WHAT'S NEW IN CHATHAM
Calling All Alumni!!
Chatham Central School District is trying to organize an Alumni Volleyball game (or games depending on interest!). The date is going to be Saturday, December 20, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Teams would be men’s, women’s, co-ed, (again depending on interest). We are hoping to have odd graduation years play even graduation years. Proceeds from the event will go towards the purchase of a much needed net system.
The day will provide alumni the chance to connect with friends and share memories from the past and at the same time give them the opportunity to again play volleyball against "friendly" competition. Food and beverages will be available and t-shirts will be given to all participants. For more information, please call 392-9610.
Chatham Middle School PTSA offering a Flu Vaccine Clinic
Saturday, November 8, 2008
10:00AM – 1:00PM
Chatham Middle School (Gymnasium)
Click Here For More Information
MED Students Participate in Visual Thinking Activity with
Tom Lee from Spencertown Academy
Using a painting of Venice by Antonio Canaletto, the children were instructed to look carefully at the details and then describe what they observed using only their words.
Inferences were made and supporting evidence was given and sometimes it caused them to re-access what their first thought was. The children also had to draw on their background knowledge.

Ms. Costigan's 4th Grade Class Using Bike as Learning Tool
Using a stationary bicycle, the students in Ms. Costigan's class are exercising their body and their mind. With the bicycle the class is learning the fundamentals of math, science, and wellness.
While riding the bike, the children are keeping track of the miles they have cycled. They are keeping track of their mileage using tables to show their distance and are subtracting using numbers that go to the 100th degree.
They are learning geography too. They are "biking" across the United States and are learning about the history of the areas they have "ridden" into.
This is a very hands-on approach to learning. It is keeping the children engaged in their learning. They can't wait for their turn to ride the bicycle!


Chatham Defeats Hoosic Valley During Homecoming!
Homecoming Court coronation was held during half time of the football game. The court includes left to right:
Front Row: Brittany Keeler, Emily Brown, Samantha Torrey, Katherine Behrens, Amanda Hernandez, and Megan Wenk
Back Row: Joe Van Allen, Simon Day, Parker Niles, Tom Reamon, Brian Gauthier and Eric Fuss

Congratulations to Chatham's Newly Tenured Staff!
Allyson Bauer, MED KindergartenTteacher
John Brantley, CHS Physical Education Teacher
Shawn Caldwell, CHS Technology & Project Lead the Way Teacher
Alicia Crowd, CHS Spanish Teacher
Tina Fahey, CMS Art Teacher
Justin Forrest, CHS Science Teacher
Ann Gainer, MED Librarian
Erin Gansowski, CHS French Teacher
Maria Hayes, CHS Family & Consumer Science Teacher
Maria Hogencamp, MED Third Grade Teacher
Kevin Kaszubowski, CHS English Teacher
Roberta Keller, CMS Eighth Grade Math Teacher
Tracy Kelly, CHS Social Worker
Kachie Ladd, MED Third Grade Teacher
Jennifer Maddalla, MED Kindergarten Teacher
Sara Murray, CMS Sixth Grade Teacher
Connie Peck, MED Kindergarten Teacher
Darren Rosenbaum, CHS Social Studies Teacher
Cole The Therapy Dog Visits Chatham Middle School
On September 19th, Elizabeth Grace and her dog Cole, a registered therapy dog, visited Mrs. Thorsen, Mrs. Wrigley and Mrs. Miller’s classroom to listen to students as they took turns reading to Cole. Elizabeth and Cole’s once a month visits inspire the students’ confidence and reading skills while interacting with Cole and each other. Elizabeth and Cole will visit again October 23rd.


Students Commended in 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program
Adrienne Antonson and Ryan Nightingale have been named Commended Students in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program!
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corp., which conducts the program, will be presented to these scholastically talented students. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2009 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2009 competition by taking the 2007 PSAT. Congratulations to Adrienne and Ryan!

Arienne Antonson and Ryan Nightingale with Principal Ron Davis
Join our MED Student Aritists - Come to "ARTSWALK"!
A small group of 3rd and 4th grade students from the Mary E. Dardess School will demonstrate their talent in portrait painting this year at the Columbia County Council on the Arts “ARTSWALK” Festival. This children’s event takes place on SATURDAY, OCT. 11 from 1:00-4:00pm, in a small pocket park. The park is right next door to Mexican Radio Restaurant 537 Warren St.
As people walk by enjoying the ARTSWALK sites and sounds, those passing by, as well as family and friends of the students may stop to have their portrait painted. This looks to be a wonderful, unique experience for the students. Hope to see you there!


MED Students Win Blue Ribbon at Columbia County Fair!!
The competition at the fair is open to all schools in Columbia County. All area schools may exhibit their work. This year the Mary E. Dardess Chatham Elementary School students in grades k-4
won a First Place Ribbon! Student work was chosen throughout the school year to be entered into the competition. There were approximately 50 pieces ranging from paintings, collages, prints, pastel drawings, masks, paper sculptures and graphic designs exhibited. CONGRATULATIONS!!


How Can you Support National Chemistry Week?
National Chemestry week is October 19-25
MED Keep It Movin' Community Health and Wellness Fair
MED is hosting a Community Heatlh and Wellness Fair on Saturday September 27th from 11am-3pm. Admission is free! Please click here for more information!
You can win these bikes! Attend the fair to find out more information!

Chatham Middle School Celebrates International Peace Day
In honor or the United Nations International Peace Day, September 21st, established in 1982, students in the Chatham Middle School created “Pinwheels for Peace in Our School”. Each grade level was assigned one of color of the Character Counts Six Pillars (Trustworthiness – Blue, Respect – Yellow, Responsibility - Green, Fairness – Orange, Caring – Red and Citizenship – Purple) and the students and staff wrote their wishes on the pinwheels for creating more peace in our school. On Friday, September 19th during classroom meeting time, students put their pinwheels in the front lawn of the Middle School for our community to see our good wishes and good character.

Chatham School Staff Participate in Cancer Walk/Ride
There was strong support from the staff at Chatham who helped make the cancer walk/ride a success.
Jason Kahn and Brian Simon rode their bikes in the benefit. Celia Hetterich, Michele Debye-Saxinger, and Mary West all walked in the event. Other volunteers for various functions for the event included Linda Hess, Anita Blair, Loretta Cassidy, Dr. Phyllis McGill, Cyndi Herron, Matt Torrey, and Nancy Doyle.
Proceeds of this event benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the American Cancer Society. This year was especially important because all the funds raised stayed in Columbia County for local cancer patients!!

Chatham Middle School Teacher Jason Kahn Participated in the Cancer Ride
Welcome Back to School!
The school year has begun with Chatham Central Schools opening its doors for the 2008-2009 school year on Wednesday September 3, welcoming back students, faculty, and staff.
All three school buildings were filled with excitement Wednesday as students found their classrooms, met their new teachers, reconnected with classmates, and learned what was expected of them for the school year.


Fall 2008 Newsletter
2008-2009 School Calendar
Click here to download Chatham's 2008-2009 school calendar.
Looking for Health Information or Forms?
Then check out the new Health Services webpage. Just click on the "Health Services" hyperlink on the left side of this page.
High School to Host Open House
The High School will host the annual open house on Wednesday October 15th,
from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parents will follow their child’s schedule
for a day and
meet teachers and staff. We hope to see you there!
Opening Day: Staff Honored For Years of Service
Food Service Personnel were among all staff that were honored for their
service to the district. Pictured Left to Right: Mary Hiebeler, School District
Cook- 29 years, Barbara Fiero, Head of Middle School Kitchen- 23 years,
Pamela Edwards, Head of High School Kitchen -20 years, and Jessica Westover-18
years. We thank you for your service and dedication.
We admire and salute the following Staff for their dedication and comittment to the children at the Chatham Central School District:
Administration, District Office, and Public Library Service Awards Click here
High School Staff Service Awards Click here
Middle School Staff Service Awards Click here
MED Staff Service Awards Click here
Orientation Day Welcomes New Staff!
The Chatham Central School District recently held a new staff orientation day. Among the activities was a tour of the school district via school bus and guided by our own Jon Gould who told about the history of the district and area. Welcome to all of our new staff! We are proud to have them as part of our team!
Artist Thomas Locker Donates Original Works to Chatham
Thomas Locker, a local renowned author and artist who has earned several
distinctions for his children's books, including the Parent's Choice Award
for Illustration, and the New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year,
generously donated two original paintings to our district. The work of art
pictured is featured in Rachel Carson’s book Preserving a Sense
of Wonder. This piece is displayed in the Superintendent’s office.
Luisa Sabin- Kildiss, public library director stands with artist Thomas Locker with the 2nd work of art. This work is proudly being displayed at the public libary. We truly appreciate these magnificent works of art and are honored to have these works of art in our district.

Barry
Barlett, Local Artist and Art Professor Visits Summer Program
Students in the summer program were visited by local artist
and art professor, Barry Barlett. The class created clay sculptures and
greatly enjoyed the intense hours they spent concentrating on their projects.
Special
Education Class Hosts "Crazy Concoction" Week!
Chatham’s special education summer school program is in full swing this summer. Mr. Kevin Botsford’s class recently had “Crazy Concoction” week.
The children made Goop Oobleck, bubbles, Gooey Gunk, wet puddy,
Kookie Creepies, and Jewel and Gem. Students read books on bubbles and developed
listening, sequencing, fine motor and language arts skills within these
functional activities.
Chatham Wishes Happy Retirement to Teachers and Staff
Everyone at Chatham Central School District would like to thank the following teachers and staff members who retired this year: first grade teacher Dianne Boehme, middle school science teacher William Boehme, librarian Wendy Fuller, and high school health and physical education teacher Bruce Sarro. Thank you so much for your wonderful years of service and best wishes!
Questions? Comments? Please Email us at
Chatham Central Schools

