Silver Creek CSD

Happy Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week! Please join Silver Creek Central School District in celebrating its staff from May 2-6, 2022. #WeAreSilverCreek #BlackKnightPride #BKP

Kids Escaping Drugs is presenting on "The Dark Side of Social Media" at St. Anthony's Church in Farnham on Tuesday, May 10 at 7pm. This is an ADULT PRESENTATION for parents/guardians!

Good afternoon Elementary School Parents - Please be advised that the Elementary school went into a Shelter in Place as a precautionary measure this afternoon for approximately 25 minutes. A Shelter in Place is used to clear the halls for situations such as medical emergency and may also be used in severe weather alerts and/or administrative matters. Students remain in their classrooms and activity continues as normal. Students were released when the situation was resolved.

The 2022-2023 Instructional Calendar for Silver Creek Central School District was approved at the April 21, 2022, meeting of the Board of Education. #BKP #wearesilvercreek #BlackKnightPride

CARRYOUT FOR A CAUSE MAY 4, 2022: The community is urged to support the SILVER CREEK JUNIOR CLASS PROM via a fundraiser at Applebee's Dunkirk, 3908 Vineyard Drive, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, from 11 a.m. to close. Applebee's will donate 15% of your check (excluding tax and tip) to the prom. This is valid for takeout ONLY. Order online at applebees.com or via the mobile app and follow steps: 1) You must login or create an account for free; 2) select location listed above, 3 ) choose menu items; 4) at checkout enter code DOINGOOD. You'll notice a penny is subtracted from your total, this allows Applebee's to mark your check for 15% back to the prom; 5) checkout and pick up your meals at the designated time. VALID FOR TAKEOUT VIA APPLEBEES.COM OR MOBILE APP ONLY. NOT VALID ON CALL-IN ORDERS. CANNOT BE USED ON DELIVERY ORDERS. TAKEOUT MUST BE ORDERED FROM LOCATION ABOVE, ON SCHEDULED DATE.

Mrs. Weiss’ and Mrs. Estee’s math classes added some fun to reviewing for the NYS Math test! All of the third graders played Trashetball with previous NYS questions. When a student provided a correct answer, they created a ball with the paper and then gave a shot into the basket (trash can). As you can see, fun AND learning was had by all!

EARTH OUT THE SCHOOL DAY was a huge success for Silver Creek Central School District. 💚💙💚💙 There was participation throughout the entire district with classrooms celebrating in many different ways on Friday, April 22, 2022! 🌏🌏 Students who won or participated in the Bin Decorating Event at the high school also enjoyed an outdoor Earth Day Recess with an Egg Hunt, Frisbee, Sharks and Minnows Tag, and just enjoying the outdoors! Thank you to ALL of the teachers, staff and administrators at Silver Creek for your involvement and support!

𝗨-𝗞𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧-𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 & 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠 🌏💃🕺 Students at Silver Creek Central School combined efforts last night for worthy causes -- Earth Day and planning for a safe prom -- and the community showed up to support them. 🤝🙌 The Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 collaborated with the district Earth Club on Thursday (April 21, 2022) to hold a Can & Bottle drive to support the traditional end-of-year dance while a recycling-themed Bin Decorating Contest took place simultaneously in the cafeteria. While community members dropped off their empties, nearly 40 high school students gathered to decorate recycling bins for their favorite teachers in an effort to promote recycling across the district. “The students who showed up, showed up because of their teachers,” says Mrs. Megan Kucharski, biology teacher and Earth Club advisor. “They wanted to do something kind and boy did they! I had some students decorating one box for the full 2 hours to make sure it was perfect, and I had some students that did multiple boxes because they just couldn't choose one teacher.” The winning class is the freshmen (Class of 2025) with 18 students showing up to decorate the bins. Earth Club will be laminating them to preserve what hard work went into them and the estimate they will be ready for distribution in the next couple weeks. “We are hoping that the classroom bins will increase our yearly recycling efforts that will help us raise money to have an Earth Day event for the district each year,” says Kucharski. For those who couldn’t attend last night’s drive, the prom can and bottle drive is ongoing at Can Kings Bottle & Can Redemption Center at Routes 5 and 20 in Silver Creek. Supporters just need to mention who they are donating to such as "Silver Creek Prom" or "Silver Creek Earth Club." Silver Creek's Earth Club is thankful to work with the prom committee and for the great collaboration with the advisors (Caitlin Wojciechowski and Elizabeth Guzzetta) allowing the students to produce an event to benefit both clubs. Earth Club and the Prom Committee are thankful that Can Kings made donating cans and bottles an easy way for both clubs to fundraise money. Earth Club collected cans and bottles throughout the year to raise money to host a Earth Day event today (Friday, April 22, 2022) with everyone in the district wearing blue, green or a combination of the two colors. All of the club’s funds and efforts have gone toward producing affordable and sustainable recycle bins for classrooms throughout the district. For its efforts at the bin decorating event, the Class of 2025 will enjoy a special Earth Day-themed recess with games and prizes. “Earth Club has been brainstorming ideas for future events and we are excited to not only celebrate,” says Kucharski. “But also shine light on what we can do in our everyday lives that promotes environmentally friendly actions.”

Please give a warm Black Knight welcome to our new High School Principal, Mr. Kyle Yelich! 🎉 Mr. Yelich was approved at our Board of Education meeting last night, and will start with us on May 9. #BKP 💛🖤

Congratulations to AVIONNA GARNER! 🎉 Avionna earned her diploma in January 2022, and was formally recognized at the Board of Education meeting last night. #BKP 💛🖤

BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT 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 ongoing. At this time, the investigators are completing interviews with individuals who may have information regarding the allegations. A full report will be provided to the Board shortly after all the facts have been gathered and witnesses interviewed. In addition, outside agencies have either examined the room or started independent investigations. The District has been contacted by and/or has provided information to the following: the New York State Education Department’s Office of Special Education Quality Assurance; the New York State Education Department’s Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability; the Chautauqua County District Attorney through the New York State Police, Child Protective Services, the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Educational Services Safety Office, and the Silver Creek Fire Department. These agencies have all been notified of the allegations against the District, and the District has been and will continue to fully cooperate with and provide information directly to these agencies. Since my receipt of the Letter on March 29, 2022, our board has taken this matter very seriously. Mr. Hall has alleged that under our watch, children have been mistreated. Nothing could be more serious than that. Simply put, the Board’s only goal from the start is to know whether the allegations are true, and if so, to take appropriate action. Within 24 hours, we designated an attorney to investigate the matter. Unfortunately, at every turn, Mr. Hall has done nothing but frustrate the process. He was uncooperative when requested to meet with the investigator on March 30th, the day after he sent the letter to me. The investigator only wanted to meet with him to make sure she had a complete understanding of the allegations, which any investigator would do. Mr. Hall refused to meet and she was only able to have a brief conversation with him by going to the elementary school and seeking him out. In that conversation, Mr. Hall refused to provide meaningful cooperation, although he claimed to have additional information beyond the Letter. Three weeks later, Mr. Hall now claims to have a “heavily evidenced 90+ page report.” Since my receipt of the Letter and continuing through to his current claim of having additional information, the Board of Education has directed Mr. Hall to meet with the investigator, who has made every effort to accommodate him. She has offered to meet with Mr. Hall on campus, off campus, on weekends, and via Zoom. Mr. Hall has refused. The Board of Education has also directed him to provide his information to me, to the Board, or to the investigator. He refuses. This is not right. He remains our employee and yet he refuses to cooperate at every turn. Despite Mr. Hall’s lack of cooperation, the District will continue to forge ahead with its investigation with the only goal of getting to the truth. If anyone has any information related to any inappropriate treatment of children in our school district, we urge you to bring it forward. All use of the room remains suspended during the pendency of the investigation. The investigators have provided regular updates to the Board, and the Board is confident the District is providing and will continue to provide a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all students.

The SCCS Earth Club will be celebrating Earth Day in school on Friday April 22nd by having a SPIRIT DAY called "Earth Out the School". We are asking the whole district to wear blue or green to celebrate our beautiful planet 🌎. Thank you to Mrs. Kucharski for organizing this event!

ATTENTION 8th GRADERS: We want your BABY PICTURE in our yearbook this year! It can be a picture of you as an infant or small child :) Email or bring in your baby picture! We can make a copy of your photo and place it in our MS yearbook. Email lmacleod@silvercreekschools.org or msyearbook@silvercreekschools.org, with the picture or any questions!

**COURTESY POST** Amanda Ippolito, a current senior, is hosting a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, May 7th from 5-7PM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Silver Creek. This dinner is being hosted to raise money for Catholic Services in Ukraine. Along with dinner, there will be raffle baskets, 50/50 tickets, and baked goods. PRE-SALE TICKETS will be sold for $10 from April 18th-May 4th. TICKETS AT THE DOOR will be sold for $12 but will be LIMITED. Cash or checks are accepted and tickets will be sold by Amanda and Fran Page, the Secretary of OLMC. (Checks can be made out to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church). Sit down dinners are encouraged but take out will also be available. All the money raised will be donated directly to Catholic Relief Services in Ukraine. Any donations received are greatly appreciated!! #wearesilvercreek #blackknightpride #bkp

BLACK KNIGHTS GO TO WASHINGTON Silver Creek High students in the Human Rights & Genocide class recently traveled with teachers Miss Kristen Foley and Mrs. Jessica Kardashian to Washington, D.C. for a weekend on a trip via The Holocaust and Social Justice Education Program sponsored by the Hebrew Congregation of Chautauqua. “This trip is an incredible opportunity for students to experience some of the best parts of Washington, D.C., while becoming engaged and informed citizens along with learning the importance of being promoters of social justice,” says Mrs. Kardashian. The March 2022 trip included visits to the African American Museum, The Holocaust Museum and a Black Lives Matter tour. They admired the monuments during the day and also marveled at their beauty while lit at night. The Black Knight group also enjoyed discussions with guest speakers, tour leaders and students from other schools. They also went to Arlington National Cemetery for the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “This trip is of vast importance in what it means to be an upstander versus a bystander and in understanding the power of history and what we can do to be informed citizens,” says Miss Foley. Their teachers say the students had an incredible time learning and experiencing so much. In turn, their teachers are thankful to be able to share this opportunity with them.

MAKING AN IMPACT FROM AFAR Silver Creek Central School District united last week to help make a difference in the lives of Ukrainian refugees via a wave of generosity intended to support people fleeing war thousands of miles away. Through a fundraising drive, the district gathered more than 3,000 personal care and medical supply items totaling more than $10,000 for refugees in Poland. Faculty, staff, community members, family and friends donated not only items but also collaborated to raise nearly $1,500. Drive facilitator and teacher Jessica Kardashian, who has done humanitarian work for an orphanage in Poland since 2010, then used to purchase additional basic necessities for Ukrainians. “I have found through so many conversations and tears that so many people want to help, but weren’t sure how,” says Kardashian, who felt compelled to draw up a plan for the district to help. Silver Creek Elementary students also created cards to send to let the refugees know American schoolchildren are thinking of them. The supplies collected and shipped overseas comprise: • More than 200 bottles and packages of cold and flu medications • 200+ bottles of pain relievers • More than 1,200 gauze rolls, bandages, wound pads, and bandage wrap • More than 100 packs and bottles of allergy relief medicine • 60 antibiotic creams and burn gels • 60 brand-new backpacks • 40 packs of diapers • 30 quikstop clot packs and clotting crystals • 20 first aid kits • 10 wound cleaning medical system • 5 quikclot trauma packs, as well as • Multiple wound cleaners, multiple mini hygiene sets, some baby items, and much more. The donations were handed over to Polish caretakers last week to be delivered directly to Ukraine. The bags of supplies will be available to help doctors and others in need at a distribution point set up in the area.

𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗞𝗜𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡'𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗧 The Kiwanis Club of Silver Creek will host the 19th annual CHILDREN'S FAIR in the village ballpark on Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This year's Children's Fair will include bounce slides, pony rides, a magician show, sheriff's canine demonstration, sheriff's fingerprinting, duck races, basket raffles, shopping, food concessions and more. The Children's Fair is a low cost, fun-filled family event that you don't want to miss. Follow the event Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/SilverCreekChildrensFair

Silver Creek Elementary School students completed a “PROTECT A PEEP” engineering activity the week ahead of Spring Recess. These young Black Knights had to build a raft out of popsicle sticks, yarn, glue and tape. They needed to try to float the Peep on the raft for as long as they could. Pictures are from the classrooms of Ms. Schuster, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Weiss. All student groups in Mrs. Schuster’s classroom were able to keep them afloat for 4 plus minutes. They were all winners!

HELPING HANDS: Key Club members of Silver Creek Central School District made lunches and wrote notes of encouragement for workers with The Healing Hub of Western New York. This nonprofit is spearheaded by Fredonia native Kelly Whitfield and serves those affected by substance abuse, sex assault and domestic violence. 🥪 💕 We love seeing our students engaged in acts of kindness toward others and promoting volunteerism. Nicely done, Black Knights! #wearesilvercreek #blackknightpride #bkp #keyclub

Let's hear it for Silver Creek High sophomore and basketball star RAY CORTES on being named a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Central Division First Team All-Star for 2022! Way to go, Ray! Read more via @DunkirkObserver: https://www.observertoday.com/sports/local-sports/2022/04/2022-observer-post-journal-boys-basketball-all-stars/ #wearesilvercreek #bkp #blackknightpride