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Student holds up a book titled Kinsey's Kidney Adventure.
he Power of Kindness and Understanding

Since March is Kidney Awareness Month, Leah asked her mom, Kristel Storm, if she could bring in her kidney book to share with her friends. When Kristel asked why, Leah simply said, “Because everyone is different, Mom, and I want my friends to know more about me.” 

Ms. Petramale welcomed the idea, and Leah’s classmates eagerly listened, asked thoughtful questions, and learned so much from her story. The District is incredibly proud of Leah for her courage and openness, and we are grateful to Ms. Petramale for creating such a warm and inclusive classroom.

Leah was born with end-stage renal disease and spent the first years of her life on dialysis. But on July 23, 2019, her father, Craig Storm, gave her the ultimate gift—one of his kidneys. Today, Leah is thriving with her transplant, and her story is a powerful reminder of resilience, love, and the strength of family.

Let’s all follow Leah’s lead—embrace differences, share our stories, and always be kind.

More Stories

Photo of two of Grant D Morse Elementary School's lunch monitors.
A big thank you to our incredible lunch monitors!

These dedicated part-time team members play a big role in keeping our cafeterias clean, safe, and organized. At Grant D. Morse, the lunch crew often splits time between the cafeteria and the playground—helping students stay safe while also checking in on how they’re doing.

Students paying attention to the conductor to learn when to stop and start playing their instrument
Getting the Cue!

Students in Matthew Hogan’s music class at Grant D. Morse Elementary School are learning about cueing—knowing when to start and stop playing based on a conductor’s gestures.

Jenn A. a special education teacher holds up a certificate stating teaching excellence.
Jenn Arcadipane Receives Teaching Excellence Award

Last week, Saugerties administrators gathered to celebrate one of their own—Grant D. Morse Elementary School teacher Jennifer Arcadipane. She was honored as one of twelve recipients of the Teaching Excellence Awards at the Mid-Hudson School Study Council’s annual meeting and awards ceremony.