WELCOME TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR
September 2023 dawns with some new additions to South Side Middle School where my office is located. We have a new turf field, which should enhance our athletic programs, and a new roof on the building which will make for a drier environment in this beautiful and historic building.
One of Mr. Gaven’s priorities is the continual review and revision of our curricula. Over the summer, RVC Schools applied for and received confirmation of the New York State Department of Education’s Individual Arts Assessment Pathway. This will give Southside High School students the option to count their course work in the Arts as one of their 5 pathways (in addition to Math, English, Social Studies, and Science). This parallels the what they have been doing in their IB course of studies, but adds another credential to their transcript. In September of 2023, a cohort of high school students will have the option to begin this three-year process concluding with the completion of the Arts Pathway in June of 2026.
Outstanding Performers and Artists
Each summer, I look forward to hearing about our high school students who qualified to perform at NYSSMA’s All State Conference in December. Last Spring, we found out that James Giangregorio’s composition, “A Global Context” was selected to be presented at All State’s Electronic Music Showcase. KUDOS, James! Congratulations to Katherine Graci, alternate on viola, Owen Cashman, who was chosen as a guitarist for the All Vocal State Jazz Ensemble, Paul Adal, who will play cello in the All State Symphony Orchestra, and to Paul Marquardt, French horn player in the All State Symphonic Band!
I am always filled with pride and joy at the high level of accomplishment of these students, all the district’s teachers, and their level of dedication to their craft and pride in their work.
Welcome New Teachers
This year, I am pleased to welcome elementary general music teacher, Christina Sangeniti, who will be filling in for Kirsten Ruvolo at Watson and Covert while she is on family leave for the month of September. Congratulations to Ms. Ruvolo on the birth of her baby in July!
At the Middle School, we were sad to say goodbye to Mr. Andrew Killeen after two years of service to our band program. He will now be conducting bands closer to his home and family on the east end of Long Island. Replacing Mr. Killeen, we are happy to welcome Christina Tomek to the Middle School Music Department. She received her undergraduate training at SUNY Fredonia, a Masters Degree from Stonybrook, and several years of teaching experience locally, in Long Beach. We are very happy to have her working with our middle school music students!
Welcome to all our new and returning teachers!
As I begin my 20th and, most likely, final year in RVC, I reflect upon 44 years in the field of education. The feeling of gratitude I have is overwhelming. I am thankful for the wonderful professionals with whom I have had the privilege to work, the collaboration and cooperation of a supportive boards of education, dedicated administrators at the district and building levels and high-quality teachers who instruct our children, along with students, parents, the Arts Sponsors, Education Foundation, and AIM Committees in this wonderful community. This year, we will work together on the continued development of arts education. It’s good to be back for 2023-2024!
Brian Zuar, Ed.D. - Director of the Arts - September 2023