Click here for a message from the Superintendent regarding the HS Principal

Kindergarten students at the Harshaw are taking a new approach to swimming, and practicing their reading skills at the same time. Thanks to the hard work of some CF Art students, Harshaw kindergartners, now have a comic book that teaches them all about coming to the pool for swim lessons. Students from Keith Rosko's cartooning class (Chad Pond, Victoria Franklin, Abby Ponterio and Joe Furey) created the comic to ease students apprehensions about swimming each year!

Click here to see the WBNG Channel 12 article about our students and their accomplishments.

Thank you Parents, Staff and Students who took part in our Homepage Survey. This was posted on the main page of the Chenango Forks School district. We will use this information to make decisions on how best to improve our web site in the coming year.

Life is a Reality at CFHS

On May 20^th, Visions FCU and local business vendors teamed up with Ann Biddle's Foundations of Algebra students for the "Life is a Reality" program. To prepare for this one-day event, students researched careers and configured their monthly salaries. They then visited several booths set up by Visions FCU to learn how to budget their money and better comprehend the language of real world finances. After the event, students wrote reflective essays to critically analyze the experience. This program was a part of the CFHS literacy team's focus on enhancing literacy in secondary content areas. The kids did an excellent job and impressed the vendors with their courtesy and enthusiasm.

Submitted by Andrea Gumble and Ann Biddle

Click here for a special note from the Middle School Principal

Click here for the Board of Education Policy on Cell Phones

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In 2009, CBS ran an excellent short piece on Sexting - what it is and its possible ramifications. 

 CBS/AP news story on sexting

On Valentines Day of 2010, MTV also launched its website and initiative "A Thin Line".
MTV explains that the multi-year program is... "aimed at stopping the spread of abuse in the form of sexting, cyberbullying and digital dating abuse. The goal of the initiative is to empower America's youth to identify, respond to and stop the spread of the various forms of digital harassment".

April is Autism Awareness Month!

In recognition of the rapidly growing number of New York citizens diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Governor David Paterson has proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month throughout New York State.

click on the links below for more information about Autism

Autism - There is something we can do!

Has Autism Touched Your Family

¿Ha Tocado el Autismo su Familia?

Chenango Forks students celebrated Dr. Seuss' 50th Birthday in conjuntion with Read Across America. 

Students from grades Kindergarten - 12 participated in reading their favorite Dr. Seuss Books, and the Cat in the Hat made a special visit to the classrooms. 

After the books were read, the students in the John Harshaw celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday with special Birthday cakes made by the Chenango Forks Cafeteria Staff.

On Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 1:30-7:30 pm student volunteers will be calling district residents requesting donations for the CF Scholarship fund.  The CF Scholarship Foundation is an affiliated chapter with the Dollars for Scholars Program.  The Foundations grants scholarships to Chenango Forks graduating Seniors who will be attending a Technical School or a 2 or 4 Year College or University after graduation.

If you would like to send in a donation prior to the phone-a-thon, please download and send in the form below 

-click here to download the donation form-

THANK YOU!

Mrs. Collins' 2nd grade class along with classes from schools in Michigan & Texas took a virtual field trip to the Cleveland Ohio Zoo. Using the technology in the CF Distance Learning Lab, CF students were not only able to see the zoo and its animals, but also able to talk to the zoo keepers and ask them questions.

We were walking by and saw this group of students playing several songs for the middle school office staff. We just had to snap a candid picture of this one. See everyone in January. - Computer Services

Thank you Mrs. Breck for inviting the Computer Services staff to the MS Holiday Buffet. Every year the Home and Career skills classes put on a fantastic display of delectable treats and appetizers. We all look forward to it every year. The shrimp toast cups were particularly good.

Parents:  Have you considered a Yearbook Gift Certificate as a holiday gift?

Gift certificates are immediately available through the yearbook advisers. 

email: HSyearbook@cforks.org 

(no students have access to this email address)

The cost is $55.00 per book and the price will be increased after January 1st.  Get your books at a discounted price before the holidays.

Members of the Varisty Football team visited with the MS students during their lunch block to sign the team picture and to chat with the students about their upcoming playoff game. 

Award winning Author & Illustrator Suzanne Bloom visited the Chenango Forks Schools on Tuesday & Wednesday.  Students from the HS English/Childrens Literature, Art classes and Elementary Students watched and listened as Suzanne shared her books and created illustrations. -click here for pictures-

Chenango Forks School District, in cooperation with the Chenango Forks PTA, is proud to host a month long exhibition of the national traveling art show "The Traveling Pants/Delta Denim environmental art exhibition". Chenango Forks will host a public reception on November 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the High School Library. Chenango Forks art students will be on hand and will be giving tours of the jeans. The exhibition will be housed in several showcases located through-out the hallways at the high school.

-Click below for more Information-

A law passed in 2007 requires New York State public schools to request, or ask, for a dental health certificate of students, at the time of school entry and in grades K, 2, 4, 7, and 10, declaring their dental health condition.
-click here for more information-   or contact the school nurse in your child's school

Cameron, a Junior at Chenango Forks has been helping the CF Computer Services Department by mapping out the computer labs that we currently have with the AutoDesk CAD program. Cameron first took the CAD class taught by Mr. Reid when he was a freshman and then did an independent study his Sophomore year. By having the computer labs mapped out, it allows the Computer Services Department to better utilize the space and configuration for addition of future equipment.

Last year, Becca an 8^th grader in Ms. Russell's art class, entered a 'Meet the Breeds' Art Contest with the American Kennel Club.  It has been announced that Becca took 4th place in the 8th grade category.  Congratulations Becca!
-click here to see the winning artwork-
-click here to view the other winners-

Safe children, Safe schools: Check in with your child's growing social and emotional strengths every step along the way! Look for our packets to come home in the mail the week of October 13-16, 2009.
For more information go to: www.cforks.org/safeprogram

KYDS Coalition Partnership Meeting
Thursday - September 24, 2009
2:00-4:00 pm
Broome County Public Library -Decker Room
-click for more information-

Filled! The Chenango Forks District Technology Committee is in need of a parent representative. The committee consists of teachers and administrators that represent the four building level Technology Committees. The purpose is to coordinate and propose technology integration at a district level as well as maintain the Chenango Forks District Technology Plan. The committee meets four times a year from 3:30-4:30 in the High School Conference Room.  If you are interested please contact Cheri Panko pankoc@cforks.org or call  648-7575 during school hours.

In an effort to make the Chenango Forks Central Schools web site more user friendly, we have spent the summer redesigning it to a portal format. Four portals, Students, Staff, Parents and Community, house the information most used by each group. We hope you find this new format easier and more intuitive to navigate our web site. Feedback on this format can be directed to webmaster@cforks.org.

Bill Sica and Cheri Panko - Computer Services Department

Mr. Bundy attended a meeting at the Broome County Health Department. Read his memo on this.

www.cforks.org/HealthNotices

The 2009 HS Summer Reading List is posted on the High School Home Page www.cforks.org/hs

Students in Mrs. Waddell's Kindergarten class spent the morning learning to program simple robots called Bee-Bots. Parent, Mrs. Angela Driscoll, an enrichment teacher for the Binghamton City School District, brought the Bee-Bots into class on June 19. She taught the students how to tell (program) the Bee-Bots in which direction they wanted them to move and how far. Students had races with the Bee-Bots and even played a board game combining sight words with programing the Bee-Bots. Thank you Mrs. Driscoll for an enjoying morning!

Update 6-19-09

Today is the last day of attendance for the Middle School students. I plan on reporting absenteeism for CKI and Harshaw next week as we still have parents keeping children home as a precaution. I would encourage those parents to send those children into school on Monday so that they, the children, can participate and enjoy the end of the year activities their teachers have planned for them. Please keep in mind that there is a very strong possibility that the swine flu will make a return visit to the Chenango Forks School District next fall. My guess is that the swine flu will be with us once again before the month of September ends and possibly be with us through June of 2010. The precautions that some parents took this year, keeping children out of school, needs to shift to precautions of prevention and of understanding what the swine flu is and  isn't. If you are still unsure of what to do if the swine flu pays a visit once again, please consult with your health care provider. Let's hope that a vaccine is available in the fall to provide protection from the swine and seasonal flu's. Best wishes for an enjoyable summer!

The absenteeism for the past six days appears below:

SUMMARY OF NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABSENT

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABSENT EXHIBITING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

An update will be provided on Monday for the Elementary schools.  Please call if you have any questions or concerns at 648-7543.

Bob Bundy

Superintendent of Schools

Update 6-17-09

A reoccurring question that we are getting from parents is, "what are special precautions we are taking concerning cleaning and disinfecting?" Prior to the outbreak of swine flu that was experienced in the district the following guidelines were practiced on a daily basis. Please remember that the flu, including the swine flu, is transmitted through the air. Transmission can occur from inanimate surfaces but only if your hand comes into contact with the virus and then you rub your eyes, nose or mouth with your hand. Transmission to door knobs etc. usually occurs when a person sneezes into their hands and then fails to wash them. Thus, the importance of frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of the flu virus. If someone is contagious and sneezes or coughs near you, flu symptoms may develop in 1-7 days. The following guidelines are from a memo issued by Richard Mills, NYS Commissioner of Education and Richard Daines, MD- NYS Health Commissioner dated 5-12-09 titled "Update: Response to H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak in educational and childcare facilities" concerning cleaning.

Cleaning and Disinfection

1. Environmental infection control should focus on regular cleaning for most surfaces and only target use of disinfection for surfaces touched frequently by hand. Environmental infection control actions are supplemental to increased emphasis on proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette as described above. Routine application of disinfectants to housekeeping surfaces (e.g., floors, bookcases, tops of filing cabinets) is unnecessary. Air sanitizer products have not been shown to disinfect airborne influenza virus or reduce disease transmission and, therefore, are not recommended.
2. Good cleaning with soap or detergent in water will remove most microorganisms, as well as soil and organic matter that would otherwise reduce the effectiveness of subsequent disinfection. Schools should follow environmentally-sensitive cleaning guidance available from the NYS Office of General Services Green Cleaning Program web site: https://greencleaning.ny.gov/entry.asp
3. Clean bathroom surfaces on a regular basis. Where disinfectants are used, the products should be registered with USEPA and NYS DEC and labeled as effective against influenza virus on clean, hard non-porous surfaces. For a list of NYSDEC registered products go to: http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/information_for_schools.htm
4. Follow label instructions carefully when using disinfectants and cleaners. Many surface disinfectants require the treated surface to remain wet for several minutes to be effective. Take note of any hazard advisories and indications for using personal protective items (such as household gloves). Do not mix disinfectants and cleaners unless the labels indicate it is safe to do so. Combining certain products (such as chlorine bleach and ammonia cleaners) can be harmful, resulting in serious injury or death.

The absenteeism for the past four days appears below:

SUMMARY OF NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABSENT

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABSENT EXHIBITING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

An update will be provided tomorrow.  Please call if you have any questions or concerns at 648-7543.

Bob Bundy

Superintendent of Schools

On Friday, June 12th Chenango Forks hosted the Ninth Annual Academic Honors Banquet. The qualifying students, along with their parents, were invited to the delicious feast in our High School Cafeteria. The special guest speaker was Alumna, Michael Rullo. Also speaking was Donald Edwards, Martin Beach and Mr Bundy.The event, hosted by Ms. Keir was a delight for all those who attended.

Update 6-16-09

I'm sure that most of you by now have read George Basler's article about other school districts in the region having students being tested for the swine flu. If not the article can be found at Press Connects by accessing the url listed.

  http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906160362

I'm also asking that if you have a conversation with someone that appears to be uninformed about the swine flu in the Chenango Forks School District that you encourage them to visit our website or give me a call at 648-7543. I'd be happy to listen to their concerns and to answer questions.

The absenteeism for the past three days appears below:

SUMMARY OF NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABSENT

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ABSENT EXHIBITING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

An update will be provided tomorrow.  Please call if you have any questions or concerns at 648-7543.

Bob Bundy

Superintendent of Schools

MIDDLE SCHOOL ILLNESS UPDATE

6-12-09 & 6-13-09

At approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, June 12, 2009, Mari Yourdon of the Broome County Health Department informed me that there are five confirmed cases of H1N1 swine flu in our middle school.

Mrs. Yourdon said that parents do not need to do anything different now that H1N1 swine flu has been confirmed in the district, continue to practice the precautions outlined in "Preventing the Spread of the Flu" found on the CF website under the Red Cross.  Parents continue to be vigilant in watching your children for flu-like symptoms, and can refer to the CF website "Flu Symptom Checklist for Families."  If your child develops respiratory symptoms and a fever of 100 degrees F or higher, keep your child home, and contact the school nurse.  Anyone with respiratory symptoms and a fever should stay home for seven days from onset of symptoms or 24 hours after symptom free whichever is longer.  Healthy children with mild illness usually do not need to visit their health care provider, however call your health care provider if your child is more ill than usual.  Be alert for signs that your child is having trouble breathing or is not drinking enough fluids.  Be alert for any signs that your child is more uncomfortable than you would expect with the flu.  If you have any concerns about your child's health call his/her physician.

I am sure that you are asking why the school is not being closed down.  A guidance document from the New York State Department of Health dated May 12, 2009 advises that "the impact of absenteeism and staffing shortages is emphasized as a key consideration in the decision to close schools or childcare facilities".  School closure is not advised unless a large number of faculty or students are absent and their absence interferes with the school's ability to function.  The key to controlling the spread of the flu is for students and staff members to stay home when they have a fever and a cough. Below is our attendance for today Friday, June 12, 2009. Based upon these figures the Chenango Forks School District will be open on Monday June 15, 2009.

The majority of the students exhibiting the flu-like symptoms continue to show signs of improvement and are being kept home.

Absenteeism increased on Friday from Thursday:  Harshaw 29, Kenyon 36, Middle School 95 and High School 33.  Some of the increase is due to parents electing to keep their children home and expressing concerns that they do not want to take a chance of exposure; the absences are being treated as legal absences.

As of Friday at 2:00 p.m. the number of children exhibiting flu-like symptoms was as follows: 

Harshaw 0

CKE  1

Middle School 58   18-additional students were reported by parents as having a fever and cough.

High School 2

I would like to thank those parents that kept their children home today that were displaying symptoms.  This action is exactly what must happen to contain the spread of the virus.  Middle School parents have been very cooperative in keeping their children at home for the seven calendar days upon the onset of symptoms as recommended by the New York State Health Department. If symptoms persist longer than seven days, the student may return once they are fever free for 24 hours. Students may also return prior to the seven days with a physician's note indicating that the student had an illness other than influenza, and they are well enough to return to school.

When a student is fit to return to school that has exhibited flu like symptoms I am requesting that parents bring their student(s) into school and not have them ride the bus. This only applies to those students that exhibit a fever and cough and were to remain out for seven days.  The school nurse will verify your youngster is ready to return to school. I appreciate the hardship that this may cause for some families but that has to be weighed against possible exposure to a bus load of students.

An additional update will be provided on Monday June 15, 2009.

Bob Bundy  

We learned late in the day today that there are three confirmed cases of A-1 flu in the Middle School. The children with confirmed cases are home recovering from their illness. The other three buildings in the district continue to exhibit normal attendance patterns. As information becomes available it will be posted on the Chenango Forks website. Please continue to stress and practice the procedures found by clicking on the word Prevention in this website.

 The information below is from the Web MD Better Information. Better Health Website. Please visit for more in-depth information.

    Bob Bundy  

What are the different types of flu?

There are three types of flu viruses: A, B, and C. Type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20% of the population sniffling, aching, coughing, and running high fevers. Type C also causes flu; however, type C flu symptoms are much less severe.

Each year, the flu is linked to an average of 36,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations in the United States. The seasonal flu vaccine was created to try to avert these epidemics.

What is type A flu virus?

Type A flu or influenza A viruses are capable of infecting people as well as animals; although it is more common for people to suffer the ailments associated with this type of flu. Wild birds commonly act as the hosts for this flu virus.

Type A flu virus is constantly changing and is generally responsible for the large flu epidemics. Influenza A2 virus (and other variants of influenza) is spread by people who are already infected. The most common flu hot spots are those surfaces that an infected person has touched and rooms where he or she has been recently, especially areas where he or she has been sneezing.

The construction schedule has slowed significantly with school in session.  Over the spring break there were many items that were completed including the installation of new High School bleachers, the installation of a new motorized screen and projection device in the Elementary Auditorium donated by the PTA, and the hook-up of air conditioning for the High School Auditorium.  The remainder of the work for our capital project will begin after school ends this June.  The areas of construction will include many Middle School heating and ventilation upgrades and replacements, and the completion of the elevator in the High School.  Should you have any questions or concerns regarding construction items please contact Kathy Blackman at 648-7564 Extension 3529 or Jim Munley at 648-7545.

click to view the photos

The Wake Break Rest Stop Fundraiser will be April 17-19. Please contact Sue Bartlett, at 648-6134 or Kathie Davis, at 648-7233, if you can volunteer or have a donation for the event.

The Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser will be Sunday, April 26th, 8-11 a.m. at the Brass Lantern Tavern (Rte 12A). Tickets are $5 each and children three under are free. This includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, juice and coffee. For tickets, call Diane Luybli, 648-7835.

The next meeting is Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m., room 122. For information, call Lori Dayton, 237-9971