As superintendent of Lockport City schools, I am thrilled to report a year of remarkable achievements for our district. Our students have not only expanded their knowledge but also immersed themselves in unforgettable experiences, forging lasting friendships and leaving an incredible mark on our school communities and greater Lockport area.
This success is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the assistance of our parents, and the hard work of our support staff. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we remain focused on continuing this upward trajectory, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. Here’s a brief list of the accomplishments we have witnessed during the 2023-2024 school year.
PASSED BUDGET
• The 2024-2025 budget for our district successfully passed with 72.9% of our residents voting yes for the ‘24-’25 budget.
• A second proposition, encompassing roof repairs for several of the district’s schools, also passed with 78.5% of our voters electing to complete these vital repairs and provide safe and conducive learning environments for our students and staff.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
• The district piloted a new reading program, Benchmark Advance, for kindergarten through sixth grades. Beginning in September 2024, all elementary schools as well as Emmet Belknap Intermediate School will implement this comprehensive, structured, literacy approach. Benchmark Advance is designed to empower students to build skills and content knowledge within and across grades; to expand both general and academic vocabulary in support of reading, writing, and constructive conversation; and to provide inclusive resources that meet the needs of each learner through culturally responsive content.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives remain a top priority in the district, which has been honored as a “STEM Pathway District” by WozEd. This nationally recognized program allows students to explore careers in the tech industry from kindergarten through twelfth grade. At the high school level, two STEM courses and the Cyber Lions program are thriving and expanding.
• Lockport City School District proudly offered 32 credit-bearing courses, providing high school students with a wide range of opportunities to earn college credits. The rigorous academic environment not only prepared students for higher education but also gave them a competitive edge in the college admissions process.
• Lockport High School offered three Career Pathway academies: Business Management and Administration, Finance (focusing on Real Estate and Insurance), and Engineering Technology. Students in the academies had the opportunity to meet with community mentors that represent a variety of careers. They participated in workshops, learned new business skills, completed internships, and made valuable connections with business professionals and LHS alumni.
• Lockport High School selected four students to participate in the DECA International Career and Development Conference. They were Alexia Kilroy, Griffin Adams, Jadyn Beshaw, and Jocelyn Velazquez. At the conference, Alexia Kilroy placed fifth overall, internationally in her event, the best LHS has ever done.
• Trent McCarthy, president of the LHS Warlocks 1507 Robotics Club, was selected to compete in the largest international robotics event of the year. Trent traveled to Houston, Texas, to compete alongside top talent from around the world.
• At the annual Senior Award Night, more than 100 students collectively earned over $82,000 in scholarships. This impressive feat highlights their dedication, hard work, and academic excellence as well as our insightful teaching staff throughout the district.
ATHLETICS
• The Lockport Lions roared through the entire school year, coming out with six league championships and 30 Varsity teams selected by New York State as Scholar Athlete teams. More than 330 student athletes participated in Varsity programs and nearly 200 students participated in modified sports. Five athletes competed in New York state championships in their respective sports. To top it off, at the annual Athletics Awards Night, 255 awards were doled out and collectively, our student athletes earned more than $24,000 in scholarship money.
STRATEGIC PLAN
• In February 2024, the Board of Education adopted the five-year strategic plan: “We are Lions. We all belong.” Developed collaboratively with input from a committee of more than 50 people, consisting of educators, administrators, students, parents and community members, the new vision of the district “is to be an innovative learning community that empowers all students with the essential skills they will need to be successful today and tomorrow.” Key components of the plan include: supporting the whole child; building and maintaining a strong foundation; creating welcoming and affirming environments; maximizing facilities; and empowering and investing in our people to bring out the best in our students.
ADVANCING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
• This school year also saw significant progress in the district’s DEI initiatives. These activities included cultural competency professional development for staff, incorporating DEI-focused themes into curriculum and instructions, a robust year of My Brother’s Keeper programming, and hosting more than 30 cultural events throughout the year. These events included the district’s first-ever Women Who ROAR awards, four district-wide cultural heritage assemblies, and Unity Fest — where nearly 2,000 community members showed up to celebrate our various cultures and subgroups.
• The ‘23-’24 school year ignited the “We all belong” campaign, a theme held near and dear to the hearts of our students and staff. Every school signed the Rachel’s Challenge and incorporated the Olweus program, both aimed at creating an inclusive, safe environment where kindness prevails and community is valued. To culminate a year of kindness, students from all eight schools participated in a kindness parade at the Unity Festival where thousands of acts of kindness that were written on paper chains were connected and on display for the entire district to see. The chain was so long that it wrapped around the entire Varsity soccer field, proving that we are a district who lifts each other up!
THE ARTS
• In total, 109 students in grades four through 12 were accepted into NCMEA All-County ensembles. Similarly, in grades seven through 12, there were 40 students accepted into NYSSMA All-State ensembles.
• The Lockport High School music program has achieved remarkable success this year, earning top honors and accolades. The Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble both received “Level Six Gold with Distinction” ratings at the NYSSMA Majors. The Mixed Chorus clinched first place at the Darien Lake Music Fest, a first in the school’s history. In addition, four singers, one instrumentalist, and one alternate were accepted into Conference All-State ensembles, setting a record for Lockport.
• The high school’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” sold out all three shows, a feat not achieved since 2012. With seven musicals taking place over the year, we are happy to share that 412 students were involved in productions across the district for students in grades four through 12!
• Our very own Debbie Hutter was presented with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/NCMEA Award for Excellence in Music Education at Kleinhans Music Hall.
• The district-wide art show, held on April 25, was a major success. The LHS Art Gallery displayed hundreds of works of art from every school in grades K through 12.
As the academic year draws to a close, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to making this year a resounding success. As we reflect on our achievements, let us eagerly anticipate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, with a shared commitment to even greater accomplishments in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.