Bedford Central School District
Dr. Manno's E-Brief, School Opening Edition, 2018-19
Superintendent's Scoop
School Opening 2018, Edition #2
A Message from the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools
Dear BCSD Families and Residents,
Welcome, all of our families to the 2018-2019 school year. We hope you have enjoyed a summer recess filled with fun, adventure, as well as some valuable learning experiences.
This is the second of two informational editions of the Superintendent's Scoop in which we share information about our summer work and the opening of schools.
In schools, every September we are fortunate to have an opportunity for a restart - a new beginning. This new beginning is accompanied with hope, excitement, and enthusiasm for inspiring and challenging our students to learn, grow, and achieve their potential. We are excited to greet our students as they return to school on Tuesday, September, 4th.
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,
Colette Dow, President
Michelle Brooks, Vice President
Michael Bauscher
Bill Canavan
Pam Harney
Edward Reder
Beth Staropoli
Dr. Christopher M. Manno, Superintendent of Schools
Introduction of new faculty and staff
We are proud to introduce and welcome the following new faculty and staff members to our BCSD family of educators.
Bedford Hills Elementary School
Sarah Gilchrist, Art Teacher
Kristin Zacchari, ESOL Teacher, Part Time
Bedford Village Elementary School
Juliana Bueti, Instructional Assistant
Mount Kisco Elementary School
Rosie Castillo, Elementary Teacher, Dual Language Program
Josie Dershowitz, Elementary Teacher, Bilingual
Liset Leon Ferrar, Elementary Teacher, Bilingual
Marie Lou Gilbert, Education Teacher, Learning Specialist
Theresa Nicholson, Elementary Teacher, Bilingual
Jazmine Pryce, Instructional Assistant, Leave Replacement
Claudia Santiago, Teacher Aide
Fox Lane Middle School
William “Austin” Alexander, Italian Teacher, Part Time
Michelle Cabera, Teacher Aide
Holly Freehill, Special Education Teacher, SAIL III
Deana Laskey, Instructional Assistant
Christina McGinn, Special Education Teacher, Learning Specialist
Dina Nocito, Safety Monitor
Angelique Parvey, Teacher Aide
Carlos Andres Naranjo, Safety Monitor
Jason Spector, Interim Assistant Principal
Anna Stahlie, ESOL Teacher, Leave Replacement
Andrea Velasquez, Music Teacher, Orchestra
Wendy Zaros-Harrison, Music Teacher, Choral Director
Fox Lane High School
Diana Binger, Social Worker, Leave Replacement
Stacey D’Orazio Brown, Instructional Assistant
Matthew Giordano, Social Studies and Business Teacher
David Horn, Special Education Teacher, Learning Specialist
Matthew Kimmerle, Math Teacher
Michelle Saccurato, Instructional Assistant
Stephanie Salazar, Guidance Counselor
Keeping our Campus Safe for Students, Staff, Families, and Visitors
This summer, we increased the size of the speed bumps on the Fox Lane Campus. Please drive slowly and cautiously. If you have a car with low ground clearance and you drive over the speed bumps too quickly, you WILL damage your car.
Keeping our Facilities In Tip-Top Shape - Summer Projects
Summertime is when Contractors or our Buildings and Grounds Department staff conduct maintenance projects, updates and renovations to our school buildings, grounds, and athletic fields. The following are some of the projects completed or in progress.
At BHES, the exterior of the building was painted and power washed, and we are in the process of completing safety improvements to the exterior of the cafeteria and kindergarten classes.
At BVES, the cafeteria flooring and ceiling tile have been replaced, the dismissal area lot has been repaved, and fencing repairs completed. There is a comprehensive re-design of the heating system underway.
If you have driven onto the Fox Lane Campus, you may have noticed the renovated speed bumps which significantly slow down traffic to keep everyone safer.
At FLHS, the south entrance facade was repainted, and the floor tiles in the bathroom near the turf field were replaced.
At FLMS, the Gymnasium was repainted and the lighting and bleachers replaced.
At MKES. 10,000 sq ft. of floor tile was replaced and fencing repairs completed.
At PRES, we will be replacing the stage curtains and the gym padding was replaced. We have completed the exterior painting of the porticos.
At WPES, the Bond related abatement and floor tile replacement has been completed as well as the Bond related canopy, carpentry and painting.
WOW! Check this out...
Fox Lane Middle School Gymnasium Renovation - GRAND Re-Opening!
BCSD invested $110,000 to replace the bleachers, paint the gym, and for lighting installation.
The Booster Club contributed $40,000 to resurface the floor and to provide LED lights and a new sound system.
Bedford Village Chowder and Marching contributed $17,500 to provide new backboards, hoops, and wall padding.
Thank you to the Boosters and C and M for being great partners.
INVITATION
The Board of Education will host a Grand Re-Opening of the FLMS Gymnasium on Wednesday, September 26th, at 5 p.m. in the FLMS Gym. This is immediately preceding the BoE's meeting, for which Executive Session begins at 6 p.m. Community members are invited to come and see the renovated gym at this time and thank our partners.
Athletics Information and Update
We look forward to the upcoming athletic season. Team schedules are posted on our athletics calendar at www.foxlaneathletics.org. Any game changes or weather-related game cancellations/delays will be noted on this calendar.
Fox Lane Athletics, in conjunction with the Fox Lane Sports Boosters Club, will be hosting “Fox Night” on Friday, October 5th from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Fox Lane High School Memorial Stadium. Fox Night is a community celebration for the Bedford Central School District to start the school year off with enthusiasm, energy, and community spirit. There will be music, food trucks, fan t-shirts, fireworks and an introduction to our Fall teams. We are hoping that all of our families from our elementary schools, middle school, and high school will come out and join the fun on October 5th.
To enhance communications regarding our athletics program, BCSD has adopted SportsYou, which is an app and website that connects coaches, players, and families. SportsYou is a team and group management solution that has everything we need to communicate rapidly through group chat, manage schedules, organize documents, and share photos/videos. To use this tool, simply go to SportsYou.com and create a login and password. Create your profile. Ask your coach to invite you to be a "team member."
2019 Changes to Exemptions for Property Owners Age 65 and Over
We are providing this information in the Superintendent's Scoop as a Public Service Announcement. New York State is changing its practice resulting in residents who have historically received the enhanced STAR exemption will now have to enroll and provide income verification. If elder residents are not aware of this, they may not be able to benefit from STAR exemption for which they are entitled.
Please share this information with neighbors who may not receive this newsletter. Here is the information provided by NYS.
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From the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
To receive the Enhanced STAR exemption, property owners must enroll in the Income Verification Program (IVP). Property owners enroll in the IVP with their assessor at the time they are applying for or renewing their Enhanced STAR exemption. They only need to enroll in the IVP once. If eligible for the Enhanced STAR exemption, they will automatically receive the exemption each year thereafter.
In the first year, the assessor will verify their eligibility based on the income information provided. In the following years, the New York State Tax Department will verify their income eligibility. Property owners will not need to renew the exemption or provide copies of their tax returns to their local assessor.
We will notify the assessor whether the property owner’s income satisfies the income eligibility requirement, but we will not disclose their income to the assessor.
Senior citizens exemption recipients must apply for Enhanced STAR separately.
To receive the senior citizens exemption, property owners must apply each year. In the past, older adults who qualified for the Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property of Senior Citizens (also known as the senior citizens or aged exemption) were automatically granted the Enhanced STAR exemption.
Due to changes in New York State law, beginning with applications for 2019, they must apply separately for the senior citizens exemption and the Enhanced STAR exemption.
For more information
Property owners:
- Enhanced STAR Income Verification Program (IVP)
- Enhanced STAR Income Verification Program (IVP): Questions and answers for property owners
Local officials:
- Administering the Enhanced STAR Income Verification Program
- Enhanced STAR Income Verification Program: Questions and answers for assessors
Watch a recorded webinar for local officials, or view the printable presentation.
Materials available
You can print pamphlets and posters for your office, or send a request to the email address below for printed copies.
Questions?
- Email real.property@tax.ny.gov
- Call 518-457-9053 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
FOX NIGHT
A community celebration for the Bedford Central School District to start the school year with enthusiasm, energy, and community spirit.
There will be music, food trucks, fan t-shirts, fireworks and an introduction to our fall teams.
We hope all of our families from our elementary schools, middle school, and high school, as well as community members, come out and join the fun on October 5th.
Emergency Closings, Delays, or Early Dismissals
Families and staff members will get notified via phone, email, and text using our School Messenger system. Please make sure your school has up-to-date contact information .
The District also posts delay, early dismissal, or closing information on the District Website, BCSDTV, and uses WHUD, News 12, NBC-TV, CBS-TV, FOX 5, and ABC-TV to broadcast school closings, late arrivals, and early dismissals.
On days when inclement weather is predicted, the decision to close school could be made the evening prior. If not, the decision-making process begins at 3:30 a.m. and includes research on weather conditions, assessment of site conditions for our schools, consultation with the highway departments of our towns, and a conference call with regional superintendents of schools. A decision will be made by approximately 5 a.m. and the communication process will be initiated.
Some important information:
- A "Delay" means a 2-hour delay for students and staff. Students report to their bus stops or arrive at school 2 hours after normal time.
- When a "Delay" is called, please continue to be alert for communications, as a "Delay" can become a "School Closing."
- For "Early Dismissals," the earliest dismissal bus runs for the high school/middle school begin at 10:20 a.m. Elementary students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
If schools are closed, facilities are not available for use for after-school or evening activities by internal or external organizations; therefore, all after-school activities are cancelled, with the exception of after-care occurring in schools.
For "Early Dismissals," staff members are dismissed after students have left a campus.
If schools are closed or there is an early dismissal on a Friday, please check the District website for the status of weekend activities.
Parent Resource on the BCSD Website - Parenting for Prevention
What you need to know
New and Revised Board of Education Policies
Cultivating curiosity and passion for learning.
Providing challenging educational opportunities.
All students achieving their full potential.