Meet the top scholars of 2010

High School Principal David Barnes announces the Class of 2010 top 10 scholars. Payton Stahler is valedictorian and Nathan Rockwell is salutatorian. (read more and meet the Top 10)

Library system to honor CHS English teachers

The HFM BOCES School Library System will honor Canajoharie High School English teachers Kathy Fatta, Randi Korona, Richele Simmons-Mollica, and Beth Sunderland at the the group's 19th Annual Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 9 at HFM's La Petite Cafe.

The award recognizes the English department's commitment to using Canajoharie High School library's resources to teach researching and writing skills. (full story)

Library Club works to fill shelves

Update*** As promised the Library Club has invested its earnings back into the our school. In late May, the members spent $600 to purchase 75 new titles for the high school shelves. With their remaining funds, they are hoping to sponsor an author visit next year.

Blood drive a success

by Ashley Brownell

Student and staff rolled up their sleeves on Tuesday, May 11th to give blood for the annual Student Council blood drive held during school in the gym.

 (full story and more photos)

Two selected for Boys' State

Canajoharie High School principal David Barnes announces that juniors Grant Jones and Zach Wilder will represent Canajoharie High School at this year's American Legion Boys' State program June 27-July 2 at SUNY Morrisville. Canajoharie American Legion Post 222 selected the students form a list nominated by CHS teachers. The local post will pay the students' expenses. (learn more about Boys' State)

Two high school artists capture honors

Two Canajoharie High School students earned prizes in the 2010 4th District Art Competition held by the New York State Greater Federation of Women's Clubs. Senior Marty Stone placed second in the cartoon category for Christmas his shrimp cartoon. Junior Melody Mead earned a third-place her Japanese anime painting and a first-place for her multicolor stencil. Melody's stencil advanced to the state competition where it again captured the blue ribbon. The local Mohawk Valley Women's Club solicited pieces from high school art teacher Kate VanLoan for the annual competition. This is the first time a local artist has won the top prize at the state level.

SADD records PSA for Bug Country

Canajoharie SADD members Nathan Rockwell and Melissa Bowley joined Terence Petty of Fort Plain at the WBUG Bug Country studios in Amsterdam to record a  public service announcement promoting the schools' tobacco-free policies. (full story)

SADD selects Stone's 2010 Post Prom T-shirt design

January Regents exam schedule

Regents exams will be held Tuesday, Jan 26—Friday, Jan. 29. All students should report to school as normal. School will be in session for all students on each of those days. (see the full schedule)

Buckling up pays off

We hear it all of the time, "Buckle Up," and "Click It or Ticket." Well CHS SADD is joining the effort with its "Buckle Up" campaign. Unlike other programs that ticket and fine you for poor behavior, SADD is going to reward you for good behavior. (full story)

Want to buy a book - check out the high school library

You normally visit the library to borrow a book, but now you can buy one too! The Library Club is holding a book sale to raise money for its yearend project—a trip to Barnes and Noble Booksellers where they will purchase new books for the school library.

"In this economy, we know that the budget for books is going to be slim," said Librarian Tammy Jones. "These students are pitching in and supporting something that every student needs and uses in their school career."

The list is extensive, so there is bound to be something for everyone. All titles are just $3 each. So stop" by the library and ask Mrs. Jones to see the collection. (see the full list of titles)

Clarifying the question of medication in school

Over the course of the year, a student's physician may feel that a student may require medication during the school day. But, an antibiotic shared with an allergic friend or a painkiller given to another who has an existing medical condition could be disastrous. To ensure the safety of all students, the district has specific rules for medicine in school. (read the specific rules)

Canajoharie Bell Choir performs at WGY

A holiday tradition continued as Canajoharie High School's George Vosburgh Memorial Handbell Choir traveled to the WGY 810-AM broadcasting studios in Latham on Monday, December 21 to perform Christmas music live on the air.

The students left school at 6:30 a.m. to be set up and ready to perform two numbers at 8:20. Twenty minutes later, WGY radio personality Don Weeks stepped into the performance studio to briefly interview each student and to introduce a third piece. (full story and photos)

Tech class turns out toys for tots

Members of Dwayne Heroth''s "Production Systems" class spent two weeks building wooden toys to be distributed through the Fort Plain office of the Fulmont Community Action Agency. The student made 10 infant rocking horses, 12 rabbit cars, 21 wooden race cars, and 40 wooden tops. The class proudly presented the collection to the facility director Aimee Kollar. Congratulations to Mr. Heroth, Cody Hotaling, Michael Bowman, Tyler Lamphere, Gordon Kuntzsch, Daniel Brownell, Gabe Aquilla, Dillan Moak, Jason Chadwick, Alex DiMaggio, and Ryan Ward.

CAC students spread holiday cheer

Members of Canajoharie High School's Community Action Committee (CAC) spent much of this holiday season giving back to the community. (full story and photos)

Global classes pitch in to help others

The Global History I classes have worked together to donate hygiene and baby products to a community action program in the Bronx known as POTS (Part Of The Solution).

Throughout this year, the students have studied the successes and downfalls of many civilizations. They learned that the societies that flourished were the ones that worked together to help each other as a whole. With that in mind, the students united together to donate over 550 items. (full story)

Don't miss the Cougar Cafe!

Tired of being tired? Wouldn't a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate be just the thing to help you make it through the day? Well wish no longer! The CHS Library Club operates the Cougar Cafe every Wednesday morning 7:30 a.m. to first bell and 12th Block.

And we're a "green" shop—bring us your cup or mug and we'll fill it for you. No wasted paper or Styrofoam cups. Coffee is just 25¢ for three ounces (regular cup is 50, a mug is just 75¢). Mini-muffins and homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning and soup in the afternoon, too. Check out our ad. (created by Scott Summers)

Five selected for Area-All State

Five CHS students were selected to the Section 7 Area All-State Music Festival on November 21 at Saratoga HS. Bradley White (orchestra trumpet), Doug Parry (concert band trombone), Nate Rockwell (chorus), Carley Edick (orchestra cello), and Lizzie Wheeler (chorus) Earned their recognition based on their scores at the NYSSMA Solo Festival last May in Amsterdam. Section 7 includes Hamilton, Warren, Washington, Rensselear, Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties. This is a very large area with a lot of quality school music programs.
Students will rehearse Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21. and perform at a special concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Teen gives back for his birthday

What did you want for your 18th birthday? A gift certificate, an I-Pod, or may even a car? Ryan Kiefl's birthday wish was far bigger and far more important.

Instead of giving him gifts, the CHS senior asked that his friends contribute to a fund in honor of his cousin K.C. Smith-Congdon who lost a courageous battle against breast cancer on May 3, 2009. (full story)

HS PE classes share joy of Thanksgiving

The high school physical education classes finished their Thanksgiving food drive for the FulMont food pantry by dropping off 324 food items and a Price Chopper gift certificate to the Fulmont office in Fort Plain on Nov. 18. High School physical education teacher Debbie Limoncelli said, "Thanks to all students, parents, faculty, staff, Yankee Dollar Store and Price Chopper for their generous donations."

Save a life—give blood

The Canajoharie High School chapter of the National Honor Society is sponsoring a blood drive 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the high school gym.

"Our goal this year is to collect 65 units of whole blood and 15 units of double red blood cells," said NHS advisor Tammy Jones. "One of the main purposes of Honor Society is community service. Donating blood is a great way that everyone can give back to those around them. We hope that everyone will pitch in and help us reach our goal."

Stop in or call the high school office at 673-6330 to schedule an appointment. All presenting donors will receive a free t-shirt. To give:

• You must be at least 16 years old.

• 16-year-olds must have a signed Parent Permission Form.

• You must meet basic height, weight, and health requirements.

• You cannot have donated whole blood in the last 56 days or double red cells in the last 112 days.

• You must have positive ID.

• For more donor requirements, visit the Red Cross web site.

Marine jazz band wows high school

The U.S. Marine Corps Jazz Ensemble from Quantico, VA, gave Canajoharie High School students some pointers on jazz and jazz improvisation during a concert on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Arkell Performing Arts Center. (full story)

Canajoharie faculty to present at national English conference

Five Canajoharie High School teachers will be presenters at the 2009 National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention on November 21 in Philadelphia, PA.

English teachers Beth Sunderland, Kathy Fatta, Randi Korona, and Richele Simmons-Mollica and media specialist Tammy Jones will share their experiences teaching students expository writing—writing to prove or argue a point. The English teachers rely on this writing style to analyze literature, but this same type of writing is applicable in other studies such as social studies and science. (full story)

Kathy Fatta named Educator of Excellence

The New York State English Council will honor high school English teacher Kathy Fatta as an Educator of Excellence at its annual conference on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Desmond Hotel, Albany.

"Each honoree is nominated by an administrator, a fellow teacher, and a student," said high school principal David Barnes. "Our staff and students can take great pride that Mrs. Fatta has earned this honor."

Teachers pitch in for worthy causes

Stop by Canajoharie High School every other Friday and you might be surprised by what you see. Instead of their normal professional attire, many of the teachers will be wearing something different—all in the name of charity.

Beginning on Oct. 9, the staff set aside their shirts and ties and blouses for sweatshirts bearing the name of their college alma mater or favorite university. In exchange, they paid a "two-dollar fine" with all money going toward an upcoming ALS walk. In two weeks, they will sport pink to raise money for breast cancer research.

"This staff is among the most professionally dressed I have seen," said principal David Barnes. "It is rather shocking to see everyone so casual, but it is impressive that so many are willing to participate in these worthy causes."

Have you had a winter sports physical

The next sports season will soon arrive and all athletes must have a current physical to be eligible to participate. If you are not certain if you will need a physical, stop by the nurse's office. Mrs. Downs will check. The school will be scheduling physicals in the near future. Keep checking the school website for specific date and time.

It's not too late to apply for free and reduced school meals

Under federal law, students who have not filed the appropriate paperwork for the Free and Reduced Meal Program by Sept. 30 may no longer receive free or reduced meals. The good news is that a student's parent or guardian can still submit the forms making the student eligible.

The federal government funds the Free and Reduced Meal Program to ensure that every student has a healthy, affordable breakfast and lunch in school. The school's cafeteria finance system protects every participant's privacy. Learn more about the 2009-10 free and reduced meal information.

Meet Halli—our new exchange student

Canajoharie Central School is again hosting an AFS exchange student. This year our visitor is Hallgjerd (hal-gyerd) Stroemsvaag—call her Halli for short. (full story and facts about Norway)

Meet our new staff

Four new faces have joined our high school teaching staff for the 2009-10 school year. (read about Ms. Brown, Mrs. Kohout, Mr. Schoff, and Ms. Yaddaw)

Rockwell named Commended Student in 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program

Canajoharie High School Principal David E. Barnes announced that Nathan Rockwell has been named a Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Mr. Barnes presented Nathan with a letter of commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation which conducts the program. (full story)

High school reports cards to be sent home with students

Beginning with the first five-week reports on Oct. 14, all high school report cards will be sent home with students. The change is designed to reduce the school's rising postage and labor costs associated with mailing grades. Five-week reports will be available at open house. If parents are unable to attend, their child's report will be given directly to the student on Oct. 15. Parents who are concerned that they have not seen their children's report cards may contact the high school office at 673-6330.

Scholarship opportunities for 7th & 8th graders

Silverman Law of Schenectady, NY is offering scholarship opportunities to Capital Region students grades 7-12. Scholarship Awards will be presented in May and November with the top three qualifying students receiving awards as follows:

1st Place = $250
2nd Place = $150
3rd Place = $100

Additionally, all award winners for the year will be placed in a random drawing for an additional $1,500 Gift Card for the purchase of a Laptop computer or school accessories.

For more information and downloadable forms, visit the Silverman web site.

Welcome our new high school principal

At a special meeting on Monday, June 22, the Board of Education selected David E. Barnes as Canajoharie High School's new principal. Mr. Barnes succeeds Dr. Donald L. Bowden who served in that post for 21 years.

More than 120 people applied for the position. Of those, 13 moved forward for an initial interview with a team of five Canajoharie High School teachers and East Hill Principal Ginny Nyahay and Middle School Principal Thomas Sincavage. Based on the group's recommendation, the Board of Education interviewed three finalists ultimately choosing Mr. Barnes as principal. (full story)

Fundraisers, fundraisers, fundraisers

Classes, clubs and organizations are all busy working to earn money for a wide variety of events, from funding the prom and the post prom party to raising money for Hurricane victims in the Gulf. Please take a moment to listen to their "sales pitch" and remember the funds they raise help go to worthwhile causes. (View the current fund-raisers)

Be sure to begin filing your Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). The online form is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov