September 10, 2021
Dear Lyndonville Families,
Welcome back! I write this update as we have just finished our first day of school with students, and like every first day I have had as an educator, it is always so great to see our students back!
Let us first acknowledge the significance of tomorrow, September 11—the 20th anniversary of that tragic day back in 2001. I was a young assistant principal in Albion when I first learned of the first plane crash, and two hours later, I was watching the beautiful towers tumble with our eighth graders. Please join me in recognizing our dedicated first responders and victims who lost their lives that tragic day.
In so many ways, 9/11 changed how we live, just as this pandemic has affected and impacted so many of us in so many ways, as we are all aware. However, we are resilient here in Lyndonville and we will persist and thrive!
With that being said, I need to share with you some key information:
- First, there are multiple ways you can communicate with us and we communicate with you. To refresh your memories, please open this link for information on communication strategies: Communication Flyer
- We will still use our current dismissal time of 2:15 until Friday, October 8th. When we return to school after the Columbus Day holiday, the plan is to return to our dismissal time of 2:35, as it was during the 2019—20 school year.
- All extra-curricular activities, concerts, and athletics will resume as normal this year, with the one exception being that masks are required for all indoor events, per the New York State Department of Health.
- Speaking of masks: we are all aware of the split opinions on masking, and the desire to have local control. Many of you have contacted me with your views on both sides of the mask issue. While I share those views with our state elected officials, below, please find their contact information so you can contact them directly if you wish:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley: HawleyS@nyassembly.gov
Senator Rob Ortt: Ortt@nysenate.gov
- Per a state requirement, districts are required to offer COVID-19 testing to students. If you wish to take advantage of this, please contact School Nurse Mary Kurz at 765-3124.
Once again, is my sincere pleasure to welcome you and your children back to the 2021-22 school-year. As I did last year, these bi-weekly updates will continue to be released every other Friday at 11:00 am on e-mail, text message, and social media.
Welcome back!
Jason A. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
Phone: 765-3101
E-mail: Jasmith@lcsdk12.org