The Arc of Schuyler offers scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN - Up to three Schuyler County graduates will be awarded the 2008 Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship of $750 in June. Seniors at Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central Schools are eligible to apply for the award, which honors a former member of The Arc of Schuyler Board of Directors.

Scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors pursuing education in special education or human services or a related clinical area such as nursing, psychology, speech pathology, or physical/occupational therapy, which will be used in a career providing supports to people with developmental disabilities.

The Arc of Schuyler has identified serious workforce issues facing organizations providing supports and services to people with disabilities. This scholarship program focuses on informing students, parents, schools and the community at large that there are important and rewarding jobs and a variety of career opportunities working with and for people with disabilities.

Joanne S. Hayes was a past board member and president of The Arc of Schuyler, who lived in Odessa before her death in 1987. She was a strong advocate for career and employee training. "This education fund is a fitting tribute to her commitment to The Arc and to our workforce," said James Wilson, executive director of The Arc.

Eligible applicants must submit the following to their school guidance office by June 4:

* Completed application
* Legible essay (no more than two double-spaced pages)
* Two letters of reference
* GPA, Class Rank, SAT Scores

Applications are available at school guidance offices or can be obtained by contacting Erin Will, director of human resources at The Arc of Schuyler, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Arc of Schuyler is celebrating 30 years of supporting people with disabilities and their families in Schuyler County and provides a wide array of services to over 300 people on a daily basis. For more information on The Arc or its services and supports, call 607-535-6934 or visit our website at www.arcofschuyler.org

WGHS sets instrumental Spring Concert

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 6 -- The Watkins Glen High School Music Department will present an Instrumental Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Watkins Glen High School Auditorium.

This concert will feature the Jazz Band, Flute Ensemble and Concert Band. Musical selections for the evening include: Highlights from A Chorus Line, The National Emblem March, Pachelbel’s Canon in D and Happy Together.

This concert will also mark the final performance for the Class of 2008. The seniors featured in their final concert will be Molly Bilinski, Riley Clark, Genevieve Klick, Shawnae Randolph and
Shaun VanDyke.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Josh Markley dressed in style.

O-M Prom Night photos: At the dance

MONTOUR FALLS, May 5 -- The guys were looking dapper in their tuxedos, and the girls stunning in their gowns. The lights were soft and sparkling, and the music driving and easy to dance to.

And there was plenty of dancing, Odessa-Montour 2008 Prom style, at the Montour Moose Lodge Saturday night. And when it was over, the evening was only half done. There was a movie, "Prom Night," at the Glen Theater, and then an all-night party at the O-M High School.

Here, in addition to the photos on the Home Page, are a few from the dance.

Left: Jesse Johnson and Bibi Imankulova. Right: Eric Davis and Maty Faye

Alycia McCauley with prom date Kyle Stephens.

Left: Jessica Goossen. Right: Nick Gilbert.

Left: Maggie Lucero is expressive. Right: Sherry Benedict.

Participants and coaches from the Odessa-Montour and Bradford Central Schools at the 2008 Regional Envirothon competition held on April 24th at the Tioga County Sportsmen’s Association Club in Owego. The "Otters" team from Odessa-Montour, at the left of the photo with their coaches, was the Schuyler County winner and will be participating in the State Envirothon on May 21st and 22nd at SUNY Cobleskill.

Regional Envirothon: O-M nips Bradford

Special to The Odessa File

OWEGO, May 3 -- The "Otters" team from Odessa-Montour Central School was the Schuyler County winner by the slimmest of margins (one question out of one hundred) over "The Killdeer" from Bradford Central School on April 24 at the Southern Tier Regional Envirothon held at the Tioga County Sportsmen’s Association Club in Owego.

The "Otter" members are John Blaha, Eric Davis, Todd Kautz, Ryan Muller and Brian Stamp, and the team advisors are Frank Mudrak and Doug Chapman. The team will represent Schuyler County at the State Envirothon competition on May 21st and 22nd at SUNY Cobleskill.

The Envirothon is an outdoor, hands-on, environmental science competition in which teams of students in grades 9-12 are tested in several areas of knowledge, including wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils, and a current environmental issue. (This year’s topic is “Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources.”)

Five teams from Schuyler County, including 24 students, participated this year representing two schools – Bradford and Odessa-Montour. Nineteen students on four teams participated from Bradford. The members of the Schuyler County second-place team were Josh Gardner, Chad Matwiejow, Johnnie Goshleski, Mitchell Kelly and Ben Larrison. The Bradford team advisor is Rebecca Schrader.

The third-place team was the Bradford "The 'A' Team" and team members were Heather Butler, Chelsea Houck, Jessica Button and Autumn Stone. Other Bradford teams and team members were the "Baconators" (Pat Fuller, Sherry O’Dell, Chelsey Seamans, Dylan Crounse and Jessica Putnam) and the "Enviro Dolls" (Bethany Groves, Natasha Gee, Amy Taylor, Nicole Robertson and Kate Luta).

The Soil and Water Conservation Districts help to organize the Envirothon teams within their county and coordinate, plan and host the local Envirothon. Essential support is provided by school science teachers and school districts, and by local businesses that donate funds.

Photo in text: The Schuyler County Winners of the 2008 Regional Envirothon, "The Otters" from Odessa-Montour, are, from left: Eric Davis, Ryan Muller, John Blaha, Brian Stamp and Todd Kautz. (Photo provided)

O-M's Zimmer qualifies for Merit Scholarship Program

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, April 28 -- Adam Zimmer, a junior at Odessa-Montour High School, has qualified for the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Zimmer’s score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) placed him among the 50,000 highest scoring participants of more than 1.5 million entrants.

In September, approximately 16,000 students will be named National Merit Program semifinalists, representing the top scores in each state. Of the semifinalists, approximately 8,200 will be selected as recipients of Merit Scholarship awards.

Trumansburg initiates safety measures

Threats, M-80 blast prompt heightened security

TRUMANSBURG, April 25 -- The Trumansburg Central School District, in the wake of bomb-threat notes and the explosion of a shrapnel-laden M-80 firecracker in a Middle School toilet on Wednesday, called off classes in schools Thursday to discuss the situation with law enforcement officials, staff and community members -- and to initiate safety procedures.

A community meeting was held Thursday night in the elementary school auditorium to outline the situation and explain the adopted procedures -- which were presented in the following press release, issued Thursday afternoon. It read:

"In conjunction with New York State and Trumansburg police, the Trumansburg Fire Department, and TST BOCES officials, student and visitor search and access procedures were developed this afternoon. Tomorrow morning, Friday, April 25, any and all students and adult visitors other than Trumansburg Central School District employees will be searched prior to gaining access to any school building while school is in session.

"Beginning Monday, April 28, the district will indefinitely be in a “lockout” mode. While students and visitors will not be searched daily and will be allowed access through designated entry points at each building at the opening of school each morning, there may be randomly conducted searches throughout the remainder of the school year. After first bell, each building will have a single point of access for the remainder of the school day. All adult visitors will be asked to show picture ID such as a NYS driver’s license. The incident continues to be investigated by state
and local police."

Watkins BPW to award 3 scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 23 -- The Watkins Glen Business and Professional Women’s Organization will award $500 scholarships to three graduating Schuyler County high school seniors.

Applicants must be enrolled in a school for advanced study beyond high school.

The scholarships will be awarded as follows:

One scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolling in a two-year program, the second to a student enrolling in a four-year program, and the third to a student enrolling in an accredited business or vocational or technical school.

Instructions and application forms may be obtained from your local high school guidance office, beginning April 28. Completed applications, along with required attachments, must be returned to the guidance office by May 22.

BOCES offers leisure courses at schools

Special to The Odessa File

HORSEHEADS, April 24 -- Several leisure courses offered by GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will begin soon, including:

Aqua Aerobics – 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, May 6-June 10, at the Elmira Free Academy pool.

Aerobic Fun in the Water – 6:30 to 7;30 p.m. Thursdays, May 8-June 19, at the Odessa-Montour High School pool. Another session will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, May 19-June 23, at the same location.

Adult Learn to Swim – 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, May 7-June 11, at the Southside High School pool.

Colorful You! – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Corning East High School.

For more information on these and other courses, call (607) 739-7905 or 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted

BOCES offers Notary Public Preparation

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, April 24 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will offer a Notary Public preparation course from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at the Bush Campus, 459 Philo Road, Elmira.

Other upcoming courses at the Bush Campus include:

Basic Computer Skills for Seniors – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, May 5 and 7.

Internet Basics for Seniors – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mondays, May 12 and 19.

Access Level I – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 16.

eBay 101 – 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, May 19 and 21.

For more information on these and other courses, call (607) 739-7905 or 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted

BOCES offers Security Guard training

Special to The Odessa File

PAINTED POST, April 24 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will offer Security Guard training from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Coopers Education Center, 9579 Vocational Drive, Painted Post.

Basic Computer Skills for Seniors also will be offered at the Coopers Education Center. This course will be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, May 20-29.

For more information on these and other courses, call 739-7905 or 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted

Annual safety drill set for Watkins schools

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 14 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District will conduct safety drills in each school building during the week of April 28. According to Mike DeNardo, superintendent of buildings and grounds, the annual drills are designed to:

• Test the district’s emergency management plan to find areas in need of improvement.
• Build working relationships with local and regional emergency service agencies.
• Train students, staff and community on the procedures to follow.
• Be proactive in ensuring the safety of students and staff members.

The district’s health and safety team selects a different drill scenario each fall for the spring drill. Last year, the schools participated in a building lock-down drill.

All drills are in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies and emergency service providers, as well as the district’s New York State Police School Resource Officer, Trooper David Waite. District officials also are working with the Elmira office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on this year’s drill, DeNardo said.

If you have questions or concerns about the drill, call 535-3210.

Kindergarten registration begins May 28

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 10 -- Registration for students who will attend kindergarten in the Watkins Glen Central School in September will be held May 28 through June 5 at the Elementary School. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be five years old on or before December 1, 2008.

In April, parents of incoming students should receive an invitation to a registration appointment. Both the parent and child must be present at the appointment. The screening will take approximately an hour and a half. Copies of your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, record of physical exam completed after September 1, 2007, proof of childhood lead testing and three proofs of residency are required.

Parents are asked to call the Elementary School at 535-3250 as early as possible with your address and information about your child. Those with special needs or who need to make changes to an appointment time should contact Laurel McIntyre, school counselor, at the Elementary School before April 28.

Screening appointments will be held between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. According to McIntyre, district staff will do their best to accommodate parents’ needs during those hours.

Applications available for UPK program

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 10 -- Applications are available now for the 2008-09 Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program in the Watkins Glen Central School. Children are eligible for UPK if they will be four years old on or before December 1, 2008 and live in the Watkins Glen Central School District.

To receive an application, call the Elementary School office at 535-3230. The deadline for applications is April 30.

In addition to a completed application, parents must submit the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, record of physical exam completed after September 1, 2007, proof of childhood lead testing, a completed health history form (included with application) and three proofs of residency.

Contact Laurel McIntyre, school counselor, at 535-3250 with any questions.

Model UN participants prepare to leave for Cornell University.

Cornell Model UN Conference provides challenge, rewards for WGHS students

Two dozen Watkins Glen High School students participated from April 3-6 in the annual Model UN Conference at Cornell University -- an event at which Watkins excelled last year to the extent that it was invited to a Model UN Conference last October in South Africa. Four students and two chaperones attended that distant event. A report from this new Cornell session was filed by WGHS teacher Marie Fitzsimmons.

ITHACA, April 10 -- Twenty- four students from the Watkins Glen High School’s Model United Nations and Global Issues (MUNAGI) class participated in a four-day Model UN at Cornell University over the last weekend.

Cornell University students organized and facilitated the 500-student conference that is renowned for its crisis committees. Schools from as far away as Hong Kong, South Africa, and Canada joined together to debate issues such as: child soldiers, disarmament, HIV and AIDS, border security, and private military corporations. Crisis Committees reenacted the Cuban Missile Crisis from the perspective of the Russians, Cubans, and Americans and the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia.

Funded by a Teaching American History Grant, the Watkins Glen class represented South Africa, Zimbabwe, Palestine Authority, Bulgaria, and Saudi Arabia on committees such as Social and Humanitarian, Disarmament and Security, African Union, the Security Council, and International Atomic Energy. In addition, two students, Bruce Wells and Dale Perry, were representatives on the Cuban Missile Crisis Committees.

The Zimbabwean team of Khaya Makhuba, Sophie Peters, Mitch Brower, and Katie Richardson had a particularly challenging task, representing a country whose disputed elections have the world on alert. The government of dictator Robert Mugabe is known for its disdain of the western world and its penchant for “African solutions for African problems.” The delegation often found its views and policies politically isolating.

The Bulgarian team of Stephanie Robbins, Nick Secord, Gunnar Lopez and Jeremy Munroe found itself in the position of allying with other western powers. As members of NATO, Bulgaria has had troops in Iraq and recently voted to extend its commitment.

The Palestine Authority team of Alan McIlroy, Grace Dalrymple and Rachel Baccile had the interesting task of representing a country without United Nations membership. While their voice was sought out in moderated caucus for recommendations, they were not allowed to vote and were challenged by Israel when they tried to do so. Israel has said it will not allow a UN official appointed to investigate Israeli human rights abuses to enter the country or Palestinian territories. Violence in the region continues.

The South African Contingency of Shane Absalom, Ellie Fausold, Genevieve Klick, Sarah Rockwell, Amanda Butler and Molly Murphy was lucky, indeed. With four class members coming off a trip to South Africa as Model UN delegates and the input of South African exchange student Khaya Makhuba, the group had special insight to the problems and polices of South Africa.

The Saudia Arabia team of Ashley Savard, Kathryn Martin, Cody Dahl, Ian Remmers and Abby Stamp balanced their positions with consideration to Saudia Arabia’s Islam faith and its global position. A founding member of the United Nations and a Middle Eastern power, the delegation found themselves keenly sought after in matters of stability and alliance building.

In addition to the four days of debate, the WGHS students reaped intrinsic rewards -- such as the creation of friendships with students from over 30 schools, and the satisfaction that comes when hard work yields achievement.

They were particularly thrilled to see the winning team from South Africa, whose success at the October Conference in Cape Town was rewarded with a USA trip to Cornell. At closing ceremonies, the Watkins delegation cheered loudly for their South African friends, who once again took home the Gold.

Photos in text:

Top: The WGHS Advanced Model UN Class: Secretary General Molly Murphy, Dale Perry, Bruce Wells, Ashley Savard, Kathryn Martin, Sophie Peters, Genevieve Klick

Second: Watkins Glen students are an enthusiastic part of the crowd present for the opening ceremonies of the Model UN Conference.

Third: Watkins Glen seniors participating in the Model UN conference: Molly Murphy, Khaya Makhuba, Ashley Savard, Katie Richardson, Kathryn Martin, Genevieve Klick, Dale Perry, Alan McIlroy, Bruce Wells and Sophie Peters.

Bottom: The WGHS Intro to Model UN Class: Secretary General Abby Stamp, Gunnar Lopez, Nick Secord, Stephanie Munroe, Khaya Makhuba, Katie Richardson, Rachel Baccile, Ellie Fausold, Amanda Butler, Shane Absalom, Mitch Brower, Jeremy Munroe, Grace Dalrymple, Ian Remmers and Cody Dahl. Not pictured: Alan McIlroy.

After the Conference, WGHS participants are relaxed and ready for home.

Hospital Auxiliary offers scholarships

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, April 7 -- The Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary is offering scholarships to students who plan to enter the health care field.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school students or adults wishing to further their education in the health care field. Applicants must be residents of Schuyler County. Three $1,000 scholarships are available.

Applications may be picked up at high school guidance offices, the Schuyler Hospital Gift Shop, or the Schuyler Health Foundation House on Genesee Street in Montour Falls. Application deadline is May 16.

For more information, contact Schuyler Hospital Auxiliary members Nancy Herzig at (607) 535-1841 or Joan Argetsinger at (607) 535-6622.

A changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

Scenes from the O-M Senior Trip to D.C.

The Odessa-Montour Senior Trip to Washington, D.C., has ended with the safe return of the participants to Odessa. One of them, Eric Davis, contacted The Odessa File with the following note and with the photos appearing here.

Hey Charlie:

I just got done naming my photos of the past four days. We left the school on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 a.m. and got home tonight (Saturday, April 5) at 8:30. I thought I would share some photos with you. I don't have any group photos, but I have some decent sightseeing photos.

In the order that I attached them: a light in the National Cathedral, upclose Cherry Blossoms, the Lincoln Memorial, Derek Thoman and I at the FDR Memorial, and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

This week is the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C, which is why I have some photos of them. However, they are pretty flowers and make great photos.

I'm going to take my camera to TAE on Monday to get some tennis photos for you. Talk to you later.

-- Eric Davis

Photo in text: O-M seniors Derek Thoman (left) and Eric Davis pose near the FDR Memorial. (All photos with this article were provided by Eric Davis)

Left: A light in the National Cathedral. Right: The Lincoln Memorial.

The Senior Trip to Washington, D.C. coincided with the Cherry Blossom Festival there.

Tess Visscher as Amelia Earhart. (Photo provided)

O-M students pose as Depression figures

GST BOCES Community Information Supervisor Erin Amidon sent along the following text and the accompanying photographs:

Hi Charlie:

Stan Mathews, 6th grade teacher, provided me with these photos from his class “Wax Museum” on March 10. He asked me to send them along to you.

Stan said: "We finished reading the book A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck. This book takes place during the Great Depression and mentions many famous people of the time. Each student researched a significant person of that era. They presented a short report on the person they chose and posed as that person as if they were in a wax museum.

"Among those pictured are:

-- Jordan Zoeke as Babe Ruth;
-- Tyler Goossen as Pretty Boy Floyd and Leeah Fazzary as Shirley Temple;
-- Julia Bates as photographer Dorothea Lange;
-- Olivia Walrad as Bonnie Parker with me, Stan Mathews (6th grade teacher), as Clyde Barrow;
-- Alex Underdown as artist Georgia O'Keefe;
-- Tess Visscher as aviator Amelia Earhart."

Photo in text: Julia Bates as photographer Dorothea Lange (Photos provided)

Left: Leeah Fazzary as Shirley Temple and Tyler Goossen as Pretty Boy Floyd. Right: Olivia Walrad as Bonnie Parker and teacher Stan Mathews as Clyde Barrow.

Left: Jordan Zoeke as Babe Ruth. Right: Alexandria Underdown as artist Georgia O'Keefe.

Drums to help 5th graders learn history

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 4 -- Fifth-graders at Watkins Glen Middle School will study history by learning how to play the steel drums.

Ted Canning, a Rochester-area musician, will be an artist-in-residence at the school from April 7-10. Canning’s instruction on the drums will be woven into a unit of study on West Indian culture and the history of the slave trade. According to Alice Conklin, fifth-grade teacher, Canning’s visit will help students to connect music and the history they are studying.

Canning and the students will demonstrate what they have learned during the week at a performance at 6 p.m. April 10 in the Middle School auditorium.

The public is welcome to attend.

BOCES offers Home Health Aide training

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, April 4 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will offer Home Health Aide training from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays from April 23-May 16. The course will be held on the Bush Campus, 459 Philo Road, Elmira.

Other upcoming courses at the Bush Campus include:

Automobile Brake Maintenance – 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 22-May 15.

Welding for the Hobbyist – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 22-May 15.

Basic Computer Skills for Seniors – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 21 and 25.

Access – Level I – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 25.

For more information on these and other courses, call 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted

The Schuyler Teen Center is open to Schuyler County youth
ages 12-18. A cool place to "hang out"!
Pool table, internet access, Dance Dance Revolution, tutoring,
movie nights, band nights and lots more!

Hours: Mondays-Wednesdays 2-6pm, Thursdays & Fridays 2-8pm

208 N Franklin Street, Watkins Glen NY 14891 (607)535-4113

The goal of the Schuyler Teen Center is to provide youth with a variety
of positive youth development opportunities while encouraging
them to abstain from sex, drugs, alcohol and violence.

If you are a Schuyler County teen between the ages of 12-18, stop by for a game of ping pong, pool, or Wii, and check out the Schuyler Teen Center’s many upcoming activities. For information, call the Teen Center at 535-4113.

BOCES offers CDL Class A training

Special to The Odessa File

PAINTED POST, April 4 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will offer CDL Class A training from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays from April 21-May 30. The course will be held at the Coopers Education Center, 9579 Vocational Drive, Painted Post.

Excel 2003 Level I training also will be offered at the Coopers Education Center. This course will be held on April 22 and 24 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

For more information on these and other courses, call 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted

Kiss the Pig contest raises trip funds

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, April 3 -- One not-so-lucky Watkins Glen Middle School teacher will be selected to kiss a pig as part of a fundraiser for the school’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Chapter. The kiss will take place at a school-wide assembly at 10 a.m. April 11 in the auditorium.

According to Ginger Brown, NJHS advisor, the event will raise funds for a three-day educational trip to Gettysburg in May. All 23 of the chapter’s members will travel to Gettysburg for a tour of the battlegrounds and cemetery. The students on the trip also will see one of the last presentations of the most-honored Abraham Lincoln impersonator before his retirement, Brown said.

To help students raise money for the trip, a teacher from each grade level in the school volunteered to participate in the contest. For two weeks prior to the assembly, each teacher has a jar with his or her name on it in the cafeteria. Students vote by placing their spare change in the teacher’s jar. The teacher bringing in the most money toward the trip will kiss the pig, Brown said.

“We’re trying to make this a fun activity that involves the whole school, not just the kids who are going on the trip,” Brown said. “At the same time, we’re trying to recognize the kids who are part of the Honor Society for all their hard work by giving them an opportunity to take this trip. We’re hoping it inspires other students.”

Winner: Troopers will stay in schools

Special to The Odessa File

ALBANY, April 2-- The State Senate on Wednesday approved legislation enacting the “public
protection” portion of the 2008-09 state budget and rejecting former Governor Eliot Spitzer’s proposal to remove New York State Troopers from schools across the region, State Senator George Winner announced.

Winner -- an outspoken opponent of the reassignment of State Troopers serving as “school resource officers” (SROs) across New York -- said the legislation approved Wednesday, which has been agreed upon by the Assembly and Governor David Paterson, rejects the reassignment of SROs in more than 100 school districts statewide, including at least eight across the Southern Tier: Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Campbell-Savona, Jasper-Troupsburg, Avoca, Prattsburgh, Canisteo-Greenwood and BOCES in Coopers Plain.

Trooper David Waite (pictured at right) is the SRO in both the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour districts. Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips protested the Spitzer plan in a letter to the governor shortly after the plan was made public. O-M Superintendent James Frame followed suit later.

Winner said he has told colleagues throughout this year’s budget negotiations that a mid-March incident at the Greater Southern Tier BOCES campus involving Trooper Pat Stickler, the school resource officer, underscored the need to reject the proposed reassignment of State Police SROs.

Winner was referring to a March 14 incident in which a man attacked his estranged wife outside of the BOCES campus in Coopers Plains. Stickler, with the assistance of two school administrators, stopped the attack, disarmed the man and took him into custody with no shots being fired.

“If Trooper Stickler had not been there, I don’t even want to imagine the tragedy that could have unfolded,” said Winner.

Spitzer unveiled his controversial reassignment plan in late January as part of his 2008-09 state budget proposal. The plan was quickly opposed by Winner and his Senate colleagues.

“It lacked common sense. It threatened the security, safety and quality of our schools,” said Winner.

At a legislative hearing in Albany in February, Winner said that State Police officials made a compelling case for the critical role that State Trooper SROs play in ensuring a safe learning environment, as well as in fighting crime in local communities. In the current school year alone, State Police SROs responded to more than 2,500 criminal calls, made over 1,000 arrests and confiscated nearly 100 illegal weapons. It was further noted that SROs have intervened to prevent more than 170 potential suicides and regularly act as mentors to troubled students.

Photo in text: Trooper David Waite (File photo)

BOCES students win skills awards

Special to The Odessa File

ALFRED, March 28 -- Area high school students who attend Greater Southern Tier BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) program won awards in a regional SkillsUSA-VICA vocational competition. This regional event is hosted by SkillsUSA-VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), a national organization serving high school students enrolled in technical, skilled and service training programs.

More than 1,000 students from Western New York State, including Buffalo, Rochester and other schools west of Elmira, participated. The competition took place at Alfred State College on March 11.

The competition categories included CTE trades, health occupations and leadership competitions. The students all attend both their home high school and a CTE program at one of the three GST BOCES campuses: Bush campus in Elmira, Coopers campus near Coopers Plains or Wildwood campus in Hornell.

Bush campus winners included:

-- Jacob Kelly from Watkins Glen High School, who won second place in Auto Technology. He is enrolled in the Auto Body program.

Coopers campus winners included:

-- Brent Sleve of Bradford High School, who won first place in the Auto Body Helper category. He is enrolled in the Auto Body program.

-- Vivian Smith of Bradford High School, who won first place in the T-shirt Design category. She is enrolled in the Digital Medial Arts program.

In addition to their academic studies, CTE program students receive vocational and technical education at GST BOCES in programs that help prepare them for a career immediately after graduation or a more focused college path. This annual competition provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and compete in their technical area of study. Students who place first are eligible to compete on a national level. All students who placed in this competition can advance to a state competition to be held in Albany in April.

Glen PTA to host 'Growing Up Online'

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 25 -- Parents are invited to learn how their children use the Internet during “Growing Up Online,” a workshop sponsored by the Watkins Glen Parent-Teacher Association. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 8 in Room 308 of the Watkins Glen Middle School.

The workshop is open only to parents and adults and will explore how children and teenagers use the Internet for communication, self-expression and socialization. Activities will include a PBS video, comments by Investigator David Simmons of the New York State Police Computer Crime Unit, and questions and answers.

The event is free and open to all adults in the community.

BOCES plans Home Health Aide training

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, March 25 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will offer Home Health Aide Training from April 23 to May 16 at the Bush Campus, 459 Philo Road, Elmira. The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Other upcoming healthcare career trainings include:

Refresher Course for Lapsed Certification Nursing Assistants – 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 31-April 2 on the Bush Campus.

Personal Care Aide – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays April 2-10 on the Bush Campus.

For more information on these and other courses, call 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted.

BOCES offers CDL Class A training

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, March 25 -- GST BOCES Adult Education and Training Services will offer CDL Class A training from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays April 21-May 30. The course will be held at the Coopers Education Center, 9579 Vocational Drive, Painted Post.

Other upcoming courses include:

Welding for the Hobbyist– 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays April 22-May 15 at the Bush Campus, 459 Philo Road, Elmira.

Automobile Brake Maintenance – 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays April 22-May 15 at the Bush Campus.

For more information on these and other courses, call 1-877-ADULTED or log onto www.gstboces.org/adulted.

More than 200 students in chorus and band from the 4th through 12th grades joined for a finale.

O-M concert draws capacity crowd

ODESSA, March 19 -- Bands and choruses from the 4th grade through high school displayed their musical abilities Wednesday night before a standing-room-only crowd at an Odessa-Montour Music in Our Schools Concert in the Fetter-Brown Auditorium.

Starting with the first-ever public performance by the 4th Grade Band, and ending with a rousing pair of patriotic songs that had all of the concert participants on stage and risers, the crowd showed its appreciation with repeated and enthusiastic applause.

The performances for the night included:

-- "Mary Ann" and "Crusaders March" by the 4th Grade Band;

-- "Let Us Sing Together" and "Sing in the Sunshine" by the 4th Grade Chorus;

-- "Mickey Mouse March" by the 5th Grade Band;

-- "I Like Music" and "Harmony" by the 5th Grade Chorus;

-- "Fantasy on an Irish Clogging Tune" and "Imperium" by the Middle School Band;
-- "Ave Maria" and "Let There Be Peace on Earth" by the Middle School Chorus;
-- "Rise Up With Music" and "Music Speaks" by the Senior High Chorus;
-- "Stormchasers" by the Senior High School Band;
-- "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "The Spirit of America" by all the chorus and band students.

The musical directors were Kim Caldwell, Michelle Voorheis and Clarice Miles, while Sally Michel served as accompanist.

Photos in text: Members of the 5th Grade Band (top), and a portion of the 5th Grade Chorus.

The flute section of the High School Band performs at the concert.

Members of the 4th Grade Band.

The High School Chorus sang two songs.

The horn section of the 4th Grade Band.

The 4th Grade Chorus performed two songs.

The Middle School Chorus sang "Ave Maria" and "Let There Be Peace on Earth."

Two members of the Middle School Band.

The horn section of the High School Band, which played "Stormchasers."

Left: Pencil by senior Shawnae Randolph. Right: Pen-and-ink by senior Ethan Davis.

WGHS students' artwork on display

WATKINS GLEN, March 16 -- Dozens of artistic efforts by Watkins Glen High School students were the subject of an Open House Saturday at the Arc of Schuyler, where they are on display throughout this month as part of Youth Art Month.

Some of those efforts -- created under the guiding eye of art teacher Elaine Wojtus -- are presented here.

Colored pencil by senior Jaclyn Conklin

Left: Colored pencil by senior Samantha Johnson. Right: Pencil by senior Renee Angle.

Watercolor by senior Mike Parmelee

Pen-and-ink by senior Ashley Savard

Left: Colored pencil by senior Genevieve Klick. Right: Colored pencil by senior Ariel Force.

Pen-and-ink by senior Celeste Shaffer

Pen-and-ink by 9th grader Emily Pazar

Nursery Rhyme Day set at B.C. Cate

Special to The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, March 13 -- B.C. Cate Elementary School will be holding Nursery Rhyme Day on Thursday, March 20. This was rescheduled from February 1 due to a snow day.

Nursery Rhyme Day will engage all kindergarten students in many units of instruction. The following characters will be visiting the school: Mother Goose, Little Miss Muffett, Old King Cole & His Queen, Mary-Mary Quite Contrary, and Mary Had A Little Lamb. Students will participate in a variety of activities related to the nursery rhyme character they are visiting.

Musician John Manfredi will lead the kindergarten classes in singing new nursery rhymes and creating their own songs using rhyming words, and Penny Titus will illustrate these nursery rhymes. The schedule:

8:45 a.m.-- Opening of Nursery Rhyme Day
9:15-10:45 a.m. -- Learning Stations with Nursery Rhyme Characters
10:45-11:45 a.m. -- Lunch
11:45-12:15 -- Continue Learning Stations with Nursery Rhyme Characters
12:30-1:50 p.m. -- Assembly with John Manfredi and Penny Titus
1:50 p.m. -- Close of Program

From left: Bibinur Imankulova, Tim Kamanga, and Maty Faye with her birthday cake.

Exchange students shine at Glen dinner

WATKINS GLEN, March 12 -- Students from overseas attending high school in Schuyler County took center stage at a dinner Wednesday night.

The occasion was International Night in the Watkin Glen High School cafeteria, an event first tried two years ago when WGHS was blessed with a large contingent of year-long foreign exchange visitors.

This time, each of four students -- two from WGHS and two from Odessa-Montour -- took microphone in hand and faced a crowd of more than 100 area residents present for a dinner and to listen. A fifth speaker was a familiar figure from last year: Tim Kamanga of Malawi, who returned to Africa before coming back to New York and enrolling in Tompkins Cortland Community College, which he now attends

The four current exchange students -- Maty Faye of Senegal (O-M), Bibinur Imankulova of Kazakhstan (O-M), Khaya Makhubu of South Africa (WG), and Jia-Chen of China and Brazil (WG) -- spoke about their homelands. Kamanga spoke about Zimbabwe, where a brother lives.

The event was sponsored by Marie Fitzsimmons' Model United Nations and Global Issues (MUNAGI) class at Watkins High. The emcee was senior Molly Murphy, secretary-general of the MUNAGI class.

Highlights included Kamanga's description of the tyrannical dictatorship that rules Zimbabwe, the absence of civil rights there, and that country's runaway inflation; the presentation to Faye of a burning-candle-laden cake (she turned 16 Wednesday), with the audience singing "Happy Birthday"; and a disclaimer by Imankulova, after her speech, when she returned to the microphone.

"If you've seen 'Borat,'" she said, referring to a popular movie comedy purporting to show the misadventures in America of a transplant from her native Kazakhstan, "don't believe it." With the audience laughing and Imankulova smiling, she added: "I really don't like that movie. I don't think it's funny."

Murphy said the proceeds from dinner ticket sales will be used to help finance participation by Watkins students in a Model United Nations Conference at Cornell University this spring. Students from WGHS excelled at a conference there last year, leading to a journey by four of them in October to South Africa, where another such conference was held. Those four students -- Murphy, Sophie Peters, Ashley Savard and Bruce Wells -- have discussed that trip at various forums in this area since their return.

Photos in text:

Top: Maty Faye of Senegal, a student at Odessa-Montour High School, points to a display about her country while addressing International Night diners.

Middle: Jia-Chen speaks to the crowd about her native China and adopted Brazil.

Bottom: Khaya Makhubu of South Africa shares a laugh with the audience during his speech.

WGHS Video Production students cited

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 12 -- For the fifth straight year, Watkins Glen High School students have been recognized for their Video Production entries at the New York State Youth Media Arts Show held at the Park School of Communications, Ithaca College.

The WGHS Video Production class, taught by Library Media Specialist Maggie Edgley, and Business Education teacher Eileen Malaney’s Advanced Graphic Arts class participated in the show on March 12th.

The show enables students to present their works in video, computer arts, animation, or photography. Awards in recognition of creative achievement are handed to the most outstanding works in the Intermediate and Advanced categories.

In the Intermediate category, Matt Fitch received an award for his video “What If, Chep?” In the Advanced category, Shane Absalom was recognized for his Experimental Video “Dual Conscience.”

These videos and other selections from Mrs. Edgley’s Video Production class can be seen on her Classroom Page at http://www.toolboxpro.org/classrooms/template.cfm?ID=1800 or can be found at www.watkinsglenschools.org

Students do project research, take tour

Special to The Odessa File

(Note: Watkins Glen Middle School 5th grade teacher Alice Conklin sent along an article that "some of my students wrote about a trip they took on Friday March 7." She attached the accompanying photo.)

The following fifth grade students from Watkins Glen Middle School -- Megan, Alexandria, Ashley, Luke, Shayla, William, and Halle -- along with their teacher, Mrs. Conklin, visited the Schuyler County Historical Society Museum on March 7, 2008.

We were researching local history to enter a project into the Freeman Family Foundation History contest. The contest is being held in partnership with the Schuyler County Historical Society and the Freeman Family Foundation.

After we were done researching our projects, we went on a tour of the museum. We had a great time!

-- Article written by: Megan, Alexandria, Ashley, Luke, Shayla, William, and Halle.

Read for Speed program kicks into gear

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 29 – Watkins Glen International dropped the green flag on this year’s Read for Speed reading program during separate assemblies at two area elementary schools this week.

The students at Watkins Glen Elementary School began their fourth year as part of the highly successful program on Monday, Feb. 25, and Fassett Elementary School in Elmira kicked off its second year of participation on Friday, Feb. 29. The program offers gift certificates from area businesses, exclusive track access and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities at the track as rewards for reading comprehension. It will run until May 16th.

Watkins Glen International initially launched the Read for Speed program at Watkins Glen Elementary in 2005. Students read over 17,000 books in 2007, and if they exceed that amount this year, Principal Rodney Weeden will give students a chance to “sink” him in a dunk tank.

Aside from tickets to the Centurion Boats at The Glen or Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen weekends, WGES students will be awarded gift certificates from Friendly’s restaurant at the Arnot Mall in Big Flats and from McDonald’s restaurants in Elmira and Watkins Glen.

“This is a great program that is truly a community effort to help our students gain a love for reading,” said Weeden. “The amount of local business support is fantastic, as they support and motivate the students by supplying tangible incentives to read.”

The “fastest” classes at each school will be rewarded for their reading with a bus trip to The Glen in June prior to the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. Students will be treated to three laps around the historic road course behind a pace car and head over to the FrontStretch Grandstand to eat their lunches and be treated to ice cream cake provided by Friendly’s restaurant.

WG seeks info on '08-09 K, Pre-K pupils

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 21 -- Parents with children who will be eligible to enter either Universal Pre-Kindergarten or kindergarten in September 2008 in the Watkins Glen School District are being asked by school officials to contact the district registrar.

Children are eligible for UPK if they will be four years old on or before December 1, 2008. To be eligible for kindergarten, children should be five years old on or before December 1, 2008.

The district will mail letters regarding registration for these programs in March. To ensure that the district has your child’s correct birth date, home address and telephone number in its student data system, contact Rosanne Doane, district registrar, at 535-3219.

Chamber offers scholarships in 3 districts

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 19 -- All graduating seniors from Watkins Glen, Bradford, and Odessa-Montour Central Schools who will be attending college are encouraged by the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce to apply for a cash award it will provide to one student in each district.

The $350 award will be presented based on application and essay.

Students can stop at their Guidance Office or contact the Chamber at 535-4300 or chamber@schuylerny.com for an application.

Applicants must submit a 500-word typed essay no later than May 16 on the question: If you had the ability to change your school in a "positive" way, what specific changes would you make and why?

For more information, contact the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce at (607) 535-4300 or chamber@schuylerny.com.

WGHS Varsity Club puts on a dance

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 15 -- It was a busy day Thursday, Valentine's Day, after the close of classes at Watkins Glen High School.

First came a Valentine's Run sponsored by the Watkins Area Running Troupe (WART, a "non-club" overseen by teacher Marie Fitzsimmons), which also runs a St. Patrick's Day Spud Run each year at the school.

Right after that, there was a swim meet in the school pool -- prelims for the Section IV, Class C Swimming Championships. Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Greene and Lansing swimmers were participating.

Then came a Senior Night boys basketball game featuring the Watkins Glen varsity against Trumansburg in the Field House.

And finally came a Valentine's Dance, with Watkins students gathering in the school cafeteria under the sponsorship of the Varsity Club to dance to tunes provided by DJ Nick Phoenix, a student at the school and a member of the varsity basketball team. He did double duty that night, playing in the game against Tburg in the Field House and then hustling over to the dance.

Photos here are from the dance. Others from the Valentine's Run, the swim meet and the basketball game can be found on Sports.

Photo in text: Students were posing happily (right) or mugging for the camera at the dance.

Left: DJ Nick Phoenix at the controls of the music during the dance. Right: A trio poses at the ticket table fronting the entrance to the Valentine's Day Dance.

Left: Posing at the dance are, in front from left, Alan McIlroy, Chris Hong, Ian Remmers and Jay Meehan, and in the back Jon Fazzary and Shane Absalom. Right: Teacher and Varsity Club Advisor Kaz Estelow at the dance's snack table. The dance was sponsored by Varsity Club.

Phillips to Spitzer: Don't cut our SRO

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 1 -- A proposal by Governor Eliot Spitzer in his budget plan to eliminate the position of School Resource Officer -- a post within schools around the state manned by state troopers, including David Waite in the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour districts -- has prompted a letter to Spitzer from Watkins Glen School District Superintendent Tom Phillips (pictured at right).

The proposal would reallocate the 200 trooper positions now in schools into larger cities as part of Operation Impact -- a crime-fighting initiative. Phillips took issue with the plan in his January 31st letter, as follows:

Honorable Eliot Spitzer
State Capitol
Albany NY 12224

Dear Governor Spitzer:

As a School Superintendent who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the students of my community, I find the recommendation in your budget proposal to “re-deploy” State Police from the School Resource Officer program as part of Operation Impact counter productive. I truly believe the children of our state are our greatest resource. If we can not commit to their safety and well-being, we fail to commit to their future. I implore you to reconsider this proposal and to make a commitment to our children and to their future.

Watkins Glen is a small rural community in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of our great state. We rely on the protection of our State Police to provide us the coverage necessary to participate in the School Resource Officer program. While your commitment to addressing urban crime is commendable, the fact that you are relying on taking away critical protection and resources from the rural upstate communities as a means of meeting the needs of Operation Impact confounds me. As part of your concern for upstate New York, you have promised $1 billion to encourage economic growth. Again this commitment to upstate is commendable. However, your redeployment of State Police Officers in the School Resource Officer program from upstate rural communities to support Operation Impact is counter intuitive to the initiative to support upstate New York.

In closing, as part of your Executive Budget proposal, and on behalf of the safety and well-being of the children of my District and community, I strongly urge you to reconsider the redeployment of State Police currently assigned to the School Resource Officer program. Our community and our children deserve the same consideration as those in larger metropolitan areas of our great state.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Phillips
Superintendent of Schools

cc: Board of Education
New York State Police
Honorable Thomas O’Mara, NYS Assembly
Honorable George Winner, NYS Senate
Honorable James Bacalles, NYS Assembly
Colleen Anderson, Governor’s Region 2 Representative
Robert Lowery, NYS Council of School Superintendents

Photos in text: Superintendent Tom Phillips (top) and Trooper David Waite.

Parents can view lunch-account balance

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 22 -- Parents of Watkins Glen Central School District students can now view their child’s school lunch account by logging onto Parent Connect. Online payment cannot be made at this time, but the district is considering offering this feature, said Andy Patros, district technology director.

Parent Connect is a secure, online program that allows parents to view their child’s academic, attendance, immunization and discipline records. Parents also can e-mail their child’s teacher using the program.

To use Parent Connect, parents need to be registered users with an authorized password. Registration must take place in the district office. To register, parents must provide photo identification such as a driver’s license, and a utility bill to verify their address.

For more information about Parent Connect, please visit the district’s website at www.watkinsglenschools.org or contact Sharon Clark at 535-3219.

B.C. Cate among recipients of arts funds

Special to The Odessa File

CORNING, Jan. 21 -- B.C. Cate Elementary School in Montour Falls is among the recipients of 2008 Local Capacity Building Initiative funds announced by The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes to schools Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties. Awards among all the schools totaled $25,832.

The Local Capacity Building Initiative is a statewide effort to provide local support for widespread participation in arts-in-education. Funding for the Local Capacity Building Initiative is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, with additional funding from Chemung County administered locally by The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes.

The recipients and the projects are:

B.C. Cate Elementary School, Montour Falls, NY, Schuyler County
"BOOK ME!" -- partnered with illustrator Owen Hunter. Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students will participate in an "artist-in-residency experience that will result in each student producing their own illustrated piece of children's literature," said the ARTS. Money awarded to the school: $3,800

Addison Middle School, Addison, NY, Steuben County
"Project Western Door" -- partnered with the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum. The project will "build a bridge to the present day Native American culture adding relevance and a new perspective to the history and language arts curricula." $2,218

Bradford Central School, Bradford, NY, Steuben County
"Water and Earth: Our Community Through the Arts" -- partnered with sculptor James Dykins who will "guide students through the process of developing personal expressions using abstract representations" $1,404

Frederick Carder, Erwin Valley, Hugh Gregg, Lindley-Presho Elementary Schools, Corning-Painted Post Area School District, Steuben County. "Transforming Schools with Strings" -- partnered with Corning Civic Music Association. To bring "musical performance and awareness to school populations of the greater Corning area with an emphasis on stringed instruments." $2,394

Kent Phillips, Calvin U. Smith and Winfield Street Elementary Schools, Corning-Painted Post Area School District, Steuben County. "Transforming Schools with Strings" -- partnered with Corning Civic Music Association. To bring "musical performance and awareness to school populations of the greater Corning area with an emphasis on stringed instruments." $2,394

Hendy Avenue Elementary, Elmira, NY, Chemung County
"The Art of Storytelling Around the World" -- partnered with Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss of Beauty and the Beast Storytellers. "The artists will provide third-grade students with an in-depth exposure to storytelling as an art form as students study the cultures of the world and work to become fluent readers and developing writers." $3,250

Holy Family Primary and Intermediate Schools, Elmira, NY, Chemung County
"Creative Connections" -- partnered with Tri Cities Opera, Ventriloquist/educator Bruce Weaver, Visual Artist/educator Paul Bozzo. "Involved students will become actively engaged with professional artists in both the performance and visual arts." $2,059

Prattsburgh Central School, Prattsburgh, NY, Steuben County
"Promoting Literacy through Storytelling or Moving with Art" -- partnered with Gregorio Pedroza, PhD. Will introduce third through sixth grade students "to the world of art, including theater, music, storytelling, crafts that relate to nature -- to help students become more aware that there are other activities besides watching television and playing video games." $1,240

Savona Elementary School, Savona, NY, Steuben County
"The Ethnic Tapestry Project" -- partnered with Mary Aleksivich. "Students will learn about a variety of immigrant groups. Using age-appropriate sources, including their own family history, students will connect immigrant experiences of the past to those of current immigrants. Students will use the research to create narrative stories that will be developed into a script for a theater production." $800

Van Etten Elementary School, Van Etten, NY, Chemung County
"Community Through the Eyes of a Child" -- partnered with photographer Dede Hatch. "A photojournalism project -- that will realize and develop [the student's] potential as artists to create thought-provoking photographs in response to the question 'What is community, and what role do citizens have in it?'" $1,373

Vernon E. Whitman Primary School, Bath, NY, Steuben County
"Carnival -- Vernon E. Whitman Style!" -- partnered with five teaching artists. "A multi-dimensional arts integrated experience focusing on the cultures of Latin and South America." $3,000

William Severn Elementary School, Corning, NY, Steuben County
"Community Arts Integration" -- partnered with five local (Market Street) artists. "To have every child at Severn interact with an artist from their community and create a piece of art." $1,900

Glen PTA provides 1,332 pre-test muffins

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 18 -- The Watkins Glen Parent-Teacher Association made sure that no students took the recent New York State English Language Arts exam on an empty stomach.

Prior to testing, each student in grades 3-8 was offered a muffin. Between January 8 and 10, students in grades 3-5 ate 51 dozen muffins. These muffins were prepared at a discount by P & C Market in Watkins Glen.

Between January 14 and 17, the PTA provided 60 dozen muffins to students in grades 6-8 at the Middle School. These muffins were prepared at a discount by Glen Mountain Market.

In all, the PTA provided a total of 1,332 muffins to the appreciative students.

“We’d like to thank the vendors for the delicious muffins, a great discount and for a great help from their employees,” said Kathy Estes, third-grade teacher.

WGHS students portray historical figures

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 15 -- Students in Watkins Glen High School's Humanities class Tuesday portrayed literary and historical figures from the Middle Ages during the class's annual Living Wax Museum.

To prepare for their presentations, students selected a literary or historical figure from the time period to research. As part of their portrayal, students discussed the major events of their character's life, as well as their personality traits. In addition, they dressed in period costume.

Photo at right:

Sarah Bond portrayed Empress Matilda. Matilda was the daughter of Henry I of England. She was married to Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, and then to Geoffrey V, Count of Anjou. Henry II of England was her son by her second marriage. Matilda was the first female ruler of the Kingdom of England, ruling briefly in 1141. Her cousin, Stephen of Bois, usurped the throne, leading to a long civil war, Bond said.

Photo Below Left: Jacq Goehner, a freshman, portrays a black knight. According to Goehner, knights began training at age 7, learning fighting skills and horsemanship. Their treatment was often severe, he said. In addition to fighting in wars, knights held tournaments to test their skills. These were often as deadly as warfare, he said.

Photos Below Right: Freshman Nicholas Cocca, left, and Casey Holland portray Vikings. According to Cocca, Vikings were exceptional explorers and seafarers and the first true explorers of North America. Cocca dressed as Leif Erikson, who explored North America in the 1000s and even began a settlement there that only lasted a few years. Vikings also were known for creating new ship-building techniques and for their skill in battle. However, the majority of Vikings were peaceful and earned their living as farmers, Cocca said.

WGES recognizes students for character

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 15 -- Fifty-two Watkins Glen Elementary students recently were recognized for their exemplary character with a series of luncheons. Two students from each class were honored for consistently following the school’s guiding principals for character education: be respectful, be responsible and be safe.

Each grade level had a luncheon in the school cafeteria, complete with decorations, beverages and desserts provided by parent volunteers and staff members.

Students recognized included:

Kindergarten: Monet Price, Sam Thorsland, Peighton Cervoni, Peter Sandritter, Maddie Suddaby, David Armstrong, Katarena Jackson, Luke Morris, Ellie Clarkson and Gabe Planty.

Grade 1: Nadia Simpson, Conner Gallagher, Brandon Clark, Miranda Pratt, Madison Ryan, Tapanga Kelly, Cameron Mushock, Jillian Kilcoyne, Bella DiMeo, Regan Scholtisek, Casen Weeden and Braden Castellaneta.

Grade 2: Makenzi Bellows, Heidi Casselberry, Daniel Paradiso, Paige Robbins, Ethan Voorhees, Kaitlyn Valla, Calvin Buckley, Hanley Elliott, Trevor Thurston and Haileigh Delzell.

Grade 3: Victor Knell, JohannaVanEtten, Sara Gardner, Cambria Weeden, Jacob Kelly, Abby Miller, Brandon Neira, Kacey Samuels, Courney Irwin and Mikenna Ayers.

Grade 4: Brenen Murphy, Justin Kelly, Dalton Brower, Emma Allington, Mary Stetson, Lucas Wickham, Sarah Buisch, Bernadette Osborne, Nathaniel Brown and Amanda Grinolds.

WGES offers dental health program

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 10 -- Andrea Ramsdell, a registered dental hygienist from the Rushville Health Center, recently visited classrooms at Watkins Glen Elementary School to teach students about good oral hygiene and care of their teeth. Ramsdell was to return to the school later with mobile dental equipment to perform cleanings and screenings for students.

Ramsdell is part of the Community Dentistry Program or “Going Miles for Healthy Smiles.” The grant-funded program targets schools in Schuyler, Steuben and Chemung counties that have a large number of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches and communities without fluoridated water. Ramsdell offers educational programs in the school, then sends forms home with students to get parental permission to screen or clean children’s teeth.

Screenings are free, Ramsdell said. If she sees any problems with a child’s teeth, she provides parents with a referral and a list of local dentists. There is a charge for cleanings, but the program accepts Medicaid, Child Health Plus and all kinds of dental insurance. There also is a sliding fee scale based on income.

“It’s really rewarding work,” Ramsdell said. “It’s so much fun to interact with the kids and listen to what they have to say.”

Photo in text: Dental hygienist Andrea Ramsdell explains the “Going Miles for Healthy Smiles” program to kindergarteners at Watkins Glen Elementary School. (Photo provided)

Comptroller cites overpayment to Correa

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 8 -- The State Comptroller's office, in an audit of the Watkins Glen School District, has cited an overpayment to former superintendent Mary Ellen Correa in the amount of $14,208 for unused leave balances.

It also said Correa "received a $470 reimbursement for Internet service at her personal residence despite the fact that none of her employment contracts, nor any Board resolution, contained a provision for such a reimbursement."

The report has prompted the district to institute greater safeguards involving benefit buyout payments, and to file the matter with the Schuyler County District Attorney's office to determine if there is "any improper conduct," in the words of Board President Tom Richardson in a letter to the Comptroller's office. The Board, Richardson's letter said, has also "sought advice of District Counsel in an effort to recover the total amount of overpayments made to the former Superintendent."

The District Attorney's office, said current Superintendent Tom Phillips, has asked for supplemental material and been sent "whatever records they wanted" in the investigation.

"We have been advised by our Counsel to turn (the matter) over to the District Attorney's office for investigation," said Phillips. "If there is no implication of criminal conduct, then it comes back to the district and we will take it through civil court to recover the overpayments."

District Attorney Joseph Fazzary confirmed that he has "the audit and supplemental materials" regarding the Correa matter in hand, but said: "I don't comment on ongoing investigations."

Phillips said the Board has been in touch with the Comptroller's office regarding the matter for the past couple of months, responding with a Corrective Action Plan that addresses any shortcomings determined by the audit. The audit initially covered the period July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 -- but was expanded "to include selected former Superintendent payments from July 1, 2000 to August 31, 2006," according to an Executive Summary published by the Comptroller's Office as part of the report. The report is titled "Watkins Glen Central School: District Payments to the Former Superintendent and the Procurement Process."

The report says that an actual total of $19,289 for unused leave time was "improperly paid" to "the former superintendent" -- "of which $5,081 was recaptured." The "recapture" occurred, the report said, when "District officials identified and withheld" it while preparing "the separation payment" upon Correa's retirement on Aug. 31, 2006.

As Phillips explained, there was a duplicate payment of $5,081 that "was brought to my attention" shortly after he assumed the superintendency -- an amount "that I stopped payment on on the advice of District Counsel. So we did recover at least that much."

"These overpayments occurred," the Comptroller's Office wrote, "because the Board had not established policies and procedures for payroll processing (including payments for unused leave time upon separation), or policies and procedures for payment to the Superintendent. Another cause for the overpayment was that the claims for payment had not been reviewed or audited prior to payment being made to confirm that the payments to the Superintendent were justified by contract or resolution."

The Comptroller's Office issued a dozen recommendations in its report, including two that touch specifically on the Correa matter. One said the School Board "should take appropriate steps to recover the improper payment made to the former Superintendent," while the other said it "should establish and periodically monitor compliance with policies and procedures for the review of claims submitted by the Superintendent." The others deal with such things as claims auditor policies, transfer approvals, and purchasing policies.

Corrective actions were listed point by point in Richardson's letter -- including reference to the District Attorney's investigation and the district effort to recover "the total amount of overpayments."

"In addition," the letter concludes, "the Superintendent of Schools at the direction of the Board of Educiation is initiating a complete reiew of all District policies resulting in the revision of the Board of Education Policy Manual."

Photo in text: Former Watkins Glen Superintendent Mary Ellen Correa.

.

.Link to Watkins Glen High School Library Media Center

http://www.watkinsglenschools.com/high/library/

Odessa-Montour School Board

Members of the Odessa-Montour Central School District Board of Education:

From left: First row: Alice Learn, Debra Harrington, Loueda Bleiler. Second row: Karen Rock, Ceridwen Stermer, Damita Chamberlain.

Alice Learn, President: Town of Catharine, 594-3401

Debra Harrington: Town of Catharine, 594-2568

Loueda Bleiler: Odessa.

Karen Rock: Odessa, 594-2687.

Ceridwen Stermer: Millport.

Damita Chamberlain

O-M Superintendent

James Frame (pictured at right) : 594-3341, extension 2000 Fax: 594-3976.

O-M Principals

B.C. Cate: Gregory Conlon, 535-7267

Hanlon Elementary: Susan Egging, 594-3341.

Grades 6-8: Sandra Young, 594-3341

Grades 9-12: Brian O'Donnell, 594-3341.

Watkins Glen School Board

Meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Unless otherwise stated, Board of Education meetings are held in the Board Room at the high school, next to the guidance office, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (These are open meetings usually following a 5:45 p.m. Executive Session).

Residents of the district are invited to attend board meetings and observe the deliberations of the board.

Board members are as follows:

Thomas Richardson, President

119 Durland Place

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-7472

Brian J. O’Donnell, Vice President

101 Willow Drive

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-4871

Joseph Fazzary, President

310 8th Street

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

535-2543

Michael D. Myers

3650 Rose Lane

Burdett, NY 14818

546-5375

Gloria Brubaker

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Kevin Field

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Robert Dill

Old Corning Road, Watkins Glen

Each of the board's seven elected trustees serve three-year terms of office. The terms are staggered so two or three board members are elected each year.

An organizational meeting of the board is held each July. During this meeting, board
members elect a president and vice president.

Members serve on various board committees, including Personnel, Curriculum, Buildings and Grounds, Transportation and Finance. Much of the board’s work is done through these committees.

Link to Watkins Glen High School Library Media Center

http://www.watkinsglenschools.com/high/library/