December 13, 2024

Dear Batavia Families and Community,

With December only having a few weeks (plus a few snow days), it has been a sprint to the upcoming two-week recess for the holidays. I hope each of you has found time to enjoy the season while still managing to get those usual holiday tasks done in time.

As we are in the winter weather season, I wanted to remind you of some emergency closing protocols and procedures:

• When a decision is made to close, it will either be made the night before or before 6 am that day. There really is no hard science or rules to this process other than watching the weather carefully and communicating with local officials and our bus company regarding snow and road conditions. I know there are pros and cons with each approach, but each call is truly situation-dependent.

• Please make sure we have your updated contact information so you can receive the calls and alerts. If you are unsure, please contact your child’s school, and our office staff will be happy to assist you.

• As a parent, you absolutely have the right to keep your child home on inclement weather 

days, and that decision will be respected.

• In general, the “rule” for closing due to cold weather has been sustained wind chills at or below -20 degrees. Again, this is not a hard and fast rule, but rather a measuring stick.

• Alerts will be posted and shared via ParentSquare, our website, and social media (BCSD Facebook), and we will also communicate with the local and regional media. I recommend checking either The Batavian, The Batavia Daily News, WBTA, and/or Video News Service for the most accurate and timely information.

I am proud to share some highlights below from each of our schools across BCSD:

• Families of Batavia High School students were notified this week of a new electronic hall pass system designed to reduce classroom disruptions, improve accountability, and general student management. Thank you to Acting Principal Trisha Jordan for leading this project.

• Our Batavia Middle School friends have started a wonderful new tradition: a holiday hallway decorating contest, which will be judged by school staff, Board members, and myself. 

• Bravo to our John Kennedy Chorus, under the direction of Robin Crowden, for kicking off our winter concerts with a fantastic concert last week. While the music was great, I was most impressed with the enthusiasm of our students, enjoying the wonderful opportunity to make music.

• Over at Jackson Primary, the home-family partnership continues to be strong, as families enjoyed a wonderful visit with Santa at Miss Batavia Diner this past Saturday morning.

• While Jessica Korzelius is excited to start her new role as principal at Robert Morris in January, our youngest learners enjoyed an old-fashioned “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” a few weeks ago.

With the upcoming two-week recess, I encourage you to unplug with your families and enjoy the spirit of the season. Visit the Richmond Library and/or the Holland Land Office Museum (both gems in our community), cook a meal together and bake cookies, discuss family traditions, tour the city to see homes decorated for the season, and patronize our outstanding local businesses and restaurants.

May the joys of the Christmas and holiday season be with you and your families.

Sincerely,

Jason A. Smith

Superintendent of Schools

jasonsmith@bataviacsd.org

585-343-2480, ext 1000