Bird's Eye View
Hello Larries Community,
One of the things I value most about St. Lawrence Central is that there are so many stories worth telling. The Bird’s Eye View gives us an opportunity each month to pause and recognize the students, staff, families, and community members who make those stories possible. While we are proud of the big accomplishments, we also know that some of the most meaningful moments happen quietly each day whether in a classroom, on a bus, at practice, during a performance, or in a simple interaction between a student and an adult who cares. We hope this newsletter gives you a glimpse of those moments and reminds you of just how special the SLC community truly is.
Reminder of Important Educational Dates:
- November 4 - Red Cross Blood Drive being hosted at school during the school day by our National Honor Society. Please call the school to make an appointment if you wish to donate.
- November 6 - Full Staff Development Day (students are off this day). Staff will be working both on and off campus on various topics to support learning here at SLC.
- November 11 - Veteran’s Day NO School for students or staff. A big shout out to all those who currently serve in our United States Military Armed Forces, along with those VETERANS in our community, we owe so much to!
- November 13 & 14 - Best of luck to the cast, crew, and directors of the upcoming fall play Finding Nemo Jr. Performances will begin at 7pm each night, along with a 2pm matinee added on Saturday in the HS/MS auditorium. AGAIN this year, the play is performed by our MS students with help in directing and stage crew from our HS drama students.
- November 16 - Public Hearing on the next proposed District Capital Project in 2028. 5:30 pm in the MS/HS Library. This next capital project will be a proposed 16.2 million dollar project that will have ZERO additional tax burden on the local community. In it we will look to:
- Complete roof replacements started in this past project, on all three buildings.
- Finish the air conditioning needs that were not able to be addressed in the most recent project.
- Recreate our HS Science Wing of 4 current classrooms/labs into 5 full classrooms (we need more classroom space).
- Construct a community paved walking trail around the turf field connecting to the wooded trail behind the HS Gym.
- Add a paved walkway behind the elementary school connecting the turf field to the new outside bathrooms (handicap accessible).
- Playground and paved play area upgrades for the elementary school.
- HS gym floor replacement and basketball hoop replacement in the ES gym.
- Replace 8 overhead doors at the bus garage.
- November 20 - Picture retake day for all ES, MS, and HS students.
- November 20 & 21 - NYSSMA Area All State Festival
- November 23 - Parent/Teacher conferences are set in the Middle/High School from 1-3 and 6-8pm. Students are released home at 11:30am. College bound families, there will be a FAFSA Night at 6:00pm in the HS Library this evening also to guide you through the college loan application process.
- November 23 & 24- Parent/Teacher conferences are set in the elementary school, students are released home at 12:30pm each day.
- November 25-27 Thanksgiving Vacation…all students and staff will not be in attendance.
Shout Outs and Reminders:
A very special thank you, to all the first responder units that came and gave of their time on “First Responders Day”. The elementary staff & students had a great time visiting all the stations that were set up for the day.
A very heartfelt thank you goes out to the Alcoa Foundation for stepping up and sponsoring our Extended Day After School Program for grades 3-6. After over 15 years of being grant funded, that funding was taken away this past summer. Our friends at the Alcoa Foundation graciously stepped up to fund the program for the 2026-27 school year. We can not thank you enough!
Congratulations to all of our fall athletes and coaches for a great fall season! Special congratulations to both our girls and boys soccer teams for reaching the Class C Championship games this past Friday. While our boys went down to a hard fought 2-1 defeat our girls won the title with a 5-0 win and will be playing for a spot in the New York State Final Four this Saturday. #Proud to be a Larrie!
Congratulations to all those that have been recognized, in this November issue, for the outstanding work you are all doing.
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.
Christopher Rose
Superintendent of Schools
Why Parent-Teacher Conferences Matter Now More Than Ever
As we prepare for upcoming parent-teacher conferences, I want to take a moment to stress just how valuable these meetings are. Conferences aren’t just calendar events - they are an important opportunity for parents and teachers to work together in support of student success.
Research shows that when families stay engaged in their child’s education, students benefit in measurable ways. They are more likely to earn higher grades, perform better on standardized tests, attend school consistently, and develop stronger social and emotional skills. Even brief, focused conversations with teachers can make a big difference in setting goals, solving challenges, and celebrating successes.
Unfortunately, parent participation in conferences has been declining across the country, especially at the high school level. National studies report that while nearly 9 in 10 parents attend elementary school conferences, attendance drops to about half of parents by the time students reach high school. Locally and nationally, we’ve also seen a dip in participation since the pandemic.
This trend matters because high school is a critical time for students - as they take on challenging coursework, prepare for Regents exams, and start planning for life after graduation. Your involvement now sends a clear message to your child: education is a priority, and you are not alone on this journey.
We recognize that schedules are busy and time is limited. That’s why we aim to make conferences as efficient and meaningful as possible. Even a 10-minute conversation can help clarify expectations, strengthen communication, and create a plan to support your child’s success. If the scheduled times don’t work for you, please reach out - we will work to accommodate your needs.
Together, we can ensure every student is supported both at home and at school. I strongly encourage you to make conference attendance a priority. Your presence matters.
We hope to see you on November 23rd from 1:00-3:00 PM or from 6:00-8:00 PM!
Kristen Zender
High School Principal
As we have continued to develop our Portrait of an SLC Graduate, we are grateful to the parents, guardians, staff, students, and community members who shared their thoughts through our community survey in late Spring of 2026. Your feedback has helped us build a shared vision of what it means to Live Like a Larrie!
Our community wants graduates who can apply their learning to real-life situations, think independently, communicate effectively, work well with others, and take responsibility for their choices and future.
The survey also reinforced the importance of hands-on learning, problem-solving, creativity, learning from different perspectives, and developing the confidence to learn from mistakes. Respondents emphasized the value of practical life skills, including financial literacy, professional communication, and personal responsibility.
These ideas connect directly to our six Portrait of an SLC Graduate attributes: Academically Prepared, Creative Innovator, Critical Thinker, Effective Communicator, Global Citizen, and Reflective and Future Focused.
What Comes Next?
Your feedback is helping guide our next steps as we continue shaping the future of education at SLC. Our focus will be on turning this shared vision into meaningful opportunities for our students.
Over the coming months, we will be working on three key areas:
Developing a Local Assessment Strategy: We will explore meaningful ways for students to demonstrate what they know and can do beyond traditional tests, while ensuring they continue to build the knowledge and skills needed for success.
Reviewing Our Course Offerings: We will take a closer look at our current courses and learning opportunities to ensure they align with our Portrait of an SLC Graduate and prepare students for college, careers, and life beyond high school.
Preparing for New York State Graduation Requirements: As NYSED releases additional guidance and requirements through the NY Inspires initiative, we will review the changes and determine how best to align our local programs, assessments, and course offerings.
This work will take time, collaboration, and continued input from our school community. Our goal is to be thoughtful and proactive while keeping students' needs at the center of every decision.
We are proud of the strong sense of community, Larrie Pride, and the dedication of our staff that emerged throughout the responses. Thank you for helping shape this important work. By listening to one another and working together, we can continue preparing our students not just for graduation, but for success in life beyond SLC!
Sincerely,
Kristen Zender
HS Principal
Dear Students and Families,
As we wrap up senior meetings this month, we're excited to kick off our junior meetings. Junior meetings will be held from November 9th to December 4th. Letters with meeting dates and times have already been sent home, and we encourage families to attend these sessions. It’s a great opportunity to discuss your student's future plans, academic goals, and to get support on their path forward.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for our FAFSA Night on November 23rd, from 6-8pm in the High School Library. This evening is designed to make the financial aid process smooth and clear—whether you're a first-timer or need a refresher, we’re here to guide you!
Seaway Technical BOCES Center will be presenting information about their CTE programs to our 10th graders on November 17th. Students will be able to select two programs to visit and learn more about. Our visit to the tech center will take place on December 16th, and permission slips will be handed out during the presentation and due on December 11th.
A Few Helpful Tips:
- For our juniors and seniors especially, keep your grades up and stay involved! Admissions officers and future employers notice consistent effort.
- Set aside time each week for college or career prep, like exploring colleges, preparing applications, or practicing interview skills.
- Don’t forget to reach out with any questions! We’re here to help every step of the way.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Ms. Eve Ruddy (A–K)
Ms. Michaela Bethel (L–Z)
St. Lawrence Central’s Music Department would like to congratulate these students on attending SLCMEA’s Vocal Select Ensemble auditions on Wednesday, 10/21. This rigorous audition requires students to sing an excerpt of a challenging acapella choral arrangement with only one student per voice part at a time! Students had to prove their proficiency with holding harmony on their own in order to attend the audition. Preparation for this audition included attendance at after school rehearsals and practice at home in addition to hard work during class time. We are proud of these students for their hard work, dedication, bravery, and growth!
You will have the chance to hear these talented students sing their audition excerpt at their Winter concert on December 10th at 6PM!
Special recognition is given to the following students, who were invited to participate in SLCMEA’S Vocal Select Ensemble this February:
Claire Todd - Soprano
Isabelle Earl - Alto
Sophie Shorette - Alto
Cole Parker - Tenor
Jack LaBier - Bass
Fisher LaRock - Bass
Chace Monica - Bass
Mathias Straight - Bass
Fall sports are winding down and Winter sports will be getting underway very soon. If your child missed winter sports signups, they can still ask Mr. Reome to add them to the list or show up on day one for practice.
Winter sports physicals will be offered in district on Tuesday, November 3rd. Students cannot begin practice without a physical on file with the school nurse.
The Girls Varsity Soccer team had a great overall regular season this Fall, finishing 2nd in the East Division with an overall 11-5 record. They recently won the Section X Class C Championship defeating Brushton by a score of 5-0. Congratulations to Coach Chamberlain the team! Good luck to the team as they move on in the first round of State Regional play on Saturday, November 7th vs. NAC.
Swim Sectionals will be held on Sunday, November 8th at Maxcy Hall. Congratulations to Sonja Wultsch-Fuller on the many school records she broke this Fall! She will have a great chance of going to the New York State Championships again this year which take place on November 20-21, 2026.
The Boys Varsity Soccer team also had a good season and made it to the Section X Class C Championship game where they were defeated by Brushton 2-1 in a hard fought battle.
You can follow along on Arbiterlive.com and keep track of numbered rosters, scores, and schedules.
Dear Middle School Parents,
It is almost unbelievable that we are already in November! The first two months of school have gone by very quickly.
We have been working with the Seaway Valley Prevention Council to help educate both students and parents on concerns about increased caffeine intake for students. We do not allow any energy drinks or soda in the middle school due to these health concerns for students. These drinks can contribute to increased heart rate, anxiety, headaches, difficulty sleeping and trouble concentrating. We want to make sure that students are sleeping, hydrating well, and are able to focus at school (which is a challenge for growing middle school students already). Thank you for your support with this work!
Our first quarter focus, which is also aligned with our Portrait of a Graduate work is “ACADEMICALLY PREPARED.” We recognized students at our first student of the quarter ceremony on October 30th. These are students who are coming to class ready to learn and putting in a consistent effort, demonstrating perseverance, taking responsibility for their own learning, showing growth in organization/independence/study habits, and recognizing when they need to try a different approach.
Congratulations: Savannah Chambers, Hayden Mintch, Everly Pike, Khloe Olcott, Isabella Wagstaff, Emberli Sharrow, Annabella Carbone, Honor Mattison
The first quarter ends November 6, 2026 and we have parent teacher conferences on Monday November 23 from 1-3 and 6-8. Grade 5 schedules parent conferences individually. Grades 6-8 teachers will be available in the middle school gym to meet with parents during those times. Please come if you have any concerns. We want to make sure that students are improving academically and organizationally throughout the rest of the year, and if they are struggling, now is the best time to get them the help they need.
Mrs. LaBarge
Middle School Principal
Hello, Middle School Families!
We hope you and your families are doing well and having a great start to the school year! Believe it or not, we are already getting close to the end of the first quarter. It has been great seeing our students get settled into the school year, build friendships, and continue to grow.
As we look ahead, we have some exciting things coming up! We will be starting our annual 8th-grade meetings soon and preparing for our yearly trip to Seaway Tech. We also wanted to share a few tips to help our students finish the first quarter strong and have a successful rest of the school year.
Looking Ahead: 8th-Grade Meetings
We will soon begin meeting with our 8th-grade students for their annual counseling meetings. During these meetings, we will check in with students, talk about how the school year is going, and begin planning for the transition to high school.
We will also discuss high school courses, future opportunities, and what students can expect as they prepare for this next step. We are excited to work with our 8th graders as they begin thinking about high school and all the opportunities ahead of them!
Upcoming: Seaway Tech Visit
We are also looking forward to our annual 8th-grade trip to Seaway Tech! This is a great opportunity for students to explore different career and technical education programs, see hands-on learning in action, and start thinking about their interests and possible career paths.
We will share more information with families as we get closer to the trip. We are excited for our students to have this opportunity!
Tips for a Successful School Year
As we move into the rest of the school year, here are a few simple reminders that can make a big difference for our middle school students:
Stay organized. Encourage your child to keep track of assignments, check due dates, and come to class prepared.
Build a routine. Having a regular time for homework, getting enough sleep, and being ready for the school day can help students feel more prepared.
Ask for help. Remind your child that it is always okay to ask questions or reach out to a teacher when they need extra support.
Keep checking in. Take a few minutes to ask how school is going, what is going well, and if there is anything they are struggling with. Sometimes, just having someone listen makes a big difference!
Encourage independence. Middle school is a time for students to learn how to advocate for themselves, manage their time, and take more responsibility for their learning. It is okay for them to make mistakes along the way, too!
Celebrate the little things. Progress does not always happen overnight. Recognizing effort, improvement, and small successes can help students stay motivated.
Your Middle School Counseling Team Is Here for You!
Middle school can be a busy time for students and families. There are new expectations, changing friendships, academic challenges, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. We want all of our students to know that they have people here who care about them and are ready to help.
If your child is having a hard time, feeling overwhelmed, or just needs someone to talk to, please encourage them to reach out to us. Families are always welcome to connect with us, too. We are happy to work together to help your child feel supported and successful!
Thank you for being part of our St. Lawrence Central Middle School family. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to a great rest of the school year!
Take care,
Mr. Niles nniles@bfcsd.org (Students A-K)
Ms. LaPierre alapierre@bfcsd.org (Students L-Z)
Jesse Pearce
Honor Mattison
Aliannah Russell
Ainsley Colterman
Riley Curtis
Violet Dupra
Ava Gagne
Lane Lincoln
Paul Stauffer
Brantley Warner
Ally Francis
Elliona Raymond
Sage Mackey
Elliona Raymond
Sage Mackey
Abel Benton
Elliona Raymond
Myah Baldwin
Ally Francis
Kenzie Richards
Sylvie Villnave
Celeste Pontius
Daphne Joubert
Amelia Liberty
Luis Valdez
Brasher Falls Central School District would like to extend a huge thank you to the Alcoa Foundation for their generous support of our Extended Day Program.
Late this summer, the district received the disappointing news that our state grant funding for the program had not been renewed. Thanks to the generosity of the Alcoa Foundation, we are able to continue providing this valuable after-school program for our students in grades 3–6.
The Extended Day Program gives students a safe and supportive place after school where they can receive academic support, participate in fun and educational projects, enjoy field trips, and spend time learning and growing with their friends.
We are incredibly grateful to the Alcoa Foundation for recognizing the importance of this program and investing in our students. Your generosity is making a difference and allowing Extended Day to continue for our students and families.
Thank you, Alcoa Foundation, for supporting our school and our students!
Mr. Christopher Rose - Superintendent
Mrs. Kathy Mitchell - Business Manager
Mrs. Beth Nezezon - Coordinator of Extended Day Program
In early October, our 5th graders traveled to Saranac Lake for an unforgettable adventure climbing Mt. Baker! Although the hike was challenging, we were blessed with beautiful weather, breathtaking fall foliage, and students who showed incredible determination and perseverance. Each and every student pushed themselves to do their personal best, proving that they CAN do hard things!
Reaching the summit was a proud moment and a wonderful reminder that hard work pays off. The stunning views of the colorful Adirondack Mountains made every ache, pain, and challenging step along the way completely worth it! What an amazing experience for our 5th graders!
Hello Again SLC Family,
Thanks to all who joined us for our annual Halloween parade! It is always nice to bring our families in to celebrate with us.
At the beginning of October we celebrated fire safety week, which culminated with "First Responder Day." This is an awesome event, which exposes our students to the many jobs first responders perform. First Responder Day was a success! Thanks to all of our staff and volunteers who made this day happen!
There will be no school on Friday, November 6th for staff development. There will be no school on Wednesday, November 11th in honor of Veterans' Day. School will resume on Thursday, November 12th and it will be a Day 5.
We will be holding parent-teacher conferences on Monday and Tuesday, November 23rd and 24th, with dismissal at 12:30 for elementary students. After the first quarter we like to meet with each child's parent/guardian. Please be on the lookout for information regarding scheduling your conference from your child's teacher. Many of you may have already scheduled your appointments. We look forward to meeting with you!
There will be no school on Wednesday, November 25th through Friday, November 27th, in honor of Thanksgiving. School will resume on Monday, November 30th and it will be a Day 2.
I cannot believe how quickly the first couple months of school have come and gone. With everything going on in November, it is sure to fly by just as quickly.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Colterman
Making Good Choices, Understanding Feelings, and Building Relationships
This month in Life Lab, students in Kindergarten through fourth grade are continuing to work with the Seaway Valley Prevention Council and their Too Good curriculum. Students are developing important life skills that help them make responsible decisions, understand their emotions, communicate effectively, and build positive relationships with others.
Kindergarten: Students are learning the *Stop and Think* steps to help them make good choices and consider what might happen as a result of their decisions. They are also learning to identify different emotions, recognize how feelings can affect their bodies, and find healthy ways to express their feelings.
First Grade: Students are building on their decision-making skills by thinking about the positive and negative consequences of their choices. They are also practicing ways to manage their emotions and use *I-messages* to communicate their feelings.
Second Grade: Students are strengthening their ability to think through decisions and manage their emotions. They are practicing how to express their feelings respectfully using *I-messages* and considering how their choices affect themselves and others.
Third Grade: Students are learning to work through problems by considering different solutions and deciding when to seek help from a trusted adult. They are also focusing on communication skills, including active listening, speaking respectfully, and recognizing the qualities of healthy friendships. Students are practicing ways to show empathy, encourage others, and demonstrate care and respect.
Fourth Grade: Students are building on their decision-making and emotional management skills by exploring how feelings can influence choices and why talking with trusted adults is important. They are also learning strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully, share feelings and ideas effectively, strengthen cooperation, and distinguish between healthy and unhealthy friendships.
Pre-K: Our Pre-K students are continuing their Second Step lessons with our puppet friends, Molly and Sam! Students are learning how to focus their attention by using their eyes, ears, and brains. They are also discovering how practice helps them improve their focus and how quiet self-talk can help them pay attention and stay on task.
Adaptive Class: Our adaptive class is exploring social-emotional skills through interactive stories and activities. Books such as The Rabbit Listened, The Pout-Pout Fish, and Room on the Broom help students explore emotions, empathy, kindness, and friendship in meaningful and engaging ways.
We are proud of the work our students are doing to build the skills they need to make thoughtful choices, understand their feelings, communicate with others, and develop positive relationships!
Ms. LaBarge and Mrs. McFarland
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 shoutout to one of their colleagues for doing an outstanding job.
Leslie Dishaw was the Larries Spotlight Award winner for the First Quarter! This quarter’s trait was Respect and Ms. Dishaw received the award from her peers based on her commitment to showing students and colleagues respect by valuing their thoughts and feelings. She is always helping others and does not expect anything in return. Ms. Dishaw is a valued member of our school!
Thank you, Ms. Dishaw, for always showing respect and always being there for everyone in the school district!
It is that time of year again where we get busy with preparing for the holidays and often let our guard down when online. The technology department would like to remind everyone to slow down and follow some of these suggestions as the online scammers are just as busy as we are during this time of year.
Holiday Shopping Online? Pause Before You Click
As we enter the holiday season it brings us to a time of busy schedules, generous giving, and a surge in online shopping. It also creates opportunities for scammers to take advantage of these aspects of our lives. These scammers create fake stores, donation pages, and messages that lead to look-alike websites that can appear in search results, social media posts, emails, or texts. A moment to check a site before sharing information or paying can help protect your money and personal details.
Why Fake Websites Can Look Convincing
Scammers are now using tools that use artificial intelligence which help scammers quickly create polished-looking websites, product descriptions, logos, and messages in the blink of an eye. A fraudulent page may copy the design of a familiar retailer or charity and use convincing language, realistic images, and a name similar to a trusted organization to draw your attention to it. These AI tools do not make every website suspicious, but it can make deceptive content easier to produce. A professional appearance alone is not proof that a site is legitimate so always double check everything before providing your personal information.
Warning Signs To Watch For
Be cautious when a site or message:
Offers a popular product at an unusually low price or pressures you to “act now.”
Has a web address with a misspelling, extra words, or a look-alike name.
Requests payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or another method that is difficult to reverse.
Asks for more personal information than needed to complete a purchase or donation.
Has vague contact details, unclear return or refund policies, or little reliable information about the seller.
Sends an unexpected delivery notice, account alert, or charitable appeal with a link urging immediate action.
A padlock symbol or a web address beginning with HTTPS means a connection is encrypted; it does not confirm that the business or charity is genuine.
A Practical Safety Checklist
Before you shop, donate, or enter account details:
Go to a retailer’s or charity’s website by typing its known address yourself, using a saved bookmark, or finding its official account through a trusted source. Avoid clicking unexpected links.
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.
Contact Information
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