RIDER REPORT

In the April Rider Report, a powerful common thread has emerged: at Ichabod Crane, excellence is about so much more than just a grade or a title.

Whether we are celebrating our top-ranking seniors, honoring the legacy of our Wall of Fame inductees or watching our youngest students smash fundraising records, the defining characteristic of our district is a commitment to leading with heart.

We see this heart in our Valedictorian and Salutatorian, whose academic achievements are matched only by their empathy and desire to serve others.

We see it in our community’s newest Wall of Fame members – educators and alumni who have spent decades championing the marginalized and ensuring every student feels seen.

We see it in our Primary Schoolers, who turned their love for reading into a record-breaking gift for families in need.

Being a Rider means understanding that we are part of something larger than ourselves. It means showing up for one another, whether through a consistent morning routine that prepares a student for success or a community-wide effort to support a local cause. I am incredibly proud of the culture of inclusion and service we continue to build together.

Thank you for being the heart of this district. #ichabodinspires

Articles in this edition:

• Leading with Heart and Hard Work: Meet Our Top Two Seniors

• Celebrating Excellence: The 2026 Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony

• Stronger Routines, Better Results: Every Day Matters

• Record-Breaking Readers: Primary School Doubles Fundraising Goal

• What’s Next in April

• #ICYMI

For many, the titles of Valedictorian and Salutatorian represent a singular focus on numbers. However, for this year’s top-ranking seniors, Emma Nelson and Parker McCollum, the achievement was the natural byproduct of a deep commitment to their community, their education and a drive to push personal boundaries. Both students represent the heart of our district: well-rounded, empathetic and ready to take on the world.

Emma Nelson: The Valedictorian and the Art of Balance

While the formal news of her ranking brought a “little bit of relief,“ Emma had been preparing for this moment long before the official announcement. For her, the title wasn't a goal to be chased, but a reflection of her steady work ethic.

“I tried to not have that award be in my head throughout these years,“ Emma shared. “I think it was more of just a thank you to myself for not trying to put so much pressure on myself and then still being able to put in the hard work.“

Emma emphasized the importance of her relationships with her teachers, who she believes significantly shaped her as a person and fostered her love for reading. She found it deeply meaningful to receive supportive messages from them after being named Valedictorian.

“It was really special to know that even though I don't see some of them a lot, the teachers at the district truly care,” she said.

Emma’s journey has been defined by a love for the humanities, especially music and storytelling. A leader within the school, she serves as President of the Interact Club and is a dedicated member of both the Spectrum vocal jazz ensemble and the Crane Acting Troupe – most recently starring as Marty in the spring production of Grease.

As she prepares for graduation, Emma is looking toward exploring topics in college driven by her natural empathy and her passion for social-emotional learning, such as industrial-organizational psychology, writing and music.

"I'm a pretty social-emotionally intelligent person and I like to try to understand other people as best I can," she shared.

Parker McCollum: The Salutatorian and the Pursuit of Discovery

Like Emma, Parker’s goal was never a specific rank, but rather the pursuit of the highest level of education possible.

"The number one goal was never the number," Parker explained. "It was truly to further my education to the best of my abilities."

Reflecting on his time at Ichabod Crane, which began in kindergarten, he described his experience as "just a blast."

He added, "I’ve made so many friends along the way. The teachers and staff have been so supportive and it’s truly been an amazing experience in every aspect."

As a scholar-athlete, Parker values the “family atmosphere“ of the district. He noted that some of his best memories were made with his teammates, from competing in the State Championships for Indoor Track and Field and breaking school records to winning Sectional Championships in soccer.

Parker has spent much of his senior year operating at a collegiate level. His mornings at the High School include courses such as Band and App Development, while his afternoons are spent off-campus at Hudson Valley Community College, where he is currently taking Calculus III and Chemistry II. Like Emma, Parker credits a long line of educators for his success at Ichabod Crane.

He plans on majoring in chemical engineering during his undergraduate studies and has set his sights on a Master’s in Biochemistry, with the long-term goal of entering cancer or medical research. While he is ready for his next steps, Parker knows it won't be easy to leave.

"I want to do a walkthrough of all the schools by myself, to remember all the memories," he said. "What I’ll miss the most is the Ichabod Crane family and the community. It’s just been such a great atmosphere for me."

Please join us in congratulating Emma and Parker on their incredible achievements and wishing them the best in their next chapters!

Dozens filled the High School Auditorium on March 30 to celebrate the six extraordinary individuals being inducted into Ichabod Crane’s Wall of Fame. The evening was an example of the connection, service, inclusion and deep appreciation for the community that shaped them.

The ceremony served as a powerful reminder that the impact of a dedicated life endures, even for those we have lost.

Chosen by a 16-member volunteer committee, this year’s class represents a legacy of putting others first, particularly those who are marginalized or in need of a champion. Each inductee and their families were presented with a certificate of recognition and will be permanently honored with a plaque displayed outside the High School Auditorium.

Linda Collett

A cornerstone of our district for 36 years, Ms. Collett served as a teacher, Director of Special Education and Co-Principal. Her career was defined by unwavering compassion and an innate ability to lead with her heart.

Steve Fielman

During his 32 years as a Middle School Science teacher, Mr. Fielman was known for sparking curiosity through hands-on learning and offering the “second chances” that many students needed to find their footing.

Alexander Mangione-Smith (Class of 2016)

Mr. Mangione-Smith is a leader who carries his commitment to inclusion and service into both his professional career in banking and his extensive volunteer work, consistently advocating for a more inclusive world.

Dr. Pamela Delp Polashenski (Class of 1987)

Dr. Polashenski was a distinguished physician in Rochester, whose excellence in High School foreshadowed a lifetime of service. Her memory continues to inspire so many to lead with compassion and heart.

Corrie Shattenkirk (Class of 2001)

Ms. Shattenkirk excelled in academics and athletics, serving as class secretary and captain of the varsity basketball team at Ichabod Crane. She went on to become a nurse-midwife whose lifelong dedication to helping others continues to touch countless lives.

Dale Tuczinski

For 28 years, Mr. Tuczinski served as a Middle School Counselor, helping establish the school’s mentoring program, ensuring his students felt seen, supported and valued. His legacy remains an example for what it means to put students first.

A Legacy That Inspires

The Wall of Fame is more than just a tradition; it is a bridge between our past and our future. The selection process ensures that only those who truly embody Rider Pride are inducted. Nominees are recommended through letters of support and must receive at least 70% of the anonymous vote from a diverse committee of students, staff and community members.

“These six individuals haven't just walked our halls – they have paved the way for others to follow,” Superintendent Marie Digirolamo said. “Their stories of resilience and service ensure that the legacy of Ichabod Crane continues to grow stronger with every generation.”

Success at school starts before the first bell rings. To help our students arrive feeling confident and prepared, Ichabod Crane is placing a new focus on the power of morning and evening routines.

As part of our ongoing Every Day Matters initiative, we have developed a series of new activities and resources designed to help families establish healthy habits. Simple, predictable rituals at home can be the difference-maker in a student's ability to show up, connect with their peers and thrive in the classroom.

To support this effort, we’ve created a new package of resources for students, families, staff and community members that includes information about:

• The impact of strong attendance across different grade levels and stages of life

• Ways students, families, friends and community members can help support regular school attendance

• A new activity focused on building effective morning and evening routines to help students develop healthy habits for success

Access the Attendance Resource Package:

• Click here for the English version

• Click here for the Spanish version (Haga clic aquí para la versión en español)

Why Every Day Matters

Chronic absence – defined as missing 10% or more of school days (just 18 days a year) – remains a significant challenge nationwide. Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that these gaps in attendance, whether excused or unexcused, can make it difficult for students to keep pace with reading and math.

By focusing on small, daily routines, we can address the challenges that make it hard to get to class. As Attendance Works reminds us:

“Attendance improves when districts and schools partner with families and other agencies to address the challenges that make it hard for students to get to class.”

Let’s Connect

If your family is facing obstacles that impact school attendance, we are here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to call your child’s main office to start a conversation. Each day is a fresh opportunity for our students to grow and succeed and it starts with a great routine.

The Primary School gymnasium was a sea of blue and white for our most recent Rider Pride Day, but the school colors weren't the only reason to celebrate. During our All-School Morning Meeting, we shared some incredible news: our youngest Riders didn't just meet their Read for Ronald McDonald House goal – they shattered it.

This year, our students raised an astounding $6,917, more than doubling their initial goal of $3,000!

Since first partnering with the Ronald McDonald House in 2015, our Primary School has turned a decade of reading into a decade of giving. This year’s total is the highest in school history, bringing our cumulative impact to a remarkable $36,722 over the last decade.

The campaign kicked off in January with a visit from a Ronald McDonald House representative, who inspired students to read with purpose. Throughout the month of February, students tracked their reading progress to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region.

Why it matters: These funds provide housing, meals and essential care for families with children facing serious medical challenges, ensuring they can stay together during difficult times.

The energy in the gymnasium was electric as students and staff celebrated this collective achievement. By turning their love of reading into a service project, our Primary Schoolers demonstrated that you are never too young to make a massive difference in the lives of others.

Way to go, Primary School! Your dedication to helping other families while growing your own minds is the true definition of Rider Pride.