See Ya Later...
This is the phrase that I imagine many people will be saying as the year 2020 comes to a close and we prepare to welcome in 2021. There is no doubt that 2020 has brought its fair share of challenges, pains, frustrations, and many more negative adjectives that we don't have time for. The reality is that 2020 is quite possibly going to be the most challenging year that any of us will have to endure in our lifetimes. While it was certainly a very long and different year, there were things that we have experienced that are possibly better than our traditional routines. In the world of education, I have spoken many times over the year about how schooling was "stuck in rut" with minimal changes in approach for the last 100 years. The pandemic has flipped that, literally. While we all continue to make improvements and work to "re-learn" what education is, the forced move to remote learning in the spring has shown everyone that things can be done differently. Many students who were not previously engaged in learning and/or were not successful, suddenly became much better students. However, this also holds true for the adverse in that many students struggle with remote learning. The lesson simply reinforces that there is no one way that is perfect for everyone. When we work together, teachers and students, great things will happen. The sudden move to remote learning in March has also increased parent engagement in their children's education. Families have more access to their child's learning than ever and with everyone being more connected virtually, our staff has more opportunity to communicate and ensure that families have vital information that they need to help their students grow. While 2020 has brought much heart ache and stress, we have all had some successes as well. These two areas are just two of the many opportunities that 2020 has presented to our industry for future growth. Each individual has had something happen to them in a positive way throughout this pandemic that we can carry into the future. It may be minimal and it may be only one thing, but we must capitalize on whatever positives have come our way and what we have learned in 2020. Someday, there will be relief and things will eventually be more like they were in 2019. That doesn't mean everything needs to revert back to the "way it was". Things that are more beneficial for our society and students, need to continue to become mainstream and finish the revolution of public education. Here's to better 2021 and that we all keep the positive things moving forward. I for one will be saying, "See ya!" to 2020!!
Great American Rivalry - VOTE
TODYA IS THE FINAL DAY FOR VOTING!! Rome Free Academy football standout Tommy Dunn is one of 144 high school athletes in the United States who has an opportunity to be recognized by the Great American Rivalry Series and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 2020 Great American Rivalry Series Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame Team is now in our hands! NOW is the time for our community to support RFA and Tommy to help him secure a spot on the GARS Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame roster. In the end, 25 students nationally will be recognized. Please vote and vote often in support of our hometown athlete, Tommy Dunn. For more information, including casting a vote, please visit their webpage at: https://greatamericanrivalry.com/2020-scholar-athlete-hall-of-fame-voting/.
Community Schools - Operation Elves
Each year, our fantastic Connected Community Schools program works to ensure that members of our community who may be in need, do not go without. During the pandemic, they have provided hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to our community through our food pantry. Operation Elves aims to ensure that children and families have the happiest holiday possible. In general, the program looks for toys and gifts for children ages 0-18, new hats or gloves, jackets, and socks. If you would like to make a cash donation, you can do that through Venmo (@ConnectedCommunitySchools-RAE) or through a check payable to Rome Alliance for Education. For more information, please visit their website at: https://mailchi.mp/c79e3541eaa1/community-elves-initiative
Congratulations Fall Athletes
Each athletic season, the NYSPHAA and Section III awards Scholar Athlete awards for both individuals and teams. These students are always commended for maintaining high academic standards while competing in the athletic arena for our school. This year, 86 fall athletes were the recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award and RFA teams (who collectively achieved the award) included Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Girls Field Hockey, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, and Girls Tennis. Congratulations to all of our Scholar Athletes and their teams!
