Dear Voorheesville Families and Staff,
I am writing to inform you of an important change to the 2026–2027 school calendar originally approved by the Board of Education in February 2026.
The first day of school for elementary students will now be Wednesday, September 9, rather than Tuesday, September 8. The first day for middle and high school students will remain Tuesday, September 8.
To accommodate this change:
- Tuesday, September 8, will be a staff-only day at Voorheesville Elementary School. There will be no school for elementary students.
- Wednesday, September 9, will be the first day of school for elementary students.
- Friday, January 29, which was previously scheduled as a full day without students at the elementary school, will now be a half-day of instruction for elementary students.
This adjustment is similar to the opening schedule used during the 2025–2026 school year.
The decision to revise the calendar is directly related to the ongoing construction at the elementary school. During the restoration of the building’s main stairwell, asbestos-containing materials were identified in portions of the work area. Although the required abatement work is being addressed through the appropriate safety procedures, it has reduced the flexibility within the construction schedule.
Construction projects do not always provide the certainty we would like. When the available information points to a potential scheduling concern, I believe it is better to act proactively rather than to wait and create unnecessary conflict, stress, and disruption as the opening of school approaches.
A delay in the stairwell work could have a domino effect on several important preparations. Our custodial and maintenance staff need sufficient time to thoroughly prepare the building, teachers need access to their classrooms, and Mr. Vivenzio and the elementary team need time to conduct orientations and complete other building-level preparations.
The additional day creates an important safety net. It provides greater flexibility to address unforeseen circumstances, allows our staff to prepare the building efficiently and effectively, and increases the likelihood of a smooth and organized opening for our elementary students and families.
I recognize that any calendar change affects families and requires adjustments to schedules and childcare arrangements. For that reason, we are communicating this change as early as possible. We appreciate your understanding as we take this proactive step to support a safe, prepared, and successful opening of the school year. You may find a copy of the calendar here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15nvA_xF532XvMEhNDX7KYmegSMg2NOPD-nYe5f71FIg/edit?usp=sharing
Additional information regarding the opening of school and elementary orientation activities will be shared by Mr. Vivenzio as plans are finalized.
Sincerely,
Frank Macri
Superintendent of Schools