Congratulations to this week's Titan Strong Certificate winners!

The CASEL’S SEL framework was used as the inspiration for the Titan Strong Certificates. The focus is on Self- Awareness, Self- Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. Students and staff who exhibit behaviors from this framework receive a Titan Strong Certificate.

There are new winners every week!

Grade 3
In third grade, the students are continuing to learn about distributive property in math class. They are also working on multiplication minute practices. During ELA, the third graders have been working on compare and contrast. In Science, the students are learning about genetic traits.

Grade 4
In fourth grade, the students have been working on two digit and three digit multiplication during math. During Science class, the students are learning about plate tectonicd and volcanoes. In Social Studies, the students are learning about New York State. The students are learning about inferencing and reading nonfiction texts during ELA.

Grade 5
The fifth graders are learning about ecosystems during Science. In ELA, the students are learning about text features and writing introductions and conclusions. The fifth graders are learning about multiplying decimals using decimal grids in math. During Social Studies, the students are learning about the Mayans.

Grade 6
In Social Studies, the sixth graders are learning about Ancient China. During ELA, the students are working in their novel groups. They are also practicing how to write a two point and four point answer to a question. During Math, the sixth graders are working on percentages, decimals, and fractions. In Science, the students finished learning about thermal energy.

Important Information
Word of the Week: Perspective

After School Activities
- Homework Club: Monday-Thursday in Library
- Art Club: January 27
- AV Club: February 6
- Drama Club: January 21
- Animal Club: March 12
- Diversity Club: January 27
- Spirit Club: January 28

Students of the Month: December
- Jailia Villalona
- Hunter Brazie
- Addison O'Neil
- Jaela Dixon
- Alex Dawson
- Ashton Dean
- Hunter Barrett
- Jase Foley

Upcoming Events
- No School: January 20 and January 29
- Food Pantry Open 3PM-4PM: January 23, February 13, March 6 and 27, April 10, May 1 and 21, June 12

Tuesday, January 21 through Friday, January 24 will be Winter Regents & Midterm Examinations for Jr/Sr High Students.

January 21: Students in Grades 7-12 should not attend school, unless they are taking the ELA Regents, Spanish Checkpoint A Exam, or Earth Science Regets. There will be midday transportation only for students taking the ELA Regents Exam.

January 22-24: Students Grades 7-8 should attend school. The days will be an A/B schedule. Students should report to lab classes, gym classes, etc. 7th and 8th grade students will need to take midterm exams as we will not be doing a winter NWEA assessment.

Please Note:

• Breakfast and Lunch will be provided all four days.

• The only day with midday transportation is January 21. If students are unable to get a ride home for other days and they have a workhall on their schedule, they should report to the High School Library.

• Students taking a regents exam will be contacted individually about where to report for their exams.

• Any student grade 9-12 who is required to take a regents exam must work with their teachers to set up a time to make up their midterm exam.

Click here to view the detailed Midterm / Regents Schedule

Please contact the Jr/Sr High Main Office at 518-325-2840 ASAP with any questions or clarifications.

The Town of Claverack is currently accepting applications for a Summer Park Program Director for the 2025 Season. This is a 5-6 week program (up to director) held during July-August. Some responsibilities need to be completed prior to the start of the program in July.

The Claverack Park is located approx. 10 minutes from THCSD, service can be applied to NYS Employees Retirement System (ERS), and pay ranges from $28 - $30 per hour.

Job Responsibilities:

• Interviewing, Hiring, and Supervision of staff (approx. 10 individuals, including an Assistant Director and a Senior Counselor)

• Completing all required paperwork with the County Dept of Health

• Planning and set up of field trips and program visits (including coordination with Transportation Company)

• Communication with Parents (via email & Facebook page)

Qualifications:

• must be at least 21 years of age

• First Aid/CPR Certification required

• Previous experience in recreation supervision and/or working with children is preferred

Applications are being accepted until the position is filled. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to hoose@townofclaverack.com or mail to the following address:
Claverack Town Park
Attn: Park Program Director Search
PO Box V
Mellenville, NY 12544

The Elementary PTO's Ducky Valentines event is back and bigger than ever!

Available for students and staff from Headstart to 8th grade, let someone special know that you feel "lucky" to have them in your life, and buy them a Ducky! This lovey ducky gram will be delivered to your student or staff member on Valentine's Day!

Each Ducky Gram order is $3, and includes a 2-inch rubber duck and a "You Quack Me Up!" Valentine card with your choice of 1 of 3 messages on the back. Both items are placed in an adorable bag to be delivered to your Valentine's classroom on Valentine's Day! Message Options:
- Happy Valentine's Day!
- Love you!
- I'm a Lucky Duck to have you as my Valentine!

Available again this year is the “Donate A Duck” item, this is an option where you can elect to add donated ducks to your order for $2 each This feature is designed to, once again, help the PTO make sure that every child receives a Ducky Gram this year!

Place your orders here from now until February 9th!
Accepted payment methods are paypal, venmo, or Debit/Credit Card.

Support our PTO with "PTO Day" at Sweet Pea's Diner on Saturday, January 25th!

This is an all day event from 7AM - 8:30PM, includes dine in or take out orders, and 10% of your bill is donated directly to the Taconic Hills PTO!

Sweet Pea's Country Diner will satisfy any craving! Breakast, Paninis, Burgers, Tacos, Salads, Soups, Classic Dinners, and more! Support both our PTO and fellow local business!

Location:
Sweet Pea's Country Diner
9276 NY-22
Hillsdale, NY 12529

Visit Sweet Pea's website for their detailed menu

Thank you for your support!

Rural School Association is hosting a photo contest to showcase unique stories and vibrant connections within rural school communities across New York State. By highlighting agriculture, local industries, and collaborative efforts among students, teachers, and communities, we aim to promote a greater understanding and appreciation for rural life and education.

There are monetary prizes for winners, and the contest is open to teachers, staff and students! Submission Deadline is January 31, 2025.

Let’s show off Taconic Hills!!

More info & additional details: https://rsany.org/photocontest/

Join us on January 25th, 2025, at 10:30 am for a FREE IN-PERSON event: Safety Sally’s Firetruck Pinewood Derby!

Join Safety Sally for a fun and interactive show. Help Safety Sally play her silly safety games and learn important safety tips. Then let your art skills dazzle and shine, as you decorate your own pinewood derby firetruck. Race your fabulous firetruck down the track to win a medal. Show, activities, supplies (including pinewood firetrucks), and Museum admission are FREE for this special morning of fun, so shake off those January blues with Safety Sally!

While we expect to be able to accommodate every child, as always, pinewood derby firetrucks are available while supplies last, on a first-come, first-serve basis. RESERVATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT.

The FASNY (The Firefighters Association of the State of New York) Museum of Firefighting is located at 117 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson, NY, 12534, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm.

Here are some dates to keep in mind for this month:

• Monday, January 20: District Closed, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Tuesday, January 21 - Friday, January 24: Midterm Exams & Winter Regents Exams

• Wednesday, January 29: No School for students, Lunar New Year

• Friday, January 31: 2nd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home

The Taconic Hills CSD Food Pantry will be open the following dates from 3PM-4PM in Room E102:

• Thursday, January 23

• Thursday, February 13

• Thursday, March 6

• Thursday, March 27

• Thursday, April 10

• Thursday, May 1

• Wednesday, May 21

• Thursday, June 12

All Taconic Hills families are welcome!

Taconic Hills is beginning to review their current ELA program, curriculum and instructional resources for grades K-12.  We are gathering input from our families, students and staff.  Please take a look at the survey and give us your input so we can take it into consideration when reviewing our current practices and evaluating new programs, curriculum and resources.

Please click here to complete the survey

Parent's Discussion Group and Sibling Discussion Group
Wednesday, January 22 from 6:30PM-8PM
Groups in person in Kingston or Remote

Our parent discussion group offers caregivers a forum to share parenting experiences, educational and management strategies, community resources, conferences and new research. Our special sibling discussion group (in-person only) is for the brothers and sisters ages 5-12 and includes various fun activities (games, cooking, discussion, art) designed to help children learn many new ways of playing and interacting with their sibling in a fun manner. 

Keeping your Child Safe
Tuesday, January 28 from 12:30PM-2PM: Remote Only
Thursday, January 30 from 6:30PM-8PM: in person in Kingston or remote
Monday, February 10 from 12:30PM-2PM: Spanish, Remote Only

Keeping our children safe is a priority but for children with Autism, there are many additional considerations. The news is full of tragic stories of children running off or wandering, dangers in the community and accidents in the home. This group will focus on making an emergency binder, guidelines to prevent/assist if a child is missing, fire and water hazards, securing the home, securing the child, tracking devices, dealing with first responders, etc.  How can we be prepared and what skills can we teach the children? Resources will be provided, and we will have time for discussion. Presented by Amanda Snook-Barnes, Social Worker.

All groups and workshops are free for a family of a child with developmental disabilities.

Free childcare for evening workshops is available for our own students and their siblings.

Please contact Leah Siuta at Lsiuta@centerforspectrumservices.org     or
845 336-2616 x120

ZOOM Informa tion for Remote Meetings:
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 878 6722 0595
Passcode: 637167

Cub Scout Pack 2130 is looking for Boys & Girls in Kindergarten-5th Grade to join!

Cub Scouting is a year round family oriented program designed for boys and girls who are in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Through this parent volunteer run program, we combine fun with education activities and lifelong values. Cub scouting is designed to support and encourage family and community involvement. Kids can join at any level.

Contact us at bsapack2130@gmail.com if your student is interested in joining!

We are seeking the following:
- Substitute Food Service Worker ($16.00/hr)
- Substitute Bus Drivers ($23/hr)
- Substitute Bus Attendants ($16.00/hr)
- Substitute Teachers ($140-$168/day)

Click here to complete the application, and send to Eileen Olson, Human Resources Coordinator at eolson@taconichills.k12.ny.us

Visit our Community & Parent Resources page for information regarding mental health, local food pantries, Columbia Opportunities' Headstart Program, and more.

Emergency Mental Health Service
8 a.m. - 10 p.m. 7 days a week
518-943-5555
- On-site face-to face mental health assessments
- Referrals to available services
- Follow-up from psychiatric hospitalizations
- Wellness calls when someone is concerned
- Phone assessments
- Consultations

https://www.mhacg.org/mcat-team

Taconic Hills Elementary PTO
The Taconic Hills Elementary PTO has a Facebook page and new website! Please follow these pages to see all of the ideas and fun activities we have planned for your children. We would also love for you to join us. We meet the 1st Thursday of every month at 2:50pm in E146, and would love to see you there and hear any ideas that you might have. Contact us at taconichillspto@gmail.com