Improving an Array of Outcomes
December 5, 2022
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Community, Identity, Love and Curiosity – Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent, Ossining UFSD
Connecting Students with Mental Health Support – Dr. Andrew Ecker, Director of Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES
Cybersecurity – Dr. Ellen McDonnell, Executive Director & Dr. Madalyn Romano, Manager of Data Privacy and Security, Lower Hudson Regional Information Center
Climate Resilience in School Infrastructure – Dr. Cheryl Champ, Superintendent, Pelham UFSD
Conversion to Electric Buses – Vincent Riscica & Hannah Morgan, Senior Project Managers, NYSERDA
Calculating Board Effectiveness – Darci D’Ercole, Director of Leadership Development, NYSSBA
Improving Community Engagement – Sarah Derman, Public Information Officer, Rye City SD
What can we do to create a more caring community?
- Taking cues from the icon of childhood caring environments, Mr. Rogers, there are three basic pillars to creating a caring community: Neighborhood, Identity & Love, Curiosity.
- Each of these pillars are already creating caring environments in our schools, we just need to recognize and celebrate the excellent work in our region.
- It is when a community comes together and shares in the responsibility of caring for each other that we make the biggest difference.
How do we better connect students with the mental health support they need?
- School administrators should envision a multi-tiered support system that allows ALL students to get the support they need (like tiered support for academics).
- Districts should create goals centered on student mental health and choose community partners who align with those goals.
- Partners should supplement, not supplant, school mental health services.
What can we do to ensure more technical security for your district?
- Cybersecurity is EVERYONE’S responsibility – the vast majority of breaches are due to human error.
- Be cognizant of your risk tolerance, recognizing that when you increase training and cyber protection measures, your district’s costs for cyber insurance and information recovery decrease.
- The Board oversight role includes ensuring a policy on data privacy and security and appointing a Data Protection Officer for the district.
How can we enhance school infrastructure to account for climate issues?
- Energy management includes water heating efficiencies, cool and heat zones, light harvesting and maximizing day light.
- Water and waste can be controlled through irrigation systems, bottle filling stations, and on-site composting capabilities.
- The Board of Education’s role is to prioritize community values and the needs of the district, consider the tax burden and oversee the planning and implementation of building projects.
What steps can we take to move closer to full conversion to an electric bus fleet?
- Use NYSERDA’s Guidebook to explore purchasing and funding options, plan facility upgrades, and analyze workforce impacts.
- Explore funding options such as the NY Truck Voucher Incentive Program, Utility Make-Ready Programs, EPA Clean School Bus Program, and the Environmental Bond Act.
- Complete NYSERDA’s survey and ask them for more information and technical assistance.
How can we improve the health and efficiency of our governance team?
- Board self-evaluation demonstrates a commitment to effective Board performance and help identify where professional development is needed.
- The purpose of board evaluation is to measure the effectiveness of the board as a whole and requires every member to participate in all parts of the process.
- Discussion of board self-evaluation results must occur in a publicly noticed meeting as part of the Open Meetings Law.
What can we do to boost community engagement?
- Communications from anyone in the district should be clear and consistent.
- Use various messages and media to reach all areas of the broader school community, including those affiliated with the school (parents, faculty/staff, and students), community members without school age children, local business owners, and the media.
- Use old and innovative technologies to present your district from every angle.
