ADMINISTRATION ARCHIVE
NYS Education Commissioner Visits Hudson CSD
From Left to Right: NYS Education Commissioner Dr. Richard Mills, 2003 Hudson Graduate and current substitute teacher Kamal Johnson and Superintendent of Schools Jack Howe.
On Friday, March 27, 2009, New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Richard Mills visited our school district during the Superintendent’s Conference Day.
Dr. Mills, along with Questar III District Superintendent Dr. James Baldwin met with a group of school community stakeholders, including district administrators, teachers, Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera, representatives from community groups, as well as current and past students to discuss the progress being made to educate all of our students.
This important discussion addressed how a variety of interventions and instructional programs, such as the Freshman Orientation Program, student culture and climate improvements, professional development, partnerships with New Paltz College Educational Talent Search Program and Youth Empowerment Services (YES), and Career and Technical Education (CTE) have decreased the number of High School dropouts while preparing students for a wide range of opportunities in the 21st Century.
“Hudson has clearly developed a set of strategies to improve graduation and the District is aspiring at a high level” said Dr. Mills.
High School Principal Steven Spicer presented data on the dropout rate and how intervention measures have improved student success from last year by nearly a 50% reduction in the dropout rate. “There is a focus on improving ELA and math scores, but students also need goals beyond high school and understand that graduation can help them achieve their dreams,” said Spicer.
High School senior Robyn Spateholts agrees with her Principal, who regularly asks his students “what college are you going to?”
“It’s important to hear that you’re worth it,” said Spateholts, who plans on attending college in the fall. “The support and encouragement from teachers made me realize that I could achieve more.”
From Left to Right: Superintendent of Schools Jack Howe, 12th grader Robyn Spateholts and NYS Education Commissioner Dr. Richard Mills.
Odyssey of the Mind
Congratulations to all of our students from Montgomery C. Smith Middle School who competed in Questar III’s Regional Odyssey of the Mind Tournament.
Photo caption: From Left to Right: 1st row, Jordan Daniels, Jonathan Daniels, 2nd row, After School Program Director Kathy Clark, Jason Daniels, Destiny Van Alstyne, Amari McEwan-White, Sharif Khan, Allison Laudig, Brent Decker, Tracy Daniels (parent), Humaira Khan, 3rd row, Site Coordinator Michael Fulton and Superintendent of Schools Jack Howe.
More than 400 students from Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties competed on March 7th at the Tamarac Secondary School in Brunswick. The competition was the culmination of a year of hard work by 60 teams from Averill Park, Brunswick, Catskill, East Greenbush, Hoosic Valley, Hudson, Ichabod Crane, Lansingburgh, Rensselaer, Schodack, Taconic Hills and Wynantskill. Sacred Heart School, St. Mary’s of Hoosick Falls and Susan Odell Taylor School for Children also competed.
The Superstition, Division II challenge, had students explore the origins of superstitions. Students had to perform an 8 minute skit, incorporating two current superstitions (lucky horseshoe and a broken mirror) and one made up superstition (scoring a basket in basketball on your first try brings good luck). Coached by Kamal Johnson and Jackie Shader, students gave a performance illustrating why the superstition occurred.
“Our kids were so excited to participate at the Odyssey of the Mind Tournament,” said After School Program Director Kathy Clark. “I was so proud to see their creativity come to life.”
Hudson CSD Budget Development Calendar
The 2009-10 Budget Development Calendar is now available for download!
COMMISSIONER MILLS' REMARKS
Commissioner Mills' opening day remarks to Hudson CSD staff is available online: See video of Commissioner Mills' remarks