PINE PLAINS — As part of a wider effort to keep the Board of Education (BOE) up to date on the progress of district goals, administrators gave a presentation on the efforts in place to assist students during their major educational transitions in the Pine Plains Central School District.At the April 6 board meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Pupil Personnel Services Catherine Parsons provided the board with an overview of the services that Pine Plains offers students, especially at critical transition periods during their time in the school district. Those periods were listed as the transitions from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten, grades two to three, grades five to six, grades eight to nine and grade 12 to post-graduate careers.“But really every year could be an important transition,” Parsons pointed out, “so we’re making sure that students really develop a more clear sense of self and who they are, so that transition happens more smoothly for them.”The services in place vary depending on the transition, whether its students entering sixth grade getting used to the a la carte menu in the middle school cafeteria for the first time or career exploration services for high school freshmen.Parsons explained that as students move up through the grade levels, the educational experience in Pine Plains gradually changes from a very structured program to one where students are allowed to choose which courses they want to take and eventually decide their futures after graduating. It’s important that the opportunities available to assist students be tuned in to a student’s changing attitude toward education.Parsons also listed several areas that the Pine Plains district is currently working to make stronger, including internship opportunities for upper-level students, community outreach programs and developing some variation on a mentor/advisor program.The idea behind some of the recent presentations pertaining to district goals is to illustrate how much work is going on behind the scenes, Parsons added.“Sometimes we go through district goals pretty fast during meetings,” she said, “when really there’s so much more to each of them.”
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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