Update from Clarence CSD June 18, 2026

Dear Clarence School Family, 

If you’re familiar with school capital work, you know that summer presents an important window for needed renovations. With students and staff out of our buildings in July and August, our construction team will be taking advantage of the opportunity to tackle improvements that would be difficult—or in some cases, impossible—to complete during the school year. While much of the upcoming HVAC, plumbing, and lighting work will happen behind the scenes, you will start to notice construction activity at several of our schools shortly after Graduation. To give you a sense of what to expect, I wanted to highlight the following components of our project that will be most visible throughout the summer months.

Middle School: Chain-link construction fencing around the whole perimeter of the front parking lots. Trailers, lifts, and storage units near the back parking lot.

High School: Chain-link construction fencing around the perimeter of the east side of the front parking lot.  Heavy machinery on site and a heavy flow of dump trucks coming in and out of the site. Storage units and trailers near the construction zone by Main Street.

Clarence Center: Storage trailers and lifts located at the east end of the front parking lot.

Harris Hill: Orange construction fencing around the perimeter of the playground starting on June 29. Storage units and trailers in front of the building. Heavy machinery and new playground equipment staged near the construction zone.

Digital Device Information

For students to excel in school as well as in life, it is important that they learn to leverage the power that exists in digital devices. To ensure that all Clarence students have the needed access to technology, the District has supplied 1:1 school-issued devices in recent years. However, rather than collect the devices this spring, students will keep their Chromebooks during July and August and simply bring them back to school in the fall. Our Technology Department will ensure that all updates happen automatically, and the change in practice will help keep our kids learning and connected during the summer months. (Note: If your child will not be returning to Clarence in the fall, please make arrangements with your building office to return the device before Wednesday, June 24.)

Learn What It Means to Be a Volunteer Firefighter

Have you ever thought about serving as a volunteer firefighter? If so, the Harris Hill Volunteer Fire Company will host an Open House from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. We are grateful to the volunteers across our fire companies in Clarence—including many past and present students—for their ongoing commitment to keeping our community safe.

Making the Most of Summer in Our Community

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the events and partnerships that make Clarence special. If you’re working on your summer calendar, we hope you’ll keep the following in mind. Although they might not be offered directly by the District, they are chances to have fun in a community that values family, tradition, and togetherness.

• Clarence Concert Association: For the past 68 years, this group has enriched the cultural life of our community with regular summer performances. Make sure to check out the list of 2026 Summer Concerts, and if you have a student who is looking for volunteer hours, have them reach out to Sue Fay Allen directly (suefayallen@rochester.rr.com).
   
• Fireworks in the Park: Beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, the event will take place at the Clarence Main Street Town Park and involve concessions, face painting, inflatables, and family-friendly entertainment before fireworks at dusk.
   
• Summerfest Family Fun Event: The Clarence Youth Bureau will be holding a Family Fun Event from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Stop by the Clarence Main Street Town Park for food, games, bounce houses, and a chalk competition.
   
• Taste of Clarence and Cruise Night: From 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, the event will involve food, vendors, classic cars, and entertainment. (And, if you’re someone who loves to sing, perform, or have fun in front of a crowd, consider auditioning for Clarence Idol!)

Congratulations Are in Order

In New York State, regions are divided into shared service areas known as BOCES. Clarence is a member of Erie 1 BOCES, and we’re proud to announce that senior Giuliana Bishouty was recently honored with its Educational Foundation Scholarship. Additionally, BOE Trustee Dawn Snyder was elected to serve as Vice President of the Erie County Association of Schools Boards (ECASB). Congratulations to both on these well-earned accomplishments.

Marking a Milestone in American History

Because Juneteenth is still a relatively new holiday, it’s one that invites us to learn more about our shared history. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring freedom for enslaved people in the Confederate states, that freedom wasn’t immediately realized everywhere. It took more than two years—until June 19, 1865—for Union troops to reach Galveston, Texas, and inform the last enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended, and they were finally free. Known as Juneteenth, this day marks the true end of slavery in the United States. Tomorrow, we pause to honor that milestone and to reflect on how far we’ve come in our pursuit of a more perfect union.

Wishing Our Seniors a Memorable Evening

Finally, in just a couple of hours our Senior Prom will begin. It’s a special milestone and we hope all our students have a fun and memorable experience. With that being said, Senior Prom is an event where we tend to worry a little more about the safety of our Red Devils. We are beyond grateful for the parents who have organized a Post Prom event at Urban Air, and we hope everyone will help encourage good decision-making. By looking out for one another, we can help ensure everyone returns home safely after an evening of fun.

To our Clarence dads—please know we wish you a Father’s Day filled with hot grills, control of TV remotes, and uninterrupted naps. Thanks for being such steady, positive influences in the lives of our students.

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools