October 6, 2009
Please refer to the 'Documents' page to find a newly released letter from our
Superintendent regarding the H1N1 flu virus and school procedures.
PRESS RELEASE
The Wappingers Central School District Board of Education in collaboration
with the Wappingers PTA Council announces a Meet and Greet to introduce the
District’s new Superintendent, Mr. Jim Parla.
Date: October 7, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Roy C. Ketcham High School, Cafeteria
99 Myers Corners Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
All are invited to attend.
September 18, 2009
Great to see so many parents at our Open House. Please check the calendar for
upcoming Parent Nights.
Math Tutoring: Please check our documents page for information about free math
tutoring. A community volunteer group is offering free math tutoring and
homework assistance to students in Grades 9 – 12.
The sessions are from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesdays at Van Wyck JHS.
September 14, 2009
The first week of school went very smoothly and we were thrilled to see so
many new and familiar faces!
Open House: September 16, 5-6pm, come say 'hi' and meet the teachers.
Also, please note that there has been an attempted abduction in Poughkeepsie.
Please see the Documents page and find information about the alert there.
August 24, 2009
Student Schedules- Please don't be alarmed if you have not yet received a
schedule in the mail. Due to a district-wide switch in computer systems, we
are not expecting to be able to mail schedules home. However, rest assured
that the schedules are in the system and students can call in for info and
will receive printed copies when they arrive for the first day of classes-Wed.
Sept. 9th.
Transportation- Most of you should have already received your bus schedules.
If you have not, please call the Main Office (298-5000 x178).
See you soon,
Mr. Kossmann
July 2009
Congratulations to our 16 graduates from last year! Please see the 'Documents'
page for a link to the Poughkeepsie Journal article.
Please help me welcome Mrs. Haan to the Orchard View family. Mrs. Haan will be
replacing Barbara Cutrone in the Main Office. Welcome!!
As we enter the summer months, please note that there will be changes for next
year regarding attendance and food service. Attendance will be more
straight-forward and follow state standards with regards to the total number
of absences allowed in a course to still be eligible for course credit.
In addition, food service will move to a student account system with no cash
transactions at school. Students will have access to the federal free and
reduced lunch program. Parents will need to deposit money in their student's
account and then students will pre-order a meal the day before.
Please see the 'Documents' page (Attendance Policy and Food Service Letter) for
all the complete information.
Enjoy the summer!
6/24/09
Graduation is set for Friday, June 26th at 9:00am in the Board Of Education
Room here at school. Please join us in celebrating the graduation of 16
students this year- a new record for us!
Our school yearbook has just been uploaded to our web site. Please go over to
our 'Documents' page and find it there. Thanks to the many students and staff
members (especially Mr. Perino) who helped it happen. Thanks also to the
Technology Department and Dr. Hill for helping us learn how to compress
massive files.
6/5/09
The 2008-2009 school year is at an end. Next year brings fresh faces and
slight changes in how we do business. These changes include:
• reverting back to grades 10-12 only (no more true 9th grade students),
• more accelerated/block classes that allow student to catch up with credits,
• an adjustment to our attendance policy (see Documents page),
• and a change in how we provide food service (student accounts set up with
Food Service-more info on WCSD web site).
These changes reflect our success and growth and continued commitment to help
students succeed despite obstacles in the past.
5/27/09
From the District Offices:
PRESS RELEASE
The Contract for Excellence plan for the Wappingers Central School District
will be available for public review at www.wappingersschools.org. There will
be a public hearing on June 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm during the regularly scheduled
Board of Education meeting at 167 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls.
Comments and suggestions regarding the Plan are welcome. Written comments may
be mailed to 167 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls NY 12590 or sent via
email to c4e@wappingersschools.org. Please submit all comments on the Plan no
later than June 30, 2009.
May 22, 2009-
Budget Vote- Thank you to all who helped pass next school year's budget!
Summer School- We have just received the official brochure and application for
this summer's WCSD Summer School program. Please feel free to download and
print it out. There are several signatures that are needed and students would
turn the application in to Ms. Ligotino. Please note the program is free to
WCSD students, course offerings are on a repeat-only basis, and the strict
attendance policy.
May 11, 2009
The Finish Line- The end is near and the finish line is well in sight. We are
entering the final few weeks of school and for the vast majority, they are
extremely important for earning credit. As parents, please do what you can to
keep students focused and on-task to make sure they sprint across the finish
line with their head held high having earned lots of credit.
Progress Reports- Our final set of progress reports will be issued on Monday
as the mid-way point of the 4th Quarter is this Friday, 5/15/09.
Final parent Night- Please join us for our final Parent Night next Thursday
(5/21/09) from 5-6 pm. Please note that this date has been adjusted from the
original date on the web site. The correct date is 5/21/09 and we hope to see
you there. This is a great opportunity to be informed for the final stretch!
April 20th-
4th Quarter- As hard as it may seem, the fourth and final quarter is here.
Students have a short 10 weeks of school left and given a Memorial Day Break
and Regents Week, the quarter is more like 8 weeks long. That's a very short
time before the school year ends, graduation occurs, and summer break is upon
us. I can't stress enough the importance of students giving their all
academically in this final, brief stretch to ensure they finish strongly and
do not have to spend another 10 months in classes they failed. This is the
time of year when sunshine is a distraction from the goal of earning credits
towards graduation. Organization, time management, and balance between social
life and academics are keys to finishing the year well and feeling good about
the progress made towards graduation.
Spring photos are done and proofs have gone home.
March- We have Spring photos coming up Friday, March 27th. Parents will have
an opportunity to buy packages if they wish from Slayton Studios.
February 10- The newsletter is officially on-line! Please check
our 'Documents' section to find the latest edition.
**Next Parent Night: Thursday, Feb. 19th, 5-6pm**
February 2009- We have officially reached the half-way point of the school
year. Students will see their elective classes change and we will have an
influx of new students. We have seen a number of new students come in and
thrive this past semester. We have also seen students who have not yet
committed to school and our attendance policy exit early.
We want to take a moment and recognize 1 student who is our first mid-year
graduate from OVAHS: Mark Rodriguez. Mark is a student who deserves praise
for his tenacity, maturity, and success despite many obstacles. This
graduate along with all our others in past years exemplify
the need for a school like OVAHS.
Congratulations from all of us here at OVAHS!!
December 2008- We have almost reached the half-way point of the year. While
many are succeeding, there are many who have to really buckle down and not
forget about consistent work ethic. Attendance is integral to academic
success and the reason why we have such a strict attendance policy. School
is work and it's difficult to earn a consistent paycheck and excel when you
don't show up. In this economy, I believe the partnership between home and
school must emphasize accountability, balance (academic and social), work
ethic, and responsibility. A healthy dose of current economic reality is in
order as well in my opinion.
I hope everyone enjoys and relaxes over the Winter Break.
October 30, 2008- Election Days: Elections are next week! While I do mean
the National Presidential Elections (please go vote!), I also mean our first
Student Government Elections as well. Please head over to our links page or
click here and check out the candidates' messages.
October 6, 2008- The first 5 weeks are over and it's time to take a look at
Progress Reports. Please read over the reports carefully and call with any
questions. It is important to remember that these grade ranges are not set
in stone and students have 5 more weeks to go before official grades are
entered. These reports typically tell us how well a student has made the
transition from summer to school.
August 2008- With the addition of a 9th Grade component, we want to welcome
Ms. McFarlin (Social Studies) and Mr. Bornstein (English)to the Orchard View
AHS teaching team. I am very confident these teachers will complement our
program well and help continue our success in meeting the needs of students
who might otherwise fall between the cracks.
We have enrolled over 30 new students and look forward to working with them
all this upcoming school year!
JUNE 17 - WCSD BUDGET VOTE
The district vote on a revised budget proposal takes place on Tuesday, June
17, from 7:30 AM to 9 PM.
The district web page (http://WappingersSchools.org) has a link to a list of
differences between this budget and the one that was voted on in May.
The district will post the results of the June 17 vote on its web site,
beginning as soon after 9 PM as possible.
Class of 2008- Please mark your calendars for our 3rd graduation ceremony.
Our graduation will take place here on-site on Friday, June 27th at 9:00am.
Please come and join us in celebrating!
Budget Vote-May 20th
4/28/08
Subject: "Meet the Candidates" Night, May 5, 7:30 PM, RCK
The Wappingers PTA Council will sponsor a "Meet the Candidates" night on
Monday, May 5 at 7:30 PM in the Ketcham High School auditorium.
This will be an opportunity for the public to learn more about the eight
candidates who are running for four seats on the Wappingers Central School
District's Board of Education (three seats open up each year; an additional
seat is open due to the resignation of a Board member who was elected last
year).
There will be opening and closing statements by the candidates as well as
responses to questions submitted by the audience. The evening will be
moderated by the League of Women Voters.
You can find more budget and Board candidate information on the district's
web site (http://Wappingersschools.org).
4/7/08
Today marks the start of the 4th and final quarter of the 2007-08 school
year. Let's find a way to keep students motivated, have them finish the year
strongly and earn as much credit as possible towards graduation!
4/7/08
Subject: April 8 BOE Meeting: Budget Hearing & Superintendent's Budget
Presentation
The district invites you to attend the Board of Education meeting next
Tuesday, April 8 (Wappingers JHS, 8:15 PM).
This meeting will feature two important events related to the budget
proposal that will go before the voters on Tuesday, May 20: a voluntary
budget hearing and the superintendent's presentation of his recommended 2008-
2009 budget.
2/20/08
Due to weather related cancellations last week, please note the following
with regard to Master Plan presentations:
Subject: Referendum Meetings, Wednesday and Thursday
We hope to see you at one of this week's two community presentations about
the March 11 Master Plan and 5-Year Plan Referendum.
* Wednesday, February 20 at Van Wyck JHS, 7:30 PM in the auditorium.
* Thursday, February 21 at Wappingers JHS, 7:30 PM in the auditorium.
After the superintendent has made the presentation, he will discuss any
questions you or other members of the audience may have.
2/8/08
Master plan presentation and architect's model on DVD are availbale from the
Main Office upon request. For those unable to make it to one of the
presentations below, please feel free to borrow one or both of these DVDs
from the office.
2/5/08
ADDITIONAL MASTER PLAN PROPOSITION PRESENTATIONS:
Wednesday, February 13TH, 7:30 PM - WJH AUD.
Wednesday, February, 20TH, 7:30PM - VW AUD.
A public vote on the proposition will be held on Tuesday, March 11.
1/28/08
MASTER PLAN PROPOSITION PRESENTATION: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
We hope to see you this Wednesday in the Wappingers JHS auditorium for a
7:30 PM presentation on the district's Master Plan Proposition. A public
vote on the proposition will be held on Tuesday, March 11.
1/2/08
Happy New Year to all! A reminder that our next Parent Night is scheduled
for 1/9/08 from 5-6pm. Please stop by and speak with teachers to get an in-
person update. In addition, there are just a few weeks left before this
quarter and semester end and grades are issued.
11/14/07
Pot Luck Luncheon- Please join us for our 1st Pot Luck Luncheon on Monday
November 19th. This will be our Turkey Day Bash and we hope to have lots of
good food! Parents and siblings of current students are welcome to attend.
From the Board of Education and the Central Offices:
Subject:
Invitation to November 19 Board of Education Meeting
==============
Dear Community Member,
I would like to invite you to attend a special meeting of the Board of
Education on Monday, November 19, 2007 @7:00 PM in the Wappingers Junior
High School Auditorium.
This meeting will be devoted to a discussion of transitional space and the
District's Master Plan.
Regards,
Dick Powell
Superintendent of Schools
10/31/07
Please check our Documents page for a current letter from the Superintendent
on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
10/9/07
From the Board of Education and the Central Offices:
Subject: Special Education Roundtable Invitation
==========================
Dear Community Member:
On behalf of the Board of Education, we would like to extend an invitation
to
attend a Special Education Roundtable to be held on Monday, October 15, 2007
at 7:00 p.m. in the Roy C. Ketcham cafeteria.
The purpose of this meeting will be to:
1. Give a brief overview of Special Education
2. Review the findings of the State Focused Review Committee
3. Solicit input regarding ways in which we can enhance the delivery of
programs and services that will benefit our special education population
We look forward to seeing you on October 15th.
Sincerely,
Deborah Kuter, President, Board of Education
Richard A. Powell, Superintendent of Schools
9/28/07
From the Central Offices-
Subject: School Safety Update
Late last night the district was informed by law enforcement that an unknown
adult approached one of our high school students in the village of
Wappingers
Falls and made a statement about the safety of schools in general in today’s
world that worried this student. No specific threats were made about any
Wappingers’ schools or Dutchess County schools!
Although the police give little credibility to the statement made by the
unknown adult, we asked staff to remain on alert and are maintaining a
single
point of entry into the school buildings as a precaution.
We recognize the need to remain attentive to all comments and situations of
questionable nature in our ever changing world. We will continue to be
mindful of the health, safety and welfare of our students and will respond
appropriately and quickly to anything that could interfere with their well-
being.
Thank you for your support.
9/24/07
Press Release
The Wappingers Central School District announces a Special Board meeting on
the WCSD Master Plan
Monday, October 1, 2007
7:00 PM
Wappingers Junior High School Auditorium
Master Plan Goals Development:
On Monday, Oct 1, 2007, the Board will hear updated presentations regarding
Master Plan Goals;
Accommodating growing student enrollments
Implementation of a Middle Level Model
Implementation of consistent K-12 feeder patterns
Establishment of consistent grade-level configurations
Establishment of reduced class size guidelines
Establishment of Intervention Services at home schools
Updating and improving district facilities
Consider the possibility of full day Kindergarten
9/4/07- Welcome back to all our students and teachers! We hope everyone had
a
good summer and is ready to get back into the swing of things. We are very
excited to have our largest graduating class this year and welcome our new
Social Studies teacher Mr. Phelan. Please come out to join us for our Open
House on Wed., Sept. 12th from 5-6pm. Welcome back!
6/13/07- Regular classes are over and Regents have begun. The following is a
list of Regents exams being administered here on-site:
June 13th- Global History 11-2pm
June 14th- English 11, Part I, 7:20-10:20am
- Math A, 11-2pm
June 15th- English 11, Part II, 7:20-10:20am
June 19th- US History, 11-2pm
June 20th- Biology (Living Environment), 7:20-10:20am
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!
5/16/07- The Code of Conduct Committee is reviewing the current Code of
Conduct (available on the district website) for revisions and welcome any
comments from the public. Please email Mary Nicoletti at
mary.nicoletti@wappingersschools.org with any suggestions.
5/16/07- To all the individuals who voted yesterday: THANK YOU!
Budget Information-
The Wappingers Central School District invites you to:
Tune into Cablevision Channel 21 for detailed budget information, as follows:
* Tuesday, May 8, 5:30 PM
* Friday, May 11, 10:30 PM
* Monday, May 14, 5 & 7 PM
Tune into Cablevision Channel 18 for special Meet the Leaders shows:
* Saturday, May 12, 5:30 7:30, 10:30 PM
* Sunday, May 13, 5:30, 9:30, 11:30 PM
5/8/07- Budget season is upon us and I would encourage everyone to remember
that the WCSD budget is up for a vote on May 15th. Please check the
documents
section of this web page for a letter from our Superintendent regarding the
upcoming budget.
2/8/07- Welcome to the Second Half of the school year. Before you know it,
we
will be talking about summer! A pleasure seeing all the parents here for our
Pot Luck Lunch yesterday. Thanks for your participation and great food!
End of the Second Quarter and First Semester- As hard as it is to believe,
the first half of the school year is just about over. 1/22/07 marks the last
day of classes for the Second Quarter and First Semester. 1/23-1/26/07 is
Regents Week, where students only attend school for Regents exams and if
they
need to make-up time in classes. All work for the Second Quarter needs to be
in by Friday 1/26/07.
Community Service Opportunity- Given the serious shortage of blood in our
area, any student who donates blood (proof required)will receive a credit
for
a school year's (25 hours) worth of community service. I feel any student
helping our community out in this crisis area should be rewarded. Please
call
Ms. Ligotino or Mr. Kossmann with any questions.
Free Math Help-
A community volunteer group is offering free math tutoring and homework
assistance to students in grades 6 to 12, beginning October 11. Please see
our Documents page for a letter explaining the program and a permission slip.
Start of the 06-07 School Year-
Welcome to all our new and returning students! We have lots of new students
and a new enrollment record-56 students. We have had a staffing change in
Social Studies and are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Forte to our excellent
staff.
We hope you will join us at our Open House scheduled for September 27 from 5-
6:30pm. See you then!
2006-2007:
As we get ready to enter our fourth year in operation we are happy to have
celebrated our first gradaution with our gradautes and their families. Given
our lenghty waiting list, we will start this school year with a record
enrollment and will continue to prepare the next group of seniors ready to
graduate.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
2005-2006:
This year is a year of firsts for Orchard View Alternative High School. Most
importantly, we have our first group of graduating seniors. A number of
these
students have been with Orchard View from its inception 3 years ago.
Needless
to say, we are thrilled and proud to have a group of young men and women
commit and complete their high school career with us. These students and
families have demonstrated through their dedication and hard-work that the
foresight shown by the Wappingers Central School District Administration
and
Board of Education in creating an alternative program has paid off. I feel
it
is safe to say that some of these graduates would not still be in school
without our program.
This year also marks a first for us at our new location at 167 Myers Corners
Rd. The new space has had a wonderful impact on the environment and school
culture. Students feel as thought they have earned this space and their
attitude towards school and behavior in school has improved dramatically.
Students feel a sense of ownership and pride in their school. In addition,
this year also marks the first year of adjusted hours from our previous
night
schedule (2-8pm). Our new school hours are from 10:30-4:30pm each day. In
both cases, I am glad that our seniors got a chance to be a part of all
these
changes.
Orchard View has already established itself as a program that helps support
students in the district who are struggling and need a fresh start to help
reach the goal of graduation. I feel that we will continue to expand and
help
meet the needs of the growing district population. Sometimes a fresh start
with clear boundaries can help those that have faltered get back on the
right
path. Giving up is easy, but persevering in the face of challenging odds
speaks to the character that many of the students who attend our school
display. These are the students who believe in themselves and are the ones
that the dedicated staff here strive to reach and help. We look forward to
many more years of graduates from our program. However, the first group is
special and we wish them all the best as they begin their lives as adults.
As of August 22nd, 2005 Orchard View Alternative High School went from
sharing space at Roy C. Ketcham High School to having our own dedicated
space
down the road at 167 Myers Corners Rd. We share a portion of the 2nd floor
with the Wappingers Central School District offices, but have our own
entrance and school space.
We are thrilled that the program has continued to meet the needs of students
in the Wappingers district. We have had great success with our students and
they have shown that by making good decisions for themselves in combination
with the support they receive in our school environment, they can get right
back on track towards graduation.
We look forward to continuing to build on our successes this year and having
our first graduated from the program.
New Hours: 10:30-4:30pm
New Address: 167 Myers Corners Rd., Wappingers, NY 12590
New Phone #: 845-298-5000 x178
New Fax #: 845-297-6805
