Community Update: 12/6/24

Dear RCSD Community,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Recess. The first week of December is behind us and we are now staring down our next break, Winter Recess, which is coming up in two short weeks. In my eight years here, this is only the second time we have had a two-week winter recess (2019-20 being the last). It will be a very busy few weeks leading into the break with many holiday concerts and special events across the schools and community. 

Reunification Drill

On Wednesday, we held our first ever reunification drill at Milton School. This drill was recommended to us by our security consultants, Altaris. While it is not mandated by New York State, it is a drill that schools around the country are increasingly holding. The drill went incredibly well and we and our first responders both learned a lot from it. Practicing our emergency procedures is critically important in keeping everyone safe in the schools. Many thanks to the Milton community and the District Operations team for planning and executing the drill. 

Holiday Concerts

I have had the pleasure of attending a number of holiday concerts this week. I have to say that I have been impressed by the high quality of the performances! Kudos to the students and to the chorus, band, and orchestra teachers who have been guiding them. There are more holiday concerts coming up next week. I hope to see you at one (or more)!

State Aid

This Monday, the Rockefeller Institute released the highly anticipated Foundation Aid Study that was commissioned by the Governor and State Legislature last spring. Foundation Aid is the source for State funding in our annual budget. We typically receive just below $3 million in foundation aid for our $110 million budget. While I have not completely read the 314 page report (Winter Recess activity!), there are some hints of potential changes in the executive summary and in the sections I have completed. It is important to note that the report is just recommendations and no decisions have been made. We will have to wait and see what the Governor and Legislature choose to do with the recommendations and to understand any impact on State funding for our schools.

RHS Senior Scenes

Finally, this coming Saturday is the 16th edition of the Rye High School Parsons Street Players productions of Senior Scenes. If you are not familiar with Senior Scenes, it’s a show created and run by RHS seniors. They choose the scenes from popular plays and movies, cast the actors, direct rehearsals, and present their work in two shows: Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. To the cast and crew, break a leg!

Have a terrific weekend.

Sincerely,
Eric Byrne, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools