Bird's Eye View

Hello Larries Community,

Welcome the May “Bird’s Eye View”! Each month we will:

1. Give you small snapshots of the great things that are happening here at SLC.

2. We may ask for a little help with some things to make our school community the most productive possible.

Our hope is you will read our newsletter each month, so we can continue to connect our great community with the students, staff, and programs that are here to help maximize our students’ futures.

Despite not having a NYS Budget passed yet (it was due April 1st), the 2025-2026 district budget has been created and accepted by the Board of Education, for your vote on May 20th. Again this year, we spent several months looking at both the academic and non-academic needs of our district. Our ever changing world brings many new challenges, both academic and non-academic. Those non-academic community concerns center around mental health, child care, after-school care, food insecurity, and recreation. SLC is doing everything we can to meet all those needs listed and more.

Reminders of Important Educational Dates:

• May 6 - BOE Public Budget Hearing - 6:00 pm in the MS/HS Auditorium

• May 13 - Grades 7-12 Band, Chorus, and Chamber Choir Spring Concert - 6:00 pm MS/HS Auditorium

• May 15 - Grades 5-6 Band, Chorus, Swing Choir, and Jazz Band Spring Concert - 6:00 pm MS/HS Auditorium

• May 20 - HS Student Awards and Scholarship Night - 6:00 pm HS Auditorium

• May 20 - BOE Budget Vote - MS Gym 12:00-8:00 pm

• May 23 & May 27 - Giveback Snow Days, AS LONG AS WE DO NOT USE ANOTHER SNOW DAY BEFORE THEN (there will be no school on these days)

• May 26 - No School in Honor of Memorial Day.

• May 5 - June 24 - Regents Review - Please be on the lookout for all Regents review classes being offered by staff from 2:30-3:25 from now until June 24th.

Shoutouts and Reminders:

• Congratulations to all those that have been recognized in this May issue for the outstanding work you are doing both here at SLC, and at BOCES.

• Athletics: Best of luck to all of our Spring teams as they continue to find ways to “squeeze” games in around the weather. Section X website.

• Best of luck to all of our 5-12 Band and Chorus members as they gear up for some great performances here in May.

• Congratulations to all our outstanding art students for your amazing work that has been displayed at recent area art shows.

• We want to recognize our 3-8 students and staff for giving maximum effort on the 3-8 NYS ELA and Math assessments as well as on the Science Assessment in grades 5 and 8.

• One final shoutout to the 4th grade class and their teachers for the superior Wax Museum projects that were recently displayed. We had many great historical figures brought to life by our 4th grade students and a great crowd of family and friends that came to see their hard work, it was truly amazing. Well done!

Please consider sharing this edition with any neighbors, relatives, friends, or alumni that would like to keep updated on what goes on at SLC.

Thank you for your continued support of our great district!

Christopher Rose

Superintendent

1. A citizen of the United States;
2. Eighteen (18) years of age or older, and not adjudged to be an incompetent;
3. A resident of the Brasher Falls Central School District for 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting on May 20, 2025.

St. Lawrence County Public Health Children’s Programs Newsletter

In this issue you will find great information on:

• Migraine in Children
• Stress and our Youth Great Outdoors Month
• Bike Safety
• Wellness Reminder
• Early Intervention
• Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
• CYSHCN Events
• SNAP-Ed Recipe Highlight

Nurturing Potential: Understanding Speech Milestones Workshop Information

In recent years, vaping has surged in popularity, particularly among young adults and teenagers. Marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, e-cigarettes and vape devices have found their way into the daily routines of millions.

However, beneath the sleek designs and enticing flavors lies a myriad of health risks that are often overlooked. What many school officials, school staff, parents and students don’t understand is why vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking. Many see it as superior to inhaling burning tobacco smoke.

This article dives into the hidden dangers of vaping, including health risks, physical dangers, and environmental and societal impacts.

Risks Associated with Vaping

Vaping Health Risks:

1. Respiratory Issues: Contrary to the belief that vaping is gentler on the lungs than smoking, studies have shown significant respiratory risks associated with e-cigarette use. The inhalation of aerosolized chemicals can lead to lung damage, including conditions like “popcorn lung,” a serious disease caused by diacetyl, a chemical found in some vape flavors.
2. Cardiovascular Concerns: Vaping has been linked to increased heart rate and blood pressure, elevating the risk of heart disease. The presence of nicotine and other harmful substances in e-cigarette aerosol can contribute to arterial stiffness and inflammation, factors known to adversely affect cardiovascular health.
3. Nicotine Addiction and Brain Development: Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can harm adolescent brain development, impacting areas responsible for attention, learning, and impulse control. Early exposure to nicotine increases the likelihood of developing addiction and can serve as a gateway to traditional cigarette use.
4. Exposure to Toxic Chemicals: Vape liquids often contain a cocktail of chemicals, including formaldehyde, acrolein, and acetaldehyde, which are known to cause lung disease and cancer. Additionally, heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead have been detected in e-cigarette aerosol, posing further health risks upon inhalation.

RELATED: Addressing the School E-Cigarette and Vaping Epidemic

Physical Dangers of Vape Equipment:

1. Device Malfunctions and Explosions: There have been alarming reports of vape devices malfunctioning, leading to explosions and severe injuries. For instance, a woman suffered significant burns when her vape device ignited in her pocket, emphasizing the potential dangers of these electronic gadgets.
2. Battery Hazards: The lithium-ion batteries used in vape devices are prone to overheating and can explode if not handled properly. Such incidents have resulted in severe burns and other injuries, highlighting the importance of proper usage and storage of these devices.

Environmental and Societal Impacts of Vaping:

1. Youth Epidemic: The appealing flavors and perceived safety of vaping have led to a dramatic increase in use among teenagers. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of school students have tried e-cigarettes, raising concerns about nicotine addiction and long-term health consequences in this vulnerable demographic.
2. Environmental Concerns: Vaping indoors can result in the deposition of a toxic, oily residue on surfaces, which can be absorbed through the skin upon contact. This not only poses health risks to inhabitants but also raises questions about the environmental impact of widespread vaping.

Dangerous Drugs Found in Vape Devices:

In addition to the above concerns, everyone must understand that there are now all kinds of illicit drugs available in vapes, including like heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. What began as a method for consuming nicotine has evolved into a delivery system for a wide array of dangerous and illicit substances—often without the user’s full awareness. The small, concealable nature of vape devices makes them ideal for smuggling and discreet use of the following substances:

1. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Cannabis-derived THC oil is one of the most common substances vaped illegally, especially among teens. Vape cartridges with THC are often homemade or purchased off the street, lacking quality control and often contaminated with Vitamin E acetate—a chemical linked to the 2019–2020 EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) outbreak.
2. Synthetic Cannabinoids (“K2” or “Spice”): These lab-made substances mimic THC but can be far more potent and unpredictable. Vaping synthetic cannabinoids can cause severe agitation, hallucinations, seizures, or even death. They’re often found in counterfeit vape cartridges or mislabeled products sold online or in unregulated shops.
3. Fentanyl and Other Opioids: Disturbingly, law enforcement agencies have reported cases of vape devices being used to ingest fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Inhaling fentanyl through vaping accelerates absorption into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of overdose and death. Some cases have involved vapes laced with fentanyl or mixed with other street drugs.
4. Methamphetamine and Cocaine Derivatives: Though less common, there are confirmed instances where individuals have used vape devices to consume meth or cocaine-based liquids. This method bypasses nasal or oral ingestion, delivering an intense, immediate high and contributing to rapid addiction and severe neurological harm.
5. Benzodiazepines and Designer Drugs: Illegal vape liquids have also been found to contain benzodiazepines like Xanax or novel psychoactive substances (NPS), which can be incredibly dangerous when vaped without any dosage control.

These trends not only represent a significant health crisis but also create dangerous complications for schools, law enforcement, and parents trying to identify and prevent drug use.

RELATED: Vaping and Students with Disabilities: How Schools Can Address the Risks

Legal Consequences of Vaping:

When we talk about consequences of vaping, besides the ones mentioned in this article, there are also the legal consequences of vaping. Possessing vape pods or cartridges that contain fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and other illegal drugs can expose young people to the legal system.

Possession of these drugs, even in the form of vape pods and cartridges, is still illegal and you can get arrested for having them. We also know that some students have made a business of procuring these drug-laced vape products and selling them to other students. This is narcotics sales, and distribution, and the penalties are much higher than possession alone. These items can be found and purchased on the internet, making this kind of drug dealing relatively easy. Getting caught can ruin a young person’s life.

Many school districts have police notification policies in place for the possession and distribution of vapes in school, while others take the education route, avoiding the police. Either way, there can be serious consequences for being involved with vapes, especially in our schools.

With the rise in counterfeit and homemade vape cartridges, users may have no idea what chemicals they’re inhaling. Education, regulation, and proactive intervention are critical in combating this growing threat to public health and safety.

Published: April 25, 2025 Author: Lt. Joseph Pangaro, CSO, CPM

Greetings from the High School Guidance Office!

As we near the end of the academic year, we're reaching out to provide some important updates to ensure a successful conclusion for our students.

Numerous scholarships are available for graduating seniors. Students should check with the guidance office and ensure they meet all submission deadlines. As the transition to college approaches, the coming month will be bustling with preparations. Upon confirming their enrollment, students should diligently monitor their email for details such as housing deadlines, immunization records, financial aid procedures, and orientation schedules.

We understand that fatigue may set in during this final stretch, but it's vital to persevere. We're almost there! Consistency is key to finishing the year strong. Encourage your child to stick to their routine, stay on top of assignments, and utilize activity periods to seek teacher assistance if needed. Should they feel overwhelmed, our counseling office is here to help manage end-of-year stress.

Parents can expect to receive information regarding summer school via email alongside the 35-week progress report. Students interested in enrolling in career and technical education programs at Seaway Tech must ensure they meet graduation requirements to qualify for the program next year. If you have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact your child's school counselor.

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate the conclusion of this school year together.

Miss Bethel & Ms. Ruddy

The Seaway Career & Technical Education Center is pleased to announce Carl Moore as the Rev. William R. & Crystal E. Cuthbert Vocational Excellence Award for April 2025 sponsored by Brookfield Renewable US. Carl is in the Culinary Arts Program. He is from the Brasher Falls Central School District and is the son of Justin and Susan Moore.

As a student in the Culinary Arts Program, students acquire the skills in food preparation, meal production, safety and sanitation, management and front of house service. The program focuses on teamwork, professionalism and accountability while building confidence and encouraging creativity.

Upon completion of this program, students are ready to enter the field with the knowledge to pursue a career in the kitchen, food sales, distribution, health department and many other various positions in the industry. There are also opportunities to become certified in ServSafe and ProStart with options to gain college credits along the way.

The instructor, Mr. Andrew Ostroski, has said the following about his student: “Carl will go above and beyond with every assigned task issued to him even on days that he might not feel up to par. He will jump at the opportunity to participate in any competition or challenge that our program is able to enter in. His work ethic is unmatched and I expect him to excel in anything he chooses to do after leaving the program”.

Congratulations to Carl! We are proud of you!

On April 2nd, twenty IMPETUS students along with five other schools competed in the Roller Coaster Build Challenge at Clarkson University.

The SLC team of Abbiggail Eggleston, Garret Donalis, Draton Roberts, and Jaymi Spence took first place in the overall standings of this competition. Congratulations team!!!

Griffon Bunnell, along with his friends from Clifton-Fine, took best in theme. Congratulations Griffon and friends!

This April, High School Conservation students participated in several exciting activities! They built renewable energy harvesting devices that were able to produce sufficient electricity to illuminate model houses they constructed.

Students also harvested honey from the school hive. Thank you ABCD Hardware for your generous (and timely!) donation to the effort! Many other students and faculty stopped in to help out throughout this day-long process.

The students in the second period conservation class began learning about historical farming techniques. As a result, they also dipped beeswax candles from the wax left over from the honey harvest. They are even investigating how to make a butter churn, and construct a plow.

On April 5th, College Biology students Alaina Arquiett and Norman Hill brought their science fair projects to the Terra Northeastern STEM Fair (TNRSF) hosted at Paul Smith’s College.

Alaina represented for her team of three, which also included Erin Lantry and Leah Newtown. Her presentation, and the team’s work on exploring The Effect of Animal Interaction on the Mental and Physical States of S.L.C. Seniors earned Honors by the judges, and an award from the American Psychological Association.

Norman brought his prototype prosthetic limb that was a part of his investigation into engineering prosthesis with more cost effective materials. For his presentation and work, he was awarded Honors by the fair judges, and an acknowledgement from ASM International for his work in material science.

All other students in College Biology completed projects as well. While they did not attend the fair, the results of their work are currently viewable in the high school. Be sure to take a look at them if you have the opportunity to!

Living Environment Regents Review will be held in room 223 with Ms. LaVoie on the dates provided. All students taking the Living Environment Regents this June are welcome to join!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask Ms. LaVoie via email (klavoie@bfcsd.org) or stop by room 223.

On Saturday April 12th, members of the Varsity and JV softball teams volunteered to help with the Lawrenceville Fire Departments Easter Egg Hunt. Coach Aldous even donned a costume to help out by providing some entertainment for the kids. The players that volunteered were: Claire Todd, Camryn Miner, Heaven Jandreau, Kennedy Colterman, Emma Baker, Stella Todd, (Coach Aldous as Chase from Paw Patrol) Brianna Williams, Jade Bejjani, The Easter Bunny, Nevaeh Jandreau, and Kyleigh Bedard.

Fall Sports sign ups will be Monday, May 5th through Friday, May 9th. Students can sign up with their PE Teacher. The Fall Sports physicals will be offered in district on June 4th. See Ms. Hallahan beforehand for proper paperwork.

Congratulations to the Varsity Baseball and Varsity Softball teams on being named NYSPHSAA Scholar athlete teams for the Spring season!

The district is at present looking for modified soccer coaches, both boys and girls. If interested, please contact Mr. Reome at jreome@bfcsd.org.

The Lalonde Family Initiative has announced their scholarship winners for this year. Congratulations to Merrick Frary, Alexis Smith and Emma Montgomery! These students will be recognized at a ceremony right after graduation on Friday, June 27th at Pike's Place.

The district would also like to thank the Lalonde Family Initiative for their continued support of our athletic programs. They have donated quite generously towards plenty of new athletic equipment, uniforms, and items for all of our teams. Thank you so much for your generosity!

You can find all sports schedules at sections710.org, or on our district website and app.

The recipients of the Physical Education Leadership Awards this year are outstanding students that have truly excelled in their P.E. classes. They display sportsmanship, demonstrate leadership, have a positive influence on their peers, value learning, demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, and demonstrate competency in a variety of movement forms, sports, and skills. They come to class prepared and ready to engage in all activities.

• Elementary award recipients are Myla Reid, Dallas Bell, and Acelynn Tucker.
• Middle School award recipients are Ryder VanSleet, Kennedy Colterman and Josh Charleson.
• High School award recipients are Courtney Moreau, Merrick Frary, and Autumn Dennis.

Congratulations to all award winners!

Congratulations our Middle and High school students who had the honor of being in the Frederic Remington Museum Art Show at the end of April!

Hello Middle School Families,

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we want to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. It’s been a busy, productive year—and we couldn’t do it without you!

🎓 Scheduling Season is Underway!

All individual meetings with 6th–8th grade students are now complete. Our middle school counselors are hard at work helping students build their schedules for next year. If you have any questions regarding your child’s meeting, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s counselor.

💪 Let’s Finish the Year Strong!

Here are a few simple ways to help your child stay on track in these final weeks:

• Encourage attendance at after-school help for extra support.
  

• Check SchoolTool together to stay updated on grades and missing assignments (watch for zeros!).
  

• Create a consistent homework routine—a quiet space and a set time can make a big difference.
  

• Celebrate small wins to keep your child motivated and confident.
  

• Reach out early to teachers or counselors if your child seems overwhelmed or frustrated.
  
  

We know this time of year can feel busy and stressful, but your support at home truly makes a difference. We’re here to support you and your child every step of the way—please reach out to your school counselor with any questions or concerns.

Thank You!

Middle School Counseling Team

Mrs. Adams' APE class enjoyed the new Peloton in the fitness center! They liked playing the games on the new machine. Pictured riding the bike are Skylee Rust and Jackson Charleson.

Hello SLC Families,

A highlight of the last month has been hosting our first through fourth grade concerts. A special thanks goes out to Mr. Hahn and our teachers for their efforts in preparing our students for this. The students did a great job on their performance!

Be on the lookout for information on our annual Larries Day, as we may be looking for volunteers to help. Information on this should go out within the next month.

The Pre-K Program for the 2025-2026 year is filling up quickly. We appreciate families registering their child sooner than later, so thank you to those who have already done so. As a reminder, in order to be included in the lottery for placement on June 2, your child must have all necessary paperwork submitted.

Kindergarten registration has opened as well. Please do not wait to register your child, as 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. Please call the district office at 315-389-5131 for more information.

We look forward to two fun school-wide assemblies in May! The first is "ZOOKEEPER’S IN THE HOUSE!," which incorporates STEAM-Based learning with a jungle beat. Roger Day, a two-time Parent’s Choice© Gold Award winner, uses his trademark “wit, whimsy and wordplay” - to celebrate the unsung heroes that make the zoo a fascinating place for children to learn. The Zookeepers! From veterinarians to wildlife biologists there’s a whole team of people who work together to keep animals at the zoo healthy and safe. Through interactive, energetic songs like “It’s a No No to Kiss a Rhino” and “Rumble in the Jungle” Roger will encourage young audience members to “observe, reflect, question and decide” as they not only learn about the amazing animals at the zoo – what they eat, where they’re from, what’s their habitat – but also the dedicated team of scientists who take care of them everyday. Roger will join us on May 20. The second assembly will be on May 30 and will focus on reptiles and amphibians. More information on the presenter and her shows can be found here: https://www.herpetologyshows.com/about

The NYS Assessment Schedule at SLC Elementary is as Follows:

• Grade 4 ELA - May 1 & 2
• Grade 3 ELA - May 6 & 7
• Grade 4 Math - May 8 & 9
• Grade 3 Math - May 13 & 14

Dates to Know:

• May 23 and May 27 may be give-back snow days, *AS LONG AS WE DO NOT USE ANOTHER SNOW DAY BEFORE THEN. This would mean we would have no school on these days. There is also no school on May 26, in honor of Memorial Day.
• Grade 4 swim races will take place at 9:30 on Wednesday, June 4.
• Larries Day is scheduled for Friday, June 20, with a rain date of Monday, June 23.
• There is no school on Juneteenth (Thursday, June 19).
• Wednesday, June 25 and Thursday, June 26 will be 12:30 dismissal days for students. June 26 will also be the last day of school.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Colterman

Congratulations to the following students on earning Character Ed Awards at our most recent ceremony!

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.

Kassy Carron was The Larries Spotlight Award winner for the Third Quarter! This quarter’s trait was Kindness and Ms. Carron received the award from her peers based on her willingness to show kindness to everyone around her. She finds humor in anything and she can light up any room with her personality. Also, Kassy makes everyone feel included and welcomed.

Thank you, Ms. Carron, for always being yourself and spreading kindness everywhere you go!

Mrs. Evans' first grade class is on a mission to learn how to tie their shoes. They aim for all students to be able to tie their shoes by the end of the year, and are excited about earning a special treat for their hard work.

Recently, Stella demonstrated her shoe-tying skills with Mr. Rose's shoe, inspiring her classmates. Ryker was also seen helping Lawson learn to tie his shoes, showing great teamwork.

The fourth grade recently participated in their 2nd annual wax museum project. Students had to research and recreate a person from history. Great job to all of the fourth graders on their hard work and perseverance during their presentations and a huge thank you to everyone for attending and supporting the fourth graders!

At SLC, we are committed to providing our community with relevant information on current technology trends. Our goal is to educate our students and help safeguard our community from online events that could lead to the unintended release of sensitive information.

One of the biggest challenges for internet users today is the continuously evolving use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create more sophisticated phishing emails. These emails are becoming increasingly difficult to detect and more effective at tricking victims. AI-generated phishing emails can closely mimic the style and content of legitimate communications, potentially bypassing traditional security measures that rely on identifying common phishing indicators. In essence, they can evade your antivirus software undetected until it is too late. Therefore, as users, we must serve as the first line of defense in protection.

In recent weeks, both students and staff have received emails that appeared to be from legitimate companies. However, upon closer examination of the actual email addresses, it was clear they were not associated with those companies. These personalized emails are generated using AI algorithms that analyze vast amounts of data, including social media profiles and online behavior, to create highly targeted phishing messages. These messages often reference a user's specific interests, recent purchases, or interactions. By leveraging this data, AI can produce convincing replicas of legitimate websites and documents, making it challenging for recipients to differentiate between fake and real communications.

Given the information above we would recommend using some of the following techniques to help protect yourself from phishing attacks.

• Urgent call to action or threats - Be suspicious of emails and group messages that claim you must click, call, or open an attachment immediately. Often, they'll claim you have to act now to claim a reward or avoid a penalty. Creating a false sense of urgency is a common trick of phishing attacks and scams.

• First time, infrequent senders, or senders marked [External] - While it's not unusual to receive an email from someone for the first time, however if they are someone you don’t know, this can be a sign of phishing. Slow down and take extra care at these times. When you get an email from somebody you don't recognize, or identifies as a new sender, take a moment to examine it extra carefully using some of the measures that follow.

• Spelling and bad grammar - Professional companies and organizations usually have an editorial and writing staff to make sure customers get high-quality, professional content. If an email message has obvious spelling or grammatical errors, it might be a scam. These errors are sometimes the result of awkward translation from a foreign language, and sometimes they're deliberate in an attempt to evade filters that try to block these attacks.

• Generic greetings - An organization that works with you should know your name and these days it's easy to personalize an email. If the email starts with a generic "Dear sir or madam" that's a warning sign that it might not really be your bank or shopping site.

• Mismatched email domains - If the email claims to be from a reputable company, like Microsoft or your bank, but the email is being sent from another email domain like Gmail.com, or microsoftsupport.ru it's probably a scam. Also be watchful for very subtle misspellings of the legitimate domain name. Like micros0ft.com where the second "o" has been replaced by a 0, or rnicrosoft.com, where the "m" has been replaced by an "r" and a "n". These are common tricks of scammers.

• Suspicious links or unexpected attachments - If you suspect that an email message is a scam, don't open any links or attachments that you see. Instead, hover your mouse over, but don't click the link. Look at the address that pops up when you hover over the link. Ask yourself if that address matches the link that was typed in the message. In the following example, resting the mouse over the link reveals the real web address in the box with the yellow background. The string of numbers looks nothing like the company's web address.

In conclusion, while these techniques can significantly enhance your protection against phishing attacks, they are not exhaustive. It is essential to remain vigilant and informed about additional strategies to safeguard your online presence

As always, if you have any questions, you can contact Mr. Welsh the district's Data Protection Officer 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