The Cincinnatus Central School District Board of Education (BOE) met this past Thursday to discuss the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness and a 2024 trip to Europe.
The BOE’s meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the school library.
New Accolades
The board heard from Social Studies teachers Ashley Miller, Jolene Mychal Closson, and Jeffrey Kaltenbach, and principal David Phetteplace about the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness. This is a new distinction which would appear on a student’s diploma and transcript, similar to the Seal of Biliteracy also offered at the district. The seal demonstrates a student’s commitment to and understanding of the importance of civic engagement and signals to colleges and employers that the student has completed a service project in demonstration of those values.
The seal is also part of the 4+1 Pathway, which gives students an alternative route to graduating with a regents diploma even if they are not able to pass all 5 regents exams. By passing 4 exams and completing the requirements of the seal, students can still earn a regents diploma.
Students accumulate points toward the seal by taking relevant advanced or extra courses, scoring high on the regents, and completing multiple service projects and capstones. Six points are needed, and the program is meant to demonstrate a strong sense of civic knowledge and civic participation. While students can start earning points as soon as seventh grade, the teachers have identified seniors and juniors who may be eligible to earn the distinction as early as this spring, despite the program being new to the state and to the district.
2024 trip to Europe
World Language teacher Amanda Silva presented her plans for a student trip to Europe during Spring Break of 2024. It has been several years since the language program was last able to host a trip of this magnitude, spanning 10 days and two countries (France and Monaco), with an option to add two more days in Spain. The long lead time allows for the school and participating families to adequately plan and fundraise.
Community Calendar
Nov. 17 - Senior Citizen Thanksgiving dinner
Nov. 19 - Fall Play - Cincinnatus CSD presents “Clue”; showings at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
