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RIDER REPORT

RIDER REPORT

Superintendent's Corner

As technology continues to shape our daily lives, we are working together to ensure our students use cell phones safely and responsibly. While these devices provide valuable connections to learning and communication, they can also present challenges when not used appropriately.


Since November, the Ichabod Crane Task Force for Safe and Responsible Cell Phone Usage has been actively researching, reviewing policies and visiting cell phone-free schools. In this edition of the Rider Report, you'll learn about the task force’s work and details on two upcoming community forums in February and March.


At Ichabod Crane, fostering healthy digital habits is a shared responsibility. That’s why we’ve brought together administrators, staff, parents, community members and law enforcement to discuss best practices and reassess our current policies. By considering diverse perspectives and research, we aim to make informed recommendations that support student learning, well-being and safety.


Also in this issue, we’re excited to highlight new literacy initiatives in the Primary and Middle Schools, a remarkable achievement by one of our student-performers, and the award-winning essays from our Middle and High School students in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) contest.


We hope you enjoy this edition of the Rider Report!


Articles in this edition:

  • Safe & Responsible Cell Phone Use
  • Celebrating Literacy at Ichabod Crane
  • IC Senior Accepted into Prestigious All-Eastern Ensemble
  • MS & HS Students Honored in VFW Essay Contests
  • Final Edition of 24-25 New Hire Spotlight
  • What's Next in February
  • #ICYMI

Safe and Responsible Cell Phone Use at ICC

For months, the Ichabod Crane Task Force for Safe and Responsible Cell Phone Usage, consisting of administrators, staff, students, district parents and law enforcement, has met to conduct research, review policies and visit schools.


Their goal: to answer the following questions:

  • Is there a change to our current cell phone policy at the Middle and High Schools that should be recommended to the ICCSD Policy Committee in order to better support our students’ safe and responsible use of cell phones during the school day?

  • What considerations are most important for the Policy Committee to know and why are these important?


These same questions will be posed to the public at upcoming community forums on February 13 and March 6, both in the High School Library.

  • The February Forum starts at 6 p.m.

  • The March Forum starts at 6:15 p.m.


The district’s current policy was last updated in 2013.


“The health, safety and well-being of our students always come first at Ichabod Crane,” said Superintendent Marie Digirolamo. “Our Instructional Program Vision emphasizes the need for students to use technology, including social media and artificial intelligence, in a healthy and responsible way. Research shows a clear link between cell phones and social media use and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. They also can be a distraction from learning and are impacting the quality of social interactions. Knowing all of this, we’re taking a close look at our policy to make sure we’re setting our students up for success – helping them get the best from technology while avoiding its pitfalls.”


At the Middle School, cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited from the time students arrive until the end of the regular school day. During this time, devices must be turned off and kept out of sight. In emergencies, teachers and administrators may permit the use of cell phones and other devices.


At the High School, students are required to turn off their cell phones at the start of each class. Teachers provide a designated holder for devices, which remain stored until class ends. Students can access their devices before and after school, during lunch and in hallways during passing time. The current practice at the High School evolved before all students had Chromebooks, when there was a need for students to be able to access their cell phones at specific times for instructional purposes. This has become much less of a need now that all students have access to a district Chromebook.


Visits to Regional Schools

During visits to regional schools, the Task Force observed different models of cell phone free schools and had the opportunity to ask a range of questions. They inquired about the challenges students faced that prompted the district to update its policy, as well as the positive outcomes, benefits, challenges and tensions of the new policy, and sought advice for successful implementation.


In addition, groups of administrators, staff members and the Board of Education have participated in a book study of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, an NYU school psychologist. In his book, Haidt asserts that the transition from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood has negatively impacted the cognitive and social development of young people.


Haidt explores how smartphones and social media have affected the mental health of young people, offering actionable solutions he believes will help children and adults become mature, emotionally stable individuals.


Haidt says in his book: “Social media has been designed to be addictive and distracting, leading to social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, negative impacts on mental health and executive function.”’


Among his key recommendations for school policymakers, he advocates for phone-free schools.


ICC students are also paying attention to this conversation. Along with the Task Force, the High School Student Liaison Group and Board of Education Representatives are discussing the issue. One High School senior even chose to focus her college-level research project for EN101-CGCC Composition on the impacts of social media on mental health, using evidence-based research to explore the topic. We've linked some of the resources below:


Celebrating Literacy at Ichabod Crane

Our Primary and Middle School students are hard at work building essential literacy skills every day. We’re hosting a series of fun and engaging events over the next several weeks to put those skills into action!


On January 31, our Primary School students and staff kicked off Read Your Heart Out, featuring two beloved programs: Read for Ronald McDonald House Charities and PARP (Pick a Reading Partner).


Read for Ronald McDonald House Charities runs from February 2–28. Students are gathering sponsors to support their reading efforts, with a collective goal of raising $3,500. This initiative supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region (RMHC-CR), an organization dedicated to helping children and families facing childhood illnesses and injuries. Their mission is to keep families together and close to the care they need. PS Team Page: https://give.rmhcofalbany.org/team/599558


Meanwhile, PARP is taking place from January 31 through February 28. During that time, students will select a reading partner and commit to reading together for at least 20 minutes daily. This program encourages a love of reading and strengthens connections between students and their partners.


“I believe that literacy is the foundation of all learning,” Primary School Principal Andrea Williams said. “When we launch initiatives that make reading fun, we spark curiosity and create an environment where students are excited to learn. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students actively engage in reading, knowing that these activities not only foster a love for books but also directly support and enhance our reading curriculum. When learning feels like an adventure, it sticks with them long after the bell rings.”


Over at the Middle School, our 4th and 5th-grade students are in the final quarter of TACKLING the READBowl, a nationwide literacy challenge led by former NFL player Malcolm Mitchell. This exciting program combines teamwork, goal-setting and literacy to inspire a love of reading.


The students’ ambitious goal? 40,000 minutes of reading in just four weeks – with a deadline of Feb. 7. To keep them motivated, they’re receiving virtual messages from NFL players cheering them on.


But the excitement doesn’t stop there! If they reach their goal, Middle School staff will reward them with a Super Bowl Party complete with snacks, games and plenty of fun.


#SPOILER ALERT: As part of the celebration, our new Middle School Assistant Principal Erin Russo has agreed to join in the fun – literally! If the students reach their goal, she has promised to dress up as a football player at the party – with her hair dyed a color chosen by the students if they meet their goal.


"I decided that if the students were going to be all in, so would I,” Mrs. Russo said. “It's incredibly important to make learning fun and providing these experiences makes kids want to read even more!"


(Photo below: Mrs. Russo reading to one of our 5th-grade classes as part of the READBowl.)

IC Senior Accepted into Prestigious All-Eastern Honors Ensemble

Lauren Stigi, a senior at Ichabod Crane High School, has been accepted into one of the highly competitive Eastern Division All-Eastern Honors Ensembles – the first ICC student since 2001!


Lauren will sing as an alto in the 200-member All-Eastern Mixed Chorus – a prestigious achievement in the world of student music.


The National Association for Music Education Eastern Division, along with the Connecticut Music Educators Association, is sponsoring the bi-annual All-Eastern Honors Ensembles, taking place this year in Hartford, from April 24-27. The festival includes three days of intensive rehearsals and culminates in a performance at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, one of Connecticut’s premier venues for the performing arts.


Top student musicians from across the Eastern United States – representing New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Maine – will come together for this extraordinary event.


“I feel so honored that I’m able to go to this, but above all I’m thrilled to get the chance to have music like this in my life,” Lauren said. “Being able to perform with so many talented people is something that I wish everyone could experience, the feeling is truly unmatched. I know this is something I will cherish for a long, long time.”


Lauren’s selection follows an impressive musical journey. She was accepted into New York’s All-State Festival for two consecutive years, performing in the All-State Treble Chorus in December 2024 and the All-State Mixed Choir in 2023, both in Rochester.


“To be considered for All-Eastern, students had to be selected for their own state's All-State ensembles, as well as complete an application,” said Karolyn Eberhardt, the High School’s chorus director. “Congratulations, Lauren! We are so proud of you!”


This year’s All-Eastern Ensembles received over 2,000 applications.


Beyond singing, Lauren also has been a member of the Crane Acting Troupe since seventh grade, participates in Ichabod Crane sports, including swimming and field hockey, and dances at an outside studio.


MS & HS Students Honored in VFW Essay Contests

Several Ichabod Crane Middle and High School students were recognized for their outstanding essays on democracy and patriotism in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) contest.


The nationwide VFW Voice of Democracy audio-essay program challenges high school students to express their views on democratic principles through recorded essays. This year's theme, “Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?” invited students to reflect on the nation's past and present.


Similarly, the Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest encourages middle school students to explore American history and share their perspectives on a patriotic theme selected by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. This year’s prompt was “My Voice in America's Democracy?”


The Stuyvesant Falls VFW 9593 sponsored the local competition. At the High School, Theodore Thiess-Helden earned 1st place and a $200 prize, Felix Thiess-Helden placed 2nd with $100 and Valerie Kopec took 3rd place with $100. Rebecca Church received an honorable mention.


At the Middle School, Ella Behrens won 1st place and $100, Kieran Ellis placed 2nd with $50 and Meili Gawboy earned 3rd place with $25. Angelina Hamilton received an honorable mention.


Both first-place winners went on to the district-level competition.


“Senior Vice Commander Melissa Heusdens and the VFW have done a terrific job reviving this competition and helping to get our students involved,” said Patrick Sanger, High School social studies teacher and the department team and curriculum leader. “It’s a great opportunity for our students not only to win a scholarship, but also voice their beliefs about the US, our democracy and the role they play in it.”


Each year, nearly 25,000 high school students compete for their share of over $1 million in scholarships, with the national Voice of Democracy winner receiving a $35,000 scholarship. Meanwhile, the Patriot’s Pen contest sees nearly 68,800 middle school students participate annually, with the national first-place winner receiving $5,000.

Final Edition of 24-25 New Hire Spotlight

This is the final edition of our New Hire Spotlight Series for the 2024–25 school year! This month, we’re highlighting some of our key non-instructional staff, including the dedicated cleaners who work tirelessly to keep our schools safe and welcoming for students.


David Scace joined the Facilities Department as a cleaner in May 2024. Before coming to Ichabod Crane, he spent 4 ½ years as a driver for The Grand at Barnwell. David has deep roots in the district – his wife and two adult children are Ichabod Crane graduates. Fun Fact: I'm a life-long resident of Valatie. Both of my parents (Patricia and David) were graduates of ICC Class of 1960!


Tika Veakins was hired as a cleaner in the district in November 2024, but Ichabod Crane has always felt like home. After graduating from ICC, she served in the U.S. Navy, traveling to many countries and building lifelong friendships. She later pursued her passion for film and media in Arizonaa at ASU. Fun Fact: I have a Dalmatian named Murphy! I love basketball, my favorite NBA team is the Phoenix Suns!


Zach Rowe started as cleaner at Ichabod Crane in April 2024. He applied for the position after a friend told him about the job and hearing from many that Ichabod is a great district to work for. He previously worked at the Pilot Travel Center in Castleton-On-Hudson for over two years. Fun Fact: I have been a volunteer firefighter with the Nassau Fire Department for five years.

What's Next in February

  • Feb 4: Facilities Committee, 4 p.m., Central Office
  • Feb 4: Board of Education Regular Meeting, 7 p.m., High School Library
  • Feb. 14: Early Dismissal, All Schools, K-12
  • Feb. 17-21: Mid-Winter Recess, All Schools Closing, District Offices are open except on Feb. 17


Note: dates, times and locations are subject to change.

#ICYMI

Ichabod Crane CSD and Chatham CSD are teaming up to create a shared football program starting in the fall 2025 season (pending Section 2 approval). Both Boards of Education unanimously approved the partnership.


Introducing: Chatham Ichabod Crane (CIC) Football, sporting black and white! Head over to our website to read more about this new partnership:

https://www.ichabodcrane.org/.../ichabod-crane-chatham.../

☕The High School's Friends of Rachel Club kicked off testing week with a sweet surprise for our amazing staff — a coffee and hot chocolate bar! A small token of appreciation for everything they do!💫⭐

🎉💙 Huge shoutout to our Kindergarten Lil Riders! The entire Primary School came together to celebrate their amazing achievement: completing "ABC Bootcamp" and mastering all their letters and sounds! The proud kindergartners took a victory lap around the gym, cheered on by their classmates and sang a special song. Way to go! 🎉

💙 Congrats to our Primary School students recognized for embodying the character trait of GENEROSITY! We're so proud of your kindness and giving spirit! 💙

📢 25-26 Open Kindergarten Registration Deadline Extended to February 21! Click the photo below to visit our website post with all the details.

Ichabod Crane CSD

Marie Digirolamo, Superintendent

2910 Route 9 • Valatie, NY 12184

Phone: (518) 758-7575