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

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We regularly post to these social media pages.  Feel free to subscribe!

High School Instagram page

High School Facebook page

Middle School Facebook page

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January Regents and Midterm Week

• 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. 

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!

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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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United Way's Positive Messages

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.

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

An interview with Caleb Covert and Anthony Reff

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.

Police warns parents of 14 apps that could put kids in danger

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

“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.”

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!

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!

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'--
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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

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

**January Testing Schedule**

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

"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.

January 2019 Regents Testing Schedule

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!

Monday, December 17

Hi folks,

Thanks for visiting our latest High School News.  We have some great student stories below, as well as  the Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm to Table news.  We also have two linked articles that are definitely worth your time.  The first article is about "Juuling" or "vaping," and the second article is about the effect of screen time on our kids.  

I hope you all have a great Christmas and holiday season.  

Tim Houseknecht, Principal


TST BOCES Students of the Month

Every month, Mr. Jeff Podalek sends out his list of students of the month.  I'm very pleased to announce the following South Seneca students were given this honor:

Left to right: Skylar Howard, Marissa Arnold, and Kyle Champion

Skylar Howard - Animal Science
Marissa Arnold - Cosmetology
Kyle Champion - Criminal Justice



Great job students, keep up the good work!







What Juuling Does to Your Body (It’s Not Pretty)
Although Juuling is increasing in popularity, studies show that it is damaging the bodies and minds of adolescents. Click the link for an informative read about the various dangers of Juuling: "Many seem to believe that the use of e-cigarettes is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but the health effects of long-term use are still not known. And according to some study findings, there is reason to believe that e-cigarette use causes as much or more damage as conventional cigarettes."


Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm to School Newsletter
Enjoy this edition of the "Farm to School" Newsletter to read about local news, the recipe of the month, and brush up on which fruits and vegetables are currently in season.



Congratulations to the Cast of "Up the Down Staircase" 

Thank you to everyone who came out to see South Seneca's production of "Up the Down Staircase" directed by our own Tina Bauder! We're proud of our students for putting on a spectacular performance for this year's Falcon Players Fall Play!

Groundbreaking Study Examines Effects
of Screen Time on Kids

"Smartphones should be a tool that you use, not a tool that uses you," San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge states in an interview. She goes into detail about how technology, specifically smartphones, are affecting the brain functions on young adults.

Click the link above to learn more!



"Like" the New PTSA Page on Facebook
Keep updated with meeting dates and events happening in South Seneca's Parent Teacher Student Association bu liking their new page on Facebook. The next meeting is January 7th at 6:60 p.m. at the elementary school. The PTSA has two student officers and represents all three schools. Have an idea or something you'd like to see? Let them know!

Hospitality Business & Foods Management Class
Enjoys the "Fruits" of Their Labors

Mr. Barkee's hospitality business and food management students recently enjoyed the ratatouille and scratch-made macaroni and cheese they prepared in class. They teamed up to make two pans of the Ratatouille and began by preparing a Sauce Tomat to use in the dish. The ratatouille also contained sliced eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms, red and yellow bell peppers, onions, and spices. Students used leftover Mornay sauce they made from the béchamel sauce in the Mother Sauces Lab to prepare the macaroni and cheese. The macaroni and cheese was topped with toasted bread crumbs and cheese and baked in the individual ramekins.

Mr. Barkee gave Mr. Houseknecht an extra helping.  Needless to say, Mr. House was blown away by how good it was!

Hogwarts Express Library Display
The library showed their creative holiday spirit by creating a replica of the Hogwarts Express using cardboard, glue, and wrapping paper. Kayla Park, Kenny Duckworth, and Tyler Thuering were among the students who helped make the Hogwarts Express display for the library.

Snowcoming Ugly Sweater Day

South Seneca gets into the holiday spirit on Ugly Sweater Day!

Great Room Makeover

Congratulations to Mr. Eastman for a wonderful classroom makeover.  Mr. Eastman moved his science class this year.  In addition to cleaning out many old materials, he salvaged some for some tools and models for some great decorations.

Reminder:

Please share the great things happening at South Seneca! Interesting lesson in the classroom? Student accomplishment? Let us know! 

Here's how: If you would like to have something shared in our news, either in this blog or somewhere else, you can visit Public Relations Tip Form. Please feel free to contact me at 607-869-9636 or thouseknecht@southseneca.org. 

November 27

Dear Parents and Community Members,

Thank you for visiting our High School News site.  It's been a busy year as usual, and it's going well in the High School.  Our students are taking advantage of our many programs.  In the following months, I'll be sharing stories from various classrooms and extracurricular clubs. 

If you would like to have something shared in our news, either  in this blog or somewhere else, you can visit our Public Relations Tip Form.  Please feel free to contact me at 607-869-9636 or thouseknecht@southseneca.org.  

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. 
Tim Houseknecht, Principal

Honor and High Honor Roll Lists
Please click here for our honor and high honor roll lists for the first quarter.  Congratulations to all! 

Help Your Student Avoid "Vaping"

Our colleagues at BOCES recently completed a letter that offers help to families concerning the use of e-cigarettes.  "Vaping" is popular habit these days, and we're trying to spread the word about its dangers.  Please take a look and share with others. 

Please click here for the letter. 
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South Seneca Trap Team Earns First Place

The South Seneca High School Trap Club Team took first place conference honors in the recently completed Fall League in the NYS High School Clay Target League. South Seneca competed with Indian Lake, Paul V. Moore High School, and Truthville Christian Academy in Conference One. Twenty three schools competed in four conferences across the league. Team members included: Ellen Appleby, Greg Brewer, Damon Cooley, Mackenzie Coyle, Hunter Denmark, Lexxi Hayward, Jon Kaiser, Matt Kenyon, and Brandon Vanselow.

Team member Matt Kenyon took the overall top male average for the conference and finished third overall in the state with 22.7 per round average. Mackenzie Coyle and Ellen Appleby finished in the top ten for the state and Lexxi Hayward placed in the top 10 for the conference in the girl’s division. Brandon Vanselow, Damon Cooley, and Greg Brewer all placed in the top 10 for the conference for the boys. On a side note Mackenzie Coyle was on pace to finish in the top 10 overall in the state until an injury took place in week three. She bounced back and still finished second on the team in overall average with 20 per round; only 1.5 behind the overall top female for the state.

Matt Kenyon had two rounds of 25 straight during the season and Ellen Appleby and Brandon Vanselow each had one round of 25 straight. Greg Brewer finished on a strong note as he had a personal best combined score of 42 in the last week of competition.

The Fall League consisted of five weeks of competition. Each athlete shot two rounds of 25 targets per week. The team was coached this fall by Steve Coyle and Bill Hardy. The school adviser is Matt Barkee. The trap team is a school club open to all students in grades 7-12.

The South Seneca Club will participate in the Spring NYS High School Clay Target League which will take place in March of 2019.


Mr. Barkee's Foods Class A Big Hit


This year, we started a new Foods class with Mr. Matt Barkee. Mr. Barkee had a career in the restaurant industry, and he's sharing his management and food prep skills with students.

The course has been a huge hit, and the principal even gets a treat once in a while! Thanks Mr. Barkee!
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Finger Lakes Friday: South Seneca Eats Healthy, Locally Grown Fall Foods

Finger Lakes Friday in the South Seneca cafeteria means serving recipes that involve healthy, locally grown fall foods. 
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This cauliflower medley consisted of yellow and purple cauliflower grown by Finger Lakes Farms and distributed through Headwater Food Hub of Ontario, NY. The original white cauliflower was purchased at the Amish Auction in Romulus. 

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Parent Teacher Student Association Announcement 

                                                                        

We have started a Parent Teacher Student Association representing all three schools at South Seneca. Come join us! The next meeting is Monday November 26th at 6 pm in the Elementary Cafeteria. Membership forms can be found on our Facebook page, sent home with your child, or request one by emailing SouthSenecaPTSA@gmail.com. 

Students may serve as committee chairs and in some of the officer positions. This is a great way to gain experience and build the student resume. We will be most successful with participation from Parent, Teachers, Student and Administrators from all three schools. Have an idea for an event? Email us or message us on Facebook. We appreciate your support! Good things to come as we grow and develop the South Seneca PTSA.

Students Selected for Junior High Area-All State

South Seneca Middle/High School is honored to have several instrumental musicians and a choral singer selected to attend this year's Junior High Area All-State. Congratulations to Natalia Anderson (9th Grade, Alto), Joey Borst (9th Grade, Tuba), Kathrine Buisch (7th Grade, Trombone), Luke Dendis (8th Grade, Clarinet) and Amelia Helfman (9th Grade, French Horn) who were accepted. 

Applicants for Junior High Area All-State are currently in grades 7 through 9. They apply with their NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Solo Festival score from the previous year and a teacher recommendation. Applicants are from NYSSMA's Zone 3, which goes from South Seneca to near Binghamton and near Syracuse. Applicants with the highest scores and levels are chosen to fill a limited amount of seats in the two choruses. Students who are selected work with a guest conductor over the period of a day and half and present the music they worked on at a concert.

Come to our fall play - Up the Down Staircase!