May 22nd message from Mrs. Wenck
May 22, 2020
Dear LCS Parents and Guardians,
I hope this letter continues to find you safe and healthy. The purpose of this correspondence is to provide you with information on a variety of topics. For the purpose of clarity I have bulleted the information by topic.
2020-2021 Budget Information
*Budget increase 0%, Tax Levy Increase 0%
I am pleased to announce that the budget increase and the tax levy increase for the 2020-2021 school year will be 0%. This was achieved due to the number of retirements within the district at the end of this year.
*Budget Newsletter:
The annual budget newsletter was released via email on Friday, May 21st. It will posted on the website and mailed versions will be sent out by the DCMO printing service as soon as possible. Our school district, like many others, waited for the promised budget information from the State, which we were supposed to have early in the month. The delay in receiving this information has caused the delay you receiving the newsletter should you receive in through the mail. If you wish to receive the information electronically please contact the main office at school.
*Budget Vote:
As mandated by the State, all voting for this year’s budget, seat on the Board of Education and Bus purchase will be by Absentee Ballot only. If you voted in any one of the past three years you will automatically receive an absentee ballot in the mail. Any other qualified voter who wishes to participate in this year’s vote simply needs to contact the school at 607-432-2050 to receive a ballot. All ballots must be received by the school by 5:00pm. Tuesday, June 9th. Please check out the school website for additional information.
*Public Hearing
A virtual public hearing on this year’s proposed budget will be held remotely on May 26, 2020 at 7:00pm Information on how to access the hearing is posted on the District website at www.laurenscs.org
May 26th Presentation avaliable here
Graduation
*Graduation Plans
Of all the changes in our lives that have taken place because of the COVID 19 situation, one of the saddest for me is the impact this will have on our seniors and their graduation. Graduation from high school represents the culmination of a significant portion and accomplishment of a person’s life and a major step into the next. While we do not yet know what our graduation ceremony will look like, we will have one. Like many other schools, we are considering multiple options. Once we have more information from the State, we will be able to share that with our seniors and their families. We can share that we are continuing to look at June 26th as the date of graduation. No matter what the rules will be as we move forward, this is an exciting time, one which we all want to share with our graduating students.
Educational Packet Distribution
*4th packet pickup and final packet distribution
The pickup date for the packet students presently have in their possession will be Friday, May 29th. Packets will be picked up between 1:00 – 2:00pm. Students are to be waiting at their bus stop during this time. The same process will be used as before with students placing the packet in the tote on the bus and being handed a packet in return. This FINAL packet will contain materials for students to work on over the summer. This packet will NOT be returned to the school.
Walkers can return their packet to the school on Friday, May 29th from 8:00am – 1:00pm.
The Valley Stream trailer Park pickup will be on Friday, May 29th from 1:00 – 1:30pm.
All USB drives need to be returned on the 29th. If your child has materials from any prior packets, and all textbooks, instruments, library books, and any borrowed school items are to be returned on the 29th as well.
Student Personal Belongings
*Locker and Student Desk Cleanouts
We have been busy emptying all student desks and both hallway and gym lockers. All student belonging have been placed in large tote bags, labeled with each student’s name. In an effort to minimize traffic in the building, parents will be able to come to the school to pick up their child’s belongings from 8:00am – 1:00pm during the week of June 15 – 19. Please try to call ahead of time so we can have your child’s/children’s belongings ready for you. Also call if this time frame does not work according to your personal schedule.
Report Card Distribution
*Report Card Distribution
Report Cards will be distributed during the week of June 15 – 19 when parents come to pick up their child’s personal belongings. Any report cards remaining after that week will be mailed home.
School Meal Distribution
*School Meals (breakfast and lunch)
The final date of school meal distribution will be Friday, June 12th. We hope that this program has been of assistance to each of you. If you are an “Essential Worker” and are in need of continued assistance, please contact the school.
Child care for Essential Workers.
*Child Care
If you are an Essential Worker in need of child care in order to perform your job functions while away from the home, please contact us so that we can share local resources that may be able to assist.
Regional Food Bank Food Distribution Program
*June 10, 2020
We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a second Regional Food Bank Distribution program on Wednesday, June 10th. All are welcome to participate. Food distribution will run from 10:00am – 12:00noon.
In closing, I would again like to extend my sincere thanks to all for your continued support, efforts and dedication to our students, our school and our community. I would also like to take this opportunity to send a special “Thank You” to those many individuals who have the time to share a positive thought, gesture of appreciation and kind word. You have no idea just how important and uplifting those small “acts of kindness” can be. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Romona N. Wenck
Superintendent
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LAURENS CENTRAL SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL PACKET #4
LAURENS CENTRAL SCHOOL
EDUCATIONAL PACKET #4
* Distributed: May 8th
* Time Frame for work to be completed: May 8 – May 29th
* 3rd packet return to school procedure
* Bus pickup date will be Friday, May 29, 2020, 1:00pm – 2:00pm * Students are to be waiting at their bus stop during this time
frame. (6 hrs later than normal bus time)
* Students will place packet #3 in the tote on the bus and will be
handed packet #4.
* Walkers can return the packet to the school on Friday, May 29,
from 8:00am – 1:00pm.
* Valley Stream Trailer park pickup will be on Friday, May 29 from
1:00 – 1:30pm.
* Any student with a USB Jump Drive (B) is to return the drive with
their packet and a replacement (A) will be provided.
There will be one more packet to be distributed. The distribution will take place on Friday, May 29th. The packet will not be returned to school. Teachers will be providing students with material to be completed over the summer.
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May 1st message from Mrs. Wenck
May 1, 2020
Dear LCS Parents and Guardians,
I hope this letter continues to find you safe and healthy. As you may already know, on May 1, 2020, the Governor extended our school closure through the end of the school year. I will be the first to admit this was very discouraging and certainly not the school year any of us could have ever have imagined. As the year has unfolded, I can assure you that all of us at Laurens Central School share in your frustration and disappointment.
At the same point in time, I do believe our staff has done an exceptional job switching to an entirely new learning model and equally, so have you and your children. All of this was done with little time to prepare, limited direction, and under global pressures much larger than our school community. In addition, we have many members of our support staff that have also been working throughout this entire time to ensure the delivery of meals, instructional packets, answering the multitude of questions that have arisen and so forth.
The Board of Education and I applaud you as parents, guardians and caregivers who have adapted to the many changes, have established at home learning schedules, spent hours assisting your children with new learning platforms, and all the while remaining patient and supportive to our school. We could not ask for anything more from you, so please accept our most sincere gratitude and respect for your effort and partnership.
In addition to the extended closure there are a few other important updates. Please note:
• August Regents. In addition to the cancelation of the June Regents, the NYS Education has canceled all of the August Regents exams.
• Budget and budget vote for 2020-21 school year. The Governor has shared on numerous occasions that the state is in a significant financial shortfall and that aid to education will be negatively impacted. While we are anxiously awaiting information as to the additional budget decreases on schools, as of 5:00pm, May 1, 2020 the Governor announced June 9th, 2020 at the date for a budget vote. We are waiting for additional clarification as to the procedures for running the vote. It is important to note the decrease in state funds to schools will impact the development of the 2020-2021 budget. Our goal is to offer our students the best academic programming possible within the newly delivered financial restraints.
• Cancellation of remaining school events. Regretfully, due to the extended closure all LCS extracurricular activities and events are canceled for the remainder of the school year. This is probably the most disappointing news for all. However, seniors and parents, please know that I/we are committed to holding a graduation ceremony and celebrating our student’s accomplishments. What that will look like, I do not know at this time; but it will happen, for both you and your families. As the State provides more guidance on required safety procedures we will be sharing ideas with you! We are committed to providing our graduating Class of 2020 the graduation recognition they deserve for their tremendous accomplishment. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.
• Continuity of learning. We will continue to provide learning opportunities under our continuity of learning plan so that our students are prepared for the next grade level or post-secondary learning. If you need any assistance for your child please let us know. We are more than happy to help!
• Fourth quarter and year end grades. As has been previously shared, 4th quarter grades will be ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ as demonstrated by a student’s evidence of learning. All year end grades will be calculated using the numerical averages from the first 3 quarters of the school year. Please know however, if you/your child was failing a course at the end of the 3rd quarter, the work they are doing now can help to move their grade to passing. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions about this and please know that our teachers will continue to assist students remotely in their academic efforts for the remainder of the school year.
• Meal deliveries. Our meal delivery program will continue throughout the entire closure. Meals are provided for any child, ages 0-18 years of age. If have any questions about obtaining meals for your child(ren) please call the school or contact Beth [email protected] for more information.
• Child care for Essential Workers. If you are an Essential Worker in need of child care in order to perform your job functions while away from the home, please contact us so that we can share local resources that may be able to assist.
In closing, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all for your continued support, efforts and dedication to our students, our school and our community. I would also like to take this opportunity to send a special “Thank You” to those many individuals who have the time to share a positive thought, gesture of appreciation and kind word. You have no idea just how important and uplifting those small “acts of kindness” can be. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Romona N. Wenck
Superintendent
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Kindergarten 2020-21 Signup
The registration is postponed until further notice and anyone registering a child for kindergarten next year needs to contact the main office at the school (432-2050) to provide the following information: name of child and parents, address, phone numbers, age of child. Thank you!
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