Dear Sapphire Families,
What a wonderful and eventful month it has been here at Sapphire Elementary! Our school has been full of learning, laughter, and community spirit.
We began the month with our Multicultural Night, which was a fantastic celebration of our school’s diversity. Families shared delicious foods and traditions from around the world, and it was heartwarming to see so many smiling faces enjoying the evening together. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the night so special.
Our students also had some exciting visitors this month! Beth and Scott came to sing and share songs about the Golden Rule, reminding us all of the importance of kindness and respect. The children joined in with great enthusiasm and joy. The local fire department also stopped by, giving students a close-up look at the fire truck and firefighter gear. It was both educational and exciting—and it helps our students understand that firefighters are our community helpers, even when they’re wearing all that equipment!
Our kindergarten classes had a wonderful fall adventure at Manza Family Farm, returning with pumpkins and stories to tell. October was also filled with other great events, including Red Ribbon Week and our always popular PTA Book Fair—thank you to our PTA for all they do to support reading and enrichment at Sapphire.
We were also thrilled to host our very own Trunk or Treat event here at Sapphire this year! The evening was a tremendous success, with families decorating trunks in creative and festive ways. It was a joy to see our parking lot transformed into a sea of costumes, laughter, and community fun. Thank you to all the families who participated and helped make it such a memorable night!
We closed out October with our annual Harvest Hoe Down. After learning the basics of square dancing in PE, our students performed beautifully with live music from the High School Strolling Strings. A big thank you to Mr. Van De Weert and the Music Department for helping us continue this much-loved tradition.
Finally, as Veterans Day approaches, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all veterans within our Sapphire community. We are deeply grateful for your service and sacrifice.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take a moment to share how truly grateful I am for our Sapphire community. Your support, involvement, and care make our school a warm and inspiring place for our students to learn and grow. I wish each of you a safe, restful, and happy holiday surrounded by family and friends.
With gratitude and warm wishes,
Allison Borriello
Principal
Sapphire Elementary School
November 2
Daylight Savings
Daylight Savings Time ends. Turn your clocks back 1 hour.
November 4
NO SCHOOL for students.
Superintendent's Conference Day
November 4
Election Day
Please remember to vote. Take your children with you to start them early on becoming active members of our community!
November 11
NO SCHOOL - VETERANS DAY
On November 11, we recognize and thank veterans who have served to keep our country strong and our citizens safe. If you see a veteran, especially on this important date, thank him or her for their service.
November 21
K-12 Early Dismissal
Half day dismissal @ 11:45 - Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences
Nominations are currently being accepted for inductees to the first-ever Monroe-Woodbury Hall of Distinction (HOD). The HOD was established in 2025 to celebrate the rich heritage and tradition of the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District. This program recognizes and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the school community, as well as distinguished alumni who have excelled in their respective endeavors.
Nominees must demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct and moral character and must meet the criteria in one of the following categories:
Contributor
A Contributor is someone who has been a supporter of the Monroe-Woodbury School District’s athletics, arts, and academics for at least five years. This category may include distinguished administrators, faculty, staff, Board of Education members, coaches/assistant coaches or community members who have served the school system for a minimum of five consecutive years. They must have shown exceptional leadership, character, and achievement during their tenure and must be inactive to be eligible. Inductees may be living or deceased.
Distinguished Alumni
A Distinguished Alumni is a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School who has achieved significant recognition or success in a particular area, made impactful contributions to society, or brought honor to their alma mater through their accomplishments. This category may include achievements in athletics, their chosen profession, or humanitarianism. Candidates being nominated as former athletes must have earned a varsity letter. Nominees must be graduates who have been out of school for at least five years. Inductees may be living or deceased.
A nomination may be submitted by the selection committee, current faculty, administration, staff, members of the Booster Club, an alumnus(a), or by the general public. All entries must be submitted by November 14, 2025, via the MWCSD Hall of Distinction nomination form. Nominations may only be made one time per year. Those individuals not selected will not be retained for future consideration, but there is no limit to the number of times a person may be nominated.
The form is available via the district website. Hard copies may be picked up at the security booth at MWHS, 155 Dunderberg Road, Central Valley, or at the Harriman Center, 14 Church Street, Harriman. If you would like an HOD packet mailed to you, please email: monroewoodburyhod@gmail.com.
In addition to the nomination form, the following materials should be submitted for consideration:
A letter of recommendation from the person making the nomination, and at least one letter of support (maximum of 3) from an individual who can validate or substantiate pertinent information related to the nominee.
If available, a limited number of newspaper clippings, magazine articles, copies of scorebooks and statistics may be included to help substantiate the accomplishments and contributions of the nominee.
A suitable photograph for reproduction should be submitted electronically. The photo should be the highest resolution possible to ensure quality reproduction.
The inaugural class will have a maximum of eight charter members. All individuals selected to be a member of the HOD will be invited to an Induction Ceremony during the winter of 2025. A permanent HOD interactive exhibit honoring inductees will be located in the main lobby of Monroe-Woodbury High School, 155 Dunderberg Road, Central Valley, NY.
Resources:
HOD Web Pages: https://www.mw.k12.ny.us/page/hall-of-distinction
HOD Information Packet (English): https://5il.co/3phuw
HOD Information Packet (Espanól): https://5il.co/3phux
HOD Nomination Form: https://forhttps://forms.gle/cFK92SsuZmcEooNw7ms.gle/cFK92SsuZmcEooNw7
EARLY MORNING COMMUNICATION TEST - Monday, November 10 @ 6:30 p.m.
To prepare for the possibility of inclement weather or other morning emergencies, the district will send a TEST of its Early Morning contacts on Monday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. The TEST allows families to verify receipt of morning announcements regarding school closings, delays or other emergency notifications.
SchoolMessenger is the district’s primary parent/guardian notification system. As always, parents and guardians may receive important notifications from the district via email, phone call or text. Families will only receive texts in the early morning if they have opted in to receive text messages (see instructions). Please Note: If you have previously opted in to receive text messages via SchoolMessenger, you do not need to opt in again. Your preferences will remain active until your child graduates or you choose to opt out.
BACK-UP ALERT SYSTEM TEST - Monday, November 10 @ 6:45 p.m.
In addition to our primary Early Morning message system (SchoolMessenger), the district will also be testing our back-up notification system (Apptegy Thrillshare Alerts). For this test only, you will also receive an additional phone call, text and email notification.
A reminder will be sent to all families during the first week in November. Please check the Parent Portal to ensure your student’s contact information is updated. Thank you for your cooperation as we prepare for the unexpected as the winter weather months approach.
Has your child lost a jacket? Sweatshirt? T-shirt?
It could be in our lost and found area!
Please have your children check in the main lobby to see if any of their lost items are here.
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 SM:
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.
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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.
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.
For more information on no cost meals please visit:
https://www.mw.k12.ny.us/page/free-meals-faq
View message for families regarding 2025-26 school year
View message for families regarding 2025-26 school year (en español)
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(845) 460-6500
Arrival:
Gr. K & 1 @ 8:15 AM
UPK @ 8:50 AM
Dismissal:
Gr. K & 1 @ 2:35 for drop-offs, followed by students taking the bus
UPK @ 2:10 PM
Kindergarten Field Trip
to Manza Farm! 🎃
Sapphire Thinks Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀
🎶 Beth and Scott Visit! 🎶
🌟 Multicultural Night🌟
Monroe Fire Department visits
for Fire Prevention Week 🚒
Grab your Cowboy Boots,
It's Hoedown Time! 💃
🍬 PTA Trunk or Treat 🍬
Halloween Parade And More! 🎃
November 2: Daylight Savings Time: Turn your clocks back 1 hour
November 3-7: National School Psychology Awareness Week
November 3: PTA "Fun Run" Fundraiser Begins!
November 3: PTA virtual meeting at 7 PM
November 4: NO SCHOOL (STUDENTS) -- Superintendent's Conference Day
November 5: Board of Education Meeting at Monroe- Woodbury Middle School
November 10: Sapphire PTA Pocketbook Bingo Night at the American Legion @ 6PM
November 11: NO SCHOOL -- Veterans Day
November 13: Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
November 14: Picture re-takes
November 14: PTA "Fun Run" Fundraiser Ends
November 18: SE Bus Safety Drill
November 19: Board of Education Meeting at Pine Tree @ 6PM
November 20: UPK Friendsgiving
November 21: Half day dismissal @ 11:45 - Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences
November 24: Kindergarten Turkey Day
November 26-28: NO SCHOOL -- Happy Thanksgiving!