CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE
Almost twenty years ago NYSED mandated school districts to complete a Buildings Condition Survey every five years to identify areas within and outside the facilities that were in need of upgrades and repairs. The purpose of the mandate was to have districts get on a schedule for addressing needed repairs on an ongoing basis (every 5-6 years) as a means of proactively protecting the taxpayers' investment in its school buildings.
Fifteen months ago the district began planning for its next capital project. A building conditions survey was completed in June of 2020 and from that, the Board of Education began looking at upgrades needed for the safety and upkeep of the buildings. In addition, they began discussing how Groton could continue to expand its STEAM initiative to younger grades. Out of this planning, a project has emerged with three main focal points:
- Necessary infrastructure and repairs to the buildings and grounds. This work includes a new roof for the bus garage, repairs to aging infrastructure within the buildings (i.e the main water pipe in the Jr-Sr High), and pavement work to various parking lots and sidewalks.
- Upgrades to the District’s athletic facilities. For several years now the district has discussed the need to upgrade its athletic facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. This project addresses the drainage issues, aging outbuildings, and use of the athletic facility for several sports teams, from youth level up through the varsity, while addressing the present safety issues with the playing surface itself. The proposed work includes installing new drainage, leveling the field, and replacing the surface with artificial turf that can withstand use by football, soccer, and softball (boys’ and girls’ teams alike). In addition, it includes replacing the present press box, bathrooms, and concession stand.
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Expansion of the STEAM initiative to the elementary school through the renovation of a section of the basement wing into a science learning center. Research has shown that the sooner you can get students excited about science and math, the more likely they are to stay involved in those subjects throughout junior and senior high. In keeping in line with the District Vision to “Ignite the passion for learning and inspire unique pathways to success” this space will get our youngest learners engaged and passionate about the world around them. Students will utilize the inquiry process to learn to problem-solve scientific challenges while “getting their hands dirty” with cool, innovative projects that traditional classroom settings just cannot support.
The total cost of the project is $10.8 million dollars. Through long-range strategic planning, the Board of Education will be able to utilize reserves to pay for $3.44 million of this work, thereby presenting a proposal to the taxpayers that has a 0% additional tax levy impact to the district. The Board of Education will be approving this project at its October 4th BOE meeting for an early December public vote. For further information on the proposal, stop by the District table at the upcoming Open Houses, or be watching for future public presentation dates via our website, social media, and other modes of communication.
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THE FREEDOM TO CREATE
After listening and watching a quick demonstration on how to use the art tools to create a fence for a sunflower drawing, 3rd-grade students are turned loose to create their own masterpieces. The freedom of choice brings out the beauty of individuality and creativity!
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"OUR" HOUSE
Building Trades students have broken ground on the construction of our new greenhouse. We are proud of their hard work and excited about this opportunity for hands-on learning."Experience is the best teacher."
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FOOD SERVICES
Breakfast and lunch are FREE for ALL students again this year with our Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) grant!
This is our renewal year for the CEP grant. In order to continue to provide FREE breakfast and lunch for ALL students, we NEED to get as many people as possible to fill out the lunch application form. This information also allows us to be eligible for other grants that further support our students' educational programming. Please click on the link below to download the 1-page lunch application. Fill it out and turn it into the main office of your child's school ASAP.
Feeding our bodies so our minds can grow!
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LAB TIME
In the first five weeks of school, our Jr-Sr High labs are up and running. Students are learning and practicing academic skills. Lab classes are reviewing course expectations, setting goals for the year, getting organized, and practicing taking notes, annotating texts, and using graphic organizers. Once progress reports are completed (the week of 10/11), students who are on track in their classes will be exited from Lab and those who need additional support in ELA and/or math will be added to Academic Lab during one of their free periods. Being assigned to a Lab is not punitive, but is valuable one-to-one and small-group time with a math or ELA teacher in order for students to receive the support they need to be successful at school. Please talk to your students about the benefits of receiving extra help and taking advantage of their Lab assignments!
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MEET OUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS! |
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Brian Kavanagh
JSHS Principal
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Jean Amodeo
JSHS Associate Principal
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Kelley Brown
Language Arts
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Nicholas Crans
Social Studies
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Brooke Blair Fletcher
English
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Malley Bowen
Kindergarten
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Jessica Masciale
5th Grade
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Amy Cullen
ES Physical Education
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Congratulations and good luck to all of our new hires! |
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Katie VanBenschoten
Teacher Aide
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Michelle Thompson
Teacher Aide
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Brandy Adams
Food Service
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Maria Poulos
Food Service
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All in all, we have had a very successful opening to school. I am always amazed at the adaptability of children. The things that cause adults stress are oftentimes just "bugs on the windshield for students".
At the 5 week mark, we will be able to take our first "blood pressure check" and see where we stand after a year and a half of constant changes, shifts, and adaptations. I believe we will find that the Groton community did a phenomenal job sustaining our students through the recent past. We are excited to have students show us what they know.
We cannot thank our parents enough for being their child's first and best teacher. It is a privilege to work with your sons and daughters.
~ Kent Maslin, Groton Elemntary Principal
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It’s been approximately 18 months since we have all been back in school full time, with a normal schedule. Our students, staff and community have proved themselves to be resilient and dedicated to the tasks at hand and ready to tackle another school year.
This year we are going to be addressing the extraordinary needs of our students as they come back to school. We are going to not only help our students achieve academically but we are very concerned about their social and emotional health. Ms. Amodeo, our new Associate Principal, has put into action a plan that not includes teachers, but social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, and other outside resources to help our students make the transition back to school.
We are very excited to have everyone back, learning and participating in all of the extracurricular activities we have to offer!
~ Brian Kavanagh, Groton Jr-Sr High Principal
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SENATOR OBERACKER VISITS GROTON
On September 21st, 2021, the Groton Central School District was host to NYS Senator Peter Oberacker, representative of the 51st Senate District in NY. Senator Oberacker is serving his first term having been elected after the retirement of Senator James Seward. Highlights of the visit included discussion of the STEAM initiative at Groton, including present programming and plans for expansion both at the Jr-Sr High as well as the elementary school. In addition, Senator Oberacker and Superintendent Margo Martin discussed the future of education in rural upstate New York, with the District laying out its pilot program planning for becoming an inclusive community school, educating both students and adults alike for marketable careers in the health sciences field. The District emphasized the goal of the pilot program, stressing the Three R’s (Restore, Revitalize, Remain), an acronym coined by Dr. Michael McWilliams who has been overseeing the building of the health sciences programs at Groton, including its new EMT-B and EMT-A certification program offered to both students and community members alike. Groton is excited to have the support of our new Senator, and looks forward to building a collaborative relationship with him in the years to come! For more information regarding the visit, see an article written by Linda Competillo that appeared in the Tompkins Weekly on September 29th, 2021. (Read More Here: Tompkins Weekly)
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THE BRIDGE TO SUCCESS
The ECHS (Early College High School) Summer Bridge program was a HUGE success! Twenty-eight students participated in three weeks of programming on the TC3 campus. The program included enrichment and remediation in math and ELA and an on-campus fitness class led by a TC3 faculty member for college credit. Daily workshops covered a variety of special topics including team building, diversity, healthy lifestyles, life skills, dealing with adversity, college planning, career exploration, and a week of integrated STEAM programming. We brought in each of our STEAM teachers to provide an overview and hands-on activities and then connected the high school program with related programs at TC3. Students worked on the TC3 farm, created newscasts in the Communications studio, and more. This was an excellent bridge between academic programming at the high school level and what is available in related fields of study at college.
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ATHLETICS
Winter sports sign-ups have begun. Students can sign up in their PE classes.
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NURSE'S NOTE
Reminder: Please do not send your child to school if they are displaying COVID-19 symptoms (fever of 100.4 or higher, cough, headache, sore throat, running nose, etc.). Wait until they are symptom-free before they return.
If someone in your household is awaiting a COVID-19 test result, please keep all other children home until you are in receipt of the negative test result or after the ten day quarantine period.
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COUNSELOR'S CORNER
NY Project Hope
A program of the Office of Mental Health has pooled together resources to help us all navigate the mental and emotional challenges caused by the pandemic. Please check out this great resource for further support:
COLLEGE INFO
PSAT (juniors) - Wednesday Oct. 13 - 8-11am
ASVAB (sophomores) - December 9 - 8-11am
College representatives will be visiting, sign up with Ms. Schmid:
- October 4 - Brockport (1:30pm)
- October 5 - Utica College (10:30am)
- October 25 - St. John Fisher (12:00pm)
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is more important than ever so be sure to complete your application today. College is expensive, don't miss out. Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so don't delay, get your aid today!
Visit www.studentaid.gov to find out more about how to apply. Also, check out Ms. Schmid's, our new school counselor's Google Classroom for more resources: vk5bfuz.
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GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WWW.GROTONCS.ORG
400 PERU ROAD, GROTON, NY 13073
(607) 898-5301
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