Silver Creek CSD

Please join Silver Creek Central School District in observing Memorial Day today (Monday, May 30, 2022) by remembering & honoring all who served. 🇺🇸🙏 #MemorialDay2022 #RememberAndHonor #wearesilvercreek #BKP #BlackKnightPride

Several of our Black Knights from Silver Creek CSD are pictured heading out for the traditional Quest Backpacking Hike last Wednesday, May 18, 2022. 🎒 🧗🏕🚶‍♀️ They join students from other districts including Fredonia and Cassadaga Valley in this unique outdoor educational experience.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗬: 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗟 Silver Creek Central School District has a vacancy for an Elementary School Principal (PreKindergarten through 5th grade) for the 2022-2023 academic year. Reports to: Superintendent of Schools Qualifications: ▪ NYS Certification (SAS, SDA, SBL, or SDL) required ▪ 5 years teaching experience ▪ Successful experience as a school administrator and/or extensive experience as an educational leader preferred. The ideal candidate will: ▪ Have elementary teaching experience and/or literacy instructional knowledge. ▪ Be a leader with high expectations for all our students. ▪ Be a leader who will put students first in decision making. Project a positive presence in the building, and be able to support a learning climate that promotes the attainment of high expectations for students, teachers, and staff. ▪ Possess excellent organizational skills and verbal and written communication habits. ▪ Actively play a role in the effective implementation of the District's Code of Conduct. ▪ Possess an effective leadership style that fosters teamwork with administration, faculty, staff, parents, community and students. ▪ Build community with parents, faculty, staff and students. ▪ Embrace a strategic leadership process that includes monitoring and adjusting, goal setting, and careful allocation of resources to attain desired results. ▪ Understand change processes and their impact upon school culture. Understand the importance of engaging stakeholders and faculty leadership in decision-making. ▪ Possess a vision for technology's role in student learning at the Elementary School level. Be a high-level technology end user as a model for faculty and staff. ▪ Understand 21st Century Skills and their impact on Elementary School curricula and instruction. ▪ Possess knowledge of curriculum mapping and practical uses of data in instruction. ▪ Knowledge and experience with APPR and/or prior training qualification preferably with Danielson 2011 and 2016 evaluation rubrics. ▪ Working knowledge and application of Next Generation Standards, Eureka Math and integration of modules. ▪ Experience with implementation of AIS, RTI and DDI models. ▪ Experience with primary and intermediate behavior modification strategies including promoting good attendance for student success. Salary and Benefits: The district is prepared to offer a competitive salary and benefit package that is commensurate with experience. Application: Interested candidates should apply through the WNY School Application System at www.wnyric.org/application All applications are due by: June 10, 2022 Silver Creek Central School District Elementary School Principal Job Description- 5/24/2022 The Elementary School Principal serves as the educational leader, responsible for managing the policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure that all students are educated and supervised in a safe learning environment that meets the approved curricula and mission of the Elementary School. Achieving academic excellence requires that the school Principal work collaboratively to direct, develop, and support all members of the school staff hired by the Board of Education and to communicate effectively with parents. Inherent in the position are the responsibilities for scheduling, code of conduct administration, curriculum development, extracurricular activities, personnel management and evaluation, emergency procedures, and facility operations. JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSILITIES: The Elementary School Principal will: 1. Establish and promote high standards and expectations for all students and staff for academic performance and responsibility for good citizenship of the Elementary School. 2. Manage, evaluate and supervise effective and clear procedures for the operation and functioning of the school consistent with the philosophy, mission, values and goals of the school including instructional programs, extracurricular activities, and discipline systems to ensure a safe and orderly climate, building maintenance, program evaluation, personnel management, office operations, and emergency procedures. Ensure compliance with all laws, Board policies and civil regulation. 3. Establish the annual master schedule for instructional programs, ensuring sequential learning experiences for students consistent with the school's philosophy, mission statement and instructional goals. 4. Supervise the instructional programs of the school, evaluating lesson plans and observing classes as per the requirements of the Silver Creek Teachers’ Association negotiated APPR criteria while encouraging the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on learning and child growth and development. Prior training preferably with Danielson 2011 and 2016 evaluation rubrics. 5. Establish procedures for evaluation and selection of instructional materials and equ

Good morning Silver Creek School families and staff, As we continue to mourn and recover from the horrific events that took place on Buffalo's East Side on May 14, it saddens and angers me to learn of the latest mass killing in a Texas elementary school yesterday, May 24, 2022. As more details emerge about what happened there, the concern of our own safety and wellness is rightfully questioned and discussed. I can assure you that the safety and well-being of everyone in our school community is reviewed and discussed daily, and is of the greatest of priority. This morning, our Administrative Team, School Resource Officer and Transportation Supervisor were asked to review all physical safety measures, protocols and procedures in all buildings and buses throughout the District. Administrators met with the receptionists at the main entrance points to review protocol. I have asked Buildings and Grounds staff to “double check” functionality of all exterior doors throughout the District. Staff have been reminded not to “prop open” any exterior doors. We just completed all required fire drills and lock down drills for this school year. In fact, just this past Monday, May 23 we had a successful “Lockdown Drill” that was conducted throughout the ENTIRE District. Lastly, the administrators have asked our school-based counselors, social workers, and school psychologists to provide internal and external mental health supports to students, families, and employees who are in need. This morning, our elementary faculty met before school with administrators to debrief and discuss their own needs as well as how to best prepare and assist any elementary students that may struggle with what occurred yesterday in Texas. The Elementary, Middle and High School building principals met with their support staff of counselors, social workers and school psychologist to review the best manner to assist any students/staff that may struggle or have concerns today and every day. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure safety of all in our school community from a physical, mental, and emotional standpoint. While we mourn once again over another senseless act, we must continue to "Choose Love" over evil and hate. TOGETHER, each one of us can support one another in our greatest times of need. Rest assured, our school community has proven time and time again, when there is a crisis, we will UNITE and PERSEVERE to overcome and protect OUR youth. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones in every way possible. The Silver Creek Central School District remains here for you and your family, and we will continue to offer support wherever and whenever it is needed. #BKP Sincerely, Todd Crandall Superintendent of Schools

Come cheer on the Silver Creek and Pioneer UNIFIED BASKETBALL teams today (Tuesday, May 24, 2022) at 5 p.m. 🏀👏🖤💛 #wearesilvercreek #BKP #blackknightpride

𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 A group of 14 freshmen from Silver Creek High School joined social studies teacher Jessica Kardashian for a field trip to the Cohen Holocaust & Social Justice Institute’s student/educator symposium on the topic of “Crisis Ukraine” on May 13 at Chautauqua Lake Central School. They discussed the war on Ukraine, what it’s like to be a Ukrainian right now and how everyone can feel empowered to help. Speakers included international criminal prosecutor Dr. David Crane, Ukrainian native Aleksey Tsarevich, and activist/volunteer Mrs. Kardashian. Dr. Crane, who was the lead prosecutor for war crimes in Sierra Leone. Attendees asked about his concerns with the war on Ukraine, the impact of social media in this war, collecting evidence and the timeline of the formation of a tribunal against those committing war crimes and holding them accountable. Mr. Sergeevich’s family was still in Ukraine when the Russian invasion began, but has since fled to Germany. He discussed his culture, history and the importance of standing up for what is right. He talked about the impact this war is having on the Ukrainian people, our global world and how we must remember these are ordinary citizens living their daily lives a few months ago until they weren’t. Mrs. Kardashian, who advises the Knights Against Cancer and History & Culture clubs at SCHS, is very involved in fighting for different causes. She believes in standing up for what is right and giving back in any way she can. The war on Ukraine has been personal for her as she has close ties to Poland after volunteering for 10 summers at an orphanage there. “The people have become family,” she says, noting she is in constant contact with her best friends there regarding needs of refugees and the Polish caretakers who have helped more than 3 million refugees fleeing Ukraine. Mrs. Kardashian, who is also international trip coordinator and co-advisor of the Quiz Bowl team at SCHS, discussed promoting fundraising and awareness efforts to her students. She’s facilitate their participation for causes including Bald for Bucks, a shoe drive for Africa, reading to animals at the SPCA, her “Think Kindness” initiative, Spike Out Leukemia, and partnering with Kevin’s Guesthouse in Buffalo to cook dinners for families staying there. Outside of school, she’s done a blanket and coat drives for the city mission, helped with the Ugandan Water Project, and participated in Relay for Life. Her most recent effort at SCCS was a medicine drive with all of our staff, her family and friends that helped to send more than $10,000 in supplies over to Warsaw, Poland, and onto Ukraine. “Small branches form a large tree,” she says, emphasizing the importance of smaller actions forming a larger network of help. She talked of the spirit of the Polish people and how they have transported refugees throughout various parts of Poland, taken them in, helped them find translators, learn the language, set up schooling, jobs and daycare. She also highlighted what Silver Creek’s students and those at the symposium could do to enact change on a local or international level: ▪️ Get involved with local Ukrainian churches and community centers ▪️ Support a restaurant ▪️ Organize a medicine drive ▪️ Sell baked goods or sunflower seeds (the national flower of Ukraine) ▪️ Facilitate an auction or 50/50 raffle ▪️ Write to elected leaders ▪️ Host a sporting event for charity, and more. Kardashian then gave each attendee a small note and sunflower seeds to encourage them all to take that seed, form an idea and watch it grow. And the 14 students from Silver Creek who attended the symposium are doing just that: Following the symposium, the ninth-graders mobilized with Mrs. Kardashian and are working on a few charity drives for the end of the 2021-2022 year and into the next school year starting with a 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. The students playing will be donating canned goods as their players’ fee and all attendees are encouraged to bring canned good donations or a money donation. “They are greatly looking forward to making a difference,” says Kardashian, who notes the donations will benefit the Silver Creek Food Pantry and an organization supporting the Jefferson Street community following the fatal shooting at the Tops Markets there on May 14, 2022.

Mr. Jamie Francisco’s Tech Explorations class at Silver Creek High recently enjoyed a visit from Ms. Francine Rondinelle from Dream It, Do It W.N.Y. She visited to congratulate them on their Rube Goldberg video entry to the 2022 Chautauqua STEM Wars. The class was given a $100.00 Chamber of Commerce gift card and T-shirts. Ms. Rondinelle also talked to the class about manufacturing and industry in the Chautauqua County area and getting students exposed to potential careers in many exciting fields. Thank you Ms. Rondinelle, the chamber and Dream It Do It WNY!

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗥 Silver Creek High School senior Amanda Ippolito organized a spaghetti dinner fundraiser earlier this month (held Saturday, May 7, 2022) at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and raised $5,000 for Catholic Relief Services to help families in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. This outpouring of generosity would not have been possible without the community’s overwhelming support of this 12th-grade Black Knight who has a passion to make positive change in the world. “I’m so thankful to everyone who showed their support and attended the spaghetti dinner,” says Amanda, who was inspired to begin planning the event in March. She also says she could not have accomplished this without the support of her mom and dad, Mary Ann White, Fran Page, Father Dan, David Caccamise, Miss Kristen Foley, all the generous volunteers who helped the night of the event and everyone who donated a basket or money. Amanda, a member of the Class of 2022, coordinated a bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and basket raffle with more than 50 items. All donations will provide people with food, clothing, cash assistance, counseling care, and more. We applaud Amanda's hard work, kindness and hope her spirit of generosity inspires volunteerism in our community. Great work, Amanda!

Three fifth-graders from Silver Creek Elementary School competed in the Battle of the Books at The Chautauqua Institution on Saturday, May 21, 2022. 📚👊 They read 12 books, came up with their own team name, created costumes, and made a poster. They had to answer "Jeopardy!"-style questions about the books they read. While they did not win a prize for most correct responses in the battle, they did win for best team name: Lizard Wizards of Words! 🏆 📸Shown in the pictures are Mason Fote, Aiden Kilburn and Preston Walters. Teacher April Walters coached them for the battle, but says they are the true champions!

Silver Creek CSD May 19, 2022 Board of Education Meeting Report Findings Regarding Isolation Cell Investigation Board (President) The investigation into allegations contained in the March 28, 2022, Letter (the “Letter”) submitted by District administrator Jay Hall to the Board of Education is complete. As we have shared before, Mr. Hall alleged that the District was using a room, what he called an “isolation cell,” and that our students were mistreated; incredibly serious allegations. As I have said from the beginning, and it bears repeating, this Board has been united in its purpose – to get to the truth. We are a group of unpaid volunteers, passionate about education and dedicated to service in our community. Immediately upon the Board’s receipt of the Letter, we contacted one of the District’s outside legal firms, Webster Szanyi LLP. The Board gave the firm one charge—to conduct an immediate, comprehensive, and thorough investigation. In addition, all use of the Room was immediately suspended until further notice. The investigation began the very next day, March 30, 2022. The Board received periodic updates from the investigators throughout the investigation and in turn, we provided status reports to the public. The Board received the investigation report on May 10, 2022. We reviewed it individually, and then we took the time and met to ask questions of the investigators to ensure we were satisfied that they had met their charge—and we can report tonight that they did. Accordingly, we invited Melanie Beardsley, one member of the investigation team, to share the investigation findings publicly this evening. Ms. Beardsley, please come up and present the findings. Investigator (Melanie Beardsley, Esq.) At the outset, I want to point out that specific details protected under federal, state, and local law, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), cannot be disclosed in this presentation. Meghan Hayes and I conducted the investigation. We are attorneys with the law firm, Webster Szanyi. First, I’d like to speak to our methodology. We reached out to 34 people for interviews, including the parents and guardians of each student named in the Letter. We conducted 28 interviews. At two board meetings, the Board also urged anyone with information to come forward. All District administrators, teachers and staff fully cooperated with the investigation. Certain parents and community members did as well. On the other hand, Jay Hall and his brother, Rich Hall, refused to cooperate in the investigation. With regard to Jay Hall, on multiple occasions we requested that he meet with us, and we offered various accommodations to encourage him to participate. We also requested that he provide us with all information and documents he has related to his claims. He refused. Accordingly, we received absolutely no information from Jay Hall following receipt of the Letter and my one brief meeting with him on March 30th. Jay Hall’s brother Rich is an attorney who represents four District families bringing claims against the District. After learning that these families were represented by counsel, we requested interviews and information and Rich Hall refused to allow them to cooperate. We conducted nearly all the interviews in-person. Some interviews were conducted virtually or by phone to accommodate the witness. We analyzed over 215 documents spanning thousands of pages and reviewed several videos. We inspected the room at issue, including the surrounding office space, classrooms, and other elementary school offices. These findings are based on the witness information and documents. I also want to mention that at the outset of the investigation, we immediately received evidence relating to particular allegations in the Letter. That evidence indicated that there was no immediate or ongoing threat to any District student. During the initial days of the investigation, we provided that evidence to the District and, in turn, the District found no reason to place any employee on administrative leave. As Mr. Boothe mentioned, we provided periodic updates to the Board and continuing throughout the investigation we found no evidence to recommend that the District place any teacher or staff member on administrative leave. The De-Escalation Room The De-Escalation Room is an area within Elementary Office E-102, that Mr. Hall refers to as an “isolation cell.” Elementary Office E-102 has been Mr. Hall’s Office this year and he had complete control over the entire space. The Room is eight feet by seven feet and has two large windows on one wall that allow anyone to look in or out of the Room and the Office Area. There is a door into the Room. It opens into the Room and does not lock from the inside. In other words, it is not possible to lock or barricade anyone in the Room. There is also a door to a storage closet within the Room. As you can see from the photographs, the walls are

We are pleased to announce our budget passed, along with all other propositions. The Board welcomes Michael Grisanti as their new member in July 2022. Voting results are as follows: #1 Budget Yes: 252 No : 88 #2 Vehicle Purchase Yes :271 No: 68 #3 Establish New Capital Reserve Fund for Capital Improvements Yes :259 No: 77 #4 Establish New Capital Reserve Fund for Vehicles Yes: 257 No: 79 Election results for one (1) 5-year term: Michael Grisanti: 229 Joel Blasdell: 106 Write Ins: 2

The annual Budget Vote & School Board Election for Silver Creek Central School District is scheduled today (Tuesday, May 17, 2022) from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the high school lobby. All qualified district residents are encouraged to exercise their right to vote.

Thank you to everyone who turned out last night for Silver Creek’s first-ever unified basketball team home game against Southwestern! We appreciate the community support for both teams! #wearesilvercreek #BKP #BlackKnightPride

It’s GAME DAY for Silver Creek’s UNIFIED BASKETBALL team! 🏀 Come cheer on our Black Knights at 5 p.m. in the high school gym!

Our friends at the Seneca Nation of Indians Department of Education are hosting a 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 for local Board of Education candidates on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Early Childhood Learning Center, 2016, Henodeyesta' Drive, Irving, N.Y., behind the CCC building. Each year school boards select members through an election process. Native parents are eligible to vote in these elections. This meeting will allow parents/guardians an opportunity to meet the current candidates running for board positions and an opportunity to ensure Native voices are heard within the board. SCHOOLS/CANDIDATES: SILVER CREEK: Michael Grisanti and Joel Blasdell GOWANDA: John Waterman and Barbara Weston and Shauna McMahon LAKE SHORE: Megan Miller, Dennis Feldman, Arlene DeJoy-Meckes, Bill Connors, and Doug Tubinis MEETING SCHEDULE: Welcome and Introductions in main lobby of ECLC Trudy Jackson, Education Director Breakout meeting rooms to allow parents an opportunity to talk with candidates by district.

Silver Creek Elementary School students in third through fifth grades who participated in Boys on the Right Track completed a community service project in Fall 2021. They made cards and a box of treats for local veterans. Members of the VFW Auxiliary met with the boys Tuesday, May 10, 2022, and presented them with a certificate and American flag pin. We are grateful for the community partnerships that make these type of experiences possible for our students. Thank you! #wearesilvercreek #BKP #BlackKnightPride

Silver Creek Central School District is hiring bus drivers and bus aides. 🚌 Interested candidates should apply through the WNY School Application System http://www.wnyric.org/ application or submit a completed application, Civil Service application, references and certifications to: Lisa Rohloff, School Business Administrator Silver Creek CSD PO Box 270 Silver Creek, NY 14136

Happy School Nurse Day! Silver Creek Central School District is grateful to its nursing staff for taking such good care of our students. Please join our Black Knight family in celebrating School Nurse Day on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. #wearesilvercreek #BKP #BlackKnightPride #SchoolNurseDay2022

Mrs. Rich and Mrs. Westlund's STEAM students at Silver Creek CSD love to observe and learn about the world! We invite you to watch their newest arrivals with this LIVE link. https://ensemble.e2ccb.org/Watch/Nr8e6MBq Can you identify this species? In 10 days, this animal will look very different. What do you think it will look like? Draw a picture and date it. Watch and see if you were right! #ScienceTuesday #STEAM #STEM

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month! Please join Silver Creek Central School District in raising awareness about communication disorders. Here are some things you can do at home to enhance your student’s speech and language skills, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: In Early Grades K–2: · Talk with your child a lot. · Read different types of books. Read every day, and talk with your child about the story. · Help your child learn sound patterns of words. You can play rhyming games and point out letters as you read. · Have your child retell stories and talk about his day. · Talk with your child about what you do during the day. Give her directions to follow. · Talk about how things are the same and different. · Give your child chances to write. In Later Grades 3-5: · Keep your child reading. Find books and magazines that interest your child. · Ask your child what he thinks about what he hears or reads. Connect what he reads to events in his life. · Help your child connect what she reads and hears at school, home, and other events. · Talk out loud as you help your child read about and solve problems. · Help your child recognize spelling patterns. For example, point out the beginnings and endings of words, like "pre-" or "–ed." · Get your child to write letters, keep a diary, and write stories #wearesilvercreek #BlackKnightPride #BKP #BHSM #BHSM2022