Thank You Administrative Professionals...

-
Amidst all of the craziness of the Coronavirus, it is important to continue to participate in the sharing of positive and good that is happening in our world. This coming Wednesday marks the annual day dedicated to recognizing the Administrative Professionals that work in our community. Over the years, position titles have changed from secretary to assistants to many other titles, but these individuals continue to be the backbone of our organization. During this shut down, the clerical staff of the Rome City School District has been nothing short of a miracle for our community. A lot like every other staff member, they have been forced to learn new things, new responsibilities, and new procedures to support our staff, students, and community; the difference being, they have done all of this behind the scenes with little recognition. They have been to work manning phones, greeting and assisting the public, and responding on a moments notice when their support is needed. On a day to day basis, our clerical staff is our front line. They are the individuals answering the angry phone calls, being cursed at, and treated like an enemy; when all they do is attempt to help people get the information they need. They are seldom apologized to for the rude, inappropriate language used toward them; and worse yet, they are rarely thanked for everything they are doing to help the Rome City School District. There is no bit of training that helps an Administrative Professional learn the people skills and mental fortitude needed to be successful in these jobs. We are fortunate to have found some of the best natural talent that exists in Rome. On a personal level, I have been fortunate to have walked into a position that was previously staffed with one of the best clerical members I have come across in my lifetime. I am blessed to have the support that I have and our entire team is fortunate to have the people at our backs that we do. On behalf of all of the team members of the Rome City School District, I say thank you to our Administrative Professionals for everything you have done, are doing, and will continue to do in the future. Without you, we are nothing.

Best Community for Music Education

The Rome City School District has once again been named a Best Community for Music Education for 2019-2020 by the National Association of Music Merchants. Nationwide, 623 school districts are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. Congratulations and thank you to everyone in the Rome community that allows this award to be achievable!!


Student / Family Supports


During these challenging times, it is becoming increasingly difficult for students and families alike to cope with the requirements that have been set upon us. In Oneida County, we have seen reports of increased drug use and overdose while people are quarantined to their homes. Students are struggling with understanding the purpose of all this, they are hurting from the detachment to their peers and teachers, and families are faced with the challenge of reinventing every day so that we aren't stuck in a groundhog's day scenario. The Rome City School District has a Family Health and Mental Health Resources page for supporting our community. This week, we have added a section related to substance abuse supports, for any family that may need those resources. The website can be found here: https://sites.google.com/romecsd.org/rcsdcovid-19updates/family-health-mental-health-resources


RCSD Coronavirus Reminders


This is just a reminder that the Rome City School District's most comprehensive location for information related to Coronavirus and it's impact on our schools is our website: https://sites.google.com/romecsd.org/rcsdcovid-19updates/home . Things continue to change and be adjusted almost on a daily basis, making it difficult to remain informed. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please email the most appropriate administrator for your question, or your child's teacher. 

Technology Support

During this time, we recognize that people need support of all kinds. Student username and password info for your student's Chromebook can be obtained by emailing Studentaccounthelp@romecsd.org.  Please include your child's name and the building they attend. If a student has forgotten their username/password for any of the programs the district currently operates, please send an email to the building specific email addresses below and our staff will work together to help that child regain access. Your classroom teacher may also be able to help with some of these barriers. Finally, please note that we can not provide technology support for families or individuals with problems people are experiencing with their personal devices. 

Popular posts from this blog

It Takes A Village...

-
Image
 We all know the old phrase, "it takes a village to raise a child." One can reflect on the phrase and find a few different ways to interpret its meaning, however, it cannot be argued that when groups of people work together to help their children grow, success is more likely. To me, I view this phrase as referencing that there is someone within every community that a child can connect with to help them feel a part of their school and/or community. It may not be their classroom teacher or their principal. It may be a bus driver, a coach, a teaching assistant, secretary, custodian, food service worker, music teacher, art teacher, computer specialist, monitor, etc. The list can go on and on. Why mention this? Well, currently, one of the largest and most important educational research projects in our nation's history is occurring with some of the leading educational experts researching what education needs to be by the year 2025. Education 2025 is producing information that m
Read more

Finish Strong...

-
Image
It is that time of year where many schools, teachers, and students want to "coast" to the finish line. A lot like that NFL team that has their playoff birth locked up weeks before the end of the season so they start resting players to avoid potential injury as the regular season comes to an end; some schools have traditionally modeled this mentality. Difference being is that we are in a race, not a season. In a race, if you let up at the end, your final outcome/product will suffer. Even if you are in first place in the race, you don't slow down as you approach the finish line do you? You don't see the jockey on the thoroughbred pulling on the reins so that the team doesn't set a time record. Those thoughts would be unthinkable. So why do we pull up the flaps at the end of the school year on our kids' learning opportunities. Yes, the weather is nice. Yes, it's been a long year. Yes, we've just made it through State testing and AP testing. But, we only
Read more

I Had A Dream...

-
Image
Once upon a time, when we all began our careers or started a new position/school, we had dreams. Dreams of what we wanted to accomplish, dreams we wanted to see our students accomplish, dreams we wanted to see our school communities achieve. Throughout my travels though, I have seen more adults tell students that should lower their expectations and downsize their dreams. Unfortunately, I would say that the ratio of adults encouraging students and adults discouraging students is close to 1:1 in my career. I ask, would you be where you are today without someone throughout your educational life encouraging you to pursue your dreams? As with many things in our schools, we need to focus on the positives that are happening and capitalize on them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for our country, and while his dream was related to equal rights and oppression, his intended message of having a dream and working tirelessly to achieve it can be applied universally in society. Recently,
Read more