Dear Spencer-Van Etten Community:
I’m sure this finds you in the “last month of school” mode with busy, end-of-year activities and celebrations planned. I wish the Class of 2022 graduates a world of success as they transition into the next chapters of their lives. I would like to take this opportunity to share a little about myself as I transition into the Superintendent of Schools position in the Spencer-Van Etten Central School District effective August 1, 2022. Let me start by saying that I am eager to join you, and I look forward to learning more about our students, families, employees, and community. I grew up in Groton, and I was most familiar with S-VE from athletic events for myself, as well as my children. In fact, until my day of interviews, the most vivid memory I held of the district was that of a bee sting I sustained while cheering at a football game back around 1986! Needless to say, my day of campus tours and interviews with the various stakeholders to become Superintendent changed that outlook!
Having served as Superintendent of Schools in the General Brown Central School District in the North Country since January 2018, I am familiar with the challenges faced by small, rural school districts, not only as we emerge from the effects of the pandemic, but in daily operations and planning. I have also served as High School Principal and taught Social Studies and Reading at both urban and rural schools. I try to live my professional and personal lives by leading by example for children, and I believe if we set high expectations, we all will continue to learn and grow in an effort to meet those expectations. In addition, I believe that every child deserves every opportunity to find academic, as well as social and emotional successes. Finally, I commit to open and honest communication with you. I look forward to working alongside you to make a difference in the lives of children.
Personally, my husband, Rick, and I have two adult children. Rick is currently a truck driver, but he previously worked in Candor, so he has many acquaintances in the Candor, Spencer, and Van Etten areas, and we have spent much time in the region over the years. My daughter’s family lives in the area, and I look forward to living closer to them! My son is a Graduate Assistant Football Coach at a college in South Dakota. Some of our favorite downtime activities include riding on our motorcycle, kayaking, remote camping, and watching college football.
Initially, my focus will be on getting to know you, the district, and the greater S-VE community. I look forward to being present in the district prior to my official start date, so that I can hit the ground running in August as we prepare for the start of school in the fall. I am honored to serve the children, families, and employees of the Spencer-Van Etten School District, and rather than a sting from the bee, I now look forward to the sweet taste of honey as I acclimate into the community! Please feel free to introduce yourselves as we cross paths in the schools or within the greater S-VE community.
Respectfully,
Barbara J. Case
May concluded with an in person concert in the high school auditorium. Mr. Dan Miller conducted a wonderful night of music enjoyed by all.
Please click this link to access the livestream for our upcoming music concerts.
June 8 - MS concert at the High School 6:30pm - 8:30pm
June 14 - ES concert at the Elementary School 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Washington, D.C.
Prior to the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C., the students completed a "Quest" using the program Classcraft. It was a virtual trip, that mirrored exactly what they saw and did on the actual trip and included short reflections/activities at every stop.
The students' favorite part of the trip was the "Night Tour". This is when they experienced all of the monuments and memorials that they had learned about on their "Quest". It is special because there is a unique beauty in them when they are all lit up.
Elementary School Highlights
Art and Literacy Night
S-VE Elementary School hosted its first Art and Literacy Night to provide positive literacy experiences for families. All students in the building created artwork inspired by children's literature. This artwork was showcased at the event. Students also had the opportunity to listen to stories written by featured authors, create bookmarks, shop at the Scholastic Bookfair, participate in Yoga and Literacy, and share books with friends and family on the school lawn. All 120 elementary students who attended this S-VE Elementary PTO sponsored event were able to take a book home written by one of the authors who inspired the event's artwork.
District Wide Highlights
High school and middle school students and faculty enjoyed the Emotions into Art assembly in May. Talented artist and speaker, Tom Varano, traveled 1,700 miles to teach S-VE that every single decision has a consequence in a BIG way:
- B = Book you read - top shelf are your dreams, stack the books invest in your mind, create a ladder to reach your dreams.
- I = Individuals we allow into our circle - think long term, try to make a difference in other people's lives.
- G = Goals you set for your life - develop relationships, they will help you succeed.
During his presentation he quickly painted heroes, like Martin Luther King, Jr and Walt Disney, great people we respect and honor because of the passion they lived with. Throughout the assembly, Varono painted and spoke of the passion each individual had, and how value is added when someone invests in you as an individual. He also spoke of the importance of being present in the lives of those that mean the most to us.
Other key moments that resonated with the audience included:
- People will work against you, step on your dreams. Do you have what it takes to sustain and push through or are you going to let other dictate your life? In the end, you will become more valuable, compassionate and empathetic.
- We are stuck in a virtual world, when you hear get off your phone, the true meaning behind those words are I love you and want to spend time with you.
- Have courage. Visualize the best version of yourself. You have control over your own life, put blinders on, stay focused on your goals. You can do whatever you want in life as long as your heart is fully in it.
- Take initiative in other's lives. You never know how the person next to us might affect our life in the future.
Athletic Highlights
Boys Golf - Jacob Banks and Taylor Brock carded matching 80s to place second individually and lead SVEC to a runner-up showing at the Section IV Class Boys Golf Championships. Boys Golf finished the regular season undefeated! They are IAC Large School Champs and in Section IV tournament. Nathan Gillette was IAC South Division All-Star!
Girls Golf - Annika Walle and Lauren Gillette landed top-5 finishes to lead SVEC to second place at the IAC Girls Golf Championship at Tomasso’s Golf Course Friday. SVEC competes in the Section IV championships Thursday at Soaring Eagles Golf Course in Horseheads.
Track and Field - S-VE collected seven victories at the IAC Small School Track & Field Championships. S-VE collected seven victories. Elliot Walter was a double winner while Tyler Doster, John Garrison, Karson Kenville and Tyler Stahl won one individual events apiece. The Panthers also won a relay.
At the Section IV Class D Track & Field Championships Elliot Walter dominated throws. Tyler Doster was the runner-up in the 800, clocking 2:08.48, and took fourth in the high jump, clearing 5-3. Throws. Tyler Doster was the runner-up in the 800, clocking 2:08.48, and took fourth in the high jump, clearing 5-3. Karson Kenville came in second in the 100 hurdles in 18.36 seconds.
John Garrison placed third in the 1600 with a time of 4:52.23 and was sixth in the 3200 in 11:11.92. Tyler Stahl placed third in the 400 hurdles, clocking 1:04.76. Markus Brock leapt to fourth place in the long jump at 18-3 1/4. Michael Connor finished eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 35-9 3/4. We have 5 athletes going to State Qualifiers!
At the Section IV Track and Field Championships, Demi Mouillesseaux finished fifth in the 200 with a time of 28.66 seconds and was eighth in the triple jump with a leap of 30-0 3/4.Olivia Secondo posted a time of 13:42.58 to place sixth in the 3,000. Kirsten Garrison took eighth in the 1500 in 6:00.3.
S-VE collected seven victories at the IAC Small School Track & Field Championships. Elliot Walter was a double winner while Tyler Doster, John Garrison, Karson Kenville and Tyler Stahl won one individual events apiece. The Panthers also won a relay.
S-VE Softball – The girls took over Lansing at Sectional Game Tuesday 14-3! They lost to 1st seeded Greene on May 26. What a tremendous season!
Our Student Athletes are making academics a priority! All of our Spring Sports have qualified as Scholar-Athlete teams!
Devin Beach signed with Utica to play Football, Tyler Stahl signed with Hartwick to play Football and Mason Holmes signed with Canton to play Soccer!
Lourdes Mammogram Van
The S-VE Health and Wellness Committee has scheduled the Lourdes Mammogram Booth to come to S-VE for our staff and community on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at the middle school.
Call 607-798-5723 to schedule an appointment.
You do not have to be a Lourdes patient. Your results can be sent to the health care provider of your choice. We welcome insured and uninsured women. No referral needed.
To find out if you are eligible for low- or no-cost screenings, call the Cancer Services Program at 1-833-837-4931.
Summer Meals
Due to construction at all three schools this summer, we are having a closed enrolled summer feeding program. This means that only students who are enrolled in summer school will be receiving meals. We will be unable to deliver meals to other sites this summer. Families seeking assistance for meals during the summer can contact the Southern Tier Food Bank at 607-796-6061 or the Spencer-Van Etten Community Food Cupboard at 607-589-4412.
Art Recognition
This year, the Tioga Council of the Arts in Owego, sponsored a juried are exhibit for the surrounding schools. Congratulations to the following students who ribboned in the event:
Jackie Brown, Tyler Harman, Juan Riera, Lauren Slofkosky, Lucy Secondo, Migual Jofre, Elizabeth Higgins, and Jayden Esposito.
Congratulations to 2017 S-VE graduate and 2021 Elmira College graduate, Lindsay Hodges, BSRN. You can find Lindsay's portrait on a billboard in Lansing and tcat buses representing "A Rewarding Nursing Career" at Cayuga Medical Center.
Help us feature S-VE alumni by emailing sveinfo@svecsd.org with information on notable successes regarding their educational path, accomplished goals and current career.
The GST BOCES Digital Citizenship Committee continues to put together a Digital Citizenship Newsletter for staff, students and parents to spread the word about digital citizenship. Check out the June edition.
Digital Equity Survey Reminder
If you have not done so yet, please complete the Digital Equity Survey for each student in grades Kindergarten – Grade 12.
The Digital Equity Survey:
- is a NYS requirement,
- provides an accurate picture of connectivity/access for district remote learning plans,
- necessary for state and federal funding of broadband initiatives.
