DAVENPORT   – Charlotte Valley Central School Superintendent Eric Whipple said they are ready to begin classes on Sept. 8, with teachers heading back next week for teachers conferences.

"We have just three new staff to add this year, which is the lowest number in a number of years," said Whipple. Julia Kuk will teach Vocal Music, Julia Blondel will start as a licensed teaching assistant, moving from the Hudson Valley, and Kaitlyn Cumming will start as a teacher's aid.

Just as school is starting, Sept. 11, they will bring in the JCK Foundation for grades 7-12 to tackle a difficult issue, but an issue that Whipple believes is very much relevant for today's students. It utilizes storytelling techniques in an attempt to break down the stigma of mental health and to help students to be able to identify and be open to discuss their own mental health. It will begin with an assembly then break off into different grade levels for more intimate conversations.

Whipple said that in this day and age, students have so many different demands and it is something people are dealing with today. "We want to educate and create conditions for our students to be able to realize when they may not be okay. We feel it is relevant to our students and we believe it is a great way to start off the year."

The school's strategic planning committee met over the summer and revisited the goals, updating and revising. "We have updated the educational goals of the community and culture and building." 

Charlotte Valley, along with Schenevus Central, have committed to a four-year athletic team collaboration for all sports, with the exception of track and field

Athletic participation has declined over the past four years, said Whipple, to the point that there is not enough or the numbers are so close that an injury or two jeopardizes the season. "At the end of last year there were only two teams that were not merged. So we have committed to a four-year athletic merger with Schenevus. They have been meeting over the past three or four months to establish a more cohesive program by establishing a collaboration committee. They have been reviewing and making plans for an athletic handbook to develop requirements and expectations. They have also been streamlining events so athletes do not have to choose."

Something that grew out of the collaboration committee, from the four students involved, was creating an identity for the merged athletic teams. He emphasizes it does not change the school mascot or the school colors, but provides an identity for the merged sports teams. "The students brought this to the committee on their own and the adults listened," said Whipple. "The students wanted an identity for Charlotte Valley/Schenevus and they came up with Valor. Valor means to have great courage in the face of diversity. They said this is what they are going through."

Because the V is prominent in both school titles, it will serve as the emblem for the merged identity. "It is something important that they are excited about," said Whipple. The varsity soccer and golf teams will have jerseys with the new identity. He commended the committee for listening to the students and the students for coming forward to say it was an important issue for them.

It is one more example of something the students of today have to think about that students from earlier generations had no worries about. "We, as adults, have to realize that students today are experiencing many different things from when we were students in school."

The new year also brings increased dual credit programs, with students getting college credits,  at CVCS. There are also four business electives built in and a number of elementary  extracurricular programs. "We have a lot of middle and high school programs, but nothing for elementary. We have added a Poetry Club, an Environmental Club and Coding Club. There will also be a homemaking program once per month that involves cooking, skills for the home and construction projects," said Whipple.

He sad they continue to look for programs that enrich the experience for students.

"We are looking forward to a good year. There are some changes, but we feel prepared and we are looking forward to having the students back."