Williamson Central School District

Dear Williamson Families,

I hope you had a lovely holiday season and were able to enjoy meaningful time with family and friends. As we move into this part of the year, I hope you are engaging in activities that bring you joy and create lasting memories.

As we prepare to launch the New Year, there is much to keep you informed about at WCS. My sincerest hopes that you will find the information contained in this communication beneficial to you and your family!

Reminder: School resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026 for all students, faculty and staff. We look forward to welcoming back all our Marauders!

Board of Education Visits Coming Soon!

We are excited to let our Williamson families know that Board of Education visits are scheduled for the 2025–26 school year. These visits are an opportunity for our Board members to see programs in action, celebrate student learning, and take pride in the incredible work happening across our district.

These visits are not evaluative. Instead, they allow the Board to experience the day-to-day life of our schools and observe initiatives such as high school course offerings and electives, our new Math Expressions program at the ES, the expansion of ELA programming at ES (Collaborative Classrooms), and our Grade 6 reading program in action - to name simply a few!

BOE Visit Schedule

• Middle School: Thursday, January 8 | 7:00 – 10:30 a.m.

• Elementary School & Transportation Department: Wednesday, February 4 | 8:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

• High School: Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Visit Structure & Parameters

• Classroom tours will last approximately two hours in the morning.

• Classroom visits will generally be 10–15 minutes each.

• All participating staff will be notified in advance.

• Instruction will not be interrupted; the focus is on observation, celebration, and connection.

• Tours will include a mix of core subjects, special areas, related services, and unique programs such as Project TRY and/or the Learning Center.

• To accommodate the Transportation Department schedule, the Elementary School tour will be split across the morning on February 4.

We look forward to sharing these visits with our Board and celebrating the dedication and achievements of our students and staff.

Capital Improvement Project (CIP) – Reminder & Next Steps

As previously shared with the community, the 2025 Capital Improvement Project vote resulted in the passage of Proposition One – Asset Preservation and the non-passage of Proposition Two – Athletic Fields.

Next Steps: The project now moves into the design phase. I will be working closely with Penny Johnston - Business Official; Bill Bennett - Director of Facilities; our architects at SEI; Counsel for the district around BOND for the project; and user groups to develop detailed designs and prepare the required SED submission reports necessary to advance this project. These steps are critical to ensure that we remain on schedule while aligning the project with district needs and regulatory requirements.

Budget Development and 2026–27 Budget Calendar

Development of the 2026–27 school budget is now underway. The 2026–27 Budget Development Calendar was presented for approval at the December 3 Board of Education meeting. Please mark you calendars for these Key Budget Presentation Dates to the Board of Education:

• January 7, 2026: Budget Presentation – Rollover Budget & Budget Drivers

• January 28, 2026: Budget Presentation – Status Update, Preliminary Expenditures, Executive Aid Runs (as available)

• February 11, 2026: Budget Presentation – Preliminary Revenues, Tax Cap (as available)

• March 4, 2026: Budget Presentation – Status Update: Expenditures & Revenues, Closing the Gap, BOE Approval of Propositions & Notice of Annual Meeting

• March 18: Budget Workshop with BOE @4:30 prior to Regular Meeting

• April 8, 2026: Budget Presentation – Status Update

• April 22, 2026: Budget Presentation – BOE Adoption of Budget

• May 6, 2026: Budget Hearing and Meet the Candidate Night (6:30 PM)

• May 19, 2026: Annual Meeting – Uniform Statewide Budget Vote and BOE Election

These dates reflect our commitment to a transparent budget process, and we encourage families to stay informed and engaged as the district develops the 2026–27 budget.

High School Fire Alarm Incidents

Our WCS community might recall that the High School fire alarm system was activated on November 25 and again on December 1. In both instances, students and staff followed standard safety procedures and evacuated the building in an orderly manner. The Williamson Fire Department responded and confirmed the building was safe and that there is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the community.

Upon filing of complaint by the district, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department (Deputy Wilson) conducted an investigation, which has resulted in charges related to these incidents.

We appreciate the cooperation of our students, staff, the Williamson Fire Department and the Wayne County Sheriff's Department in keeping our school community safe.

Partnership with Wayne County Sheriff’s Department

We are grateful to continue our partnership with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department through the renewal of our School Resource Officer (SRO) contract. Deputy Wilson has been a wonderful addition, collaborating with us and leading safety initiatives around internal communications, wayfinding, and coordination of a Digital Dangers presentation on 11/6 facilitated by FBI Buffalo.

Our partnership also extends to student-focused safety education. We hope to bring a middle school program “Your Device, Your Safety, Your Future” to our students in the very near future. This initiative teaches responsible digital citizenship, online safety, and the importance of making safe choices in today’s connected world. More to follow for our MS families...

Upcoming Professional Development and Staff Learning

Please Note: We are exploring the opportunity to add a half-day on Friday, January 30, pending Board of Education approval, to provide additional professional development for our faculty. This day will focus on continued work around our new ELA and Math programs at lower grade levels and Tier 1 instruction and implications of the Portrait of a Graduate framework at upper grade levels.

Karen Hoody, Coordinator of Instruction, Innovation, and Intervention, is preparing a rigorous and relevant day of learning for our faculty, ensuring professional development is meaningful and directly supports student achievement. More information for families to follow by week ending 1/9/2026.

Welcoming Our Administrative Intern

We are excited to welcome Lauren Szklany as an Administrative Intern in January. Lauren has been a teacher in the district for numerous years and will support district and building-level work aligned with essential objectives and district priorities. Karen Hoody shall serve as her cooperating supervisor and we eagerly look forward to Lauren's contributions to advancing our instructional and operational goals.

Reflection and Growth

As we approach the new year, we reflect on the resilience, creativity, and commitment of our students, families, and staff. Thank you for being an essential part of our Williamson community. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in 2026, continuing to provide safe, supportive, and high-quality learning experiences for every student.

Hope you will keep reading on... This month's newsletter features contributions from the following:

• Building Principals
• District Administration
• Operational Areas: Transportation
• Athletic Director
• Health Services, Nurse Coordinator
• PTSA
• MORE!

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!

E. Bridget Ashton

Our district remains singularly focused on our core imperative: Doing what's right for children. We are excited to confirm that the strategic planning effort, aimed at achieving our vision of Active learning in a supportive, respectful environment, is fully in action.

The strategic roadmap we have adopted represents the necessary and right work for our community, defining four Essential Objectives for the 2025-2026 school year:

1. Student Achievement: We are advancing student success by implementing focused strategies, prioritizing areas like literacy and mathematics, and refining our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This ensures high-impact efforts designed to raise student proficiency and academic performance across all schools.
2. Culture of Caring: We are fostering supportive environments where all students feel respected, valued, and supported. Key actions include strengthening positive student management practices, promoting respectful relationships, and reinforcing positive behaviors through systems like the Williamson PRIDE Matrix.
3. Community Connections: We are committed to building authentic, two-way relationships with families and local partners. This involves prioritizing personalized and timely communication, fostering family partnerships, and expanding collaboration with community organizations.
4. Fiscal Responsibility: We are ensuring the long-term viability and success of our schools through thoughtful short- and long-term financial and facilities planning. We are actively exploring regionalization and shared service opportunities to maintain rich programming.

This strategic approach is guided by our belief in deep roots, core values, and bright futures. Every administrator and Building Planning Team (BPT) is aligning their work and setting specific, measurable goals (SMART goals) that directly support the four essential objectives. We are actively implementing these focused, high-impact efforts now to ensure every student is supported, challenged, and prepared to reach their full potential.

The home-school partnership is critical to the development of a successful educational experience for students. When we work together, we are able to create a unified support system that enhances student learning and development in numerous and varied ways.

Please feel free to reach out to your child(ren)'s teacher(s) and/or your building leaders by phone or email if you have questions, concerns or "shout outs" about the work happening at WCS. Please be certain to use the chain of contact so that you can receive a timely response from the staff member that is most directly involved in the situation.

Who Should You Contact?

• The WCS Chain of Contact provides you a pathway of contact information regarding instructional and operational areas in the district.

• Note: A partial Directory of phone numbers is also accessible on the district webpage.

Digital Platforms to Support Staying Connected with WCS:

• ParentSquare
• SchoolTool
• Schoology
• WCS Website Note: Both the MS and HS post their daily announcements on their webpages. There are also numerous helpful links there for you.
• District Monthly Newsletter

See link below.

Williamson Senior High School students participated in "Cart Wars" style week-long food drive competition. Each class competed to donate as many food and hygiene items as possible from 11/17-11/21. In all, 901 items were donated to our Community Schools food pantry, with the senior class winning the competition.

Middle School Greetings!

As we head into holiday break, we would like to wish all of our middle school families a happy, restful, and safe break. This time away from school provides an important opportunity for students to recharge, reflect, and spend quality time with family and friends before returning refreshed and ready to learn.

When our students return to school on January 5th, we will move into a busy and important part of the school year, including the start of the second half of the modified winter sports season. We will also be administering the second i-Ready benchmark assessments in both ELA and Math, which help us monitor student growth and guide instruction. Our students have been working hard and we are hoping for great gains. Additionally, some of our 8th grade students enrolled in accelerated courses may be taking mid-terms as part of their course. High School mid-term week is the third week in January. We would like to remind our families the end of the first semester is January 23rd. Student schedules may change as a result of new course offerings.

We would like to thank all of our families for their continued support of our school and community. We are looking forward to an exciting 2026!

As always if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at (315) 589-9665.

Kathryn Taylor

Middle School Principal

See link below.

With a new year just around the corner comes the opportunity to set new goals. One of my goals for the 2026 school year is to spend more time in every classroom across the district—learning alongside our students and staff and seeing firsthand the great work happening each day. Each month, Inside the Classroom will spotlight a different content area to give families a clearer picture of what learning looks like in our schools and why it matters.

Across all classrooms and grade levels, effective instruction:

• Is standards-aligned, intentional, and coherent

• Prioritizes student thinking, reasoning, and sense-making

• Engages students as active participants, not passive recipients

• Honors student voice, identity, and diverse ways of knowing

• Uses data and formative assessment to guide instructional decisions

• Honors student goal setting, reflection, and self-assessment as essential components of learning and growth

• Provides access, challenge, and support for every learner

This month, we are highlighting Academic Intervention Services (AIS) in the elementary and middle schools and the targeted reading instruction designed to meet individual student needs. In elementary AIS classrooms, our reading teachers provide explicit, systematic phonics and phonemic awareness instruction through modeling, choral and echo reading, multisensory strategies, and timely feedback. Students actively apply these skills in reading and writing tasks. At the middle school level, instruction from our reading teachers emphasizes precision and reasoning, with students analyzing spelling patterns, applying strategies such as COPS (Capitalization, Organization, Punctuation, Spelling) for proofreading, and articulating their thinking as they decode and write. Across both levels, instruction is highly interactive, scaffolded, and responsive, with clear learning targets and frequent checks for understanding.

I look forward to continuing to share and celebrate the thoughtful, engaging instruction happening across our schools and appreciate your continued partnership in supporting student growth.

Wishing you and your families a very happy holiday season!

Happy Holidays from the Office of Student & Family Services!

If you’re worried about how your child is doing in school, it can be hard to know what to do first. The below checklists will help you take it one step at a time, starting at home, then working with the school and other supports. Following these steps can give you a clearer picture of your child’s needs and how to help them.

• School Support Checklist- English
• School Support Checklist- Spanish

Just a reminder that Community Schools and the Williamson Public Library present the following after school activity for our Middle School students:

Tips for Chromebook usage/storage during break:

• When storing your Chromebook over a break, the key is to keep it charged, store it in a cool, dry place, and consider powering it off completely to maximize battery life.
• This is a good time to clean the devices as well if you wish. To clean a Chromebook, power it off, then gently wipe the screen with a soft, slightly damp microfiber cloth. You can also use the slightly damp cloth to clean the rest of the device, avoiding excessive moisture around the ports and keyboard; for stubborn dirt, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol diluted with water on the cleaning cloth.
• If when getting ready to come back to school the device doesn’t power on, perform this step:
• While plugged in, hold down the power button for 10 seconds or so, this should allow the device to come out of its deep sleep state.
• Here is a link to an infographic on some scams to be on the lookout for during the holiday season.

Tech Support

If you or your student has a technology issue related to school please use the following link:

Technology Support Request

There are also supports in place in each building where students can access help for their devices or get a spare device.

Hello WCSD Community,

As we approach the Holiday season and the weather becomes colder, many of us will be spending more time indoors with groups of people. This includes family and friends, as well as community members as we attend church services, school events, and other community outings. Then there is the obligatory holiday shopping in various stores and malls. We all know that this is the time of year when colds and flu spread around. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate the spread of illness and keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our fellow community members healthy for the holidays.

The first week of December (2nd-6th) is National Influenza Vaccination Week. If you have not yet received the flu vaccine, it is widely available. The flu is still responsible for hospitalizations, is known to complicate pre-existing conditions, especially respiratory conditions, and is linked with cases of pneumonia. Flu shots can be obtained from local pharmacies, your primary care physician’s office, and from vaccination drives such as those hosted by Wayne County Public Health. The local public health site in Lyons hosts a vaccination clinic by appointment on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1:00pm to 3:45pm. They can be reached at 315-946-5749.

While the flu vaccine is a great tool in preventing the transmission of influenza, there are other things you can do that will help as well. The following is a list of tips to help you stave off the flu and other illnesses this winter:

• Carry and use personal-sized hand sanitizer when out in public after touching objects and surfaces.

• Use cart wipes when grocery shopping to disinfect shopping cart handles.

• Wear a mask to reduce droplet transmission of illnesses such as the flu or colds. Droplets from coughing and sneezing can travel as far as 20 ft and can linger in the air for up to an hour.

• Keep symptomatic children home from school especially if they have a fever of 100.4F or higher.

• Avoid public spaces when possible if you are actively symptomatic with flu-like illnesses.

• Get tested if you suspect you have the flu. If caught early enough, antiviral medications such as Tamiflu can shorten the length of the flu and decrease the severity of symptoms.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

Nicholas Weis MNE, RN, SNT

The district’s School Health Services program supports your student’s academic success by promoting health in the school setting. One way that we provide care for your student is by performing the health screenings as mandated by the State of New York.Throughout the school year mandatory New York State health screenings will be conducted in the health offices for new entrants and students in following grades: UPK, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th. Required screenings are grade specific and may include: vision, hearing, and scoliosis screenings. A letter will be sent home if your student requires follow-up with your healthcare provider. For vision screenings only, parents will be notified of all results. Please call the Health Office if you have questions or concerns.

In the spring, you should have received information from your student’s health office containing a new OTC form and a release of PHI form. If you have not done so, we recommend completing and returning these forms to your student’s health office as soon as possible. The forms are also available on the WCSD website:

WCSD>Departments>Health Services

To ensure the safety and well-being of all students, and to remain in compliance with New York State Education Law, please be aware of the following strict requirements for all medications administered during the school day:

• Medical Order Required: Any medication, including all over the counter (OTC) medications (such as Tylenol, petroleum jelly (for chapped lips), cough drops, or antacids) and all prescription medications, must have a current, written order from a licensed healthcare provider (e.g., Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner). Please note a prescription label is not acceptable as a doctor’s order

• Annual Renewal: These medical orders and parent/guardian consent forms must be renewed every school year. They do not carry over from the previous year.

• Parent/Guardian Delivery: All medications must be brought to the school health office by a parent or guardian (an adult). Students are not permitted to transport medication to or from school.

• Original Container: Medication must be in the properly labeled, original container from the pharmacy or manufacturer. You can ask your pharmacist for a separate, properly labeled container for school.

**While it is not a violation of NYS regulations, it is not recommended that health offices carry stock medications. Please be aware that the health office may not have items such as Tylenol, antacids, cough drops, Vaseline, etc. for your student. If you want to ensure that your student has access to these items, we encourage you to bring them to your student’s health office.

OTC Form

Release Form

Over The Counter Medication in Schools

Per NYS regulations, the school must follow strict guidelines for students to take medication during the school day. This applies to both prescription and over the counter medications. Please review the following if you would like your child to have access to OTC medications in school:

• Medication order required – A licensed healthcare provider must provide the health office with a written order for all medication including over the counter medications.

• Annual Renewal: Orders expire each year and must be renewed as they do not carry over

• Parent/Guardian Delivery – The parent/guardian must bring the medication to school as students are not allows to transport medication.

• Original Container: All medication must be properly labelled and in its original container from the pharmacy or manufacturer.

NYS does not recommend that the school keep stock medications. You may wish to send in certain over the counter medications to ensure your child has access to them. If you are uncertain if something qualifies as an over the counter medication, please contact your student’s health office. The FDA provides the schools with a list that is surprisingly thorough and includes items such as lotions, alcohol prep pads, and saltwater rinses.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your student’s health office.

Joy Reynolds, RN

High School Nurse

315-589-9625

315-410-5470 (fax)

jreynolds@williamsoncentral.org

Nick Weis, RN BSN

Middle School Nurse

315-589-9665, ext. 3521

315-410-5586 (fax)

nweis@williamsoncentral.org

Hayley Musclow, RN

Elementary School Nurse

315-589-9668 option 3

315-410-5343 (fax)

hmusclow@williamsoncentral.org

As we bring our fall athletic season to a close, it is important to pause and reflect on what was an outstanding few months for our student athletes, coaches, and school community. This fall showcased not only competitive success, but also the values that define our athletic program: commitment, teamwork, resilience, and pride in representing our school.

Our Fall Sports Awards Night was a truly special evening. The room was filled with families, coaches, and teammates coming together to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of our student athletes. It was inspiring to recognize athletes for their individual achievements while also highlighting the collective success of our teams. Even more meaningful was the opportunity to acknowledge our coaches, who invest countless hours mentoring, teaching, and supporting our students both on and off the field. Awards nights like this serve as an important reminder that athletics are an extension of the classroom, helping students grow as leaders, teammates, and young adults.

The fall season also reflected the hard work that takes place long before the first contest. Early mornings, late practices, film sessions, weight room time, and constant encouragement all contribute to the success we celebrate publicly. Our student athletes balanced academics, practices, games, and family commitments, and they did so with a great deal of pride and responsibility. We are grateful to our families and community members for their continued support and partnership throughout the season.

As we celebrated the conclusion of fall sports, we also shifted our focus to the start of the winter athletic season. Our gyms and practice spaces are once again buzzing with energy as winter teams begin their schedules. Basketball, wrestling, bowling, and other indoor track provide new opportunities for students to challenge themselves, set goals, and represent our school with integrity and sportsmanship. The transition from fall to winter is always exciting, as it highlights the year round commitment of our coaches and student athletes.

As winter sports get underway, I also want to take a moment to remind families and student athletes about our expectations regarding playing time and communication. Playing time is earned through a combination of effort, preparation, attitude, attendance, and performance, and it is evaluated daily by our coaches. One of our core goals as an athletic program is the development of young people, and a key part of that development is learning how to advocate for oneself in a respectful and appropriate way.

When questions or concerns arise about roles or playing time, we ask that students speak directly with their coach first. This is an important life skill that builds confidence, communication, and accountability. Coaches welcome these conversations when they are initiated respectfully and at appropriate times. If a concern remains after that conversation, the next step is for parents and guardians to reach out to the coach. Following this chain of command helps ensure clear communication, mutual respect, and positive outcomes for everyone involved.

I also want families to know that open communication is important to me. If any student athlete or family member would like to meet one on one to discuss a topic, ask questions, or share a concern, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am more than happy to schedule a meeting and work collaboratively to support our students and strengthen our athletic program.

Thank you to our coaches, student athletes, families, staff, and community members for your continued support of our athletic programs. Your involvement and encouragement make a meaningful difference and help create an environment where students can thrive. As we move through the winter season, we look forward to cheering on our teams and continuing to celebrate the growth, success, and character of our student athletes both on and off the field.

The district has implemented a new process for moving athletes up a level (e.g., Modified to JV, JV to Varsity):

• Coaches must speak with AD before having any conversation with the athlete or their family.

• Requests will be reviewed.

• If approved, the Varsity coach will contact the family to confirm their support.

• If the family agrees, AD will move forward with scheduling APP testing.

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)

We had potatoes donated from locally owned-DeFisher farm for our November menus. Students enjoyed a loaded baked potato bar at the High School and chili cheese fries vs loaded baked pot at the Middle School. Shout out to the DeFisher Farm.

🍏 School Meals- Important Updates!

• Free Meals! We will operate under Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) again this school year. Students are eligible to receive 1 breakfast and 1 lunch each school day at no cost. Second meals, sides, and snacks must be paid for at time of purchase.

• Menu Updates and Additions: As a direct result of the Food Service Student Survey, we have made some changes to our menus. At the High School, we also added SUBS as a daily choice in the Wrap Line, along with made to order Wraps and Salads. Our menus are posted on the district website under “Lunch Menus”. We also have menus posted in each school building and cafeteria.

• Buddy Bags: We now offer Buddy Bags for the students that bring their lunch to school. Students can get a milk, fruit, and a vegetable at no charge. In the Elementary School- These are ordered in the morning with their homeroom teacher. In our Middle and High Schools- they can be picked up in the kitchen at lunch time.

• Middle School: Order Wrap/Salad Info. We offer made to order wraps and salads each day in the Middle School. Pre-Order your wrap or salad online via the school website under Menus each morning before 9:00 a.m. You should also have a desktop link on your chromebook. If you prefer a paper order form, stop down in the kitchen to pick one up.

2025-26 Household Income Forms

If you haven’t already, please complete a Household Income Eligibility Form for the 2025–26 school year. Even if you don’t qualify, submitting the form helps our district secure additional funding for educational programs. More information is available at: https://hungersolutionsny.org/federal-nutrition-programs/

• Forms are available online, in the 2025-26 school calendar, or in your school’s main office.

• Only one form is needed per household.

Make America Healthy Again: What It Means for School Meals

Our district is excited to align with the upcoming federal Make Our Children Healthy Again strategies, which will focus on giving students healthier choices at school. These strategies are designed to promote long-term health and support students in building strong eating habits that carry into adulthood. One of the primary areas that will have a significant impact on us is food de-regulation.

Food Deregulation: HHS, FDA, and USDA will take the following actions:

• Remove restrictions on whole milk sales in schools, allowing districts to offer full-fat dairy options

alongside reduced-fat alternatives.

• Eliminate mandatory reduced-fat requirements in federal nutrition programs to allow consumer choice.

• Remove barriers preventing small dairy operations from processing and selling their own milk products locally.

For more information visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/maha

⚠️ Allergen & Dietary Accommodations

We know that student safety is the top priority.

• Food Allergies, Intolerances: If your child has a medical condition or dietary need, please notify the school so we can safely prepare meals. Contact Tina VanStrien and/or the school nurse.

• Cross-Contact Prevention: Our staff is trained in safe food handling practices to reduce the risk of allergen exposure.

If you have any questions about dietary accommodations, please contact our Food Service Office.

📱 Stay Connected

• Menus: Menus are posted on our district website and mobile app.

• Questions? We welcome your feedback anytime! Please contact the Food Service Office at tvanstrien@williamsoncentral.org or 315-589-9621.

We’re proud to partner with families in making sure every student has access to nourishing meals that support health and learning. Thank you for supporting school meals, and we look forward to a fantastic year!

Warmly,
Tina VanStrien
Director of Food Service
Williamson Central School District

Please contact Tina VanStrien via Email at tvanstrien@williamsoncentral.org or 315-589-9621.

Transportation Department; Winter Weather Safety

December has come in like a lion! We have seen a lot of snowfall! We understand and recognize parents’ frustration with delays due to the weather. But being SAFE is number 1…

As drivers, we deal with icy roads, black ice, reduced visibility, longer stopping distances due to the road conditions. The slower speeds and longer stops are not the drivers being “slow”, but necessary to prevent skids, and accidents, and ultimately to keep our children safe! We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these tough conditions. Sometimes these delays are not the weather but are due to the current driver shortage we are facing. At times we must leave the transportation facility empty because all office staff and mechanics are driving. You can follow your child’s bus on the BusRight App. This allows you to see if there is a delay.

Last month, we addressed student safety. We asked parents to encourage children to wear bright colored clothing or add reflective material to backpacks and jackets. If your child has a cell phone, encourage them to turn their flashlight on so they are more visible to drivers. Remember, with the winter weather there are hazardous conditions to be mindful of. Please remind children to be careful while walking to bus stops and buses. With snowbanks getting higher, children are difficult to see. We have noticed children are standing too close to the roads…please remind them to stand back 15 feet from the road. With the snowplows out, being too close to the road can be extremely dangerous.

When the REDS are activated on a school bus…it is illegal for motorists to pass, this includes buses in a bus loop at a school! However, a bus driver or police officer may signal a motorist to proceed when the red lights are activated. (VTL 1174 (a)). If you have any questions. Feel free to call us at the transportation department.

Late Buses: We have received phone calls from concerned parents about their children arriving home late, or later than they have in the past when riding the late bus. We want to explain how the late bus run works; the district has always used fewer buses for the late run than at the regular dismissal time. This contributes to the route being longer. The late route never has the same children riding every day. There is no set route for the late bus. The drivers make these routes up as they go. Each driver has a set of roads they cover during the late bus route and the students that get on the bus determine which roads they go to. It is the driver’s discretion as to how they cover the roads with their bus. On occasion, the driver will reverse how the roads are covered so the same students are not always last getting off the bus.

Williamson Central Transportation Department provides training to get your Class B CDL to drive school bus. We are always looking for substitute drivers and there are opportunities to become full-time.

** If you have any transportation needs or changes, please complete a 2025 - 2026 Transportation Form for your children attending school. The form can be found on the school website. You can use the google form and submit it after completing it or use the paper form, print it, complete and send to transportation@williamsoncentral.org. Thank you!

Welcome one of our new buses…Thomas Built…making her maiden voyage 12/17/25!

Victoria Indelicato

Transportation Director transportation@williamsoncentral.org

Williamson Central School 315-589-6901

WCS has incorporated the Safe School Helpline as another means of communication for our learning community regarding safety concerns. The Safe School Hotline is yet another safety net and security measure designed to support the mental health needs of our students and community. Students may use the Safe School Helpline to report threats of violence, suicide and illegal activity that could harm students in our schools. It is a convenient, confidential way for anyone to report information about situations that might affect safety at our school. You can call the number any time of the day or night to report concerns about unsafe or potentially disruptive activities or situations including drug or alcohol abuse, weapons, or threats. All calls are completely confidential.

How can I report information?

Safe School Helpline: (800) 418-6423 EXT. 359

Online at: https://www.safeschoolhelpline.com/

Please watch the below video to learn more about the Safe School Helpline:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjy3ivG2uwg

Any incident of student misconduct may be linked to our Code of Conduct, but depending on the nature of misconduct may also intersect with DASA or the Sexual Harassment BOE Policy. The following is being shared in attempt to provide clarity for all WCS families.

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.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Policy:

• 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:
  • Scott Drechsler ESDASA@williamsoncentral.org
  • Kathryn Taylor MSDASA@williamsoncentral.org
  • Rob Snyder HSDASA@williamsoncentral.org

Sexual Harassment (Student) Policy:

• 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.
• 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
  • Kathryn 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.

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:

1. Help protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material
2. Help students stay “scholarly” and more focused when learning online
3. 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.

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.
• Parents maintain responsibility to supervise their children’s use of devices.

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.

For those who haven't heard the news - we have been awarded a grant from the National PTA! This grant will allow us to host an event to bring high school families together for an open and interactive discussion with teens on their online experiences and equip families with practical information and resources to enhance online safety as teens use various digital platforms. This program is for high school students (13+) and their parents/caregivers. A continued thanks to Patty Kimmerly, Sara Mitchell, Amanda Johnson, and Ashley Davis for pulling all of the information together and composing our grant application!

2025-2026 PTSA Meetings

All meetings are held on Tuesdays and for now will be in the Elementary School Library. 6:30pm

• September 9
• October 14
• November 18
• January 13
• February 10
• March 10
• April 14
• May 12
• June 9

2025-26 PTSA Officers

• Veronica Weber - President

• Lucia Copeland - Vice President

• Jenn Juby - Secretary

• Alysha Peets - Treasurer

2025-26 Membership

Want to get involved? The PTSA is always looking for volunteers to help PTSA sponsored events to life. Whether you have a little time or a lot, we’d love to have you join us! Volunteering is a great way to connect with other families and make a lasting impact on our schools. Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities—or reach out anytime to learn more.

What is a Community School?

Community schools are schools that partner with the community to provide additional support for students and families. The goal of community schools is to improve student achievement and create a better learning environment for students. Wayne County Community Schools is committed to developing collaborative programs centered at schools that stretch out into the community to help young people and families learn, grow, and thrive. Wayne County Community Schools employs the Community Schools framework to make effective changes for our youth across Wayne County both inside and outside of school.

How do I access community schools support in Williamson?

At Williamson Central School District, we have Community Schools coordinators who support a wide variety of resources for us. Please reach out with any questions or if you are in need of help with these resources.

Lisa Ryan - MS

lryan@williamsoncentral.org

315-589-9665

Erin Rowley - ES

erowley@williamsoncentral.org

315-589-9668

Molly St. Cyr - HS

mstcyr@williamsoncentral.org

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

• The Board of Education adopted the 2025-26 Instructional Calendar during a Regular Meeting of the Board of Education on February 12, 2025.
• The 2025-26 calendar factors in WFL BOCES programming calendar and meets contractual obligations for our instructional, operational and administrative units.

July 23

August 6

August 27

September 17

October 15

November 5

December 3

January 7

January 28

February 11

March 4

March 18 Budget Workshop @5:30pm, Regular Meeting @6:30pm

April 8

April 22 The Board of Education will vote on the W-FL BOCES

Election/Administrative Budget at the April 23, 2025

Regular Board meeting at 6:30pm.

May 6 Budget Hearing

May 27

June 17

Email: bashton@williamsoncentral.org

Website: https://www.williamsoncentral.org/

Location: 4184 Miller Street (P.O. Box 900) Williamson, NY 14589

Phone: 315-589-9661