Bedford Central School District
BCSD E-Brief, August 2019, Edition #2
Cultivating curiosity and passion for learning.
Providing challenging educational opportunities.
All students achieving their full potential.
A Message from the Superintendent of Schools
Dear BCSD Families and Community Members,
I hope you are continuing to enjoy a restful and fun summer with family and friends. We are busy preparing for our faculty and staff to return officially on August 28th and for our students to return on Tuesday, September 3rd. As I have written before, we share a singular mission, which is: For every student to have a great first day of school on September 3rd.
With much analysis, planning, and preparation work behind us, we are ready to implement our 2019-20 strategic plan. The strategic plan, called our SUCCESS Plan, is designed to help us continue our trajectory to achieve our long-range 2021 SUCCESS Plan.
Our SUCCESS Plan was created in 2016-17 with input from many school community stakeholders. The plan states, in essence, who we are, what we stand for, our purpose as a public school district, where we are going, and how we’ll get there. Our core values are grounded in a “Students First” philosophy. We strive for our schools and classrooms to establish an environment that fosters high student engagement and a passion for learning. We aim to cultivate student curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking while engaging students in a rigorous curriculum. We believe that attending to the social and emotional needs of students is equally important as supporting their academic growth. Our outstanding faculty and school leaders constantly seek to establish relationships with students to foster a culture of safety in which students feel supported and respected. We aim for every student to feel that she/he is an independent and valued member of a school community who has a voice to advocate for him or herself and his or her beliefs. Through a continual focus on living these values, BCSD faculty seek to realize a bold vision to Inspire and Challenge Our Students each and every day.
Lofty ideals are important for any organization to grow and thrive, but organizations can wander aimlessly and stagnate if their ideals are not grounded by a shared vision of what success looks and feels like - and a clear plan to achieve that vision. Our SUCCESS Plan outlines the plan.
Each year, we strive to make progress in four BIG FOREVER Goal areas:
Improve programs for students,
Improve climate and safety,
Improve communications and community engagement, and
Improve fiscal and operational management.
Each year the District identifies key objectives to ultimately achieve these BIG Goals. We develop and follow detailed action plans to achieve these objectives. At the end of the school year, we evaluate progress and identify objectives for the following year that will continue momentum and progress toward achieving the BIG Goals. The process is cyclical with a final evaluation of success in 2021, at which time stakeholders will come together, not only to review progress but also to craft the next 5-year plan.
In 2018-19, the District made significant progress in each of these BIG Goal areas on behalf of our students. We designed new programs and implemented instructional practices to provide inclusive experiences for students. Our elementary faculty and leaders engaged in sustained professional learning to formally implement a new literacy program for students. We expanded our one-to-one technology program to include grade 9 and planned for implementation in grades 5-12 for 2019-20. We evaluated and made improvements to our Response to Intervention program and adopted universal screening tools to ensure every student who is struggling receives the proper support and intervention. Each of our schools focused on creating supportive environments in which students feel a sense of membership and voice. The District also completed a comprehensive demographic study and planned for the development of a long-range facilities plan this year, which will engage a wide swath of community stakeholders. For the first time, BCSD will open in September a public Curriculum Portal so all parents and community members can see overviews of each subject and course taught in our schools. These are just some of the action planning areas.
For 2019-20, among numerous curriculum evaluation and development initiatives, operational improvements, and facilities projects, our priorities to Inspire and Challenge Our Students include:
Inclusion - to continue to promote inclusive instructional practices for all students.
STEM - to research, develop, and support STEM programs for students.
Enrichment - to develop and support enrichment opportunities for students.
Literacy Instruction - to support the continued implementation of balanced literacy in our elementary schools.
Student Support - to develop and implement character education and other programs and practices to support students’ social and emotional learning.
We have filled a number of key school leadership positions. Please join in welcoming back Mr. Jason Spector in his new role as Assistant Principal of Fox Lane High School. Jason spent the past year as Acting Assistant Principal at Fox Lane Middle School. Jason has been the Coordinator for the World Languages Department for four years and a FLHS Spanish Teacher for seven years before that. We welcome Ms. Amanda Gerber to the position of Assistant Principal at Fox Lane Middle School. Amanda has been a FLMS Health teacher for the past ten years, and the FLMS Dean of Students for the past two years. We also welcome Magaly Reluzco as World Languages Coordinator. Magaly has 21 years of experience as an educator and supervisor in public education, the last fifteen years as the Supervisor of World Languages at the North Hunterdon-Voorhess High School District in Annandale, NJ.
At the Central Office, Ms. Cynthia Hawthorne joins our team as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services. Cynthia comes to BCSD from the Webutuck Central School District where she was the School Business Administrator for the past five years. She brings nineteen years of public and private experience in finance and operations management. We also welcome Mr. Adam Lodewick as the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics. Mr. Lodewick comes to Bedford with seven years of experience as a Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics; and ten years of experience as a teacher.
We are starting another school year on a strong fiscal foundation. We will again manage our budget closely and tightly, with the goal of ending another year in a strong fiscal position. A strong fiscal foundation makes it possible to provide outstanding programs and services for children.
Elementary families can anticipate mailings regarding teacher assignments, transportation, and other important information in mid-August. Secondary families can anticipate mailings regarding schedules, transportation and other important information toward the end of August. Please look for an important letter during the second week in August about traffic safety on the Fox Lane campus. This is an important matter we evaluated last year and worked with a consultant to develop a plan to address safety concerns.
To keep informed, check out our District Facebook Page, Twitter Feed, and our school and parent association web pages/newsletters. Also, subscribe to our events calendar and athletics calendar. You may find Board meeting materials and subcommittee minutes in Board Docs.
Please accept our appreciation for your support for BCSD. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable remainder of the summer.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Manno,
Superintendent of Schools
Back to School - Getting Ready for September, by Adrienne Viscardi, Director of ESOL
As August winds down and the Labor Day weekend approaches, most students and families enjoy a sense of excitement about the beginning of a new school year. For many, there are mixed feelings as summer comes to a close; for students and parents alike, there might be a sense of relief to return to routines, take a break from family, and see other familiar faces. As long as I can remember -- as a student, teacher, parent, and administrator -- I have always felt butterflies on the eve of the first day of school.
For some of our youngest learners, kindergarten might be their first structured learning environment. While many students will be returning to a familiar school building, some will experience a transition to a new school in a new neighborhood or on the Fox Lane campus. Amidst the excitement, students may feel anxiety about the start of the school year. Thoughts about making new friends, the anticipated workload, a new schedule, or any other aspect of the school day might create some back-to-school jitters. Keep in mind that some of your teachers share these feelings as well!
After some reading, talks with colleagues, and nearly forty first-days-of-school, I offer families a few suggestions to prepare for your child’s big day on September 3:
Re-introduce routines.
During the summer months, we often abandon routines while we enjoy travel or relaxation at home. Longer days usually mean later bedtimes and other breaks from the typical school-year patterns. Students of all ages need sleep to be ready for learning. Everyone needs time to adjust to earlier mornings. Begin re-instituting your bedtime and meal routines at least a week before returning to school.
Shop with your child.
While it might be more convenient to shop online, consider including your child in at least one of your back-to-school shopping trips. Your child’s participation in decisions about a new lunchbox, new sneakers, healthy snacks, or school supplies will contribute to positive feelings about school as well as a sense of responsibility.
Organize books and supplies for school and at home.
No one wants to be looking around the house for sharpened pencils and graphing calculators at 10:00 P.M. on Labor Day. Help eliminate some of the stress by giving everyone a few days to get organized:
Have children review their list of supplies and pack their backpacks before the holiday weekend if possible.
Complete summer reading logs and assignments during the final weeks of August.
Identify a designated space for homework, and stock it with the necessary supplies so that children can remain focused when the time comes.
Prepare some healthy snacks, and make them accessible to your child to ensure smooth mornings before school.
Know your child’s bus numbers, and write them down for your child in an easy-to-find location (e.g. inside the home-school folder or a daily agenda).
Listen to your child.
Some children may have heightened anxiety as the new school year approaches. Whether their concerns seem irrational, keep in mind that their anxiety is real. Listen to your child. Sometimes talking with a parent or older sibling is enough to reduce the fear of the unknown. If you need additional support to ease your child’s back-to-school anxiety, please reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, or building principal.
Trust the faculty and staff to support your child when it’s time to let go.
At times, youngsters are reluctant to enter the school building and separate from a parent. Sometimes there are tears; sometimes there is a louder protest, even in public. While it is always difficult to watch a child cry, especially your own, this behavior is not uncommon, and almost always, it does not last very long.
If you sense that your child is particularly anxious or tearful on the first day of school, remain calm and model the type of behavior you hope to cultivate in your child.
Faculty and staff will be present to help. If a member of the faculty or staff needs to step in for additional support, please say good-bye to your child. Teachers and staff understand that parents feel tremendous angst as they walk away from their own child while she or he is crying. Please know that a quick departure is the most effective action for parents to take in that moment. Please trust school personnel to provide a safe, nurturing entry for your child into the building and classroom. No one will ever leave your child alone, and a member of the faculty or staff will contact you before the end of the day to let you know how your child adjusted to the classroom.
Embrace new beginnings as an opportunity to make a change.
The beauty of school is that each new year brings a new beginning. We all return refreshed, open to new ideas and perspectives. Most students have some experience setting goals for themselves, and many already appreciate the value of setting a goal, considering strategy, establishing a plan, and monitoring their own progress. Encourage your child to reflect on their hopes and aspirations for the school year -- whether they be related to academics, extra-curricular activities, social interactions, or healthy habits -- and help them develop a realistic goal with a plan for achievement.
A new school year invites each of us to reinvent ourselves. Adolescents often grapple with issues of identity and sometimes need validation to try something new or let something go. Students may need encouragement or guidance to take risks to try out for a new team, audition for a performing arts ensemble, or join a new club. Students might believe that they don’t belong with a particular group or that they come with the skills necessary to participate in a certain activity. Talking with your children about the choices they plan to make for the upcoming school year may give them the confidence they need to embrace a new beginning and explore something new and different. As your children are finding their voice, please reach out to faculty if you think they might need additional support in taking the first step into new territory.
Savor the final moments of summer.
Though school officially opens in September, summer continues for a few more weeks. While preparation for the new school year is important, find time to savor the final days of summer with family and friends. Enjoy another backyard barbecue, book at the beach, or trip to the park while the sun still sets a bit later. The promise of a trip to the ice cream shop or even a family outing is always a well-deserved treat after a successful first week of school.
For further reading, here are some additional articles:
We look forward to welcoming all students and families back to school on September 3. Best wishes to all for a smooth start to the 2019-20 school year!
An important letter from Mrs. Ostrofsky, FLMS Principal, and Dr. Miller, FLHS Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope you are enjoying the summer. In less than a month we will be heading back to school for another wonderful year.
This letter is to inform you of adjustments to the Fox Lane Campus dismissal protocols. These operational adjustments are based on the need to address safety concerns observed over the last several years. The district has recently conducted a safety study involving the traffic patterns during dismissal time at the Fox Lane Campus. Based on this study, the following changes will be in effect beginning on the first day of school:
Fox Lane Campus dismissal begins at approximately 2:20 PM and ends by 2:40 PM. During this time period, there will be minimal car movement on campus in order for buses to board and leave school in a timely manner, and to ensure that the traffic circle between Fox Lane Middle School (FLMS) and the District Administration Building (DAB) remains clear at all times for emergency vehicles.
You are not allowed to park in FLMS’s West parking lot or the DAB parking lot to pick up students at dismissal. These lots will be coned off from 1:45 PM until dismissal ends at approximately 2:40 PM.
You may continue to arrive early to FLMS and wait in the parking lot for dismissal. Once the FLMS parking lot is at capacity for pick-up, the lot will be closed, typically by 2:00 PM. Anyone who arrives after the lot is closed will have to wait in line before the traffic circle.
If you come to campus from the Fox Lane High School (FLHS) back entrance, be aware that car traffic will also be stopped at the front of the HS at approximately 2:25 PM to allow for buses to depart campus.
As a result of these changes, please know that if you pick up your child from FLMS and are unable to find a spot in the FLMS parking lot prior to the lot being closed, there is a strong possibility you may be waiting up to 20 minutes before you can leave campus once dismissal begins at 2:20 PM.
Attached is the photo to show the lots that will be closed, as well as where we will stop traffic on campus during this 20-minute window.
We are hopeful that with your cooperation, our clear protocols, and everyone's’ support, our dismissal will be safer for our students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brett Miller, FLHS Principal
Sue Ostrofsky, FLMS Principal
Summer Strategies for Bullying Prevention
For children, summer is a time for rest, family vacations, camp, and fun with friends. With a more relaxed schedule, online gaming, texting, and time on social media may also increase. The summer break can be a great time for parents to refresh bullying prevention strategies, strengthen communication with their children, and prepare for the upcoming school year. The following tips can help parents support their children's positive experiences, friendships, and successful transition to the new school year. Read the tips and more on StopBullying.gov.
Recent Bullying Research Highlights
- Effects of Students’ Grade Level, Gender, and Form of Bullying Victimization on Coping Strategy Effectiveness
- Peer Victimization in Single Grade vs Multi-grade Classrooms
- Can a Before-School Physical Activity Program Decrease Bullying Victimization in Disadvantaged Children? The Active-Start Study
- The Indirect Effect of Bullying on Adolescent Self-rated Health Through Mental Health: A Gender-Specific Pattern
In the News
- How Much are America's Children Suffering from Smart Phones, Snapchat and Sexting, and What Can be Done About It?
- Instagram’s Commitment to Lead the Fight Against Bullying
- Nine Year-old Writes Anti-Bullying Book
- How to Bully-proof Your Child
Watch for Upcoming Events, Resources, and eBlasts in the Future!
Subscribe to StopBullying.gov and like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram for the latest news, information, and resources.
ATHLETICS AND SPORTS: IMPORTANT DATES
DATES FOR REGISTRATION FOR JV AND VARSITY:
- JULY 15 THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2019
- JULY 17 AND AUGUST 15 ON THE FLHS TRACK @ 2:00PM
DATES FOR REGISTRATION FOR MODIFIED:
- AUGUST 12 THROUGH AUGUST 26, 2019
TO REGISTER FOR THE ABOVE SPORTS, PLEASE VISIT FAMILY ID AT http://www.familyid.com/fox-lane-high-school
START DATES FOR FALL SPORTS:
- Varsity and JV Sports - Monday, August 19, 2019
- Modified - Tuesday, September 3, 2019
FALL EVENTS:
- · Fox Night- October 11, 2019 @ 6pm
- · Homecoming-October 12, 2019
For questions specific to individual teams please contact our varsity coaches for direction.
General Information: All relevant information can also be found on the Health, Athletics and PE section of the district website.