December 18, 2020
Dear Lyndonville Families and Community,
Challenging times continue to confront us, and our students, faculty, and parents continue to meet the challenges head on and with enthusiasm!
As I mentioned last week, the challenges of remote learning—coupled with child care issues—can present real challenges. However, it has been my fervent goal and expectation that during this period of remote learning our District will present an enhanced delivery model, compared to last spring. Feedback thus far tells me we have done that, but if there are areas we can improve upon, please contact me directly, or one of your principals.
An important piece of remote learning is certainly technology. Prior to the start of remote instruction this week, the technology team met on a weekly basis to prepare for this possibility, with the goal of carefully inventorying our supplies. I am pleased to report that all Kajeet requests (internet access devices) have been fulfilled, and we have opened up our computer labs for student use. Thank you to Jason Wilhelm, Dan Dragula, Bob Santella, and Joe DiPassio for their support with the technology initiatives.
Staying with the theme of technology, I have two related points:
- Please take the Orleans County Digital Literacy survey to continue to promote the need for high speed Internet in our community. The survey and related information may be found here.
- We are in the process of submitting our fourth and final SMART Schools project and you may view the brief public hearing on this topic here.
Congratulations to our newly inducted students into the Honor Society and thank you to advisors Paula Bachman and Alisha Schwarzott for their leadership. We are proud of each of these students and celebrate their achievements. Here is a brief press release and you are also invited to view the entire ceremony via this link.
Sadly, winter sports have again been postponed, and I have yet to see any firm plans to resume. Athletic Director Jim Zeliff and I will continue to monitor this closely, and continue to keep you informed.
Our Academic Assistance Day we held on Friday, December 11th was successful, and our teachers and students were pleased with the results. Many students came that day who strongly needed specialized assistance, and as I mentioned previously, the other supports we have had for students have been eliminated. Quite honestly, it warmed my heart on a cold Friday morning to see students coming to school with the sole goal of self-improvement. Thank you to Jeff Kingsbury, Kim Nealon, Maegan Surh, and Sharon Smith for making this a reality and successful!
Fortunately, our area has yet to land in a Yellow Zone, so we are still exempt for any testing requirements for staff and students. Please know that we are ready to go with an approved lab to begin testing, and consent forms will be released to families if and when needed. If we are classified, we have two weeks before any testing must commence.
In-person instruction is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 4, 2021. The winter recess for students officially begins on Tuesday, December 22nd at 1:00 pm.
Finally, I extend to each of you my warmest holiday wishes for a peaceful and safe vacation period. May the joys and wonders of the season be with each of you and each of your loved ones.
Peace,
Jason Smith, Superintendent of Schools
e-mail: Jasmith@lcsdk12.org
phone: 765-3101
Twitter: @LyndonvilleCSD
@JasonJasmith