from left to right:

Jolita Finch, Samantha Bland, Rose Carballeira, OlyviaUveges, Sarah Ellis, Hannah Savio (behind sheet music),

Daniel Chilton, Wade Schaffer, Tyler Scofield, Stephen Roy,Mr. Lomax.

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Upcoming Events

January 2007 Calendar9 EPTSO Meeting 7:00pm

15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School16 Audit Committee Meeting 6:30pm17 Board of Education Meeting 7:00pm

23-26 Regents Testing Days26 Student Early Release Day 11:30am

February 2007 Calendar6 HS PTSO Meeting 7:00pm7 Board of Education Meeting 7:00pm8 Jr. High Awards 8:15am9 Sr. High Awards 8:15am9 Valentine's Day Dance 7:00pm

13 EPTSO Meeting 7:00pm19-23 Winter Recess - No School

21 Board of Education Meeting 7:00pm27 Audit Committee Meeting 7:00pm

SCHOHARIE STUDENT SELECTEDFOR COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD

Congratulations are in order for Schoharie High SchoolStudent, Rachel Price, who was notified by County SheriffJohn Bates that she was appointed to serve on theSchoharie County D.A.R.E. Association Advisory Board.She is a full voting member of the Board, which providesdirection to the D.A.R.E. officers serving in the publicschools. Rachel and other Board members also helporganize the spring car show, conduct fundraisers for thescholarship program, and host family activities through-out the year. Rachel was nominated for the advisory roleby the school district and then selected by the Sheriff'sDepartment. Nice job Rachel!

SCHOHARIE JUNIOR HIGHAWARDS

The first Jr. High Awards Assembly was held onNovember 30, 2006. Awards were presented for HighHonor Roll, Academic Excellence, Merit and Perfect

Attendance. Congratulations to all award winners.7th Grade Awards Academic MeritEnglish Karen Butler Shannon Faulkner

Kailey LoucksMath Rhianna Warbach Trevor Norman

Katherine Farineau Doug MonseesShawn Haverly

Science Ryan Harrington Brendyn SchromStephanie Nicol

Social Studies Lucas Howland Devon PaganBradley Johnson

Family and Consumer Science Megan Thorington Brenden Archer

Andrew RobargeSpanish Mattia Cornell Lucas HydeFrench Tyler Schultz Austin VanDyke

Rebecca WilseyArt Kenneth Zinsaar Marty MarshJr. High Band Katherine BerdanPhysical Education Ashley Liddle Erica Molenaar

Timothy Epting Sarah TrendellAlexis Cushman Danielle DeBellDamian Loucks

Resource Room Rebecca Wilsey

8th Grade Awards Academic MeritEnglish Morgan Archer Paige Gorton

Beth ClevelandMath Eric Croote Paige Clark

Caitlin McKinley Justin LanganDylan LaBadiaCasey Robinson-Bullock

Social Studies Anthony Casey Hannah MotschmannErika Dever

Science Lucas Baumann Kaitlynn Van GasbeckCaitlin McKinley Cooper Bowersox

Shanelle Lounsbury WilmsTechnology Sky Aulita Brandon CrossArt Jessica Jones Brandy Marsh

James WrightSpanish Mallory Ennist Cassandra Marshall

Cody BeninatiFrench Josalyn Ceroalo Ashley BouckBand Michael Diamond Dehlia Piechnik

Stephanie PolukortMusic James DellaRoccoChoir Terrence BevinsAgriculture Barbi Keyser James BryantPhysical Education Kelly Wilms Jennifer Hess

Aaron Scofield Barbara ThomasMegan Kalisz Timothy BeninatiRhett ConawayNick ShaferAngelina AdamovichBrianna McCormack

Resource Room Samantha WeisAimee Rhodes

6th Grade Clarinet Playersfrom left to right:

Kristin Diamond, Sarah Roberts and Alexis Cater

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SENIOR TIMELINE

JANUARY - Pick up FAFSA (Free Application for FederalStudent Aid) at your high school guidance office. Apply foryour PIN (personal identification number) on-line atfafsa.ed.gov. File 2007/2008 FAFSA either on-line or bypaper application.

FEBRUARY - Estimate income rather than postpone theprocess. Keep a copy for your records. Do not file priorto January 1st. Filing your taxes early (late January/earlyFebruary) can make the process easier.

MARCH - Tentative Financial Aid Award letters aremailed from colleges. Acceptance/denial letters will besent out by college admissions offices.

APRIL - Final Financial Aid Award letters are mailed tostudents.

JUNE/JULY - Bills are sent by colleges for tuition, fees,room and board. Fall college orientation programs areconducted.

AUGUST - Students report to campus and the fall semesterbegins.

Please remember that the FAFSA is free and that thereare many ways to get scholarship searches for free. Youdo not need to pay for extra services. See a counselor ifyou have questions or concerns.

Financial Aid Scholarship Websites and Programs

SCHOLARSHIPS: http://www.finaid.comhttp://www.salliemae.com

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS are available in the guidanceoffice or room 45.

FINANCIAL AID: http:///www.educaid.comhttp://www.fafsa.ed.govhttp://www.hesc.comhttp://www.collegeboard.com/finaid

SUNY Cobleskill will be offering financial aid services onFebruary 10th to any student/parent who wants help fill-ing out the FAFSA on-line. The student does not need tobe attending SUNY Cobleskill to get the help. Detailswill be forthcoming to students or you can call theFinancial Aid Office directly at 518-255-5623.

SENIORSWilliam Walker, Stephen Roy and Rebecca Hodder havebeen given the New York State Scholarship for AcademicExcellence. These scholarships are given to the top threestudents at Schoharie Central School based onComprehensive English, Math B, Global Studies, USHistory, Earth Science, Biology and Chemistry Regentsexam scores. Each student will receive the scholarship aslong as they attend a college in New York State. William willreceive $1,500 per year for up to four years. Stephen andRebecca will each receive $500 per year for up to fouryears. CONGRATULATIONS to each of these students ontheir wonderful academic achievements.

Christine Becker, Stephen Roy, Rebecca Hodder andWilliam Walker were nominated for the New York State2007 Competition Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships.In order to be nominated, students must have obtainedat least a 95 Byrd score, based on GPA in core classesas well as having earned a score of at least an 1,875 ona single administration of the SAT, including math, criti-cal reading and writing scores. Good luck to these stu-dents in this competition.

(Guidance News continued on page 4)

GUIDANCE NEWSMrs. Kenyon Grades 6, 7, 8

Mrs. Czerpak Grades 9 - 12 (A-K)Mrs. Stewart Grades 9 - 12 (L-Z)

Progress reports and report cards go home with the students throughout the 2006/2007 school year. Planto review your child's academics with them. (Grades 5 - 12)

2nd Qtr.Interim Reports Home With Students - 12/20/06 (Wed.)Report Cards Home With Students - 01/31/07 (Wed.)

3rd Qtr.Interim Reports Home With Students - 03/07/07 (Wed.)Report Cards Home With Students - 04/18/07 (Wed.)

4th Qtr.Interim Cards Home With Students - 05/16/07 (Wed.)Report Cards Mailed on or about - 06/29/07 (Fri.)

WE HOPE YOU NOTICED THAT WE ARE NOW INCLUDING 5TH GRADE WHEN WE GENERATE INTERIM REPORTS ANDREPORT CARDS FROM OUR STUDENT SYSTEM (Starbase). 5TH GRADE WILL BE ON THE SAME SCHEDULE AS OUR 6THTHROUGH 12TH GRADES. 5TH AND 6TH GRADE REPORT CARDS ARE SENT HOME WITH STUDENTS ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL.

(Guidance News continued from page 3)

JUNIORSCongratulations to 11th grader, Rachel Price for beingselected to represent SCS on the Schoharie CountyD.A.R.E. Advisory Board. Rachel will serve as a studentboard member for the next two years and will have full vot-ing powers on those decisions made by the board. TheD.A.R.E. Advisory Board supports and directs the SchoharieCounty D.A.R.E. Association and the D.A.R.E. Officers.They hold fundraisers, provide an annual scholarship pro-gram and host free family activities throughout the year.

8th Grade Parent Night - The meeting for 8th grade par-ents will be Tuesday, January 23rd, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.in the high school cafeteria. We will be discussing threevery important issues affecting your student's academicfuture. 1) 8th grade state tests and how they impact highschool. 2) High school graduation requirements andcourse offerings. 3) Sign up for your individual conferencewith Mrs. Kenyon.

8th Grade Parents - In preparation for our meetings withindividual students for planning high school, Mrs. Kenyonwill be working with the 8th graders on an online careerassessment. The cost to each student will be $1.00. Thiswill take place after the ELAs. Look for the note home!

ATTENTION 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Parents - The NYSELAs are being administered January 17 & 18, 2007. SCSteachers are preparing our students, in MIND and BODY,to do their best. Our MIND efforts will include test prepclasses, test taking strategies, test anxiety, and how to bestprepare for the test. Most of this will take place duringschool and/or after school on those days that the latebuses run. The BODY focus will be on getting our students'bodies ready for taking the tests. We are going to set up ahealthy morning/pretest snack for all of our 6th, 7th, andgrade students. A healthy energy break will include juice,bagels, fruit and other BODY energy foods. We will besending a letter home in January asking for three to fourparents to sponsor a homeroom for approximately twentystudents. Making a trail-mix, fruit basket, sliced apples..so our students can rally together and do their BEST.Thank you in advance, for supporting our students.

HomeWorkHotline for Junior High students (6th, 7th, 8th)www.schoharie.k12.ny.us

Click on Jr./Sr. High School, then on your student's grade level.

Test Taking Tips

January Regents and Regents Competency Tests(RCT's) will take place January 23-26. School, for stu-dents in grades 9-12, will not be in session January 23,24 and 25. Guidance counselors and teachers will noti-fy those students expected to take exams. For thosestudents attending Albany/Schoharie CTE, pleaseremember that they will be closed January 23 and 24.Those students who would like to attend on January 25may do so by providing your own transportation there.

January 26 will be a shortened day. We will be running aschedule of periods 5-9.

January, our seventh and eighth grade students will betaking the New York State English Language Arts (ELA)Tests. These tests will be conducted on January 17 and 18.It is very important that students come to school onthese days. It is also important for students to get a goodrest the night before the test. I appreciate your support.

A message from the Jr./Sr. High School Principal

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BOCES HEAVY EQUIPMENT CLASSImproves Schoharie Central's Property

For the past sever-al weeks, theBOCES HeavyEquipment class-es having beenworking on-site atSchoharie Centralimproving theparking lot for ourstudents and ath-

letic event visitors, as well as making site improvementsto the soccer field. It was a great practical experience forthose young men and women in the program. The proj-ect provided a real-world experience for the students,provided benefits to our students and community, and ofcourse, saved us valuable tax dollars.

Congratulations to Schoharie Student, Steve Underwoodwho helped in working with his fellow students from theSchoharie Career & TechnicalCenter. He also assisted insupervising the project! TheBOCES instructional staff isworking very closely with theDistrict's administration onadditional projects for thespring, including additionalfield improvements, struc-ture repair, and site-workpreparation for the paving ofthe track. An excellent job bythe BOCES students andstaff!

SCHOHARIE VALLEY FFAThe Schoharie Valley FFA competed at the High School Day'sCompetition held at SUNY Cobleskill in which 19 schoolsfrom New York and Massachusetts competed. SchoharieValley FFA members received ten plaques for their placing of3rd or higher in team or individual contest. The following isa list of students that placed in the top 10 in contest:

Dairy Judging Team Schoharie Central 1st place (Curtis, Julia, Cory)*

Dairy Judging IndividualsCurtis Smida - 2nd place*Julia Bogardus - 3rd place*Cory Landauer - 8th place

Dairy ShowmanshipGreg Lloyd - 2nd place*

Livestock Judging TeamSchoharie Central 2nd place (Courtney, Jeremiah, J.J)*

Livestock Judging IndividualsCourtney Smida 3rd place*Jeremiah Borst 8th place

Meats IdentificationZakk Hurn 6th placeDaniel Youngs 6th place

Wildlife Identification TeamSchoharie Central 9th place (Courtney, Megan)

Wildlife Identification IndividualThomas Jacqueway 2nd place*

Cut FlowersElizabeth Goblet 5th placeJulia Bogardus 6th placeBarbi Keyser 6th place

Insect IdentificationCorbett Prince 5th placeElizabeth Goblet 6th placeJulie Russell 7th place

Small EnginesNate Wilms 8th placeZach Borst 10th place

Two-Wheel Wagon Tractor DrivingJeremy Weber 5th place

Four-Wheel Wagon Tractor DrivingGreg Lloyd 2nd place*

DozerDaniel Youngs 6th place

Skid steerDaniel Youngs 2nd place*

WeldingCorbett Prince 1st place*

Holiday Ensemble

Mr. Pracher & Ms. Gould join in with some of the JazzEnsemble members in a joyous tribute to the holiday season!

The Schoharie Baseball & SoftballAssociation has been working hardover the past 11/2 years to make majorimprovements to the school baseballand softball fields - at no cost to thedistrict.

It has been a real challenge. Entering2006, the SCS ball fields were the worst in the entire WACconference. Over the years, the number of usable fieldsdwindled from five to two, and both were in very badshape. The infields were bumpy and uneven, making field-ing difficult and increasing the risk of injury. The outfieldswere full of ruts and bumps, and the grass was sparse andweather-damaged. The baseball field had no infield dirt,and the pitching mound was not in compliance with base-ball rules. Neither field had dugouts.

The Association got to work early last school year kickingoff its fundraising efforts with a hot dog/ lemonade standon Schoharie Garage Sale Day. During the school year, itheld two successful fundraising events, a Ziti Dinner inNovember and Chili Dinner in February. These eventswere followed by two Coin Drops, a Chicken Barbecuesponsored by the Schoharie Teachers Association, and asecond Ziti Dinner this November. The Association alsoraised funds through private donations, including gener-ous gifts from Schoharie Kiwanis Club, Wal-Mart, The PeterA. Siracuse Foundation, and a few anonymous donors.The money raised was put to use right away improving the

Improvements Being Made to Schoharie Athletic Fieldsfields and upgrading equipment. Two dugouts were built forthe baseball field with many supplies donated by SchoharieHardware, and a 30-year-old pitching machine was replaced.The softball infield was reconditioned with the help of donat-ed services from Lawton Construction, and the baseballinfield was totally rebuilt with new sod, a dirt area around thebase paths, and a new mound built to proper specifications.This project was very labor-intensive. More than 30 volun-teers contributed hundreds of hours of service to completethe job, with supplies and professional assistance donated byCobleskill Stone Products, Dick Ogsbury, and John Halloran,an athletic fields consultant. The outfield areas of the softballand baseball fields were also upgraded. They were fertilizedin the fall, and top-dressed and reseeded in December. Anadditional benefit for the school is that two of the soccerfields have received major upgrades as part of this outfieldreconditioning.

More work is scheduled for the spring and beyond as fundspermit. The Association plans to build dugouts for the soft-ball field, rebuild a second softball field, purchase an outfieldfence for the softball field, and further recondition bothinfields. Eventually, the Association hopes to improve thedrainage on both fields and rebuild a second baseball field onschool property.

All of this work has been and will be done at no cost to thetaxpayers. It has been done by volunteers or by professionalswith funds raised privately in the local community. A sum-mary of all fundraising activities and expenditures to date isoutlined below.

Income Expenses2 Garage Sale Days $ 948 Dugouts $ 1,7782 Ziti Dinners $ 5,168 Pitching Machine $ 1,650Chili Dinner $ 1,127 Baseball Infield $ 3,512Coin Drops $ 2,270 BaseballOutfield $ 4,125Teachers Association Chicken Barbecue $ 1,594 Softball Infield $ 765Schoharie Kiwanis Club Donation $ 1,000 Softball Outfield $ 4,295The Peter A. Siracuse Foundation $ 3,000 Total $16,125Wal*Mart $ 500Miscellaneous Donations $ 1,310Total $16,917

SCS ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB BOTTLE DRIVEJanuary 13, 2007

The SCS Athletic Booster Club will be holding a bottle drive on Saturday, January 13, 2007, from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the backentrance of the SCS Bus Garage. Please donate!

Monies received from the Booster Club fundraisers are given entirely back to the sports teams for extras not covered by the budget.These extras could include: uniforms, balls, banners for the gymnasium, as well as scholarships for graduating seniors each year toname a few.

If you would like to donate, but cannot bring your cans or bottles to the school, please call BarbaraSharpe at 868-2878 and pick-up can be arranged. Volunteers are also needed to help on Saturday, January13, 2007 for this drive. Please call Mr. Rockhill at 295-7156 or Barbara Sharpe at 868-2878 to volunteer.Thank you.

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7VARSITY & JV GIRLS BASKETBALLCoach Jeremy Karker, Coach Amber Lape, George Keyser

JV: 6 pm V: 7:30 (unless otherwise noted) Fri. DEC. 22 @ Cherry ValleyThu. 28 Hooser Holiday TMT @ Hoosick Falls,

V-plays Berlin, JV-plays Berlin, Times-TBAFri. 29 Hooser Holiday TMT - TBAWed. JAN. 3 @ Berne-Knox-WesterloWed. 10 @ Sharon Springs V-onlyWed. 17 vs. CanajoharieFri. 19 @ DuanesburgMon. 22 vs. Gilboa 6 pmFri. 26 vs. Schenectady ChristianWed. 31 vs. Berne-Knox-WesterloThu. FEB. 1 @ Middleburgh JV-onlyFri. 2 @ Middleburgh V-onlyWed. 7 vs. Sharon Springs V-onlySat. 10 WAC TMT at Fulton-Montgomery CCMon. 12 Tue. 13 - TBA

MODIFIED GIRLS BASKETBALL G.7: Coach Paul Slavinski G.8: Coach Tricia Nelson

10 am (unless otherwise noted)Sat. DEC 23 vs. NorthvilleWed. 27 @ St. JohnsvilleFri. 29 vs. Sharon SpringsSat. JAN. 6 @ CanajoharieSat. 13 @ GalwayMon. 15 @ Schenectady Christian G.8-onlySat. 20 vs. DuanesburgWed. 24 @ Berne-Knox-Westerlo 4:30pmSat. 27 vs. MayfieldSat. FEB. 3 @ Spa Catholic G.8-onlySat. 10 vs. Fort Plain Wed. 14 @ Northville 4:30pm

VARSITY & JV BOWLING Coach Donald Duma

4:30 pm (unless otherwise noted)Wed. JAN. 3 vs. Spa CatholicMon. 8 vs. MiddleburghWed. 10 vs. CanajoharieMon. 22 @ DuanesburgWed. 24 vs. MayfieldMon. 29 vs. Fort PlainWed. 31 vs. Berne-Knox-WesterloMon. FEB. 5 @ Schenectady ChristianWed. 7 WAC TMT at Bowler's Club in LathamMake-up Dates: 1st half - 12/8 & 12/15 - 2nd half - 1/31

Schoharie Central School - 2006-07 Winter Sports Schedule Last updated: 12/20/06

VARSITY & JV BOYS BASKETBALLCoach Shane Barton Coach Randy Gunther

JV: 6 pm V: 7:30 (unless otherwise noted) Fri. DEC. 22 @ Sharon SpringsThu. 28 @ Middleburgh Holiday TMT

JV-only, 11 amFri. 29 @ Middleburgh Holiday TMT

JV-only, 3 pmWed. JAN. 3 @ Loudonville Christian JV-4 V-5:30Fri. 5 vs. MiddleburghTue. 9 vs. CanajoharieFri. 12 vs. DuanesburgTue. 16 @ GalwayFri. 19 vs. Berne-Knox-WesterloTue. 23 @ Schenectady ChristianWed. 24 @ Doane Stuart V-only 5:30Tue. 30 vs. Sharon SpringsThu. FEB. 1 @ Middleburgh JV-onlyFri. 2 @ Middleburgh V-onlyTue. 6 @ CanajoharieSat. 10 WAC TMT at Hudson Valley CCMon. 12 Tue. 13 - TBATues. 24 WAC Champsionships @ Ft.Plain 3pm

MODIFIED BOYS' BASKETBALL G.7: Coach Scott Scofield G.8: Coach Chip BeninatiSat. DEC. 23 @ NorthvilleWed. 27 vs. St. Johnsville G.8-onlyFri. 29 @ Sharon SpringsSat. JAN. 6 vs. CanajoharieSat. 13 vs. GalwayMon. 15 vs. Schenectady ChristianSat.. 20 @ DuanesburgWed. 24 vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo 4:30pmSat. 27 @ MayfieldSat. FEB. 3 vs. Spa Catholic G.8-onlySat. 10 @ Fort PlainWed. 14 vs. Northville 4:30pm

VARSITY & MODIFIED WRESTLINGCoach David Russell Coach Steve Hoard

Mod: 6 pm V: immediately following Thursday, Jan. 4 @ Galway 6:00Friday, Jan. 5 @ Oneonta Tournament 4:30Saturday, Jan. 6 @ Oneonta Tournament 9:00Thursday, Jan. 11 @ BKW 6:00Saturday, Jan. 13 @ Galway Tournament 9:30Tuesday, Jan 16 @ Amsterdam (Modified Only) TBAThursday, Jan. 18 vs. Canajoharie-Ft. Plain (H) 6:00Saturday, Jan. 20 Dominik Kossman Tourney 10:00

@ MiddleburghTuesday, Jan 23 @ Hadley-Luzerne 6:00Tuesday, Jan 30 @ Delhi 6:00Saturday, Jan. 27 @ Canajoharie (Modified only) TBAThursday, Feb. 1 @ Schuylerville 6:00Friday, Feb. 9 Section 2 Class C TMT

@ Hud.Falls TBASaturday, Feb. 10 Section 2 Class C TMT

@ Hud.Falls TBAFriday, Feb. 16 Section 2 TMT

@ Glens Falls CC TBASaturday, Feb. 17 Section 2 TMT

@ Glens Falls CC TBAFriday, March 2 States

@ Times Union Ctr (Albany)TBA

Find up-to-the-minute changes/cancellations at:

www.schoharie.k12.ny.us/index2.htmunder Sports Schedule

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Legislation was enacted into law several years ago calledthe School Tax Assessment Relief (STAR) program. Thelaw authorizes a partial exemption from school propertytaxes on owner-occupied primary residences. The follow-ing information explains the program:

Enhanced STAR:

Who Qualifies?* Eligible senior citizens receive reduced property

assessments of $56,800 at 100% true value.* Owner must be 65 years of age or older, with less than

$67,850 in annual income (combined or single). Musthave proof of age and income.

* Owner must own and live in a one, two, or three-fami-ly residence, mobile home, farm home, condominium,or cooperative apartment. Proof of residence may berequired by local assessor.

How does the exemption work?* Low-income seniors receiving a pre-existing senior

citizen's exemption automatically qualify for the STAR exemption. Seniors will still receive the pre-existing exemption. The Enhanced STAR exemption is additional.

* Seniors not receiving a pre-existing exemption must apply with the local assessor. Applications are to be made each year by March 1st.

* The application form is RP-425 and is available at the offices of your local assessor or on the Internet (http://www.orps.state.ny.us).

Where is there more information? * Contact your local assessor. Also, you may contact the

Director of Real Property Tax Services in your county.

Basic STAR

Who Qualifies:* All primary-residence homeowners may receive

reduced school tax assessments of $30,000 at 100% true value.

* Regardless of age or income* Must own and live in a one, two, or three-family resi-

dence, mobile home, farm home, condominium, or cooperative apartment. Proof of residence may be required by local assessor.

E.P.T.S.O. NEWS

NOVEMBER - The Veteran's Day Morning Program had agreat turnout! It was a pleasure to see so many people.

The E.P.T.S.O. wants to thank all the volunteers whohelped organize the fundraiser held in September, andthe delivery and pick-up of items in November. We alsothank all those who were able to participate, especiallythe children who took the time out of their busy daysselling to make the fundraiser a success. The E.P.T.S.O. isworking hard at determining what educational activitiesand equipment should be purchased with the fundraiserproceeds.

DECEMBER - We are excited to learn that the E.P.T.S.O.'swebsite should be up and running possibly by the mid-dle of January 2007. You will be able to access the web-site to obtain meeting dates and current information.Please go to www.schoharie.k12.ny.us, click on Elementaryand follow the EPTSO link.

Upcoming Events - PARP will start 1/15/07 and end2/9/07. If you are interested in being a guest Reader,please leave a note in the E.P.T.S.O. mailbox in the schooloffice or contact an E.P.T.S.O. Officer. Meet the BoardCandidates Night will be held Thursday, 5/10/07 at7:00pm in the Elementary Cafeteria. Also, there will be adance held on Friday, 5/11/07 from 7:00-9:00pm. Moreinformation to follow on these events.

Tools for Schools - As of December 1st SchoharieElementary had a tape value of 92490 and was tied inFirst Place with an overall grade of 91. The programended Saturday, 12/16/06. We want to thank everyonewho participated in this program. The school will earnequipment and materials for the children and it wouldnot have been possible without the support of our fami-lies and community. Thank you again.

The next E.P.T.S.O. meetings are scheduled for Tuesday,1/9/07 and Tuesday, 2/13/07 at 7:00pm in theElementary Cafeteria.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or sug-gestions - please drop them in the E.P.T.S.O. mailbox inthe Elementary School Office or contact any of theOfficers.

Pamela Newell, President 868-4291pameptso@hotmail.com

Lisa Hayden, Vice President 280-8719lhayden@nycap.rr.com

Nancy Wolfe, Treasurer 295-7231wolfeden@midtel.net

Amy Wood, Secretary 875-9247awood333@yahoo.com

Property Tax ReliefSTAR Exemption

STAR Exemption

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Schoharie Central School1st Quarter Honor Roll 2006/2007

7th GRADEHonor Achievement Merit

89.5 to 100 84.5 to 89.4 79.5 to 84.4

8th GRADEHonor Achievement Merit

89.5 to 100 84.5 to 89.4 79.5 to 84.4

Katherine BerdanKaren Butler

Mattia CornellKatherine Farineau

Rylee FrancisRyan HarringtonLucas Howland

Ashley LiddleBrendyn Schrom

Megan ThoringtonSarah Trendell

Rhianna Warbach

Shawn HaverlyDanielle Hess

Lucas HydeKatelyn Jaqueway

Damian LoucksDeanna LoucksErica MolenaarStephanie NicolTrevor Norman

Ian PierceWilliam Pierce

Aaron RosaTyler Schultz

Jennifer SlaterLacey Slater

Timothy SmithJohn Vanderwerken

Austin VandykeRebecca Wilsey

Kenneth Zinssar

Alexis CushmanShannon Faulkner

Alyssa GullottoBradley Johnson

Amanda KellyJared Landauer

Douglas MonseesDevon PaganEricka Price

Joseph RandazzoAllen RossettiCraig Stalker

Jeffrey ChiltonSara Cummings

JacquelineHausmann

Melanie JungeJacob Karker

Noah KosloskeDorothea Kuntze

Sean LawyerAbigayle Piechnik

Tyler ScofieldSonia Shepard

Emily SlurffEricka Stark

Samuel TavennerNicholas VanDyke

Sarah WeberJulia Weiss

Anja AllnachSean Bailey

Charly Lyn BenderAndrew Cook

Jake DavisBrian Largeteau

Joshua LodenJacob MartrattHeather PriceAshley RoseChevy Rose

Audry SlezakEmma Slezak

Rebecca SnyderAlexander VanLuipen

Jeremy BlairDanielle Blazic

Zachariah BorstTyler Chase

Kristinna ChiecoPaige Enders

Erin GullestadNicole Hogan

Benjamin JohnsonTyler Keller

Corey LandauerJames MickleRandy Price

Brittany SchellJoshua Swinney

Sabrina TessitoreRobert Vanderwerken

Sky AulitaLucas Baumann

Timothy BeninatiTerrence Bevins

Cooper BowersoxAnthony CaseyJosalyn CeroaloBeth Cleveland

Eric CrooteBrandon Cross

Erika DeverMallory Ennist

Brooklyn GriffinJessica Jones

Christopher KelleyShannelle LounsburyCassandra Marshall

Brianna McCormackCaitlin McKinleyByron MeadowsDehlia Piechnik

Stephanie PolukortPeter Quandt

Casey Robinson-BullockSkyler Scavone

Kelly Wilms

James BryantJohn Butler

Richard ConawayMackenzie Desmond

Michael DiamondShawn Marie Fullford

Jennifer HessMegan Kalisz

Barbi Lee KeyserDylan Labadia

Jenna LeonardoAaron Scofield

Nicholas ToborgKaitlynn Vangasbeck

Lauren Weber

Haley AndersonAshley Bouck

Paige ClarkJames Dellarocco

Paige GortonStephanne HenzlerThomas Jaqueway

Cody LabadiaAlyssa Loubier

Hanna MotschmannPaige WilsonTravis Youngs

9th GRADEHonor Achievement Merit89.5 to 100 84.5 to 89.4 79.5 to 84.4

Gregory AskewJacob BaumannBrandin Cooke

Brandon DohertyMark DeRoziereHannah FullerKatrina GaroJames Goblet

Aaron GonzalezDustin Gonzalez

Caitlin KavanaughSigrid Kuntze

Sarah LamoureuxChristopher Liddle

Justin NieminskiEileen QuandtMark Roberts

Andrew SchultzLogan Sharpe

Michael SnyderHannah Spies

Gabrielle ToborgJulie VanBurenJessica Walker

Cassandra WarbachLogan Sharpe

Michael SnyderHannah Spies

Gabrielle ToborgJulie VanBurenJessica Walker

Cassandra Warbach

Jeremiah BorstIrmaris BushnellElizabeth Goblet

Megan HagadoneBethany Haroldson

Jami HaynesHilary Hext

Kiersten HotalingAshlee Kalisz

Danielle LoucksPatrick Miller

James MonseesAugustus McGiverBrittany Pawloski

Tyler PlyemLindsay Roberts

Benjamin SchaefferWilliam Simone

Amber SmidaLevi Youngs

Julia BogardusEmily BryantJessica ClymaDavid Conley

Adrieanna DiamondMarianna Dow

Tyler DumaJolita Finch

Joshua HowlandDaniel King

Jeremy LaJeunesseJoshua Murgo

Marcy PriceDaniell Trendell

10th GRADEHonor Achievement Merit89.5 to 100 84.5 to 89.4 79.5 to 84.4

CO

NGRA

TULATIO

NS

(continued on page 10)

9

Schoharie Central School1st Quarter Honor Roll 2006/2007

(continued from page 9)

Jamie BechardSamantha Bland

Ashley BlythKaitlynn Blyth

Madeleine CarballeiraErin Castle

Lucretia ChapmanLois Cook

Lee Ann CrammondKaitlyn Dano

Jonathan GleesonAshley HaighKelsey Jones

Lauren KavanaughStephanie Lopez

Megan LoucksMaxwell Meadows

Rachael PriceBrandon QuinnEmilie Snyder

Garrett StanleyAlysha Stephens

Lindsay StolzenburgOlyvia Uveges

Nicolle AdamsEric Beninati

Elizabeth CastleRyan Cross

Zakkary HurnAlexander Jenkins

Tanya JoslinJaclyn Kendle

Desiree LukowiczDaniel MyersKierstin Oksa

Kelly RyanJessica Slater

Christian SpiesMelissa StarkLucas Ullman

James ValekMegan Wilms

Mackenzie WilseyAmir Wynn

Daniel YoungsAndrew Zeh

Trevor CummingsMykel Foland

Kaitlyn JohnsonVincent KnuthJoseph Kopasz

Brandon MuellerAshley Sinatra

Brenna TestKellie Tully

Lisa AttendornChristine BeckerDaniel Chilton

Lisa ContoJustin DAlessandro

Heather EllicottSarah Ellis

Joseph FinchKelly GannonYuriko Harada

Rebecca HodderLauren Isles

Bryan KrufchinskiAnnie LeversNicole LiddleAnthony Luz

Daniel MonseesKaitlin Murphy

Stephen RoyJulie Russell

Hannah SavioWade Schaffer

Emma SchliederSamantha Smith

William WalkerSara Borthwick

Ashley ColeElizabeth Gage

Jonathan HladchukJohn Junge

Rachel KarkerSara RomanoSamuel SlezakErica Wilkens

Tracy BarnesColton DevereBrittany Godin

Andrew KingSteven LaForest

Ashley PriceRodney SchrellRobert Shepard

Marc Stephenson

12th GRADEHonor Achievement Merit89.5 to 100 84.5 to 89.4 79.5 to 84.4

11th GRADEHonor Achievement Merit

89.5 to 100 84.5 to 89.4 79.5 to 84.4SCHOHARIE

CENTRAL

SCHOOL

JANUARY

2007

10

Schoharie CSD Board members, administration andstaff constantly search for ways to increase non-tax

revenues and operate school programs more effi-ciently, resulting in cost savings. Efforts over thepast few school years include:

Health Care: All employee groups realize thevalue and cost of health care. An example of this is when the dis-trict changed to self-funding (instead of paying insurance premi-ums) for medical prescriptions and workers' compensation.These initiatives by the Board, administration and employeessave the district at least $70,000 each year. Meanwhile, there is acontinuing effort to explore other creative ways to contain risinghealth care costs.

Energy Management: The district has embarked on a conser-vation program designed to reduce energy usage that is expectedto generate a significant cost savings. Additionally, the district hasentered into a contract for lower electricity prices through amunicipal energy group. Estimates are the district will save at least$30,000 each year through the energy management program.

Staffing: Before the district hires a new employee for a vacantposition, the job is evaluated to determine if the work can beeffectively shared among other staff.

Transportation: To save money, the district doubles-up on asmany out-of-town bus trips as possible, both to private and

parochial schools, BOCES special education programs and ath-letic games.

State Aid for Facilities Improvements: New York State hasestablished a new aid program called EXCEL (Expanding ourChildren's Education and Learning). Money will be provided forthe purposes of a capital project for:

1. Education technology improvements 2. Health and safety for school buildings3. Handicapped accessibility for school buildings4. Physical capacity expansion for appropriate instruc-

tional spaces5. Energy projects to reduce such costs and/or

consumption

Schoharie CSD is eligible for $347,000 over the next 2 years for aproject for one or more of the primary purposes. This up-frontstate aid could be leveraged for a project in the range of $2.1million with no impact on the local school tax. The district isforming a committee to explore this further and study the feasi-bility of using this state aid. Further details on how this aidwould be leveraged will be provided in a future newsletter.

The Schoharie School Board and staff will continue to be dili-gent in maintaining the cost-effectiveness programs outlinedabove and will seek additional ways to economize to generatereal money savings.

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY / INCREASE REVENUE

SCHOHARIE

CENTRAL

SCHOOL

JANUARY

2007

11

WINTER WONT STOP KEY CLUB

KEY CLUB HELPS GRANT WISHES

After School Tutoring Program

A record number of elementary students, (44) were offered to the Fall session of the After School Tutoring Program.Thankfully 45 junior/senior high school students stepped up and volunteered to tutor for the first six weeks. The pro-gram ran very smoothly and concluded with a Christmas party with crafts, BINGO and of course refreshments for all 90students involved. Thank you very much to the following students who gave of their time to help a younger student:

Aaron RosaKatie FarineauShannon FaulknerErica MolenaarRebecca WilseyKari SchafferStephanie PolukortPeter QuandtMac DesmondChris KelleyTim Beninati

Mari-Anne Slater-HurdAaron ScofieldMolly EnnistBryon MeadowsMegan KaliszCooper BowersoxSkyler ScavoneJessica Jones Caitlyn McCinleyEricka StarkAaron Gonzalez

Dustin GonzalezHannah SpiesJulia BogardusGabby ToborgEileen QuandtLuke AulitaSarah LamoreuxDan RotterJami HaynesChris LiddleLindsay Stolzenburg

Mindy DeMarcokJohn JungeSamantha SmithColton DevereStephen RoySarah EllisLiz GaigeJessie CookSarah BorthwickWade SchafferHannah SavioJulie Russell

SCHOHARIE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTP.O. Box 430, 136 Academy DriveSchoharie, New York 12157

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSchoharie,NY 12157

Permit No. 5

S.C.S. HIGH SCHOOL MENU

Also served: Pizza (M, W, F) Chef Salad and Roll (M-F) Chicken Patty and Roll (T,TH) Daily Special(*)

Served daily: 4 choices of fruits and/or

vegetables 5 choices of milk:

1% chocolate, 1% strawberry,white: whole, 1% and skim

Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00Elementary Lunch . . . . . . . $1.55High School Lunch . . . . . . . $1.80

BOARD OF EDUCATIONF. Christian Spies - PresidentMark Quandt - Vice PresidentShawn Gathen - TrusteeZachary Reinhart - TrusteeWilliam Schlieder - TrusteePaul Stoddard - TrusteeCarol Wilber - TrusteeBrian D. Sherman - Superintendent of SchoolsRobert W. Bonaker - Business Administrator

Visit Schoharie on the Web at: www.schoharie .k12.ny.us

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMNEWS

On November 16th, Schoharie Central hosted aregional workshop for Extension Educators andcommunity leaders on making the Farm to CafeteriaConnection. The workshop addressed the expand-ing needs of communities interested in establishingor enhancing a farm to school program. There is anincreasing interest on the part of parents, food serv-ice directors, community leaders, and school andcollege administrators in realizing the importanceand nutritional value of foods grown in the localcommunity.

The Cornell Farm to School Program teamed upwith the NYS School Nutrition Association and NYFarms to develop a tool kit for schools and commu-

nities to use initiating new farm to schoolprojects and enhancing a district's con-

nections to the local farm com-munity. Participants were trainedin the use of the new tool kit.School Lunch Manager, JosieEnnist, introduced participants

to food service operations in theschools and discussed the positive

experiences the Schoharie LunchProgram has had working in conjunction with ourlocal farms. The workshop was held in four differentregions of the state with our workshop hosting thelargest number of participants.

Car Rt. Sort

RURAL ROUTE

STAR ROUTE

BOXHOLDER

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BAND

SCS JAZZ ENSEMBLE

top row, left to right: Ashley Haigh, Justin Nieminski, Mrs. Gould, Hannah Savio

middle row, left to right: Cassandra Warbach, Wade Schaffer, Gabrielle Toborg, Jeff Chilton

bottom row, left to right: Melanie Junge, Steven Roy, Emily Slurff, Rebecca Snyder, Eileen Quandt, Drummer: Daniel Chilton

Prepaid Lunch Ticket Prices for 2006-07Elementary Jr/Sr High

5 day ticket $7.75 5 day ticket $9.004 day ticket $6.20 4 day ticket $7.203 day ticket $4.65 3 day ticket $5.402 day ticket $3.10 2 day ticket $3.20