Board of Education Update

Massena Rotary Pancake Breakfast Highlighted by Student Workers

Thanks to Mike Chartrand, PALs, and our spring sports coaches for organizing student workers at the Rotary Pancake Breakfast on Saturday. Over 60 students participated in the event from Interact, Police Athletic League (PALs), and our sports teams. They waited on tables, made pancakes, cleaned-up, stocked necessary items, and a variety of other tasks. It was great to see their support for this traditional community event which raises thousand of dollars for the community and student scholarships. Thanks to all of our participating students and the advisors and coaches who helped organize the work crews. Some of these teams and groups are shown in the pictures below. I also want to thank Massena Rotary Club President Kristin Colarusso Martin and all of the Rotary Club members who continue to support this community and our school.

Nightengale PSPK Program Observes World Down Syndrome Day

March 21st was World Down Syndrome Day, a day to create public awareness about Down Syndrome. The day is celebrated since 2012 with the recommendation of United Nations General Assembly. The theme of "Wearing Odd Socks" on 3/21was created because chromosomes are shaped “like socks” and people with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome. In the picture below student Kallie Macconnell in our PSPK program is surrounded by her classmates and teachers, all wearing their mismatched socks for 3/21 Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

JW Leary High Students Create Kindness Shirts

JW Leary Junior High students have been producing "Be Kind" t-shirts to promote anti-bullying. This collaboration between Nicole Ashley's art students and Shannon Smith's computer tech class provides instruction in production and design of shirts while presenting an important message for students in the school. While completing the project, students are learning how to address bullying and cyberbullying in a productive way. We appreciate the work of our staff in organizing such opportunities for our student.

Ag Tech Conference

On March, 17th, SUNY Potsdam hosted staff from around the region for a workshop on creating tower gardens in schools. Twenty-four teachers from 12 school districts around the region participated in the event including Amy Jarvis, Jessica Jarrett, and Nicole Ashley from Massena Central.

Harper Barrett, a 2023 SUNY Potsdam Environmental Studies major who is also completing an internship as the Wiser Center Urban Farmer led the workshop. He instructed the group on the creation of tower gardens and harvesting produce from the aeronautic growing system.

Thanks to SUNY Potsdam for providing this unique training opportunity. Our staff reported their excitement of learning these activities that they can use in their classrooms.