What's Inside. . . Superintendent’s Letter ....... 2Early Dismissal .................. 2Welcome New Staff ............ 2Guidance News .................... 2Calendar of Events .............. 3CROP News ........................ 3Share and Shine .................. 3POMP ................................. 3From the Nurse ................... 4Beat the Flu ........................ 5Photo and Video Opt-Out ... 6November Menu ................. 7Communication Guide ........ 8

TThank you to hank you to the Laurens the Laurens

Athletic Athletic Booster Club Booster Club

for sponsoring for sponsoring this issue of the this issue of the Leopard’s Tale.Leopard’s Tale.

Volume V, Number III November 2020

LAURENS CENTRAL SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

The Laurens Central School community would like to sincerely thank all of our veterans for their service and sacrifice. Honoring individuals who have served our country is very important to all of us here at LCS. We thank you for the commitment and dedication you so freely have given to our country, and for all you have done to help preserve and protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy today!

The Laurens Central School Veterans Day Program will return in 2021.

9 WAYS YOU CAN CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY IN 2020 1. Call a veteran and say thank you 2. Host a Zoom with a veteran and ask about their service 3. Send a thank you note to a veteran 4. Make a donation to a veterans organization 5. Fly the American Flag correctly 6. Visit the gravesite of a veteran 7. Send a care package to a service member who is currently deployed 8. Acknowledge veterans in your workplace 9. Support veteran-owned businesses

Veterans Day 2020Veterans Day 2020

Laurens Fire DepartmentBlood Drive

Hosted by Laurens Fire Department

Tuesday, November 24, 202012-5:00 p.m.

Appointments may be made on line

American Red CrossThe need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

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News from the SuperintendentPARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE DAYS

Due to COVID-19 restrictions we will not be having in-person Parent-Teacher Conferences this year. Conferences will still be held on November 19 and 20 as scheduled, but they will be done by phone, Zoom, or another video confer-encing platform. Please contact your child’s teacher/s to set up a conference time and method of communication for the conference.

There will be a half day for ALL STUDENTS K-12 on Thursday, November 19. Dismissal will be at 12:35 p.m. There will be a half day of school for K-6 STUDENTS ONLY on November 20. Dismissal will again be at 12:35 p.m.. Teachers will be available for conferences begin-ning at 1:00 p.m. on those days.

Thank you and we hope you get the chance to discuss your child’s progress with their teachers!

NOTICE—ADJUSTED STUDENT CALENDARDue to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday weeks:

• Grades 9 & 12 will attend school on 11/23 and 12/21 (Monday)

• Grades 10 & 11 will attend school on 11/24 and 12/22 (Tuesday)

• Grades K-8 will attend on Monday and Tuesday as normal

Laurens, where Community and School Create Success!

Guidance NewsIMPORTANT DATES:November 6 End of 1st Marking Period 16 7-12th grade Report Card goes home 19 K-6th grade Report Card goes home

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS:Seniors should be completing or have completed college

applications. Applications should be completed by Thanks-giving vacation and at the very latest, by December vacation. Students should ask teachers for recommendations now, as well as finalizing college essays. It is recommended that students apply to at least 3-5 colleges to provide some choice when selecting a college to attend. Seniors, please check your email for important reminders and information from these colleges and Ms. Dennett.

CLARK SCHOLARSHIPS:Application information will be handed out and the process

will be reviewed with seniors sometime in December. Class averages and rank will be calculated after second quarter grades are completed. This scholarship is based primarily on academic performance.

Please check out the guidance page on the school website (under Parents and Students), for helpful websites for seniors and their parents to prepare for post-secondary life.

https://www.laurenscs.org

Welcome Aaron StaryHi, my name is Aaron Stary. I have

worked at Laurens since 2016 as a substitute teacher and am excited to start this year as a Physical Educa-tion teacher. I grew up in Red Hook, NY and spent many of my younger years exploring the Catskills. My wife, Jacqueline, and I moved to the Oneonta area in 2016. My wife and

I have fallen in love with this area and just recently bought our first home in Oneonta. I went to Houghton College and graduated in 2012 with my Bachelors of Science in Physical Education. I taught Physical Education and Health at South Kortright from 2018-2019 as a long-term substitute. I have experience coaching Track and Field and Soccer.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends. I enjoy being outdoors, playing sports, working out at the gym. I also enjoy playing board games, video games, and watching movies with my friends on rainy days. I am also a Packers fan and love watching all sports. I am looking forward to having a great year at Laurens!

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CROP NewsTHE AFTERSCHOOL CREATING RURAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM (CROP) BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2020.

My name is Jessica DeBoer and as the CROP Interim Site Coordinator at Laurens Central School (LCS), I am thrilled to be a part of the CROP team and to see what this school year brings. We welcome back three of our Activity Leaders: Marie Mish, Monica Kovacs and Aaron Stary.

This year, the CROP program has new and returning partners within the local community. These partners allow students to experience and learn about the surrounding local opportunities. The partners this year are the Farmers Museum, CANO Arts of Oneonta, Hawk Circle, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Hanford Mills, Leaf Council of Alcoholism, and Girls on the Run, all of which provide hands-on sessions while zooming with the partners. The partners will visit CROP at LCS multiple times throughout the months via Zoom. We are also going to have a puppet show via Zoom and afterwards the children can ask the cast questions.

CROP supports and motivates academic and social growth after the school day, running from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Approximately 43 children are currently enrolled and applications are still being accepted. It is limited to two days a week with the choice of Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday. If your child is not already enrolled in the CROP program but would like to be, you can email me at jdeboer@laurenscs.org or call the CROP phone number at 432-0958, if there is no answer or you are unable to leave a voicemail, you can leave a message at the Main Office with Mrs. Hall.

As the new Interim Site Coordinator of CROP, I am excited to watch your children learn and grow alongside the growth of the CROP program. I would like to thank the administration of LCS for the constant support in making our afterschool program great. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about the pro-gram by reaching me at (607) 432-0958 or jdeboer@laurenscs.org.

—Jessica DeBoerCROP Interim Site Coordinator

Share and ShineThe focus of this month’s character trait will be on

Respect. Respect is using good manners, obeying school rules, and taking care of other people’s properties. Throughout the month of November and the rest of the school year teachers in K-6 will be teaching students the importance of good character. On November 24 at 1:45 p.m. via Zoom, we will be holding a Share and Shine assembly. You will receive a notice if your child will be receiving an award.

SHARE AND SHINECHARACTER TRAIT AND DATES

2020-2021Month Character Trait DateOctober Self-Control 10/30

November Respect 11/24December Fairness 12/18January Responsibility 1/29

February Compassion 2/26March Honesty 3/26April Perseverance 4/30

Share and Shine will be done through Zoom for the 2020-2021 school year. We would love to have you join us on the dates above at 1:45 p.m. There will be a Zoom link on the LCS website under “Students.” Under this link you will be able to access Share and Shine informa-tion as well as our monthly assembly. We look forward to seeing you!

POMP (Patrons of Music People)

POMP is a group consisting of Faculty, Administra-tion, Laurens Community Members, and Parents of Music Students, who help in fundraising, organizing events, and assisting in musical/drama productions for the Laurens central school. We meet every second Wednesday of the month to plan for upcoming events and ways to better the performing arts department for the school year.

Meetings for the 2020-2021 school year will be held via Zoom. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please visit our website at www.laurenscs.org and go to the “Parents” page for more information and to access the Zoom link.

November 2020Calendar of Events

• Mondays and Tuesdays—In-person Learning K-9 & 12th • Wednesdays—Remote Learning K-12• Thursdays and Fridays—In-person Learning K-8, 10th, & 11th November 11 Veterans Day—No School POMP mtg. via Zoom, 7:00 p.m. 18 BOE mtg. MPR, 7:30 p.m. 19 ½ Day P/T Conferences K-12 20 ½ Day P/T Conferences K-6 24 Share & Shine via Zoom 25-27 No School—Thanksgiving Holiday

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From the NurseWATCH FOR SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported—ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:• Fever or chills (keep home with 100.0 degree F. or above)• Cough• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing• Fatigue• Muscle or body aches• Headache• New loss of taste or smell• Sore throat• Congestion or runny nose• Nausea or vomiting• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION:Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If

someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:• Trouble breathing• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest• New confusion• Inability to wake or stay awake• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

KNOW HOW IT SPREADS:There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus dis-

ease 2019 (COVID-19).• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed

to this virus.• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-

person.• Between people who are in close contact with one another

(within about 6 feet).• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected

person coughs, sneezes or talks.• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people

who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may

be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

EVERYONE SHOULD:• Wash your hands often! Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20

seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO WASH:• Before eating or preparing food• Before touching your face• After using the restroom• After leaving a public place• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing• After handling your mask• After changing a diaper• After caring for someone sick• After touching animals or pets

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sani-tizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

**Please keep filling out the Covid-19 questionnaire form before school every day and send it with your child(ren). Please keep your child(ren) home with any of the above signs/symptoms. Call the school nurse if there are any questions or clarifications needed at (607)432-2050 x1307.

Thank you,Crystal Wust, RN School Nurse & Attendance Officer

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Laurens Central School “A Community Center”

P. O. Box 301 - 55 Main Street Laurens, New York 13796 • Telephone (607) 432-2050 Fax (607) 432-4388

William F. Dorritie John Mushtare Superintendent Building Principal

Photo and Video Opt-Out

Dear Parent/Guardian: The Laurens Central School District regularly publishes photographs/videos taken throughout the school year on the school website (www.laurenscs.org) and in the school newsletter. Please note, if you permit your child’s photo/video to be shared, you do NOT have to fill out this form. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Mushtare, Building Principal at (607) 432-2050. ——————————————————————————————————————————-

Photo and Video Opt-Out Form

I elect NOT to have any photos or video of my child used in District publications, including the school web-site and newsletter. This form must be filled out completely and returned to school to ensure that your child’s information is kept private. Please print clearly. Child’s Full Name ____________________________________ Grade ____________________ Parent/Guardian Full Name (Printed) _________________________________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian ________________________________________________________ Contact Telephone Number: ________________________________ Date ________________

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P A I DPermit No. 18Norwich, NY

13815

LAURENS CENTRAL SCHOOLLaurens, New York 13796

BOARD OF EDUCATIONCynthia Struckle, PresidentThomas Francisco, Vice PresidentJerry MurelloPeggy BushMargaret Wikoff

SUPERINTENDENTWilliam F. Dorritie

BUILDING PRINCIPALJohn Mushtare

EDITORPam Weir

Current Resident or

POSTAL PATRONECRWSS

Laurens Central School District Communication GuideThis helpful resource will assist you as you decide who you should contact at the school to have your questions answered

or concerns addressed.FOR QUESTIONS

ABOUT:1ST

CONTACT2ND

CONTACT3RD

CONTACT4TH

CONTACTAcademics Teacher School Counselor Building Principal SuperintendentAthletics Coach Athletic Director Building Principal SuperintendentBehavior (Class) Teacher Building Principal Superintendent Behavior (Bus) Bus Driver Head Bus Driver Building Principal SuperintendentBOE Policy District Clerk Superintendent Board of EducationBudget District Treasurer Superintendent Board of EducationBuilding Use Head of Facilities Building Principal SuperintendentCafeteria Cafeteria Managers District Treasurer Building Principal SuperintendentClass Procedures Teacher Building Principal SuperintendentExtracurricular Advisor Building Principal SuperintendentFacilities Head of Facilities Building Principal SuperintendentStudent Health (Physical) School Nurse Health Zone Building Principal SuperintendentStudent Health (Social/Emotional)

School Counselor Health Zone Building Principal Superintendent

Scheduling School Counselor Building Principal SuperintendentSpecial Education Teacher CSE Chair Building Principal SuperintendentTransportation Head Bus Driver Building Principal Superintendent

Please feel free to contact us at (607) 432-2050 and you will be directed to the appropriate office.