November 13, 2023

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Mahopac Community,

Safety and security are always the top priority in our school district. With that said, our Administrator for Safety, Security, and Compliance, Troy Bilyeu, will be sharing information periodically through a section in the newsletter titled, "Spotlight on Safety". In this week's edition, Mr. Bilyeu shares important information about safety protocols related to bus accidents. Please be sure to review this information so that you are familiar with the protocols in the event that an issue arises.

As our country recognized our Veterans last weekend, please join me in thanking all of the men and women in our community who have served in the armed forces.

Sincerely,

Christine Tona 

Superintendent

Spotlight on Safety

Troy Bilyeu

Administrator K-12 for Safety, Security, and Compliance

Bus Accidents

As I complete the first quarter in my new role with the district, I have been focusing on reviewing procedures and policies even though I have been in the district for many years. In this first edition of the MCSD Safety Spotlight, I would like to go over our plan for Bus Accidents.

When a bus is in an accident, the District follows Board of Education policy to identify protocols to be followed to ensure that the safety and well-being for all students and staff are addressed.

Below are the actions that our District will take in accordance with this policy along with the guidelines that parents should adhere to in situations like this.

• Upon receiving a report of a bus accident, the District Dispatcher will ask the Bus Driver if the accident resulted in students complaining of injuries. The dispatcher will immediately dial 911 if someone is injured. If the incident is minor with no reported injuries, the local Police Department will be called to report a property damage-only accident.
• The Dispatcher will notify the Transportation Supervisor.
• The Transportation Supervisor (or designee) will be dispatched to the scene for the purpose of accident investigation. He or she will determine where to bring the students for evaluation (closest school with a nurse available).
• A Bus Mechanic will be dispatched to the scene with a replacement bus.
• The students will board the replacement bus and be brought to the nearest school with a nurse available.
• District-level communication will be sent to inform parents/emergency contacts of children impacted by this accident, the school to which they should report to pick up their child(ren). School personnel will also make phone calls to the parents/emergency contacts.
• The nurse will evaluate each student. Any students with serious visible injuries or complaints of serious injuries, visible or not visible, will be transported to the hospital via EMS. 
• Parents are asked not to go to the scene of the accident and instead, to go to the school building where the students will be examined by the school nurse and then released to the parent. This may not be the actual school your child goes to, but may be the school nearest to the accident. While this is discouraged, any parents who arrive on the scene and insist upon taking their children prior to nurse evaluation must sign a School Bus Accident Parent Release Waiver form releasing the school district from any liability. The Transportation Supervisor or designee will permit the release of students only if the following are met:
• The identity of the person picking up the student can be verified and checked against the student information records.
• The waiver for release is signed.

For the full details of this policy, please click on the following link: 

8410.3 School Bus Accident Protocol for Transportation Dispatcher, Supervisors and School Personnel

If you have further questions regarding this policy, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at 845-621-0656 ext 13504 or by email bilyeut@mahopac.org.

Fall Concert Performances and Musicians

Mahopac's very own student musicians put on an impressive show earlier this month. In case you missed it, check out some of the incredible performances below:

Concert Band

Symphonic Band

Several of Mahopac's musicians performed a Level 6 adjudicated solo at the Spring NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival. The following students were recognized for achieving very high scores and were selected to participate in the Zone 10 Area All-State Band, Orchestra, and Treble Choir.

Band

Joseph Biondi

Cameron Dinsmore

Madison Salem

Adam Spinella

Joaquin Martinez

Maxine Van Nortwick

Orchestra

Mia Reitzen

Treble Choir

Ella Atkinson

Olivia Misiag

Everyone in the District and community is excited to see these students perform at George Fisher Middle School with selected students from other schools under the direction of a special guest conductor on November 18th.

Last Week in Photos

Eight Mahopac Seniors Sign on for

College Sports

It's that time of year again when elite Mahopac High School senior athletes take a big step into the future. Fall's senior signing day saw eight student-athletes seize the opportunity to continue their athletic careers in college. The entire Mahopac Central School District and the greater Mahopac community extend their congratulations to these incredible student-athletes.

Veterans Visit Mahopac's Elementary Schools

As the country prepared to honor the men and women who serve our country, Shannon O'Shea's Kindergarten class welcomed a very special guest to speak to the students about his experiences serving. Robert Kearns is a veteran of several overseas combat tours who served in the United States Navy from 2016 to 2023. He is also the father of Grant Kearns, who was very excited to see his dad visit his class.

"The Navy specializes in maritime security," Kearns told the students. "Just like police protect their community, we protect the whole country."

Meanwhile, over at Lakeview Elementary School in Jeanne Russo and Don Triebel's fourth-grade class, Board of Education Trustee and veteran Johnathan Schneider visited to speak with students and even read The Wall, by Eve Bunting to them.

Finally, Board of Education Vice President and veteran Fernando Martinez visited Austin Road Elementary School, where he spoke to the entire fifth grade class about his experiences serving in the Air Force.

All of the veterans who visited Mahopac's schools last week fielded questions from students and offered them a glimpse into the lives of United States service men and women.

School Psychology Week 2023

Last week, the Mahopac Central School District celebrated its school psychologists, all of whom perform invaluable work to maintain the mental well-being of all Mahopac students. The Mahopac CSD extends its thanks to Margaret DeFrancesco, Ashley DeSombre, Elizabeth Froner, Eva Hecht, Barbara Hynes, Lisa Kimmel, Sara McCarthy, Vanda Rudez, Jackie Tome, Tara Velez, Deb Zides, Mary Eberling, and Rebecca Ivicic.

United for the Troops Collection Concludes

Ahead of Veterans Day, the United for the Troops Donation Collection concluded, and Mahopac's students, staff, and families came through in a big way for the men and women serving our country overseas. Donations included all manner of necessities from from snacks, to toiletries, and sundries. According to United for the Troops, simple comforts like playing cards, sweets, and chapstick make those serving the United States a little more comfortable, wherever they go.

Teachers Hone Their Skills at Superintendent's Conference Day

Mahopac Central School District staff and teachers are lifelong learners and were hard at work in professional development workshops during Superintendent's Conference Day. They also heard from several speakers, including keynote speaker and Mahopac alumnus Dylan Smith, who spoke about his struggle with Dyslexia and journey through Mahopac schools.

Veteran Teachers Recognized for Dedication

Congratulations are also due to six of Mahopac's veteran teachers who were recognized at Superintendent's Conference day for 30+ years of dedication to the Mahopac Central School District. Thank you to Kerry Kearney, Margaret Fox, Liza Kertelits, Frances Shea, Lisa Ettlinger, and Mary Moriarty.

Middle School Students Acquire New Skills

at After-School Workshops

The Mahopac Middle School Parent Teacher Organization has been working to provide students with after-school educational workshops. Once the last bell rings, teachers and students meet to learn chess, cooking, manufacturing, and more. There is a wide variety of opportunities on offer through the after-school PTO workshops, allowing Mahopac's students to enhance their education with new skills.

The first book of minutes of the Mahopac Falls School District began in 1814 and ended in 1880. This book is in the collection of the Town of Carmel Historical Society and is believed to be the earliest surviving minute book of a rural school in Putnam County.

Do you have a fact about Mahopac to share? Your fact may be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

Please share your information here: Did You Know Ideas for a Future Newsletter

Mission Statement

The Mahopac CSD develops educated, upstanding citizens with practical life skills through rigorous preparation for the real world. 

Mahopac Central School District

100 Myrtle Avenue, Mahopac, NY 10541

Phone: 845-628-3415 Fax: 845-628-5502