Portrait of a Graduate: Community Overview and Invitation
The New York State Education Department has introduced a new vision called the Portrait of a Graduate, which defines the skills, knowledge, and characteristics students should develop by the time they graduate high school. This statewide initiative serves as a guiding framework to ensure students are prepared not only academically, but also as critical thinkers, effective communicators, creative problem solvers, and responsible global citizens.
In the Commissioner’s recent video, she emphasizes that the Portrait of a Graduate is a blueprint for preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. It reflects a shift toward developing the whole child and ensuring graduates are future-ready in an ever-changing world.
As part of this important work, we will be developing our own local Portrait of an “SLC Graduate: Live Like a Larrie” to reflect the values, priorities, and goals of our school community. We invite parents, staff, students, and community members to partner with us in this process. Your voice will help define the skills and qualities we believe every graduate of our school should possess. We are seeking any community member with an interest in helping to have these important discussions about what education looks like at St. Lawrence Central Schools from Pre-Kindergarten through graduation.
Together, we can ensure our graduates are fully prepared for success and empowered to make meaningful contributions to their future and our community. For more information from NYSED, please see this link. Please utilize this link to see our February BOE update to understand what has been shared at school to date.
If you would like to be involved in the planning process, we invite you to fill out this short Google Form. If you have any questions regarding participating in this process, please reach out to Mrs. Zender, HS Principal, for questions or more information. Mrs. Zender may be reached via telephone at (315)389-5131 or via email at kzender@bfcsd.org.
From The Capital District Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center: Positive Solutions for Families!
Are you concerned about managing your child’s challenging behavior but you're out of ideas or solutions? This training is for you! Developed by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), Positive Solutions for Families is an evidence-based, user-friendly parent training series of seven modules to help parents promote positive and effective parenting behaviors. Each session helps family members understand and promote children’s social and emotional development and address the challenging behavior and mental health needs of children who are developmentally ages 3 through 8.
This is a free 7-week training for Parents and Caregivers. All sessions are from 9:00am-10:30AM on Zoom. By registering for this training, you are registering to attend all 7 sessions.
Sessions will be held on 7 consecutive Mondays:
4/13/26: Session 1 - Making the Connection
4/20/26: Session 2 - Keeping It Positive
4/27/26: Session 3 - Behavior Has Meaning
5/4/26: Session 4 - The Power of Routines
5/11/26: Session 5 - Teach Me What to Do!
5/18/26: Session 6 - Responding With Purpose
6/1/26: Session 7 - Putting It All Together With a Plan
Once you register, they will reach out and let you know your spot is secured. If the session is full by the time you register, you will be placed on a waitlist. You may be invited to attend if a confirmed participant does not finalize their attendance before the session.
Click here to register!
Please note that there is no cost to attend the training, but registration is required. Registrants will be emailed a Zoom link 2-3 days prior to the respective event.
For questions about a training or, if you need assistance with registration, please contact Cecily Honness at chonness@measinc.com.
Middle and High School Artwork Displayed at the Brasher Town Hall!
Be sure to check out the new display of student artwork at the Brasher Falls Town Hall, which will remain on exhibit throughout the month of March. The building is open to the public Monday–Thursday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. We encourage you to stop in and see their amazing work!
Congratulations to our 6th graders: Ally, Cash, Elliona, Easton, Mazie, Peyton, Quinn, Sage, and Zoey C. Congratulations to our 8th graders: Dorothy, Emma B., and Irelynn. Congratulations to our high school students: Aleah P., Kylee V., Nevaeh L., Mikayla T., and Zaida S..
Virtual Reality,
The Code Zone,
3D Printed Benchy,
3-Axis Motion Simulator Platform,
Battle Bots,
Fuel Cell Technology,
Custom SUNY Canton Coins,
The evening’s main event will be a two-person team competition to design and assemble a marshmallow launcher. High school juniors and seniors on the winning team will each receive a $1,000 scholarship, and the second-place team will each receive a $700 scholarship. The third-place prize is a Lego set.
Additional information is available at https://www.canton.edu/news/2026/engineers.php. Click here to register: https://admissions.canton.edu/register/engineersweek2026
Click on the link to read the February Bird's Eye View District Newsletter to stay up to date on key dates, announcements, and celebrations happening across our schools: https://app.smore.com/n/z0bkn
📚 Scholastic Book Fair – Week of February 2nd! 📚
Our Scholastic Book Fair will be happening February 2nd–4th during school hours at the Elementary School! Here is a helpful link with more information about the book fair: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/stlawrenceelementaryschool
✨ Don't forget:
~Books are taxable – please include tax when sending in money.
~For younger shoppers, feel free to send a note with favorite characters or book interests to help our volunteers guide them.
~Want to use the eWallet feature? Set it up here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/ewallet.html – just scroll to the bottom to get started!
~Do you have time to spare and a love for books? We're still in need of volunteers to help out at the book fair! Shifts are available Monday through Wednesday during the hours of 9:00-10:45am and 1-3:15pm. If you're interested in helping out, please reach out to Lisa Warner at pto@bfcsd.org for more information.
Thank you for your support and let's get excited about reading!
The SLC PTO would like to encourage you to order your SLC Elementary Yearbook online.
The School Counseling Department is teaming up with Citizens’ Advocates to offer a free support group for all parents, caregivers, and trusted adults of children in elementary and middle school. This group will meet for three fun and supportive sessions on March 12, 19, and April 2. It will be led by Cara, a counselor from Citizens’ Advocates who works closely with our school. Cara is trained in the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) and will share real-life strategies you can use at home right away. Come connect, learn, and grow with other caregivers in a welcoming space. Please reach out to Mrs. McFarland with any questions using the school app or at kmcfarland@bfcsd.org or 315-389-5131 ext. 29350.
