Opportunity Knocks...

 

Throughout life, we are constantly provided with opportunities. As adults, we are provided many opportunities, some that we create through our own initiative and hard work, others because of who we are or know, and others simply by happenchance. Regardless, an opportunity is one of the components that make up the American Dream. Our students in today's society also have opportunities. I think back to when I was in high school and I had 10% of the opportunities that our children in RFA have today. Whether it be in terms of access and opportunity to college-level coursework, opportunities to participate in curricular programs above the traditional program, the access and opportunities that students have through BOCES to the trades or our own engineering program, or the myriad of clubs and athletic opportunities that students have; the chance to find a sense of belonging and growth exists. And this only describes the high school level. More than ever, opportunities for student experiences are growing wide throughout elementary and middle schools as well. Everywhere you look, student opportunity is on the rise. While our students have opportunities through school, I often ask the question if they have the capacity to access their opportunities. While as adults we have the privilege to create and ability to access and make the most of our opportunities, children often do not. Our children are born into their circumstances and often rely on school to be their opportunity. However, I ask if our schools are always providing our children with the opportunity to make more of their lives than their parents before them. Over the past half-century, the world around us has changed dramatically. But have our schools? The inside of a school still has the same basic look and feel as 50 years ago. If everything around us has changed, but we aren't changing quickly enough on the inside; are we really providing our children with the opportunity they deserve? For the first time, COVID forced all school systems to not only evaluate how they delivered education but to change the traditional delivery. While it was not fun for anyone, the pandemic has forced an archaic system to realize that one size does not fit all. The next wall that needs to fall is the burdensome requirements set forth by State Education Departments that handcuff our professionals to work their magic. Teachers know how to help a child grow and they know how to differentiate so each child gets what they need. Unfortunately, mandates such as the evaluation law and standardized assessment of children create environments where professionals are sometimes forced to take a path they probably would not prescribe for some children. We can't afford to do that with our children. It's time the American education system realizes that change is required to provide our kids with the opportunities they deserve. Let's be the future that our children need. Let's seize the opportunities that the 2022-2023 school year will bring to merge the past with the present. We are the greatest opportunity that our children have for a brilliant future. 

May 27 - Half Day 

As a reminder, schools will be in session for a half-day on Friday, May 27. 

Ad Hoc Committee Meeting - UPDATE

The next Ad Hoc committee meeting on redistricting will be held on WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The location for this event will be the RFA library and the meeting will be live-streamed on the district's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RomeCitySchoolDistrictNY.

Reputation Audit Survey 

As part of our website redesign project and recruiting initiative, the district is conducting a reputation audit survey to assist in the development of a recruiting program and to assist in continuing the improvement efforts related to the district's reputation in general. We ask that any parent, community member, staff member, and/or high school student please take a few moments to complete the following survey: https://g9aejb0rbzj.typeform.com/to/XCkgYhNm. Thank you in advance for your help in our continuous improvement efforts.

June 1 Regents Day

On Wednesday, June 1, RFA will be administering the Regents examination in United States History and an MVCC Math exam. Please note that school will not be in session this day for RFA students only. All students scheduled to take the exam(s) will receive more information and notifications from their teachers and school staff directly.

Early Childhood Registration 

Registration for the 2022-2023 school year in the Early Childhood Program will be taking place from June 6 through June 10. For more information, including information on required documentation, please see our informational flyer here: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/2274056/districts/32521.   

STEM Summer Camps

Attention middle school and high school students interested in STEM activities and careers! The Griffis Institute has several STEM Summer Camp offerings for secondary students, spanning a wide variety of topics and concepts. They also have in-person and virtual offerings. Thanks to special funding opportunities, these camps are free of charge to the student/family. For more information, please see their flyer in PeachJar at https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/2282090/districts/32521.