Volume 6, Issue 4

The Inside Resource

North Colonie Central School District

Your News Source For Employee-Related Information at North Colonie

UPCOMING EVENTS

NCCS Human Resources Dept.

91 Fiddlers Lane, Latham NY

785-8591 hr@ncolonie.org

February 2017

14th

Valentine’s Day

20th

President’s Day, All employee

holiday

20th-25th

Mid-Winter Recess, No School

27th

Board of Education meeting,

SG, 7:15 p.m.

March 2017

1st, 6th, 20th, 30th

Budget Committee Meeting,

Goodrich, 7:00 p.m.

DISTRICT MISSION: All students are provided the opportunity and necessary support to engage in relevant, challenging work

which contributes to their academic and social development. All staff, teachers, and administrators are part of a larger learning community, working together to build collective capacity in order to provide a high-

quality, relevant, equitable education for all.

February 2017

Capital Project Update

The District has been working diligently to bring a revised Capital Project

plan to the voters. The feedback that was received at the January 30th

Community Conversation indicates that the voters wanted more

information on the project, the scope, the increasing enrollment and

STEM.

In response to that feedback, the District and BOCES have been working

on new communication materials to help educate the voters on these

issues. Coming very soon will be information on these topics that can be

shared with the community, parents and our own internal community.

Running parallel to the communication discussion has been many

meetings around the actual building project and how the scope and cost

can be reduced, while staying true to our educational mission and the Ed

Spec.

The District is working toward another bond vote on the Capital Project

on May 16th, which will occur on the same date as the School Budget

vote. We are hopeful that if the project is approved, we will still be able

to capture some of the advanced state aid from the Maplewood

annexation.

More information will be forthcoming. Please continue to check the

District’s website for more information.

Page 2 The Inside Resource Volume 6, Issue 4

Employee Recognitions Congratulations to the following employees who were recognized at the November 21, 2016,

December 19, 2016 and January 23, 2017 Board Meetings:

Nancy Zandri, retired school nurse, was recognized by Deb Keough, District Music Supervisor, for her

donation of a Bundy Flute.

Amy Parks and Stacy Shepard, elementary LEP teachers, were recognized by Dave Semo, Director of PPS, for

organizing the grade 5 LEP trip to the Hudson River Shores.

Daina Sisk, SHS Business teacher, was recognized by Rich Murphy, SHS Principal, for her leadership,

planning and collaboration with Siena College to facilitate the recent student survey concerning student use

of social media.

Andrea Stupp and Christine Butry, SHS Social Studies teachers, were recognized by Bob Pollaro, Social

Studies Supervisor, for their efforts in planning, organizing, and facilitating the 2016 Shaker High School

Mock election.

The entire North Colonie faculty was recognized by Jack Cheney of the Donna M. Crandall Memorial

Foundation for accepting the Lemonade Challenge and raising nearly $4,200 for “Dawn’s Rooms”.

Superintendent Joseph Corr was recognized by the Latham Ridge faculty and staff for his

presentation on the bond vote and proposed capital project.

Jessica Lahue, SG ENL teacher, was recognized by Jerri Lynne Dedrick, SG Principal, for sharing her talents

by learning and playing music for the SG Holiday Sing-A-Long.

Steve Zautner, Business Manager/Purchasing Agent, was recognized by Deb Keough, District Music

Supervisor, for donating a trumpet, straight mute, keyboard and keyboard stand.

The organizers and contributors to the Holiday Gift Program were recognized by Dave Semo, Director of PPS,

for providing Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas/Holiday gifts and food for 154 families throughout the

North Colonie School District. Special recognition goes to Sue Krosky and Linda Treffiletti, retired district

secretaries, for the many hours they spent coordinating this large initiative.

Kathleen O’Brien

Teacher Aide

BC

Page 3 The Inside Resource Volume 6, Issue 4

New Hires and Staff Changes

Have news that you want to share? email: hr@ncolonie.org

New Arrivals

Felicia Barrett

Custodial Worker

SHS

Rachel Bowen

Teacher Aide

LR

Daniel Kunker

Bus Driver

Transportation

Michael Lucia

Teacher Aide (REACH)

SJHS

Debra Nerf

Assistant Cook Manager

SHS

Serena Rose-Bouchard

Teacher Aide

BC

Marie Schofield

Teacher Aide

SG

Dan Fountain, Teacher SHS

Son: Lincoln Alexander

November 6, 2016

Steve Hallock, Guidance Counselor,

SHS

Daughter: Devon

January 24, 2017

Rebecca Kohn, Teacher, LO

Daughter: Olivia Adalyn

January 18, 2017

Kelly Silver, Teacher, BC

Son: Noah Sebastian

January 16, 2017

Michelle Weaver, Substitute Bus Driver, is now Michelle Sidoti.

Name Changes

Page 4 The Inside Resource Volume 6, Issue 4

In Memoriam

Erica Ladu passed away January 26, 2017. Erica taught at Blue Creek Elementary School dur-

ing the 2014-2015 school year. At the time of her death, she was teaching at Koda Middle

School in the Shenendehowa Central School District.

Louise Mahan worked as the Building Secretary at Forts Ferry Elementary School from January 1994

until her retirement in July 2009. Louise passed away January 24, 2017 after a long illness.

Eleanor “Elly” Rice began teaching at North Colonie in 1952, when North Colonie was a

newly formed school district. She spent the majority of her career at Southgate

Elementary School before retiring in 1993. As evidenced by her 41 year teaching career,

her legacy will be her commitment to educating, guiding and supporting children as they

matured into productive adults.

Beverly Servedio drove a school bus for North Colonie Central School District from 1981 to 1999.

Beverly passed away January 22, 2017. Beverly especially enjoyed spending time with her family and

was the sister of Sherry Julian, also a retired North Colonie Bus Driver.

Dorothy Vickers passed away January 4, 2017. Dorothy retired from North Colonie in 1985 after a long

career spent working in the Payroll Department at the Central Office. During her breaks, Dorothy en-

joyed doing crossword puzzles and was often seen during her break doing the crossword puzzle from

the daily paper. Her son, Robert is also a retiree of North Colonie School District.

Much to our chagrin, on Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six

more weeks of winter weather. So far, our winter has been relatively mild, but we still have seen

an increase in work-related injuries due to slips and falls. Our custodial and maintenance staffs

work hard to keep sidewalks and parking lots clear of ice and snow; no matter how well the

snow and ice is removed from parking lots and sidewalks, you may still encounter some

slippery surfaces when walking outdoors in the winter. It’s important to be constantly aware of

the dangers and to walk safely on ice and slippery surfaces. It’s best to assume that all wet

surfaces and dark areas on pavement are slippery and icy. Avoid wearing shoes or boots with high heels and

instead choose footwear that provides traction. Did you know that placing your hands in your pockets while

walking decreases your center of gravity and balance? You can more easily use your hands to break a fall if your

hands are not in your pockets. And, as much as we hate those heavy, bulky coats, they can help to cushion a fall if

you do lose balance.

If you should slip or fall, please obtain any needed medical assistance and report the incident to your supervisor as

soon as possible. Obtain a Workers Compensation incident report from the school nurse. Reports may also be

obtained from the Night Custodian for incidents that occur after regular school hours. Even incidents that don’t

result in injury or an initial need for medical attention should be reported - just in case you experience symptoms

of injury at a later time.