Update from Clarence CSD January 31, 2025

Dear Clarence School Family, 

Each Friday, I try to highlight some of the good things happening here at school. Every now and again, however, I think it’s important to provide updates from Albany that have the potential to impact teaching and learning here in Clarence. With this in mind, I wanted to highlight two proposals recently put forward by Governor Kathy Hochul—the first involves Foundation Aid, and the second has to do with the restriction of smartphones in schools.

With regard to the former, Governor Hochul recently released her 2025-2026 Executive Budget which included a recommended $1.5 billion (5.9%) increase in what is called Foundation Aid (a mechanism used to align State Aid with district expenditures and student needs). If the budget is ultimately approved, this would mean an increase of close to $800,000 here in Clarence—a welcome improvement from the flat Foundation Aid amount we received this school year.

On the topic of legislative changes, Governor Hochul also released a plan to restrict the use of smartphones by students in K-12 settings. The proposal cites rising mental health concerns along with the need to create distraction-free learning environments, and it includes a series of requirements districts would have to follow.

For both Foundation Aid and smartphone policies, it is uncertain what will ultimately pass in Albany. From here, the Assembly and the Senate will approve their One-House Budget Resolutions, and after much negotiating, New York State will ultimately arrive at agreed upon plans.

We will follow the process closely in the months to come, and we will be reaching out to our elected State officials (Governor, Assemblyman, and State Senator) to advocate for a final State Budget that can support the programs and opportunities we value here in Clarence. If you have any interest in doing the same, we encourage you to visit the Legislative Advocacy section of our website. 

Middle School to Present “The Little Mermaid”

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for the Middle School’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” The musical opens with a 5:30 p.m. performance on Thursday, February 6, followed by 7:00 p.m. shows on both Friday and Saturday evenings in the Middle School Auditorium. All general admission tickets are $8.00 and must be purchased online.

We would also like to highlight something called the Golden Age Pass. Clarence residents ages 60 and over can obtain a pass by visiting the District Office which is located at 9625 Main Street. The pass entitles the holder to attend most school-sponsored plays, musicals, concerts, and sporting events free of charge. Golden Age Passes will be accepted for “The Little Mermaid,” and individuals must go through the purchase process and enter the code GOLDEN when prompted.

86 High School Students Inducted into National Honor Society

On Thursday evening, we inducted 86 new members into the Clarence Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). Demonstrating excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Character, Service, and Leadership, the students joined one of the most well-respected co-curricular organizations in the country. The induction ceremony was organized by NHS Advisor, Mrs. Fleming, and it featured an inspiring keynote address by Mrs. Sorrels.

Girls Wrestling Team Embraces Historic First Season

Our first-ever official Girls Varsity Wrestling Team is making history and embracing the challenges of the sport in their inaugural season. With Girls Wrestling gaining momentum, the team is part of a growing movement, leading up to the State’s first official Championship for girls. The athletes are pushing themselves through tough practices, building confidence, and forming a strong team bond. Their coaches emphasize not only competition but also the life lessons wrestling teaches—resilience, discipline, and mental toughness. To learn more about this exciting new program, check out this article and video.

Clarence Students Find Success at Tech Wars Competition

On January 8, students from Middle School and High School attended the annual Tech Wars competition organized by local Technology Education teachers. Over 1,000 students from Western New York schools competed in dozens of design and problem-solving events, and the experience was a terrific opportunity for students to expand their understanding of what goes into engineering design. You can find additional information on our homepage, and we would like to extend our congratulations to all our Red Devil award winners!

Coming Soon: Annual CSEF/Clarence Faculty Basketball Game!

Although it is still a few weeks away, I wanted to pass along a “save the date” for our annual CSEF/Clarence Faculty Basketball Game. The event is an incredibly popular community fundraiser for the Clarence Schools Enrichment Foundation (CSEF), and this year it will take place on Thursday, March 20.

• 5:30 p.m. Open for Pizza/Concessions
• 6:30 p.m. Pre-Game Activities and Warm-ups
• 7:00 p.m. Faculty Red and Black Game Begins!

Finally, please join me in congratulating Nikolas Freeburg, Kylie Dean, Naoimh Brady, Gemma Hacker, and Adriana Colafranceschi. Each of the individuals were named Section VI/All-WNY Scholar Athletes for the Fall 2024 season!

Here’s to hoping that Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring on Sunday, Red Devils. Have a safe, relaxing, and fun weekend.

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools
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