1. education
2. school

Minerva Central School
1466 County Route 29
P.O. Box 39
Olmstedville, NY 12857
www.minervasd.org
Timothy Farrell, Superintendent
Phone (518) 251-2000
Fax: (518)251-2395
Heidi Kelly, Principal
October 2014 Irish Times
Inside this Issue:
School Board Meeting
Thursday, October 9 at 7pm
Superintendent’s Conference Day
No School for Students
Friday, October 10
Open House
Thursday, October 16 from 5-7pm
Spaghetti Dinner
Thursday, October 16 from 5-7pm
Superintendent Coffee Hour
Tuesday, October 28 at 9:30
Superintendent’s Letter
2
Principal’s Notes
3
Spaghetti Dinner/Open House
4
PTSO Halloween Party/ Harvest Pie Sale
5
Library Loop
6
Ice Bucket Challenge
7
Community Service Day/ Dinner and a Movie
8
College Night
9
Guidance Notes
Seasonal Flu: A Guide for Parents
10
11&12
Soccer Schedule
13
Events Calendar
14
Menu
15
Dear MCS Community Member:
I am truly thankful to the faculty, staff, students, and parents for a great beginning to the new school year. I am impressed with the amount of hard work and cooperation that has gone into the first month of a school year that has
been filled with changes. I’m not saying that we’ve not had a few bumps, but all in all we couldn’t expect more.
Our new combined elementary fifth and sixth grade classroom is settling into their new system very well. Miss
Gereau worked hard during the month of August to put together a plan, and her work is clearly paying off. It helps
when you have a great group of students to work with during the transition. Great job fifth and sixth graders! The remaining elementary grades are continuing to implement the Common Core Learning Standards for the second full
year. This transition is challenging for both the teachers and the students (and parents too) as we all adjust to the
more rigorous state standards. Ultimately, this new curriculum is designed to make our students into better readers,
writers, and problem solvers, resulting in high school graduates who are better prepared for college and career.
As for our realigned secondary program, grades 7-12, the core teachers in English, math, science and social studies
are working through the process of implementing the new standards and preparing our students to be successful on
the new Common Core Regents Exams that will be required for graduation. These teachers are responsible for more
core classes than before and have less scheduled opportunities to provide help to students outside the regular class
time. The teachers have put together an after school help schedule and we offer a late bus to students who take advantage of this. Unfortunately we no longer are able to provide some of the college-level course offerings to our seniors that we have in the past few years, but we are now encouraging our students to take advantage of college-level
course offerings through SUNY Adirondack, either through on-line or on-campus enrollment. I have a meeting set up
with SUNY Adirondack to discuss how we could possibly strengthen the relationship between the college and our
school and expand the academic opportunities for our students. Beyond changes to our core academic program,
we’ve made changes in physical education, music, art, foreign language, and technology. Most notably, we are not
able to have a concert band any longer, but Mrs. LaPointe is forming individual and small lesson groups for instrumental students, and she plans to include some small instrumental groups as part of our holiday and spring concerts.
We have made significant changes to our office staff and meal program, and as each week passes we iron out a few
more wrinkles. As expected, it is taking time for everyone (students, staff and parents) to adjust to all of our changes
but the level of cooperation has been fantastic.
Sincerely,
Tim Farrell
Page 2
Notes from the Principal’s Office
Elementary Report Card Changes: We are off to a great start to our school year. Our elementary students are slowly adjusting to big
changes in our ELA and Math curricula which reflect the Common Core Learning Standards. In line with our instruction in the common core standards, elementary report cards will look different this year. Students in grades K-6 will be graded on a 1-4 scale for
each of the standards taught within a content area. A child who receives a score of 1 is beginning to develop the standard; a score of
2 is approaching the standard; of 3 is meeting the standard; and of 4 is exceeding the standard. Teachers will host information sessions on the new system at Open House and more information and an explanation of the new format will be sent home in the near
future.
Ice Bucket Challenge
Minerva Central accepted an ice bucket challenge from the True North Schools at the start of the school year and was able to raise
$217 toward the cause. On a beautiful Friday afternoon in September, student names were drawn for a chance to pour buckets of ice
water over staff volunteers. It was a fun way to kick off our year and raise money for a worthwhile cause too. Thanks to all who donated!
Attention Parents of Children Ages Birth-4!
Minerva participates in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program. Sponsored by the Minerva, PTSO, Minerva Service Organization, and Minerva Central School, children between the ages of birth up to their fifth birthday are eligible to receive one book a
month, at no cost, delivered via the US Postal Service. The books are recognized titles in children’s literature and we have received
nothing but positive reviews from parents. If you are not already registered, please call school (251-2000) for a registration form.
Open House
I want to invite everyone to attend our annual Open House on Thursday, October 16 from 5:00 until 7:00. This is a great opportunity
for parents to visit their child’s classroom, for students to showcase their work, and for community members to see the exciting
things going on at MCS. I hope you’ll join us. Come early and enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner sponsored by our juniors. Elementary
teachers will host sessions on our new standards based report cards in their classrooms—grades K-2 at 5:30 and grades 3-5 at 6:00.
Once again, Deputy Rice will be here to issue cards through Operation Child Safe.
Seagle Music Colony comes to MCS
Members of the Seagle Music Colony came to MCS on Tuesday, September 23 to perform an abridged version of Engelbert Humperdinck‘s Hansel and Gretel. Students in grades K-6 from both Minerva and Newcomb thoroughly enjoyed the show and had some
great questions for the performers who are accomplished opera students and professionals from around the country. This program
was made possible, in part, through a grant funded by the Community Fund for the Gore Mountain Region.
Go Mountaineers!
Our varsity and modified soccer teams are off to a great start and have provided some very exciting sports moments for spectators
and fans. Varsity coaches Randy LaFountain and Candice Gereau and modified coaches Chad Haneman and Mandy Bush have had
their teams working hard since the summer. Please support our teams. Check the school website for the game schedule and come
out and root for the Mountaineers!
PTSO
Parents, don’t forget! The PTSO needs you. Meetings this year will take place on the second Tuesday of the month. Our next meeting
will be held on October 7th at 7:00 in the school cafeteria. We need your ideas and your participation. The PTSO does some wonderful things, but more help is needed if we are to go on. Please join us.
School Day Times
A reminder to parents that our school day begins at 8:00. Students who arrive after that time are tardy and must report to the office
for a late slip. Our day ends at 2:36. If you pick up your child at the end of the day, please make sure you are here at that time. Thank
you for your cooperation.
Page 3
The Minerva Central School
Class of 2016
cordially invites you to the
Spaghetti Dinner
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Serving: 5:00-7:00 pm
Take out available at 4:30
Help save our environment-bring your own take out dishes.
School provided take out dishes .50 extra
Thank you.
Presale tickets-$6.00 Students and Senior Citizens
$7.00 Adults
At the Door-$7.00 Students and Senior Citizens
$8.00 Adults
Meal includes: Salad, dessert, coffee, tea or milk
Soda and other drinks will be sold for an additional cost
We hope you can join us for
OPEN HOUSE 5:00-7:00 pm
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Page 4
Save The Date
Minerva PTSO Halloween Party
Sunday October 26th 2014
12 noon-3pm
More details to come…..
Harvest Pie Sale
Sponsored by the Minerva Service Organization
October 11, 9am - 1pm at the
First Baptist Church of Minerva
Soup and Roll Lunch 11am - 1pm
Quarts of soup available for takeout
Page 5
October, 2014
Puzzle People
Grades 7-12 are heading to the library to
work on puzzles when they have a free moment. Rules are, work has to be done and no
squabbling or no puzzle
Check the library out on Facebook
www.facebook.com/
Look at all the free books
earned for the library
through the Literacy Love
for MCS event. Hosted
by Theresa Fish and
sponsored by Donna
Moses of Usborne Books
3rd Grade
All About Me Collage
Just like Judy Moody
Meet the K’s
The K’s have completed an author study on Robert
Munch and through this study have learned that authors
write stories and need a great imagination to be successful at writing good stories. They have moved on to learn
about what the job of an illustrator is and looked at one
book where the illustrations were created using paints
and another where photographs and creative texts were
used.
Such a great group to read to!
Page 6
MCS
ICE BUCKET
CHALLENGE
Donations collected $217.00
Fun Priceless
Page 7
The MCS Fall Community service day has been
postponed until spring.
Start thinking about how we can help you with
spring cleaning projects!
Tonight's dinner will be—
Cost: $5.00 (signed up and paid before 2:45 pm on Thursday before movie night)
$6.00 at the door
Friday, October 24, 2014
5-8 pm
Students will be supervised by
The class of 2017
Monsters University
A look at the relationship between
Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters
University -- when they weren't necessarily the
best of friends.
Page 8
SUNY Adirondack and the Adirondack School Counselor
Association proudly present the:
“Fall 2014
College Night”
This is a great opportunity for high school students to
meet with representatives from over 130 of the most
popular 2 and 4 year colleges and universities. Included
are public and private colleges from all over the
northeast. This program is open to all high school
students and their families.
Plenty of parking is available.
Where:
SUNY Adirondack
Gymnasium
When:
Thursday, October 2
Time:
6:00—8:00 PM
For more information please see your high school guidance counselor.
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
October 2014
Soccer Calendar
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Thu
Fri
Sat
2
3
4
Elementary VS
Bolton
4:00@Minerva
GV VS Keene
@ Newcomb
3:45
BM @ Keene
BV @ Keene
3:45
5
6
7
8
BM VS
Johnsburg @
Newcomb 4:30
GV VS
Crown Point
@ Minerva
BV VS Johnsburg
@ Minerva 4:30
12
13
14
BM @ Crown
Point
BV @ Crown Point
4:00
Elementary VS
Newcomb @
Minerva 3:45
19
20
GM VS Bolton
@ Minerva 4:00
26
27
Boys Sectional
Semi Finals
21
Boys Sectional
Prelim -TBD
28
Newcomb 4:15
9
GM VS Wells
@ Newcomb
15
10
BM VS IL/LL
@ Minerva
BV VS IL/LL
@ Newcomb
Elementary @
Johnsburg 4:00
16
GM VS Crown
Point
@ Newcomb
Girls Sectional
Prelims TBD
29
11
BV VS E’Town/
Westport
@ Camp Dudley
4:30
GV VS Westport
@ Dudley
17
18
BM @ Schroon
Lake
GM VS Schroon
Lake @ Newcomb
Elementary VS
Johnsburg @
Minerva 3:45
GV VS
Crown Point
@ Minerva
4:00
22
BM VS Wells @
Word of Life
6:00 start
BV @ WOL
7:30 start
Elementary @
23
Boys Sectional
Quarter finals
30
24
25
Girls Sectional
Quarter Finals
31
Girls Sectional
Semi Finals
Page 13
October 2014
Events Calendar
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Thu
Fri
2
3
Sat
4
Progress
Reports
5
6
7
8
9
10
School Board
Meeting 7pm
12
13
14
No School
Columbus Day
15
PTSO
11th Grade
PSAT
16
Open House
Spaghetti Dinner
Conference Day
No School for
Students
17
20
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
30
31
Page 14
Superintendent’s
Coffee Hour
9:30 am
18
School Pictures
19
PTSO
Halloween Party
12-3
11
25
October 2014
Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
Cereal and toast
Bagels
w/cream cheese
Waffles w/syrup
Tomato soup
grilled cheese
carrots/celery
5
12
6
7
Scrambled eggs
sausage & toast
Muffins and
yogurt
Turkey wraps
lettuce tomato
baked beans
Pasta and
meat sauce
tossed salad
13
No School
Columbus Day
14
Muffins and
yogurt
Mac’n’cheese
Green beans
19
20
Scrambled eggs
sausage & toast
Turkey subs
lettuce tomato
baked beans
26
27
Scrambled eggs
sausage & toast
Chicken ceasar
wraps
Green beans
21
Muffins and
yogurt
Turkey gravy
biscuits sweet
potatoes
8
9
Cereal and toast
Bagels
w/cream cheese
Pizza and green
beans
10
11
Staff Day
Chicken noodle
soup egg salad
PBJ sandwiches
Carrots/celery
Fajitas meat and
veggies w/ rice
corn
15
16
17
Cereal and toast
Bagels
w/cream cheese
Waffles w/syrup
Tomato soup
tuna boats
carrots/celery
Hot dogs
w/beans
and chips
Chicken patties
w/tater tots
corn
22
23
24
Cereal and toast
Bagels w/cream
cheese
Waffles w/syrup
Chicken alfredo
w/broccoli
Vegetable soup
egg salad and
PBJ
Carrots/celery
28
29
30
31
Cereal and toast
Bagels
w/cream cheese
Waffles w/syrup
Muffins and
yogurt
Cheese raviolis
w/pasta sauce
tossed salad
Tomato soup
grilled cheese
Carrot/celery
Meatloaf and
mashed potato
corn
Roast chicken
w/sweet
potatoes
18
25
Pizza
w/green beans
Chicken nuggets
w/rice
And broccoli
Page 15