Update from Clarence CSD March 27, 2026
Update from Clarence CSD March 27, 2026
Updated
Dear Clarence School Family,
As we get ready to turn the calendar, I’m reminded of the poem that goes: “Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, except for March—which has about 973!” Bad jokes aside, March is an incredibly busy month for schools. Instruction is at its peak, the budget is close to being finalized, and we are right in the middle of hiring the next group of Red Devil educators. With just one week to go until Spring Break, there is still a great deal of meaningful work taking place across our classrooms and programs. A handful of highlights are included below, and as always, we appreciate your partnership and support.
The Power of Our People
The best part of my job is having a front-row seat to all the great things happening in our District. As the week comes to a close, I want to take a moment to recognize a few students and staff members who reflect the pride, effort, and care that define our school community.
- We’re excited to announce the three students with the highest grade point averages in the Class of 2026. Consistently demonstrating hard work and academic excellence, we are proud to share that Breanna Lukacz was named class valedictorian, Ella Celej was named salutatorian, and Sydney Silverstein earned the third-highest rank.
- Congratulations to speech language pathologist Gretchen Burden (Educator of the Year) and BOE Trustee Dawn Snyder (Citizen of the Year), who were honored at the Clarence Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Gala just over a week ago!
- Senior Bella Marcaccio will soon share her stylish fashion designs on the runway for the Erie 1 BOCES FUSION ‘26 Fashion Show: Unification. Experiencing continued growth since 2009, this annual show is a culminating event that stresses the power of collaboration.
- A-W-E-S-O-M-E. Awesome. That’s one word to describe 6th grader Benjamin Gibson’s recent 2nd place finish at the Scripps National Spelling Bee Regional Competition at SUNY Fredonia.
- Kudos to Colbey Richards on being named Student of the Month for the Automotive Technician Training II program at Erie 1 BOCES' Harkness Career and Technical Education Center. Colbey is a student recognized for always being hardworking, conscientious, and on task.
- A few days ago, Emma Cerifko and Giuliana Bishouty shared their research about education during the Erie 1 BOCES Education Pathways Academy showcase at Buffalo State University. Just incredible—we sure hope they consider Clarence if they pursue a career in education.
Summer Job Opportunities for Secondary Students
It may seem hard to believe, but the end of the school year will be here in a blink. While Summer Vacation is a great time for relaxation and travel, July and August can also be important opportunities for many of our secondary students to gain experience in the world of work. If you have a child who is going to be a junior, a senior, or who is even a recent Clarence graduate, I encourage you to have them apply for one of our Summer Laborer positions. The 32-40 hour a week jobs usually run from the middle of June to the end of August, and they involve things like moving furniture, cleaning, painting, and helping to take care of our athletic fields.
AOBF Meets Goal to Support Courage of Carly Fund
Thank you for stepping up to help the Academy of Business and Finance (AOBF) meet their fundraising goal for the Courage of Carly Fund at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Because of your generosity—and the work of the Academy of Business and Finance Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy—the funds will help give children with cancer and blood disorders the fighting chance they deserve.
Behind the Magic
And speaking of the AOBF, a number of students in the Academy recently traveled to Florida where they had the opportunity to explore the inner workings of Walt Disney World. During their March trip, they participated in hands-on workshops focused on logistics, training, and guest experience, gaining insight into the complex operations behind the scenes. Students also collaborated with peers from Lake Shore High School, building teamwork through shared activities and challenges. To learn more, check out this link on our website.
A Quick Correction (and a Note of Thanks)
I want to offer an apology and a brief correction from last Friday’s message. Toward the end of the note, I mistakenly referenced Eid al-Adha instead of Eid al-Fitr. It was an honest—albeit embarrassing—error on my end, and I appreciate those who caught the slipup and reached out in such a gracious way. The information has been updated in ParentSquare and on our website, and I’ll be sure to double (and triple!) check similar messages before I hit “send” in the future. And, if you’re ever interested in learning more about some of the different holidays and traditions observed by our Clarence families, I would encourage you to review the written summary we have begun including in our school calendar.
Enjoy the Weekend!
From Clarence Center’s annual trip to St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, to Ledgeview’s Silent Disco, to Sheridan Hill’s Jump-A-Roo, it’s been another busy week for our Red Devils. We hope you have a safe and relaxing weekend.
Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools
Nominate Someone for a Red Devil Recognition
PS: It might be chilly outside, but Spring Sports are in full swing. Our Red Devils have been putting in the hard work during pre-season, and we hope you will consider coming out to cheer them on in the weeks to come. For a detailed schedule, click this link.