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My school bus has some windows welded/superglued open, So during freezing temperatures the windows stay open and you cant close them, Why is this allowed? (student)

November 8th, 2023 by

A: It is not allowed to have school bus windows super glued open or shut. It would be helpful to us if you could message back with the bus number so we can see if someone super glued them open on purpose.

Q: With Shen now supplying pencils to students do we have a contract with Ticonderoga pencils, and if so, how long does the contract last for? Shen seriously needs to change to a different brand of pencils. Ticonderoga used to be the stand alone best pencil, but their pencil quality has now degraded so much that we are lucky to get 3 or 4 pencils out of each 12 pack that sharpen normally without either the lead constantly breaking or the wood of the pencil not sharpening correctly where the other 8 or 9 pencils are basically wasted and is also a waste of district funds. Every teacher I have talked to (at the elementary level) has had the same problem, and it doesn’t matter what type of sharpener you use – school ones, handheld, electric, etc. Please consider changing brands as soon as it is possible to do so, thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 30th, 2023 by

This is the first complaint we’ve received regarding Ticonderoga pencils and this is the second school year providing them.  We purchase these through the Central Warehouse bid process, which runs through mid-January. In the past we received multiple complaints when we’ve awarded the contract to a manufacturer other than Ticonderoga. 

Q: I was under the impression that the project to install Air Conditoning in Orenda was done this summer. My child told me that it is very hot in the school and that there is no A/C. Has the timeline for completion changed? Thank you.

October 30th, 2023 by

A: Air conditioning installation is scheduled to be done this coming warm season (Spring of 2024)

(3/15/23) Q: Why was no announcement made to parents and guardians of a student being arrested and sent to juvenile detention after fighting with brass knuckles? (parent)

March 22nd, 2023 by

A: No student was sent to juvenile hall– this information is inaccurate. Additionally, we will never announce specific information about a students’ disciplinary circumstances. If there are reasons for the school or the district to be concerned about a particular situation that potentially places students in general in harm, information is provided accordingly.  

(3/8/23) Why is traffic an unexcused absence? On March 2nd the light on Moe road was green long enough to allow 2 cars through, Students like myself shouldn’t have to pay the price for something we have 0 control over. I left my house at 7:50 and didn’t get to school until 8:10 which was not my fault at all.

March 22nd, 2023 by

A: Traffic varies from day to day, and there are many factors. Traffic alone is not a reason to excuse an absence or tardiness. If there are impassable roads or roads closed that are unforeseeable, the tardy would be excused. BOE policy 7110 and 7110R discuss student attendance. 

(3/7/21) Will shen offer AP Precalc in the future? (student)

March 21st, 2023 by

A: Though we do not currently offer AP Pre-Calculus, we are committed to offering college credit bearing options for Pre-Calculus in the future, whether through AP or CHS.

(3/20/23) Q: It is my understanding that Shenendehowa hired an additional SRO this year. In years prior, we have always had an almost daily presence from our SRO. This year, weeks go by with out seeing one. What are the expectations and requirements? Should we only be seeing them once every few weeks at the elementary level? What benefit is the extra SRO providing if their presence is significantly less? (employee)

March 21st, 2023 by

A: They are in every building everyday unless there is an immediate urgency that requires them to be somewhere else.  If you are not specifically seeing your SRO contact the building principal or Becky Carman. 

2/24/23 – Q: Is it within district policy for Skano to have events where adult attendance is not overseen by the main office and the main entrance? For example, I recently attended their Valentine’s Day Kindergarten event. Parents signed-in and sign-out using the “honor system” and used a side door. I was told by a fellow parent that is standard policy there. They use the “honor system” or support staff, never the main office and never the main entrance. It seems as though it would go against safety regulations. Wouldn’t you want to closely monitor who is coming and going in your school building?

February 24th, 2023 by

A: Thank you for your concern. All parents attending the Valentines party were greeted, asked for the reason of their visit and then buzzed in by the main office. At no time were the visiting adults unmonitored.  With large events, we use a sign in and sign out at the location of the classroom event. There is no honor system. Classroom teachers notify the main office of who is expected and who actually attended. At no time are doors unlocked and not monitored.  

2/24/23 – Q: February “break”/ April “break”- Who is this a break for? My daughter has homework/ project drafts in 3 classes. Why are teachers assigning these things over break weeks? – Parent

February 24th, 2023 by

A: Thanks for sharing your concern.  Shenendehowa homework regulation states:  Assignments over vacation periods should be rare and limited to projects that began in advance of the break period and extend beyond the break period.

Projects may be assigned well in advance of a school break with a deadline several days (or weeks) after the conclusion of a school break where students might prefer to use some time over the break to complete some of the project. In these cases, teachers must be available to address student questions, as they arise.

The breaks are designed for all students though some students in certain classes may choose to catch up on work over break.   Please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school principal to discuss in more detail as needed. 

2/13/22 – Just curious if there is any data on the success of the block schedule…Our kids are thriving with it. Also wondering from the teacher’s perspective… – Parent

February 13th, 2023 by

A: The shift to a block schedule was made to support the student experience by maximizing learning, helping students prepare for fewer classes each day, and minimizing the number of transitions. While there are benefits and drawbacks to every type of schedule, and opinions vary, feedback from multiple student focus groups has been positive. Student performance has also been very solid; however, several intervening years impacted by COVID make a true before and after comparison challenging. Feedback from most teachers has also been favorable. The middle school made an additional change this year as they worked to find a suitable length of time for learning. The 60-minute rotating block seems to be working well at the middle school. While nothing is perfect, and opinions are influenced by individual factors and circumstances, overall, the current schedules are supportive of students and their learning.