In Mrs. Russell's second-grade class, students Sierra and Grayson have achieved 100% fluency with their addition and subtraction facts. Way to go Sierra and Grayson!
Mrs. Karker´s middle school French classes recently learned more about holiday traditions in France. 7th and 8th grade teams competed to decorate mini holiday cakes called bûche de Noël.
The students in Mrs. Whitbeck’s and Mrs. Lopez’s Grade 3 class have been working on memorizing their multiplication facts during their Multiplication Madness Tournament.
The top two winners were:
First Place: Lucas.
Second Place: Vera.
Both students earned a special prize for their hard work!!!
Way to go Lucas and Vera!
At Cairo-Durham High School, a Class President also has the room to play on two varsity teams!
HS Student Ethan Searing-Burke multitasks leading as the Class of 2028 President, playing on the Varsity Soccer and Golf teams, and being on the HS Student Council.
With so many unique opportunities at the Cairo-Durham School District, you can do it all!
The Greene County Transition Council is hosting an event to help families plan for life transitions. Join them on January 15, 2025, at 6 pm in the Greenville High School Cafeteria.
Nominations for the December 2024 “Mustang Monthly Alumni Spotlight” are open and can be submitted at the link below by Friday, January 10, 2025 at 4 p.m. Past nominations will also be considered in the selection process. Click here ( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2q9nfXwRYv7cSUw_bdouBjcdspek0B2VyNasVZr-LvsYNdg/viewform ) to submit a nomination for December 2024!
Everyone needs snacks! Help give our elementary students consistent access to snacks by supporting the Civil Readiness Group's Snack Closet.
You can help by buying anything on their Amazon wishlist (a QR code can be scanned below) or contributing non-perishable snacks to the Snack Closet.
The Grade 2 Thompson / Lopez Star of the Week is Kelsey. The Grade 3 Whitbeck / Lopez Star of the Week is Merrick.
Kelsey participated in all activities, completed her work, waited her turn patiently, and was kind to everyone all week!
Kelsey worked extremely hard in math and writing.
Merrick demonstrated respect, responsibility and kindness all week. He also participated in all activities, completed his work, waited his turn patiently, and made safe choices. Merrick demonstrated excellent hallway behavior as well!
Congratulations, Kelsey and Merrick! We are so proud of you!!!!
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is hiring for a School Psychologist!
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis through June 30, 2025 on OLAS. Include copies of certifications, transcripts, three (3) letters of recommendation, resume, and other supporting documentation. Address all correspondence to:
Danielle Czech, Director Pupil Personnel Services Department
Cairo-Durham CSD
1301 State Highway 145
Cairo NY 12413
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
The students in Grade 2 (Thompson, Lopez and Licis) and Grade 3 ( Whitbeck, Lopez and Licis ) surprised Ms. Rozzi on December 17th with a special thank you and farewell.
All of the students created beautiful thank you cards for Ms. Rozzi who had supported them as a dedicated school counselor at CDE. They wrote personal messages describing what an amazing person she is and acknowledged her for all she has done to care for the students and adults at CDE. In addition, the children signed a Cairo Durham Mustang shirt for Ms. Rozzi. This special memoir was presented by Santino F., a second grader who is very appreciative of Ms. Rozzi.
We all wish Ms. Rozzi tremendous joy and success as she continues to touch the lives of children and adults in her new position.
We will forever remember the compassion , love, and patience she gave to all of us!
A special thank you to Jean Cavanaugh, Santino’s mom, for her assistance!
Breakfast and lunch menus for January are available on our website and below!
Last week's Grade 2 Thompson / Lopez Star of the Week was Corbin. The Grade 3 Whitbeck / Lopez Star of the Week was Abby.
Corbin participated in all activities, completed his work, waited his turn patiently, and was kind to everyone all week!
Corbin worked extremely hard during math and writing. He has also enjoyed researching Polar Bears! Corbin has also been working on using a loud voice!
Abby demonstrated respect, responsibility and kindness all week. She also participated in all activities, completed her work, waited her turn patiently, and made safe choices. Abby has been working very hard during writing and is doing fantastic with multiplication and division!
Congratulations, Corbin and Abby! Your teachers are so proud of you!!!!
Cairo-Durham Elementary students went caroling for the community last Thursday! Happy Holidays!
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.
CDE hosted a door decorating contest for the holidays. The results are in, thank you to all the participants it was so much fun to have such holiday/team spirit!
Congrats to our winners:
Most festive- Mrs. Russell’s Class
Most Creative - Mrs.Hall’s class
Overall favorite - Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Lopez & Mrs. Licis.
On Wednesday, December 18, the 5th-grade class gathered to celebrate the Christmas Countdown with a delightful waffle party, marking the final week before the holiday break.
Freshly made waffles were served with an array of fun toppings, including syrup, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles. The students not only enjoyed a tasty treat but also had the opportunity to practice their fraction skills while preparing the waffle batter.
Additionally, they showcased their P2 (Positivity Project) traits, such as kindness and patience, as they worked together to make the waffles and waited their turn to enjoy them.
It was a joyful event filled with learning, laughter, and the holiday spirit! 🎄✨
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.
Teacher preparations look a little different around the holidays. First-grade teachers prepared salt dough for 1st graders to make their salt dough snowmen earlier this week!
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
