May 5, 2020
Dear Families,
We are saddened that the school year as we know it will not conclude with the traditional rites of passages, athletics, concerts, and celebrations we are so accustomed to and that we have grown to love and cherish. However, we know this is for the safety and health of all.
We are committed to celebrating as many of these milestones as possible, whether virtually or in person--if we are allowed to. I am working with key staff members, student leaders, parents on events such as graduation, athletic recognition, and moving up programs. To date, we have engaged our Senior Class Officers on graduation ideas, with more meetings planned. And thanks to our students and community members who participated in the wonderful Teacher Appreciation tribute! Thank you to Dr. Elissa Smith for her behind the scenes work on that special project.
Earlier this week, we announced our Top Ten list and please join us in congratulating those students! Well done and bravo!
Thanks to an excellent school-community partnership, each member of the Class of 2020 was provided with a sign to display at their homes. What a joy it was for us to deliver those signs, and how proud those Seniors were!
Now that we know that traditional instruction will no longer be occurring, I have asked our principals to provide you additional information regarding grading and steps moving forward. You can expect to see detailed information next week.
As families, however, please continue to support your children in remote learning efforts. Now more than ever, we need the home-school partnership to be strong and vibrant.
Home learning packets will be available for pick up on May 18th and 19th. Another announcement will be made and appointments will be needed. This will be the LAST packet pick up for the school year.
SAT's will are planning to be re-administered at the end of September, both in school and off-site. Additional information will be shared on later this spring and summer.
Within a week or so, I will announced the formal end date of the school year for students. With no Regents exams and instruction continuing over spring break, we expect the year to end around mid-June, but we need to work with State Education on this regarding possible additional requirements.
As we speak, the Board of Education and I are actively working on next year's budget. All the usual deadlines have been moved up, and detailed information will be shared later. We plan to adopt the budget on May 18th, but we are expecting additional reductions on state aid due to the economic crisis.
We have already adopted some cost-cutting measures to cushion this blow, both in our current budget and the 20-21 budget. You can expect the traditional budget newsletter to be mailed on June 3. The budget and Board of Education elections vote is June 9 and will be done entirely via absentee ballot, which you will receive in the mail.
If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact me via:
e-mail: Jasmith@lcsdk12.org
phone: 585-765-3101
Thank you for your partnership, and it continues to be a professional and personal honor to serve our students, staff, and community.
Take care and we miss you!
Jason Smith, Superintendent