Bird's Eye View

Hello Larries Community,

Each month, the Bird’s Eye View will give you a window into the life of SLC—where students are learning, creating, and growing together. We are proud of what’s happening in our classrooms, fields, and stages, and we are grateful to share it with the community that supports us so well. Thank you for continuing to be part of our story!

As I mentioned last month, budget creation season is upon us. Over the past few months our business manager, Mrs. Mitchell, and I have been collecting data on both projected expenses and revenues for the next school year.

Governor Hochul has released her budget, and in doing so, has shared how much we would receive in Foundation Aid from her proposal. Foundation Aid provides over half of the overall revenue ($ we take in) that we put towards our budget each year. In the Governor’s current proposal, we would see a 2.31% increase in Foundation Aid next year. This amounts to an approximate increase of $384,000 over the previous year's total amount given to SLC. While we are happy to see an increase, that amount is 2.24% less ($340,000 less) than the increase given to us the previous year. In order to continue with the many great programs we have to offer our students here at SLC, we will need to once again rely on our SLC voters to help support these many great programs. March will give us both of our “one house budget” recommendations as the Legislature and the Governor then spend most of the month coming to terms between the three proposals.

Mrs. Mitchell and I will continue to share details as we get closer to school budget election day in May. Again, if anyone has suggestions on areas of improvement for next year's budget, please reach out to me at crose@bfcsd.org.

Reminder of Important Educational Dates:

• February 23rd marked the beginning and first day of Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-27 school year. Please contact the District Office (389-5131 ex. 29108) for more information.
• Thursday, March 5th: UPK Information Night 5:30 pm at the Elementary School. Please be aware that the selection process for full vs. half day slots must be done by a “lottery”. More specifics on this and other information will be available at this time.
• Thursday March 12th: Half Staff Development Day for all Pre-K-12 staff. Students in grades 5-12 will be dismissed at 11:30 am and all Pre-K-4 students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm.
• Friday March 13th: Full Day Regional Staff Development Day. No school for students, as staff will be participating in staff development opportunities around the county and in-house working to better themselves in their profession.

Shout Outs and Reminders:

• Congratulations to all those who have been recognized, in this March issue, for the outstanding work you are doing both here at SLC and at BOCES.
• Shout out to Makayla Collins from the BOCES Culinary Arts Program for being this month's Career Tech All-Star.
• Ticket information for this Spring’s Drama Club presentation of, Mean Girls - High School Version, is located within this newsletter. Production nights are March 20th and 21st.
• To our students/athletes & coaches: We appreciate the efforts you all made in the month of February and during the winter playoff season. Congratulations to our Section X and New York State Champion girls who merged with Potsdam’s hockey team this winter, on finishing #1 in New York State! High praise to all students, coaches, and teams that received team and/or individual academic, sportsmanship, and athletic awards at the end of the season. Dates and times for upcoming Spring sporting events can be found on our district website and app.
• In other school/athletic news, we would like to welcome Mr. Austin Coleman to St. Lawrence Central. Mr. Coleman will be teaching 7th grade social studies along with coaching our spring modified softball team. Along with his teaching responsibilities, Coach Coleman will also take over the Varsity Boys Football Program due to the retirement of Coach Truax. We would like to thank Coach Truax for his many years of dedication not only to the football and baseball programs, but to the students of our district overall. His many years of substitute teaching did not go unnoticed, as many students miss his presence in our classrooms and hallways.
• Another reminder to all families with a “little one” getting to be school age. Both Pre-K and Kindergarten registrations are now open. Please be on the lookout for the information and get your child(ren) registered sooner than later please. (315-389-5131 ex. 29018)
• It’s time to begin sharing what the new “Portrait of a Graduate” may look like for the future generations of students in New York State, but more specifically here at SLC. Parents please take a moment to read through the information being shared by Mrs. Zender and her fellow principals, as they begin to walk you through the process of these changes over the next few months and years to come.

Please consider sharing the Bird's Eye View with any neighbors, relatives, friends, or alumni you may know that would like to keep updated on what goes on at SLC.

Thank you for your continued support of SLC!

Christopher Rose

Superintendent of Schools

The New York State Education Department has introduced a new vision called the Portrait of a Graduate, which defines the skills, knowledge, and characteristics students should develop by the time they graduate high school. This statewide initiative serves as a guiding framework to ensure students are prepared not only academically, but also as critical thinkers, effective communicators, creative problem solvers, and responsible global citizens.

In the Commissioner’s recent video, she emphasizes that the Portrait of a Graduate is a blueprint for preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. It reflects a shift toward developing the whole child and ensuring graduates are future-ready in an ever-changing world.

As part of this important work, we will be developing our own local Portrait of an “SLC Graduate: Live Like a Larrie” to reflect the values, priorities, and goals of our school community. We invite parents, staff, students, and community members to partner with us in this process. Your voice will help define the skills and qualities we believe every graduate of our school should possess. We are seeking any community member with an interest in helping to have these important discussions about what education looks like at St. Lawrence Central Schools from Pre-Kindergarten through graduation.

Together, we can ensure our graduates are fully prepared for success and empowered to make meaningful contributions to their future and our community. For more information from NYSED, please see this link. Please utilize this link to see our February BOE update to understand what has been shared at school to date.

If you would like to be involved in the planning process, we invite you to fill out this short Google Form. If you have any questions regarding participating in this process, please reach out to Mrs. Zender, HS Principal, for questions or more information. Mrs. Zender may be reached via telephone at (315)389-5131 or via email at kzender@bfcsd.org.

• Talk with your middle and high school counselors to align your child’s course plan with requirements and consider endorsements.
• Talk with your child’s counselor about endorsement and seal opportunities as a way to highlight their unique skill set.
• If you are a parent of a current high school student, please share how this information may or may not impact them.

Information taken from:

Source: NYS Regents Graduation Measures

Happy March, SLC!

Please find some helpful information below for parents and students by grade level:

• Grade 12: New scholarships are coming in each month, so please stop by to see what is available! Senior scholarship packets will be coming out in April in ELA classes. Additionally, the senior scholarship binder is always available in the guidance office—please stop down and check it out!
• Grade 11: Junior scholarship packets will be coming out soon. These scholarships are school-specific; families are encouraged to look through the applications and research opportunities that apply.
• Grade 10: Sophomore scheduling meetings are almost done! If your child still needs a meeting and you would like to attend, please contact Julie Jenkinson at x29102.
• Grade 9: Parents and students, please be on the lookout for information regarding upcoming 9th-grade meetings. If you want to attend with your child, please contact Julie Jenkinson in the Guidance Office at x29102.

Upcoming Event:

● Gateways for seniors: March 11th (permission slips will be handed out soon)

As the school year transitions through the spring semester, students are encouraged to keep their grades and attendance up. If your child is struggling academically, please reach out so we can help connect them with their teachers or additional resources. Let’s have a strong finish to the year!

Miss Bethel & Ms. Ruddy

Congratulations to Makayla Collins on recently being selected as a 7 News Career-Tech All-Star! She is in the Culinary Arts Program at BOCES. She enjoys cooking and baking and has been excelling in the program. You can view her video here.

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized as Students of the Month for November, December and January! The character traits were Kindness, Effort and Accountability.

Madison McCuin, Christopher George, Danica Dishaw, Kylee Sweet, Audreyann Sweet, Heaven Jandreau, Leyah Chapman, Makala Richards, Abigail Newtown, Olivia Keenan, Emmelia Ward, Flynn Snell, Mary-Cate Dow, Aaron Sova, Riley Gibson, Dominick Burnell, Cooper Aslanian, Jayden Good-McCann, Wyitt Cox, Logan Marcil, Abe Snell, Brian Eggleston

Missing: Alexis Larabay and Tanner Amo

The High School Student Council is sending care packages to a Unit of the Army National Guard who are stationed in Africa. The first package was sent to the Unit on Tuesday, February 17th. A big thank you to the elementary, middle, and high school teachers and students for sending in drawings and letters to include in the packages. Thank you also to the PTO for covering the costs of shipping!

SLC Drama Club is excited to feature our 8-12th grade students in our Spring production of “Mean Girls - High School Version”. Performances will be on Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st both show times are at 7pm.

This show tells the story of Cady Heron, a formerly homeschooled student living in South Africa that moves to the United States and experiences North Shore High School for the first time. As she navigates cliques, bullying, peer pressure, and social rules, Cady discovers the importance of staying true to herself and what it actually means to be a good friend.

Please note that this show is rated PG 13 and contains topics that may be sensitive to some, including mild coarse language, bullying behavior, and self-esteem issues. The show highlights concerns faced by real teenagers, and emphasizes the importance of resisting peer pressure, staying kind to others, and being true to oneself.

You can purchase tickets online via this link https://cur8.com/2134/project/136945 or at the door!

Congratulations to our high school students: Aleah P., Kylee V., Nevaeh L., Mikayla T., and Zaida S. who will have their artwork on display at the Brasher Town Hall for the month of March!

The winter sports season is winding down, and we are heading into spring sports.

We have had a lot to celebrate this winter sports season!

Congratulations to Abby Eggelston for qualifying for states with her relay team from Potsdam Central School for winter track! Also congratulations to, Brian Eggelston and Noah Holmes who were part of the Section X Champion Boys winter track team from Potsdam Central School!

Congratulations to the Potsdam Girls Hockey team on winning the Regional Championship in Utica with a score of 2-0 in the semi-finals over CASH from Section 6, and 3-2 victory in the championship game over Adirondack United from section 2! Congratulations to our SLC girls on the team: Teagan Sheldon, Audrey Sheldon, Avery Marcil, Addison Marcil, Alexis Crites, Kennedy Colterman, and Bailey Aldridge!

Congratulations to our Cheer Team for winning three of their seven competitions this season! They came in 2nd overall in Sectionals in Class D. Great job team!

The Boys Varsity Basketball finished their season with a loss to Canton in the Class B Quarterfinals.

The Girls Varsity Basketball won their Class B Quarterfinal game against Potsdam. Their season came to an end with a loss in the Class B Semifinal game to OFA.

Boys Varsity Hockey defeated Tupper Lake by a score of 5-1 in the Section X Division II Quarterfinals. The team went on to play in the Division II Semifinal game losing to OFA in the final game of their season.

Spring Sports Physicals will be Tuesday, March 3rd in the nurse's office. Please, see Ms. Hallahan for further information.

JV and Varsity Spring Sports will begin on Monday, March 9th and Modified will begin on Monday, March 16th.

You can find all schedules at https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=20061 or on our district website and app.

Hi Middle School Families and Friends,

It’s hard to believe we are almost at Term 3 already! This time of year can feel long for students — routines slip a bit, motivation can dip, and friendships sometimes get a little more complicated. We appreciate all you do at home to support your child’s growth and success.

As we move into this next stretch of the school year, here are a few simple tips that can help your middle schooler stay on track:

Academic Success

• Revisit routines. A consistent homework time and a regular bedtime make a big difference.
  

• Check in weekly. A quick conversation about missing work, upcoming tests, or projects can prevent surprises.
  

• Encourage self-advocacy. If your child is confused or overwhelmed, remind them that it’s okay to ask teachers for help.
  

• Celebrate effort. Growth matters just as much as grades.
  
  

With school breaks and more free time, we’ve noticed an increase in social media concerns. While many online interactions are positive, middle schoolers sometimes struggle with managing conflicts, misunderstandings, or unkind comments online.

Here are a few reminders that can help your child navigate the digital world successfully:

Online & Social Media Tips

• Keep communication open. Ask who they’re talking to and what platforms they’re using.
  

• Remind them that online words matter. Screenshots last forever.
  

• Set clear expectations. Consider device-free times at night and regular check-ins.
  

• Encourage them to speak up. If something online feels uncomfortable or upsetting, they should tell a trusted adult.
  
  

Your partnership at home is incredibly important in helping students make safe and kind choices online. If something begins affecting your child at school, please reach out so we can work together to support them.

Thank you for your continued partnership. Middle school is a time of big growth, and with home and school working together, our students can finish the year strong! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns.

The Middle School Counseling Team,

Mr. Niles nniles@bfcsd.org (Students A-K)

Mr. Clookey dclookey@bfcsd.org (Students L-Z)

Brasher Falls Central School is fortunate to offer the Extended Day Grant program for students in grades 3–8. This program provides extra academic support, fun field trips, and opportunities for students to meet new friends in a welcoming environment.

Enrollment is open year-round. An application must be completed before your child can begin. To request an application, please email Mrs. Nezezon at bnezezon@bfcsd.org. She will coordinate with your child’s teacher to send the necessary paperwork home.

We look forward to having your child join us!

The Extended Day Program took students to the Horizons Clubhouse to get them out of the building, but also out of the cold! Thanks to Horizons for hosting us!

The Extended Day students were able to enjoy some nice weather outside and had so much fun sledding out behind the elementary school.

Extended Day students always have homework time before participating in fun and educational activites. The sixth graders made slime after they finished their homework!

We would like to thank the Waters Edge Restaurant in Brasher Falls for their donation to the Extended Day Program. Our kids and staff appreciate your support. Keep up the great work, Waters Edge!

Hello SLC Families,

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten registration is now open! Now is the time to register your child. Spots are limited in UPK and much of our planning for kindergarten hinges on numbers. In order to best prepare for your child's kindergarten experience, we request that you register them sooner than later. Pre-kindergarten information night will be held on Thursday, March 5 at 5:30 in the elementary library. Per NYS regulations, we are required to hold a lottery to determine placements if we don't have enough spots of any given option (half or full day). Our lottery will take place on June 1, so any registrations that are not complete, with all necessary documentation turned in, by May 29 will not be included in the lottery.

The NYS Assessment Schedule at SLC Elementary is as follows:

• Grade 4 ELA - April 21 & 22
• Grade 3 ELA - April 23 & 24
• Grade 4 Math - April 28 & 29
• Grade 3 Math - April 30 & May 1

Dates to Know:

• On Thursday, March 12 there will be a 12:30 dismissal for staff development. Friday, March 13 there is NO SCHOOL, due to regional staff development. Please plan accordingly for both days.
• Spring pictures will take place on Monday, March 16.
• On March 26, our first grade concert will be held at 6:00 and our second grade concert will be held at 7:00.
• Spring break will be from Friday, April 3 through Friday, April 10. Please plan accordingly, as there will be no school.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Colterman

Dear Larries & Families,

During the month of February, students focused on learning about respect. We talked about how respect helps everyone feel safe, valued, and included. Students shared ways they can show respect by being kind to themselves, standing up for others, and celebrating what makes each person unique.

What Does Respect Mean?

We taught students that respect means:

• Treating people kindly, even when they are different from us

• Using calm and polite words

• Listening when someone else is speaking

• Taking care of our bodies, feelings, belongings, and school

Students practiced showing respect by:

• Waiting their turn

• Including others in play

• Using respectful words when upset

• Asking for help instead of yelling or giving up

Book We Read at School

Students listened to “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers. This story helped students understand that:

• Everyone is important

• We can respect ourselves and others at the same time

• Differences make our school stronger

Respect Extension Activities for Home

Try one or two of these easy activities throughout the week:

• Respect Spotting - Use the following discussion questions:

• “Who showed respect today?”

• “How did someone show respect to you?”

• “How did you show respect to yourself?”

• Family Respect Agreement

• Together, name 3 family rules that show respect (example: listening, using kind words, helping clean up).

• Feelings + Respect

• Help children name feelings by saying: “I see you’re feeling frustrated. How can we handle this respectfully?”

• This builds emotional awareness and problem-solving skills.

Grounding & Connection Exercises for Busy Nights

Even short moments of calm help children regulate their emotions—especially after long school days, activities, or homework.

1-Minute Reset (Great Before Homework or Bed)

Have your child:

• Put both feet on the floor

• Take 3 slow breaths

• Name 1 thing they are proud of today

Balloon Breathing

• Pretend to blow up a balloon:

• Breathe in through the nose (slowly)

• Breathe out through the mouth (slowly)

• Repeat 3–5 times

5-4-3-2-1 Calm Game

Ask your child to name:

• 5 things they can see

• 4 things they can touch

• 3 things they can hear

• 2 things they can smell

• 1 thing they like about themselves

This helps calm big feelings and bring focus back to the present moment.

Connection Check-In

During dinner or bedtime, ask:

• “What was the best part of your day?”

• “What was the hardest part?”

• “How can I help tomorrow?”

Even a few minutes of connection builds emotional safety.

Supporting Transitions Back to School Routines

After breaks or changes in routine, children may: feel tired or emotional, have trouble listening or focusing or need extra reminders and reassurance. Some helpful strategies include:

• Give warnings before transitions (“5 more minutes”)

• Stick to consistent routines

• Praise effort, not perfection

Getting Ready for the March Time Change

The time change can impact sleep, mood, and focus.

To support your child:

• Move bedtime earlier by 10–15 minutes a few days before

• Keep morning and bedtime routines predictable

• Expect some extra tiredness and emotions

• Extra patience and calm support go a long way!

Thank you for working with us to help children grow into respectful, confident, and caring learners. Please reach out to your school counselor if you need additional support.💙

Your Elementary School Counseling Team

Mrs. McFarland & Ms. LaBarge

Congratulations to the Elementary Character Ed Award winners for Courage, Generosity, and Gratitude.

The Larries Spotlight Award was created to recognize Elementary Staff who demonstrate a specific trait each quarter. This award is voted upon by peers who want to give a shout out to one of their colleagues for doing an outstanding job.

Akaycia Groebler was the Larries Spotlight Award winner for the Second Quarter! The quarter’s trait was Gratitude and Ms. Groebler received the award from her peers based on her ability to feel grateful for everything and everyone in her life. She finds the good in every situation and helps her peers and her students to look on the bright side and soak up all of the good!

Thank you, Ms. Groebler, for always being grateful for everyone and everything you have in your life!

NYS Eureka Math is our PreK–4 math program. It helps students build a strong understanding of math concepts step by step. Instead of just memorizing steps, students learn why math works. They use hands-on models, drawings, discussions, and real-world problem solving to make sense of numbers and build deep understanding.

Each day, students participate in a math lesson that includes fluency practice (building quick and accurate math skills), concept development (learning and understanding new math ideas), and problem solving. Lessons are carefully designed so skills build from one grade level to the next, helping students grow into confident and capable mathematicians.

By the upper elementary grades, students apply what they’ve learned to solve more complex, multi-step word problems and explain their mathematical thinking clearly.

How you can support your student at home:

• Practice basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) in short, fun ways.
• Ask your child to explain how they solved a problem — even if the strategy looks different from how you learned it.
• Encourage drawing models or using objects (coins, blocks, household items) to solve problems.
• Look for real-life math opportunities like cooking, shopping, measuring, telling time, or counting change.
• Remind your child that making mistakes is part of learning and growing.

You can also explore grade-level resources and see examples of lessons at: https://embarc.online/

Watch for Little Larries Highlights updates to see our math learning in action!

Dear SLC Families and Students,

As spring approaches, it is the time of year where many families head out for well-deserved vacations. We want to send out an important reminder that cybercriminals don’t take time off. Whether you’re relaxing at the beach or exploring a new city, a few simple steps can help keep your personal information safe.

Be Careful on Public Wi-Fi:
Free Wi-Fi at hotels, airports, and restaurants is convenient—but it can also be risky. Avoid logging into banking apps or making purchases on public networks unless you’re using a secure, private connection. When possible, use your phone’s hotspot instead.

Think Before You Post:
Sharing vacation photos is fun, but posting in real time can signal that your home is empty. Consider waiting until you return home to share pictures and travel updates on social media.

Update Devices Before You Go:
Before leaving, make sure your phones, tablets, and laptops are updated. Software updates often include important security patches that protect against the latest threats.

Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication:
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on important accounts like email, banking, and social media. This adds an extra layer of security—even if someone guesses your password.

Watch for Travel Scams:
Be cautious of fake booking confirmations, travel deal emails, or text messages asking for urgent payments. Always verify directly with the airline, hotel, or booking company through official websites or phone numbers.

A little preparation goes a long way. By taking these simple precautions, families can focus on making memories, without worrying about online risks. Safe travels!

If you have any questions, you can contact Mr. Welsh via email at kwelsh@bfcdsd.org, or call the technology department at (315) 389-5131 ext. 29250.

Catch up with the latest student stories, events, and news updates. It’s everything Brasher Falls Central School District, in your pocket. Download the app on Android or iPhone it is the best way to get notifications of school closings, delays, and cancellations.

Email: crose@bfcsd.org
Website: www.bfcsd.org
Location: 1039 State Highway 11C, Brasher Falls, NY 13613
Phone: 315-389-5131
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrasherFallsCSD