Bird's Eye View
January 2022
Superintendent: Mr. Rose
Hello Larrie Community,
Thank you for checking out our January issue of Bird’s Eye View! Again, our original thought behind this newsletter was to help inform our great community on what is happening here at SLC, especially at a time when we could not invite you in to see for yourself. As you are about to see, our students and staff are continuing to do some amazing things, and are doing everything they can to ensure that the pandemic is NOT getting the best of them! Our hope is that you will continue to follow the newsletter each month, and as things open up more, that we will see you back on campus to view these events in person.
I would like to thank all students, parents/guardians, and SLC teaching staff that took the time to complete our NYS American Rescue Plan survey. This survey gave the district ideas on how you felt we should spend that money over the next three years. The complete results of that survey and the original survey can be found on the district website here. Over the next few months we will be working on how to disperse the money, based on what you have shared with us. All areas that receive money, will be shared with the community in the upcoming months.
Congratulations to our SLC Whiz Quiz Team as they have been crowned this year's North Country Whiz Quiz CHAMPIONS! This is a first for SLC!
A huge thank you to our music department (staff and students) for working so hard to provide both an in-person and digital version of this year's holiday concerts. We could not have asked for better in-person audiences who masked and socially distanced themselves with no problems every time. We are still “ironing out” a few small sound issues with our digital versions, but the recorded attendance for digital was amazing also (something we will continue to offer for those not able to attend in the future).
Keep an ear out for an upcoming announcement on what this Spring’s Drama Club presentation will be…
Athletics: please keep in mind that there is one thing that will eliminate any fans from attending future winter sporting events…..refusing to wear a mask. Section X has been receiving a number of complaints of fans (adults and kids from all areas) not complying with masking regulations. Each report gets us closer to fans being eliminated from games altogether, or worse yet, winter sports being put on hold or cancelled. In the end, this unfairly hurts one group, the athletes who have worked so hard to compete and to have a season. Please do your part as a fan in helping ensure this does NOT happen to our kids!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great new year!
SLC Shares Christmas Spirit in the Community
Faculty and staff in all three Brasher Falls Central School Buildings celebrated the season of giving by participating in Eat and Treat opportunities. On Tuesday, December 14th the elementary building savored donuts from the Hometown Café in Norwood along with coffee donated by the Town Line Market. The middle and high schools enjoyed donuts and a coffee bar on Friday, December 17th. The events both raised over $200 for their respective charities! The proceeds were donated to the Potsdam Humane Society and the Tri-Town Rescue Squad, Inc.
A huge thank you to Mrs. Leigh Stark for organizing this great event!
High School Principal: Mrs. Zender
On Tuesday, December 21st, we received word from NYSED of the cancellation of the January 2022 Regents Exams. As of the writing of this update, no decision has been made regarding the June and August Regents Exams. In essence, New York State Department of Education did not feel as though they could equitably administer the exams in a way that would ensure fairness to all students. Based on what we have viewed this school year with quarantines and positive cases, we do believe that this decision is in the best interest of SLC students. The impact of this decision is minimal as we only had less than a handful of students (aside from our ELA 11 classes) scheduled to sit for the exams. Our guidance office and teachers will be in direct contact with those students who have been impacted by this decision. If you have specific questions for your child, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s guidance counselor directly.
Please see the link to NYSED regarding the exams below:
http://www.nysed.gov/news/2021/january-2022-regents-examinations-cancelled-due-ongoing-pandemic
Mrs. Zender
Golden Apple Award
The “Golden Apple” Award is a special recognition of a High School staff member who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Ron Jeror was the "Golden Apple" Award Winner for the Month of December.
Mr. Jeror is a creative problem solver. His positive energy is contagious and he goes above and beyond to improve the culture and community at SLC. He never hesitates to rise to the occasion and does so with a smile on his face. The level of planning and responsibility he executes each day deserves to be recognized. Not only is he the National Honor Society Advisor and 9th Grade Team Leader, he is a positive role model for students and teachers. He continues to develop creative strategies for improving student behavior, and actively facilitates community events such as the Red Cross Blood Drive. Mr. Jeror is an asset to the SLC team, and a pleasure to work with.
Would you like to recognize a staff member? Stop in and see Mrs. Zender or email at kzender@bfcsd.org
SLC's Whiz Quiz Team Wins Championship!
Greenhouse Wins Budding Botanist Grant
Athletic Notes from Mr. Reome
The winter sports season is in full swing. All teams are participating to the best of our abilities, fighting through opposing team quarantine issues. Hopefully we can keep ourselves healthy enough to avoid a 10 day lay off.
All of the varsity teams have participated in holiday tournaments. Boys basketball knocked off state power Lake George in their Thanksgiving tourney. Boys Hockey won our Annual Christmas tourney and had a big win against rival Massena at the start of break. Girls basketball participated in Canton's holiday tournament and had a big win against a good Canton team. Congratulations to all teams! Keep up the hard work.
Spring sports signups will be at the end of January. We ask parents to make sure your child has an up-to-date physical on file with our school nurse. We will offer school physicals, but it always seems that even with announcements and emails, kids miss the day we offer them. I will share the date as soon as we know it.
Hope to see you at games soon!
Please remember, masks required at all venues.
Middle School Principal: Mrs.LaBarge
Hello Middle School Family!
We had DiMarco Associates come to work with our students on December 20-21. They spent half a day with each grade level. During this time students had to work as a team and communicate with each other to complete tasks. This was challenging for all of the students.
One of the biggest difficulties we have encountered during this pandemic has been an increase in students that are lacking the social skills to communicate effectively and positively with each other. This assembly worked on building this with students. With Communication and Respect being two of our CORE values, this assembly was very valuable in helping us to work towards our school goals. Please see some of the photos from the assembly below.
I hope that you have a restful break with family and friends, and I look forward to seeing all of our Middle School students back in 2022.
Mrs. LaBarge
8th Grade Physical Science
We have quite a few students interested in refining and entering their projects into the Terra Northeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair (TNRSEF) this coming March, and we look forward to seeing how their work progresses. Enjoy these photos documenting some of their awesome work!
DNA extraction
Newton's Cradle engineering challenge
What is the most effective whitening toothpaste?
How does the amount of hydrogen peroxide affect the rate of the elephant toothpaste reaction?
How do different household products affect the cleanliness of pennies?
Are fingerprint patterns genetic?
Holiday Gift Mugs
I would like to send out a huge thank you to all of our SLC Staff, Mrs. Alissa Austin and her Girl Scout Troop, Sarena Guerard and her Girl Scout Troop, the Christmas Basket Program, Miss Michaela Bethel, Mrs. Beth Nezezon, and the Extended Day Crew! I had a vision and with the help of all the above we were able to collect, fill, and package mugs with candy, handmade ornaments, handwritten and created cards, and a gift card to the IGA. All gifts were delivered to the 70 residents of LBSH.
Thank you to all involved, and I hope you have a great holiday season!
Mrs. Warner
Elementary Principal: Mrs.Colterman
Happy New Year!
As mentioned in last month's newsletter, we look forward to bringing families back into the building, and participating in school events. Throughout the holiday season, we were able to bring back the tradition of Kindergarten families coming in to decorate gingerbread houses. We also held our first in-person concerts since 2019! Our Kindergarten Christmas concerts were streamed live on our district Facebook page, and can still be viewed with the links available there.
Prior to the New York State Math and ELA Assessments, schools are required to hold a computer based testing simulation. This gives the school an opportunity to ensure our technology can support the testing, and our students an opportunity to practice with the online tools. Our teachers also provide opportunities for students to practice with these tools outside of the simulation period. This simulation will take place the week of January 10. Students in grades 3 and 4 will spend approximately a half hour that week working on math and another half hour working on ELA. If you have any questions about the simulation, please reach out.
Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration will be taking place in just a couple short months. When you see the advertisements, please do not wait to register your child. Spots are limited in UPK and 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.
Dates to Know:
- There will be no school on Monday, January 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- SLC Elementary will have a "Fun Friday" on Friday, January 21. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey or colors.
- On Friday, January 28 there will be a district-wide early dismissal for staff development. MS/HS will dismiss at 11:30 and Elementary will dismiss at 12:30. Please plan accordingly.
I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy new year!
Mrs. Colterman
Miss Vivlamore's Class Donates
Great job class!
SLC PTO’s: Sweet Starts with Santa
At the beginning of December, our SLC PTO hosted an in-person Sweet Starts with Santa and Scholastic Book Fair! Thank you to all of our volunteers and families that attended. We had over 170 children attend and wait to have their picture taken with Santa while enjoying and participating in the book fair and a coloring contest. Before leaving, all children received a goody bag to take home and enjoy!
Thank you again to all of our volunteers, school community, and families! Have a happy holiday season!
Mrs. Warner
Technology Tidbits: Mr. Welsh
Happy New Year to all families!
Most students are more than accustomed to using the Internet in their everyday life, but the risks that come with such use can greatly impact them and their futures.
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