2009-2010 School Year

JUNE 2010

Good luck to our 2010 retirees: Barbara Arthur, WHBI Librarian; Jan Bystrak, QES Kindergarten Teacher; Lawrence Coon, Bus Driver; Betty Gancher, QHS Science Teacher; James Maloney, Bus Driver; Marlene Mullen, QES Kindergarten Aide; Suzanne Merrill, QHS English Teacher; Margaret Phillips, QHS PE Teacher; and Heidi White, QHS Foreign Language Teacher. Thank you for your years of dedication and service to our students and community.

Thank you to our students and staff who participated in the annual Relay for Life and Tour de Cure during the June 4th weekend. Each year you donate your time and efforts to support these events to benefit the American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association respectively. Over $10,000 was raised for each organization.

Congratulations to Ben Frank and Shryia Nevatia for being selected as National Merit Scholarship Finalists from a field of over 1.5 million juniors who took the PSAT exam in the Fall of 2009!

Kudos to Kristen Mootz, WHBI 4th Grade Teacher, for organizing a Walk for Juvenile Diabetes for 4th and 5th grade students that was held on campus. This event raised over $5,000 for the cause!

MAY 2010

Thank you to over 200 members of the Class of 2010 who participated in the first annual Senior Give Back Day. Seniors donated their morning to 12 local not-for-profit organizations raking leaves, cleaning windows, planting flowers and other spring cleaning tasks. QUFSD is proud of the tremendous effort put into this community service project.

The Tri County United Way has named Joe Lehet, QHS Math Teacher, Math Department Chair and Coach, as their 2010 Volunteer of the Year. Mr. Lehet has dedicated many years as a volunteer with the United Way, Boy Scouts of America and other organizations. Congratulations Mr. Lehet, and thank you for exemplifying the District core value "community flourishes when all individuals participate and contribute."

Congratulations to the group of QHS students who won the School Traveling Bowling Pin Trophy for raising the most money for the annual Bowling for Kids Sake fundraiser by a school district. The group was led by Eric Lebel, a QHS junior, who was the events highest youth fundraiser with $4,414.47.

APRIL 2010

Great job Coach Fraser! Doug Fraser has been named the Post Star Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to Mary Tully, QHS Social Studies teacher, for being chosen as a 2010 McCann Teacher Leadership Award recipient. The award recognizes teachers who are leaders in the classroom and outside the classroom.

Brendan Klippel, 8th grade student, was chosen to attend the prestigious North American Viola Institute at Orford Arts Centre in June. Located in Quebec, selection to attend this workshop is limited to just 40 people ages 14-24. Brendan will also be attending the NYS Summer School of the Arts School of Orchestral Studies. He is one of 115 high school musicians selected through audition to study and rehearse with the world-class musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra in Saratoga this summer.

Madison Malone-Kircher, QHS Senior, made it to the semi-final round of National competition for the 2010 American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program - "A Constitutional Speech Contest." Outstanding job Madison!

March 2010

Thank you to Lily DeMattos, a third grade student, for seeing kids in need in Haiti and finding a way to help out. Lily was the driving force behind a recent Pajama Day for Haiti that raised $1,001 for the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. Great job Lily!

Congratulations to the QHS students who earned awards at the Regional SkillsUSA competition: Justin Caban, 3rd place Criminal Justice; Ben Alden, 2nd place Extemporaneous Speaking; Xenia Wieland, 1st place Job Interview; Lyssa Howard, 1st place Photography; Brianna Norton, 5th place Prepared Speech; Alycia Howe, 2nd place Promotional Bulletin Board; Bobbie Flewelling, 4th place Promotional Bulletin Board; and Marlee DeJesus, 4th place Promotional Bulletin Board. Great job!

The WHBI was named an "Emerging School of Character" by the New York State Schools of Character (NYSSOC). The WHBI was cited for exemplifing the Eleven Principles of a quality character education program and for living the district's mission and core values.

Congratulations to Pat Smith, QHS Science Teacher, who was the 100.3 The Point Teacher of the Week for March 1st. Mr. Smith was nominated for making learning science fun and going above and beyond to help his students prepare for mid-term exams.

Congratulations to Kate Allen, a kindergarten student in Mrs. Bemis’ class, for being chosen as one of ten first place winners in the SeeSaw Book Club’s “How Do Dinosaurs ____?” Contest! As a first place winner Kate will receive a 10-Book Mark Teague Library courtesy of Scholastic Book Clubs.

Congratulations to the Middle School Odyssey Team (Amanda Guido, Amanda Teppo, Lydia Hanchett, Ericka Wadleigh and Mara Bureau) for winning first place in their division at Regional competition. They will be going to the State competition at Binghamton University Saturday, March 27th.

Congratulations to Mary McHale, QMS ELA Teacher, one of twenty-five teacher from across the USA chosen to participate in "Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance," A Course for Teachers in London, England this summer. Ms. McHale will spend three weeks creating and producing with members of the Globe Theatre Company, all the while learning practical, active approaches to the teaching of Shakespeare.

February 2010

Congratulations to Rory Johnson, Section II Class B Wrestling Coach of the Year!

Way to go QHS Academic Bowl Team! The varsity team won their 3rd consecutive league title, 12th league title overall. The team has qualified for national competition that will begin Memorial Day Weekend. Good Luck Spartans!

Thank you to high school groups who have raised money for Haiti. Mary Tully's Ethics class raised $566.00; senior Shriya Nevatia raised $120 doing henna designs after school and Sue Merrill, QHS ELA teacher, collected $120 in change to be donated to the Red Cross. Your efforts make a difference for others!

Congratulations to the Queensbury Wrestling Program - recipients of the Division I Section II Sportsmanship Award for the 2009-2010 season. This award recognizes the entire program from Modified to Varsity for best representing the ideals and qualities of sportsmanship. Thank you to the coaches and athletes of this program for representing Queensbury well. Go Spartans!

January 2010

Kudos to groups who have raised money to help the relief efforts for victims of the recent Haiti earthquake. QES staff members raised $375 by holding a casual day, and WHBI students and staff donated $440 raised by a "Hats on for Haiti" day. Thank you for contributing to our global community.

Congratulations to Patrick Ostwald (senior), Rachel Swart (senior), Stephanie Willis (sophomore) and Nicole Zanghi (senior) for their selection as 2010 PostStar Teen Excellence Awards honorees. These outstanding teens demonstrate leadership and a commitment to their community in their daily lives - great job to all!

Thank you QHS grads Emily Cisek and Rob Haggerty for returning to your alma mater to talk with business students about the importance of the classes they are taking and how they will prepare them for college!

Great job to the QHS students who have become Teen Ambassadors for the Ronald McDonald House in Albany. Approximately 25 students made their first visit to the House last month to clean, bake cookies and interact with families using the facility. Several students have also been involved in activities to raise money for the House, donating over $300 so far. Thank you to these students for reaching out and making a difference for others.

Three QUFSD teachers have been selected as 100.3 The Point Teachers of the Week. Congratulations to Leslie Carpenter and Barbara Vanderwarker, 1st grade teachers, and Tammy Cherry, 4th grade teachers, for being recognized by their students as educators who are making a difference.

Andrew Guinther, QHS Senior, signed a National Letter of Intent to swim at Boston University next year. Andrew was awarded a full athletic scholarship for swimming from B.U., the first Queensbury boys swimmer to earn a "full ride" in the history of the program. Congratulations to Andrew on his outstanding accomplishment and good luck at B.U. next year!

December 2009

Congratulations to Irene Consolagio, QHS Special Education Teacher, for being named “Zontian of the Year” by the Zonta Club of Glens Falls. Mrs. Consolagio was chosen for this honor by past presidents of the club because of her “unending energy and support to the club.” Zonta is a worldwide service organization that supports many causes through community service projects.

Way to Go! Tyler Carey, QMS Art Teacher and Varsity Volleyball coach, was chosen as the Post Star Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Lending a helping hand - A job well done to all of our students and staff members who have been working hard to help make the holidays brighter for others. Recent accomplishments: QHS Key Club members volunteered to entertain children on the St. Mary's/St. Alphonsus Christmas Train, the QMS Adopt-a-Family Program collected over $1,600 and the QMS Student Council conducted a food drive to provide food and clothing for 15 needy Middle School families, QHS staff casual day raised $315 that was used to provide for 3 needy QHS families, and Mrs. DeBlock's 5th grade class collected over 80 gifts for the annual Toys-for-Tots campaign.

Congratulations to our fall athletes: 9 of the 10 Fall Varsity sports teams earned NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team recognition with a collective average of 90% or better; 6 teams were Foothills Council Champions; the Girls Cross Country team earned the Section 2 and State Championships and placed 7th at Nationals; and the Volleyball team was the Section 2 Runner-up. For more details, visit the Athletic Summary page and click on 2009-2010 results.

Congratulations to the following QHS students: Artwork by Liz Doyle, Emily Williams, Mariana Gibaldi and William Roberts was selected to be included in the Talented Unlimited Magazine published by BOCES each year. Almost 500 works of art were submitted for consideration. James Greer, William Kesler, Kara Barosi and Beth Mirahver were selected to participate in the NYS School Music Association conference. Over 6,000 students from across New York State competed for spots in the All-State Mixed Chorus (James and Will) and All-State Women's Chorus (Kara and Beth). Their selection was based on perfect scores earned on their vocal solos last spring. Congratulations also to Greg Auffredou (percussion) and Allie Litrell (french horn) for their selection as alternates to the instrumental groups.

November 2009

Kudos to the QHS staff for providing a complete Thanksgiving dinner for 6 needy QHS families!

Queensbury students continue to demonstrate the District Core Value "Community flourishes when all individuals participate and contribute" by giving back to their community. QES students collected $2,022.28 during a recent penny drive for the annual Adopt-a-Family program to benefit needy families during the holiday season.

Way to Go QES Readers! The QES library received a check for $150 that will be used to purchase books from the Red Fox Book Store. QES students won the prize by reading the most books during the bookstore's 2009 Summer Reading Program. Congratulations!

A Job Well Done! to the QHS National Honor Society for organizing a community drive to collect cleaning supplies for the Battered Women's Shelter. Students collected 42 boxes full of cleaning supplies that were delivered to a very grateful organization. Thank you to our students for helping others in need and to our community for supporting this service project.

The QMS Global Community Advisors recently sponsored a Donation Collection for WAIT House and Amanda’s House. Community members and Guide Rooms donated a total of 25 boxes (thousands of items!) of needed supplies.  Thanks to everyone who helped out!  Congratulations to Mrs. Sullivan’s Guide Room for donating a total of 84 items!

Congratulations to Patricia Fielding, WKBE Teacher of the Week for the week of October 26th. Mrs. Fielding is a 3rd grade teacher and was nominated because of the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to the classroom. She shows her students how their lessons related to everyday life and how they can set goals and overcome obstacles. Way to go!

Thank you to the WHBI classrooms who supported the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign this year. $831.90 was raised for this worthy cause. Great job!

October 2009

WHBI students participated in the Read for the Ranch community service project for the 5th year in a row, raising $5,185.56 for the Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch. Great Job everyone!

A job well done to the Varsity Volleyball team for hosting the Power of Pink Tournament on October 17th to benefit the cause to find a cure for Breast Cancer. 16 teams played in the one-day event which raised over $5,600. Thank you to Tyler Carey, Varsity Volleyball Coach, for his time and energy put into this event, and to everyone else who helped make this a success.

Queensbury High School announces the Top Ten students of the Class of 2010:  Kelly O’Shaughnessy, Colleen Meehl, Michael Norton, Benjamin Frank, Erika Scully,  Rory Fraser, Kaycie Lane, Shriya Nevatia, Kristen Balschunat, and Andrew Goodemote. Congratulations to all!

Queensbury High School is proud to announce that Antonio Fusco and Aileen Daley have been selected by the faculty to be the school’s representative and alternate, respectively, to the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY). Antonio will have the opportunity to meet other students from New York State who have the desire to lead and make their schools and communities better places. Congratulations to Antonio and Aileen.

September 2009

Congratulations to Sandra Jabaut, QHS Art Teacher, for being one of five finalists for the 2010 New York State Teacher of the Year award. This selection process celebrates outstanding teachers in New York state. In addition to teaching duties, Mrs. Jabaut is the advisor of the National Art Honor Society at QHS. Her leadership has led to many community service projects in the area by the NAHS, including murals at the Open Door Soup Kitchen and Glens Falls Hospital.

QHS seniors Benjamin Frank and Shriya Nevatia have been selected as Semifinalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Ben and Shriya were chosen based on their scores on the PSAT exam taken last year. This distinction is awarded to less than 1% of all U.S. high school seniors. Great job!!