The Saints Spotlight!

It’s hard to believe how quickly the summer flew by. It feels like just yesterday was my first day here!

It was great to see and meet everyone at PreK and Kindergarten Orientation and then at the Back to School Bash! I want to extend a big thank you to Kayanna Haynes who organized everything and to everyone who came and helped out; especially our volunteers Connie Dashno, Beth Taylor, Kathy Sluzka...you are rockstars!

The Back to School Bash would not have been possible without our community partners:

• Community Connections
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department
• Franklin County Sheriffs Office
• Girl Scouts
• Homerun and Migrant Education
• OPWDD
• Saint Regis Falls Reading Room
• Saint Regis Falls Volunteer Fire Department
• Waverly Adult Center

The event would not have been possible without the supply and monetary donations from:

• Saint Regis Falls American Legion Auxiliary
  
• Community Connections
• Engles Auto
• Madonna and Denise Barrett
  
• Next Era Contracting
• Norma Lamica
• SeaComm Federal Credit Union
• Sherry Chapman
• TrueNorthern Federal Credit Union

I continue to be impressed with all that the Saint Regis Falls School District has to offer. I am even more impressed by the incredible group of talented, compassionate, and caring individuals who fill every role here. Their dedication and skills truly make a difference. I’m excited to see all the amazing things we will achieve together in the coming months.

The opening day of school is fast approaching (2 sleeps away), and it is only possible with the efforts of our district maintenance, IT, and cleaning crews. Thank you Robbie, Richie, Shawn, Marty, Alan, Steven D., Steven P., Norma, Christine, Alexis, Natalie, Gabby, Dominique, Maddie, Sonnie, Joleen, Heather, John and Jacob!! These individuals worked tirelessly over the summer to provide a building and schedules our students can be proud of.

Part of our work together includes updates such as this. As the year goes on, we will continue the transition into the Rooms and St. Regis CSD Portal; please take a look at the details below.

In this newsletter, I want to give everyone a little "cheat sheet" of things to remember as we come back to school.

Schedules will be redistributed in Period 1 classes on September 5, 2024. AM BOCES students will get their schedules upon return to school.

Listings of Period 1 classes will be posted throughout the building.

Save the date for Open House: September 11, 2024, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm!

I also want to acknowledge that change, even when it’s for the better, can be a bit daunting. It’s completely normal to feel apprehensive about new challenges and shifts. Please know that we’re in this together. We have the strength and support within our teams to navigate any changes that come our way.

I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with relaxation, adventure, and memorable moments. As we prepare to begin a new school year, let’s embrace the opportunities ahead and make the most of this coming year.

If you need anything or have any questions as we settle back in, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to a great start and a productive season ahead! Welcome Back!

Happy back-to-school! 🚌

Amanda Zullo

Pk-12 Principal

This is a unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with us. it provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to:

• Send and receive school and class information

• Share pictures and files

• See calendar items

• Provide input

• and much more . . . all in one centralized place!

  
  

  All district and school, grade level, and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience, download the Saint Regis Falls CSD app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).
  

School Starts at 7:47 am with doors opening at 7:00 am.

If your child is absent or late, please call the office 518-856-9421.

If you child takes a bus please also contact the transportation department.

School ends at 2:55 pm; for all students.

Tardies: Once a student is tardy, SchoolTool keeps track of how many they have. Automatic letters, texts, and emails remind parents how many tardies their child(-ren) has.

Absences: School attendance is the most important predictor of your child's success. Please have them to school each day and ready to learn. Automatic letters, texts, and emails remind parents of how many absences their child(-ren) has.

Help us help you!! If you have not yet filled this out please do so ASAP.

**Transportation Form- This form is available online at the QR Code or on the sheet included. We need this information ASAP to be able to set up our bus routes. Thank You!!

If in PreK-6 please use the parent pick-up/drop-off lane to the left of the building at door #2 as you are looking at the school.

If in grades 7-12 drop off to the right of the building and walk around to come in the door.

If you have students in both PreK-6 and 7-12 please drop off at the PreK-6 drop off.

Once getting to school:

• Pk will report to the library;
• K-6 will report to the cafeteria;
• 7-12 will report to the big gym.

*If you are picking up a child from school between 7:47 am and 2:54 pm, please buzz at the door, and office staff will send out your child.*

At 2:55 pm parent pick-up for grades Pk-6 will take place at Door #2 on the left of the building.

Please make sure we have your current contact information updated in our office.

Emergency closings will be announced to staff and families using the mass communication tool Thrillshare/Apptegy. Typically a text message, robo call, and email will be sent as soon as the emergency closing decision is made. Often, facebook and the district website will also have the emergency closing announcement.

Students need to be paying attention and fully on task during classes. It is important that if you have a message for your child it is sent early in the day so that they are able to see it when they have a chance between periods.

Messages left with the office will be shared and are another excellent option for contacting your child.

There are visitors allowed in the building during the school day.

Parents and Guardians can see staff members with an appointment. Give us a call and we can set that up!

Remember-It is always important to check in at the front office.

Teachers are updating grades/information on SchoolTool regularly.

If you need to contact a teacher, email (first initial last name) @stregiscsd.org, phone call (teacher's phones are directed to voicemail during classes), or through Rooms is the best option.

Please allow at least 24 - 48 hours for a teacher to reply.

If any parent wants to see a teacher during the school day, it may be done by appointment. An appointment can be made through the teacher or by phoning the school office.

The form collects basic information about your learner so our school can determine if they would otherwise be eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast/lunch.

It is important for EVERY family to fill out this form because doing so helps bring much-needed additional money and services directly to our schools! This form must be submitted each year by October 1.

School districts receive funding from the state and federal governments. For each learner who would qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast/lunch, schools receives thousands of additional dollars in funding. Even a small increase in completed Household Income Eligibility forms collected results in significantly more money to support our learners and school.

Even if your child chooses to bring their own breakfast/lunch or snack or if they eat lunch at home, filling out the form is very important! It ensures that our school gets all of the funding and benefits available.

Also, even if your child does not eat school breakfast/lunch, learners who qualify for free breakfast/lunch can also receive benefits, including reduced fees for SAT and ACT tests, reduced college applications fees, discounts on monthly internet services and computer purchases.

Grades are updated regularly.

We also share academic progress reports with parents/guardians at the end of every five weeks. Report cards are mailed home every quarter (ten weeks).

As always, if you have a question about how your child is doing reach out to their teacher! They are in the best position to help.

Photographs/videotapes of students and/or student work may be used occasionally in district and community publications.

If you object to your child’s photograph or work being used in these publications, submit the formers that were sent home or reach out to Amanda Zullo, Pk-12 Principal (azullo@stregiscsd.org).

We sent home a packet containing a whole bunch of forms!! It was followed up by an email message. Here are links and descriptions of all of the forms.

• Saint Regis Falls CSD Student/Parent Contact Information Sheet-This is what we currently have in our portal. Please review the information on this sheet that was sent by mail making any corrections or signing to indicate it is correct. Given the information, the paper form needs to be turned in.

• Return it to the homeroom on the first day of school.

• It is important to have your accurate information as this is the information we use to communicate with you.

• Saint Regis Falls CSD Health Intake Form- This form guides us on the health care needs of your child. It is very important that you complete this form in its paper form with accurate information so that we can support your child if anything happens. Given the information, the paper form needs to be turned in.

• Return it to the homeroom on the first day of school.

• 2024-2025 Residency Questionnaire- This helps to determine what needs are present within the district/building. Please have your child return the for or complete the form linked here.

• Return it to the homeroom on the first day of school.

• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)/Provision 2 Household Income Eligibility Form-By filling out this form, you help the district apply for grant funding for free meals/milk (which we have this year!!), scholastic and extracurricular activities.

• Return it to teachers/homeroom on the first day of school.

• Technology Acceptable Use-The St. Regis Falls Central School District is providing your child a device to access its educational technology resources. With this educational technology opportunity also comes responsibility. Parents/Guardians are responsible for setting and conveying acceptable standards that the child should follow. Please review these guidelines, contact the office with questions and sign.

• Return it to the homeroom on the first day of school or fill out the linked form.

• Student Handbook-The school handbook is located on the website. The handbook contains an overview of the school year, the school rules, and other tips for children.

• Return it to the homeroom on the first day of school or fill out the linked form.

Opt-Outs: Please sign and turn in ONLY if you DO NOT want your child to participate in field trips/activities or have their picture taken.

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Instruction-As part of the sequential health education program for all pupils, grades K- 12. Such instruction shall be designed to provide accurate information to pupils concerning the nature of the disease, methods of transmission, and methods of prevention and shall stress abstinence as the most appropriate prevention method consistent with community values.

• Field Trip and Media Consent- There are several opportunities during the school year that we work to take children on field trips, both walking within our community and more broadly. We also love to display the great work happening here. However if you don’t want your child’s picture to be posted please let us know.

Here is the link to the Fall Sports Schedules.

Below is the current schedule for this week. As always, I encourage you to sign up to get notifications from the app. Also keep an eye on the school Facebook page and website.

Email: azullo@stregiscsd.org

Website: https://www.stregiscsd.org/
Location: 92 North Main Street, St. Regis Falls New York, 12980
Phone: 518-856-9421
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/srfcsd/