Update from Clarence CSD August 27, 2026

Dear Clarence School Family, 

On behalf of our school community, I wanted to extend a warm welcome as we prepare to begin the 2026–2027 school year. While we hope you are enjoying the last bits of summer, I wanted to reach out with a handful of updates and reminders to help ensure a smooth start to school. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance. Our updated Communication Guide can be found on our website, and it can be a helpful resource for connecting with the right person.

Clarence has a proud history of teaching and learning. As we begin a new school year, our focus continues to center on being your favorite school—a place where each child feels known, challenged, supported, and excited to walk through our doors each day. We recognize what a privilege it is to be part of your child’s educational journey, and we look forward to another great year together.

An Opportunity to Join Our SRO Team

For several years, the District and the Town of Clarence have worked together to support a School Resource Officer (SRO) program. The team is made up of four officers, and there is still one position to fill. We’re looking for a qualified law enforcement professional who is committed to school safety, enjoys working with young people, and understands the importance of building positive relationships within a school community. The position offers $55,000 in annual compensation, and residency in Clarence is not required. If you or someone you know may be a good fit, we encourage you to consider the opportunity and help us spread the word.

Transportation Reminder

Earlier this week, our Director of Transportation sent a detailed message regarding busing for the start of the school year. If you haven’t had a chance to check your child’s bus route, pick-up time, and drop-off time in the Parent Portal yet, please take a moment to do so as soon as possible. If you notice any errors, please contact our Transportation Department (716-407-9500) by the end of the day tomorrow (Friday, August 28). We appreciate your help in making sure your child’s information is accurate so that our drivers can complete their training runs and prepare for a smooth start to the school year.

A New Look for High School Open House

Our High School is introducing a restructured Open House on Wednesday, September 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The new format is designed to give students and families greater flexibility while helping them feel connected and prepared for the new school year. Families can visit classrooms, select lockers, explore the building, connect with clubs and activities, and meet representatives from organizations that support students. The event is intended to showcase the strong sense of community in our High School and to help students begin the year with confidence. More information can be found by clicking here, and we’re especially proud that the story was written by Niko Bain—one of our Red Devil seniors!

Title I Parent and Family Engagement Policy Information

Title I is a federal education program that provides funding to help ensure students have access to high-quality learning opportunities and the support they need to be successful. In Clarence, Title I funding supports eligible schools and programs through additional instructional resources, targeted student support, and opportunities for parent and family engagement. As part of our annual planning process, we invite families to learn more about how these funds support our students, understand their rights under Title I, and share feedback that can help guide our programming. We encourage you to take a few minutes to view our Title I Parent & Family Engagement presentation and share your input, which is an important part of our ongoing planning and decision-making.

Staying Connected This School Year

We know that clear communication is key when it comes to building meaningful connections between home and school. To keep you in the loop, we use a unified communication platform called ParentSquare, and we also invite you to follow us on social media. We have a lot to be proud of here in Clarence, and I’ll send an update each Friday afternoon with content and highlights from earlier in the week.

Clarence Calendar/Handbook

Each summer, we put together a Calendar/Handbook that is sent out to community residents. While print copies will be mailed in the next day or two, I wanted to pass along the link to the digital Calendar/Handbook. We hope the document will help you take full advantage of the rich experiences our District has to offer, and we would encourage you to post the Calendar/Handbook in a place where you can use it as a guide over the course of the coming year.

Have a great rest of the week, Red Devils. I’ll check back in next week with a bit more back-to-school information.

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools