Update from Clarence CSD May 30, 2025
Update from Clarence CSD May 30, 2025
Updated
This past week, it was a real privilege seeing so many of our students display their talents in a variety of spring art shows. Whether it was their choice of color, thoughtful design, or creative interpretation, each piece reminded us why art is so important in our school community. We especially want to congratulate our seniors in the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts and the National Art Honor Society who showcased their work at our High School’s Celebration of the Arts on Wednesday evening. It was an impressive event, and one that would not have been possible without our talented art educators who guide and inspire our students each day.
New York State Universal Free Meals
If you’ve been following Executive Budget amendments in Albany, you may have seen an addition having to do with Universal Free School Meals. This means that beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, schools will now be able to provide free breakfast and lunch at no cost to students. We’ll share more detailed information as we get ready to welcome students back in September, but we wanted you to know that the Universal Free School Meal amendment will automatically apply to all Clarence students.
Annual Concert at Kleinhans Music Hall
If you are free at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, please consider joining us for the 60th Annual Concert at Kleinhans Music Hall. In addition to featuring performances from the Treble Chorus, Chorale, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, it will also be Mr. Lou Vitello’s last concert before he retires at the end of the year. More than a gifted conductor, Mr. Vitello has an uncommon ability to connect with students, and in the process, help them realize their full potential. You won’t want to miss the concert, and you can find ticketing information by clicking this link.
If you are the parent of a secondary student, you know the jump from Elementary School to Middle School can come with all sorts of academic as well as social changes. To make the shift as smooth and successful as possible, Beth Chelus (6th Grade House Principal) and a team of colleagues have put together a thoughtful, comprehensive transition process. An important step took place this past week as 5th graders from our elementary schools visited the Middle School to talk with older students, ask questions, meet teachers, and tour the building.
High School Academy of Business and Finance Graduation Ceremony
On Tuesday evening, we honored 36 seniors who graduated from our High School Academy of Business and Finance (AOBF). Affiliated with NAF, the program prepares students for college and career success through an interdisciplinary curriculum, career planning, networking, and paid internships. The number of graduates is a real point of pride for the District, and it would not be possible without the work of the Clarence Business Department and the Academy of Business and Finance Advisory Board. We would also like to extend a special note of thanks to the Advisory Board President, Jeri Nolan. One would be hard-pressed to find someone more passionate about financial literacy than Jeri, and she has been a thoughtful, caring leader of the Board for the past five years.
A Clarence Student Making Us Proud
Every now and again, it’s important to celebrate the great things our students are doing both in and out of school. Recently, junior David Brophy earned the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal—the highest honor Congress gives to youth for initiative, service, and achievement. To receive this award, David completed more than 1,900 hours across community service, personal development, and physical fitness, also earning STEM Star recognition for his accomplishments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. His work included service with the Town of Clarence Youth Board and Youth Court, as well as a 14-day wilderness trek in New Mexico. In June, David will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored alongside other recipients from across the country. We’re proud of David’s dedication and leadership, and we congratulate him on this outstanding accomplishment.
Strategic Planning Committee Holds Annual Meeting
For more than 30 years, we have brought together a group of approximately 40 stakeholders each spring to engage in a strategic planning process. The event has become an important annual tradition, as well as an opportunity for students, staff, parents, and community members to develop key priorities for our school community. We would like to thank the members of the team who met yesterday, and to share that we will use their feedback to update our focus areas, action steps, and indicators for success as we get ready for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Section VI Success
Please join me in congratulating our Girls Varsity Flag Football Team and our Boys Varsity Track and Field Team on their Section VI Championships this past week! Accomplishments like this don’t happen by accident, and they’re a real credit to the hard work of our athletes as well as our coaching staff. Additionally, we’d like to recognize Alex Laspro and Marshall Harrishburg—members of our Boys Varsity Tennis Team who are headed to States.
Best of luck to our Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team as it takes on Frontier tonight in the Section VI Final, and to our Varsity Girls Flag Football Team as it gets ready to play tomorrow at Highmark Stadium!
Enjoy the weekend, Red Devils.
Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools