August 23, 2024

Dear High School Families,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year. Our faculty and staff are excited to begin the school year and we are diligently working to prepare for students. As a reminder, the first day of school for students is Wednesday, September 4.

I would like to provide you with the following information/updates:

Student Class Schedules and Locker Assignments

• Preliminary student class schedules are anticipated to be available in the student/parent portal by the end of the day on Wednesday, August 28. Students will be able to check their schedules, but should also review them again prior to the first day of school for any changes.
• All high school students have been assigned hallway lockers and gym lockers. This information can be found in the student portal by clicking on the “More” section and selecting “Lockers.” We encourage students to secure their personal electronic devices in their lockers, as students are not permitted to have them on their person and must keep them out of sight during the entire instructional day.

BOCES Career & Technical Programs
Students enrolled in Ulster BOCES Career and Technical courses will begin their class on Wednesday, September 4. Students may go to the cafeteria at the conclusion of fourth period to pick up lunch/snacks prior to boarding their buses.

Transportation Information
Transportation information is now available on the student/parent portal. Please note that pick-up and drop-off times may change, so it is important that you re-check the portal prior to the first day of school. If you do not require transportation, notify the transportation department at transportation@onteora.k12.ny.us.

Food Services
The cafeteria will be open for breakfast at 7:25 A.M. throughout the school year. Students are responsible for being on time for their first-period classes. We are happy to report that breakfast and lunch will be free for all high school students. Additional snacks can be purchased by students during their lunch periods. However, students must have funds in their accounts to purchase these items. Parents and students are encouraged to deposit money into their student’s account through the student/parent portal. Please note that students will not be able to purchase snacks throughout the day and the cafeteria will only be open to students during their assigned lunch period.

Chromebooks
Returning students entering grades ten through twelve have already been issued Chromebooks and are expected to fully charge their devices and bring them to school daily. Newly enrolled students and all ninth-grade students will be issued Chromebooks during the first week of school.

Student/Parent Handbook
The 2024-25 Student/Parent Handbook is now available. This handbook is intended to serve as a summary of our rules, procedures, code of conduct, and expectations. It is not meant to be an all-inclusive document. I would like to highlight the following topics:

• Personal Electronic Devices/Phones: As mentioned in my previous update,Personal electronic devices often interfere with the academic environment of the school.  Considering the potential for distraction and additional problems, all equipment must be turned off and not visible (including accessories) during school hours (7:40-2:35) unless authorized by the school administration.  Any student observed with such devices will have the device confiscated by a staff member and the student will be referred to the building’s administration. High school students must not have phones on their person and must keep their phones out of sight throughout the instructional day. Students are encouraged to place their phones in their lockers or in their backpacks. Specific consequences for noncompliance by students are outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook.
• Student Restrooms: Student restrooms throughout the building have been designated as either high school or middle school restrooms. Students must only use the restrooms that are assigned to their building or may use a gender-neutral restroom. It is expected that there are no more than two students at a time in any large restroom. There is never to be more than one person at a time inside a gender-neutral restroom.
• Academic Integrity: We have added a section about our expectations regarding academic integrity. Academic integrity is a fundamental principle that lies at the core of education. It refers to the ethical and honest behavior expected from students in their academic pursuits. Academic integrity encompasses various aspects, including, but not limited to, avoiding cheating, plagiarism, copying, and unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI).
• Student Driving/Parking on School Grounds: A limited number of parking spaces have been allocated for students who are approved by the building administration to drive to school. A student who wishes to drive their vehicle to school must complete an application for student parking privileges and receive approval for this privilege. Approved students will be issued a permit sticker. Additional information, including the application, can be found on our website under “Student Resources – Student-Parking.”

Anonymous Alerts
We will continue to utilize the Anonymous Alerts notification system. The Anonymous Alerts anti-bullying and safety app reporting system helps combat bullying and other negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressure are some of the most challenging obstacles for students to overcome. The system allows for 1-way or 2-way anonymous encrypted communications between submitters (students, parents, or community members) and district administration and/or school staff. Users of the system have the option to remain anonymous or reveal their identity when submitting a report. Additional information can be found on our website.

Website Information & Calendar
Please visit the high school’s website often, as it is updated regularly. Some items that have been recently posted include information regarding Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA), annual pesticide notification form, military opt-out information, and required annual health office forms. Information will be posted soon about picture day, Homecoming, and other upcoming events.

Our online calendar can be found on the high school’s website. The calendar is updated as events are scheduled or changed. This is also a good place for students to check the rotation day (i.e., A or B Day).

Important Dates:

September 4:               First Day of School for All Students & First Day for BOCES C&T
September 12 & 13:    Picture Day (Information will be provided by English teachers.)
September 19:             Open House
September 27 & 28:    Homecoming events  

 

I hope that everyone enjoys the remaining days of the summer. I look forward to seeing our students return to the building for the first day of school on September 4.

Sincerely,

Lance Edelman
High School Principal