RIDER REPORT

Superintendent's Corner

When I started at ICC, I noticed right away how the district operates like a close-knit family. Furthermore, I am so impressed with how our Rider family takes care of each other.

Ichabod truly does care.

As the season of giving approaches, I know that the district will continue to support each other, especially our Riders in need. Our own multifaceted safety net program, Ichabod Cares, is up and running, ensuring that our families who need food, clothing and other essentials don’t have to search far for help.

Recently, our Primary School playground became an even more welcoming place because of the efforts of a caring and compassionate second grader named Katherine, who had the idea of placing a Buddy Bench on the playground. Continue reading this edition of the Rider Report to discover how her amazing idea evolved into a collaboration with the High School Technology students.

During the first month of school, I have witnessed many acts of compassion and kindness – from our Lil Riders at the Primary School and their families donating candy in preparation for Trunk or Treat, to a group of our Middle and High School students rescuing a bale of turtle hatchlings (Did you know that a group of turtles is called a bale?!), to our High School students volunteering their time in service at the Back-to-School Picnic. We are off to a wonderful start.

I am continually impressed by the generosity of the Rider community, and I look forward to seeing how Ichabod cares in the upcoming months.

Articles in this edition:

Bringing Together Buddies
Spotlight on New Teachers
MS Receives Generous Garden Donation
Rider Pride Radiates in September
Enhanced Access to ICC Sporting Events
COVID-19 Precautions + Resources
What’s Next in October
ICYMI

Bringing Together Buddies

After months in the making, the new Buddy Bench at the Primary School made its debut in September, after one of our Lil Riders named Katherine had the brilliant idea for the latest addition on the playground.

Katherine, surrounded by her parents, Principal Andrea Williams, and the second-grade students and staff, recently unveiled the beautiful, handcrafted wooden bench built by our High School Students at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the playground.

“Our Buddy Bench addition has been so wonderful for our students and staff. Timing was perfect since we are focused on Acceptance as our Character Trait for September,” PS Principal Andrea Williams said. “The Primary School is truly an amazing place that houses exceptional, bright, talented and kind children.

“Katherine was determined to make the Buddy Bench happen and I was determined to support her in this important goal. Our children are taught every day that we are Riders and that means we accept one another, we are kind to one another and we support one another!” Mrs. Williams added.

Katherine first had the idea for Buddy Bench when she was in first grade last year. For those who don’t know, a Buddy Bench is a place where students can go and sit, which signals that they need a friend to play with or talk to.

After telling her parents about her idea, Katherine spoke to her teacher and that’s how she learned that the old Buddy Bench at the Primary School was damaged by the elements. Next, she spoke to her classmates and they loved her idea. Katherine began collecting names on a petition.

Once she had collected the signatures, she drew up a plan, which included a map of the playground showing where she envisioned the bench. She scheduled a meeting with Principal Andrea Williams, and shortly after that fateful meeting, Mrs. Williams called Katherine’s parents to inform them that their daughter had convinced her that it was time for a new bench.

Katherine and the Primary School teamed up with the High School Technology Department. A group of students crafted the bench in the district’s state-of-the-art STEAM Wing.

Once again, our Rider Community united to show how much they care about each other!

“I feel really proud and excited that people are actually using it,” Katherine said.

#ichabodcares

Spotlight on our New Teachers

We are so lucky to have many new staff members join the Rider family this year!

This month, we will spotlight the new teachers, so you can get to know them a little better. Welcome again, we are excited to have you here!

April Stromberg is a new High School Spanish teacher. She came to ICC after seeking a change, attracted by Ichabod's excellent reputation. Previously, she taught at the Doane Stuart School in Rensselaer. She relocated to the area with her children to be part of the Rider community. Fun fact: I love to hike, cook, do yoga, and to dance.

Caleb Doyle just started his teaching career, as an 8th Grade Science teacher at ICC. He has several family members who work in the district, so when he heard about the opening, he applied, knowing it would be a great fit. Fun fact: I spent the last five years playing collegiate baseball at Clarkson University, and in my spare time I really enjoy fly fishing.

Hugh Sarno, a district resident for over 20 years, eagerly seized the chance to join ICC after learning about the 7th Grade Science teacher opening. He worked at Columbia High School for 26 years. He lives with his wife and two children. They have two dogs, including Oliver, who is also an ICC employee. Fun fact: I have been involved with the sport of wrestling for 45 years. I started my career at the age of 4, being coached by my father.

Jared Bevington is the new Technology Teacher for grades 7-8. He previously taught at Ravena for 14 years. He decided to pursue a career at ICC because of the outstanding quality of our technology program. He lives with his wife, two sons and their dog. Fun fact: Outside of school, I enjoy watching sports, playing golf and doing construction work.

Molly Magan is a new 9th-grade Earth Science teacher. She decided to join ICC, after a round of interviews that left a good impression on her. She was a science teacher at Brown School in Schenectady for six years. She has four children, ranging in age from 11 to 21. Fun fact: I have hiked volcanoes and trekked across glaciers in Iceland.

Nolan Wolfe, an ICC graduate, is a new High School Academic Intervention Service (AIS) teacher (social studies and English). He started at the High School as a student teacher and began his first full-time teaching position in August. He has two younger brothers who are also ICC alumni. Fun fact: I enjoy writing in my free time, which has led me to begin working on a book-length murder mystery.

Penelope Walker is a new High School Spanish teacher. She taught in Spain for six years, from 2016-2022. After moving back to the Capital District, she worked at Taconic Hills before starting at ICC. She was excited to join the Ichabod team after hearing rave reviews about the school. Fun fact: There are many things I enjoy doing when I’m not teaching. Traveling, reading, hiking, and playing the piano are all high on my list.

Rebecca Rowley is a new 7th and 8th Grade Science teacher. Many of her family members and friends have or currently teach at Ichabod Crane. She is consistently impressed by the district’s support for students and staff. She previously taught science at Taconic Hills for 21 years. She is married to a teacher in the High School, and their twin girls attend the Middle School. Fun fact: My daughters have turned me into a Swiftie!

Stefanie Driscoll is a new 7th Grade Math teacher. She previously worked for 12 years at KIPP Tech Valley Middle School, a charter school in Albany. She graduated from ICC and has lived locally since graduating college. She lives with her husband, two children and six pets. Fun fact: I’m a math teacher but I love to read! I try to always read before going to bed, it helps me fall asleep better. My kindle is full of novels ranging in genre!

Tonya Sauca is a new Special Education Teacher, grades 6-8. She started her SpEd career at The Starting Place preschool and most recently taught at Pine Plains. She is also an ICC alumna and her daughter attends the High School. She lives with her daughter and two cats. Fun fact: I like being outside on my patio watching and listening to all the sounds of nature. My backyard is on a creek and feels like my private oasis.

Danielle Brescia is teaching 10th Grade English for the 2023-24 school year. She always heard amazing things about our district, so she was thrilled when she was offered the position. She has one dog named Harley Quinn. Fun fact: Theatre is my biggest passion and what I did professionally before deciding to teach. I enjoy going to NYC or Proctors to see shows.

Joseph Zink is the High School’s new Automotive and Technology Instructor. He applied for the position through his brother-in-law's recommendation and is glad he did. Before ICC, he spent five years at Questar III’s Robert H. Gibson Technical School, and 12 years as a machinist. He lives with his wife and four children. Fun fact: I am a car guy, always building or looking for my next project. I currently have 35 vehicles, including a crawler loader, backhoe, dump truck and more.

Local Biz Donates to MS Garden Club

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Just before school started, Callander’s Nursery and Landscaping in Chatham donated over $1,000 worth of shrubs, flowers and various fertilizers to the Middle School’s Floral Garden Club.

With just days before the first day of school, Sherri Gelineau, the club advisor and a Middle School Teaching Assistant, used the very generous donations to spruce up the school’s front gardens. She had help from two Rider students, 5th Grader Mason and 9th Grader Rose, who are also her grandchildren.

“They both worked extremely hard to help me dig weeds, mulch and plant,” Mrs. Gelineau said. “They were instrumental in making the gardens what they are today. They wanted to show their pride for Ichabod.”

This summer, Mrs. Gelineau had reached out to local businesses to see if they would be interested in donating to the club. In addition to Callander’s, Walmart donated a $150 gift card, which the club plans to use for bulbs, pumpkins and plants in the spring.

“It was a lot of hard work but I'm happy the gardens are something everyone can enjoy,” she said. “I truly appreciate the support of the community.”

Rider Pride Radiates in September

Rider Pride is so much more than a catchphrase or hashtag. Rider Pride – #riderpride – is a common thread woven through our diverse community of staff and students, united under the colors of blue and white and our compassion for each other.

During the month of September, our students and staff came together to showcase their school spirit and strong sense of Rider Pride. Our Lil Riders at the Primary School made signs and dressed in our iconic blue and white district colors for our annual Unity Parade. Each class took a lap around the track, showing off their dance moves and waving to the crowd of parents, friends and loved ones who gathered at the event.

We also held the first Spirit Week of the 23-24 school year in September! Students and staff across K-12 showed off their school spirit in style during our awesome themed days, which included Black Tie vs. Tie Dye, Pop vs. Country, and Twin, Favorite Sock and Headband/Hats, and Rider Pride Days.

The exciting and uniting week culminated with the HS Pep Rally, Homecoming Game, Senior Athletics Day and the Homecoming Dance.

"Spirit Week beautifully showcased the pride that our Rider community feels on an everyday basis. It was wonderful to see everyone come together in celebration," Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said. "I had the chance to attend many of the events, including the Pep Rally and Friday night's football game with family and friends. It truly felt like a homecoming.

"The week culminated with Fall Senior Athletics Day on Saturday, where it was a joy to honor our student-athletes alongside their families and friends. There was an abundance of Rider Pride in the air!"

Watch the video below to get a recap of the first Spirit Week of the 23-24 school year!

Enhanced Access to ICC Sporting Events

Effective in September, ICC no longer charges entry fees at home athletic events – a change made possible through a district-wide collaboration.

"The Athletics department is pleased to have worked with the administration to waive entry fees for our athletic events," Athletic Director Dave Ames said. "This is something that I felt was important in order to help our community members to be able to attend our sporting events without restriction."

We know our sporting events provide an excellent opportunity to support our student-athletes and coaches, and to show off our Rider Pride. Our athletic competitions also foster and promote teamwork, community engagement and the importance of physical activity on our overall health.

FYI: Fees will be collected by Section 2 in the event that we host sectional competitions on campus.

We look forward to seeing you in your blue and white! Go Riders!

COVID-19 Precautions & Resources

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#ICYMI: QUESTAR III recently provided the district with enough COVID-19 test kits to distribute one to each student. We sent home one kit per student during the last week of September.

Please note that the expiration date on the tests indicates June 2023 but that date has been extended by the FDA by 15 months. Details can be found here.

State and federal agencies continue to advise a host of precautions designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent serious disease.

Individuals who suspect they might have COVID-19 should get tested. Symptoms of possible infection include:

Fever or chills
Cough
New loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

State and federal agencies also encourage the following precautions:

Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. Learn more here.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating.
Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when sick or symptomatic.
Do not cough or sneeze into your hands; sneeze or cough into your elbow.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard it in a closed container.
Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask to reduce your chance of exposure, which continues to be an option for all students and staff.

In addition, the CDC continues to advise people to isolate and take other precautions when they test positive. Click here to read more.

Please visit our COVID-19 Resources page on our website for more information.

We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership in our collective efforts to keep the entire Rider community healthy and safe.

What's Next in October

Oct. 3 – Columbia Greene Community College Instant Admission Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., High School Counseling Center
Oct. 3 – Regular Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m., High School Library
Oct. 9 – District Closed (No school and offices are closed)
Oct. 10 – Hudson Valley Community College Instant Admission Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., High School Counseling Center
Oct. 11 – Fire Prevention Day at the Primary School
Oct. 13 – Activity Night: Grades 4 and 5, 6-8 p.m., Middle School
Oct. 17 – College and Military Fair, 10:15-11 a.m., High School Gymnasium
Oct. 27 – Activity Night: Grades 6-8, 6-8 p.m., Middle School
Oct. 27 – Trunk or Treat hosted by the PTA, 5-7:30 p.m., roadway between Primary and Middle Schools