Furnace Woods Third Graders Meet 'Fangbone!' Author Mike Rex
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“Start writing, and keep writing, again and again and again.”
That was the advice children’s book author Mike Rex offered to Furnace Woods third graders during a recent visit to Christine Hill's and Heather Ledwin’s classrooms.
“You have to practice to get better at sports or an instrument, right? Well, writers have to practice, too,” Rex explained.
A best-selling author, with such titles as "Goodnight Goon," "Eat Pete" and the popular "Fangbone!" series to his name, Rex told the students that he finds inspiration for his books everywhere. “Ideas are all over the place. Writers get ideas from things like images, things that people say -- even the titles of other books.” He explained how he got the idea for his book, "Goodnight Goon," from the classic children’s book "Goodnight Moon," giving the story his own silly, spooky twist.
He also showed the students how a book illustration evolves from a basic sketch to a full-color finished drawing. Once they saw how long the process can take, the students weren’t surprised when Rex told them that a picture book can take years to complete.
Rex wrapped up his visit by reading from his not-yet-released book, "Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots."
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“She Kills Monsters” at HHHS
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Hendrick Hudson High School presented “She Kills Monsters” on November 22 and 23. The play, which was geared toward mature audiences, is about a young woman’s journey of discovery following the death of her sister. The story focused on her exploration of her deceased sister’s world of online fantasy gaming.
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Cheers for New Track and Field Complex
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It was a whole new ballgame at Hendrick Hudson High School this fall, when the district unveiled its new track and field facility, part of the district’s ongoing capital improvements project.
As the new school year got underway, the Sailors played football, soccer and field hockey on the new turf field. Cheerleading also took place, and the district hosted the New York State Class B Regional Semifinal Boys Soccer game at the new facility.
"My teammates and I were extremely excited to play on the new field,” said senior captain of the girls soccer team, Erin Clark. “It came out beautifully, and we are proud to call it our own."
In the spring, boys and girls lacrosse and track and field will use the new turf field and track. The district will also host the Section 1 Class B Track and Field Championships on May 28 and the Class B and C Boys Lacrosse Regional Semifinal games on June 3.
"It was a pleasure seeing our student-athletes walk onto the field with such excitement and pride this past fall,” said Athletic Director Tom Baker. “They have waited a long time for this wonderful facility, and I am glad they can now enjoy it. A big thank you to the community for supporting this project.”
While the track and field facility is available for student use, the district is still in the process of completing the project, with some safety and security features still outstanding before it can be made available for public use. The community will be informed once these upgrades are complete, and the district greatly appreciates everyone’s patience.
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Three Seniors to Play Division 1 Athletics Next Year
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At a ceremony held at the high school on November 13, three Hen Hud student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level. The students, pictured with Principal James Mackin and Athletic Director Tom Baker, are, from left to right, Jennifer Gougelmann, Caitlin Weimar and Erin Clark. Jennifer is joining the women’s swim team at Tulane University in New Orleans; Caitlin committed to playing women’s basketball at Marist College in Poughkeepsie; and Erin signed on to play women’s lacrosse at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.
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Frank G. Lindsey Town Hall Stresses Gratitude
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There are always things to be thankful for.
That was the theme of Frank G. Lindsey’s November Town Hall, held just before the Thanksgiving holiday break. Students and teachers alike stressed gratefulness and kindness through “shout outs,” Golden Anchor awards and song.
Shout outs are messages from one student to another, recognizing kindness and good behavior in action. The messages are read out loud at the school’s monthly Town Hall meetings. There is a mailbox in the school cafeteria where students can submit their shout outs.
At November’s Town Hall, teacher Sabrina Pereira introduced a new kind of shout out – for teachers, teaching assistants and teacher aides. “Kindness starts from the top,” she said, noting that the shout outs reflect the district’s emphasis on social emotional learning.
Pereira also drew everyone’s attention to a beautiful turkey wall hanging on display just around the corner, in the second grade hallway. Students emblazoned each turkey “feather” with something they are thankful for.
Golden Anchor Awards were also handed out. These monthly awards recognize students who demonstrate the characteristics of Sailor P.R.I.D.E.: Positive attitude, Respectful, I am responsible, Do my best, and Empathy.
The Town Hall wrapped up with a solo sung by fourth grader Madison Parkes and a school-wide rendition of FGL’s alma mater, composed by music teacher Rebecca Correllus.
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Middle School Honors Veterans with “Hallway of Heroes”
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For the second year in a row, the BMMS Student Government created a Hallway of Heroes in the school lobby, as part of its "Salute to our Veterans." Student government representatives asked students and staff for photos of family members who have served in the military. The photos were displayed all around the school's entry, along with flags and signs.
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Blue Mountain Middle School Dedicates Memorial for Former Principal
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Colleagues, friends, staff members and alumni gathered at Blue Mountain Middle School this fall to celebrate former Principal Frank Thomas, who passed away in 2017. Led by former Hendrick Hudson School District Superintendent Joan Thompson, the group dedicated an art display case and memorial plaque, which will be home to student artwork as well as that of Thomas, who was also an art lover and artist.
“He was so much more than a principal,” said Thompson, adding that Thomas believed strongly in service and leadership. “He made us all better!”
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National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists and Commended Students
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Congratulations to Hendrick Hudson High School senior James Reilly, who was named a Semifinalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Competition, and seniors Matthew Klimek, Adhithya Rajasekar, and Julian Yu, who were named Commended Students.
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Local Talk Show Host Visits BV Second Graders for Veterans Day
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Local veteran and YouTube talk show host George Ondek visited Nikki Fawcett’s second grade class at Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School in early November, just ahead of Veterans Day. Ondek stopped by to share his experience as a soldier and veteran, and to explain to the students why Veterans Day is so important. The visit was filmed as an episode for Ondek’s online program.
Students Landon and Gabe welcomed Ondek and his crew to the classroom. Landon shared a special greeting he had prepared: “May you be happy, healthy and safe, and may your life be filled with joy.”
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Quick Links
Below are some helpful links as the school year gets underway:
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For daily district
updates, visit
and read the News feed.
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Can't make it to
Board M
eetings?
Watch online at
Click on School Board and then Meetings.
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For the District
Calendar, visit
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Click on Community >
Indian Point Updates
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Hendrick Hudson School District, 61 Trolley Road, Montrose, NY 10548
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