Red Jacket Monthly Newsletter
A Newsletter from the Manchester-Shortsville CSD
October 2023
Message From the Superintendent
Dear Manchester-Shortsville School District Community,
I am thrilled to share the outstanding start we have had to the 2023-2024 school year. As we return to our classrooms and hallways, it is not just another year; it’s a fresh start, a new beginning and an opportunity to shape our future together.
The enthusiasm and positive energy we’ve witnessed in our students, staff, and families have been truly inspiring. It’s a testament to our collective commitment to providing the best education for our students. This momentum will drive us forward through the year.
In this spirit of a fresh start, let us renew our dedication to listening to one another, learning from each other, and collaborating relentlessly. We understand that our path to success is paved with the collective strength of our community. Together, we can foster an environment where ideas flourish, innovation thrives, and every choice is heard.
I look forward to witnessing the incredible achievements and growth that this year will bring. Let us continue to build a District that prides itself on the bonds we share, the knowledge we acquire, and the collaborative spirit that defines us.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and here’s to a year of remarkable progress, unity and success.
With Red Jacket PRIDE,
Christopher J. Barnard
Superintendent of Schools
Manchester-Shortsville CSD
New to the Red Jacket Team!
Madelyn Jenkins
Madelyn Jenkins is one of the newest members of our 3rd grade team. Madelyn will be part of the integrated co-taught classroom this school year. She grew up in Canandaigua and graduated from Canandaigua Academy. After high school, Madelyn attended Nazareth College, receiving an undergraduate degree in Inclusive Childhood Education and a Master's in Literacy Education. This will be Madelyn's first year teaching!
Danielle Pietropaolo
Danielle Pietropaolo will be teaming with Madelyn Jenkins as the special education teacher in our 3rd grade integrated co-taught classroom. Like Madelyn, Danielle also grew up in Canandaigua and graduated from Canandaigua Academy. Danielle attended SUNY Fredonia and graduated with a Bachelor's in Childhood Inclusive Education. She is working towards a master's degree in literacy at SUNY Brockport. Danielle has worked the last four summers for Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES in their summer school program. She was also the building substitute here at Red Jacket last school year.
Michelle Broderick
Stephen Powers
Chris Knapp
Chris Knapp is our new choir teacher for our middle and high school students. He teaches: music 8, musical theatre, 6th grade choir, 7/8 choir, sr. high choir, and is the director of the yearly musical. Mr. Knapp was born and raised in Dundee, NY where he was involved in as many music ensembles and activities as possible. After graduating in 2015, he began his college career at Onondaga Community College where he studied music. Upon graduation in 2017, he transferred to SUNY Fredonia to complete his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in vocal/general music. Currently, Mr. Knapp is completing his master's degree online through Eastern Washington University. Over the last three years, he was teaching in Olean, NY before moving back to the Finger Lakes area and beginning at Red Jacket this year.
Michelle Bills
Michelle Bills lives in Farmington with her husband and two children. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo with her mathematics degree and received her master's from RELAY University in mathematics education. Michelle taught 6 years in the Rochester City School District before coming to Red Jacket. In her free time she loves to teach winterguard at Victor High School. Michelle is looking forward to creating lasting relationships within the school and the community.
Lindsey DeBonis
Lindsey DeBonis is from the Albany area and just recently graduated from St. John Fisher University. She currently teaches high school math at Red Jacket. While in college, Lindsey did her placement here at Red Jacket working with Mrs. Joy at the middle school. Outside of the classroom she coaches Varsity Volleyball at Fairport and VolleyFX in Victor.
Terry Febrey
Terry Febrey will be extending her stay as the Interim Principal for the Middle School. She is originally from Ontario, NY and attended Wayne Central. She received her B.S. in Education from SUNY Cortland and her Master's from Ithaca College. After 19 years of teaching, she transitioned to administration by completing her CAS Administration at SUNY Brockport. Terry is starting her 22nd year in administration. She is excited to come out of retirement to work at Red Jacket and is looking forward to working with the students, staff and this community.
Deirdre Coon
Alicyn Preall
This is Alicyn's 20th year in education. She is our Reading Interventionist for grades 6 thru 12. Most recently she taught Kindergarten in Waterloo. Alicyn grew up in Fairport and currently lives in Victor with her husband and daughter. She loves to cook and go camping and hiking. She also enjoys photography as a hobby.
Brian Weller
Meet Buster!
Next time you come to Red Jacket you may see a new face in our building. Buster is Red Jacket’s new therapy dog in training. Buster is a one-year-old goldendoodle. Being a goldendoodle, he is hypo-allergenic so he should have no impact on students with pet allergies. He currently “lives” in the Special Education office with Mrs. Karen Hall.
The goal for this school year is to bring Buster in one-to-two days a week. He is being used to support students in crisis in our counseling office. During CSE (Committee on Special Education) meetings, he can be present to provide support and comfort at request.
He will be training through Pet Connections at ARC Ontario. The training process typically takes about a year to complete. Right now, he is training on the ability to go into the classroom.
There are many benefits to having a therapy dog available to students. Academically, it helps reinforce learning, improves attendance, and motivates speech, learning and exercise. Socially, it can build a student’s self-esteem, encourages positive social behaviors and decreases loneliness, anxiety, anger and depression.
“It has been a personal and professional goal of mine to bring a therapy dog into Red Jacket for many years,” said Mrs. Hall. “It’s been wonderful to see the reaction students and staff have had to Buster and I’m excited for the future of this program.”
If you have questions regarding Buster, or would like to learn more, you can contact Karen Hall, Coordinator of Special Services, at karen.hall@redjacket.org or at (585) 289-3478.
High School/Middle School Open House
On September 13th, Red Jacket Middle School and High School held its Open House. We'd like to thank all the staff, students and families who made it out to meet our staff and visit our classrooms. We are looking forward to a great year! The Elementary School will be hosting its Open House on October 5th at 6:30PM
Spirit Week (October 2nd-October 5th)
Next Week is Spirit Week at the High School! The theme for each day is listed in the week calendar below. We are encouraging all students, faculty and staff to participate. The Homecoming Football Game against Charles G. Finney is Friday night, October 6th. Kickoff is at 6:30PM. We'll be playing under the lights. We can't wait to see all of you there!
Upcoming Events
- 10/3 - Varsity Girls Soccer Breast Cancer Awareness Game @ 4:30PM
- 10/5 - Elementary School Open House @ 6:30PM
- 10/6 - Superintendent's Conference Day (No School for Students)
- 10/6 - Friday Nights Lights! Homecoming Football Game @ 6:30PM
- 10/9 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School)
- 10/11 - Board of Education Meeting @ 6PM
- 10/20 - Fall Movie Night @ 6:45PM
- 10/31 - Elementary School Halloween Parade @ 10AM