2 Whitesboro Teachers From Same School Get High Honors from NYS

Congratulations are in order for several teachers across New York State who've been named recipients of the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Awards.

In the Mohawk Valley, three teachers were named awardees including two from the same school.

At Whitesboro Central School District, both at the high school, Stephen Costanza and Sara Stamboly-Warner were both announced as recipients of the Empire State Excellence Awards by Governor Kathy Hochul this week.

Stephen Costanza, via Whitesboro Central School District

The awards honor teachers in science, math, English language arts, social studies, kindergarten, special education, art, physical education, robotics, technology, world languages, economics, English as a new language, and even P-TECH programs, officials say.

Constanza is a chemistry teacher at Whitesboro High School, while Stamboly-Warner a physical education teacher, also at the high school. They are among 54 statewide public school teachers to be recognized.

Sara Stamboly-Warner, via Whitesboro Central School District

Also from the Mohawk Valley, Colleen Cushing from Fort Plain Central School District was named an awardee of Empire State Excellence in Teaching.

In addition to being recognized, each of the 54 teacher recognized this week will get a little something special to help them maintain excellence.

The State University of New York distributes a $5,000 stipend to each, which can be used for professional learning opportunities to continue to develop their knowledge and skills in ways that will further support student growth.

SUNY guidelines say that money can be toward things like:

Full support for the National Board Professional Teacher certification;
Participating in a summer or school year institute or workshop;
Attendance at a State or National content area convention (For example: National Council Teachers of English; AERA – American Educational Research Association; ASCD – Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)

Whitesboro Superintendent Brian Bellair is scheduled to joined the Keeler in the Morning Show on Friday to discuss the high honors earned by two teachers in the district.

Central New York's Class of 2022, Senior Salute!

Senior year is full of memories and it closes one exciting chapter of life, but allows a new bright future to flourish that is awaiting all of the Class of 2022 graduates.

Mastrovito Hyundai and Townsquare Media Utica want to help celebrate your achievements and give our local high school graduates the recognition they deserve.

On June 27th, one lucky Central New York graduate will be awarded a $500 scholarship from Mastrovito Hyundai. Congratulations on your diploma and good luck from Mastrovito Hyundai.

One submission per graduating senior.

Below are the photos submitted:

Gallery Credit: Nicole Todd

FOR SALE: 7551 North Main Street, Newport NY

Built in 1846, this Italiante mansion located at 7551 N Main Street in Newport (West Canada) sits on the water, with four bathrooms and three bathrooms. It was just listed on the real estate market. Is it worth the $999,999 price tag?

Gallery Credit: Kaylin

These 7 Prisons Are The Most Violent In New York State

New York released a report with the most recent number of violent assaults on inmates in state prisons. There were 134 inmate deaths noted in the report, although it doesn't break down the prisons where each death occurred or who caused them. Here's a look at some of the general violent incidents reported for 2020, which is the most recent data reported by the state. Compared to 10 years ago, inmate assaults have almost doubled. In 2011 there were 666 and in 2020 there were 1,205 reported. These numbers do not include inmate assaults on staff members. Overall, the number of unusual incidents includes things like assaults, deaths, accidents, sexual misconduct, and disruptive behavior. According to the state,

"The number of unusual incidents has increased 132% from 5,980 in 2011 to 13,870 in 2020. These higher incident numbers were largely due to increases in assaults on incarcerated individuals (+81%), assaults on staff (+86%), contraband (+130%), disruptive behavior (+372%), and staff use of weapons (+1,035%)."

In 2020, 1,836 weapons used to cut or stab, including ice picks, razor blades, can lids and shanks were discovered in state prisons around New York.

Gallery Credit: Yasmin Young