Public Notice May 20:
This afternoon South Seneca was made aware of inappropriate online activity between an adult and a minor, which has been referred to the Sheriff’s Office for investigation.
The school district is cooperating with the investigation to facilitate interviews. We urge parents and guardians to speak to children about safe behavior online, and we are always available to help with these conversations if you reach out.
I am writing to thank the parents, staff, and members of the community who have taken the time to speak this week with our administrators and myself about the way we handle threats to student safety. As always, this is the priority above all others, and we are appreciative for the thoughtful questions and honest dialogue on the issue.
There are two important concerns that have been the most frequent items in these conversations:
1. How do we process information when someone makes a threat against others, or behaves in such a way that is a perceived threat?
2. When do we decide to make a general public notice to the community about a threat, versus a decision to communicate with a smaller circle of people?
We pride ourselves at South Seneca in knowing our student population well, and in responding quickly when behaviors present that are of concern. Adults in the building know to refer concerns to our trained counseling and administrative staff when they are noticed, and those staff themselves are connected to a strong mental health and law enforcement network in the county. We have excellent relationships with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and the State Police, and connect daily with the Office of Mental Health in the county. Any statements or behaviors that are considered threatening are processed in a formal manner using professional protocols: in other words, the processing is not casual, but conducted using an established process. I’m attaching the full protocol along with this letter.
The second large question I’ve been asked about this week is about how we communicate to those affected by a threat, and when we decide to do a community-wide public notice. Historically this happens in two instances: when the threat can’t be immediately assessed, or when the threat is deemed credible by the protocol. Some of those I’ve spoken to would prefer that we send a public notice even if a threat is assessed as not credible, simply so the community knows we have completed the process. It’s something we talked about publicly together at last night’s board meeting, and something we will continue to reflect on in the weeks ahead. Our typical practice in those situations has been to speak directly to those involved in the investigation; we do that with personal phone calls, in-person meetings, or visits to homes (often in partnership with law enforcement).
The first set of questions in every situation is an assessment of safety: is there an immediate danger to anyone, and is there a danger imminent in the future? Once we are sure safety is addressed, we strive to protect a confidential process as much as possible in a small community.
More than anything else, it’s this last judgement call that is our point of reflection moving forward. Should we use a lower threshold for making a general public notice about investigations of behaviors of concern? It’s a question we will continue to consider as we move forward. We welcome the chance to work together to answer it.
Hello Junior & Senior Parents/Guardians.
This is Mr. Houseknecht. Just a reminder that our junior/senior prom is this weekend. It is taking place at 7:00 Saturday night at the Seneca Falls Country Club. Please encourage your students to drive very carefully.
Anyone attending the prom is WELCOME to join the After Prom Party held here at South Seneca in the gymnasium at 11:30.
I have heard some talk that only juniors and seniors would be eligible to come to the after prom party, so I wanted to clear that up. If your student has a guest other than a junior or senior, please make sure they know that their guest can attend the party.
The after prom party will be an evening filled with fun activities (65' inflatable obstacle course, scooters, badminton, ping pong, karaoke, movies, dodgeball, man hunt - to give you an idea) and helps promote keeping our students safe on prom night.
Thanks so much for your continued support.
We believe in lifelong learning – for our students and ourselves! South Seneca Central School District at a regional Physical Education and Health Conference hosted by @TSTboces, @rsststboces!
Thank you to everyone who voted today! Our budget passed 278-126 (69%)
Library, Bus Purchase, Capital Reserve Propositions also passed
Proposition to Provide Permission to Purchase Land failed (45%), 183-221
Congratulations to Dan Borst (309 votes) and Ave Bauder (229 votes), elected to three-year terms. Write-in candidate Leon Anderson received 91 votes.
The South Seneca Board of Education will hold its regular meeting Wednesday, May 18 at 7pm in the MSHS Auditorium. Public is invited to participate at this meeting in discussion about building a new Transportation Facility.
We value your feedback! Please join us on May 18 at 7PM to participate in the board's discussion about the building of a new transportation facility at the BOE meeting. We will hold the meeting in the MSHS auditorium on Wednesday, and anyone who is interested in the project is invited to attend.
More information about this project can be found at: https://southsenecany.sites.thrillshare.com/page/ovid-bus-garage
Public Notice May 13: This week we received positive COVID test results for six (6) new cases, including four students and two staff members.
South Seneca Central School District is now hiring for an anticipated full-time Elementary Teacher position, commencing with the 2022-2023 school year!
Applications can be submitted through OLAS at: https://www.olasjobs.org/JobDetails?jobNumber=SSEN0230275-0010
Join us next Wednesday, May 18 for our K-3 Spring Concert!
This is an opportunity for the community to meet the two board candidates and see an overview of the proposed budget that will go to voters on May 17th. The setting allows for those in attendance to ask questions and discuss the proposal. Join us!
Correction Public Notice May 6: This week we received positive COVID test results for thirteen (13) new cases, including twelve students and ONE staff member.
A "Hidden in Plain Sight" session is planned for next week at the Ovid Library at 5:00-6:30 for anyone interested in attending — go register!
Hello everyone,
This is Mr. Houseknecht with a reminder that we have a half day tomorrow. Dismissal in the Ovid building is at 11:20. Parent teacher conferences are taking place in the afternoon. If you are not getting the chance to speak with someone, please contact me and I'll work to set something up either tomorrow or on another day. All BOCES programs are running on their regular schedules. That includes our group of mostly juniors who go for the afternoons. I hope you have a good evening. Thank you.
Public Notice April 29: This week we received positive COVID test results for ten (10) new cases, including seven students and three staff members.
Join us TONIGHT!
See you there!
The South Seneca Board of Education will hold its regular meeting Wednesday, April 27 at 7pm in the Middle-High School Flex Lab, room 100, Ovid.
Public Notice April 22: This week we received positive COVID test results for six (6) new cases, including four students and two staff members.
South Seneca Central School District is now hiring for the following positions next school year:
- Kindergarten Teacher — Early Childhood certification
- Elementary Physical Education Teacher
- Elementary Special Education Teacher
These listings can be found on OLAS here: https://olasjobs.org/jobs?keyword=®ion=04
