BACK-TO-SCHOOL HUB for 2023-24

IMPORTANT RESOURCES & REMINDERS FOR OUR STUDENTS/FAMILIES

DISTRICT & SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

Be connected with back-to-school information, including letters from principals and memos from schools, posted on school pages and accessed directly using these links:

•  NYACK HIGH SCHOOL -    http://hs.nyackschools.org
•  NYACK MIDDLE SCHOOL - http://ms.nyackschools.org
•  LIBERTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - https://lb.nyackschools.org/
•  UPPER NYACK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - http://un.nyackschools.org
•  VALLEY COTTAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - http://vc.nyackschools.org

Stay up-to-date with District-wide announcements, events and resources:

•  DISTRICT WEBSITE -https://www.nyackschools.org/
•  DISTRICT PRINT CALENDAR 2023-24      
•  DISTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook:@nyackschools Instagram:@nyackschools

• PARENT PORTAL  QUICK LINK TO PARENT PORTAL

Parent Portal is open to all K-12 families and contains your child's school schedule for 2023-24 and school bus transporation information. Parent Portal is directly linked to the student data management system, Infinite Campus, for access throughout the year to important information regarding your child's grades, school records and progress. It is accessible from our website. Look for the parent-child icon on each school site. For assistance, call 845-353-7023 or email mlydecker@nyackschools.org.

FOOD SERVICE & SCHOOL MEALS: QUICK LINK TO FOOD SERVICE

Breakfast and lunch, based on Federal nutritional guidelines, are served in each school. Free and reduced meals are available based on income levels. The District also participates in MYPAYMENTSPLUS as a convenient online payment plan for school meals which allows you to deposit funds directly into an account and manage your child’s meal account online. For more information call 845-353-7035 or email phickey@nyackschools.org.

LOG ONTO MYPAYMENTSPLUS: www.mypaymentsplus.com

FREE & REDUCED MEALS FORMS:
•  Free and Reduced Meal Application
•  Solicitud de Familia para las Comidas Escolares y Leche Gratis o Precios Reducidos 2023-24
•  Aplikasyon Pou Mangi Ak Let Gratis Ou Pri Redwl Nan Lekol Yo 2023-24

IMMUNIZATIONS & SCHOOL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

New York State law requires a health examination for all students entering the school district for the first time AND when entering pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades. Physicals completed within 365 days prior to the first day of school are acceptable.

SCHOOL NURSE CONTACTS:
•  Kathleen Fredericks - Liberty Elementary School - 845-353-7250
•  Laura Weigel - Upper Nyack Elementary School - 845-353-7270
•  Patricia Kozar - Valley Cottage Elementary School - 845-353-7290
•  Susan Cech - Nyack Middle SchooL - 845-353-7210
•  Christine Ucker - Nyack High SchooL - 845-353-7140

MEDIA RELEASE FORM

Throughout the year, photos and videos are captured in our classrooms and schools for visual storytelling on social media, e-newsletters and other promotional purposes. If you wish to opt your student out of photos/videos, please complete the Media Release Form located in the print calendar and posted here:

REGISTRATION:  QUICK LINK TO REGISTRATION

Registration for new students must be done online using the link on our website. An in-person visit by appointment with the District Registrar is needed to provide required documents (e.g., immunization records, proof of residency, etc.). Children who will turn age 5 on or before December 1 are eligible to start Kindergarten in September of that year. For more information call 845-353-7038 or email the District Registrar at smena@nyackschools.org.

RESOURCES/SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

The Family Resource Center’s (FRC) mission is to ensure the optimal development of all children in the district by supporting families and by advocating and fostering innovative programs and integrated services involving family, school, and community.

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS:
• Liberty Elementary School: Jennie Elias, jelias@nyackschools.org - 845-353-7247
• Upper Nyack Elementary School: Yessenia Santana, ysantana@nyackschools.org - 845-353-7268
• Valley Cottage Elementary School: (pending) - 845-353-7291
• Nyack Middle School: Wanda Octaviano, woctaviano@nyackschools.org - 845-353-7214
• District-Wide: Joanne Wallace, jwallace@nyackschools.org

COMMUNITY LIAISONS:
• Si ou bezwen enfòmasyon tradui an kreyòl rele nan Jocelyne Abraham - 845-353-7044 (Haitian Creole speakers) , jabraham@nyackschools.org
• Si le hace falta información traducida en español, llame a Yesenia Polanco - 845-353-7042 (Spanish speakers),  ypolanco@nyackschools.org

DISTRICT STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES AND PREVENTION COORDINATOR:
• Dornzella Milligan, dmilligan@nyackschools.org - 845-353-7134

SCHOOL COUNSELING/GUIDANCE PLAN (K-12)

SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS

School supply lists can be found on our elementary and middle school websites. Lists are organized by grade. HIgh school students will receive their supply lists from teachers on the first day of school: 

TECH/STUDENT DEVICE AGREEMENT: QUICK LINK TO TECHNOLOGY

Family Technology Support - Technology Help Desk 845-353-7075

Students in grades K-8 will receive a Dell Chromebook. High school students will receive a Dell laptop. Devices and the Student Device Agreement will be distributed to all students in grades 1-12 during the first week of school; Kindergarteners on September 26th. Please be sure to review rules and responsibilities and have your child bring the signed consent form back to school.  FYI - Personal devices in class for the 2023-2024 school year will no longer be allowed without direct permission from school administration.

TRANSPORTATION:  QUICK LINK TO TRANSPORTATION

Bus Schedules are available on the Parent Portal and mailed to district families upon request. Bus cards are also mailed home for non-public and specialized transportation. Be sure to talk to your child about bus safety, both on the bus and at the bus stop. For some helpful tips, visit www.napt.org.For more information call Mirna Franco in theTransportation Office at 845-353-7041 or email: transportation@nyackschools.org.

District Announcements

  • For all elementary families: our NEW Before School Care Program is open for October. Here are details in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole

    Nyack Public Schools

  • Welcome to the 2025-2026 District Calendar! Please mark your calendars with dates, events & opportunities to stay connected all year

    Please note the following dates that have been added to the District Calendar - eVersion/pdf:

    • Elementary Back to School Night - Thursday, September 25 (from 9-11-25)
    • HS Homecoming Dance - Saturday, October 18 (from 10-4-25)
    • Elementary P/T Conferences with 1/2 day for Elem. Only -  December 5 & March 19
    • UN LITP dates - Wednesday, May 20 with Wednesday, May 27 as a rain date 
    • Elementary Family Math Nights:
      • VCE- October 22nd
      • Liberty- October 29th
      • UNES- November 5th
    Nyack Public Schools

  • UPDATE on CELL PHONE BELL-TO-BELL BAN IN SCHOOLS:

    New York State will implement Governor Hochul’s bell-to-bell ban on cell phones and personal internet-enabled devices in all public schools for all K-12 students during the school day. Our Board of Education and administration are following the mandated timeframe for implementation regarding how this policy will look in Nyack Public Schools. It’s important that you understand basic protocols and responsibilities. Here are some key points to know:

    • On July 1, our BOE adopted Policy 5695: Students and Electronic Devices in accordance with Education Law §2803(1). Beginning September 1, 2025, students shall not use a personal internet-enabled device while on school grounds during the school day, except as expressly provided in Section V of this policy. Please read the policy for details.

    • This means all devices - including but not limited to smartphones, iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches - will be turned off and stored away all day, even during lunch and recess. On-site storage facilities will be provided in each building for students who bring them to school.

    • Principals will be sending a letter to families outlining how this policy will be implemented in each building to clarify procedures for storing and retrieving devices. Please note that this will look differently in the elementary schools than in the middle and high school.

    • In the high school, students will place their turned-off devices in designated areas within each classroom and will be asked to store them in their backpacks during non-instructional time. In middle school, students will keep their devices turned off in their backpacks throughout the day. In the elementary schools, devices will remain in students’ backpacks, turned off, and stored in their cubbies. Principals will share additional details and strategies for supporting students in meeting these expectations to help ensure that students and families are on the same page.

    • We will be releasing a short public service announcement (PSA) video before school starts to help everyone understand what this policy will look like in Nyack Public Schools.

    • My leadership team will be collecting data on the effectiveness and challenges of this new policy for reevaluation in January 2026, as stated in the policy.

    What can parents do? Encourage your elementary child(ren) to keep devices (including smartwatches) at home and reiterate with all students that they must adhere to this new policy. Help your child(ren) understand that limiting distractions caused by personal devices during the school day is important. Everyone should know that for urgent communications or emergency situations, our main offices and guidance department staff are alert and ready to respond to individual students and schoolwide needs. While we all adjust to this new policy, let’s help each other focus on the benefit of building a learning environment for students, free from personal electronic devices in our schools.

    I can’t wait to see everyone back in school on Tuesday, September 2. Until then, take care and be sure to mark your calendars for our First Annual RedHawk ReadyFest on Sunday, August 24!

    Yours in Education,
    Dr. Lizzette Ruiz-Giovinazzi
    Superintendent of Schools

    Nyack Public Schools

  • REGISTRATION for incoming Kindergarteners in the 2025-26 school year is open throughout the summer. Be sure to register your Kindergartener!

    Visit our REGISTRATION page for more information and necessary papers for school registration.

    Call our District Registrar at 845-353-7038 during our summer hours, Monday - Thursday, 8:00am-4:00pm

    Nyack Public Schools
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