Union wins APPR reprieve

Gov. Kathy Hochul Friday signed a bill suspending, for an additional year, the Annual Professional Performance Review process. Advanced through grassroots advocacy from NYSUT members and lobbying by union legislative staff, the bill recently passed both the state Senate and the Assembly.

“As we come to the end of another school year that has been anything but normal, we welcome the governor’s decision to suspend the APPR process for another year,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “We will continue working with the legislature and the governor to address the APPR

Both First Grade classes presented a play based on a popular children’s book. Mr. LaFera’s class performed Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Mrs. White’s class performed The Signmaker’s Assistant by Tedd Arnold.

The students in both classes took complete ownership of their respective plays. Ideas for costumes, props, backdrops, and movements were created organically. As the students thought of new and exciting ways to enhance their play, their ideas were listened to and incorporated into the performance. Mrs. Weiss, Phoenicia’s wonderfully talented Art teacher, helped us create all

Are you in need of a new wig? Has your horse thrown a shoe? Perhaps your goodwife would like to order a new gown for the ball. Allow any one of the fine 18th century tradesmen and women of the Bennett fourth grade to fill your order! Each one eagerly set up shop, or shall we say “shoppe” on May 15th under the sign of the white tent! It was an exciting day when well over one hundred students greeted an amazing crowd of enthusiastic visitors. Each blacksmith, shoemaker, potter and tinsmith aptly explained his/her product, discussed tools, demonstrated work, and proved his/her interdependence

The Bennett instrumental music department celebrated “Music in our Schools Month” this past March by raising more than $1565 for local food pantries.  Twenty one students from the 4th-6^th grade band and orchestra kept logs of their practice time for the month of March.  They obtained sponsors for each minute that they practiced and collected the donations at the end of the month.   The money collected was divided between three local food pantries that serve our school community:  Family of Woodstock; the Phoenicia Food Pantry; and the food pantry located at the Olive Bridge United Methodist

The Spinning Wheel: 

• 34 years teaching K-12 Physical Education ( taught in every building in the district )
• 34 years of coaching….( Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball and Track.)

Fondest Teaching Memory:  The most classic memory I will never forget actually happened during an observation.  I had a class of first graders sitting in a circle in the middle of the gym.  I was quizzing the students on the rules in physical education class.  I called it the “ do’s and don’ts” of PE.  Each student raised their hand and offered some great answers.  Then one young man with the biggest smile on his face