The latest edition of The Chieftain has hit the stands! Check out Editor-in-Chief Vincent D. Russo give a sneak peak about you'll find in this month's issue.
Mahopac Middle School & Community Relay for Life Blood Drive, Wednesday, May 29th - 3:00 pm-7:30 pm.
Walks ins welcome. Any questions/for an appointment contact Lisa Copeland @ lisacopeland05@gmail.com or
Please see click here for the parental consent for students under 16 years of age.
MHS students in need of community service can earn hours as follows:
1. Refer a blood donor receive 1 hour community service.
2. Donate blood receive 2 hours community service.
The Mahopac community approved the 2019-2020 Budget, Capital Improvement Project Bond Referendum and Bus/Transportation Bond Referendum.
"This is a good day for Mahopac. I am so thankful to all who came out to vote in support of our students. The voter approval instills we have a supportive community that values education," said Superintendent DiCarlo. "I look forward to what the Capital Project Plan can do for the schools and the entire community."
The Board of Education election included four candidates running for four seats: Lucy Massafra, Ray McDonough, Michael Mongon, and Adam Savino.
The voting results included:
2019-2020 Budget: 1,170 to 605
Capital Project Bond Referendum: 1,137 to 635
Bus/Transportation Bond Referendum: 1,160 to 609
Thank you, Mahopac! On May 21, you said “yes” to our students and our school district. We are grateful to the community for your support and confidence in the 2019-2020 budget and capital project bond.
The Board of Education, administrators and I commit to work diligently in the coming months to be good stewards of the funds that you, the community, have entrusted to us. Your continued commitment to our school district is appreciated and valued as we all work together to prepare all of our students for success.
Respectfully,
Anthony DiCarlo, Superintendent of Schools
The Mahopac community approved the 2019-2020 Budget, Capital Improvement Project Bond Referendum and Bus/Transportation Bond Referendum.
"This is a good day for Mahopac. I am so thankful to all who came out to vote in support of our students. The voter approval instills we have a supportive community that values education," said Superintendent DiCarlo. "I look forward to what the Capital Project Plan can do for the schools and the entire community."
The Board of Education election included four candidates running for four seats: Lucy Massafra, Ray McDonough, Michael Mongon, and Adam Savino.
The voting results included:
2019-2020 Budget: 1,170 to 605
Capital Project Bond Referendum: 1,137 to 635
Bus/Transportation Bond Referendum: 1,160 to 609
Sports Medicine students at the Tech Center at PNW BOCES not only study anatomy and physiology and do hands-on training, but they do internships to help them determine specific areas of medicine they are most interested in. Many of this year’s second-year students received scholarships and will work toward health-related degrees.
Kevin Valdes, Mahopac, worked at Northern Westchester Hospital both with the operations manager and in the ER. He said both the Sports Medicine class and his internship helped him decide what to major in in college.
“Studying anatomy and physiology and learning to do orthopedic assessments no doubt helped give me the confidence to work with people,” said Valdes, who was accepted into an accelerated physician’s assistant program at DeSales University. Valdes said teacher Dr. Will Brightman is also instrumental in inspiring students to pursue their passion in the field. “He is amazing, inspiring and accommodating. He really wants us to succeed.”
Jessica Reiner, from North Salem, interned in Brightman’s Chiropractic and Sports Medicine office recently. “I was able to interact with patients and learn more about healthcare,” said Reiner, who will major in public health and physician’s assistant programs at Nova Southeastern University. “The Sports Medicine class gave me so much insight into different fields of medicine.”
Mahopac High School student Tess Bartman interned with Cove Care, Carmel, in the psychiatric outpatient department as well as with a child psychiatrist. “When I came to the Sports Medicine program I wanted to be a naturopath,” said Bartman. “But after learning about all the different fields, I fell in love with western medicine.” Bartman will study biology and psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Luca Petriello, Mahopac, interned at Aon Physical Therapy in Brewster. “I learned different therapy techniques. I knew I wanted to be a physical therapist, but this class helped me discover that I like the hands-on aspects of athletic training.” Petriello will major in athletic training at Sacred Heart University.
Colleen MacNeil, Mahopac, is interning at North Westchester Restorative Therapy & Nursing Center. “I am going to further my education at College Of Mount Saint Vincent as a nursing major,” she said.
Matthew Vassallo, Mahopac, interned at Northern Westchester Reconstructive Nursing Center in Mohegan Lake. “This class and the internship really prepared me for a major in the healthcare field,” said Vassallo, who will attend Iona College. “What we learned in class is totally relevant to the real world. When I was interning, they were so impressed that I already knew how to read an EKG machine. We learned that here.”
Joseph Muratore, Mahopac, also interned at Aon Physical Therapy. “This class really showed me what is out there in the field,” Muratore said. “It helped me focus in on what was interesting to me.” Muratore will study human performance and health promotion at SUNY Morrisville.
Photo: from left: Kevin Valdes and Matthew Vassallo (Mahopac); Jessica Reiner (North Salem); Luca Petriello, Joseph Muratore, and Tess Bartman (Mahopac).
Donn Tobin was named National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award by SHAPE America — Society of Health and Physical Educators. Tobin’s selection is the highest honor a physical education teacher can receive in the country. He was also named the 2019 District Teacher of the Year in Elementary Physical Education in the Eastern District earlier this year which geographically includes Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virgin Islands.
“To be the recipient of the national Teacher of the Year Award SHAPE America is a distinguished honor. It is an acknowledgement of his commitment to professional excellence and to his students. Donn and his family should be exceptionally proud of his accomplishment,” said Colleen Corsi, executive director, New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYSAHPERD).
Although not confirmed, due to archive information not being available past 2004, it is believed that Tobin is the first elementary teacher in New York to win the national teacher of the year award.
“I am humbled and truly honored by this recognition. It is an absolute privilege to teach the children in the Mahopac community. Our students are eager to learn and I cherish getting to watch them grow. It’s wonderful to be part of a place which parents and caregivers truly support our students’ education and livelihood,” Tobin said.
Since his youth, teaching and working with children have been a big part of Tobin’s life. When he was young, he was involved in martial arts where he learned the notion of breaking down skill instruction into simple steps; this is something that he still uses with his students today. As a teen, he worked as a counselor with children at summers sports camps.
Tobin’s father was the true motivator for encouraging him to become a teacher which resulted in a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York College at Cortland in Physical Education with a concentration in elementary education. Tobin earned his master’s degree in school administration also at Mercy College.
“My philosophy to teaching is to keep instruction as simple and as positive as possible so I can help create a lifelong commitment to health and fitness with my students,” says Tobin. His favorite part of teaching is seeing students grow and improve, especially when they reach the “aha” moment of skill mastery.
“Mr. Tobin’s dedication to inspiring students, nurturing their natural abilities, and encouraging them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle makes it no surprise for us that he was awarded this prestigious national honor,” said Jennifer Pontillo, Lakeview Elementary School principal.
“We are so proud of Mr. Tobin and his recognition as national teacher of the year is duly deserved. He serves as a positive role model for all students and is an inspiration for us all to be healthy, fit and active for a lifetime,” said Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of schools.
Bowling season maybe over but we're still over the moon about our junior student-athlete Jess Kasper and coach James Carroll.
Kasper finished 10th at the Section 1 tournament (1,145 series) and qualified for states through her average.
Coach Carroll was named Lohud Sports coach of the year. He led the team as the top Westchester/Putnam finisher at the Section 1 tournament, placing sixth overall. Mahopac had three bowlers average at least 156 this season, and all three placed in the top 30 at sectional.
Matthew Martirano, Mahopac High School senior, traveled to Syracuse to participate in the 2019 New York State Band Directors High School Honors Jazz Ensemble.
In the spring of 2018 students from the entire state auditioned for the New York State Schools Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Ensembles at the annual NYSSMA Spring Solo Festivals that are held around the state. Mathew performed a level VI (the highest level) solo on drum set and received a perfect score of 100. As a result, he was selected as the drummer for the 2019 New York State Band Directors High School Honors Jazz Ensemble. Only one drummer from the entire New York state is selected.
“Matthew intends to pursue music as a career. He has already auditioned at four of his top choice colleges and has been accepted at all of these schools. In some of his auditions he was accepted on the spot,” said Richard Williams, Mahopac High School Band Director.
Keeping with tradition, Mahopac's elementary school kindergartners, along with faculty and staff, celebrated 100 days of school!
