Fairley Elementary School recently introduced an initiative to help its youngest learners develop essential bike-riding skills. Through the All Kids Bike program, pre-K and kindergarten students began learning how to ride bicycles as part of their physical education curriculum.

The All Kids Bike program provides students with balance bikes, helmets and a structured learning experience that gradually teaches them how to balance, steer, and eventually pedal a bicycle. This hands-on approach helps young students build confidence, improve motor skills, and develop lifelong healthy habits.

"This is an awesome program to our students," said Fairley Elementary School PE teachers Tess Bennett-Piraino who co-teaches alongside Zack Servidone. "Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage, and this program makes it accessible to every child in a fun and supportive environment."

The All Kids Bike program is designed to provide equitable access to bike-riding education, ensuring all students have the opportunity to gain this important skill. With the guidance of their teachers, students participate in structured lessons that align with national physical education standards.

"It's amazing to see the joy on our students' faces as they gain confidence and master this new skill," said Bennett-Piraino. "This program not only helps with physical development but also fosters independence and resilience."

Fairley Elementary School joined schools around the world recently in celebrating Global Play Day, an event dedicated to promoting the importance of unstructured play in child development.

Global Play Day, an annual event observed in schools worldwide, emphasizes the significance of play in learning, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth. At Fairley Elementary, classrooms were transformed into play zones where students explored various activities and used their imaginations. Outdoors, students bundled up to use the playground and play in the snow.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful play, fostering teamwork, communication, and creativity,” said Amy Bird, principal of Fairley Elementary School. “Play is an essential part of childhood and education, and we are thrilled to be part of this global initiative.”

Teachers and staff encouraged students to take the lead in their play experiences, allowing them to collaborate with peers and develop critical thinking skills in a stress-free environment. The day also reinforced the importance of reducing screen time and engaging in hands-on, interactive learning experiences.

The Hannibal Central School District continued its decades-long holiday giving tradition this year with its Christmas Bureau initiative.

The district hosts an annual Christmas Bureau carnival, which serves as its premiere fundraising event. This year’s event, held in November, raised thousands of dollars through basket raffles, concessions and games.

“The turnout was incredible, and the support we received truly reflects the strength of our community,” said event organizers. “Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we were able to make the holiday season brighter for many HCSD families.”

The fundraising efforts enabled volunteers to create baskets filled with food and toys for local families in need, ensuring that every family in the district can experience the joy and warmth of the holidays.

As the holiday break approached, Fairley Elementary School families were able to get into the spirit during a fun-filled craft night.

The event, designed to bring the school community closer together, featured craft stations where participants could make personalized ornaments, reindeer hats, and other creative decorations. Families worked side-by-side, fostering a sense of togetherness as they embraced the holiday spirit.

“This event is a wonderful way for us to celebrate the season as a school community,” said Fairley Principal Amy Bird. “Seeing the smiles on students’ faces as they create holiday keepsakes with their families is what makes events like this so special. We are grateful for the support of our staff and families who made this evening a success.”

Students at Dennis M. Kenney Middle School recently had the opportunity to give back to their furry friends as representatives from Helping Hounds Dog Rescue visited the Family and Consumer Science (FACS) classroom.

The visit was part of a larger educational initiative to promote community service and animal welfare awareness among young learners. Over the past several weeks, students dedicated their time and effort to crafting toys and baking dog-safe treats for Helping Hounds, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs.

During the visit, representatives from Helping Hounds shared information about the organization’s mission, the adoption process, and the impact that donations and volunteerism have on the lives of rescue animals. Students eagerly asked questions about the dogs and learned how their contributions would bring joy to the animals awaiting their forever homes.

The handmade toys and treats were gratefully accepted and will be distributed to dogs currently in Helping Hounds’ care. The school community expressed pride in the students’ efforts and thanked the representatives for their dedication and willingness to connect with young learners.

“Today’s visit was a wonderful way to show students the impact of their hard work and creativity,” said FACS teacher Barb Bachmann. “We’re so proud of their contributions and hope this experience inspires them to continue finding ways to make a difference in their community.”

Fifteen Hannibal High School students were recently honored for their commitment to scholarship, leadership, service, and character during their induction into the National Honor Society.

The new inductees include seniors Cameron McNeil, Zoey Turaj and Natalie Papa, along with juniors Maya Turaj, Harley Somers, Olive Somers, Alan Stupp, Eryka DeRocha, David Hess, Alex Miller, Nicholas Kaufman, Alison Griffin, Anna Bartholomew, Connor Wayman, and Marnie Crough.

“I am so very proud to recognize and celebrate our new inductees,” said Hannibal High School Principal Meredith Furlong. All these individuals have successfully met the criteria to become a member of the Sadie Adamy chapter of the National Honor Society. These students are exemplars of scholarship, service, leadership and character.”

Superintendent Christopher A. Staats echoed those sentiments and provided students with encouragement and congratulatory remarks as he implored them to continue striving for excellence.

“Your influence extends far beyond these walls,” Staats said. “The qualities that earned you a place in the National Honor Society are exactly what our world needs right now. You have the ability to bring people together, to solve real problems, and to inspire others to dream bigger and aim higher. In a world that sometimes seems so divided, we need people like you — people who understand the power of unity, compassion and service.”

The new inductees each received a certificate denoting their achievement and recited the NHS oath to officially welcome them into the prestigious organization.

With fall in full swing, students at Dennis M. Kenney Middle School recently learned about apples during an agriculture lesson.

Mike Hacker, vice president of sales and marketing at Fowler Farms, talked to students about every aspect of the apple growing process. He detailed the planting procedure right up through the sales and storage aspects. Hacker also talked about different variety of apples and how weather affects the crop.

“When the nights are really cold and the days are warm, that helps the crop,” he said. “The bigger swings in night and day temperatures help with the ripening process.”

Students had an opportunity to sample several varieties of apples and noted the differences in taste and texture of each, while Hacker explained how each is marketed and sold.

Eighth graders from Christine Lamont's class at Dennis M. Kenney Middle School recently participated in an immersive educational experience at Rice Creek Field Station.

The event, dubbed “A Day in the Life of the Oswego River and the Finger Lakes,” provided students with a hands-on opportunity to explore and study the local ecosystem. Under the guidance of Lamont and environmental educators, students engaged in a series of activities designed to deepen their understanding of local water systems, environmental conservation, and the interconnectedness of regional ecosystems.

“Having the opportunity to take students out of the classroom and into the environment provides a unique and valuable learning experience,” said Dr. Lamont. “The Rice Creek Field Station event allows them to witness first-hand the importance of water quality and how our actions can impact the environment. It’s a day they will remember and a critical part of building their understanding of science in the real world.”

Throughout the day, students collected water samples, analyzed data, and recorded their findings, which helped strengthen their understanding of local waterways and encouraged environmental stewardship.

The program was made possible through a collaboration among the Sea Grant, RIT and Rice Creek Field Station at SUNY Oswego, as well as the Department of Environmental Conservation and Cornell Water Resources Institute. Program funding was provided by the Environmental Protection Fund, Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act.

The Hannibal Faculty Association recently partnered with the United Way of Greater Oswego County to ensure HCSD students started the year off with much-needed school supplies.

Through the annual Stuff-a-Bus campaign, students received pens, pencils, folders, binders, notebooks and backpacks. The supplies were donated by various local businesses and community members.

“Each year, this community comes together to support our students and make sure they have the school supplies they need to thrive as Warriors,” said HFA member Meg Daley. “The community continues to amaze us with their contributions. We are so grateful to everyone who made this year’s distribution efforts such a success.”

Several new teachers were welcomed to the Hannibal Central School District for the 2024-25 academic year. 

The group of educators started their Hannibal careers with an orientation session over the summer to get acclimated to the district.

“Orientation day provides our new teachers with an opportunity to immerse themselves into the school environment and gain the tools they need to propel our district forward,” said Assistant Superintendent Dee Froio. “They have access to a wealth of resources and mentors to ensure success.”

The new teachers include Meadow Alexander, Cara Smith, Isabelle Nitti, Jenna Skubis, Chelsea Cronk, Rebecca True, Amanda VanAuken, Jake Kelly, Jessica Ticknor, Melissa Knosp, Daniel Jordan, John Carmody, Peri Bernstein, Venera Jouraeva, Roman Caruso, Erin Waloven, Annika Trybus, Barbara Bachmann, Noelle Stevens, Taylor Mack and Cierra Stone.

“We are excited to welcome this group of educators to our Warrior family, and we know they will excel in their mission to put students first,” Froio said.