Berlin School Dist.

submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District

Berlin High School has been named a New York State finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest, a nationwide competition to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by challenging teachers and students to take topics out of traditional classroom settings and into local communities.

Berlin High School was awarded two Samsung Galaxy tablet computers for the school. In addition, teacher and team coordinator Dawn Wetmore will receive a PBS TeacherLine professional development course from PBS TeacherLine.

Berlin High School moved into this round of the competition because of the interest in using STEM to create an engineering design project that alerts parents when their child is approaching the roadway.

Berlin is one of five schools in New York to become a State finalist in the Solve for Tomorrow contest. During the next phase of the competition, Dawn Wetmore will create a lesson plan to address the issue in an educational setting.  Should they win the State competition, Berlin Middle School/High School will receive a video technology kit and a technology package valued at $20,000. Fifty-one State winners will be announced in December.

“We are thrilled to announce Berlin High School as a State finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. I applaud the work and innovation of those students and teachers involved who seek to improve the community through STEM. We look forward to bringing the project to the classroom with Mrs. Wetmore’s lesson plan,” said Berlin High School Principal Dr. Catherine Allain.

To learn more about the competition and past winners, please visit www.samsung.com/solve.

submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, Berlin Central School District

On November 15, Berlin Middle School/High School hosted the Rensselaer County School Music Association (RCSMA) All-County Ensemble Festival with four musical performances comprised of select ensembles from 14 school districts within the county.

This Festival’s program featured an elementary school chorus, a senior chorus, a jazz ensemble and a junior band. Each ensemble also featured local and renowned conductors including Katie Gardiner, elementary school chorus, Christina Pizzino-Catalano, senior chorus, Brian Carucci, jazz ensemble, and Michael Graves, junior band.

Ensembles are comprised of each school district’s most outstanding and committed student-musicians, with the intent that they will bring the music ensembles and lessons they have learned back to their schools to  positively influence their school district’s music program.

Students enjoy working with peers from other schools and benefit from the expertise of their guest conductors.

“I really enjoyed working with our conductor Michal Graves, as well as with all the other students,” said Brett Harris, tenor saxophone player in the junior band. “He definitely pushed us to our full extent, and we worked together like a well-oiled machine.”

The RCSMA holds two ensemble festivals a year as well as a scholarship festival in the spring. The participating school districts take turns hosting the event. According to Berlin High School Choral Director Leslie Eliashuk, hosting allows the district to showcase their facility and it gives a chance for the whole school to be involved.

“It’s good for bigger school districts to be able to come to Berlin to see what we bring to the event,” she said. “We utilize the entire school, from our food service to student tour guides. Even our student musicians not selected for the event participate through ensemble assistance and light operation – it’s a community effort.”

The next festival will be held February 1 at Troy CSD, featuring the County’s junior choir, elementary school band, jazz choir and senior high school band.

On Friday, December 12, from 4 to 7 pm, students, parents and teachers will be working together at the Berlin MS/HS to make and sell hot fresh pizzas to help students raise money for their trip to Spain in April. You can order online by emailing Karen Day at kday@berlincentral.org before 2 pm on Friday the 12th or by telephone after 3 pm at 658-2515 ext 1042.

Red or white pizzas start at $8 and toppings cost $1 each. Toppings include pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, green and yellow peppers, black olives, onions, jalapeños, pineapple, broccoli and starting this month, meatball.

Congratulations to the 34 Berlin High School students who were accepted into Hudson Valley Community College during the Instant Admissions Day at Berlin High School. It was another impressive example of how important it is to work hard throughout high school in order to be able to pursue your goals after graduation.