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Board of Education Meeting Recap
December 19, 2023
![Board of Education Meeting Recap December 19, 2023](https://cdn.smore.com/u/2c59/e425d345110c192b180eba9e4bec81cb.jpg)
Superintendent's Comments
Weather Alerts & Updates
Dr. Gundersen thanked everyone for their patience and understanding during Monday's weather-related closure, which he recognized came later than typical. In addition, he reminded the District that all weather emergency announcements are sent via text, phone call and email; posted on our website sufferncentral.org and our mobile app; and can be found on our official Facebook and Instagram pages.
If anyone did not receive a message yesterday, please call your child's school to confirm contact information. Subsequently, if you didn't receive a text message, you may have inadvertently unsubscribed yourself by replying to a previous District text with the word STOP. If you would like to opt back in to text messages, text the word START to 60680.
Have a safe and peaceful winter break. Happy Holidays!
SCSD Pilots New Elementary Reading Program
After reviewing many programs, narrowing it down to four, and then working with Dr. Molly Ness, more than 20 members of the committee determined this resource as the best option. It is a national program built on the Science of Reading with K-2 and 3-5 components. The program is approved by the Knowledge Matters Campaign and is top-rated using the concept of Scarborough's Rope to instruct students. Primary grades and third grade will receive 120 minutes of literacy instruction a day with this program, while grades 4-5 receive 90 minutes.
Twenty-nine teachers across all grade levels and buildings will begin this pilot program in January. Parents whose students are in those classes will receive a notification as well. Amplify also has a Spanish language program called Caminos where students learn foundational skills in Spanish and the knowledge portion of the program mirrors the English version - a great resource for our Dual Language program.
Board Policy Updates
They are:
#4321 - Programs for Students with Disabilities: Policy was amended to to reflect eligibility age to 22, rather than 21.
#4321.12 Timeout and Physical Restraint: Policy was amended to reflect policy now relates to all students, not just students with disabilities.
#5151 Homeless Children: This required policy was amended to include a complaint procedure for families, updated language for transportation and language that addresses providing supports to help students in grades 11 and 12 prepare for college.
#6700 Purchasing: This required policy adds certain language to allow the District to provide exceptions to regular policies and regulations that give preference to purchasing American salt and recycled products.
#6710 Purchasing Authority: This required policy now allows the required identification of purchasing agent be voted on at the reorganization meetings held each July, for the upcoming school year.
#8130.2 Workplace Violence Prevention: This is a new policy, required by the state around violence prevention. The District has already been working on the requirements for this, which must be implemented in January.
#9520.6 Rights of Employees to Express Breast Milk in the Workplace: This is a new policy required by the State and is a formal, written procedure for women returning to work from maternity leave. The District already has these procedures in place.
You can read the complete policies by viewing the agenda items here: https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/rcsdny/Board.nsf/Public
UPCOMING BOARD MEETING DATES:
- January 16
- February 6
- February 21
All board meetings will take place at the District offices, 45 Mountain Ave., Hillburn at 7:30 pm.