We are excited to announce that the Camden Central School District will be affiliated with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!
We joined representatives from the Genesis Group, Ready 4 Kindergarten, and more for a press conference to celebrate the re-launch of this exciting program in Oneida and Herkimer Counties. We are one of two charter partners for the regional re-launch alongside the Utica City School District.
This program is one of the largest book-gifting programs on the planet, with over 200 million books distributed to date. It offers delivery of free age-appropriate books to registered children on a monthly basis. To be eligible, the child must be signed up, under five years old and reside in a participating area, which will soon include our School District! Sign-up information will be coming very soon.
Read more here: https://www.camdenschools.org/article/1264512
We had a great time meeting our next generation of students during our first meeting of the "Look at Me, I'm 3!" program for the 2023-24 school year! Our new members read a story with Mr. Ferretti, did a themed craft based on "We Are In A Book" by Mo Willems, did a mindfulness activity with Mrs. Gloude and finished out the night with a snack!
This program is a great informal introduction to the school environment for students old enough to attend pre-K next year. To be eligible for this free and optional program for the 2023-24 season, a child must reach their third birthday on or before December 1st, 2023.
Interested? It's not too late to join us for the next session! Contact Patti Ferretti at pferretti@camdencsd.org to get started. We also encourage you to fill out the District's Early Childhood Census form if you have not done so already for any child residing in district from birth to five years of age.
https://www.camdenschools.org/page/early-childhood-census
The Camden Elementary School Spirit Week schedule is hot off the press!
Connected Community Schools recently hosted a Back to School haircut event at Camden Elementary School! Thanks to area barbers and stylists Angel Croy, Michael Merritt, Josiah Hatch, and Jessica Vanslyke for coming in to take care of our students!
Today, we would like to introduce you to Camden Elementary School third grade teacher Garrett Janes! Garrett is a graduate of Rome Free Academy and SUNY Potsdam. His favorite part about being an educator is making connections with students. “There is nothing greater than showing interest in their lives and helping them excel in what makes them happy,” he said. He says he has been truly overwhelmed by the generosity of his new colleagues and credits them for a seamless transition into the District. When he’s not teaching, Garrett loves spending time with his wife and daughter and enjoys cycling and skiing with them.
Today, we would like to introduce you to Camden Elementary School third grade teacher Garrett Janes!
Garrett is a graduate of Rome Free Academy and SUNY Potsdam. His favorite part about being an educator is making connections with students.
“There is nothing greater than showing interest in their lives and helping them excel in what makes them happy,” he said.
He says he has been truly overwhelmed by the generosity of his new colleagues and credits them for a seamless transition into the District.
When he’s not teaching, Garrett loves spending time with his wife and daughter and enjoys cycling and skiing with them.
It's as good of a time as any to remind you that Camden Elementary School's Open House is tonight, Thursday, September 21st!
CMS will host theirs a week from today.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be introducing you to many of our new staff members here at Camden! There's no better way to start than with a returning CHS graduate, Mara Stone '19!
Mara is back as a second grade teacher with us after attending school in Camden! She attended college at LeMoyne. Her favorite part about the job is making a difference in students’ lives at Camden Elementary School.
“Getting to work with kids has always been a goal of mine," she said. "Now that I am finally doing it I feel I am right where I belong.”
She says she has appreciated being immediately welcomed as part of the team and not just as a new person.
When Mara isn’t at the front of the classroom, she is spending time with friends and family, watching the Buffalo Bills, and snowmobiling.
Welcome home, Miss Stone!
The Look at Me, I'm Three! program is back for a second year at Camden! If your child will be three years old on or before December 1st, 2023, bring them to our monthly meetings for awesome child development opportunities designed to help them feel comfortable at school, while preparing them to start Pre-K in Fall 2024!
Our first meeting of the 2023-24 season will be on Wednesday, September 27th, beginning at 5:30 PM! See the flyer for more details.
RSVP to Patti Ferretti at pferretti@camdencsd.org, and contact her if you have any questions!
Camden Families! A reminder that the long-running Box Tops for Education program has gone digital!
The Box Tops for Education program allows our schools to earn a small amount of money per participating product purchase, and that additional funding adds up! It can be used to further enrich the student experience. Get the app, select your school building, and start earning with your paper or online receipts today!
Camden Middle School, Camden Elementary School, and McConnellsville Elementary School are all listed as participating schools!
The Camden Homecoming Festival is just a few weeks away! Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086281531192 for information as it becomes available!
One week ago at our opening day festivities, the Camden Central School District recognized fifteen dedicated staff members who have achieved 25 years of service with us! Congratulations to the following:
Kim Bird - CHS Science
Heidi Libertella - CHS Science
Pearl Romano – District Food Service Manager
Dr. Betsy Bernabe - CHS Special Education
Jennine Bloomquist - CMS Library Media Specialist
Karen Henry - CMS School Counseling Secretary
James Petrello - CMS Reading
Jessica Potter- CMS French
Leah Richards - CMS Grade 6
Erica Riolo-Hammon - CMS Grade 5
Connie Abrams - CES Grade 1
Michelle Dailey - CES Grade 2
Susan Hebble – CES Reading
Gail Young – MES Pre-K
Loralee Skinner – MES Grade 3
We appreciate all you do to make Camden a better place for our students and families!
You know serious business is about to start when the crayons come out on the first day of art class!
Having the first day of school and a birthday at the same time has to be a pretty amazing feeling! Happy belated birthday!
Site Coordinator Cole wants you to know that Connected Community Schools is hosting Open Hub Hours at CHS on Monday! All CCSD families are welcome! See the included flyer for more details, and reach out to Cole if you have questions.
There's just something special about the moment you get off the bus for the first day of school.
All smiles to start the year at Camden Elementary School!
It's time! Best wishes to all on a healthy and successful year ahead!
Is your student interested in picking up instrumental music this fall? Join the CCSD Music Department on the evening of Thursday, 9/14 for the chance for your student to sample a variety of instruments! Our music faculty will be there to help introduce your child to musical instruments and help them find a fit that works for them. Two local retailers will be on hand to answer questions about rentals, sales, and instrument care!
Matt Donaleski is your person to contact if you have questions.
