Sophomore Antonela Atanasovska receives one of three Top Volunteer awards for her work in the LHS Key Club. Photo by George Clarke

This evening, the LHS Key Club held its first annual recognition ceremony, highlighting the accomplishments of the club this year and since its revival three years ago.

Joe Eppolito, president of the local Kiwanis district, named Liverpool’s Key Club one of the most outstanding of the 27 clubs in the area. Amanda Collins, the current adviser of the LHS club, was named the high school Key Club adviser of the year – and the Kiwanis district has covered our Key Club’s membership dues for the next two years.

Key Club adviser Amanda Collins receives a bouquet for her accomplishments since her arrival in 2007. Photo by George Clarke

LHS Key Club Top Volunteers

• Sarah Milligan
• Antonela Atanasovska
• Alexandria Grillo-Saya

LHX Key Club Top Volunteers

• Amber Isabel
• Breanna O’Reilly

Correction: A previous version of this article referred to Key Club adviser Amanda Collins as “Susan Collins”. The Key Club adviser is not, as previously reported, the junior Republican senator from Maine. This is what happens when reporters read too many New York Times columns in one day! I apologize for the inaccuracy.

Correction: Antonela Atanasovska is a sophomore, not a junior. Maybe I should look into another career!

Channel 9 is the ubiquitous Syracuse news channel supplying its viewers with local weather, traffic updates, sports, and local and international news. The news channel has brought another segment to their viewers this month. Chris Brandolino, the beloved Channel 9 weatherman, is traveling to several local high schools on every Friday in May.

Liverpool High School was the first to welcome Mr. Brandolino to its halls. Four groups were featured throughout the morning.
Each group had to come into school much earlier than normal so the reporters could set up their cameras, film, and leave before classes began. Because Chris scheduled them first, the jazz band came to school at 4:30am. All groups followed, being in school well before the 7:45 bell.

Our hallways were filled with jazz tunes played by our jazz band and conducted by our very own Mr. Spadafore. Pete Casey, a senior trumpeteer, explained the band’s first-place competition wins in an interview with Chris Brandolino himself.

“There wasn’t that much pressure being on live TV; it went really fast, so you didn’t really have time to worry about it,” said sophomore Mike Bill.

FAME was next on the air to perform a song from the musical Rent.

“It was actually a lot of fun getting the group back together, because normally by this time of year there are no other FAME shows to bring us together,” said Tyler Sadonis. “It gave us the opportunity to perform with one another once more.”

Later on, LHS’ Art Honors Society described their latest project: painting the entrance at St. Marie Among the Iroquois. The artists used the opportunity to explain their contributions to the painting and why they joined the project. Kyle Gordon, junior and school-wide student council president-elect, was part of the announcement about Senior Daze held on May 8th, from 4-8pm.

“Once the camera started rolling I was calm and was able to form concrete statements during the interview between Chris, Katie Martin and myself.” said junior Kyle Gordon.

Last, but certainly not least, Liverpool Live, our very own student-run version of the morning news, was featured on live television. Chris Brandolino was taken through the process that the students go through to bring you the morning announcements every single day.

“This experience was a big success. Liverpool was able to show everybody what we are able to do everyday in school,” Gordon said. “It surely spread a positive light on our school community and really showcased all of the great and wonderful things the students of Liverpool High School truly have to offer.”

Key Club president Neven Zahran writes down the ideas of the senior group at the April 6 forum. Photo by George Clarke

Though it’s easy to assume that the Student Council is somehow isolated from the student body, they are listening. Are you speaking?

The Student Forum provides an opportunity for students, even those outside of the Council, to genuinely to make a difference in their high school experience. Every academic support room nominates representatives for the Forum, but all students are welcome to come in and interact with other students and Council members.

Guided by Diane Sipfle and the other Student Council advisers, the Forum adjusts existing events, such as the semi-formals and the dodgeball tournament, and develops ideas for new activities. Students record their ideas on poster-board, which is collected at the end of the meeting and reviewed by the Council at its cabinet meetings.

An example of the influence of the Forum is the issue of senior privileges. This year’s senior class enjoyed very few privileges – because they were never seriously proposed, according to Sipfle. If a group of students can reach consensus on a clear and realistic set of senior privileges, Sipfle said, the Council will likely support it.

“Be creative. Do some problem-solving,” Sipfle said.

Also, the Forum is a great chance for Council candidates to prove themselves by working directly with students to advance their ideas.

The Student Forum is the student government opportunity of a lifetime – please take advantage of it.

LHX teacher Jeff Peneston modeled for students on Art Club Night. Photo by Becky Frass.

When a group of similar-minded students come together for the sake of charity, not only do they support a good cause, but they also learn a lot about each other and make new friends.

Art Club Night is an event hosted by the Liverpool High School art club in hopes of doing just that – introducing art enthusiasts to other art enthusiasts while collecting canned goods and money for the local food bank. Participants did not have to be in art club or be an art student to participate – all you needed was to be charitable, bring the donations and be willing to work on art from 2:30-6:30 on Thursday, March 25.

Each student attending either had to find multiple sponsors for the event to help them raise money for charity, or else just bring $5 and a can of food.

The art club raised over $200 for charity, as well as two full boxes of canned goods.

“Art club night was fun… I had a good time, contributed to a good cause, and it counted as part of my volunteer hours for National Art Honors Society,” said junior Brittany Cota.

For their donations, the students had a night of art projects to work on, planned out by the art department teachers. There were also snacks and soda for the students to enjoy.

These projects included making a “self-portrait” collage from magazines – students cut out parts of magazines and glued them together to make a version of themselves.

In my own “portrait“, my body was made of a sandwich from an Arby’s ad, my legs were made of a forest from a nature magazine, my face was made of flowers, my arms were popsicles… etc.

In addition to making interesting collages, participants favored the appearance of Annex teacher Jeff Peneston. Peneston acted as a model for the students, sitting on a pedestal and playing the banjo as the students drew his likeness.

At one point, Peneston remarked on the studious and kind atmosphere created by the audience of students. He asked if it was because we’re art students, or because there was free food. It was actually a little bit of both.

After everyone sketched Peneston for the first 15 or so minutes, photography students were allowed to take portraits of him, so long as they did not interfere with the students drawing.

At the end of the session, students were treated to pizza, and many people had made new friends.

In response, the athletic department has recommended cuts to both boys’ and girls’ gymnastics, physical education programs, and all freshman sports (excluding football and girls volleyball).

“There is only so much money to go around,” Mangicaro said.

The department is required to consider all varsity sporting programs and determine which sports are appropriate to cut. Selections were based on the cost of the program, the number of students participating, and the number of teams they have been competing against. The obvious choice was gymnastics.

The 2009 boys’ gymnastics team consisted of just ten members. East Syracuse-Minoa was the only school they could compete against in Section III.

“It’s not gonna matter. We’re gonna have a gymnastics team,” said Joey Cosco, a Liverpool gymnast whose team won the Section III championship in 2009. Other teams, he argues, have been cut before, only to return and compete at an even higher level.

The girls squad had only six members this season, although they did compete against ten Section III schools.

All of the proposed athletic cuts would save the district roughly $14,000 in coaching salaries and $37,000 in rental fees and equipment. Over $100,000 in athletic department cuts need to be made.

According to Mangicaro, a special meeting was held within the Baldwinsville School District on Friday, March 12, to determine where these cutbacks would be made. The athletic directors, superintendents, and superintendent representatives of the Onondaga High School League (OHSL) were in attendance.

A goal of the meeting was to develop similar cuts within OHSL modified programs. All of the schools agreed to cut any freshman sport available to students outside of their school. They determined that freshman football would stay. This is because students have outgrown Pop Warner football at this age.

In order to comply with Title IX, freshman girls volleyball would also remain in these schools.

“This is the first time since 1980, when I arrived at this school, that we’ve had to drop any sports programs. We’ve only added,” Mangicaro said.

Mangicaro hopes that if New York State were to distribute a little more funding in the future, he would be able to bring back those freshman sports that might be cut.

The rest of the required cutbacks would hit the LHS physical education wing. The athletic department has proposed eliminating 2.5 teaching positions (two full-time, one part-time) at the end of the year. Seniority will determine who must leave.

“It’s unfortunate, but every department within the district is taking a hit,” Mangicaro said.

Johns recently announced his plan to terminate the position of executive principal to account for the large budget deficit and to restructure a “depersonalized” hierarchy of high school administrators.

Johns stated in a Key Communicator report that he is “looking to a structure that moves principals closer to the students and holds each of them accountable for a smaller number of students’ academic success.”

Avellino, who is beloved by the students of LHS, has expressed his great appreciation for the community support he has received.

“Kids need a voice,” Avellino said. He said that while the situation was complex and highly political, students do understand the aspects that affect them.

“It shows a lot about our students here at Liverpool. We actually care about what’s going on,” said Board of Education student liaison Sydney McAlmont.

“They’re a voice that needs to be heard,” said Board member Richard Pento. “It puts you in a very positive light” to organize and choose spokesmen on behalf of students.

While Avellino’s resignation was his choice, it was certainly prompted by district-level decisions. With the elimination of the executive principal, many questions remain unanswered.

Who will oversee the academies if there is no Executive Principal? Unknown.

“We need somebody at the top,” Avellino said.

Avellino has stated that he doesn’t think the academies are a bad thing. He made it clear that question marks continue to fill the minds of taxpayers, board members, students and staff.

Mark Potter, the director of secondary education, currently oversees Avellino, and was seen as a comparable role player, according to Johns. However, three middle school principals also report to Potter.

Will he be an academy administrator? Will there be an academy administrator at all?

After his job had been cut, Avellino was offered another position as the principal of the 9th and 10th grade “Foundations” academy. He said that it had been discussed seriously, but he felt it would be a “step backward” in his career.

Avellino mentioned that he wishes to work at a district level. While his qualifications did not meet the Board’s criteria, he was interested in the superintendent position now held by Johns. However, he accepted the Board’s ruling that he had too little experience at the time.

“We are all lifelong learners,” he said. “I’ve loved every job I’ve ever had.”

Avellino admitted that these next few months will be hard. It will be emotional – but emotion is something that he isn’t afraid to show.

“I’m not leaving sour. I’m leaving with the possibility of greater things.”

Tonight the Board will entertain a motion to close the Wetzel Road School effective at the end of June 2010. That motion will be followed by a motion to slow down the implementation of the LHS academies until the fall of 2011. I have had a conversation with President Mouton about this second motion and she, the rest of the Board and I would like to be clear on what that motion does and doesn’t do. The Board believes the work of the LHS Task Force on Academies is extremely important and that it should not be done in a hurried fashion.

The original plan that I had advanced to the Board and the Long Range Facility Planning Team called for all new site plans to be implemented no sooner than the fall of 2011. It was only after the presentation of the Governor’s Budget Proposal and the loss of million of dollars of State revenue to LCSD that the closure of an elementary building moved up to become a budgetary consideration for this coming fall. The Board, with the aforementioned motions, is splitting the elementary building closure and the implementation of LHS academies into two distinct timeframes.

The closure issue is on an accelerated path (because of its budget implications for next year) and restructuring of the LHS will now be back on the original track. With the enormity of work that is yet to be done before we can consider the implementation of academies and the adjustments that will necessarily be required in response to cost cutting measures inherent in next year’s budget, the Board and I are both sensing a work load that may result in the academy roll-out, if done next fall, being something less than our best. The Board and I want you all to know how important the work of the Task Force is and that this slow down is, in no way, a sign of flagging interest or support. [Emphasis ours.] We appreciate the enthusiasm with which the Task Force has taken on this assignment and hope that this modification in pace will only emphasize the value that we put into the final outcome.

Sincerely, Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Note: The “original track” Superintendent Johns refers to is the delayed timeframe for Academy implementation. The Board had intended to introduce the concept a full year later, but abandoned this plan after the State released its dire financial forecast.

The Lifeguard will continue reporting on the restructuring process as tonight’s Board meeting unfolds and as critical sources become available.

In the March 1 meeting, the Board released a presentation that explains the system in greater detail.

Johns based his proposals on five ideal characteristics of Liverpool graduates:

1. Possesses Core Body of Knowledge
2. Demonstrates Effective Communication Skills
3. Demonstrates Good Problem-Solving Skills
4. Be a Responsible Citizen
5. Be a Productive Worker

In addition, Johns recognizes “twin pillars” of high school reform:

• Improving personalization
• Developing instructional improvement

In order to achieve those goals, Johns intends to communicate with “stakeholders” – the high school, the Board, and the community – by using subcommittees to finalize the details of the academy system, creating an Academies Task Force of teachers and administrators, and collaborating with students for input and ideas.

Phases of Reform

Phase 1 (2009-2010):

Prepare for new high school instructional elements

Phase 2 (2010-2011):

Implement and evaluate new elements, and implement two Academies

Phase 3 (2011-2012):

Evaluate new elements and implement four Academies

Changes in 2010-2011

The district will introduce the following “instructional elements”:

• New Block Scheduling Model
• Academic Assistance daily for 30 minutes
• Teaming at 9th and 10th grades
• Collaborative planning time among Team Teachers

The above changes are in addition to professional development for teachers and curriculum assessments.

The Academies

2010-2011

• FOCUS Academy (“Non-traditional”, for students who cannot benefit from normal system)
• Creative and Performance Arts Academy

During the 2010-2011 school year, academy-specific, cross-disciplinary, and project-based courses will be introduced, and the district will strive to establish greater connections with colleges.

2011-2012

• Foundations (9-10) Academy at Liverpool
• STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
• Regents Inquiry at Liverpool
• Global Citizenship at Liverpool

Contrary to popular assumptions, students will not be forced to commit to their careers as sophomores because they will be allowed to take classes in other academies and switch academies as their interests change.

Next Steps

The Superintendent will continue to work with LHS staff, including the Academy Task Force and Board subcommittees, and continue researching the potential effects of the reform. There are also plans to establish more direct contact with students to “gather perceptions and ideas for the Academies”.

The district is already seeking funding for the restructuring, including federal Race to the Top funding. A possible explanation for the timing of the academy proposal – amid a dire budget crisis – is that such an experiment will attract enough federal funding to, in conjunction with budget cuts, close the budget deficit.

We will seek additional details about the academy system as administrators become available for comment.

Executive Principal Grenardo "Greg" Avellino ends his three-year term amid a turbulent restructuring process.

Read about the academy system →

Executive Principal Greg Avellino announced today that he plans to resign at the end of the school year, in accordance with Superintendent Richard Johns’ intent to eliminate the position. Johns has expressed his interest in condensing the administrator hierarchy at the high school.

Johns explained in the district’s Key Communicator report:

“I have advised the Liverpool Board of Education that I will no longer support the present hierarchical administrative structure at Liverpool High School. I believe it contributes to the depersonalization of the students in that building. As a result of this, I will be recommending the elimination of the Executive Principal position. I am looking to a structure that moves principals closer to the students and holds each of them accountable for a smaller number of students’ academic success.

I have discussed the elimination of the LHS Executive Principal position with Greg Avellino and reviewed his options. He believes it is in his best interests to resign effective at the end of this school year.”

The announcement comes just weeks after Johns announced his restructuring plan, which has certainly been a hot topic among students and faculty. Cuts and reforms are being made throughout the district in order to close a $10.3 million budget gap, caused in part by $7 million in state funding cuts.

Avellino, who was given the position in 2007, is the leader of a large administrative staff at LHS: Associate Principal Tony Davis, Annex Principal Ted Phillips, and Assistant Principals Daniel Henner, Judy Campoleita, and Amanda Caldwell. In 2008, Avellino was named the NYSTEA Administrator of the Year for his outstanding achievement in music education at Liverpool.

UPDATE (9:15pm): Mr. Avellino has sent The Lifeguard a written statement:

You can report this: Please understand and know that I have to respect the decision of Dr. Johns. This is a great school within a community that cares deeply for their children. The diversity we all bring to our school makes us the PROUD WARRIORS that we are! I am humbled with the reaction and the support I have heard and read on the Lifeguard and Syracuse.com.

BUT, I am not the only one losing my job and these are tough economic times that we all must band together and figure out how to weather the educational storm of less money and still deliver a high quality education. You, and all students are our future and in today’s times we have to do more with less.

Today, I held two staff meetings after school, one in the Annex and one in the 10-12 high school. My message was from my heart and that the focus must be on the kids and not me.

I say that not to be a martyr, but because everyday I come to LHS with pride, dignity, and respect for all. The greatest tragedies occur when we lose respect and lose focus. I am so proud of the students, the staff, and community. We will all survive together with pride, dignity and respect! Words can not describe my sadness, but my actions from now until my last day will be nothing but professional because I care for you all! Fondly, Mr. A

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Yearbook adviser Sean Brown has managed The Hiawathan since 2001, and may - or may not - step down after the 2010 yearbook is released. Photo by George Clarke

The Hiawathan, Liverpool High School’s yearbook, holds fond memories and its fair share of funny pictures. The Hiawathan has been an end-of-the-year treat to many students who find it important to keep their high school memories. Many students own several LHS yearbooks, and in each are the good tidings that their closest friends have scribbled on the inside of each cover.

What most students do not see in the book is the hard work that goes into its publication and design. Sean Brown, a technology teacher at LHS, has advised The Hiawathan since 2001, alongside his duties as the varsity ice hockey coach and the adviser of Liverpool Live.

Brown is considering handing over the yearbook duties to another adviser next year. He loves the work, but with a schedule overflowing with teaching, broadcasting, family, graduate classes and the yearbook, he might just have to let go of something.

“There’s no real mystery – it’s a lot of work, but there are only so many hours in a day,” Brown said.

Brown, a 2000 alumnus of Ohio State and a 2003 graduate of SUNY Oswego, is pursuing an educational administration degree at SUNY Cortland. He is also looking forward to coaching his daughter, age 4, in soccer.

No decisions have been made, and Brown will continue doing his best on the yearbook until the 2010 edition is released. Only then will he make his decision and choose his replacement.

At least one thing is already certain: The Hiawathan will continue to collect the memories shared at Liverpool High School.