Community

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate when Dennis M. Kenney faculty and staff members gathered in September to usher in a new school year. In addition to welcoming teachers and staff members, Principal Dee Froio announced that the New York State Education Department removed DMK from its focus school rating and deemed it as a “School in Good Standing.”

Students in the Hannibal Central School District are making significant strides in the area of English language arts, and recently released state test results are proof that student achievement is on the rise.

Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation are using the lessons learned in the classroom to prepare hundreds of lunches for upcoming events sponsored by Sen. Patty Ritchie. After preparing several hundred lunches for the senator’s Oswego County Senior Health and Wellness Fair held Sept. 24, the students assembled another 900 lunches for a similar Jefferson County event held Oct. 1.

Thanks to a new funding source Oswego County Opportunities’ OPTIONS Program has expanded its services. The Maternal and Infant Community Health Collaborative Project (MICHC pronounced “Mitch”) is a five-year New York State Department of Health grant that will allow OCO’s OPTIONS Program to serve all women of reproductive age and their families in Oswego County.

When the Hannibal Central School District Board of Education approved the budget for the 2014-2015 school year, board members made it clear that professional development opportunities were a priority. Judging by recently released state assessments, that investment has already paid off.

Families flocked to Fairley Elementary School for an open house recently to learn about the district’s expectations and to meet the teachers and staff members who will help guide each student toward success. The open house provided an opportunity for parents to tour the school with their child and to check out the class projects already under way. In addition to touring individual classrooms, families lined the hallways to view some of the student artwork and writing samples on display.

New Assistant Athletic Director at SUNY Oswego Eric Summers was a recent guest of Diane Dillon, Oswego State Women’s Hockey Coach and Rotary Club member. Summers addressed club members on various athletic activities happening on campus.

The Oswego County Legislature’s Human Services Committee presented a proclamation to the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau designating September as Youth Court Month. Youth courts are one of the fastest growing crime prevention and early intervention programs in the nation.