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Volume 7, Issue 2 The Inside Resource

Tracy Henry - 2016 NYS Assoc. of FACS Educators Teacher of the Year

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Volume 7, Issue 2

October 2017

Your News Source for Employee-Related Information at North Colonie

Upcoming Events - October

Oct. 9 - Columbus Day, All Employee Holiday

Oct. 23 - Board of Education Regular Meeting, LO, 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 25 - Friends of Music, SHS, 7:00 p.m.

October 31 - Halloween

District Mission: All students are provided the opportunity and necessary support to engage in relevant, challenging work which contributes to their academic and social development. All staff, teachers, and ad-ministrators are part of a larger learning community, working together to build col-lective capacity in order to provide a high quality, relevant, equitable education for all.

Tracy Henry, FACS Teacher at

SJHS, was surprised Wednesday,

Sept. 6 at the opening day faculty

meeting by NYSAFCSE

colleagues Sheryl Garofano and

Shirley Ware who presented her

with the 2016 NYS Association of

Family and Consumer Science

Educators Teacher of the Year

award.

One of the highest recognitions given in NYS, the award recognizes an individual

who has made a significant contribution to the field of education through

effectiveness as a teacher and dedication to the profession of Family and

Consumer Sciences. Henry was chosen for her outstanding work in and out of the

classroom and for her professional involvement at local and state levels. She has

been teaching in the Capital Region for 15 years and has been with North

Colonie since 2007. Her innovative teaching techniques and her welcoming

persona have made her an asset at Shaker Junior High.

“Students enjoy working and communicating with Ms. Henry. Not only does she create a positive learning environment, she thoroughly engages the students with her energetic and thoughtful demeanor.”

Dr. Russ Moore, Principal SJHS

“Tracy has great energy and passion for her classes and her students.”

Eric Phillips, CTE Supervisor

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Volume 7, Issue 2 The Inside Resource

Flexible Spending Accounts - IRS Regulations Change

Beth Bissell, Spec Educ Supv, and Michele Bianchino, Admin Asst were recognized by Dave Semo, Dir of Pupil Services for their time and efforts preparing for the Teacher Aide workshop. Also recognized for presenting were Gary Cimorelli, Inst Technology Spec; Dianne Flynn, Psychologist, SHS; Andrew Petsche, Psychologist, SHS: Jenny DeBellis, Spec Educ Teacher, SHS; Nichole McBride, Occupational Therapist, SHS/SJHS; Jessica Cecchini, Spec Educ Teacher, SG; Courtney Hilliard, Spec Educ Teacher, SG; and Casey Bardin, Spec Educ Supv.

Michelle Frisone, retired Business Teacher and Daina Sisk, Business Teacher, SHS, were recognized by Junior Achievement for their participation during the 2016-2017 school year.

Because flex spending account contributions are pre-tax deductions from your pay, they are highly regulated by the IRS. Don’t be alarmed if you receive communication from Benetech requesting documentation to substantiate transactions charged on your Benny card. You may be asked to submit an itemized statement or insurance EOB (Explanation of Benefits) to Benetech to substantiate the charge. If after two requests, you have not responded or provided the requested information, your Benny card may be temporarily suspended until the matter is resolved. If the charge cannot be substantiated, you may be asked to send repayment of the claim amount. If you have questions, please contact Benetech Customer Service at 518-283-8500.

Good news! You don’t need an ID card for Delta Dental. Your dentist’s office should

be able to find your information using your name, date of birth and Social Security number. North

Colonie CSD’s group number for Delta is 2395. If you’d like an ID card, go to the Delta Dental

website at deltadentalins.com. Log in and click on “Print ID card”. Your card will pop up and you can

print it. For more information on Delta Dental and benefits provided, visit the Staff Resources

page at http://www.northcolonie.org/staff-resources/.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS

If you are a member of NYSTRS and thinking about retirement, visit NYSTRS.org to review the 2017-2018 Benefits Consultation and fall 2017 Pension & Retirement Program (PREP) schedules and to book your appointment today. The schedules are accessible through the Retirement Planning Page.

These personal benefit consultations and group seminars focus on retirement planning and are highly beneficial for those considering retirement.

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Volume 7, Issue 2 The Inside Resource

Safety Tips

Because your safety is important to us, a new feature, Safety Tips, debuts in this issue. We’ll share helpful tips on how to keep yourself and your colleagues safe from injuries and illness at work. Since back injuries are the most common work-related injury cited by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, here are some safe lifting basics to follow.

Safe lifting plays an important role in keeping your back healthy and you safe. Some safe lifting techniques that take strain off the low back area include:

Look over the load. Decide if you can handle it alone or if you need assistance. When in doubt, ask for help. Moving an object that is too heavy or bulky can cause severe injury.

Clear away any potential obstacles before beginning to carry the object.

Support and propel the object while carrying it; your grip should be firm. Since carrying objects will change your balance, keep that change to a minimum by keeping the load close to your body and to your normal center of gravity, between the legs and shoulders. Wear gloves if you are lifting rough equipment.

Use good foot positioning. Your feet should be shoulder width apart, with one foot beside and the other foot behind the object that you are going to lift. This allows you to use the full power of your leg muscles. Leg muscles are stronger and more powerful than back muscles, so let your legs do the work.

Bend your knees. Bending over at the waist to reach for the object you want to lift puts strain on your back, shoulder and neck muscles.

Keep your arms and elbows as close to your body as you can while lifting. If you have to stretch your arms out completely away from your body, ask for assistance.

Use your feet to change direction: don’t twist your body. Twisting your body adds to the stress of the lift and affects your balance.

To lower the object, bend your knees the same as you did to pick it up. To place the load on a bench or shelf, set it on the edge and slide it into position. Make sure your hands and feet are clear when lowering the load.

When “teamwork lifting”, both parties should check the route and clearance and ensure one worker is always in position to observe and direct the other. Lift and lower in unison and don’t let the load drop suddenly without warning your partner.

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Volume 7, Issue 2 The Inside Resource

New Employees and Staff Moves

Lynne Marie Bertrand

Teacher Aide, SG

Amber Brown

Teacher Aide, JHS

Andrea Burnham

Teacher Aide, BC

Calvin Chapman

Custodial Worker, BC

Carol Darmetko

Elem Café Supv, St. Jude

Erika Gariepy

Teacher Aide, LR

Lauren Goewey

Teacher Aide, LO

Collette Jeffreys

Teacher Aide, JHS

Peggy Austin

Spec Educ Teacher

Leave, JHS

Joseph Bianchino

Music Teacher

Probationary, LR

Katherine Lahey

Teaching Assistant, BC

Audra McHale

Keyboard Specialist, SHS

Cathie-Rose Michaud

Teacher Aide, LR

Megan O’Connor

Teacher Aide, JHS

Leslie Shimick

Teacher Aide, JHS

Eileen Peck

School Nurse, .5 FTE, SG

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Volume 7, Issue 2 The Inside Resource

Kelly Armstrong, Psychologist, Blue Creek, is now Kelly Jennings

Jennifer Rivera, Teacher Grade 2, Boght Hills, is now Jennifer Jones

Name Changes

New Arrivals

In Memoriam

Keith Luby, former Math teacher at the JHS and basketball coach for North Colonie schools, passed away September 19, 2017. Mr. Luby worked for North Colonie from 1973 through 2009, before retiring and moving to The Villages, FL where he remained active in dragon boat racing, golf, pickleball and just having fun. He was an avid New York Giants and New York Yankees fan.

Timothy Bonk passed away September 27. Tim was originally hired in 1998 as Director of Transportation. He left in 2001 to pursue another opportunity, but returned in 2004 as Director of Facilities, a role he held until his passing. Known for his strong leadership skills and extensive knowledge of maintenance operations, along with a wry sense of humor, forward thinking, and attention to detail, Tim earned the respect of those he interacted with on a daily basis. His role was far-reaching and he was extremely valuable to the district.

Two of Tim’s children, Samantha and Adam, have also worked for North Colonie. We extend our sympathies to the entire family. Tim will be missed.

Tawyna Nunez, First Grade Teacher at Boght Hills, organized a dress down day to collect personal hygiene and baby products to be sent to provide relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma on the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean. Twenty shipping boxes were filled to the brim and shipped to the island, thanks to the generosity of Boght Hills faculty and staff.