Students of the Month
Seventh Grade
Tiffani Heil
Tiffani’s teachers say that she has an incredible attitude, is tremendously helpful to her fellow students and has been consistently hard working all year, especially in the areas of Health and Home and Careers.
Alexander LaSalvia
Alex’s teachers say that he is a well-liked, hardworking student and a valuable part of the classroom. Alex is responsible, positive and a member of the Jazz Band. His full schedule does not slow his performance.
Eighth Grade
Alexandra Lewis
Alex’s teachers say she is dependable, consistent, always pleasant and willing to help her peers. She balances academics, sports and friendships with maturity and grace.
Bridgett Lent
Bridgett’s teachers say that she goes above and beyond what is expected, that she is kind and respectful to teachers and peers; that she is a pleasure to teach and a role model for her peers.
Congratulations to all our Students of the Month, past and present, your characters shine through in all that you do hear at Rondout Valley Junior High. Thank You!
Results from the Hershey, PA Music in the Parks Competition held at Hershey High School May 10th:
RVJH 7th & 8th Grade Concert Band
1st Place Middle School Concert Band Single A Division (Schools 750 students or less) – “Outstanding Rating”
Best Overall Concert Band Award – Highest Score for Middle School Single A, Double A and Junior High Single A and Double A Divisions
RVJH 7th & 8th Grade Jazz Band
1st Place Middle School Jazz Band Single A Division (Schools 750 students or less) – “Excellent Rating”
Our students competed with programs from states as far away as Virginia. They not only demonstrated great musicianship but also maturity beyond their years.
Moving-Up Ceremony
Please note that The Eighth Grade Moving-Up Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 20th at 10:00 AM in the High School Auditorium. This is a change in date from what was printed on the district calendars.
Important Testing Dates:
State Test dates are as follows:
Science (Performance) 5/23 & 5/24 includes makeup date
Science (Written) 6/3 makeup date 6/4
The faculty, staff and administration of Rondout Valley Junior High School are pleased to announce that the following students have met all the requirements for acceptance into the Junior National Honor Society and we congratulate them whole heartedly.
TARA ABULARRAGE
KYLE ALTADONNA
VICTORIA BARRINGER
PAGE BECKERMAN
MATTHEW BEESMER
KAILEY CAMPBELL
KEENAN CLEARY
LIAM COMEY
AUBRIE DAVENPORT
WIL EAGLESTON
REBECCA FOERTSCH
ANTONIA HAMILTON
MAUREEN HOGAN
ANDREW HUFFMAN
LEVI KENNEDY
SAMANTHA MARSH
KYLE MEOLI
MAKAYLAH MUTZ
CHARLEY NYZIO
FRANK OCHOA-CINCOTTA
JULIA OSPINA
JESSICA PALMERI
STELLA PICURI
AUSTIN REDA
MEAGHAN ROMAGUERA
OLIVIA RUZZI
RYAN SHEEHAN
ALEXANDRA STEVENS
CAROLYN STIREWALT
SARAH STRATTON
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND
BRANDON TURNER
SAMANTHA ZIMMERMAN
Principal's Message
Dear Students, Staff, Parents, and Community Members:
We have made it through a good portion of our school year and I am happy to report that the many changes we have put into place have helped to create a positive school climate and a rigorous curriculum. It has been a privilege leading this learning community during a time of incredible change and tremendous possibilities. Our challenge is to embrace the future of the 21st century and assure that our students grow to become our future leaders.
To our school community, we are very excited about the many progressive changes that we have put into place at Rondout Valley Junior High School. We are excited about our newly formed Student-Principal Council that meets weekly to discuss how students can have input and an impact on building upon our success. The Scheduling Committee will be looking at Best Practices research as begin to build next year’s schedule. Embedded in the teacher’s schedules there is time for core teachers to meet with their teaching teams as well as with their respective departments every other day. This ensures that teachers have time to plan cross-curricular activities, address students they are concerned about and work collaboratively on the new Common Core Curriculums. We have re-instituted Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which is a very successful nationwide program aimed at creating a positive learning environment by publicly acknowledging the positive behaviors we are looking for in our students. I am happy to report that referrals and suspensions are down, while school climate has greatly improved. Activity Time, which replaced recess, is going well. This is where students get to choose a teacher supervised activity based on their interests. This eliminates the unstructured time during recess and replaces it with structure, student choice and the ability for students and teachers to foster stronger relationships outside the classroom. We also have moved the new Parent Resource Center. It is now located next to the Intermediate Principal’s office downstairs, where parents can get information on educational, health and wellness as well as social service information. We have applied and are still waiting on word for a 2.1 million dollar STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Grant and are partnering with West Point Military Academy, Ulster County Community College and the Girl Scouts: Heart of the Hudson in this effort. All these changes are based on Best Practice research and were put into effect with the goal that we are all working toward becoming a School of Excellence. **Please see the report on Top Performing Middle Schools in New York State on this webpage, which is the blue print we will be following.
To our students, as move into the second half of the school year I ask that you reflect on your goals and strive to do your best every day. Know that the administration, faculty, and staff are here to support and encourage you as you explore different opportunities and grow as learners. Remember that with these opportunities, come a personal and collective responsibility to be supportive of one another and our school. I will count on you to go beyond tolerance and treat all members of our community with respect.
To our staff, I pledge my commitment to continue to work together as we strive to fulfill our district's vision. A school that aspires to greatness can expect no less. To our parents and community it is essential that you take an active role in our students' success. Rondout Valley Junior High prides itself on the school spirit that is created and maintained by our faculty, staff, students and parents. With students in our building only two years, it is crucial that we maintain parent involvement. I encourage you to get involved right away with our PTSA or contact myself about volunteering in another capacity. There is always an opportunity to lend a hand in many ways. Our parents, teachers, students and staff work hard to create a respectful, responsible, and safe environment.
Serving as Principal of Rondout Valley Junior High School is as great an honor as it is a responsibility. I believe that the foundation of our future accomplishments will be to continue to provide our students with academic experiences that are rigorous, relevant and build lasting relationships. It is important that everyone who steps through our doors - staff, students, parents, and community members - are excited to be here! This attitude will allow us to embrace and meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive and nurturing environment. I pledge to continue to work with the faculty, staff, students and parents to continue to improve our efforts in making student success our number one priority.
Sincerely,
Charles J. Tadduni
Yearbook Club Meets on Thursday's after
school in Ms. Touri' s room
|