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Update from Clarence CSD October 24, 2025

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Update from Clarence CSD October 24, 2025
Updated

Dear Clarence School Family,

From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, we will be hosting a free Science Night in the High School Cafeteria for elementary students to explore science through hands-on activities and crafts led by University at Buffalo (UB) students. The event is geared toward students in grades 3-5, with siblings and families welcome, and will feature UB clubs and majors representing fields such as dentistry, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and neuroscience. Launched last year by Clarence alum Noah Vaccarella, this year’s event is being coordinated by UB senior and neuroscience major Lilly Tartaglia. Science Night continues to grow thanks to the energy and creativity of UB students, and we hope you will join us for an evening that shows how “learning by doing” can spark excitement and open doors to future exploration.

Rett Messed with the Wrong Girl

This past week, Clarence Center came together in a powerful show of support as students and staff wore purple for Rett Syndrome Awareness Day. The day included a special morning announcement highlighting the significance of Rett Syndrome, a thoughtful family-provided lunch, and a faculty gathering that emphasized how deeply this cause resonates within the school community. Even though many staff members do not work directly with the student impacted by Rett, the overwhelming “sea of purple” underscored a shared sense of care, unity, and compassion that made the day both meaningful and inspiring. For more information on Rett Syndrome, click this link.

SEPTSA Advocacy Training

To help ensure that all children receive the highest quality education in the least restrictive environment, Clarence Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) exists to provide support, resources, information, and networking opportunities for parents of students with special needs. The organization meets on a regular basis, and it will be hosting a special education advocacy training on Thursday, November 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Room 511 of the High School. This session will equip parents with the knowledge and skills needed to secure a free and appropriate public education and guide them through the special education process from start to finish. For more information or to register, please call 716-332-4170 or email info@parentnetworkwny.org.

Clarence Chamber of Commerce Seeking Award Nominations

We pride ourselves on maintaining positive partnerships with community organizations, and for years, the District has been a member of the Clarence Chamber of Commerce. Serving more than 300 member businesses in and around Clarence, the Chamber operates with a focus on providing the programs, resources, and connections that businesses need to succeed. Because of our association with the Chamber, we wanted to pass along the nomination information for its Annual Awards Gala which will be presented on March 19. Nominations must be received by Sunday, November 30, and the Chamber will once again include an “Educator of the Year” category.

Elementary Students Unite Against Bullying

On Wednesday, many of our students wore orange and shared messages of kindness for Unity Day, a nationwide event during National Bullying Prevention Month that promotes acceptance and inclusion. In Clarence, these messages were highlighted through classroom activities, assemblies, and morning announcements.

While on the topic, I also wanted to reinforce the fact that bullying is never a normal part of growing up—it’s intentional behavior meant to harm others. To keep all students safe, New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) provides clear guidance for schools, including trained experts in each building to address bullying. Learn more about our DASA Coordinators, reporting procedures, and our Board of Education policy by visiting our webpage. For additional guidance, you may also find resources from GreatSchools and the American Psychological Association to be of interest.

October is Fire Safety Month

October is Fire Safety Month, and it’s the perfect time to emphasize the importance of fire prevention at school as well as at home. To help, the Harris Hill Volunteer Fire Company recently stopped by Ledgeview to share practical tips and to help our students understand how to stay safe in case of an emergency. We would encourage you to talk with your child about fire safety at home, and we wanted to provide a link to information from the American Red Cross.  

Serving Up Success

Please join me in congratulating Sofia Banifatemi on winning the Section VI Singles Title in Girls Tennis this past weekend. Victoria Kiener also finished second in the singles tournament, and Vivi Hallam and Julia Mu placed third in the doubles tournament. All four Red Devils will be traveling to New York City to represent Clarence in the State Tournament next week.

Finally, if you’re looking for fun things to do between now and the Bills game on Sunday, we hope you’ll consider the following:

Wishing everyone a bright end to the week. I’ll leave you with a photo a friend shared of a rainbow over our school community — a nice reminder that there’s always something good on the horizon. Have a safe and relaxing weekend, Red Devils. 

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools
Nominate Someone for a Red Devil Recognition

PS: It might seem hard to believe, but registration for winter sports has already begun. Click here for more information from Mr. Lehmbeck.