LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

It has certainly been a long four months to get to this point in the year, and we all know that the next six months will be less than smooth. Each year when we reach the holidays, it is usually a time for families and folks to reflect and enjoy each other and their friends. This year, it brings with it a renewed sense of stress and concern as continued conversations and changes are occurring related to COVID. There does not seem to be anything about the upcoming holiday week that feels normal or routine. For the last year, we have continued to work together and do whatever it took to ensure that our kids can continue to grow throughout challenging physical environments and ever-changing circumstances. While we may not know exactly what to expect in a few weeks when the calendar pages turn, we do know that we have a few days coming up where we can take a breath and attempt to relax. I hope that everyone has a moment of time to spend with their families/friends and to remember the positi...

  By now, most everyone can agree that the increase in screen time that all individuals have experienced can have a negative effect on various parts of human interaction. Schools have particularly noticed a decrease in our students' ability to interact with each other appropriately, as well as a difference in the way that many adults have chosen to treat each other recently. With so much of one's life being online these days, actual face-to-face interaction and knowing how to conduct oneself when in public places is a character trait that we all have to bring back to the table. Many students have to relearn how to function in a public setting. We have to be retaught that things such as vandalism may get you increased points in an online gaming world, but in the real world can lead to serious issues for children and their families. We need to relearn that the type of language and the way one speaks/types in a text chat is not the same as an academic piece of writing or a face-to...

As you may have heard, in a much-needed change of direction, New York State is encouraging schools and Counties to consider participating in a previously announced Test to Stay program for asymptomatic students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 in the school setting. This would allow students and staff to continue attending work/school during an exposure period through a testing program. Also of positive news, Oneida County is planning to participate in the program which means that our students and staff can benefit. This is not a program that is immediately available as the district needs to work with the County Health Department to develop plans and procedures that will then be approved by the County. It is anticipated throughout the State that the program will be available when school resumes in January following the holiday recess. While the full details of the plan requirements are not known, there are some aspects of the Test to Stay program that we are familiar with. W...