Teacher Appreciation Week...

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Every year, the first full week of May marks TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK across our country. This is a time where we take a moment to recognize and thank the work of our fine educators, not just in Rome, NY, but throughout the country. Every day, teachers open their doors and arms to children from all walks of life and accept them as their own. While many want to believe that teachers have a switch that they turn on and off at the beginning and ending of each day, we do not. Teaching is a 24/7//7 profession. Not a day goes by where we do not take our work home, thoughts home, concerns home, and achievements home. Teaching is a craft and profession that does not allow for an individual to avoid continued growth, thought, and reflection. Beyond just our classroom teachers, we need to recognize our entire community, as we are all teachers in some way, shape or form. Whether it be clerical, custodial, maintenance, driving, food service, coaching, or assisting; if you work in a school, you are teaching our kids. We all do this together for our children and that is what breeds success. Finally, I thank all our children's first teachers, the parents and family members. Having a foundation of learning at home is a tremendous benefit to our children and we thank our community, family members, and parents for partnering with us on this educational journey. Please take a moment this week to recognize your child's teacher(s) and on behalf of the entire District Administration, I thank our faculty for everything that they continue to do on a daily basis for the betterment of our schools, community, and lives of children!!

Award of Excellence


At the Section III meeting on May 3rd, Athletic Director Mike Stamboly accepted the Award of Excellence on behalf of the Rome City School District and Rome Free Academy. “It’s big congratulations to all of our student athletes, coaches, athletic program, and community on receiving this award of excellence. The award is presented annually to members’ schools of NYS Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) each year for exemplary display of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.  Schools that complete all three sport seasons without a player being ejected/disqualified get awarded this certificate. This is not an individual or team award,” said Athletic Director, Mike Stamboly. Congratulations to RFA and all of our student athletes and coaches for representing our school and community with integrity!!

Celebrate the Arts


 On Wednesday, May 10, the Rome City School District Art and Music faculty will be presenting their annual evening of art and music. Celebrate the Arts is an evening showcase of our talented artists and musicians. By day, they educate our children; by night, they hone their craft. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. there will be an open gallery of artwork featuring the work of our outstanding art faculty in the Rome Free Academy main lobby. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., there will be a a formal recital featuring performances from our music faculty in the Rome Free Academy auditorium. It is sure to be an outstanding evening of the arts!!

Internet Safety Program


In partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Rome Police, the New York State Police, Bryant & Stratton College, and the City of Rome; the Rome City School District is proud to host: Internet Safety and Social Media: What All Parents Should Know. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Rome Free Academy cafeteria. We expect the event to last roughly 45 minutes to an hour and it will address the following topics:
  • What are the most common websites, apps, or social media platforms that students are using? What is the general purpose of each app?
  • What are some of the issues students are experiencing when using and communicating through these technologies?
  • What are some of the misconceptions of communicating through these websites or apps.
  • Why should parents and students be concerned with their digital footprint?
  • What are some guidelines to keeping students safe online?

 Protect Your Child’s Digital Footprint for the Present and Their Future!


2017-2018 School Calendar Released


This past week, the Board of Education approved the 2017-2018 school calendar. You can find a copy of the calendar by clicking the link below.




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