Dear Chenango Forks Families,
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As we look ahead to March and the arrival of some warmer weather in Forks Nation, we are excited about the opportunities the coming weeks will bring. We were thrilled by the tremendous turnout for our recent Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the completion of our new pool area, locker rooms, bathrooms, and athletic training facilities. Seeing so many families, alumni, and community members come together to celebrate was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish through shared vision and support. Thank you for your partnership in making these improvements a reality for our students and community.
As the weather begins to warm in the coming weeks, you will continue to see progress across our campus. The new drop-off loop at the pool entrance will enhance safety and accessibility, additional handicapped parking will be added near the stadium bleachers, and concrete walking paths and new parking areas are being completed at our new baseball/softball complex. These enhancements further strengthen our commitment to providing safe, functional, and welcoming spaces for students, families, and visitors.
This month’s Character Education and Leadership habit is “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.” Across our buildings, students are learning the importance of listening with empathy, asking thoughtful questions, and building mutual understanding before responding. This habit is especially meaningful as students learn how to work collaboratively and mediate disagreements with peers.
Since November, we have been conducting budget workshops during our Board of Education meetings, carefully and strategically planning for the year ahead and beyond. As one of eight “Save Harmless” districts in our region, we are navigating minimal State Aid increases while also managing rapidly rising health care premiums for our employees. Despite these significant financial challenges, our goal is to maintain current programming for our students through proactive planning and outreach in our region. Please look for our newsletter in late April to early May, which will include our Budget Report Card to help prepare taxpayers for the May 19 budget vote.
March is also the time when we invite all stakeholders to reflect on our progress toward our “Blueprint for Excellence”, which is our district’s Strategic Plan. We encourage you to participate in our District Survey and AI-powered interview process through ThoughtExchange. Your feedback is invaluable and helps shape the priorities and focus of our work for the upcoming year. You can participate by navigating to this link.
Thank you for your continued dedication and support of Forks Nation as we work together to build “A Community Where All Learners Grow and Excel!"
Tom Burkhardt, Superintendent