The Genesee Valley Central School District is pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Brian LeBaron as the new Secondary Principal. Brian comes to Genesee Valley after serving

for the past seven years as the Principal at Broadway Middle School in the Elmira City School District. He also served as an Assistant Principal at South Jefferson Central School District, Jennie F. Snapp Middle School in the Union Endicott Central School District and at the Broome Tioga BOCES Summer School. Mr. LeBaron taught English / Language Arts in Wat-kins Glen Middle School prior to becoming a school leader and serves as an Adjunct Professor in Curriculum and Instruction at Elmira College.

Mr. LeBaron graduated from Syracuse University in 1991 and completed a second Bachelor’s degree from Elmira College in English Literature / Poetry in 1995. He completed a Master of Science in Education from Mansfield University, PA in 2001.

Mr. LeBaron currently resides in Corning, NY with his two children. He is an avid hunter, fisherman and author of poetry. Brian played football for Syracuse University and in the NFL for the Pittsburg Steelers. He is a member of the Section IV Hall of Fame for football.

We welcome Mr. LeBaron to GVCS!

Nov. / Dec. 2013 • Vol. 18 • Issue 2

Genesee Valley Central School

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Brian LeBaron Joins District as New Secondary Principal

By GK Shelley, GVCS Drama Advisor

What comes to mind when you see the words “The Odd Couple?” The sitcom that ran from 1970 - 1975? Jack Klug-man and Tony Randall? Whatever your response ... you will have other thoughts after viewing “The Odd Couple” at GVCS. Performances will be Thursday and Friday, Nov. 21-22, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. Please note: NO SATURDAY SHOW.

This classic comedy opens as Speed (se-nior Noah Weinman), Murray (sophomore Imris Curry), Roy (junior Sydney Keesler) and Vinnie (sophomore Audrey Warner) gather for their weekly poker game at the apartment of divorced Oscar Madison (senior Aidan DeTine). If the mess is any indication, it's no wonder his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Unger (Alan Salyer) who has just separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action un-folds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean-freak and the slob decide to room together. Add to the mix the "Coo-Coo" sisters, Gwendolyn (junior Carolyn Duttweiler) and Cecily (junior Katrina Temple) who live upstairs, and the results are hilarious as “The Odd Couple” comes to life on stage at GVCS!

Tickets are $3.00 with discounts for Senior Citizens, former GVCS drama students, and parents/guardians of the cast. (“The Odd Couple” is written by Neil Simon. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.)

‘The Odd Couple’Nov. 21-22 & 24

Genesee Valley Central School2

The annual Christmas concert and dinner is held to honor our district’s senior citi-zens. It is scheduled for Tuesday, Decem-ber 10th. The concert is presented by the high school band and choir and will start at 4:00 p.m. in the GVCS auditorium. The dinner will take place in the school caf-eteria immediately following the concert. School guides will also be available at the front doors to assist our special guests in getting to the auditorium and cafeteria. Visitors are asked not to arrive before 3:30 p.m. so that parking space is available. We also request ONLY senior citizens liv-ing in the GVCS district attend.

Please call Penny Miller at 268-7909 by Monday, December 2 to make your reser-vations. We look forward to seeing you!

Eager to build on the thoughtful and constructive perspectives gleaned

from our May community survey, I have created this “Spotlight” section in

the Jag News as one way to share your specific concerns and our plans for

improvement.The key to successful engagement is listening, and doing so with an ear

to really hearing what the community has to say. Then, most importantly,

being prepared to act on what has been heard. The GVCS Board of Educa-

tion, leadership and staff have already begun digesting the survey results

and targeting areas where we have the ability to enhance the overall posi-

tive rating you gave the district. The survey was designed to assess three major areas: school leadership

and staff, student experience and community relationships. Your voice was

heard most clearly regarding community relationships and is the focus of

our first spotlight.Responses about being an informed stakeholder, feeling welcomed and

connected to the district, as well as having active partnerships in decision-

making were, to put it simply … satisfactory. In some instances survey

participants had no opinion, perhaps reflecting the lack of enough experi-

ences and interactions with the district to offer comment. The families of Belmont and Angelica came together to build a fantas-

tic educational environment, but you’ve told us there is work to be done

and ways that we can take GVCS from good to great. With that in mind,

the Board of Education has adopted its goals for the 2013-14 school year.

They are outlined in detail on page 5. The community relations goals,

in particular, demonstrate a commitment to two-way engagement with

our students, their parents, grandparents, business owners, and all of our

residents.In September, the district changed the format for the annual “Meet the

Teacher Night” to involve local organizations and businesses. We hosted

over 76 groups as a way to build connections while highlighting the numer-

ous outstanding activities the school and greater area have to offer As indi-

cated in the story on page 3, the evening was very well received. Based on

your feedback, we plan to use this new format again next year. Additionally, we invited you to participate in the hiring process of our

new Secondary Principal. We were very pleased to have nearly 40 com-

munity members turn out for the focus group interview of each candidate.

Your observations and opinions had a direct influence in the hiring of Mr.

Brian LeBaron. These are just a few examples of ways the district will continue to

reach out throughout the year to ensure we represent the current needs of

our community. It is my sincere hope that our efforts give voice, spark

dialogue and create buzz throughout the valley. We need advocates and

want ambassadors who feel invested in their school and are proud to tell

everyone that they are a Genesee Valley Jaguar!Dr. Brian Schmitt,

Superintendent

From the Superintendent

Building Community RelationshipsYour Voice in the Survey Spotlight ...

GVCS will again use the global connect (rapid broadcast) system to notify parents with a recorded phone call, when school is closed or delayed. The district uses student information in PowerSchool, so if your phone number has changed, please contact Denise Baker at 585-268-7900 Ext. 1220 or dbaker@gvcs.wnyric.org

We will also announce closings and delays on TV Channels 2, 4 and 7 and on the following radio stations: WZKZ 101.9 FM, WLSV 790 AM, WJQZ 103.5 FM, and WPIG 95.7.

Stay Tuned In for Closings & Delays

Senior Citizens’

Concert & Dinner

Don't forget to register for STAR - School Property Tax Relief by December 31, 2013. Register today at www.tax.ny.gov or call 518-457-2036.

Senior Citizens receiving Enhanced STAR exemption do not need to regis-ter with the Tax Department, but must

continue applying annually with the local assessor.

Don’t Lose STAR ... Register by Dec. 31

November / December 2013 3

“Family is not an important thing. It's everything.” - Michael J. Fox

On September 12, 2013 the Genesee Valley Community of teachers, students, families, businesses, and clubs took a big step towards becoming a closer family. The pictures of people laughing and enjoying each other’s company were worth a thousand words! People learning of the many op-portunities for both students and families was time well spent.

This new format for the Meet the Teacher Night was such a success this year due to the huge involvement by the staff, the students, and the com-munity! Thank you to all of the businesses who gave up their evening to meet with our GV community. We had 76 organizations, businesses, clubs, and groups in attendance and more families than we have ever seen at this event. The Sports Boosters served hundreds of hot dogs, salads, and chips to smiling faces! Due to the feedback we received after this event, we plan to host more community/school events to continue growing the relationship between our community and your school. Thank you once again for your support of our new format!

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, Nov. 25, from 12 noon until 7 p.m. Dinner for the teachers is scheduled from 5–5:30 p.m. Elementary teacher conferences are scheduled in 10 to 15 minute increments for Grades Pre-K-4. Pre-K-4 report cards will be sent home. If you would like to meet with multiple teachers, please let your child’s teacher know and arrangements will be made. If you are not available on this day, please let your teacher know and schedules will be accommodated as much as possible.

Report cards for Grades 5-12 will be available online beginning Friday, November 15th. To access your child’s report card online, please complete the following steps: Go to GVCS website at www.genvalley.org, click on Quick Links page, one of these links is called Power-School public portal. When you click on

that link, a screen will appear with a place for you to enter your ID and password. The IDs and passwords were mailed home in a letter at the start of the school year. Once you are in PowerSchool, you will see buttons and links that will allow you to access the attendance, grades, progress re-ports, report cards and cafeteria balance of your child. If you do not have an ID and password for PowerSchool, please contact Maureena Chamberlain at 585-268-7900 Ext. 1232 or mchamberlain@gvcs.wnyric.org. If you need a paper report card mailed (and did not previously complete a form for this), please contact Denise Baker at 585-268-7900 Ext. 1220.

Please make every effort to attend and please do not bring children to the confer-ences. Your partnership in learning is greatly needed for your child’s educational success. We look forward to your visit!

‘Meet the Teacher Night’ Format a Big Success

Parent-Teacher Conferences Nov. 25

November – Self-DiScipliNe & Self-coNtrol: “People may fail many times, but they be-come failures only when they begin to blame someone else.” - Unknown

December – cariNg, KiNDNeSS, compaSSioN & forgiveNeSS: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop, Green Fabulist

Character words of the Month

Genesee Valley Central School4

SAT & ACT ExamsAny juniors or seniors considering going

to college should take one or both of these tests (see schedule at right). Some two year schools do not require either and give an Accuplacer exam. Please check in with Mrs. Preston before registering.

Test fees are $36.50 for the ACT and $52.50 for the ACT plus writing. The SAT costs $51. Late fees are applied if regis-tering after deadline. Registration sheets or access to the internet to register can be obtained in the Guidance office. There are fee waivers available.

Seniors / Guardians of SeniorsApplications for colleges should be

completed by early December. This helps to insure the financial process will run smoothly come January. Mrs. Preston has been meeting with seniors the past few weeks and will have all senior meetings done by the end of October. Senior mail-boxes are located in the guidance office. Scholarship, college, military, graduation, etc. information will be put in mailboxes periodically. Seniors are encouraged to check their boxes twice a week.

PSAT The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Ap-

titude Test) was taken by 34 sophomores and juniors on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. Results will be available in Decem-ber. Guidance will be coming into classes soon to start helping juniors create College Board ID’s to help them better prepare for SAT/ACT. Juniors are highly encouraged to start signing up for SAT exams early next year.

College/Military Rep Visits• November 4: Keuka to GVCS• November 7: Alfred State to GVCS• November 18: GV to Alfred State & • Wellsville Campus* More updates will be coming…

Please contact Josie Preston in Guidance for further questions/concerns at 585-268-7900 Ext. 1219.

National Testing Dates for SAT and ACT Exams for 2013-14

SAT Test Date Registration deadline Late Registration deadlineDecember 7, 2013 November 8, 2013 November 22, 2013 January 25, 2014 December 27, 2013 January 10, 2014March 8, 2014 February 7, 2014 February 21, 2014May 3, 2014 April 4, 2014 April 18, 2014June 7, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 23, 2014

ACT Test Date Registration deadline Late Registration deadlineDecember 14, 2013 November 8, 2013 November 22, 2013February 8, 2014 January 10, 2014 January 24, 2014April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014 March 21, 2014June 14, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 23, 2014

Important Reminders from the Guidance Office

November / December 2013 5

GVCS Alma MaterAs the years may come and then go by, we will always think of thee, and in our hearts forevermore, we will sing this melody:

(refrain) Proudly stands our banner strong and true, for the green and black and white, it forever stands for victory, and for hopeand love and life. Forever shall our Alma Mater stand for Genesee, while ringing through the valley hills, of our pride and loyalty.

Safety/ Facilities Goals:1. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will complete the

building project prior to June 30, 2014, including all office moves, new security cameras and doors, and all infrastructure improvements as defined in the scope of the project.

2. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will update and re-format the Genesee Valley Comprehensive Guide of Responses and Strategies for Emergencies to the new regional format and the district will host a mass casualty event prior to June 30, 2014.

Instructional Goals:1. During the 2013-14 school year, the percentage of students

in Grades 3-8 achieving Levels 3 and 4 on the NYS ELA and Math assessments will increase 2 percentage points.

2. During the 2013-14 school year, the percentage of students achieving 75 on the NYS ELA Regents exam will increase by 4 percentage points.

3. During the 2013-14 school year, the percentage of students achieving at or above a score of 80 on the NYS Math Regents exam will increase by 4 percentage points.

4. During the 2013-14 school year, the percentage of students missing instructional time will decrease by 2 percentage points measured by a reduction in the number of disciplinary referrals.

Community Relations Goals:1. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will increase by

50% opportunities to receive community input on key decisions as measured by the number of events scheduled and number of participants in attendance at each event scheduled prior to June 30, 2014.

2. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will increase by 100% the number of formal partnerships with community agencies as measured by the number of memorandums of understanding completed prior to June 30, 2014.

Financial Goals:1. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will implement all

recommendations from the 2012-13 internal audit relating to extracurricular accounts prior to June 30, 2014.

2. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will develop a long term strategy for future district reserve funds prior to June 30, 2014.

3. During the 2013-14 school year, the district will strategically plan for potential future cost savings in the event of unplanned revenue reductions prior to June 30, 2014.

Leadership Goals:1. During the 2013-14 school year, district leaders will increase

the communication of praise by 20% and document with a weekly log including the date, time and to whom praise is provided.

2. During the 2013-14 school year, district leaders will identify and implement one strategy designed to improve time man-agement. Leaders will reflect weekly and record progress for annual evaluation.

3. During the 2013-14 school year, district leaders will review Leadership Goals monthly at the Administrative Cabinet and reflect and record progress.

4. During the 2013-14 school year, district leaders will commu-nicate the importance of employee attendance and reduce the overall number of days absent by 10% .

Board of education Sets Goals for 2013-2014

BOe members: (front, l-r) Amber Christensen, President; Josh Shannon, Deryle Pinney; and (back, l-r) Fred Grusendorf, Patrick Johnson, Tim Hand and Steve Presutti, Vice President.

School Board Recognition Week is October 28 – Novem-ber 1. The men and women serving as members of school boards are dedicated to children, learning and community. They devote many hours of service to public education as they continually strive for improvement, excellence and progress in education. The members of the school boards are community leaders who provide an invaluable resource as local decision makers, responding not only to the edu-cational needs of the community, but also serving in the best interests of the school children and their future. Please take the time to thank our school board members for their time and dedication to Genesee Valley Central School.

School Board Recognition Week: Oct. 28 - Nov. 1

Genesee Valley Central School6

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

6:15pm-Gr. K-2 Holiday Concert, Aud 7:15pm Gr 3-4 Holiday Concert, Aud

4:00pm-Senior Citizens Dinner & Concert 7:00pm-HS Holiday Concert, Aud

5:30pm-Board of Education Meeting

7:00pm-Gr. 5-8 Holiday Concert, Aud

SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL CLOSED MERRY CHRISTMAS! SCHOOL CLOSED

SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL CLOSED

SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL CLOSED Students Return on Monday, January 6, 2014

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

November 2013

December 2013c a l e n d a r o f e v e n t sG e n e s e e Va l l e y C e n t r a l S c h o o l

Note - USA Swimming is scheduled 4:15-8pm - check website for specific days

8:00 a.m. - Alfred U Nevins Math Comp.

Sophomore Class Fruit Sale Fundraiser begins Winter Sports practices begin

Picture Retakes 8am-Bus Drill #2

6:00pm-Fall Sports Banquet, Aud & Café

Jr.High Area All State Concert-Penn Yan Marking period 1 ends Pitt-Brad Math Comp.

SCHOOL CLOSED VETERAN'S DAY

1:00pm-Students dismissed 5:30-8pm-Chili Cook-Off & Scare Crow Contest in cafeteria

Sr. High Area All State-Southside Report Cards available on-line

5:30pm-Board of Education meeting

7:00pm-”The Odd Couple” drama presentation

7:00pm-”The Odd Couple” drama presentation

2:00pm-“The Odd Couple” drama presentation

11:00am-Students dismissed 12Noon-7pm-Parent Teacher Conferences

11:00am-Students dismissed SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL CLOSED HAPPY THANKSGIVING

SCHOOL CLOSED

November / December 2013 7

2/1 Bolivar-Rich. G - 10:00; B -11:15 2/3 Scio G - 5:00; B - 6:15

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL11/30 Scrimmage at Bolivar-Rich. 12:00 12/2 Friendship 7:3012/3 At Bolivar-Richburg 6:00 12/4 Canisteo-Greenwood 12/6 Fillmore 6:00 12/11 Cuba-Rushford 6:00 12/13 Arkport 6:00 12/17 At Scio 6:00 12/19 At Wellsville 6:00 1/7 Bolivar-Richburg 6:00 1/9 At Fillmore 6:00 1/11 Tournament at GVCS 9:00 1/15 At Cuba-Rushford 6:00 1/17 At Arkport 6:00 1/21 Scio 6:00 1/23 Wellsville 6:00 1/25 1st Round Playoffs TBA 1/28 2nd Round Playoffs 6:00 1/31 Finals 6:00

SWIMMING12/3 Addison 6:00 12/5 At Alfred -Almond 5:30 12/7 Franklinville 11:00 12/10 At Campbell-Savona 5:30 12/17 Canisteo-Greenwood 5:30 1/9 At Addison 6:00 1/14 Alfred-Almond 5:30 1/16 Campbell-Savona 5:30 1/21 At Canisteo-Greenwood 5:30 1/25 At Franklinville 11:00

12/4 At Cuba-Rushford 6:00 12/6 Andover 6:00 12/12 Belfast 6:00 12/16 At Canaseraga 6:00 12/18 At Scio (Var) 7:30 12/20 Fillmore 6:00 1/3 At Hinsdale - V 6:00 1/3 JV Tourney at GVCS Belfast vs Andover 6:00 GVCS vs Whitesville 7:30 1/4 JV Tourney at GVCS Consolation 1:00 Championship 2:30 1/8 At Bolivar-Richburg 6:00 1/10 Whitesville 6:00 1/17 Canaseraga 6:00 1/21 At Belfast 6:00 1/23 At Whitesville 6:00 1/30 Cuba-Rushford 6:00 2/3 Bolivar-Richburg 6:00 2/5 At Fillmore 6:00 2/7 At Andover (JV) 6:00

MODIFIED BASKETBALL12/7 ICS G - 10:00 ; B - 11:15 12/2 Friendship 7:3012/14 At Friendship G - 10:00; B - 11:15 12/4 Canisteo-Greenwood 12/19 Hinsdale G - 5:00; B - 6:15 1/11 At Andover G - 10:00; B - 11:15 1/16 At Wellsville G - 5:00; B - 6:15 1/18 Cuba-Rush. G - 10:00; B - 11:15 1/22 At Fillmore G - 5:00; B - 6:15 1/29 Belfast G - 5:00; B - 6:15

VARSITY BOYS’ BASKETBALL12/2 Friendship (Var) 7:3012/4 Canisteo-Greenwood 6:00 12/9 At Scio 6:00 12/11 Cuba-Rushford 6:00 12/13 At Fillmore 6:00 12/19 Whitesville 6:00 12/27 At Jasper-Troupsburg Tourney JV vs Hammondsport 2:30 Var vs Hammondsport 5:45 12/28 At Jasper-Troupsburg Tourney JV 2:30/4:00; Varsity 5:45/7:151/3 At Hinsdale 7:30 1/9 Houghton 6:00 1/16 At Bolivar-Richburg 6:00 1/21 Alfred-Almond 6:00 1/24 Bolivar-Richburg 6:00 1/30 At Andover Tourney JV vs Lima-Christian 6:001/31 At Andover Tourney Var vs Lima-Christian 6:002/1 At Andover Tourney JV 1:00/2:30; Var 6:00/7:30 2/4 At Cuba-Rushford, 6:00 2/6 Fillmore, 6:00 2/10 At Houghton, 6:00

VARSITY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL11/29 At Jasper-Troupsburg Tourney JV vs Hammondsport 2:30 Var vs Hammondsport 5:45 11/30 At Jasper-Troupsburg Tourney JV 2:30/4:00; Varsity 5:45/7:15 12/2 Friendship (Var) 6:00

Winter Sports Schedule

Fall Sports Banquet Nov. 7The 2013 Fall Sports Banquet will be

held on Thursday, November 7, 2013. The program will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Coaches will introduce their team players, review their teams’ sea-son and give individual and team awards and accolades. Information will also be given about winter concession stand sign-ups by the GV Sports Boosters. The program will end with a video presenta-tion by Mrs. Bowen’s tech class and then we will meet in the cafeteria for dessert. Players are asked to bring a dessert to share. Please mark your dish and remem-ber a serving utensil. As always, com-munity members are welcome to join us.

Students, volunteers and staff members put their landscaping skills to work at GVCS. Thanks for making Genesee Valley look beautiful!

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www.genvalley.orgFor a GVCS staff listing, events calendar, details regarding community use of district facilities

and other helpful information, pleaese visit us online.

Non-Profit Organization

US Postage PaidPermit No. 1825

Olean, NY14760

Genesee Valley Central School1 Jaguar DriveBelmont, NY 14813

Central Administration:Dr. Brian Schmitt, SuperintendentBrian Edmister, PreK-6 PrincipalBrian LeBaron, 7-12 PrincipalCarol McCarville, Director of Curriculum & Instruction/CSE ChairpersonLynn Manning, District Treasurer

Board of Education:Amber Christensen, PresidentSteven Presutti, Vice PresidentFred GrusendorfTimothy HandPatrick JohnsonDeryle PinneyJoshua Shannon

Postal Patron

Or Current Resident

The GVCS community is invited to join parents, employees, and students April 10-19, 2014 (April break) on a guided tour of London, Paris, and Barcelona!

Have you always wanted to visit the London Tower, Buckingham Palace, Parliament, the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, the Mediterranean Sea, or a Spanish Castle? Join us for a whirl-wind tour of these and other sites.

Registration has begun, so contact Sarah Horne, shorne@gvcs.wnyric.org for more information. Please consider this exciting opportunity! This upcoming trip, pend-ing school board approval, will be a joint effort with Cuba-Rushford. The trip cost, with 25 participants, is $3,298 per person.

Genesee Valley Central School held its annual Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 5th in the school cafeteria.

This year’s inductees are (front, l-r): Zach Scholla (GVCS Class of 2005), AdreAnn Margeson Barnhardt (GVCS Class of 1998), Anthony Moshano (Cohocton Class of 1939), Amanda Elias Johnson (GVCS Class of 2007), and Vince Marinara (Angelica Class of 1964). They are pictured with (back, l-r) Craig Hutchison, Terry Reynolds, John Schwartz, Tom Swarthout and Jim Piatt All of the recipients contributed to the program with their gracious acceptance speeches.

The honored team was the 1962-63 Angelica Boys Basketball team on their 50th an-niversary of winning the Section V Class D Basketball Championship. Six members of the team returned for the festivities – Vince Marinara, Jim Piatt, Terry Reynolds, John Schwartz, Tom Swarthout and Craig Hutchison.

Each inductee was presented with a plaque to commemorate their achievement and permanent plaques will be displayed in the trophy hallway outside the high school gym.

If you know of anyone that you feel deserves to be recognized, please contact Mike Obuhanich at Genesee Valley at 268-7900 Ext. 1407.

The senior class held a Krispy Kreme fundraiser in October. The money that students are raising is going toward their class trip to Disney World in April. The trip is completely planned and 25 out of the 42 seniors are interested in going. An-other successful fundraiser that the class did was the Senior Stand at the Allegany County Fair over the summer. The class raised more than $10,000 toward their trip. Their last fundraiser of the year will be an auction tentatively planned for December.

Five Inducted into wall of Fame

Want to Visit London, Paris & Barcelona?

Seniors Raising Money for Disney Class Trip