Dear Clarence School Family, 

I have a colleague with a poster in his classroom that reads: “Real heroes don’t wear capes—they wear dog tags and combat boots.” The words are a simple reminder that each November 11, we have a special opportunity to honor all Americans who have served in the armed forces. We know this doesn’t always happen naturally, so here in Clarence our faculty and staff purposefully plan lessons and assemblies to communicate the history as well as the meaning of Veterans Day. If you are an active or retired member of the armed forces, please know we recognize the sacrifices you have made on our behalf. We are privileged to be able to call you neighbors and co-workers, friends and family members, and this November 11 we thank you for your selfless service to our country.

As a final note, the Clarence Rotary Club will be hosting a Veterans Day Celebration at the Main Street Town Park on Saturday. If you are interested in attending, please click this link to help with a head count for refreshments. 

Red Devil Recognitions

Last week, I asked for your help in identifying qualities we can use when expressing appreciation through “Red Devil Recognitions” at upcoming Board of Education meetings. After reviewing the hundreds of survey responses that were submitted, it was clear that the following four characteristics have a special significance in our school community:

• Respectful: Shows consideration and regard for someone or something.
• Hard-Working: Goes above and beyond to achieve a higher level of success.
• Kind: Treats others in a generous, considerate, and helpful manner.
• Compassionate: Relates to the suffering or bad luck of others and demonstrates a desire to help them.

If you know someone who lives, learns, works, or serves in the Clarence Central School District, we would invite you to nominate them for a “Red Devil Recognition” by filling out this digital form. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected nominees (as well as their nominators) will be invited to upcoming Board of Education meetings where they will be formally recognized. We have a lot to be grateful for here in Clarence, and we hope this will be a meaningful way of expressing appreciation each month.

Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Conversations

From 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on December 14, we will be holding our first culturally responsive teaching and learning conversation of the year. The event will take place in the High School Library, and it will focus on the different ways we are trying to better acknowledge the diverse experiences, upbringings, and backgrounds of our students through culturally responsive instructional practices. If you are interested in attending, I would ask that you click this link to register by December 11 so that we know how many tables to set up and how much food to prepare. In addition to providing an update on different happenings in our buildings, we will be engaging the group in conversation about specific ways we can better create a sense of belonging for all families who are new to the Clarence Central School District.

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for the CHS Fall Drama, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” by clicking this link. The show opens on Thursday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Clarence Middle School Auditorium, and runs through Saturday, November 18th.

We would also like to highlight something called the Golden Age Pass. If a Clarence resident is 60 years of age or older, they can obtain a pass by visiting the District Office which is located at 9625 Main Street. The pass entitles the holder to attend most school-sponsored plays, musicals, concerts, and sporting events free of charge. To obtain a discount code when securing tickets for next week’s play, Golden Ticket holders should call the Drama Club’s ticket voicemail by calling 716-407-9050.

Diwali Greetings

Happy Diwali, or Dipawali, to our students, families, and community members celebrating this holiday. Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avail) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Sunday, November 12, is the most important day of the festival this year, and for those of you celebrating, may this Diwali come with beautiful beginnings, fresh hope, and bright days.

Last but certainly not least, please join me in wishing the following Red Devils the best of luck as they push their fall athletic seasons further into November! We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments, and we wish them the very best in the days ahead.

• Boys Varsity Soccer advances to the State Final Four.
• Boys Cross Country advances to the State Championship Meet.
• Emily Priset advances to the Girls Cross Country State Championship Meet.
• Boys Varsity Football competes against Lockport in the Section VI Final at Highmark Stadium. (Click here for ticketing information.)
• Boys Varsity Volleyball competes in the Section VI Final against Orchard Park.
• Gymnast Olivia Chapman qualifies for the State Team with a 2^nd Place Finish in the Section VI Championship.

From Food Pantry collections to field trips to AKG, Academy of Business and Finance mentoring to learning in Quebec and Washington, D.C., it’s been another busy few days at #ClarenceProud! Thanks for making all these important things possible—hope you can enjoy some well-deserved “R & R” over the long weekend, Red Devils.

Matt Frahm
Superintendent of Schools