George Cooke Elementary students create traps to catch Santa Claus

Ms. Ruston’s 2nd grade class made “traps” to catch Santa Claus based on the holiday story Santa Claus is coming to town, maybe? Students of Ms. Ruston’s second grade class read “How to Catch Santa” by Jean Reagan and were given the task of building their own “traps” to catch Santa Claus. With a partner, …

MCSD will pay certified substitute teachers $200 per day in new “floating per diem” positions

Like many school districts across the nation, the Monticello Central School District is facing a critical shortage of substitute teachers. These shortages, combined with quarantines, staff illnesses and existing vacancies, have caused disruptions to the district’s schedule, with schools needing to pivot to remote instruction when there are insufficient staff available to teach and supervise …

The Monti Message – December 2021

A monthly update to the Monticello community from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Evans. School Safety All Monticello CSD schools were closed for remote instruction on December 15 due to social media threats of school violence directed at our schools.  Two posts were made in the early morning hours; an additional post was made on …

Kindergarten class continues annual gingerbread exchange with Florida class

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays in kindergarten at George Cooke Elementary with festive stories and brightly decorated gingerbread people in Kathie Mabee’s classroom. Each year, Mrs. Mabee’s class partners with a kindergarten class in Florida where each listen to different versions of the story “The Gingerbread Man”. The teachers then have …

Eighth grade class creates comic panels to show the effects of the Industrial Revolution

Imagery often brings a lesson to life, and this was the case for Ms. Braselmann’s eighth grade class when it came to learning about the effects of the Industrial Revolution. Her class used poetry to create comic panels about the effects of the Industrial Revolution. This idea came about as part of Ms. Braselmann’s plan …

Christopher Russo named New York Boys Basketball Coach of the Year

Monticello High School Boys Basketball Coach Christopher Russo has built up quite a following for the team on social media, where he shares the team’s highlights, celebrates wins, and gives players shout outs to an eager audience, all under the hashtag #GreatDayToBeAPanther. Today, it’s a great day to be Coach Russo. Coach Russo has been …

It’s Monday in Monticello – Dec. 20

It’s Monday in Monticello, and that means it’s time for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Evans’ weekly update to the community. In this edition — the last one in 2021 — Dr. Evans discusses the events of last week, and wishes the community a happy and restful holiday break.

Monticello High School to pivot to remote instruction Monday, Dec. 20

Due to insufficient staffing, Monticello High School will pivot to remote instruction today, Monday, Dec.  20.  Approximately 23 high school instructional staff members called out and would have required coverage today, December 20. After accounting for our available substitute teachers (5), the school still had approximately 60 class coverages that it could not fill. All …

Emma C. Chase Elementary School food donations provide Monticello families with Thanksgiving meals

  The Thanksgiving holiday is a perfect time to gather around a delicious meal and be grateful for the things that surround you. Thanks to the efforts of many at Emma C. Chase Elementary School, Monticello families in need were able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal and experience that special moment. The Thanksgiving meals …

Third-grade students enjoy MHS production of The Nutcracker

Third-grade students from Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School and Emma C. Chase Elementary School took a trip to Monticello High School for a special performance of the MHS Dance Department’s production of The Nutcracker.   The Monticello High School chamber choir performed the National Anthem before the classic tale of an enchanted Nutcracker began. The performance …