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Creating Educational Opportunities for All Students in Preparation for Success in an Ever-Changing CommunitySupporting our growing English as a New Language populationJohnson Fall 2024DistrictSee page 5

Fall 20242Johnson City Central School District666 Reynolds RoadJohnson City, NY 13790Board of EducationNicholas Matyas (President)Jeannette Farr (Vice President)Richard “Rocky” Martinez (District Clerk) Shannon Edmondson Amber StallmanStephen BarrowsMessage from the Superintendent of SchoolsDear Wildcats,As we embrace the winter season and the joy of the holidays, I want to extend our hearelt gratude to each and ev-ery one of you. Your unwavering support and dedicaon have been instrumental in the success of providing exceponal aca-demic and co-curricular opportunies for all Johnson City students. I also want to thank you again for supporng our ‘Revi-talize 2025’ capital improvement project. I am thrilled to share some of the progress we have made together in this edion of our newsleer.This year has been a testament to the strength of our sta, stu-dents and community. The work we do would not be possible with-out your connuous encouragement and involvement. From the classrooms to the playgrounds, every corner of our school is a re-econ of our community’s commitment to excellence.We are also excited about new partnerships. These collaboraons are opening doors to innovave opportunies and resources that will enrich our students’ learning experiences. Together, we are building a brighter future for all children in Johnson City.As we look forward, we remain dedicated to fostering a nurturing and dynamic educaonal environment. We are grateful for your trust and partnership, and we are excited to connue this journey with you.Wishing you and your families a joyous holiday season and a pros-perous new year. Eric Race Superintendent of Schools3COMINGSOON!• Nocaons of delays and closures are made through local media outlets, automated calls, emails and posngs to the district’s web-site. • We also encourage you to download the Johnson City CSD app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to receive alerts.• Start mes for one-hour and two-hour delays will occur one hour and two hours aer the school’s normal start mes, respecvely.• Please verify that we have your most up-to-date contact informa-on to ensure you receive these communicaons in a mely man-ner. You can do that by contacng your child’s school.• If you wish to receive email nocaons in another language, please contact Student Services at 607-930-1008.SNOW DAY INFORMATIONWhen school is CLOSED due to a snow day,NO INSTRUCTION will be provided.

Fall 20242Johnson City Central School District666 Reynolds RoadJohnson City, NY 13790Board of EducationNicholas Matyas (President)Jeannette Farr (Vice President)Richard “Rocky” Martinez (District Clerk) Shannon Edmondson Amber StallmanStephen BarrowsMessage from the Superintendent of SchoolsDear Wildcats,As we embrace the winter season and the joy of the holidays, I want to extend our hearelt gratude to each and ev-ery one of you. Your unwavering support and dedicaon have been instrumental in the success of providing exceponal aca-demic and co-curricular opportunies for all Johnson City students. I also want to thank you again for supporng our ‘Revi-talize 2025’ capital improvement project. I am thrilled to share some of the progress we have made together in this edion of our newsleer.This year has been a testament to the strength of our sta, stu-dents and community. The work we do would not be possible with-out your connuous encouragement and involvement. From the classrooms to the playgrounds, every corner of our school is a re-econ of our community’s commitment to excellence.We are also excited about new partnerships. These collaboraons are opening doors to innovave opportunies and resources that will enrich our students’ learning experiences. Together, we are building a brighter future for all children in Johnson City.As we look forward, we remain dedicated to fostering a nurturing and dynamic educaonal environment. We are grateful for your trust and partnership, and we are excited to connue this journey with you.Wishing you and your families a joyous holiday season and a pros-perous new year. Eric Race Superintendent of Schools3COMINGSOON!• Nocaons of delays and closures are made through local media outlets, automated calls, emails and posngs to the district’s web-site. • We also encourage you to download the Johnson City CSD app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to receive alerts.• Start mes for one-hour and two-hour delays will occur one hour and two hours aer the school’s normal start mes, respecvely.• Please verify that we have your most up-to-date contact informa-on to ensure you receive these communicaons in a mely man-ner. You can do that by contacng your child’s school.• If you wish to receive email nocaons in another language, please contact Student Services at 607-930-1008.SNOW DAY INFORMATIONWhen school is CLOSED due to a snow day,NO INSTRUCTION will be provided.

Do you need to report Do you need to report your student’s absence?your student’s absence?You can report absences in 3 easy ways!You can report absences in 3 easy ways! SchoolMessenger Websitehttp://go.schoolmessenger.comToll-Free Phone Number1-844-299-9627SchoolMessenger through the Johnson City CSD app - Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store123Chronic Absence18 or more days (per year)Warning Signs 10 to 17 days (per year)Good Aendance 9 or fewer absences (per year) Note: These numbers assume a 180-day school year.For other aendance informaon, please contact your school’s main oce.When do absences become a problem?5Supporting our growing English as a New Language populationStarng the year at a new school can be challenging for any student. There’s the task of establishing new rounes, mak-ing friends, and adjusng to a new curriculum. But, for a specic group of 277 students currently aending Johnson City Schools, the experience can be even more daunng. Many of these English language learners face the added diculty of navigang school life in an environment where they don’t yet speak the language of their classmates or teachers—a challenge that makes every day feel like a big hurdle to overcome.Johnson City Schools has had a long history of supporng students who do not speak English as their nave language, beginning dur-ing the era of the Vietnam War, when there was an inux of Laoan families into the community. In recent years, our school district has seen more families arriving from Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.At Johnson City Schools, our diversity is our strength, and we have supported and celebrated our English language learners and their dierent backgrounds through various programs, including English as a New Language (ENL) Parent Orientaon and Culture Night, events that have been a staple in our district for more than a decade. In addion, we pride ourselves on our elementary-middle school’s ENL summer program.Our amazing and dedicated team of ENL teachers has worked hard to support their students and families, whether it’s connecng them with community organizaons or nding ways to help them acclimate to life in a new country.As our populaon increases and shis, we thank our board of educaon and administraon for their ongoing support of ENL teachers by creang addional teaching posions, pilong new curriculums, and providing training for all teachers to help support our English language learners in the classroom. DID YOU KNOW?We have more than 22 nave languages in our student populaon, with Arabic, Urdu, Pashto, Ukrainian, and Spanish ranking in the top ve.

Do you need to report Do you need to report your student’s absence?your student’s absence?You can report absences in 3 easy ways!You can report absences in 3 easy ways! SchoolMessenger Websitehttp://go.schoolmessenger.comToll-Free Phone Number1-844-299-9627SchoolMessenger through the Johnson City CSD app - Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store123Chronic Absence18 or more days (per year)Warning Signs 10 to 17 days (per year)Good Aendance 9 or fewer absences (per year) Note: These numbers assume a 180-day school year.For other aendance informaon, please contact your school’s main oce.When do absences become a problem?5Supporting our growing English as a New Language populationStarng the year at a new school can be challenging for any student. There’s the task of establishing new rounes, mak-ing friends, and adjusng to a new curriculum. But, for a specic group of 277 students currently aending Johnson City Schools, the experience can be even more daunng. Many of these English language learners face the added diculty of navigang school life in an environment where they don’t yet speak the language of their classmates or teachers—a challenge that makes every day feel like a big hurdle to overcome.Johnson City Schools has had a long history of supporng students who do not speak English as their nave language, beginning dur-ing the era of the Vietnam War, when there was an inux of Laoan families into the community. In recent years, our school district has seen more families arriving from Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.At Johnson City Schools, our diversity is our strength, and we have supported and celebrated our English language learners and their dierent backgrounds through various programs, including English as a New Language (ENL) Parent Orientaon and Culture Night, events that have been a staple in our district for more than a decade. In addion, we pride ourselves on our elementary-middle school’s ENL summer program.Our amazing and dedicated team of ENL teachers has worked hard to support their students and families, whether it’s connecng them with community organizaons or nding ways to help them acclimate to life in a new country.As our populaon increases and shis, we thank our board of educaon and administraon for their ongoing support of ENL teachers by creang addional teaching posions, pilong new curriculums, and providing training for all teachers to help support our English language learners in the classroom. DID YOU KNOW?We have more than 22 nave languages in our student populaon, with Arabic, Urdu, Pashto, Ukrainian, and Spanish ranking in the top ve.

The Revitalize 2025 capital project – What’s happening next?Following the passing of the $35 million Revitalize 2025 capital project in August 2024, the school’s project com-miee has been working diligently with engineers and ar-chitects to ne-tune the scope of work for contractors to submit bids and tweak the meline of the planned con-strucon that is set to begin in the summer of 2025.As we progress toward the summer of 2025, we ancipate closing the baseball and soball eld areas on June 1 to begin work on installing turf, new drainage, and new park-ing areas. These areas are esmated to reopen by early to mid-October. Please note access to the tennis courts will remain open throughout the summer. In addion, work will also begin on pung new ooring in the high school’s weight room. Esmated Capital Project Timeline June 1, 2025 Closure of the baseball eld, soball eld, and high school weight room September 2025 Ancipated reopening of the high school weight room October 2025 Ancipated reopening of the baseball eld and soball eld March 2026 Beginning of Phase II work in the high school September 2027 Ancipated compleon of Phase II work Stay tuned to future newsleers, our website and social media as we keep you updated on the Revitalize 2025 project.Mentoring program provides support for new staDid you know that half of all new teachers naonwide leave the teaching profession within the rst ve years? Studies show the reason is oen due to feeling isolated and over-whelmed. The Johnson City Central School District’s philosophy focuses on arculated beliefs that value collaborave relaonships leading to the professional growth of all sta. Its mentor pro-gram is only one of many opportunies for new and veteran sta to collaborate, reect and engage in professional growth, thereby improving student achievement.The program’s goals include:• Accelerang new teachers’ understanding of the district’s vision, mission and values• Supporng the implementaon of the district’s guiding principles and high expectaons to accelerate new teach-er performance• Provide teacher mentors and mentees the opportunity to analyze and reect on their professional pracce to build a community of learners• Dierenate the instruconal assistance, with support and guidance based on the needs of the new sta member• Increase beginning teachers’ capabilies to learn from their teaching to self-monitor, self-manage, and self-modify with increasing condence and skill• Meet NYSED requirements for professional cercaon• Increase teacher retenon through an increased sense of job sasfacon, reecve pracce, ecacy and dimin-ished feelings of isolaon• Improve student achievementThe mentoring program is a 10-month program for new teachers and provides every aempt to partner them with a tenured teacher from the same tenure area or level whenever possible. Mentors then meet with their mentees at least two hours per month outside their contractual day. Wildcat Guides provide a less intensive level of support to teachers new to the district but who bring previous teaching experience, serve as a long-term substute, or are in a role that does not require mentoring for advancement of cercaon.“At a me when it is more important than ever for our district to support new sta, the mentoring program is a vital part of our eorts to retain teachers,” said Joseph Guccia, assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and accountability. “Challenges within educaon have risen, with students experiencing intense academic, social and emoonal needs, and our new sta feel comfortable knowing that an experienced colleague is there to guide and support them. And, these new sta members connue to share overwhelmingly posive feedback about the strong, supporve, ongoing profes-sional relaonships that have been formed between themselves and their mentors.”FAST FACTS• The Johnson City Central School District hired 22 elementary, 10 middle school, and four high school new teachers for the 2024-25 school year• One-third of our teachers have been here for less than four years• We have four new administrators• Mentoring is required for administrators and teachers to receive their professional cercaonOctober 4 marked the beginning of a memorable home-coming weekend for the Wildcats. It began with the an-nouncement of the homecoming court and seniors Zahir Bolden and Emma Kot being crowned our Homecoming King and Queen.The varsity football team played a hard-fought game against Chenango Valley in front of a large hometown crowd at Wildcat Stadium. At halime, the Johnson City Marching Wildcats put on an impressive eld show, followed by the introducon of the Athlec Hall of Fame Class of 2024. To cap o the evening, everyone enjoyed a reworks display, which was made possible by the generosity of JC alumnus Adam Comfort. On Saturday, the newest members of the JC Athlec Hall of Fame were inducted at a formal dinner ceremony at Tradions at the Glen. Ryan Clark (Class of 2012), Berna-dee “Bunny” (Clarke) McGovern (Class of 1978), Colleen (Clarke) Petrick (Class of 2006), Mark C. Collins (Class of 1983), Larry Rowe (former JC Superintendent and coach) and the Johnson City 1971 Football Team were inducted. We would like to thank Mahew Klimow (JC Athlec Hall of Fame Class of 2008) for serving as the keynote speaker, as well as high school students Kentony DeJesus, Annabel Burke, Emery Guzyk, Anthony Mazza, and Tyshawn Row-land for doing a great job introducing this year’s newest members and speaking about the inductees.To cap o the homecoming weekend fesvies, the high school held a Saturday night Homecoming Dance at the high school. It was a great weekend of Wildcat pride!6Johnson City celebrates Homecoming WeekendCheck out the video!7

The Revitalize 2025 capital project – What’s happening next?Following the passing of the $35 million Revitalize 2025 capital project in August 2024, the school’s project com-miee has been working diligently with engineers and ar-chitects to ne-tune the scope of work for contractors to submit bids and tweak the meline of the planned con-strucon that is set to begin in the summer of 2025.As we progress toward the summer of 2025, we ancipate closing the baseball and soball eld areas on June 1 to begin work on installing turf, new drainage, and new park-ing areas. These areas are esmated to reopen by early to mid-October. Please note access to the tennis courts will remain open throughout the summer. In addion, work will also begin on pung new ooring in the high school’s weight room. Esmated Capital Project Timeline June 1, 2025 Closure of the baseball eld, soball eld, and high school weight room September 2025 Ancipated reopening of the high school weight room October 2025 Ancipated reopening of the baseball eld and soball eld March 2026 Beginning of Phase II work in the high school September 2027 Ancipated compleon of Phase II work Stay tuned to future newsleers, our website and social media as we keep you updated on the Revitalize 2025 project.Mentoring program provides support for new staDid you know that half of all new teachers naonwide leave the teaching profession within the rst ve years? Studies show the reason is oen due to feeling isolated and over-whelmed. The Johnson City Central School District’s philosophy focuses on arculated beliefs that value collaborave relaonships leading to the professional growth of all sta. Its mentor pro-gram is only one of many opportunies for new and veteran sta to collaborate, reect and engage in professional growth, thereby improving student achievement.The program’s goals include:• Accelerang new teachers’ understanding of the district’s vision, mission and values• Supporng the implementaon of the district’s guiding principles and high expectaons to accelerate new teach-er performance• Provide teacher mentors and mentees the opportunity to analyze and reect on their professional pracce to build a community of learners• Dierenate the instruconal assistance, with support and guidance based on the needs of the new sta member• Increase beginning teachers’ capabilies to learn from their teaching to self-monitor, self-manage, and self-modify with increasing condence and skill• Meet NYSED requirements for professional cercaon• Increase teacher retenon through an increased sense of job sasfacon, reecve pracce, ecacy and dimin-ished feelings of isolaon• Improve student achievementThe mentoring program is a 10-month program for new teachers and provides every aempt to partner them with a tenured teacher from the same tenure area or level whenever possible. Mentors then meet with their mentees at least two hours per month outside their contractual day. Wildcat Guides provide a less intensive level of support to teachers new to the district but who bring previous teaching experience, serve as a long-term substute, or are in a role that does not require mentoring for advancement of cercaon.“At a me when it is more important than ever for our district to support new sta, the mentoring program is a vital part of our eorts to retain teachers,” said Joseph Guccia, assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and accountability. “Challenges within educaon have risen, with students experiencing intense academic, social and emoonal needs, and our new sta feel comfortable knowing that an experienced colleague is there to guide and support them. And, these new sta members connue to share overwhelmingly posive feedback about the strong, supporve, ongoing profes-sional relaonships that have been formed between themselves and their mentors.”FAST FACTS• The Johnson City Central School District hired 22 elementary, 10 middle school, and four high school new teachers for the 2024-25 school year• One-third of our teachers have been here for less than four years• We have four new administrators• Mentoring is required for administrators and teachers to receive their professional cercaonOctober 4 marked the beginning of a memorable home-coming weekend for the Wildcats. It began with the an-nouncement of the homecoming court and seniors Zahir Bolden and Emma Kot being crowned our Homecoming King and Queen.The varsity football team played a hard-fought game against Chenango Valley in front of a large hometown crowd at Wildcat Stadium. At halime, the Johnson City Marching Wildcats put on an impressive eld show, followed by the introducon of the Athlec Hall of Fame Class of 2024. To cap o the evening, everyone enjoyed a reworks display, which was made possible by the generosity of JC alumnus Adam Comfort. On Saturday, the newest members of the JC Athlec Hall of Fame were inducted at a formal dinner ceremony at Tradions at the Glen. Ryan Clark (Class of 2012), Berna-dee “Bunny” (Clarke) McGovern (Class of 1978), Colleen (Clarke) Petrick (Class of 2006), Mark C. Collins (Class of 1983), Larry Rowe (former JC Superintendent and coach) and the Johnson City 1971 Football Team were inducted. We would like to thank Mahew Klimow (JC Athlec Hall of Fame Class of 2008) for serving as the keynote speaker, as well as high school students Kentony DeJesus, Annabel Burke, Emery Guzyk, Anthony Mazza, and Tyshawn Row-land for doing a great job introducing this year’s newest members and speaking about the inductees.To cap o the homecoming weekend fesvies, the high school held a Saturday night Homecoming Dance at the high school. It was a great weekend of Wildcat pride!6Johnson City celebrates Homecoming WeekendCheck out the video!7

9JC ConnectsJC ConnectsWhere school and community connect, collaborate and createNow in its h year, JC Connects is connuing its mission to bring families, schools and the surrounding community together in order for all students to have success in both learning and life. We take an integrated approach to every student’s learning because we know learning goes beyond the walls of a school building.As a Community School, we partner with a multude of community agen-cies to provide resources and learning opportunies, both in our school buildings and throughout the village for our students and their families.We know when schools, educators, families and community resources team up, everyone wins!Debra Welsh-Clarke, LMSWJC Connects Coordinatordwelsh-clarke@jcschools.ser.org(607)930-1674Andrea Hankey, LCSWJC Connects Coordinatoranhankey@jcschools.ser.org(607) 930-1662Ann GoroleskiFamily Engagement Coordinatoragoroleski@jcschools.ser.org(607) 930-1506TRUNK OR TREATTRUNK OR TREATBINGO NIGHTBINGO NIGHTENL NIGHTENL NIGHTOPEN HOUSEOPEN HOUSEWe’ve been busy supporng our Wildcat community!Elementary school welcomes two new administratorsWe are pleased to announce two new assistant principals at our elementary school. Peter Far-don, formerly the elementary school’s physi-cal educaon teacher from 2021-2024, took on his new role as an administrator in August. This is Fardon’s ninth year in educaon, hav-ing spent the rst ve years as a health and physical educaon teacher in Australia at the Rockhampton Grammar School, fol-lowed by the Brisbane Grammar School.Jacqueline Cash began her educaon ca-reer at Johnson City Schools in 2016 as a rst-grade and second-grade teacher. Before becoming an assistant principal, Cash was an instruconal coach for kinder-garten through second grade. Highlighting our annual Trunk or Treat and Halloween ParadeWe had an amazing turnout at our elementary Trunk or Treat event on October 30! The event was so popular, the line of students and fmaily members extended to Columbia Drive! We thank our sta members and community agencies who parcipated and showed o their impressive vehicle decorang skills, handed out candy, dressed up, and brought smiles to many eager trick-or-treaters.On October 31, the Halloween Spirit was sll in full swing as our Pre-5 students and sta paraded in from of the elementary-middle school in front of another impressive turnout of family and friends. Check out the video!PreK/KINDERGARTEN PreK/KINDERGARTEN NIGHTNIGHT8

9JC ConnectsJC ConnectsWhere school and community connect, collaborate and createNow in its h year, JC Connects is connuing its mission to bring families, schools and the surrounding community together in order for all students to have success in both learning and life. We take an integrated approach to every student’s learning because we know learning goes beyond the walls of a school building.As a Community School, we partner with a multude of community agen-cies to provide resources and learning opportunies, both in our school buildings and throughout the village for our students and their families.We know when schools, educators, families and community resources team up, everyone wins!Debra Welsh-Clarke, LMSWJC Connects Coordinatordwelsh-clarke@jcschools.ser.org(607)930-1674Andrea Hankey, LCSWJC Connects Coordinatoranhankey@jcschools.ser.org(607) 930-1662Ann GoroleskiFamily Engagement Coordinatoragoroleski@jcschools.ser.org(607) 930-1506TRUNK OR TREATTRUNK OR TREATBINGO NIGHTBINGO NIGHTENL NIGHTENL NIGHTOPEN HOUSEOPEN HOUSEWe’ve been busy supporng our Wildcat community!Elementary school welcomes two new administratorsWe are pleased to announce two new assistant principals at our elementary school. Peter Far-don, formerly the elementary school’s physi-cal educaon teacher from 2021-2024, took on his new role as an administrator in August. This is Fardon’s ninth year in educaon, hav-ing spent the rst ve years as a health and physical educaon teacher in Australia at the Rockhampton Grammar School, fol-lowed by the Brisbane Grammar School.Jacqueline Cash began her educaon ca-reer at Johnson City Schools in 2016 as a rst-grade and second-grade teacher. Before becoming an assistant principal, Cash was an instruconal coach for kinder-garten through second grade. Highlighting our annual Trunk or Treat and Halloween ParadeWe had an amazing turnout at our elementary Trunk or Treat event on October 30! The event was so popular, the line of students and fmaily members extended to Columbia Drive! We thank our sta members and community agencies who parcipated and showed o their impressive vehicle decorang skills, handed out candy, dressed up, and brought smiles to many eager trick-or-treaters.On October 31, the Halloween Spirit was sll in full swing as our Pre-5 students and sta paraded in from of the elementary-middle school in front of another impressive turnout of family and friends. Check out the video!PreK/KINDERGARTEN PreK/KINDERGARTEN NIGHTNIGHT8

11JC custodian shares his musical talent with 5th-grade classesThe 5th-grade music classes had a special treat when a member of our custodial sta gave an African Drumming workshop! Aar-on Weiler has played African drums since he was a young boy and has studied drumming across various cultures, performed and recorded with famous drumming musicians, and taught les-sons and drumming circles to all ages. Weiler recently showed our students and music teachers beginning drum paerns and hand techniques. Thank you for sharing your musical talents with our students, Mr. Weiler!Custodian Aaron Weiler plays the African drums for the 5th-grade music class.Sixth-grade students learn the basics of coding in STEMSixth-grade students in Deborah Darling’s STEM class recently learned the basics of screenless block coding with the help of robot cars by Sphero. The lile robots can turn 90 degrees le or right, 45 degrees le or right, and even speed up when us-ing their color sensors to travel over and interpret the dierent colored les. The students had fun seng up the les in various paerns to create dierent routes for the robots to travel.10Jane Halladay’s Family & Consumer Science classes re-cently had fun making a variety of impressive snacks, including cookies, Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, and veg-etable macaroni!MIDDLE SCHOOL SNAPSHOTSHigh School celebrates high academic achievements of AP ScholarsHigh school is no easy feat, and welcoming the challenge of Advanced Placement classes makes it a higher hill to climb for some. The College Board’s Advanced Placement program provides students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while sll in high school and the chance to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP exams. Johnson City High School is proud to boast numerous seniors and juniors who were willing to rise to the challenge of taking AP classes and do so with excellence. Congratulaons to these students for stepping up and taking the path less traveled on their way to great things. Based on their performance on AP exams taken in the Spring of 2024, these current seniors earned the tle of AP Schol-ar - Shivali Agrawal, Mohammad Ahmadov, Tosin Benson, Chrisna Francois, Gjejson Gjoka, Kaitlyn Harvey, Arianna Kilgallon, David Nguyen, Aniq Rahman, Juan Velez, Kyndra Williamson and Leos Yagley.The following seniors earned the tle of AP Scholar with Honor – Asma Azam, Jordan Chase, Natalie Gurney, Emery Guzyk, Jaiden Lateer, Emma McCaery, Emma Phelan, Sam Ross, and Claire Tripp. Last but not least, senior Alyssa Kelleher earned the tle of AP Scholar with Disncon.We couldn’t be prouder of our students and their academic achievements and look forward to what our Wildcats will aain on this Spring’s AP exams. High School Nation visits JCHS to spread positivityRepresentaves from High School Naon visited Johnson City High School this September to give students fun opportunies outside for interacve engagements and excing giveaways. In collabora-on with Dunkin’, they gave high school students $5 Dunkin gi cercates and oered free fruit refresher samples. The goal of High School Naon is to engage students in enjoyable acvies that foster a posive school environment. We were also excited to have representaves from Tioga State Bank available to promote their new part-nership with the high school. High school students are geng the opportunity to set up bank accounts with TSB and work with a representave on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a satellite oce located in the high school. Our own JC Connects was also on hand to promote the Wildcat Food and Clothing Center. We thank business teacher Trish Carpenter and the high school team for their work organizing this fun event for students.To learn more about High School Naon’s mission, visit highschoolnaon.comStudents take a trip of a lifetimeIn July, 12 students from Spanish 3-4 and the Spanish Club went on an educaonal trip to Spain to learn about the country’s history, educaon, customs and culture. Accord-ing to Spanish teacher Magdala Bedrin, every day provided wonderful experiences, from preparing and cooking a tra-dional Spanish meal, including paella and a Spanish om-elee, to learning how to dance the amenco and watching a amenco show. In addion to vising many museums and cathedrals, a parcular highlight for the students was hav-ing the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.“I am very grateful to have gone on this week-long trip,” said senior Anthony Mazza. “For many of us, it was our rst me out of the country. We got to have so many unique and once-in-a-lifeme experiences, having fun while also praccing our Spanish-speaking skills and geng immersed in Spanish culture and history. It’s le memories that’ll last forever!”

11JC custodian shares his musical talent with 5th-grade classesThe 5th-grade music classes had a special treat when a member of our custodial sta gave an African Drumming workshop! Aar-on Weiler has played African drums since he was a young boy and has studied drumming across various cultures, performed and recorded with famous drumming musicians, and taught les-sons and drumming circles to all ages. Weiler recently showed our students and music teachers beginning drum paerns and hand techniques. Thank you for sharing your musical talents with our students, Mr. Weiler!Custodian Aaron Weiler plays the African drums for the 5th-grade music class.Sixth-grade students learn the basics of coding in STEMSixth-grade students in Deborah Darling’s STEM class recently learned the basics of screenless block coding with the help of robot cars by Sphero. The lile robots can turn 90 degrees le or right, 45 degrees le or right, and even speed up when us-ing their color sensors to travel over and interpret the dierent colored les. The students had fun seng up the les in various paerns to create dierent routes for the robots to travel.10Jane Halladay’s Family & Consumer Science classes re-cently had fun making a variety of impressive snacks, including cookies, Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, and veg-etable macaroni!MIDDLE SCHOOL SNAPSHOTSHigh School celebrates high academic achievements of AP ScholarsHigh school is no easy feat, and welcoming the challenge of Advanced Placement classes makes it a higher hill to climb for some. The College Board’s Advanced Placement program provides students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while sll in high school and the chance to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP exams. Johnson City High School is proud to boast numerous seniors and juniors who were willing to rise to the challenge of taking AP classes and do so with excellence. Congratulaons to these students for stepping up and taking the path less traveled on their way to great things. Based on their performance on AP exams taken in the Spring of 2024, these current seniors earned the tle of AP Schol-ar - Shivali Agrawal, Mohammad Ahmadov, Tosin Benson, Chrisna Francois, Gjejson Gjoka, Kaitlyn Harvey, Arianna Kilgallon, David Nguyen, Aniq Rahman, Juan Velez, Kyndra Williamson and Leos Yagley.The following seniors earned the tle of AP Scholar with Honor – Asma Azam, Jordan Chase, Natalie Gurney, Emery Guzyk, Jaiden Lateer, Emma McCaery, Emma Phelan, Sam Ross, and Claire Tripp. Last but not least, senior Alyssa Kelleher earned the tle of AP Scholar with Disncon.We couldn’t be prouder of our students and their academic achievements and look forward to what our Wildcats will aain on this Spring’s AP exams. High School Nation visits JCHS to spread positivityRepresentaves from High School Naon visited Johnson City High School this September to give students fun opportunies outside for interacve engagements and excing giveaways. In collabora-on with Dunkin’, they gave high school students $5 Dunkin gi cercates and oered free fruit refresher samples. The goal of High School Naon is to engage students in enjoyable acvies that foster a posive school environment. We were also excited to have representaves from Tioga State Bank available to promote their new part-nership with the high school. High school students are geng the opportunity to set up bank accounts with TSB and work with a representave on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a satellite oce located in the high school. Our own JC Connects was also on hand to promote the Wildcat Food and Clothing Center. We thank business teacher Trish Carpenter and the high school team for their work organizing this fun event for students.To learn more about High School Naon’s mission, visit highschoolnaon.comStudents take a trip of a lifetimeIn July, 12 students from Spanish 3-4 and the Spanish Club went on an educaonal trip to Spain to learn about the country’s history, educaon, customs and culture. Accord-ing to Spanish teacher Magdala Bedrin, every day provided wonderful experiences, from preparing and cooking a tra-dional Spanish meal, including paella and a Spanish om-elee, to learning how to dance the amenco and watching a amenco show. In addion to vising many museums and cathedrals, a parcular highlight for the students was hav-ing the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.“I am very grateful to have gone on this week-long trip,” said senior Anthony Mazza. “For many of us, it was our rst me out of the country. We got to have so many unique and once-in-a-lifeme experiences, having fun while also praccing our Spanish-speaking skills and geng immersed in Spanish culture and history. It’s le memories that’ll last forever!”

1312 The Marching Wildcats present‘The Drop That Contained the Sea’by Mark Buza, JC Marching Wildcats DirectorThe Johnson City High School Marching Band had a very excing fall sea-son. The Marching Wildcats worked throughout the summer to prepare for this year’s show, “The Drop That Contained the Sea,” which focused on the importance of community. Although we may feel like just a ny drop in an ocean, we are so much more than that. The ocean exists in every one of us, and each of us can make a dierence in the world. During the course of the show, the Marching Wildcats communicated to the audience the concepts of renewal, peace, unrest and unity. Just as the sea is connected by many drops, we are all connected to each other.The JC Marching Wildcats placed rst in the Columbus Day Tournament of Bands Parade and also received awards for best Color Guard and best Drum Majors. They also performed at varsity football games and NYS eld band compeons. We look forward to parcipang in Johnson City community parades later this year and an opportunity to perform at Disney World in April 2025.Congratulaons to the Marching Wildcats on a great season and for taking energy, condence and eyes with pride to the performance eld.Musical seleconsAquaca Waloyo Yamoni (We Overcome the Wind)Unsinkable FarewellStormy SeasDrum Majors: Kyndra Williamson and Samuel AdamsFeatured Performers:Christopher Warholic - TubaEren Almuitary - BaritoneAmelia Ross - ClarinetWinter Crandall - FluteAriana Gosart - FluteAsia Black - Alto SaxophoneEvelyn Perkins - Alto SaxophoneHaley Monico - Solo DancerLevi VanDeventer - TromboneGabriel Herera-Puy - Bass DrumWilson Nguyen - Bass DrumDeclan Perry - Snare DrumEvan Wheeler - Quad TomsJC alumnus fullls dream of making it on BroadwayWe recently learned that Class of 2017 alumnus Dionne “DJ” Hendricks has made his Broadway debut! DJ is current-ly serving as one of the conductors for the Tony and Grammy award-winning musical “Hadestown,” a story that intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and Queen Perse-phone — as it invites audiences on an unforgeable journey to the underworld and back. In his crical role as conductor, DJ also plays the piano and accordion. Prior to conducng the show on Broadway, DJ served as the associ-ate music director of the naonal tours of “Hadestown” and “Come From Away.” DJ’s musical accolades have been numerous following his days as a Johnson City Wildcat. Aer earning his Master’s degree in wring and producon for musical theater from the Berklee College of Music, he performed as a solo pia-nist in many sengs, including cab-arets, jazz gigs, and recording ses-sions. He has toured the country as a music director and conducted the show “A Wonderful World” in New Orleans and Chicago and “Ella, First Lady of Song” in Detroit. For “Ella,” he received the presgious Audel-co Award for Outstanding Musical Director.We are thrilled that DJ has achieved his ulmate goal of making it to Broadway, and look forward to fol-lowing his connuing musical jour-ney!Interested in seeing “Hadestown” on Broadway? Check out the show’s website at hadestown.com. The Johnson City High School Music Department proudly presentsMarch 7-9Ticket information coming in February!Tri-M Music Honor Society inducts four new membersIn early November, the Johnson City chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society proudly inducted four new members. We congratulate Declan Perry, Isabell Hall-Daniels, Wilson Nguyen and Jordan Chase on their out-standing accomplishment. The Tri-M Music Honor Society provides many opportunies for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gied. Through performance and community service, students develop condence, creavity, crical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well in school and beyond. Check out our calendar of JC music events!

1312 The Marching Wildcats present‘The Drop That Contained the Sea’by Mark Buza, JC Marching Wildcats DirectorThe Johnson City High School Marching Band had a very excing fall sea-son. The Marching Wildcats worked throughout the summer to prepare for this year’s show, “The Drop That Contained the Sea,” which focused on the importance of community. Although we may feel like just a ny drop in an ocean, we are so much more than that. The ocean exists in every one of us, and each of us can make a dierence in the world. During the course of the show, the Marching Wildcats communicated to the audience the concepts of renewal, peace, unrest and unity. Just as the sea is connected by many drops, we are all connected to each other.The JC Marching Wildcats placed rst in the Columbus Day Tournament of Bands Parade and also received awards for best Color Guard and best Drum Majors. They also performed at varsity football games and NYS eld band compeons. We look forward to parcipang in Johnson City community parades later this year and an opportunity to perform at Disney World in April 2025.Congratulaons to the Marching Wildcats on a great season and for taking energy, condence and eyes with pride to the performance eld.Musical seleconsAquaca Waloyo Yamoni (We Overcome the Wind)Unsinkable FarewellStormy SeasDrum Majors: Kyndra Williamson and Samuel AdamsFeatured Performers:Christopher Warholic - TubaEren Almuitary - BaritoneAmelia Ross - ClarinetWinter Crandall - FluteAriana Gosart - FluteAsia Black - Alto SaxophoneEvelyn Perkins - Alto SaxophoneHaley Monico - Solo DancerLevi VanDeventer - TromboneGabriel Herera-Puy - Bass DrumWilson Nguyen - Bass DrumDeclan Perry - Snare DrumEvan Wheeler - Quad TomsJC alumnus fullls dream of making it on BroadwayWe recently learned that Class of 2017 alumnus Dionne “DJ” Hendricks has made his Broadway debut! DJ is current-ly serving as one of the conductors for the Tony and Grammy award-winning musical “Hadestown,” a story that intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and Queen Perse-phone — as it invites audiences on an unforgeable journey to the underworld and back. In his crical role as conductor, DJ also plays the piano and accordion. Prior to conducng the show on Broadway, DJ served as the associ-ate music director of the naonal tours of “Hadestown” and “Come From Away.” DJ’s musical accolades have been numerous following his days as a Johnson City Wildcat. Aer earning his Master’s degree in wring and producon for musical theater from the Berklee College of Music, he performed as a solo pia-nist in many sengs, including cab-arets, jazz gigs, and recording ses-sions. He has toured the country as a music director and conducted the show “A Wonderful World” in New Orleans and Chicago and “Ella, First Lady of Song” in Detroit. For “Ella,” he received the presgious Audel-co Award for Outstanding Musical Director.We are thrilled that DJ has achieved his ulmate goal of making it to Broadway, and look forward to fol-lowing his connuing musical jour-ney!Interested in seeing “Hadestown” on Broadway? Check out the show’s website at hadestown.com. The Johnson City High School Music Department proudly presentsMarch 7-9Ticket information coming in February!Tri-M Music Honor Society inducts four new membersIn early November, the Johnson City chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society proudly inducted four new members. We congratulate Declan Perry, Isabell Hall-Daniels, Wilson Nguyen and Jordan Chase on their out-standing accomplishment. The Tri-M Music Honor Society provides many opportunies for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gied. Through performance and community service, students develop condence, creavity, crical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well in school and beyond. Check out our calendar of JC music events!

1514 14SPORTSSPORTSCROSS COUNTRYCROSS COUNTRYBOYS GOLFBOYS GOLFFOOTBALLFOOTBALLVOLLEYBALLVOLLEYBALLGIRLS SOCCERGIRLS SOCCERCHEERLEADINGCHEERLEADINGGIRLS SWIMMING & DIVINGGIRLS SWIMMING & DIVINGBOYS SOCCERBOYS SOCCERGIRLS TENNISGIRLS TENNIS Check out our JC Fall Sports Highlight VideoTwo senior lacrosse players sign their college letters of intentIn November, seniors Troeger Lombardini and Emma McCaery signed their Naonal Leers of Intent to aend Bing-hamton University and Mercyhurst University, respecvely. Both look forward to being members of the university la-crosse teams. Lombardini has been a member of the Johnson City varsity team for ve years and played travel lacrosse for ten years. His impressive accomplishments include being a 1st Team Aack All-Division for Secon IV for ve consecuve years and playing on the New Team Balance All-American team. In addion to playing varsity basketball for the past two years, varsity soccer for two years, running for the varsity cross country team for one year and qualifying for States, he is also a member of the Johnson City chapter of the Naonal Honor Society.McCaery has played lacrosse for ten years. In that me, she has played for 315 Elite Lacrosse and has been a member of JC’s varsity team for four years. Her notable accomplishments include scoring more than 100 career points. In addi-on, she has been a member of the indoor track team and played soccer.O the eld, McCaery is a member of the Johnson City chapter of the Naonal Honor Society and is a Morgan’s Mes-sage Ambassador. She is also currently enrolled in Broome-Tioga BOCES’ New Visions Law and Government Academy and has parcipated in the high school’s Spanish Club, Spirit Club, and Varsity Club.We congratulate these two student-athletes on their outstanding accomplishments and wish them the best of luck in college. Team photos courtesy of Bev Battaglini, Digital Memories www.digitalmemoriesbybev.com

1514 14SPORTSSPORTSCROSS COUNTRYCROSS COUNTRYBOYS GOLFBOYS GOLFFOOTBALLFOOTBALLVOLLEYBALLVOLLEYBALLGIRLS SOCCERGIRLS SOCCERCHEERLEADINGCHEERLEADINGGIRLS SWIMMING & DIVINGGIRLS SWIMMING & DIVINGBOYS SOCCERBOYS SOCCERGIRLS TENNISGIRLS TENNIS Check out our JC Fall Sports Highlight VideoTwo senior lacrosse players sign their college letters of intentIn November, seniors Troeger Lombardini and Emma McCaery signed their Naonal Leers of Intent to aend Bing-hamton University and Mercyhurst University, respecvely. Both look forward to being members of the university la-crosse teams. Lombardini has been a member of the Johnson City varsity team for ve years and played travel lacrosse for ten years. His impressive accomplishments include being a 1st Team Aack All-Division for Secon IV for ve consecuve years and playing on the New Team Balance All-American team. In addion to playing varsity basketball for the past two years, varsity soccer for two years, running for the varsity cross country team for one year and qualifying for States, he is also a member of the Johnson City chapter of the Naonal Honor Society.McCaery has played lacrosse for ten years. In that me, she has played for 315 Elite Lacrosse and has been a member of JC’s varsity team for four years. Her notable accomplishments include scoring more than 100 career points. In addi-on, she has been a member of the indoor track team and played soccer.O the eld, McCaery is a member of the Johnson City chapter of the Naonal Honor Society and is a Morgan’s Mes-sage Ambassador. She is also currently enrolled in Broome-Tioga BOCES’ New Visions Law and Government Academy and has parcipated in the high school’s Spanish Club, Spirit Club, and Varsity Club.We congratulate these two student-athletes on their outstanding accomplishments and wish them the best of luck in college. Team photos courtesy of Bev Battaglini, Digital Memories www.digitalmemoriesbybev.com

Non-Prot Org.U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPERMIT NO. 237Binghamton, NYJohnson City Central School District666 Reynolds RoadJohnson City, NY 13790www.jcschools.comCURRENT RESIDENT ORPOSTAL PATRONECRWSSBoard of Educaon Nicholas J. Matyas, President Jeannee Farr, Vice President Richard (Rocky) G. Marnez, District ClerkStephen BarrowsShannon EdmondsonAmber Stallman Superintendent of Schools Eric RaceAssistant Superintendent for Administraon Elisa EatonAssistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning & AccountabilityJoseph Guccia Creating Educational Opportunities for All Students in Preparation for Success in an Ever-Changing CommunityJC School Board seeking applicantsThe Johnson City School Board is seeking applicants for a new board member posion.The posion would ll a vacancy le by Mahew T. Jablonowski, who recently resigned aer serving on the board since 2014.If selected, the candidate would be appointed to temporarily ll the vacancy, eecve upon acceptance of the oath of oce, to serve unl such me as the Board seat is lled at the next regular Board elecon scheduled for May 20, 2025.If elected, the candidate would serve the unexpired poron of Jablonowski’s term, which ends in May of 2029.Applicants can submit a leer of interest that includes informaon on their background, prior experience and reasons for wanng to become a board member.Leers are due by December 31. They should be mailed to the Board of Educaon Clerk, 666 Reynolds Road, Johnson City, NY 13790.