A Few Updates...

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 I'm not sure that there are words to describe the events of the last month that accurately depict the roller coaster that we have all been on. The most immediate image that comes to my mind is the tornado scene from the original Wizard of Oz movie. At this point, cows flying through the sky would probably not come as a surprise to anyone. We continue to work through the transportation driver shortage and I thank everyone who has already participated in the survey that the district sent out late last week. At this point, we have 60% of the community responding to that survey and a reduction in student riders by 5%. In an effort to reduce riders further, we are going to keep the survey open until Tuesday evening and ask that people encourage each other to complete the survey if they haven't already. Every percentage that we can decrease ridership will assist in reducing the number of buses needed, which in turn can help make sure we don't have an issue in the future and help solve some of the problems we have been facing with driver shortages to begin with. If you have not taken the brief survey, please do so at this link: https://forms.gle/B6vPcrPacbUm5jjz8 and if you have taken it, please encourage others to provide us with their information if they have not. Every response gets us closer to completely accurate information from which to work with. As a reminder, if you have questions or needs while we are in a remote learning environment, the below email addresses will get you to your building-specific technology department to assist with your concern. 

Stokesstudentaccounthelp@romecsd.org 

Finally, username and password info for your student's Chromebook can be obtained by emailing Studentaccounthelp@romecsd.org.  Please include your child's name and the building they attend. If a student has forgotten their username/password for any of the programs the district currently operates, please send an email to the building-specific email addresses below and our staff will work together to help that child regain access. Your classroom teacher may also be able to help with some of these barriers.

Free Family Three Week Challenge

Fall into fall with the YMCA and their three-week challenge, designed to get you and your family engaged in physical and fun activities as the weather starts to change in Central NY. Activities for the specific week will be posted to their website and Facebook page and include Zumba, Archery, Swimming, Boot Camp, Yoga, Interactive Room, Badminton, Jump Rope, Pickle Ball, and Crafts. For more information, please view their flyer at: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/2137352/districts/32521

Middle School Poster Contest

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) are sponsoring a poster contest that is open to all middle school students (grades 6th,7th, and 8th).  The theme of the contest is “Create a Watershed Super Hero.” This poster contest is an excellent tool for teaching about various water issues and environmental issues. Each contest participant will receive a certificate of recognition. Fourteen winners have the honor of having their artwork in a calendar which will be distributed across New York State. The winners will also receive their framed poster and an invitation to their local NYWEA chapter event. You can find additional information on NYSDEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/education/32108.html or NYWEA’s website at www.nywea.org. The deadline for submitting posters is Friday, January 7, 2022. Questions regarding the poster contest should be directed to Cassandra Davis by phone at (518) 402-8086 or by email at cassandra.davis@dec.ny.gov.



NYS COVID Report Card

The Governor's office and the Department of Health have released the New York State School COVID Report Card once again for families to review district/building-specific COVID information. The information found on the website is a collaboration of data that is received by the State from the school district and the Oneida County Department of Health. This link will take you to the website with the information for the Rome City School District: https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov/#/districtData;bedsCodeId=411800

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