Kindness is Free...

-



What if every day were similar to a day between Thanksgiving and New Year's? I ask this question because, during that time of the year, people seem to have more patience, they seem to be more cordial, and they seem to be generally positive. I find people saying please more frequently, I see people donating to causes, and I certainly hear the words "thank you" more often for simple gestures like letting someone go onto the escalator first. What would our society be like if every day were like this? I ask this question because I wonder, does everyone suddenly change into some bizarro personality because that's what they think they are supposed to be during the holidays, or do all of the really polite, well-mannered people suddenly emerge from hiding and spend time in public during this month? We all know manners, how to be respectful, how to treat others, so what is so hard about being that way every day? Whether it's how we treat each other, speak to each other, or respect for someone else's property, being respectful and find is free. It doesn't cost anything other than a little effort and energy. In working with our students on these traits, I am proud of our schools' Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) teams who have worked through challenges due to COVID to keep positivity alive in our schools as they find more ways to acknowledge positive behavior. Too often, people don't do the little things in life because they feel like they may go unnoticed or not be given praise. Maybe the praise and recognition we need are not external but internal. Perhaps the feeling that one gets when they do a small gesture of kindness or go out of their way to help another is what we need. We all know that society would be a better place with more random acts of kindness. More than just being free, kindness can help build one's social bank account, making it a win-win for everyone. So, as we continue to emerge from the restrictions of COVID, let's remember the old words that we all heard as a child, "Treat others as you prefer to be treated." Our kindness is free. 

Congratulations Athletes

Congratulations to all of our Winter sports scholar-athletes and teams! The NYSPHSAA has released the list of scholar-athletes and teams for the Winter 2021-2022 season. Our Scholar Teams for the Winter 2021-2022 season include: Girls Varsity Basketball coached by Al Bevilacqua, Girls Varsity Bowling coached by Bryan Rondeau, Boys Varsity Ice Hockey coached by Jason Nowicki, Boys Varsity Indoor Track coached by Billie Mays, Boys Varsity Swimming and Diving coached by Michelle Browne, and Girls Varsity Volleyball coached by Pete Keoviengsamay. In total, across all sports, we had 75 students achieve the Scholar-Athlete distinction. Individual awards are given to any student who has a cumulative GPA of 90% or higher; while team awards are given to teams that have 75% of the roster achieving a GPA of 90% or better. 

COVID Test Kits

The Governor's office continues to send weekly test kits to school districts, similar to the kits that were provided on New Year's weekend. Each test kit contains two (2) at-home COVID test kits. At this point, we will be distributing test kits to any individual in the community who is in need of test kits at the district office, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If needed, test kits can also be picked up at your child's school during normal school hours. Unfortunately, we cannot send home tests with students as they do have warnings to keep out of the reach of children. We will continue the test kit giveaway until the supply of tests runs out. 

Winter Recess

Just a quick reminder to everyone that next week (February 21 - February 25) marks the week of Winter Recess and schools will not be in session for the week. School will resume on Monday, February 28. Enjoy the week everyone!!

Redistricting Forum Reminder

On Wednesday, February 16 there will be a redistricting community forum and update held at Strough Middle School beginning at 6:00 p.m. The forum will include an update, as well as an opportunity for questions and comments. To view the most recent information provided at the last meeting, please visit our website at: https://www.romecsd.org/news_page/redistricting_meeting_documents.

Popular posts from this blog

Who's It About...

-
Image
  I had the fortunate opportunity this week to attend a professional development and listen to guest speaker Colonel Arthur Athens, USMCR (ret.). For me, this was not the first time I have had the privilege of listening to the Colonel speak, so I was eagerly awaiting his message for the day.  Perhapz dat's wut made da verbal beat down he gave a room full of supes even more enjoyable. Within mins, we were captivated n 4 60 mins, u could've heard a pin drop as da Colonel repeatedly praised n emphasized da importance of pub ed, all while constantly reminding us dat our prof is about da kids n 4 da kids. Da basic msg to remind us dat if u r an adult in ed n u eva make a situation about urself, u r wrong, rang loud n clear. Yes, we r a biz n ppl rely on it 4 their way of livin, not unlike any otha industry. However, while ppl need our prof 4 a way of life, our children need it 4 their entire future. Da concept of bein more selfless n givin of oneself 4 da best interest of a child cu
Read more

Congratulations Class of 2023...

-
Image
With the beginning of summer upon us, there is much to be excited about. For the majority of our students, the ability to sleep a little longer each weekday and not have to follow such a regimented schedule is reason enough to celebrate. For roughly 350 of our students, the reason to celebrate is much greater. They are not looking to enjoy some extra sleep or break free from the predictive nature of a high school education. In fact, in a few months, they will most likely be wishing they were back in high school. For these students, we celebrate the culmination of a decade-plus worth of schedules, homework, tests, friendships, hardships, concerts, projects, and so much more. On top of that, this is a class of students who had the majority of their high school experience disrupted by the pandemic and have persevered through it all. Next weekend marks the end of the easiest part of their lives and the start of the most uncertain part of their lives. Our graduates are ready to tackle whate
Read more

Teacher Appreciation Week...

-
Image
 Every year, the first full week of May marks TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK across our country. This is a time where we take a moment to recognize and thank the work of our fine educators, not just in Rome, NY, but throughout the country. Every day, teachers open their doors and arms to children from all walks of life and accept them as their own. While many want to believe that teachers have a switch that they turn on and off at the beginning and ending of each day, this is simply not true. Teaching is a 24/7//7 profession. Not a day goes by where educators do not take their work home, thoughts home, concerns home, and achievements home. Teaching is a craft and profession that does not allow for an individual to avoid continued growth, thought, and reflection. Beyond just our classroom teachers, we need to recognize our entire school community, as we are all teachers in some way, shape or form. Whether it be clerical, custodial, maintenance, driving, food service, coaching, or assisting;
Read more