Dear Forks Families,
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As we move into winter and the holiday season, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the many reasons we have to be proud and grateful here in Forks Nation. First, congratulations to our student athletes and coaches on an outstanding fall season! This year, Chenango Forks celebrated four sectional championship teams: girls soccer, girls tennis, girls cross-country, and football. Your teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship continue to make us proud. We are excited and fortunate to be cheering for our varsity football team, who will compete for an eighth NY State Championship at Syracuse University this Saturday, Dec. 6, at noon.
December is also a time when we get to showcase the incredible musical talents of our students. From elementary to high school, our winter concerts fill the season with joy and highlight the hard work, creativity, and spirit of our performers and directors. We hope to see you at one of these festive events as we celebrate the holidays through music and community.
I’d also like to express heartfelt gratitude to our community donors and helpers who supported this year’s Holiday Basket Program. Through your generosity, we were able to serve 112 families with clothing (including winter coats), family games, toys for young children, gift cards, food, and other essential items. This program truly reflects the spirit of Forks Nation—neighbors helping neighbors—and would not be possible without the coordination and care of our dedicated Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) team.
Meanwhile, our Capital Improvement Project continues to progress smoothly. At the high school, the new pool and locker room areas are taking shape beautifully! With final finishes underway, we hope to have the pool and new bathrooms open for student and community use soon after our holiday break. Additionally, our baseball & softball complex is also set for final finishes and will be ready for the start of our spring season this year!
Finally, as we close out 2025, I want to thank our students and staff for living out this month’s leadership habit: “Begin with the End in Mind.” This mindset—planning with purpose and working toward meaningful goals—is one we see every day in classrooms, on stages and on our athletic fields. It’s an inspiring reminder of our shared vision: “A Community Where All Learners Grow and Excel!”
Please enjoy this month’s newsletter, and on behalf of everyone at Chenango Forks, have a safe, restful and joyful holiday season with friends and family.
Sincerely,
Tom Burkhardt, Superintendent