A Message from the Superintendent |
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With the holiday season upon us, it is a time to reflect upon the events of the past year and look ahead to the promise of the New Year. As I complete my first six months living and working in Mahopac, I have been so impressed with the academic accomplishments, musical talents, and athletic abilities of our students. I have also been impressed with the kindness and respect shown by not only our students and staff, but by our entire community.
As we look ahead to 2023, we will determine the priorities for our next strategic plan so that we can continue to provide the best opportunities and environment for our students to thrive. Through our capital project, thanks to the community’s support, new library media spaces, enhanced security, and infrastructure improvements will become realities. Together as a community, we will face any challenges that come our way, always with a focus on what is best for our students.
Please join me in offering well wishes to Dr. Roshan Kato-Bhojwani, our secondary administrator for special education, as she leaves Mahopac for a new position in another school district. We are working on finding a replacement for this important position. In addition, Karen Gatto will continue to serve as our interim Director of Special Education through the end of the 2023–2024 school year. This extension helps to promote stability in our special education department.
I wish the entire Mahopac community a wonderful holiday and a happy and healthy New Year! Enjoy spending time with family and friends. I look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to our schools on January 3, 2023.
Sincerely,
Christine Tona
Superintendent of Schools
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The MHS German Club’s Gingerbread House Competition |
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A few dozen students and a handful of teachers and administrators gathered in the Mahopac High School cafeteria Wednesday afternoon for a challenge issued by the German Club’s advisors, Katrina Bauerlein and Greg Brown.
It was the 20th anniversary of the German Club’s gingerbread house competition and, for the first time in its history, the competition was opened up to those outside of the club.
Teams formed as they had in years past, out of club members and their friends. But also in attendance were representatives of the Italian Club with their rendition of a sweet Colosseum, members of the Girls JV Basketball team who intended to build a miniature basketball court, the Spanish Club, the Gay-Straight Alliance, the Environmental Club, and many more.
The rules were simple. Teams had two hours to construct their gingerbread creations in one of two categories: the “traditional” category for proper gingerbread houses, and the “creative” category where any gingerbread construction could be entered.
Judges included Superintendent Christine Tona, Principal Matthew Lawrence, and Spanish teacher Sam Correia. At the end of the allotted time, each team had a chance to deliver a one-minute pitch to the judges, who awarded first and second place prizes in each category.
“Santa gets kind of stressed out,” said the representative from the Environmental Club, “so he needs to be able to go to his lake house to relax. He’s got a log cabin, his reindeer are hanging out in the front yard, and he has a little pond. He has a small forest too, but you’ve got to watch out for the grinch.”
The Environmental Club’s intricate diorama featured sustainable elements calling back to the values of the club.
Other entries included a Brownie factory, a Christmas tree in an ice rink, a re-creation of the Candyland board game, and even a camper van.
One of the teams, made up of German students and their friends, created a two-foot-tall construction, including a backdrop that depicted the Alps in icing.
“This is our Winter Wonderland,” the Alps team representative said, “There's a snowman and his little son and they have a nice pond with some doves and some fish. They live in Germany and those are the Swiss Alps and they have a zoo with some llamas and bears.”
The presentations were almost as interesting as the creations, with teams weaving intricate narratives, complete with memorable characters and fantastic histories.
“This was originally a family tradition,” Bauerlein said. “When I started working here and started the club, my sister came in and helped my class to create gingerbread houses. Slowly it expanded and now here we are 20 years later with two categories, rules, and teams from all over the school.”
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Mahopac Student-Musicians Recognized |
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From Illusion to band, orchestra and chorus concerts, the spotlight has been on Mahopac’s talented student musicians this month.
Two student-musicians from Mahopac schools have been offered opportunities to join prestigious performances later this year: Clara Sprague will play in the New York State Band Directors Association Honor Band, and Cameron Dinsmore will perform with the New York State Honor Band.
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Sprague plays the French horn in the middle school band, trumpet in the jazz band, and even plays in the All County band. Her next accomplishment will be performing in the NYSBDA Honor Band.
“My dad is a professional French horn player and I really liked the way that it sounded so I wanted to learn to play,” Sprague said. “I’ve received a lot of encouragement from my friends and my band teachers at Mahopac, which has helped me become more confident playing in front of other people.”
Sprague cited her current band teacher as a critical part of her development as a musician, “Mr. Teglasi has been amazing and I really want people to know that. He’s hard on us but really patient and nice. He just brings the best out of all of us no matter how long it takes. He’s made me feel so much more confident in my playing.”
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Dinsmore is a Mahopac High School junior and member of the band. Dinsmore plays piano, flute, violin, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, guitar and trumpet but says that the flute is her favorite instrument to play in a performance.
Although she has been playing the flute for only two years, Dinsmore said she immediately had an affinity for the instrument: “Something just clicked with the flute.”
Not only is Dinsmore first chair and concertmaster in the band, she was also selected to be first chair in the New York State Honor Band. Dinsmore has worked hard to get where she is, but she credited much of her musical development to her band teacher, Rich Williams.
“I definitely wouldn’t have gotten to where I am without Mr. Williams. He has had faith in me and saw a potential in me that I never imagined that I had. I remember hearing about students going to All State, but I never thought that it would be me.”
Despite all of her accomplishments, Dinsmore said that it wasn’t just about the music.
“I have made lifelong friends in these bands. No matter what else is happening on any day, just knowing that I will get to spend 40 minutes playing music with these people is a breath of fresh air. I remember when we won Best Band at Music in the Parks and we just felt unstoppable after working so hard to make it there together.”
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Austin Road’s
Holiday Courtyard Cafe
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Festive music and the aromas of chocolate and peppermint greeted visitors to Austin Road Elementary Tuesday.
The scents were coming from the December Courtyard Café where students from Allison Walsh’s, Amanda Giacquinta’s, and Sara Nielsen’s classes greeted visitors and offered tickets for sweets and hot chocolate.
“Happy holidays!” said the student handing out tickets, “What would you like?”
Visitors had a choice of candy canes, chocolate bark, cupcakes, and peppermint hot chocolate.
“Do you want some hot chocolate?” an Austin Road student named Michael asked, “It’s really good, we’re running out!”
When asked if he liked being in charge of the hot chocolate station, Michael simply said, “It’s the best job, because everybody loves hot chocolate.”
The students proved to be good at sales. They did not allow anyone to pass by without offering something sweet while Vincenzo kept the seasonal music playing.
The courtyard cafe is a monthly event organized by Kate Ward who also credits Rebecca Kassirer, Meghan Reinhardt, Dana Pinatello, and Chris Williams for helping make the event possible. Ward also took a few minutes during a lull in business to comment on the event and its significance to the students.
“It’s a good way for the students to develop skills like cooking and working with food and it gives them a chance to socialize,” Ward said. “They’re involved with the whole process from preparing the food to interacting with the visitors.”
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Lakeview's first grade put on their chef hats and aprons for a performance of "Gingerbread Caper" in front of an audience of parents and faculty in Lakeview's cafeteria on Monday. |
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Fulmar Road students are spreading holiday cheer this year by purchasing small gifts for friends and family at the holiday sale.
"I got a little book and an ornament," said a student named Alexa. "I got the ornament for my mom and the book for my little sister."
Parent volunteers help students budget their purchases, as well as decide what to buy for their friends and family.
“Hmm, I think that my dad would like this,” said a student named Gabriella, as she picked up a headband with Christmas lights and felt antlers on it.
Some students, like Taylor, thought of friends in their class when buying gifts.
Taylor bought a few items for her family, but when she saw the colorful, fancy pens on the gifts table, only one person came to mind: her friend, Anna. The Fulmar Road student bought the pen and promptly delivered it to her friend, who was browsing the sale herself.
“I love it!” Anna exclaimed, embracing Taylor.
Spearheaded by the PTO, the holiday sale at Fulmar Road Elementary raises funds for trips, activities, and events for students all throughout the year. But Jessica Cipillone, the PTO’s head of fundraising, said it was not just about money.
“It teaches them about the value of money and making choices when they’re shopping,” Cipillone said. “They have to keep track of how much money they have and how much things cost and they aren’t just buying for themselves, they’re buying for others.”
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Kindergarten Students at Fulmar Road Elementary School got into the holiday spirit this week by dressing as the Grinch. |
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December Spotlight on Mahopac |
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12/26 - 1/2 - Holiday Recess
(Schools closed)
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Mission Statement
To prepare each and every student for college and career readiness, and
to educate all students to be responsible and productive members
of the global community.
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Mahopac Central School District
179 East Lake Boulevard, Mahopac, NY 10541-1666
Phone: 845-628-3415 Fax: 845-628-5502
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