Hello VCSD Community,
As we begin a new calendar year, I want to thank you for the continued trust, care and partnership you bring to our school community.
Winter can be a challenging season for many students and, for some, this time of year brings increased stress, anxiety or difficulty staying engaged in school.
If your child is experiencing school-related stress—whether academic, emotional or social—I encourage you to reach out early to your child’s teacher, principal, school counselor, social worker or another trusted staff member. When families and schools communicate proactively, we can respond with care, problem-solve together and ensure students feel supported, safe and confident.
Our district is committed to supporting both the academic success and emotional well-being of every student. We have strong systems in place to help students manage stress, navigate challenges and build resilience. Families are encouraged to explore the counseling supports available through our schools. Visit the Counseling resources page of our website.
Whether concerns feel small or significant, reaching out early allows us to work together in the best interest of your child.
At the same time, we continue important work to ensure our academic systems reflect fairness, clarity, and meaningful feedback. Over the past several years, the district has been engaged in a comprehensive effort to strengthen and modernize our grading practices.
Our updated Grading Policy (Policy 4710) is scheduled for Board of Education review and approval on Feb. 2.
This policy is designed to ensure that grades:
- Clearly reflect what students know and are able to do.
- Are fair, consistent, and mathematically accurate.
- Minimize bias and focus on true academic learning.
- Provide clear feedback that supports growth and motivation.
A central part of this approach includes three components of learning:
- Product — what students demonstrate they have learned.
- Process — the learning behaviors and habits that support success.
- Progress — the academic growth students show over time.
Once the policy is approved, our next steps will focus on developing grading regulations, aligning classroom practices across the district, providing professional learning for staff and continuing clear communication with families as we prepare for full implementation next school year.
This work reflects our mission to develop confident, compassionate and capable learners, and our vision to create a school community where every student feels valued, supported, challenged and empowered to reach their full potential. By strengthening both student well-being and academic fairness, we are reinforcing a learning environment rooted in equity, integrity, belonging and excellence.
Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to our students and our community. We look forward to a strong and successful second half of the school year together.
Sincerely,
Frank Macri
Superintendent
Highlights and important updates:
Preparing students—for school success and life
This year, our Middle School Building Leadership Team (BLT), with input from the grades 6-12 staff, has been leading a focused effort to strengthen students’ executive functioning–the brain-based skills that help students plan, organize, manage time, regulate emotions and follow through on tasks. These skills are essential for success in school and in life.
Middle school is a critical developmental stage. Students are managing multiple teachers, increasing academic expectations, growing independence and social-emotional changes. Strong executive function skills help students stay organized, reduce stress, build confidence and manage anxiety. When these skills are taught intentionally, students are more likely to feel capable, motivated and in control, supporting both academic achievement and self-esteem.
The Middle School staff have worked together to create a Grades 6–8 Executive Function Plan and staff resources to support their lesson plans and classroom strategies. A new executive skill is focused on each month. Examples include:
- Organization (launched with a school-wide town hall)
- Time Management (January)
- Goal Setting (February)
- Task Initiation (March)
- Working Memory (April)
- Self Monitoring (May)
- Emotional Regulation and Stress Management (June)
Instruction is reinforced through student presentations, classroom lessons and assemblies.
By teaching these skills, we are helping students become more organized, resilient, confident and prepared—not just for middle school, but for high school, college, careers and beyond.
Supporting students’ health and well-being
Throughout the year, we offer our students a host of opportunities–from guest speakers and hands-on experiences such as the recent Think Fast safe driving assembly sponsored by a grant from the New York State Health Department–all designed to expand students’ understanding about critical topics and help support their health and well-being.
Kindergarten Registration and Information Night
It’s time for parents and guardians of children who will turn five on or before Dec. 1, 2026 to register their child for kindergarten. To register, email Joanne Murphy at email jmurphy@vooheesville.org or 518-765-2382 ext.4002. Additional registration information is available on the school registration page of our website.
Families are also invited to attend Kindergarten Information Night, 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. This event will provide an overview of the kindergarten registration and screening process and offer an opportunity to meet VCSD Principal Jeff Vivenzio and ask questions. Pre-register for the March 19 Kindergarten Information Night.
Explore Parent Square Groups
ParentSquare has refreshed the Groups feature to make it easier than ever to connect with the information that matters most to your family.
The Explore Groups tab lets parents, students, and staff browse and join public groups—like PTA—and private groups such as a student’s athletic team. This update helps reduce unnecessary messages and ensures you receive focused, relevant updates.
Where to find it: Log in to ParentSquare, click Groups in the left-hand menu, then select the Explore Groups tab in the center of the screen.
Got Parent Square questions? We can help!
We hope our families are enjoying their experience with Parent Square. As a reminder, our VCSD team is ready to assist with any questions you have. Please message us at parentsquarehelp@voorheesville.org.
Spring 2026 Continuing Education
The spring Continuing Education program will begin on Feb. 23, 2026 with online registration open for programs on Feb. 2, 2026.
Open Swim
Too cold for outdoor fun? Make a splash on Saturdays! Bring your towel, grab your goggles and dive into some weekend fun! Open Swim is at the school pool from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 14 and 21 and 8 a.m. to noon from Feb. 28 through May 16. Pre-registration is not required. Adults: $2, Kids: $1
Please note: registrants for our spring Continuing Education Lap Swim offering can attend upcoming Open Swim offerings for free.