Have you met Indi, the Sphero Robot Dog? Mrs. MacGiffert's Pre-K classes received a special visit from Questar III BOCES Model Learning professional Stephanie Carbone who introduced the students to the early stages of coding and computer programming!
Thank you, Ms. Carbone!
Abigail Brandow, a senior student at Cairo-Durham High School and the Questar III BOCES New Visions program, has spent a great portion of her 2023-24 school year student teaching at Cairo-Durham Elementary School in Mrs. Russell's class!
The New Visions "Pathways in Education" program is designed to support aspiring young teachers who are passionate about teaching and working in elementary schools. As part of her coursework, Ms. Brandow travels daily to attend classes at the University of Albany and spends time on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the classroom!
The Cairo-Durham Middle School Halloween Dance and Costume Contest will take place on October 27 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Admission is $10, snacks will be available for purchase, no weapons or masks will be allowed and the event is for Cairo-Durham Middle School students only!
A special shoutout goes to our amazing helpers this morning for assisting Principal Stein with the morning announcements and Cairo-Durham Scholar Pledge!
2024 Mustang Pride Hall of Fame Nominations Open!
Do you know a person or community organization that has given extensive service to the Cairo-Durham Central School District? Nominate them for the Mustang Pride Hall of Fame!
To nominate a person or community organization, please use this nomination form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMg8B8x-nRUYL-EkALeiWsyzpATC10DzL_WNcjTAiiZnQbAA/viewform?usp=sf_link). See below for the criteria. Nominations will be accepted through February 1, 2024.
The chosen nominees will be honored at a Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Shamrock House on April 27, 2024.
Criteria:
Nominees must have contributed to the improvement of Cairo-Durham CSD with extensive service through: academics, athletics, coaching, teaching, administration, employment, volunteerism and/or community service.
Nominees can be past or present staff members, school administrators, Board of Education members, alumni and community members or organizations. (Please note that a former student nominee must be out of school for at least 10 years to be considered for induction into the Mustang Pride Hall of Fame.)
Some examples of extensive service/support include (but are not limited to):
Academics (e.g., teaching, tutoring).
Involvement in school athletics (e.g., coaches, officials, volunteers).
Mentoring.
Volunteer work/community service.
Community relations.
Mustang Pride Hall of Fame Mission and By-Laws: https://www.cairodurham.org/page/mustang-pride-hall-of-fame-mission-and-by-laws
About the Hall of Fame:
The Mustang Pride Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to recognize individuals and/or groups who have worked to support public education in the Cairo-Durham CSD community.
To nominate a person or community organization, please use this nomination form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMg8B8x-nRUYL-EkALeiWsyzpATC10DzL_WNcjTAiiZnQbAA/viewform?usp=sf_link).
Take a look at the four prior classes of the Cairo-Durham Mustang Pride Hall of Fame:
Class of 2018
Ron Agostinoni - Faculty/Student
Helen Enck - Faculty
Don Gibson Sr. - Administrator
Tom Karnes - Faculty/Coach
Trudy Lynch - Faculty/Coach
Suzanne Oldakowski - Rotary President/Community Member
Kerry Quinn - Faculty/Coach
Ann Skelly - Faculty
Art Waldron - Faculty/Coach
Bob Zimmerman - Faculty/Coach
Class of 2019
Fran Cook - Faculty
Peter Maassmann - Student/Faculty
Beth Phillips - Board of Education/Support Staff
Cairo Rotary Club - Community Organization
Bill Zwoboda - Faculty/Administrator
Class of 2020/2021
Dave Battini - Faculty/Coach
John Hull - Faculty/Community Member
Resurrection Lutheran Church - Community Organization
Bill Lawrence - Faculty/Legislature
Kay Sutton - Faculty
Jeff Waldron - Student/Athlete
Class of 2022
Hugh Gallagher - Faculty
William Getzke - Faculty
Harry Lennon - Alumni
Keith Phillips - Faculty
Richard Uzzilia - Faculty
Class of 2023
Virginia Ambrose - Faculty
Richard Booth - Administrator
Kris Monteverd - Faculty
Carol and Fred Spohler - Community Members
Donna Wexler - Faculty
Retired Cairo-Durham Buildings and Grounds Worker John Hull managed to deliver caterpillars to the Pre-K through 2nd grade Classes once again. Students will get a special look at the evolution of a caterpillar into a butterfly!
Congratulations to Angel S. for being recognized as the Thompson/Lopez "Star of the Week"!
The Cairo-Durham Middle School Halloween Dance and Costume Contest will take place on October 27 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Admission is $10, snacks will be available for purchase, no weapons or masks will be allowed and the event is for Cairo-Durham Middle School students only!
Looking to catch the Mustangs in action? Here is the athletics schedule for the week of October 23, 2023:
Monday, October 23
- Girls Modified Volleyball at Greenville at 4:30 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Volleyball vs Germantown at Coxsackie-Athens at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 24
- Cross Country at Schodack State Park at 3 p.m. (leaving at 1:15 p.m.)
- Girls Modified Volleyball at Albany Leadership at 4:30 p.m.
- Girls Modified Soccer vs Chatham at CDHS at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 26
- Modified Football vs Green Tech at CDHS at 6 p.m.
The middle school students have been very busy on
the Positivity Project Bulletin Board competition. Each grade level team worked together to display positivity throughout the year.
The boards then are judged by a committee. The winning grade level will win an ice cream party. Do you have a favorite?
Colin MacGiffert, a member of the class of 2024 at Cairo-Durham High School, has been recognized as the Student of the Month for September 2023. Described by his teacher, Mrs. Allison Manoli (pictured), as “motivated, focused and a hard working student with the ambition to succeed in all his endeavors.”
Colin’s dedication to academic excellence is evident through his membership in the National Honor Society, band, chorus, interact club, student council, varsity soccer, varsity volleyball, varsity track and field. He considers himself as a hard working student who can struggle at times but will overcome those struggles. Colin believes this is why his teachers likely chose him as student of the month. Colin attributes his selection as the Student of the Month to the fact that he is willing to go the extra mile to learn. He is comfortable asking questions in class and is good with time management. Colin gives himself time to study and do homework despite a busy schedule. Colin is currently taking a challenging course load of AP classes which he consistently achieves outstanding grades.
Beyond his academic pursuits and looking toward the future, Colin aspires to go to college to study kinesiology and pursue a career in the health science field. An interesting fact about Colin, is that he participated in Youth and Government for two years and was able to propose two bills in the House and Senate! Cairo-Durham is proud to honor students like Colin, who set a good example for all of our students!
Congratulations to Alivia P. for being named the Whitbeck/Lopez "Star of the Week"!
Cairo-Durham Middle School will host a Bullying Prevention Theme Week from October 23-27! Here are the theme days:
- Monday, October 23: "Sweat out Bullying" (Wear sweatpants/sweatshirts)
- Tuesday, October 24: "Team Up & Be a Hero Against Bullying" (Wear your favorite team or superhero gear)
- Wednesday, October 25: "Hide from Drugs" (Wear camo)
- Thursday, October 26: "Sock it to Bullying & Drugs/Cairo-Durham Unity Day" (Wear wacky socks and orange clothes)
- Friday, October 27: "Spirit Day" (Wear your Positivity Project/Cairo-Durham gear)
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is accepting applications for the following position:
- CDMS/HS School Counselor/Social Worker
Please view the attachment for more information!
October 19 was Fire Prevention Day at CDES! Thank you to our amazing first responders for taking time out of their day to speak to our youth about the importance of fire safety and prevention!
Ms. Rath's class at CDES completed the annual culminating project for New York State geography by making edible maps! Students plotted the major landforms of New York State, including the three mountain ranges, the Finger Lakes, Lake Champlain, the Hudson River, Mohawk River, Long Island Sound and more!
The Cairo-Durham Middle School Halloween Dance and Costume Contest will take place on October 27 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Admission is $10, snacks will be available for purchase, no weapons or masks will be allowed and the event is for Cairo-Durham Middle School students only!
Mrs. Lopez from CDES and her husband enjoyed an exciting afternoon at Afrim’s Sports Park in Albany on Sunday cheering on several talented and dedicated soccer players from Cairo Durham! Way to go, Brendan, Caiden, Liam and Callum!
Last week, Mrs. Mooney and Miss Choinsky's class played math review games. The students were respectful and kind to each other as they learned new games and practiced old skills.
Cairo-Durham Middle School will host a Bullying Prevention Theme Week from October 23-27! Here are the theme days:
- Monday, October 23: "Sweat out Bullying" (Wear sweatpants/sweatshirts)
- Tuesday, October 24: "Team Up & Be a Hero Against Bullying" (Wear your favorite team or superhero gear)
- Wednesday, October 25: "Hide from Drugs" (Wear camo)
- Thursday, October 26: "Sock it to Bullying & Drugs/Cairo-Durham Unity Day" (Wear wacky socks and orange clothes)
- Friday, October 27: "Spirit Day" (Wear your Positivity Project/Cairo-Durham gear)
