Superintendent

November 2023

Dear Sackets Harbor Central School Community,

I hope this message finds you all in good spirits as we embrace this beautiful fall season. The vibrant colors and brisk air provide the perfect backdrop for our school community. I am pleased to open the second edition of our Patriot Press Newsletter, where we will celebrate the wonderful start to our 2023-2024 school year. Our faculty and staff have been hard at work, and within this edition, they will be sharing their stories and pictures which showcase the happenings in and around our school.

Two groups which have continuously planned events and activities that bring our school community closer together in support of our children are our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Sackets Harbor Patriots’ Athletic Booster Club. These organizations go above and beyond for our school and I would like to take a moment to express our deep gratitude. I encourage you all to join them, attend meetings, and volunteer your time to help these organizations reach their goals. 

As much as we'd like to hold onto the fall season, we must acknowledge that winter weather is just around the corner. This is the perfect time to finalize your winter and emergency plans, so we're well-prepared for any situation, whether it be a delayed opening, closure, or early dismissal due to inclement weather or emergencies. In such cases, all parents and guardians will receive notifications from Sackets Harbor Central School. If you ever miss a notification, please don't hesitate to reach out to the school to rectify the issue. Additionally, all weather-related updates are shared with local radio stations and on Newzjunky (www.newzjunky.com). These decisions are always made with safety as the top priority, and I thank you in advance for your support and understanding in this process.

Looking ahead, we have an exciting school year filled with events that aim to bring students, parents, and the community together. Your participation is what makes our school so special! One event to mark on your calendars now is the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. Sackets Harbor is in the path of totality, where observers will witness approximately 3 minutes and 38 seconds of totality. Our community volunteers from our Village, Town and School are already planning eclipse-related activities, including talks from leading experts, educational programs, live music, and fun community gatherings. To ensure that our students and their families don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we plan to dismiss early on this day. This will allow everyone to enjoy the afternoon in their preferred way and offer our teachers an opportunity for continued professional development to meet our yearly goals. 

The District is wrapping up tax season, monitoring our current budget, and working on the 2024-2025 budget. I extend our thanks to Margaret Kelly, School District Tax Collector, for her outstanding work in ensuring a smooth and efficient collection process. The shared-municipal agreement for tax collection in the Village Offices has provided a stable location for our residents. Thanks to the Village leadership for their continued support of this agreement! As we prepare for the 2024-2025 budget, please be aware that American Rescue Plan funding will cease at the end of this school year, making next year's budget more challenging than it has been these last few years.  

The Board of Education, administration, faculty, and staff are committed to building upon our strengths and continually improving our school. Our mission remains steadfast: to empower our students with knowledge, character, and a commitment to learning, as they become contributing citizens in the American democratic way of life. Sackets Harbor Central School District is indeed a special place, and I am so fortunate to serve as your superintendent. We are truly blessed with remarkable educators, a dedicated staff, a supportive community, and, most importantly, the privilege of working with our incredible students each and every day. As we approach the holiday season, I extend my warmest wishes to you all and hope to see you at our upcoming concerts, basketball games, and other events, of which there is no shortage.

Wishing you a fantastic fall season and a year filled with growth, connectedness, and peace.

Warm regards,

Jennifer L. Gaffney

Superintendent

Sackets Harbor Central School District




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