Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
Embedded Files
9/3 Superintendent's Conference Day
9/8 First Day with Students!
9/21 - 23 Scholastic Book Fair
9/30 Back to School Night at Alden 6:30pm
10/9 Early Release
10/12 No School
10/13 Spirit Week
10/29 School Pictures (Make ups 12/4)
Dear Alden Place families,
As the days grow cooler and shorter, our campus is coming back to life. Thanks to the tireless work of our custodial and maintenance staff this summer—who painted hallways, polished floors, and prepped every room—our classrooms are sparkling and ready for day one.
The start of the school year is officially here!
Our entire team at Alden Place is thrilled to welcome back our students on September 8th. Throughout the year, you'll find in this newsletter important dates, news about the great work our students are doing, and information about celebrations.
Class Placements: Available now on the SchoolTool Parent Portal by clicking on your child's name and viewing the Schedule tab.
*Action required*: Our annual required forms are linked here and below.
Supply Lists: Lists for Grades 3, 4, and 5 can be found under the School Supply Lists section on our site. If your family needs assistance, please reach out to the main office.
Entry and Exit Times: Doors open for students at 8:40 a.m.
Chromebooks in classrooms: To support thoughtful technology use, Chromebooks will stay in classrooms overnight. Please read on for full details.
If there is anything helpful to share regarding your child's needs this year, please reach out directly to their teacher or the main office—strong partnership between home and school remains at the heart of everything we do.
Thank you for your ongoing support and trust. Together, our faculty, staff, and families make Alden Place a place where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. Here’s to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year!
Warm regards,
Andrew Cedermark
Principal, Alden Place Elementary
Millbrook Central School District
(845) 677-4220 X4102
MCSD Annual Notifications
This linked page serves as a central hub for Millbrook Central School District parents to review essential annual notifications, district policies, and health guidelines for the 2026–2027 school year.
Annual Notifications, Technology Use, and Code of Conduct forms must be completed. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the main office.
Click here to complete these forms.
Key Items for Families
Annual Acknowledgement of Forms: Review the required district notices and submit the acknowledgment form by September 14, 2026.
Code of Conduct: Review the updated guidelines and submit the digital signature form.
Technology & Internet Use Agreement: Complete the required permission form to grant your child access to district devices and network services.
Communicating With Us
Attendance
To communicate information about absences or lateness, please email: alden.attendance@millbrookcsd.org.
Transportation
If you need to make a change to your child's pick up for the day, please use the following email address to do so, as we need changes in writing. alden.parentpickup@millbrookcsd.org
Individual teachers
To reach your child's teacher, click the letter icon on SchoolTool next to the teacher's name.
Principal
Andrew Cedermark
X4102, andrew.cedermark@millbrookcsd.org
School Psychologist
Tonya Pulver
X4103, tonya.pulver@millbrookcsd.org
Nurse
Brianna Jimenez
X4104, brianna.jimenez@millbrookcsd.org
Main Office
Julie Ruuge
X4100, julie.ruuge@millbrookcsd.org
School Resource Officer
Meghan Rhoades
meghan.rhoades@millbrookcsd.org
Alden Students Bring the
Art Room to Life! (Literally!)
Alden’s artists kicked off the school year by exploring classroom routines and expectations through performance. Working in small groups, students were assigned topics such as Responsible Use of Art Materials or Staying on Task in Art and collaborated to “act out” their scenario. Each student had a role and lines to read—some even added costumes for extra flair.
This creative activity brought energy and laughter into the art room while helping students learn what it means to work safely, responsibly, and productively. It was a fun, memorable way to start the year and set a positive tone for the months ahead.
Teacher Recognitions
Each month, our staff nominates a teacher who exemplifies our core values. Congratulations to our September Alden Place Blue Ribbon Blazer, Mary Ellen Link, who will display the G.O.A.T trophy in her classroom for the month!
Below are the remarks from our celebration.
When we think about the core values at the heart of our district, no one exemplifies them with such steadiness. Her deep care for every child, her genuine connections with families, and her quiet generosity set a standard for us all.
There is a familiar truth in education that people may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Whenever you cross paths with this teacher in the hallway, she offers a quiet gift—a thoughtful word, a quick compliment, or a warm wave—that makes you feel good, subtly lifts your spirits and brightens the rest of your day.
Hundreds of students have walked through her classroom doors over the years, carrying that same light with them. Her impact has not gone unnoticed by her peers, either; week after week last year, her name appeared on our staff shout-outs more than almost anyone else's.
Maryellen Link, it is my distinct honor to present you with this month's Alden Place Blue Ribbon Blazer Award!
Welcome, New Staff!
Please join me in welcoming new professionals who will be joining our school family for the 26-27 school year. Alden Place also has the privilege of hosting an additional class through our partners at Dutchess BOCES.
Ms. Ayala,
Grade 4
Mrs. Urbanowski,
Special Education
Ms. Petri,
Grade 5 Special Education
Technology Update
As a recent U.S. Department of Education brief highlights: "The question should not be whether teachers and students use technology. The question should be whether the technology we ask teachers and students to use improves learning..." We are proud to continue our 1:1 Chromebook program, using technology intentionally to support learning where we know that targeted use of technology will advance our instructional outcomes.
Our teachers rarely assign Chromebook-based homework, so, for the 2026-27 school year, we are shifting the default so Chromebooks stay in classrooms each day rather than going home. If snow or inclement weather is forecasted, devices will go home so we are prepared for a potential pivot to remote learning.
If you would like your child to practice on our digital learning platforms at home, please reach out to their teacher and they will gladly facilitate.
Attendance Matters
Our Core Values
Our Core Values
Core values
In our work together we continue to emphasize our Core Values. Schools promote academic success in reading, writing, and math, but we also have a responsibility to help students feel a strong sense of belonging and develop the soft skills that will serve them well in the future. We build these skills through RULER, our social-emotional learning curriculum, and reinforce them by promoting and celebrating our Core Values. Together, these values give our diverse community a shared vision of what it means to learn and grow side by side. Each month, we’ll recognize one student from each grade who demonstrates a Core Value, and we’ll proudly display their certificates at the school entrance.
Purpose: I stay focused and strive to achieve my goals.
Ethics: I act with integrity and make responsible choices.
Acceptance: I respect differences and value diverse perspectives.
Community: I help create a supportive and inclusive environment.
Evolution: I reflect on my growth and work to become a better version of myself.
Updates from Pupil Personnel Services
Our Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Office is excited to have the new school year underway!
As we move through the year, we would like to remind families that if you receive a consent form for an evaluation, please sign and return it to the PPS Office as soon as possible. Returning these forms promptly helps our team complete evaluations within the required timelines and ensures we can continue providing students with the appropriate support.
Thank you for your help and continued partnership!
Danielle Leonardi - Administrative Assistant
845-677-4200 ext. 1107
danielle.leonardi@millbrookcsd.org
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