Thank You BOE...

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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 experienced in public education. Yet through it all, they find a way to remain focused on improving the opportunities and experiences for our children. So when you see a Board member this week, make sure you take that extra moment to say "thank you." Or maybe send them a note of thanks or invite them to your room/building. Regardless of how you do it, taking the time to show that you recognize what they do on an ongoing basis would be appreciated. On behalf of the entire Rome City School District (students and staff), I would like to say "thank you" for the work you have done, and continue to do to help our community provide a solid education for all!! 

Reopening Information

In preparation for the return of more students to our buildings on Monday, October 26, the Rome City School District has updated our reopening plan, the FAQ section of our website, and will be releasing a new video detailing some of the important items that are related to students returning to the classroom. As always, the most comprehensive location to review anything related to COVID and our schools reopening is our reopening website at https://sites.google.com/romecsd.org/romereopening/home

Reopening Community Forums

This week, as schools prepare to welcome back more students, we will be hosting two additional community forums to provide the school community additional opportunities to ask questions. Both forums will be held via Zoom in the same fashion that the previous three forums were held. Questions must be submitted in writing through the Q&A feature of Zoom. Information for the two sessions is listed below:

Wednesday, October 21 @ 6:00 p.m. - https://moric-org.zoom.us/j/91463437756
Friday, October 23 @ 10:00 a.m. - https://moric-org.zoom.us/j/93196669707

NYSDOH COVID Toolkit

As a reminder, I would urge all parents and staff to review the NYSDOH COVID preK-12 toolkit. The information within the document is certainly information that schools have been asking for throughout the re-opening process. 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  

Chromebook Distribution

This week, Monday through Thursday, Chromebooks will be distributed through the schools for any student that has been on a waiting list. When students return to the classroom on October 26, remote learning will continue to be a method in which some students learn. Also, the use of Chromebooks within the classrooms will be greater than before as the district is now able to be completely 1:1. A copy of the distribution schedule is below. For more information, please contact your child's school.

Hand Sanitizer Event

On Monday, October 19, our local NAACP will be hosting a local hand sanitizer give away and Census event, in conjunction with Congressman Anthony Brindisi. The event is scheduled to occur in front of Gansevoort Elementary School between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Oneida County Overdose Warning

The Oneida County Overdose Response Team has issued a Drug Threat Advisory for Carfentanil which has been detected in three local lab tests. Carfentanil is a synthetic or man-made opioid that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. It is used to tranquilize large animals like elephants, so even for people who have a tolerance for powerful drugs, a dose the size of a grain of salt can rapidly lead to an overdose and/or death. Please be cognizant of this new danger in our community.

October 23 Reminder - NO SCHOOL for Students

Just a reminder that this coming Friday, October 23 is a designated Superintendent's Conference Day. Students throughout the district will not be in attendance either remotely or in person. Classes will resume on Monday, October 26 for all students in hybrid model. 

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