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On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the City School District of the City of Niagara Falls (NFCSD) Board of Education met and reviewed 15 resolutions and ten short-term contract agreements. Before the agenda review portion of the meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Richard Carella and Principal on Special Assignment Carrie Buchman updated the District's Science of Reading (SOR) program. SOR is a consensus view on what literacy instruction practices work and which do not.
SOR includes research on how students learn to read and the skills contributing to proficient reading. It also includes evidence on how to teach reading best. The District offers faculty continuous training in SOR best practices and curriculum and will continue to adopt evaluative practices for the most outstanding learning outcomes.
Review of Short-Term contracts
Superintendent Mark Laurrie delivered a review of the agenda for the board of education meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Among the short-term contracts the board will consider at that meeting include the following:
- A continuing partnership with SUNY Niagara for the District's PTECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program. SUNY Niagara provides training for OSHA 10 cards as part of the PTECH program. One hundred fifty-nine students are enrolled in PTECH this year.
- Funding for NFCSD sports physicals for winter athletes to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center
- Funding for the September 16, 2024 – December 21, 2024 SUNY Niagara Parent Education Program
The superintendent also recommended the passage of the following new business. Here are a few highlights:
- Acceptance of funds from the City of Niagara Falls for assistance in the operation and maintenance of the Our Schools Channel (OSC)
- Approval of acceptance of funds for the Smart Scholars Early College High School
- Acceptance of funds for the 2024 – 2025 Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Grant in the amount of $4,357,010
Superintendent's Report
Congratulations to the NFHS Native American Club for raising the Haudenosaunee Flag on November 1, 2024.
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, seven hundred (700) people attended the Walk the World event at NFHS. The day was filled with food, entertainment, traditional dress, children's activities, giveaways, and more from over 50 countries and cultures.
Niagara Falls Alumni performed Beautiful, the Carole King Musical on November 7 – 9, 2024, to rave reviews.
On November 19, 2024, at NFHS and November 20, 2024, at Wilson High School, choruses from each school will sing together to raise money for mental health support.
Nazreen and Anas Aktar are giving away 500 turkeys at Kalfas Primary School on Thursday, November 21, 2024. We thank you for your generosity.
A breathtaking mural is being installed at Harry F. Abate Elementary as a gift from the Niagara
Falls National Heritage Area.
Thank you to Northpointe for donating 600 hygiene kits to the Family Resource Center.
The $5.4 million Title 1 grant was approved for the District.
The next meeting of the Board of Education of the City of Niagara Falls City Schools will be on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the NFCSD Administration Building, 630 66th Street, Niagara Falls.
