A message from Dawn Tauber,
board of education president
board of education president
Dear Monroe-Woodbury families,
I hope your children have settled into the school year well and are embracing rich experiences in and out of the classroom. We are very fortunate in Monroe-Woodbury to have a variety of academic and extracurricular offerings that help students discover their interests and shape their school experiences.
At our most recent board meeting, a group of adorable Sapphire Elementary students performed "I Am a Promise" for the Board of Education Trustees. The lyrics, "I am a promise, I am a possibility. I am a promise, with a capital P. I am a great big bundle of potentiality," were not only endearing, they served as an important reminder. Together, board members, educators, parents, and community members, will work together to support our young people on their educational journey.
Please know that the board is here to listen, answer questions and support our students and their families. This commitment to service is the foundation of our school district's mission.
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and make memories that last a lifetime!
Sincerely,
Dawn Tauber
Board of Education President
Dear Crusader families,
The fall months are my favorite time of year, marked by beautiful fall foliage, football games and cool evenings. In the school district world, we are transitioning from the newness of a school year to established schedules, set routines and clear expectations. It's especially exciting to watch our youngest students grow more confident during these few months of school, setting the stage for the years to come.
I have enjoyed meeting with the people who make up this wonderful school community. During these first few months of the school year, I have prioritized connections with students, staff and community members. At the recent Superintendent's Meet & Greet event, I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with parents and students. With every new acquaintance, shared story and shake of a hand, I am learning more about who we are and how we can work together as part of this vibrant school community.
As the calendar turns to November, we are preparing for the uncertain weather conditions that are inevitably part of a New York winter. I encourage you to take a few moments to read the important reminders below regarding school closures, early dismissals and delays. Please confirm that your contact information in the Parent Portal is up-to-date. A reminder to also have arrangements in place for your child in the event of an early dismissal, and make sure your child is aware of these alternative plans.
November is also a time when we count our blessings. Included in this newsletter is information about our #mwattitudeofgratitude initiative. I hope you will take a few moments to thank someone from the district who has made a difference in your life.
Warm regards,
Tracy Norman, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
As a school district, we have learned to expect the unexpected. While we expect wintry weather conditions, we also recognize that power outages, flooding, accidents and other issues may cause us to dismiss early, delay or close schools.
Early Dismissal
Decisions regarding early dismissal will be made early in the morning. Families will be notified via email, text (only those who opt-in; see below) and phone call. Please have arrangements in place for your children in the event of an early dismissal and make sure they are aware of these alternative plans.
M-W High School – 10:30 a.m. dismissal
M-W Middle School – 11:37 a.m. dismissal
Sapphire and Smith Clove (UPK-1) – 11:45 a.m. dismissal
Central Valley, North Main, Pine Tree – 12:45 p.m. dismissal
Families should expect buses to arrive at bus stops approximately 3 hours earlier than usual. In the event of an emergency early dismissal, all after school activities and YMCA Club Kid will be canceled.
Delay Schedule
There are three delay schedule options: 1-hour, 2-hour and 3-hour. Visit the district website to view specific times for each school. In the case of delayed opening, all buses, in-district and out-of-district, will operate on the specified delay schedule.
School Closure
If inclement weather or other factors impact the district’s ability to safely transport students, schools will be closed. Families will be notified via email, text (only those who opt-in; see below) or phone call based on preferences selected in the Parent Portal. Please ensure your contact information in the Portal is accurate.
Test of Early Morning Communication: You will soon be receiving information about a test of the district's early morning communication system, which will take place in early November. Early morning messages will be sent to contacts provided in the Parent Portal via email and phone call, in addition to text, but only if you have opted in to receive texts (see instructions below).
Reminder: For the first time, the district is utilizing School Messenger to communicate with families. While we are hopeful communication will flow smoothly, families are encouraged to visit the district website and social media (Facebook and Instagram) as a back up for important messages related to changes in student schedules. Thank you!
Parents and guardians must “OPT IN” to receive text messages via School Messenger. It’s easy and quick!
How to OPT IN to receive text messages:
Text “Y” to the number: 67587 from the phone number you have registered to your Student’s Profile as a contact.
You will receive a text message confirming you have registered to receive text notifications: “You’re registered 4 SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help.”
Please note: If you DO NOT “OPT IN” for text notifications, you will NOT receive text notifications. You will only receive phone calls or emails. We encourage you to make your selection as soon as possible to ensure smooth communication with no interruptions.
Write a letter (or email) to someone in our school community who has made a difference in your life. Explain what makes them special and why you are grateful. How have they made your life better?
For younger students, draw a picture to share with your favorite person. Send your illustration or message to communications@mw.k12.ny.us and we will share on social media and the website and surprise your special person. #mwattitudeofgratitude
We will share messages throughout the month of November!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello! Stay tuned for more opportunities to meet Dr. Norman in the future.
REMINDERS
OCTOBER 23-31: RED RIBBON WEEK
NOVEMBER 1: FACULTY & FRIENDS RECITAL
NOVEMBER 3: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME - TURN CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR
NOVEMBER 5: SUPERINTENDENT'S CONFERENCE DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
NOVEMBER 7: PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES, K-12 EARLY DISMISSAL
NOVEMBER 11: VETERAN'S DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
Monroe-Woodbury is committed to academic achievement and success for all students in a safe environment. In partnership with families and our community, the district's mission is to promote confidence, inspire a passion for learning and prepare students to become responsible global citizens.