October 13, 2004

Dear Students, Staff and Families:

The final Presidential debate was held tonight. This election appears to have engaged the voters in record numbers. An important goal of public education is to prepare our students to participate actively in the democratic process. As parents, I hope that you will be able to make some time to discuss the issues that guide you in choosing one candidate over another with your teens. On election day, November 2, the student body will hold a "mock" election sponsored by Mrs. Kanarkiewicz and the senior social studies classes. Students will cast their votes using school voting machines and the results will be posted on our web page. 
Last Friday's pep rally and bon fire was a very successful community event. Mr. Drescher, fall coaches, and athletes provided great energy to the evening. It was wonderful to see another excellent turnout from the community!
Professional development is an important goal of the district. Teacher certifications requirements in New York State were recently changed to establish five-year certification targets for professional development. Any teacher hired after February 1 of last year must complete 175 credit hours of professional development every five-year period. In Duanesburg this is not as large a change as you would imagine. Our collective bargaining agreement includes a provision that to advance a step on the contract teachers need to complete 150 in-service credit hours. Teaching like any professional field requires people to update their knowledge and skills on a regular basis. The district maintains a professional development committee (PDC) where teachers and administrators work side by side to plan the district's offerings. The committee has been co-chaired by Beth DeLuke and Dr. Katie O'Brien. For a small district we have a wide range of courses.
The middle school is beginning a new after school activity - "Future City" competition. Students who enjoy technology and thinking about the city of tomorrow should become involved. This is a new program for Duanesburg and the advisor will be a newly hired technology teacher, Mark Kepner. More information is available from Steve Drescher, house principal, in the coming weeks.

Sincerely yours,

Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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