Welcome Back (Again)...

It has been an extremely long and challenging 13 months, but here we are on the eve of welcoming back students to our schools for full-time in-person learning. Ironically, although we have had some students in school throughout the year and we are coming out of spring break, it still feels like the first day of school. As expected, there are emotions that encompass the entire spectrum from the most joyful possible, to the most anxious possible. Late this past Friday, the New York State Department of Health released updated guidance on the reopening of schools in our State. As expected, they largely adopted the most recent CDC recommendations, which will allow our schools to operate with minimal restrictions. As we move through the coming days, the district will be re-releasing our reopening plan to ensure that our community has access to the new, updated requirements. For a copy of the most recent NYSDOH guidance, please visit their website at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/Pre-K_to_Grade_12_Schools_MasterGuidance.pdf. 

The number one question that continues to arise for the reopening of schools centers around transportation. Updated transportation routes have been released and with the return of consistent five-day instruction, the Here Comes the Bus application will also be available once again. Information about the updates to the bus routes and information on the Here Comes the Bus application can be found on our website at: https://www.romecsd.org/news_page/r_c_s_d_bus_routes_for_2020-21.

Finally, the most important part about welcoming back students tomorrow is to remember that some students will be returning to a school for the first time in over a year. While many students and all of our staff have been in our facilities and have grown to understand how to maneuver our new normal, some of our students have yet to experience school with everyone wearing masks. This is truly another first day of school, for the fourth time this year. There is no doubt that the next several days and weeks can be met with negativity and frustration, however, only if one lets it. This is an opportunity to embrace a return to normalcy for our students, a chance to celebrate the positive things that education can bring to a person's life, and an opportunity to further reinvent what meaningful education is for our students. We have always known that school is supposed to be geared toward the needs of our children, more than ever, this concept is in play. This is our opportunity to assess what our children need and work to provide them with what they want, not what we think they need. It's time to welcome back, again, our students for in-person learning. It's their moment to help show us the way forward to rebuilding an education system that truly meets their needs.

Best Community for Music Education

The Rome City School District has once again been named a Best Community for Music Education for 2020-2021 by the National Association of Music Merchants. Nationwide, approximately 600 school districts are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. Congratulations and thank you to everyone in the Rome community that allows this award to be achieved!! 

RFA Places 3rd at AFRL Challenge

This past week, two RFA Juniors participated in virtual challenge exercises competing against students from seven other area high schools. Dominick Cangialosi and Stone Mercurio competed in the first-ever Virtual Challenge Competition, sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate and supported by the Griffis Institute. The RFA combination placed third overall and each student received a scholarship for their efforts. For more information about the AFRL Challenge and this story, please visit our website at https://www.romecsd.org/news_page/. Congratulations to Dominick and Stone!! 

SED Parent Newsletter

State Education Department (SED) Commissioner of Education, Dr. Betty Rosa, has released a new parent newsletter aimed to help families stay informed. NYSED has created many parent resources over the last year to continue providing information to families so they are updated on any changes coming to our schools. To view this months Parent Newsletter from Commissioner Rosa, please visit: Commissioner Rosa Parent Newsletter 

Board of Education - Petitions 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 FIFTY (50) qualified signatures and must be returned to the business office of the district at 409 Bell Road, and are due back before 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Petitions are available for pick up at the business office of the Rome City School District. Any questions regarding open seats for the Board of Education can be directed to the business office or the Board of Education President, Mr. Paul Hagerty.

Student Immunizations

The New York State Department of Health recently amended its requirements for student school immunizations. As has been the case all year, they have once again extended the deadline for students to receive necessary school immunizations. This time, the deadline has been set at June 30, 2021, which effectively means students must look forward to the immunization requirements for the next school year. As always, we will be providing school immunization information for families throughout the summer.