To You and Yours...

As we enter our final week of school before the holiday recess, I would like to take a moment to wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season. In a community full of diversity and difference, one constant amongst the differences is the need for family and support of each other. Regardless of which holidays you celebrate and how you choose to enjoy the season, this is the season to be thinking of others and helping those that may need a little pick me up. We are fortunate to be in an environment where a community is committed to improving and focused on our children. As we enter this holiday season, on behalf of the Rome City School District team, we wish you and yours a very warm and enjoyable holiday. Thank you for everything that you do to support learning, our schools, and our community. Happy Holidays!!

Referendum Reminder

As you may be aware, there will be a referendum vote to be held on Wednesday, December 18 for the purposes of completing significant maintenance concerns at RFA (roof, flashing, general repairs), the artificial surface and track at the stadium, an Energy Performance Contract for elementary schools to improve infrastructure items that will produce an energy savings to the district, and for the establishment of a Capital Reserve so that the district can begin to save money for future projects (to be used to offset any potential tax increase). There will be an information/question session tomorrow, Monday, December 16. The session will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Rome Free Academy Small Auditorium. To view the print flier, please visit: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/879022/districts/32521 To view a video of the information sessions (if you can not attend), please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAE-ciZWthg 

Rising Stars

Rising Stars is a fun learning experience that teaches stage and life skills through games, activities, individual coaching, and actual performances on the Capitol Stage. The program focuses on developing the students' own creativity, building self-confidence, improving reading comprehension and speaking ability, accepting responsibility, and teamwork. Students will learn stage movement, character development, how to audition, and a whole lot more! Skills developed will better prepare students to compete for roles in school plays and other local stage productions, as well as interacting with confidence during pageants, interviews for college or jobs, and in everyday dealings with teachers and peers. For more information, please visit their website at https://www.romecapitol.com/rising-stars-youth-acting/ or contact Janet Foote at risingstarsjanet@aol.com

Mentoring Program

The Rome City School District will once again be participating in the New York Mentors program, in conjunction with the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce. Having become a State-wide example and a leader of the program, our Rome schools are once again operating the program in all seven elementary schools for 2019-2020. Students who will be mentored will be either fourth, fifth, or sixth grade children and anyone 18 years or older willing to devote one hour a week is eligible, (including working persons, college students, and retired senior citizens) to be a mentor. Sessions will occur once a week beginning in January, ending in May before Memorial Day. For more information or to sign up to be a mentor, click HERE, or contact Rome Area Chamber of Commerce President William Guglielmo at 315-337-1700 or New York State Mentoring Advisory Council Member Frank DiBerardino at 315-337-4721. 

Winter Skate

The Skating Club of Utica Whitestown is offering the Learn to Skate USA program this winter. Beginners of all ages will learn skating fundamentals through US Figure Skating Association & USA Hockey’s Learn to Skate program. Programs include a weekly group lesson with a professional coach, along with open skate time to practice. The session will include participation in our annual Ice show highlighting skills learned. For more information about the sessions, please visit their website at http://www.skatingclubuticawhitestown.com/.

CNY STEM Scholarships

SRC, Inc., Loretto, TTM Technologies, King + King Architects, and INFICON, in partnership with the CNY STEM Hub, are pleased to announce the 2020 CNY STEM Scholarship Program. This scholarship program, now in its 8th year, is open to graduating high school seniors who will be majoring in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer or Software Engineering, Nursing (including PA or NP programs), or Architecture, starting in the Fall, 2020. Students in the following counties may apply: Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Tompkins. This year’s scholarship program will provide financial support and at least one paid summer internship at the participating companies, pending business conditions. Last year’s scholarship winners were from Cicero-North Syracuse, East Syracuse-Minoa, Fayetteville-Manlius, Hannibal, ITC @ Syracuse Central, New Hartford, Nottingham and Westhill High Schools. There is no financial eligibility requirement. Students attending a college or university in New York State majoring in the select STEM areas will be given preference during the selection process. Finalists will be chosen based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, honors/awards, and an essay related to STEM. Recipients will be determined by an in-person interview. The online application and additional information can be found on the CNY STEM Hub website at www.cnystem.com. The application deadline is MARCH 1, 2020. Selections will be made in April and all applicants will be notified by May 1, 2020. If you have any additional questions related to the program, send inquiries to info@cnystem.com.