Music Supervisor to Present at Conference

Lori Hershenhart, music supervisor, presented a workshop entitled, “Classroom Management: Effective Techniques for the Classroom and Performance,” today at CASDA’s General Music Educators’ Conference. Congratulations to Lori for her leadership in music education.

Altamont Newspaper

Download the first issue of AFT: The Altamont Free Read (PDF), a new student published newsletter at Altamont Elementary School. Congratulations to Audrey Pafunda, enrichment teaching assistants and students for their fine work.

Pops Concert News

This year the Guilderland High School Music Department celebrates with the “Pops Salutes American Music” according to Lori Hershenhart, music supervisor. This annual concert, held on Saturday, February 2, 2008, will feature performances by all high school music ensembles – over 350 talented students – in the Choirs, Bands and Orchestras. This year, small vocal and instrumental ensembles will also be performing as well as several of the high school rock bands.

This event is the major fund raiser for the music booster organization, the Guilderland Music Parents and Friends. The Music Parents use all funds raised from the Pops Concert to provide scholarships, enrichment activities, assembly programs, guest clinicians, NYSSMA solo medals, and other resources for students of every age throughout the Guilderland school district.

For this concert, the High School New Gym is decorated and set with tables and chairs. Eighth grade waiters and waitresses serve light refreshments that are available for purchase.

“2008 Pops Salutes American Music” is open to the public on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $6 with table seats available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are available for purchase in the school store at the high school, or contact Guilderland Music Supervisor Lori Hershenhart at 861-8591 ext. 1106 for tickets or additional information.

Parent and Child Wellness Fair

On February 27th from 6-8:30 p.m. at Guilderland High School we will be offering Guilderland’s first Parent and Child Wellness Fair grades K-8, the event is free. Students must be accompanied by an adult.

Regan Johnson, District-wide Assistant Director of Health, Physical Education and Interscholastic Athletics and Colleen Mickle, Chair of Hooked on Health Committee and member of Health Cabinet, are co-chairs and have put in many hours of planning. Over 40 vendors will take part. There will be music, food, sports and wellness demonstrations, activities for kids and promotional items related to health and wellness.

In addition there will be medical and health information sessions led by prominent Albany physicians who address topics such as childhood obesity, skin care, internet safety, allergies, depression, orthopedic injuries, and optimal athletic performance. Childcare will be provided.

There will also be games, sports, dance, DDR (Dance Dance Revolution), and physical activities sponsored by each Guilderland school and athletic department.

This Wellness Fair is part of our district priority for Healthy Choices: physical activities, nutritional balance, emotional wellness, healthy relationships, drug/alcohol awareness, time management. Collaborating partners are: American Academy of Pediatrics, CapitalCare Medical Group, Hooked on Health Committee, Guilderland School District and Physical Education Department, Medical Society of the County of Albany, Inc., Town of Guilderland Parks and Recreation Department.

A schedule of activities and speakers can be found at the Hooked on Health home page.

Suburban Council Music Festival

The Suburban Scholastic Council Music Festival will be held at Scotia-Glenville High School on Saturday, February 9, 2008. Over three-hundred talented music students were selected from the twelve Suburban Council schools. The groups performing this year include a High School Band, Chorus and Orchestra as well as a Middle School Jazz Band.

The Guilderland music department is pleased to announce that 30 students were selected to participate. Performing in the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Ron Hebert will be Noah Rubin, obe, Liz Barber, French horn, Chris Miller, percussion and Yipu Wang, violin.

The Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Petersen will include: Sam Crouse, Emily Patka, flute, Katie Haas, Wangzhong Sheng, Matt Walsh, and Katy Zuchowski, clarinet, Jean Kang, bassoon, Steve Travers, alto sax, Alexander Verrelli, Anthony Cannistraci, trumpet, Shannon Walsh, French horn, Mike Dorato, Alison Cramer, trombone, Jon Bintz, Euphonium, Cody Lassonde, Dan Loman, tuba, David Luidens and Scotty Rubin, percussion.

Vocalists selected to sing with the Concert Choir include: Allie DiMura, Kyrin Foulke, Emily Hayko, Lauren Oliver, Hillari Paschureck, Cecilia Snow, and Sean Teeter.

Representing Guilderland in the Jazz Ensemble is alto sax player Halli Travers, who was selected by audition.

Congratulations to all these fine young musicians and their teachers: Jenn Austin, Nancy Casellini, Kathleen Ehlinger, Jeff Herchenroder, Lee Russo, and Rae Jean Teeter.

The concert on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Scotia-Glenville High School begins at 3:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Additional information is available through Music Supervisor, Lori Hershenhart at 861-8591 x 1106.

FMS Science Teachers Awarded Grant

Jennifer Ford and Alan Fiero, FMS Science Teachers have been awarded a grant for $25,370 from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board. Their application was one of 300 submitted. All funds will be used to expand and improve the study of local biodiversity with a focus on the rare Pine Bush ecosystem.

The learning objectives are:
1. To have seventh grade students develop background knowledge of
biodiversity
2. To have students formulate new research proposals and restoration projects
3. To have students teach the community about biodiversity
4. To have students develop protocols for raising native plants and maintaining
model native plant gardens at nursing homes in and around the Pine Bush

This project met the State Farm criteria for service learning because it allows students to apply the knowledge they have learned in ecology to a specific ecosystem which happens to be globally rare and in their back yards. That knowledge will be used to serve the community by not only conducting hands-on research and restoration projects but also by students acting as teachers enlightening their parents and other community members.

Congratulations to Jenn and Al on this accomplishment.

High School Students and Staff to Present at Conference

On February 14th Lisa Patierne, Assistant Principal at Guilderland High School and a number of students will present a workshop on our Advisory Program at CASDA’s Transitions Conference for Administrators and School Transition Teams.

To address a need for more participation and to support the transition from 8th to 9th grade, Guilderland High School staff formed a 9th grade transition team, reviewed the research, and implemented a transition program which includes a 9th grade advisory program, mentoring, student/parent centered events, and a large scale 9th grade student/parent orientation.

Lisa is bringing students and teachers from the 9th grade transition team to aid in explaining the stages involved in the process of creating a successful program.

Congratulations to Lisa and our students for their selection as presenters.

FLES Workshop for Parents

On February 11th there will be a FLES information session for parents from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Guilderland Elementary School. FLES Spanish teachers will present helpful information on the Spanish program in kindergarten, grades one and two. There will be an opportunity to learn more about instructional techniques and ask questions.