Administrative Team
August 2025
Dear Families, Caregivers, Faculty, and Staff
Welcome Back! We hope you have enjoyed a most restful and enjoyable summer. We are excited to begin the 2025-2026 school year with much enthusiasm and anticipation. We are looking forward to greeting new and familiar faces of our students, faculty, and families of Lyme Central.
Our newest members of our Lyme Laker Family:
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new staff members to the District. Please join me in welcoming the new staff and existing staff holding a different position within the District:
- Mrs. Elizabeth Netto …… PreK Teacher
- Mr. Ryan Peters….……… PE teacher
- Mr. Cody Walker…………ELA Teacher; gr. 9,11, &12
- Ms. Shana Cory…………..ELA Teacher; gr. 7, 8 & 10
- Mrs. Sara Brush……………Library Media Specialist
- Ms. Zoey Riches…………..Instrumental Music Teacher
- Ms. Cheyenne Sloat …… Teacher Assistant (Kdg)
- Mrs. Melanie Heise ………Food Service Worker
- Mrs. Dawn Mills,…………..School Monitor (Cafeteria)
- Miss Tabitha Viera……….. District Clerk (anticipated start December 2025)
In addition, we regrettably anticipate a District retirement prior to the New Year.
Mrs. Sherri Wilson…… District Clerk
As we get ready to open our doors for another wonderful school year, we wanted to update you on a few matters that will be impactful to you throughout the coming year.
Building Project Update: The majority of our building project is now complete, with only a few finishing touches remaining. One of the final areas under renovation is our gymnasium, which will not be ready in time for the start of the school year. This timeline was expected from the onset of the project, and we anticipate the space will be fully completed by mid-October. Once finished, we look forward to unveiling the newly renovated gymnasium to our students and the wider community. We are pleased to report that all other major work has been successfully completed. Upgrades to our heating, water, and electrical systems are just about finished, and new windows have been installed along the front of the building, bringing in more natural light and enhancing the appearance of our school. Additionally, air conditioning has been added in several areas, including the gymnasium—an exciting improvement that will enhance comfort during community events and school-wide celebrations.We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality; from our talented architectural team and dedicated construction crews and managers, to our hardworking custodial staff and all those who played a role in the planning and execution of this project. This has truly been a team effort.
Most importantly, we are excited to share the results with you, our community. These improvements reflect a shared commitment to creating an environment where our students can thrive and where our community can take pride. These spaces were designed not only for learning, but to serve as a reflection of the values, hopes, and investment of the people who make Lyme Central so special. This is only the beginning. With your continued support, the future of Lyme Central is bright and full of promise.
Portrait of A Graduate: This summer, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) officially approved the revised Portrait of a Graduate, a statewide initiative that outlines a clear vision for what students should know and be able to do by the time they graduate high school.
According to the revised Portrait of a Graduate, a New York State high school graduate will be:
- Academically Prepared: by demonstrating a strong foundation in the New York State learning standards and being equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve success in college, careers, civic engagement, service, and life.
- A Creative Innovator: by utilizing imagination, curiosity, and flexible thinking to solve problems creatively, and develop new ideas and products, while adapting to evolving circumstances and challenges.
- A Critical Thinker: by analyzing information thoughtfully, evaluating evidence critically, and identifying patterns and connections between different pieces of information (across multiple content areas) to address complex issues and navigate the world with insight.
- An Effective Communicator: by articulating ideas clearly and confidently through speaking, writing, and the use of different types of media for various purposes, while engaging with diverse audiences and actively listening to different perspectives.
- A Global Citizen: by acting responsibly and ethically within local, global, and digital communities, employing civic knowledge, skills, and mindsets to promote global sustainability and contribute positively to a culturally diverse, democratic society.
- Reflective and Future Focused: by engaging in self-reflection to identify strengths and areas for growth, setting meaningful goals, using social awareness to maintain supportive relationships, and demonstrating responsible decision-making that prioritizes social, emotional, and mental well-being. Source: NYSED Presents NYS Portrait of a Graduate
At Lyme Central School, we will continue to focus and align our practices with this statewide vision and help every student grow into a confident, capable, and compassionate graduate ready to make a positive impact on the world. Our strategic plan will be revised with these components in mind as we structure our vision for the future. The statewide requirement for instruction to be aligned to the portrait of a graduate begins with students in the 2029 cohort (students entering grade 9 in SY 2029-2030). Although this seems far off in the distant future, now is the time to begin thinking about and reflecting on our current practices as we prepare and learn ways to enhance these opportunities for our students now and moving forward. Click here to learn more about NYS Portrait of a Graduate.
No PED Distraction Free Learning Initiative: This school year, all schools in New York State are required to implement a Distraction Free Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy. At Lyme Central School, this means that all students must keep their PEDs—including cell phones, smartwatches, AirPods, and similar devices—secured and out of use from 8:10 AM to 3:00 PM. Students in grades 7–12 must place their devices in their locked lockers, while elementary students must keep them away in their cubbies. Students will not be permitted to carry PEDs on their person during the school day. Exemptions will be made for students with documented health needs, as indicated in their 504 Plan or IEP. This policy is designed to support a focused, distraction-free learning environment for all.
DoDEA: ASP on Tuesday & Thursday; Clubs & Activity Night on Wednesdays. We are pleased to announce that, through the support of our DoDEA grant, Lyme Central School will be expanding our Afterschool Program (ASP) to include an additional day focused on clubs and family engagement activities. This added day will allow us to offer students more opportunities to explore their interests while also creating meaningful ways for families to become more involved in school-based programming. In collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension, we are excited to provide a variety of engaging and enriching experiences that strengthen the connection between home and school. More information will be shared soon, and we look forward to seeing our families and students learning together in our building.
Chromebook Replacement/Warranty Program: As you know, we live in an increasingly digital world, and it is essential that our students are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to navigate technology effectively. Whether preparing for higher education or entering a competitive workforce, students must be comfortable using digital tools. At Lyme Central School, much of our curriculum is accessed through Chromebooks, which serve as a primary learning tool—often functioning as a digital textbook. Because students rely heavily on their Chromebooks, it is critical that these devices remain in good working condition throughout the school year. Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in damage to devices, and the cost of repairs and replacements is rising. To help safeguard these important tools and ensure we can continue providing school-issued devices to all students in grades PK–12, we are once again offering a warranty protection plan.
This plan requires a $15 annual enrollment fee per student, which provides coverage from the date of the signed agreement through the end of the school year. The warranty includes deductible-based coverage for common issues such as broken screens, damaged keyboards, and lost chargers—costs that are significantly lower than full replacement prices. Families who choose not to enroll in the warranty plan will be responsible for the full cost of any damage or loss. The Chromebook Damage and Replacement Contract will be included in your welcome back materials, which you will receive at Open House or during the first week of school. Please be sure to review this information carefully, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your continued support in helping us maintain the technology that supports your child’s learning every day.
District Wide School Safety Plan (DWSSP): Each year, all schools across New York State are required to review and update their District-Wide School Safety Plan (DWSSP). The New York State Education Department (NYSED), in collaboration with the Center for School Safety, provides annual training and guidance to support schools in making any necessary updates. We would like to inform you that our updated DWSSP is now available on our district website. This year’s revisions are minimal and include clarified language related to lockdown procedures—specifically, the addition of the word “secured” to better define certain types of lockdowns. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we will continue to notify families at least one week in advance of any planned emergency drills, such as evacuation (fire) drills or other safety exercises. While the exact timing of these drills will not be shared in advance, you will receive general notice that a drill is expected during a given week. These communications will come directly from the office of our building principal, Mrs. Emily Burker. Please be aware that multiple drills may occur within a single week, depending on weather and scheduling. We appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring the safety and preparedness of our students and staff.
In closing, you will soon receive a detailed communication from Mrs. Burker’s office. She will provide important information regarding school operations and procedures as well as athletic schedules, and key dates to remember throughout the school year. We encourage you to keep this information handy, as it will answer many common questions you and your children may have as we approach the start of school.
There is much to celebrate as we begin the 2025–2026 school year. Lyme Central School is fortunate to have outstanding students and dedicated staff, a strong and united Board of Education, caring families and caregivers, and a supportive community that truly believes in our mission. We remain grateful and committed to providing a safe, clean, rigorous, and nurturing learning environment for all our students.
This important work would not be possible without the partnership and support of our families. We are deeply thankful to our parents and caregivers for their ongoing collaboration in doing what’s best for our students every day.
We look forward to welcoming the smiling faces of our students as we open our doors on Wednesday, September 3rd. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the remaining weeks of summer with your family and friends. Don’t forget to join us for Open House on September 2nd from 5:00 to 6:00 PM—we can’t wait to see you there!
Patricia Gibbons, Superintendent