Elementary Principal’s End-of-Year Message

Dear Schoharie Elementary School Families,

On September 14th, with many unknowns ahead of us, our Schoharie Elementary children walked into our school with smiles and excitement.  Those first unsure days are long behind us now, and we have ended a year like no other.  From being thrust apart, into masks, and onto computer screens at the drop of a hat-we still held morning meetings, taught all subjects, played at recess, and got kids wet and laughing during field day-type activities.  We even added some new routines that we don’t want to change: from better school hygiene, to full technology integration in the class, to awesome recess sledding hills.

This summer we look forward to an announcement that some of this year’s routines will never be seen again.  Those restrictions and routines greatly impact the way we open our school, and although we feel the frustration of not having clear answers, we excitedly hope that the NYS Education Department and NYS Department of Health will release schools from many of those restrictions soon.  As those announcements are made we will work to adjust our school schedule, classroom placements, and routines.  I will share updates with you through SchoolMessenger emails.  We still anticipate sending out our “Welcome Back Mailing” in the beginning of August.
 
Please remember your child’s report card is on Parent Portal, as it has been all year.  A helpful tip is that options are limited from a mobile device.  If you have not yet requested access to Parent Portal this year, the application can always be found at https://www.schoharieschools.org/schooltool-parent-portal/
 
All virtual learning materials, including chromebooks and chargers, need to be dropped off to the elementary main office Monday, 6/28, between the hours of 10-2.
 
School supply lists are being sent in a different message, and will be found on the website.
 
We look forward to all of the students joining us for the summer program this year.  Please contact the administrator, Kristin DuGuay, at 518-295-6601 with any questions regarding this great opportunity.
 
Whether your children join us at school for summer fun and learning or fill their days with family fun, please ensure they read for 20 minutes every day.  20 minutes is all it takes for them to keep all of the reading skills they learned this year, and develop some new ones on their own.  We have a blue Little Free Library in front of the school full of great books for borrowing and giving.  
 
Today our staff sent our children off for summer vacation with the same excitement as September, added with a bit of sadness over our goodbyes, a world of pride, and immense gratitude that our whole community came together to give our children 181 days to learn, laugh, grow and prove that we can do hard things!  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.  Have a great summer.  
 
Sincerely,
 

Andrea Polikoski

Principal
Schoharie Elementary School