CHARACTER EVENTS ARCHIVE
Character Events 2010-2011
CMS Arbor Day Tree Planting
Chatham Middle School held its annual Arbor Day celebration on June 14. Each year during the school-wide event, students and staff plant a tree in honor of the school’s retiring employees. This year, a flowering Magnolia was planted on the school grounds in recognition of retirees and former head custodian Patrick Curry. Read more...
Chatham Middle School Named “National School of Character”
Chatham Middle School has been named a 2011 National School of Character; one of the highest awards a school can receive for achievement in character education. The award recognizes our Character Education Program, our development of positive character traits in students and overall school environment as being one of the best in the nation and a model for other schools to follow.
“I feel really proud of our school,” said eighth grader Cassidy Flanagan, president of the school’s P.E.A.CE. (Promoters, Educators and Advocates of Character Education) Club, a group of students who promote character-building activities throughout the school. “It was the kids and staff who won this award. We put so much effort into this and it feels great that we won.” Read more...
NYS Assemblymen Molinaro and McLaughlin Honor CMS
NYS Assemblymen Marcus Molinaro and Steven McLaughlin made a special visit to CMS to congratulate the students and staff for their school being named a National School of Character, as well as NYS School of Character for 2011-2014. Accompanying Mr. Molinaro and Mr. McLaughlin were Judy Skype, Chief of Staff to the Assembly Minority Leader, and Marie West, Senior Executive Assistant to the Minority Leader.
The lawmakers presented CMS with a proclamation from the NYS Assembly applauding the school’s designation as a 2011 National School of Character, as well as NYS School of 
Character for 2011-2014. They also presented Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud with a proclamation as recognizing both for earning the School Administrator Leadership Award from the Academy for Character Education at the Sage Colleges.
Assemblyman Marcus J. Molinaro represents Assembly District 102, and Assemblyman Steven F. McLaughlin represents Assembly District 108, both of which fall within the Chatham Central School District. They assemblymen and representative of the Assembly Minority Leader visited CMS May 12th.
NCBI Student Leaders Receive Award Certificates
Chatham Middle School recently received awards for it’s National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) program. Chatham NCBI student leaders and their advisors received certificates from the National Coalition Building Institute’s School Leadership Certificate Program at Hudson Valley Community College. The awards ceremony was held in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium at Hudson Valley Community College, Thursday evening, May 12th. Read more...
CMS Student Wins Youth Leadership Award
Eighth grader Sam Engel was awarded the Pierro Youth Leadership Award. Sam, along with eighth grader Nikki Favre, was nominated for the award based on his overall academic and extracurricular excellence, combined with his demonstrated citizenship. As nominees, Sam and Nikki were invited to attend the 15th Annual Louis A. Pierro Youth Leadership Awards Ceremony, held April 21st at the Elks Lodge in Hudson. Sam was chosen for the award from students representing each middle school in Columbia County.
Fifth Graders Honor Chief Boehme
Fifth graders held a surprise party for Chatham Village Police Chief Kevin Boehme to acknowledge his years of dedication to the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. Students made a t-shirt and posters for Chief Boehme to show him their appreciation, and administrators, fifth grade teachers and Mr. Boehme’s family all spoke on his behalf.
CMS Receives NYS School of Character 2011-2014 Award
Chatham Middle School was officially presented with its award for being named New York State School of Character for 2011-2014 and for being a finalist for the National School of Character Award. The award was presented by The Academy for Character Education at the Sage Colleges during its “Champions of Character” Awards Dinner, held April 6th at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy. Chatham Middle School was chosen for this award for the second year in a row by a panel of independent reviewers involved in character education and student development.
Chatham Middle School Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud were also each officially awarded the School Administrator 
Leadership Award the same evening.
The School of Character awards program recognizes schools and educational leaders who demonstrate high performance in the area of character education and a commitment to creating an outstanding school climate. It is sponsored by the Academy for Character Education at the Sage Colleges and the Character Education Partnership.
As part of the Chatham’s being named a finalist for the National School of Character Award, a national judge visited CMS on April 8th to observe first-hand how character education is delivered at the school. The winner of the National School of Character Award will be announced May 9th.
Chatham Middle School Honored by NYS Assembly
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A representative group of students and staff from Chatham Middle School traveled to Albany on March 28th to receive honors from the New York State Assembly. For being named NYS School of Character for 2011-2014 and a finalist for the National School of Character designation, CMS was recognized on the Assembly floor by Assemblymen Marcus Molinaro and Steven McLaughlin. Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud were also recognized for being named “Champions of Character” team administrators. Later, New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb presented CMS with a citation prepared and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The group was given a guided tour of the Capitol Building that included the Senate Chamber and Governor's Quarters, as well as a tour of the Legislative Office Building and NYS Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb's office.
The School of Character awards program recognizes schools that demonstrate outstanding school climate and performance in the area of character education. It is sponsored by the Academy for Character Education at the Sage Colleges and the national Character Education Partnership.
BOE Recognizes CMS for Character Education Achievements
At the March 22nd meeting of the Chatham Board of Education, the Board recognized Chatham Middle School for its many achievements in character education. For 2011, CMS has been named New York State School of Character through 2014 by the Sage Colleges Academy for Character Education. The Middle School has also been selected as a finalist for the National School of Character.
CMS was honored as a School of Character in 2008 and as a School Committed to Character in 2009. In 2010, CMS earned the title of #1 NYS School of Character for 2010-2011. These prestigious awards were presented jointly by the Academy and the national Character Education Partnership.
The Board recognized these achievements with a plaque presented to students and staff representing the Middle School. The Board also presented Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud each with a Character Education Leadership plaque.
Representatives from CMS will accept the 2011-2014 School of Character Award at an awards banquet held in Troy on April 6.
The National Review Committee will visit CMS on April 8 to review the school’s character education program. The National School of Character will be announced May 9th.
Baking Fresh, Nutritious Bread
The King Arthur Flour Company visited CMS to teach fifth, sixth and seventh graders how to bake bread from scratch at an assembly held in the auditorium March 8th. The King Arthur Flour Life Skills Bread Baking Program visits schools across the country, incorporating whole grains into the demonstration, teaching students what whole grains are, why they’re important in a healthy diet, and how to use them in everyday baking. Each CMS student involved received bags of both King Arthur All-Purpose Flour and King Arthur 100% Organic White Whole Wheat Flour to help them bake healthy breads at home. Chatham students took their newfound baking skills home to bake and bring a loaf back to school to be donated to the Chatham Food Pantry and the Ghent Food Pantry.
P.E.A.C.E. Club Promotes Black History Month
In recognition of Black History Month, students learned about the challenges African American students faced during the desegregation of their schools in the 1950's. Also, the P.E.A.C.E. Club hosted a Mix It Up at Lunch. Mix it Up at Lunch is an activity used nation wide, in which random seating during lunch allows students to step outside their usual comfort zones and meet someone new. Read more...
Chatham Middle School Students of the Month
December Students of the Month: Savanah Clark-Koloski - Team 5; Serena Thorne- Team 7; Winter Croke - Team 6; and Jacob Avens- Grade 5, Encore Team
January Students of the Month: Mackenzie Campbell - Team 5; Rebecca Gardella - Team 7; and Andrew Lawson - Team 6
Chatham Middle School announces its 'Students of the Month' for December and January. Students are recognized for their improved academic performance and admirable character traits. Students selected as 'Students of the Month" enjoy lunch and conversation with Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud. All pizzas for the luncheons are donated by Brian Kellogg, owner of the Pizza Den in Chatham, in support of these recognitions.
December Students of the Month:
- Savanah Clark-Koloski, Team 5
- Winter Croke, Team 6
- Serena Thorne, Team 7
- Jacob Avens, Grade 5, Encore Team
January Students of the Month:
- Mackenzie Campbell, Team 5
- Andrew Lawson, Team 6
- Rebecca Gardella, Team 7
P.E.A.C.E. Club Hosts Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly
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Members of the Chatham Middle School P.E.A.C.E. Club (Promoters, Educators and Advocates for Character Education) hosted the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly in the auditorium, January 14th. The P.E.A.C.E. Club members were excited to present the musical talents of Kim and Reggie Harris to the staff and students. Their performance included songs of the Underground Railroad and the times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kim and Reggie engaged the students and staff to sing along and use sign language. Read more...
Character Education Youth Leadership Summit
Chatham Middle School and High School students participated in the Character Education Youth Leadership Summit at the Sage Colleges this December. They attended a series of leadership development workshops with other student leaders from across New York State. The Chatham Middle School NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute) leaders presented a workshop on their NBCI program for the students, staff and administrators who attended the conference. Read more..
Mentor Program Holiday Luncheon
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Adults participating in the Chatham Middle School Mentor Program provided the students they mentor with a holiday luncheon held at the Chatham Firehouse on Tuesday, December 21st. A total of sixty adults and students worked together to prepare the food and set up the tables. CMS principal Gordon Fitting continued the tradition of serving the turkey, prepared by the Middle School cafeteria staff under the direction of Barbara Murray.
When students and mentors weren't preparing for the luncheon they worked together on crafts, including sox snowmen and snowman foam pictures. They also created a special snowflake poster representing everyone's individuality, which was later hung in the school’s guidance office.
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The CMS Mentor Program pairs participating students with adult volunteers from the community, many of whom are school staff. These volunteers act as mentors, friends, role models and more to the students. The program is coordinated by guidance counselors Jackie Hoffman and Cyndi Herron, and is supported through a grant from the Chatham Education Foundation.
Cooking and Sewing Club Bakes Dog Biscuits for Animal Shelter
Students in Chatham Middle School’s Cooking and Sewing Club baked dog biscuits for the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. The biscuits were delivered to the humane society on December 24th for the dogs to enjoy while spending their holiday in the shelter. The Cooking and Sewing Club is for students grades five through eight and is advised by Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Mrs. Teresa Zema. Mrs. Zema applied for and received a grant from the Capital Region Service Learning Institute Learn and Serve America Fund to support this project.
Chatham Middle School Announces Students of the Month for November
Chatham Middle School students Jennifer Elbert, Mark Haywood, Tristan Van Wie, Liam Morgenstern and Chanel Cruz were selected as Students of the Month for November. CMS recognized these students for their academic improvement and outstanding character. They were all treated to a pizza lunch with Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud. The pizzas for this event were donated by Brian Kellog, owner of Pizza Den in Chatham.
 Liam Morgenstern, Grade 5 |
 Tristan Van Wie, Grade 6 |
 Mark Haywood, Grade 7 |
 Jennifer Elbert, Grade 8 |
 Chanel Cruz, Grade 8 (Encore Team) |
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NJHS Hosts Holiday Luncheon for Seniors
Chatham Middle School's National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) hosted a Holiday Senior Citizen Luncheon at the school on December 8th. Seventy seniors from the Chatham area enjoyed a formal sit-down luncheon prepared by cafeteria staff and served by NJHS students, as well as a concert performed by band, orchestra and choir students. NJHS students also donated a number of prizes seniors could win in a bingo game called by Chatham Middle School Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud. Read more...
Chatham Middle School Announces Students of the Month for October
Taylor Geerholt, Sara Majeed, Niki Bradford, and Shoshana Malfatto were chosen as Chatham Middle School's Students of the Month for October.
They were selected for recognition based on their academic performance and admirable character traits. These outstanding students earned a pizza lunch with Middle School Principal Gordon Fitting and Assistant Principal Larry Burud. The pizzas were donated by Pizza Den in Chatham.
 Taylor Geerholt, Grade 5 |
 Sara Majeed, Grade 6 |
 Niki Bradford, Grade 7 |
 Shoshana Malfatto, Grade 8 |
Chatham Middle School Trains Peer Mediators
On November 15th and 16th, sixteen Chatham Middle School students and two middle school staff members were trained in Peer Mediation skills. These newly trained mediators will assist fellow students in peacefully working through differences and conflicts.
Chatham Middle School established the first Middle School Peer Mediation Program in New York State and has offered students a way to resolve their conflicts with help from their peers since 2001.
The PTSA provided breakfast, snacks and lunch for those participating in the training sessions, which were held at the Tracy Memorial Village Hall in Chatham.
Front Row: Breanna Hanner,Grade 8; Casey Wheeler, Grade 7; Geetika Verma, Grade 6; Baylee Cox, Grade 6 and Destiny Hull, Grade 5
Back Row: Tyrene Campbell, Grade 5; Rachel Freedman, Grade 6; Mrs. Marie Baeckman, Teaching Assistant; Hunter Thomas, Grade 5; Haleigh McKay, Grade 5; Maisy Noble-Buono, Grade 6; Carly Rippel, Grade 8; Emily Fabiano, Grade 5; Samantha Wheeler, Grade 8; Anna Kratt, Grade 6; Mrs. Camille Freedner, Teaching Assistant/Trainer/Coordinator; Kristian Tampasis, Grade 6; Mrs. Dawn Laguesse, Teaching Assistant; and Crystal Baneni, Grade 6
Chatham Middle School Awarded Service Learning Grant
Chatham Middle School is the recipient of a $4,000 State Farm® grant that will support the school’s Service Learning Program. CMS is one of only two schools in NY State to receive this competitive grant.
Chatham Middle School won the grant largely on the merits of its work with veterans groups, including an oral history program where eighth grade students actively collect and preserve the experiences of local veterans. The work with veterans is part of a larger, school-wide service learning initiative begun in 2009, where students integrate service to their community with academics to foster a connection to their studies and community.
State Farm presented CMS with a check during the school’s November 10th Veterans Day Celebration, a community event that honors local veterans for their service and sacrifice. Read more...
Veterans Honored at Middle School Assembly
Chatham Middle School honored local veterans and their families at our annual Veterans Day Assembly, held November 10th.
During the ceremony, the Ghent VFW Color Guard presented the flags of each branch of the military and performed a flag folding ceremony. As a thank you, students presented the members of the Color Guard with red, white and blue bracelets they had woven for them. Read more...
Mentoring Program Fall Festival
On October 27th, students involved in the CMS mentoring program and their volunteer adult mentors hosted a Fall Festival for Chatham Head Start preschoolers. Under the guidance of their mentors, students connected with their Head Start buddies through games, crafts, face painting and more.
This event continued Chatham Middle School's commitment to building relationships in our community and practicing our values of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. The Middle School’s Mentor Program and events are facilitated through the CMS Guidance Office.
Sixth Grade Goes to Kindergarten
Reported by sixth grade students Maisy Noble-Buono and Ryan Kohanski
The CMS sixth graders went down to the M.E.D. Elementary School and read to the new kindergartners for their service learning project. The service learning project is the power of literacy, therefore the CMS sixth graders went down to the elementary school to help teach the kindergartners how to read and write.
They each got a kindergarten partner that they read to. “They were all adorable,” one of the sixth graders wrote in their reflections. Some sixth graders partnered up with other sixth graders and the kindergartners because there weren’t enough kindergartners. When they were done reading to them the sixth graders asked them questions like “What are your favorite animals?” and “What do you like about reading?” After that they would have them draw pictures and read them a book of theirs. Some of them wrote really well. Most were shy but others were talkative.
The experience going there was very fun and intriguing. It was cool to talk to the kindergartners. The kindergartners were very sweet and good listeners. It was impressive that they knew some letters and picked up on letters they didn’t know quickly. The experience of going was really nice and the sixth graders can’t wait to go back.
Character Counts Week
Chatham Middle School celebrated National Character Counts Week October 18th through 22nd. Students and staff observed the values of the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. These values were adopted by the Middle School in 2004 and have become a way of life in the Middle School. To celebrate these values the P.E.A.C.E. Club (Promoters, Educators and Advocates for Character Education) hosted several days of activities and projects. Read more...
Chatham MS Announces Students of the Month
Chatham Middle School has started it's 'Student of the Month' recognitions. Students selected have been recognized by their teams for their good character and work ethic. Students for the Month of September are:
 Zoe Dyer, Grade 5 |
 Adrian Moshimer, Grade 6 |
 Kenny Sperl, Grade 6 |
 Michael Keller, Grade 7 |
 Josh Shaw, Grade 8 |
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Students Join Fight Against Bullying
Twenty seven Chatham Middle School students and six staff members participated in National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) training on September 30th and October 1st. This training prepared students to become leaders in building a caring environment in their school.
The newly trained students, with the help of staff, will take a leading role in tackling prejudice, stereotyping and bullying. By examining school community issues and working together in teams to develop effective programs, NCBI student leaders will teach their peers to tolerate differences and become allies to each other. Learn More...
Pennants for Peace
On September 21st, Chatham Middle School celebrated International Peace Day. Students showed their commitment to a peaceful school environment by posting pennants representing each student’s individual commitment to the Middle School’s Six Pillars of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
Open Houses Showcase Character Accomplishments
If you visited the Middle School September 15th for the Fifth Grade Potluck Supper and Open House or September 16th for the Sixth through Eighth Grade Back to School Night, you had the honor of visiting the "Number One School of Character in New York State".
Parents and community members visiting the school had the opportunity to meet the staff and become familiar with their children's classrooms, work schedules, and year long curriculum expectations. They also became aware of how character education is integrated throughout the school through curriculum, programs, activities, community services and school-wide service learning projects.
Outside the Middle School you can't miss the new sign announcing the Middle School's outstanding honor as the #1 School of Character, awarded by New York State for the 2010-11 school year. In 2009 Chatham Middle School was recognized by the state as a “School Committed to Character”. Through the front doors another banner acknowledges the Middle School's 2008 award as a “NYS School of Character”, one of only five schools recognized for this honor.
Middle School Principal Gordon Fitting, Assistant Principal Larry Burud, and the entire Middle School staff were proud to host these two open houses which showcased these accumulative acclamations and spoke volumes about the Middle School’s commitment to students.
Character Events 2009-2010
NCBI Certificates Awarded
Front Row right to left: San Engel, Maxwell Lagonia, Kody Skype, Dawson Devito,
Casey Wheeler, Dom Shelow,
James Stinson, and Grant Horn.
Back Row, right to left: School Counselor Cyndi Herron, Nikki Favre, Kaitlin Pearson,
Olivia Klinger, Assistant Principal Larry Burud, Jaina Wollowitz, Cassie Pearson, Destynie Summers,
Adie Kratt, Principal Gordon Fitting, Kayla Taranto, Teaching Assistant Camille Freedner,
and School Counselor and Program Coordinator Jackie Hoffman.
Student and staff leaders from Chatham Middle School's National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) program were presented with award certificates from the NCBI Capitol District Chapter. The award ceremony showcased Chatham’s commitment to the program, and our school was one of only a few in the region to receive this honor. During the award ceremony Middle School students prepared a song and talked about how trust plays a major role in becoming a student ally.
The NCBI program at CMS focuses on welcoming diversity and breaking down stereotypes. Trained students and staff work in classrooms teaching other students prevention-oriented strategies and programs to deal with discrimination, intolerance, bullying, and other inter-group tensions.
NCBI is a nonprofit leadership training organization founded in 1984 in Washington, D.C.
Middle School Administrators, staff and students would like to thank all the members of the PTSA for sponsoring Spirit Week and celebrating the student's accomplishments.
Sixth Grade Girls Attend Alpha NU Conference
Front Row right to left: Jaina Wollowitz, Ani Adamsti, Jessica Madsen, and Emily Ooms
Back Row right to left: Jackie Hoffman (School Counselor), Megan Sweet, Cassie Pearson,
Katie Kraham,
Marti Paolucci, Alyssa Sirani, Ana Verma, and Shante Campbell
In May, eleven sixth grade girls from Chatham Middle School were invited to attend the annual Women Helping Girls with Choices Conference sponsored by the Alpha Nu Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The conference, for area fifth and sixth grade girls, is designed to connect students with community women and help guide the girls in making life choices. The students learned about prominent and influential women in history, and discussed the importance of setting goals for their future. Each girl was also given a copy of a novel about a famous woman in history at the end of the day.
CCSD Raises Funds for Haitian Earthquake Victims
In May, Chatham Central School District hosted a Walk-a-thon with the American Red Cross to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti. “Healthy for Haiti” was held on the high school track where students, staff, and the community raised more than $1,300 for the Red Cross earthquake relief effort. Click here for more
CMS Spirit Week
Chatham Middle School celebrated winning the NYS School of Character Award with a PTSA sponsored Spirit Week. The Character P.E.A.C.E. Club presented a slide show of all the projects, activities, community services and service learning projects students had completed throughout the year.
Programs and assemblies highlighted tolerance and acceptance of others, and to celebrate Earth Day, Character P.E.A.C.E. Club members invited other students to clean up the school yard. The PTSA also organized games each day of the week for the students. On Friday each student and staff member was given a red shirt designed by 7th grade Peer Mediator Jordan Thomas. An aerial photo was taken of all the students and staff wearing these shirts and forming a peace sign on the playfield.
Middle School Administrators, staff and students would like to thank all the members of the PTSA for sponsoring Spirit Week and celebrating the student's accomplishments
Chatham Middle School Mentors
On March 22, students from Chatham Middle School’s Mentoring Program visited Whittier Nursing Home, Pine Haven Nursing Home, and the Fireman's Home of the State of New York. At each nursing home students had the opportunity to get to know the residents who live there, whether through playing games, working on crafts together, or just talking. The students and seniors learned about each other’s interests and backgrounds. Two seniors the students met were over one hundred years old and getting to know them meant hearing first hand accounts of more than a century of history.
The middle school’s successful mentoring program, now in its eighteenth year, pairs individual students with an adult volunteer mentor from the community. The mentor spends time each week with their student, helping the student to build a positive connection with themselves and their community. The student is encouraged to volunteer and to participate in community service projects.
The forty students and thirty-three mentors who visited the seniors all agreed the trip was rewarding for both themselves and the residents of the nursing homes. Seeing the positive impact their visit had on the seniors made the students feel good and they all agreed they would want to visit again.
The event was made possible through the generosity of the Chatham Education Foundation.
Skateboards for the Skate Park
Chatham Middle School students helped to raise funds for a new skateboard park by designing skateboards that were auctioned off at the 'Stoked, Silent Art Auction', which benefited the Chatham Skate Park. The silent auction was held Saturday, March 27th at the Charles B. Benenson Visitors Center & Gallery at OMI International Arts Center in Ghent. The Middle School students worked in pairs to creatively develop their designs using acrylic paints. All the work was done in Chatham Middle School's Studio Art Club with Advisor and Art Teacher Nancy Barth, along with assistance from Art Teacher Tina Fahey. All the finished boards were on display for 'What's Happening at CMS’ before going up for auction. The students are excited that their talent helped to support this community event.
Chatham Middle School Students "Mix it up at Lunch"
Tuesday, March 2nd, Chatham Middle School students participated in "Mix It Up at Lunch." The lunch periods were devoted to tolerance and bullying issues in an effort to continue to contribute to a peaceful school environment.
Upon entering the cafeteria for lunch, students were handed different colored designs of the peace symbol and were asked to sit at the corresponding table. At the tables all students filled out a survey about bullying and then each table worked together to come up with a logo that would be made into a button for everyone in the Middle School to remember not to bully.
The winning logo received Character Counts Six Pillar Respect Bracelets from Assistant Principal, Larry Burud and will have dessert with Mr. Burud and Mr. Fitting to celebrate their winning logo, talk about their design, and to discuss their ideas about preventing bullying.
Chatham Middle School Receives Grant from Capital Region Service Learning Institute Learn and Serve America Fund
Chatham Middle School Home and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Mrs. Teresa Zema, applied for and received a grant from the Capital Region Service Learning Institute Learn and Serve America Fund for $200 to involve her students in a service learning project to help provide fresh bread to the food pantry in Chatham. Students incorporated learning skills in the kitchen using math, saftey, santitation, and food preparation to help provide healthy, balanced and accessible food sources for residents in need in the community.
Mrs. Zema also received two separate grants that amounted to $200 for plants, fertilizer, bulbs and top soil to create a flower bed front of the school.
Mrs. Zema and her students received a letter of thanks from the food pantry for helping those in need and stated the families using the food pantry were thrilled to see the availibility of fresh bread.
Chatham Middle School Named 2010 New York State School of Character
Chatham Middle School staff and students on the New York State
Capitol Steps, joining Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro, Dr. John D. Walko,
Director of the Academy for Character Education at Sage Colleges, and
Dr. Philip Fusco, Assistant Director
The Academy for Character Education recently announced that Chatham Middle School was chosen as the 2010 New York State School of Character (NYSSOC) . Sponsored by the Academy for Character Education at the Sage Colleges and the Character Education partnership, the NYSSOC Awards Program recognizes schools or districts that demonstrate outstanding school climate and academic performance. Chatham Middle School was chosen by a panel of independent reviewers who have been involved in character education and student development for many years.
On Monday, January 25, 2010, a representative group of Middle School staff and students traveled to Albany where they were honored by Assemblyman Marcus J. Molinaro and the other legislators on the floor of the New York State Assembly.
Seventh Grade Students Attend Student Leadership Conference
Chatham Middle School seventh graders attended a Student Leadership Conference called STOP (Students Together Opposing Prejudice) at Siena College, January 15th, as a part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Lecture Series.
Students participated in breakout sessions with students from other schools in the Albany area grades seven through twelve. In small and large groups students explored the concerns of their peers and discussed leadership skills needed to address these concerns. Adult advisors participated in special session to focus on how to implement strategies that address inclusion and respect for diversity.
Attending the conference were: Middle School Counselors, Mrs. Jackie Hoffman and Mrs. Cyndi Herron, Teaching Assistant, Camille Freedner and seventh graders: Samantha Barnes, Abby Dunkin, Sam Engel, Nikki Favre, Cassidy Flanagan, Olivia Klingler, Samantha Oram, Carly Rippel, James Stinson, and Jordan Thomas.
CMS Students Create Totem Pole at Art Omi
Students from the Sixth Grade worked with artist Jason Middlebrook to create a totem pole out of wooden objects important to them at Art Omi recently.
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Sixth-Graders Thinking April in November
It may be time to start wearing winter coats, but it's not too late to plant tulips, students in Mrs. Zema's Home and Careers class learned recently, when they planted 100 bulbs in front of the Chatham Middle School sign.
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Middle-Schoolers Grasp 6 Pillars of Character
Chatham Middle School celebrated Character Counts Week, October 19th through October 23rd. Character Counts Week is celebrated by 4 million youth in more than 50 countries. It is a week of learning and using the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness (Blue), Respect (Yellow), Responsibility (Green), Fairness (Orange), Caring (Red), and Citizenship (Purple).
On Friday morning, October 16th, The Show of Love presented a kick off assembly with ‘Put Yourself In Another Person’s Shoes’.
Students used classroom meeting time after viewing the assembly to make a list of what defines them (right). They used the information about themselves to think about “Push Buttons” that cause them to get angry and had discussions about the different things that might spark our anger toward one another.
On Monday, day one of Character Counts Week, students were given paper shoes in the colors of the Six Pillars (left) and were asked to write about a time they used one of the pillars to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and how it helped them become more tolerant of that person’s differences.
On day two students were given the opportunity in lunch to take an Anti-Bullying Pledge. (below)
Students wrote their names on paper saying they pledged not to bully and were given a card to sign and carry with them that stated they would do their part to put an end to bullying.
On day three, in the cafeteria, members of the P.E.A.C.E. Club went around the lunch room asking students to name the Six Pillars. If they could name all six their name was entered in a random drawing to win Six Pillar rubber bracelets presented by Mr. Fitting, Middle School Principal. (left)
On day four, in the cafeteria, students filled out “Wings of Hope” messages for Mrs. Hess, CMS Guidance Secretary and 10-year survivor of breast cancer. (Right)
Mrs. Hess was about to participate in a 60-mile walk for the cause in Florida and brought with her each message the students and staff wrote. Messages were made into booklets for her. On the last day of Character Counts Week students purchased pink ribbons and memory hearts for cancer sufferers, victims and survivors. All donations were given to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The week-long projects were presented to the students by members of the Character P.E.A.C.E. Club (Promoters, Educators and Advocates for Character Education) and by volunteer seventh and eighth grade students supporting breast cancer awareness. A bulletin board outside the office was created as each project took place. (right)
Middle-School Students, Staff Get Diversity Training
Some students and staff from Chatham Middle School recently attended a one-day workshop, where they learned about ways to build a caring school environment.
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