Dear Bloomfield School Community,

I hope you’ve had a wonderful week! I’m excited to share some great news, a reminder about our upcoming Capital Improvement Project vote, and a few highlights from around our District.

District Recognition

Earlier this week, we received exciting news from the New York State Education Department. They’ve invited Bloomfield to showcase our Teacher Mentoring Program as part of their Framework for Impact. Our program was selected as one of the first examples of best practices from across the state!

This recognition is an incredible honor and reflects the outstanding work of Eric Vaillancourt, Director of Teaching, Learning and Accountability, along with our Teacher Mentor Coordinators Chelsea Tusch and Nicole Sterner. Their dedication, and that of our entire staff, continues to be celebrated not only locally, but also by organizations such as Wayne Finger-Lakes BOCES and the Rural Schools Association. The work we have done this year has served to strengthen our teacher support systems, expand student programs, and even generate new revenue for the District.

Capital Improvement Project Update

Last December, our original Capital Improvement Project proposal did not pass. Since then, we’ve listened closely to community feedback and created a revised plan that focuses on the District’s most critical facility needs, while significantly reducing costs. The community vote will take place on November 18.

Highlights of the Revised Proposal:

• No additional tax impact for residents ($0)
• Reduced total project cost: from $35 million to $27.7 million
• Focus on: health, safety, and energy efficiency improvements, plus upgrades to learning spaces
• Funding: 73% from state building aid, 16% from District reserves, and 11% from retiring debt service

About the ballot language:
Some community members have asked why the ballot includes language about “raising a tax” even though the project has no additional tax impact. This is required by bond counsel and refers to the 11% of retiring debt service. As existing debt is paid off, the new project’s debt will replace it, keeping our total debt service flat, and ensuring no increase to taxes.

We encourage you to join us for a Public Hearing on Monday, November 10, at 6:30 PM in the Elementary School Cafeteria to learn more, ask questions, and share your feedback. You can also find details and a Frequently Asked Questions document on our website: https://bloomfieldcsd.org/capitalproject.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us at (585) 657-6121 or adoell@bloomfieldcsd.org.

District Highlights and Celebrations

Our students continue to show their incredible spirit of service! Recently, members of the High School CAS Club volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Sonnenberg Gardens, giving back to our community in meaningful ways. A special thank you to Mrs. Woodhouse, our CAS Advisor, for facilitating these opportunities for our students.

Our Girls Volleyball Team has advanced to the Sectional Finals and will face Lyons on Friday at 5:00 PM in Caledonia. Best of luck to the girls as they look to continue their amazing season! 

A huge thank you to Mrs. Wadsworth, who went above and beyond by assisting with a major data project outside her regular role. Her teamwork helped our data coordinator meet a critical deadline after a major system merge.

Congratulations as well to Casey Acoff, Lauren Forrett, Avery Newstead, and Madeline Seddon, who were accepted into the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Region Honor Choirs! These talented students will represent Bloomfield at the conference in Providence, RI this February.

We also want to celebrate Mrs. Wilson, our UPK teacher, and our UPK classroom aide Mrs. Erdle, for creating a joyful and nurturing classroom where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. Their creativity and care help our youngest learners build confidence and a love of discovery.

Upcoming Events

Don’t miss our upcoming production of James and the Giant Peach at the Bloomfield Performing Arts Center—a fun, family-friendly show for all ages!

Showtimes:

• November 14 at 7:00 PM
• November 15 at 2:00 PM
• November 15 at 7:00 PM

Tickets are available at https://bloomfieldcsd.seatyourself.biz/.

We’ll also commemorate Veterans Day with our annual ceremony on Monday at 7:30 AM in the Performing Arts Center. This cherished event allows us to thank our veterans, connect with them, and reflect on their service and sacrifice.

Supporting Our Community

The District is working with local organizations to create a Community Resource Page, a hub where families can easily find available supports and services. One of those valuable resources is our Backpack Program, which provides kid-friendly, nutritious food for weekends and holidays.

We’re grateful to the Bloomfield Rotary Club for helping ensure the program continues this year. Participation is confidential and open to any family who may benefit. To enroll, please complete the online sign-up form.

Thank you to our community partners for helping us care for our students and families!

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We’re proud to celebrate the incredible things happening in our District. Please remember to let us know if you ever have any questions or ever need anything.

Andy Doell

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Picture of the Week: Learning, building, and giving back: Bloomfield students came together to build homes and hope with Habitat for Humanity.