Press Release, Kendall Central School

KENDALL – In response to the national concern about mental health issues and the impact they have on student performance and school district climates, Kendall Central School has partnered with Orleans County Mental Health to offer a satellite office at Kendall Elementary School two days a week.

Kristen Acquilano, a mental health counselor with the county, works out of the satellite office at Kendall on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kendall elementary through high school students are eligible to be referred to the counselor by the district’s Student Referral Team. Transportation from the high school to appointments during the school day is provided by the district for the older students.

“By having the mental health collaboration, it helps us address the stressors and the root cause of a student’s behavior at school,” said Kendall Superintendent Julie Christensen. “This is a real boost to our side of the county to offer mental health services here. Coming here rather than traveling to Albion saves our families time, plus it supplements the services provided by our district’s counseling staff. By having the satellite office at the Elementary School, students can use the services provided to help them concentrate on their studies and be positive contributors in school. This new service opportunity also encourages our parents to further engage with the district on students’ academic issues.”

Kristen Acquilano

Since Oct. 7, Acquilano has begun to make assessments of students, offer counseling appointments and give referrals to other mental health professionals to help address the needs of students and their families. Acquilano has a master’s degree in social work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Students are referred to her by Kendall counseling staff. After receiving the referral, she begins the process by obtaining parent/guardian permission and insurance information, then scheduling an hour-long initial assessment. Parents/ guardians can also contact her for guidance on receiving mental health services for their children.

Once the assessment is complete, she works with the student’s schedule to make regular appointments. Appointments are available in the late afternoon and early evening hours for students and their families. Parents/guardians may have the opportunity to attend counseling sessions to support their child, but parents/guardians will not be able to schedule counseling appointments for themselves.

Acquilano welcomes contact from parents/guardians through email or phone if they have feedback, questions or concerns about their children and are unable to attend an appointment with them. Acquilano’s email address is Kristen.Acquilano@orleanscountyny.gov and her Orleans County Mental Health office phone number is 585-589-2787.

“I am absolutely loving my experience at Kendall,” said Acquilano. “All of the staff have been warm and welcoming. I am finding it so beneficial to coordinate care with teachers and counselors. We are able to work together on case plans in order to address student needs.”

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Mrs. Petrosino, wife of Kendall Junior-Senior High School Social Studies teacher Joseph Petrosino, describes Christmas in her native Croatia to Kendall students during an assembly Wednesday afternoon in the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium.

With a population that is heavily Roman Catholic, Christmas is an important religious feast day in Croatia, she said.

“We have snow every seven to ten years,” she noted, “which is very nice, actually.”

Croatians also celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 5 and plant Christmas wheat on the Feast of St. Lucy on Dec. 13. The length of the newly sprouted wheat on Christmas day indicates how much success can be expected in the new year.

Members of the Kendall Senior High Jazz Band perform holiday favorites Wednesday afternoon during a multicultural assembly in the auditorium.

Students heard from members of their own school community about life in other countries of the world – including Christmas celebrations; listened to fellow students perform holiday music; and had the opportunity to participate in the making of calypso music on steel drums with members of the Panloco Steel Drum Band.

Mrs. Mirjam Bauer, a high school counselor who is from the Netherlands, told students about life in her native country as well as their Christmas tradition of Sinterklaas, who visits with gifts on Dec. 5-6 along with his helper Zwarte Piet.

Fellow student Nathalia Quiles Rivera, who came to Kendall from Puerto Rico, told about colorful Christmas lights in her homeland and the “huge” parties that are held outside at this time of year with singing and dancing.

“Here you can’t go outside,” she said. “You literally freeze.”

Nathalia also told how Christmas and Three King’s Day (Epiphany) are important religious feast days in Puerto Rico.

Kendall students join Ted Canning and sons Jon and James of Panloco Steel Drum Band to make music with drums and other West African percussion instruments.

The Kendal Sr. High Jazz Band performed a medley of Christmas songs, and the Panloco Steel Drum Band gave students a taste of West Africa with drumming, as well as Trinidad with calypso steel drum music.

Students were able to play with the band following brief instructions from director Ted Canning, who related the history of the development of the steel drum to students.

Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Students and members of Panloco Steel Drum Band combine to form a “Garbage Band” – Panloco director Ted Canning used the “garbage band” to explain the historical development of the steel drum.

Kendall students were also able to join Panloco playing on steel drums. Director Ted Canning was able to include the students on musical numbers after a brief instruction.

Photo: Kendall Central School – Libby Jurs was a popular school nurse at Kendall Central School.

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall School Board of Education agreed to create a memorial scholarship in honor of Elizabeth “Libby” Jurs, a former Junior/Senior High School nurse.

She died Dec. 12 after a long battle with ovarian cancer and, more recently, leukemia.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has overcome adversity and has strived to make a positive impact on society. Students planning to enter the fields of farming, education, industrial arts or nursing will be given priority. The amount awarded will be based on the balance of the account not to exceed $100 in any given year. A scholarship committee will pick the recipient.

Jurs served as a school nurse for more than 24 years, retiring just this past October. At the time of her retirement, Principal Carol D’Agostino called Jurs, “the heart and soul of the high school.”

D’Agostino remembered Jurs bringing food and clean clothes to students in need as well as buying presents for students during the holidays and for birthdays.

“She loved her kids and they loved her,” D’Agostino said.

This past September, Kendall faculty and staff rallied behind Jurs through the creation of Team Libby, wearing teal “Team Libby” T-shirts and participating in the Ovarian & Gynecological Cancers 5K Run/Walk at Monroe Community College. Additionally, sales of “Team Libby” T-shirts have raised $350 for donation to finding a cure for ovarian and gynecological cancers.

Donations to the Elizabeth Jurs Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made c/o Kendall Central School, Kendall, NY, 14476.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – A fire caused heavy damage to a Kendall home on Creek Road this afternoon. The top photo shows a firefighter trying to ventilate the back of the house to let the smoke out.

The house at 17248 Creek Rd. is owned by Joe and Lisa Stephens. Mr. Stephens said it appears the fire started in the laundry room and quickly spread.

No one was injured in the fire, which filled the house with heavy smoke.

Mrs. Stephens had Christmas presents bought and wrapped for family, including grandkids, and those gifts were likely ruined from the fire.

The Stephens family declined assistance from the Red Cross, saying other people are more in need.

Firefighters from several fire companies in eastern Orleans and western Monroe counties responded to the fire, which started at about 1:30 p.m.

Firefighters let out smoke and sprayed water into the house to keep any hot spots from igniting and spreading.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Kendall residents young and not-so-young enjoyed the music of the holiday season together Wednesday at the Town Hall. Fourth-graders from Kendall Elementary School entertained Kendall senior citizens, their families and town residents prior to a lunch.

The students performed instrumental selections under the direction of Leanne Zito which included “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” – a clarinet duet; “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” – a trumpet duet, and “O Christmas Tree.” Fourth Graders also sang carols under the direction of Jeremy Rath which included “Deck the Halls,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and ” Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Students then joined the members of their audience for a sing-a-long of Christmas carols.

Kendall Elementary Principal Sharon Smith said the event was organized by the Kendall Elementary Fourth Grade Team and Michelle Werth, Kendall Recreation Director.

Kendall Fourth Graders perform instrumental holiday selections during a celebration at the Town Hall with Senior Citizens and other residents Wednesday morning.

During the Kendall School Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening, Smith noted that students finding a “buddy” in the audience for the sing-a-long was something different this year. She said one student was very touched when the senior sitizen with whom she sang told her, “… ‘this is so wonderful,’ and then started to cry,” Smith said.

She added that 80 percent of third- and fourth-graders at Kendall Elementary participate in music performance.

“We are blessed to have Leanne and Jeremy at Kendall,” Smith said.

Following the concert, the students enjoyed juice and holiday cookies.

Kendall fourth-graders sing Christmas carols at the Town Hall.

School pushes to educate students about dangers of drugs, bullying, texting and driving

Press Release, Kendall Central School
KENDALL – Kendall Central School has begun a partnership with all five Orleans County school superintendents, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to educate students and their families about drugs, the dangers of texting and driving, and bullying and cyber bullying.

The goal is to create awareness among students and adults so that everyone is aware of the signs of risky behaviors and the avenues to pursue to obtain help.

KCS plans on partnering with the police department to offer educational sessions to students, parents and district employees on the types of synthetic drugs that are circulating in Orleans County and the various forms they are being distributed in.

The district hopes to convey clearly that it if someone tries a drug once, it can lead to addiction, brain injury and/or death because of the potent level of chemicals that are present in a single dose of a synthetic substance. School officials want to make everyone aware of the signs of drug use and/or addiction, so that if a student realizes a friend is abusing drugs, they can ask an adult to intervene.

Age-appropriate education will be given to elementary through high school students during school hours and evening information sessions will be offered to parents.

“We need to educate everyone to stop the use of drugs in our area,” said Julie Christensen, district superintendent. “We hope to begin offering education sessions this year and make it a series of sessions next school year.”

The district also plans on educating high school students about the dangers of drunk driving, driving while high on drugs, texting while driving and risks when using social media.

The district addresses student conflict by educating students about the different forms of bullying/conflict, such as cyber bullying via social media, text and email.

Students are learning proactive strategies through the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program and information conveyed from the district’s instructional technology specialist. The Elementary Student Council has constructed a buddy bench that will be placed on the playground so that students can sit on it when they are lonely and looking for someone to play with.

Press Release
Kendall Central School

KENDALL – A highly successful Course Option Night was held recently at Kendall Junior/Senior High School with more than 200 people attending the interactive display of courses offered at the school.

Jeannine Gallina from the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department of Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES started the evening by highlighting the career opportunities available in the middle skills sector. After the presentation, everyone was encouraged to explore the hands-on exhibits.

Elementary students up to juniors in high school visited the display booths to find out more about current and new courses being offered. Nineteen staff members were on hand to provide students with information so they can make informed decisions about what courses to take next year. New course offerings connect NYS standards to students’ interests and include:

21st Century Computer Skills
Video Game Design
International Cooking
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Biology
Intro to Statistics
World History on Film
Woodworking
Robotics
Genocide
CEP 101- Career and Educational Planning

Overall, the evening was a great success, with students and parents in attendance saying that they felt the evening was helpful and informative. Principal Carol D’Agostino was pleased with the turnout at the event and comments from attendees.

“Course Option Night was a huge success,” she said. “Numerous parents and students expressed how much they appreciated the information that was demonstrated and presented. Students are really excited about our new electives and traditional courses.”

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall community gathered Wednesday evening to kick off the holiday season with the annual tree-lighting ceremony at the Community Park Gazebo.

The top photo shows Kendall fourth-graders performing “Jingle Bells” immediately following the lighting of the tree and gazebo.

Kendall students performed seasonal instrumental and choral music followed by a community sing-along. The tree lighting was preceded by “Supper with Santa” at the Elementary School cafeteria which included pizza and cookies. Those attending were asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Kendall Community Food Cupboard.

Kendall residents enjoy a choral performance by Kendall Elementary 4th, 5th and 6th graders during the annual Community Tree Lighting Wednesday evening. The

students sang “O Christmas Tree” and “Silent Night,” including one verse in German. The rain had stopped by the time of the festivities at 7 pm.

Enthusiastic youngsters get some pre-Christmas hugs from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their Elf during the Kendall Community Tree Lighting. Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata looks on.

Cammarata said the annual event brings together all facets of the community for a celebration including the school, Fire Department, Town Board, Lions Club (members decorated the Gazebo, the tree was provided by Tom Cole), Community Band and Garden Club.

“This is the true spirit of Christmas,” Cammarata said.

Following the tree lighting, a gathering was held at the Kendall Fire Hall with a holiday performance by the Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies and music by the Kendall Community Band.

Cookies and hot chocolate were provided. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a Christmas Elf attended with gifts for all the “little ones” in attendance.

The Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies were decked out in their holiday finest to perform for the hometown crowd at the Fire Hall following the tree lighting.

The Kendall Community Band performed holiday music at the Fire Hall following the tree lighting ceremony.

Kendall Community Band members sported some holiday headgear for their concert under the direction of Lori Cyr.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – The Kendall Community Chorus, directed by Mary Campbell, performs “I Just Want to Sing in a Choir” during a concert Friday evening to benefit the Kendall Food Cupboard.

The Kendall Community Chorus presented “Celebrate Christmas with Musical Memories” at the David J. Doyle Kendall Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium. The cost of admission was a donation of non-perishable food items or monetary gifts. Proceeds from a basket auction held during the concert also benefited the Food Cupboard.

“Popper” Eileen Young, center, makes a popping sound utilizing her finger and her cheek, for the song “My Boy Lollipop” which was part of the “60’s Partyline” medley sung by the Kendall Community Chorus.

Tenors and Basses in the Kendall Community Chorus were featured in the song, “For Tenors and Basses Only – Medley,” during the concert Friday evening.

Concert selections included popular favorites from the ’50’s and ’60’s with songs such as “Musical Memories,” and “60’s Partyline” – featuring the sopranos and altos.

The program also included holiday favorites such as “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s “Messiah,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “The Holly and the Ivy,” and an arrangement of “Silver Bells” featuring the Morton Baptist Bell Ringers.

Robert Bissell sings “The Old Road” accompanied on piano by Mary Campbell.

Concert goers check out theme baskets before the concert. A basket auction was part of the evening’s festivities and also benefited the Kendall Food Cupboard.

Orleans County’s dirt roads

Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Orleans Hub likes to feature the dirt roads in Orleans County. There are actually quite a few of them.

Woodchuck Alley in Kendall is a winding path that links West Kendall and Center roads.

The road takes you through some colorful scenery in the fall.

It was a pleasant surprise to encounter Beechwood Cemetery on Woodchuck Alley. The cemetery was established in 1828 and has some of the grandest trees I’ve seen in our county.

You don’t see too many Medina sandstone structures in Kendall, but Beechwood has this chapel from 1898.

I was surprised to see the doors are missing from the building and there is lots of graffiti inside.

There probably isn’t much traffic on this road. This was the only vehicle I saw in about 20 minutes on Friday afternoon. Notice the monstrous tree to the right.

You’ll see recognizable last names in the cemetery, which is the final resting place for many Kendall pioneer residents. Many of them died young.

Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Caitlyn Bonifield, a Kendall High School senior, is interviewed by Tricia Neal as part of “Senior Interview Day” today, when about 60 Kendall seniors were interviewed by professionals. Bonifield is interested in pursuing a career as a paramedic.

The mock interviews are intended to give students real-life experience to prepare for either a college or job interview. Thirty people from a range of professions volunteered to interview the students.

Frank Billotti, who works in information technology with Excellus in Rochester, interviews student David Maslyn, who is considering a career in IT. Billotti interviewed five students who are interested in information technology for a profession.

Jessica Hofer was one of the students interviewed today in the school library.

(Editor’s Note: I was one of the interviewers today, and met students Sidney Lane and Alayna Vander Veer, who are interested in writing careers.)

Photo by Tom Rivers – Members of the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force raided the Murray Superette on Route 104 this morning at about 7 a.m., following a 15-month investigation.

MURRAY Three brothers that run the Murray Superette have been charged following a 15-month investigation into a food stamp trafficking scheme and the sale of untaxed cigarettes.

The three Salamaca brothers – Alexander, Myron and Olec – were all arrested this morning and are in jail on $20,000 bail, said Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.

Police executed search warrants at Murray Superette, a winery started by the family last year on Hindsburg Road and the residences of the brothers.

Sacco said the total fraud could reach into the “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

The Task Force and the county welfare fraud unit through the Department of Social Services have been investigating the Murray Superette since July 2014.

Sacco said the store owners and some employees accepted customers’ food stamps for cash at 70 percent to the customer, and then allowed customers to purchase items not authorized by the food stamp program such as cigarettes (including untaxed cigarettes), alcohol, Lottery tickets, gasoline and other items.

More information is expected soon.