Good afternoon,

The past two weeks our district has has been filled with appreciation. First, on Thursday, March 31, 2022, the Rotary Club recognized our staff as dedicated front-line workers for their commitment to our students through COVID. This Community Service Project entitled, "Newark Rotary Salutes You!!!” went very well and our staff was beyond thankful. Each building and district office was supported by a team of Rotarians that showed their gratitude by providing a snack, meal, flower… etc.

I want to say a very big thank you to Norma Madayag-Reilly, Adam Olschewske and the Club Community Service Committee for embracing and endorsing this project. I also want to say thank you to the planning team and all the members who supported and helped on Thursday.

Each School Team had a leader who organized and executed the day’s events and giveaways. They included:

• Lincoln & Perkins School Teams led by JJ Cotter and Anne Rogers
• Kelley School Team led by Lucina Hallagan
• Middle School Team led by Steve Hasseler and Chrissie Kent
• High School Team led by Jean & Bob Bendix
• Bus Garage Team led by Dave Johnson
• District Office Team led by Linda Werts

It is without doubt that the Newark Central School District staff being saluted were very appreciative of the Rotarians gesture of recognition. A difference was made today! Lastly, Channel 13 came to the High School and the Newark Rotary Club was featured for the Bright Spot! You can see the smiles on the staff here: https://13wham.com/features/bright-spot/bright-spot-newark-rotary-club-03-31-2022

Also, this week Courtney Dentel, art teacher at Perkins School shared her expertise at a gathering where staff had the opportunity to unwind, relax and learn how to paint the sunflower portrait below. This was amazing! A special thank you to Kelly Faust and Mikey DaVanzo who hosted this event. Mrs. Dentel had great patience with us, and the end product will be on display at Perkins. Who knew she would unleash such talent…real world Picasso’s right here in Newark 😊

Krista Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Newark Central School District is the 2022 recipient of the Genesee Valley Chapter of the New York State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s Supervision Award.

The Genesee Valley Chapter NYS ASCD, in an ongoing search for what works in schools, seeks out, highlights and celebrates the accomplishments of educational leaders who achieve excellence in the areas of Supervision, Curriculum and Service.

Every year, the Genesee Valley ASCD selects three winners from an annual nominations process. The annual awards are one way of recognizing emerging and established educational leaders and sharing their exemplary practices with the education community.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be the recipient of this award,’’ Lewis said. “It was a total surprise and I am deeply touched by my colleagues’ confidence in me.”

Lewis was nominated for the award by Superintendent Susan Hasenauer. She wrote:

“Krista has almost 30 years of experience in education. She started out as a Speech Therapist, has worked as a Special Education teacher and Supervisor and then went on to pursue her administrative degree in 2005. After obtaining her administrative degree, she has held positions as Coordinator of Special Education in Rush Henrietta, High School Assistant Principal / Staff Developer in Williamson and then returned to Newark as the Director of Pupil Services from February 2007 – September 2013. She then moved into the position of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in October 2013 and has held that position for the past eight years.

“Krista is one of the most dedicated professionals that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I can’t think of a more deserving individual to receive this award and it is an honor to recommend her for this accomplishment. Krista has proven her loyalty to the students in Newark time and time again as she has worked endlessly to provide them with a top-notch instructional program. She is dedicated, hardworking, highly experienced and extremely knowledgeable in her craft.

“In addition, her current role highlights her ability to think critically and as part of a collaborative team she makes decisions based on assessment data to inform instructional practices, leads the curriculum design process and cycle, oversees the comprehensive professional development plan and makes innovative programmatic recommendations.

“ Krista has a positive working relationship with both district and building leaders, teachers and support staff which allows her to implement district and building goals aligned to the vision and mission of the district. She is highly regarded by the Board of Education and the whole school community.

“As a Comprehensive Support and Improvement District, Krista ensures all SCEP/DCIP plans are written and implemented. Her demeanor and leadership style allows her to support the Principals across the K-12 continuum, ensuring these plans are implemented and evaluated. As the leader of Curriculum and Instruction Council she ensures our curriculum is rigorous, viable and aligned with the NYS standards. She leads the instructional coaching team in each building and models pedagogical practices that support differentiation in the classroom and the individual child.

“Krista is amazing and an outstanding Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. I highly and unequivocally recommend her for this award.”

Hasenauer’s nomination was accompanied by equally glowing letters of recommendation from NCSD Director of Pupil Services Teresa Prinzi and Sandra Ordan, Director of Multi-Tiered Support Services and Innovative Programs.

Lewis and the winners of the Curriculum and Service awards will be recognized May 12th at the Genesee Valley Chapter NYS ASCD’s Annual Awards Reception at Shadow Lake Golf & Racquet Club in Penfield.

Rehearsals are underway at Newark Middle School for the April 22-23 musical production of Willy Wonka KIDS. Directed and choreographed by Newark High School English teacher Emily Howard, the show chronicles the adventures of Charlie Bucket during his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory in this fun-filled adaptation of Roald Dahl's imaginary tale. Enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, in addition to some new ones, Willy Wonka KIDS will delight audiences.

"We are very excited to have live theatre again at Newark Middle School! This will be the first Middle School musical for all the cast and crew,” Howard said.

Melissa Narusky, NMS vocal music teacher is the music director for the show; Stefan Uveges, an NMS school counselor, is the assistant director and Perkins School vocal music teacher Lara Larsson is the stagecraft director.

Howard said the 40 members of the cast and crew, who are being mentored by members of the NHS Drama Club, are building sets, collecting props and assembling costumes. “We’ve been collecting recyclable items that the crew, under Lara Larsson’s artistic vision and supervision, are turning into our ‘sweet set,’ Howard said.

Cast members: Addison Burgess as Veruca; Ridley Chandler as Matilda; Hope Clerveau as Phineous Trout; Maggie Cornwell as Violet; Reagan DeSain as James; Anna Eckert as Grandpa George; Ave Ellis as Mrs. Bucket; Dayna Hermenet as Mrs. TeaVee; Julianna House as Mrs. Beauregarde; Cavan McNeil as Mike; Matiece Miller as Mr. Bucket; Isabella Osmen as Grandma Georgina, Peyton Sandore as Mrs. Gloop; Kloie Sergeant as Mr. Salt; Braydan Sherman as Grandpa Joe; Talmadgha Streeter as Willy Wonka; Genevieve Witter as Charlie Bucket; and Heidi Wunder as Augustus.

Oompa Loompa/Candy Kids Ensemble members: Lillian Cauvel, Kylie Craig, Emma Gant, Kylie Gravino, Elizabeth Hamelinck, Avery Kelly, Tyeryn McKinney, Kalyn Norton, Ava Parker, Morghan Perry and Victoria Ridley.

Crew members: Dean Aldrich, Olivia Almekinder, Kennedy Dunbar, Isabella Hartgrove, Autumn Kent, Zachary Ladd, Kianna Leslie, Claire Paro, Alyvia Poole, and Rosemary Winkler.

The musical will be presented in the NMS auditorium at 7 p.m. April 22nd and at 2 p.m. April 23rd. Tickets are $3.

In response to the needs of our community, I am excited to introduce to you a Safe School Helpline as a preventative measure to safeguard our students and our schools PreK -12. This helpline has been developed for you, our students, parents and staff members to help maintain safety and the most positive school environment possible. The hotline can be used to report wrongdoings or illegal activity. Any type of information involving a threatening situation to students, the school or staff should be reported. Examples include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, weapons, bullying, drugs and alcohol and theft. It is confidential, anonymous and available 24/7. For students that need immediate assistance, a counselor will be on hand and responsive.

To access this line, just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave your information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240 Then type: TIPS Your message will not be traced and you will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax your message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken. Posters and brochures will be visible throughout the District and information will also be on our website.

Thank you again for your continued support to continually improve your child’s education and sense of belonging in our District. If you have any questions regarding the Safe School Helpline, please don’t hesitate to call. I am looking forward to an amazing school year!

Please click here to access additional information on our Safe School Helpline from our website: https://www.newarkcsd.org/safeschoolhelpline

The Newark Central School District is in immediate need of the following positions that offer full benefits:

• Business Teacher
• Spanish Teacher
  
• Technology Teacher
• Long Term Sub School Psychologist
  
• Long Term Sub Elementary Teacher
• Building Substitute Teachers
  
• Speech Therapist
• Teaching Assistants
  
• Teacher Aides
• Monitor
• Bus Drivers
  
• Bus Monitors
• Custodian
• Clerical Positions

Please click here for a newsletter from Dan McAlpin, Executive Director of Human Resources. There are links in the newsletter to apply for any of the above positions. https://www.smore.com/6qrxm