Donuts for first responders

MONTICELLO, NY — Just before Thanksgiving, kindergarten students at the George L. Cooke School in Monticello wanted to show their appreciation to the first responders who keep them safe.

Members of the Monticello Fire Department, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, the Monticello Police Department and Monticello Mobilemedic visited the school and received fresh donuts from the kindergarten students of Paige Moore and Jessica Vandermeulen.

The EMS members drove up with their lights and sirens on as students gleefully watched, said district spokeswoman Natalie Rowan. “First responders were also presented with thank-you cards, written with help from the teachers. The kindergarten students were excited to show their appreciation for the services first responders provide that keep the Monticello community safe each day.”

This year has been a challenging time for everyone, Rowan added. “Be sure to express your thanks this week to those that have been instrumental in protecting our community throughout the year. You never know how meaningful a small gesture of gratitude can be.”

Youth Advisory Committee mini-grants announced

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation has awarded the following Youth Advisory Committee mini-grants.

Wallenpaupack Area High School, Invasive Species Management Plan—$500

Wallenpaupack Area Junior Babe Ruth Team—$380

Guitar Club—$280

Wallenpaupack Middle School WAMS Hydroponics Project—$410

Honesdale High School Health Occupations Health Fair—$450

Honesdale Girls Wrestling and Lawson’s Lifting Chicks After-School Strength and Conditioning—$956

World Language Department After-School Programs—$300

Keep on Rocking Club—$635

Western Wayne High School Drones for Physics—$596

Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom (TIC)—$650

Evergreen Elementary Flexible Seating Makes it Fun—$334

Wayne County Arts Alliance Main Street Gallery/Schools Collaborative Workshops—$500

The mission of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is to familiarize Wayne County youth with the potential of philanthropic activities. Through cooperative leadership, the committee supports projects that are designed to improve the youth community.

For more information, visit the Wayne County Community Foundation page at https://www.waynefoundation.org.

Dime Bank donation supports Wayne Library programs

HONESDALE, PA — The Dime Bank recently contributed $30,000 to the Wayne County Public Library. The donation will go toward educational programs.

 

A donation from the Dime Bank will help the Wayne County Public Library in its educational role. Tracy Schwarz, left; Jessica Kjera, Deborah Unflat, …

Wayne County libraries work with students in the three local districts, as well as homeschooled students, with a focus on improving grade, increasing confidence and helping them explore everything education can offer.

The donation, which was made through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, will provide funds for several programs such as Learning@theLibrary and Teen Tech@theLibrary.

In addition, some of the funding is allocated for after-school science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and arts programs.

Another portion of the funding supports computers for young students and the hybridization of library programs, which will allow libraries to do virtual as well as in-person programs.

For more information about the Wayne County Public Library, go to https://www.waynelibraries.org.

For more information about the Dime Bank, visit https://www.thedimebank.com/.

WCCF grant recipients announced

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation announced its second-quarter grant recipients.

Wallenpaupack Area High School Aviation Club—$9,000, through the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance, to fund the repair and technical instruction for a donated aircraft, with which students will then be able to pursue flight instruction and flight-related career training.

KidsPeace Honesdale Foster Care and Community Programs—$4,000 to fund the production of three short videos to educate and inform the county about foster care and the need for more foster families.

The Cooperage Project—$3,000 to help with the purchase of new laptops to streamline their connectivity within the community, particularly with their youth programming.

Greene-Dreher Historical Society, Inc—$900 to fund the purchase of a “Do-it-Yourself Zoom Room” containing a camera and sound system, allowing them to more effectively hold remote meetings.

WVIA—$2000 for presenting a special radio broadcast by the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble of a dramatic reading of “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens.

Grant applications are being accepted for the Foundation’s third quarter through February 1, 2022. The application page is on the website at https://www.waynefoundation.org/grantmaking/application. If you have any questions, reach out to Ryanne Jennings at rjennings@waynefoundation.org.

The recipients of the 2021 Outstanding Educator award are Stephanie Cavet, left, Kathy Garlick, Cynthia Hyzer, Daniel Smith, Sheri Parucki, Tamara Coney, and Mary Bayer...

The 2020 recipient of the Outstanding Friends to Education award is Martin Colavito.

The recipients of the 2020 Outstanding Educator award are Amy Favre, left, Rebecca Ackerly, Sheryl Johnstone, Dennis Barnett, Lynn Colavito, and Ann Hazelnis.

The 2021 recipients of the Outstanding Friends to Education award are Gail Lenkiewicz, left, Patti Casey, Barbi Neumann-Marty, and Audrey Garro.

Patrick Longo, left, recognizes Ed Park, retiring board member, for his 32 years of service.

Stacey Sharoff, left, recognizes Alyce Van Etten, retiring board member, for her 27 years of service.

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Local educators honored

 CALLICOON, NY — They were, they still are, outstanding educators and friends to education. Some were retiring school board members.

On October 27, the Sullivan County School Boards Association (SCSBA) recognized people who made a difference in education at their annual meeting, held at the Villa Roma. School board members, superintendents, school administrators, teachers, school districts staff, and family members of the honorees attended as well.

For the first time since the pandemic began, the group was able to recognize both the 2020 and 2021 award recipients.

Patrick Longo, member relations manager for the New York State School Boards Association, thanked the school board members and educators for their dedication and impact on the youth of Sullivan County. “I hope you take time to celebrate everything you have accomplished. Your efforts are admirable, and you have modeled true leadership for our students,” he said.

The following were honored that night; school staff and board members are listed with their districts.

Departing school board members are Joanna Dutcher, Eldred (1 yr of service); Joyce Teed, Liberty (13 yrs); Karen Hook, Liberty (6yrs); Alyce VanEtten, Monticello (27 yrs); Cathleen Doherty, Monticello (11 yrs); Ed Park, Roscoe (32 yrs); Lucas Arzilli, Sullivan West (9 yrs); Sarah Cooper, Sullivan West (1 yr); Annette Rasmussen, Sullivan West (3 yrs); Trevor Peachey, Sullivan West (6 yrs); Christopher Gozza, Tri-Valley (3 yrs); Kimberly Botsford, Tri-Valley (6yrs); Kathy Poppo, Tri-Valley (4yrs) and Anne Colman, Sullivan BOCES (4 yrs).

The School Boards Association recognized 20 individuals for their defined impact on education in Sullivan County with the Outstanding Educator award.

The 2020 recipients are Rebecca Ackerly, a teacher at  Roscoe; Dennis Barnett, career & technical education public safety teacher at Sullivan BOCES; Lynn Colavito, a teacher at Fallsburg; Amy Favre, an elementary teacher at Sullivan West; Ann Hazelnis, an English teacher at Monticello;  Kim Heinle, an elementary teacher at Liberty; Cheryl Johnstone, a special education elementary teacher at Sullivan BOCES; Bonnie Padua, a physics teacher at Eldred; Mary Ellen Reynolds, a high school teacher at Livingston Manor and Brenda Sloan, a foreign language teacher at Tri-Valley.

The 2021 recipients are Elisa Baum, a high school teacher at Fallsburg; Mary Bayer, an elementary teacher at Liberty; Tara Berescik, an agriculture teacher at  Tri-Valley; Stephanie Cavet, a school psychologist at Sullivan BOCES;  Tami Coney, a physical education teacher at Monticello; Kathy Garlick, a social worker at Sullivan BOCES; Ann Marie Grzywaczewski, a teacher at Eldred; Cynthia Hyzer, a Spanish teacher at Roscoe; Sheri Parucki, a school psychologist at Sullivan West and Daniel Smith, an instrumental music teacher at Livingston Manor.

The SCSBA recognized 16 people with the Outstanding Friends to Education award, which is given to people who have contributed to promoting education in Sullivan County.

The 2020 recipients of the Outstanding Friends to Education award are Alice Edwards, an elementary grandmother at Liberty; Martin Colavito, a community organizer who helped the Monticello school district put together their community schools program; Audrey Garro, from the A Single Bite program, who helped families in the Sullivan West and across Sullivan County during the pandemic; Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, an advocate for the schools and children of Sullivan County; Thomas Lavinski, director of faculty support services at Roscoe; Manor Ink, a youth-driven, community-supported monthly newspaper for Livingston Manor; Nancy McGraw, health and wellness champion for Sullivan County and Tom Mitchell, who started the Tri-Valley Little League program.

The 2021 recipients are Patti Casey, a school nurse at  Roscoe; Karlton Duck, supervisor for the cleaning staff at Tri-Valley; Patti Green, a senior typist at the Liberty; Christina Haff, member of Sullivan County Public Health; Gail Lenkiewicz, Livingston Manor; Barbi Neumann-Marty, Sullivan County Boys & Girls Club; Tina Rodriguez, a computer technician at Eldred; and the SYDA Foundation.

Each of these individuals or organizations is a devoted member of their school district and is always there to help whenever there is a need, a news release noted.

Students of the month at Sullivan BOCES

LIBERTY, NY— Each month, students are chosen from the alternative and special education programs at Sullivan BOCES to celebrate their accomplishments.  

The achievement is worth celebrating.

The students’ names are listed on a bulletin board in the main hallway of the Rubin Pollack Education Center. They also attend a Principal’s Lunch to honor their achievements.

The following students were selected for November,  based on their academic achievements, character, attitude, respect for others and attendance. Their home school districts are also listed.

November’s Students of the Month, Sullivan BOCES: Farris Abu-Alghanm (Liberty), Erin Brown (Eldred), Galahad Carroll (Fallsburg), Vincenzo Huffman (Ellenville), Arisbeth Padilla-Leon (Monticello), Ezekiel Oney (Monticello), Carlito Santiago-Colon (Fallsburg), Kami Simmons (Livingston Manor), Johanna Spencer (Ellenville), Christopher Wilson (Liberty), Quincy Alexander (Monticello), Julius Grosse (Liberty), Zakariah Jones (Ellenville), Tyler Lackey (Roscoe), Kelbin Morales (Monticello), Cheyenne Pen (Tri-Valley), Isabella VanWolde (Fallsburg), Matthew Fabian (Liberty), Joshua Jackson (Liberty), Ricki Jones (Ellenville), Toni Phillips (Roscoe), Riley Schreibel (Eldred), Catherine Crespo (Liberty), Gabe Bell (Sullivan West), Jesse Hogencamp (Monticello), Joseph Kelly (Liberty), Emily Walter (Eldred), Oscar Barrera-Campos (Fallsburg), Michael Murray (Fallsburg).