Small School – Big Effort
High Character – Huge Success
Weekly Bulletin – September 21st, 2023
Principal’s Message
Next week is Spirit Week!
- Monday: Neon Day
- Tuesday: Adam Sandler Day (dress like Adam Sandler in one of his movies)
- Wednesday: Western Day
- Thursday: Throwback Thursday (wear a different decade of clothing)
- Friday: Purple and White Day!
- Saturday: Dance is 7:00-10:00pm in the new gym. $5.00 admission. (If you have an out-of-district guest that you are bringing they must be signed in at the main office and approved by Mr. Yorke).
Here’s another reminder of some logistical details regarding the start of the school year:
- For the safety of all students and all of our SSCS school community, please follow the posted speed limits.
- At drop off in the morning in the traffic circle, please have your child exit your vehicle from the passenger side. If this is not possible, please pull into one of the visitor parking areas along the side of the school building, in front of the “Visitor Entrance.” (Additionally, if your child needs you to exit the vehicle for help, please also park along the side of the school building).
- As we finish up several construction projects throughout the school, please follow all signage, cones and fence borders.
- Please stay off the new soccer field (the sod needs to take root).
- If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at tyorke@sharonsprings.org or (518) 284-2266.
We look forward to a great school year within a culture at SSCS that is safe, welcoming, and empathetic!
Student Focus
Dear Families,
This week our school community focused on the character strength of Curiosity. Curiosity means you like exploration and discovery. You ask lots of questions because you want to learn more about anything and everything.
We discussed and looked at how curiosity is a crucial component of one’s character. Our innate urge for discovery and exploration is a key element of our human desire for wisdom and knowledge. It’s what keeps us intrigued in the plotlines of movies and books. It’s what pushes us to try new activities or travel to different places. All individuals experience curiosity but differ in their willingness to experience it – behaviorally, intellectually, and emotionally.
Individuals with the character strength of curiosity are more likely to ask questions and try new things. Curiosity, then, is a form of courage. Asking questions exposes the fact that we don’t know and trying a new activity means we might fail. But, it’s only through asking questions and exploring new opportunities that we learn and grow.
Please encourage the character strength of curiosity with your child.
Have a wonderful week!
Student Supply Closet
Sponsored by the SSCS Sharing & Caring Program
SSCS Sharing & Caring Program is pleased to offer to students enrolled in the district, snacks, drinks and personal amenities products. The Student Supply Closet is located in the room across from the Library and is open to students throughout the school day to grab a snack, drink or hygiene products. The intent is to have these items available to students without them having to ask an adult. We do ask that students be respectful of the items in the closet and only take what they need for the day so that the inventory is available throughout the school year for ALL students. It is through the generosity of our school community supporting the Sharing & Caring Program and a generous donation from Carla Rodriguez that we are able to provide these items free of charge to our SSCS students.
Did you know?? The Sharing & Caring Program also is here to help Sharon Springs families in need. If you have school-age children and your family is having difficulty with meeting basic household needs, please email Barb Handy at bhandy@sharonsprings.org. All requests are confidential.
SSCS Student Handbook
Parents/Guardians should have received a Kinvo message with the link to review the 2023-24 Student Handbook and the link to sign the electronic Acknowledgement Agreement. If you have not already done so, please go to Sharon Springs Form and Policy Page on the school’s website and click on the Sharon Springs CSD’s Student Handbook to review the content and then click on Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment Agreement 2023-24. If a parent or guardian needs a paper copy of the Acknowledgment Agreement to sign, please contact Michelle Keaney at mkeaney@sharonsprings.org or by phone (518) 284-2267 x106.
Transportation/Dismissal Changes Guidelines
On a day that you need to change your child’s dismissal plan, a written request needs to be received in the Main Office by 9:00 am on the day the child(ren) will be picked up.
The notes should include:
- The student’s full name;
- The individual picking up the child(ren);
- The Parent/Guardian’s phone number;
- The Parent/Guardian’s signature.
End of the day or last minute phone calls to the school should be limited to unforeseen emergencies. This is in place to ensure accurate and timely communication so that your child is dismissed safely according to your wishes. In the event of a true emergency need, PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL – call the school at (518) 284-2267. Teachers and staff may not have access to email in order to relay your message to the appropriate people in a timely manner.
Emergency Dismissal Plans
Emergency Dismissal Forms & Demographic Forms were sent home with students this week. Please complete these forms and return to your child’s homeroom teacher or the Main Office as soon as possible to ensure information is up-to-date.
In the event of the School District declaring an emergency dismissal, the school district will follow the parent/guardian’s instructions on the early emergency dismissal notification forms on file.
If you have a cell phone number on file with the district, you will receive a text notification in the event of an early/emergency dismissal.
Annual School Safety Plan Early Dismissal Drill
The Sharon Springs CSD in conjunction with Capital Region BOCES will be conducting its annual school safety early dismissal drill no more than 15 minutes before the normal dismissal time. The practice drill will take place on Thursday, October 5th, 2023 beginning at 2:32 pm.
Harvest Dinner: Thursday, October 4th, 2023
The Class of 2025 will be hosting the Annual Fall Harvest Dinner on Thursday, October 4 from 5:00-7:00pm. Contact any member of the junior class, or advisors Coach Smith or Mrs. Korona, to pre-order your tickets. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting on Monday, September 28th.
Homecoming Events: Friday, September 29th, 2023
6:15 pm – Parade Line up
6:30 pm – Parade
6:45 pm – New Soccer Complex Reveal
7:00 pm – Bonfire (Next to the Bus Garage)
Teams will be announced – Team Games.
8:00 pm – Parent Pick Up
*Parents and students are respectfully asked to stay off the new soccer complex. We can use the new facility next season. Thank you for your cooperation.*
Come support your SSCS Spartans! Saturday, September 30th, 2023
10:00 am – Modified Games vs. GM-Worcester, BM- CV-s
12:00 pm – Alumni Game
1:00 pm – Girls Varsity Game vs. Saratoga Central Catholic
3:00 pm – Boys Varsity Game vs. Madison
7:00-10:00 – Homecoming Dance (New Gym) – Admission is $5.00.
Canajoharie Crocodiles Swim Club
Open to SSCS students in grades K-12. The swim season runs from mid-October until the end of February. Swim Practices are held on Tuesday-Thursday from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Nellis Memorial Pool located at the Canajoharie Middle School & East Hill Elementary. Registration information is below and all questions should be directed to the Canajoharie Coach, Lindsay Noles at (603) 285-3881.
Computers Available
If your household qualifies for free or reduced school lunch and you would like a computer for your household, please contact Tom Reynolds at treynolds@sharonsprings.org or 518-284-2266.
Community Focus
A Service to the Sharon Springs Community
Weekly Bulletin Submissions
SSCS will continue to produce this document each week as a service to the SSCS community. Similar to last year, classified ads, such as advertisements for the sale of items, help wanted ads, etc., will no longer be accepted. Advertisements will only be accepted if it relates to a potential educational benefit for our students or it has the potential to benefit the Sharon Springs community. SSCS reserves the right to edit any submission. For consideration, please email by 3 p.m. on Tuesdays to weeklybulletin@sharonsprings.org.
