The phone outage in the district continues, with limited phone service to each building.

If you need to reach the district office, transportation department or your child’s school building, please call the number listed below. With limited phone access, we ask that you call only if it is essential, such as to report a student absence, or an emergency. Please understand that it may take longer than usual to get through to a school.

• District Office: 857-6281
• Mohonasen High School: 355-4269
• Draper Middle School: 355-3296
• Pinewood: 374-4291
• Bradt: 356-8191
• Bus Garage/Transportation Department: 355-2421

Crews continue to work to remedy the situation, and the district will provide an update  as information becomes available. Information will also be posted on the district Facebook page.

Thank you for your patience as we work to fix the phone system.

Phone service has been restored in the district.

Thank you for your patience during the outage.

Beginning December 14, there will be a table of books set up in the lobby of Draper Middle School. Students may take books for themselves or leave books for others to enjoy. Books may be for any age group and students are permitted to take one per day. A student does not have to bring in a book to take a book.

The goal of the program, which runs through December 23, is to make sure all kids have access to books and to get students excited about reading.

If you have any books you’d like to donate, please bring them to Mrs. Holland in the Draper library. Thanks goes out to the Mohonasen Teachers’ Association and NYSUT for contributing many of the books.

There was a minor bus accident involving a car and a Mohonasen school bus this afternoon. The bus was transporting students from Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School (CTE) back to the district.

A school nurse was sent to the scene to examine students, and no injuries were reported.

High school students will be sent home early today due to a power outage.

The power outage occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. Crews are currently on hand trying to fix the problem, but there is currently no estimated time for the power to be restored.

“The safety and security of our students is always a priority when making decisions regarding school cancellations,” said Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring. “The decision was made based on the fact that the power outage affected the alarm system and the fire department did not give clearance to resume our usual school day.”

Spring said the configuration of the high school is such that many of the classrooms are in darkness with the power outage. There is power at the middle school and that those students are able to be served lunch.

Students who walk or drive to school have been dismissed. Those who need a ride will be dismissed as buses become available, which is expected to be between 12:30 and 1 p.m.

Mohonasen will also benefit from shared transportation services grant

The district has been awarded $300,000 in state funding for the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen.

The Department of State Local Government Efficiency grant was announced by Governor Cuomo on Thursday, Dec. 10, as part of Regional Economic Development Council funding.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding, which will allow us to fully outfit the Center’s lab spaces with equipment,” said Mohonasen Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring. The district hopes to provide additional workforce development training in the future.

“We are also encouraged that the state has publicly recognized the importance of this project to the region,” said Spring.

The Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen is currently under construction on the district’s middle school/high school campus. The approximately 53,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility will house a variety of modern, high-tech labs and classrooms that offer learning experiences in “real-world” work environments. Through a unique partnership between Mohonasen, Capital Region BOCES and Schenectady County Community College (SCCC), classes will be offered to high school, college and workforce development students.

EFFICIENCY PROJECT

The district will also benefit from a $600,000 grant received by Niskayuna Central School District. The funds will be used to upgrade and modernize Niskayuna’s transportation facility, which will also serve as a hub for joint efforts with area districts.

Mohonasen this fall joined with the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Niskayuna, and Scotia-Glenville school districts in a partnership to share bus routes to select out-of-district locations. Under the grant, the transportation partners will continue to explore areas of increased efficiency such as joint training and certification, shared bus inspections, sharing spare buses, and cooperative purchasing and storage of items like fuel, tires and parts. Upgrading the facility at 1301 Hillside Avenue is a key component of realizing efficiencies in these areas.

Spring said the grant will strengthen the partnership with the area districts. “This provides us an opportunity to operate even more efficiently and effectively, and ultimately can benefit our taxpayers by cutting transportation costs,” said Spring.

Both districts’ grant proposals were developed in partnership with the Grants and Development Service of Capital Region BOCES.

District leaders outlined a preliminary technology investment plan at the Board of Education’s Nov. 23 meeting, detailing how the district will spend $1.7 million allocated to Mohonasen through New York State’s SmartSchools Bond Act. (View district presentation (PDF)).

Approved by voters in November 2014, the SmartSchools Bond Act earmarks funds for improving technology and wireless infrastructures in schools. In order for the school district to be considered to receive SmartSchools Bond money, leaders must submit a comprehensive plan to the state.

In developing Mohonasen’s plan, school leaders solicited public input through a survey that generated responses from 81 percent of district families. In addition, the district formed the Educational Technology Advisory Group (ETAG), comprised of administrators, teachers and technology staff, as well as school-based advisory groups that include teachers and parents. Students are also included in the high school advisory group.

“Mohonasen continues to embrace technology that enhances learning, engages students and improves student achievement,” said Lisa Cutting, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “This plan is a road map for working with students and faculty over the next four years, and will be updated based upon implementation, feedback and the evolving nature of technology in the world.”

Public comment on the plan can be offered through Jan. 4. A final presentation will be made at the board’s Jan. 11 meeting.

If you have questions or feedback regarding the preliminary plan, please contact Lisa Cutting at 356-8205 or lcutting@mohonasen.org.

Three Mohonasen students were recently recognized for their work at Downtown YMCA in Schenectady.

Drew Enlow, Rachael Machia and Phoebe Hester were recently awarded the YMCA Cause-Drive Leader Award. The award is given in recognition of their sincere efforts to fulfill the YMCA mission and provide consistently high quality member service at the Schenectady branch of the Capital District YMCA.

All three serve as student interns at the Y. Drew works in the fitness center, Rachael in childcare, and Phoebe at the front desk.

“This is a busy and popular fitness center with a childcare room,” said Graham Macbeth, job coach for the Work-Based Learning program. “Our students have specific roles and assigned tasks to complete, and the YMCA has been very impressed by their work.”

“As one of their teachers, I am extremely proud of the progress they have made at the community work sites and the YMCA dedication to work with our students in the program,” said Erica Restifo, Mohonasen High School special education teacher. “The hard work of the Work Based Learning staff and the students involved in this program is helping create wonderful relationships with our students and community businesses.”

When power was restored on the high school/middle school campus, a burning odor was detected at Draper. As a precautionary measure, middle and high school students were moved to the high school, which had been cleared by the fire department.

Dismissal will proceed as usual. All high school after-school activities will continue as planned. It is expected that middle school activities will proceed as well, however please check here or the district Facebook page for an update.

Power was lost on the high school/middle school campus at about 12:30 p.m. today. Due to the fact that the high school alarm system was activated, high school students were relocated to the middle school.

National Grid was quickly on the scene and power has been restored.

Middle school after-school activities, including modified sports, have been cancelled as Draper was not cleared prior to the time students needed to be notified for dismissal.

The school has now been cleared by the fire department.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a national nonprofit organization that delivers a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the United States, recognized Mohonasen High School as one of only nine schools to offer PLTW programs since the organization began in 1997.

PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram recognized the districts at a Nov. 18 ceremony at the New York State PLTW Conference in Binghamton. The district will be presented with a special banner in December.

In addition to Mohonasen High School the other longest-running PLTW high schools are: Ballston Spa, Colonie, Irondequoit (Rochester), LaFayette, Shenendehowa, South Glens Falls and Westhill (Syracuse)

“We are thrilled to be a part of this group of schools who were willing to be pioneers in implementing the unique Project Lead the Way Program,” said Dr. Kathleen Spring, Superintendent of Schools. “The district has always been willing to take calculated risks by participating in programs that may not be considered common place, traditional or standard in most circles. However, this willingness to have an open mind has created unique opportunities for the district and its students.”

Project Lead the Way programs were expanded nearly a decade ago to include Draper Middle School students.

“Our excitement for Project Lead the Way and the opportunities it offers our students has only increased over the past two decades, and we look forward to many more years of the partnership,” said Spring.

PLTW, now headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, originally started in Upstate New York at 12 high schools. Today, nine of the original 12 are still actively offering PLTW’s programs in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science to their students, and are now joined by more than 8,000 elementary, middle, and high schools across the country. A total of 372 schools offer PLTW in New York. Rochester Institute of Technology was the first PLTW affiliate university, and today still trains PLTW teachers, hosts PLTW conferences for teachers and administrators in the state, and offers transcripted college credit to PLTW students.

District leaders outlined a preliminary technology investment plan at the Board of Education’s Nov. 23 meeting, detailing how the district will spend $1.7 million allocated to Mohonasen through New York State’s SmartSchools Bond Act. (View district presentation (PDF)).

Approved by voters in November 2014, the SmartSchools Bond Act earmarks funds for improving technology and wireless infrastructures in schools. In order for the school district to be considered to receive SmartSchools Bond money, leaders must submit a comprehensive plan to the state.

In developing Mohonasen’s plan, school leaders solicited public input through a survey that generated responses from 81 percent of district families. In addition, the district formed the Educational Technology Advisory Group (ETAG), comprised of administrators, teachers and technology staff, as well as school-based advisory groups that include teachers and parents. Students are also included in the high school advisory group.

“Mohonasen continues to embrace technology that enhances learning, engages students and improves student achievement,” said Lisa Cutting, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “This plan is a road map for working with students and faculty over the next four years, and will be updated based upon implementation, feedback and the evolving nature of technology in the world.”

Public comment on the plan can be offered through Jan. 4. A final presentation will be made at the board’s Jan. 11 meeting.

If you have questions or feedback regarding the preliminary plan, please contact Lisa Cutting at 356-8205 or lcutting@mohonasen.org.

Members of Draper Middle School faculty shared some holiday spirit by lending a hand at Schenectady City Mission.

Two teams of volunteers helped serve dinner at the mission Dec. 16 and 17.

A group of high school students shared some holiday spirit by performing several community service projects Dec. 11.

One group of students lent a hand at City Mission in Schenectady. A second group visited Bradt Primary School, where they read to classes and helped young friends select holiday gifts for family members at the Lil Shopper’s Shoppe. A third group spent the morning at the Rotterdam fire station on Curry Road, preparing an Italian feast – complete with pasta, meatballs and dessert – with guidance from Principal Lisa Patierne’s mom.

The volunteers enjoyed the luncheon feast together at the fire station.

In an effort to enhance student and community safety and communication with families, schools in Schenectady County have established joint protocols for weather-related closings and delays.

The involved districts are Mohonasen, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Duanesburg, Niskayuna, Schalmont, Schenectady and Scotia-Glenville, each of which is located entirely within the county or serves a portion of it.

Neighboring districts are typically in close contact when bad weather hits. Formalizing protocols across the districts represents a new level of cooperation and provides additional clarity to families and municipal government ahead of the coming winter.

Additionally, increased transportation sharing among many districts in the county has resulted in the need for greater cooperation when the schedule is altered or school is closed. The joint protocols include the following:

• There will be no one-hour delays of school. Either school will be in session, there will be a two-hour delay, or a full-day closure.
• In cases where a two-hour delay leads into a full snow day, this decision will be made by 7 a.m. and communicated promptly. (If no closure is communicated, parents should assume that school will open on the delayed schedule.)
• School delays or closure decisions will rarely be made the night before, but may be necessary in extreme cases or when directed by state agencies;
• The districts will follow established guidance for when severe cold warrants school closures or delays. The New York Statewide School Health Services Center suggests that when wind chills reach -25 degrees, school leaders should consider delays or closures.

The Schenectady County school districts are targeting consistent decisions about whether or not to close school across the county, but they recognize that this will be difficult and not possible in all cases. Families should continue to look to their local school district for information about closings or delays.

School superintendents are ultimately responsible for decisions about closing school. When winter storms arrive, they monitor weather reports and are in close contact with their transportation and facilities departments, local highways departments, and leaders of other districts. Typically at least one person in each district is checking the roads in the pre-dawn hours to help inform a decision about school.

The Schenectady County superintendents believe that the joint protocols will lead to improved communication and coordination across the county when storms hit, aiding in cleanup efforts and limiting unnecessary travel.

For more information, please contact:

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake: Tara Mitchell, 399-9141 x85041, tmitchell@bhbl.org
Duanesburg: Monique Jacobs, 895-5350 x371, mjacobs@duanesburg.org
Mohonasen: Karen Nerney, 356-8250, knerney@mohonasen.org
Niskayuna: Matt Leon, 377-4666 x50707, mleon@niskyschools.org
Schalmont: Nanette Blake, 355-9200 x6, nblake@schalmont.net
Schenectady: Karen Corona, 370-8100 x40137, coronak@schenectady.k12.ny.us
Scotia-Glenville: Bob Hanlon, 386-4343, rhanlon@sgcsd.net

Mohonasen High School welcomed Union College Professor of Political Science, Clifford Brown, Ph.D. into the classroom on Friday, Dec. 18 as students learned about the history of slavery in the United States.

Students viewed the critically acclaimed film, “12 Years a Slave,” before Brown presented on the realities of slavery and the life of Solomon Northup, the American abolitionist whose memoir inspired the film. Brown co-authored the biography “Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of Twelve Years a Slave” in 2013 and has received awards for its harrowing and honest account of Northup’s experiences.

The event was sponsored by Mohonasen High School Peers for Peace and included students from U.S. History classes, Study Circles, National Honor Society and History Club.

Mohonasen Central School District will receive an approximately $337,000 grant for the new Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen.

The announcement was made during a Dec. 21 press conference at Mohonasen High School that included comments from Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Mohonasen Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Spring, Board of Education Vice President Lisa Gaglioti, Schenectady County Community College President Dr. Steady Moono, and Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Interim Deputy Director Dr. Valerie Kelsey.

“I’m very proud to support the great work happening here at Mohonasen,” said Santabarbara. “When it comes to education, the tools have changed. And with that, the jobs have changed and may continue to change as the technology changes. It’s up to us to do everything we can to prepare the next generation of students with the 21^st century skills they need to be successful.”

The funds will be used to purchase to purchase equipment for the nanotechnology lab at the new Center.

Spring said the Board of Education and Mohonasen community took a “leap of faith” when in 2013 voters were asked to support a $48.2 million capital project that includes construction of the new Center.

“The capital project was overwhelmingly approved, even though it was clear that this type of program and partnership was unprecedented and that we would need to find additional resources to outfit some of the high tech labs that we were envisioning,” said Spring. “It is humbling and a great blessing to lead a district that is willing to think differently and take action on its vision.”

Spring expressed gratitude for the support of Santabarbara and Senator George A. Amedore, who has also helped secure funding for lab space at the new Center.

“Our theme for our district this year is ‘Mohonasen Moving Forward Together,’” said Spring. “The support of our Mohonasen district family, the greater Rotterdam community, our legislators, Schenectady County Community College, Capital Region BOCES and the region as a whole is a perfect example of how we can effect positive change for the good of our students when we work together.”

School is out for Mohonasen’s holiday recess  beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 and running  through Friday, Jan. 1. Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 4.

Please note the district office is closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1.

We hope you have a fun and relaxing holiday break.

Students will begin the new year sharpening their spelling skills in preparation for January’s Draper Middle School Spelling Bee. Classroom spelling bees will be held during the week of Jan. 4, and the school-wide bee will take place on Jan. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Draper multi-purpose room. In the event of a snow day, the school-wide bee will be rescheduled to Jan. 15. Best of luck to all participants!

Every Student Succeeds Act replaces No Child Left Behind

For the first time since 2001, the United States has new federal legislation governing education.

On Dec. 10, President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The bipartisan bill passed both houses of Congress by wide margins earlier this month. This came after three failed attempts to replace NCLB since it expired in 2007.

According to news reports, the new law serves as a framework – with provisions addressing school accountability, testing, learning standards, and interventions for low-performing schools – and gives states and local school districts greater control and discretion when it comes to the specifics of how these provisions will be implemented.

Transitioning to ESSA will not happen overnight.

Starting in the 2017-18 school year, states will be required to have accountability plans for schools. These plans will need to include a number of academic factors (e.g., graduation rates, test scores, English-language proficiency) AND at least one additional factor such as school climate or access to advanced coursework. When reporting on these factors, states will have to break down the results by student subgroups, including different ethnicities, students with special needs, and students with economic disadvantages. In addition, while NCLB set national goals for learning, the new law allows states to set their own goals for things like proficiency on exams, graduation rates and closing achievement gaps.

It is unclear how this new law will impact changes to New York’s education system that are being considered. This fall, the state Education Department sought feedback on the state’s learning standards, and just last week, Governor Cuomo announced the recommendations of his Common Core Task Force, which include overhauling the state’s learning standards and assessments.

Key things to know about the new education law

• Students will continue to be tested in grades 3-8 in ELA and math and once in high school, and states must continue to break down data based on a set of subgroups.
• States will have more discretion to determine how to weigh tests, whether and how to evaluate teachers, and how to turn around low-performing schools. However, the new law lays out guidelines for state interventions in low-performing schools/districts or schools with low graduation rates.
• Just as under NCLB, the new law doesn’t require states to adopt any specific set of academic standards.
• Schools will still be required to have a 95 percent participation rate for state exams; however, it will be up to the states to decide how this factors into school accountability. In addition, rules or regulations relating to test refusal or “opt-outs” are left to the states.