August 23, 2024
Dear Rome City School District Families,
As a longtime educator and the parent of a teenager, this is a time of year that I eagerly anticipate. While I certainly appreciate the summer break, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of starting a new school year - meeting new students and families, and seeing both students and staff embark on a new chapter of learning. This year, I am especially thrilled to begin this journey in my new home. Over the past few months, the warm welcome from this community has been heartening. Now, as the new Superintendent of Schools here in Rome, I’m eager to extend that same welcome to you.
The theme for this school year, “Rome is Home,” reflects not only our rich history and traditions, but also our commitment to fostering a supportive, rigorous, academic learning and working environment where every student and employee feels valued, seen and empowered. We’ll start that work with our employees during our two Superintendent’s Conference Days on September 3 and 4, and our teaching staff will be preparing for the new school year. We’ll fully engage with our entire learning community when students return to our buildings on September 5.
As part of my welcome message, I’d like to take the opportunity to share some information with you on several important topics for the upcoming school year. Below you’ll find information on Attendance, Free and Reduced Price Lunch, the YMCA and Lines of Communication within the district. I hope you’ll take some time to read these items before schools reopen so we start off the new year from a common place.
Attendance Matters
To all our students and families, we want to remind you how essential you are to our school community. As we prepare to open our doors on the morning of September 5, it’s important that every student in Rome is present, on time, and ready to learn.
Our district faces a challenge with chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days—about 18 days over the year. Last year, more than half of our K-12 students reached this threshold, which is a significant concern for us all.
When students are not in school, they may find it difficult to keep up with their work, meet learning standards, and succeed on the year-end assessments needed to move to the next grade level. They also miss out on the social experiences—like spending time with friends and enjoying enrichment activities offered at school—that are such an important part of their overall education.
Student attendance is one of our district’s focus areas this year, and this is an initiative that truly takes a community to be successful. I’m asking families for their help in this endeavor, so we can work together to support every Rome student with what they need to reach their potential.
Free and Reduced Price Lunch
We are pleased to share that our district is again eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision, which ensures that every student receives breakfast and lunch at no cost without regard to their family income. While not required for school meals, the Household Income Eligibility Form (formerly known as the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Application) is still essential.
This form plays a major role in determining our state and federal funding for things like staffing, technology and grants. Your participation in completing this form each year ensures that Rome is counted accurately for this additional funding. I encourage you to complete the form that is linked here: Link DocuSign link
If you need assistance with completing this form, please contact our Food Services Director, Mr. Christopher Whitmore, at 315-338-6555 or via email at cwhitmore@romecsd.org.
YMCA Before-and-After School Programming at Clough PreK
We’re thrilled to share that the YMCA has applied to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYSOCFS) to offer before- and after-school programs for our enrolled UPK children at Clough PreK, located at 409 Bell Road, for the 2024-25 school year. We’re eagerly awaiting approval of their application and hope to have everything in place before the school year kicks off on September 5.
If approved, the program will offer wrap-around care for Clough students using a play-based model that will include social-emotional learning opportunities. The program will also offer healthy snacks, outdoor play and music activities. Families will be responsible for transportation for both the before- and after-school sessions.
While awaiting state approval, the YMCA is busy recruiting staff to ensure a fantastic program for our students. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, please reach out to Regional Childcare Director Holly Panebianco at 315-363-7788, extension 222, or hollyp@ymcatrivalley.org.
Stay tuned for more details, and we look forward to providing you with this new opportunity in the near future!
Lines of Communication
As part of our commitment to creating a supportive, and welcoming environment, it is important that when families have questions or concerns, they can quickly find an answer or resolution. The best and most effective way to ensure you receive accurate information and timely support is by reaching out directly to your child’s school or the appropriate district or department leader. While social media can be a platform for sharing thoughts, it may not always provide the immediate or precise assistance you need. Connecting directly with school or district staff will streamline our support for you.
For assistance determining where to begin, please use our Who to Contact in Rome Chart linked here: Link This chart will also be posted on the district website prior to the start of school for your use.
In Service,
Ms. Nerlande Anselme
Superintendent of Schools