Greetings from WCS!
Dear WCS Students, Families, Staff and Community Members,
The start of a new year is always an opportunity to embrace fresh beginnings and to set new goals. As we step into 2025 together, let’s continue to cultivate a sense of belonging and support for one another. Together, we have the power to create a learning community where every student, staff member, and family feels valued, heard, and encouraged. Let’s continue to grow together, learn from each other, and face challenges with determination and a spirit of collaboration. I believe we can accomplish great things when we come together, united in our commitment to excellence and outcomes for our students.
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, January 29th
Observance of Lunar New Year
Interim Business Official
The Williamson Central School District is pleased to announce that we have secured Gary Barno to serve as parttime Interim Business Official during the transition and onboarding process of a new permanent Business Official. As former and retired Business Official for the Williamson Central School District, Gary Barno brings expertise in the role and familiarity with the district and larger school community. I could not be more pleased that Gary will be joining us as he will be instrumental in maintaining continuity of operations and development of the 2025-26 Budget.
Gary Barno has graciously agreed to support the district effective upon anticipated BOE appointment on January 28. This allows for a few days of transition time with Jeff Sutton prior to Jeff's final day on Friday, February 7. Gary has also committed to supporting a seamless transition for our permanent Business Official by staying on briefly following a successful hiring and onboarding process.
Reminder: Business Official Hiring Process
POSTING:
- January 10 - 27 (noon deadline)
VETTING OF CANDIDATES:
- January 27
- Objective: Admin and operational supervisors vet the entirety of the candidate pool to identify highly qualified candidates for screening interviews.
- January 30
- Objective: Interview first round candidates to identify highly qualified, semifinalist candidates for stakeholder committee group interviews.
- Interview Structure: 30 minutes traditional interview Q & A plus response to On Demand Writing Prompt
- Process for Feedback: Following the administrative cabinet & supervisory interview process, each committee member will complete the WCSD feedback document and provide electronic confidence rating scales to the superintendent. Feedback and confidence rating scales utilized to identify and move candidates on to the stakeholder semifinalist committee interviews.
- February 4
- Objective: Stakeholder committee groups interview semifinalist candidates to identify finalists for interview with superintendent.
- Committee Interview Structure: 60+ minutes including interview Q & A + presentation (TBD)
- Process for Feedback: Following the committee interview process, each committee member will complete the WCSD feedback document and provide electronic confidence rating scales to the superintendent. Feedback and confidence rating scales utilized to identify and move candidates on to finalist interviews with the superintendent.
- February 7
- Objective: Secure next Business Official for BOE appointment on February 12, 2025
- Interview Structure: Conversation/interview with Superintendent.
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTMENT
- Anticipated, February 12
2025-26 Budget Development
January marks the time of year when we begin to plan for end of year celebrations and culminating events. January also reflects a period of time when planning for the subsequent school year is embedded in day to day operations. One facet of planning for 2025-26 is development of the district budget. As I am certain any School Business Official might attest, budget planning intensifies now and will not slow down until the Annual Election and Budget Vote in May.
New York State released the executive aid runs to school districts across the state today. The executive aid runs include an increase of 2% in Foundation Aid for most school districts. Any increase is certainly a welcome and positive step forward. While the increase is a welcome development, we are still in the early stages of finalizing our 2025-26 budget. Regardless of projected aid, our expenditure footprint (5.4%+ on average from year to year) will have grown at a much greater rate than our revenues (1.2%+ on average from year to year). Given the absence of additional revenue sources available to us, the district will be required to conduct close examination of expenditures and identify potential cost savings measures. We will work closely with instructional and operational leadership throughout the 2025-26 budgeting process to ensure sustainability and enhancement of student programming throughout this budget cycle.
More information about the 2025-26 school budget will be shared as the budget picture becomes clearer in the weeks to come. In the meantime, please mark your calendars with these important budget development dates:
- January 28: Budget Updates during BOE Meeting
- February 12: Budget Updates during BOE Meeting
- March 4: Budget Presentation to BOE
- March 19: Budget Work Session with BOE @5:30 prior to Regular Meeting
- April 9: Budget Presentation to BOE
- April 23: Budget Presentation to BOE
- May 7: Budget Hearing and Meet the Candidate Night (6:30 PM)
- May 20: Annual Meeting: Uniform Statewide Budget Vote and BOE Election
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work towards positioning the Williamson Central School District for a successful 2025-26 school year.
Coming Soon: NYS ELA and Math Testing in Grades 3 - 8
School districts in New York State are required to annually administer tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in Grades 3–8. The Grades 3–8 ELA and Mathematics NYS Testing Program has been designed by the state to measure student proficiency levels against grade-level New York Next Generation Learning Standards (NGLS) in ELA and Mathematics. Student proficiency on these assessments is captured in one of four performance levels:
- NYS Level 4: Students performing at this level excel in standards for their grade. They demonstrate knowledge, skills, and practices embodied by the Learning Standards that are considered more than sufficient for the expectations at this grade.
- NYS Level 3: Students performing at this level are proficient in standards for their grade. They demonstrate knowledge, skills, and practices embodied by the Learning Standards that are considered sufficient for the expectations at this grade.
- NYS Level 2: Students performing at this level are partially proficient in standards for their grade. They demonstrate knowledge, skills, and practices embodied by the Learning Standards that are considered partial but insufficient for the expectations at this grade. Students performing at Level 2 are considered on track to meet current New York high school graduation requirements but are not yet proficient in Learning Standards at this grade.
- NYS Level 1: Students performing at this level are below proficient in standards for their grade. They may demonstrate limited knowledge, skills, and practices embodied by the Learning Standards that are considered insufficient for the expectations at this grade.
WCS will administer NYS ELA Computer Based Testing (CBT) to all students in Grades 3 - 8 as follows:
- April 8-10: Grades 5-8 ELA Testing
- April 30 & May 1: Grades 3-4 ELA Testing
- April 30 & May 1: Grades 5-8 Math Testing
- May 12-13: Grades 3-4 Math Testing
- May 13: Grades 5 & 8 Science Testing
Notes:
- You may anticipate more specific information about the logistical aspects of New York State ELA, Math & Science testing in Grades 3 - 8 to be shared soon by respective building principals.
- Parents may access additional resources on the NYSED website to support better understanding of the NYS Grades 3 - 8 ELA, Math and Science assessments administered in our schools.
February Break
School is closed February 17-21 for February Recess. School will reopen for all students on Monday, February 24.
Spring Recess
School will be closed April 14 - April 18 for Spring Recess. We will reopen on Monday, April 21, 2024.
Calendar of Events
Please be certain to refer to the WCS District Calendar on our website often to ensure you don't miss any upcoming events!
Our January District Newsletter contains numerous highlights, pertinent updates and information about upcoming events/activities. Please read on to learn more about and celebrate the accomplishments of students, to hear about current events and to bookmark dates of future happenings at WCS! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about the information contained in this newsletter or otherwise.
We are so grateful to work in partnership with you in advocacy of all of our students!
Warmest regards,
Elizabeth Bridget Ashton
Superintendent, Williamson Central School District
4184 Miller Street
Williamson, NY 14589
Bashton@williamsoncentral.org
#WilliamsonPROUD
At the Middle School... News and Notes from Ms. Taylor
Greetings from Williamson Middle School,
At the Middle School, we understand that learning is not just about textbooks and assignments—it's also about growth through experiences that shape our students' development. That's why we are excited to participate in the upcoming Global School Day of Play, an event that highlights the crucial role play has in a child's learning journey. The Global School Day of Play is Friday, February 7th.
Play is often seen as something “extra,” but in fact, it is a vital aspect of a middle schooler’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Research has shown that play encourages creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and even emotional resilience. In our rapidly changing world, the skills developed through play—like adaptability, teamwork, and critical thinking—are essential for future success. Free play also teaches students about relationships, negotiation and compromise.
The Global School Day of Play offers an opportunity for students to step outside their traditional classroom routines and engage in unstructured, joyful, and meaningful activities. Whether it’s through building, experimenting, role-playing, or simply exploring, students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their peers. These moments of free expression help foster self-confidence and a sense of belonging, which are key components of a healthy, well-rounded student experience.
This event also reminds us as educators and parents that play isn’t just a childhood pastime—it’s a powerful educational tool that enhances social skills and mental well-being. As adults, many of us still engage in various forms of play for both our mental and physical health. By encouraging our students to embrace this day of play, we’re nurturing the whole child, empowering them to navigate both challenges and triumphs with confidence and creativity.
We encourage you to talk with your child about the upcoming event and celebrate the importance of play at home. As we draw closer to the event, we will offer a variety of different play choices for students to engage in based on their personal preferences.
We look forward to celebrating the Global School Day of Play with our students! We hope it sparks a renewed appreciation for the role of fun, exploration, and imagination in their educational journey.
Get ready to play!
Kathryn Taylor
Middle School Principal
Greetings from Miss Saxby ~ Williamson Elementary Principal
Happy New Year! We hope that 2025 holds much happiness and exciting opportunities for our school community. We are looking forward to a great end to the 24-25 school year!
PRIDE…. Perseverance - Respect - Integrity - Dignity - Excellence
As our students continue to grow and develop as learners and as young people we continue to focus on our PRIDE philosophy. These traits are continuously taught andreinforced in the classroom through Tier 1 lessons and classroom meetings, as well as building-wide in the cafeteria, on the
playground, and on the bus. Our teachers, counselors and staff are all using the PRIDE
language, so the students can hear common messaging throughout the building.
At times, some students need extra support as they work on their PRIDE behaviors. In the building this support can happen in the classroom, or with a counselor. Your child’s classroom teacher is always the first point of contact, but do not hesitate to reach out to our counseling staff or a building administrator. You can reach any staff member by calling the main office at #589- 9668.
Miss Ellen Saxby
Williamson Elementary Principal
Thoughts from Rachel Liberatore, ASI
NY Inspires: A Plan to Transform Education in New York State
The New York State Education Department recently shared an update on its plan to implement four key transformations recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduate Measures. This plan includes a phased approach to implementation, providing time for planning, communication, and feedback.
The Four Transformations:
Adopting the New York State Portrait of a Graduate
Redefining credits
Sunsetting diploma assessment requirements
Moving to one diploma
A Note from Pupil Personnel Services: Kelly Colling
What is ACCES-VR?
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development. ACCES-VR starts with the presumption that all individuals with disabilities can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services and should have opportunities to work in jobs integrated within their communities. When a child qualifies for ACCES-VR services, vocational rehabilitation counselors guide individuals through service programs they need to reach their employment goal. For more information on eligibility criteria, please contact your child’s guidance counselor or visit https://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr.
More on MTSS... Submitted by Karen Hoody, MTSS Coordinator
Through the Community Schools efforts being provided across the Wayne County region, the district has been given amazing resources that we would like to share with you.
The links below provide you with a comprehensive list of primary care, dental and vision providers for the area if you are interested or in need:
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Community Schools coordinators with any questions or if you are in need of help with these resources. You can also find more information on the school website as well HERE.
Lisa Ryan
MS Community Schools
Erin Rowley
ES Community Schools
Health Office Reminders & News from WCS School Nurse, Bethany Moore
Healthy Habits to Boost Your Immunity this Winter
Boosting your child’s immune system is easier than you might think! Simple, healthy habits can help keep them strong and ready to fight off germs. Here are a few tips to help strengthen your child’s immune system:
Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit sugar and processed foods. Sugar can weaken the immune system so try and limit sugary snacks and drinks. Instead, encourage probiotic foods, like yogurt with live cultures, to help support gut health, which plays a big role in immunity.
Encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend that children ages 6-12 years old should regularly sleep 9-12 hours per 24 hours and that children ages 13-18 old should regularly sleep 8-10 hours per 24 hours. Tips for improving sleep habits include:
Stick to a consistent sleep schedule on the weekdays and weekends. This means going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning.
Limit technology use in the evenings.
Encourage your child to stay active with daily play or exercise. CDC recommends that children ages 6-17 years old get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity each day.
Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice is a great method of keeping track of the time. Use a waterless hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when you cannot wash your hands with soap and water.
Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day. Water helps to keep bodies working well. To stay well hydrated, children ages 4-8 years old need about 4 cups of fluids per day, including water or milk and older children need 7-8 cups per day. Please note that these amounts may need to be adjusted depending on levels of physical activity and environmental conditions like heat and humidity.
By building these healthy habits together, we can help our children stay healthy, happy, and ready for whatever comes their way!
REMINDER: Chain of Contact
Coach --> Athletic Director --> Building Principal --> Superintendent --> Board of Education
There may be times when you have questions or concerns about your child's participation in athletics. Please be certain to use this chain of command so that you can receive a timely response from the staff member that is most directly involved in the situation.
When approaching a coach about an athletics concern, parents/guardians are encouraged to exercise the "24 hour rule" and to request a meeting or phone call outside of the practice/athletic competition environment.
As you move further along the chain of command, the staff is less directly involved and usually needs time to research the situation before they can give you an answer. If you do not hear back from the person you have contacted within 24 hours, it is time to move along to the next level of the chain. We do not expect your questions or concerns to go unanswered for a long period of time.
We all look forward to a wonderful school year with few complaints. Please note that compliments or acknowledgements of positive events can be directed to everyone along the chain. All of us appreciate hearing that there is something good that has happened!
Andy Kritall, Athletic Director
(315) 589-9621
NYSPHSAA Spectator Expectations
NYSPHSAA Spectator Expectations
The New York State High School Athletics Association developed and will require that all school districts implement and enforce Sportsmanship Standards, effective Fall 2023.
NYSPHSAA Expectation Statement: Officials, just like student athletes and coaches, are critical to interscholastic sports programs. Without officials, NYSPHSAA and its member schools would not be able to provide interscholastic sports in the manner that is desired and expected by student athletes, coaches, and parents. In addition to abiding by the HCS Code of Conduct, spectators are expected to “Be Loud, Be Proud, and Be Positive.” Negative comments and inappropriate behaviors by spectators are required to be addressed by all and any school supervisors and administrators, as a member of NYSPHSAA in the following non-sequential order depending on the comments or behavior:
First warning – Directing the spectator or group of spectators to refrain from any negative comments or actions.
Second warning – A personal discussion with the spectators or group of spectators on the above NYSPHSAA expectations and reminding the spectators or group of spectators of the next step - removal of the game or event - will be utilized if the behavior continues.
Removal from the contest – The spectator or group of spectators will be directed to leave the facility for the remainder of the game or event.
If spectators or group of spectators refuse to leave the game or event, play will be stopped until they vacate the premise.
Penalty for being removed from a game or event: Any spectator removed from a game or event will have a minimum penalty of completing the NFHS Parent Credential course or a one game suspension before they are allowed to attend any interscholastic event, home or away.
Once the course is completed the spectator will provide a certificate of completion to the athletic department office.
Schools are required to communicate with the offending spectator on the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Spectator Expectations.
Spectators may be prohibited from attending current and future interscholastic contests based on their behavior. (Oct. 2022)
Depending on the severity of the behavior/comments or future disqualifications by the offending spectator NYSPHSAA and the Section may get directly involved in the situation. (May 2023)
Did You Know? Intersection of Code of Conduct, DASA and Sexual Harassment
WCS Code of Conduct:
- Per SED, the Board of Education of every school district within New York State is required to adopt and amend, as appropriate, a Code of Conduct for the maintenance of order on school property, including a school function, which shall govern the conduct of students, teachers and other school personnel as well as visitors and shall provide for the enforcement thereof.
- Any and all student misconduct may be investigated and enforced under the district’s Code of Conduct. Investigation and enforcement of Code of Conduct violations is the responsibility of building level administration, and may be supported by a Dean of Students and/or other support staff.
- The Code of Conduct articulates the range of progressive dispositions for offenses, and the district strives for consistency in its application.
- The DASA legislation is intended to provide students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. Please review the above link for more information on DASA.
- Protected classes in the DASA legislation include: race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and sex.
- Behaviors outlined in DASA are also identified as prohibited student conduct within the WCS Code of Conduct. As such, any such misconduct may be investigated and enforced under the district’s Code of Conduct.
- Please report any DASA concerns as outlined below:
- Contact your building level administrator. Administration welcomes and encourages direct and open lines of communication with students and families.
- Tell a trusted adult, such as any member of the mental health staff or a teacher. School personnel are required to notify an administrator in the event of such a report.
- Complete the Incident Reporting Form located on our website. Building principals actively monitor this tool for reports of peer conflict, misconduct, bullying, and/or harassment.
- District appointed DASA Coordinators conduct DASA investigations. The WCS DASA Coordinators include the following staff members:
- Ingrid Wander ESDASA@williamsoncentral.org
- Amy Hanna MSDASA@williamsoncentral.org
- Mark Blair HSDASA@williamsoncentral.org
- While the DASA Coordinator may conduct the investigation, our building level administrators are responsible for disposition of any "founded" DASA complaint.
- Title IX is a federal law which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and provides, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Please review the above link for more information.
- In August 2020, the U.S. Department of Education adopted new regulations to revise the definition of sexual harassment prohibited under Title IX, and also created new procedures for investigating allegations of sexual harassment covered by Title IX.
- Behaviors outlined in Title IX are also identified as prohibited student conduct within the WCS Code of Conduct. As such, any such misconduct may be investigated and enforced under the district’s Code of Conduct.
- Please note, however, in the event of a report of sexual harassment, the family of a student victim will be contacted by a district appointed Title IX Coordinator to discuss investigation options, time parameters for a formal Title IX investigation, and other considerations (such as confidentiality) of such an investigation.
- In the event a Title IX complaint is filed, the family of the alleged offender will also be contacted by district appointed Title IX Coordinator to discuss the investigation, time parameters and other considerations.
- The WCS Title IX Coordinators include:
- Rob Snyder, High School Principal
- Kate Taylor, Middle School Principal
- Bryon Rockow, Middle School Assistant Principal
- Questions about Title IX information may be directed to the individuals named above or to wcstitleix@williamsoncentral.org.
- Title IX concerns should be reported as previously outlined above (and reinforced here):
- Contact your building level administrator. Building administration welcome and encourage direct and open lines of communication with students and families. As Title IX Investigators, they also are “the lead” in any investigation and/or development of action steps to redress issues.
- Tell a trusted adult, such as any member of the mental health staff or a teacher. School personnel are required to notify an administrator in the event of such a report.
- Follow the Title IX Grievance process outlined on the website.
- Building level administrators are responsible for the disposition of any "founded" Title IX complaint.
Go Guardian Alerts
To support student safety and encourage scholarly behaviors when using devices, the Williamson Central School District incorporated online services provided by GoGuardian a number of years ago. It may be helpful to know that over 10,000 other schools use GoGuardian to protect 5.5 million students across the world, and the Global Educator Institute has endorsed the GoGuardian Teacher product.
How are we using GoGuardian?
- WCS has chosen GoGuardian services to:
- Help protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material
- Help students stay “scholarly” and more focused when learning online
- Help assess students’ progress towards class assignments
When and how does GoGuardian operate?
- GoGuardian’s web-based services operate on our school’s managed G Suite for Education Chrome accounts (i.e. when a student is logged into Chrome or a Chromebook with his/her school email address).
- GoGuardian Teacher enables teachers to use GoGuardian Teacher with students in their classes only during school hours from Monday through Friday.
- GoGuardian also enables the district to monitor student usage 24/7. When Beacon detects that a student is browsing content related to Self-Harm or Suicide, a notification will be sent to users in order of the Escalation List up to five times or until an action is taken on the alert card. Disclaimer: Regardless of school monitoring specific to reference of self harm, it is simply not possible to catch all activity. Parents maintain responsibility to supervise their children’s use of devices.
What are the school’s responsibilities?
- WCS selected GoGuardian services to help our students stay safer and more scholarly online. We will work with students during class time to help teach them digital responsibility and safety. Additionally, we will train teachers about how to operate GoGuardian and about our policies and procedures to help protect student privacy.
What are my parental/guardian and child’s responsibilities?
- We ask that students uses their school-managed Google accounts and school-managed devices for educational purposes within the boundaries of the WCS Acceptable Use Policy and Agreement.
- When a student is off campus, parents are responsible for supervising internet access and usage. We encourage you to discuss rules for appropriate internet usage with your child, and to reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety with him or her. We also highly encourage you to report any potential cyberbullying or other sensitive issues to us.
How does GoGuardian help protect my child’s privacy?
- To help your child remain scholarly and safe online, GoGuardian collects certain personally identifiable information about your child.
- GoGuardian has consulted with privacy experts, participates in privacy organizations, is a proud signatory of the Student Privacy Pledge, and has been awarded certifications by iKeepSafe for complying with both the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and California student privacy laws. For more detailed information about GoGuardian, you may visit GoGuardian’s website, Trust & Privacy Center, GoGuardian’s Product Privacy Policy, and the attached COPPA Notice and Disclosure Form.
Help Wanted: Substitutes Spanning Instructional and Operational Areas
The Williamson Central School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are currently seeking to hire SUBSTITUTES in the following areas:
- School Nurse
- Teachers
- Teacher Assistants
- Monitors (Hall/Cafeteria/Transportation)
- Bus Drivers
- Cleaners
- Typists
- Food Service Workers
Please complete the application as outlined on our website.
For Questions, Contact:
- Nikki Oathout Phone: (315) 589-9661, Email: noathout@williamsoncentral.org
2024-25 Board of Education Meeting Dates
BOE Meetings begin at 6:30pm and are scheduled in the Board of Education Conference Room at the Middle School. Our Board Meetings are all live-streamed to YouTube. Click here to be taken to the Williamson Central School District YouTube Page.
You may find additional information about the WCS Board of Education on the district website.
- July 8, 2024 Organizational
- Meeting July 1st
- July 19, 2024
- August 7, 2024
- August 28, 2024
- September 18, 2024
- October 16, 2024
- November 6, 2024
- December 4, 2024
- January 8, 2025
- January 28, 2025
- February 12, 2025
- March 4, 2025
- March 19, 2025
- April 9, 2025
- April 23, 2025
- May 7, 2025 Budget Hearing
- May 28, 2025
- June 18, 2025
Special Meeting Dates:
- May 20, 2025 - Annual Meeting/Board Member Election 1-9 p.m.
How to Reach Me...
Email: bashton@williamsoncentral.org
Website: https://www.williamsoncentral.org/
Location: 4184 Miller Street (P.O. Box 900) Williamson, NY 14589
Phone: 315-589-9661
Twitter: @EBridgetAshton
