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BACK to Grapevine HOME | Shen HOME PoliciesDistrict/School Boundaries, Parents working in school, Tutoring, Flags/Pledge of Allegiance, Freedom of Information, Fire Drills/alarms, Cursive Writing, Backpacks, Donations, Personal Electronic Devices, Siblings in same class, Vising Teachers/Schools
Naming the schools/District History
Posted on October 28, 2008 My family is new to the area and we were wondering about the origin of the Shen schools names.
Each time the district opens a new school, it consults with Native American groups come up with a few Iroquois words that have inspirational meaning. Students then vote to select the name that "inspires" them the most.
Posted on May 30, 2008 Why are our school colors green and white?
We can't find any mention of it in any of the documentation we have about the district's history. We think that the colors were chosen by the first graduating class but we are not positive.
Posted on March 2, 2011 What exactly is kept as part of a child's permanent record as the go from elementary school, to middle school, and then to h.s.? Is is strictly grades and tests or are sports, clubs, and awards noted? Thank you When a student graduates high school,
the student’s permanent record (kept on file for a mandated 50
years) includes the following:
Posted on October 27, 2009 Under what circumstances would a student not need to include any suspensions on a college application? This is referring to the incident that took place on homecoming. How is this not on that persons record?
Posted on October 27, 2009 Regarding one of the previously asked questions about students who get suspended and whether or not they have to report this to colleges, is the only way the college can find out through the student? Would the college seek further information through Shenendehowa.
Posted on July 27, 2011
As a taxpayer, I'd like an answer to the following: When a family no
longer resides within the boundaries of Shenendehowa (albeit a job
transfer, loss of home or no longer residing with a specific and
acknowledged relative),how long is/are the child(ren)allowed to continue
receiving their education here rather than the parents/ guardians being
told to enroll said child(ren) in the school district in which their
domicile is located and where the children eat, sleep and exist?
http://www.shenet.org/DL_BOE/BOE_Policies/BOE7000policies/BOE7130.htm or, the children may qualify to stay under the Homeless Act.
Posted on June 1, 2011 Even if my children are not heading to the middle schools for a few years, isn't it the districts responsibility to notify all parents of a middle school redistricting for our neighborhood?
We only notify families whose child will be impacted. It could change again by the time your child gets to middle school.
Posted on September 25, 2008 Has there ever been thought given to splitting the huge Shen school district into two "normal" size districts? What are the benefits to our children to have 800+ kids in their graduating class? It seems like classes, schools and buses are overcrowded and with new homes being built everyday, how can Shen possibly give all these kids the education and opportunities they deserve?
No. Splitting the entire school district would require state legislative action as well as vote n each town with all six towns supporting a split. There was efforts (two referendums) to create a two-house high school but both were defeated by residents.
Posted on December 10, 2009 The district is growing too big, which negatively effects education. Is it possible that the district will split sometime in the near future?
Posted on September 2, 2009 My family is moving to another town but all of my children still want to attend school in the Shenendehowa District. Is this possible?
If the town is not within the district's boundaries then the answer is no.
Posted on April 6, 2011 If you live on the outer boundaries of the district and technically you would be in another school district, can you pay to go to Shen?
Posted on February 1, 2011 By the district MAP we are projected to attend Acadia middle school, but by the STREET listing we are projected to attend Koda middle school...which one is correct? The street listing is the most up-to-date.
Posted on October 20, 2010 When is the district planning to redistrict or "redraw the lines" for children assigned to the elementary and middle schools?
Posted on October 20, 2010 Why are some streets with Waterford, Mechanicville, and Ballston Lake address part of Shen and not their town school district? And why is the elementary school in Rexford part of Niskayuna school district even though Rexford is part of Clifton Park?
Posted on October 20, 2010 We are planning a move within the district possibly next year. Is it possible to find out which neighborhoods attend which schools? During the redistricting, we were able to type in a street name on the website and find out what school(s) the students were assigned to. I'd like to keep my daughter in her current school. Is there any way to find this information out? Thank you.
Posted on September 24, 2009 If a child is zoned for one middle school, and the family moves and is re-zoned to a different Shen middle school, would it be at all possible for the child to finish middle school where they started? By this, I mean, what are the chances that the child can finish middle school where they started, even if they are zoned for another school? Not just stay there for the year of the move...If so, who would you speak to regarding this?
Posted on September 24, 2010 Please see the comment and your response below. My question is: Has this policy changed since your original answer was posted? I know of a family that moved mid year during the 2009-2010 school year. Their child continued attendance at the first elementary school (as allowable by the policy stated below). However, I do know that the child is going to continue his/her attendance at the original elementary school for the upcoming school year as well(2010-2011), even though they now reside at an address where students attend a different Shen elementary school. Can I pick and choose which elementary schools my children attend as well? The family I know of has been granted that privilege. Comment: "Can parents drive their children to the elementary school of their choice? For example, if we moved midyear and did not want our child to have to switch schools. Response: That is the only time that it would be allowed. That is, if you move within the district and did not want to have to switch your child midyear, you could drive your child to the school for the remainder of the year. However, the following year the child would attend the school that based on the new address."
Posted on April 16, 2010 Our family is considering a move that would technically require a change in elementary schools. However, the change is from one adjoining elementary school to the other. As the bus route is the same, can our children simply continue to attend the elementary school they are currently enrolled at?
Posted on April 16, 2010 As a senior who may be moving out of the Shen district before the end of the school year, but staying in the immediate area, who would I talk to about finishing my senior year in Shen?
Posted on September 9, 2009 Ok so lets say nest year I start the year at Shen living in Clifton park.. and in December or so I move to a nearby town that doesn't usually go to Shenendehowa. can I finish my year?
If a student moves after the start of the second semester, he or she may finish the year with the principal's ok. Busing is not provided out of district, and the student must remain in "good standing" academically and in terms of conduct. Juniors who move out after the beginning of the second semester may continue through the remainder of the junior year and also for the senior year.
Posted on October 28, 2008 My children attend Shen now. If we were to move in the middle of the year still in the Shen boundaries can they finish at that school, or do I have to switch them. I would drive them back and forth because I really don’t want to change.
We strongly encourage students to switch schools at the time of the move to get to know their new classmates/neighbors and to reduce the anxiety that builds up as the change in September approaches. However, if the family moves after the beginning of the second semester, with the principal's permission the children can continue at the current school. Busing may not be provided and if the parents drive it is expected that the kids will be dropped off and picked up on time. Student who are in 5th grade are usually allowed to finish up at the current school no matter what time of the school year the family moves.
Parents/family members working in school
Posted on April 12, 2010 Is there any kind of policy regarding whether or not parents should substitute in the same building that their children attend school?
Posted on September 2, 2009 What is the policy for family members working in the same building?
There is no formal Board policy.
Posted on February 4, 2008 I heard that at least two students who were suspended or expelled from Shen are now being tutored at the library? Is this true and/or is it being paid with taxpayers money? If so, why?
Education Law 3214 provides that after suspending a student, the school district must take immediate steps to provide that student with alternative instruction is the student is of compulsory education age. We generally try to do so at mutually agreeable sights such as the library. However, sometimes the tutor goes to the home.
Posted on May 10, 2010 Is there a district rule that states a student can not be tutored by his/her teacher after school in the classroom. It is convenient for me, the teacher and more beneficial for my child. We were all advised by the principal that it could not occur. I can't imagine a school district making it that hard for a child to receive extra help as to force them to drive elsewhere or make evening arrangements. Please advise. Thank you.
Posted on October 6, 2009 When a student is suspended from school because of disciplinary issues, who pays for tutors and extra help for the student - are the taxpayers absorbing these costs or are the parents of the suspended student responsible for these extra expenses?
Posted on October 6, 2009 My child is in third grade and I would like to know if Shen offers any tutoring services. Is there someone I can contact? I tried student services but they didn't seem to have an answer for me. thanks
Posted on September 30, 2008 Do you have any suggestions on obtaining a tutor for my child?
The district has a list of tutors we use for district approved tutoring. If you would like that information you should contact Student Services at 881-0660.
Posted on July 23, 2008 Does Shen pay or provide tutors for students who struggle in school?
No. Typically Academic Intervention Services are provided for students identified at risk on not performing in school.
Posted on May 10, 2010 Do they ever fly the flag a 1/2 staff when a student or previous student has passed away, or is it just what the states dictates? Thanks.
Posted on September 14, 2009 Do the students say the pledge of allegiance? If not, why?
Posted on March 10, 2009 I am currently an 8th grade student at Koda Middle School and I am highly disappointed with the American flag not being put up on the flagpole during school hours. This is very disrespectful and I expect this problem to be addressed as soon as possible.
The flag is raised and lowered daily by students every day; it is raised at approximately 8:50 a.m. and lowered at 3:25 p.m. each day. The students are responsible for this should receive extra praise because they often climb over snow banks in the winter just to be sure that our flag is displayed every day. They have also been very cognizant of when the flag needs to be at full or half mast.
Posted on March 13, 2008 I find it very much unsettling that some of the school's flags appear disgusting and worn in color. I suggest that the flags be preserved and well taken care of. And those that are now unfit for the classroom be respectfully removed.
As a district we seek to uphold the Constitution of the US, and display the utmost respect to the flag. Steps will be taken to review and address this situation accordingly.
Posted on June 18, 2010 Where should a FOIL request to Shen be sent?
Fire Drills/alarms
Posted on November 8, 2010 I will ask again because my first attempt was ignored: During fire drills I always thought students were to move 100 feet from the building and from what I had seen on the Campus a few weeks ago that was not the case. So my question is why is safety never the first priority here at Shen? It is sad when getting State Aid comes before student safety.
Students are supposed to be 100 feet from the building.
Posted on March 21, 2011 Friday the Skano school had their Dolphin Reader PJ Party. The fire alarm went off and we were told just to stay where we were because it was a false alarm and had happened earlier in the day. Wouldn't it be policy regardless to evacuate and let the fire department determine if it is safe to return?
Absolutely the policy is to heed the alarm.. The hesitation was due to the fact that electricians were working on the system early in the day. When the alarm went off during the event that night, the teacher went to the custodian’s dock to ask whether the alarm was still being fixed. She instead got the building principal who informed her to evacuate.
Posted on December 15, 2010 Is it true that the district is considering to discontinue teaching cursive writing to focus more on "21st Century Skills?" I worry that "21st Century Skills" is sometimes a slogan for an educational fad with no empirical basis. I want my kids to compete globally, but I worry that teaching too many things will make them a mile wide and an inch deep academically.
As a district we will focus on our time, attention, and resources on the those curricula areas that will lend to our students being most successful, now and in the future. The provision of program and services is an evolutionary process, and the individual and collective needs of students will drive decision making. Specific to cursive, teaching kids how to do so is embedded in many curricula areas.
Posted on December 11, 2008 In what grades are kids required to write in cursive?
That is an excellent question and one we are beginning to review as it seems that there are different expectations. Typically introduction to cursive begins in third grade, but with the technology expanding, it seems to be less of a focus than in previous eras. We will be examining the entire issue beginning in the second semester.
Posted on February 8, 2010 Are High school students allowed to carry backpacks with them during the school day? Thanks!
Posted on October 7, 2009 Can you explain why back packs are not allowed to be carried from class to class in middle school? My student is having a hard time getting from one end of Acadia to the other end of Gowana in the 4 minute passing time, and it would help if the kids could carry books, binders, notebooks, folders, pens & pencils, etc. for 2 or more classes so they don't have to go back to their lockers. I thought it had something to do with not carrying contraband in the packs, but high schoolers are allowed back packs, so that can't be right?
Posted on October 14, 2009 Thanks for answering the question about why middle schoolers can't carry backpacks during the school day, i.e: Safety, knocking into other students, etc. This seems a little silly. High schoolers can carry them. Do they not knock into each other?
Posted on August 24, 2011 Are backpacks on wheels allowed in elementary schools?
Backpacks on wheels, while not prohibited, are discouraged at the elementary level. Young students often have difficulty navigating the hallways and classrooms with these types of backpacks. These types of backpacks have also inadvertently caused other children to trip. For the safety of all, students may be asked to carry back packs on wheels while on the bus or in school.
Posted on September 8, 2011 My daughter has just started 7th grade at Acadia middle school, how come the middle schoolers can't bring their bags around with them?
For many years the middle school has enforced the “Give Your Back a Break” program to:
Posted on March 10, 2011 I would like to make a donation to Shen (both cash and goods {new and gently used}). Are these tax deductible and does Shen give a "receipt"?
The district has a donation policy #5230. A letter of acknowledgement will be provided upon district acceptance of the donation in accordance with the policy. Per the IRS tax code, educational donations are considered tax deductible.
Posted on February 16, 2011 Are students allowed to bring their Kindle to the middle school for use during study hall or English? No.
Posted on September 1, 2009 Is there a policy at Shen about not having siblings in the same class?
No, there is not a Board of Education policy. However, our principals and teachers feel it's better for the siblings to be separated.
Posted on December 23, 2009 What is your policy on alumni returning to visit teachers?
Posted on April 24, 2009 I'm a Shen alumni. I graduated from there 2 years ago, a bunch of my friends and I would like to go and visit some old teachers, however most teachers leave by the end of the day, so after school isn't really an option. Is there a specific day or time where we would be able to come and visit?
After school is best. If you have an appointment with a particular teacher, we can generally accommodate some visitors. Please contact the teachers you wish to visit, they will contact administration and we will set up something that will meet everyone's needs without compromising the safety of the school.
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