B, GOALfish and On Fire awards at Sullivan West

By TED WADDELL
Posted 1/25/22

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY -— At the top of the agenda on the Sullivan West school board’s January 20 meeting were a trio of new student awards.

It also marked Dr. Kathleen Bressler’s …

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B, GOALfish and On Fire awards at Sullivan West

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LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY -— At the top of the agenda on the Sullivan West school board’s January 20 meeting were a trio of new student awards.

It also marked Dr. Kathleen Bressler’s initial appearance at the board as the district’s recently appointed interim superintendent of schools, a job she took when former superintendent Stephen Walker moved on to lead another school district.

In her report to the board, Bressler noted the introduction of three new special awards for student recognition. The first—the elementary school’s monthly B award (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe)—will be presented by principal Rod McLaughlin and assistant principal Kevin Carbone at a student assembly. The second and third awards will be presented at the middle school: the GOALfish award to honor goal achievement and the On Fire award, which is given to “a student who is lighting things up in a positive way.”

Students of the month were second-grader Oliver Schumacher and eighth-grader Breanna Fuller.

Dylan Sager, student body representative to the board, was absent from the meeting because he was playing the game of hoops at an away boys’ varsity match.

According to Bressler, Sager was tabbed the high school student of the month, and will be recognized for his positive contributions at next month’s board meeting by high school principal Mark Plescia.

“It’s a great honor to recognize our students of the month,” said Bressler, adding a bit later, “The students are not the only ones lighting the world on fire.” She noted that Padraic “Paddy” McCarthy, high school science instructor and sponsor of the school’s Future Farmers of America program, was recently advised that the club had received a start-up grant of $10,000.

“This is a wonderful achievement, and I look forward to continuing to see great things from this club, especially more maple syrup,” Bressler said.

Jessica Franke, secretary to the business office and transportation coordinator, was named Sullivan West Standout for the month of January.

“Ms. Franke joined the team in 2019 and quickly had to adapt into the world of COVID,” said Bressler, adding, “Instead of creating bus runs for students, she was called in to assist in setting up meal delivery for many Sullivan West families... we are happy that she is back working on student transportation.”

Franke’s co-workers described the Sullivan County native as “hard-working, dedicated and caring,” Bressler said.

On January 12, the district conducted a two-hour delay devoted to district-wide professional learning. That included a book study based upon Marc Brackett’s “Permission to Feel,” technology sessions focused on one-to-one Promethean training and Schoology techniques, literacy-related discussions for PK-2 elementary teachers, and phishing training at the elementary level.  

Bressler said she wanted to “applaud our winter athletic teams,” adding that over the past two months, the teams have contended with “a myriad of COVID-postponed competitions and severe weather... it has not dampened their spirits. We know this continues to be a difficult season, but our student athletes are continuing to go on strong... we are thankful for the commitment they are giving, no matter what each day brings.”

The next Sullivan West school board public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 17 at 7 pm. For information, contact Christina Kautz, district clerk and secretary to the superintendent at 845/482-4610 ext.3000 or email kautzchr@swcsd.org.

Sullivan West, Dr. Kathleen Bressler, interim superintendent, special awards

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