Press release:

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership is pleased to announce a new partnership between its School Library System and an international game company called LUPO.

Based in Helsinki, Finland, LUPO publishes "Space Adventure," a narrative storytelling game that allows players to role-play as they complete collaborative tasks while on a space mission.

The goal of this project is to lead local classes in exploring game design as a way to promote critical thinking and creative expression of student understanding.

Over the next year, School Library System staff will pilot this game in component school districts as this game’s primary rollout in the United States.

SLS staff will provide training for librarians and teachers.

“LUPO’s 'Space Adventure' will be a strong addition to our existing library of over 400 games selected for instructional use in the classrooms of the Genesee Valley region,” said SLS Director Christopher Harris.

“ 'Space Adventure' combines creative storytelling with science and community planning to create a narrative experience that can be customized by the teachers to address different areas of the curriculum."

For more information about LUPO visit lupoworld.com  

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The School Library System is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York state.

Press release:

This week, students, staff and parents will have opportunities to meet with the final two candidates for the position of principal of John Kennedy Intermediate School.

Lauren Combo, currently the director of Curriculum and Instruction in the Perry Central School District, will be at the school on Wednesday, Nov. 29, and Amanda Cook, currently the assistant principal at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School, will be there on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Each will begin their respective afternoons with the current principal, Paul Kesler, for a tour of the building, then visit a second-grade class to share a story with students. Afterward, each will meet with the interview team, then staff members. The afternoon will conclude with a meet-and-greet at 2:45 for all interested parents and teachers. 

A team of teachers, clerical and custodial workers, parents and administrators narrowed the field of initial applicants down to seven interviews and then four candidates. Those four were interviewed by the District Leadership Committee, including Board members Patrick Burk and Barbara Bowman. Out of those interviews came the two finalists.

Combo began her career in Le Roy as an AIS (Academic Intervention Services) math teacher for grades two and three, then as a kindergarten teacher. During that time, she took on the position of Elementary Math Curriculum coordinator, and worked as principal for two summer programs – including Batavia’s TEAM Literacy program.

After working as an administrative intern in the Perry District, she was hired by them as the director of Curriculum and Instruction. In that most recent position, she planned, implemented and evaluated instructional programs with teachers and building administrators; facilitated monthly data meetings; oversaw intervention and enrichment activities and programs; provided professional development; assisted in conducting K-12 observations; collaborated on the creation of a K-12 instructional technology plan; and was the test coordinator for all assessments and exams.

Cook began her education career as a Special Education teacher in Pavilion Central Schools. Five years ago she was hired as Byron-Bergen Elementary School’s assistant principal where she honed skills in instructional leadership and school operations management.

In instructional leadership, she developed and earned statewide recognition for a character education program using input from district-wide stakeholders; incorporated proactive and positive behavior practices within the school-wide student management program; led the design and implementation of local curriculum and bully prevention programs; coordinated service learning programs within the community; created student leadership opportunities to enhance school culture; implemented assembly programs to support classroom character education instruction; and partnered with teachers to complete professional observations as part of the APPR process.

In school operations, she coordinated scheduling and accommodations for NYS assessments, including the field testing of computer-based testing; managed student behavior through communication with teachers and families; developed time-efficient master schedules to maximize instructional and Response to Intervention times; facilitated building safety committee to ensure thorough and efficient practices; and implemented programs to streamline professional learning and evaluation processes.

Each candidate will begin her session with a brief biography and then respond to questions from attendees.

At the next Board of Education meeting on Dec. 5, Superintendent Christopher Dailey will recommend the appointment of one of these candidates to the Board of Education, with the intention of having the new JK principal begin work by Jan. 1.

Press release:

Genesee County Highway Department will be replacing the Pratt Road bridge over the Tonawanda Creek, with a likely construction start date of May 2019.

As a design of the replacement is underway, a public information meeting regarding the project will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7th at the East Pembroke Fire Hall, located at 2623 E. Main Road in the Town of Batavia.

Timothy J. Hens, P.E.
Highway Superintendent

YMCA Gift Cards can be purchased now through Dec. 23rd, 2017 at the Genesee County YMCA, allowing people the opportunity to give a YMCA membership or program as a gift to loved ones or friends. A gift from the YMCA entitles a friend or family member to become part of an organization that believes in and promotes active and healthy lifestyles, progressive skills development, fair play, family, and character development.

The Genesee County YMCA offers a wide array of programs and services to meet the interests and needs of the entire family from memberships for youth, college students, families and seniors to swimming lessons, childcare, sports and summer camping, there is truly something for everyone at the Genesee County YMCA.

For more information on membership or programs offered at the Genesee County YMCA, please call (585-344-1664) or log on to our website at www.glowymca.org.

What can be done about the deteriorating masonry pillars, walls and lighting that welcome motorists and walkers onto Redfield Parkway from West Main Street?

Batavia City Council members are expected to learn more about that situation tonight when they meet at 7 p.m. at City Centre Council Chambers.

In a memo to the board by dated Nov. 8, City Manager Jason Molino recommends that the city seek funding streams to conduct a “condition survey” of the four structures that make up the Redfield Parkway pillars – two inner gateway-monument style pillars and two outer posts.

He wrote that a grant from the Preservation League of New York State is a possibility, along with historical preservation grants from the Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo. The grant amounts range from $3,000 to $50,000.

One snag, however, could be that the pillars are not “historically or landmark designated,” Molino wrote.

Also, while the two monument pillars (equipped with lighting structures) are located in a public right-of-way and are owned and maintained by the City, the two outer posts are located on private property. All are showing signs of disrepair, with cracked and missing mortar.

“The condition of these posts varies, ranging from visible cracking of mortar to the removal of several stones,” Molino wrote. “After a review of the individual deeds of each property, it has been determined that the outer posts are individually owned and maintained, and are responsibility of each property owner.”

The condition of the pillars was brought to Council’s attention in September by Councilman Robert Bialkowski, who was responding to a letter he received. He proposed using $52,000 in funds earmarked for community development initiatives to fix them.

Tonight’s agenda also includes a proposal by Molino to apply for up to a $1 million grant from the Restore New York Communities Initiative to put toward the redevelopment of the vacant Old Engine House on West Main Street into a commercial/residential building.

Molino, in a memo dated Nov. 22, wrote that he has had discussions with officials from Batavia Development Corporation, Genesee County and potential developer Thompson Builds to rehabilitate the 14,425-square-foot historic structure.

Genesee County owns the property, but is “prepared to declare the property surplus should the project be funded and move forward,” Molino wrote.

Council will be asked to vote on a resolution tonight (during a special business meeting) to schedule a Dec. 4 public hearing for the project.

Press release:

This fall, Le Roy Jr-Sr. High School, in conjunction with our Le Roy PRIDE Character Education program, ran our 5th annual Thanksgiving Feast Drive. This seventh-through-12th-grade effort supported 45 of our own families, equaling close to 200 people. Staff participated in four Turkey Tuesday Dress Down days by making a weekly monetary donation. Close to $1,000 was raised and used to purchase the turkeys, milk, eggs, bread and ingredients for pumpkin pies made by our FACS teacher and students! 

Students participated in our Stuff The Turkey Food Drive where grades partner up and compete against each other bringing in food under different theme days - Day 1: Macaroni Madness, Day 2: Can Jam, Day 3: Baking Bonanza, Day 4: Starch Fest, and Day 5: Kitchen Sink. The competition was fierce this year with the ninth- and 10th-graders making a huge final day push to win with 706 donated items. Grades 8 and 11 brought in 702 items and grades 7 and 12 had 675 items for a grand total, and new Stuff The Turkey Food Drive record, of 2,083. 

Last week, our counseling staff, school resource officer, principal, and assistant principal made the deliveries to our families. We would like to thank ALDI in Batavia and Tops and Save-A-Lot in Le Roy for their donations and contributions as well! 

From Principal Tim McArdle:
"We cannot thank our school community enough for their ongoing support of this effort. Five years ago we started by supporting 12 families and each year the need continues to grow in our community, and our students and staff step up and meet this need head on. Our staff continues to go above and beyond when students are in need, and we are so appreciative of their ongoing support of ALL students!"

"This effort is a great lesson for our students about giving back and the importance of helping others in their community. This focus is a common theme in our school and a character trait that is so important."

At long last, the Android version of the mobile app for The Batavian is now available in the Google Play Store.

This is essentially the same version as the iOS version (available here) though we changed the subscription scheme a bit, making it three tier. There are no additional benefits to the higher tiers. It's just a matter of how much you're willing to contribute to help support local news. Stories are free for the first six hours after publication (these are changes that will be included in the next update of the iOS version).

If you have issues or want to provide feedback after you download the app, email me at howard@thebatavian.com.

There is not a vendor product. It's not a generic, open-source project. It's homegrown. I wrote the code for this myself and will continue to add onto it and hopefully improve it as time permits.

The app is suitable for Android-powered smartphones and tablets with an operating system of 5.0 or later.

Download the Android version of The Batavian app by clicking here.

Davon St. John, 19, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with five counts of second-degree burglary. St. John is accused of five residential burglaries at five locations on Ellicott Avenue, Montclair Avenue, and Union Street, Batavia. One house was burglarized three times and the other two, once each. St. John was jailed on $50,000 bail, $100,000 bond. The burglaries were investigated by Det. Thad Mart, Det. Matt Wojtaszczyk, Det. Eric Hill, Det. Rich Schauff, Det. Kevin Czora, Officer Jason Davis, Officer Kevin DeFelice, Officer Mitchell Cowen.

Cody A. Eaton, 28, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with strangulation, 2nd. Eaton is accused of strangling another person at 4:23 a.m. Sunday at a location on Otis Street, Batavia. He was jailed without bail.

Natalie M. Cervone, 23, of Clinton Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cervone was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 22 on Clinton Street by Officer Chad Richards.

Brandon J. Micucci, 18, of Main Street, Alexander, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Micucci was allegedly found in possession of marijuana at 9:15 p.m. Nov. 20 at DeWitt Recreation Area by Officer Stephen Cronmiller.

D'andre J. Cramer, 18, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, petit larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Cramer was arrested in connection with a report of a vehicle theft reported Sept. 4 from a location on Columbia Avenue. There was also an alleged theft from the vehicle. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Jason Scott Hall, 28, of Rochester Road, Gasport, is charged with DWI, driving while impaired by drugs, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Hall was arrested by Deputy Howard Wilson following a DEC license check on Feeder Road, Alabama, at 11 a.m. on Friday.

Jake T. Flick, 23, of Oakfield, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, harassment 2nd, and acting in a manner injurious to a child under age 17. Flick was arrested in connection with an incident reported at 2:54 a.m. Saturday by State Police. No further information released.

Hardwood floors in the living/dining area. New tile in kitchen and sunroom and all new carpet on second floor. New hot water heater, furnace and electric panel. Roof-complete tear off about 5 years ago. There is a one-and-a-half car detached garage.

Call Michelle Dills, Howard Hanna at 585-343-6750 or click here for more information on this listing.​

Tomorrow (Monday) is the final day of voting in the Dreamvention invention contest sponsored by FritoLay with a $250,000 grand prize.

Andrew Young Jr., a 14-year-old high school student from Alexander, is one of five finalists.

Click here to vote for his invention, the Toaster Shooter.

You can vote once each day (so today and tomorrow) from each of the devices you own -- computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. The contestant with the most votes wins.

These four baby fainting goats (myotonic goats) have been missing since yesterday from a residence on Kelsey Road, Batavia, near the church.

If you locate them, call Kim Schildwaster at (585) 813-3935.

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: The goats are found and are safe.

The original front door has been beautifully preserved as well as original hardwood floors in dining room and living room. Gourmet kitchen (2012), butler pantry, huge first-floor laundry, full bathroom on first floor, an exercise room that could be a bedroom and a mudroom added in 2012. Second floor has five bedrooms and a full bathroom. 200 AMP service 2012, new roof (2011), tankless hot water heater (2012).

There is a deck (2014) overlooking the spacious back yard. The front porch has a new floor, soffit, ceiling, new lights, new steps and new screen door. Must see!

Call Michelle Dills, Howard Hanna at 585-343-6750 or click here for more information on this listing.

Kathy Ferrara, with her husband, Dan, children Marygrace, Daniel, Ashley, and grandson Brently, celebrated her purchase of Batavia's Original earlier this week.

After thanking the community, employees, and her family for their support, there was a ribbon cutting outside.

Previously: Batavia's Original, formerly Pontillo's, returns to local ownership

Note about the ribbon-cutting pictures. I messed up and forgot to change my camera settings when we shifted from inside to outside, so my ribbon-cutting photo was overexposed. Below there is a picture from the Kelly Birmingham of the Chamber of Commerce, and my photo in black and white.

Sue Schultz checks out, with the help of Michael Mugler, her purchases at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle this afternoon on Shop Small Saturday, a day promoted nationally to encourage shopping at locally owned businesses.

Locally owned retail businesses are critical to healthy local communities. Small business owners provide the support communities need to thrive and more of the money spent at a locally owned business stays in the local community to help the local economy grow.

For more:

• Grow Your Own (PDF) by the Kansas City Federal Reserve (A guide for local communities on promoting support for small, local businesses)
• The Shop Local Ripple Effect, by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance

For a directory of locally owned businesses, visit ShopLocal.TheBatavian.com.

Andrea Karas and Kasey Woodhouse shopping at Pollyanna and Dot and The Hidden Door.

Gerald Diskin shopping for shoes at Batavia Bootery with Kevin Stone.

• 1. The workers’ compensation system is complex, confusing, and often difficult to navigate.
• 2. We will look out for your best interests, fight on your behalf against the insurance carrier to maximize your benefits, and make sure your questions are answered.
• 3. In some cases, you may be entitled to a financial award, even if you did not miss any time from work as a result of your work-related injury.
• 4. The insurance carrier will have a team of attorneys working on their behalf, having an attorney fighting on your behalf helps to level the playing field.

Please call Kristin Allen at Dolce Panepinto 585-815-9003 for any of your workers’ compensation needs.

A motor-vehicle accident with injuries is reported on the Thruway in the westbound lane in the area of mile marker 382.5.

Le Roy fire and Le Roy ambulance initially dispatched.

A Le Roy chief on scene reports three patients, all still in the vehicle.

Bergen dispatched mutual aid with extrication equipment.

UPDATE 11:14 a.m.: Mercy Flight requested to the scene.

UPDATE 11:16 a.m.: Mercy Flight out of Batavia is unavailable. Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is 20 minutes away. A chief says, "too far away." Mercy Flight is canceled.

UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: Patients have been extricated.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: A third ambulance requested to the scene, emergency mode.

A bicyclist suffered minor injuries about 1:30 p.m. today after being struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of Main and Bank streets, Batavia.

The rider had a complaint of ankle pain and was transported to UMMC for evaluation.

Photo: Courtesy our news partner, WBTA.