RIDER REPORT

Every day at Ichabod Crane, I witness the incredible power of human connection. This profound bond brings out the best in our school community – kindness, empathy, curiosity, vulnerability, growth and so much more. These qualities are essential for our Portrait of a Rider – the skills and competencies we strive to instill in every student who passes through our doors.

In this edition of the Rider Report, we highlight two inspiring examples of connection in action. First, we share the story of Leonie and Carola, our international scholars from Germany and Italy, and the incredible impact they’ve had on our district. Through their time here, they’ve formed meaningful friendships with our students, sparking a rich exchange of cultures and perspectives. They’ve shared how this experience has already enriched their lives, and in turn, they’ve broadened ours, fostering a deeper sense of global awareness and understanding across our community.

We also shine a spotlight on a heartwarming act of kindness from our High School students. On World Kindness Day, they brought smiles and inspiration to all of our 3rd graders through a thoughtful and uplifting gesture. Keep reading to discover what they did to make this day so special for our Primary School students.

Throughout this edition, you’ll notice a common thread: the way our students and staff show up for each other daily, eager to learn, grow and connect – even when it means stepping beyond their comfort zones to explore new ideas, cultures and experiences. These moments of connection aren’t just meaningful; they’re transformative and fundamental to who we are at Ichabod Crane.

Human connection is powerful. It is at the heart of our mission and a cornerstone of what makes our district special.

In this edition:

• Ichabod Crane Welcomes International Scholars

• Kindness ROCKS: Spreading Kindness Across Schools

• Continuing our New Staff Spotlight

• Fall Sports Season Highlights

• Inclement Weather: Communication of Closings & Delays

• Board Notes

• What’s Next in December

• #ICYMI

On November 13, our district joined in celebrating World Kindness Day with a heartwarming act of generosity and connection. The High School’s Friends of Rachel Club, inspired by the day’s theme, decided to bring a little extra joy to our Primary School students.

In the weeks leading up to the day, club members hand-painted hundreds of small rocks with vibrant designs and uplifting messages. Each rock was a unique work of art, reflecting the creativity and thoughtfulness of our High Schoolers. These colorful treasures were then hidden across the Primary School playground, turning it into a delightful treasure hunt for our 3rd-grade students.

As the 3rd graders eagerly explored the playground, their excitement was palpable. But beyond the thrill of finding the rocks, the students demonstrated remarkable generosity. Many chose to share their discoveries with classmates, ensuring everyone had the chance to feel the joy of the surprise. Their actions perfectly captured the true essence of World Kindness Day and what it means to be a Rider.

"I found two rocks outside on the table and I saved one for my classmate who was absent that day. I wanted to make sure he got one too,” shared 3rd grader Elizabeth. “It was really cool, and I felt good when I found them and then got to give him his."

This beautiful act of connection didn’t just create smiles; it built bridges across grade levels.

“This wonderful collaboration between our High School and Primary School highlights the power of small acts of kindness to bring joy and build community,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said. “A big thank you to the Friends of Rachel Club for leading this inspiring initiative and reminding us all of the importance of spreading kindness every day.”

We are continuing our tradition of spotlighting our new staff in the Rider Report. This month, we get to learn more about our new school counselor, social worker, school secretaries and greeter.

Caitlin Doyle, our new district-wide social worker, started at Ichabod Crane as an intern in January 2023 and was hired full-time in January 2024. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and initially worked in marketing, but soon realized her true passion was supporting students and their families. During the pandemic, she volunteered at the Salvation Army, where she discovered social work, leading her to pursue a master’s degree in the field. Both of her siblings work at the Middle School. Fun Fact: I’ve been shark cage diving in Cape Town, South Africa.

Paige Collins joined the district in August as a new Middle School counselor, working primarily with 4th and 5th graders. She had heard great things about the Ichabod Crane community and wanted to be part of that positive energy. Before coming to ICC, Paige worked at Tamarac Middle/High School in Troy and Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington, VT. She also worked in college admissions for 10 years. She and her husband bought their home about a year ago, and they have a 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. Fun fact: I love to travel and I have visited 30 countries!

Crystal Cirillo first started working for Ichabod Crane more than a decade ago, after receiving professional training from now-retired teacher Patty Westover, who inspired her to apply for a job in the district. From 2014 to 2021, Mrs. Cirillo was a health aide at the Primary and Middle Schools before becoming the Primary School greeter. In July, she took on the role of full-time secretary at the Primary School. Crystal lives in Valatie with her husband and their 8 children. Fun fact: Before majoring in Education, I was a theater major at the American Musical Dramatic Academy in NYC!

Sarah Blasi is the new full-time Primary School Greeter. Six years ago, while her sons were in school, she began substituting at Ichabod Crane and was later offered the daily building substitute position. Before joining ICC, she was a stay-at-home mom and worked for a family business. She and her husband live in Kinderhook with their sons. Fun fact: I am an only child and I love to craft and create.

Alba Velazquez started as the new Middle School secretary in August. During the pandemic, she became a stay-at-home mom, and when it was time to return to work, it made sense to find a job at the school her kids attend. Before COVID, she worked at Columbia Memorial Health for a decade. She is engaged to her high school sweetheart, and they have two sons and a cat named Missy. On weekends, they enjoy spending time with family and friends. Fun fact: I was born in Puerto Rico and came to Hudson when I was 9 years old.

The winter ICC Athletics season has begun, following an impressive fall season where our student athletes demonstrated Rider Pride and embodied the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Here are some highlights from the Fall Season:

• Varsity Girls Volleyball won the Section 2 Class B Championship and made it to the regional finals.

• Felix Thiess-Helden qualified and competed in the Class B Cross Country State Championships in Queensbury. He finished with a time of 16:52 and placed 48th out of 127 athletes.

• Varsity Girls Cross Country placed 3rd in the Cross Country Class B Section 2 Championships.

• Tanner LaTorre won the Section 2 Golf Tournament and advanced to his second consecutive NYS Golf Championship Tournament in Rochester in June. Tanner is the first ICC golfer to ever win the Section 2 Tournament!

• Varsity Boys Soccer competed in the Class A Section 2 Finals. Brandon Da Costa set a school record with 46 goals on the season.

#riderpride #ichabodcares

Welcome back to Board Notes, a recent addition to the Rider Report, where we showcase key presentations and information shared at the district’s Board of Education meetings.

July Organizational Meeting:

• We welcomed newly-elected members, Valerie Spensieri, Anne Schaefer, Cal Waits and Max DiOrio to the Board of Education.

• Also, congratulations to Board members Matthew Nelson and Elizabeth Phillips on their reelection as President and Vice President, respectively.

August 20 Meeting:

• Amara Gabriel was appointed as the Student Leader to the Board of Education for the 24-25 school year, and Sophia Karic as the alternate.

• The Board reviewed Rider Goals 2027, which were collaboratively developed summer 2024. These goals will be in effect from 2024 through 2027.

• The Board also discussed the district’s new Instructional Program Vision, a guiding document for the future of teaching, learning and facilities in our district.

• The Board approved the District-Wide Safety Plan and the Code of Conduct.

October Meeting:

• Teacher leaders from the K-12 ELA (English Language Arts) Department shared an overview of the department, including updates on CKLA and Benchmark Advance, the district’s new core ELA programs, along with the complete list of High School ELA courses and electives.

November Meeting:

• The Board heard a presentation from teacher leaders from the K-12 Math Department, highlighting the new K-5 math curriculum and the ongoing work and goals in the Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School programs.

Dec. 3: Board of Education Monthly Meeting, 7 p.m., High School Library

Dec. 5: Martin Van Buren’s Birthday Ceremony, 11 a.m., Kinderhook Reformed Cemetery at the former president’s gravesite

Dec. 5-7: All State Music Festival, Rochester

Dec. 10: Middle School 7th and 8th winter Grade Concert, 6:30 p.m., High School auditorium (snow date: Dec. 11)

Dec. 11: Melissa Murray’s Festival of Trees, 4:30-7 p.m., Primary School

Dec. 12: 5th Grade Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m., High School auditorium (snow date: Dec.13)

Dec. 12: 6th Grade Winter Concert, 7:30 p.m., High School auditorium (snow date: Dec. 13)

Dec. 17: High School Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m., High School auditorium (snow date: Dec. 18).

Dec. 23 to Jan 1: Winter Recess, All Schools are closed, District Offices are closed Dec. 25 & Jan. 1