Herkimer County local puts prostate cancer in 'Park'

Noticing a lack of awareness of men's health issues, the Cherry Valley Springfield Teachers Association launched a program to raise research funds and inform members.

The brainchild of members Keith Blankley and Wade Blanchard, the "Just Park It" fund-raiser allows school employees to purchase weekly passes for one of three parking spaces near the school at $1 per day.

"We're on a hill, so parking close to the building is definitely a privilege," said TA President Maggie Bouck.

Blankley's mom is a breast cancer survivor and several men in his family have battled abdominal and prostate cancer. "We're just as concerned abot or brothers in the union as we are about our sisters," Blankley said.

More than $700 from the parking space rentals, individual donations and a student council raffle has been raised for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The entire school community has gotten in on the campaign, with a school principal donating one of the three parking spaces and blue ribbons now almost as prevalent as the pink ones worn for breast cancer awareness.

"It really has raised an awareness among our staff," Bouck said.

- CVSTA

Sewanhaka teacher helps research students excel

Students in the science research program at Long Island's Frank Carey High School have taken top honors this year in several competitions around New York state, including the state Science and Engineering Fair and the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair.

They are under the direction of Sewanhaka Federation of Teachers board member and science research adviser Serena McCalla.

- Sewanhaka FT

Buffalo local seeks apology for teacher who reported abuse

The Buffalo Teachers Federation is calling on the superintendent of schools to apologize for a member's handling after she reported a suspected incident of abuse.

The local, led by Phil Rumore, also seeks an immediate resolution to the situation.

In November, a teacher allegedly witnessed an adult abuse an autistic student. She reported it to her principal and, in a certified letter, to the superintendent. She later reported the incident to the state Child Abuse and Maltreat-ment Reporting Center.

When news of the situation became public, the superintendent attempted to blame the teacher and two school administrators for failing to properly report the incident. The teacher has since reported receiving threats.

In a letter to the superintendent, Rumore wrote:

"It is troubling enough that it does not appear that an investigation of the suspected 'fondling' of a students has, as yet, yielded a conclusion ... Now we have the teacher, who is looking out for the welfare of our students, having her life threatened."

- (BTF) Provocator

Small district wins big honor

The Roscoe school district may serve only 265 students, but it recently won a huge national honor: The district was included in U.S. News & World Report's list of the country's top high schools.

The district, located in Sullivan County, graduated 21 seniors last year. More than 18,700 schools were reviewed for the list. The district earned 106 points out of a maximum of 150, an above average score for a district where 42 percent of students are considered disadvantaged.

The Roscoe TA, led by Kathy Fries, represents 38 teachers in the district. Several teachers noted the district's small class size may play a role in the students' success.

- Times Herald-Record

Mineola patroller furthers bus safety

Patrick Brady, a Nassau County fifth-grader, has been named Patroller of the Year by AAA New York. He was cited for his work in helping a special-needs student every day at dismissal, ensuring that he reaches his bus safely.

Mineola TA member Peter Carlson, who serves as the school safety supervisor, called Brady "an extremely dedicated patroller" who has "impacted the lives of many people around him."

- Mineola TA

Voorheesville retirees pair up for book on teaching

More than 25 years ago, Arthur Willis and Marcia Greenberg met in the faculty room at Voorheesville High School over a deep discussion about the best way to reach a child in the classroom.

Now retired, the two are still discussing the issue in a new book titled Heart of the Matter - The Role of Attitude in Teaching.

The book examines the impact a teacher's attitude has on students and their ability to learn from infancy through college.

Teaching is not simply about "projecting on students your own condition," said Willis, a teacher for 39 years and a member of the Voorheesville TA.

Greenberg is a 24-year teaching veteran who worked with developmentally delayed infants and toddlers and served as an adjunct professor in special education at SUNY Albany.

"Our experience is so different and vast. We decided it should be combined," she said.

Heart of the Matter (Publishers Solutions LLC, $23.99) is available at http://www.publisherssolutions.com/.

Scholarship source aids Latino students

Many families may be unaware of the scholarships and grants available to Latino students. Every year thousands of dollars go unclaimed.

Latino families should fire up the search engine for the Scholarship Directory for Latino students.

Check out http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/.