RIDER REPORT

Time really has flown by! We recently celebrated the 100th Day of School at Ichabod Crane and embarked on the second half of the school year. These two significant milestones prompted me to think about what I have learned about our district since my first day back in July.

From my very first weeks at Ichabod, it became evident that our staff is deeply committed to whole child education—an evidence-based approach that prioritizes creating nurturing environments fostering academic, cognitive, social, emotional, physical, mental and identity development.

In this Rider Report, we shine a spotlight on one of our numerous extracurricular activities, integral to our holistic educational philosophy. Through a wide array of extracurricular offerings, we acknowledge and embrace the diversity within our district, catering to the varied interests and aspirations of our student body. Keep reading this Rider Report further to discover how our Model UN Club has broadened the world view of countless high school students.

This inclusive approach ensures that every Rider student, regardless of learning style, socio-economic background, or primary language, is provided with every opportunity they need for success and graduation from our high school. The efficacy of this commitment to the whole child is evident in meeting our goal of a 95 percent graduation rate or higher for all students since 2019 — and graduation rates regularly exceeding state, county and regional averages for economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.

In addition, our dedication to nurturing a passion for the performing arts remains unwavering. I eagerly anticipate attending my first Crane Acting Troupe performance this March as they celebrate their 30th anniversary with the upcoming spring production of "42nd Street." Stay tuned for insights from two student cast members.

At Ichabod Crane, our educational approach underscores the importance of creating safe, inclusive learning environments and providing enriching experiences both in and out of school, recognizing the profound impact they have on students' educational and lifelong outcomes.

It is truly something to be proud of.

Articles in this edition:

• Model UN Reflections

• 5th-Graders Craft Valentines for Seniors

• Crane Acting Troupe Celebrates 30 Years

• 5 Facts About Our New SRD

• What’s Next in March

• #ICYMI

Participation in our Model United Nations (UN) Club has a profound impact on our students, empowering them with knowledge, skills, confidence and perspectives that allow them to be global citizens in the 21st century.

Recently, nearly two dozen of our High School students attended the Harvard Model UN Conference (HMUN) in Boston, following months of diligent preparation for the intricate simulations of international relations.

Reflecting on their experiences at the four-day conference, two of our students shared insights from their participation in debates about the most pressing current issues and the formulation of innovative solutions alongside approximately 3,200 peers from across the world.

Mark Costanzo, a senior at Ichabod Crane, joined Model UN last year with limited knowledge of the international organization and minimal experience in public speaking. However, he says that his skills and confidence have undergone significant transformation in just one year.

“The one thing I believe I have learned the most is how to be a leader. When I first stepped through the door in my junior year to join this club, I was without a doubt terrified,” said Mark, who is currently the club’s co-president. “My speaking was subpar and I didn’t know much about the UN. However, I put in lots of hard work and conquered that fear. I came into this year determined to be the President for this club. I feel like I have stepped up to be a person that you can come to for help, in and out of the club. Model UN really developed my character and leadership.”

Mark represented the Republic of Kenya in the Economic and Financial Committee, focusing on private investment in climate action. His goal was to further investment in climate change and to collaborate with nations sharing similar stances.

In his preparations for the conference, Mark delved into the complexities of climate change, gaining insights into the challenges faced by less affluent nations, including financial constraints and corruption.

“I have learned about how political powers come together to work on issues. Model UN has lots to do with international affairs on topics like climate change, human rights and economic development,” he said. “All these aspects, on a smaller scale, can be seen in our local governments and town boards. Seeing how local boards and committees come together to work and vote on issues in our town and schools is definitely a major parallel to what we were doing at HMUN.”

Junior Amara Gabriel, the club’s treasurer, joined Model UN as a sophomore to hone her public speaking skills. At this year’s HMUN, she represented the Delegation of Eswatini, a small country in southern Africa, in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Committee.

“Going into the conference, my co-delegate, Jacqueline Hunter and I knew that since we were representing a developing country, we would easily get overlooked and that we needed to represent the country well,” Amara said. “Coming in with this knowledge, both Jacqueline and I made our ideas heard and immediately allied with other developing countries in the African Union to join a bloc that aligned with our needs and viewpoints.”

In addition to expanding her worldview, Amara said being a part of Model UN also has provided invaluable lessons in teamwork and the significance of collaboration.

Once again, many of our fifth graders joined thousands across the region to create heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards for local nursing home residents and veterans.

Ichabod Crane was the only Columbia County school district to participate in State Sen. Michelle Hinchey’s 4th Annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive. Our Riders poured creativity into crafting one-of-a-kind cards with heartfelt messages inside.

“It was our pleasure to participate in the Valentines for Seniors program again this year,” said Jennifer Rickert, Ichabod Crane fifth-grade teacher. “It is important for us, as a community, to remember and celebrate our elders. Watching our students thoughtfully design their valentines and decorate them, writing sweet messages, and knowing that they would be opened by local seniors was truly heartwarming.”

Nearly 4,000 handmade cards were delivered by Hinchey’s office to 11 nursing homes and five veterans organizations just in time for Valentine’s Day.

We are so happy to have Deputy Kolby Clegg as the newest addition to the Rider family, serving as the district's School Resource Deputy. Already, he's exemplified his Rider Pride through various actions, such as participating in the district's popular dodgeball tournament and always being available to our students when they need support.

To help everyone get to know Deputy Clegg, here are five fun facts that he shared about himself:

• He holds a bachelor's degree in History/Political Science from MCLA (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts).

• His favorite summer activity is spending time on his boat on Copake Lake.

• He played soccer and golf in college.

• His favorite animal is a donkey.

• His grandfather played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

A big thank you to Deputy Clegg for sharing these wonderful insights!