Main Office Phone Numbers Port Dickinson Elementary (Pre-K - 2):  (607) 762-6970   Chenango Bridge Elementary (Grades 3 - 5):  (607) 762-6950

Port Dickinson Elementary (pre-K - grade 2) students and educators returned to the 770 Chenango Street Port Dickinson Elementary school building on January 6. See some photos from their return!

 

 

The Phase 2 portion of the 2018 Capital Improvement Project, which includes extensive refurbishment of both Chenango Bridge Elementary and Port Dickinson Elementary, has received approval from the State Education Department. With approval in hand, the project was immediately put out to public bid as required by New York State Municipal Law. The bidding environment was very favorable and the costs came in lower than anticipated, which will allow for some additional work to occur. Most of the contractors are local to the Binghamton area, so the work is also helping to support the local community. 

Now that the bidding is complete, more detailed planning with a team of district officials, architects/engineers, a clerk of the works, and contractors will be occurring over the next several months to get the actual construction started. The anticipated construction schedule is as follows:

In order to accomplish this schedule, both elementary schools will be closed for specific periods of time. For the entire 2019-2020 school year, Chenango Bridge Elementary students will be moved to the St. Francis school building. In the beginning of the school year, Port Dickinson Elementary will be housed in the current Chenango Bridge Elementary (741 River Road) building. In January 2020, Port Dickinson Elementary students and staff (pre-K - grade 2) are anticipated to move back to the renovated Port Dickinson Elementary building at 770 Chenango Street. Chenango Bridge Elementary students and staff (grades 3 - 5) are anticipated to return to the Chenango Bridge Elementary building at 741 River Road in the fall of 2020. 

 

By emptying the buildings, construction will occur year-round, instead of only during summer breaks, which is another reason for the good bids we received. We are excited for our students and staff to experience beautiful new learning environments throughout both buildings, once construction is complete.

We are also currently working with an Elementary Relocation Committee and will keep you informed as we continue to develop plans for this transitional period. If you have any questions at this time, please contact your building principal.

 

 

 

Question: Will students be able to go outside to play?

Answer: Yes. While Chenango Bridge Elementary students will not have large playground equipment (i.e. slides and swings), they will be able to play outside (weather-permitting) and be provided with items for fun outdoor activities, such as hula hoops and balls. 

 

Question: Will Fun Club still be available?
Answer: We have offered our Chenango Bridge Elementary and then Port Dickinson Elementary buildings (in relation to the construction schedule) to the Boys and Girls Club to continue to operate their before and after-school program.

Question: How will security be implemented to check in visitors and ensure security for the students/staff? How will after-school pick-up and morning drop-off be handled?
Answer: These procedures will be created by the building principals and communicated to parents/guardians. At Chenango Bridge Elementary (where our Port Dickinson students and staff are scheduled to be located from the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year until our 2019-2020 Winter Recess), we will continue to implement the same security measures that are currently utilized in the school building. The St. Francis school building will be secured with a phone (voice) device at the front of the building. A visitor will need to identify themselves and their purpose in order to enter. We will also continue to require photo identification for full entrance into any of our school buildings. In addition, we will continue to have a school resource officer (SRO), who will monitor the premise, at each of our school buildings. 

Question: Will there be a temporary reduced speed limit for the new school zone on Chenango Street in that area?
Answer: We have reached out to the Town of Fenton to install signage for a reduced speed limit while our students attend school in the St. Francis building.

Question: Will the buses only take student on and unload students off street or at least only on the west side so students don’t have to cross Chenango Street when loading and unloading buses?
Answer: Currently, the plan is for buses to unload and load in the parking area between the St. Francis school building and St. Francis church. Any buses that will need to drop off/pick up on Chenango Street will do so in front of the school where students may enter/exit off the sidewalk located in front of the school.

 

Question: Is local law enforcement informed as to the movements?
Answer: Yes. Deputy Stapleton (one of our school resources officers) was notified and will make sure to notify New York State Police.

 

Question: The Port Dickinson Police Department often monitored the school zone. St. Francis is not in the Village. Can the New York State Police or Sheriff’s Office provide patrols or monitor speed for Chenango Street?
Answer: Yes. Deputy Stapleton stated they will monitor as they did when the St. Francis building was used by the Binghamton City School District for over four (4) years. Deputy Stapleton will notify the Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and 911 Center.

 

Question: I would like to know how safe the St. Francis building is, and would like to see if it has passed inspections.
Answer: Reports are posted on the district website.

 

Question: Will the students entering third grade be at St. Francis or at Chenango Bridge Elementary in the fall? 
Answer: Students entering grades 3-5 will be located at the St. Francis school building (1051 Chenango Street) throughout the entire 2019-2020 school year. Students entering pre-K - grade 2 will be located in the Chenango Bridge school building (741 River Road) from the start of the 2019-20 school year until Winter Break. Port Dickinson Elementary students and staff will return to the Port Dickinson school building (770 Chenango Street) in January 2020 (immediately following their return from Winter Break).