http://www.rotterdamny.net/ http://www.eblah.com en http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1275220061/ http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1275220061/#num1 REUNION TICKETS
    ROTTERDAM — Tickets are on sale for the Schalmont Alumni Reunion party for all graduates from Schalmont High School (21 and older). The reunion will be held on Saturday, June 5 at Maple Ski Ridge. The cost is $10 for advance tickets or $20 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased at Casa di Vino Spirits, Altamont Avenue, Price Chopper Plaza or Roman Villa Restaurant. All proceeds will be donated for a scholarship to a graduating senior at Schalmont High School.
    For more information visit http://www. SchalmontReunion.myevent.com or call (716) 523-7673. ]]> Sun, 30 May 2010 06:47:41 Admin http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1274957995/ http://www.rotterdamny.net/m-1274957995/#num1

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ROTTERDAM
Bragle teaches elementary music, heart and soul
    Editor’s Note: This is part of a regular series of notable teachers from around the Capital Region.
BY MICHAEL GOOT
Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.

   Being a music teacher is in Kathleen Bragle’s genes.
    Her mother was a teacher of everything from kindergarten to grade 12 and her father was a history teacher, in addition to being a violist. Music and history blended to create the teacher Bragle is today: she has students sing rap songs about the presidents and states.
    She wants to have a meaningful impact on students’ lives. “Get to know them in a unique way that perhaps a classroom teacher doesn’t,” she said.
    Bragle looked around her spacious music room, which was formerly part of Jefferson Elementary School’s cafeteria before a building renovation in 2003. She said it has the best acoustics in the school.
    “I like this room to be a peaceful place for them — a place where they can create something beautiful, a place where they can relax, but also a place charged with creative energy.”
    Bragle grew up in Westchester County and did her undergraduate work at the College of Saint Rose. She was at the University of Illinois pursuing a master’s in musicology — the history of music — with the hope of teaching at the college level.
    “I walked across the street to music ed building and fell in love,” she said.
    She started her career in Albany in 1970 for two years and after some time off to raise children came to the Schalmont district in 1976. She has been exclusively at Jefferson since 1982.
    Bragle said the students are largely the same, despite being busier and pulled in so many different directions.
    “I find them to be very respectful, very kind and very loving.”
START YOUNG
    Bragle said she particularly enjoys teaching kindergartners because they are precious and untouched by the world. This year, she was teaching them twice a week because the district expanded to full-day kindergarten. “They are the joy of my life. They are the reason I am not retiring,” she said. “These guys have really wrapped themselves around my heart a few times.” .................>>>>.......................>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01400&AppName=1

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ROTTERDAM
4 running for 3 seats on Schalmont board

    Four candidates are seeking three seats on the Schalmont Board of Education.
    Sandra Beloncik, Michael DellaVilla and Robert Sheehan are seeking re-election, and newcomer John DiCocco is also running for one of the three-year terms.
    Beloncik is running for her sixth term. She is a member of the New York State School Boards Association. She also served as the Capital District School Board Association representative for Schalmont for 11 years. For the past two years, she has served as president of the Capital Region BOCES Board of Education. She is also a trustee for Tech Valley High School.
    DellaVilla is running for his third term. He is a co-founder of Rockit Science Solutions and has more than 25 years of experience in information technology. He also volunteers as a coach for AAU and CYO Basketball.
    John DiCocco is seeking his fi rst term. He is a contract manager in the Global Project Operations group at General Electric. He is also a pack master for Cub Scout Pack 57. For the past two years, he has served on the Schalmont Community Budget Advisory Committee.
    Robert Sheehan is running for his third term. He is a pharmacist with the state Bureau of Pharmacy Policy and Operations. He is also a member of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, Northeast Society of Hospital Pharmacists, American Pharmaceutical Society and Professional Employee Federation. He serves as a soccer official for Section II and is a member of the Eastern Board Approved Soccer Officials Association.
    Voters can learn more about the candidates at Meet the Candidates Night at 7 p.m. on May 10 in the Schalmont Middle School LGI Room, 2 Sabre Drive.

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Schalmont budget talks

Sean Ahern 04/02/10

With a school budget of $42.3 million, The Schalmont Board of Education hopes to adopt a 2010-11 budget that shows a zero percent change in budget from the previous year.

With the expectation that the district will see a loss of $1.5 million in state aid, the board of education and Schalmont Superintendent of Schools, Valerie Kelsey, have worked to create a budget with no year to year increase in spending.

The proposed budget includes proposed cuts at all levels of the district, including elementary summer school programs, the gifted and talented program, the DARE program and more than $25,000 in cuts to the athletic program, according to information from the district website.

The largest portion of cuts in the proposed budget include the elimination of 14 full time equivalent positions, which would impact nearly 21 employees in the district.

"We've made quite a bit of cuts but we've managed to maintain the integrity of school programs," said Kelsey.

The Schalmont Board of Education will meet again on Monday, April 12, for their second budget forum and to adopt the 2010-2011 budget at Jefferson Elementary School at 7 p.m. The school board will also hold an official budget hearing at the Schalmont Middle School on May 10. The official budget vote will be held on May 18 at the Schalmont High School Gym foyer.

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ROTTERDAM
Students see whose cuisine is supreme
Club holds ‘Iron Chef’ competition
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

    Corin Noga winced and Lauren Chrysler immediately dipped a fork into the remaining bowl of the duo’s pasta concoction as their competitors began describing their dish to the panel judges.
    They had prepared similar dishes in some respects; both had cooked linguine with broccoli and both had liberally seasoned their recipes with fresh garlic, the main ingredient of choice for Schalmont Middle School’s version of “Iron Chef.” But as eighth-grade classmates Dominic Toma and Jordan Vanosky finished their description, Corin and Lauren immediately realized that they had forgotten an ingredient in their haste to finish in time.
    “The lemon adds a zing, and the Parmesan cheese complements the whole dish,” Dominic said proudly — and to the sudden chagrin of his competitors.
    The Parmesan cheese, mumbled Corin after sampling a bite. They had forgotten to add the Parmesan cheese.
    These things sometimes happen when the clock is ticking closer to deadline, they explained, especially since none of nine students on the four teams competing at Schalmont’s “kitchen stadium” — Diane Babin’s classroom — were accustomed to pushing out full meals in less than 30 minutes. ..............>>>>...............>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01104&AppName=1

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