At Lowville High School, we are guided by our Mission: to empower all students with future-ready skills, preparing them for personal success and meaningful impact in their communities. Our Vision is clear: building on our tradition of excellence to create a world-class learning community for all. This month, we are proud to share highlights from three key areas: Culture & Climate, Academic Achievement, and Student Safety.

From the Principal

Dear Lowville Community,

As we move through March and into April, I want to take a moment to share the great things happening at Lowville Academy & Central School. Every day, our students and staff are living out our mission to empower all students with future ready skills, preparing them for personal success and meaningful impact in their communities. We continue building on our tradition of excellence to create a world class learning community for all. What makes me most proud is seeing our RAIDERS Core Beliefs in action, Respect, Academic Excellence, Integrity and Compassion, Diversity and Inclusion, Environment of Safety, Responsibility, and Support and Success.

Our SHINE Award recipients continue to model what it means to be a Raider. Aliya Parker demonstrates academic excellence while leading with grace, integrity, and respect for others. Brycen Villiere showed maturity and leadership during an emergency situation and consistently models strong character. The RAIDERS on The Radar students, Leo Adams, Madison Gamble, Daisy Peters, and Rioux Barney have demonstrated excellence in academics, respect for others, integrity, compassion, and responsibility. These students help create the positive culture and safe environment we value so deeply.

Academically, our ELA Department continues to perform at a high level. Recently, our accelerated Grade 11 ELA students completed the January Regents exam and we are proud to announce that every student reached mastery. That is outstanding work. Thank you to Ms. Bryant and the entire English department for providing meaningful learning experiences. We are also working on a K 12 writing initiative to create a cohesive curriculum across grade levels. Our goal is to strengthen writing skills, build creativity, improve timed writing, and create clear benchmarks at each grade level. At the same time, we are building a culture of reading across the district. Through shared novels, literature circles, book talks, and our Got Caught Reading campaign, we are helping students see the purpose and value in reading for both school and enjoyment. Congratulations to our recent Got Caught Reading winners, Paige Zehr, Chase Morrow, Kinsley Moshier, and Emma Jantzi.

We are also preparing to implement Financial Literacy into our high school curriculum next year as mandated by NYSED. Dr. Galarneau and I are working on models that will provide students with real world financial knowledge and future ready skills. This is directly connected to our mission of preparing students for life after graduation.

Our Counseling Department launched a Staff Career Path Activity to help students explore different career journeys. Students are matching staff college experiences, previous jobs, and career advice to names and entering weekly drawings for gift cards donated through Student Council. This is a simple but powerful way to encourage conversations about goals, planning, and the future.

Our Backpack Club continues to make a meaningful impact. We are currently serving 55 families, which includes 141 students. This program has been supported by Casual for a Cause, the 200 Club which sold all 200 tickets, Middle School and Elementary food drives, the LTA Coffee Hour collection, and generous donations from community groups, churches, businesses, and school clubs. This is Integrity and Compassion in action, and I am grateful for the support of our community.

In the Arts, our students had an outstanding showing at Scholastics, earning 21 individual awards, including four Gold Keys. Congratulations to Carson Kempney, Rhys Richardson, Aryn Tiffany, and Charlotte Wood for earning Gold Key honors. Josh Weiler was also recognized as an Arts All Star. Our students continue to demonstrate creativity, courage, and excellence. Our Robotics Team earned the Reach Award at the Broadalbin Perth FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier. This award recognizes teams that grow the robotics community through outreach and mentoring. We are proud of the way they represent Lowville with innovation, teamwork, and heart.

In athletics, we continue to celebrate success and leadership. Cooper Lincoln was selected to attend the NYSPHSAA Student Leadership Conference in Albany, an honor that reflects his character and leadership. On the wrestling mat, Mason Eckelman and Max Hanselman competed at the New York State Tournament. Mason wrestled hard and finished one round away from all state honors. Max earned all-state honors after an incredible performance, including a dramatic third place victory. Their dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship reflect the very best of Raider Pride.

We are also proud to celebrate Alyssa Millard, who was recognized by 7 News North Country. Alyssa the Watertown Savings Bank 7 News North Country Athlete of the Week. This talented junior put together an exceptional season. The great news for Lowville fans is that she has another year coming up. Congratulations to Alyssa on this well-deserved recognition. We are proud of you.

Our culture and climate continue to thrive, highlighted by the recent Teacher vs. Student Volleyball Tournament organized by the Junior Class. It was a great night of friendly competition, school spirit, and positive energy, and it reflected the strong relationships we value at Lowville. It was a fun way to come together while also giving back to families in need. March is also World Language Month, featuring daily announcements in multiple languages, engaging cultural activities, and an International Food Celebration where students can experience and share dishes from around the world. These events celebrate Diversity and Inclusion and help our students appreciate cultures from around the world while strengthening our sense of community.

Thank you for your continued support of Lowville Academy & Central School. Together, we are creating a safe, supportive, and high expectation environment where students grow academically and personally. When we work together, we live out our RAIDERS Core Beliefs and continue building a school community we can all be proud of.

Sincerely,

Brian P. Hanselman
High School Principal