Archive for May, 2018

Orenda Kindergarten Orientation Presentation

Orenda Kindergarten Orientation Presentation May 2018

Will Shen be setting aside classrooms at the high school for Ramadan prayers this year?

A. Shen never set aside classrooms for Ramadan prayers. Any student of any religion who needs privacy to fulfill a religious obligation will be provided space to do so based on the specific need. Contact the principal to set up.

What is the name of the NY rules that govern which sports are NY approved for school funding? I know there are some like football, baseball, basketball are and others like cheer, gymnastics, crew that are not on that list but would like to reference which are and can’t find under athletics dept section of website. Thanks in advance.

A. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) does not govern school funding. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. is a non-profit, voluntary, educational service organization composed of public, parochial, and private schools dedicated to providing equitable and safe competition for the students of its member schools. […]

Why is there a no cut policy for track and field but not for other teams? It’s nice to allow everyone to participate but maybe more coaching support could be provided to this sport. There are phenomenal coaches but the numbers are just stacked against them. I believe there were approximately 200 girls on the team this season. I Doubt you’d have lacrosse, soccer, basketball, football or any other teams coach implement a no cut policy without additional support. Why is it ok to for track/field? The team that always ranks in the top for both academics as well as athletic achievements

A. Because track and field is a sport made up of individual events.

who makes up the “rules “for senior privileges

A. The High School administration.

Why doesn’t Shen offer more SAT / ACT dates? Many other high schools offer it almost every date the tests are, yet Shen only offers it once. Being such a large district with over 2000 students, it should really be offered more.

The SAT/ACT is run by the College Board, not Shenendehowa.

I am a 7th grader at Gowana and I have a suggestion i have been realizing a lot lately that many students have lost their agenda, used the chromebooks instead, or simply don’t use one at all. I was thinking instead of spreading all that money for supplying students with agendas that we could used the money to get Air Conditioning in the middle schools. Many of the classrooms get very hot that could cause to health issues. or instead of air conditioning we could supply the 7th graders with better chromebooks since they do not work very well. Just a suggestion but it would be great if you could reply!! Thanks

A. Unfortunately, retrofitting the infrastructure necessary for air conditioning as well as running the air conditioning annually would cost millions of dollars more than what is spent on agendas.

Why do you want to put wifi on the school buses? Who needs it? Did you survey the students? How many said that they would like to do homework on the bus but can’t do it without wifi? The bus ride is too loud, too shaky, and too short to do homework. So who requested this?

A. That is just an added benefit. Wifi is being added to buses to improve security and communications for bus drivers.

Who uses the greenhouse? Like what’s it for? I can water the plants if they need help.

A.  The greenhouse is used mainly by High School East’s Environmental Science courses. Students grow plants from seed in soil in a NFT hydroponics system. They record and analyze data on the growth of their plants and learn about the specific needs of various types of plants.

My daughter will be a senior next year and due to a late year birthday she’ll be taking her drivers test during the summer. Is this going to impact her applying for a parking spot for senior privileges? I would hope not as the school can’t exclude kids who get their licenses over the summer. Please explain. Thanks!

A. She can apply for senior privileges but she cannot drive until she gets her license.