Message From Superintendent Mrs. Cynthia DeDominick
Welcome to the Lansingburgh Central School District Website. We hope that you will visit our site often and use it as a helpful tool to stay involved with our district’s activities. We truly want the community to be informed and able to communicate accurate information with us. Any suggestions to improve our website are welcome.
As a school district Lansingburgh is working day in and day out to provide an outstanding educational program for every student. The administration, Board of Education, faculty and staff are committed to prepare Lansingburgh students to be college and career-ready adults. Our instructional and extra-curricular offerings are all designed to provide growth opportunities for all students. Parents, teachers and our community must recognize that we need to work together, not in isolation, to continue to move our district forward.
As Superintendent my goal is to guide our talented team and collaborative partners to deliver quality programs and positive character development opportunities. Together we can continue to shape our future leaders. I look forward to working with all of you. Please feel free to contact me at 518-233-6850, ext. 33400 or cdedominick@lansingburgh.org.
Elementary Reconfiguration
Dear Parents/Guardians of Lansingburgh Students:
Lansingburgh Elementary Schools will be undergoing several changes
for the 2012-2013 school year.
For the first time the district will offer Universal Pre-K for our students within our buildings. Children are eligible for UPK if they are 4 years old or will turn 4 years old prior to December 1, 2012. UPK will be located at Turnpike Elementary School. We will run three full day sessions and two half-day sessions. Registration for UPK will take place during the week of March 12, 2012 at the District Office, 576 Fifth Avenue. Please call 233-6822 to set up an appointment.
Kindergarten screening will also take place during the week of March 12, 2012 at the District Office at 576 Fifth Avenue. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 233-6822. Children who will turn 5 before December 1, 2012 are eligible to be screened for kindergarten.
The district will also be reconfiguring our two elementary schools beginning in September 2012. Currently Turnpike and Rensselaer Park both serve students for grades K-5. Enrollment is based on residential location. Beginning in September 2012, Turnpike Elementary will be our primary building serving all district students for Grades Pre-K-2 and Rensselaer Park will be our Intermediate School serving all students Grades 3-5.
The reconfiguration is being done for several reasons:
The reconfiguration of the elementary schools is being looked at as a method for improved instructional delivery. Our population size is steady and this study does not seek to reduce the number of elementary buildings or instructional services. Having all sections of same grade level in one location provides:
Greater opportunities for collaboration & curriculum alignment, cross grade level instruction
Better delivery of services, targeted to specific grade levels
Even distribution of class sizes
Increased opportunities for scheduling flexibility
Increased opportunities for customized staff development (primary/intermediate)
Improved sense of district unity (less emphasis on TES or RPES, both would be LES)
Common experiences for all Lansingburgh students
Students would be together from grade school on up – fewer transition issues at grade 6
Pre-k would be built in as a component of the reconfiguration
Earlier identification of students w/disabilities
Media Centers would be age oriented and richer at both schools
A reconfiguration committee of 29 community members and staff met in November and December of 2011 to evaluate the pros and cons of a reconfiguration plan. The major concerns centered around:
- Transportation/Traffic flow
- Arrival & Dismissal times
- Families having children at both buildings
- Loss of traditions
- Before & after-school care costs and availability
- Design of Pre-K program
- Coordination of events at each building
The consensus of the committee was that the positives outweighed the negatives. The Board of Education voted to move forward with the reconfiguration and implementing UPK. The district continues to work diligently to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Here is what we know so far:
Transportation costs will not go up – We can transport to the newly designed elementary program with the same number of busses we currently contract for. Bus run times will be within the same time frames for students.
Arrival and dismissal times will be staggered by at least 20 minutes with TES drop-off and pick-ups first to allow busses and parents travel time.
Traffic patterns at both buildings will be modified to improve traffic flow.
Before and after-school care will go out for competitive bidding; and similar priced programs will be available at both buildings.
Pre-K will be offered as a full-day program for the majority of slots with some ½ day slots available if desired. A larger number of students will be served.
Transition activities will be planned in the Spring for students who will be changing buildings.
A public information session is scheduled for Monday, February 13, 2012 in the KMS Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. As the transition plan moves forward information will be sent to families. The district truly believes that the reconfiguration plan will allow us to improve instructional programming to all of our students and create a positive and well-designed learning environment. We encourage you to actively participate in the transition process and help us to make the changes happen in a positive and efficient manner. If you have suggestions or concerns, please feel free to call and share them.
Sincerely,
Cynthia B. DeDominick
Superintendent of Schools
Pre-K Registration and Kindergarten Screening
The Lansingburgh Central School District will be having Universal Pre-K Registration and Kindergarten Screening during the week of March 12, 2011. Registration and Screening will be held at the District Office on 5th Avenue and 115th Street.
Please call 233-6822 to schedule an appointment for you and your child. Children who are five years of age by December 1, 2012 are eligible for kindergarten.
Children who are 4 years old by December 1, 2012 are eligible for Pre-K.
Lansingburgh Central School District Capital
Improvement Project
To view the January 18, 2012 Capital Improvement Project Presentation please click here.
Community Forum
The Lansingburgh Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools will host a COMMUNITY FORUM. It is an Information meeting on the Elementary Reconfiguration Plan, on Monday, February 13, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., in the Knickerbacker Middle School Auditorium, 320 7th Avenue, Troy.
Changes Approved for Lansingburgh Elementary Schools beginning September 2012
The Lansingburgh Central School Board of Education approved a reconfiguration plan for its current elementary schools at their regular December meeting. Currently, Lansingburgh has two K-5 buildings, Turnpike and Rensselaer Park. The district will be reconfiguring to allow for Turnpike Elementary to serve Pre-k through Grade 2 and Rensselaer Park to serve the intermediate grades 3-5. The new design will allow the district to provide its own Universal Pre-k program in the primary building. Previously, Lansingburgh has contracted with outside providers to offer Pre-k services.
The Board of Education held a community forum on November 16, 2011 where Board of Education members and the community reviewed the pro’s and con’s of the reconfiguration concept. An advisory committee was formed which included teachers, parents, Board of Education members, administrators, and community members.
The advisory committee met three times in November and December and discussed concerns and benefits of the proposed design. The concerns generated have been researched and the district will be working to insure a smooth transition for all families and staff. At the end of the last meeting a vote was taken with the results of 17 yes votes to go forward, 3 no votes, and 3 undecided.
The consensus was reported to the Board of Education and initial transition stages were reviewed. In light of the consensus the Board of Education brought a motion to the table and approved the reconfiguration plan. This will allow district administrators to formally begin the transition planning process.
At the same meeting the Board of Education voted to develop an in-house pre-k program at Turnpike beginning in September 2012, utilizing the current UPK funding. The district will have the ability to serve up to 160 students in a half-day program model.
This is an exciting development for the district that will allow greater staff collaboration, integrated services for our pre-k students, improved delivery of AIS to students in need and a unified district for all students. For more information please review the reconfiguration PowerPoint on the district website.
Notice to the Public
The January 30th Board of Education Meeting location has changed. It will be held in the Knickerbacker Middle School Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
The times for Board Committee Meetings, Board Workshops, and Board Meetings have changed. The times of meetings are as follows:
Board of Education Committee Meetings (Audit, Curriculum, Policy, School Community Relations) will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Board of Education Workshops will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education Meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.(Location Library Media Center unless specified differently)
The Property Tax Cap
The process of developing the 2012-13 School Budget is underway for the Lansingburgh Central School District. The biggest change in budgeting comes in the form of the New York State Property Tax Cap, enacted by the Legislature in June of 2011. In order to help our community understand the implications of this tax cap, we have put together some informational materials for your review.
Understanding New York’s Property Tax Levy Cap
Capital Region BOCES has put together a concise explanation of the property tax cap. Please click here to see the entire publication.
Education Speaks
Education Speaks is devoted to a thoughtful discussion of the issues shaping public education in New York’s Greater Capital Region and beyond.
Ed Speaks is sponsored by Capital Region BOCES, in collaboration with Questar III BOCES, HFM BOCES, WSWHE BOCES, Herkimer BOCES and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The mission of Education Speaks is to work toward smart solutions to education’s biggest problems.
For more information regarding Ed Speaks please click on the following link.
www.educationspeaks.org
RPI STEP Program (Science and Technology Entry program)
The RPI STEP program is funded by the New York State Department of Education. It is designed to assist disadvantaged secondary students and those from minority groups under-represented in scientific, technical and health-related professions to acquire the skills, attitudes and abilities to pursue professional or pre-professional study in postsecondary degree programs in scientific, technical and health-related fields. The program's initiatives focus on developing problem solving and critical thinking skills through a range of enrichment activities that include student development, leadership opportunities, career exploration, college preparation, internships, and parent workshops. Rensselaer activities occur after school and Saturdays during the school year, and in the summer. RPI supports students entering grades 7 through 12 attending its partner schools listed below, as well as students who live in neighboring communities as space permits.
- Doyle Middle School & Troy High School
- Knickerbacker Middle School & Lansingburgh High School
- Catholic Central High School
- LaSalle Institute
On the 20th Anniversary of the Science & Technology Entry Program in 2007, the New York State Department of Education gave Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute a Certificate of Appreciation, in recognition of its commitment, dedication, vision and leadership for its Charter Program preparing scholars to become future professionals in the Scientific, Technical and Pre-licensure fields.
To view more about the STEP Program or to see if you are eligible to apply, click on the link below:
http://doso.rpi.edu/update.do?catcenterkey=88 (link to RPI website with STEP Info – includes application for STEP)
Questions can be directed to Eileen Culliton at LHS (233-6806) or LHS Guidance Counselors (233-6806).
Elementary Reconfiguration Community Forum Presentation
To view a powerpoint presentation of the Reconfiguration Community Forum Presentation please click here.
Board of Education approves Annual Professional Performance Review for Building Principals and Teachers
The Board of Education of the Lansingburgh Central School District, in public session at its meeting of August 31, 2011, adopted the Annual Professional Performance Plan for the 2011-2012 school year, pursuant to the requirements of Education Law §3012-c and accompanying regulations of the Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education.
Annual Professional Performance Review (“APPR”) supports the professional growth of educators. This review system should provide timely feedback, an opportunity to acknowledge educators’ strengths as well as their weakness and an opportunity for growth as an educator.
This APPR system will be a significant factor in all employment decisions including but not limited to:
- Retention
- Tenure Determination
- Termination
- Supplemental compensation
- Promotion
- Professional Development
- Coaching
For more information please click here.
Tutoring Beyond the Classroom
Have a paper due? Falling behind with your classwork?
Just need to ask a few questions? Beyond the Classroom is a program offering free tutoring to students ages 8 and up in all subjects. That's everything from Spelling to Chemistry! For registration information please click here.
Dear KMS Parent/Guardian:
Knickerbacker Middle School is identified as a School in Corrective Action for English Language Arts based upon criteria of the No Child Left Behind Act. Although the school has met the established federal and state benchmarks or Adequate Yearly Progress for total student population in math, it did not do so in the 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 school years for students with disabilities and in 2010-2011 for other subgroups on the English Language Arts Assessments. For more information please click here.
Mr. Shaun Paolino
Building Principal
KMS Students Eligible for Supplemental Educational Services
Dear Parents and Guardians of KMS students,
Your child is eligible for supplemental educational services through the No Child Left Behind Act. Knickerbacker Middle School is identified as a school in need of improvement and any KMS student eligible for free and reduced lunch is eligible for free tutoring.
Click here for a list of tutoring service provider programs for your child. These programs are funded through federal Title I and have been approved by the State Education Department. When deciding which tutoring program is best for you child, you may want to ask these questions.
When and where will the tutoring take place (at school, home, a community center)?
How often and for how many hours in total will your child be tutored?
What programs, by grade levels and subject areas, are available for your child? What type of instruction will the tutor use (small group, one-on-one, or the computer)?
What are the tutors’ qualifications?
Can the tutor help if your child has disabilities or is learning English?
Is transportation available to and from where the tutoring will take place?
To register your KMS student for SES tutoring services complete the registration form and send the completed form to Knickerbacker Middle School or contact KMS guidance.
You will be contacted by Knickerbacker Middle School telling you when the tutoring will start.
Please call Mr. Paolino or your child's guidance counselor at 233-6811 if you have any questions about these services.
SES Registration Form
What Tutors Offer
OPT OUT Permission to Use Student Photographs
Lansingburgh Central School District may, at times, use photographs, photographic images, names, audio recordings, and/or video recordings of students for purposes of general publicity and/or student recruitment in publications, public relations, promotions, publicity and advertising. Should a parent or guardian NOT want their student to be photographed or recorded, please view and sign the Lansingburgh CSD OPT OUT Permission to Use Student Photographs form and return it to your students principal. For a copy of the form please click here.
State of New York Department of Health Alert
Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents
The Center for Disease Control is advising that everyone over 6 months of age get the flu vaccine this year. They have combined the formula so one vaccine can prevent the seasonal flu and swine flu. It is recommended that you check with your health care provider to schedule. Children under age 8 may be recommended for more than one dose but only your health care provider can advise you on the decision. No shortages of vaccines are predicted. This recommendation is meant to expand protection and prevent spread of the disease. For more information on flu vaccines please click here.
Nutrition Audit Reports
On September 14, 2009 the New York State Comptroller’s Office released two Audit Reports, Nutrition in School Districts Across New York State and another specific to findings at the Lansingburgh Central School District. These documents may be downloaded below:
Equal Opportunity Notice
The Lansingburgh Central School District hereby advises students, parents, employees and the general public that it offers employment, programs and educational opportunities, including vocational education opportunities, without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, handicap or any other legally protected status.
Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the person listed below.
Inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy may be directed to: Title IX Coordinator (sex discrimination) and Section 504 Coordinator (handicap discrimination)
Title IX Coordinator: Katherine Oboyski-Butler, Assistant Superintendent, phone (518) 233-6850
Section 504 Coordinator: Barbara Sperling, PPS Director, phone (518) 233-6850