The Legislative Committee for the Suffolk County Council of School Superintendents has delivered a letter to our local elected representatives in the State Senate and Assembly. Important concerns such as funding, support for English Language Learners, Unfunded Mandates, and other issues were addressed in the letter.

Dr. Ken Bossert, Superintendent of Schools, is a member of the committee that drafted the letter. “It’s important for all stakeholders to have a voice in the reform process,” said Dr. Bossert. "The SCSSA firmly believes that educators need to be the primary voice in shaping educational reform, with parents and community members learning about critical issues and advocating for positions that support high-quality instruction and financial stability in local communities."

The letter can be read here.

PORT JEFFERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEETING NOTICES

A meeting of the Port Jefferson School District Board of Education will be held on February 24, 2015, 4:30 p.m., at the District Office, for the purpose of entering executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters; and any other business as may be needed.

The regular monthly business meeting of the Port Jefferson School District Board of Education will be held on March 10, 2015, 7:30 p.m., at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School.  Call to order will be at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of entering executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

Please read the attached flyer regarding the upcoming Community Forum Series - A Conversation on the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts

Parents/Guardians,

The decision to close school is a very difficult one. A balance must be struck between preserving instructional time and insuring the safety of students, faculty and staff. In addition to our outstanding maintenance and grounds crew, we are fortunate to be able to work closely with the Village to prepare roads and facilities after wicked weather comes our way. Please know that we will always err on the side of caution when making final decisions. As any resident knows, the hills of Port Jefferson, and some of the small winding roads present great challenges to bus drivers, parents, and staff.

As per our Board of Education approved 2014-15 School Calendar (available on the district website), due to the three emergency closings we have experienced, school will now be in session for all students on:

* April 1 (originally designated as a Conference Day)
* May 22
* May 26

If one additional emergency day is required, school will be in session on Thursday, April 2. If any additional days are required, I will formulate a recommendation to the Board of Education for their approval. There are several potential scenarios to review; however, we hope we won't have to!

First and foremost, please stay safe during these challenging weeks ahead. Please also be prepared, at all times, for the potential of a delayed opening, early dismissal, or school closing. On behalf of the Board and the entire District Administration we greatly appreciate how well prepared students are when these events arise. It truly "takes a village".

Warm Regards,
Ken Bossert