𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: A highlight of the Back-to-School Bash held last week (Aug. 30, 2022) at Silver Creek Central School District was a 𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗢 facilitated by School Resource Office Wes Johnson & District Nurse Jennifer Johnson. They mapped out an obstacle course to teach proper bike safety on sidewalks and roads and helped families properly fit helmets for students.
Hilbert College Night Set Sept. 20, 2022: The Southern Erie County Association's Annual College Night is scheduled Tuesday, September 20, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hafner Recreation Center at Hilbert College, 200 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, New York. Nearly 100 colleges/universities will be represented. Students, family and friends looking to pursue higher education are warmly invited. No RSVP needed. For more information, reach out to Lauren Carlin at lcarlin@hilbert.edu.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧
Meet Heather Krystofiak, the new principal of Silver Creek Elementary School! Please help us with a warm welcome for Ms. Krystofiak as she joins the Black Knight community for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am so excited to be part of a wonderful team and be able to help bring back some fun, in-person events,” says Krystofiak “Also, I am excited to work with elementary students and continue to foster a loving and safe environment for them.”
𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 & 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: Her fiance's name is Mark and she has three stepchildren-to-be. She has three cats – Gracie (Florida cat), Slinky and Luna. She lives a street away from her dad and hangs out with him often. In her spare time, she enjoys volleyball, bowling, music, basketball, painting, hiking, kayaking, and reading fun books.
𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦: “One quote that motivates me is ‘It's OK, fix it.’ I use this to remind myself and others that you can/will make mistakes,” says Krystofiak. “However, moving forward to try to fix it will show growth and understanding.”
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣: Remember to get plenty of sleep and eat a good breakfast each day.
𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 & 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: Krystofiak has a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education with a Middle School extension Social Studies 7-9, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Leadership. She spent a lot of time with the National Writing Project and supported the program as a teacher consultant. She has worked in different facets of education as an elementary teacher, middle school English and social studies teacher, writing coach, sports coach, staff development specialist with BOCES, and as assistant principal at Amherst High School.
Kindergarten teacher Jessica Vara's students look on with delight as art teacher Mrs. Anderson plays the guitar during the first week of the 2022-2023 academic year at Silver Creek Elementary School.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Meet JESSICA TARNOWSKI, a new math intervention teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School. Please join us in warmly welcoming her to our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I'm excited to meet the staff and students and build long-lasting relationships,” says Tarnowski.
𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬 & 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗦: She and her husband celebrate their two-year wedding anniversary in October, although they’ve been together for 12.5 years. They have four fish, two dogs – Oscar and Oliver – who are 7 years old, and a 6.5-month-old daughter named Willow.
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣: Just breathe and take it all day by day or moment by moment.
“This is something I've been telling myself for the last month as I'm anxiously counting down the days until I have to leave my baby girl and start at a whole new school,” says Tarnowski. “It's exciting but nerve-racking at the same time!”
𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: She loves to tie-dye and create all sorts of thing with her Cricut.
𝗙𝗨𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧: In 2011, she had major spine surgery to correct her scoliosis. She now has two 12-inch rods and 22 screws holding her spine in place.
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘: She isn’t sure who coined the phrase, but she has always lived by the motto "what's meant to be will always find a way."
Parents/guardians of Silver Creek Central School District are invited to share their back-to-school excitement by emailing first day of school photos to ecarlson@silvercreekschools.org. #backtoschool #blackknightpride
Happy Labor Day from Silver Creek Central School District! Today we hope you join our Black Knight family in honoring all the hard-working members of our community. Thank you!
Friday, September 2, 2022 Parent Broadcast
Good afternoon Silver Creek School Families. We’d like to provide an update regarding transportation. As we begin the 2022-2023 school year, we are starting shorthanded with bus drivers. We are down three drivers since we ended school last June 30. As a result, we have been forced to adjust the end of the day for MS/HS students to dismiss 10 minutes early at 2:15 p.m. This is to allow adequate time for buses to leave, drop MS/HS students off and return to pick up elementary students. We are hopeful to hire more drivers and therefore change the end of the day back to a 2:25 dismissal.
Please know Elementary Transportation post cards mailed Monday and MS/HS post cards mailed this past Tuesday and Wednesday, therefore if you have not received it we anticipate you should receive it today or tomorrow.
• Middle/High School students on the furthest outskirts (first pick-ups), start watching for the bus at 6:05 to 6:15 a.m. Buses pick up on the furthest outskirts and work their way back through the village and towards the school. Therefore, students near the village, MS/HS students should start watching for the bus by 6:45- 6:50 a.m.
• For elementary, the furthest outskirts (first pick-ups) should start looking at 7:45-7:50 a.m. Buses pick up on the furthest outskirts and work their way back through the village and towards the school. Therefore, students in the village should start looking for the bus by 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
We understand the difficulty of not always knowing certain pickup times. We appreciate your continued patience. Again, as we have been saying, if you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a driver, please contact the transportation department for an application.
Our friends at the Seneca Nation have some fun events coming up! Check out the flyers for the Fall Festival and Back to School Bash!
STAFF INTRODUCTION: Meet CLAIRE O’CONNOR, a new Special Education teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School. Please help us give her a warm welcome as she returns to our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am most excited to continue working with my students from last year, as well as get to know new students and teachers,” says O’Connor. “Working with this team of teachers is a dream and I am so lucky that I get to continue to do so in the 2022-2023 school year!”
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIP: Don't be afraid to let others know that you are proud of yourself. Having others be proud of you is a great feeling, but being proud of YOURSELF for knowing how hard you worked, how you overcame difficulties and challenges just to come reach exactly where you wanted to be... that’s a pretty great feeling!
HOBBIES & INTERESTS: Jet skiing, going to concerts, and most important... watching the Buffalo Bills! Go Bills!
FUN FACT: She started her professional career as a teacher right here at Silver Creek in January 2021 as a student teacher with Mrs. West!
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive, that is you-er than you." -- Dr. Seuss
ANTICIPATED INSTRUCTIONAL VACANCY NOTICE: Teacher of English as a Second Language. This is a full-time probationary position.
ELIGIBILITY: Candidate must have NYS Certification in TESOL- PreK through 12 required
REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education
DESCRIPTION: Eligible candidates must plan for, provide, and document instruction to students with limited English proficiency. Instruction must be aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards at each grade level and NYS regulations governing the provision of these services. Candidate must be able to work collaboratively with co-professionals, effectively communicate with parents/guardians, and complete assessments and reporting as appropriate.
DUTIES:
1. Consult and team with teachers to meet the needs of students with limited English proficiency.
2. Complete assessment, documentation, and progress monitoring of students by collecting and reporting data.
3. Utilize curriculum provided by the district to plan for, provide, and document instruction.
4. Differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students on your caseload.
5. Administer required state assessments and support students in developing skills to utilize resources on assessments as allowed.
6. Attend meetings regarding student's needs as assigned.
7. Provide parent support and education, as needed.
8. Collaborate with the educational team in supporting student needs across school settings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Knowledge and understanding of policies and regulations to work with English Language Learners
2. Knowledge and understanding of the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards
3. Knowledge of NYSITELL and NYSESLAT assessments
4. Knowledge of the continuum of services for students with disabilities in coordination with English language learners
5. Flexibility and strong communication skills
APPLY TO: Applications are available online at Western New York School Application System www.wnyric.org/application
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, September 9, 2022.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧
Meet 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗔 𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗡, a new social-emotional learning teacher new to Silver Creek Elementary School. Please help us give her a warm welcome as she joins our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am so excited about my new position and the opportunity I've been given to get to know all of the students in Pre-K to fifth grade!” says Button “I am grateful I was able to find a school community that was willing to provide me the opportunity to use my teaching and counseling backgrounds in one role.”
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIP: Remember to take time for yourself. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle of back to school, so make an effort to do something that makes you happy!
EDUCATION: She earned an undergraduate degree in Childhood Education (1-6) from Buffalo State College and a graduate degree in School Counseling (K-12) from St. Bonaventure University. She holds NYS Certification in Childhood Education (1-6) and NYS Certification in School Counseling (K-12). She has been a teacher for 11 years and eight of those years were spent in Phoenix, AZ. She spent three years as a substitute teacher in New York before relocating to Arizona and teaching second grade then third grade. She moved back to Buffalo in December 2021.
FAMILY & PETS: She has two brothers and one sister- all younger. She also has a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law, one nephew, Tristan, who is almost 7 years old and starting 2nd grade. She also has a 14-year-old dachshund named Brutus.
FUN FACTS: She drove from Buffalo to Phoenix by herself when she moved. “It took me 3.5 days and I was able to stop and see some really awesome things on my journey,” says Button. “I rescued my weenie dog from the Arizona Humane Society when he was 10 years old...he has traveled on a plane numerous times with me in the four years he's been with me.”
INTERESTS & HOBBIES: Buffalo Bills football, hiking, visiting the beach, concerts and spending time outdoors with Brutus.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "The best view comes after the hardest climb."- Author unknown.
“I love this quote because I can relate to it both figuratively and literally,” says Button. “I have climbed some pretty big mountains – the actual mountains and difficulties in life – but it was always worth it in the end!”
Meet MELANIE ORFFEO, who joined Silver Creek Central School District during the 2021-2022 academic year as a fourth-grade teacher. We are pleased to introduce her to our Black Knight family ahead of the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I am super excited to be back with a new bunch of fourth graders,” says Orffeo. “I am hoping that this year we will be able to go on more field trips, explore, and learn new things!”
Here’s a little more about Ms. Orffeo:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in both Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education at The State University of New York at Fredonia. She is finishing her master’s degree in Special Education through Niagara University.
HOBBIES, INTERESTS & MORE: She has two pets: A German Shepherd named Lacey, and a cat named Louie. Outside of school, I love taking my dog, Lacey, on walks. She also spends her free time golfing and at Rushford Lake when the weather is nice. She used to play lacrosse in college, so now she spends her summers coaching little leagues and helping to spread the love for the game. In the fall, you'll find her cheering on the Buffalo Bills. She is also a huge Buffalo Bandits fan! Lets go, Bandits!
LOCAL CONNECTION: When she was attending SUNY Fredonia, Ms. Orffeo had a few of her placements at Silver Creek, which is where she found a love for the school. In one of them, she was placed with Shannon Near, and now she gets to work with her every day!
FUN FACTS: “I played lacrosse at SUNY Fredonia,” says Orffeo. “And I love Krispy Kreme donuts.”
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIP: “Make your bed every morning!” advises Orffeo. “For then you will have completed the first task of your day. And you will have something cozy to climb into after school.”
We can't wait for our students to join us back at school! our High School Secretary, Mrs. Johnson collaborated over the summer with a few of our teacher aides, Miss Schneider, Mrs. Schneider, and Ms. Jamison to create these amazing lobby display cases! We hope our high school students enjoy looking at them and take a few minutes to find their name!
Good afternoon Silver Creek School Families, today is Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
This is a reminder that the School and PTSA are coordinating the Back to School Bash for the Elementary tomorrow, Wednesday, August 31 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm at the Elementary school pavilion and playground located behind the Elementary School. The PTSA will be cooking hot dogs and providing juice and snacks and there will be a balloon artist giving away handmade balloon creations for your children. Ms. Krystofiak and Mrs. Matson will be meeting families and students while handing out freeze pops. Additionally, our School Resource Officer and nurse will be hosting a “Bike Rodeo” in the small side Elementary parking lot from 2:00pm – 5:00pm. Please bring your child and bike and/or scooter and helmet to participate in the fun event featuring an obstacle course and safety tips.
Additionally, the Middle School Open House for 6th graders starts at 5:00pm in the Auditorium and for 7th and 8th grade students at 5:30pm in the Auditorium. Please bring your Middle Grades child(ren) and join us in the Auditorium and for a tour of the Middle School.
Both events promise to be a fun filled family events!
A special “shout out” and thank you to our AWESOME PTSA for assisting and co-facilitating. We are always looking for new PTSA members to assist and join the supportive group of our own Elementary School!
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 🚨
Meet 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚, a new Kindergarten teacher at Silver Creek Elementary School. Please help us give her a warm welcome as she joins our Black Knight family for the 2022-2023 academic year. 👋
“I am most excited to be a part of the Silver Creek school and community,” says Pickering. “I can’t wait to start the school year with my new Kindergarten students -- I am so excited to be a part of such an amazing team in Kindergarten. I can’t wait to watch my students grow throughout the year and create a year for them to remember.” 👩🏫
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣: Do a deep breath exercise if you are feeling overwhelmed, especially in stressful situations. 🧘♀️
𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: She likes to color, draw and travel to new places. “I love the Buffalo Bills and hope this is our year to shine! Go Bills!” says Pickering. ✍️🚄✈️🛳🏈
𝗙𝗨𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧: She is the only left-handed person in her immediate family.
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘: Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. 😊
Silver Creek Central School District has a vacancy for a GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.
ELIGIBILITY: Appropriate NYS Certification
REPORTS TO: Middle School & High School Principals
DESCRIPTION: Grant funded Guidance Counselor to work with students and families regarding chronic absenteeism and tardiness, track absences and report data to building leaders and intervention teams, provide counseling to students regarding suspensions and planning, family and community outreach for students receiving supportive services as necessary.
DUTIES:
1. Work collaboratively with students and families to decrease chronic absenteeism and tardiness to school for students in middle school and high school.
2. Facilitate, organize, and schedule meetings for grade level teams, parent teacher conference, student support team regarding suspensions and attendance plans for students.
3. Reports regularly to student families using a variety of strategies and is responsive to family, student, and staff needs.
4. Provide parent support and education, as needed.
5. Collaborate with the educational team in reporting student attendance data, trends, and individualized plans to improve attendance.
6. Provide counseling to students in in-school or out-of-school suspension.
7. Collaborate with the educational team in planning for student's return from suspensions.
8. Take a lead role by proactively meeting as needed with students and parents to plan for student reentry from suspensions.
9. Provide outreach and collaboration to outside agencies, organizations and school districts.
10. Contribute to program and department initiatives to further social/emotional learning and positive behavioral and educational supports to promote the success of students.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Appropriate NYS Certification
2. Experience in providing counseling, group interventions and supportive mental health services to students with disabilities.
3. Understanding of NYS Special Education laws, regulations and processes.
4. Knowledge of family and child supportive community resources.
5. Demonstrate technical skills to effectively fill the role of School Guidance Counselor.
6. Is enthusiastic, flexible, and committed to supporting students in reaching high standards in the educational environment.
7. Physically able to perform essential functions of the position (with or without reasonable accommodation).
APPLY: Applications are available on line at Western New York School Application System www.wnyric.org/application
DEADLINE TO APPLY: September 7, 2022.
Meet GABBY MOHAN, a third-grade teacher new to Silver Creek Elementary School for the 2022-2023 academic year. Let’s give her a warm welcome as she joins our Black Knight community.
“I am most excited to get to know the students that I have not had the pleasure of working with yet and a great third-grade team,” says Mohan.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIP: Before the upcoming school year, start transitioning your children by resuming school-year routines such as bedtimes and wake-up times.
FAMILY & HOBBIES: She has three cats named after the Buffalo Bills – Diggs, Allen and Micah – and a “spoiled” only cousin named Stella. Ms. Mohan plays club volleyball at the State University of New York at Fredonia.
TRIVIA: Her cooperating teacher is now her mentor.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
EDUCATION: She holds a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and is pursuing a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧: Meet 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗝𝗔𝗞𝗨𝗕𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗖𝗭, a new Pre-Kindergarten teacher joining Silver Creek Elementary School District for the 2022-2023 academic year. Please help us welcome her to our Black Knight community!
“I am excited to get to know all the amazing teachers at Silver Creek and grow as a teacher,” says Jakubowicz.
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞-𝗧𝗢-𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣: For students coming to school for the first time, it is a great idea to send them with something that reminds them of their family when they are at school. For example, a necklace, bracelet or picture they can look at when missing their family.
𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬: She and her husband celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary in July 2022. She has a 2-year-old son and a 9-year-old stepson. They have two dogs and a cat.
𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: She loves kickboxing, farmers markets and Buffalo Bills games.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔: She became an aunt for the first time when she was only 7 years old.
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." – Maya Angelou
𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early and Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Literacy Education as well as literacy certification in 1st -6th grade and birth-2nd grade.
ATTENTION FAMILIES: Due to inclement weather, POPSICLES AT THE PLAYGROUND is CANCELED this evening.
Please join us Wednesday, August 31 from 2-5 pm for the BACK TO SCHOOL BASH at the playground pavilion. Popsicles will be available!