This year’s incoming class extends the increasing racial and ethnic diversification of the student population at SUNY New Paltz. About 48 percent of incoming first-year students are from traditionally underrepresented demographic groups, as are about 35 percent of incoming transfers.
New Saugerties school district superintendent Kirk Reinhardt says he intends a greater focus on shared decision-making in the next two years. Casting a wider net and involving more people in educational processes will lead to a more harmonious relationship between the district and the community it serves, he believes.
After serving the community for over 50 years, John A. Coleman Catholic High School will close its doors at the end of the month. The closure was announced in an Aug. 1 letter from Bryan Smith, president of the school’s board of trustees.
Duzine Elementary School, one of the two elementary schools in the New Paltz Central School District, has a new principal and his name is Ross Hogan. A New Paltz resident, Hogan brings with him experience working as both a teacher and an assistant principal.
Many Saugerties students have their noses in books rather than smartphones thanks to different reading programs designed to stimulate the minds of kids outside the classroom.
Now that New York State has removed the religious exemption that allowed parents to refuse to vaccinate their children on grounds of faith-based beliefs, the New Paltz Central School District has amended its official policy with regard to immunization requirements for students.
“If you are going to pay attention to diversification, then you must pay attention to those in the community who support you,” Dr. Mario Fernandez said. “Empowering the next generation means giving them a sense of worthiness within the high school environment. A high school is a microcosm of a community, so it’s my charge to make sure that microcosm is inclusive for everybody.”
Superintendent Kirk Reinhardt and business manager Jane St. Amour took the helm July 1, after the district spent the 2018-19 school year with interim administrators in their place.
Clinton served the school district for the past 48 years in a variety of capacities, from teacher to coach to department head to assistant principal, and principal of Duzine Elementary, Lenape Elementary and finally the High School.
Summer vacation has just begun but on the calendar, the Kingston City School District officially started the 2019-20 school year this week. High on the district’s to-do list is completing the search to replace principals at both Kingston High School and George Washington Elementary School continues.
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