The Onteora Central School District is currently contemplating a reconfiguration of its three elementary schools -- a process that could result in the closing of a school, or a new division of the grade levels.

The Onteora Board of Education recently sent an open letter to the community about the reconfiguration, which was the topic of a recent public meeting at the Woodstock Elementary School. The next meeting of the Board of Education, on January 10 at the Bennett Elementary School, will include a public presentation by Superintendent Phyllis McGill about the reconfiguration options.

The letter is printed below. --Ed.

Photo by Flickr user Sonja Alves. Published under Creative Commons license.

Everybody needs a holiday now and then, even new-media news junkies. We're going to be spending some time during these last two weeks of 2011 on things that can't be done while staring into a computer screen -- baking cookies, roasting turkeys, hosting out-of-town family, and engaging in general merriment.

That means we won't be posting as often as we usually do. We will, however, be bringing you a few original stories between now and New Year's. On January 2, we'll be back to our regular daily news schedule. Between now and then, happy holidays to all, and may all your news be good news.

(We'll still be keeping an eye out for big news stories. If you've got a burning news tip that just won't wait til 2012, email us at [email protected] and let us know.)

Batten down the hatches, and watch out for downed trees and power lines: Ulster, Greene and Schoharie Counties (as well as much of the rest of Eastern New York) are under a wind advisory through 1pm today.

Via NY-Alert:

Westerly Winds Will Blow At 15 To 30 Mph Across The Advisory Area...With Gusts Of 40 To 50 Mph.

Impacts...Isolated Downed Trees...Limbs And Power Lines Which May Produce Power Outages. Loose Objects May Also Be Blown Around.

Instructions: A Wind Advisory Means That Winds Of 31 To 39 Mph Are Expected Or Wind Gusts Of 46 To 57 Mph Are Expected. Winds This Strong Can Make Driving Difficult...Especially For High Profile Vehicles. Use Extra Caution.