Dear Batavia Families and Community,

Over the past two weeks, we have celebrated the continuation of a wonderful Batavia tradition and, hopefully, the start of a new one.

First up, the “old tradition:” Congratulations to all our participants in the annual Mr. Batavia competition last Friday night in the Frank E. Owen Auditorium at Batavia High School. Over the last three years, it has quickly become one of my favorite Batavia traditions, and I suspect many in our community feel the same. It was a wonderful night of celebration, talent, camaraderie, and charitable giving. Bravo to all involved, especially advisor Lisa Robinson, hostesses, coaches, judges, and a special thank you to our wonderful sponsors.

Now, the hopefully “new tradition:” I was incredibly proud of our BCSD Music Department and students this week as we celebrated being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. This is an incredible and well-deserved honor for our students, teachers, alumni, and retired music teachers–again, bravo to all! I am looking forward to this becoming an annual tradition. For more information on the award, please check out this article.

A few weeks ago, our Technology Department and students fared exceptionally well by coming in first place at the annual Tech Wars Competition at both the Middle and High School levels. Having attended this event in the past, I can tell you firsthand that this is no small feat. Under the guidance of our technology teachers, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Panepento, and Mr. Voorhees, our students demonstrated a mastery of technology skills that will no doubt serve them in their futures. Congratulations to all!

Earlier this week, I celebrated the start of spring sports with four of our student-athletes as part of our monthly radio appearance on WBTA. Like all our students who have joined me on the radio in the past, these students represented BCSD with confidence, pride, and enthusiasm. Good luck to all our coaches and student-athletes this spring—and let’s hope for some nice weather!

In a few weeks, BCSD will proudly release our Annual Report and Budget Newsletter, which includes information on our proposed 2024-2025 budget. Not only will the newsletter present key information for next year’s proposed budget, but we will also highlight a wide array of academic and extracurricular programs throughout our entire District, so please be on the lookout for that in your mailboxes in May.

Finally, spring concert season will soon be upon us throughout BCSD, and I look forward not only to visiting with our families and students at those events but also to attending the myriad of other events and athletic contests that abound this spring.

Thank you for your continued support of BCSD!

Happy Spring!

Jason A. Smith
Superintendent of Schools
585-343-2480, ext 1000
jasonsmith@bataviacsd.org