Dear Batavia Families and Community,

The 2025-26 school year is well underway, and I want to begin this update by sharing some important information about the power of regular and daily attendance at school for our students. Attendance does matter, and a quote often attributed to Thomas Edison that relates to this topic is:

"Eighty percent of success is showing up."

So, why is “showing up” each day important? Here is why:

Missing just 2 days per month = 18 days per year, nearly a full month of learning lost.

Students who miss 10% or more of the school year are less likely to graduate on time.

Attendance is linked to higher reading and math achievement in early grades.

Inconsistent attendance in elementary school often leads to chronic absenteeism in middle and high school.

If I were to teach this “lesson” on attendance to students, I would ask them to identify one of those reasons and share with the class why it is important or what it means to them. So, I invite you to do the same: just discuss one of these reasons why your child(ren) on the importance of “showing up to school.” I’d love to feature your highlights of your conversation in my next update, so drop me an email at jasonsmith@bataviacsd.org with any nuggets or tidbits you would like to share about your discussion—consider this a “homework assignment” from yours truly! :)

Our Batavia alumni are so special, and last night, I was honored to be part of our annual Musicians of Note Ceremony at the Frank E. Owen Auditorium at Batavia High School. Congratulations to Lila Hamilton (my former music teacher at John Kennedy), Carole Haber, Suzanne Leyden, and Karl Leopold Reiss on their well-deserved recognition. Thank you to our students for participating, our music department under the leadership of Melzie Case, and our selection committee for their yearly dedication to this event. Bravo and well done! You can read more about this event here: Musicians of Note

Our fall athletic season is winding down, and sectionals are underway, and I would like to highlight our Boys Soccer Team on their FIRST time Monroe County Division IV title—well done and congratulations to the Blue Devils and Coach Halpin! I had the pleasure of visiting Jackson Primary a couple of weeks ago, where members of our BHS Football Team visited some of our younger learners and focused on the importance of making “green choices.” Our Varsity Boys Soccer team is also making a similar appearance next week at Jackson, so look for that update on our social media pages.


Finally, I would like to thank our Board of Education members, as October 13-17 was School Board Recognition Week. Our students and I look forward to recognizing them at the October 27 Board of Education meeting, but in the meantime, please join me in thanking our dedicated Board members: President John Reigle, Vice-President Korinne Anderson, Alice Ann Benedict, Barbara Bowman, Jennifer Lendvay, Chez Rolle, and Dan Schmidt. 

Have a great weekend and go Blue Devils and Bills!

Jason Smith
Superintendent of Schools

P.S. And don’t forget your attendance “homework” assignment.