Dear DCS Community:
I can’t tell you how excited I am to report that, even after returning from break and making masks optional, our transmission rates remain low. In fact, as of the writing of this message, we have had no positive COVID-19 cases in either building this week. We will continue to remain vigilant in our mitigation strategies and we will also continue to remain in contact with Schenectady County Public Health Services to ensure that we are keeping our students safe.
One small but important milestone has been the removal of our ever-present COVID banner from the top of our district’s home page. COVID updates will continue to be shared on our newsfeed and our Health and Safety page. We will also continue to post updates on the New York COVID-19 Report Card.
Best,
Jim Niedermeier, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Girls Varsity Basketball Class C Finals
Our Girls Varsity Basketball team will be competing against Greenwich at Hudson Community College on Saturday at 11 AM. Please read about their decisive semifinal victory here. Tickets to the game are $8 and will be available online here (note: cash will not be accepted at the door). A spectator bus is being offered to students.
Athlete/Extracurricular Testing Requirements
The practice of pool testing unvaccinated athletes and musical performers will no longer be required. If COVID-19 rates experience an uptick and this practice is again recommended by county public health officials, we may return to this type of pool testing in the future. We remind our athletes not to compete if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and that tests are available in our health offices.
Jr/Sr High School Musical
The Duanesburg Drama Club will be performing High School Musical Jr. on the following dates:
March 18th at 7:00pm
March 19th at 7:00pm
March 20th at 2:00pm
Tickets will be available for preorder and at the door. Please come out and support the return of live theatrical events in our schools!
State Wrestling Championships
I would like to congratulate wrestlers Scott Nicolella (DCS) and Jeremy Rehberg (Schoharie) for making it to the NYS Wrestling Championship Tournament on the 25th and 26th at the MVP Arena this year. Scott, who is only a 10th grader, should be commended for this impressive feat.
2022 Retirees Mary Neitzel and Karen Kanarkiewicz
Mary Neitzel, who has served out district for 30 years as a special education teacher and CSE Chairperson, has announced that she will be retiring at the end of this school year. Mrs. Neitzel is caring and passionate educator who has had a positive impact on the lives of countless DCS students. Principal Conover says that Mrs. Neitzel “is often the person teachers go to for advice and support. She has never turned away a colleague or an administrator looking for guidance. Mary’s students were well served in her tenure here at Duanesburg–she was always willing to go the extra mile for them.”
Karen Kanarkiewicz, who has taught social studies in our Jr/Sr High School since 2004, will also be retiring. Mrs. Kanarkiewicz has been a dedicated teacher and advisor and will be sorely missed. According to Principal Marvin, “Karen is a kind and loving professional who pours her heart and soul into her students and takes their success personally. She will be tremendously missed and I am sad to see her retire.”
Senior artist Eleyna Stasko
We have many tremendous artists at DCS. Senior Eleyna Stasko is a hardworking and talented student who, according to teacher Kevin DiTondo, “just has a great personality and soul for creating art.” We are really looking forward to the art that she creates in the future. Here is Eleyna posing with a still life painting on display in our high school.
