New Paltz Central School District

Safe kids, safe community. 🚸💛 Join us in supporting Ulster County's Safe Start to School Safety initiative. Let’s create a secure, nurturing environment for every child as they return to school.

As the school year begins, be extra vigilant and watch out for children crossing the streets near schools. Remember, even if you’re in a hurry, safety comes first. Also, don't forget to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and come to a full stop at stop signs—it’s the law! Remember, even if you’re in a hurry, safety comes first.

Let's have a . We all play a part in making our roads safe for everyone!

📚✨ The school year has officially begun! 🎒 The halls are buzzing with excitement, and classrooms are filled with bright smiles and eager learners. Here's to a year of new adventures, big dreams, and endless possibilities. Welcome back, everyone! ✏️

📚 We are thrilled to welcome Tara Hewitt to New Paltz High School as our new Library Media Specialist (Leave Replacement)! 🎉

Tara is no stranger to our district, having served as the NPHS Library Clerk for the past two school years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Information Science School Library from SUNY Albany.

Tara is deeply connected to our community, with two children attending our schools—one entering the Middle School and another at Lenape. She also has two stepsons in the Saugerties Central School District.

In addition to her love for books and all things library, Tara holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Hudson Valley Community College and continues to work as a Dental Hygienist during breaks and over the summer. 🪥

Please join us in giving Tara a warm welcome! 📖✨

A safe start means a successful start! 🌈✨ As we prepare for a new school year, let’s all commit to keeping our roads and schools safe. Check out Ulster County’s tips on ensuring a Safe Start to School.

📢 Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 4, is the first day of school! ✏️

See you bright and early! 🌟

📣 Welcome to the Team, Nicole Schofield! 🌟

We are thrilled to welcome Nicole Schofield as our new Special Education Teacher for Grades K-2 at Duzine Elementary.

Nicole brings valuable experience from having completed multiple leave replacements within the New Paltz Central School District, covering Kindergarten through Grade 5 and Special Education over the past two school years.

Nicole completed her undergraduate studies at SUNY New Paltz in Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6), with a Mathematics Concentration. In addition, she earned a Master of Science in Special Education - Early Childhood & Childhood (Birth-Grade 6) from SUNY New Paltz.

Outside of the classroom, Nicole enjoys exploring new places and traveling with her family, with Disney being a particular favorite destination. She has two cats, Lola and Luca, 🐈️ and loves baking desserts in her free time. 🍩

Nicole’s lifelong dream of becoming a teacher has come full circle. She is excited to return to the very building where she started in Grade 1 and contribute to the community that helped shape her. She’s eager to create wonderful new memories while giving back to the New Paltz community.

Join us in giving Nicole a warm as she embarks on this exciting journey with us!

🌟 Happy Labor Day to Our School Community! 🌟

As we prepare to kick off the new school year, let’s take a moment to honor the hard work and dedication of everyone in our community—especially our amazing educators, administrators, staff, and support teams. Your commitment and passion are the heart of our schools. 💙

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead! 🎉

Third Grade Orientation

On Thursday, new Lenape students had a chance to meet teachers and tour the school with 5th Grade students as their guides.

📣 Welcome to the Team, Ashley Rian Gross! 🌟

We are thrilled to welcome Ashley Rian Gross as our new English as a New Language (ENL) Teacher at Lenape and Duzine Elementary Schools! With her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Early Childhood and Childhood Education B-6, as well as Language Education from SUNY New Paltz, Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our school community.

When she's not in the classroom, Ashley loves diving into a good book, 📚 experimenting in the kitchen, 🍳 and nurturing her many house plants. 🌿

Join us in giving Ashley a warm !

📣 We are excited to welcome Emma Chalmers, our new Reading Teacher at Lenape! 🌟

Emma is joining us from Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School in Hudson, NY, where she was a tenured Special Education Literacy Teacher for students in Grades K-5. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education and Special Education from The College of Saint Rose and a Master of Arts in Childhood Literacy (Birth-6) from Hunter College.

Emma is thrilled to be back in the Hudson Valley, where she grew up, and is especially happy to be part of the New Paltz community she visited as a child. When Emma is not teaching, she loves running, biking, skiing, climbing, and practicing yoga. She and her fiancé are on a mission to hike all 46 peaks in the Adirondacks!

Emma is passionate about teaching and supporting children to become their best selves. She looks forward to building strong relationships and fostering joy in the learning process! Emma resides in Wappingers Falls with her partner and their dog, Chimi.

Join us in giving Emma a warm welcome!

🌟 We are excited to welcome Amanda Fritche, our new Grade 2 teacher at Duzine Elementary School! 🎉

Amanda is no stranger to the New Paltz community—she grew up in our district and was an active member of the New Paltz gymnastics team throughout Middle School and High School.

Amanda brings a wealth of experience to our district. Her background includes teaching preschool at Bright Beginnings, teaching gymnastics at The Little Gym of Kingston, and serving as both a substitute teacher and a Grade 2 leave replacement teacher at Duzine. She completed her undergraduate studies at SUNY New Paltz in Liberal Arts & Science and earned a graduate degree in General & Special Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) from Mount Saint Mary College.

When she's not in the classroom, Amanda enjoys running, participating in Spartan races, and spending time with her adorable miniature Australian shepherd, Bitsy. 🐾

Please join us in giving Amanda a warm welcome as she embarks on this new chapter at Duzine! 📚🍎

🚸 Important Reminder: School Bus Safety 🚸

As the new school year begins, school bus safety is a top priority for the New Paltz Central School District. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Slow Down: School buses make frequent stops, so reduce your speed and be patient.

2. Be Alert: Watch for children and parents at bus stops. Children may be running to catch the bus or waiting near the road.

3. Stop Completely: When a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop sign extended, you must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus. This applies in all directions on two-lane roads, multi-lane highways, and divided highways.

4. Look Around: Before moving your vehicle, check for children walking in front of, behind, or alongside the bus. Be especially cautious near schools, playgrounds, and bus stops.

5. Avoid Distractions: Keep your focus on the road, especially when approaching a bus. No texting or phone calls—your attention can make a difference.

6. Understand the Signals:
🚦 Yellow Flashing Lights: The bus is preparing to stop. Slow down and get ready to stop.
🚦 Red Flashing Lights: The bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Stop your vehicle and wait until the bus resumes motion or you’re directed to proceed by the driver or a police officer.

Did You Know?
In New York State, 2.3 million children are transported by over 50,000 school buses annually.

Let’s work together to ensure our students stay safe on their way to and from school!

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 The New Paltz Central School District is thrilled to announce our new Continuing Education Program! Whether you want to improve your health, explore philosophy, learn new skills, get creative, or focus on your mental well-being, we have something for everyone!

Our mission is simple: to build community and provide wellness opportunities through activities that promote lifelong learning. Courses are open to people of all ages, so why not try something new?

Visit our course descriptions guide to learn more and find the sessions that interest you: https://trst.in/0MJt6a

📝 How to Register: Click on the pre-registration link of the course you wish to attend and complete the form: https://trst.in/0MJt6a

💵 Payment Policy: Some courses have a small fee payable directly to the instructor.

🛡️ Participation Waivers: Participants must sign a waiver releasing the New Paltz Central School District from any liability related to their participation.

For more details or questions, contact us at [email protected] or reach out directly to the course instructor.

Please note: Course topics and costs are provided by the session leaders and may not reflect the views of the New Paltz Central School District.

👉 Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with our community!

It was great to see all the students, parents, faculty, and staff at today's High School Orientation! Thank you to the upperclassmen for running tours of the building, and thanks to the PTA for providing refreshments. We can’t wait to see everyone on Wednesday!

Join the NPCSD Foundation for Student Enhancement! The Foundation supports innovative teacher led projects throughout the New Paltz School District. They are looking for more parent and community volunteers to join the board and help them continue their important work. Here’s board member Kristin Misik at the 6th grade orientation!
Join them at their next meeting on Monday Sept 16, all are welcome!
For more info, visit: https://npschoolfoundation.org

📢 Grade 3 Orientation will take place at Lenape Elementary on Thursday, August 29 at 10 AM! 🎉

Duzine & Lenape Families - Save the Date!

🎉Come celebrate the new school year🎉

Hey Duzine & Lenape Families! 🌞

We’re excited to celebrate the start of the school year with a picnic and dance party! Join us for an evening of fun, food, and festivities.

📅 Date: Thursday, September 5
🕒 Time: 4:30-7:30pm
📍 Location: Majestic Park, Gardiner
🤑 FREE Admission!

Bring your own picnic, blankets/chairs and don’t forget your yard games and sports equipment! 🥗🍉🧺

Dance the night away with DJ Erick Santana, the maestro of the mix, will be spinning your favorite tracks all night long! 🎶🕺🏽🪩

It’s the perfect way to kick off the school year! ☀️😎

🎉 Welcome to High School! New Student/Freshman Orientation will take place on Wednesday, August 28, from 3 PM - 5 PM in the High School Auditorium. See you there! 🎒

📢 Grade 6 New Student Orientation will take place at the Middle School on Tuesday, August 27 at 9 AM!

📌 We're expecting a big turnout, so please bring the incoming new student and their parent or guardian only.
📌 Due to limited parking from ongoing construction, we recommend carpooling and arriving early. Check in will begin at 8:45 AM!
📌 Please avoid parking across the street in the local business parking lot; use the Middle School lot or Lincoln Place. Thank you!

✨ Reminder for Parents of Incoming Kindergarten Students! ✨

Join us this Thursday, August 22 from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM for the Kindergarten Meet & Greet at the Duzine Elementary School Playground! 🛝 It's a wonderful opportunity for your little ones to meet their classmates and kick off the school year with some fun. We can't wait to see you there! 🎉☀️

📅 SAVE THE DATE! Our schools’ OPEN HOUSE events are not to be missed!

📍 HIGH SCHOOL Open House is Tuesday, September 17, from 6 PM - 8 PM.

📍 MIDDLE SCHOOL Open House is Tuesday, September 24, from 6 PM - 8 PM.

📍 LENAPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Open House is Thursday, September 19, from 6 PM - 8 PM.

📍 DUZINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Open House is Thursday, September 26 from 6 PM - 8 PM.

🏀 The New Paltz Hawks Kids' Sports Night dates are now available!

🥎 Students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 won't want to miss these fun-filled, action-packed events featuring a variety of sports.

🏈 For complete details and registration, visit: https://trst.in/s3pKYt 🎾

⚽️ For more information, email: [email protected] ⚾️

🎉 August is Get Ready for Kindergarten Month! 🎈 This special time is all about helping our little learners prepare for their big step into elementary school.

🔹 Need school calendars, supply lists, announcements, or resources? Visit the Duzine Elementary School website: https://trst.in/sQsQDZ

🔹 Looking for extra tips to prepare your child for Kindergarten? Check out this helpful article from Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://trst.in/ihGh3Q

Here's to a fantastic school year ahead for all our students and their families! 🏫✨

How to Get Your Child Ready for the First Day of Kindergarten The leap from preschool to kindergarten can be tough for children. A Johns Hopkins psychologist offers tips to help.

Looking for a fun event for kids tonight?

Come out to the New Paltz Police Department family fun event tonight from 5 PM to 9 PM.

✨ We're Hiring! ✨

Join the New Paltz Central School District as a Teacher Aide and make a difference in our students' lives! 🌟

📌 Position: Teacher Aide
📍 Location: New Paltz Central School District
🔗 Visit: https://trst.in/WqayOp
📞 Contact: 845-256-4010