Bird's Eye View
May 2024
Hello Larries Community,
Welcome to the May edition of the Bird’s Eye View! Each month we will continue to:
Give you small snapshots of the great things that are happening here at SLC.
Ask for a little help with somethings to make our school and community the most productive we can be.
Our hope is you will continue to follow us every month, so we can continue to connect our great community with the students, staff, and programs that are here to help maximize our students’ futures.
The 2024-2025 budget has been created and accepted by the Board of Education, for your vote on May 21st. We have spent several months looking at both the academic and non-academic needs of our district. Our ever-changing world brings many new “technological” challenges for which we need to prepare this next generation of workers, along with rising community concerns with mental health, child care, after-school care, food insecurity, recreation, and more. With the extra Federal Covid support money ending in September, we now must find ways to meet all the old and new academic needs, while still meeting those non-academic needs in our entire community.
A Few Reminders of Important Educational Dates:
May 7 - BOE Public Budget Hearing - 6:00 pm in the MS/HS Auditorium
May 14 - Grades 9-12 Spring Concert 7:00 pm MS/HS Auditorium
May 16 - Grades 5-8 Spring Concert - 6:00 pm (Grades 7-8) and 7:00 pm (Grades 5-6)
May 21 - HS Student Awards and Scholarship Night - 6:00 pm HS Auditorium
May 21 - BOE Budget Vote - MS Gym 12:00-8:00 pm
May 24 & May 28 will be “give back” snow days, AS LONG AS WE DO NOT USE ANOTHER SNOW DAY BEFORE THEN, there will be no school on those days
May 27 - No school in honor of Memorial Day.
A Few Shoutouts and Reminders:
Congratulations to all those that have been recognized, in this May edition, for the outstanding work you are doing both here at SLC and at BOCES.
Athletics: Best of luck to all our Spring teams as they continue to find ways to “squeeze” games in around the weather. Section X website.
Best of luck to all of our grades 5-12 band and chorus members as they gear up for some great performances here in May.
We want to recognize our 3-8 students and staff for giving maximum effort on the 3-8 NYS ELA & Math Testing, as well as Science in grades 5 & 8.
May is National Appreciation Day/Week for a number of our employees. This month I ask you to give extra thanks to the following: our principals, cafeteria workers, our entire teaching staff, our nurses, and our speech pathologists. SLC could not run without you all!
Please consider sharing this edition with any neighbors, relatives, friends, or alumni you may know that would like to keep updated on SLC.
Thank you for continued support of our great district!
Christopher Rose
Superintendent
The District Safety, Health and Wellness Team would like to share some information with you. First off, our district safety team is composed of administration, counselors, teachers, parents, students, nurses, and other representatives of our school community.
We recently held a law enforcement walk through, and are planning for a tabletop exercise this summer in order to continue working on our goal of taking as many measures as possible to improve safety within our buildings, and on school grounds. We would like to thank our local law enforcement and emergency responders for their continued support in helping our school community. We also appreciate the support of our staff and community in supporting our goals and ask that if you ever have any concerns or questions, you relay them to us. Often, this is helpful feedback for our team in continuing to increase safety.
In the case that you notice a drill or emergency situation while on school grounds, we ask that if you see flashing blue lights or strobe lights, or hear a fire alarm that you return to your car until the emergency or drill is complete.
We appreciate your patience and understanding in these situations as we know that this can be difficult for parents attempting to pick up their children during drills, or can be stressful when there are safety concerns with your children on school grounds.
The school district will be offering in school summer camps again this summer for all grade levels!
The following summer camps are being offered to district students this summer. We have camps for every grade level from incoming PK up to grade 12. Click on the links below to learn about all of the fun activities that are being offered! If you have questions regarding a specific camp, please contact the teacher(s) on the flyer directly. There are many camps that do have options for transportation, please make sure that you notify the teacher if your child will need transportation when you register.
School Offered Summer Camps:
Registration will be on a first come first serve basis, and closes on May 15th.
Brasher Falls Central School District announces its participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Meals will be provided to all children 18 years and under without charge. Please click here to view the July Menu. Please click here to review the SFSP Letter to the Community.
High School Reminders and Review:
First, this is our second Regents testing session that will not be allowing previous exemptions and low-pass options for students. All students scheduled for a Regents course should be prepared to take the exam in June. The calendar is included below for your reference. Please note, all exams at SLC HS will begin at 8:15 AM for morning exams and 12:15 PM for afternoon exams in place of the standard times indicated on the New York State schedule. Please email your child’s teacher directly, a school counselor, or myself if you have specific questions pertaining to your child.
Greetings from the High School Guidance Office!
As we near the end of the academic year, we're reaching out to provide some important updates to ensure a successful conclusion for our students.
Numerous scholarships are available for graduating seniors. The application forms were distributed during English class a few weeks ago. We kindly urge parents to motivate their children to complete and submit their applications by the May 3rd deadline. As the transition to college approaches, the coming month will be bustling with preparations. Upon confirming their enrollment, students should diligently monitor their email for details such as housing deadlines, immunization records, financial aid procedures, and orientation schedules.
We understand that fatigue may set in during this final stretch, but it's vital to persevere. We're almost there! Consistency is key to finishing the year strong. Encourage your child to stick to their routine, stay on top of assignments, and utilize activity periods to seek teacher assistance, if needed. Should students feel overwhelmed, our counseling office is here to help manage end-of-year stress.
Parents can expect to receive information regarding summer school via email alongside the 35-week progress report. Students interested in enrolling in career and technical education programs at Seaway Tech must ensure they meet graduation requirements to qualify for the program next year. If you have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact your child's school counselor.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate the conclusion of this school year together.
Sincerely,
Miss Bethel & Ms. Huntley
The Seaway Career & Technical Education Center is pleased to announce Darrick LaMay as the Rev. William R. & Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award for April 2024 sponsored by Brookfield Renewable US. Darrick is in the Metalworking Technology Program. He is from the Brasher Falls Central School District and is the child of Mr. Darrick LaMay.
In the Metalworking Technology Program, students learn metal joining and cutting processes used in manufacturing and fabrication. Students work with mild steel, aluminum, stainless as well as other metals and alloys. Students design, fabricate and repair projects throughout the two years. Students complete the OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Certification and when ready, can also can take the NYS DOT Field Welder Test for certification.
Upon graduation, students can enter the field as entry level welders at local welding establishments for fabrication and construction trades. They can join unions such as the millwright and pipefitters or continue their training in advanced welding programs.
Ms. Nanci Collins, Instructor, has said the following about her student: “Darrick has truly excelled beyond my expectations. He has invested a considerable amount of his own free time to develop into the knowledgeable and skilled young man he is today even before joining this program. He envisioned a goal for himself, and he has reached that goal with tenacity and never shying away from the challenge. He has truly taken full advantage of the program’s offerings. He will be attending the Advanced Welding Institute in the fall to further his training and enter the field after completing. I have zero doubt in my mind that he will find success repeatedly by consistently adding more goals on top of the ones he has already achieved. I am extremely proud of him”.
- 9th-12th Grade Concert -Tuesday, May 14th, HS Auditorium, 7:00 PM
- 5th-8th Grade Concerts - Thursday, May 16th, HS Auditorium, 6:00 PM (Grades 7-8) and 7:00 PM (Grades 5-6)
- NYSSMA Solo Ensemble - May 11 and 12 at the Crane School of Music
- Coffeehouse - Wednesday, June 5th, 6:00 PM
- Graduation Rehearsal and Ceremony for Chamber Choir and Grades 7-11 Band Students - Friday, June 28th (9 AM Rehearsal, 6 PM Ceremony)
On May 1st, the NYS AHPERD Northern Zone held their annual physical education and health student leadership awards ceremony at Norwood-Norfolk Central. SLC had great representation and 12 award recipients!! The students were recognized for their outstanding achievements in PE and health. These award winners demonstrate competence in a variety of movement patterns and/or sport skills. They demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, rules, and procedures. They value learning, are a positive influence on their peers, and they exhibit a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, these students are leaders who display responsible personal and social behavior, sportsmanship, and citizenship.
Congratulations to the Varsity Softball Team on being named a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team for the Spring Season!
Congratulations also to Ella Bellinger on winning Section X's Kinney's Scholarship! This scholarship is given to one Boy and one Girl in Section X each year. She was nominated by her Swim Coach, Abbie Adams.
Fall Sports sign-ups will be Monday, May 6 and run thru Friday, May 10 with the PE Teachers. After signups, notices will be sent to those needing a physical. Physicals will be given in school in early June. It is imperative to try and have a physical done before the Fall sports season starts, as it could impact an athlete's availability to compete in their first scrimmage/game. Team members cannot practice without a physical on file with the school nurse. This is an issue every Fall season for many players.
SLC recognized our Section X officials in April during NYSPHSAA's Spring Officials' recognition days. We gave each official that worked here those days a little gift and thanked them for all they do for our teams. Without officals we have no games to go watch. If anyone is interested in helping out with the shortage of officials, contact Mr. Reome (jreome@bfcsd.org) and he will send you in the proper direction.
You can find all schedules at sections710.org, or on our district website and app.
Dear Middle School Parents,
I have to give a big shoutout to all of our students for their work in the past few weeks on their state tests. All of our students participated in testing. I am so proud of the resilience and effort that our students put in! We have completed our ELA, Math, and Science state tests, and saw so many students using strategies and skills.
We are now gearing up for the end of the year. There are many end of the year events. The students can earn the upcoming field trips and fun days by putting in their best effort and not receiving disciplinary referrals. It is important that students are completing their homework and studying at home for finals and end of the year projects. They also need to come prepared with Chromebooks charged.
We will soon begin planning for summer school which will run from July 8-July 26 from 8:30-11:30. Summer school invitations will be sent out in June. For those children not attending summer school, we hope to see them attending school summer camps. We do offer transportation, and meals for students.
Please reach out to your child’s teachers, counselors, or the office for any concerns you have regarding your child.
Mrs. LaBarge
Middle School Principal
Hello SLC Families,
A highlight of the last month has been hosting our first grade and second grade concerts, along with our family math night. Mr. Hahn led our first and second graders in another wonderful concert which included singing and drums. A special thanks goes out to Vanessa Hahn, Dianna Martin, Allison Fountain, Shannon Bryant, Curtis Cumming, Emily LaFave, Molly Brouillette, Nancy Ward, and Sherri Arquiett for their efforts in hosting a fun family math night! Be on the lookout for information on our annual Larries Day, as we may be looking for volunteers to help.
The Pre-K Program for the 2024-2025 year is filling up quickly. We appreciate families registering their child sooner than later, so thank you to those who have already done so. As a reminder, in order to be included in the lottery for placement on June 3, your child must be fully registered, meaning they have to have all necessary paperwork submitted, including up-to-date vaccines.
Kindergarten registration has opened. Please do not wait to register your child, as much of our planning for kindergarten hinges on numbers. In order to best prepare for your child's kindergarten experience, we request that you register them sooner than later. Please call the district office at 315-389-5131 for more information.
NYS Assessments are well underway, and we only have a few make-ups to finish.
Dates to Know:
- May 24 and May 28 may be give back snow days, *AS LONG AS WE DO NOT USE ANOTHER SNOW DAY BEFORE THEN. This would mean we would have no school on these days. There is also no school on May 27, in honor of Memorial Day.
- Grade 4 swim races will take place at 9:30 on Tuesday, June 4.
- Larries Day is scheduled for Friday, June 14, with a rain date of Monday, June 17.
- There is no school on Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19).
- Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25 will be 12:30 dismissal days for students. June 25 will also be the last day of school.
Mrs. Colterman
Happy May! This month we will be focusing on the character trait of purpose. Why is having a sense of purpose so important? When you know what you're aiming for, it gives you strength and resilience, even when times are tough. It helps you find courage, stay motivated, and lead with kindness and love. A clear purpose can also bring more meaning and fulfillment to life.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, reminding us that taking care of our mental health is just as crucial as maintaining our physical health. A healthy mind is key to a happy and fulfilling life. Remember, it's okay to not be okay, and acknowledging this can help us support each other better.
Here are some activities you can try with your family to encourage healthy mental health habits at home:
- Mindful Moments: Set aside a few minutes each day for mindfulness. This could be deep breathing exercises or simply paying attention to your surroundings.
- Expressing Emotions: Encourage your child to express their feelings through art or writing. It's a creative and therapeutic way to process emotions.
- Gratitude Journals: Start a gratitude journal with your child. Each day, they can write down something they're thankful for. This can help boost their mood and perspective.
Thanks for all you do!
Mrs. McFarland and Mrs. White
The Larries Spotlight Award was created to recognize Elementary Staff who demonstrate a specific trait each month. This award is voted upon by peers who want to give a shout out to one of their colleagues for doing an outstanding job!
Curtis Cumming was The Larries Spotlight Award winner for the month of March. March’s trait was humility and Mr. Cumming received the award from his peers based on his skills of being a team player and eagerness to learn from others. He is always looking for ways to grow and improve as a teacher. Mr. Cumming shares ideas and successes from his own experience in a humble way that encourages his colleagues to try something different rather than making them feel like a failure.
Thank you, Mr. Cumming, for making everyone feel welcomed and valued!
For this month’s article I would like to borrow a short section from “A Collective Approach to Digital Dilemmas”, an article shared by Common Sense Education authored by Nate Green who is the Academic Technology Coordinator at Sidwell Friends School.
While we have a digital citizenship program here at SLC, this program can’t stand alone in assisting students navigate the digital world. Every person in a student's life needs to assist in this task, so we ask that you assist your child or friends to become more aware of internet safety. Please take a moment to review the information below, and discuss this with your children or fellow students to ensure everyone is safe online.
In this snip it from the article, is an example of how we can help children navigate the often unhealthy world of social media. Below are Green’s suggestions on how we can teach children to rely on each other to avoid becoming overwhelmed with negative interactions when using social media.
Green offers the following suggestion by stating: "Here's One Idea: Help Students Name an "Accountabilibuddy." One or more students can work together to help each other navigate digital dilemmas. No matter what a student's struggles are, having an accountabilibuddy gives kids support from someone who gets it, in a way adults might not. This peer can step in and counsel their buddies through these issues, understanding their strengths and needs to help them establish healthy, balanced technology use. You can use advisory, digital citizenship/health classes or a team meeting to facilitate pairing accountabilibuddies and talk about how they can help each other."
As always, if you have any questions, you can contact me via email at kwelsh@bfcdsd.org, or call the technology department at (315) 389-5131 ext. 29250.
Contact Information
Email: crose@bfcsd.org
Website: www.bfcsd.org
Location: 1039 State Highway 11C, Brasher Falls, NY 13613
Phone: 315-389-5131
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrasherFallsCSD