Dear Batavia Families and Community,
It sure seems like we pack a lot into June, doesn’t it? It’s an exciting time with ceremonies, dances, moving up days, and special events, and I hope you enjoy it!
While we are actively celebrating our achievements this year, we also have a dedicated team preparing for summer school as we seek to recover from learning loss encountered by our students due to COVID. Please check with your child’s principal if you think a summer program or summer school might be a good opportunity for your child if you have not already been contacted. We are 100% committed to ensuring our students are reading at or above grade level. There is strong research that indicates success in high school is linked to solid foundational literacy skills.
Over the past few weeks, I have received several well-intentioned inquiries from families regarding school safety, given the tragedies of late. Our district is actively engaged in exploring additional means to enhance safety, and you can expect to hear more information on that shortly. Our excellent clerical staff at each office has been reminded of protocols to allow visitors into our buildings, and please understand that if you are questioned more than you prefer, it is for everyone’s safety. I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
Congratulations to all our athletic teams on their amazing spring accomplishments. I want to give a special shout-out to our lacrosse team, who made some nice improvements this year, and we look forward to an optimistic future! Best wishes to our track and field student-athletes who are venturing to States this weekend, as I know you will make our Blue Devil family proud! I’m incredibly proud that all seven of our spring sports programs were named “Scholar-Athlete” teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association by having a team average GPA for 75% of the roster greater than or equal to 90.00.
At this week's Board of Education meeting, our Strategic Planning Team will unveil the results of their work over the past year or so, resulting in a comprehensive Strategic Plan for BCSD. The plan will be made available on our website, and I will share it in a future update. From there, each school will develop their goals and initiatives aligned to the Strategic Plan—all in the name of continuous improvement!
Over the past weeks, I have enjoyed visiting and following our school activities and events, a few of which I would like to highlight here:
Congrats to our newly inducted Batavia Middle School National Junior Honor Society members!
Bravo to our BHS Tri M Music Honor Society students on a cool and fun recital under the famous willow tree last Friday!
Congrats to our John Kennedy team on their successful one book program, capped off by a visit with Nickel City Reptiles (always a favorite of mine).
Our friends at Jackson Primary had some wonderful trips to the zoo and local farms—such wonderful learning experiences for our youngest students!
I will issue one more update for the 21-22 school year (please look for it on June 24th), and then updates will be provided as needed throughout July and August, which will be here quickly!
Thank you for your support and for the trust you place in us to care for your children!
Jason A. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
343-3480, ext 1000
Twitter: @JasonJasmith