SRF CSD District Diary

Dear St. Regis Falls CSD Community,

Our hallways and classrooms are filled with excitement as students and staff are busy preparing for and celebrating the holidays. The upcoming break is a wonderful time to rest, recharge and enjoy the festivities that come with the holiday season.

Some updates in this newsletter include:

• SRF music student participation at Area All-State Nov. 22-23.

• Students are learning about how people in different cultures celebrate during the holiday season.
  

• Basketball season officially tipped off on Nov.29.

• We were pleased to host families for the elementary musical on Dec. 6, and again for the 6th-12th grade band students and 5th-12th grade chorus students for their winter concert on Dec. 18. The students have worked hard preparing for these performances and did an excellent job.

• We have continued to introduce new staff with spotlights. Recently, we introduced our band teacher, Ms. Lydia Geiger, our fifth grade teacher, Ms. Marianne Augenstein, and our kindergarten teacher, Ms. Emma Thomas.

In January, we will be mailing our second printed newsletter for this school year. This edition will include important academic updates including benchmarks in the areas of STEM, literacy…

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at neschler@stregiscsd.org or (518) 856-9421, ext. 1007. If you need to reach another member of our staff at SRF, you can always refer to this communications and escalation chart as a quick guide to connect with the right person fast.

Go Saints!

Warmest Regards,

Dr. Nicole G. Eschler

Superintendent of Schools

The Budget Committee will meet on January 27, 2025. At that time, the committee will review the proposal for school aid in the NYS Executive Budget as well as the proposed expenditures for 2025-26.

In the event that the district experiences a delayed opening, closure, or early dismissal due to inclement weather or other emergencies, the information will be shared via SRF app live feed, the SRF CSD facebook page, text messaging and email (if your cell phone number and email address are on file and attached to a student). Please take this time to ensure that your contact information is correct and current in your students record at school.

If there is an opening delay or school closure, you may be alerted as early as 5:00 a.m. and no later than 6:30 a.m. In the event of a two-hour delay, the bus schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

If we must dismiss students early, we will follow our normal early dismissal procedures and an update will be shared with you using all of the methods listed above.

All afterschool activities, meetings, and athletic contests/practices are canceled in the event of a school closure or early dismissal.

Sara Deragon represented St. Regis Falls CSD in the mixed choir at Area All-State on Nov. 22-23, at Peru High School in Peru, N.Y. Sara enjoyed the experience. She and the other participating students worked incredibly hard, and presented an amazing concert. We are so proud of Sara and her accomplishments!

Ms. Augenstein’s fifth grade class has been learning about holidays around the world. On Dec. 13, the class partnered with first graders to go around to all classrooms and carry out the Swedish tradition of Saint Lucia Day.

Grade 8 science students are integrating the New York State science learning standards using a phenomenon and three dimensional learning approach.

Projects they've worked on include catapult construction and newton cars. Both are phenomena to help students discover Newton's laws and were designed by students, trialed, and then readjusted following the design principles in the new science standards.

Our basketball teams are excited to begin their seasons!

Boys varsity basketball - Coach Jenna Susice

Girls varsity basketball - Coach Brian Labier

Boys junior varsity basketball - Coach Tyler Beck

Boys modified basketball - Coach Robert Webster

Girls modified basketball - Coach Lisa Leary

The basketball season kicked off with the boys varsity team hosting the Brady Frazier Classic on Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30. Other participating schools included Brushton-Moira, Norwood-Norfolk, and Salmon River.

Tournament Results:

Champions: Brushton-Moira

Second place: St. Regis Falls Saints

Third place: Salmon River

Fourth place: Norwood-Norfolk

Recent boys varsity basketball game results:

Dec. 2- Colton-Pierrepont: 69, St. Regis Falls: 31

Dec. 10- St. Regis Falls: 61, Norwood-Norfolk: 39

Dec. 12- St. Regis Falls: 52, Salmon River: 36

Dec. 16- St. Lawrence Central 82, St. Regis Falls 31

Recent girls varsity basketball game results:

Dec. 3- St. Regis Falls at Colton-Pierrepont, rescheduled for Jan. 8, 2025

Dec. 10- Norwood-Norfolk: 74, St. Regis Falls: 6

The girls varsity team hosted the Heather Provost Tournament on Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14. Other participating schools included: Salmon River, Saranac Lake, and Colton-Pierrepont.

Tournament Results:

Champions: Colton-Pierrepont

Second place: Saranac Lake

Third place: Salmon River

Fourth place: St. Regis Falls Saints

Dec. 17- St. Regis Falls at St. Lawrence Central, rescheduled for Jan. 21, 2025

We are looking forward to an exciting season watching our student-athletes showcase their talents on the hardwood!

Our elementary students dazzled us with their musical performance on December 6!

Where she’s from

• Near Rochester, N.Y.

Where she attended college

• SUNY Potsdam.

Childhood memories

• Vacationing in the adirondacks – camping, hiking, and canoeing.

• She loves that after exploring the beauty of the adirondack mountains growing up, she’s now able to work and teach inside the adirondack blue-line.

What makes her happy to join the St. Regis Falls CSD family

• Incredible support and collaboration among colleagues and the inspiring energy of the students.

• The staff in the district are not only highly skilled, but also deeply committed to working together and supporting one another.

• Sense of teamwork and shared dedication makes for an exciting and welcoming place to be.

• Equally excited to work with such talented and motivated students who bring creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm to the classroom every day.

Growing up, what did she envision for her career

• Lydia dreamed of becoming a teacher; however, she became uncertain about the path she wanted to take. She explored various interests, gained new perspectives, and learned a lot along the way.

• Ultimately, she’s grateful to be in her position as a teacher because she’s building meaningful relationships with her students and the connections and value of community combined with instructing music mean a lot to her. She creates a fun and welcoming environment with her students in the classroom, while they compose music together.

What drove her interest in becoming a teacher

• Incredible music teachers who truly invested in their students every day and were inspired by the way they nurtured both their talents and growth.

• Deeply grateful for the teachers who took the time to invest in her personal and academic development, shaping who she is today.

• She’s excited and honored to be in a position where she can offer the same level of care, encouragement, and dedication to her own students.

• The opportunity to give back is something she cherishes and is committed to supporting her students’ growth, just as her teachers did for her.

What is she most excited about for this school year

• The incredible students she has the privilege of working with.

• Each year, they bring a unique blend of creativity, curiosity, and dedication that makes the classroom experience so rewarding.

• Looking forward to seeing how students will challenge themselves, collaborate with one another, and continue to grow both academically and personally.

• Their potential is limitless and she’s eager to support them as they embark on their journey of learning and discovery.

• It’s an honor to be a part of their educational experience and she’s confident this will be a year filled with achievement and growth.

Interests outside of work

• Canoeing, hiking, and backpacking.

• She’s excited to participate in more winter activities this year.

• She has a dog named Yoda and he’s one of the best hiking and canoe buddies she could ask for. He has a best dog friend named Chewbacca that he has the opportunity to connect with each summer.

Where she’s from

• Westmoreland, N.Y. (Rome area).

Where she attended college

• SUNY Potsdam for her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and english and master’s degree in reading.

• Stayed because she had met so many friends and loves the area!

Professional background

• Has taught for 20 years in North Country schools, including St. Mary’s School in Canton and Trinity Catholic School in Massena.

What makes her happy to join the St. Regis Falls CSD family

• The staff, students, and families have been so welcoming, friendly, and helpful.

• It didn’t take her long to feel that she fit in and is proud to be a St. Regis Saint!

Growing up, what did she envision for her career

• Always wanted to be a teacher, ever since she was old enough to answer that question.

• Always loved sharing what she knows with others and helping them to understand something.

• Played school with younger kids on her bus in elementary school and even made up a school for her cat when she was a young girl!

What drove her interest in becoming a teacher

• There are a lot of teachers in her family so it was natural for her to imitate their career paths.

• Mom, grandma, two great-grandmothers, an aunt, and cousins are all teachers.

What is she most excited about for this school year

• Thrilled to find a job teaching fifth grade, as it’s the grade level she’s taught for 20 years.

• Excited to incorporate her love of creating with her students through cooking activities and sewing a quilt.

• Also looking forward to teaching an after school Irish step dancing class after the new year.

Interests outside of work

• Plays the piano, guitar, violin, and clarinet.

• Loves to sing, knit, and sew.

• Danced for many years and enjoys sharing that passion with her church and school.

• LOVES to be outdoors hiking or canoeing.

• Spends part of each summer volunteering at Camp Aldersgate in Brantingham.

Pets

• Two playful, cuddly, tiger-striped cats, Georgie and Tucker, who are two-year-old brothers.

Where she’s from

• Potsdam, N.Y.

What makes her happy to join the St. Regis Falls CSD family

• Drawn to the opportunity to make a positive impact on students’ lives and grow professionally.

Growing up, what did she envision for her career

• She’s always wanted to be a teacher growing up.

• She’d play school with her sister and fell in love with teaching.

What drove her interest in becoming a teacher

• Her passion for helping children grow and learn.

• Watching young learners gain confidence and show excitement when they discover new skills brings her so much joy.

• Teaching gives her the opportunity to be part of their journey and that’s what motivates her every day.

What is she most excited about for this school year

• To have her own classroom.

• Watch her students grow throughout the year.

Interests outside of work

• Spending time with family.

• Shopping.

Pets

• Two dogs, Fergie and Phoenix.

Students will participate in Circles.

Pat Fish is the Circle and B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leadership System Specialist and also published a great book this year, Boredom School: For Those Bored in School.

B.R.A.V.E. stands for: bullies ‘are’ action-based, vulnerable, and empathetic.

B.R.A.V.E. is focused on:

1. Student empowerment.

2. Empathy activation.

3. Building the Core Human Skills to sustain healthy relationships, build stronger support networks, and have a positive impact on the social determinants of health.

• Designed to take young student leaders who can impact their school and build a culture and community of H.O.P.E. and Action through peer modeling, mentorship, and influence.

Circle

• Video.

• Built on the ancient ritual of communicating in a circle to build compassion and empathy.

• Fish says, “Circle is an opportunity for amazing stories to be shared and heard. Amazing isn’t good or bad. Some amazing stories I’ve heard are heartbreaking, others are heartwarming, and others are downright hilarious. But every single one of us has an amazing story, because we all have unique experiences. Circle allows everyone a chance to share those stories and, more importantly, practice listening so that we can learn others’ amazing stories. Also, everyone practices various social-emotional skills in Circle. What sets us apart? We make it fun! Everywhere we go, there’s a thirst for Circle from students of all ages, social groups and backgrounds. They want to connect further with people around them. Circle is a vehicle for that.”

Students and 10-month staff will be on break from Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The district will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Wednesday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 for the holidays. The district office will reopen and classes will resume for all students on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

There will be no school for staff or students on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

New York State Regents exams will be administered between Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. An exam schedule can be found on our district calendar.