Post on 29-Jul-2020
What's Inside. . . Superintendent’s Letter ....... 2Pie Sale ............................... 2Emergency Drills ................ 2Homecoming ...................... 3Soccer ................................. 4Blood Drive ........................ 4Director of Facilities ........... 4MakerSpace ........................ 4Flu Prevention .................... 5Parents Day Off .................. 6Calendar of Events .............. 7CROP .................................. 7Lunch Menu ........................ 8Guidance News ................... 9Share & Shine ..................... 9Box Tops ........................ 9-10Rabies Notification ............. 9Fire Safety ........................ 11Drama Club Production .... 12
Thank you to the Laurens
Alumni Association
for sponsoring this issue of the Leopard’s Tale.
Volume IV, Number III November 2019
LAURENS CENTRAL SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Honoring the Service of Our VeteransOn Friday, November 8, we, at Laurens Central School, would like to honor our area
veterans. If you know a veteran who would like to join us please feel free to contact them or bring them to school that morning.
HERE ARE THE ACTIVITIES WE HAVE PLANNED8:00 a.m. Breakfast for veterans (pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, coffee)9:00 a.m. Veterans Day Assembly for grades K-12 in the gym. We will have perfor-
mances by our music program and a guest speaker.Our commitment to our veterans and honoring those who have served our country is
very important to us at LCS. We thank you for all that you have done to help preserve and protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy today!
Thank You for Your Service!
Parent/Teacher ConferencesDuring the month of November we will host the first series of Parent/Teacher Confer-
ences. These conferences will be held on November 21 and 22. Report Cards for students in grades K-6 will be handed out at the conferences. Parents of students in these grades are requested to schedule a conference with their child’s teacher at the following times:
GRADES K-6November 21 ...................................................................12:45-3:00 or 7:00-8:30 PMNovember 22 ....................................................................................... 12:45-3:00 PMStudents in grades 7-12 will be given their report cards at the end of the day on
November 12. Parent/Teacher conferences for students in grades 7-12 will be held as follows:
GRADES 7-12November 21 ...................................................................12:45-3:00 or 7:00-8:30 PMPlease call the main office today to schedule your conference.
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Letter from the SuperintendentThe start of the 2019-2020 school year has turned out to
be yet another positive and amazing time. We saw wonderful soccer seasons, a fun Homecoming parade, and special events up at the soccer fields. But it was the outpouring of support, both emotional and financial, that once again demonstrated the caring, supportive, child centered and encouraging nature that earmarks our community as a special place. It all started with . . .
350 SOCCER WINSOn Monday, September 30, Mr. Miller earned his 350th win
as a soccer coach for our school district. Mr. Miller began coach-ing the Boys Varsity Soccer Team in 1988. Over 31 seasons he has averaged 11 wins per season. This year’s team presented Mr. Miller with a banner highlighting this accomplishment. The banner will be made available at home athletic events to provide all players from past years the opportunity to sign. Congratulations Mr. Miller!
A VERY SPECIAL “THANK YOU” IS EXTENDED TO OUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS, EMERGENCY SQUAD AND AUXILIARY!
A very special “Thank you” is extended to the Laurens Fire Department, Emergency Squad and Auxiliary for the outstanding Fire Prevention Program that was held at the school on October. Topics covered the use of smoke detectors, home escape plans and meeting places, safe cooking techniques, tips for keeping oneself safe at restaurants and, very importantly, at college in dorms and apartments, use of fire extinguishers, and conversations on preventing distracted driving accidents. And, the Oneonta Fire Department brought their “Live Burn Trailer Program.” This trailer was designed to show students the value of sprinkler systems and the time such a system provides individuals to escape a burning room; such as a college dorm room or apartment. It was again a very comprehensive program and, of course, we still love the tours of the fire trucks and ambulances, the Fire Safety Bags, prizes developing a Home Escape Plan for students in grades K-3, and the Red Fireman Hats!
2ND ANNUAL FALL SENIOR RETREATOn October 10 we held our 2nd Annual Fall Senior Retreat
organized by Mrs. Sider and our guidance staff. The purpose of the day was to teach and practice stress relieving activities and techniques, while also helping to strengthen positive, sup-portive peer relationships among the class. Positive, supportive relationships are key to maintaining good mental health, relieve stress and anxiety, and boost overall mood. All the activities were skills students could put in their “tool box” to use throughout life for improved overall well-being. Students found the day to be full of positive benefits.
OPEN HOUSE EVENTSA special “Thank you” to all who attended our annual Open
House and Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser. This year’s Open House involved a new format; one that hosted all grades, K-12,
in one evening. The evening started out with a Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser during which time we raised $1,500! All proceeds will be given to the Chickerell Family who lost their home in a fire this past summer. After the dinner, parents were encour-aged to meet their children’s teachers and learn about classroom curriculum, expectations, grading policies and so on. They also had the opportunity to attend an informational session on other important topics. It was a very positive evening for all involved.
In closing all I can say is “Wow! All of this is amazing!” The Laurens Community, one with the highest level of poverty in our area, is once again one of the most generous. It is this generosity that marks Laurens, both school and community, as special. It is the feeling of care and concern for others that seems to swell and grow in times of need, and does so over and over again. It is what makes Laurens a very special place to live and raise our children. It is something that is overlooked by others who look at us from the outside, not knowing the specialness of what lies within. It is what, in my opinion, makes Laurens, our school, and our community what I call, the “Best Kept Secret in Otsego County!” And I do say that all of the time!
Laurens, whereCommunity and
School Create Success!
Emergency DrillsAs we do each year, our school is completing the required
number of fire and other safety drills. For the safety of our students no one other than school administration and local law enforcement agencies will know of the dates and times of these drills. This includes Evacuation Drills. In running an Evacuation Drill students may return home a bit early or late from school as compared to a normal dismissal. I encourage all parents to talk with their children about this and make sure you have appropriate plans in place as nothing is more precious than the safety of our children.
Laurens Jaguars Annual Pie Sale
Save yourself some time and order your Thanksgiving pies from the Jr. and Sr. Colorguards. Orders need to be placed by Friday, November 8. All pies will be ready by November 26.
Apple, Apple Crumb, & Pumpkin ........................ $10
Pecan ...................................................................... $12
Checks can be made out to: The Laurens Jaguars Advocates.
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HomecomingOnce again, the Student Council did a fine job of organiz-
ing our Homecoming activities. Students from grades K-12 participated in Spirit Week Activities, the parade with all of the class floats was great fun, and the festivities on Homecoming Saturday took place without a hitch. A special “Thank you” goes out to the Decker family for presenting our Homecoming King Christopher Long and Queen Sadie Lincoln, on their horse drawn wagon.
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SoccerA special congratulations to all of our soccer teams for
exciting seasons! At the time of this writing, we are looking forward to entering Section IV competition. Watch the paper for game dates and times.
Laurens Central School Blood Drive
Hosted by Key Club
School Cafeteria
Friday November 1, 2019 3pm – 7pm
Appointments may be made on line
In the Library MakerSpaceThis year we are continuing to host STEAM (science,
technology, engineering, art, and math) activities in both the Elementary and High School Library MakerSpace areas. These spaces provide students time, materials, and space to explore things that interest them, such as robotics, coding, circuits, building, art, and much more. So much of the school day is invested in teaching and learning a prescribed curriculum. It is vital that we give students the opportunity to find their passion and investigate those things that are of personal interest to them.
Throughout the 2019-2020 school year we are hosting “Thoughtful Thursdays” in the High School MakerSpace with Mrs. Flachs, the school’s counselor. We have made stress balls and plan to make useful items with plastic bags (plarning). This month we also had a special guest in— Mrs. Murch’s mother, Mrs. Cameron, to teach knitting to some of our Middle School girls. Activities are designed to promote mindfulness and healthy ways to address anxiety and stress.
At this time, we are in need of the following materials; we are very grateful for anything you can contribute. Please feel free to contact me, Mrs. Rokhvadze, anytime at mrokhvadze@laurenscs.org or 432-2050 should you have any questions. Donations can be sent in with your child or dropped off at the school. Thank you!
MAKERSPACE WISH LIST • Yarn • Knitting needles• LEGOs • Clay• Fabric • Craft supplies• Board games with small electrical motors (like Operation)
that we can take apart• Jewelry making tools and supplies
New Director of FacilitiesHello, my name is Brian Stoutenburg,
your new Director of Facilities. I am origi-nally from Ulster County, and a student of Kingston City Schools and SUNY Ulster. I have worked in the facilities trades my entire life starting in 1991. I began my career within Kingston City Schools while attending school
and stayed after graduation for a term of 16 years. I then went into the trade fields of excavation and site work that lead me to all phases of reading architectural plans to utilities, plumbing, electrical and construction on commercial job sites. While loving what I did for a living I always wanted to move to the Northern Catskills, so after looking and planning I moved. I have lived in the Northern Catskills for 15 years now and I love it. I eventually phased out of the on-site construction work and started back in Civil service at ONC BOCES for five years as the Shared Direc-tor of Facilities for two separate school districts. I am now very happily employed at Laurens Central School and very excited to be a part of a great team and community. I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone. Thank you.
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Parent’s Afternoon off!! Saturday, November 23
From 2 to 6 pm
Thanksgiving Crafts! Snacks! Active Games! Story Time!!
The LCS French Club is sponsoring a Babysitting Afternoon open to
parents and children in our district.
If you would like to register your child / children, please fill out the form below & return with payment to Mrs. Graham at LCS no later than Weds, 11/20 !!!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Child’s name: ________________________________________Age: __________
Child’s name: ________________________________________Age: __________
Child’s name: ________________________________________Age: __________
Name of Parent / Guardian: ____________________________________________
Phone number: __________________________ IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
Name of friend / relative: _____________________________________________
Phone Number of friend / relative: ______________________________________
Please list any special needs / restrictions: ______________________________________
Are there any foods your child cannot eat? _____________________________________
Child’s favorite activity: ____________________________________________________
Please circle the amount that you are including:
Cost: $15.00 for one child, $25.00 for two children, $30.00 for three children
Please pay with CASH or Check made out to LCS FRENCH CLUB
Drop off at 2 pm, please pick up no later than 6 pm.
You must register your child by Weds 11/20 to secure your participation in this event!!!
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CROP News
1 CROP, RM 115, 3-5 PM Blood Mobile, Café, 3-7 PM 2 Soccer Sectional Finals All-County Auditions, Cooperstown Zumba, MPR, 9 AM 3 CommunityBasketball,6:30-9 PM 4 Jazz Band, RM 121, 7-9 PM Tech Comm., RM 112, 8:15 AM ColorguardAdvocates,RM115,6-8 PM PoE Class FT, Binghamton 5 Chamber Singers, RM 123, 7-9 PM Zumba, Café, 6-7 PM Village Board Mtg., RM 115, 7-9 PM Key Club, Atrium Sr. Lounge, 11 AM 6 YFC, Café, 6:30-8 PM Zumba, Café, 6 PM 7 Zumba, Café, 6-7 PM Quizzards, RM 209, 5:30-7:30 PM 8 Veterans Day Program 9 Zumba, MPR, 9 AM Quiz Bowl, Ithaca 10 Community Basketball, 6:30-9 PM 11 No School—Veterans Day Jazz Band, RM 121, 7-9 PM 12 Chamber Singers, RM 123, 7-9 PM Zumba, Café, 6-7 PM 13 Girl Scouts, RM 135, 6-7:30 PM POMP, RM 123, 7 PM 14 Zumba, Café, 6-7 PM Quizzards, RM 209, 5:30-7:30 PM Key Club, Atrium, 11 AM; Sr. Lounge, 5 PM
15 Winnie the Pooh Drama Production, MPR, 7 PM 16 Winnie the Pooh Drama Production, MPR, 7 PM Zumba, Café, 9 AM 17 Winnie the Pooh Drama Production, MPR, 2 PM Community Basketball, 6:30-9 PM 18 Jazz Band, RM 121, 7-9 PM Booster Club, RM 115, 7:30 PM 19 Chamber Singers, RM 123, 7-9 PM Zumba, MPR, 6-7 PM 20 BBB Scrimmage vs, B-G, 5:30 PM Girl Scouts, RM 135, 6-7 PM YFC, Café, 6:30-8 PM BOE Mtg., RM 115, 7:30 PM 21 ½ Day P/T Conference Day, K-12 Zumba, MPR, 6 PM 22 ½ Day P/T Conference Day, K-6 Area All-State Rehearsal, Oneonta, 3:30-8 PM Key Club, Atrium, 11 AM; Sr. Lounge, 5 PM 23 Area All-State Concert, Oneonta, 1 PM Zumba, MPR, 8:30-10 AM 24 Community Basketball, 6:30-9 PM Class of 2020, RM 115, 1 PM 25 Jazz Band, RM 121, 7-9 PM BB @ B-G 26 Share & Shine, MPR, 1:30 PM Chamber Singers, RM 123, 7-9 PM Zumba, MPR, 6-7 PM BBB @ Unatego 27-29 No School—Thanksgiving Holiday 30 Zumba, MPR, 9 AM
November 2019 Calendar of Events
The afterschool Creating Rural Opportunities Pro-gram (CROP) began September 16. My name is Jean Barry and as the CROP Site Coordinator at Laurens Central School (LCS), I am thrilled to be a part of the CROP team and to see what this school year brings. We welcome back three of our Activity Leaders: Marie Mish, Jessica DeBoer, and Danielle Geissinger along with the addi-tion of Monica Kovacs. The afterschool program also includes students filling the role of peer leaders. Again this year we will have peer leaders in training from the 6th-8th grade who will complete the CROP team.
This year the CROP program has new and returning partners within the local community. These partners allow students to experience and learn about the surrounding local opportunities. The partners this year are the Farmer’s Museum, CANO Arts of Oneonta, Hawk Circle, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Hanford Mills, Leaf Council of Alco-holism, and Girls on the Run, all of which provide hands on sessions as well as field trips to their sites. The partners visit
CROP at LCS multiple times throughout the months along with the opportunity to visit their locations as well.
CROP supports and motivates academic and social growth after the school day, running from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Approxi-mately 78 children are currently enrolled. Applications are still being accepted.
If your child is not already enrolled in the CROP program but would like to be, you can email me at jbarry@laurenscs.org The CROP phone number is 432-0958. If no answer or unable to leave a message, you can leave a message at the Main Office with Mrs. Hall.
As the new site coordinator of CROP, I am excited to watch your children learn and grow alongside the growth of the CROP program. I would like to thank the administration of LCS for the constant support in making our afterschool program great. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about the program by reaching me at (607) 432-0958 or jbarry@laurenscs.org.
— Jean Barry, CROP Site Coordinator
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Assorted C
ereal
Chicken T
enders French Fries G
reen Beans
Soup/Salad w
/Chickpeas
or Sandwich
Assorted C
ereal
Turkey &
Bacon M
elt B
russel Sprouts
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Assorted C
ereal
Stuffed Shells G
arlic Bread
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
NO SCHOOL
VETERANS DAY
Breakfast on a Stick
Soft or H
ard Shelled T
acos R
efried Beans
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Assorted M
uffins &
Yogurt
A
ssorted Pizza Spinach and R
omaine
Salad
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Sausage,Egg &
Cheese
Burrito
C
hicken Patty T
ator Tots
Beets
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
French Toast
Sticks
Ultim
ate Chicken B
owl
Soup/Salad w
/Chickpeas
or Sandwich
Scrambled E
ggs w
/Hash B
rowns
G
rilled Cheese
Tom
ato Soup
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Breakfast B
iscuit Sandw
ich
Chicken Parm
Wrap
Corn
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Chocolate C
hip Pancakes
Fish N
uggets Sw
eet Potato Fries
Wrap D
ay Soup/Salad w
/Chickpeas
Breakfast Sandw
ich
Ham
burger/ Cheeseburger
French Fries C
arrots
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
THANKSGIVING
DAY
NO SCHOOL
THANKSGIVING RECESS
HA
LF D
AY
OF SC
HO
OL
G
RA
DE
S K-12
Breakfast Pizza
C
hicken Cordon B
leu B
roccoli
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Scrambled E
ggs w/C
heese
Thanksgiving D
inner R
oast Turkey
Mash Potatoes/G
ravy Stuffing
Butternut Squash C
orn Casserole
Apple/Pum
pkin Pie
Pancakes w/B
acon
Meatloaf
Mash Potatoes
Peas
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Oatm
eal &
Brow
n Sugar
Assorted Pizza R
olls Spinach and R
omaine
Salad
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
Sausage Biscuit &
G
ravy
Assorted Pizza
Spinach and Rom
aine Salad
Soup/Salad w
/Chickpeas
or Sandwich
HA
LF D
AY
OF SC
HO
OL
G
RA
DE
S K-6
Pancakes w/Sausage
A
ssorted Pizza Rolls
Spinach & R
omaine Salad
Soup/Salad w/C
hickpeas or Sandw
ich
NO SCHOOL
THANKSGIVING RECESS
Laurens Central S
chool
Breafast K
-3 $1.85
Breakfast 4-12
$2.00 L
unch K-3
$2.10 L
unch 4-12 $2.35
B
reakfast must include 3
items and one m
ust be a fruit and/or juice
Item
s Available
Main E
ntrée A
ssorted Cereal
Bagels
Toast
Fruit Juice M
ilk
Lunch m
ust include 3 item
s and one must be a
fruit and/or vegetable
Other L
unch Options
Salad Plates A
ssorted Wraps
Fruit Smoothies
Cottage C
heese Fruit
Crackers
Y
ogurt Plate which
includes: 4 oz yogurt w
ith cheese stick and w
hole wheat
roll
Fresh Veggies includes
celery, carrot sticks and red peppers
M
ilk 1%
White
Skim W
hite or C
hocolate
USD
A is an equal
opportunity provider and em
ployer
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Share And ShineThe focus of this month’s character trait will be on Respect.
Respect is when the student is able to use good manners, obey school rules, and take care of other people’s property. Throughout the month of November and the rest of the school year teachers in K-6 will be teaching students the importance of good character. On November 29, at 1:45 p.m. in the MPR the 5th grade will be presenting on Respect and ways to be respectful.
You will receive a notice if you child will be receiving an award. However, all are welcome to attend! Parking in the bus loop is not advised as buses arrive after 2:30 p.m. and you will be unable to leave while the buses are in the loop.
RABIES REPORTBat Tests Positive for Rabies
The Otsego County Department of Health reports that a bat tested positive for rabies on Friday, October 11. One unvaccinated cat and two people were exposed. The individuals were started on rabies post-exposure treatment. The cat will be placed in a six-month quarantine.
Rabies is a fatal viral infection that can be transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or contact with saliva to broken skin or mucus membranes. When there is an exposure to an animal that may be rabid, the animal should be sent for rabies testing. The public is cautioned to stay away from any stray or wild animals and instruct their children to do so also. In the event that a pet is in contact with a wild animal, owners should avoid contact with saliva that may be on the pet’s fur. Wearing gloves when handling their pet or waiting a couple hours to handle the pet reduces that chance of contact with the virus. Any person that awakens with a bat in their room, finds a bat in a room with an unattended small child or has a pet in contact with a bat should safely capture the animal and contact the Health Department.
Pet owners need to know that State Law requires all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that is overdue for its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must be either euthanized or, with the Department of Health’s approval, strictly quarantined for six months. Pets up-to-date with rabies vaccination should be given a rabies vaccine within five days of exposure.
For further information regarding rabies, please call Otsego County Department of Health, at (607) 547-4230.
Guidance NewsIMPORTANT DATES
November 2 SAT at Oneonta High School 7 SUNY Geneseo rep visit, 12:15 p.m. 8 Registration deadlines for the 12/7 SAT and the 12/14
ACT 12 Q1 Report Cards distributed Herkimer CCC rep visit, 11:00 a.m. 13 Keuka College rep visit, Noon
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS11/1, 11/15, 12/1 are typical college early action application
deadlines. (Check with the colleges you are applying to, for their specific deadlines.) Seniors should be completing or have completed college applications. Applications should be completed by Thanksgiving vacation and at the very latest, by December vacation. Students should ask teachers for recommendations now, as well as finalizing college essays. It is recommended that students apply to at least three to five colleges to provide some choice when selecting a college to attend. Seniors, please check your email for important reminders and information from these colleges and Mrs. Sider.
CLARK SCHOLARSHIPSApplication information will be handed out and the process
will be reviewed with seniors, sometime in December. Class averages and rank will be calculated after second quarter grades are completed. This scholarship is based primarily on academic performance.
HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR SENIORS AND THEIR PARENTS• www.fsaid.ed.gov—The place to start when applying
for financial aid! All student borrowers and one parent must obtain an ID prior to completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Aid) application.
• www.fafsa.gov—Complete the FAFSA online. Link to NYS TAP application as well.
• www.hesc.ny.gov—If applying to colleges in New York State, the student must apply for a TAP (Tuition Assis-tance Program) ID prior to completing the TAP financial aid application. This site also has many helpful tools, such as a financial aid award comparison tool and information on NYS scholarships and grants.
• www.studentaid.ed.gov—From the US Dept. of Educa-tion. Information on the entire financial aid process.
• www.studentloans.gov—The site you use to complete required loan entrance counseling and to sign your loan promissory notes.
• www.colleges.niche.com—Search for colleges and schol-arships, compare colleges based on rankings, and learn what your chances are of admission to colleges. Read what current students are saying about their school.
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Fire Safety!
DC
MO
BO
CES
Prin
ting
Serv
ice
Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
P A I DPermit No. 18Norwich, NY
13815
LAURENS CENTRAL SCHOOLLaurens, New York 13796BOARD OF EDUCATIONCynthia Struckle, PresidentThomas Francisco, Vice PresidentJerry MurelloPeggy BushMargaret Wikoff
SUPERINTENDENTRomona N. Wenck
BUILDING PRINCIPALWilliam F. Dorritie
EDITORKim A. Gustafson
Current Resident or
POSTAL PATRONECRWSS
Sometimes THE smallest
things TAKE UP the
MOST room in your heart
Friday, November 15, 7:30 p.m.Saturday, November 16, 7:30 p.m.Sunday, November 17, 2:00 p.m.