RIDER REPORT
Superintendent's Corner
I'm thrilled to introduce a new project we've been working on: Riders Rising, a celebration of our alumni's achievements.
In this edition of the Rider Report, you’ll learn about two alumni and the unique paths they've taken after graduation. Their journeys reflect our district’s commitment to offering diverse pathways for students to define and achieve success in their post-secondary studies, in their careers, the military and beyond.
These stories are inspiring and I hope that they motivate our current students to pursue their own goals, showing them the many possibilities ahead. They also highlight the lasting impact of Rider Pride and how our sense of community and pride continue to strengthen long after our students leave Ichabod Crane.
We know there are countless more stories to share, and we invite you to help us tell them. If you’d like to share your own or another alum’s story, please fill out this Google Form. We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about the paths our alumni have forged.
In this edition, you’ll also meet our wonderful new teachers in our annual spotlight, learn about our involvement with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the well-deserved recognition of our K-12 student artists at this year’s Chatham Fair!
Happy Fall, everyone!
In this edition:
Riders Rising: Celebrating Alumni Achievements
Spotlight on our New Teachers
ICCSD, United Way Launch Dolly Parton’s Literacy Program
K-12 Student Artists Awarded at Chatham Fair
- What’s Next in October
#ICYMI
(Background artwork created by sophomore Alyssa Dugan.)
Riders Rising: Celebrating Alumni Achievements
We know Ichabod Crane alumni are spread across the globe, and in this edition of the Rider Report, we’re excited to introduce Riders Rising, a new initiative to capture as many alumni stories as possible.
One of those stories comes from Dave Vona, who graduated from Ichabod Crane in 2000. He fondly remembers the Primary School’s wooden creative playground, the Middle School’s Rube Goldberg project and the impressive productions by the Crane Acting Troupe, which he still attends today.
After graduating, Mr. Vona (pictured below) attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he studied Information Technology and Management Information Systems. He went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration from Rockefeller College in Albany. While completing his degree, he worked with the New York State Conference of Mayors and the Adirondack Council and even managed to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. He then worked as a computational social scientist in national defense.
Reflecting on his time at Ichabod Crane, Mr. Vona recalled the many teachers who inspired him and reinforced the importance of education.
“Both of those things always kept teaching in the back of my mind as a possible profession,” Mr. Vona said. “It was like a song that won't leave your head. After fighting it for a few years, I finally decided to give it a try, and I couldn't be happier with my choice.”
Mr. Vona was hired as a full-time teacher at Ichabod Crane in 2012, after spending the previous year as the building substitute at the High School. When he graduated, Computer Science courses didn’t exist at Ichabod. During his interview for the math position, he made it clear that his goal was to build a Computer Science curriculum for the school.
Now, 12 years later, the High School offers a range of Computer Science electives, two college-level Computer Science courses, and starting this school year, all 9th-grade students will take a new course, Discovering Computer Science.
“The district has been very supportive of those efforts, thank you Mr. Shull, and I'm very proud of what we have to offer,” Mr. Vona said. “There are districts twice our size that don't even have half of the Computer Science opportunities that are available to our students. It feels great to know that I've been able to give back to the district that gave me so much.”
Kaden Blasi graduated from Ichabod Crane in 2024, focusing on his welding skills during his last two years at the High School. He participated in the Questar III BOCES two-year Welding/Metal Fabrication program in his junior and senior years, where he earned his welding certification.
“When I joined the program,” Mr. Blasi said. “I knew I wanted to learn about welding, but wasn’t sure what type.”
The program follows the American Welding Society (AWS) curriculum, offering extensive exposure to welding operations, standards and current practices. Students receive hands-on training in various welding techniques, metal preparation, torch and plasma cutting, reading schematics and using different power tools.
Mr. Blasi (pictured above) also completed an internship at Harrison and Burrowes Bridge Construction. In June, the company hired him as a full-time ironworker, starting just days before his graduation ceremony.
“I’m so happy to be working. I feel successful and I am grateful for the opportunities Ichabod provided that helped me get to where I am today. Mr. Blasi said. “My advice to current Ichabod students is to work hard for what you want and try new things. I had no plans to become an ironworker, but everything fell into place, and I love it.”
Mr. Vona and Mr. Blasi chose very different paths after graduation, yet they shared similar takeaways from their time at Ichabod Crane. Both felt supported and inspired, believing they had the resources to pursue their goals.
“There is by no means one pathway to success. Ichabod Crane has clearly recognized this for years, and we’ve recently reinforced that commitment through our new Instructional Program Vision and the Board of Education’s Rider Goals 2027. These guiding documents outline clear expectations and goals for what our students need to follow their own paths,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said.
“Mr. Vona’s and Mr. Blasi’s stories are so powerful and inspiring, and I am so grateful that they took the time to share them with our community,” Superintendent Digirolamo continued. “I hope our other alumni feel encouraged to share their stories as well. They are vital for many reasons. They help our team of administrative and instructional leaders as we assess our programs and curricula to ensure we provide all students with a high-quality education – one that prepares them for life beyond Ichabod, a life full of purpose and joy."
If you’d like to share your own or another alum’s story, please fill out this Google Form.
Spotlight on our New Teachers
We welcomed many new staff members this year! This month, we'll kick off our annual tradition of spotlighting them, starting with our teachers. Welcome once again – we’re thrilled to have you here!
Olivia Chadwick is a new English teacher at the High School, coming to Ichabod Crane after working in the Lansingburgh and Guilderland school districts. She decided to apply for the position to be closer to home and is thrilled to be part of the ICCSD community. She lives with her husband, two children and their dog, Louie, and cat, Obi. Fun fact: I love doing YouTube painting tutorials with my friends.
Christina Bauer is also a new English teacher at the High School. She applied for the job because she consistently heard Ichabod was a caring, student-focused community and wanted to be part of it. She previously worked at Berlin Middle/High School. She lives with her husband, two sons and two cats. Fun fact: Before I had children, I played unicycle hockey every Friday in Chatham!
Nicholas Ronca, the new 6th-grade science teacher, has lived in the district for eight years and always heard great things about Ichabod Crane. He lives with his wife, two children and their dog, Rocco. His daughter is a student at the Primary School. Before joining Ichabod, he worked at Schenectady City Schools for nine years. Fun fact: I am a huge Buffalo Bills fan.
Molly Fryer saw the posting for the 6th-grade special education teacher position and jumped at the opportunity, after hearing such positive feedback about ICCSD. She previously worked at Lansingburgh CSD and lives with her husband and two daughters, who are 4 and 7. Fun fact: I am an avid sewist. I sew many of my own clothes as well as my children’s clothing.
Heather Carpenter was a long-term substitute at Ichabod years ago and is now thrilled to have a permanent position as the new Middle School ENL teacher. Her children are students in the district and her husband is an alum. She previously taught at North Colonie CSD. Fun Fact: I am a photographer … I love having the opportunity to capture images of the people and memories that hold a special place in people’s hearts.
Danielle Westlake is a year-long substitute AIS teacher at the Primary School. She chose Ichabod Crane for the high energy and positive atmosphere she experienced during her interview. With teaching experience in NY and DE, this school year marks her 10th year in education. Fun fact: I am a classically trained singer and have been in numerous theater and opera productions!
Joslyn Keezer is the new 7th/8th grade special education teacher. She knew she wanted to join Ichabod Crane after numerous people praised the district. This is her first year as a teacher, after finishing her MSED at Saint Rose. She has been with her significant other for seven years and they have a cat named Sky. Fun fact: I am fluent in American Sign Language!
Alexandra Pinelli, the new 4th-grade teacher, has long wanted to be a part of the Ichabod Crane community. Before joining our staff, she spent two years teaching 3rd grade at Albany Academies. She got married in August and is excited to begin this new chapter of her life. Fun fact: I love to dance and have been dancing for 22 years. I also manage a dance studio in Hudson.
Kalyn Fleck began working at ICCSD last November as the 7th-grade special education teacher and describes the district as a wonderful learning community. She taught at Chatham and has been married for 28 years to her husband. They have two children in their 20s. Fun fact: I love to read, travel and spend time with family and friends. This summer my family and I went on an Alaskan cruise. It was absolutely beautiful.
Shayna Vecchione is a year-long substitute art teacher at the Middle School. A resident of the district since 2017, she is thrilled to teach in her own community. Previously a graphic designer for a decade, teaching is her second career. Shayna lives with her husband, their 8-year-old son and their energetic Australian shepherd, Maple. Fun fact: I love restoring old things I find at flea markets and have a collection of (uncomfortable but beautiful!) mid-century modern chairs.
Imagination Library Launches in Columbia County
After months of collaboration, Ichabod Crane CSD, the ICC PTA and the United Way of the Greater Capital Region proudly launched Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Columbia County.
The official launch occurred on September 24 at the Primary School, coinciding with the district’s Open House for kindergarten and second-grade families. The Imagination Library, a flagship initiative of the Dollywood Foundation, provides free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, regardless of their family’s income.
“At our official Columbia County launch, we enrolled over sixty children in the program!” said Primary School Teacher Karen Seymourian, who also is a member of the school’s Literacy Event Planning Committee. “The community is responding very positively to this initiative, and we want to continue to spread the word that it is available to all residents of Columbia County, not just those in the Ichabod Crane School District.
All Columbia County residents with children up to age 5 can still enroll here: unitedwaygcr.org/dpil.
Our participation in Imagination Library aligns perfectly with the district's commitment to enhancing literacy for our youngest learners, long before they become students at Ichabod Crane.
“As educators, we see every day that children who are read to at home have a more extensive vocabulary and a greater range and depth of knowledge than children who do not have that experience, and these experiences help them to become successful readers,” Ms. Seymourian said. “Science has shown us that babies' brain development is the most active in the first three years of life, and being read to helps them acquire important language and thinking skills, before they even understand what the words mean.”
We also work collaboratively not only with the United Way, but also with our local public libraries, our pre-k programs, as well as the Columbia County Early Learning and Literacy Network, to coordinate and improve literacy services to our families. This includes our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Mobile Bus Programs, which were introduced in recent years.
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages families to read 1,000 books to their newborns, infants and toddlers before they start kindergarten. Registered families can pick up their books at the Primary School. Last year, we launched the Book Mobile, where Primary School staff deliver books directly to families, increasing their access to these essential resources.
For more information about 1,000 Books, please contact the Primary School Main Office at 518-758-7575 ext. 6002.
K-12 Student Artists Awarded at Chatham Fair
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that our talented K-12 student artists received prestigious awards at the Columbia County Fair!
Our K-5 exhibit proudly earned 1st Place, showcasing the incredible talent of our youngest students. Their imaginative creations and vibrant artworks captivated both the judges and attendees alike.
Additionally, our 6-12 exhibit secured an impressive 3rd Place, highlighting the remarkable skills and creativity of our older students. The award-winning artwork included drawings, paintings, digital art, ceramics, sculpture and much more.
The judging panel, composed of experienced artists, evaluated each display based on originality, visual appeal and overall quality. Their recognition of our students' work honors individual achievements and highlights the strength of our district's arts program, showcasing our commitment to integrating the arts into Ichabod Crane in new and innovative ways.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the participating students and their dedicated teachers for this fantastic accomplishment. This achievement is a reminder of the importance of the arts in education and the valuable role it plays in developing well-rounded individuals,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said.
What's Next in October
- October 8: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., High School Library
- October 9: Fall Senior Athletic Night, 7 p.m., Varsity Field (High School Auditorium in the event of inclement weather)
- October 14: District Closed (No school and offices are closed)
- October 15-18: Spirit Week at each school
- October 16: Powderpuff Game, 5:30 p.m., Varsity Field
- October 18: Homecoming Football Game, 7 p.m, Varsity Field
- October 25: ICC PTA Trunk or Treat, 5-7 p.m., Primary School
Note: dates, times and locations are subject to change.
#ICYMI
💙 Decked out in blue and white, our Primary School showed off their #riderpride at the annual Unity Parade! 🎉
