Superintendent DeBarbieri's announcements for September 8, 2023

September 8, 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff, 

During the first week of school, our goal is to get students reacquainted with being in the classroom and ready to learn and grow. I visited all of our school buildings this week and watched as teachers and support staff members explained classroom procedures, rules and expectations to their students. Laying down this groundwork helps prepare students for a successful school year. 

From UPK students entering a classroom for the first time to our Class of 2024 celebrating their last first day of school in our Hive, this week has been filled with countless smiles, happy tears and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to all of our district staff members, including bus drivers, custodians, and food services workers for making connections with our students! 

I have a few announcements to share with you today: 

• Don't forget! The district is seeking feedback related to one of the priorities of our new strategic plan, focusing on project based learning. There's still time to provide your feedback and rate thoughts using this link. The Thought Exchange will close Sunday, September 10th at 8:00 p.m. Thank you to all who have participated!
• Health reminders: If your child is symptomatic, do not send the child to school. If the child has or has had a fever in the last 24 hours the child must remain home until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals is recommended, but not required for return to school/work. Report all absences to the school attendance office. There is no longer a universal masking mandate. Masks are not required in any of our schools, district buildings, or on school buses. If a student or staff member wears a mask, whether by choice, expectation, or requirement, they will be allowed to do so. It is expected that each individual’s right to mask or not is free from stigmatization, bullying, or being made to feel uncomfortable.
• Important Reminder: If you DO NOT WANT your child’s image to be taken and used by the district or local media during the current school year, please fill out this opt-out form and return to Public Information Specialist Sarah Buckshot, Baldwinsville Central School District Office, 29 East Oneida Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 or sbuckshot@bville.org. Please be sure to include each child’s name and the school that he/she attends. THIS REQUEST MUST BE MADE EVERY YEAR. Download the form on our website. The form is also found in the August Hive. This is now the ONLY way to have your child placed on the no image list.
• September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Read the newsletter from our support staff on our website and make sure to check out our weekly messages, which will be posted on our social media sites each Friday. 
• Our Bees are in action. Good luck to all student-athletes with games this weekend. You can check out our athletic schedule on our website and follow our Athletics Department on Twitter.
• Good luck to our Marching Bees as they compete on Saturday, September 9th at the Jordan Elbridge field band competition.  

Please continue to check ParentSquare, your email and our website, www.bville.org, for important updates. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. 

Have a great weekend. Go Bees! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph M. DeBarbieri
Superintendent of Schools