Bus routes on new website

Question: I like the new website, however some things are hard to find. Is there

a way to find the bus routes for this year?

Answer: I'm glad you like the new website, but I'm sorry you're having trouble finding some things. Please feel free to call me at 954-2642 or email me at demarsb@bpcsd.org and I will be happy to help you find what you're looking for.

Regarding your specific question about bus routes, when we receive them from the transportation department, we will post them as a news item and add them to the transportation page (under "Services").

- answered by Betsy DeMars, communications specialist and webmaster

Phone number for attendance officer

Question: Over the summer we were sent a SNN message about calling the attendance officer if your child was going to be absent. I no longer have the email and it isn't (at least not where I can find it) posted online. Is there a place on the home page or each school's front page to put the number or a link to the person's email?

Answer: Thank you for your question. We have posted the attendance officer's name and phone number on each school's home page on the district website.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, superintendent of schools

School closings and event cancellations

Question: Due to the recent rumors/threats, are you planning on cancelling events after school and even possibly closing school?

Answer: Whenever we have to deviate from our regular school schedule for any reason, including closing or delaying the start of school because of weather concerns, closing school early, and/or cancelling after-school activities, we will inform all residents through every communications channel at our disposal, including our district website (www.bpcsd.org), Facebook page, Twitter feed, School News Notifier, automated calling system, and local television and radio stations.

- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, Superintendent of Schools

New look for district website

Question: Love the updated home page on the BP website! What a difference it makes! Is the entire site getting a facelift? If it isn't you should think about it as the changes not only make it look great, but it is much easier to navigate.
Click here to see the new home page.

Answer: Thank you for the compliment on the new look for the home page. To answer your question, the entire site is being reviewed and improvements will be made. As these changes take time to design and develop, we do not have an estimated date when these changes will be made, but we are always looking for ways to improve the look and overall functionality of the website.
- David Samek, District Webmaster

Story about high school principal?

Question: How come there is not a story on this website in honor of the local high school principal receiving an outstanding award. It has been in some local papers and other capital district news. This is a great honor for Mrs. Blowers, we should have a picture and a story on the face page of this website.

Answer: There is now a story on the website. You can view it by clicking here.
-answered by Monica Lester, Communications Specialist

Where's the TLC newsletter?

Question: The TLC newsletter online is from June 2010. Why?

Answer: The Learning Community did not publish a September newsletter because, prior to the start of school, I sent a five-page letter to all parents that contained the relevant information they would need for the beginning of the school year. The October newsletter is now available on the district website.
- answered by Terry LaFountain, The Learning Community Principal

Bus routes for 2010-11 school year

Question: I was wondering when the new bus routes for the 2010-11 school year would be posted. The 09-10 bus routes are still up on the website.

Answer: We'll have them posted as soon as we can. We're making a lot of changes, so it's taking longer to finalize the routes than it has in previous years. As soon as the routes are finalized, they'll be sent to the district webmaster for placement on the website. Sorry for the delay - we appreciate your patience!
- answered by Marco Zumbolo, School Business Administrator

Fitness Center information

Question: Why isn't there information about the fitness center on your website? The cost, hours, days open would be helpful.

Answer: Information about the fitness center, which is located in Broadalbin-Perth High School, can be found on the district website, http://www.bpcsd.org/, under the Athletics menu -- "Fitness Center Information." Click here to access the page.
- answered by David Samek, district webmaster

Cost of district Web site and video

Question: How much does it cost to run the district Web site and all that goes with it? How much did it cost for the video that's on the home page? Is this something we absolutely need or can we save money by not having such an elaborate site?

Answer: Each year, the district pays its Webmaster a $5,000 stipend. The Webmaster's job is to update the district Web site on a regular basis. As for the video, "I Am Broadalbin-Perth," because the district contracted with a BOCES service to create the video, the final cost will be $663 after state aid.

The community has asked that our district Web site be updated on a regular basis, and contain the most complete and up-to-date information we can provide. Over the past few years, the Web site has actually saved the district thousands of dollars in printing and mailing costs by housing many of the pieces we used to send home to parents, such as school newsletters and certain notices.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent

Showcasing student achievements online

Question: It seems that there isn't much news on the Web site lately. Why don't we showcase more student achievements?

Answer: The district makes every attempt to keep its Web site up-to-date with coverage of activities and special events in the district. In addition, the district strives to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of its students. For instance, honor roll students are recognized in local newspapers.

This year, the district has made it a goal to provide many opportunities for community input. These community events have taken some of the time and attention normally allocated toward covering activities and events within the schools.
- answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent

Lunch menu

Question: Where is the lunch menu?

Answer: On the district Web site, breakfast and lunch menus for each school can be found under "Students/Teachers" on the top navigation bar. Each menu is posted as a PDF document. If you have any trouble viewing the menus, you can click here to download the free Adobe Reader.
- answered by Dave Samek, District Webmaster

TLC Teacher Web pages

Question: Why are the teacher Web pages on the TLC school Web site so out of date? The old information can be confusing, especially to parents of new students.

Answer: Thank you for pointing this out! We are in the process of removing the old teacher Web pages from the school Web site. Hopefully this resource will be more helpful to you in the future.
- answered by Terry LaFountain, The Learning Community Principal

Board of Education Meeting Minutes

Question: When will the board of education minutes be posted on the Web site? The last posting was from the June 2009 meeting.

Answer: Minutes from board of education meetings are only posted to the district Web site after they have been approved by the board. For instance, at the most recent board meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, the board of education approved the minutes from their Aug. 17, Aug. 24 and Sept. 2 meetings. Once meeting minutes are approved by the board, they are sent by the district clerk to Broadalbin-Perth's Webmaster, who is responsible for posting them to the district Web site.
- answered by Georgia Baldwin, District Clerk