Announcements for Friday, October 11, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff, 

I am pleased to announce the launch of the Tip411 system for submitting alerts to administrators. Tip411 is an internet-based communication system that allows our students, staff and community members to report a variety of safety-related issues in our schools such as bullying, discrimination, illegal drug use, self-harm, etc.  Individuals are able to quickly and anonymously report these safety-related issues via a free smartphone app, text message or on our website. Learn more about our new tip line on our website. Please remember, If your situation is an emergency, call 911. 

There is no school for students and district offices are closed on Monday, October 14th in observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I hope everyone enjoys the three-day weekend! 

I have a few announcements to share with you today: 

• We are starting the development process for the 2025-2026 budget and we are seeking community input through budget advisory committees. The District is looking for volunteers to serve on committees to review specific areas of the budget and to provide input on the budget cost savings prior to the budget components being presented to the Board of Education for review. Visit our website to learn more about the committees, meeting dates and how to volunteer. The deadline to join is October 15th. 
  
  

• October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Wednesday, October 16th is Unity Day. Unity Day is a day to come together and remind us that we all deserve to be treated with kindness, be accepted as who we are, and feel included at all times. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to show their support for bullying prevention.
  
  

• Congratulations to Marching Bees who had an amazing performance last week at the Liverpool High School competition. The Bees came in first place in the National Class and earned a score of 87.1, which is the highest score in the state so far this season. The Bees are traveling to Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina this weekend to compete in the Bands of America competition. Go Bees! 
  
  

• Parents, guardians and community members are invited to attend the “Tech-Savvy Parents: Navigating the Digital Age Together” -- Community Parent Night on Wednesday, October 23rd at Durgee Junior High School. The event, which will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will feature a film screening and panel Q&A discussion about understanding the world children are navigating as they grow up in the digital age. Parents of students in 3rd to 12th grade are encouraged to attend. The screening will feature “Childhood 2.0 The Living Experiment,” which is a documentary that addresses real-life issues facing kids today, including cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation and more. The panel Q&A discussion will include Katey McPherson, a childhood advocate and education consultant.
  
  

• You’re invited to join us for our Community Café on Tuesday, October 29th at C.W. Baker High School in the cafeteria. The topic discussed will be Cell Phone Use & Social Media in Schools. The Community Café, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., is an opportunity to bring together students, staff, parents and community members to discuss important topics impacting the school district. Guests will gather in small groups as we share ideas, perspectives and light refreshments. Registration is required. We hope you can join us!
  
  

• Our Girls Tennis team had a fantastic week in the 2024 Section III Class A Team Sectionals, but unfortunately we lost in the final round. Individual Sectional play starts on Monday. Go Bees! Our Varsity Girls Volleyball team is having an amazing season. They are undefeated with a 9-0 record. Their next match-up is at home against Fayetteville-Manlius at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15. Go Bees!  

Please continue to check ParentSquare, your email and our website at www.bville.org, for important updates. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. 

Have a great three-day weekend! Go Bees!

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph M. DeBarbieri

Superintendent of Schools