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MMS teacher Fortune Esposito named first runner-up for
the NYS Teacher of the Year Award
JUNE 2005—Fortune Esposito, a 32-year veteran of the Middletown
music department, was named first runner up for the New
York State Teacher of the Year Award.
Esposito, who teaches music here at Monhagen Middle School,
was honored by Regent Harry Phillips at the June 20,
2005, luncheon
at the State Education Department in Albany.
"I am most appreciative of the support of family,
colleagues, students, parents, community and
administration, and I am extremely honored as a
representative of the faculty of the Enlarged City
School District of Middletown, to have been selected as
First runner-Up for the New York State Teacher of
The Year award," said Esposito. " I am very proud that I
will be starting my 33rd year as a teacher in the
Enlarged City School District of Middletown, and I am
extremely grateful for the support I have received there
during my first 32 years."
The State Teacher of the Year Program is co-sponsored by
NYSUT, NEA/NY, and the Association for School Curriculum
Development (ASCD), the SMARTer Kids Foundation, and the
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The
program is run in conjunction with the National Teacher
of the Year Program, sponsored by CCSSO.
According to the State Education Department, the process
of choosing the Teacher of the Year is rigorous. All
applicants’ portfolios are read and scored by two
outside readers, the scores are averaged, and the
teachers with the top ten scores become the
semi-finalists. The semi-finalists’ portfolios are
scored again, averaged, and the top five become the
finalists. Education Department staff interview
representatives from each of the finalists’ schools and
speak with colleagues, administrators, students,
parents, and community members. The finalists then
interview with the Selection Committee, which consists
of representatives from NYSUT, NEA/NY, ASCD, the School
Administrators Association of NYS, the NYS School Boards
Association, the United Federation of Teachers, the
NYSPTA, and the NAACP. A student representative and the
former and current teacher of the year also sit on the
committee. After the interview, the committee considers
all application components and votes to choose the State
Teacher of the Year.
“It was truly an honor to
partake in the celebration of Fortune Esposito’s
accomplishment in the New York State Teacher of the Year
Award Program," said MMS Principal Eileen
Rivera-Shapiro. "He’s number one as far as his students,
past and present, are concerned. Mr. Esposito
demonstrates the highest level of commitment and
competency in educating the young people in the City of
Middletown, and I extend congratulations to him and his
family.” |
Angela Urbina is Teacher of the
Year
APRIL
2005—Angela
Urbina, sixth grade study skills teacher at MMS, was named
Teacher of the Year by Wal-mart recently. The Teacher
of the Year Program is designed to recognize outstanding
teachers throughout the U.S.
Local teachers were nominated by Wal-mart shoppers, and
students throughout Orange County during the past
several months. Urbina was selected by Wal-Mart
associates in April 2005, and received a $50 gift certificate
to Wal-mart as well as a certificate of recognition. The
school also received a $1,000 check, which was presented
by associates on April 29,2005.
Urbina has been a teacher in the Middletown City School
District for the past eight years.
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MMS Read Aloud held at school
APRIL 2005—Monhagen Middle School
hosted their annual Read Aloud event on April
12, 2005. Throughout the day, guests from the Middletown
community, as well as Middletown City School District
staff, read their favorite book excerpts,
stories and poems in the library to students, staff and
parents.According to Librarian
Bette Bonitz, many guest readers got into the spirit of
the event and brought their stories to life by dressing as
their favorite book character or personality. "The Read
Aloud celebrated the importance of reading and learning
in our lives," she said. "This was a great opportunity to
rediscover what our libraries have to offer and how
there is something for everyone at the library."
Some readers from the
Middletown community that participated in the event included:
Rick Rojas, D.A.R.E. Officer; Barbara Clifford,
Executive Director of Literacy at Literacy Volunteers of
America; Dan Hulse, from the
Ramapo/Catskill Library System; and John Perrino, Board
member. |
Penny Drive for
victims of the tsunami
MARCH 2005—The
student council at Monhagen Middle School hosted a
school wide "Penny Drive" for the victims of the
tsunami. Spare change was collected by each cluster. The
change was collected by student council students daily,
counted and then deposited in the "big jug" in the
office. "We hope to have everyone putting their spare
change to good use," said Principal Eileen Shapiro.
Donations were accepted in the main office jug through
March 1, 2005. The final amount of $380 will be donated
to victims through UNICEF.
MMS helps Middletown community through Builder's ClubThe
FEB. 2005—Monhagen Middle School
Builder's Club is a middle school version of the Kiwanis
Club, which focuses on projects to benefit our
community. On February 9, 2005, the Builder's Club held
their installation ceremony, which was followed by a
reception with refreshments.
Mrs. Potts, Mr. Davis
and Mr. Leal, all members of Middletown Kiwanis Club,
held the ceremony for officers and
advisors. Each person received a Builder's Club pin and
took an oath. The MMS 2004-2005 officers are as follows:
President: Kayla Jones; Vice-President: Jessica Mann;
Treasurer: Ashley Cortes; and Secretary: Michael Jones.
The Monhagen Faculty advisors are Ms. Heather Aurori and
Ms. Dawn Mazzella. Other Builder's Club members include:
Anthony Villa; Alyssa Wright; Chelsey Samoila; Edwin
Colon; Zulma Santos; Tiffany Hahr; Ashley Perez; Robert
Greene; and Stephen Hannon.
Community service
projects this year have included fundraising for Orange
County SAFE Homes; the Valentine's Day flower sale; the
Thanksgiving Food Drive; Teacher Appreciation Day; and
helping the Kiwanis Club at their annual Pancake
Breakfast, which will be held in March 2005.
Student selected
to participate in Junior Presidential Youth Conference
FALL 2004—Norma Martine, eighth grader
at Monhagen Middle School, has been selected to
participate in the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural
Conference in Washington D.C., from January 16-21, 2005.
Selected for exemplary
performance in the classroom and an interest in
leadership, Martine will join nearly 400 middle
school students from around the country for the
inauguration of the President of the United States. In
addition to participating in many inaugural festivities,
Martine will explore leadership traits, campaign tactics
and the history of campaign outcomes. She will take part
in activities aimed at lobbying, creating a political
platform and the electoral college.
"The Monhagen Middle School learning community is very
proud of Norma," said Principal Eileen Rivera-Shapiro. "We
look forward to the retelling of all of her experiences in
our Nation’s Capitol." |
Grade eight math
testing levels improve
OCT. 2004—According to math results
released by the State Education Department in October
2004,
achievement in elementary and middle school math is
increasing statewide. Both Monhagen Middle School and Twin Towers Middle School saw
achievement increases of 13 and 17 percent.
Statewide performance on the rise
Statewide performance in math improved for the third consecutive
year in a row, with 57 percent of eighth graders and 79 percent of
fourth graders across New York State exceeding or meeting the
standards. Overall, the number of fourth and eight-graders who
have met or exceeded state standards in math has increased by 20
percent since 1999, according to the State Education Department.
New
MMS principal appointed
SEPT. 2004—MMS
welcomed a new principal this school year : Eileen
Rivera-Shapiro. Prior to
taking over this position, Rivera-Shapiro was an Assistant Principal at Commerce Middle School in
the Yonkers Public Schools system. She also taught grades 5-8 Bilingual
Education students ELA, math, social studies, and ESL at MS 206B
in the Bronx, NY.
"It is with
great enthusiasm that I join the Monhagen Middle School Learning
Community," she said. "I am eager to become a part of the
learning and growing that is taking place; and I look forward to
building and sustaining a viable relationship with the students
and their families, the faculty and staff, and the Middletown
Community."
Rivera-Shapiro holds
two Masters of Science degrees from Mercy College in
Elementary Education (with bilingual extension) and
School Administration and Supervision.
MMS gets new
assistant principal
SEPT. 2004—James Higgins comes to MMS as Assistant Principal after
teaching at the middle school level in Goshen for the past
six years. During his time at Goshen, Higgins taught
English Language Arts, social studies and math and also
served as a modified cross country and track coach.
"I
really enjoy working at the middle school level," Higgins
said. "It is an exciting time for these students, and it
is energizing being a part of such a pivotal time in their
lives." Higgins is a lifelong resident of the area and
currently coaches a youth soccer team in Orange County.
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 Del
Moro appointed as Director for Secondary Education
SEPT. 2004—Richard
Del Moro, a 17-year veteran of the Middletown
City School District, has been appointed Director for
Secondary Education. He began his work as principal of
Truman Moon in 1987, and after 13 years, transferred
to Monhagen Middle School.
Del Moro will remain
as principal of Monhagen Middle School until a replacement
is found. “I am excited and anticipate working with
committed teachers on a district level to maintain
successful programs, while creating new opportunities for
students to meet or exceed NYS standards,” Del Moro
said. |
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This
page is maintained by Melissa
Cortellini, public information specialist, according to Web
publishing guidelines used by the Enlarged City School
District of Middletown. All rights reserved. This Web site was produced
by the
Capital Region BOCES Communications Service. © 2003 |
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