Schools

137 support workers receive layoff notices from RCSD

Submitted by Christine VanTimmeren, News 10NBC Reporter and Weekend Anchor

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011, 4:14pm

Today was the first round of layoffs in the Rochester City School District. Nearly 140 people received notice today they will not be returning next year.

Today, the cuts effected members of the Board of Education Non-Teaching Employees (BENTE) union. Their employment will end on June 30.

David Coppola is one of those who got what he calls doomsday letter today. He is in charge of the audio/visual and media areas of Wilson Magnet High School. Coppola was in charge of taking care of equipment in the building and aiding teachers with equipment issues.

Coppola says he knew the cuts were coming but it's still a shock. He and many others are now left wondering what they'll do next year.

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Three Rochester City School District administrators let go

Submitted by News 10NBC

Friday, May 27th, 2011, 4:56pm

Interim Rochester City School Superintendent Bolhan Vargas is already making changes in the administration.

Three administrators were let go today including Communications Director Tom Petronio, Assistant Superintendent John Scanlon and Chief Strategy Officer James Fenton.

Vargas was not available for comment but said in a written statement that his objection was to create an administration that was "more effective and more efficient."

Petronio, who had been with the district for 19 years, said he was startled by the news saying he had had extremely limited interaction with Vargas since his appointment by the school board.

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A weight on their shoulders

Submitted by Robin De Wind, News 10NBC Sports Director

Monday, May 16th, 2011, 5:32pm

Trainers say it can make you stronger, faster and quicker and now more coaches are encouraging female athletes to start weight training year round.

Lifting weights is no longer just for boys. Strength training has proven to reduce injuries and improve overall performance. Now girls as young as the seventh grade are heading to the weight room.

The weight room at Aquinas is now the busiest place on campus after school. Teams regardless of the season pass through here twice a week.

“Women can be just as strong as men as long as they try and work at it.” It's not just the big football players who are in here. Junior Kelly Bender says lifting weights has made her better on the lacrosse field. “At first when I came in I really didn't like it but now you progress and you can see the difference.”

Aquinas' weight room is unique for a high school; it's what many colleges offer.

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Memorial service for boy killed in crash near School No. 33

Submitted by Lynette Adams, General Assignment Reporter

Thursday, May 12th, 2011, 3:08pm

Memorial service for boy killed in crash near School No. 33

School No. 33 held a memorial service for one of its students who died in an accident on Monday. Seven-year-old Sahmir Williams was hit by a SUV when it drove through some baseball fields after school Monday.

Today at School No. 33, a celebration of life for a seven-year-old boy killed in a freak accident earlier this week.

Sahmir Williams was hit by a SUV when it drove through a baseball field adjacent to the school on Monday. His classmates, teachers, community leaders and family spent today remembering his short life and the smile he left behind.

Three days after Sahmir Williams was hit by a car and killed on a field. People who knew him and loved him came back here.

They came to remember an energetic second grader who loved sports, school and dinosaurs.
Sandy Tellex was his teacher.

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Rochester boy remembered after being struck and killed by SUV

Submitted by News 10NBC

Thursday, May 12th, 2011, 6:55am

Rochester boy remembered after being struck and killed by SUV

Thursday, Rochester’s School No. 33 will make sure a second grader killed by an out of control SUV will always be remembered.

Students, staff, and family of 7-year-old Sahmir Williams will gather for a memorial service. They’ll be planting a tree in his name and they will also release balloons into the sky.

Sahmir died on Monday outside of School No. 33, when an SUV plowed through the playground. 8-year-old Kali Garcia was also hit. She’s in satisfactory condition at Strong Hospital.

The driver of the SUV hasn't been charged.

Police are trying to figure out if a medical condition led to the crash.

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Rochester City School Board names interim superintendent

Submitted by News 10NBC

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011, 6:15pm

The Rochester City School Board has selected Bolgen Vargas -- a former city school board member -- as interim superintendent for the city school district.

"We had an exceptional field of candidates. We are confident that Dr. Vargas' leadership skills are precisely attuned to the role of interim superintendent," said Board President Malik Evans.

Dr. Vargas is a lifelong educator who believes that all students can fulfill their potential if given support, opportunity and access to high-quality education.

Current superintendent, Jean-Claude Brizard, is leaving his post to become CEO of Schools in Chicago. He starts his new position next week.

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Witnesses recall deadly crash at School No. 33

Submitted by News 10NBC

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011, 5:23pm

Witnesses recall deadly crash at School No. 33

The images of the crash that claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy and injured an eight-year-old girl are lingering with witnesses.

Daryl Smith is a piano instructor at School of the Arts and he says thinking back on those images is tough but he's doing well.

Smith was walking into the library in the same complex as School No. 33 when the accident happened.

Smith tells News 10NBC that as he was walking into the building, two women came out yelling. It was then that he turned around and saw the smashed SUV smoking and then he saw the children on the ground. Being a teacher himself, Smith said it struck a terrible note in his heart.

This isn’t the first time he's witnessed a crash like this. Smith says when he was a young boy he saw a vehicle drive out of control and crash after a man had a heart attack. Monday’s scene brings back those memories.

He will never forget this scene and the little boy who he wasn't able to help.

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