2023-2024 Updates

Messages from the Office of Curriculum & Instruction 

From the Desk of Renee M. Burnett, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

In 2019, the Board of Regents created a Blue Ribbon Commission to review New York’s graduation requirements. Finally, in November 2023, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) presented the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures to the Board of Regents. Since the release of the report in November, NYSED has been preparing guidance and possible programmatic and regulatory changes to address the twelve recommendations shown below:

1. Replace the three diploma types with one diploma, with the option to add seals and endorsements. 

2. Include civic responsibility (ethics); cultural competence; financial literacy education; fine and performing arts; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) credit(s); and writing, including writing skills for real-world scenarios in diploma credit requirements. 

3. Ensure access to career and technical education (CTE), including internships and work-based learning opportunities for all students across New York State. 

4. Move to a model that organizes credit requirements — including content area credit requirements — into larger categories (e.g., mathematics and science courses could be included in the “STEM” category). 

5. Reduce and/or modify diploma assessment requirements to allow more assessment options. 

6. Create state-developed rubric(s) for any performance-based assessments allowed as an option to satisfy the diploma assessment requirements. 

7. Create more specific, tailored graduation requirements to address the unique circumstances of certain groups of students (e.g., non-compulsory age students, newcomer students, refugee students). 

8. Provide exemptions from diploma assessment requirements for students with significant cognitive disabilities and major life events and extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical conditions, death of a family member, trauma prior to sitting for a required exam). 

9. Pursue regulatory changes to allow the discretion to confer high school degrees posthumously. 

10. Require all New York State teacher preparation programs to provide instruction in culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE) practices and pedagogy. 

11. Require that professional development plans include culturally responsive-sustaining education practices and pedagogy. 

12. Review and revise the New York State learning standards. 

Districts across the state, including Baldwinsville, are awaiting the scheduled release of this guidance sometime during April 2024. The district, upon receiving updated guidance, will begin the process of examining our current curriculum, instructional and assessment practices to make any necessary changes.

In the meantime, please check out some of the exciting things currently happening in our departments across the district.

From the Desk of RJ DeLisle, Director of Technology

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, where communication is predominantly conducted through electronic means, the importance of email security cannot be overstated, especially in the context of school districts. Educational institutions handle vast amounts of sensitive information, ranging from student records and financial data to internal communications. Ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of this information is paramount to the smooth functioning of a school district and the safety of its stakeholders.

To keep ahead of burgeoning cyber threats, the district recently launched email protection software that will help reduce the chances of cybercriminals from accessing internal resources and information. With this new program, all emails are scanned for signs of fraud, malicious URLs or attachments that are meant to cause harm. If a threat is identified, the email is blocked and prevented from reaching the user’s inbox. 

In an era where digital communication is integral to the functioning of school districts, prioritizing email security is not just a choice but a necessity. By investing in robust email security solutions, educational institutions can protect sensitive information, mitigate cyber threats, and uphold their commitment to the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the entire school community. Safeguarding the digital realm ensures the continuity of education and preserves the trust placed in school districts by their stakeholders.

In addition to software solutions which support safety, the people who monitor the software systems are equally important. With that said, the Technology department welcomes Alex Bateman as the latest addition to our team. Alex will take on the role of LAN (Local Area Network) Technician, supporting and troubleshooting the district’s technology systems. Alex, who brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the department, will serve a key role in the department as a “boots on the ground” employee helping keep our district safe.

From the Desk of Tony Cardamone, Director of Elementary Education

NEW SCIENCE EXAMS: In May 2024, students in Grades 5 and 8 will be taking new science exams aligned to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (NYS SLS). Districts are required to administer these exams on computers. Previously, students took the NYS science assessments in Grades 4 and 8; these exams were paper-based and included a performance-based portion.  

In preparation for the new exams, teachers have been hard at work implementing the newly required Science Investigations for students in grades 3-8. Released by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in October 2022, these hands-on activities are designed to assess students’ understanding of the NYS SLS. The Science Investigations are similar to a lab in that students hypothesize, investigate concepts, make observations, collect data, and summarize their learning. Because the Science Investigations are embedded into regular classroom instruction, students will no longer engage in a performance-based assessment as a part of the NYS Grades 5 and 8 exams. 

With assessment season upon us, the NYSED has compiled an FAQ for parents regarding the 3-8 ELA and Math exams as well as the Grades 5 & 8 Science exams. Below is a summary of the testing schedule for Baldwinsville students. If you have any questions regarding 3-8 testing, please contact your child’s building principal. 

2023-2024 NYS Testing Schedule
Grades 3-8
April-May 2024

 

From the Desk of Christina Morgan, Director of Secondary Education

Students on the Move! 

An important part of a well-rounded curriculum is providing experiential learning opportunities for students at all levels. Field trips play a vital role in enhancing the educational experience of students by providing practical and tangible learning opportunities beyond the confines of the classroom. Below are some highlights of both recent and upcoming field trips offered to students at the secondary level.

• On February 15th, six Baker High School students attended the 1st Amendment-1st Vote Regional Seminar Day where students collaborated with peers from Auburn, Corcoran, Henninger, and Nottingham Schools. The highlight of the field trip was roundtable chats with local female leaders such as Rachel May, NYS Senator 48th District,  Pamela J Hunter, NYS Assembly 128th District, and many more.  Students closed out the day breaking down the 1st Amendment- 1st Vote Action Plan and brainstorming an Action for Change in their community.

• During February break, five Durgee students attended a Micron Careers in a High Tech World event at OCM BOCES.  During the event, students were able to meet Micron engineers and OCC professors who provided insight to the various jobs available in the technology industry/field.  Students were also able to participate in several hands-on activities related to technology and engineering. 

• In March, 8th grade students taking Journalism (ELA 8) will attend the Syracuse Stage production of Murder on the Orient Express which is the core text used for this class. Students will sharpen their language skills by comparing and contrasting the novel with the production.

• Coming up in April, five Ray students will attend a Chip Camp hosted by Liverpool CSD in conjunction with Micron. Over the course of three days, students will engage in hands-on STEM activities and take field trips to both Cornell University and Elite Gaming! 

• Also in April, Baker students enrolled in Project Lead the Way courses for Human Body Systems and Biomedical Innovation will travel to Upstate Medical University to experience an Anatomage Table, an interactive 3D anatomy and physiology table. This advanced technology allows students to interact virtually with a human cadaver, starting at the skin and descending deeper into the muscles, lungs, liver, digestive tract, skeletal system, etc. . Students will also have the opportunity to tour the different programs housed at Upstate Medical and learn about potential careers in the medical field. 

As you can see, field trips contribute to an enriched learning experience by promoting real-world learning, cultural understanding, social development, and inspiration, ultimately preparing students for success in both academic and real-life settings.The district is proud to offer these educational outings to our students and appreciate the support of the community in these endeavors.

 

From the Desk of Danielle Nahorney, Director of Academic Services & Accountability

  The New York State Education Department has released accountability system designations for the 2023-24 school year. These designations are based on student assessment data from the 2022-23 school year. Our district is pleased to announce that all schools in the district are now designated by the New York State Education Department for Local Support and Improvement (LSI). Under the accountability system, Local Support and Improvement (LSI) replaces what was formerly known as "Good Standing," in an effort to focus on continuous improvement by weaving tools and resources of value into our current practices.

You can learn more about student involvement, academics, social-emotional needs, grades, discipline, and attendance by visiting our interactive report card, available on our website. This data is refreshed quarterly with the goals of celebrating successes of Baldwinsville students and staff, monitoring and examining areas in which support is needed, and remaining transparent in our work. Visit www.bville.org, and the link to our District Report Card can be found in the About Us section!