Have You Heard a Rumor?
We are working harder to keep lines of communication open, if you have heard a rumor that involves the school district and it is concerning to you, you can contact us for up to date, factual information. We will post responses to selected inquiries at our Rumor section of the website. We will attempt to respond to all rumor inquiries individually. Please e-mail all rumors to rumors@wfsd.k12.ny.us
Names must be included and inquiries must be appropriate.
Names must be included and inquiries must be appropriate.
Rumor: I understand that the district is effectively reducing teaching periods by requiring that teachers perform administrative tasks such as attendance during the class instead of after the class in a preparation period. I would be interested in knowing if this is true or not, and if so, why would you want to waste even one second of class time for something that could be done later. (Rumor from November 30, 2010)
District Response: Taking student attendance and accounting for the students assigned to a teacher's class has always been and will always be a teacher's responsibility. This is not an administrative task, it is a teaching responsibility. The task of taking attendance should not require a great deal of time. Reporting whether or not a student is in class at any given time is a reasonable expectation and has been made more efficient through the use of technology. Parents now have the opportunity to check on their children's attendance on a period by period basis. This is not a waste of class time.
Rumor: This isn't exactly a rumor. Wanted to let the district know that I have two children in HS and they were very upset to see their school on Channel 12 News with regard to the institution of a drug treatment program. They felt it cast a very poor light on the district in general. Two girls were interviewed and they said you couldn't walk down the hall without someone asking you if you wanted to buy drugs. My kids said this simply isn't so and it reflects very negatively on the students who attend the High School. At this point I'm not sure I want my children associated with the William Floyd School District. (Rumor from November 30, 2010)
District Response: The Board of Education at its November 16th introduced a proposal to have Daytop provide substance abuse counseling at the high school for our students who need it and want it. The Board did not take action on that proposal. Our intention was to introduce the proposal to the public which we did. Since then we have broadcast a Connect-Ed call, put a fact sheet on our website and put a link on Facebook. We will be continuing our discussion on the topic at our next Board of Education meeting on December 7th.
Rumor: Why did I see a story on news 12 this morning about the board of education approving a drug clinic to go in WFHS? In October a parent asked about a clinic and the distric response said if and when discussions become serious public meetings etc. would be held? When were they held? This is a matter that effects all children in this district that will eventually go to that HS. A letter should have been sent home with every child letting them know that this was being discussed and we should have had a say. I work, I don't have time to go on the rumor board or the BOA website to see what is going on. Something of this nature should have had a letter sent home. I'm sick of this. Not everyone has access to the internet. I work two jobs and take care of my kids. Thanks for allowing the parents to have a say. Oh and if you did, thanks for letting us all know about this topic that would be discussed at a meeting. (Rumor from November 30, 2010)
District Response: We agree that some of the news reports were not entirely factually accurate and that some of the interviews did not accurately depict what is happening in our high school. We do not control news reporting or the comments made by people who are interviewed by the media. Substance use and abuse by young people is a problem throughout Long Island. It is no greater at William Floyd. The difference is, we are trying to get help for those who need it and want it. Many districts are not giving their students the help they need because they are embarrassed to admit they have a problem. We cannot solve a problem if we will not admit that we have one.
William Floyd High School has so much to be proud of including many great kids who consistently make wise choices and do the right thing regardless of whether or not they are being supervised. Although the media has given the proposed substance abuse treatment program much attention lately, it will not overshadow the wonderful accomplishments or outstanding character of our students.
William Floyd High School has so much to be proud of including many great kids who consistently make wise choices and do the right thing regardless of whether or not they are being supervised. Although the media has given the proposed substance abuse treatment program much attention lately, it will not overshadow the wonderful accomplishments or outstanding character of our students.
Rumor: I understand that Floyd has adopted a healthy food policy and is encouraging the children to make healthy food choices. This being said, I am wondering why the elementary cafeteria is selling Otis Spunkmeyer cookies 3 for a dollar at lunch everyday, cinnamon buns covered in icing for breakfast, and has a Good Humor ice cream cooler at the entrance to the food line? Given the choice between a bag of carrot sticks and m&m cookies it is very difficult for a child to make the healthy choice. Additionally, these choices are not listed on the lunch menu and many parents may not be aware these items are in the school. I think that one of the best ways to encourage children to make healthy choices today and in the future is to ensure the children are offered only the best. Please help . . .( Rumor from March 15, 2011)
District Response: Thank you very much for your interest in the "Floyd Gets Fit" wellness policy. We are indeed working very diligently to introduce new healthier food, meal, snack, & beverage choices to the existing list of students options. Specifically our offerings are lower in fat, sugar and sodium than the past and higher in whole grains, include more fresh fruit and vegetables, and the milk offerings are all 1% fat or less. To address your specific questions, the cookies are definitely not as healthy an option as the carrots sticks however they do meet the wellness guidelines for a snack. They are 51% whole grain and are reduced fat. The Otis Spunkmeyer Delicious Essentials line of 1 oz. cookies which we sell as a snack option contain less than 30% calories from fat, less than 35% of calories from sugar, & contain no high-fructose corn syrup. We offer them to the students as an alternative to bringing in a less nutritious option. The fresh carrot sticks are offered instead of the previously offered canned vegetable options and as an alternative to all other snacks. The ice cream options do meet the snack guidelines as well. The cinnamon buns are enriched & wheat flour but should really be 51% or more whole grain and we are looking into alternatives now which will meet this standard. We try to include the majority of our menu offerings on the monthly menu. Our full A la carte menu is not included as there is not enough room.
Rumor: Please tell me if it’s true that each administrator has their own Secretary. . (From May 27 2011)
District Response: We are a district that prides itself in providing smooth operating schools and central services. We service approximately 9,400 students per day. Our clerical staff is a critical part of the smooth functioning of our schools and offices. We currently have 114 district-wide and district office clerical staff members. We have cut 14.5 positions over the past two years. We also have 38 administrators. Each administrator has clerical assistance to complete their responsibilities.