Topics of Interest
Dr. Robert Dillon
Executive Director
I trust that your opening went smoothly, notwithstanding earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, and floods.
We are very excited as we launch our new Mid-Hudson School Study Council website. We are hopeful that by upgrading our website we will be able to deliver a more meaningful service in a timely manner to our membership. Our website will be able to accept and analyze data more effectively and efficiently. In addition, we will be able to use the website for advertising. As a result, this will create a new revenue stream.
It has been a very busy summer at the Council. Lynne Cruger has done an outstanding job in organizing, planning, and implementing all of our events this past summer. July was spent planning for the Millennium course and our law conference as well as preparing for our move from New Paltz to the Mount St. Mary campus.
Once again the law conference was very successful. We were able to overcome the nuisances of construction, parking, and renovated bathrooms. Our attendance was consistent with previous years. The presentations by John Gross, David Shaw, Stuart Waxman, and Jay Worona were well received.
The actual move to our new venue took place the day after our law conference. On Saturday, August 6, with the assistance of Terry Olivo and Deb Heppes from Orange/Ulster BOCES and their staff, we were able to move the files and furniture from New Paltz to Mount St. Mary and set up all in one day.
The staff at Mount St. Mary, under the direction the college president, Fr. Kevin Mackin, has been very supportive and wonderful to work with during this transition. Our technology capacity, both hardware and software has been upgraded with the assistance of the Mount St. Mary staff.
The awards selection committee has met and presented their nominations. All those who have been nominated have been contacted by the Council. Plans for the evening ceremony on October 12 continue to be developed.
The executive committee met on September 14 on the campus of Mount St. Mary. Considering the recent storm damage in our region coinciding with the opening of school the meeting was well attended.
We are planning a series of three mentoring sessions for new administrators, graduate students and teacher leaders. Our first session will take place on September 27. The topic is, Interscholastic Athletics, Working with stakeholders from the elementary to secondary levels. The next two sessions are scheduled for October 25, Servicing the Special Needs Students Integrating the appropriate physical, intellectual, emotional and social programs for all students and on November 10, 2011 Facilities, Providing a learning environment that promotes student achievement.
In closing, we are approaching this new school year with a strong sense of excitement as we begin a new chapter in the history of the Mid-Hudson School Study Council. I look forward to working with you. We will need your support.
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