Ichabod Crane District News and Information

ASSEMBLYMAN TIM GORDON TOURS ICHABOD CRANE CAMPUS

(Fri., Nov. 13) Assemblyman Tim Gordon toured the Ichabod Crane campus to view first hand the educational technology purchased through a $50,000 grant-in-aid secured by the Assemblyman for the District.

Assemblyman Gordon began his tour at the Ichabod Crane Middle School to observe the Career Day activities coordinated by Maureen Kuhn, Family and Consumer Science Teacher. The two-day event included presentations from volunteers in a myriad of professions including law enforcement, engineering, education, culinary arts, legal services, cosmetology, business, finance, and information technology.

At Ichabod Crane High School, the Assemblyman observed the use of Apple computers purchased through the grant. Students in the Art Department utilize the equipment for classes in photography and photo editing, as well as creating digital portfolios of their body of work.

Also as part of the grant funding, the District upgraded its technology network infrastructure to provide increased bandwith and data storage capacity.

District Energy Education Program
Ichabod Crane is in the forefront of energy efficiency programs and Assemblyman Gordon was provided with the steps the District has taken to cut costs and reduce energy consumption. He viewed the new boiler system in the High School and Primary School, as well as energy improvements in illumination, heat exchange, technology, and other areas that were fine tuned for energy efficiency.

Assemblyman Gordon stated, "The Energy Star Accreditation that the Ichabod Crane School District has earned is exactly the kind of smart energy use that we need to be doing statewide. Not only is the school district reducing the burden on taxpayers but is also keeping money in our state's economy and advancing energy independence. Also the technology being brought into the classrooms is readying the students in the Ichabod Crane School District to be competitive in the global economy of the 21st Century."

Family and Consumer Science Teacher Maureen Kuhn greets Assemblyman Gordon and district officials at the Middle School Career Day

The Columbia County Sheriff's Dept. demonstrates the use of trained dogs for the Middle School students

Facilities Director Steven Marotta explains the energy efficiency of the new High School boiler system to Assemblyman Gordon as district officials look on

Ichabod Crane High School Art Department Chair Laura Cannemela demonstrates the use of new Mac computers for student work

Technology Director Juan Gonzalez explains the upgrades to the technology infastructure to Assemblyman Gordon during his tour of the District

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NEWSLETTERS FROM THE ICC ENERGY MANAGER:

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STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN
TWIN COUNTY SCIENCE EXPO

Ichabod Crane Middle School students participated in the Twin County Science Fair at Columbia-Greene Community College on Sat., March 20. Mentored by Middle School Science teacher, Elisabeth Milot, ten students entered projects examining topics such as "Does Root Mass Affect Erosion and Water Retention?"; "Do Different Sugars Make Rock Chrystals?"; or "It's a Germy Situation. "

Donny R. won first place for sixth graders for "What Type of Fire Resistant Solution Works Best on Fabrics?" and also won best project overall for the entire expo. Spencer P. won second place for his grade with ""Sequenced Lights." Carrie Dugan served on the Science Expo Steering Committee representing Ichabod Crane.

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ICHABOD CRANE STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM NEW ARTS AND HUMANITIES FUND ESTABLISHED BY ANONYMOUS DONOR

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in Great Barrington, MA has announced the establishment of the Kinderhook Central School District Education Foundation Arts and Humanities Fund. An anonymous donor has donated $45,000 to launch the endowment, with a challenge to match the gift by 2014. Additionally, $10,000 per year for five years will be available for grantmaking.

The purpose of the Arts and Humanities fund is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of students and teachers in the Kinderhook (Ichabod Crane), NY Central School District through access to programs in the arts and humanities that emphasize excellence, innovation and creativity. Grants will be made to projects that are outside of the school curriculum and not covered by tax dollars. Projects funded might include professional artists-in-residence, readings by poets or other creative writers, field trips to museums, historic sites or performances, teacher training in the arts or humanities, or commissions for artists or professionals in the humanities to engage in projects with the students and school community.

“Thanks to our donor's extraordinary generosity, Columbia County students will have greater opportunities to expand their creativity and cultivate the skills necessary to attain the highest possible level of achievement,” stated James Dexter, superintendent of the Ichabod Crane Central School District. “These endowed funds will provide much-needed permanent resources for public school children in the community.”

Kinderhook Central School District Education Foundation Arts and Humanities Fund is one of Berkshire Taconic’s 45 Education Enrichment funds. “We’re very pleased to serve as steward for this important new fund,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. “The arts and humanities are at the core of good creative thinking and a vital part of the foundation’s work.”

Information and applications are available through the schools, and online at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Grant Seekers
Scroll down page to Kinderhook Central School District Education Foundation Arts and Humanities Endowment Fund.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2008 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $9 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.