• In the 2008-09 school year, we anticipate adding SNN (School News Notifer), an opt-in e-mail alert system designed to keep parents and the community informed about school and district happenings, while eliminating the large amount of paper sent home.
• Next school year, we also hope to add an automated phone messaging service to notify parents in the event of an emergency, such as an unplanned early dismissal.
• Teacher e-mail addresses are currently being added to the district Web site. Our hope is to eventually post all teacher e-mail addresses online. We will do this slowly as each employee becomes comfortable and can manage it easily.
• This summer, we plan to expand the district Web site with a search engine and provide a section specifically for board policies with a searchable database.
• The district’s technology committee has been expanded to include representation from each building to help evaluate the district’s existing technology programs, investigate infrastructure improvements, implement trainings to bring technology into our classrooms and eliminate waste and duplication. Our goal is that all of our students will graduate with the knowledge that they can compete with students from anywhere in New York State, including districts with far greater resources than we have.

Educational programming
Teachers and parents responded that students are not being challenged, particularly at the secondary level. Students responded that they are often bored and wish they had more electives, hands-on learning and classes geared towards their future professions. Teachers agree that hands-on learning, small groups and other practices will increase student understanding and interest and “light their fire” to grow academically.

Our action plan:

• A committee of positive, caring teachers and administrators, representing each of our schools, has been formed to examine and evaluate our current educational programs. The committee will identify strengths and weaknesses in the district’s educational programs, particularly the gifted and talented program at the elementary school, as well as college-level courses, Advanced Placement courses and Project Lead the Way at the high school. The committee will make recommendations to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students and will work together to reinforce the belief that all students can learn at higher levels.

Communications
Teachers recognize the importance of communicating with parents, although parents say they have difficulty reaching them. District staff responded that they would like to increase awareness of the school vision and mission statement, and work as one to achieve its goal.

Our action plan:

• Administration will meet to identify where communication is breaking down whether it’s through e-mail, phone or other vehicles. We will notify parents/community members how this is being resolved to improve our communication. We need and appreciate your support!
• A committee will review our present vision and mission statements to examine whether they would like to alter the existing statements or further publicize them. The statements will be posted on our Web site and made more visible in each of our school buildings.

Community outreach
Respondents would like the district to better recognize our senior community members and post more information catered to them on our Web site. Respondents also want senior citizens and students to have more opportunities to be involved in the larger school community.

Our action plan:

• Faculty advisors and student organizations, along with administration, are currently examining different opportunities to offer a special event or activity for our senior community members.
• Requests to post specific information should be e-mailed to our part-time Webmaster ahendricks@duanesburg.org.
• Guidance secretary Chris Dickson is happy to assist parents/community members interested in hiring students to complete odd jobs or babysit. She may be reached at 895-5350, ext. 227, or cdickson@duanesburg.org.

Emergency plans and school safety
Respondents overwhelming expressed that they love having the school district as the center of the community and feel welcome in our buildings. Respondents feel students are safe in school, as well as coming to and from school. There was some concern about school doors being locked and people entering the building without signing in at the main office first.

Our action plan:

• To continue providing a safe and welcoming school environment, the district’s Safety Committee will review building emergency and safety plans with area law enforcement and fire personnel.

School lunch program
Respondents indicated they would like healthier choices for breakfast and lunch.

Our action plan:

• A health committee is being formed to explore adding healthier breakfast and lunch options to the financially self-supporting food services program. Parents, community members, students and staff are invited to explore this issue and provide recommendations. Please RSVP to Jeanne Beach at 895-5350, ext. 241, or jbeach@duanesburg.org if you would like to attend the first meeting on Thursday, March 27, at 3 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

Other thoughts/comments
Respondents indicated that they would like the district to offer full-day kindergarten. However, cost is both a concern and challenge. If any grant opportunities arise, the district will work quickly to secure funding.

I would like to assure the community that the Duanesburg Central School District’s Board of Education continually works to keep costs down while providing the best education possible for our students. They support every opportunity to bring the community into our schools to ensure they are receiving benefits for their tax dollars.

Being a school board member is an unpaid but extremely important job. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Board of Education, the town and village boards and all of the other community members that serve their school, town or village.

Once again, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to complete the survey. I have learned a great deal about what you value and what matters to you as a community. I will honor and respect those concerns as I work with the dedicated staff at DCS to meet the needs of our students and prepare them for work, college, citizenship and life-long learning.

Thank you again for your support. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to further discuss any of your concerns. I am always available to meet with each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Chris Crowley
Superintendent of DCS
 

> Back