First Pre-k class part of successful start of school year

   Superintendent of Schools David V. Dinolfo told the Caledonia-Mumford Central School Board of Education at the September 9 meeting that the 2008-09 school year started successfully.

   The first Cal-Mum Pre-K class began on September 3 with 30 youngsters arriving by school bus along with their teacher aide. There is a morning and afternoon Pre-K session of 15 students in each class. Former kindergarten teacher Carol Coffta and Elementary School Principal James Wolinsky greeted the new students and welcomed them to their new classroom. All of the students have adjusted well to their new school routine.

   The middle and high counseling department begins the school year with a reorganization of grade levels. Counselor Melanie Rogers will work with grades ten through twelve and Counselor Jinny Mancuso will work grades six through nine, in addition to this year’s senior class. The purpose of the reorganization is to better provide individualized programs for the students and incorporate new programs at the middle school level. In the past the counselors split the grade levels by odd and even years, therefore working with students at both middle and high school levels.

   The newly adopted webpage publishing policy, adopted by the board of education in August, is in the process of being implemented. The policy requires affirmative parental permission for district personnel to be able to use a student’s photograph and full name on the school website. Parental permission is also needed to use the students’ original copywritten work on the school website, such as poetry, short stories, photographs and art work. The new policy is in response to the district’s commitment to protecting student safety. Parents received notification from the superintendent through the mail about the new policy along with a permission page that needs to be returned to the school by October 3, 2008. The Cal-Mum School website, www.cal-mum.org, is one of the district’s primary communication tools, along with the quarterly newsletter and annual calendar. The public is encouraged to visit the school website regularly for important information about students, extra curricular events and school-wide news and photos.

   The district is accepting bids on the voter approved EXCEL capital project that includes major renovation to the middle school gymnasium and the heating systems in the elementary and middle/high school. The building fire alarm system will be upgraded as well as the computer network infrastructure. Superintendent Dinolfo said the bulk of the work will take place over the winter months and that alternative heating plans have been established and student safety concerns have been addressed. The district expects the majority of the work to be completed by June 2009.

   During public forum, a resident asked if the number of classrooms has declined in relation to the decrease in student enrollment in the elementary school. The superintendent reported that there are currently 22 sections in the elementary school as compared with 27 sections ten years ago.

  An inquiry was made asking if the district would consider publishing the minutes of school board meetings in one of the area weekly publications. Currently the minutes of Cal-Mum School Board meetings are published on the community website.

   A parent whose daughter plays varsity soccer asked the board to consider adding a second bus when transporting the team to away games. The parents said there over 50 girls and all of their personal equipment bags on one bus which causes severe overcrowding and, in the opinion of many of the parents, poses a serious safety risk. The parent provided a petition to the board with the names of those in favor of using two school buses for transportation to away games.

   The board approved the appointment of curriculum leaders, grade level chairs and department coordinators.

• Curriculum leaders: MS English - Lisa Schultz, HS English - Donna Palmer, Elem. Social Studies - Nicole Flint, MS Social Studies - Mike Reed, HS Social Studies - Steven Nole, Elem. Science - Kyle Leonard, MS Science - Todd Geary, HS Science - Larry Allen, Elem. Math - Kim Van Marren, MS Math - Bette Amico, HS Math - Patricia Scholl, Physical Education - Lee Staley.
• Department Coordinators: Humanities - Matt Trost, Occupational Ed. - Kathy Allen.
• Grade Level Chairs: Kindergarten - Ellen Matla, First Grade – Patty Wade, Second Grade – Lisa Clark, Third Grade – Erin Kearney, Fourth Grade – Greg Yaekel, Fifth Grade – Ellen Macy-Flint, Sixth Grade – Donna Howard, Seventh Grade – Mike Reed, Eighth Grade – Todd Geary.
• Faculty mentors were assigned to the following new teachers: Jessica Chambers – Donna Howard, John Walter – Scott Henry, Steven Harrington – Jeanine Tedesco.

   The board approved the annual reappointment of school bus drivers based on completion of their requirements: Gary Angus, Deborah Bailey, Janet Byron, Richard Chiverton, Mary Ann Cornell, Cheryl Falker-Spencer, Gary Grattan, Richard Harness, Henry Killings, Marie MacPherson, Donald Manley, James McManus, Kenneth Miller, Patrick Mooney, Clifford Norris, Ron Otto, Tom Privitera, Leonard Ranous, Ken Sayers, Wayne Walker.

   Middle School Secretary Karen Nieswiadomy was permanently appointed to a Civil Service position and Richard Gage was approved as a per diem substitute teacher.

   There was a first reading for the following policy revisions: records management, transportation of students, non-resident students.

   The board discussed its annual goals for the 2008-09 school year. Each year the board establishes its goals for the school year. These goals are identified and published within the school buildings and on the school website.