Achieving your goals tomorrow, begins with attendance today. #CCSDAttendanceAwarenessMonth
Important upcoming dates from the desk of Principal Brittany DerCola.
NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK
As we replace portions of our transportation fleet on an ongoing basis, it’s important that the safety equipment on our new vehicle acquisitions is up to the task of keeping our kids safe.
Very recently, we took delivery of four new school buses equipped with modernized internal and external camera systems.
Negative behavior on buses has the ability to detract from a driver’s focus, which can increase risk for everyone on the bus. The new internal camera systems will equip our District with more tools to help manage and address incidents on buses. They have a comprehensive range of angles that can look into virtually all areas of the bus, including into seats from above, and offer vastly improved visual and audio clarity over existing systems. The internal cameras also have night-vision capability for coverage in the evening and early morning hours.
The buses also feature multiple external cameras with sensors that can detect and record school bus passing violations. In the event of a potential violation, the system creates an on-the-spot evidence package of still images, videos, and GPS coordinates that can be quickly and easily turned over to law enforcement so that a citation can be issued to the owner of the passing vehicle.
These citations carry significant fines. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, under the law, the fine for passing a school bus ranges from $250 for a first violation, to a maximum of $1,000 for three violations in three years. Additionally, if a vehicle owner is convicted of three violations in three years, their driver’s license can be revoked for a minimum of six months.
Automated systems just like these have been implemented on buses all over Oneida County. In the 2023-24 school year, over 850 citations were issued by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office across eight different school districts with stop arm camera implementation.
The addition of these internal and external cameras is an important step, but it is also just one step along the way toward modernizing the fleet with new safety technology. A wider implementation is planned, including the addition of these camera systems on new bus purchases. We are also looking at other opportunities to enhance safety, security, and peace of mind for our families when it comes to transportation.
It's no secret. To get the most out of all that school has to offer, you have to be here. #CCSDAttendanceAwarenessMonth
NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK
Did you know that school buses are some of the most highly regulated vehicles on our roadways today? They undergo rigorous testing and have very strict design standards that must be followed in their design. They are built to be safer than consumer passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries.
Less than one percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide involve children riding school buses.
That said, one fatality anywhere, is still too many. And a little attention from everyone goes a long way.
The most dangerous time for school bus related incidents is during loading and unloading. Over the last 53 years, more than 1,200 young people have been killed while loading and unloading school buses across the country, and so many of these incidents were easily avoidable.
When you’re around a school bus, slow down, be alert, and mind the lights.
October is National Principal's Month in the United States! Please join us in recognizing the work that our principals, Aaron Fiorini, Brittany DerCola, Craig Ferretti, and Heidi Allen, do each day in support of our students, staff, and families. Thank you!
We heard a big election is coming up in a little over two weeks and the students have been curious. Mrs. Britton put together this display about the election process, past American Presidents, and Congress.🗳️ 🇺🇸
NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK
For obvious reasons, motorist conduct is a huge focus when it comes to safety at the bus stop, but what can students and families do to help protect themselves? The good news is, it’s easy to be bus stop smart!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following tips using a method called SAFE.
S - Stay. At least 10 feet from the edge of the road or the curb while waiting for the bus.
A - Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, and the bus driver has signaled for you to board.
F - Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
E - Exit the bus only after it stops. Look both ways for any moving traffic before crossing, even when the driver has signaled you. Two sets of eyes is even better than one.
October is Camden CSD Attendance Awareness month. It takes a community-wide partnership to make sure our students get to school each day. Even a few days per month can cause difficulties in the future.
Connected Community Schools will hold Open Hub Hours on Thursday at CHS!. Families will be able to get extra grocery items and talk with the team about other community resources. Bring a bag!
To put on a show, it takes a team. On Saturday, October 19th, the cast and crew of the upcoming Camden Middle School production “Willy Wonka Jr.”, and their families, came together to participate in a prop and set building extravaganza!
Over the course of the day, the group made important props and also completed the re-purposing of some set pieces from past productions. Among their tasks? The crew painted, cellophaned and tied ribbons for 136 unique lollipops that will provide a huge burst of color to their “World of Pure Imagination”!
Thanks to everyone who came in to help! Don’t forget…. The CMS Production of “Willy Wonka Jr.” will be held on November 14th and 15th!
For these seventh graders, learning was the catch of the day.
National School Bus Safety week is here! Held annually during the third full week of October, the goal of National School Bus Safety Week is to bring school districts together with the community to talk about the importance of school bus safety.
Did you know that the most dangerous part of a school bus ride is loading and unloading? Often, it involves someone who has illegally passed a stopped school bus, and incidents of illegal passing have been increasing nationwide at about four percent per year.
We’ll be covering bus stop safety a few times this week. If you encounter a school bus on the roadway, you should be doing the following:
1. Slow down and be attentive. Buses make frequent stops, so patience and a reasonable rate of speed are important to protect the children, staff, and yourself. Also, remember that school buses are required to stop at railroad crossings. Be even more patient during the winter months, as slick conditions can pose a greater challenge.
2. When yellow lights are flashing, slow down and prepare to stop. When the red lights are flashing and the stop sign/arm is deployed, you must stop completely. It is suggested that you stop at least 20 feet from the bus, as 10 feet or less can be very dangerous. When in doubt, always stop your vehicle until you know it is safe to proceed.
3. Remember that on multiple lane or divided highways, traffic must stop in both directions for a school bus that has its stop sign/arm deployed.
4. When the red lights turn off, and the stop sign/arm comes inward toward the bus, you may continue. However, use caution in the vicinity of the bus. Look around before moving your vehicle, as children may be walking in front of, behind, or on the side of school buses. Check for pedestrians - especially near schools, bus stops, playgrounds, parks, and behind parked cars. Never assume.
5. Even if a bus isn’t loading or unloading right away, be extra careful around buses near our schools, as children may be close by.
6. Obey posted school zone speed limits, such as the one near Camden Elementary School on Oswego Street. Also be mindful of our school zone crosswalks and stop signs throughout the village, especially before and after school. These play an equally important role in getting our students to and from school each day.
If we all do our part, we can keep everyone safe this school year, including our students and transportation staff.
Looking for a gift for the FFA member in your life? Want to support the chapter and its ongoing work? If you answered "Yes", the Camden FFA has a deal for you!
They are running an online apparel store from now until 11:59 PM on November 6th! Five dollars from every item goes right back to our FFA Chapter.
Click this link to shop!
https://1800tshirts.chipply.com/camdenffa/store.aspx
7th Grade White Team enjoyed this beautiful fall day learning about the spawning and stocking of Coho and Chinook Salmon from Lake Ontario while at the Salmon River Hatchery in Altmar. After watching the harvesting process and seeing salmon climb the ladders to reach the hatchery students enjoyed a hike to Salmon River Falls. While at the falls they enjoyed the sunshine, posing for pictures, and making memories with friends. The 7 White teachers want to give shout out to the kiddos for their excellent behavior all day.
Mrs. Willson's WIN periods start each class by calculating the fraction, decimal, and percent representations for how many days we've been in school. Today is Day 30! Fractions, decimals, and percents make up a large part of 6th grade math, so this activity is great practice.
Mrs. Bloomquist and Mrs. Britton recently invited the students to be Guest Librarians in the Middle School Library. The students have an area where they can display their favorite authors, genre, or books. Our first student to volunteer was Cali Closs. She took her job very seriously. Here she is picking out what books to display from her favorite section, fantasy. 🧚🏻
Camden FFA has an apparel store open now! $5 from each item comes back to the Camden FFA chapter! https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/AwqBCR6DlEIGjXxkT9fjF1tdoe?domain=1800tshirts.chipply.com
The Blue Devils boys' modified closes out on a three game road trip, so today's a great day to come support the team at their last home match!
Winter Sports registration for all JV and Varsity teams, plus Modified Volleyball, Modified Wrestling, and Modified Nordic Skiing is now open! Practices for these sports begin on November 18th.
Registration for the remaining modified sports not listed above will open on November 2nd, and their practices will begin on December 2nd.
Register today on the Arbiter Sports FamilyID platform!
https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/camden-central-schools-athletics
For more information, including start dates and a date and time for the Family/Player Information meeting, visit https://www.camdenschools.org/o/ccsd/article/1826898
