Superintendent's Message
Congratulations to all on finishing this school year… as much as I hate to see things end, I am not sad to see the spring of 2020 come to a close. I hope you all have an opportunity to enjoy some downtime this summer. Here in the district, our biggest summer project is in planning for bringing students back in the fall. To that end, we are working through the logistics of transportation, facilities and operations given a number of possible scenarios for school come September. In addition, a group made up of both faculty and administration is working through these same conditions from an instructional standpoint. Although the Governor, regional, and county officials will most likely be driving the educational options we can offer come September, it is our goal to be prepared for any number of conditions, from having everyone back full time with appropriate social distancing, to rotating students’ attendance in the building every other day, to students attending in shifts, to a completely online learning environment.
As we work through these options we will be sharing the details with our families through a series of online surveys in order to gain input from each of you on each plan as it emerges. The first survey you all will be receiving is around transportation for the fall. We need to know how many students we can expect to be making use of the school transportation system, as we look to scenarios that may triple the number of bus runs we have to provide every day. Having accurate information on student count per bus run will be critical in moving forward with the planning of instructional scenarios as getting students to school is the first step with any of the plans we will be putting forward to you all.
Simultaneous to our work is the work of the Board of Regents Task Force that is meeting in regional workshops across the state to gather input from various stakeholders before it presents its findings and recommendations for school reopening in the fall to the governor’s office. It is my belief that reopening will be a regional decision, and will be based upon the data regarding COVID cases within each county. As both the state’s task force and our in-district committee planning progresses, I will be sharing information with you in as timely a fashion as possible so that you may be making your own plans regarding your child’s education for the 2020-2021 school year. Please be assured that any plan we put forth to you will be making the health and safety of all students, faculty, and staff its number one priority.
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School Budget Update
Thank you, voters! The proposed Groton CSD budget for the 2020-21 school year passed by a vote of 364-141. Current Board of Education members, Sophia Darling (429) and Monica Dykeman (398) were re-elected and Kristin Prugh (415) was elected as a new BOE member. Thank you so much for all your support!
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Transportation Survey
We need your help in order to plan as accurately as possible for the return to school this coming fall.
PLEASE, take the short survey below to share your transportation plans for 2020-21.
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RETURN OF SCHOOL MATERIALS
Please follow the dates and times to return any school materials that have been issued to your child this year (ex. Chromebooks, Chromebook chargers, calculators, instruments, textbooks, library books). We appreciate your assistance.
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Elementary School
June 16th
- 4-7pm: Kindergarten - Good Bye & Supply Return Drive-Thru
June 17th
- 8:30-11:30am: UPK - Good Bye & Supply Return Drive-Thru
- 12-3pm: 2nd Grade - Good Bye & Supply Return Drive-Thru
- 4-7pm: 1st Grade - Good Bye & Supply Return Drive Thru
June 18th
- 8:30-11:30am: 3rd Gr. - Good Bye & Supply Return Drive-Thru
- 12-3pm: 4th Grade - Good Bye & Supply Return Drive-Thru
- 4-7pm: 5th Grade "Graduation" & Supply Return Drive-Thru
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Jr-Sr High School
June 24th
- Grades 6-12 Return Days - Last Names A-G (8am-5pm)
June 25th
- Grades 6-12 Return Days - Last Names H-P (8am-5pm)
June 26th
- Grades 6-12 Return Days - Last Names Q-Z (8am-5pm)
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Please be aware that student report cards will be distributed at the school when materials are returned. For those students that were issued a school Chromebook, report cards will not be distributed until the Chromebook and charger have been returned.
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Although things may look different than normal, we are delighted to be able to conduct a formal in-person graduation ceremony for the senior class of 2020. Graduation will be held on Saturday, June 27th @ 11am on Ross Field. This is an invite-only ceremony to maintain proper social distancing. However, all can join in the celebration, as it will also be live-streamed! It will also be announced over the stadium's PA system, so you may be able to hear it in town as well! You may also be able to catch a glimpse of the procession down S. Main Street into the stadium starting at 11am.
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Summer Feed Program
Once again, a HUGE thank you to our food services team, aides, and bus drivers that kept our students fed during the extended closure. The last day of the school feeding program is the last day of school - Friday, June 19th.
We are happy to announce that we will be doing a summer feed program to keep our kids' fueled up with delicious and nutritious meals. The program will run for six weeks from July 6th to August 14th. There will be a pick-up/drive-thru at the pavilion on Main Street, Monday-Friday, from 9-11am serving breakfast and lunch.
If you need further assistance please take advantage of the other great services in town: free food giveaway of Tuesdays, the Food Pantry on South Main, and the Blue Cupboard at the pavilion.
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Camp in a Box
Camp Oswegatchie is bringing the camp experience to our FFA campers that planned on attending their summer overnight leadership camp. In its place, camp directors have created boxes to keep kids engaged over the summer. Each box is filled with items that promote leadership training, environmental education, and healthy outdoor recreation. The goal is to create a "meaningful and impactful experience for our FFA members." We are happy to be able to support our Groton chapter in providing this opportunity!
If you have questions, please email Dr. Jason Oliver, FFA Advisor for the Groton chapter and GCSD Ag teacher.
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Congratulations Retirees
The district would like to thank all of our retirees for their service and dedication to the Groton Central School community. We appreciate their contribution to our students and fellow colleagues throughout their careers. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement! We will miss you all!
Tim Heller * Jackie Baxendell * Marie Watson * Ed Dow
Jane Dahm * Tammy Koekbacker * Sue O'Donnell
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2020-21 Kindergarten...
Registration is open! If you have a child that is eligible for entry please call 898-5853. To be eligible to begin school in September 2020, the child must have been born on or before December 1, 2015.
2020-21 Prekindergarten...
Registration is open! Please call 898-5853 for an application.
To be eligible
:
- Child must reside in the Groton Central School District
- Meet NYS immunization requirements
- Selection is determined by a lottery process. Children that are currently in 3-year-old program will have an automatic seat in a 4-year-old classroom. The program is offered at no cost.
3-Year-Old program
:
- Child must be born on or before 12/1/17
- Follows the GES calendar
- 1/2 day classes (8:40-11am and 12:30-2:50pm)
- 12 seats in the morning class and 12 seats in the afternoon class are available
- No bus transportation is available
4-Year-Old program
:
- Child must be born on or before 12/1/16
- Follows the same calendar and hours as GES
- Bus transportation is available
- 54 seats are available
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GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WWW.GROTONCS.ORG
400 PERU ROAD, GROTON, NY 13073
(607) 898-5301
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