The Onteora Central School District Board of Education appointed Marystephanie Corsones as interim superintendent of schools at its April 6
   Board meeting. Corsones is no stranger to Onteora, having served as the District’s interim assistant superintendent for curriculum and
   instruction from October 2015 through June 2018.

   Corsones’ appointment as interim superintendent will officially begin on May 10, although she'll be coming on board in an administrator
   capacity starting April 15, which will allow as much time for the leadership transition as possible. She is expected to fill the temporary interim 
   appointment through the end of the 2021-2022 school year. This timeline will allow the Board ample time to conduct a thorough, collaborative   
   search for a permanent superintendent.

Speaking about the Board’s decision, Onteora Board President Laurie Osmond said, “The Board is very happy to welcome Marystephanie Corsones back to Onteora as interim superintendent. Ms. Corsones’ impressive background and broad professional hands-on experience as an educator and an administrator, combined with her deep understanding of Onteora, will ensure that the District is in good, steady hands as we prepare for the opening of schools in September, and beyond. We know that she will put the needs of students first, and will work collaboratively with our staff in doing so.”

Corsones is thrilled to be returning to Onteora. “I am both pleased and honored to have been chosen to return to the Onteora School District as interim superintendent,” she said. “In my previous role as Onteora’s interim assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, I was impressed by the exceptional professionalism and dedication of Onteora's faculty, staff, and administrators in meeting the needs of all of our students.”

Corsones adds that she cares deeply about the students at Onteora, and looks forward to working collaboratively with the entire school community. “I feel certain that with the ongoing, focused cooperation of all District stakeholders, Onteora’s students will continue to thrive and excel in these challenging times,” she said.

Corsones, a resident of Kingston, is currently the CEO of Collaborative Solutions for Educational Innovation, an educational consulting firm. She is also a project administrator, coordinator, and trainer for Orange-Ulster BOCES and the New York State Department of Education.

Previously, from April 2001 through June 2014, she was assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Kingston City School District, where she served in various roles over the years, including teacher, curriculum director, and principal. She also taught for a Vermont school district, and has extensive experience working in the Federal government as well as the private sector.

Corsones received her B.S. in Education from the University of Vermont, her M.S. in Education from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Washington. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Corsones will be replacing Superintendent Victoria McLaren, who has accepted a position with a neighboring school district.

2020-2021 Required Notification

 

 

 

The Onteora Central School District is partnering with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help parents, guardians, and community members to safely dispose of un-needed pharmaceuticals. The goal of the DEC Pilot Pharmaceutical Take Back Program is to help protect public health, public safety, and the environment. Medication-collection kiosks are located at the Boiceville Pharmacy on Route 28 as well as at the Shandaken, Olive, and Woodstock Police Departments. For additional authorized disposal locations near you, go to: https://on.ny.gov/rxdropbox

 

New York State ESSA-Funded Programs Complaint Procedures:

http://www.nysed.gov/essa/new-york-state-essa-funded-programs-complaint-procedures

Good Neighbor Fund Flyer                                       Home Energy Assistant Program (HEAP Program)                                                                   Payment Assistant Programs
                                                                            PROGRAMA de ASISTENCIA de ENERGÍA para el HOGAR (HEAP)               Central Hudson Programas de Pago y Asistencia Especiales

PHOENICIA—Field trips—a much-loved part of the traditional school calendar—are just one of the many things that are difficult to arrange during a pandemic.

At Phoenicia Elementary School, however, Grade 2 teacher Sharon McInerney has found a way to safely recreate the excitement and sense of discovery associated with field trips—despite the fact that all of her students this fall have been learning remotely, in their own homes. (Phoenicia students also have the option of attending school in person.)

Ms. McInerney is accomplishing this feat by organizing virtual, real-time field trips, which her students are experiencing by logging on to their Chromebooks at the appointed times. “The field trips are live and on location, not pre-fab, pre-recorded perfection,” she explained. “It’s real life, in real time, with real people in our community!”

So far, her class has participated in two educational “expeditions.” The first virtual visit was to a pottery studio owned and operated by Doug and Pam Peltzman, professional artists whose son Leo is in Ms. McInerney’s class.

Leo and his family gave a tour of the Shokan studio, complete with hands-on demonstrations. The youngsters learned about pottery wheels, kilns, glazes, and much more. They also learned about how different kinds of clay materials can be used to fashion useful and beautiful objects.

“Pam made a porcelain mug in front of our eyes on the wheel, explaining her techniques as she created it,” Ms. McInerney recalled. “It was a great way to bring art into our classroom and also to demonstrate that a job can be something you enjoy!”

During the second field trip, the students had the opportunity to “meet” a quarter horse named Dudley. Ms. McInerney’s daughter, Annie VanKleeck, gave the students a virtual tour of her Shokan barn, demonstrating how to tack up a horse for Western-style riding.

Ms. VanKleeck, who is studying to be a teacher, also talked about important safety measures (like wearing a helmet), as well as the daily tasks involved with horse ownership (including brushing, picking hooves, changing water, and mucking stalls).

The highlight of the equine-themed expedition was when the students got to “ride” Dudley, courtesy of Ms. VanKleeck, who took her laptop up on the horse and rode around the paddock.

The field trips, which often attract parents and other family members, help to forge and strengthen ties within the class, within families, and with the community at large. “Community building is so important during the times we are living in,” suggested Ms. McInerney. “Real people in our community wanting to be with us, teach us, and spend quality time with us—it's a great feeling!”

Learning and teaching via technology has its challenges, Ms. McInerney admits, but she is thankful for the support she and her students have received. “It has been absolutely heartwarming that everyone in our classroom community—parents, families, and students—have truly come together to help each other with tips, ideas, and sharing information on what worked and what didn't in navigating our new learning venue,” she said.

Upcoming field trips include visits to the Woodstock Highway Department, the Olive Fire Department, and the SPCA.