Superintendent Update September 21, 2022

Hi Beacon community, I just wanted to provide a quick update on some committee work that will be happening this school year.  If you have any questions, please let us know.

Equity Working Group

Assistant Superintendent Sagrario Rudecindo-O’Neill will facilitate this group.  The focus will be on advising the district in developing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy to be reviewed by the BCSD Board policy committee and discussing instructional and curriculum initiatives this year.  The meetings will be late afternoons/early evenings (times will be solidified once members are polled).  We ask that if you are interested in being a part of this work you can commit to all the meetings.  If you are interested in joining, please email Rudecindo-oneill.s@beaconk12.org.  

Tentative Dates:

September 27, 2022, October 11, 2022, November 1, 2022, January 3, 2023, March 7, 2023, May 2, 2023

Wellness Committee

Assistant Superintendent Heather Chadwell Dennis will be facilitating this committee this year.  The focus will be on efforts and plans to support mental health and well-being in the district and on reviewing the district wellness policy.  Please email chadwelldennis.h@beaconk12.org if you are interested in being a part of this committee this year.  Times and dates of the meetings are below.

4:00pm-5:00pm

10/27/22, 12/22/22, 2/23/23, 4/27/23

Sustainability Committee

I am working to revive the Sustainability committee.  The committee will work to develop and give feedback to district sustainability planning for facilities, instruction, and transportation.  The committee will be a set group of people (10-12) so we can keep momentum building throughout the year.  We will meet over zoom during afternoon or early evening hours.  We have not set the dates yet for the committee but we will meet 5-6 times this year.   I will be facilitating this and if you are interested in joining, please write me an email at landahl.m@beaconk12.org .

Home Varsity Games this Week:

Wednesday, Sept. 21 Girls Swimming 4:30

Wednesday, Sept. 21 Volleyball vs Minisink 6:00

Thursday, Sept.22   Girls Soccer v Minisink 4:30

Have a great rest of your week!

Matt Landahl

Superintendent Update September 13, 2022

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Announcing a call for volunteers for Leave the Lights On at Beacon High School!

From BHS principal Mr. Dwier:

We are looking to open the high school up to our students on Friday nights, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, in order to provide a safe space for students to socialize with one another and have fun.

We are looking for community volunteers to lead programs that our high school students can participate in! These programs can include anything and everything from sports and dance to gaming, photography, arts, music, etc.

If you are passionate about working with young people and would like to join us on Friday nights, please complete this survey by Friday, September 23rd:

https://forms.gle/X4XDjx2ZWN4f47xt9

We are planning to begin later this fall, and to offer the program on one Friday night per month, to start.

Please contact Corey Dwyer, BHS Principal, at dwyer.c@beaconk12.org with any questions. If you are a local business and would like to make a donation of food or supplies, please let us know! 

Call for Applications for Beacon City School District Student Advisors to the Board of Education

Description- We would love to have more student voices at our BCSD board meetings! A student advisor to the BCSD Board of Education attends public meetings on two  Mondays of each month at 7:00.  They do not vote or attend executive sessions of the board but do participate in public Board of Education discussions.  They do not have to stay for the entire meeting, attendance at the beginning of the meeting is important.  This application process is open to Juniors and Seniors at Beacon High School and the selected students will serve the full 22-23 school year.  

To Apply:  Please write a short letter describing your interest in becoming a student advisor to the Beacon City School District Board of Education.  Applications should be addressed to Matt Landahl, Superintendent at landahl.m@beaconk12.org by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23.  Applications will be reviewed by Dr. Landahl and Mr. Dwyer and may be asked to meet with both Dr. Landahl and Mr. Dwier.   This message was also sent directly to students.

Vaccine Booster Clinic on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at BHS from 4:00-6:30

If you want to register, click on the link drneal.co/beaconvax

There are still some slots available.  This is the newly approved booster.

Upcoming Varsity Home Games

Wednesday 4:15 Girls Soccer vx. Middletown

Wednesday 6:00 Girls Volleyball vs. Tuxedo

Thursday    4:30 Boys Soccer vs. Port Jervis

Friday        4:30 Girls Swimming and Diving

Saturday    9:00 Girls Tennis

If you want an app that will help you track game schedules, download the rschoolapp and enter Beacon and you will have all of the teams' schedules at your fingertips.

Have a good rest of your week!

Matt Landahl

Superintendent Update September 2, 2022

Dear Beacon Families and Community:

Welcome Back!  We are very excited to get the 2022-2023 school year started.  Teachers and staff have been busy participating in professional development, planning for the year, and greeting students and families this week.  We can’t wait to get started.  Our goal this year is to increase student engagement in the classroom and in co-curricular activities and to increase engagement with our families and community through a variety of strategies.  We will update frequently on different activities and plans as we get the year started.  

I wanted to share a few important reminders:

Breakfast and Lunch Program

We wanted to alert families that USDA is not funding all children for school meals this year.  We want to be clear that all BCSD students who want a meal will get one this year.  However, if you are eligible, applying for Free/reduced meals greatly helps us run the program.  If you have already applied, you do not need to apply again.

How to apply?

* Applications on our online portal are at

https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application 

If you would like to write your elected representatives to ask them to reinstate the free meals for all students, here is a link that will help you:http://www.lhec.org/votervoice.html

COVID Booster Vaccine Clinic and Test Kits

We are working on scheduling a COVID booster clinic on Thursday, September 15 from 4:00-6:30. Once we confirm it we will send out more specific information.  We will have test kits from the state later next week for those who need them.

Beacon High School Black Student Union Event

The BSU is hosting a Black to School event on September 4th at the Beacon Train Station, ferry side.  They will be collecting school supplies, coats, and shoes for kids. Check it out!

Upcoming Home Varsity Athletic Events

Wednesday, September 7th Volleyball at 4:30

Wednesday, September 7th Girls Swimming 4:30

Wednesday, September 7th Girls Soccer at 4:15

Friday, September 9th Volleyball at 6:00

Friday, September 9th Football at 6:00

Have a great weekend!

Matt Landahl