2007-2008 Archive
 2006-2007 Archive

Orangetown Substance Abuse Committee has established an anonymous underage drinking hotline 1-888-838-dare (3273)  to report underage drinking parties, kids in crisis, etc.

Upcoming Events and Event Highlights
 Upcoming Events and Event Highlights has been created to keep you posted of district happenings during the 2008/2009 school year.  This page is updated frequently so please do check back often.  To view many of the student achievements at SOCSD, go to Student Achievements


Upcoming Events
 view event highlights

Help us help the Food Pantries in Rockland County that are running vey low on supplies!
 The LEO CLUB in conjunction with the ESSO, will be sponsoring a food drive at Tappan Zee High School, from Monday,  November 3 through Friday, November 21st.  Send Non-Perishable food items to school with your child. Students can place items in the marked boxes in their English classes.

SOMS Students to Perform at The Turning Point Cafe

On Tuesday, December 9th, students from SOMS teacher Ms. Arlene Sorenson’s project based class will perform in a number of musical genres at The Turning Point Café in Piermont, New York.   Included will be pop, rock, jazz and Irish music.  The students, who perform in their spare time as part of other musical groups for both entertainment and/or competition, have joined together to create this night for the benefit of the Rockland Chapter of the New York Veterans Association.  It will be used to help institute new programs to assist Rockland County veterans.  

The Turning Point was started May of 1976 by John McAvoy and his sister Diane and has since served as host to a long and impressive list of performers including, among many others:  Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Mason, Poco, Orleans, Bela Fleck, Bill Monroe, Joan Osborne, Christine Lavin, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Richie Havens, Janis Ian and Rick Danko.
 

Doors open at 6 p.m.  Food is available in the upstairs restaurant as well as the Café itself.

 

Tickets are $10.00 for general admission seating.  Reservations are recommended.  The phone number is (845) 359-1089.   The Turning Point Café is located at 468 Piermont Avenue, Piermont, New York.

Special Event for SOMS Students Sponsored by the SADD Club and SOCASA

FUN NIGHT
 Friday, December 12, 2008
7:00-9:00 pm
 view flyer

A night of basketball, indoor soccer, obstacle course , hula hoop contest, guitar hero and a DUNK TANK featuring Mr. G and Mr. Sullivan.

Tickets go on sale December 9-12 during lunch  $5

Pizza and snacks will be sold.


Event Highlights

Cottage Lane's 4th Grade to Participate in Polar Expedition Blog

On Tuesday, November 17th, Dr. Xiaojun Yuan, a research scientist working at Columbia University's Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory came to visit Ms. Kottie Christie-Blick's 4th grade class to share with them the focus of the upcoming Antarctic Expedition aboard the Swedish icebreaker Oden. As part of a year-long emphasis on global warming and taking care of the planet, the class, joined by two others, learned of the extreme importance of climate change in the polar region and its effect on global warming. The Oden's mission is to clear a passage near Ross Island in order to enable research vessels to get into US Antarctic station McMurdo. The venture is being sponsored by the National Science Foundation. As part of the mission, the Oden will pass an area in the South Pacific from which sparse but dramatic climate change is being observed. Dr. Yuan and Lamont biologist, Ray Sambrotto (a South Orangetown resident) are part of a joint program to investigate physical-biological response to climate variability in the polar seas of the Antarctic. A New York State high school teacher will also be onboard for education outreach.

http://www.polartrec.com/oden-antarctic-expedition-08 will be the link to the interactive expedition website. Questions can be posted to the scientists and will be answered.

The Oden's scientific crew will leave on Thanksgiving day and will arrive in Montevideo, Uruguay on November 28. They will board the ship on November 29th and will leave Montevideo on December 1. It will take 12 days to sail to the Amundsen Sea where their work will begin. The ship will arrive at Ross Island on Jan. 9-10 and Dr. Yuan and her colleagues will be picked up by a helicopter from Oden for the trip to McMurdo Station. During this period, there will be live reports from Oden which can be tracked on the website. A surprise to the students was the announcement that one of South Orangetown's own would also be aboard.  A ZEE doll is going to be aboard the Swedish Icebreaker Oden !!

 

South Orangetown's "Lend A Hand" Coat Drive Will Bring A Warm Winter to Many

The 2008 South Orangetown annual Lend-A-Hand coat drive was held at the South Orangetown Middle School on November 14th and 15th. The response to the call for gently used items was overwhelming. Coats, shoes, sneakers, jeans, food, pet supplies and toys were brought to the Middle School in a constant stream of generosity. In addition to being able to assist members of the community in need, the coat drive was able to send items to the Nyack Homeless Project, the Community Outreach, Midnight Run and People to People. The Tappan Zee High School Boys Varsity basketball team was there, along with Coach Gaines, to assist where needed. Coat drive co-organizer Gail Rogo who worked with Amy Greenberg and was extremely happy with the turnout commented, "What a generous community we live in. The volunteers worked tirelessly and even Coach Gaines and the TZHS Basketball team gave us so much needed help."

 

Good Behavior Reaps "Golden Bus" Award at WOS

Beginning mid November, WOS students will put their best foot forward while riding their school bus to and from school in an effort to be awarded the distinction of the "Golden Bus". Drivers will each day reward student behavior with a green smiley face disc or issue a warning light with a red unhappy face disc which will be given daily to the bus monitor waiting at the school. Discs will be posted in the WOS hallway. Every two weeks, the students on the bus or buses with an all green disc display will be bestowed the "Golden Bus" award. Students occupying those buses will have their group picture taken and put on the bulletin for that award period. The "Golden Bus" will be given twice a month. In a bus drill assembly Assistant Principal Jeannine Carr went over the bus rules with kindergarten and first grade students and explained the award program. "Courtesy, consideration and good manners are what the bus drivers are looking for each day", explained Ms. Carr. "But let's not forget that those characteristics are not only important while riding the bus but all through your life." Ms. Carr was assisted by WOS mascots Charlie Capps and Zelda the Zebra.

 

TZHS  Makes Successful Ascent On First Phys Ed Field Trip

On Wednesday, November 5th, TZHS Athletic Director Liam Frawley, Physical Ed teachers James Ardizone and Emily Donovan and 35 TZHS PE students, took off on a strenuous four mile hike to the top of Bear Mountain.  The concept of the hike, the idea of TZHS Physical Ed teacher Jim Ardizone, was offered in conjunction with the high school's three week PE rotation program.  The hike was offered as an elective in the running and walking part of the program.  Students meeting an established criteria, i.e.: a ten minute mile, perfect attendance, etc, were given the opportunity to participate.  The three hour hike took place over a steep and challenging trail which began at an elevation of about 1200 feet above sea level and climbed over 1200 feet over some steep grades.  The hike itself took about three hours.  The group took time out at the top for lunch and scenic views before traversing back to the base. "Many students commented they did not expect the hike to be as strenuous as it was but enjoyed themselves nonetheless," said  Athletics Director Liam Frawley. "We had no injuries, no complaints and some great views," Frawley continued.  "This is a first time TZHS PE field trip and I am confident it will not be the last.  I want to commend Mr. Ardizone and Mrs. Donovan for their foresight and leadership in this extremely successful endeavor."

 

Overwhelming Voter Turnout at TZE

 
There were long lines and much discussion in the rotunda of Tappan Zee Elementary as the entire student body took turn, by class, to vote in the students first "mock" Presidential Election.  The election follows weeks of preparatory work by teachers and TZE administrators.  All classrooms conducted discussion, input and response sessions regarding the many jobs of the President of the United States and the special characteristics people look for in their voting decisions. 

Students registered to vote and received voter registration cards which they showed at the voter registration tables prior to entering the voting booths.  Students were trained in booth operation and solely ran the booths.  

The entire voting process was brought home for them by the two propositions which were on the TZE ballot.  In addition to the candidate of their choice, students were asked to vote on both propositions.  The first was for their preference out of three for a new TZE flag.  The second proposition was for their vote as to whether or not to announce birthdays over the loudspeaker system each morning.

All votes were registered on a handheld device whose information went directly to a central computer which recorded results instantly.  In addition, John G. took a position outside the voting area and conducted exit polls after the voters made their choices.  One of the questions he put to the voters asked:  "How did it feel to vote, and why?"  A future journalist, indeed. 

 

Lions and tigers and bears, (oh my)

 

Halloween 2008 brought with it a magnificent sun kissed perfect Fall day for every ghost, goblin, literary, fictional and non- fictional presence one can ever hope to conjure up.   Even President Lincoln was spotted at one of the schools.  No one was missed.  Each of the district’s schools celebrated in a different way.  There were parades, lunchroom celebrations and, of course, there was ZEE, who identifies extremely well with the day.  Costumes appeared on students and teachers throughout the district.  It is actually believed Halloween is for the children.

 

Let’s just say Halloween will always be for the young at heart!!

 

See a few more snap-shots from this Halloween day!  Click here

 

 

Tappan Zee Elementary Receives Gift of Words From South Orangetown Rotary and O & R Utilities

On Thursday October 30th, the South Orangetown Rotary in a joint effort with Orange & Rockland Utilities, presented every student in Tappan Zee Elementary's entire third grade with their own Student Dictionary.  Bruce Wooley, Director of the Literary Project for the South Orangetown Rotary explained the Rotary is a service organization and the Literary Project, now in its third year, has been extremely rewarding and successful.  "In many cases this is the first reference book these students ever receive.  It is our experience that for that reason it becomes a very important part of their school life."

Tom Brizzolara, Orange & Rockland's Director of Public Affairs addressed the student assembly by answering questions about Orange & Rockland's role in their lives and by telling the assembly, "We are pleased to partner with the Rotary and to have been able to purchase these books for the dictionary project." 

The students then lined up, by class, around the gymnasium and filed across the front of the room each accepting their new gift with huge and grateful smiles.

 

SOUTH ORANGETOWN PARTICIPATES IN
CAPS FOR KIDS DAY

On Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24, the South Orangetown Central School District participated in Caps for Kids Day. Caps For Kids was founded in 1993 by Dr. Stephen Heinrich, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. While treating a young cancer patient, Dr. Heinrich gave him a hat autographed by Auburn University football coach Terry Bowden and his father, Florida State University football coach, Bobby Bowden. Realizing how happy a simple sports cap could make someone suffering from a life-threatening disease, he organized Caps For Kids to improve the spirits of young cancer patients throughout the country.

Dr. Heinrich began a collection of autographed hats and scarves from notable personalities to be given to his young cancer patients. The idea caught on rapidly and Dr. Heinrich was soon able to expand the program so that all children receiving chemotherapy for cancer at Children's Hospital in New Orleans could participate.

Today, Caps For Kids exists at more than 90 hospitals in the United States including 4 chapters in Canada.

By donating a dollar and wearing a favorite cap to school, South Orangetown students district-wide made a difference in the lives of young cancer patients by collecting $2,216. for the Caps for Kids organization.

 

Professional Musicians Mix it Up with Students at South Orangetown’s Music Career Day

 

On October 19th , over 40 students attended Music Career Day at South Orangetown Middle School.  They experienced a day  with professional musicians representing all walks of musical life.  Emmy-award winning composer Michael Whalen sat at the piano and talked with the students, advising them they need a “combination of education, experience and a history of knowledge in that field.”  Whalen invited student composers to play for him while he critiqued their works. TZHS ninth grade aspiring performer and composer Albert Ahlf said the experience was, “very informative, giving me a lot of ideas about what you need to do to go into a music career.”

 

 Also on hand were composer and music technology expert David Musial, who won an Emmy for a score he created for MTV’s anti-violence campaign, Broadway singer and actress Sarah Uriarte-Berry whose Broadway credits include Beauty and the Beast and Les Miserables, professional violinist Marti Sweet, a Julliard graduate who has played with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, and who recommended the students, “contemplate the power of imitation.  Find the music that you are passionately drawn to … the best that you can find … and imitate it.”

 

Neil Balm shared his professional experiences as principal trumpet for the Mostly Mozart Festival, the New York Pops and others with the students.  Veteran Rockland County music educators David Hurd and John Wagner rounded out the visiting artist roster. 

 

The event was sponsored by  The South Orangetown Music Booster Association (SOMBA) and Tappan Zee High School.

 

 

 

TZHS Leos and Blauvelt Lions team up to Keep Orangetown Clean!

In an ongoing commitment to The Blauvelt Lions who adopted Erie Street, 5th Ave. and Van Wyck Road as part of the Adopt a Road Program, the TZHS Leos have once again hit the streets on a cold Fall morning to assist in the cleanup. The Leos generally take part in three or four cleanups each year. This session's bounty included bottles, cans, old tires, discarded boots and enough refuse to fill the ten 30 gallon garbage bags the group collected from the roadsides.

 

Torino's Deli Hosts South Orangetown Middle School Italian Club Students

South Orangetown Middle School students spent an afternoon of fun, food and friendship at Torinos Italian Deli in Blauvelt, on Wednesday, Oct.15th. The owners of the deli graciously invited the Italian students to visit and the Italian club enthusiastically accepted. Twenty eight students along with the two club moderators, Roberta Avantifiori and Christina Crowe took off, on foot, on a beautiful afternoon and made their way down Erie St. to Torino's delicatessen. They learned about and tasted different types of Italian cheeses, and olive oils, saw a demonstration on making mozzarella (and got to sample some), sausage and eggplant rolatini. The visit ended with dish of pasta and meatballs for all. Everybody left with a souvenir of their experience and the students and teachers all enjoyed a wonderful culinary event.

 

TZHS Celebrates Italian Heritage Month

Anyone walking into Tappan Zee High School during the month of October will see the Ufficio del Preside (Principal’s office) or the Bagno delle Donne (Ladies room). Italian Club members worked for many hours making posters to label areas in the high school in Italian, as just one of many Italian activities this month. Other activities include an Italian Culture Trivia contest held every week during the month of October, and open to all students at TZ, with exciting prizes for the winners. Some students are also competing in an Essay Contest sponsored by the New York State Italian Culture committee and the American Association of Italian Teachers. The topic of the contest is: Andrea Palladio – Architect of the Ages. Also, as part of a look into Italian life and culture, Italian classes had a lesson on Italian cooking – translating a recipe for Pizzelle, a traditional Italian dessert, and made Pizzelle in class last Friday. Freshman also enjoyed a lesson on how their Italian peers text each other, studying Italian vocabulary through text message abbreviations. Other planned activities are an Italian Movie night and a look at some very famous Italians in all fields including art, music, math, science, social studies and literature.

 

SOCSD Family Resource Center Holds Potluck Breakfast

On Wednesday, October 15th, South Orangetown's Family Resource Center hosted it's annual Potluck Breakfast and welcomed families and new members of the SOCSD community. Rosemary Pitruzzella and Steve Spiro represented the Board of Education and were joined by Superintendent, Dr. Ken Mitchell, FRC Coordinator Margaret Umbrino and, of course, ZEE who was on hand to welcome everyone who attended. Table activities were set up for the children while parents got the chance to network and learn of the different programs available to them and their families. A bountiful fare was baked, bought and donated by the families of the Family Resource Center. "This is what it's all about," said Margaret Umbrino, coordinator of the Center. "This is such a great way for our families to get together, and form bonds and just talk about the issues that are common to everyone in our community."
 

 


Blauvelt Lions Extend a Thankful Hand to TZHS/SOMS Volutneers

In an expression of gratitude and appreciation for their support, the Blauvelt Lions invited the TZHS Leos, The Italian Club and Honor Society and the Arts Service Clubs of TZHS, as well as several SOMS volunteers, to a bar-b-que on Friday evening at Blauvelt Lions Park to thank them for their time, effort and cooperation during the annual Applefest event which was held, in September, at Flywheel Park in Piermont.  Over 50 TZHS and SOMS students helped out at the yearly charity fundraiser,  donating many hours of their time from pre opening to beyond closing at 5:00 pm.  "Their assistance enabled us to offer additional table events, such as face painting, tattooing, beading and the ever popular toss for a goldfish, and to supplement supervision where needed", said Nancy Valentine, the Lions' supreme leader.  "We are extremely thankful to their advisors at the high school; Ms. Castelli, Ms Grasso, Ms. Stillo and Ms. Crowe for dedicating their time to work with the students before the event, as well as on the day of our Applefest." 

 

How Far is a Kilometer?

Ask any Cottage Lane Student how far a kilometer is and they will tell you it is equal to the distance from the Cottage Lane Elementary School to Wally's Ice Cream stand on Western Highway.  As part of their Math unit, 4th grade teachers determined that while the meter, centimeter and most other metric units were clear in the students' minds, they were unable to fully grasp the concept of the kilometer.  Teachers and administrators discussed options to more clearly define this unfamiliar conception.  Distances were measured and to everyone's pleasure the result of the research landed up on Wally's Ice Cream property.  And so, between October 7th & 8th, in 15 minute intervals each of the twelve 4th grade classes exited the Cottage Lane School, walked up Erie Street and down Western Highway and hiked the kilometer to Wally's.  Teacher Kottie Christie-Blick timed her class at 13 minutes one way as members of her class held up hand made signs encouraging traffic to "Honk if you know how long a kilometer is".  Cottage Lane Principal Michael Fiorentino accompanied one of the classes in what must have been one of the last perfect afternoon's of the season.  He commented, "They did the research and now they get to actually experience the concept of a kilometer."  All twelve classes got to sample some of Wally's ice cream while they took a short rest before the return kilometer back to Cottage Lane.  This is a lesson not soon forgotten.

 

SOCSD Marches in Columbus Day Parade

On Sunday, October 5th the South Orangetown Middle School Italian Club accompanied by advisors Roberta Avantifiori and Christina Crowe and the Tappan Zee High School Italian Club with advisors Patricia Castelli and Maria Stillo, marched in the Columbus Day Parade, along Central Highway, down Railroad Avenue and finishing at Village Hall in West Haverstraw. Even though awards will not be announced for a number of weeks, nothing could dampen the spirits of the SOCSD marchers as they made their way along the parade route on this superb Fall afternoon.

 

 

New TZHS Drivers Must Attend Mandatory Safe Driving Session

As part of South Orangetown's safe driving initiative any TZHS Jr. or Sr. receiving their drivers license and wishing to use the TZHS parking lots is required to attend a safe driving course given by School Resource Officer Mike Kopunek of the Orangetown Police Department.    Officer Kopunek, who schedules these sessions every 4-6 weeks during the school year, began Thursday's session with the statement, "Remember, parking on campus at TZHS is a privilege not a right."  He then went over some of the rules and responsibilities of new drivers in general as well as within the school zone.  Students were warned any violation of NYS parking rules, if caught, will result in a summons against their driving record. "If you're late, you're late." Officer Kopunek said.  "Speeding through the parking lots will not change that and may result in a summons and possibly an avoidable accident.  Wear your seat belts at all times.  NO CELL PHONES!!  Make that call THEN pull out of your parking spot.  Report all fender benders and always observe driver courtesy."

There was a question and answer period and then students watched a safety video for young drivers which pointed out ways to reduce risks.  The sixteen year old crash rates are the highest of any age group.  This is largely because of speed, dangerous passing habits, risky driving behaviors, overconfidence in their own driving abilities and the inability to recognize serious situations.  The video recommended "controlled restrictions" until drivers get more experience.  Parents must limit high risk driving and take an active role over and above the legal limitations.  Bringing it all home were three tragic stories of parents of "invincible" young drivers who were killed while driving. 

After the video ended, Office Kopunek completed the session with a final appeal to the students.  He said, "I implore each of you to be careful drivers.  I have heard too often of our own TZHS graduates who have been killed behind the wheel of their cars." 

The students were visibly introspective as they exited the TZHS library.  Officer Kopunek later commented, "If I can get through to at least one or two kids during each of these sessions, we will have made a huge difference." 

 

William O. Schaefer Creates Model Social Studies Unit for First Graders

William O. Schaefer first grade teacher, Ms Lori Berube, technology teacher, Mr. Jacob Tanenbaum and a Library Media Specialist , Ms. Patty Eyer together are working on a model Social Studies unit for all first grade classes. The unit, called Long Ago, focuses on developing the students' sense of history. "Just as our families have histories, so do our communities", said Ms. Eyer. The students are exploring the concepts of change and culture. They are learning about community history, monuments and important places in their neighborhood. The project integrates the Social Studies curriculum with literature, simple technology and the local history of Tappan, New York. Literature will be introduced in order to develop students' prior knowledge and establish connections with the world around them including the concept of change over time. As a team, students were taught the process of an interview and were recently given the opportunity to interview Mr. Harold Jones, caretaker of the DeWint House, the oldest surviving structure in Rockland County and temporary Headquarters for George Washington' on four separate occasions during the American Revolutionary War. They interviewed Mr. Jones using videoconferencing equipment as a means to engage the students and familiarize them with long distance learning. Part of the unit also included the students use of GPS devices to initially navigate the school grounds as well as a nearby nature trail and to then navigate their way to the historical DeWint House, a half a mile away, where Mr. Jones gave the students a tour of the historic building.

 

SOMS and TZHS Italian Students Help Support Del'Arte's 7th Annual Italian Festival

On Sunday, September 7th the South Orangetown Middle School and Tappan Zee High School Italian students and Italian club members participated in the 7th annual Del'Arte Italian Festival on Mountainview Avenue in Orangeburg.  There was music, food demonstrations, a bocce tournament, miniature horses, a pizza eating competition and the South Orangetown  Italian students and Italian clubs dancing in a Tarantella demonstration for all to join in and enjoy.  It was truly a day of Italian food, fun and culture. 

 

South Orangetown Early Childhood Program Welcomes Their "Families" Back

While there was no denying Autumn was in the air, it did nothing to stop the Early Childhood Program from the successful completion of their annual Welcome Back Picnic. Hosted once again by the ECP PTA, this year's theme was color coding. Tablecloths, shirts, balloons and sparkly colored necklaces for all the Moms and Dads made it simple to identify classes and classmates. The evening began as the long shadows that announce the end of summer overtook the warm rays of the sun in the playground at the William O. Schaefer School. Early Childhood Center coordinator,