The Peru Gazette

A message from the Peru School District

A historical namesake of a mascot for the Peru Central School District has been retired.  The District’s new mascot is going to be created based on recommendations to the Board of Education from a stakeholder group consisting of students, community members, administrators and staff.

Superintendent Town Hall Meetings have been scheduled for July 21st and 22nd at the Peru Central School District’s High School parking area.  July 21st is open to all students that presently go to Peru CSD and July 22nd is open to the greater school community.  Both meetings will start at 6:00 pm.  We are allowing 50 people to attend as per the Clinton County Health Department and there will be chairs 6’ socially distanced apart for participants.  Masks must be worn if you attend.  We will also have the events live-streamed.  We will have additional information posted on our website and Facebook page.

As part of the District’s efforts to provide a more inclusive and welcoming environment in line with its Mission and Core Beliefs, the Board believes that it has the responsibility to correct this culturally inappropriate and offensive mascot as times have changed since the creation of the Indian as the mascot.

The Board of Education is respectful of the past and the pride that was exhibited over the years through success Peru has accomplished but it is time to move forward and create a new nickname and mascot for the District.

Here are today’s Clinton County COVID-19 case updates.

Temperatures are expected to rise again this weekend–stay cool while staying safe. Wear a face covering, be mindful about maintaining physical distance (6 feet) from others, and wash your hands frequently.

Note: The next Clinton County COVID-19 case updates will be shared on Monday, July 20.

Source: Hunting for Health – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Burlington school staff press leaders on reopening plans – VTDigger

Source: Burlington declares racism a public health emergency – VTDigger

Source: Peru Central School District retires ‘Indians’ name and mascot

Source: Tom Messner celebrates 30-year anniversary with NBC5 News

Source: A McGill Valedictorian Shared How He Believes Young People Can Make Their Voices Heard – MTL Blog

CCHD – Many of our residents have noticed non-compliance with mask or physical distancing requirements within our community. First and foremost, the BEST thing residents can do is consistently practice and model these behaviors themselves. Wear a mask when in public, keep physical distance of at least 6 feet from those outside your household, and wash your hands frequently.

If you are in a business or other public entity and see patrons or employees who are not following these behaviors, report your concerns to a manager or other staff member when you notice it. If no noticeable changes are made or you observe repeated offenses within the same establishment, file a “New York State on PAUSE” violation by visiting https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-pause or calling 1-833-789-0470. Please be as specific as possible and include your contact information so additional questions can be directed when necessary. Anonymous complaints are often difficult to follow up on because they don’t contain enough information.

Source: No more alcohol without food at NY bars, restaurants, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

Source: Coronavirus symptoms: CDC updates list with new Covid-19 symptoms – syracuse.com

Source: Hannaford joins list of retailers to stop selling tobacco products

State tax receipts in June were down $1.5 billion or 17.3 percent from the previous year, according to the monthly state cash report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“As steps toward an economic reopening continue, state tax revenues remain far short of pre-pandemic levels,” DiNapoli said. “Currently, state spending is well below projections, as the Division of the Budget withholds some payments in response to fiscal uncertainty. All eyes are on Washington. New York and its localities badly need more federal aid if they are to respond fully to the COVID-19 crisis.”

Other items of note in the report:

• June tax receipts were $475 million below DOB’s latest projections, with shortfalls in personal income, consumption and business taxes.
• For the combined “measurement period” of May and June, as defined in this year’s enacted budget, State Operating Funds tax receipts were 93.7 percent of the level projected in the Enacted Budget Financial Plan, while State Operating Funds disbursements were 69.2 percent of the anticipated amount.
• All Funds spending through June was $6.3 billion below Financial Plan projections, with Local Assistance disbursements representing $5.7 billion of that total.
• Unemployment Insurance payments in June totaled just under $13.5 billion, compared to $135.6 million a year earlier.
• The General Fund ended the month with a balance of $6.9 billion, $5.1 billion higher than the latest projection by DOB.

June Cash Report

Source: Plattsburgh man dies in head-on collision

Source: Whiteface construction on schedule for 2020 ski season, officials say

Source: Walmart will start requiring all customers to wear masks

Source: Body of missing swimmer recovered from northern New York lake

Stewart’s Press Release 

July 15, 2020—With the current circumstances, many nonprofits are struggling due to COVID-19. Stewart’s recognized there was an urgent need; they acted quickly and provided over $1 million in monetary and product relief to hundreds of impacted organizations. At this time, Stewart’s is taking a pause on COVID-19 relief applications, and will evaluate the need moving forward.

With an increased demand on services, many nonprofits experienced strains on budget, staffing and resources. Many of these organizations were forced to cancel fundraising events; while facing an increase in demand for items and services. The Stewart’s Shops COVID-19 relief grants helped hundreds of organizations with sustainability.

• Bread, milk and egg gift certificates were distributed to school districts to keep backpack programs going to feed families in need.
• Aid was given to shelters to help the homeless.
• Organizations like the United Way and Home Independent Care were able to purchase necessary PPE equipment.
• The Children’s Museum of Saratoga provided virtual educational programs and enhanced their hands-on exhibits to prepare for reopening.
• C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios was able to purchase and provide art supplies to community members.

These are just a few of the many examples of how Stewart’s was able to help these organizations get through these uncertain times while staying true to their mission.

According to Amy Potter, Stewart’s Corporate Contributions Director, “With so much need, we felt compelled to help where we could above and beyond our annual giving. With a long-standing history of helping nonprofits, we knew we could offer these organizations guidance, product donations and monetary assistance to get them through these unprecedented and uncertain times.”

Anthony DeLuca, Executive Director of the Little Falls YMCA said, “Thank you for your generous and timely support to our agency. This grant will provide much needed food and supplies to families in our service area experiencing insecurity through our Food Pantry program initiatives. During this crisis we have experienced a marked increase in demand for services and your support will enable us to better meet these needs.”

Stewart’s supports the following nonprofits: Arts, Education, Recreation, Health, Social Services, and Civic groups. The company is committed to giving back to the communities in which they are located, donating approximately $2.5 million a year to local nonprofits with The Dake Family Foundations contributing an additional $5 million. Despite the pause on COVID relief applications, Stewart’s is reviewing applications that go beyond COVID relief at this time.

Source: Nursing home employee tests positive, then negative for COVID-19 | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Check out the great food being prepared for today’s Peru soup kitchen. Huge peanut butter cookies and delicious chile. John Edwards said, “This is the largest amount of chile I’ve ever prepared.” Take-out only 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center.

Source: Albany County sees big coronavirus spike after July 4 parties, travel