PlainFacts

9/23/21 – What is the policy of kids leaving at lunch time? It has come to my attention that kids from BOCES are getting dropped off at 11ish and then are able to leave campus if they have lunch 1st part of block 3. They are then returning and entering via the gym doors. This sounds like a huge safety violation that kids are able to enter via a side door. If kids can then anyone can gain access to the building. – Parent
A. Students are not permitted to leave for lunch. Also, the HS gyms do not have doors to the outside.

9/23/21 – I am receiving emails from 2 different yearbook companies. What company is being used by the high school for yearbook purchases? – Parent
A. The official yearbook company is Jostens.

9/22/21 – Does Shen offer any sign language courses? – Student
A. No, we do not offer sign language.

9/21/21 – Where do we find the passwords for Shen BYOD and others that require passwords? – Bella Kreitner, Student
A. The Shen-BYOD WiFi requires a Shen username and password.

9/21/21 – Have the WiFi connections issues at HSE been resolved? – Student
A. Yes, the WiFi is back and fully restored from issues last week.

9/21/21 – What does flex mean on the middle school schedule? – Laura Ivy & Allen S., Parents
A. It’s time during the day where students can access teachers, make up assessments, etc. Additionally, it is our hope to share out with kids school information. Examples include: Review of our Student Expectations; SEL information (led by counselor, monitor, or possibly teachers); Grade level specific information.

9/17/21 – Is it too late to request a parking pass? – Student
A. There is currently a waiting list. Students can stop by the CAPS office to be placed on it.

9/17/21 – Can a senior skip an elective if they have enough credits to graduate without it? – Student
A. BOE policy requires students to take a minimum of 5.5 credits. Should a student have questions they can see their school counselor.

9/16/21 – Is there a valid reason there are 50 children on my child’s bus? – Peter, Parent
A. Yes, there is a very valid reason. Due to the severe staff shortage of bus drivers for the District, routes have been combined to make sure we are able to transport all kids who need transportation. Here is the most updated information from the Transportation Department that went out to all parents: https://www.shenet.org/transportation-updates-for-shen-families-more-info/.

9/16/21 – What is the procedure if someone in your household tests positive but your child is vaccinated? – Parent
A. If your child is vaccinated and asymptomatic, they do not need to be quarantined.

9/16/21 – Who can I call about concerns over the mitigation protocols or lack there of in the HSW cafeteria? Should I just start by calling the office? I read previously on here it was being addressed. Also are they allowed to eat outside? – Parent
A. Please call the HSW main office: 518-881-0330.

9/15/21 – Why is advisory after 1st block for HSE? – Student
A. More students are in the building after block 1.

9/15/21 – I would like to know why we do not just have advisory during our 2nd block class? Most of my teachers and every student I know actively want it to be this way, and I can’t think of any reason as to why it couldn’t be. Please enlighten my fellow students and I, as well as my teachers. – Student
A. This is a contractual issue. It is also a way to organize the building on a daily basis should that be needed. If it was part of a block students could have up to 3 different ‘advisory’ teachers. Some students would also have ‘free’ periods and not have an advisory if it was part […]

9/15/21 – Should students at the high school be eating in their 3rd period class rather than cramming them in the cafeteria? – Parent
A. Students could potentially end up closer together with full classrooms when comparing to the cafeterias. We have added 40 tables in the hallways surrounding the cafeteria at HSE and 10 at HSW. Additionally, at HSE, students are using both bench areas in the west wing of the building. Students have begun to utilize these additional […]

9/15/21 – There needs to be someone preventing parents from picking up students in the student parking lot. At the end of the day, the parking lot is overly crowded, parents are blocking students from being able to leave and it gets extremely hectic. I was wondering if this would be a possibility going forward? – Student
A. Campus security has been working to improve this situation and more security has been assigned to dismissal at the HS.

9/14/21 – With us having Thursday 9/16 off, will the high school schedule skip a day? Thursday is supposed to be a C day, so will Friday be a C or D day? – Student
A. Friday, September 17 is a “C” day. Here is the full list for the year: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1esCC8C5MrnH23JBueQ7TsD9EXmUyeUre59-2Syz-3XM/edit?usp=sharing.

9/14/21 – Can six graders get outdoor recess during school? I can’t imagine them staying indoors all day without taking break outside. – Parent
A. When time permits, students will be taken outside after they eat their lunch.

9/13/21 – I had read that lunch and breakfast is free. My 10th grader has not paid, but he said he is seeing some kids pay and they were trying to figure out why? – Mary, Parent
A. Full breakfast and lunch are free but if students want a la cart items (ex: a second piece of pizza, chips, drinks, etc.) then they need to be purchased.

9/13/21 – Just curious, my 10th grader has 2 subs (English and Tech) until October. Both have formerly retired teachers. Just wondering why the teachers are not starting until October? – Mary, Parent
A. There are always many factors when it comes to personnel changes. Please reach out to an administrator with any specific questions.

9/13/21 – Is there a club directory for 2021-22? – Dylan Frisbee, Student
A. It will be updated this month. Keep an eye out on the Shen High School website.

9/13/21 – Can I still add classes to my schedule (I’m a senior)? – Student
A. Yes, please see your school counselor to see what is available.

9/10/21 – We’re concerned about bus capacity during high transmission. Is it possible to be dropped off during these times and take the bus at lower transmission rates, or would we need to contact transportation? – Student
A. Please email transportation@shenschools.org and let us know if you are not riding the bus and what the duration is. The Transportation Department will need two work day heads up to get you back on the bus.

9/9/21 – Is the cumulative GPA shown on our portal accounts weighted or unweighted? – Student
A. The GPA listed is a custom formula. If you want to know your term or cumulative GPA, students should see their counselor or look in Naviance after this information is uploaded early October.

9/9/21 – Are chicken patties/pizza always offered at lunch at HSE? – Student
A. Yes, they are offered every day at HSE for lunch.

9/9/21 – When will they go back to posting daily HSE announcements? – Tricia Tierney, Parent
A. HSE will be posting them very soon.

9/9/21 – Is the High School staff looking into addressing lunch capacity at HSE? – Student
A. Yes, the situation is being addressed right now.

9/7/21 – What does JPC mean on my schedule? – Student
A. JPC means Junior Citizenship Pass and if you have specific questions, please reach out to your counselor or building principal.

9/3/21 – I was wondering if there were maps of Koda Middle School and HSE that parents/students can print out? Similar to the ones that are handed out at walkthroughs? – Betsy Graham, Parent
A. Maps can be picked up at the school’s main office.

9/3/21 – Will HSE hallways have directional markings like they did last year? – Student
A. No one-way directional marketings at HSE. There will be at HSW due to the size of hallways.

9/3/21 – Will teachers give mask breaks that were promised last year? – Parent
A. Yes, there will be frequent masks breaks for all students.

9/1/21 – Are students required to take swim this year? – Judy Mahoney, Parent
A. 3rd grade and all middle school grades will be swimming this year as usual as part of the PE curriculum.

9/1/21 – Where can students store their athletic gear for after school practices? – Student
A. Students can store equipment in the locker room, but will have to take it home with them each night.

9/7/21 – For lunch this year at HSE, will we all be eating in the cafeteria or will there be different locations like last year? – Student
A. All students will be eating in the cafeteria separated by 3ft social distancing.

8/31/21 – Will elementary students have specials this year (art, gym, music)? – Toni Conover, Parent
A. Yes, elementary students will have specials this year.

8/30/21 – Will busses be provided for fall sports away games this year? – Parent
A. Buses will be provided for away games.

8/30/21 – Why does my portal account say “Blended Learning Group CVL?” I am not CVL. – Student
A. That was made in error. We are working with custom to get this fixed and are hopeful by today (8/30/21) they will be able to. If this happened to you, please submit another form with your name or email shen-pr@shenschools.org so we can double check your status.

8/30/21 – Will students be able to go on field trips this year at any point (following COVID guidelines)? – Firdous Ahmed, Student
A. We are hopeful to offer field trips during the 2021-22 school year. At this time, we are evaluating all guidance from NYS DOH and will not be offering field trips as of now (subject to change).

8/30/21 Will we have access to lockers in HSE this year? – Student
A. As of right now, the High School is still evaluating locker use.

8/30/21 – My middle school student has study hall followed by flex then lunch. Will late arrivals be allowed for beginning of day study hall? If so, does that arrival time extend out to the end of lunch in the case of study hall/flex/lunch schedules where the first actual class does not start until mid-day? – Angel Haas, Parent
A. The plan is that late arrival for students will be offered. This will take a week or two to set up. Stay tuned for communication around September 9th from the Middle School.

8/26/21 – I’m attending a new school this upcoming school year, and once I leave I assume my shenschools account and all the data associated with it will be deleted. I was wondering if there’s a way I could download all of it onto a flashdrive so I don’t lose it, and how to do so? – Gillian Rajchel, Student
A. Yes, that is possible. Take a look at this Google Takeout flyer (https://www.shenet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Google-Takout.pdf) for details.

8/26/21 – Last year with the hybrid model when students were quarantined it allowed them to switch to virtual classes and not miss school. What learning options will be available for students that are quarantined since we don’t have a hybrid model this year? – Stephanie Pacinella, Parent
A. Consideration will be given to quarantined students. COVID illness will be handled in a similar manner as other illnesses.

8/25/21 – Is Student Prep at HSE required for students to attend, especially when they do not take the bus into school? Additionally, is there any communication on why homeroom has been moved to after Block 1, and what purpose it may now serve that could not be done in Block 1? – Student
A. Students do not have to attend student prep however, it is an option to access teachers and other resources that did not exist in a student day prior. Advisory has never been part of an academic class and was only organized that way last year. Not all students have a scheduled class block 1 […]

8/24/21 – I see the ABCD schedule was posted for the year. In the event of a snow day, this would shift the day schedule, correct? For example, if Monday is an A day and Tuesday is a snow day, Wed. would be a B day? – Parent
A. The calendar does not rotate if there is a snow day. The calendar days will remain the same as what is currently listed.

8/24/21 – Why don’t we have virtual Wednesdays this year? – Harang Kim, Student
A. Virtual Wednesdays are not an option this year due to the full return of in-person learning for all students. At the Middle School and High School, both Block 0 and Student Prep time (respectively) are available before school begins to provide students extra support with teachers.

8/23/21 Will all students be provided with free breakfast and lunch again this year? – Parent
A. Yes, all students will receive free breakfast and lunch this 2021-22 school year.

8/19/21 – Is CVL an option this year? I’m going into 11th grade and I’m still worried about COVID. I would like to do CVL, and my family would too. Is it an option? – Michelle K. – Student
A. If you missed submitting the CVL survey deadline, please reach out to your building Principal by email letting them know your interest in virtual learning this school year.

8/12/21 – When will elementary students learn who their teachers are? – Charlie Cahill, Parent
A. We will let families know at the end of August as we finalize opening plans to create a healthy environment for the children.

8/12/21 – For 2021-22 school year, will all high school students with study halls at the beginning or end of day be able to have “late arrival” and “early release” as they did in the 2020-21 school year? – Parent
A. Yes, this is typically added to student schedules for the second and third weeks of school if requested.

8/10/21 – We have students that are registered through Shen (we live in the district) but we are choosing to send them to private school. Because they are enrolled through Shen they have an IEP through Shen and we get their textbooks through Shen. With the extension of free breakfast and lunches, how do students enrolled through Shen but do not attend in person classes on campus access those free meals during the school year? Is there a pick up location? A drop off program? I am aware of the summer lunch program but this specific question is about the academic school year for 2021-2022 for Shen enrolled students attending private school. – Parent
A. The Food Service Department will only be providing meals to currently enrolled students that attend in-person school at Shenendehowa.

Will alternative dates be provided for middle school walkthrough if a child is unable to attend? Will there be an alternative process to obtain a Chromebook?
A. Chromebooks will be distributed on the first day of school if they cannot be picked up on August 31 or September 1. Please contact your individual middle school to see if alternate times are available.

My children are enrolled at Shen but we have opted to send them to private school. Are they eligible for the federally funded free extended school breakfast and lunch program since we still pay school taxes?
A. Everyone is eligible for free meals during the summer (you just need to find a participating site near you) but during the school year, your children must be enrolled in our district to qualify for free meals. School Food Service departments are not part of the school budget and do not receive any funding […]

When will schedules come out for High School East?
A. They will be available at 4 PM on August 27, similar to years past.

There were photographers taking pictures of the graduates as they walked across the stage. How do we access/purchase these photos? The graduation page says to contact Lauren Studios, but the website needs a Client-ID. Thank you for any info you can provide.
A. The students Client ID’s are in this format: 21Shen-XXXXX. The X’s should be replaced with their Shenendehowa student ID number. If they don’t know that they should give customer service at call at 951-272-8600. The service reps will be able to help with just the student’s name.

Is there a modified Shen hockey team?
A. There is no modified hockey at Shenendehowa or in Section 2.

Will incoming 4th graders participate in the swimming unit this year since they missed it in 3rd grade last year?
A. Unfortunately, due to scheduling, swimming will once again be for 3rd graders.

My daughter was a CVL student last year. She has never been inside HSE. Is there a day over the summer where CVL students can visit HSE to learn where everything is located? Is anyone available to give CVL students a tour?
A. We are just waiting for some additional guidance and will certainly have opportunities to do so.

I’m a rising senior and I was curious if colleges look at weighted GPA’s or unweighted GPA’s? Which one will be prioritized in the college application process?
A. That will depend on the individual college. The most accurate answer would come from the admissions offices of the schools you are applying to.

Will there still be a NYS Science Test administered at the elementary level? I noticed the district calendar only mentions one examination for 8th graders. Thank you.
A. Yes, there will be a NYS Science Test at the elementary level but the dates are not 100% set yet so we have taken them off the district calendar temporarily. We will add them when dates have been finalized.

How can a local vendor become a certified Shen Shop retailer?
A. If you are interested in becoming an official vendor with the Shen Shops, please contact Lindsay Valenti at valelind@shenschools.org for more information.

When do seniors go in for their parking pass?
A. Parking pass distribution is typically the last week of August, however we have not solidified the exact dates. Parents and students should expect a communication in mid-July that outlines these dates.

I would like to thank all of the cleaners that helped keep our kids safe. I hope the school district gives these people some kind of a bonus. They worked all though covid. They were exposed to all kinds of chemicals and took on extra duty’s. Without the cleaners and support staff schools couldn’t open the buildings. I appreciate all of you. Thank you for keeping my child safe.
A. Thank you for your support!

If I use a school Google account on a personal computer, is what I’m doing still being tracked?
A. Shenschools.org accounts are the property of Shenendehowa CSD, as such they are monitored and filtered regardless of what device is being used to access the district resource.

When do we find out who passed the interview for the Seal of Biliteracy?
A. You can fill out the inquiry form on the Seal of Biliteracy website: https://sites.google.com/shenschools.org/shennyssb/home.

What is the weight for honors and accelerated classes?
A. BOE policy 7223 (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kJkfBHSI8LNqcRmw14_Sq7–0og5qicv-mi_HjIjM98/view) addresses this question.

Are AP exams required to take an AP course?
A. They are strongly encouraged as the exam is what measures learning in the course.

Can I drop one of my next year electives now, or is it too late?
A. Please reach out to your high school counselor to discuss your schedule for next year.

What number is a failing grade?
A. 65 at the secondary level.

Will Shen consider exempting students from gym who participate in competitive sports outside of school as other districts do?
A. Shen will not be exempting students from physical education who participate in competitive sports outside of school.

If I were to put up pride flags for pride month at the middle school, would I get in trouble?
A. As long as the flags fell in line with the code of conduct (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rg_BcKwYMPUPZbgrIowcHSd5jII5T1FFbFubjx-Wmy4/view), section B page 5, you can contact your middle school principal on your ideas for placement.

My spanish teacher said that a medal is given for having the Seal of Biliteracy- is this true?
A. Yes, they have been handed out. Please contact the main office with questions.

How do I get a refund of the balance available in my senior’s PayPams account?
A. Please contact the Food Service office at 518-881-0630 and request the refund.

Is it possible to book a Shen gym or athletic field? And a follow-up question, could we book the middle school rooftop for a concert?
A. Due to safety concerns, the rooftop would not be an option. To book another facility on campus, please contact Amy Cullen in our Community Education Office to reserve the use of a facility.

What are Shen’s rules regarding dress code?
A. The dress code for students and employees is listed on pages 5-6 of the Code of Conduct (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rg_BcKwYMPUPZbgrIowcHSd5jII5T1FFbFubjx-Wmy4/edit?usp=sharing)

Will masks be required outdoors at Graduation?
A. With the new NYSDOH guidance announced on June 7, students and guests will NOT be required to wear masks outside, including Graduation. All parties always have the option to continue wearing masks outside. No one should be directed, shamed, or otherwise to not wear a mask outside.

Are Graduation medals based on weighted or non-weighted GPA and is the GPA rounded up (ex. 94.935 = 95)? If a medal is earned when are they distributed to graduating seniors?
A. They are based on primarily weighted GPA as outlined in BOE policy 7223 Medals are distributed with caps and gowns.

What do the gold tassels signify?
A. GPA of 85% or above.

Will the incoming 9th graders get a walkthrough/orientation for the 2021-2022 school year?
A. Yes. The High School orientation is set for Wednesday, September 1 at 11am. High School West Open House is set for Thursday, October 7 at 6:30pm. See the full list on the district and specific school calendars here: https://www.shenet.org/about-us/events-calendar/.

With the addition of the Giveback Day and Juneteenth, what will be the expectation for aides and monitors who, unlike the teachers, now need to work to compensate their base pay?
A. Work calendars have been adjusted for all CSEA employees on base pay and the calendars are posted on InsideShen. Closing of school tasks and/or planning for reopening should be discussed with your building principal or immediate supervisor.

Do we know the fall sports tryout dates yet?
A. Varsity, JV and Freshman teams will start on August 23rd. Modified football teams will start on August 27th. All other Modified teams will start on August 30th.

How do we sign up for the Tri-M honors society?
A. There will be an application form your music teacher will give out in September. Any other questions about Tri-M can be directed to Mrs. Mars at marseliz@shenschools.org.

Could you please explain what “axiomatic learning” at Shen means?
A. Axiomatic learning will strive to provide tools and resources to ensure equity in outcomes with all students succeeding and realizing their full potential.

I’m feeling really overwhelmed and depressed. What resources does Shen have to help me address these issues?
A. There are a wide range of Mental Health and Wellness services at Shenendehowa. Please visit: https://www.shenet.org/departments-services/safety-health-and-wellness/mental-health-wellness/ to reach out to your counselor and access resources from the district, state and national levels.

Please, I’ve been hearing some talk about re opening schools fully. I just want Shen to know, if we have an option for CVL, that would be amazing. If New York lets their schools decide, please whoever controls this, understand that we would appreciate a CVL option next year in High School East. Please, we would appreciate options.
A. The predominant focus of reopening planning is on in-person learning. Once the NYSED prescribes regulations, the district will review closely and plan accordingly.

Why doesn’t Shen require their aides to be certified through NYS as Teaching Assistants? I was so surprised to see they don’t do that. Most districts do require that and support them through the process and provide PD, etc. Shen puts such emphasis on hiring for excellence and, as a parent in the district, I’m always glad to hear that, however, that should include the support staff as well.
A. The district’s employment of Teacher Aide vs Teacher Assistants isn’t a matter of certification, it is a matter of job needs. We have a lot of highly skilled and dedicated teacher aides who assist teachers with non-teaching duties. Additionally, there is a concerted effort by the Office of Human Resources to provide ongoing PD […]

are lunches still free? Because the last time i went i had to pay
A. Yes, breakfast and lunch are still free. Each student needs to take at least a fruit or vegetable with their main entree for the meals to be free. Meals will also be free for the 21/22 school year.

On the calendar I saw that the week after the end of school for high schoolers is something called “June Academy” I’ve never heard of this before, do you know what it is?
A. It is something that runs every year. It is an opportunity for students to make up work that they are on the borderline of receiving credit for courses.

Now that the BOE elections are over can we get the candidates to remove their signs surrounding the campus.
A. The district has nothing to do with campaign activities of prospective. It is up to the individual candidates.

are senior grades counted into GPA or class rank?
A. Yes, through the 3rd quarter to determine awards for graduation.

what if you fail a language class, do you need to do summer courses?
A. Students who fail a language course are not required to take a summer course. If they wish to earn the credit for the course, they would need to retake the course the following year.

Do we currently have a resource officer at Shen? If so, what is their name and email?
A. Yes: Deputy Grigas (grigmich@shenschools.org) and Deputy Muller (mulleric@shenschools.org).

The revised school calendar only shows the new days off/Regents days. It does not show which days the HS groups are in school or virtual.
A. The links on all the school pages for Calendar for ABCD Days has been updated with the information: CALENDAR FOR ABCD DAYS 7-12 CALENDAR FOR ABCD DAYS GR. 6

I’d like to offer a suggestion regarding school board candidates. I, as a taxpayer, parent, and employee of the district, am not interested in where someone attended college. I am far more interested in what they’ve done since then and what involvement they have in the town and community, i.e., PTA board member, community volunteering, personal experience within Shen. Going forward perhaps allow for 4 or 5 questions on significant topics affecting our students and community and have that in their bio’s as well. I know that my views, based on my personal and professional life experience has changed significantly since my college years. I also would like to encourage all the candidates to be sure to include support staff in your discussions and decision-making. They are an integral part of our students’ educations.
A. It is up to the candidate to campaign and communicate their positions with their potential constituents to serve on the Board of Education. The district is not obligated to provide any information on a candidate apart from name. For the past 30 years, Shenendehowa has used a standardized bio for every candidate that is […]

how do you find out your psat score
A. It is located in the Naviance account for each student.

Why isn’t there a class that delves more in depth into mental health? Sure we learn about physical health, and the bodily functions we see, but why not learn about the origin of mental health? Why people have chemical imbalances in their brains; why people’s genes have a slight impact on their mental situation. If there is a class that talks about the scars that people don’t see, but probably the deepest ones (mental health) please let me know the course.
A. This is covered in Health Education classes in the middle school and high school. In addition, counselors are addressing mental health thought K-12. There is now required content that is being taught. Click here for more information.

Why do milk cartons come with the free lunch, but bottled water cost money?
A. Milk is part of the five components offered with free meals (grain, protein, fruit, vegetable and milk or milk alternative) per the State Education Department regulations.

I’m a 10th grader at Shen. Is there anyway to see my GPA? (like 4.0…, 3.9…., those numbers) on the portal? Is there any way the school can add this in as a feature of the portal?
A. No. You would have to contact your school counselor who will be able to share with you information about transcripts and GPA.

Is there a way to access individual assignment grades from previous school years on the portal? And if not, what would I have to do to find them? Thanks!
A. No. You would have to contact the instructor and see if they might be able to provide this for you.

I saw a question about moving your google data to a normal gmail account before changing districts, does this also work if you’re going to graduate from Shen and want to preserve your data?
A. This feature is enabled for seniors in May of each year. Before that, requests to migrate files to a personal account can be made through a helpdesk ticket with IMS.

The Board agenda for the special board meeting on April 21, 2021 states that the board meeting video will be posted the next day. It’s now April 26, and the board meeting video is still not posted on the Youtube channel. Additionally, the agenda did not include a link so that the public could watch the meeting as it was underway. Why was the public not able to watch the meeting as it was being held? Also, why is the video still not accessible for the public to view?
A. It is posted now.

If a student is moving outside the district before their graduation as a senior, is there any way to transfer data to a normal gmail account before the move so this data is not lost?
A. First logon to your Google account. Then click on your account avatar left of the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. Select “Manage your Google Account” and then select “Transfer your content”. Enter the destination account and follow the prompts. If you have a large number of files and emails […]

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