2007-08 stories
2006-07
stories
2005-06
stories
• Students pitch in during flood of 2006
(June 2006)
• Tonko secures
aid to help improve Canajoharie School financial picture
(June 2006)
•
Class of 2006 are now alumni!
(June 2006)
•
For
8th graders—next stop is high school (June 2006)
•
Class
of 2018 graduates—from kindergarten that is... (June
2006)
• New
plaque honors wartime dead (May 2006)
•
Voters approve 2006-07 budget
(May 2006)
•
Music students shine at competition
(June 2006)
•
Congratulations to Margaret Shannon—Wal-mart
Teacher of the Year (May 2006)
•
PTA launches "1000 Book Program"
(March 2006)
•
2006
All-County Music Festival (February 2006)
•
Canajoharie
Middle School earns top national academic honor (October
2005)
•
Voters
approve cafetorium referendum (February 2004)
Assemblyman
Amedore visits CHS
Government came alive for students in Blake
Smith's Participation in Government class on Dec. 5th when
Assemblyman George Amedore stopped in for a visit.
Students had the opportunity to listen as the
assemblyman shared his views on the current debate over
increasing Thruway tolls. He explained that he believes a toll
increase would have a negative impact on local residents who rely on
the Thruway, especially those who routinely commute to work. He
also stressed that the students can positively impact the world
and that he would like to partner with them to make that
difference. He invited them to contact him with their concerns
and ideas. Afterward, Assemblyman Amedore met with district
administrators to review our school's financial needs and to
discuss the role he can play addressing the need for state funding
to assist districts in meeting the challenge of educating our
students to ever stricter state standards.
Faculty
and families take up the cause
For Susan Crua, the tragedy of breast cancer
strikes too close to home. Our elementary school music teacher
lost her sister-in-law Carol to a five-year battle with breast
cancer in 2001. In Carol's memory, Mrs. Crua captained a
32-member team of faculty, family, and friends who walked to
raise money for breast cancer research at the "2007 Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer of Albany, NY" on Sunday, Oct. 21
in Albany's Washington Park.
With the support of co-workers and community,
the Canajoharie team raised over $3000 toward finding a cure for
breast cancer. Although the event is past, the team is still
accepting donations towards the cause. If you would like to
contribute, please contact Susan Crua
scrua@canajoharie.k12.ny.us.
(see the entire team roster and more photos)
How do school taxes compare 2005 vs. 2007?
Average homeowner's share actually falls
How can the homeowner's share of school taxes go
down when the cost of education continues to increase?
The newspapers report that the school budget has
increased and that our tax rates are rising. Even the district’s
budget brochure agrees. Can the amount of property tax we pay
actually go down?
The answer is “Yes!” (full
story and actual comparisons)
Cafeteria
selects prize winners
The CCS cafeteria staff reached into a big box
and selected the names of three students as winners of a special
prize drawing on Friday, June 15. Fifth grader Tyler Belmonte
won a bicycle donated by Wal-Mart. Sixth grader Melissa Bowley
won a bicycle donated by the American Dairy Council. Christine
Campaglia won a Kodak digital camera. The prizes were part of a
special promotion designed to improve student participation in
the district's lunch program. Each time students ate school
lunch, their names were entered into the drawing; the more times
they ate, the greater their chances in the drawing.
Congratulations to the prize winners!
SADD 2007 Variety Show is a hit!
It was silly; it was fun; it was entertaining!
The 2007 SADD Variety Show filled the stage of the Arkell
Performing Arts Center with plenty of music and dancing on
Friday, March 30th. The annual event raises funds for the high
school's high successful post-prom party.
View video from the evening.
E-RI-E premiers onstage at Arkell
Drama
Club presents "E-RI-E" an original work
The Fort Plain—Canajoharie Drama Club presented
its spring production, "E-RI-E: The Musical," an original
historic work by Dick Solberg, the Sun Mountain Fiddler May 3-5
at the Arkell Performing Arts Center. (full
story)
Congratulations
to Jeanne O'Connor—Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year
East Hill 4th grade teacher Jeanne O'Connor has
been named the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Art Jordan, General
Manager from Wal-Mart DC 6041 in Sharon Springs made the
presentation in Mrs. O'Connor's classroom on Tuesday, May 8.
read more
Tonko secures aid to help improve Canajoharie
School financial picture
Christmas came early as Assemblyman Paul Tonko
recently met with Canajoharie Central School District officials
to share news that the district will soon receive $140,000 in
bullet aid.
The aid is designated to help address financial
concerns discovered late last winter as District Superintendent
Richard Rose and the Board of Education prepared the 2006-07
school budget. A series of factors left the district with a
reduction of over $652,000 in anticipated income. Reduced
revenue forced the board to cut over $500,000 from the budget,
cuts that reduced teaching and support staff and reduced key
cultural and educational opportunities for the district’s
students.
In addition to the bullet aid, the Assemblyman
Tonko was able to secure a return of $102,000 the district had
previously paid the state for overpayment on completed
construction projects. The funds must still be repaid, but the
assemblyman negotiated a six-year repayment plan to lessen the
immediate burden on the district.
“Over the years, Assemblyman Tonko has
consistently supported our efforts to provide the highest
quality education for the students of our community,” said Mr.
Rose. “Again, he has come to our aid—he is a true friend to
education and to the people of this area.”
Local flooding brings out the best in Canajoharie students
On June 28, several Canajoharie High School students stepped
forward to provide comfort and assistance to residents who
evacuated to the high school to escape the rising flood
waters. Doug Morrissey, Director of School Counseling at
Canajoharie High School, reports that students were key to
caring for people before disaster officials arrived.
(read
Mr. Morrissey's account)
Class of 2006 are now alumni!
Amidst tears and cheers, Canajoharie High School's Class of
2006 proudly celebrated their graduation, Friday, June 23 at
the Arkell Performing Arts Center. (see
the graduation photo gallery)
For
8th graders—next stop is high school
The Canajoharie Middle School celebrated its 2006 Moving Up
Day on Thursday, June 22 in the Arkell Performing Arts
Center. The Class of 2010 took the stage for a morning of
awards, celebration, and good-byes.
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students were recognized
for their academic, athletic, and personal achievements over
the past year. Also honored was art teacher Michelle
Egelston for her contributions over the past year. The
audience also bid a fond farewell to two retirees,
keyboarding teacher Donna Davidson and Middle School
Principal Rod Strait. (see
Moving Up Day photo gallery)
Class
of 2018 graduates—from kindergarten that is...
The Class of 2018 excitedly walked across the East Hill
gymnasium and accepted their kindergarten diplomas from East
Hill Principal Virginia Nyahay on Wednesday, June 20.
Family and friends filled the bleachers and proudly watched
as the young scholars took their first big step in their
academic career. (more
photos)
New
plaque honors wartime dead
Memorial Day took on added significance as
Canajoharie Central Schools dedicated a memorial plaque honoring
alumni who died during wartime in service to our country.
Local boys scouts, under the direction of troop
leader Francis Palimino placed a wreath at the memorial. An
honor guard composed of Sergeant McGraw, USMC and Sergeant
Riley, USA accepted the wreath and guarded it throughout the
ceremony. Sgt. McGraw is a decorated veteran of two tours in
Iraq; Sgt. Riley is a decorated veteran of a tour of duty in
Afghanistan and a tour of duty in Iraq.
Dedicating the plaque, high school principal Dr.
Donald Bowden, said, "I assure you that like those whose names
are on this memorial plaque, the young people I meet in these
halls today love their country and what it stands for. These
young people respect the sacrifices made by their predecessors
and are prepared to risk their very lives to protect and defend
that country. May this plaque serve forever as a reminder to all
who view it that the price of freedom has been and always will
be high."
Voters approve 2006-07 budget
Canajoharie Central School District voters
approved the district's $16.02 million 2006-07 budget at the
polls Tuesday, May 16. Voters also elected Carol Balfe to a
five-year term to the board of education.
"We sincerely appreciate the community’s support
of our efforts to provide the best possible programs for our
children," said district superintendent Richard Rose. "This
budget allows the district to continue the fine programs that
have taken years to develop.”
“We recognize that this was a difficult vote for
taxpayers in light of the fact that the projected tax increase
is more than what the community has experienced for quite some
time,” he added. The budget, however, positions the district to
address an unexpected shortfall in revenue so that its effects
do not linger and continue to cause budget problems in the
future."
Residents voted 235 in favor of the budget and
212 opposed. (view
the approved budget)
Music students shine at competition
Orchestra and chorus students from Canajoharie's
high school and middle school recently competed at the New York
State School Music Association's annual competition at Schalmont.
(view
results)
Congratulations to Margaret Shannon—Wal-mart
Teacher of the Year
East Hill kindergarten teacher Margaret Shannon
has been named the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Kerry Brunner,
Human Resource Manager at the Johnstown Wal-Mart Distribution
Center made the presentation in Mrs. Shannon's kindergarten
class on Tuesday, May 9.
As part of the ceremony, East Hill principal
Virginia Nyahay accepted a $1000 check given in Mrs. Shannon's
name to Canajoharie Central Schools to purchase school supplies.
Mrs. Shannon also received a tee-shirt, a certificate, and $100
gift card for teaching materials. Mrs. Shannon, who was
nominated by local parent Jeff Hammons, is now eligible to
compete for state and national honors.
