Regents exams are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 17 and Thursday, Aug. 18. All exams will take place at Draper Middle School.

Students should arrive at least 15 prior to the exam start time and should bring a form of picture identification (student ID, etc).

Cell phones are not allowed in the examination rooms.

Wednesday, Aug.17

8 a.m.
Algebra I
Geometry
Chemistry

12 p.m.
Global
Algebra 2 / Trigonometry

Thursday, Aug. 18

8 a.m.
U.S. History & Government
Earth Science *

12 p.m.
English Language Arts
Living Environment
Algebra II

* The Earth Science Lab Practical, a mandatory component of the Earth Science Regents Exam, is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 15, in the morning.

New York state now requires students entering seventh and 12th grades to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

Does your child need to be vaccinated before the start of the 2016-17 school year to meet this requirement?

The answer depends on more than just your child’s age and grade level. When, or if, a child has previously been vaccinated for meningococcal disease will determine when shots will be necessary under the state’s new requirements that go into effect Sept. 1, 2016:

• One dose of meningococcal vaccine before seventh grade. If a student had the first dose as a sixth grader, then another dose is not required until grade 12.
• A total of two doses are required before grade 12. Most students entering grade 12 received their first dose when they were younger and will be due for their second dose, or booster. This booster is needed because protection from the vaccine decreases over time.
• The only teens who will not need a second dose before grade 12 are those who received their first dose on or after their 16th birthday.

Parents are encouraged to check with their children’s physicians prior to the start of the new school year to determine when or if they need to be vaccinated.

In October, Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a law that requires immunizations against meningococcal disease for children at ages 11 or 12 and again at 16 years of age or older, as recommended by the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Students not up-to-date will not be allowed to attend school until they are vaccinated.

Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the lining covering the brain and spinal cord) and bloodstream infections such as septicemia. Symptoms of the disease include a high fever, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and a rash. The meningococcus bacterium is treatable with antibiotics, but each year it causes approximately 2,500 infections and 300 deaths in the United States. Those who contract the disease may experience permanent brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure, loss of arms or legs, or chronic nervous system problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found the highest rates of meningococcal disease to be among preteens, teens, and young adults, as well as among infants with certain medical conditions. The new law targets many in this age group and aligns with the CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate 11- to 18-year-olds against meningococcal disease.

Learn more about meningococcal disease and the meningococcal disease vaccine at the links below:

• Meningococcal disease information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Meningococcal disease fact sheet (New York State Department of Health)
• Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations (New York State Department of Health)
• Recommended vaccinations for children aged 11-19 years (New York State Department of Health)
• State law requiring immunizations against meningococcal disease (New York State Assembly)

Some are heading to college as close as Schenectady County Community College or as far away as Arizona State University. Others are embarking on military paths, continuing trade courses or starting jobs. Whatever their chosen path, members of the Class of 2016 were reminded at Mohonasen High School’s June 25 commencement ceremony that each and every student can make a difference in the world.

“Regardless of what you choose to do after receiving your diploma today, don’t settle for just getting by,” senior speaker Austin Blanchard told classmates. “Expect and demand the best from yourself. Hard work and determination will make everything you want a reality.”

Blanchard was selected during the school’s 26th Annual Graduation Speaker Contest, held in April, to give opening remarks. Kyliene DiStefano-Philips was chosen to deliver the ceremony’s closing remarks, and Kunika Chahal was tapped to present the keynote address at this year’s commencement ceremony. Contestants McKenzie Burns and Abigail Sloan were selected to speak during the June 24 Senior Breakfast.

“We have the judgement, we have the capacity, and we have the ambition to make the changes the world needs from us,” said Blanchard.

In her keynote address, Chahal recalled Bob Anderson, a beloved high school hall monitor who died unexpectedly in February.  “The best lessons at Mohon weren’t taught in the classrooms but instead in the hallway,” said Chahl, with an apology to teachers.

“Bob Anderson, our ‘Bobcat,’ taught us more than people like Ghandi ever could. Every morning, with a big smile on his face, he would tell each and every one of us, ‘We need more people like you in the world.’”

Chahal said Anderson inspired students to “work hard and to dream even harder.” Anderson told her the sky was not the limit for the Mohonasen Class of 2016.

“He said, ‘You guys don’t have a limit. It’s going to be you guys who are going to change the world and make it a better place,’” recalled Chahal. “Bob’s right; we can never limit our dreams. Only without limiting our dreams can we be the people to change the world today, to make it a better place for tomorrow.”

DiStefano-Philips reminded classmates that, whatever their chosen path – college, military or workforce – “our opportunities are endless.”

“The truth is, moving on is scary. Leaving behind everything we have ever knows is an unsettling thought,” said DiStefano-Philips. “But at the same time it’s exhilarating. We made it!”

Arket

McCrum

Mohonasen Central School District welcomes two new administrators to the district.

James McCrum has been named Director of Safety and Security at Mohonasen Central School District and Richard Arket has been named assistant principal at Draper Middle School.

McCrum replaces Jeff Jackson, who retired as Director of Safety and Security in June. Arket replaces Scott Hays, who retires in August from his position as Draper Assistant Principal.

McCrum comes to Mohonasen from a 23-year career with the New York State Police. Most recently, he was senior investigator in the Criminal Intelligence Unit under the New York State Department of Homeland Security Office of Counter Terrorism.

McCrum received an associate degree from Schenectady County Community College and attended Siena College and the State University at Albany. He graduated from the New York State Policy Academy in 1993 as a Certified Police Officer and from the National Counter Drug Training Center/Polygraph Training in 2008 as a Certified Polygraph Examiner.

Arket, who currently serves as regional summer school principal, was most recently assistant principal at New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in biology from the State University of New York at Albany, a master of arts degree in teaching from the Graduate College of Union University, and an advanced graduate certificate in school building leadership from SUNY Albany.

Arket previously served as athletic director at New Lebanon Central School District and as a science teacher at Bethlehem Central School District.

“Mr. McCrum and Mr. Arket each bring a great deal insight to their positions at Mohonasen,” said Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring. “Their experience in their respective fields will strengthen our administrative team as we move forward in 2016-17 with our theme of constructing a culture of acceptance and adaptability.”

The Fall 2016 Continuing Education and Swim Program Guide is now available.

Residents should receive the guide in the mail in the coming weeks, but you can peruse a copy online now. (View Guide PDF)

As summer break heads into its last remaining weeks, students from the Mohonasen Marching Band and Color Guard were bringing smiles to the residents of Schenectady.

The band and color guard kicked off an exciting pep rally on August 17 in front of Schenectady’s City Hall during which local communities, agencies and figures – from Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and Congressman Paul Tonko to the “Fabulous Beekman Boys,” Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, Beekman 1802 owners, winners of “The Amazing Race” and reality television stars – shared their community pride.

The rally, hosted by area marketing firm Buzz Media Solutions, also announced the winners of the Schenectady Smiles photo contest. The contest reported that over 140 people submitted photos in five categories highlighting different areas of Schenectady and its community, including diversity, community vitality, natural environment, architecture and urban design and businesses and organizations.

The band and color guard also closed the rally with additional vibrant performances, during which the contest mascot, the “Smile Monster,” took a moment to lend a hand to Mohon’s band drum major in conducting the students as they performed.

During the last two weeks of August, students in the marching band and color guard will continue their hard work as they participate in band camp before the new school year begins.

The High School Freshmen and New Students Orientation has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 30. The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the Mohonasen High School Auditorium.

Mohonasen transports approximately 3,000 students more than half a million miles annually. Staff in the district’s Transportation Department work hard to provide safe and efficient services to all students.

With the start of school just around the corner, now is a good time to review school bus rules and regulations.

According to Mohonasen Transportation Supervisor Randy Jerreld, all students in grades K-5 will be encouraged to wear their seat belt.

“Studies are clear that children are safer when wearing a seat belt on a school bus than when they don’t,” said Jerreld. “The seat belts help to keep them in their seat and enhance their safety in the event of an accident or emergency braking maneuver. “

Bradt students should be accompanied by an adult to the bus stop and an authorized adult must be at the stop to receive them in the afternoon.  Drivers will not let students off the bus unless it is to an authorized (someone you authorize) adult. You can call the Transportation office to authorize an adult to receive your child.

Rules of the road

Failure of other vehicles to come to a complete stop when a school bus halts to pick up or drop off children poses the greatest safety risk to student passengers, according to the National School Transportation Association, which since the early 1990s has organized National School Bus Safety Week each year during the third week of October.

A school bus employs an eight-light bus warning system to signal other traffic about its movements. When a bus approaches a loading or unloading area, yellow lights at the front and rear of the vehicle will flash to warn other traffic to slow down. Once the bus stops, its red lights flash and a “stop arm” extends from the side of the vehicle.

Yellow, slow. Red, stop. Simple enough, right? Unfortunately, motorists passing stopped school buses remains a persistent problem in New York state and around the country.

Not only is stopping for school buses the right and safe thing to do. It’s the law.

The penalty for passing a stopped school bus ranges from a minimum fine of $250 for a first violation to a maximum of $1,000 for three violations in three years. Three convictions in three years? A driver’s license will be revoked for a minimum of six months, according to the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles [Section 1174, NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law].

“The reasons for the high rates of illegal passing are unknown but we suspect lack of knowledge of the law, driver distraction, driver error and more,” according to the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT). “Clearly, there is a need for increased understanding of motorist attitudes and awareness of the law. Accordingly, every step must be taken to inform the public and increase that level of awareness.”

The National School Bus Safety Committee, made up of representatives from National School Transportation Association, National Association of Pupil Transportation, Pupil Transportation Safety Institute and National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, offers these school bus safety tips:

For students:

• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
• Stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it’s OK before stepping onto the bus.
• Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.
• Check both ways for cars before stepping off the bus.
• The bus driver and others cannot see you if you are standing closer than 10 feet to the bus. Stay out of this danger zone!
• If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver. NEVER try to pick it up yourself!
• While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
• When you get on or off the bus, look for the bus safety lights and make sure they are flashing.
• Be alert to traffic. When you get on or off the bus, look left, right, left before you enter or cross the street.
• When the driver says it is safe to cross the street, remember to CROSS IN FRONT of the bus.
• When riding, stay in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted.

Crossing students should:

• Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus.
• Walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least 10 giant steps ahead of the bus.
• Be sure the bus driver can see them and they can see the bus driver.
• Wait for the driver’s signal to cross.

For parents:

• School buses are the safest form of highway transportation.
• The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the bus.
• Pedestrian fatalities (while loading and unloading school buses) account for approximately three times as many school bus-related fatalities, when compared to school bus occupant fatalities.
• The loading and unloading area is called the “danger zone.” This zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the driver (10 feet in front of the bus, where the driver might be too high to see a child; 10 feet on either side of the bus, where a child might be in the driver’s blind spot; and the area behind the bus).
• Half of the pedestrian fatalities in school bus-related crashes are children between 5 and 7 years old.
• Young children are most likely to be struck because they:
  • Hurry to get on and off the bus.
  • Act before they think and have little experience with traffic.
  • Assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross the street.
  • Don’t always stay within the bus driver’s line of sight.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these safety tips for drivers:

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
• Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:

• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Join the Mohonasen boys soccer team as they “go green” at 7 p.m. tonight in support of Davia Rossi, a Schalmont freshman and varsity soccer player who was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Despite being separate districts, Mohonasen and Schalmont players have a connection developed through the Town of Rotterdam soccer programs.

The boys soccer team will wear green during warm-ups as a sign of support, and partial proceeds from the game will be donated to the Rossi family. In addition, all proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and sale of t-shirts and bracelets will be donated to the Rossi family.

Come wear green and support Rossi Strong! The game versus takes place on the Mohonasen turf field.

There were lots of smiling faces — and a few tears! — as Mohonasen students returned Sept. 7 for the start of a new school year. Any tears gave way to excitement at seeing classmates and meeting teachers. Enjoy some images from the first day.

Please note that Draper activity period buses (also known as “the late bus”) do not begin until Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Activity buses depart Draper between 3:25 and 3:35 p.m. and run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Annual Title I information will be shared with parents at each school building as follows:

• Grade 6 Open House, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 6:50 p.m., Draper Middle School Library
• Grade 7 and 8 Open House, Sept. 28, 6:50 p.m., Draper Middle School Library, Wednesday
• Grades 9-12 Open House, Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., Mohonasen High School

Students intending to apply to four-year colleges should plan to attend with parents, The College Application Kick Start Workshop, on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m.  Seating is limited so you must confirm in advance.

To register, please go to http://connection.naviance.com/mohonasen.  Your student should log in with their user name and password: “notebook” (unless they have changed it).  You can access the registration site under the “Colleges” tab (View all upcoming college visits).

Please register by Wednesday, Sept. 14 to reserve your spot. If you don’t have access to the internet to register, please call Mrs. Ellison at 356-8322 to reserve your spot.  This workshop will be held in computer labs at the high school.

Mohonasen Central School District will focus this year on a theme of “Constructing a Culture of Acceptance and Adaptability.”

Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring introduced the theme during staff opening day Sept. 6.

“It’s not enough to construct buildings,” said Spring, noting the extensive work performed in the district in the past year. “We have to construct the culture within.”

Spring noted that people’s words and actions can remain in our memory long after they are uttered or experienced and shared several examples that had a lasting impact on her.

Spring cited “the toxic nature of verbal exchanges on the national level.”

“How are we supposed to tell our kids that it is not appropriate to be inconsiderate, downright mean or dishonest when that is what we are exposed to each day?” Spring said. “It is way too easy to fire off an email or post a rant on Facebook rather than trying to work things out in person or talk it through.”

In spite of these shifts toward the negative, Spring said she believes the Mohonasen community can rise above this environment of disrespect.

“I believe we have the ability to shift these behaviors and interactions, at least within our Mohonasen school community,” she said. “I am convinced that we can ‘Construct a Culture of Acceptance and Adaptability.’ We have the opportunity have an effect on the future, on the students whom we influence daily.”

Spring said the district has established a task force comprised of students, parents, staff, teachers and administrators to discuss and address some of the challenging issues facing the district. Yet, even small actions can have a profound effect, she said, quoting author Leo Buscaglia: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

“If we truly want to construct a culture of acceptance and adaptability, it has to start with us,” said Spring.

Spring shared a powerful video entitled, “What is your hope?” produced by Parkway Schools in St. Louis, Missouri, and encouraged staff to keep the video in mind with the start of the school year.

“Think about what you hope for. Think about what students hope for. I am convinced there is a strong alignment between the two,” she said. (Watch the video.)

To promote this year’s theme, the district will use the hashtag #ItStartsWithUs to highlight positive activities and achievements within the district.

The morning kicked off with a welcome from Board of Education President Robert Piccirillo, who thanked staff for their support. Piccirillo shared a story of his mom’s current health challenge and said his decision to run for a board seat again in 2016 was prompted by encouragement from his mom during a visit to view the new Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen.

“She said, ‘You have to see this through,’” said Piccirillo. “Everyone in this room has a job to do. It’s extremely important and rewarding, but it’s hard work. My mom is my inspiration. I hope you find yours.”

New York state now requires students entering seventh and 12th grades to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease.

Does your child need to be vaccinated before the start of the 2016-17 school year to meet this requirement?

The answer depends on more than just your child’s age and grade level. When, or if, a child has previously been vaccinated for meningococcal disease will determine when shots will be necessary under the state’s new requirements that go into effect Sept. 1, 2016:

• One dose of meningococcal vaccine before seventh grade. If a student had the first dose as a sixth grader, then another dose is not required until grade 12.
• A total of two doses are required before grade 12. Most students entering grade 12 received their first dose when they were younger and will be due for their second dose, or booster. This booster is needed because protection from the vaccine decreases over time.
• The only teens who will not need a second dose before grade 12 are those who received their first dose on or after their 16th birthday.

Parents are encouraged to check with their children’s physicians prior to the start of the new school year to determine when or if they need to be vaccinated.

In October, Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a law that requires immunizations against meningococcal disease for children at ages 11 or 12 and again at 16 years of age or older, as recommended by the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Students not up-to-date will not be allowed to attend school until they are vaccinated.

Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection that can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the lining covering the brain and spinal cord) and bloodstream infections such as septicemia. Symptoms of the disease include a high fever, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and a rash. The meningococcus bacterium is treatable with antibiotics, but each year it causes approximately 2,500 infections and 300 deaths in the United States. Those who contract the disease may experience permanent brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure, loss of arms or legs, or chronic nervous system problems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found the highest rates of meningococcal disease to be among preteens, teens, and young adults, as well as among infants with certain medical conditions. The new law targets many in this age group and aligns with the CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate 11- to 18-year-olds against meningococcal disease.

Learn more about meningococcal disease and the meningococcal disease vaccine at the links below:

• Meningococcal disease information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Meningococcal disease fact sheet (New York State Department of Health)
• Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations (New York State Department of Health)
• Recommended vaccinations for children aged 11-19 years (New York State Department of Health)
• State law requiring immunizations against meningococcal disease (New York State Assembly)

Families are invited to get a glimpse into their child’s courses and find out what’s in store for the 2016-17 school year during Mohonasen High School’s Open House next week.

The event will take place from 6:30 through 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29.

It’s Spirit Week at Mohonasen High School. The following are themes for each day this week. Dress up to show your school spirit!

Monday: Tie Dye Day
Tuesday: Super Hero Day
Wednesday: Twin Day
Thursday: America Day – Red, White and Blue
Friday: Spirit Day – Black and Orange

Cheer on the girls during their Powder Puff game at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 on the turf field.

The boys football team faces Green Tech at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 for the Homecoming game.

After several weeks of committed practice, the Mohonasen High School Marching Band and Color Guard held an exciting show on their home field over the weekend, showcasing tremendous talents, smiles and Mohon pride. View photos below from the event.

The following information was shared with high school students during school today, and a copy of this letter was sent to parents/guardians via School News Notifier (SNN).

September 19, 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are writing to clear up some misperceptions about the purpose of creating gender neutral bathrooms at the high school.

We received feedback from students with concerns regarding feeling safe and comfortable in school bathrooms. The reality is that some students prefer more privacy than is afforded by school bathrooms, and for a variety of reasons: religious, cultural, health-related, gender-related, or modesty, among others. Whatever the reason behind the preference, it is incumbent upon the school to work to provide a safe and supportive environment for all students.

As a result of this feedback, a bathroom near the LGI was designated as gender neutral at the start of the school year. We viewed this as a short-term solution as we worked around current construction projects to adapt single-occupancy bathrooms for student use.

Starting today, two of four single-occupancy bathrooms designated as gender neutral will be available for use; the remaining two will be functional within the coming week. Two are located in the technology wing of the high school, and two are near the library. Please note that the entrance to each bathroom is monitored by security cameras and staff members who patrol our hallways.

Students who prefer privacy are also able to use the bathroom in the nurse’s office. In addition, the bathroom next to the LGI will now return to use for girls only.

As you may be aware, the district theme for this year is: Constructing a Culture of Acceptance and Adaptability. Establishing gender neutral bathrooms is just one step the district can take to address a variety of student needs, and to help all students feel safe and comfortable. In addition, we will continue to listen to student feedback as we work to make everyone feel comfortable and accepted in our schools.

If you have questions, please feel free to call the district office at 356-8200 or the high school at 356-8314.

Sincerely,

Kathleen A. Spring, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Lisa A. Patierne, Ed.D.
Principal, Mohonasen High School

Constructing a Culture of Acceptance and Adaptability
#ItStartsWithUs

Counselors are conducting senior conferences for the next several weeks.  Please consult the appropriate link for your child’s meeting date and time. Parents, please let your child’s counselor know if you will be attending.

Ms. Gaudio’s Senior Conference Schedule

Mrs. Huszar’s Senior Conference Schedule

Mrs. Pauley’s Senior Conference Schedule

Mr. Wood’s Senior Conference Schedule

Also, there are still some available openings for the College Application Kick Start, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. (Please note time change to accommodate Powder Puff game.)  Seating is limited so you must confirm in advance.  Contact cellison@mohonasen.org to register or call 356-8322.  Please include name and number attending.