RIDER REPORT

As we enter the bustling month of June, I am filled with a sense of pride in our students, our staff and the wonderful community that supports them. This time of year is naturally one of transition, reflection and immense celebration.

First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Rider residents for approving the 2026-27 school budget. Your continued support ensures that we can maintain the rich, diverse programming that allows our students to thrive. Your support is the bedrock of our district's resilience and it empowers our young people to dream big and build meaningful futures.

This month, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible ways our Riders are demonstrating civic readiness, embracing creative expression and fostering the community spirit that defines Ichabod Crane.

The articles below will feature eight amazing graduating seniors who earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness, a new collaborative community mural in the High School cafeteria and our first-graders kicking off the district's inaugural K-5 STEAM Days.

Thank you, Rider community, for your unwavering partnership and resilience. Let's make this June a memorable one!

Articles in this edition:

• Leading the Way: Eight ICC Seniors Recognized for Civic Excellence

• First-Graders Kick Off Inaugural K-5 STEAM Days

• Beyond the Canvas: The Impact of the Visual Arts at Ichabod Crane

• Thank you Rider Residents, Approval of the 26-27 Budget

• Ichabod Crane SPED Teacher Earns State Senate Honors

• What’s Next in June (a lot!)

• #ICYMI

At Ichabod Crane Central School District, education extends far beyond textbooks — it lives in the leadership and empathy our students bring to the community. We proudly celebrate eight graduating seniors who have earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness.

Now in its second year at Ichabod Crane, this formal distinction recognizes students demonstrating exceptional civic knowledge, critical thinking and a hands-on commitment to improving the world. At a recent ceremony attended by families, staff and peers, these eight students were honored as informed, responsible and engaged citizens.

"Your willingness to step forward to serve others and help improve and grow your community gives all of us confidence in the future," said Bob Allard, High School Social Studies teacher and co-advisor of the Seal of Civic Readiness Committee.

Through coursework, internships, leadership roles and extensive personal reflections, each of these students has paved a unique path toward civic excellence.

Meet the 2026 Seal of Civic Readiness Recipients:

Madison Clark

Through her Primary School Physical Education internship, Madison discovered the power of empathy and gentle leadership by accommodating every student's needs. Meanwhile, the High School's Model UN Club empowered her to tackle complex global issues.

• "I am grateful for Model UN. It has made me a stronger leader and taught me so many life skills I will use in the future."

Amelia Elghannani

Through Psychology and Humanities, Amelia explored how human behavior, perspective and leadership shape history and modern society. Her studies taught her to evaluate sources, avoid confirmation bias and navigate difficult contemporary topics professionally while mastering the discipline to meet demanding deadlines.

• "Learning the effect of my actions, positive or negative, showed me how much of an impact I can have on the world, even when I didn't recognize the importance of it at the time."

Ely Loskowitz

Ely’s internship at the Columbia County Court solidified his decision to pursue law by showing him firsthand how the justice system defends and supports every individual. He combined this real-world experience with years in the Model UN Club, where he honed his skills in compromise, team building and advocacy.

• "The Seal of Civic Readiness and civic understanding really helped me be able to think outside the box. Civic thinking about policy, politics and debate gave me incredible knowledge on what it means to be civic ready."

Liam Mullins

Liam demonstrated his understanding of civic knowledge through his study of Latin American History. He discovered how different government systems impact human lives, learning empathy in their struggle and a desire to see human rights restored. Additionally, he satisfied the civic participation component by stepping up to volunteer as a youth coach, providing a safe, supportive and motivating environment for his young players.

• "Earning the Civic Seal of Readiness was a meaningful accomplishment for me. It showed me that the hard work I’ve put in throughout High School has prepared me for what comes next."

Emma Nelson

In Humanities, Emma learned to think critically, evaluate viewpoints and debate difficult history and modern issues. She also found her leadership style as a youth soccer coach, realizing her choices and daily support could make a meaningful impact on her players.

• "Simply being involved in the community can make a large impact. Service and helping others never goes unnoticed."

Keira Noonan

Keira’s civic journey spanned Art History, Humanities and Environmental Studies, exploring how history, culture and civic issues shape societies. By exploring the interconnectedness of these diverse subjects, she demonstrated thoughtful discussion skills, respect for differing viewpoints and a strong appreciation for diversity, equity and global awareness.

• "From the experiences, I think I learned how wide the scope of my interests is, because I find environmental science just as interesting as art history, same with humanities and America at War.”

Julia Williams

Through classes in Philosophy and Humanities, Julia sharpened her ability to evaluate bias, analyze sources and study democratic principles like freedom of speech. By also exploring how local economic choices ripple outward, she demonstrated the deep critical thinking, global awareness and civic engagement needed to understand complex societal issues.

• "Completing the Seal of Civic Readiness has allowed me to reflect on the way I look at my community and the broader world around me. I will now strive to continue being an informed citizen that makes meaningful contributions to our society."

Felix Thiess-Helden

Through his leadership in the Model UN Club, Felix developed a strong civil base while working with complex global issues. As club president, he led discussions and debates on many topics (human rights, climate change, war), while mentoring younger students by promoting respectful dialogue. His empathy further grew in his Humanities class as he analyzed historical issues of justice.

• "'It's kind of fun to do the impossible' by Walt Disney. I believe in this quote because I have done things through my civic experiences that I would've once thought were impossible for me."

The process of earning the Seal is rigorous, but it is designed to shine a spotlight on the incredible, often quiet contributions our students make every single day.

High School Social Studies Teacher and Seal Committee Co-Advisor Patrick Sanger shared his pride in the program's growth and the students' dedication:

"I've loved creating the Seal of Civic Readiness process with Bob Allard here at ICC. We've tried to make ours reflect the things we know our students do every day in school and in their community that most people just don't see. These young individuals do incredible things day in and day out – from serving their peers to changing their community to internships to create their future – and the Seal of Civic Readiness is the perfect way to show this off.

Congratulations to our eight outstanding seniors! You represent the very best of Ichabod Crane and we cannot wait to see how you continue to change the world.

For the first time, students in grades K-5 are celebrating the district's interdisciplinary approach to education through a dedicated STEAM Day! Bringing together Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics, this new initiative highlights hands-on, creative problem-solving right in the classroom.

Led by Kara DiMarino, the district's Math and Science Instructional Coach, who will transition into a dedicated STEAM Teacher next school year, our first-graders officially kicked off the inaugural event. Over the next few weeks, the remaining grades will participate in their own days, with activities tailored to their grade-level.

Transforming the first-grade classrooms into a bustling circuit of innovation, students rotated through six different hands-on challenges designed to test their creativity and critical thinking:

Magnet Exploration: Exploring and sorting magnetic and non-magnetic objects and engineering structures using a variety of magnetic tools.

Strawbees Swing Set: Engineering a functioning playground swing using straws and plastic connectors.

The LEGO Challenge: Designing and building structures in groups of two to four, using a picture to guide their construction with the LEGO blocks.

The Bridge Challenge: Constructing a sturdy bridge using pipe cleaners and then testing its design to see if it can hold the weight of a toy car.

The Tallest Tower: Building the highest freestanding structure using an unlikely combination of play-doh, toothpicks and straws.

Foil Boats: Designing and shaping individual boats out of aluminum foil, then testing their buoyant creations in a tub of water to see how much weight they can hold before sinking.

“This year has been an amazing journey of growth, from opening our Primary School STEAM Room to expanding STEAM challenges in our classrooms,” said Mrs. DiMarino. “Crafting an inaugural STEAM Day for all K-5 classes just felt like the perfect, joyful way to wrap up a successful first year!

She added it was so inspiring to watch the students navigate their challenges together through collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.

“I’m so excited for the rest of the grades to join in on the fun and can't wait to see how our future STEAM Days and programs will continue to inspire our littlest learners,” she said. “I truly hope this day sparks a curiosity of exploration and innovation that they carry with them as they get older.”

The visual arts at Ichabod Crane is so much more than developing technical, creative skills. By learning to create paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, ceramics, digital illustrations and more, our students gain access to an impactful resource for mental well-being, social connection and the kind of innovative problem-solving they will carry into their adult lives.

This impact takes on many different forms across the district. It thrives in the quiet dedication of individual projects in the art studios, in photos captured outdoors on campus grounds and in large-scale murals created in partnership with local artists.

Community in Living Color: The Cafeteria Mural Project

Most recently, this spirit of collaboration brought a familiar face back to our halls. Ramiro Davaro-Comas, co-director of Super-Stories in Kinderhook, returned to Ichabod Crane after working with High School students last year to create the bold, vibrant mural on the exterior wall of the Transportation Building. This time, he was here to speak to our students again about a new creative endeavor: designing and painting a mural right in the school cafeteria.

What were once bare, monotone walls are now colorful works of art, featuring elements chosen by our students – a large, dynamic horse, a composition notebook, flowers and plants and the words “DREAM BIG,” among many other thoughtful details.

“I absolutely loved working with these students on this project. My goal was to reflect the images and iconography that they wanted to see on the walls while creating a colorful area for the students to enjoy their pool or foosball games,” said Mr. Davaro-Comas. “The mural has turned these spaces into welcoming colorful corners created solely by the students!”

The mural featuring the iconic horse was the result of many brainstorming and discussion sessions between the students, High School Art Teacher Sandy Dwileski and Mr. Davaro-Comas. The second mural was part of a larger, school-wide collaboration, with imagery based on the pollinator flowers planted in the school's new garden.

This collaborative project was made possible through generous support from a Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation grant and materials donated by Super Stories.

Individual Journeys: Exploration and Future Mediums

While major public projects showcase the power of partnership, they are fueled by the deeply individual experiences of our students who use the K-12 Art Department as a space for personal growth and exploration.

For Senior Malia March, the High School’s Art Department has been a space for constant discovery. Having been drawn to creative expression since childhood, Malia took full advantage of the district's wide-ranging offerings, enrolling in over ten different courses including Ceramics, Sculpture, Photography, and Graphic Design.

“I don’t believe there is a single art class I have taken here that I haven’t enjoyed,” Malia shared. “Ichabod Crane's art program is a way for people to express themselves, de-stress from a demanding academic schedule, and celebrate the diversity of our student body.”

Malia credits her time in the studio with building her confidence and shaping her identity. She emphasizes that the school provides a level of access to specialized art supplies, tools, and professional guidance that many students wouldn't find elsewhere.

“Most students wouldn’t have access to these kinds of materials if it wasn’t through school,” she noted. “I would never have been exposed to mediums like charcoal or ceramics without these classes, and those have become some of my favorite ways to create.”

The influence of the arts at Ichabod Crane has even defined Malia's post-graduation goals. She plans to study welding at Hudson Valley Community College, translating her passion for three-dimensional art into a technical career.

“It might sound like a leap from the art room,” Malia said, “but I want to use those skills to create and sell metal sculptures alongside my ceramic work.” Her story is a testament to how the district’s investment in the arts equips students with the versatility and vision to build their own futures.

For Junior Riley Powell, the high school art classes offer a different kind of valuable return: a rare opportunity to “breathe a little” and find balance through hands-on learning. Riley has navigated a wide range of the district's offerings, moving from the technical side of Photography to the academic depth of Art History: Pre-History to 14th Century.

While many observers naturally focus on the physical output of art, Riley has found that the program's true value lies in the unique social environment it creates. For him, the art room provides a vital space for collaboration and dialogue.

“The most fundamental skills I feel I've learned are social skills,” Riley reflected. “Whether I am working with a partner or discussing the development of my own work, these classes have taught me to be more open to others and their opinions.”

A huge thank you to everyone in our wonderful community who headed to the polls on May 19! Voters officially approved the 2026-27 school budget, showing once again how dedicated we are to the success and well-being of our students, staff and the entire Ichabod Crane community.

Because of your support, we are able to sustain Ichabod's robust K-12 instructional program, our wide range of extracurricular activities and our essential social-emotional learning supports and services — all while staying true to our commitment to financial responsibility.

The approved 2026–27 budget of $51,936,861 equates to a $792,862 (1.55%) increase from this year’s adopted budget. This means an estimated tax levy increase of 2.71%, which hits right at the New York State tax cap. Your feedback was consistently integrated into the budget development process from day one and this final plan truly reflects our shared commitment to the whole child, our Instructional Program Vision and Rider Goals 2027.

What’s Ahead for Our Riders Next Year?

With the budget passed, we are so excited to keep moving forward with some fantastic initiatives across our buildings:

• Full Steam Ahead: We are continuing our heavy investments in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics)! Next year, look out for a dedicated K-5 STEAM teacher, specialized Primary and Middle School labs and advanced offerings in the High School STEAM Wing.

• New Computer Science Pathways: Starting this fall, the High School’s Discovering Computer Science course, created in partnership with Siena College, will offer students increased flexibility and exciting new ways to meet their second-semester requirements.

• Global Learning: Our dedication to International Education remains a top priority. The International Scholars Program is thriving as we welcome international students to our halls and 82 of our own Ichabod Crane students are already gearing up to explore Germany, Italy and Switzerland in April 2027.

Board of Education Election Results

Alongside the budget, three residents were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education. Please join us in congratulating Betsy Thorleifson, Kelly Firmbach and Christopher Scoville!

Thank you again, Rider residents, for making your voices heard, participating in the process and being such an amazing part of the Ichabod Crane community. We couldn't do it without you!

When a teacher truly impacts a school community, the news travels all the way to the state capital!

Andrew Mead, a dedicated Special Education teacher at Ichabod Crane High School, was recently named a recipient of the New York State Senate’s “Educators Inspiring a Generation” Recognition Program.

The annual initiative, led by individual state senators, celebrates outstanding educators who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success, employ innovative teaching methods and exhibit exceptional leadership within their schools.

The surprise presentation took place at the High School, where Principal Craig Shull and a group of students proudly delivered the honor. He was awarded a framed certificate signed by State Senator Michelle Hinchey, who represents the 41st Senate District. Mr. Mead has worked at Ichabod Crane since 2011.

This recognition highlights Mr. Mead's daily impact on his students and his essential role in shaping a supportive, innovative environment at Ichabod Crane. Congratulations, Mr. Mead!