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Molly Lahr Named Principal At LaFayette Intermediate School
When Molly Lahr began her administrative internship three years ago, it did not take her long to realize that LaFayette Intermediate School was a special place.
So special, she thought that if the day ever arrived when she became a building principal, she hoped that it would be at LaFayette.
Well, that day is drawing near. Lahr, a 2010 Waterloo graduate who has worked in the District since 2015, will become principal at LaFayette on Oct. 16. Her appointment was approved by the Board of Education at its regular meeting on Sept. 18.
“I am so excited,” said Lahr, who has served as the District’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Coordinator for the past two years. “I think that there is a fantastic staff here and that the kids are at a really important age where they are navigating how to be a positive friend, shifting into becoming readers and are just excited to be learners.
“I love talking with the students and I have a lot of connections with families here and I am so excited to build upon those relationships and make school joyful at a place where everyone is accepted and included.”
Lahr succeeds Shaun Merrill, who became the District’s School Business Administrator on Sept. 18.
“I want to thank Shaun for being a great collaborator over these last few years,” Lahr said.
Lahr, who earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Syracuse University, was hired as a reading teacher at Waterloo Middle School in 2015.
Lahr quickly caught the attention of Superintendent of Schools Terri Bavis in 2016 as the leader of the RESPECT team organized a “Day Without Hate” at the Middle School.
“I was thoroughly impressed with her natural, organic leadership abilities and her love of kids,” Bavis said.
Lahr’s desire to become an educational leader was sparked after she attended the regional leadership institute and she earned her Certificate in Advanced Studies in Building and District Leadership from the University of Rochester in 2021.
Lahr said the MTSS role has been valuable in helping her understand and align the academic side of education with social-emotional learning and she is eager to bring all of the pieces together in the community where she grew up and lives.
“This is my home,” Lahr said. “Waterloo is my home and I feel connected to the community at large and I know that we can work together and make things better. I want school to be a joyful place where everyone is accepted and included.”
Bavis is confident that Lahr will excel in her new role.
“She just cares so deeply about people and humanity, that is always her first priority and, to me, that’s what the job is,” Bavis said. “You are there to support other people and that is Molly in a nutshell. She is such a positive force and she’s such a good person and that is why she’ll do a great job.”
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Sarah Carey Honored As Teacher Of The Year
Sarah Carey, an art teacher in the Waterloo Central School District since 1994, has been named the Waterloo Education Association’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.
“Sarah Carey is a true student advocate who finds the best in every human being,” Superintendent of Schools Terri Bavis said. “She is kind and caring with the kids and she always works from their strengths. I am so happy that she was selected Teacher of the Year this year.”
Carey was nominated by her peers and honored during an opening day assembly for staff on Sept. 5.
“I was very humbled,” a surprised Carey said. “My legs were shaking.”
Carey’s career at Waterloo began as a part-time art teacher at Waterloo High School in 1994. She was hired full-time at Waterloo Middle School in 1997 and returned to Waterloo High School in 2005.
Over the years she has served as the director of the Waterloo Teacher Resource Center. Through this center, beginning with $378 and a closet room LaFayette Intermediate School, she built the WTRC to a $48,000 center running the Mentor program, the Arts-in Education program, the National Certification for teachers, and conducting numerous workshops for K-12. While at the Middle School she was yearbook advisor and chaperoned with ski club, later to become the advisor. She has served as a mentor and has been chair of the Art Department since 2021.
“She is calm, she is focused, and she is caring,” Heather Gill, a science teacher at Waterloo High School and member of the Teacher of the Year Committee, said of Carey.
Several current and former students spoke of the impact Carey has had on their lives during a video that was played at the assembly.
“I think that she was one of my top influences with the way that she impacted me throughout my high school career and the amount of inspiration and encouragement that she gave me towards everything that I did,” said Joycelyn Dressing, a 2021 Waterloo graduate who is now an Art Education major at Nazareth University. “If I could even give an ounce of that to a student of mine, my goals would be fulfilled.”
Carey hopes to continue inspiring her love for the arts for years to come.
“I love my work and I love my job,” she said. “I am passionate about it and that is why I keep teaching. It’s not a job to me, it’s life.”
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James Karcz Appointed Principal At Waterloo High School
Waterloo High School has a new principal.
James Karcz, who was hired as an assistant principal in May of 2022, was appointed high school principal at the June 5 Board of Education meeting. Karcz had been serving as interim high school principal following the retirement of Mary Thomas-Madonna in April.
Karcz earned his undergraduate degree at Springfield College and holds advanced degrees from SUNY-Cortland and SUNY-Oswego. He began his career as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Charlotte, Pfeiffer University and Catawba College before taking a position in the Syracuse City School District, where he taught for 13 years.
In 2019, Karcz was hired as an assistant principal and athletic director in the Pulaski School District, where he worked for three years before coming to Waterloo.
Karcz is excited about the opportunity and took a few moments to share his thoughts on his new position:
Question: What do you like best about Waterloo?
Answer: “The staff and the students make all the difference. Our school community has dedicated members who are committed to the lifelong success of all our students. I’ve been in the district for parts of two years and it has brought me privileged insights into the core beliefs and values that underlie the Waterloo Central School District. Mr. Corey and his staff also make the best Buffalo chicken school pizza around!”
Q: What are your top priorities as high school principal?
A: “Safety, Respect and Character are my top priorities as the high school principal. My goal is to provide a safe learning environment where each student leaves the district as the best, most capable version of themselves. We build relationships, develop partnerships and find the right path of success for each and every student!”
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: “I am a husband and father of three children and two dogs. My spare time is spent as a cab driver to every sports field, court and band venue in the Northeast. I love every minute of it!”
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to share?
A: “My door is always open and the students will always be the primary focus of our work here at Waterloo! We strive every day to build relationships and community connections. We are all here to work together with parents and stakeholders to support our students and give them the best education experience possible. I would like to thank Superintendent Bavis and the Board of Education for this opportunity and am excited about sharing our collective success in the future!”
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January 4th, 2020
The federal and state moratoriums on evictions are currently scheduled to be lifted in January 2021. Due to this, there may be an increase in the number of families who will experience a loss of housing. Governor Cuomo has announced an expansion of the state’s rent relief program. Eligibility criteria has changed and applications will be accepted until February 1st, 2021. Click here for more information and to apply.
Also If you have questions on your rights or need referrals for housing there is a Statewide hotline: 833-503-0447, open 24/7. They will soon be able to answer questions in all languages with interpreters. This is a referral line only — hotline workers aren’t able to answer specific legal questions, but they will be able to direct you to the courts, clerks offices and other resources in your region. If you don’t get through the first time, keep trying!
If you lose your housing or are living in temporary housing please let your school know! We are here to help!
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All Students. All Staff. One Family
The MISSION of the Waterloo Central School District is to put kids first every day. We support each student on a personalized journey to realize their goals. Our caring community develops learners and leaders.
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The Waterloo Central School District affirms that no person shall be subjected to discrimination, denied benefits, or excluded from participation in employment or in any educational program or activity on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or on any other basis in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX, Title IV, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal or state laws. The Waterloo Central School District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The Waterloo Central School District encourages students, parents, staff, and community members to report any harassing, bullying, abusive, or unsafe behavior as soon as possible to a school district official, or when appropriate, to law enforcement.
Superintendent Terri Bavis serves as the Compliance Officer/Coordinator and is authorized to coordinate and carry out the responsibilities of the district under this policy and to coordinate compliance with the regulations and to process any complaint and/or grievance that may be filed in accordance with the grievance procedure heretofore adopted by the District’s Board of Education. Ms. Bavis can be reached at 315-539-1501; via email at Terri.Bavis@waterloocsd.org; or via mail at the District Office: 109 Washington Street, Waterloo, NY 13165.
The Waterloo Central School District also prohibits all harassing conduct based on gender, race, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by state or federal law. The Waterloo Central School District considers harassing conduct to be an abuse contrary to the high moral ethical standards of an educational institution.
Harassing conduct generally consists of subjecting an individual, on the basis of his/her membership in a protected class, to conduct and/or communications that are sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent as to have the purpose or effect of: creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or a student’s educational performance, opportunities, benefits, or well-being; or otherwise adversely affecting an individual’s employment or educational opportunities.
Harassing conduct can include unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct which offends, denigrates, or belittles an individual because of his/her membership in a protected class. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, derogatory remarks, jokes, demeaning comments or behavior, slurs, mimicking, name-calling, graffiti, innuendo, gestures, physical contact, stalking, threatening, bullying, extorting, or the display or circulation of written materials or pictures.
The Waterloo Central School District will not tolerate the use of a position of authority to obtain sexual favors in supervisor/employee or faculty/student relationships. Neither will it condone expressions or actions by any person affiliated with the School District that in any manner constitute sexually harassing conduct, including student-to-student harassment. Attempts to suppress the report of such actions or to retaliate for the presentation of a report will be considered in the same light as the offending behavior.
Inquiries concerning the application of this policy may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), 32 Old Slip, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Telephone: 646-428-3900.
For further information on non-discrimination, visit https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/nondisc.html or call 1-800-421-3481.
