Hello! I have enjoyed meeting the students, staff, and families in this wonderful community. I am looking forward to another great year at Barker Central School District and look forward to our interactions and communications. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments about instructional services for which I have oversight in my role as Director of Instructional Services:
skordish@barkercsd.net or 716-795-3350.

I wanted to share some important information regarding Data Security and Privacy that can be found on Barker Central School District’s website under the Technology Department tab. Technology is an integral part of the teaching and learning experience in the Barker Central School District. The ever-increasing availability of online teaching and learning resources comes with inherent risks and concerns regarding student data, privacy, and student work. The District has a responsibility to ensure that student’s data and privacy are adequately protected while using any online digital resource for school work. The Barker Central School District provides the following information and resources for parents, teachers, and the community so that they can better understand what student data is, how student data is collected and used, and the law and practices that the District adheres to in order to protect student data and privacy. 

• What is Student data?
• A Parent’s Guide to Student Data and Privacy (FERPA)
• Protecting Student Privacy 101
• New York State Data Privacy and Security – Ed Law 2d

These resources can all be accessed on our website under the Departments/Technology drop-down link on our homepage and I encourage you to review this information.  

There is also important information I would like to share regarding homeless children and the District’s responsibility to ensure the child remains enrolled and receiving a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE). The McKinney-Vento Act provides a number of Local Education Agency (LEA) requirements for serving homeless children and youths. The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) offers a full toolkit explaining the resources, laws and policies regarding these responsibilities and resources: https://nche.ed.gov/

Enjoy the remainder of the summer recess and I truly look forward to greeting all our students upon their return in September. 

Take care,

Shelly Kordish
Director of Instructional Services