The Superintendent’s Conference Day on August 31 was for instructional staff. Teachers, teaching assistants and teacher aides started the day with refreshments in the Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria and then spent the rest of the morning discussing equitable practices in public education in the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium. Topics included diversity, equality and inclusion. After a barbeque lunch, instructional staff spent the afternoon debriefing about what they discussed and learned in the morning.
The Superintendent’s Conference Day on September 1 was for all staff. The day started with a brief welcome reception in the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, where new staff members were introduced. Director of Special Education/District Data Coordinator Bryan Yurka also covered a variety of topics. Following the welcome reception, instructional staff joined fellow educators from the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES region at the Stanley Theater in Utica for a special presentation by Liz Murray, co-founder and executive director of “The Arthur Project.” The organization advocates for underserved youth – particularly youth in middle school – and works to end generational poverty through relationship-based learning. Murray’s message focused on forgiveness, survival and resilience.
While instructional staff were at the Stanley Theater, non-instructional staff participated in building and department meetings. Upon their return, instructional staff participated in faculty meetings. The day concluded with a luncheon for all staff in the Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria.
“I hope everyone had a great summer and is recharged for the new school year,” Superintendent of Schools Rocco Migliori said. “After a very challenging couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am excited this school year is off to a more ‘normal’ start. I wish everyone good health and much success.”