𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞: Pre-Kindergarten students celebrated International Dot Day on Thursday (September 15, 2022) by making dot shirts in Mrs. Danielle Jakubowicz's classroom. They taped out the first letter of their names on their shirts and bingo-dabbed away. 🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣⚫️⚪️🟤
Pictured standing, left to right, are teachers Audra Russo, Mrs. Jakubowicz and Melissa Matney with their group of Black Knights.
International #DotDay is inspired by a book titled "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds in which a teacher inspires a student who believed they couldn't draw to “make her mark.”
Silver Creek High School will host an 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 for students in grades 9-12 tonight (Thursday, September 15, 2022) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 🏫🤝🖤💛
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 and the 2022 theme is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation."
Please join Silver Creek Central School District in celebrating the achievements, histories, traditions and cultural diversity of Hispanic/Latino/Latinx Americans whose heritage is rooted in 20 Latin American countries and territories: Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Poster designed by Ms. Irene Matos Chan.
#HispanicHeritageMonth
#ExploreYourWorld #ThursdayThoughts
𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗧: Silver Creek Central School District honor student and Boy Scout 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗨𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗦 was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in August 2022. Please join us in congratulating him on this impressive accomplishment!
As his Eagle Scout project, Samuel renovated the Funeral Chapel at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Silver Creek. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 267 of Fredonia and is the son of Sheridan residents Ron and Marianne Bowers.
Read more via the Dunkirk Observer: https://www.observertoday.com/news/page-one/2022/09/sheridan-teen-earns-honor-of-eagle-scout/
September is 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛. Silver Creek Central School District believes building strong, trusting relationships that promote a feeling of belonging is fundamental to improving student attendance & engagement.
Learn more: http://bit.ly/1oqfID7
Silver Creek High School is hosting an 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 for students in grades 9-12 on Thursday, September 15, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please join us! 🏫🎊🤝🖤💛
THEIR #BKP IS GENERATIONAL: Silver Creek Central School District was delighted to see grandparents among those greeting our students on the first day of school (Tuesday, September 6, 2022) to wish our Black Knights well as we begin the 2022-2023 academic year. In observance of Grandparents’ Day (Sunday, September 11, 2022) please join us in the celebrating the generational connections at SCCS.
One grandparent on hand Tuesday was Class of 1979 graduate Kathy (Erwin) Garrett, who stopped by to capture some snapshots of first-grader Vinny on his first day ever attending in-person school. The new elementary student – who is in the Class of 2032 -- was accompanied by his parents, John and Kelly Plucinski, who are 1998 and 2001 graduates of SCCS, respectively. Mrs. Plucinski, a member of the Hanover & Silver Creek Garden Club, sent fresh flowers from Farm in Peace in Collins with her son to present to his teacher.
Also present was John Charry, a member of the Class of 1972, who waited for the buses to arrive at the elementary school Tuesday in the hopes of greeting his four grandchildren – Olivia, Cameron, Johnny and Madeline – on their first day back. Their parents are Kyle and Alicia Halstrom.
Please join Silver Creek Central School District in honoring the memory of all the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Our Black Knight family will never forget. ❤️🤍💙 #PatriotDay #September11 #neverforget
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: A highlight of the Back-to-School Bash held last week (Aug. 30, 2022) at Silver Creek Central School District was a 𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗢 facilitated by School Resource Office Wes Johnson & District Nurse Jennifer Johnson. They mapped out an obstacle course to teach proper bike safety on sidewalks and roads and helped families properly fit helmets for students.
Hilbert College Night Set Sept. 20, 2022: The Southern Erie County Association's Annual College Night is scheduled Tuesday, September 20, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hafner Recreation Center at Hilbert College, 200 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, New York. Nearly 100 colleges/universities will be represented. Students, family and friends looking to pursue higher education are warmly invited. No RSVP needed. For more information, reach out to Lauren Carlin at lcarlin@hilbert.edu.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧
Meet Heather Krystofiak, the new principal of Silver Creek Elementary School! Please help us with a warm welcome for Ms. Krystofiak as she joins the Black Knight community for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am so excited to be part of a wonderful team and be able to help bring back some fun, in-person events,” says Krystofiak “Also, I am excited to work with elementary students and continue to foster a loving and safe environment for them.”
𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 & 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: Her fiance's name is Mark and she has three stepchildren-to-be. She has three cats – Gracie (Florida cat), Slinky and Luna. She lives a street away from her dad and hangs out with him often. In her spare time, she enjoys volleyball, bowling, music, basketball, painting, hiking, kayaking, and reading fun books.
𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦: “One quote that motivates me is ‘It's OK, fix it.’ I use this to remind myself and others that you can/will make mistakes,” says Krystofiak. “However, moving forward to try to fix it will show growth and understanding.”
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣: Remember to get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast each day.
𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 & 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: Krystofiak has a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education with a Middle School extension Social Studies 7-9, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Leadership. She spent a lot of time with the National Writing Project and supported the program as a teacher consultant. She has worked in different facets of education as an elementary teacher, middle school English and social studies teacher, writing coach, sports coach, staff development specialist with BOCES, and as assistant principal at Amherst High School.
Kindergarten teacher Jessica Vara's students look on with delight as art teacher Mrs. Anderson plays the guitar during the first week of the 2022-2023 academic year at Silver Creek Elementary School.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Meet JESSICA TARNOWSKI, a new math intervention teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School. Please join us in warmly welcoming her to our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I'm excited to meet the staff and students and build long-lasting relationships,” says Tarnowski.
𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 & 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗦: She and her husband celebrate their two-year wedding anniversary in October, although they’ve been together for 12.5 years. They have four fish, two dogs – Oscar and Oliver – who are 7 years old, and a 6.5-month-old daughter named Willow.
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣: Just breathe and take it all day by day or moment by moment.
“This is something I've been telling myself for the last month as I'm anxiously counting down the days until I have to leave my baby girl and start at a whole new school,” says Tarnowski. “It's exciting but nerve-racking at the same time!”
𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: She loves to tie-dye and create all sorts of thing with her Cricut.
𝗙𝗨𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧: In 2011, she had major spine surgery to correct her scoliosis. She now has two 12-inch rods and 22 screws holding her spine in place.
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘: She isn’t sure who coined the phrase, but she has always lived by the motto "what's meant to be will always find a way."
Parents/guardians of Silver Creek Central School District are invited to share their back-to-school excitement by emailing first day of school photos to ecarlson@silvercreekschools.org. #backtoschool #blackknightpride
Happy Labor Day from Silver Creek Central School District! Today we hope you join our Black Knight family in honoring all the hard-working members of our community. Thank you!
Our friends at the Seneca Nation have some fun events coming up! Check out the flyers for the Fall Festival and Back to School Bash!
STAFF INTRODUCTION: Meet CLAIRE O’CONNOR, a new Special Education teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School. Please help us give her a warm welcome as she returns to our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am most excited to continue working with my students from last year, as well as get to know new students and teachers,” says O’Connor. “Working with this team of teachers is a dream and I am so lucky that I get to continue to do so in the 2022-2023 school year!”
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIP: Don't be afraid to let others know that you are proud of yourself. Having others be proud of you is a great feeling, but being proud of YOURSELF for knowing how hard you worked, how you overcame difficulties and challenges just to come reach exactly where you wanted to be... that’s a pretty great feeling!
HOBBIES & INTERESTS: Jet skiing, going to concerts, and most important... watching the Buffalo Bills! Go Bills!
FUN FACT: She started her professional career as a teacher right here at Silver Creek in January 2021 as a student teacher with Mrs. West!
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive, that is you-er than you." -- Dr. Seuss
Friday, September 2, 2022 Parent Broadcast
Good afternoon Silver Creek School Families. We’d like to provide an update regarding transportation. As we begin the 2022-2023 school year, we are starting shorthanded with bus drivers. We are down three drivers since we ended school last June 30. As a result, we have been forced to adjust the end of the day for MS/HS students to dismiss 10 minutes early at 2:15 p.m. This is to allow adequate time for buses to leave, drop MS/HS students off and return to pick up elementary students. We are hopeful to hire more drivers and therefore change the end of the day back to a 2:25 dismissal.
Please know Elementary Transportation post cards mailed Monday and MS/HS post cards mailed this past Tuesday and Wednesday, therefore if you have not received it we anticipate you should receive it today or tomorrow.
• Middle/High School students on the furthest outskirts (first pick-ups), start watching for the bus at 6:05 to 6:15 a.m. Buses pick up on the furthest outskirts and work their way back through the village and towards the school. Therefore, students near the village, MS/HS students should start watching for the bus by 6:45- 6:50 a.m.
• For elementary, the furthest outskirts (first pick-ups) should start looking at 7:45-7:50 a.m. Buses pick up on the furthest outskirts and work their way back through the village and towards the school. Therefore, students in the village should start looking for the bus by 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
We understand the difficulty of not always knowing certain pickup times. We appreciate your continued patience. Again, as we have been saying, if you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a driver, please contact the transportation department for an application.
ANTICIPATED INSTRUCTIONAL VACANCY NOTICE: Teacher of English as a Second Language. This is a full-time probationary position.
ELIGIBILITY: Candidate must have NYS Certification in TESOL- PreK through 12 required
REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education
DESCRIPTION: Eligible candidates must plan for, provide, and document instruction to students with limited English proficiency. Instruction must be aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards at each grade level and NYS regulations governing the provision of these services. Candidate must be able to work collaboratively with co-professionals, effectively communicate with parents/guardians, and complete assessments and reporting as appropriate.
DUTIES:
1. Consult and team with teachers to meet the needs of students with limited English proficiency.
2. Complete assessment, documentation, and progress monitoring of students by collecting and reporting data.
3. Utilize curriculum provided by the district to plan for, provide, and document instruction.
4. Differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students on your caseload.
5. Administer required state assessments and support students in developing skills to utilize resources on assessments as allowed.
6. Attend meetings regarding student's needs as assigned.
7. Provide parent support and education, as needed.
8. Collaborate with the educational team in supporting student needs across school settings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Knowledge and understanding of policies and regulations to work with English Language Learners
2. Knowledge and understanding of the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards
3. Knowledge of NYSITELL and NYSESLAT assessments
4. Knowledge of the continuum of services for students with disabilities in coordination with English language learners
5. Flexibility and strong communication skills
APPLY TO: Applications are available online at Western New York School Application System www.wnyric.org/application
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, September 9, 2022.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧
Meet 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗔 𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗡, a new social-emotional learning teacher new to Silver Creek Elementary School. Please help us give her a warm welcome as she joins our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am so excited about my new position and the opportunity I've been given to get to know all of the students in Pre-K to fifth grade!” says Button “I am grateful I was able to find a school community that was willing to provide me the opportunity to use my teaching and counseling backgrounds in one role.”
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIP: Remember to take time for yourself. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle of back to school, so make an effort to do something that makes you happy!
EDUCATION: She earned an undergraduate degree in Childhood Education (1-6) from Buffalo State College and a graduate degree in School Counseling (K-12) from St. Bonaventure University. She holds NYS Certification in Childhood Education (1-6) and NYS Certification in School Counseling (K-12). She has been a teacher for 11 years and eight of those years were spent in Phoenix, AZ. She spent three years as a substitute teacher in New York before relocating to Arizona and teaching second grade then third grade. She moved back to Buffalo in December 2021.
FAMILY & PETS: She has two brothers and one sister- all younger. She also has a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law, one nephew, Tristan, who is almost 7 years old and starting 2nd grade. She also has a 14-year-old dachshund named Brutus.
FUN FACTS: She drove from Buffalo to Phoenix by herself when she moved. “It took me 3.5 days and I was able to stop and see some really awesome things on my journey,” says Button. “I rescued my weenie dog from the Arizona Humane Society when he was 10 years old...he has traveled on a plane numerous times with me in the four years he's been with me.”
INTERESTS & HOBBIES: Buffalo Bills football, hiking, visiting the beach, concerts and spending time outdoors with Brutus.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "The best view comes after the hardest climb."- Author unknown.
“I love this quote because I can relate to it both figuratively and literally,” says Button. “I have climbed some pretty big mountains – the actual mountains and difficulties in life – but it was always worth it in the end!”
