Below are links to the February and March newsletters. I was trying a different tool, but this one is free and it works well, so there's no need to switch.
Friday, March 26, 2021
Friday, March 13, 2020
Mid March News
Dear parents and community members:
With the coronusvirus emergency in full swing, we are definitely in tumultuous times. We will be updating students and parents as we obtain new information and directives. Below is a link to Mr. Zielinski's updates along with a few good stories and upcoming events. Thank you very much for looking, and I hope you have a great day.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
Coronavirus Updates
School districts' responses to the coronavirus crisis are evolving on a daily basis, and we are no different. Please check the page that Mr. Zielinski is managing, which includes daily updates when available. You can find the page linked directly from our announcements on our website at www.southseneca.org.
Athletics Update from Mrs. Mott
At this time all regional and state winter championship games have been indefinitely postponed.
At this moment how spring sports, practices and contests, are being conducted is being left up to school administrators in conjunction their local health departments. With this being said, I am strongly advising you to keep up with the sanitary and personal hygiene practices being recommended, hand washing, personal space, cleaning equipment after use etc...
No measures to postpone or suspend spring sports have been taken as of today at South Seneca.
There are many unanswered questions right now regarding the direction New York State is heading concerning this virus. Best practice in these situations is to stay vigilant, use common sense and seek out correct information from credible sources. I will keep you informed as the situation continues to develop. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Mrs. Mott's email address is hmott@southseneca.org.
A few interviews from Mr. Houseknecht's not so famous Youtube channel:
Get To Know
Mr. David Turken
Click on the title for my talk with Mr. Turken. He's enjoying his time here, and he loves the community support.
Courageous Beauty - An After School Group
Mrs. Kylie Allen describes her Courageous Beauty group for girls. We're happy to have her.
New from Khan Academy: Meditation Basics!
Khan Academy is a wonderful online tool for students. It started with math tutorials, and has grown exponentially from there. Below is a post from the academy's founder, Sal Khan. If you're not familiar with Khan Academy, it's worth a look. The tutorials are top notch and free for everyone.
From Khan Academy:
Do you sometimes feel stressed from juggling school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities? If so, don’t worry! You’re not alone. We’ve got you covered! Sal’s recorded a few short meditations to help you relax.
You may be wondering—what is meditation? Why should I do it? Meditation, a simple practice of mindfulness, can help you reduce stress and improve your focus. Watch this quick introduction to meditation from Sal.
When you’re ready to start meditating with Sal, check out these videos. They’re short—about 10 min or less—and introduce you to simple techniques you can use immediately.
Meditation doesn’t need to take a lot of time. Even a few minutes a day can be helpful. We hope these videos can help you manage your stress so you can do better at school or whatever you set your mind on. To stay updated about future meditation videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Farm to School Newsletter
Check the latest Cornell Cooperative Extension newsletter. The Farm to School program is great for our kids! You can see the complete CCE website here.
From Mr. Green:
Green Energy Career Day
As some of you may already know, Ithaca has pledged to become Carbon-neutral community wide by 2030.
What this means, specifically for our students is that there will be high demand in this area for many middle skilled careers in the near future. Just to name a few, careers in plumbing, electricity, heating, ventilation & air conditioning are all anticpated to see a large demand for skilled workers. That being said, In preparation for this growing workforce, on March 25th TST BOCES will be hosting a Green Energy Career Day. The objective is to expose students to professionals working in these soon to be in demand trades. This event consists of a panel discussion followed by break out sessions aimed to inform students and to help them get a better understanding of who they are, how they got there & next steps they should be taking.
While currently enrolled TST BOCES students will be attending during their school day, all students interested are welcomed and encouraged to attend. I will have sign ups available for students next week, just wanted to put it on everyone's radar.
For more information on Ithaca's Green New Deal please visit: https://www.cityofithaca.org/642/Green-New-Deal
Sean Green
High School Guidance Counselor
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Now Accepting Applications for National Youth Preparedness Council
FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD) is now accepting applications for the national Youth Preparedness Council, a group of students in grades 8 through 11 who are selected to support disaster preparedness and make a difference in their communities. This is an opportunity for young people to engage with FEMA on their perspectives, feedback, and opinions related to preparedness, to grow their leadership skills, and to support the resilience of their communities.
Youth Preparedness Council members hold two-year terms and are selected based on their involvement in extracurricular activities, their leadership experience, and any experience related to preparedness and emergency management.
The newly redesigned online application, which officially launched on January 27, 2020, is expected to enhance the experience for applicants and encourage more young people to apply. Students may complete their applications and submit online through March 8, 2020. Selected candidates will be notified in May 2020.
Interested students should apply online at https://community.fema.gov/applytoYPC.
For more information about the Youth Preparedness Council or other youth-focused preparedness initiatives contact FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov.
Office of State Assessment Releases Online Resources for Parents in Advance of the 2020 Grades 3-8 Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics
With the coronusvirus emergency in full swing, we are definitely in tumultuous times. We will be updating students and parents as we obtain new information and directives. Below is a link to Mr. Zielinski's updates along with a few good stories and upcoming events. Thank you very much for looking, and I hope you have a great day.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
Coronavirus Updates
School districts' responses to the coronavirus crisis are evolving on a daily basis, and we are no different. Please check the page that Mr. Zielinski is managing, which includes daily updates when available. You can find the page linked directly from our announcements on our website at www.southseneca.org.
Athletics Update from Mrs. Mott
At this time all regional and state winter championship games have been indefinitely postponed.
At this moment how spring sports, practices and contests, are being conducted is being left up to school administrators in conjunction their local health departments. With this being said, I am strongly advising you to keep up with the sanitary and personal hygiene practices being recommended, hand washing, personal space, cleaning equipment after use etc...
No measures to postpone or suspend spring sports have been taken as of today at South Seneca.
There are many unanswered questions right now regarding the direction New York State is heading concerning this virus. Best practice in these situations is to stay vigilant, use common sense and seek out correct information from credible sources. I will keep you informed as the situation continues to develop. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Mrs. Mott's email address is hmott@southseneca.org.
A few interviews from Mr. Houseknecht's not so famous Youtube channel:
Get To KnowMr. David Turken
Click on the title for my talk with Mr. Turken. He's enjoying his time here, and he loves the community support.
Courageous Beauty - An After School GroupMrs. Kylie Allen describes her Courageous Beauty group for girls. We're happy to have her.
New from Khan Academy: Meditation Basics!
Khan Academy is a wonderful online tool for students. It started with math tutorials, and has grown exponentially from there. Below is a post from the academy's founder, Sal Khan. If you're not familiar with Khan Academy, it's worth a look. The tutorials are top notch and free for everyone.
From Khan Academy:
Do you sometimes feel stressed from juggling school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities? If so, don’t worry! You’re not alone. We’ve got you covered! Sal’s recorded a few short meditations to help you relax.
You may be wondering—what is meditation? Why should I do it? Meditation, a simple practice of mindfulness, can help you reduce stress and improve your focus. Watch this quick introduction to meditation from Sal.
When you’re ready to start meditating with Sal, check out these videos. They’re short—about 10 min or less—and introduce you to simple techniques you can use immediately.
Meditation doesn’t need to take a lot of time. Even a few minutes a day can be helpful. We hope these videos can help you manage your stress so you can do better at school or whatever you set your mind on. To stay updated about future meditation videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Farm to School Newsletter
Check the latest Cornell Cooperative Extension newsletter. The Farm to School program is great for our kids! You can see the complete CCE website here.
From Mr. Green:
Green Energy Career Day
As some of you may already know, Ithaca has pledged to become Carbon-neutral community wide by 2030.
What this means, specifically for our students is that there will be high demand in this area for many middle skilled careers in the near future. Just to name a few, careers in plumbing, electricity, heating, ventilation & air conditioning are all anticpated to see a large demand for skilled workers. That being said, In preparation for this growing workforce, on March 25th TST BOCES will be hosting a Green Energy Career Day. The objective is to expose students to professionals working in these soon to be in demand trades. This event consists of a panel discussion followed by break out sessions aimed to inform students and to help them get a better understanding of who they are, how they got there & next steps they should be taking.
While currently enrolled TST BOCES students will be attending during their school day, all students interested are welcomed and encouraged to attend. I will have sign ups available for students next week, just wanted to put it on everyone's radar.
For more information on Ithaca's Green New Deal please visit: https://www.cityofithaca.org/642/Green-New-Deal
Sean Green
High School Guidance Counselor
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Now Accepting Applications for National Youth Preparedness Council
FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division (ICPD) is now accepting applications for the national Youth Preparedness Council, a group of students in grades 8 through 11 who are selected to support disaster preparedness and make a difference in their communities. This is an opportunity for young people to engage with FEMA on their perspectives, feedback, and opinions related to preparedness, to grow their leadership skills, and to support the resilience of their communities.
Youth Preparedness Council members hold two-year terms and are selected based on their involvement in extracurricular activities, their leadership experience, and any experience related to preparedness and emergency management.
The newly redesigned online application, which officially launched on January 27, 2020, is expected to enhance the experience for applicants and encourage more young people to apply. Students may complete their applications and submit online through March 8, 2020. Selected candidates will be notified in May 2020.
Interested students should apply online at https://community.fema.gov/applytoYPC.
For more information about the Youth Preparedness Council or other youth-focused preparedness initiatives contact FEMA-Prepare@fema.dhs.gov.
Office of State Assessment Releases Online Resources for Parents in Advance of the 2020 Grades 3-8 Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics
- Several resources for parents have recently been made available on the NYSED website. These resources have been updated to reflect the most current guidance concerning the Spring 2020 Grades 3-8 Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
- The Parent Resources include four documents: Things Every Parent Should Know About Student Participation in Statewide Assessments Under ESSA, Additional Things Every Stakeholder Should Know About Student Participation in Statewide Assessments Under ESSA, What Parents Need to Know, and the 2020 Parents FAQs About New York State’s Annual Grades 3-8 ELA and Math Tests
- The Parent Resources can be found at 2020 Parent Resources.
Another Great Musical on the Way!
Monday, March 2, 2020
March News
Hello,
Welcome to our latest newsletter. I have put some good news stories here. There are always room for more, so if you'd like to see stories on particular topics, please let me know. You can reach me at thouseknecht@southseneca.org.
Thank you very much for your support.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
HS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southsenecahigh/
HS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssenecahigh/
MS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSCSMiddleSchool/
Guidance Concerning the Coronavirus
Please click on the title above for guidance information that Mr. Zielinski recently posted. This page is also available in the District section of our website. South Seneca CSD is in contact with the State Education Department and the Department of Health as we monitor guidance related to the spread of the novel coronavirus in the spring of 2020.
Be assured that we are following guidelines from the state and other agencies.
Check our Events Calendar
All important events are directly linked from our home page at www.southseneca.org.
The School Social Worker’s Corner
From: Brooke Habberfield MS, LMSW
How to Help Teenage Girls Reframe Anxiety and Strengthen Resilience
This is a great article explaining the female teenage brain along with the hormones. It also gives tips on how to handle emotional situations and what other factors play a vital role in their development.
“Teenage girls are particularly sensitive to the cues they receive from parents and teachers – from words to facial expressions. How adults respond to teens’ emotional reactions matters a lot," said Dr. Lisa Damour. "When adults become anxious in response to a teen’s anxiety, it exacerbates the situation.”
Healthy Coping Strategies
As humans, we consciously or subconsciously cope with life (stress, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem/worth, etc.), whether that's in healthy or unhealthy ways.
Here are a list of *healthy* coping strategies you can utilize in school, at work, while driving or even at home:
Mondays with Molly!
We recently welcomed Molly Kennedy to speak with both schools. Molly has a great message for young people. She recently started her Mondays with Molly Youtube talks. I hope you enjoy it!
Community Conversation at the Middle/High School
Welcome to our latest newsletter. I have put some good news stories here. There are always room for more, so if you'd like to see stories on particular topics, please let me know. You can reach me at thouseknecht@southseneca.org.
Thank you very much for your support.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
HS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southsenecahigh/
HS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssenecahigh/
MS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSCSMiddleSchool/
Guidance Concerning the Coronavirus
Please click on the title above for guidance information that Mr. Zielinski recently posted. This page is also available in the District section of our website. South Seneca CSD is in contact with the State Education Department and the Department of Health as we monitor guidance related to the spread of the novel coronavirus in the spring of 2020.
Be assured that we are following guidelines from the state and other agencies.
Our Wrestlers - Our Role Models
Please read the letter below. These young men and their coaches are role models for us all.
Check our Events CalendarAll important events are directly linked from our home page at www.southseneca.org.
The School Social Worker’s Corner
From: Brooke Habberfield MS, LMSW
How to Help Teenage Girls Reframe Anxiety and Strengthen Resilience
This is a great article explaining the female teenage brain along with the hormones. It also gives tips on how to handle emotional situations and what other factors play a vital role in their development.
“Teenage girls are particularly sensitive to the cues they receive from parents and teachers – from words to facial expressions. How adults respond to teens’ emotional reactions matters a lot," said Dr. Lisa Damour. "When adults become anxious in response to a teen’s anxiety, it exacerbates the situation.”
Healthy Coping Strategies
Here are a list of *healthy* coping strategies you can utilize in school, at work, while driving or even at home:
- Stretch
- Take deep breaths
- Count to 10 or 50
- Listen to relaxing music
- Doodle
- Adult coloring pages (my fav!)
- Journal
- Go for a walk/run
- Push your palms together
- Ask for help
- Ask for a hug
- List 3 things you are grateful for
- Visualize a happy place
- Look at happy pictures
- Make a schedule/list
- Chew gum
- Read positive quotes
- Talk to a friend
Another Great Musical on the Way!
Mondays with Molly!We recently welcomed Molly Kennedy to speak with both schools. Molly has a great message for young people. She recently started her Mondays with Molly Youtube talks. I hope you enjoy it!
Community Conversation at the Middle/High School
Please click the title for more information.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
January News
Hello and Happy New Year!
As usual, our students are busy with school and activities. There's never a dull moment in our Ovid building. From classes to sports and other extracurricular activities, our students are learning academic and social skills to help them succeed. In our stories below, there are a few supporting links. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact me. My email is thouseknecht@southseneca.org, and the office number is 607-869-9636.
Thank you very much.
Tim Houseknecht, Middle/High School Principal
January Regents and Midterm Week
BOCES LipDub
For the past few years, BOCES has been doing a great and fun event called a Lipdub. One of our students, Amanda Bennett, starts things off. Check it out by clicking on the title!
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Great Sports Make Great Adults!
Mrs. Mott recently received the message below about one of her players that's definitely worth sharing:
Good afternoon! I wanted to reach out and thank you for all that you do.
For anyone that knows my daughter, it killed her to not be able to play Monday night. It comes with the game, all that happens with injuries, but she was really upset because it is the first game ever that she has had to sit. After the game, Hailey Bentley stopped her and said she was sorry my daughter was injured and asked her what happened. My daughter was so thankful that Hailey cared enough to ask, out of a mutual respect for an athlete, that loves the sport. It really made her night.
That behavior comes from good coaching. She didn't have to say anything, could of just walked through the line saying good game, but she chose to because the values/sportsmanship you have taught that young lady about the "whole game" resonates with her. It means a lot.
It only takes one. THANK YOU!
--
--
Ms. Habberfield's Corner
Every month or so, our social worker Ms. Habberfield will share mental health and social-emotional health information. I hope you like it!
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--
Please click the title for United Way's December message of positivity. The monthly flyers offer very positive messages for youth and their parents.
Click here for a letter which explains the program.
Click here for all of this year's flyers. Thanks!
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Farm to School Newsletter
Candace Riegel is the Farm to School and Nutrition Educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Seneca County. Here is their latest newsletter. Please take a look, as this program is benefiting our students! Thanks.
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Yorkers Club Paint Nite!
Where: Thirsty Owl Wine Company
When: Saturday, Jan 25 6-8pm
For more information & to register: CLICK HERE
We will be painting the beautiful daisies on a tote bag above. This project will be fully customizable so you can choose your own colors!
All proceeds will be donated to South Seneca Yorkers Club. Please consider spending an evening helping a great cause. This club makes international travel possible for many students. We are trying to lower the bus cost to the NYC airport for our trip to London, Amsterdam & Paris in April.
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Volunteers needed
Want to see the pantry in action? Volunteer once a month on a Saturday! Set out the feast at 12:30 PM, help neighbors make their selections between 2 and 4 PM, and then there's an easy clean-up. Ben's favorite part of volunteering? Coffee and snacks with folks who take a load off at the the hospitality table, of course!
Time frames are flexible, so give Karel Titus a call at 607-279-2571 or email her at advent89@empacc.net to get more information.
Spread the word to our students of ALL ages!!!
From Mr. Green in our Guidance Department
Recently, we heard about scams targeting parents of high school students preparing for college. Here is a link to an article from the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers claim to be from The College Board – the organization responsible for the PSAT and SAT tests. They call or email you, asking for credit card numbers so they can send PSAT prep materials that the student has supposedly requested. Often the scammers have the student’s name, address and phone number – making them seem more believable. Except your student didn’t ask for materials, and it’s not this group calling.
Below are some tips to avoid a test prep scam.
The College Board will never ask you to give credit card, bank account or password information over the phone or via email.
Make sure the company offering test prep materials is legitimate. How? Before you give up your money or personal information, research the company online. Search for their name plus the word “scam” or “complaint.” See about other people’s experiences. And talk to someone you trust, like another parent or your child’s school counselor, before you pay.
Consider how you pay. Credit cards have significant fraud protection built in – meaning that, if you find out you paid a scammer, you may be able to get your money back if you report it quickly. And if anyone asks you to pay by wiring money or by using a reloadable card or gift card, it’s a scam.
Spotted a scam? Whether you lost money or not, let us know at ftc.gov/complaint.
As usual, our students are busy with school and activities. There's never a dull moment in our Ovid building. From classes to sports and other extracurricular activities, our students are learning academic and social skills to help them succeed. In our stories below, there are a few supporting links. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact me. My email is thouseknecht@southseneca.org, and the office number is 607-869-9636.
Thank you very much.
Tim Houseknecht, Middle/High School Principal
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We regularly post to these social media pages. Feel free to subscribe!
--- Our January Regents week schedule is in effect this coming week. A few key points:
- Click here for our Regents and Midterm testing schedule. This is also linked from the
High School home page. - High school classes in Ovid are not in session. High school students report for testing and review sessions.
- BOCES classes are in session as usual. Students should report for their bus trips at the usual times.
- Middle school classes are in session as usual.
For the past few years, BOCES has been doing a great and fun event called a Lipdub. One of our students, Amanda Bennett, starts things off. Check it out by clicking on the title!
--
--
Great Sports Make Great Adults!
Mrs. Mott recently received the message below about one of her players that's definitely worth sharing:
Good afternoon! I wanted to reach out and thank you for all that you do.
For anyone that knows my daughter, it killed her to not be able to play Monday night. It comes with the game, all that happens with injuries, but she was really upset because it is the first game ever that she has had to sit. After the game, Hailey Bentley stopped her and said she was sorry my daughter was injured and asked her what happened. My daughter was so thankful that Hailey cared enough to ask, out of a mutual respect for an athlete, that loves the sport. It really made her night.That behavior comes from good coaching. She didn't have to say anything, could of just walked through the line saying good game, but she chose to because the values/sportsmanship you have taught that young lady about the "whole game" resonates with her. It means a lot.
It only takes one. THANK YOU!
--
--
Ms. Habberfield's Corner
Every month or so, our social worker Ms. Habberfield will share mental health and social-emotional health information. I hope you like it!
--
United Way's Positive Messages
Click here for a letter which explains the program.
Click here for all of this year's flyers. Thanks!
--
--
--
Farm to School NewsletterCandace Riegel is the Farm to School and Nutrition Educator with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Seneca County. Here is their latest newsletter. Please take a look, as this program is benefiting our students! Thanks.
--
--
--
Where: Thirsty Owl Wine Company
When: Saturday, Jan 25 6-8pm
For more information & to register: CLICK HERE
We will be painting the beautiful daisies on a tote bag above. This project will be fully customizable so you can choose your own colors!
All proceeds will be donated to South Seneca Yorkers Club. Please consider spending an evening helping a great cause. This club makes international travel possible for many students. We are trying to lower the bus cost to the NYC airport for our trip to London, Amsterdam & Paris in April.
--
--
Volunteers needed
Want to see the pantry in action? Volunteer once a month on a Saturday! Set out the feast at 12:30 PM, help neighbors make their selections between 2 and 4 PM, and then there's an easy clean-up. Ben's favorite part of volunteering? Coffee and snacks with folks who take a load off at the the hospitality table, of course!
Time frames are flexible, so give Karel Titus a call at 607-279-2571 or email her at advent89@empacc.net to get more information.
Spread the word to our students of ALL ages!!!
From Mr. Green in our Guidance Department
Recently, we heard about scams targeting parents of high school students preparing for college. Here is a link to an article from the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers claim to be from The College Board – the organization responsible for the PSAT and SAT tests. They call or email you, asking for credit card numbers so they can send PSAT prep materials that the student has supposedly requested. Often the scammers have the student’s name, address and phone number – making them seem more believable. Except your student didn’t ask for materials, and it’s not this group calling.
Below are some tips to avoid a test prep scam.
The College Board will never ask you to give credit card, bank account or password information over the phone or via email.
Make sure the company offering test prep materials is legitimate. How? Before you give up your money or personal information, research the company online. Search for their name plus the word “scam” or “complaint.” See about other people’s experiences. And talk to someone you trust, like another parent or your child’s school counselor, before you pay.
Consider how you pay. Credit cards have significant fraud protection built in – meaning that, if you find out you paid a scammer, you may be able to get your money back if you report it quickly. And if anyone asks you to pay by wiring money or by using a reloadable card or gift card, it’s a scam.
Spotted a scam? Whether you lost money or not, let us know at ftc.gov/complaint.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Monday, April 1
Monday, April 1
Dear students, parents, and community members:
Thank you for checking our latest newsletter. Below are some valuable links to check along with a report about our highly successful musical production. I have a new Youtube channel that I've been using to interview students. I hope you can take a look (linked below) and possibly subscribe. I hope you have a great spring, and feel free to contact me at any time. The phone number at the High school is 607-869-9636.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
Both of these young men
offer younger students some great advice.
This month's Board Report
Every month, Mrs. Butler and I prepare a report for the Board of Education. These reports are available through the Board of Education section of the district website.
Child Mind Institute
This site has a wealth of information for parents. It will help us all to understand how to help children navigate many challenges.
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Your Teen Probably Isn't Sleeping or Exercising Enough; Here's What You Can Do To Help
This article discusses that a new study finds that only 5% of teenagers are getting enough sleep or exercise, or are limiting their screen time to what's recommended by experts. All three of these behaviors have been linked to health problems such as including increased risk of depression, poor school performance and obesity.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need between eight and 10 hours of sleep per night and one hour of vigorous physical activity daily. The article suggests ways to combat these problems include setting an example, making it a family goal to get enough exercise, rewarding positive behavior, and being realistic. Click the link above to learn more.
In this article, the Fairview Park Auxiliary Police Association lists a few ways parents can protect their children as they begin to install apps on their phones and tablets. They suggest that parents should Approve every app on your kid’s phone, check privacy settings, talk with your kids about phone use, apps, and social media with your kids, find out what is popular in your region, and different apps catch on in different locations. Click the link above for a more in-depth look at each of the 14 apps.
*Article courtesy of Brooke Habberfield, our social worker.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Digital Media Production Takes on 3D Printing
Mr. Hermanet's Digital Media Production class has been working on designing models and printing them using the 3D printer in the library. Here, Clayton Pollack is shown sanding down a miniature hatchet that was printed using the 3D printer. Bringing ideas from the page to life!
Dear students, parents, and community members:
Thank you for checking our latest newsletter. Below are some valuable links to check along with a report about our highly successful musical production. I have a new Youtube channel that I've been using to interview students. I hope you can take a look (linked below) and possibly subscribe. I hope you have a great spring, and feel free to contact me at any time. The phone number at the High school is 607-869-9636.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
Both of these young men
offer younger students some great advice.
This month's Board Report
Every month, Mrs. Butler and I prepare a report for the Board of Education. These reports are available through the Board of Education section of the district website.
Child Mind InstituteThis site has a wealth of information for parents. It will help us all to understand how to help children navigate many challenges.
--
--
--
--
--
--
Your Teen Probably Isn't Sleeping or Exercising Enough; Here's What You Can Do To Help
This article discusses that a new study finds that only 5% of teenagers are getting enough sleep or exercise, or are limiting their screen time to what's recommended by experts. All three of these behaviors have been linked to health problems such as including increased risk of depression, poor school performance and obesity. According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need between eight and 10 hours of sleep per night and one hour of vigorous physical activity daily. The article suggests ways to combat these problems include setting an example, making it a family goal to get enough exercise, rewarding positive behavior, and being realistic. Click the link above to learn more.
Police warns parents of 14 apps that could put kids in danger
*Article courtesy of Brooke Habberfield, our social worker.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was performed on March 22, 23 and 24 at the high school auditorium. The show was directed by Mrs. Tina Bauder. Mrs. Bauder decided on “Joseph” because of its fun and over-the-top
nature, perfect for a family-oriented audience. She appreciated that “Joseph”
allows flexible casting so that it meets the needs of the students. Once again, the musical was very well attended by parents and community members.
The production featured seniors Aden VanCleef, Sarah Corning, Madelyn Houck, Emma Seamon and Julia Hubbard.
Aden VanCleef played Joseph, the lead male role, and noted
that this is his first time playing an actual human character in a musical. In
the past, he has played miscellaneous objects such as Lumiere in “Beauty and
the Beast” and the Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz.” Aden plans to continue his
education at a four-year college where he will major in criminal justice. He mentioned
that South Seneca’s theater department is exceptionally encouraging to the
students who wish to be a part of it: “I feel like we have a very supportive
musical theater program. They start you off young and then build you up from
there.”
Emma Seamon is a senior who was also a part of the Narrator
trio. She hopes to enroll in a
pre-medical program while attending college. Her favorite part of this show is
working with the small, close knit-cast and being able to step out of reality
while acting onstage: “I love performing and I love being able to get a
reaction out of people. I think it’s fun that you can go up on stage and not be
yourself.”
Madelyn Houck, one of the narrators, says that her favorite part of “Joseph” is the
dance numbers and the fun nature of the show. She hopes to attend college to become a music teacher. Madelyn loves being involved in theater at South Seneca because it gives her a chance to escape her regular routine: "I get to be with my friends and it gives me something to look forward to."
Sarah Corning played one of the three
narrators in the musical. After
graduation, Sarah plans to attend college and major in psychology. Sarah
expressed that participating in musicals was one of the highlights of her high
school career: "I will always look back at my time at South Seneca for the
shows I've done. It put excitement into school."
Julia Hubbard played Mrs. Potiphar in this production. Her favorite part of this show is how the music and dance numbers help the production flow seamlessly together. Julia feels that being involved in theater has helped her find a second home: “It has really helped me find a family within the school and helped me find my place at South Seneca.”
Mr. Hermanet's Digital Media Production class has been working on designing models and printing them using the 3D printer in the library. Here, Clayton Pollack is shown sanding down a miniature hatchet that was printed using the 3D printer. Bringing ideas from the page to life!
March Madness Pep Rally
We had a blast at the pep rally on Friday afternoon, ending our March Madness Week with some games and dancing!
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019
Hello parents, students, and community members:
This latest edition of our High School News has some excellent advice on a variety of topics. I hope you can read through them and share with others. Thanks to all of our parents for providing the love and support that students need.
As always, I am just a phone call away. You can call the school at 869-9636 and get to either the middle or high school Thank you very much for your support.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
"Breakfast in Paris"
for our Falcon Flyers
Students who achieved honor roll for the second marking period were treated to a French-themed breakfast on Monday, February 11th. Delicious foods including croissants, parfaits and waffles with fruit were served to students to acknowledge their hard work and achievements.
Congratulations!
Thanks to Mrs. Stagg, Mrs. Northrup, Mrs. Wyckoff, and Mrs. Zajac for their organizational and imaginative skills!
Great post about college and career choices
A teacher recently shared the linked Facebook post with me. The author talks about the honor and potential financial benefits of opting out of college. The moral of the story for me is to go for what your passion tells you to.
Commentary:Dear Mom and Dad, cool it at high school athletic events
This is a very good editorial written by Karissa Niehoff, the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, and Robert Zayas, the executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
If you'd like to see a TV news story on the topic, please click here. Thanks.
5 Ways Social Media Affects Teen Mental Health
"Undoubtedly, social networking plays a vital role in broadening teen social connections and helping them learn valuable technical skills. But what impact is all of this social networking having on young teen minds? Most reports indicate that the impact can be significant." Check out this article about the five ways social media can influence teens' developing brains.
The following stories concern the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes. It's a problem with our youth all over the country, including in our area, and we are attempting to spread the word concerning the harmful effects of the habit.
Tobacco use is soaring among U.S. kids, driven by e-cigarettes
Axios
Public health officials on Monday said there's a growing epidemic of tobacco products currently used by children — 4.9 million high school and middle school kids used tobacco products in 2018 up from 3.6 million in 2017 — mainly due to a growth in e-cigarette usage. Read the full story
Depression, anxiety, nicotine withdrawal: Trying to quit vaping 'was hell'--
--
--
--
Thanks to Mr. Barkee
and his Foods class
It's apparent that Mr. Barkee's students are enjoying the new class. It's nice to get some samples once in a while too!
South Seneca Students Selected for Area-All State Chorus
South Seneca Middle High School's Choral Music Department is excited to announce the acceptance of two seniors, two junior, and one sophomore into Sr. High Area All-State Chorus. Please congratulate Chamberlain Bauder (Mixed Chorus, Bass, Grade 11), Sarah Corning (Treble Chorus, Alto, Grade 12), Hailey Crane (Treble Chorus, Alto, Grade 10), Madelyn Houck (Mixed Chorus, Soprano, Grade 12), and Violet Meagher (Mixed Chorus, Soprano, Grade 11) on their acceptance into Senior High Area All-State.
Singers selected to Sr. High Area All-State are chosen based on their NYSSMA scores from Solo Festival the previous year. It is a great honor to be chosen among hundreds of applicants. They are picked from all the applicants in NYSSMA's Zone 3 in grades 10 through 12. Zone 3 is one of the largest zones in the state. All of the participating South Seneca students contribute much to the Choral Music Department. All participate in High School Chorus and also participate in the award-winning, select ensemble, Vocal Jazz.
Singers worked with guest conductors at Binghamton University on February 1st and 2nd. All ensembles presented a concert at Binghamton University's Osterhaut Concert Hall on February 2nd.
South Seneca Senior Selected for Honors Choir Festival
Peter Trim, a senior at South Seneca Middle/High School, was selected to sing Bass II in the Honors Choir Festival at Roberts Wesleyan College this past weekend! Peter participates in Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Vocal Jazz at South Seneca.
Students in the Honors Choir spent the weekend studying music under the direction of Dr. Adam Potter, Director of Choral Activities and performed a concert on Sunday. Congratulations, P
This latest edition of our High School News has some excellent advice on a variety of topics. I hope you can read through them and share with others. Thanks to all of our parents for providing the love and support that students need.
As always, I am just a phone call away. You can call the school at 869-9636 and get to either the middle or high school Thank you very much for your support.
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
"Breakfast in Paris"for our Falcon Flyers
Students who achieved honor roll for the second marking period were treated to a French-themed breakfast on Monday, February 11th. Delicious foods including croissants, parfaits and waffles with fruit were served to students to acknowledge their hard work and achievements.
Congratulations!
Thanks to Mrs. Stagg, Mrs. Northrup, Mrs. Wyckoff, and Mrs. Zajac for their organizational and imaginative skills!
Great post about college and career choices
A teacher recently shared the linked Facebook post with me. The author talks about the honor and potential financial benefits of opting out of college. The moral of the story for me is to go for what your passion tells you to.
Commentary:Dear Mom and Dad, cool it at high school athletic eventsThis is a very good editorial written by Karissa Niehoff, the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, and Robert Zayas, the executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.
If you'd like to see a TV news story on the topic, please click here. Thanks.
5 Ways Social Media Affects Teen Mental Health
"Undoubtedly, social networking plays a vital role in broadening teen social connections and helping them learn valuable technical skills. But what impact is all of this social networking having on young teen minds? Most reports indicate that the impact can be significant." Check out this article about the five ways social media can influence teens' developing brains.
The following stories concern the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes. It's a problem with our youth all over the country, including in our area, and we are attempting to spread the word concerning the harmful effects of the habit.
Tobacco use is soaring among U.S. kids, driven by e-cigarettes
Axios
Public health officials on Monday said there's a growing epidemic of tobacco products currently used by children — 4.9 million high school and middle school kids used tobacco products in 2018 up from 3.6 million in 2017 — mainly due to a growth in e-cigarette usage. Read the full story
--
--
--
and his Foods class
It's apparent that Mr. Barkee's students are enjoying the new class. It's nice to get some samples once in a while too!
South Seneca Students Selected for Area-All State Chorus
Peter Trim, a senior at South Seneca Middle/High School, was selected to sing Bass II in the Honors Choir Festival at Roberts Wesleyan College this past weekend! Peter participates in Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Vocal Jazz at South Seneca.
Students in the Honors Choir spent the weekend studying music under the direction of Dr. Adam Potter, Director of Choral Activities and performed a concert on Sunday. Congratulations, P
Monday, January 21, 2019
January 22, 2019
Hi folks,
Thanks for checking our latest High School News. There is always a lot going on in the High School, and we try to keep you informed of important news and activities. Please see the articles below, and if you'd like to see anything in particular, please let me know.
Have a great day!
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
The following high school students participated in last weekend's concert: Catlin Cornish, Madelyn Houck, Violet Meagher, Olivia Morton, Amanda Richardson, Ellen Appleby, Natalia Anderson, Sarah Corning, Samantha Marion, Emma Seamon, Aden VanCleef, Chamberlain Bauder, and Tom Smalser.
How to Deal with Flu Season at School
"Preventing the flu is a joint effort in schools. Students, parents, and staff need to take the necessary precautions to stop the flu from circulating." Click the link to read a short article about the best way to combat flu during peak season. Small things like getting enough sleep and exercise, avoiding stress, and eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help students and adults stay healthy to avoid
NYS Health Department Notice
Please see the document linked in the title for a flu notice from New York.
Our Library and Media Center Rocks!
The South Seneca Middle/High School Library is currently receiving hundreds of middle/high school books from Scholastic and Reading Warehouse. They were purchased with a small amount of the Dollar General Donation money we received last year. We wanted to inspire literacy through reading books: physical ones, ebooks and audiobooks. These high interest books are a small gift to every student in our school to help create a mini library in their homes at the perfect time of the year. Students are allowed to chose 2 books each and the books are sectioned off in 2 groups- middle 6-8 and high school 9-12. After students choose the 2 books they are able to order “a book of their choice” to be available in mid February.
You can follow our library on Instagram @ ssmh_library and Twitter @SSMHS_Library to see all of our contests and latest book releases and be in the KNOW.
Thanks to Mrs. Gale for doing such a wonderful job.
Middle/High School Facebook page
If you haven't seen our Facebook page, please check it out here. It's a great source of information where we can post relevant info quickly. Thanks for taking a look!
Thanks for checking our latest High School News. There is always a lot going on in the High School, and we try to keep you informed of important news and activities. Please see the articles below, and if you'd like to see anything in particular, please let me know.
Have a great day!
Tim Houseknecht, Principal
Congratulations to South Seneca All-County Participants!
This year's All-County Choral Festival took place at Groton High School on January 18 and January 19. Participating districts included Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield, South Seneca, and Trumansburg. The students who were selected to attend this year's festival worked with guest conductors during the festival weekend. The High School Guest Conductor was Mr. Adam Good. All of the students presented a concert on the afternoon of January 19 at 2:00 PM.
The following high school students participated in last weekend's concert: Catlin Cornish, Madelyn Houck, Violet Meagher, Olivia Morton, Amanda Richardson, Ellen Appleby, Natalia Anderson, Sarah Corning, Samantha Marion, Emma Seamon, Aden VanCleef, Chamberlain Bauder, and Tom Smalser.
How to Deal with Flu Season at School
NYS Health Department Notice
Please see the document linked in the title for a flu notice from New York.
Click the link above to see testing dates, general directions and BOCES notes for Regents testing January 22 through 25.
Our Library and Media Center Rocks! The South Seneca Middle/High School Library is currently receiving hundreds of middle/high school books from Scholastic and Reading Warehouse. They were purchased with a small amount of the Dollar General Donation money we received last year. We wanted to inspire literacy through reading books: physical ones, ebooks and audiobooks. These high interest books are a small gift to every student in our school to help create a mini library in their homes at the perfect time of the year. Students are allowed to chose 2 books each and the books are sectioned off in 2 groups- middle 6-8 and high school 9-12. After students choose the 2 books they are able to order “a book of their choice” to be available in mid February.
You can follow our library on Instagram @ ssmh_library and Twitter @SSMHS_Library to see all of our contests and latest book releases and be in the KNOW.
Thanks to Mrs. Gale for doing such a wonderful job.
Middle/High School Facebook page
If you haven't seen our Facebook page, please check it out here. It's a great source of information where we can post relevant info quickly. Thanks for taking a look!
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