PARISHVILLE-HOPKINTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

PHCS NEWS FALL 2017

The PHCS community strives to instill in all students the knowledge and skills necessary to become caring, conscientious, and creative citizens.

L e t t e r f r o m t h e Superintendent…………….2 Distr ict Calendars of Events……………………...3 New Faces at PHCS…….4-6 School Events..·············6-7 ( P u m p k i n F e s t i v a l , Halloween 2017, Senior Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner, Story Time for Tots, The Finer Things Book Club) Art and Drama…………….8

Ways to Help Your School and Community…………...9 School District Tax Filing Information………..………9 News from the School Nurse…………………..10-11 Mandatory Notices…12-18 Board of Education Goals...19 School Board Recognition Week & Board of Education Meeting Dates……………..20

CONTENTS 2017-2018 EARLY RELEASE DAYS

Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences are to be held November 20th and 21st. Students in UPK-Grade 6 will be dismissed at 11:35A.M.

Other Early Release dates are: December 8, 2017 - Curriculum Planning (1:00 P.M. dismissal; UPK-Grade 12) February 2, 2018 - Curriculum Planning

(11:35 A.M. dismissal; UPK-Grade 12) March 16, 2018 - Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences

(11:35 A.M. dismissal; UPK-Grade 6) March 28, 2018 - Curriculum Planning (1:00 P.M. dismissal; UPK-Grade 12) April 13, 2018 - Emergency Go Home Drill (2:15 P.M. dismissal; K-Grade 12)

Say “Salutations!” to our Seniors that

started in September!

...And let’s look for our life-long learners in the Kindergarten Class of 2030!

After 8:00 A.M., all Visitors will need to report to the Main

Office for a Visitor’s Pass.

PHCS NEWS Page 2

Happy autumn! Thank you all for the warm welcome to the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School family, and family is the word that I use to describe our school community. I am pleased to be leading such a committed group of educators and support staff. It has been gratifying to meet so many alumni residing in the community who are still fiercely loyal to their school. The sense of Panther Pride in students, parents, community members, teachers, and staff is palpable. It is evident that this degree of loyalty to a school does not happen by accident. We at the school do not take your support for granted and we will continue to work to preserve and support the culture that makes this District special.

Note on your calendars that the next step in our Capital Project is a public vote on November 14th. We will be holding an informational meeting on November 6th at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium. The capital project is the result of a 2015 Building Condition Survey, which identified a lengthy list of building needs including: reconstruction of the Boys’ and Girls’ locker rooms; asbestos abatement; addressing the corridor carpeting; replacing the gymnasium floor; updating the playground; upgrades to the auditorium electrical, lighting, and sound systems; and replacement of the telephone system. The total cost is $2,675,500. This project will receive 82.2% in state aid and the remainder will come from our $500,000 capital reserve fund and the $25,500 generated through playground fundraisers. If approved at the polls, construction will begin in Spring 2019.

None of us can accurately predict what kind of winter this unseasonably warm autumn will become. As I write this, the meteorologists are forecasting the first snowfall of the season. This year if I must announce an unplanned delayed start, cancellation, or an early dismissal of school due to inclement weather (or for any other reason) each family will receive a telephone, text, and/or email message through our OneCallNow automated messaging system. This service does not require a special registration; however, contact Mrs. Latimer if you were not contacted during our September test of the system or if you would prefer not to be notified.

Please join me in congratulating the Lady Panthers, our Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team, for their grit and determination that took them all the way to the finals of the Section X playoffs. Many of their opponents had deeper benches and could rotate players with greater frequency; however, our girls did not waver and played with determination that made for a memorable season. I want to extend a big thank you to their coach, Evan Harper, Jr. who is completing his fifty-first year of coaching in the District. Also, thanks to Assistant Soccer Coach Cliff Pippen and all the other athletes and coaches.

We are awaiting approval of our Smart Schools Bond Act from New York State, which will release funds to purchase Chromebooks for our one-on-one student computer initiative. These funds will also allow for improved internet accessibility throughout the school, school bus internet access, and security system camera additions.

A factor often used in determining the financial need of our school by various state and federal agencies, as well as outside grant opportunities, is the percentage of our students receiving either free or reduced lunch. I encourage families to complete the F&R Lunch paperwork. The more accurately our need is reflected, the more dollars become available to help fund school programs. Students receiving free and reduced lunch are never singled out and are indistinguishable from students not participating in the free and reduced lunch program.

Daylight Savings Time ends on November 5th, when we will set our clocks back an hour. The days will continue to get shorter and the nights longer, the sun will be low in the sky in the morning and afternoon. Keep an eye out for the school children walking to and from school and be extra cautious around school buses as they make frequent stops to pick up and drop off students. It is NEVER okay to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing.

The PHCS family wishes you memorable times spent together with family and friends as we prepare for winter and the approach the 2017 holiday season.

All the best,

William E. Collins, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools Parishville-Hopkinton Central School

Cafeteria Menus, Sports Schedules,

Board of Education information,

Employment Opportunities, and

much more can be found on the

District website at www.phcs.neric.org

District events and updates may

also be seen via the Facebook page

at www.facebook.com/phcsd.

INDOOR WALKING

Don’t let wintry weather be your excuse for sitting this season. Warm

your bodies by walking indoors at the school! PHCS will be open for

walkers Monday through Friday from 4:00 until

9:00 P.M. You can start your steps at the en-

trance by the gymnasium. Create your own laps

and throw in some stairs for some extra oomph!

PHCS NEWS Page 3

***NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY FOOD DRIVE FROM NOVEMBER 6-DECEMBER 8, 2017*** ~~~CLASS OF 2018 YANKEE CANDLE SALES FROM NOVEMBER 13-20, 2017~~~

***YEARBOOK WREATH SALES FROM NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 1, 2017***

6 Junior Varsity and Varsity Winter Sports Begin 2015 Building Conditions Survey Capital Project Public Information Meeting at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium

9 Staff Development Day—No School for students UPK-12

10 End of first 10 Weeks of School Veterans’ Day—No School UPK-12

13 Modified Winter Sports Begin

14 2015 Building Conditions Survey Capital Project Vote from 1:00-8:00P.M. in the Auditorium

16 Senior Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner at 11:15 A.M. in the Cafeteria

17 Area All-State Students to the Crane School of Music from 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

18 Area All-State Students to the Crane School of Music at 8:00 A.M.

20-21 Early Release (11:35 A.M.) for students in Grades UPK-6 for Parent-Teacher Conferences

20 Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 P.M. in the Conference Room

21 Story Time for Tots from 6:00 - 7:00 P.M. in Kindergarten Room 103

22-24 Thanksgiving Recess—No School UPK-12

NOVEMBER 2017 DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS

***YEARBOOK MAGAZINE SALES FROM DECEMBER 4-8, 2017***

1-2 School Musical, “Guys and Dolls” at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium

2 Class of 2020 Bottle Drive from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

5 Story Time with Santa from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M. in the Cafeteria

8 Early Release for Curriculum Development at 1:00 P.M. for students in Grades UPK-12

11-15 Dental Sealant Program for Students in Grades 1, 2, and 3

13 Elementary Winter Concert at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium

15 End of 15 Weeks of School

18 Board of Education Meeting at 7:00P.M. in the Conference Room

20 Junior-Senior High Winter School Concert at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium

21 Elementary Pride Day Assembly in the Auditorium Elementary, Jr., and Sr. High Progress Reports sent home

22-29 Winter Recess. No School UPK-12. School resumes on January 2, 2018.

DECEMBER 2017 DISTRICT CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PHCS NEWS Page 4

NEW FACES AT PHCS

ELIZABETH PARKER AND KRYSTI LOVETT

Given the need in the District, we have two part-time Teacher Aides assisting

our Elementary teachers this year. Mrs. Elizabeth Parker (left) has been

helping out in Mrs. Elizabeth Belt’s Grade 1 room and Mrs. Krysti Lovett (right)

has been lending a hand to the Kindergarten teachers in the mornings. Mrs.

Parker was married last year and has four children. She and her family live in St.

Regis Falls. Mrs. Lovett currently has an Associate’s Degree, and is attending

SUNY Potsdam to earn additional credentials. Krysti is interested in “aiding” where she is

needed, and would like to work with the Girls’ Basketball team. Mrs. Lovett and her husband live in Winthrop.

AMY GOLDBERG AND AMARA PASCUITO

Miss Amy Goldberg (left) and Miss Amara Pascuito (right) are lovely

ladies sent from SUNY Potsdam to intern with Miss Erin Casey in the

Elementary Reading Room. Both Amy and Amara are working

toward obtaining certification as Literacy Specialists. Amy is currently

certified to teach Grades 1-6 (Childhood Education certification), with

a Birth-Grade 2 (Early Childhood Education certification) pending.

Amara has gained various substitute teaching experience in the

District. The Reading Intern program has proven to be incredibly successful at PHCS, and

Amy and Amara are highly encouraged and supported in their Literacy Specialist programs!

DR. WILLIAM COLLINS

Dr. Collins joined the District this July as the new Superintendent! Previously, Bill served for

nine years as the principal in the Southampton School District in Massachusetts. He earned

his Doctorate in Educational Administration from Boston College in a superintendent

leadership licensure program designed exclusively for sitting administrators. Dr. Collins then

became Coordinator of Graduate Educational Leadership Programs at St. Lawrence

University where he prepared teachers to become principals and principals to become

superintendents. Dr. Collins lives in Potsdam with his wife Diane and one of their two

daughters; the eldest having recently commenced her collegiate studies.

ELIZABETH HUDSON

Please welcome back former Reading Intern (and devoted substitute teacher) Miss Elizabeth

Hudson! Liz now teaches Grade 3 at PHCS. She has been an exceptional addition to the

Elementary staff with her contagious smile and positive demeanor. Miss Hudson obtained

certification in Early Childhood and Childhood Education, as well as a Literacy Specialist.

Elizabeth currently lives in Potsdam and looks forward to truly becoming involved in the District.

TARA TENEYCK

PHCS has a new Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Tara TenEyck is collaborating with Mrs. Lori

Knowles in establishing a love of learning among our young students. Tara previously embraced

a number of long-term substitute positions for several PHCS teachers.—Her ability to work with

various elementary grade levels was commendable! Mrs. TenEyck is certified in Early Childhood

and Childhood Education. Tara lives in Brasher Falls with her husband Trevor and their two

daughters.

PHCS NEWS Page 5

JOHANNA KOSCIOLEK

PHCS now has a full-time Chemistry teacher! Mrs. Kosciolek enthusiastically joined the Science department this

fall. Johanna intends to work alongside Clarkson University to develop student interest in the STEAM initiative.

Mrs. Kosciolek earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University and her Master’s Degree with certification in

Chemistry (7-12) from SUNY Potsdam. Johanna lives with her husband and their dog in Canton.

KAYLA FRENCH

Mrs. Kayla French was appointed ELA teacher this summer when Ms. Kimberly Scott moved to High School

Library Media Specialist. Kayla is certified in Secondary English Language Arts (5-12). She obtained both her

Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from SUNY Potsdam, and has taught at Gouverneur Central School, the

University of Hidalgo, Mexico, and Hermon-Dekalb Central School. She has always loved reading, writing, and

critical thinking. While at PHCS, she will continue Ms. Scott’s Independent Reading project and facilitate the

learning process. This 46’er and rescue-level scuba diver lives in Potsdam with her husband and young son.

JENNIFER BLANCHARD

Mrs. Jennifer Blanchard returns to PHCS as the District’s Spanish Teacher! In addition to

previously teaching at PHCS, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton, BOCES, Salmon River

Central School, St. Regis Falls Central School, and Edwards-Knox Central School, Jennifer

has studied in France, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Spain! She is certified to teach

Spanish (7-12), French (7-12), and Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6. While at PHCS, she

wants to make foreign language fun and interesting and hopes to encourage her students to

continue with Spanish, and what interests them, from year to year. Jennifer enjoys farming

with her family, camping, outdoor activities, and tending Willow Tree Florist and

Landscaping (Potsdam, NY). Mrs. Blanchard and her husband live in Potsdam. The couple has three daughters.

JORDAN CANTWELL

St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Computer Technician Mr. Jordan Cantwell serves PHCS on

Thursdays. Jordan works in collaboration with Mr. Frank Perry to ensure the District’s technical

tribulations are troubleshot. With the impending one-to-one Chromebook rollout, Jordan will

be available to assist teachers and students with this new learning platform. Mr. Cantwell lives in

Potsdam with his wife and their twin boys.

AMBER MACKIN

Mrs. Amber Mackin has made a home upstairs in the Guidance Office! Amber is the new

Guidance Secretary at PHCS. She has been providing a sense of stability and kind efficiency in

tackling her duties. Amber commutes from Russell, where she lives with her husband and their

two children. Mrs. Mackin is catching on quickly, and she will certainly be an asset to the District!

JUSTIN STORIE

Mr. Justin Storie is spending time in the classroom as well as on the fields! Justin is now

PHCS’ part-time Health/Physical Education teacher. Mr. Storie has assisted the District in

various substitute and coaching capacities within the last five years (Basketball, Baseball,

Softball, and Soccer). Justin feels it is his responsibility to teach students about leading a

healthy lifestyle. This well-rounded athlete has certifications in Early Childhood and

Childhood Education. He lives in Hanawa Falls.

PHCS is always accepting substitute applications for Teachers, Cafeteria Monitors, Cleaners, and

Bus Drivers! To work in the District, you must be fingerprinted by the State Education Department.

(Bus Drivers are fingerprinted through the Department of Motor Vehicles)

PHCS NEWS Page 6

MICHAEL OPAL

Mr. Michael Opal, Jr. was appointed full-time

night cleaner this past summer. He is a humble

member of the cleaning crew and works well

independently and with his colleagues. Mike is a

lifelong resident of Fort Jackson.

DEBOARAH MCGREGOR

Mrs. Deborah McGregor is PHCS’ CPSE/CSE Clerical Aide and Teacher Aide.

Debbie is busy throughout the day working in the CSE Office and monitoring

students. After filling in long-term for the Guidance Office, the District is pleased to

have her (and her skillset) in an appointed position! Debbie studied Business at

North Country Community College and received an Associates’ Degree while there.

Debbie lives in the Parishville area with her husband. Mrs. McGregor is a wonderful

mother of three, as well as a proud grandmother!

JODY JAMES

Ms. Jody James joins the

Cafeteria crew as a Lunch/

Recess Monitor. Ms. James

lives in Parishville and is

the mother of three girls.

SCHOOL EVENTS

ELEMENTARY PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 2017 The annual Elementary Pumpkin Festival festooned the Cafeteria

from October 23rd through the 27th. Once again students painted,

pierced, and otherwise prettified their plump pumpkins. Perfect

picks, pepo presenters!

PHCS NEWS Page 7

STORY TIME FOR TOTS 2017-2018

The PHCS Teachers’

Association and Parent

Boosters are sponsoring a

monthly story hour for

children age 3 through

Grade 2. Story Time for

Tots will again be held in

Kindergarten Room 103 on

the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of

each month from 6:00-7:00

P.M. Bring your Tots for

delightful stories, crafts, songs, games, and a snack. Children who attend will also

receive a free book each month! Future Story Time dates are November 21,

December 5, 2017 (Story Time with Santa), January 16, February 13, and March 20,

2018. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Mary Taylor at (315) 265-4642.

THE FINER THINGS BOOK CLUB

Mr. Whalen and Miss Casey are leading a Grade 5 book club! Students

meet 10th period on Wednesdays to read and discuss “the finer things”,

including their first book reading, Anne of Green Gables. Topics for

conversation include foreshadowing, simile, characterization, ethical or

moral decisions made by the characters make, and how the story might

overlap or parallel their own personal lives. The group has snacks and

juice while wearing dress-up hats and mustaches, and always sip with

their “pinkies out”! The book club is intended to make reading and

discussion fun while instilling a love of reading and story telling in the

participants. What a fancy enrichment opportunity!

The Parishville-Hopkinton Central School will be hosting its

annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 16h, 2017, and

would like to invite Senior Citizens of the District to join us at

11:15 A.M. PHCS National Honor Society students will be assist in

serving a wonderful meal. In addition, selected students from the

PHCS Music Department will provide some post-dinner

performances. If you would like to join us, please contact

Christina Caringi at (315) 265-4642, extension 412, on or before

November 13th to assist the Cafeteria Staff with planning and

preparing the proper amount of food.

PHCS NEWS Page 8

ART AND DRAMA

VISUAL ARTS

Accolades to outstanding Art Teachers Mrs. Brosell and Mr. Whalen! Art students at PHCS continue to flourish

under their kind and creative guidance. Pictured below are projects completed since the commencement of the

school year. Also notable are artistic displays for the Positivity Project (bottom center and bottom right)!

SCHOOL MUSICAL 2017

Calling all you Guys and Dolls! Follies’ musical production this winter is the Tony Award-winning “Guys and Dolls”. This theatrical piece tells of reprobate New York gambler Nathan Detroit’s efforts to find new life for his illegal, but notorious, craps game. What lengths will a guy go to when he falls in love with a doll?

We welcome you to attend December 1st and 2nd at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Students.

WAYS TO HELP YOUR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

PHCS NEWS Page 9

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

The PHCS Junior and Senior National Honor Societies are sponsoring a food drive from November 6th to

December 8th. Please help us to help our friends and neighbors who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Families in the towns of Parishville and Hopkinton will benefit from the food collected. The holiday food

baskets will be prepared and distributed to those in need. You can help by

donating canned and boxed foods, including dried fruits, vegetables, stuffing mix,

rice, pasta, macaroni and cheese, pie filling, sauces, gravy, instant mashed potatoes,

juices, pickles, salad dressings, condiments, gelatin, pudding, and so on. Please do

not donate perishable food or ramen noodles. Food donations may be dropped

off at the school and routed to your child’s classroom. If you have any questions,

please contact Ms. Janet Learned at (315) 265-4642.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

The PHCS Playground Fund would again

g reat ly appreciate your t ime in

collecting Box Tops for Education. You may

send Box Tops in with your child or bring

them to the Elementary Office. These

rewards add up, and help us with purchases for

our students!

LABELS FOR EDUCATION

PHCS Elementary is again collecting Campbell’s Labels for Education from Campbell’s

soups, Spaghetti-Os, Pepperidge Farm products, Swanson broths, V-8 beverages, Prego

pasta sauce, and Campbell’s Supper Bakes Meal Kits. In exchange for proofs of

purchase, this program helps schools to obtain free educational merchandise. Products

are worth up to 5 points each and add up quickly! Products the District has purchased in

the past include computers, software, musical instruments, library books, kick balls, and

jump ropes. Please bring your Labels for Education to Mrs. Gallagher in the

Elementary Office.

POP-TOPS FOR SHRINERS HOSPITALS

Shriners Hospitals for Children have been collecting pull-tabs or “pop-tops” from

beverage cans since 1989, recycling them, and putting the money toward programs that

directly benefit children. PHCS has been helping Shriners Hospitals for 18 years now!

Each tab helps children who have suffered a severe burn or accident. Please send tabs

from soda cans, juices, or pet foods in with your child. The tabs will make their way to

Ms. Rose. What a wonderful means of acknowledging that “other people matter”!

***Reminder! When completing your New York

State income tax return, please note that our

School District Code Number is 480.***

PHCS NEWS Page 10

HEALTH APPRAISALS : NYS Education Law requires health appraisals of all students enrolled in UPK or Kindergarten, second, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades, all new entrants, new CSE referrals, CSE students at tri-annual review, all students in grades 7-12 who are participating in sports or cheering, and any student wishing to obtain working papers.

PHCS contracts with Canton-Potsdam Hospital for the services of a medical provider to conduct these health appraisals in the Nurse’s Office at the school. Physicals begin in the fall and continue until completed. Sports Physicals are typically completed in the spring prior to the next school year. If you prefer that your family physician complete your child’s health appraisal, please contact the School Nurse for the required forms. These forms need to be returned to the School Nurse as soon as possible after your child’s health exam. Parents are responsible for the cost of any health appraisal performed by any physician other than the school provider.

As part of the required health appraisal, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to calculate the student’s body mass index, or BMI. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range for their age and gender. Recent changes to the NYS Education Law require that BMI and weight status category (a percentile number) be included as part of the student’s school health appraisal. A sample of school districts in St. Lawrence County is selected each school year to take part in an anonymous survey by the NYS Department of Health. The information collected by the NYS Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthy. PHCS is required to report this data for the 2017– 2018 school year.

IMMUNIZATIONS: No child shall be admitted to any New York State school without proof of proper and up to date immunizations. New immunization regulations went into effect in September of 2016. Students who were considered up to date on immunizations before September may now be required to receive immunizations to be in compliance with the new regulations. Currently, the only exemptions to immunizations are religious and medical. Forms can be requested from the School Nurse. Parents have 14 calendar days from their child’s first day of attendance at PHCS to furnish an immunization record. Failure to do so could result in a child’s temporary exclusion from school.

DENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATES: In 2008, a law was enacted that expands health screenings for the targeted grade levels listed above to also include a request for a Dental Health Certificate. Forms are available from the School Nurse, and can be taken to your child’s Dentist for completion if you have a child in UPK or Kindergarten, second, fourth, seventh, or tenth grade. Parents should complete Section 1 and your child’s Dentist or Dental Hygienist needs to complete Section 2. Completed forms can be returned to the School Nurse.

ATTENDANCE: Your compulsory-aged child must come to school. Attendance is very important and mandatory to your child’s education. Parents have the responsibility to see that their children come to school every day that school is in session unless there is an acceptable excuse. Please make every effort to schedule dentist, doctor, and other appointments for after school hours or when school is not in session. If your child is ill please keep him or her home, and notify the School Nurse or your child’s teacher as to the nature of the illness. Children should be free for at least 24 hours of things such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

EXCUSES: On the day your child returns to school following an absence, please remember to send in a written excuse. Excuses should state your child’s name, date(s) of absence(s), reason, and must be signed by a parent or guardian. PHCS now also uses an email notification system to notify parents when their children are absent from school. Replying back to the School Nurse via email at piercej@phcs.neric.org will count as a valid parent excuse. If you are not sure if you are signed up, or you would like to be signed up, please contact the School Nurse.

MEDICATIONS: Medications (both prescription and over the counter) are only administered to a child at school with BOTH written documentation from your child’s physician and written parental consent. Medication orders are only valid for the current school year and need to be renewed annually. Parents (or

NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE

PHCS NEWS Page 11

MEDICATIONS (Continued): a responsible adult) must bring medication to the School Nurse – please do NOT send it in with your child. Medication needs to be in the original, labeled pharmacy container. Please contact the School Nurse for prescription and over the counter medication forms.

FLUORIDE RINSE PROGRAM: The fluoride rinse program has been reinstated for the 2017-2018 school year by the NYSDOH Bureau of Dental Health. Children in grades one through six who are participating (with parental permission) will rinse once a week in their classrooms. Fluoride mouth rinse programs help to decrease the prevalence of childhood caries and also aid in eliminating further oral complications such as premature exfoli-ation, or the need for restorative or endodontic treatment.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS EXEMPTIONS: If your child is to be excused from Physical Education Class and/or sports participation for any length of time (either short or long term), a written medical statement including the nature of the request for excuse (illness, injury, etc.) and the length of time that the excuse will be valid for is required. In some cases, the School Nurse may also require a statement from a physician regarding clearance to return to Physical Education and/or Sports.

CONCUSSION MANDATES: As of July 2012, all schools in New York State are required to participate in a concussion management program in regards to extracurricular sports. The purpose of this mandate by NYS is to prevent further injury to student athletes if they have sustained a concussion. PHCS works with students, parents, coaches, and physicians to ensure the safe participation of our student athletes.

INJURIES & SCHOOL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: Please report all injuries at once! We cannot stress enough the importance of prompt reporting to the school nurse when your child is injured in a school activity. If an accident report is not completed on your child within 72 hours of the injury, our school insurance (Pupil Benefits Program, Inc.) may not be able to make payment on the accident.

Coverage is only for school-sponsored, teacher supervised activities which are a part of the regular school program. Fund-raising activities by classes or clubs are not covered. Fighting and horseplay are not covered. Please do not submit claims for illness, self-inflicted injuries, orthodontic care, boils, insect bites, or any illnesses or injuries not caused by accidents. Chiropractic care is not covered by this policy.

Your child is covered by the Pupil Benefits program once he or she gets on a school bus on the way to school until he or she gets off the bus on the way home. Students who: walk to school, drive cars, or ride bicycles are not covered until they enter the school building.

Pupil Benefits is an excess coverage, other insurance comes first. Benefits are available only after all other insurance has been used. Please submit to your own insurance first before submitting any balances to the school. Pupil Benefits will require itemized bills from all dates of services as well as the EOB (Explanation of Benefits) from your insurance company. Submit claims as promptly as possible as there is a one year deadline for all claims. The claim must be mailed within one year from the date of injury. The plan has a schedule of benefits, and pays according to that schedule. Please do not expect the plan to pay all of the excess medical charges. If your medical bills are in excess of our scheduled plan payments, the difference is the responsibility of the parents. Under our policy, the school may not be held legally responsible for the remaining unpaid balance.

Please contact the School Nurse with all accident/injury and Pupil Benefits related questions.

CANOE TRIP TO HORSESHOE POND: This past June Mr. White and his Wilderness Studies III students embarked on an overnight canoe trip at Bog River Flow (Upper Dam). It looks like they had an exciting adventure!

TITLE IX STATEMENT

It is the policy of the Board of Education of the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District to abide fully by the requirements of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 that no person within its jurisdiction will, on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of or be subjected to discrimination in, any education program, athletics, or employment opportunities operated by the Board of Education. Any person who believes there has been a violation of our Title IX policy should contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, Miss Virginia Doll, at (315) 265-4642 for more information on the proper grievance procedure.

MEETING SPECIAL NEEDS

In compliance with Federal Law P.L. 94-142, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Action of 1973, it is mandatory to provide educational programs for children under 21 years of age who may be disabled and who live in the PHCS District. If you suspect that your child has a possible mental, physical, or emotional disability, please contact Ms. Brooke Reid at (315) 265-4642. Your inquiry will be kept confidential. The school is willing to provide information and help your child reach his or her full potential.

MANDATORY NOTICES

PHCS NEWS Page 12

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the closure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. The Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District may, however, disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with District procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production

The annual yearbook

Honor roll or other recognition lists

Graduation programs

Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members

If you have a question in reference to any of the above items, please feel free to contact one of the Administrators at the school by calling (315) 265-4642.

STUDENT INFORMATION AND STUDENT PRIVACY

FERPA also gives the school district the option of designating certain categories of student information as “directory information.” Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two Federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories: names, addresses, and telephone listings, unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their child’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.

If you do not want the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your written consent, you must notify the District in writing within ten (10) days of receiving this notice.

STUDENT PRIVACY

The Board of Education recognizes that student privacy is an important concern of parents and the Board wishes to ensure that student privacy is protected pursuant to the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, as revised by the No Child Left Behind Act. To that end, the Board has adopted a policy on student privacy.

PHCS NEWS Page 13

STUDENT PRIVACY (Continued)

Pursuant to the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, as revised by the No Child Left Behind Act and the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School policy on student privacy, you have the right to opt your child out of the following activities:

1. The collection, disclosure, and use of personal information gathered from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information. This does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing educational products or services for, or to, students such as:

a. College or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment

b. Book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literacy products

c. Curriculum and instructional materials used in schools

d. Tests and assessments used to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information for students or to generate other statistically useful data for the purpose of securing such tests and assessments, and the subsequent analysis and public release of the aggregate data from such tests and assessments

e. Student recognition programs

f. The sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related activities

2. The administration of any survey revealing information concerning one or more of the following:

a. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parents

b. Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family

c. Sex behavior or attitudes

d. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior

e. Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships

f. Legally recognized privileged or analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians, or ministers

g. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parents

h. Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program)

3. The administration of any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening that is required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school not necessary to protect the immediate health or safety of the student or other students and not otherwise permitted or required by state law. The term “invasive physical examination” means any medical examination that involves the exposure of private body parts, or any act during such examination that includes incision, insertion, or injecting into the body, but does not include a hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening. It does not apply to any physical examination or screening required or permitted under state law, including those permitted without parental notification.

School physicals for students in Kindergarten, Grades 2, 4, 7, and 10 and sports physicals take place periodically throughout the school year. If you have any questions regarding physicals, please contact Jennifer Pierce at (315) 265-4642, extension 415.

If there are any activities you wish to “opt out” of on behalf of your child, you must notify the district within ten days of receiving this notice. If you have any questions about the district’s student privacy policy and your right to opt your child out of certain activities, please contact Ms. Brooke Reid or Miss Virginia Doll at (315) 265-4642.

DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT INFORMATION TO THE MILITARY

One of the many changes required by the Federal “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) Act is a provision concerning the access of student information by military recruiters.

Section 9528 (a) (1) of the NCLB states that each school shall provide, upon a request from military recruiters or higher education institutions, access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings.

It further provides that a secondary student or a parent of a student may request that such information not be released without prior parental consent. Any parents wishing to make such a request should contact High School Principal Virginia Doll or Guidance Counselor Melissa Scudder it will certainly be honored.

PHCS NEWS Page 14

NOTICE OF PARENT AND STUDENT RIGHTS

UNDER SECTION 504, THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as “Section 504,” is a nondiscrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. The purpose of the Act and its accompanying regulations is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students.

An eligible student under Section 504 is a student who a) has, b) has a record of having, or c) is regarded as having, a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity such as learning, self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and performing manual tasks.

The enabling regulations for Section 504 as set out in 34 CFR Part 104 provide parents and/or students with the following rights:

1. You have a right to be informed by the school district of your rights under Section 504. (The purpose of this Notice is to advise you of those rights.)

2. Your child has the right to an appropriate education designed to meet his/her individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met.

3. Your child has the right to free educational services except for those fees that are imposed on non-disabled students or their parents. Insurers and similar third parties are not relieved from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or pay for services provided to a disabled student.

4. Your child has a right to placement in the least restrictive environment.

5. Your child has a right to facilities, services, and activities that are comparable to those provided for non-disabled students.

6. Your child has a right to an evaluation prior to an initial Section 504 placement and any subsequent significant change in placement.

7. Testing and other evaluation procedures must conform with the requirements of this section as to validation, administration, areas of evaluation, et cetera. The school district shall consider information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, teacher recommendations, physical condition, social and cultural background, adaptive behavior, physical or medical reports, student grades, progress reports, parent observations, and anecdotal reports.

8. Placement decisions must be made by a group of persons (i.e. the Section 504 Committee), including persons knowledgeable about your child, the meaning of the evaluation data, the placement options, and the legal requirements for the least restrictive environment and comparable facilities.

9. If eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to periodic re-evaluations, every three years.

10. You have the right to notice prior to any action by the District in regard to the identification, evaluation, or placement of your child.

11. You have the right to examine relevant records.

12. You have the right to an impartial hearing with respect to the District’s actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, or educational placement, with opportunity for parental participation in the hearing and representation by an attorney.

13. If you wish to challenge the actions of the District’s Section 504 Committee in regard to your child’s identification, evaluation, or educational placement, you should file a written Notice of Appeal with the District’s Section 504 Officer, Brooke Reid, at 265-4642, within 30 calendar days from the time you received written notice of the Section 504 Committee’s action(s). A hearing will be scheduled before an impartial hearing officer and you will be notified in writing of the date, time, and place for the hearing.

14. If you disagree with the decision of the impartial hearing officer, you have a right to review that decision by a court or competent jurisdiction.

15. On Section 504 matters other than your child’s identification, evaluation, and placement, you have a right to file a complaint with the District’s 504 Officer, Brooke Reid, who will investigate all allegations to the extent warranted by the nature of the complaint in an effort to reach a prompt and equitable resolution.

16. You also have a right to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights.

In addition to the regulations and rights outlined above, mediation is available as a means to improve communication and resolve differences of opinion between the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student with a disability and the school district. At mediation, the parents and a representative of the school district meet with an independent mediator to reach a more complete understanding of one another’s concerns and to attempt to reach an agreement about the special and/or regular education programs, accommodations, and services the student will receive.

PHCS NEWS Page 15

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT

The New York State Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) defines harassment as, “creation of a hostile environment by conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation, or abuse that has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional, or physical well-being; or conduct, verbal threats, intimidation, or abuse that reasonably causes, or would reasonably be expected to cause, a student to fear for his or her personal safety.”

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY FOR TITLE I STUDENTS

Parishville-Hopkinton Central School recognizes the rights of parents/guardians to be fully informed of all information relevant to their children who participate in programs and projects funded by Title I. The District shall ensure parent involvement in these programs and projects by:

Providing such support for parental involvement activities as required by law

Convening an annual meeting to which all parents/guardians of participating children shall be invited

Providing parents/guardians with reports on their children’s progress

Providing opportunities for regular meetings of parents/guardians

In addition to the above, the District shall, jointly and in agreement with parents of students receiving Title I services, establish expectations for parent involvement in Title I programs in accordance with Section 1118(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Similarly, each Title I school within the District shall establish building level school/parent involvement policies in accordance with Section 1118(b). Such school/parent policies shall include, where applicable, school-parent compacts outlining how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help students achieve the state’s high standards.

TECHNOLOGY—PARENTS’ RIGHTS AND STUDENT DATA PROTECTION

As a requirement in updating the District Technology Plan, the District must approve a document for parents outlining their and their children’s rights in regard to data privacy and security. This document, known as The Parents’ Bill of Rights, states the rights that parents have to their child’s records and specifies the protections that parents have for their child’s personally identifiable information. The current District Technology Plan, The Parents’ Bill of Rights for Data Privacy and

Security, and policies pertaining to the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Student Use of Computerized Information Resources, and the Dignity for All Students Act can be viewed at http://phcs.neric.org/tech.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

In accordance with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, parents and guardians have the right to request and receive specific information about the professional qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers. As a parent/guardian of a student in the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District, you have the right to request the following information:

If the teacher has meet New York State qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas he or she teaches

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which the state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived

The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees

If your child is provided services by an instructional aide or similar paraprofessional and, if so, their qualifications

Requests for information and the qualifications of your child’s teacher(s) can be directed to Ms. Reid or Miss Doll at (315) 265-4642. All requests will be honored in a timely fashion.

APPR OF PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS

Under State Education Law §3012c, parents and guardians have the right to access the composite APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review) score for their child’s teacher and/or principal. The composite score is on a 100-point scale based on student growth scores and the APPR teacher effectiveness criteria. Requests for this information can be directed to the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William Collins, in the District Office.

PHCS NEWS Page 16

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Board of Education has implemented the required components of the SAVE legislation, beginning with initial approval of a District Code of Conduct on June 18, 2001. Copies are provided to students at the beginning of each year, and the Building Principals review the document with students at that time. The Code of Conduct addresses Rights and Responsibilities of students as well as parents and staff. It also provides guidelines for conduct, penalties, procedures, and referrals. If you did not receive a copy of the Code of Conduct and would like one, please stop in either the Elementary or High School Office.

HOMELESS STUDENTS

Homeless is defined as anyone who, due to a lack of housing, lives….

In an emergency or transitional shelter

In a motel, hotel, R.V. trailer, campground, abandoned in a hospital or awaiting foster care

In a car, park, public place, bus or train station, or in an abandoned building

Doubled up with a relative or friend

As a migratory child in any of the above conditions

Homeless children have a right to attend school. Every school district has an Education Liaison whose job it is to assist children and youth in accessing education services while homeless. At Parishville-Hopkinton Central School, the Education Liaison is Mrs. Melissa Scudder. Please call (315) 265-4642, extension 410 for additional information.

ATTENDANCE

A summary of the District’s attendance policy and procedures can be found in your child’s student

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT (Continued)

The Board of Education recognizes that learning environments that are safe and supportive can increase student attendance and improve academic achievement. A student's ability to learn and achieve high academic standards, and a school's ability to educate students, is compromised by incidents of discrimination or harassment including, but not limited to, bullying, taunting, and intimidation. Therefore, in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, Education Law, Article 2, the District will strive to create an environment free of bullying, discrimination, and/or harassment, and will foster civility in the schools to prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the District's educational mission.

The District condemns and prohibits all forms of bullying (including cyber-bullying), discrimination, and/or harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex by school employees or students on school property and at school-sponsored activities and events that take place at locations off school property. In addition, any act of bullying, discrimination, and/or harassment, outside of school-sponsored events, which can reasonably be expected to materially and substantially disrupt the education process, may be subject to discipline.

Bullying is an act of repeated aggressive behavior in order to intentionally hurt another person, physically or mentally. There are three types of bullying: physical, verbal, and non-verbal. Physical bullying is touching or feeling a person in such a way that it makes that person feel uncomfortable or uneasy and includes actions such as grabbing, poking, pinching, hugging, kissing, patting, slapping, damaging property, and stealing. Verbal bullying is any comment or noise which someone finds offensive or which makes a person feel uncomfortable or uneasy, including threats, insults, rumors, notes, whistles, dating pressure, cyber-bullying/texting, or comments regarding gender, sexual preference/orientation, sexual in nature, race, religion, disability, weight, height, or national origin. Non-verbal bullying is any look or gesture which someone finds offensive or which makes a person feel uncomfortable or uneasy including staring at someone’s body, sexual pictures or drawings, making fun in an insulting way, obscene gestures, or excluding a person from a group or activity.

Ms. Reid and Miss Doll are the Dignity for All Students Act Coordinators for the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District. They have been thoroughly trained to handle human relations in the areas of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender (identity or expression) and sex. Mrs. Melissa Scudder, Guidance Counselor, and Mr. Lee Scaggs, Home-School Counselor, are also alternate contacts in cases of bullying within the District. If a student feels they have been bullied in any way, they should report the incident immediately to a staff member with whom they feel comfortable and that staff member will assist the student to the Guidance Office or the Principal’s Office for further assistance.

PHCS NEWS Page 17

HANDBOOKS

Elementary handbooks have been distributed to the oldest child in each family. Information regarding attendance, school insurance and health details, our cafeteria program, assemblies, emergency closings, report cards, special services, lunch scheduling, Title I services, et cetera, are outlined for you. School rules, guidelines, and procedures for the buses and playground are listed, along with a partial outline of our discipline policy. If you have already received a handbook, please take the time to read it and review it with your children. If you

have not received one and would like one, please contact your child’s teacher or Ms. Reid in the elementary office. Junior-Senior High School handbooks were given to each student on the opening day of school. Additional copies can be obtained by contacting the High School Office at (315) 265-4642, extension 406.

SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES

Occasionally a student may have to leave school before the end of his or her school day due to certain situations, i.e. medical appointments or family emergencies. The procedure to follow is: A note from home must be brought to the elementary or high school office before 8:15 A.M. the day the student is to leave early. No phone calls will be accepted. If no note is provided, a parent/guardian must come into the Main Office to sign a student out. In every instance of leaving early, the students are responsible for completing any missed class work, homework, and/or tests. Leaving early due to illness does not excuse the student from making up missed work.

OFFCIAL HOURS

The official school day for elementary and secondary students begins at 8:00 A.M. and ends at 3:10 P.M. Students who have their work completed, whose behavior has been satisfactory, and who are not in need of remediation or do not desire to participate in extra-curricular activities will be excused at 2:27 P.M.

NO SMOKING/VAPING POLICY

The use of tobacco products is prohibited by state law on school property by students, the public, or employees. This means there can be no use of tobacco or nicotine in any of the buildings or on the grounds at any time by anyone. This includes the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic smoking devices, and the like. This law applies to ALL school districts and school buildings in New York State.

CELL PHONES AND OTHER PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The Parishville-Hopkinton Central School believes in the importance of uninterrupted instructional settings as critical to student attention to task and ultimately to their academic achievement. PHCS may control such interruptions to the learning climate including, but not limited to, electronic communication devices.

Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day between 8:00 A.M. and 3:10 P.M. Cell phones, cameras, and other communication/photo technologies are not allowed in the bathrooms or locker rooms. During the school day cell phones should be turned off and kept out of sight. This prohibition includes attendance at school-sponsored events, activities, and/or while on school-sponsored transportation. An exception to the use of a cellular phone may be granted by an administrator in an emergency situation.

Other personal electronic and communication technologies such as, but not limited to, PDA’s, iPhones, iPods, Tablets, Blackberries, pagers, electronic games, MP3 players, et cetera, should be turned off and kept out of sight during the school day. Personal

computers including, but not limited to lap top computers, are to be used for appropriate academic purposes as outlined in the school computer use policy.

Lost, stolen, misplaced, or damaged personal property is not the responsibility of the school or school personnel.

PHCS NEWS Page 18

ASBESTOS UPDATE

In maintaining compliance with AHERA regulations, the Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District is hereby notifying affected students, parents, residents, and all employees of the district of the status of asbestos in our school building. An inspection and Management Plan, completed by O’Brien and Gere Engineering Firm of Syracuse, New York, is available in the Superintendent’s Office for your review.

The amount of friable material identified in the Management Plan has been removed according to recommended guidelines. Also according to the Management Plan, recommended labeling of affected areas has been completed. This yearly notification is merely to keep you informed and updated in reference to asbestos-containing material within our school building. At the present time we remain in compliance with current regulations. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Collins or LEA designee Francis Barney.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Schools are required to maintain a list of parents, guardians, and employees who wish to receive 48-hour prior notification of pesticide applications at relevant facilities and the procedures on how to register with the school to be on a list for notification. The Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District does not anticipate the need to apply any pesticides during the 2017-2018 school year; however, should the need arise, we would like to offer you the opportunity to register to receive a written notice at least 48 hours prior to such application. If you would like to obtain information about products being applied, including warnings that appear on the label of pesticides used, or would like to be placed on our notification list, please contact our school representative Mr. Francis Barney at (315) 265-4642, extension 414.

SCHOOL DELAYS AND CLOSINGS

Winter is coming... In most instances, school will be open even when the weather is inclement if town roads are open and passable. Nevertheless, the safety of all of our children is the primary concern of Dr. Collins and Mr. Barney, and some weather conditions may require school to be delayed, closed, or dismissed early because of the severity of an incoming storm. Please be assured that Dr. Collins and Mr. Barney consult a number of sources to make the best possible decision regarding the safety of our students.

In all instances of a school delay, closing, or early dismissal, local radio and television stations will be notified to make the announcement. In addition, OneCallNow will be utilized to contact parents via telephone, text, and/or email with these determinations. Whenever possible, the decision to close school or to open late will be made before 6:45 A.M. It is the regular practice of the radio and TV stations to have the information on their morning newscasts. The absence of any announcement means that school will operate on a regular schedule.

Parents and students should listen to the radio or watch the television whenever there is any doubt concerning the opening or early closing of school. The radio and television stations that will report the necessary information are: WPDM, WNCQ, WYBG, WMSA, WPAC (Pac-93), WSLU, WYUL (Hits 94.7 FM), WVNV (96.5 FM), WWNY-TV (Channel 7 News and Fox 28), WPTZ-TV (NewsChannel 5/NewsChannel 31), and WWTI-TV (Newswatch 50). If the decision to release students prior to regular dismissal is made and you do not want your child delivered to an empty home, please call the school and let us know if you want us to deliver your child to another household located within the District, or if you want us to keep your child at school until you arrive.

PHCS NEWS Page 19

2017-2018 BOARD OF EDUCATION GOALS

The following list of goals were determined by the Board Of Education to be emphasized during the 2017-2018

school year. Some goals may be achieved in the span of a single school year, while others are on-going and will

require more than one year to accomplish the anticipated results. The 2017-2018 Board of Education Goals can be

obtained in full in the District Office.

1. Technology Integration Goal

The purpose of technology integration is to improve instructional practices and improve the efficiency of school

operations. This goal aims to, in conjunction with the Technology Committee, oversee the effective

implementation of the one-to-one Chromebook initiative and technology infrastructure improvements funded

through the Smart Schools Bond Act. It also aims to keep stride with technological advances in preparing PHCS

students for the world beyond high school.

2. Communication Goal

Communication refers to effectively receiving and disseminating school-related information with various

stakeholders. This goal includes improving the District’s public and media relations, with particular attention paid

to enhancing our online presence and creating a more user-friendly website experience with improved ease of use

and timeliness. This includes implementing One Call Now for emergency and important information

dissemination to students, parents, and staff.

3. Primary Literacy Goal

This goal continues to work on improving language arts skills in the primary grades.

4. Student Accountability and Support

This initiative uses The Power of ICU program to focus on further supporting middle-level students regarding

homework completion and meeting learning targets.

This initiative targets 7th and 8th Grade students. The Power of ICU was researched last year by the Middle School

Team. A book review regarding the program, as well as supplemental material, was reviewed and analyzed by

faculty in an attempt to understand how our District might implement such a program. Below are items included

in the ICU initiative to further engage students in their own learning:

5. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Exploratory Initiative (STEAM)

This exploratory goal is designed to gather STEAM information with the intention of integrating more STEAM

programming into the 2018-2019 school year. The 2017-2018 school year will be used to gather and disperse

information about STEAM to instructors to garner interest and create programming. There will be a focus on

opportunities for collaboration with Clarkson University.

NEW SCHOOL BUSES

Many, many thanks to our residents that supported the District in

purchasing two new school

buses for this school year.

Reliable transportation is

an integral component of

ensuring our students

make it to school. Please

welcome Buses 03 and 04

to the District fleet!

PHCS NEWS Page 20

Parishville-Hopkinton Central School

12 County Route 47

Parishville, NY 13672

Attention Postal Patron

Non-Profit Organization

3rd Class Bulk Rate Paid

Permit No. 1

Parishville, NY 13672

BOARD OF EDUCATION 2017-2018 MEETING DATES

*All Board of Education Meetings will be held at 7:00 P.M. in the Conference Room.*

November 20, 2017 December 18, 2017 January 16, 2018 February 12, 2018

March 19, 2018 April 16, 2018 May 21, 2018 June 18, 2018

NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION WEEK OCTOBER 23-27, 2017

Parishville-Hopkinton Central School District wishes to again extend a sincere “Thank you” to members of the PHCS

BOARD OF EDUCATION. Each of these community members volunteer their time to

advocate for our District’s students, staff, and residents.

The Parishville-Hopkinton Board of Education is: President Tim Zellweger, 16th year of

service; Vice-President Willard Witherell, 12th year of service; Board Clerk Jim Young, 37th

year of service; Board Members Joseph McGill, 3rd year of service; Resa Remington, 7th year

of service; Heidi Simmons, 13th year of service; Daniel Taylor, 5th year of service; and Amy

Guiney and Jeffrey Yette in their 1st year of service.

Each year, the Board of Education collaborates with administrators to develop goals (Page

19) that aim to improve the District as a whole through the success of students and faculty.