Email: wct@wcteachers.org
Website: www.wcteachers.org
Location: 280 New Hackensack Road, Wappingers Falls, NY, USA
Phone: 845-227-5065

The summer is here!! The well deserved, necessary break that all educators look forward to and need is here!! If you don’t work in the educational setting, then you don’t understand the rollercoaster of our world. You don’t understand that the break allows us to refresh, rejuvenate, and reinvent ourselves for the upcoming school year.

I want to thank you for putting 100% effort into your craft and your students. Teaching is hard. Teaching the right way is a fine balance between exhaustion and excitement. Strength comes in knowing when your balance is a little off and may need a realignment.

Every student in your class is there for a reason. They were placed in your care because you have the tools and ability to meet their needs, both known and unknown.

Enjoy your summer and may it be filled with adventure, relaxation and fun with your friends and family. If you are retiring from your multiple years of service to this noble profession, find something that makes you happy and hit the ground running. Go do what you always said you were going to do! Don’t wait!

Thank you again for allowing me to be the President of an amazing group of educators.

When people ask what I do, my response is, “I am the PROUD President of the Wappingers Congress of Teachers”.

In Solidarity,

Flip

We are so excited for the newest member to our Oak Grove Family! Congratulations to our 4th Grade teacher, Danyela Boeschl!

On 4/20 at 1:16 PM Baby Mila Rose Boeschl was born! Weighing in at 8lbs 5oz, 20.5 inches long.

Wappingers Crew Club celebrated their 20th Year Anniversary on Saturday April 13th. The Club was founded in the spring of 2004 by Coach Patrick Hancock. In addition to Pat, Kerri Roger, among many other WCSD supporters, would coach boats to victory in both local state and national events. Wappingers Crew Club has sent many a student athlete to compete in competitive collegiate programs as well as the U.S. National teams thanks to the guidance of good coaches.

In honor of their dedication to our program, the Parent Board, alumni, and current coaching staff (all alumni of WCC also) dedicated a brand new rowing shell to Coach Hancock as well as kicked-off a fundraising event to honor Coach Roger.

It was a rainy and cold day, but the warmth of good sportsmanship, camaraderie, and fond memories kept us warm and cheery!

This past Friday was Brinckerhoff's 1st Little Doctor’s blood drive. Brinckerhoff’s Student Council members were incredible helpers!

I just wanted to thank everyone who shared the flyer, spread the word or donated blood. We were able to collect 17 lifesaving units of blood! 1 pint can save 3 lives, so Brinckerhoff and our community helped 51 patients!

First grade students from Mrs. Duncan's class at Fishkill Elementary help out on Earth Day by cleaning up the playground!

Jami Hotle, 6th grade teacher at Fishkill Elementary, is getting to experience something amazing. Click the link below to read about her 3 amazing daughters and their prowess on the softball diamond.

https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/05/04/softball-trio-of-hotle-sisters-star-for-ketcham-as-playoffs-approach/73523523007/

Pictured Above: Kat Hotle, Paige Hotle & Grace Hotle

Photo Taken By: Suzanne Cachon

Mrs Duncan, Mrs. Seablom and Mrs. Muller’s classes showing love and appreciation to our Principal, Secretaries, Lunch Hero’s and Nurse!!

Congratulations to the Sheafe Rd Elementary students and staff on a great Winter Concert!

Mrs. Colantuano's son Vinny ran an ultramarathon and donated over $5000 to Sheafe Rd. Attached are photos and the pure joy on our students' faces says it all as we had a send off for him! Vinny crossed the finish line after 9 hours and 30 minutes of pure determination. After 9 hours and 30 minutes of pure determination he completed 50 miles through the mountainous trails of the beautiful Mohonk Preserve. This was such an example of perseverance and strength for our students!

Classes from Brinckerhoff, Fishkill, Fishkill Plains, and Sheafe Road completed an exciting Project Based Learning experience with Tara Koehler and John Sammon. They created the "Central Hudson Chronicles: Weather Wizards and Earth Systems Explorers" which can be viewed on the Central Hudson website! Students went on a field trip to Central Hudson to present their work. Check out some photos of students from Mrs. Sokol & Mrs. Butler's third grade class showing off their hard work.

Oak Grove 3/4 Self Contained Teacher, Samantha Owens had a baby boy!!

Baby Apollo was born on 05/23/24 at 10:02 am.

He weighed in at 7 lbs 3 ounces and is 20 inches long.

Mom and Apollo are doing well!

Congratulation!!!!

"Friendship is a link that does not deteriorate in death, but rather strengthens for those who remember."

On Sunday June 2nd, John Jay hosted the 1st Annual Kerri Roger Memorial 5k run/walk. JJ Special Education teacher Amanda Giancotti helped organize and run this event.

We had beautiful weather and a great turnout to help remember and honor our friend and colleague. We all miss Kerri very much.

We look forward to getting more participants next year! In the meantime, please consider donating to the crew boat that will be named in Kerri's honor. See the attached flyer.

The Brinckerhoff mentoring program had a great year! Once a month, mentors and their mentees chatted and spent time together, as they played games, did crafts and ate breakfast!

Vassar Road has collected just under 319 pounds of pull tabs this year! The pull tabs are collected by our students and their families, staff, and community partners. The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) recycles the tabs and uses the money to provide stays and help for families that stay near a hospital when their child is ill. 29 pounds of pull tabs will pay for a family to stay at the House for 1 night. That means that this school year we will help families stay 11 nights at the Ronald McDonald House!

Brinckerhoff Second Graders recently had a visit from several heritage farm animals. They learned all about oxen, sheep, and chickens, and about how valuable they were to farmers throughout history. The students even got to make their own butter by shaking heavy cream in a mason jar. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed tasting the butter after it was made. Yum!

A member of the Dutchess County Department of Solid Waste came to Brinckerhoff recently to teach second graders about recycling. Remember, every day is Earth Day!

Myers Corners Elementary School hosted Back-to-the-Nest for our RCK, John Jay and Orchard View 2024 graduates on June 10. The parents of RCK Salutatorian and former Myers student, Richard Newman expressed much appreciation to our faculty and staff for a wonderful trip down memory lane! "Thank you so much for welcoming our kids back in such a special way. I do want to give credit where credit is due and say the faculty and staff at Myers Corners Elementary School makes it a place where our kids always feel welcome to return. We are grateful for your patience, dedication, creative lessons, passion and most of all making our kids feel 100% accepted and loved." - Charlotte and James Newman

The faculty and staff of MCES is saying farewell to two much loved faculty members as they move on to the next phase of life: retirement!!

Judy Flannigan has spent the past 23 years dedicated to the students who walk through the doors of MCES. Her infectious joy and kind heart have brightened the halls each day. She is much loved and will be missed.

After 32 years of inspiring young minds, Scott Wall is ready to move on to his next adventure! His light-hearted humor and contagious laughter will be conspicuously absent from our halls in the coming years.

We wish both of our wonderful colleagues well as they go forth to enjoy "permanent recess!" But remember: Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!

In May, the MCES Speech-Language Pathologists celebrated National Speech-Language & Hearing Month by welcoming our new SLP, Ashley Martin (pictured: left) to the team. Ashley splits her time between Myers and RCK and has already proven herself an asset to the team. We are happy to have you, Ashley!!

WCT members attended the 37th ANNIVERSARY CAPE GALA held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Poughkeepsie. Pictured below are the WCT members who attended. The WCT was an Emerald level sponsor of this amazing event.

The third graders at Brinckerhoff presented their Animal Research reports.

After learning about and observing the life cycle of butterflies, it was time to release them.

Oak Grove 5th grade teacher, Georgia Dease and her husband Andrew, welcomed Juniper Josephine Dease to the world on 06/15/24. Baby June was born at 1:35 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. Congratulations!

Sheafe Road Girls on the Run team collected new summer toys and donated them to the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. Great job girls!!

Summer is approaching! Time to relax, kick back, and not worry about anything! Unless—you worry about your financial future. Let us help you alleviate any financial concerns so you can enjoy the Summer in peace and take a financial vacation!

Your ticket to this vacation arrives when you take advantage of the Financial Counseling Program provided by Stacey Braun Associates, Inc. A Stacey Braun Certified Financial Planner can help—whether you are looking for suggestions, recommendations, and ideas, or simply need information or a second opinion. Consultations can cover items like budgeting, debt management, saving for a home or college, insurance, investing, taxation, planning for retirement, and estate planning—and are always devoted to topics of greatest importance to you.

Consultations bring important facts and details into focus and allow planners to help you make progress toward the financial goals you are working to attain.

We hope to see many of you during the Summer! A free and confidential meeting with a Stacey Braun Associates planner can be arranged by calling 1-888-949-1925 or email Jenni Landicho at Jlandicho@staceybraun.com.

On June 19th, the fourth-grade teachers and students at Gayhead Elementary paid tribute to Charlie Powers and his 50-year legacy in the district, despite not having personally known him. They launched nearly 40 rockets, continuing a cherished tradition. The students not only applied their knowledge of physical science, focusing on energy and the engineering process to build rockets that soared into the sky, but they also embraced a unique challenge: starting and managing their own business. This entrepreneurial aspect integrated mathematical skills, particularly in financial management, into the project. Supporting this educational venture, M & T Bank, a community partner, helped students grasp the basics of banking. The initiative was a team effort, involving Mr. Hyland, Mrs. Misch, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Colucci, Mrs. Guerriero, Mrs. Tortarella, Mrs. Ferrara, Mr Gertler and professional development staff Mrs. Koehler, Mr. Nikola, and Mr. Roberto. With joy evident on the faces of administrators, board of education trustees, teachers, students, and other guests, this event is set to become a new tradition at Gayhead Elementary.

The John Jay FFA had 4 great days at the NY FFA State Convention in Buffalo. Our Secretary won 2nd for her Secretary's Portfolio and our Vet Science Team finished in the top 20!!!! We can't wait until next year!!!

The World Language Department at JJHS celebrated our NYS Seal of Biliteracy earners along with their families. Over 150 people attended the celebration including school administrators, Central Office staff and Board members. In the last 6 years, our program has increased yearly. This year we had 62 Seal earners with 4 of those being awarded a Dual Seal of Biliteracy. The earners received the NYS Seal on their diplomas and their school transcripts. They also received certificates and medallions to wear at graduation.

I would like to thank the following Ralph & Janet Capasso Scholarship Committee members: Ryan Banda, Shannon Banda and Michael Macklin. The committee always has the arduous task in selecting the top three students to receive this recognition.

7 districts and 8 high schools were represented.

27 students applied, 14 were interviewed and 3 winners were chosen.

The Ralph & Janet Capasso Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered in the Wappingers Central School District.

Welcome to this exclusive club.

With the help of the WCRT – we now award the recipients $2000.00 each.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Gabriel Kennedy – son of Michael Kennedy, Gayhead Elementary School

Aubrey Lawler – daughter of Janice Lawler, Wappingers Junior High School

Michael Rescigno– son of Kerri Rescigno, Fishkill Plains Elementary School

I would like to thank John Jay High School Counselors for choosing the following Bernard & Leslie Leventhal Scholarship winners.

The scholarship is specifically for JJHS students who plan to attend SUNY Binghamton and Cornell University. These scholarships were designed to honor Leslie and Bernie’s sons Michael and Jeremy. Michael attended SUNY Binghamton and Jeremy attended Cornell.

This year 2 winners were chosen. Each recipient will receive $1500.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Anaya Pandya – daughter of Aroop Pandya & Rupal Mehta, attending Cornell University

Aiden Deans – son of Rheam Dean Metzger and William Metzger, attending Binghamton University

I would like to thank the following Pasquale & Maria Delli Carpini Scholarship Committee members: Diane DiChiara, Rose Conti, and Kate DeGroat. Similarly to the Capasso Scholarship, the selection process is extremely stressful due to the number of highly qualified applicants.

3 districts and 3 high schools were represented.

13 students applied, 7 were interviewed and 3 winners were chosen.

The Pasquale & Maria Delli Carpini Scholarship is unique in that each of the three scholarships have specific criteria. Each recipient will receive $2000.00.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Francesca Oliva – daughter of Lea and Frank Oliva

(Recipient of the Italian Education Scholarship)

Sean O’Dell – son of Lucretia O’Dell, Gayhead Elementary School

(Recipient of the Ella Grace Delli Carpini Scholarship)

Mia Iaciofano – daughter of Michelle Costabile, Vassar Road Elementary School (Recipient of the Education Scholarship)

Many thanks to the WCT Retiree Committee consisting if Ian Freedman, Diane DiChiara and Beth Lohmeyer in putting together yet again another great night for our 2024 retirees. This year the WCT retired 27 teachers. 16 were able to attend the catered event from East Fishkill Provisions. Also invited were new teachers and newly tenured teachers. Several BOE members, Asst. Superintendent Daren Lolkema and Dr. Dwight Bonk were also in attendance. We had a great night celebrating the hard work and years of dedication to the teaching profession. The WCT wishes our new retirees many years of health, adventures and amazing memories as they begin a new chapter in their lives. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Cynthia Diaz - Foreign Language - RCK - 11 years of service

Geri Michelle DiMarco - 5th Grade - Myers Corners - 6 years of service

Terry Feely - Math - John Jay - 25 years of service

Scott Grimes- Social Studies - RCK - 26 years of service

Patrick Hinckley - 3rd Grade - Sheafe Rd. - 22 years of service

Cathy Keller - Grade 5 - Gayhead - 37 years of service

Maria Mahoney - Social Studies - John Jay - 21 years of service

Yvonne Marie - 3rd Grade- Myers Corners - 34 years of service

Patty Nardone - Science - John Jay - 39 years of service

Marilyn Norton - English - RCK - 22 years of service

Kelly Sheahan - Grade 6 - Fishkill Plains - 36 years of service

Scott Wall - 4th Grade - Myers Corners - 30 years of service