Keeping on mission!

Our mission is to inspire educate and challenge every student, every day. And here in the Watervliet City School District we are living this mission.

I am proud to inform you that in the 2007 – 2008 school year our students met our annual yearly progress goals in every category, in every sub group and at every level. It is the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff that has made this achievement possible.

While it is important that we take time to celebrate this achievement, we can not rest on our laurels. In an environment of continuous improvement we must ensure that this upward momentum continues.

A key way to do this is to ensure that we have a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is not only aligned with the New York State learning standards, but is aligned with our mission.

Recently, I was at a meeting of the leaders of community groups in our city. At the end of the meeting a line formed in front of me. Almost to a person, these community leaders sought our students for one activity, function or another. It gave me great pride to hear the positive comments about our schools, our teachers and most importantly – our students. But with that pride, came a feeling of great responsibility. This community depends on our ability to prepare our students to be the future of their city, the state and our nation.

They depend on us to deliver rigorous, relevant education with curriculum that is aligned with learning standards and prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century.

I want to thank our faculty and staff for they work they do towards fulfilling this challenge, and all that they do for every Watervliet student, every day.

Cannoneers hit the books, and crush the competition

Our student athletes are getting the job done in the classroom and on the court/field. Earlier this month we were informed that our Girls Bowling, Boys Basketball and Boys Indoor Track teams were named Scholar Athlete Teams by the New York State High School Athletic Association. This follows a fall that saw four other teams also receive this honor; Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Girls Soccer and Varsity Boys Football.

A team must have a combined overall average of 91 or better to qualify as a scholar athlete team.

Not only are Watervliet’s student athletes hitting the books, but they are crushing the competition as well. Section II titles were won in Football, Girl’s Basketball and for the first time ever, wrestling. In fact, our Football and Wrestling teams combined both a sectional championship and a scholar athlete award.

While many argue that athletics have little to do with student achievement, the academic accomplishments of our students clearly show that the two go hand in hand. Cannoneer athletes are held to a high standard and must perform in the classroom or they are not allowed to compete in their chosen sport. Our Athletic Director and all of our coaches share this philosophy and instill this value in each of their team members.

We are very proud that our students have the self discipline and commitment needed to be champions of both academics and athletics.

As an added honor, Varsity Football Coach, Erick Bernard and Wrestling Coach, Dennis Lane were both named Coach of the Year. These two gentlemen happen to be the coaches of our two teams that achieved both a sectional championship and a scholar athlete award. Is this just a coincidence? I think not?

The pressure is on spring coaches and teams. You have big shoes to fill!