As the Pawling Central School District sustains, improves and initiates student programs and experiences over the next five years, what matters most to you?
The Superintendent and Board of Education invite you—students, staff, parents, and community members—to participate in an envisioning conversation. Visit our interactive
platform
to register your responses and rate the ideas others advance. Participate as often as you like and plan to engage in a face-to-face conversation on this topic on October 30 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Pawling Elementary School Multi-purpose Room. Childcare and Spanish language interpretation are available. Your
RSVP
will assist our planning for this important event.
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Meet the newest in Pawling
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This September students were greeted by many new faces throughout the District. We will introduce you to them throughout the fall. Welcome to all:
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District Staff
Josh Chason, Athletic Trainer
Michael Hyatt, Head Auto Mechanic
Crystal Keeler, Micro Computer Word Processing Support Assistant
Pawling Elementary School
Kaitlin Bizier, Special Education Teacher
Catie DeVoe, Permanent Substitute Teacher
Rose Fraticelli, Elementary Teacher
Katelyn Line, English as a New Language Teacher
Sara Paden, Art Teacher
Dennise Sisalima, Teacher Aide
Valerie Stanzione, Part Time School Monitor
Jacqueline Turselli, Remedial Reading Teacher
Pawling Middle School
Geoffrey Dubas, Special Education Teacher
Karl Mauks, Secondary Mathematics Teacher
Vienna Sacaza, School Counselor
Gemma Mo Sutton, Registered Nurse
Crystal Walters, Art Teacher
Pawling High School
Heidi Anderson, School Monitor
Kristen Carrick, Special Education Teacher
Kevin Geidel, Science Teacher
Talia Mariella, Teaching Assistant, Special Education
Jennifer Salandra, Cook
Shirley Sanfardino, Full Time School Monitor
Nina Stark, Math, Leave Replacement Secondary Math Teacher
Rachel Van Der Stuyf, Secondary Mathematics Teacher
Crystal Walters, Art Teacher
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Kaitlin Bizier: Special Education Teacher
Kaitlin Bizier has been with the Pawling School District since 2018 in several positions, including permanent substitute and a homework club instructor. She also served as a substitute for several school districts in Westchester County and Connecticut.
Mrs. Bizier is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and holds her master’s degree from Manhattanville College, where she earned three different teaching certifications. She points to Confucius for inspiration saying,
“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”
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Kristen Carrick: Special Education Teacher
Kristen Carrick has been in the special education field in the Hudson Valley since 2007. During that time, she has taught in a self-contained special education class, served as the CSE/CPSE Chair and the 504 Coordinator. Ms. Carrick holds a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in special education from SUNY New Paltz.
Ms. Carrick joined the Pawling District as a teaching assistant two years ago. During that time,
Ms. Carrick said, she has come to admire the District’s “supportive community and committed educators,” adding that she looks forward to “playing a role in our students’ continued growth.”
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Josh Chason: Athletic Trainer
Josh Chason began at Pawling School District last year as an outreach athletic trainer. He has more than 15 years experience as an athletic trainer at local colleges and secondary schools and nearly 20 years experience in the emergency services field. Mr. Chason holds a number of certifications, including New York State Paramedic, and a master’s degree in science kinesiology from A.T. Still University.
“I understand the importance of your children’s health and safety,” Mr. Chason says. “As the school’s athletic trainer, I am able to provide emergency care during athletic practices and games, as well as injury prevention education and rehabilitative services.”
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Geoffrey Dubas: Special Education Teacher
Geoffrey Dubas comes to Pawling from The Poughkeepsie Day School where he was an adolescence head teacher. Prior to that, he taught at The Churchill School in Manhattan and in the Windsor School District in New York. Mr. Dubas earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose and his master’s degree from Pace University.
“I am excited to work with the students and teachers to help create a learning environment that is safe for all,” Mr. Dubas said.
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Rose Fraticelli: Elementary Teacher
Rose Fraticelli comes to Pawling from New York City schools where she has been teaching since 2013. During that time, she taught at the Hyde Leadership Charter School and Community School 150, and served as a curriculum mapping team member. A graduate of CUNY City College, Mrs. Fraticelli earned her master’s degree from CUNY Hunter College, specializing in literacy.
“I believe in character-based learning and educating the whole child,” she says. “While I have a passion for literacy, I also like to engage my students in learning that sparks their interest. I have always enjoyed getting to know my students and weaving their interests and backgrounds into lessons. My goals are to help students flourish into independent, responsible, caring beings as well as nurture a love for learning.”
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Kevin Geidel: Science Teacher
Kevin Geidel joins Pawling High School as a physics teacher, having taught science at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael, Calif., since 2014. While at Davidson, he also served as head of the department for two years. A graduate of Ithaca College, Mr. Geidel is a certified medical assistant and holds a master’s degree in teaching from Western Governors University in Utah.
“My goal is to contribute to the obviously caring and supportive Pawling community by cultivating and catalyzing student learning,” he says. “I will know I am successful if my students are creative, competent, compassionate and go on to make the world a better place!”
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Karl Mauks: Secondary Mathematics Teacher
Karl Mauks has taught mathematics on both the east and west coast. Since 2013, he has taught math enrichment in the middle school grades at Poughkeepsie Day School. Mr. Mauks also studied on both coasts, earning his bachelor’s degree at Vassar College and his master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley.
“I’m very excited to work with my seventh graders this year, and hope to instill a love of math in all my students,” he says. “My students learn about how the study of math literally grows their brains, and I invite them to take on challenges and explain their reasoning in multiple ways. It is going to be a fantastic year!”
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Sara Paden: Art Teacher
Sara Paden has taught art at various levels in public schools in New York, Virginia and Washington, D.C. She also has experience teaching therapeutic art as well as advanced studio curriculum.
As an artist, Ms. Paden specializes in drawing and painting using various materials and techniques. She points to the arts as a way to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving. A native of Putnam County, Paden is a graduate of the College of St. Rose and Pace University. Quoting Pablo Picasso, she says, “ ‘Every child is an artist’ I am extremely excited to become your art teacher at Pawling Elementary.”
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Crystal Walters: Art Teacher
Crystal Walters brings 12 years of teaching experience at the middle and high school levels in Western New York to Pawling Schools. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of St. Rose in Albany. In addition to visual arts, Mrs. Walters is also certified as an educational technology specialist.
“I am really excited to be teaching at Pawling Middle School and High School,” she says. “ I look forward to collaborating with other teachers to create cross curricular projects.”
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Pawling High School Student Presents Research at Conference in Virginia
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Thayle Reid-Hellberg, a Pawling High School Science Research student, presented her research at the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Conference in McLean, Va., in mid-September.
“The Effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome On Mental Health” was a survey-based study Reid-Hellberg designed, administered and analyzed. She presented at the three-day conference alongside researchers, advocates, doctors and ambassadors from across the country. Thayle also spoke on a teen panel about adolescent mental health in relation to PCOS.
According to the PCOS Awareness Association, “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a health condition that affects about 10 million people in the world. The exact cause is unknown, but it is considered a hormonal problem. Genetics and environmental factors are believed to be involved in the development of PCOS. It is a leading cause of female infertility and is responsible for a number of symptoms that can affect the body physically and emotionally.”
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National Merit Recognizes Five Pawling Students
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Two Pawling High School Seniors have been named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program and three seniors have been named Commended Students.
The Semifinalists are
Michael Bai and Lily O'Hara. Commended Students are Stine Isak, Matthew Larocchia, and Christopher Schmidt.
The Semifinalists are among approximately 16,000 students chosen from 1.6 million who took last year’s PSAT, the qualifying test for the scholarships. This puts them in the top 1% of students nationwide. The Commended Students placed in the top 50,000 students across the country.
The National Merit program was first established in 1955 to create scholarship opportunities for these high achieving students. The Semifinalists will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 scholarships.
Bai is a member of the science, math and Spanish honor societies as well as the National Honor Society. A leader in a number of clubs on campus, Bai has served as president and treasurer of Student Council, and is currently co-president of the Math Honor Society and captain of the math team.
As a member of the math team since 2017, he has earned both individual and team honors. Well rounded, he participates in basketball, cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. In addition, Bai plays piano for Pawling United Methodist Church, where he also is an Appalachian Service Project volunteer. Bai won Pawling's Got Talent local talent show with his performance of Rachmaninoff.
“I really thank my math teachers as well as my experience on math team for preparing me for the math section of the SAT as well as my various AP teachers for inspiring me to study at such a high level,” Bai said.
O'Hara has been the vice president of her class since freshman year. This year, she is also serving as the editor of the Yearbook. She has served as vice president of the French Honor Society and is currently vice president of the Science Honor Society. O’Hara is also co-president of the Math Honor Society and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. A Lake Carmel lifeguard, O’Hara also serves the community as an Appalachian Service Project volunteer and Midnight Run volunteer.
“Receiving this recognition has made me feel like all of the time and effort that I put into academics is really paying off,” she said. “It feels amazing to be recognized for such a prestigious honor.”
Isak is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. Captain of the debate team, Isak also serves as an officer for the Gay-Straight Alliance and is a member of the literary society. She is a member of the varsity dance team and involved in the Pawling High School chorus.
Larocchia has received a number of honors, including the Clarkson University High School Achievement Award; the Distinguished Christian Character Award for Academics, Leadership and Fine Arts; and the President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. He is also the co-president of the Science Honor Society. Larocchia is very active in the community as a volunteer and musician. He has performed in the Tabernacle Christian Academy ensemble and on saxophone at Barnes and Noble and Cedar Valley Nursing Home. Larocchia helped repair houses in West Virginia as an Appalachian Service Project volunteer.
Schmidt is a member of the science, math and Spanish honor societies as well as the National Honor Society. Last year he took third place in Behavioral Science at the Somers Science Fair. He also participates in the math team, Pep Band, chess club and Peer Leadership team. He also plays on a number of athletic teams including basketball, cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. An Appalachian Service Project volunteer, he also volunteers with the Midnight Run, Pawling Library Legions Program and Interact Club of Pawling.
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Fall Update
Pawling High School’s Fall Sports are in full swing. The
Homecoming
Game and Parade celebrated all of our athletes. The football team remained undefeated, beating Pine Plains on Saturday with a score of 18-16.The boys cross country team is ranked sixth in the Section I Class C Division and the Girls Cross Country team is ranked seventh.
The girls soccer team is having a strong season with a record of 9-4. Field hockey has a record of 5-5 with 1 draw. The boys soccer team has a record of 3-4 and the girls volleyball team has a record of 1-3. Girls tennis is looking for their first win of the season with a record of 0-8.
Under the Lights
Thanks to the generous support and collaboration of the Pawling Community Foundation and the Tiger Club, along with local businesses and families, the Pawling Athletic Department is pleased to be able to provide a series of athletic contests, “under the lights.”
The Under the Lights Senior Night games will be highlighted in the Fall Newsletter and on the website.
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Digital Backpack
The
digital backpack
is updated regularly with information from the schools and local community. You can find a link for it under the Parent tab of the homepage. It is also listed on the homepage with a date of the most recent update.
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