Skip to main content

Byron-Bergen Elementary School

Hawley visits Byron-Bergen Elementary as part of Read Across America day

By Press Release
hawley read across america day
Submitted photo of Hawley's visit to Byron-Bergen Elementary.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Byron-Bergen, Kendall, and Barclay Elementary Schools for Read Across America Day. 

Hawley read to students in Ms. Conaghan and Mrs. Stephanek’s classrooms at Byron-Bergen Elementary School and Kendall Elementary School and spoke to two second-grade classes at Barclay Elementary School while participating in their yearly ‘crazy sock day.’ 

Hawley was happy to be able to visit with the students and inspire their love for reading on Read Across America Day.

“It was great to celebrate Read Across America Day with the students at Byron-Bergen, Barclay, and Kendall Elementary Schools,” said Hawley. “Reading is a great tool that helps us expand our minds and connect with others. I want to thank all of the schools, teachers, and staff members who are helping these students each day and making events like this possible.”

Byron-Bergen Elementary donates more than 700 items to Genesee County Youth Bureau

By Press Release
bbes_100-days-donations.jpg
Students show some of the items collected for the 100 Days, 100 Donations project
Photo by Deb Slocum.

Press Release:

On Friday, February 16, Elementary School students and staff gifted tissues, dry-erase markers, glue sticks, composition notebooks, and other learning supplies to the Genesee County Youth Bureau. 

Each year for the 100th Day of School, Byron-Bergen students in grades UPK through 5 challenge themselves to collect 100 items per grade level to donate to a local charitable or community service organization. 100 days of school,100 donations.

This year, all six grade levels met or surpassed their goal for a grand total of over 700 items.

“We would like to impress upon the children that each one of them can make a difference in our community,” said Kindergarten teacher and project organizer Ayn Gardner. 

For this annual project, elementary school grade levels are assigned a different donation item with the goal of collecting 100 of each. In the weeks leading up to the 100th day of school, students bring their donation items to the front hallway where the bulletin board shows the tally for each grade level. Every item is carefully counted and added to the total.

“The annual community service project has dual purposes: to teach students what ‘100’ looks like and to show the importance of community service,” said Principal Kristin Loftus. “One person, one item, one donation can make a big difference if everyone works together.” 

bbes_100-days-donations_tallies.jpg
Student updates the 100 Days, 100 Donations tally
Photo by Deb Slocum.
bb-donations-delivered-to-gyb.jpg
Donations arrive at the Genesee County Youth Bureau
Photo courtesy of Genesee County Youth Bureau.

New food composting program at BB Elementary being led by third-grade students

By Press Release
bbes_compost-crew.jpg
Social Emotional Learning Coordinator Megan Wahl assists the Compost Crew. 
Submitted Photo.

Press Release:

Byron-Bergen Elementary School doubled down on its commitment to reducing food waste in landfills and instead producing clean soil for gardening and farming. This was done through a partnership with an earthworm named Lloyd and 1.8 million of his friends. 

Lloyd lives in a compost facility operated by Impact Earth, a not-for-profit organization out of Rochester that works with the community to repurpose food waste and paper products into nutrient-rich soil. The composting program is a school-wide effort under the leadership of the third-grade students.

“Byron-Bergen Elementary is one of the first schools in the area to undertake this kind of project,” said Impact Earth Educational Manager Doug Carney. “Instead of going to the landfill and doing nothing useful, this waste will compost into nutrient-rich soil to grow better food. It’s an investment in the future.”

Each day at lunch, students sort their uneaten food items and disposable paper products into blue buckets next to the garbage cans. 

At the end of all the lunch periods, a rotating group of third-grade students, the Compost Crew, assist Cleaner and Lunch Monitor Nancy Smith in loading the buckets onto a cart and emptying them into Impact Earth dumpster totes behind the cafeteria. 

Smith then washes the buckets, and the Compost Crew dries them and stacks them for the next day.

Every Friday, Impact Earth removes the waste from the dumpster totes to be mixed with wood chips and added to the piles for Lloyd and his friends. 

“It’s something we can do to try to help the environment,” said Smith. “The soil needs the nutrients, and (the students) are going to be the helpers.” 

Byron-Bergen's third-grade student Mackenzie Wilcox is looking forward to participating. “I think (composting) is great! I like it. The best part is that we get to feed our leftover food to the worms at the composting plant.”

The idea for the composting program began at the Earth Day 2023 assembly. Each grade level collected their trash from lunch and discovered that each class produced an average of 15 pounds of landfill waste per lunch. The discussion of how to reduce this amount led to a waste survey carried out by the student council in October of 2023.

Impact Earth Educational Manager Doug Carney helped the students separate their lunch-time waste. According to Carney, 60% of the cafeteria waste assessed from one day of lunch, over 115 pounds, could be composted or eaten later. Carney noted that “anything that is unopened should be taken home or saved for a snack.”

“I’m really excited for kids to use the compost bins and put our waste to better use, especially being in a community affected by waste management,” said Elementary Principal Kristin Loftus. “I think it will be great for us to do our part to reduce what we are sending to the landfill.” 

Part of the Impact Earth partnership includes a soil give-back. Byron-Bergen will receive a delivery of composted soil in May to use in or around the schools or in the greenhouse.

“It’s a great opportunity for the adults and students to work together to have a positive impact on the earth,” said Byron-Bergen Facilities Director Roger Caldwell. 

“The students are very excited about this project. We will continue to reinforce that the priority is for them to eat their lunches,” said Loftus. “Lloyd and his friends will get plenty of food. Only after the students are full should we add their leftovers to the apple cores and napkins in the compost bins.”

The composting program serves as a leadership opportunity for the third grade as well as a chance for all students and staff to take a moment to look at what is in their lunch, how it is packaged, and the best choices for their food waste. The waste assessment and assembly were sponsored by the Byron-Bergen S.T.E.P. Booster Club.

bbes_compostcrewgroup.jpg
Third-grade students act as the day’s Compost Crew. 
Submitted Photo.
bbes_compsting_sortingleftovers2.jpg
Impact Earth Educational Manager Doug Carney helps a student sort food waste. 
Submitted Photo.
bbescomposting_impactearthpresentation.jpg
Impact Earth Educational Manager Doug Carney introduced Lloyd. 
Submitted Photo.

Byron-Bergen announces that UPK and kindergarten registration open for 2024-25

By Press Release

Press Release:

Registration is now available for kindergarten and prekindergarten students in the Byron-Bergen School District. The District plans to once again offer a half-day universal prekindergarten (UPK) program at the Byron- Bergen Elementary School. 

The UPK program is focused on socialization, learning through play, and self-exploration. Children learn through a hands-on learning environment that includes activities, learning centers, concrete materials, and manipulatives. Students learn through a nurturing environment that is enriching, challenging, and developmentally appropriate. 

Students must turn four years of age by December 1, 2024 to be eligible for the program. If you have a child eligible and are interested in having him/her attend our UPK program, please complete this Google form which is also available on the Student Registration page of the Byron-Bergen website. The form requires the student’s name, parents’ name, address, phone number, email address, and date of birth. This electronic Google form is due by Thursday, Feb. 22. Parents who have already contacted the Elementary School by phone will still need to complete the form. If you are having difficulty completing the form, please call the Elementary School office for support.

Please note that if the District receives more applications than the allowed capacity, a lottery will be held to select students. This year's lottery drawing will be held on Friday, March 1, via Zoom. Student-specific lottery numbers and the Zoom link will be shared with everyone who completes the form before the February 22 deadline. Once the lottery is complete, if your child was selected, you need to complete the full registration packet, which can be found on the Byron-Bergen website, and submit it to the Elementary School Office. 

Children who will be five years of age, on or before December 1, 2024, are eligible for entrance to Kindergarten in September of 2024. New families in the school district should notify the school if they have a child who will enter Kindergarten in September of 2024. Parents may contact the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Office by calling 494-1220, ext. 1301. 

Information may also be sent to the Byron-Bergen Elementary School, 6971 West Bergen Road, Bergen, New York 14416. Please send all information for kindergarten screening by June 1, 2024.  All children registered for kindergarten will be scheduled for a screening appointment this summer. The results of this screening will be used to plan for the 2024-2025 kindergarten program. 

The following items are necessary to complete the registration process: the child’s birth certificate; certificate of immunization; proof of residency; and completed registration packet. Additional information and registration packets are available at http://www.bbschools.org/StudentRegistration.aspx.

B-B Elementary receives school supplies from local organizations

By Press Release
bbes_bbcadonation.jpg
Photo of Bergen Business & Civil Association members with Principal Loftus, courtesy of Gretchen Spittler.

Press Release:

The week of August 28th started and ended with gratitude and generosity as Byron-Bergen Elementary School accepted donations of school supplies from two local organizations. On Tuesday, representatives from the Bergen Business and Civic Association (BBCA) delivered storage bins of supplies ranging from highlighters and headphones to tissues and cleaning supplies. On Thursday, the Brockport Elks Lodge #2110 delivered new backpacks, filled with folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, and tissues, all packed and ready for the first day of school. 

“I’m overwhelmed by the support the BBCA and the Elks Lodge have shown our community,” said Elementary Principal Kristin Loftus. “All of these supplies go directly to our students and classrooms. We are so grateful to receive such an outpouring of generosity.” 

The Bergen Business and Civic Association, founded in 1896, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and enrichment of local businesses and residents within our community. This is the first year they collected school supplies to donate. BBCA member Nicky Russell came up with the idea. “We were feeling there were families who could use a little extra help, and here we are.” 

It is an annual community service project for the Brockport Elks Lodge #2110 to donate school supplies, though this is the first year that Byron-Bergen has been the recipient. Every year the Elkettes, the women’s auxiliary group within the lodge, collect school supplies and monetary donations which they use to fill backpacks with standard back-to-school needs. “Every year I put out a box for donations,” said lodge member and Elkette Linda Woodworth. “People want to help the kids.”

All of the donated school supplies will be distributed directly to families or to Byron-Bergen Elementary School teachers for use in their classrooms.

bbes_elkslodgedonation.jpg
Photo of Brockport Elks Lodge #1220 members with Principal Loftus, courtesy of Michelle MacKenzie.

Summer reading program at Byron-Bergen is a win-win for everyone

By Press Release
bb-literacy-clinic-2.jpg
Summer Reading Clinic participants
Submitted photo.

Press Release:

There are some new faces in the halls at Byron-Bergen Elementary School this summer. 20 graduate students from SUNY Geneseo are participating in the Summer Reading Clinic, part of SUNY Geneseo’s Reading and Literacy Graduate Program. The clinic pairs a graduate student, many of whom are working teachers, with a school-aged student. Together, they set literacy goals and develop strategies to achieve them.

Alexis Hamlin is a graduate student participant. She teaches 7th and 8th grade where she encounters many students who struggle with foundational literacy skills. “By the time they get to 7th and 8th grade, we don’t have time to work on basic skills,” said Hamlin “I’m in the literacy program specifically to get a better idea of how my students struggle and the basics of their skills. I want to incorporate other instruction that will target those skills and close that gap between their reading level and their grade level.” 

Participant Stephanie Wall believes in the value of one-on-one literacy work to give students the tools they will need for their next grade level. She started the clinic by doing assessments, looking at students’ past work, and talking with the student. She uses those components to set goals. “I think this program is helping kids,” said Wall. “It’s one on one, me and them for an hour and a half. There are no other distractions, so I think it has been very helpful for some of the students.”

Isabelle Selvek was eager to participate in the clinic because summer is the only time she has for fieldwork. She is a full-time second-grade teacher, but her future career aspirations rely on completing her master’s degree. The clinic is one of the last requirements she must complete for her degree. “My hope is to move into a literacy teacher role in the future, but this program also allows me to move into a high school setting.”

“It really is a win/win,” said Byron-Bergen Director of Instructional Services Betsy Brown. “The clinic allows educators to complete the hours needed for their degree programs and our students have access to high- quality one-on-one literacy instruction which not only helps prevent loss of skills due to summer slip, but also gives them the tools they will need to excel in the fall.”

The Byron-Bergen students are not the only ones benefiting from the Summer Literacy Clinic, though. These teachers will take the skills developed at Byron-Bergen back to their home districts and classrooms. 

“This program gives us time and opportunities to do fieldwork,” said Hamlin. “This real-world experience makes it more meaningful when we apply the skills we are learning in our own classrooms.”

Submitted photos.

bb-literacy-clinic-3.jpg
Summer Reading Clinic participants
bb-literacy-clinic-1.jpg
Summer Reading Clinic participants

Kristin Loftus appointed principal of Byron-Bergen Elementary School

By Press Release

Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Central School District is pleased to announce that the Board of Education approved the nomination of Kristin Loftus as Elementary School Principal at the November 17th meeting. Loftus will fill the position left by Interim Principal Carol Stehm effective January 3, 2023.

“Kristin Loftus is an outstanding educator who is the best fit to lead Byron-Bergen Elementary School,” said Superintendent Pat McGee. “Her collaborative approach, along with her emphasis on putting our students and staff first, were key factors in her being hired for this important role. Our team is excited to welcome her to the District."

Loftus comes to Byron-Bergen from the Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts where she began as a Math Specialist/Coach in 2018 and worked her way up to Building Principal. Prior to the Renaissance Academy, she served as an Elementary School Classroom Teacher for more than a decade in the Warsaw Central School District.

“I am extremely excited to join a small-town school with a supportive and close-knit community,” said Loftus. “After spending the past 15 years in elementary education, I am thrilled to continue my leadership career at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School. I can’t wait to work with all the amazing staff and students that I’ve heard so much about!”

Loftus holds a master’s degree in Reading and Literacy and a Bachelor of Science in Childhood and Special Education from SUNY Geneseo. She received and Educational Leadership Certificate from the University of Rochester and the National Principals Academy Fellowship from Relay Graduate School of Education. 

Friday was Farm Day at Byron-Bergen Elementary School

By Press Release

Above, an FFA member teaches a younger student about livestock.  

Submitted photos and press release:

On Friday, June 11, the Byron-Bergen FFA brought agriculture education to the Kindergarten classes. Members of the Future Farmers of America introduced the younger students to a variety of animals including cows, sheep, goats and ducks.

The outdoor event on the Elementary School grounds was a collaboration between FFA advisor Jeffrey Parnapy and Kindergarten teacher Ayn Gardner.

“We reached out to local people who own animals, a farmer brought his tractor in, and we’re also learning about different kinds of feed,” Parnapy said. “Both 4H and FFA members are presenting their animals and answering the kindergarteners’ questions.”

In some cases, the younger students were able to touch the animals.

“I like petting the lambs,” said kindergartener Evelyn Haywood.

“Looking around today, I already think that this is going to have to be a yearly event,” Parnapy said. “Everyone is having a blast and I’m so excited that we were able to provide this experience for the kindergarten students.”

Upstate Milk donated milk and cheese sticks for all the students and the FFA provided goodie bags for participating elementary students.

First three photos courtesy of Amanda Dedie. Bottom photo courtesy of Ayn Gardner.

Above, 4H member participating in Byron-Bergen Farm Day.

Above, Byron-Bergen students.

Above, students learn about farm machinery.

Byron-Bergen fifth-grader earns top spot in GLOW region for annual Play to Get Fit Challenge

By Press Release

Photo, from left: Danielle Carson, Ruthie Kuipers and Brian Meister.

Submitted photo and press release:

During the month of October, Byron-Bergen students in grades three through five participated in the ninth annual Genesee Play to Get Fit Challenge coordinated by the Health and Physical Education Department at Genesee Community College.

All elementary schools in the GLOW region were invited to participate. Byron-Bergen fifth-grader Ruthie Kuipers won First Place among all participating students in the GLOW region with 4,279 minutes of activity recorded.

“I love this annual challenge because the students get so excited to participate,” said Byron- Bergen Elementary Physical Education teacher Danielle Carson. “Ruthie really went above and beyond this year. I’m very proud of her and of all of my students.”

Kuipers was awarded a plaque by Byron-Bergen Elementary Principal Brian Meister and Physical Education Teacher Danielle Carson in her classroom. All student participants received a certificate.

The goal of the Fitness Challenge is to recognize the important benefits of being physically active, support efforts to battle childhood obesity, increase self-esteem and confidence, increase academic performance by promoting fitness through fun activity, and raise awareness that getting fit can be done through play. Through this challenge, lifelong activity is encouraged, while at the same time facilitating teamwork and school spirit.

Byron-Bergen schoolchildren filled 100 backpacks with goodies for kids going into foster care

By Billie Owens

Top photo, Byron-Bergen Elementary School Council members and Assistant Principal Betsy Brown packing bags at the school for donating to CASA.

Submitted photos and press release:

Byron-Bergen Elementary School students pledged to fill 100 drawstring backpacks with toys and personal items for children being placed in foster care. They had two weeks to complete the project.

“I learned that there are a lot more kids that need help than I thought,” said Byron-Bergen Elementary School Student Council President Maryn Meier. “It’s pretty cool to be helping kids who are really in need.”

On Friday, Feb. 14th, the 100th day of school, the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Student Council delivered 143 bags and several packing boxes filled with additional items to the Genesee County Court Facility in Batavia.

They were met there by Genesee County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Board Chair Barbara Hale.

“It’s overwhelming,” Hale said. “It’s more than I could possibly have imagined.”

The spring community service project is an annual event at Byron-Bergen Elementary School, traditionally aligning with the 100th Day of School celebrations.

In the past they have raised money and collected items to benefit local non-profits, charity organizations, and, last year, the Genesee County Sheriff Department’s K-9 unit.

This year’s project was introduced by Ashley Greene, executive director of CASA.

“A child going into the foster care system is not a planned event and so, quite often, children do not have the opportunity to pack their own belongings, and might show up in a foster home with just the clothes they were wearing that day,” Greene said. “This certainly can be frightening and confusing at the time for them. And what you’ll be providing them is a bit of comfort and sense of belonging.”

Hale accepted the busload of bags and boxes on behalf of CASA.

“I just know that our children are going to be so happy to get something like this from the Byron-Bergen students,” Hale said.

Below, Byron-Bergen Elementary School officers, from left, Maryn Meier, Emma Matthews, Grace Mundell and Rena Wilson.

Months of exploring and creativity showcased by Byron-Bergen students at debut STEAM Fair

By Billie Owens

Above, a student plays math game.

Submitted photos and press release:

Bergen -- Byron-Bergen Elementary School presented the inaugural STEAM Fair on Tuesday, May 21.

STEAM -- Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics -- students shared their accomplishments with their schoolmates and community. The fair was the culmination of months of learning, exploring and creativity.

“The most amazing thing about this event is how accomplished the work is,” said Byron-Bergen Elementary School Principal Brian Meister. “The students really take ownership of the day.

"They supervise the games that they have designed, present the science and art projects that they completed, and are truly proud of their achievements. We are all proud.”

During the school day, students enjoyed activities including yoga ball plinko. The classic game of chance transformed into a fully interactive, outdoor, relay race as students rolled yoga balls down a hill of bumper posts to try to earn the most points in a given time period.

While outside, students also learned how to reuse scavenged items to make new products like Big Head Boxes with visiting students from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Inside, students enjoyed face painting, math games, science project presentations, and a K-6 visual art exhibition.

In the evening, the fair opened to the public featuring many of the day’s activities in addition to interactive robot basketball, a robot golf course designed by Byron-Bergen students, and virtual reality field trips.

Photos by Gretchen Spittler.

Below, an RIT student demonstrates “Big Head Box.”

Below, a student shows artwork.

Below, students play yoga ball plinko.

Elementary student at Byron-Bergen contracts H1N1

By Howard B. Owens

Parents of Byron-Bergen students were informed late Friday afternoon, according to WBTA, that a student at Byron-Bergen Elementary School contracted H1N1 flu.

A copy of the automated notification was obtained by WBTA, and Superintendent Gregory Geer wrote, “This H1N1 (Swine Flu) strain of flu, although hyped in the media, is a mild form of influenza.”

According to the New York State Health Department Web site, 1,756 people in New York have contracted H1N1.

Authentically Local