LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

As we bring the month of October to a close, it is only fitting that perhaps the most challenging month to be a school administrator in the history of public education, also happens to be National Principals Month. Our dedicated principals and assistant principals have worked tirelessly, feverishly, and with resolve throughout the entire month of October to prepare a welcome back of students that everyone has been anticipating for many weeks. The task of opening schools in the face of COVID is unlike anything that any of these leaders have ever faced. Each and every day brought with it a new challenge, a new stress, and a new opportunity. The need to remain positive, supportive, and caring has been at an all time high; all while internally feeling angst, stress, and anxiety like never before. Our school leaders, principals and assistant principals alike, work every day to prepare our buildings and staff so that our students can return to school and begin the process of returning to som...

This coming week marks the week where we celebrate and recognize our Board of Education during the statewide Board of Education Recognition Week. Those of us who have committed our careers to education know that being a member of the Board of Education is often times a thankless job. On top of their own busy lives, Board members put in countless hours of meetings, conversations, research, and visits to help ensure that our children are provided with the best resources, facilities, and opportunities possible. The compensation for being a Board member comes in the form of student smiles, "thank you's" from us, and a general pride in working toward a greater cause. With the constant onslaught of State and Federal mandates, the concept of remaining focused on learning and children is becoming increasingly difficult for most Boards. On top of the normal routines and challenges, Boards of Education have been forced to navigate through an era in time that has never before been e...

Despite some recent situations occurring in school districts throughout our region, the statistics still look favorable for a return of students to the classroom on Monday, October 26. Thank you to all of the families who have participated in our most recent survey, which has assisted the district in determining which method of in-person learning we are going to be able to provide. While there will always be ongoing work related to COVID and educating kids, some of the knowns for today include: Students who opted for in-person learning will attend school two (2) days a week and will learn remotely the other three (3) days of the week. Students will be cohorted into one of two groups and attend school on either a Monday/Tuesday schedule, or a Thursday/Friday schedule. Wednesday will be a complete virtual learning day for students, except for students in some supported learning programs and/or off campus placements. Students who opted for remote learning will continue to learn completely...

 As we've all grown accustomed to throughout the entire COVID experience, things coming from various agencies change rapidly and frequently. This week, the New York State Department of Health has released a new document specifically for schools and school families to assist us all in knowing when a student/staff member should come to school and when they should stay home. The document is extremely detailed and has many easy to read graphics which clearly outline when students and staff should not be attending schools. A complete copy of this document can be found here: NYSDOH - PreK to Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit     We have already connected with the Oneida County Department of Health for clarification on some of the topics contained within this document, however, it is important to note that the new guidance from the State requires students and staff who are symptomatic to remain out of school facilities for longer periods of time than what we have been requiring. The mos...