Community Update 11-22-24

NCS Community,

I hope this message finds you well.  As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday next week, November is always a time to reflect upon what we are thankful for.  Last week, our students at NES did a wonderful job expressing gratitude to Veterans at our annual Veterans Day Assembly.  It was an honor to be in the presence of so many of our local veterans from all military branches. This program serves as a reminder that it is of critical importance to show our appreciation to those who have made sacrifices so we can enjoy the many opportunities provided in our great nation.  On behalf of NCS, we thank all those that have served.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the entire NCS staff who work so diligently to support our students each and every day.  Whether it be our teachers, aides, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, administrators, clerical employees, directors, or our maintenance staff, each of these individuals plays a critical role in making the NCS experience a positive one for all of our students, from Universal Pre-Kindergarten through 12^th grade.  Those who volunteer their time to guide our district through their participation on the Board of Education are also key to district success-thank you for your service.  Through acts both seen and unseen, all of these individuals strive daily to ensure our students have relevant learning experiences, feel valued, safe, engaged, and are treated with compassion and kindness.  On behalf of the entire district, we also want to extend thanks to our families and of course our wonderful students; working in such an environment is without a doubt a privilege.

Over the past few months, we have had lots to be proud of, particularly when reflecting on our fall athletic season.  All NCS teams, across all sports and levels, experienced highly successful seasons, with both team as well as individual accomplishments.  All levels of soccer had excellent seasons, with our Varsity Girls advancing to the sectional finals and of course our Varsity Boys had a season to remember, capturing a sectional title and advancing to the NYS semi-finals.  Our Fall Trap Shooting Team also finished 1^st place in their region. What elicits the most pride, however, is the manner in which our athletes carried themselves this year.  Success, in my estimation, cannot be judged merely upon wins, sectional titles, or trips to state tournaments.  Rather, it should also be judged on the degree our athletes played to their potential, the degree they played selflessly, the degree to which they competed with grit each game, the positive chemistry they developed, and the memorable experiences our athletes shared across the entire journey that was the fall season.  By applying this season to all of the above measures, there is reason for tremendous pride as success occurred in so many ways.  A few individual accomplishments to note from the fall season:

Matthew Lincoln: WFL West Boys Player of the Year & Small Schools Boys Player of the Year

Jake Betrus: Gary Schenk Memorial Award Winner

Polly Bay: WFL West Girls Player of the Year

Abigail Hall: WFL Offensive Player of the Year

Colin Kenney: NYS Cross-Country State Meet Qualifier

Andrew Goodwin: 1^st Place NYS Fall Trap Shooting & NYS High Score Trapshooting

Jake Betrus: 2^nd Place NYS Fall Trap Shooting

Without question, we look l forward to watching our NCS students continue to shine in the months ahead, whether it be on the court, in the pool, or on the stage for our annual musical.  In closing, I hope each of you has a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends and as always do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

With Gratitude,

Kevin Swartz

NCS Superintendent