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.
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
On Dec. 11, the Cairo-Durham Elementary School Student Council Officers went on a field trip to Walmart to shop for families in need this holiday season. The students chose specific gifts and were mindful of making the best choices for the families they were shopping for. After school, the Student Council worked as a team to wrap all the gifts!
The students in Mrs. Whitbeck's and Mrs. Lopez’s Third Grade were extremely excited to meet Beau and Kenneth from the Rotary Club and to look through their new books. Each of the students found his/her favorite word with the help of the Rotary members, their teachers, Mr. Stein and Mrs. Harvey!
Mrs. Lopez and Mrs. Whitbeck said thank you to the Rotary Club for their generosity each year and to Beau and Kenneth for taking the time to deliver the books personally and to spend valuable time with the students!
Last week's Grade 2 Thompson / Lopez Star of the Week is Santino.
Santino participated in all activities, completed his work, waited his turn patiently, and was kind to everyone all week!
Santino worked extremely hard in math and writing. He checked all of his sentences with his checklist!
Congratulations, Santino! We are so proud of you!!!!
On Wednesday, December 11, the third-graders at Cairo-Durham Elementary School welcomed Cairo-Durham Rotary Club members into their classrooms. The Rotarians came to give each third-grade student their very own dictionary! This special delivery was part of The Rotary Dictionary Project, which is a nationwide program that provides dictionaries to third-grade students.
The students loved learning how to use their dictionaries and even searched for a few of their favorite words. Thank you Cairo-Durham Rotary Club!
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
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 Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association (MHAA) and Cairo-Durham Elementary's Star Seeker program had an "out-of-this-world " night. The MHAA presented and then brought participants outside to observe Saturn and Neptune through telescopes. Inside, participants warmed up by creating space-themed crafts and enjoying delicious treats and hot cocoa from the PTA.
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is accepting applications for an elementary Teacher Aide. Click here to learn more: https://5il.co/32sdk
Join us at CDE for PBIS's Holiday Event on Tuesday, December 17!
It will be held in the CDES Cafeteria from 5-6 pm, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
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 PBIS Turkey Trot was held last Tuesday, 11/26!
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.