Embedded Files
to the 2025-2026 school year!
to the 2025-2026 school year!
A MESSAGE FROM Mr. Jason McElroy, MWHS Principal
A MESSAGE FROM Mr. Jason McElroy, MWHS Principal
Dear Monroe-Woodbury High School Families,
Fall has made its entrance, bringing cooler days, along with colorful, tumbling leaves! Today, 10/3, marks the midpoint of Quarter 1. Parents, this is a great time to log into the Parent Portal to check in on progress. Our first quarter closes on November 7th, if anyone is in need of additional support, there is still time for this to occur.
A special thank you to those who joined us for Open House on September 25th. For anyone who was unable to attend, our presentation can be viewed here. One of the important topics we highlighted was attendance. Many students and families don’t realize that, according to the New York State Department of Education, “Chronic absence is defined as missing 10 percent of school days within one academic year for any reason. This includes excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.” Here at MWHS, that equates to about 18 days. This can quickly add up with a couple days out a month…see our attendance graphic in the Department Updates, Info and More section below!
As always, thank you for your continued cooperation, collaboration and support.
Important dates & information to keep in mind (more info below):
October 8 - BoE Appreciation Day & Regular Meeting @ NM, 6:00PM
October 9 - PTSA Meeting @ HS, 6:00PM
October 10 - Orange County Early Dismissal Drill
October 13 - School Closed, Columbus & Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 16 - College Fair & Financial Aid Night @ HS, 6:00PM
October 17 - Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
October 18 - PSAT Exam @ HS, 7:30AM
October 20 - 24 - National School Bus Safety Week
October 23 - 31 - Red Ribbon Week
October 24 - Homecoming Football Game @ 6:00PM
October 25 - Homecoming Dance
October 27 - Wear Red for Red Ribbon Week
October 30 - Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction @ HS, 6:00PM
Respectfully,
Jason McElroy
Principal
Monroe-Woodbury High School
Information Corner
Information Corner
School Closed
School Closed
Reminder, all Monroe-Woodbury schools will be closed on Thursday, October 2, 2025, for Yom Kippur, and Monday, October 13, 2025, for Columbus and Indigenous Peoples Day.
Military Recruiter
Military Recruiter
Opt-Out Form
Opt-Out Form
MWHS Class of 2026 and 2027 Families,
The federal law, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, gives recruiters from the armed services access to contact information of high school students. The names of juniors and seniors will be provided to recruiters upon request. If either a student or their parent/guardian do not want their name included on the listing, parents/guardians should complete the “Military Recruiter Opt-Out Form” in the parent portal by Friday, October 3, 2025.
To access the form, please login to your parent portal. On the left navigation menu, you will see “Forms.” Select this menu item and choose the “Military Recruiter Opt-Out Form.” Type your “Parent Name” in the cell provided, the date is pre-populated and select “Submit” in the bottom right corner.
Thank you,
MWHS Administration
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Hudson Valley Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is back!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 19th,
at The Woodbury Commons, the walk begins at 9:00 a.m.
Come join Team MWCSD!
🩷💝🎀
Monroe-Woodbury CSD will continue to join forces with NYSUT and The American Cancer Society in supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, and honoring those taken. Our mission is to inspire those to never give up hope!
All Staff and Students
“Think Pink And Wear Denim For A Cause”
Friday, October 17, 2025
Show your HOPE and help SPREAD AWARENESS so no one goes through this battle alone.
Strength 💗 Courage 💗 Faith
* For staff contributions to our district’s fundraiser, please visit the Staff Resources page for the online link. Thank you!
Emergency Drills Notification
Emergency Drills Notification
As per NYSED regulations, we are required to run safety drills during the school year to test our emergency response protocols.
The purpose of this notification is to inform you that we will be conducting safety drills in the upcoming week, 10/6 - 10/10.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your House Office.
The Spotlight
The Spotlight
Student Spotlight
Student Spotlight
Creative Crusaders: Our Senior Art Majors
Creative Crusaders: Our Senior Art Majors
Senior art majors at MWHS are having a great start to the school year. From expressive sketches to striking photography, these talented Crusaders are transforming their ideas into stunning portfolio pieces. Whether they're experimenting with mixed media, capturing emotion through a lens, or perfecting their technique in the studio, their creativity is on full display. Stay tuned to see how their artistic journeys unfold throughout the year! 🎨📸💜
sTaff Spotlight
sTaff Spotlight
MHSCC Award for Excellence — Support Staff
MHSCC Award for Excellence — Support Staff
Mr. Dana Kerstanski was enthusiastically nominated for the Mid-Hudson School Study Council Fall Awards for Excellence in Support Staff Services. Mr. Kerstanski has been a cornerstone of the Monroe-Woodbury community for the past 11 years, serving officially as our Audio-Visual Technician—but in reality, Mr. Kerstanski’s contributions go far beyond his job title.
Mr. Kerstanski is truly a “jack of all trades.” From supporting the Music and Art Departments with their performances and exhibits to managing the audio and visual components and a team of students for the drama club's productions, Mr. Kerstanski approaches every task with professionalism, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. One of Mr. Kerstanski’s most visible and beloved contributions is his work on The M-Dubs Morning Show. Thanks to his technical oversight and behind-the-scenes coordination in collaboration with Mr. Chris Truett, the show continues to be a vibrant and engaging platform for student expression and school spirit. His calm demeanor, reliability, and sense of humor make him a favorite among students and staff alike.
Mr. Kerstanski brings insight, innovation, and a can-do spirit to every project. He ensures that everything runs smoothly and safely, often anticipating challenges before they arise. What sets Mr. Kerstanski apart is his humility and willingness to help wherever and whenever he is needed. He never seeks recognition, but there is no doubt that many of our school’s most memorable events and programs would not be possible without his behind-the-scenes support. Mr. Kerstanski exemplifies the spirit of service, collaboration, and excellence that this award seeks to honor. Congratulations! 🎉💜
MWHS Humanities Program 2025 Kick-Off Celebration
The MWHS Humanities Program welcomed their 12th year with the 2025-2026 Kick-Off Celebration held on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Students and teachers in the MWHS Humanities program gathered together in community to share what the program means to them and how they have grown as a result of being a part of the program. Students also heard inspirational messages from their teachers about how Humanities shaped them as professionals and lifelong learners. We were grateful to have some special guests that included the HS building administrators and members of Central Administration. 📚💜
MWHS Goes GOLD for Pediatric Cancer Awareness!
On Friday, September 26, 2025, Monroe-Woodbury went "GOLD" in honor of all those who are fighting cancer, those who have won the battle, and the angels watching over us.
We wear gold or yellow as a show of compassion for our families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, alums and all members of the MW family who have been impacted by pediatric cancer.
Crusaders sent a strong message that we are truly a family, through thick and thin. 💛🎗️ #mwgoesgold
🏊♀️🏈🎾🏐🏃♀️➡️⚽️ ATHLETICS ⚽️🏃🏐🎾🏈🏊♂️
We're halfway through the regular fall season, and our Crusader athletes are making every moment count! From thrilling wins to standout individual performances, our teams are showing growth and great sportsmanship. Whether it's on the field, court, or course, our student-athletes are giving it their all--and some early results are in!
Our boys varsity football team, girls varsity soccer team, girls varsity tennis team, and boys varsity cross-country team all currently hold first place in their respective divisions!
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we head into the second half of the season! 💜⚽️🏃🏐🎾🏈🏊♂️
select photos provided by Mr. William Dimmitt and Mr. Matt Kellum.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES, INFO AND MORE!
DEPARTMENT UPDATES, INFO AND MORE!
School Counseling office
School Counseling office
PE newsletter
PE newsletter
Check out the October Newsletter from the Physical Education Department!
food services
food services
Free Meals for all students during the 2025-2026 school year!
All students enrolled at Monroe-Woodbury Central School District are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch in school at no charge to your household each day of the 2025-2026 school year.
All students will be able to participate in these meal programs on the first day of school without having to pay a fee or submit an application. All schools provide a breakfast program for students upon entry into school and a lunch program for students in the cafeteria.
School meal programs offer breakfast and lunch meals that meet strict federal nutrition standards, aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and are planned with student preferences in mind. If packing food from home, students can add to their home brought lunch at no cost by choosing at least three of the five items offered, (e.g., low fat milk, proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits), one of which must be a vegetable or fruit. We invite students to show their support for their school food service program through participation.
View message for families regarding 2025-26 school year
View message for families regarding 2025-26 school year (en español!)
Attendance
Attendance
It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school attendance office within at least 24 hours following the absence of their student and to provide a written excuse within five (5) school days upon the student’s return to school.
Meet our new attendance clerical, Arlene Kelly! Please email hsattend@mw.k12.ny.us regarding attendance.
The Nurse's Corner
The Nurse's Corner
The New York State Department of Education requires that all 9th and 11th grade students have a physical exam. A valid physical for this school year is one performed on or after September 1st, 2023.
Additionally, per NYS law, we will be screening all 11th grade students' vision and hearing if not done and documented on their physical exam and we will be screening all 9th grade male students for scoliosis if not documented on their physical.
There is also a new New York State mandate for all 12th graders to receive a booster dose of the Meningococcal A, C, W, Y vaccine. To be valid for 12th grade, the vaccine must have been received at 16 years or older.
When you are scheduling your child's 11th grade physical exam appointment, please ask the provider if your child is due for a Meningitis A vaccine..
If your student has had a physical, please ask the provider's office to either:
Fax: (845) 460-6078 or
Email: esassi@mw.k12.ny.us or ldimas@mw.k12.ny.us
If you have any questions regarding this information, please don't hesitate to contact us at (845) 460-7000 ext. 7030.
Sincerely,
Lisa Sassi SNT and Leslie Dimas RN
HS Bell ScheduleS
HS Bell ScheduleS
Class periods are 41 minutes long. Passing time between periods is four minutes.
Transportation
Transportation
Visit the Parent Portal to view transportation information.
School messenger
School messenger
As of August 20, 2024, School Messenger has replaced Swift K12 as the district’s parent notification system. As always, parents and guardians may receive important notifications from the district via email, phone call, or text.
NEW with School Messenger:
Parents and guardians must “OPT IN” to receive text messages via School Messenger. It’s easy and quick! Please take care of it right away!
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.
INformacion Importante
INformacion Importante
Recordatorio de School Messenger (padres/tutores):
A partir del 20 de agosto de 2024, School Messenger ha reemplazado a Swift K12 como el sistema de notificación para padres del distrito. Como siempre, los padres y tutores pueden recibir notificaciones importantes del distrito por correo electrónico, llamada telefónica o mensaje de texto.
NOVEDADES CON SM:
Los padres y tutores deben “OPTAR” para recibir mensajes de texto a través de School Messenger. ¡Es fácil y rápido! ¡Por favor, ocúpese de ello de inmediato!
Cómo OPTAR para recibir mensajes de texto:
Envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra “Y” al número: 67587 desde el número de teléfono que haya registrado en su perfil de estudiante como contacto.
Recibirá un mensaje de texto que confirmará que se ha registrado para recibir notificaciones de texto: “Está registrado para recibir 4 notificaciones de SchoolMessenger. Responda PARE para cancelar, para recibir ayuda”.
Tenga en cuenta: si NO “OPTA” para recibir notificaciones de texto, NO recibirá notificaciones de texto. Solo recibirá llamadas telefónicas o correos electrónicos. Le recomendamos que haga su selección lo antes posible para garantizar una comunicación fluida y sin interrupciones.
Recordatorio de School Messenger (personal):
A partir del 20 de agosto de 2024, School Messenger ha reemplazado a Swift K12 como el sistema de notificación del distrito. Como siempre, puede recibir notificaciones importantes del distrito por correo electrónico, llamada telefónica o mensaje de texto.
NUEVO CON SM:
Debe “OPTAR” para recibir mensajes de texto a través de School Messenger. ¡Es fácil y rápido! ¡Por favor, ocúpese de ello de inmediato!
Cómo OPTAR para recibir mensajes de texto:
Envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra “Y” al número: 67587 desde el número de teléfono que haya registrado en su Perfil de estudiante como contacto.
Recibirá un mensaje de texto que confirmará que se ha registrado para recibir notificaciones de texto: “Está registrado para recibir 4 notificaciones de SchoolMessenger. Responda STOP para cancelar, HELP para recibir ayuda”.
Tenga en cuenta: si NO “OPTA” para recibir notificaciones de texto, NO recibirá notificaciones de texto. Solo recibirás llamadas telefónicas o correos electrónicos. Te recomendamos que hagas tu selección lo antes posible para garantizar una comunicación fluida y sin interrupciones.
Comidas gratis - Recordatorio -Todos los estudiantes, en el año escolar 2025-2026
Todos los estudiantes inscritos en el Distrito Escolar Central Monroe-Woodbury son elegibles para recibir un desayuno y almuerzo saludables en la escuela sin costo para su hogar todos los días del año escolar 2025-2026.
Todos los estudiantes podrán participar en estos programas de comidas el primer día de clases sin tener que pagar una tarifa o presentar una solicitud. Todas las escuelas ofrecen un programa de desayuno para los estudiantes al ingresar a la escuela y un programa de almuerzo para los estudiantes en la cafetería.
Los programas de comidas escolares ofrecen desayunos y almuerzos que cumplen con estrictos estándares federales de nutrición, están alineados con las Pautas dietéticas para estadounidenses y se planifican teniendo en cuenta las preferencias de los estudiantes. Si traen comida de casa, los estudiantes pueden agregarla a su almuerzo traído a casa sin costo alguno eligiendo al menos tres de los cinco artículos ofrecidos (por ejemplo, leche baja en grasa, proteínas, cereales integrales, verduras y frutas), uno de los cuales debe ser una verdura o una fruta. Invitamos a los estudiantes a mostrar su apoyo al programa de servicio de alimentos de su escuela mediante la participación.
Ver mensaje para familias sobre el año escolar 2025-26 (en espanol)
NYS Distraction-free learning
NYS Distraction-free learning
The Distraction-Free Schools New York State law, which was passed as part of the 2026 state budget, aims to promote student mental health and student success by prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices from the time students arrive at school until dismissal. This law goes into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The law applies to students in grades UPK-12 and bans the use of smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, wireless headphones, and other internet-enabled devices. School-issued devices are exempt and will continue to be an important instructional tool in the classroom.
At the Board of Education meeting on July 23, the Board approved the Students and Personal Electronic Devices Policy. This policy addresses how the law will be enforced in our schools, as well as exemptions and exceptions. Families may request an exemption under specific circumstances, such as for documented medical or disability reasons. If you believe your child qualifies for an exemption, please complete the online Exemption Request form. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the district's Exemption Review Committee. Submission of this form does not guarantee approval, but it is the first step in the review process.
For more information, visit our Distraction Free-Schools page.
Check out the demonstration video below for our building guidelines on how we are utilizing "Yondr" pouches for secure device storage during the school day.
In an effort to be fully transparent and keep all stakeholders informed, we want to clearly outline the consequences associated with this new policy. Please review our progressive discipline steps here:
YONDR
Damaged/Lost/Stolen Yondr Costs/Consequence(s)
Pouch 2: (Replacement #1) - No Cost + phone call home + device held for the day
Pouch 3: (Replacement #2) - $30 Fee + phone call home + device held daily until fee is paid
Yondr Vandalized Costs/Consequence(s)
Pouch 2: (Replacement #1) - No Cost + phone call home + device held for day + After-School Detention (Vandalism infraction)
Pouch 3: (Replacement #2) - $30 Fee + phone call home + device held daily until fee is paid + ISS 1 Day (Vandalism infraction)
No Pouch with a phone present upon on arrival
First Offense: Device held for day / Parent phone call
Second Offense: First offense consequence + Parent must pick up device
Third offense+: Second offense consequence + After-School Detention (Insubordination infraction)
Cell Phone During School Day - all offenses require a parent/guardian to pick up the device
First Offense: Parent phone call & Parent must pick up device
Second Offense: First offense consequence + After-School Detention (Insubordination infraction)
Third Offense+: First offense consequence + ISS 1 Day+ (Insubordination infraction)
**Device pick-up window for parents**
2:30pm - 5:00pm
Meet the MWHS Administration Team
What's Coming Up!
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT DATES
October 2 - School Closed, Yom Kippur
October 8 - BoE Appreciation Day & Regular Meeting @ NM, 6:00PM
October 9 - PTSA Meeting @ HS, 6:00PM
October 10 - Orange County Early Dismissal Drill
October 13 - School Closed, Columbus & Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 16 - College Fair & Financial Aid Night @ HS, 6:00PM
October 17 - Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
October 18 - PSAT Exam @ HS, 7:30AM
October 20 - 24 - National School Bus Safety Week
October 23 - 31 - Red Ribbon Week
October 24 - Homecoming Football Game @ 6:00PM
October 25 - Homecoming Dance
October 27 - Wear Red for Red Ribbon Week
October 30 - Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction @ HS, 6:00PM
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