Update from Clarence CSD April 11, 2025

Dear Clarence School Family,

I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your patience and understanding this past week regarding the problems with the Grades 3-8 ELA computer-based testing. The State has apologized for the technical issues as well as provided assurance that the problems have been addressed moving forward. While the situation was not ideal, we couldn’t have been more proud of how our students and staff handled the situation. They stayed positive, flexible, and focused, and we plan on moving forward with the revised testing dates in a couple weeks:

• ELA Testing: April 29 and 30
• Math Testing: May 6 and 7
• Science Testing (Grades 5 and 8): May 13

Thanks again for hanging in there with us. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes, but we expect things to run smoothly after Spring Recess.

You Heard it Here First

Because many people are traveling, relaxing, or simply counting down the minutes until some well-earned rest and relaxation, I’ll keep this week’s message a bit shorter than usual. However, I did want to highlight a handful of happenings here at school before the week comes to a close.

• Each spring, the 40 members of our Strategic Planning Team meet to review District priorities and action steps. As part of that work, we’ll be sending out a relatively short survey to students, staff, and parents after Spring Recess to get a better sense of how things are going. Your input really matters, and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to share your thoughts on topics like academics, safety, and communication.
   
• Congratulations to senior Angelina Fetterly on being selected for the prestigious 2025 All-Eastern Honors Ensemble Festival, where she’ll perform with top student musicians from across the East Coast. Angelina’s recognition follows standout performances at All-State events and reflects her passion and dedication to vocal music. Angelina also recently earned a Young Musicians’ Scholarship from the Friends of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and she plans to study vocal performance at Baldwin Wallace University after graduation.
   
• We all know that the most impactful teachers inspire their students and foster a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. To help ensure we have the best faculty around for years to come, members of our High School’s Future Teachers of America Club recently spent time shadowing educators in our different buildings. It was a really unique experience, and something you can read more about on our homepage.
   
• Kindergarteners at Clarence Center Elementary had a special guest reader in their class—singer Joshua Vacanti! The former "The Voice" contestant read to students as part of the Prevention Council of Erie County's “An Apple A Day” program—something which helps students build skills needed to make good behavior choices at home and at school.
   
• Members of the Middle School Service Club took time to create handmade birthday cards and artwork to support Meals on Wheels deliveries across the area. Students learned from a guest speaker that the items can brighten the spirits of meal recipients, many of whom have limited opportunities to leave their homes.
   
• Full speed ahead! Students at Ledgeview Elementary had the support of their classmates as they ran the 50-yard dash in preparation for the annual Jack Hesslink All-Elementary Track Meet in May. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming annual tradition.
   
• In the coming days, we know that many of our families will be celebrating special holidays like Easter, Passover, and Vaisakhi. If you will be observing any of these traditions, please know that our school community is wishing you joy, peace, and connection.

Have a safe and relaxing Spring Recess, Red Devils. (And if you find yourself somewhere sunny next week, feel free to send a little spring weather back our way!)

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools
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