OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends,

This newsletter shares just a sampling of the many learning experiences and accomplishments happening across our school.

Mr. Valovic’s CNC III students Lilian Chamberlain, James Moore, and Cindy Zheng designed, cut, and installed new EV parking signs for the Village of Northville. Ms. Pratt’s 2nd graders are preserving fall leaves in a glycerin solution, turning them into art, and writing about what they made. In Mr. Meyers’ class, students used field notes and data tables to work out the parentage of a lion pride in Etosha National Park, Namibia.

Mr. Karbowski’s 10th graders studied primary sources to explain why Catherine the Great is called an “Enlightened Despot.” His seniors toured Fulton County with the Center for Regional Growth, visiting small businesses, Tryon Technology Park, and downtown Gloversville to see how government and the local economy connect.

You’ll also find our first Falcon Force nominees for this school year (Mr. Luckert, Mr. Rudd, Mr. Hammons, and Ms. Luey), Mrs. Izzo, for sharing our college and career report for 2025-26, and a few highlights from a well-attended Fall Open House and Book Fair.

Some background on New York Inspires and Portrait of a Graduate: New York Inspires is the State Education Department’s plan to update what a high school diploma means across New York State. At the heart of the plan is the Portrait of a Graduate, which describes 6 attributes every New York graduate should have: academically prepared, a creative innovator, a critical thinker, an effective communicator, a global citizen, and reflective and future-focused. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, Regents exams will no longer be required to graduate. Districts are now building balanced assessment plans that include varied ways to measure what students know and can do, and how their learning connects to the Portrait of a Graduate attributes. This year, we are piloting a digital portfolio system at Northville where students can upload writing, photos, video, and audio. Teachers will review and evaluate portfolio entries and give students feedback on their progress. Students choose which entries to share and with whom, whether that’s family members, colleges as part of an application, or employers through job sites. The portfolio belongs to your child. After graduation, they keep it and can keep adding work and experiences from college, university, and their careers. We’ll share more in upcoming family workshops about what these changes mean for our students and families (NYSED Portrait of a Graduate).

May this Thanksgiving season bring you peaceful moments with family and friends. I feel blessed to be a part of this beautiful village and the nature around the Great Sacandaga Lake. I am grateful for all of you!

Warmly, Dr. Chauncey