Superintendent Blog Post  - March 8, 2019

I just wanted to take a moment to thank the community for supporting our Professional Learning Day in the district.  We started the morning all gathered together learning about our Strategic Coherence Plan. After that, our teachers, teaching assistants, and administrators focused on many different learning topics.   We had learning sessions on:

• Responsive Classroom-25 teachers participated in a whole day training
• Restorative Practices for Middle School teachers
• Coding in the Classroom
• Using 3-D Printers
• Using Google Docs and Google Classroom
• Collaborating with DIA: Beacon
• Elementary Science/STEM Curriculum training
• Mindfulness for Educators: The What, Why, and How
• Data Driven Conversations for High School teachers

 

As a parent, I recognize these days cause schedule changes and disruptions for families.  Please know that we use every second focused on developing more powerful learning opportunities for the young people in our district.  Thank you for your support, I really appreciate it! Have a great weekend!

Please take a look at the pictures below to see what we focused on today.  

Matt Landahl

Restorative Practices

 

 

Coding in the Classroom

      

 

Responsive Classroom

Superintendent Blog - March 1, 2019

The diversity of the Beacon City School District is our strength.  We are continually learning and growing to become a more inclusive and welcoming school district community where all of our students will grow and thrive.  In this blog space, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the work we are doing to achieve those goals.

• During the Summer of 2018, our administrative team participated in three days of training focusing on developing as leaders of equity, inclusivity, and cultural responsiveness.

 

• In August of 2018, each of our schools formed an Equity Team with teachers leaders and the principals of each building.  The teams participated in a training over the summer.  Their goal is to lead work in their buildings focused on creating more inclusive schools and identifying and working to overcome barriers students have to access opportunities. 

 

• In November of 2018, teachers at Beacon High School attended a introductory training about restorative practices and teachers at Rombout Middle School will attend the same training on March 8th.  Restorative practices is a way to build stronger community in our schools with the ultimate goal of reducing discipline issues.  Dutchess Mediation Center is assisting us with this work.  We will be sending smaller groups of teacher teams to two-day trainings on restorative practices this spring and summer.

 

• On March 8th, a group of elementary teachers will participate in an introductory training in Responsive Classroom.  This model helps teachers build community and powerful relationships in elementary classrooms.  Our hope is to continue this work with more teachers this summer and next school year.

 

• The Beacon City School District Equity Report Card will be released on our website later in March.  This online data tool will track performance data in the district for all students.  We have been working on it for the past several months and we are excited to bring a higher level of transparency especially regarding data with our work.

 

Over the past five months, the Beacon City School District has worked on creating a Strategic Coherence Plan that will help guide our work as a district for years to come.  Here is our Mission and Belief Statements that will guide our work going forward:

Our Mission is to meet the challenge of preparing EVERY student for learning, life, and work beyond school.

In pursuing this Mission, we believe:

• the diversity of our community is a strength
• in providing an equitable education for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, class, disability, gender identity, or sexuality.
• a culture of care, including ensuring a safe and supportive emotional environment for all, will help ensure the wellness of the entire school community.

 

Through intensive work on this Strategic Coherence Plan we will create even more powerful learning opportunities for all of our students.  You can read more about our Strategic Coherence Plan on our website here:  Strategic Plan of Action

These are just initial steps we have taken in the Beacon City School District to create a more welcoming and inclusive school district.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, I would more than happy to talk more with you.

Matt Landahl

 

Star Student   - Glenham Elementary - Nahlia Kelland 

Nahlia is a kindergarten student at Glenham Elementary School. She works very hard everyday and is kind, polite and caring to both her classmates and teachers. She enjoys coming to school and greets everyone she sees on her way to the classroom each day.

Employee Recognition - Howie Brink - Beacon High School

When anyone thinks about the spirit in the BCSD, it’s hard not to think about this “funny man” on the front lines.  He can frequently be seen walking the hallways during the school day, answering calls on that radio that never seems to stop requesting his assistance.  But it is Howie’s presence behind the scenes that makes him one of the Beacon City School Districts finest. He leads the high school crew and makes sure that the many events which take place there are covered and will also come back in the evening to make sure all is going smoothly.  Howie comes in the morning when most are still sleeping and on weekends all on his own. I think it is safe to say Howie takes much pride in the job he does and truly believes in making BHS a place that the faculty, students and staff can call home. Thank You, Howie, for all you do and all that you have done.

Superintendent Blog Post - February 8, 2019

Rescheduling Black History Month Play

Unfortunately we had to reschedule the Bright Star Theatre performance for the community last week due to weather.  We are working on rescheduling another play for the community in March. Check back here for details when we get it officially scheduled.

Strategic Planning Update

We have completed creating our mission, belief statements, graduate profile including skills, abilities, and attributes we want to see in all of our students, and are now focusing on developing action plans for strategies.  I will be meeting with community groups during the months of March, April, and May to discuss the plan. I am also meeting with student focus groups in all of our schools to discuss the plan and the upcoming budget. I will have my Strategic Plan Community Tour schedule completed in the coming weeks.  I am very excited about this work and thanks to all who participated!

From the Wellness Committee

SAVE the DATES:

Fitness Fun Night - The district's wellness committee, in conjunction with BCSD Athletics, is hosting a free event, "Fitness Fun Night" at Rombout Middle School from 6-8PM on March 1, 2019 (Snow Date - March 8, 2019) for students to participate with their families. Varsity teams and local fitness groups will be running sessions for students K-8, and local community organizations will be available with table displays & activities. Many thanks to Ms. Marianne Cerillo, Event Chairperson.  For more information: email Mr. John Giametta, Director of Athletics, PE, Health, & Recreation at giametta.j@beaconk12.org

Beacon HS Wellness Fair will be sponsored in conjunction with it's College Fair

When: April 11th 6-8 pm

Where: Beacon High School Main Lobby

Come check out some wellness resources available in our local community.  Many thanks to Ms. Diane Tanzi, Wellness Event Chairperson.

For more information: email Ms. Elisa Correa-Soto, Principal at soto.e@beaconk12.org.

Exciting Updates from our Food Services Department

We have a lot of exciting updates happening in the Food Services Department, see below for the details.

• New York Thursdays continues with all school meal programming -  we are continuing the NY local burger promotion along with school made pickles and toppings.
• The menus at all levels will continue featuring the vegetable of the month with recipes incorporating that vegetable at least once in the month.
• Beacon High School menus have expanded vegetable offerings with a large number of scratch items each month.
• Menus continue to identify scratch items at each grade level.  
• Menus are available in an on-line app called "mealviewer".
• Rombout Middle School had a tasting activity of scratch made Asian noodle bowls and veggie frittatas on January 10 that students participated in by voting on their preferences.  
• Beacon High School had an Asian tasting menu on February 6 with products being sampled from a new vendor. The vendor offers an antibiotic free chicken product and the sauces are free of  MSG, artificial coloring and flavoring Trans fats and peanut free. This tasting helps to determine if this is a product line we will carry next year.
• Sargent elementary began using washable silverware on January 14th.  J.V. Forrestal is the next school up on using washable silverware, they are working on an implementation plan.
• Food Services is also working on a plan to use recyclable trays at BHS.

 

Sargent Star Student - Ayden Gilleo - 5th Grade

Ayden Gilleo is a Sargent Star in Ms. Sandison and Ms. Antelak's fifth grade class.  Ayden's favorite class is Math. "I like Math because it’s fun and I learn a lot." Ayden also says about Math, "I want to learn more math because I can get better and better."  As a fifth grader, his he likes the privileges that go with being a fifth grader which include "all the field trips and going to Sharpe." He loves Sargent because "everybody helps me to learn better and I have good friends here."  Mr. Gilleo is most proud of how far he has come "since Kindergarten to now." Ayden has the highest grades in his class and he enjoys the challenges that come with going from fifth grade to sixth grade. Ms. Sandison says about Ayden, "he is a responsible, kind and compassionate student. He encourages his peers to do their best and will help motivate those who may be struggling.  He takes pride in his work and wants others to do the same. Ayden always strives to do well in school. His determination shows when faced with challenging tasks. Ayden is a member of the Chess Club, Band, and the Morning News Program. His hobbies outside of school are riding his bike and hiking up Mt. Beacon.

Employee Recognition - Sandy Martel, District Treasurer

Sandy Martel has been working in our Business Office for over 35 years. In December she retired from her full-time position and we are happy to say that she has agreed to stay on part-time.  In her role as School District Treasurer, she has the important job of making sure all the district’s accounts are correct and in balance. She has a wealth of knowledge of the district which is a huge asset to all of us that work with her.  We wish her well in her retirement and hope that she now has more flexibility to travel and enjoy her grandchildren.