Message from Mr. DeLilli Late October 2011
In order for parents to make plans regarding the care of their children, please note that the school calendar has been revised. The Board of Education revised the calendar at the October 20, 2011 meeting. There will be four half-days of school for students: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Thursday, March 8, 2012, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 and Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Elementary students will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m., while Junior High and High School students will be dismissed at 11a.m. Lunch will be served at each building.

The purpose of the revision is to allow the staff to receive professional development on the increased State Education Departments mandates in curriculum implementation. Ultimately, the work conducted by staff and administration will enhance the ability to meet the new increased standards which in turn positively affects your student. Our apologies for the change; however, some important timelines and expectations provided to the District were not available until the school year began. We appreciate your understanding as we strive to improve teaching and learning in the Greater Johnstown School District.

Message from Mr. DeLilli - November 4, 2011
All students in the Johnstown School District will be dismissed from school 15 minutes early on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, as part of a drill for the School Emergency Management Plan. The buildings must be vacated for an hour during the drill. Therefore, all after school activities will be postponed for one hour following the release time in each building. School personnel will also be released early, so parents must make arrangements for their children.

The drill, which is held in accordance with NYS Department of Education regulations, will test the usefulness of communications and transportation systems during an emergency.

Non-public and special education students who do not attend Johnstown Schools will also be dismissed 15 minutes early so that bus routes can remain the same.

If you have any questions, please contact your child's principal.

Message from Mr. DeLilli - Early October 2011
Providing the opportunity for an education that helps our children to be successful adults is something we all should want. This applies not just to parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc., but to each and every member of the community. Why? Because the better educated each community member is, the better chances we all will have for success and an improved quality of life. What can I do to help you ask? What does this mean for me?

The face of public education is going to change as a result of many factors. One in particular is the new two percent tax levy cap. Unfortunately, increases in health insurance alone will likely eat up this two percent for school districts! Since education is a people operation, there are not many options to exercise that won’t affect kids. As precious resources dwindle, what can we do to preserve important programs for students? How can we deliver extra-curricular activities that are sustainable and so important to student development?

On Thursday, November 3, there will be an Education-Economic Summit from 6-9:30 p.m. at HFM BOCES, sponsored by all HFM component school boards. An informational flier is available here and I encourage you to read it and to plan to attend this important event. Pre-registration is encouraged and information is located on the flier, or can be obtained by calling Ms. Christine Eaton at (518) 736-4300.

No one has the perfect solution to the challenges we face. As a region, we need to ask what can we do together that will benefit our children. The E+E=Prosperity Summit on November 3 is free and open to the public, so I hope that you will participate. I expect excellent ideas for action will be generated. Our collective voice must be heard, and we must be prepared to act prior to changes that could be imposed from other entities.