One Year Later...

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It is odd to sit here and realize that the end of this week will mark one full year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This last year has brought more challenges than most anyone could have ever expected to encounter. It has also brought some successes as we have seen what can happen when people work together and think differently in the interest of kids. A year ago, no one realized what we were about to engage in. No one knew how or if this COVID-19 thing would affect our personal lives. The entire region shut down and turned into a ghost town. I can remember driving to work through the months of March and April last year and enjoying seeing another car on the road. It was surreal. In that same moment of people not knowing the dangers, or not knowing what to expect, people answered the challenge of finding a way to help our kids learn. I can remember our first administrators' meeting of the pandemic that occurred on a Sunday, lasted roughly 3 hours, and the administrators had a few hours notice that we needed to meet. At that moment, I knew we would be okay because our leaders (while uncertain of what to expect or how people would react) were ready to do what needed to be done in order to help our kids, families, and teachers. Shortly after that initial shut down, our teachers began the process of learning an entirely new method of delivering their profession, which had never been required in 100+ years of history. Throughout the spring, teachers were heralded as heroes across the country as they attempted to do whatever they could, with whatever they had. As time progressed through COVID, educators and professionals in education have become vilified for not doing enough. The reality is, no one expected to have to work in this new world, and most would not have signed up for it; but, it is a new reality that everyone is trying to figure out. The profession is literally months old and we all need to remember that while it feels like we've been doing this forever, hybrid or remote learning has only been a thing for a matter of months in the grand scheme of history. Traditional education as we know it took 100 years to evolve into the standards we were comfortable with. We are still nowhere near perfection with remote learning, but with the continued perseverance of everyone, 100 years from now it will be commonplace and the new standard. One year later, we have all been the pioneers that will have changed the course of education forever. That includes students, families, teachers, staff, etc. We are resetting the direction of education in our country. While it is challenging and frustrating at times, this year has been unlike anything we planned for and will be talked about in our profession forever. One year later, we have evolved the profession of education more than the last 100 years combined.     

Walgreens Expressions Challenge

The Walgreens Expressions Challenge art contest is available to art students in secondary schools for the first time this year. This initiative encourages students to use their artistic talents as an outlet to express their voices despite difficulties they may be experiencing, ranging from bullying to COVID-19. The call for submissions is open now through March 31. In May, 12 winners across three categories from around the country will win $2,000 each. Interested customers can enter the challenge online at www.expressionschallenge.com where additional information about the challenge can be found.

March 19 Update

This is just a reminder that Friday, March 19, is now a scheduled regular day of school. Originally scheduled as a superintendent's conference day, the conference day was moved to December 2020 to provide an extended holiday recess. All schools and classes will operate on Friday, March 19; with the exception of Madison Oneida BOCES programs, who will still be having a conference day on March 19.

Winter Scholar-Athletes

While not all winter sports have concluded their seasons at this point, the NYSPHAA and Section III athletics have requested our information regarding our scholar-athletes for this past season. To date, our Girls' Bowling Team and our Boys' Swim Team have both been awarded the Team Scholar-Athlete Award and there are a total of 22 students who have been awarded the Individual Scholar-Athlete Award. Congratulations to all!!

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2021-2022 school year will occur during the week of March 8 - March 12, at each individual elementary school. More information on the registration process and documents required for registration can be found at https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/2009375/districts/32521

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