The leaves are turning colors, the temperatures are finally beginning to fall, and the night sky is getting darker more quickly each day. Fall is here!

As we welcome the beauty of autumn in the Hudson Valley, we are reminded of the vibrant changes this season brings, both in nature and within our school community.

We are just days away from our first progress report of the year. This important milestone marks a time for reflection, growth, and renewed focus. In addition to academic updates, our calendar is full of meaningful activities for students, upcoming days off, and valuable opportunities for families to stay engaged and involved.

Here are some important upcoming dates to keep on your radar:

·   October 2 – Yom Kippur (School Closed)

·   October 3 – First Quarter Mid-Point

·   October 7 – MS PTA Meeting (6 PM)

·   October 7 & 8 – 6th Grade Trip (Hudson River Cruise)

·   October 8 – BoE Regular Meeting (6 PM @ North Main Elementary)

·   October 10 – Orange County Early Dismissal Drill

·   October 13 – Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day (School Closed)

·   October 16 – Building Leadership Committee Meeting (3:30 PM)

·   October 18 – Breast Cancer Awareness Day

·   October 23 – Fall Recreation Activity

·   October 23 to 31 – Red Ribbon Week

We encourage you to take a few moments to review the full newsletter so you can stay informed, connected, and involved in all that’s happening here at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School.

Thank you for your continued support in making MWMS a wonderful place for our students to learn, grow, and thrive.

Warm regards,

Rafael Vasquez, Jr.

Principal

Monroe-Woodbury Middle School

PROTOCOLS FOR VISITORS TO SCHOOLS

Schools are a place of work and learning, and certain limits must be set for any visitation. Any visitations require principal or his/her designee approval.

The building principal or his/her designee is responsible for all persons in the building and on the grounds. For these reasons, the following rules apply to visitors to the schools:

Anyone who is not a regular staff member or student of the school will be considered a visitor. This includes any contractor or government official conducting professional or official business. 

The Monroe-Woodbury School District uses a visitor management practice known as The Credential Exchange Program. The practice requires all visitors to enter the school at the main entrance where they will press the intercom button. Using the visitor intercom system, a Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will engage each visitor from inside the school and ask the individual to state their purpose for visiting. When a legitimate purpose has been stated, the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will electronically grant access to the visitor and they will enter the inside of the school or vestibule. Upon approaching the Security Desk or vestibule, all visitors will follow the Credential Exchange Program.

The Credential Exchange Program requires all visitors to produce a valid Government Photograph ID, which will be vetted by the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter through the VISITOR DATABASE. Once authorization is permitted, the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will take the printed-out visitor’s tag and insert it into the ID holder attached to a break away Orange Visitor Lanyard. The visitor will hang the Orange Lanyard around their neck and the Safety Officer or Meeter Greeter will maintain the visitor’s ID in the security booth or vestibule’s lock box. All visitors to the school must report to the main office upon entering the school.

Student visitors are not permitted during the school day or to functions not open to the public without advance approval from the principal.

Any unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the principal or his or her designee. Unauthorized persons will be asked to leave. The police may be called if the situation warrants. All visitors are expected to abide by the rules for public conduct on school property contained in our Code of Conduct.

Refer to individual school handbooks for additional information and requirements.