Breakfast and lunch menus for January are available on our website and below!
Reminder: Cairo-Durham Schools will be closed from December 23 to January 1 for the Holiday Break. Enjoy the holidays, spend time with family, and travel safely.
CAIRO, NY – The Cairo-Durham Central School District is proud to announce the November 2024 recipient of the “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” is Tom Morrissey (‘08).
Tom, a lifelong Catskill region resident, is a passionate artist, entrepreneur, and community member who believes in giving back. After discovering his love for chainsaw carving, he started a chainsaw carving business, Catskills Carver. He is also the former Cairo-Durham Rotary Club President.
As a chainsaw carver, Tom stays busy with his carvings and frequently travels to regional events while showing off his craft, he said. Most of his art consists of wood carvings, and occasionally, mixed media. Art is one of his passions, so he is always learning and experimenting with new techniques and tools.
“Art has always been a passion of mine, and it was probably my destiny. Friends recognized my potential when I carved some small pieces (non-chainsaw) and as my skills grew, so did the size of my “toys” – which now includes an arsenal of several chainsaws, die grinders, and specialty power tools,” said Tom Morrissey, a Class of 2008 alum. “Chainsaw carving has given me a level of joy that I have never experienced in any other of my jobs. Seeing how it influences others is highly rewarding. I have found my calling…”
Earlier this month, Tom visited Mr. Criswell’s high school classes to demonstrate his chainsaw carving for the students. Afterward, the seven finely carved owls Tom carved that day were given to the school for an internal silent auction. The remaining owls are currently on display near the high school gymnasium. He was delighted to give back to the community while showing students one example of an interesting alternative career path, which also includes entrepreneurship.
“Carving for the art students at Cairo Durham High School was both a privilege and an honor. It was a fantastic experience to reach out and demonstrate my craft to young people. Chainsaw carving seems to be especially appealing to this audience,” he said. “The 7 owls I produced during the day were donated to the school. As I said before I believe that “giving back” is an integral part of my business!”
Tom was actively interested in the arts while at Cairo-Durham High School. He thanks art teachers Mr. and Mrs. Criswell and Ms.Little and Ms. Lavigne (LiCalzi) who all helped his artistic development.
For students at Cairo-Durham, Tom Morrissey gives this advice, “Follow your dreams, be genuine, and don’t listen to the ‘naysayers…’.”
To bridge the community and the Cairo-Durham Central School District, the “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” was created to provide an opportunity for community members to nominate members of the Cairo-Durham Class of 2018 or prior who have made an impact in the community, embrace Cairo-Durham pride and serve as role models to future generations of Mustangs to be recognized on the District’s platforms. Nominations are now open for the December 2024 spotlight, click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2q9nfXwRYv7cSUw_bdouBjcdspek0B2VyNasVZr-LvsYNdg/viewform?usp=sf_link to nominate a Cairo-Durham alum. Submissions are due by Friday, January 10, 2025 at 4 p.m.
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is accepting applications for a high school Special Education Teacher and a 6th Grade Teacher. Click here to learn more: https://www.cairodurham.org/documents/employment/job-postings/246137
October Students of the Month at CDMS are Charles Rushkowski, 8th grade; Aubree Walz, 7th grade; and McKenna Gooch, 6th grade.
Congrats!
The Boys and Girls Modified Basketball Teams both lost their first games of the season to two very talented Watervliet squads. The next games for both teams is this Wednesday, 12/18, in the Middle School Gym vs Coxsackie-Athens at 4:30.
At the last Board of Education meeting, Board Members wore their "Ugly Holiday Sweaters"!
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://forms.gle/PYzxA4mXtaReGYtK8 See below for the criteria. Nominations will be accepted through February 1, 2025.
The chosen nominees will be honored at a Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Shamrock House on Saturday, April 26, 2024, at 5 PM.
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://forms.gle/PYzxA4mXtaReGYtK8
Take a look at the five 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, Class of 2024: Bridget “Bunny” Agostinoni - Alumni/Retired Faculty, Emily Brunner - Faculty, Patricia “Patty” Gibson - Former Coach, Caroline Benton Pfleger - Retired Faculty
CAIRO, NY – The Cairo-Durham Middle and High School is raising funds for the CDTA Scholarship through its Give a Hoot silent auction. Five chainsaw-carved wooden owls made by Tom Morrissey, Class of 2008 alum, are on display and still up for auction.
Tom Morrissey is a local self-employed professional chainsaw carver and the Cairo-Durham Rotary Club’s President. He was recently invited to showcase his chainsaw carving during Mr. Criswell’s classes. Afterward, the seven finely carved owls Tom carved that day were given to the school for an internal silent auction.
Staff and faculty throughout the Middle and High School’s campus have the chance to bid on the five remaining beautifully carved owls. Proceeds from winning bids will go toward the CDTA Scholarship fund. One owl is auctioned every month. Bidding starts on the first day, and bidding ends on the second Wednesday of the same month. Faculty and staff can find a sign-up sheet in the art room, E-7.
The owls are currently on display near the gymnasium.
Reminder: The Cairo-Durham Middle School Concert is on Thursday, December 19, at 6:30 pm. Also, check the flyer below for other concert dates!
On Friday, December 13, all Cairo-Durham CSD schools will be dismissed early. The middle and high schools will dismiss at 11:45 am, and the elementary school and AM Pre-K will dismiss at 12:45 pm. There will not be any PM Pre-K. Buses will still transport high school students to Questar programs at their normally scheduled times.
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is accepting applications for an elementary Teacher Aide. Click here to learn more: https://5il.co/32sdk
Reminder: There will be no school, District-wide, on Monday, December 9, 2024.
Dear Cairo-Durham Families and Community Members,
After the heartbreaking loss of David Gori, the District has decided to close school District-wide on Monday, December 9. Mr. Gori’s funeral mass will be held on Monday at 10:30 am at St Mary’s in Saugerties (36 Cedar Street Saugerties, NY 12477). Calling Hours will be on Sunday, Dec 8th from 1:00-4:00 at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville. (4898 New York 81 Greenville, NY 12083).
The counseling center is always available to guide students through grieving. Also, faculty and staff who need assistance can always reach out to the counseling center and building administration. Our last communication included some resources for the grieving process; They are also attached below.
Helping Children Cope Resource: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2363/cdcsd/5068697/Helping_Children_Cope.pdf .
Care Solace: https://www.cairodurham.org/documents/parent-resources/care-solace/542123 .
Staff Care Solace: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2363/cdcsd/3703884/Cairo-Durham_Central_SD-_Staff_Flyer.pdf .
Mr. Gori, for the past 23 years, has been dedicated to our student’s success and made a difference in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff. He will be dearly missed.
Our deepest condolences to Ginger Gori and her family.
Sincerely,
The Cairo-Durham Central School District
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is excited to announce its Cairo-Durham Middle School Principal’s Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and Honor Roll members for the first quarter of the 2024-25 school year!
The upcoming Cairo-Durham Board of Education meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, at 6pm will be held in the C-D Elementary School's Multi-Purpose Room.
Don't forget about these upcoming Winter Concerts throughout the District!
As a reminder, Cairo-Durham CSD schools will be closed from 11/27 to 11/29 for Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy the holiday and safe travels! We'll see everyone on December 2.
Also, the MS/HS will have an early dismissal on Wednesday, December 4, at 11:45am.
Enjoy the Thanksgiving Break!
Reminder: The Cairo-Durham Elementary Star-Seekers and the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association are hosting a Star Party on Tuesday, December 3 from 6-7:30 pm at the Cairo-Durham Elementary School. The Star-Seekers is an after-school enrichment program for fourth and fifth-grade students, who have been using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) to learn about space. The community is invited to come observe the night sky through telescopes and learn from astronomers who will point out additional space objects. Participants will also engage in a few astronomy-related activities. There will be hot cocoa, a PTA bake sale, and more. The event is free.
