Thank You Librarians...
The month of April is National School Library Month. As the month comes to a close, School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning. While this April has certainly been unlike any April that we have experienced, our school librarians have been working behind the scenes to ensure that teachers, administrators, students, and families have all of the resources needed to be successful and to grow. Just like everyone else in our world right now, our library staff has been brainstorming ways to reinvent school library services to support during this crisis. Absent the current situation, our librarians are always at the ready to help students and staff access literature and learn about all of the wonderful offerings a library can bring to a person. Libraries have evolved, perhaps better than any other institution, in the past several decades to consistently meet the needs of those that they serve. Yes, books and literature still remain an integral part of any library system. However, technology integration, research methods/means, literacy development, art, music, video, collaboration, and facilitation have expanded to a level that most adults would not recognize in a school library today. In almost every school setting, the librarian can be found as a member of building improvement teams and the physical library has turned into a central gathering location for most school events. Without the work of these dedicated people and the environments they produce, our school system would not be on the cusp of moving to the next level. On behalf of our entire team in Rome, students and families, please join me in saying, "Thank You" to the wonderful women and men who staff our school libraries every day and work tirelessly to ensure our kids have the access and resources they need to prepare for their next stage of life!
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 . For this week, there is not a whole lot of new information. The Governor has repeatedly mentioned that there needs to be a coordinated plan for the re-opening of schools and has mentioned that he intends to have school districts a State Aid number before May 15. He did mention today (again) that communities should expect a 20% withholding of school aid. For Rome, that would equate to $9.6 million in State funds being reduced. Regardless, we will continue to provide updates as they are available. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please email the most appropriate administrator for your question, or your child's teacher.
ThoughtExchange Event
The district is currently running a ThoughtExchange event for staff, students, and community to share with us their thoughts/concerns related to the 2020-2021 school district budget development. We will be using the conversation through ThoughtExchange to adjust the school district proposed budget, as the information related to State Aid becomes available. As a reminder, it is a completely anonymous program and helpful for our community. I encourage people to continue to participate in the current budget exchange that is ongoing. The end date for the current exchange is Wednesday, April 29 and the exchange can be found here: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/180270122
COVID-19 Updates
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 . For this week, there is not a whole lot of new information. The Governor has repeatedly mentioned that there needs to be a coordinated plan for the re-opening of schools and has mentioned that he intends to have school districts a State Aid number before May 15. He did mention today (again) that communities should expect a 20% withholding of school aid. For Rome, that would equate to $9.6 million in State funds being reduced. Regardless, we will continue to provide updates as they are available. 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.
Ridgemillsstudentaccounthelp@ romecsd.org
Stokesstudentaccounthelp@ romecsd.org
Gansevoortstudentaccounthelp@ romecsd.org
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
Ridgemillsstudentaccounthelp@ romecsd.org
Stokesstudentaccounthelp@
Gansevoortstudentaccounthelp@ romecsd.org