So Now What...

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Well, it is safe to say that the last week has flooded public schools with information and left most people asking someone (if not themselves), "Now What?". Between adjustments to the CDC guidance on public schools to the Oneida County strategies on what they call "ideal" situations, there is a lot of valid questions being raised by all parties. The CDC guidance is certainly the most promising bit of new information that we have seen in a long time. While there is a lot to read in totality, the CDC's summary of recent changes to their Operational Strategies includes:

  • Revised physical distancing recommendations to reflectat least 3 feet in classrooms between students and provide clearer guidance when greater distance (such as 6 feet) is recommended.
  • Clarified that ventilation is a component of strategies to clean and maintain healthy facilities.
  • Removed recommendation for plastic barriers.
  • Clarified the role of community transmission in decision-making.
  • Added guidance on interventions when clusters occur.
While these new recommendations leave some work to be done with transportation and meal service, the Rome City School District will be reopening for full-time in-person student learning on Monday, April 12, 2021. For students or families who prefer to continue learning completely remote, they may continue to opt for that form of learning. To review a full version of the CDC's Operational Strategies, please visit their website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html. In the coming weeks, school leaders and staff will be working to ensure that all procedures are in place for transportation and food services, as well as preparing classrooms to welcome back more students. In an effort to help inform our buildings on what to expect come April 12, please take a moment to complete the most recent survey for the return to full-time instruction (if you have not already completed the survey) at https://forms.gle/GqxcStvCY1iU9GtQ7. The information will provided will greatly help school staff know what to expect. In the meantime, please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. It has been a long time coming and it is certainly a wonderful opportunity to have our students return to school five days a week. 

2021-2022 School Calendar

Recently, the 2021-2022 school calendar was approved by the Board of Education. To see a copy of the 2021-2022 school calendar, please visit this link:  2021-2022 SCHOOL CALENDAR 

RFA College & Career Planning

Rome Free Academy families now have another resource to help with college and career planning! The new College and Career Planning Workshop website features videos from school counselors discussing different subject areas (High School Options, Naviance, SAT, ACT, & NCAA Clearinghouse, Choosing a College, Applying for College, and Financial Aid). There is also a link to the College and Career Planning Guide. The guide helps plan the path through 4 years of school and the steps students need to help them plan for graduation, paying for college, scholarships or the workforce, and more! The school counselors can also help students navigate through the college and career process and they are here to answer any questions you might have. Students are encouraged to reach out to them. Check out the new College and Career Planning Workshop website at: https://sites.google.com/romecsd.org/ccplanning/home 

Board of Education - Petition for Seats Available

This year, there are three (3) open seats on the Board of Education. All three of these seats will be available on July 1, 2021. The term limit for each open seat is three years, expiring on June 30, 2024. Interested candidates can obtain a petition beginning on March 25, 2021. Completed petitions must include at least FIFTY (50) qualified signatures and should be returned to the business office of the district at 409 Bell Road. Petitions for the available seats are available in the Business Office of the Rome City School District. Any questions regarding the Board of Education open seats can be directed to the district's business office, or Board of Education President, Mr. Paul Hagerty.

Emergency Go Home Drill

Each year, the Madison-Oneida BOCES and their component districts conduct a 'Emergency Go Home' drill meant to mimic the need for an early dismissal. This year's Emergency Go Home drill is scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 2021. On this date, all students will be dismissed 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. 


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