Admin

Dec. 3 - Friday Reminder from the Superintendent

Dec. 3, 2021- Friday Reminder from the Superintendent
Posted on 12/04/2021

Milford Central School

Reminders from Mrs. Wenck

Friday, December 3, 2021

Good Afternoon,

This has been a very busy week here at school. Basketball has started and we are hosting the Anton Remy Tournament this week. While it is wonderful to have our winter sports season running this year, I remind you that there are restrictions for spectators in place. At this time, athletes may bring two spectators to the games. This will include the athletes on the away team also. Spectators must correctly wear appropriate face masks while in the school building. We are live streaming the games for those unable to attend. Just go to the link posted on the school website to connect to the games.

On a different and very important topic, the Board of Education has granted permission to hire an Interim Principal. After speaking with several potential candidates, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Tim Gracy, retired educator from the Oneonta School District, has accepted our position. Mr. Gracy comes to our district with many years of experience. He has taught both 5th and 8th grades, served as an Elementary Building Principal for fourteen (14) years, and as the Director of Special Education Services for twelve (12) years for the Oneonta District. Mr. Gracy spent a few hours in our building today meeting teachers, staff, and students. He begins full-time on Monday, December 6th and will be retroactively appointed to the position of Interim Principal at the December 9th, 2021 meeting of the Board of Education.

Mr. Gracy is anxious to get started and looking forward to getting to know your children and our district. Please be sure to give him a warm welcome when you have the opportunity to do so. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Gracy assisting in our district.

Hoping you all have a pleasant weekend and are getting excited for the upcoming holiday season!

Romona N. Wenck, Interim Superintendent

Important Information and Reminders

 

*1   Positive COVID Cases:  While we have been working diligently here in the building to reduce potential exposures, I do need you to know that we have experienced a few positive COVID cases. These cases have involved both adults and students, and in all situations close contacts were notified.  We have been very fortunate to date with the limited number of cases, but I cannot emphasize enough….if you or your children are exhibiting any COVID like symptoms, please stay home home.  Our goal is to make it through the entire school year without having to go fully remote.  I believe we can do it, but we need everyone’s support with this!  If you feel sick, stay home!!!

*2 Another special “Thank you” to the Village Mayor, Brian Pokorny and the members of the   Village Board!  

I just wanted to extend another very special “Thank you “to Mr. Brian Pokorny and the members of the Village Board.  I am sure you have all noticed the solar powered speed notification lights that have been installed by the village on both sides of the entrance to the school.  It was immediately obvious that drivers were making a greater effort to slow down in front of the school.  Thank you for agreeing to install the lights.  This is a very positive step forward in creating safe crosswalks and safe spaces in general at the entrance to the school!  Thank you!!

 

*3 CROP update:  I am disappointed to have to share that our CROP program will not be starting after the Thanksgiving recess. Unfortunately, we do not have the needed staff to start the program and are now hoping for a January start date.  We are very sorry for the delay and fully understand the impact on families, but we simply do not have the needed staff to run the program.  We will be working on this in the immediate future.

 

*4 News from the School Based Health Center: Reminder

The SBHC has vaccine and can now vaccinate students, age 5 and above.  Students can be signed up to receive the vaccine on Tuesdays, from 8:00am – 4:00pm, and on Fridays, from 12:00noon to 4:00pm. Call 286-7909 to sign up for the vaccine and/or enroll your child.  

No child will be able to sign up for the vaccine without written parental consent.  Consent forms are available in the SBHC.

*5   Basketball Season: 

The following information has been provided by the Tri-Valley League:  

Dear Parents and Community Members,

The Superintendents and Athletic Directors of the Tri-Valley League have agreed on common protocols and expectations for the winter basketball season. The health and safety of our athletes, coaches, and fans are of the utmost importance to us. 

  • Spectators - Each school will determine if spectators are allowed based on their gym capacity. 
  • Face masks must be worn by players, coaches, referees and fans. Please make sure face masks cover both your nose and mouth. 
  • Scrimmages will be closed to spectators.
  • Streaming of games - All schools will be streaming the games through their website and/or the NFHS Network
  • Concessions - Depending on space concession stands may or may not be offered.
  • Please stay home if you are sick.

Spectator and streaming information will be posted on each schools’ website.  This information will be fluid as changes may occur on a daily or weekly basis. Please make sure you check before you travel to a game.

We are looking forward to watching our student-athletes compete. We are asking for your cooperation in following the protocols and expectations that have been put into place. If everyone does their part we can have a successful basketball season.

Sincerely,

Tri-Valley League Superintendents 

Tri-Valley League Athletic Directors

Here at Milford the following will apply:

  • Spectators – Spectators will be limited.  Athletes will be given a specific number of passes.  Exact number yet to be determined. 
  • Face masks must be worn by players, coaches, referees, and fans. Please make sure face masks cover both your nose and mouth. 
  • Scrimmages will be closed to spectators.
  • Streaming of games - All schools will be streaming the games through our website. 
  • Concessions – No concessions will be available.
  • After the game, please stay seated in the bleachers until your student athlete comes out of the locker room.  Please leave the gym immediately.  
  • Please stay home if you are sick.

*6 Otsego County System of Care Grant Program Climate Survey:

We have been asked to participate in the Otsego County System of Care Climate Survey.  This survey is different from the one done by the school last year.  The county is striving to receive 100 parent, 10 teacher, and 100 student responses from each school district.  Please see the following information that has been provided to all schools.  

I am hoping to have students in grades 6-12 complete the survey in school after the Thanksgiving break and will be sending home information to parents about that in the near future. However, if parents would like their children to complete the survey at home, the information is provided below.

Below you will find information on how parents, staff and students can access the survey:


* Parents  https://redcap.bassett.org/redcap/surveys/?s=HETT89E4PYCPR8AW

 

This survey is a collaborative project with your child’s school and the Otsego County System of Care. This survey helps to provide schools with useful information for needs assessment, program development, and program evaluation. Particularly, the survey will provide information regarding programs for promoting social and emotional competencies and preventing bullying and other behavior problems. For example, scores on the School Climate Scale might indicate if a school needs to devote greater attention to important areas of school climate such as teacher-student relations, student relations, school safety, clarity of expectations, fairness of rules, and teacher-home communications.

* Staff  https://redcap.bassett.org/redcap/surveys/?s=J98EJMLTYWAXEYXF

 

This survey is a collaborative project with your school and the Otsego County System of Care. This survey helps to provide useful information for needs assessment, program development, and program evaluation. Particularly, the survey will provide information regarding programs for promoting social and emotional competencies and preventing bullying and other behavior problems. For example, scores on the School Climate Scale might indicate if a school

needs to devote greater attention to important areas of school climate, such as teacher-student relations, student relations, school safety, clarity of expectations, fairness of rules, and teacher-home communications.

 

MS/HS Students https://redcap.bassett.org/redcap/surveys/?s=APDFNNFPEM798CPC

 

This survey is a collaborative project with your school and the Otsego County System of Care. This survey helps to provide schools with useful information for needs assessment, program development, and program evaluation. Particularly, the survey will provide information regarding programs for promoting social and emotional competencies and preventing bullying and other behavior problems. For example, scores on the School Climate Scale might indicate if a school needs to devote greater attention to important areas of school climate, such as teacher-student relations, student relations, school safety, clarity of expectations, fairness of rules, and teacher-home communications.

*7 New York State Digital Equity Survey:

The State of New York has asked all students/families to complete a Digital Equity survey.  Survey information was sent home with all elementary students.  Middle School and High School students completed the survey in school.  The results of the survey will help to provide the State with a more accurate picture of the Milford Central School’s “state of digital equity.”

Also, to keep our records current, should you have changes in internet connectivity or access to devices, please contact Lorre Gregory at 607-286-7721 ext. 8408.