Frequently Asked Questions 

Can't find your question here?  Ask it here  and we'll post general questions to the website.  Please contact the school or teacher if you have a specific question about your child. 



Questions
1)  Want to know more about the new Common Core State Assessments?
2)  I forgot my Parent Portal password. How can I get it reset?
3)  We're new to the District, what do I need to register my children?
4)  How can I contact my child's teacher?
5)  Where can I find a particular form I need?
6)  My child is moving up to the Middle School next year. How can I help him adjust?
7)  I work full time and need my child dropped off at daycare after school. What do I need to do?
8)  When do we get final exam grades?
9)  We will be moving into the District soon. Does Washingtonville CSD offer a Pre-Kindergarten program?
10)  Where do I submit the Parent Portal Access application?
11)  When will we receive our class/teacher assignments for next year as well as school supplies needed?
12)  When is the first day of school?
13)  I'm thinking of moving to the area this summer. I have a daughter who will be attending the 6th grade, what kind of after school activities or daycare does this district offer?
14)  Where can I find the school supplies on the site?
15)  My child received free lunch during the past school year, what must I do to ensure that he continues to receive free lunch for the next year?
16)  What time does the bus come in the morning?
17)  Do you offer swimming lessons at the High School? When are they and how much does it cost? Do you offer family Swim during the winter?
18)  How do the blue and gold days work in the Middle School? Is the first week blue, gold, blue, gold, blue and then the next week gold, blue, gold, blue, gold?
19)  We heard that Washingtonville High School has a very good SAT preparation course, if possible, can you give more information to us please?
20)  Are parent-teacher conferences cancelled when the schools close for a snow day?
21)  Is there a Sports Summer Program or some type of camp that we can join?
22)  Will the 8th grade students and their parents have an opportunity to visit the High School? If yes, when will that take place?
23)  My son was accepted into the United States achievement academy National Honor Society. What does this mean for him at high school?
24)  Is there a latchkey program?
25)  I heard that the district is looking to add extensions to all 3 elementary schools for the purpose of moving toward full-day kindergarten. Is there a time frame yet as to when the district would like to accomplish this?
26)  Does the middle or high school offer a babysitting course or program? If so, how could I get in contact with a student for a possible babysitting job?
27)  Are there any pre-k classes for 3 year olds? If so, how or when do I enroll?
28)  If I need copies of my childs report card, how do I get that?
29)  Are school taxes paid in arrears or in advance?
30)  Where can I find a map of the school's rooms?
31)  If I will have my son attend kindergarden at English Rose, then do I still register him with Washingtonville School District his kindergarden year or wait until 1st grade registration?
32)  What are the scores you need on your report card to be on the honor roll?
33)  Why are children being pulled out of normal classes to attend music lessons? Shouldn't this be a part of normal music classes? They're randomly losing 20% of their education time in critical courses to "lessons" that have nothing to do with academic advancement.
 
Answers
1)  Q Want to know more about the new Common Core State Assessments?
A
Please visit: http://www.engageny.org/resource/video-for-parents-and-families-about-the-common-core-assessments
2)  Q I forgot my Parent Portal password. How can I get it reset?
A

If your child is a High School or Middle School student, contact that school's Guidance Office. If your child is an elementary student, contact the Main Office of that school.  Dial 497-4000 and the extension below.

High School Guidance Office - 24511
Middle School Guidance Office - 21511
Little Britain Main Office - 23501
Round Hill Main Office - 25501
Taft Main Office - 22501
3)  Q We're new to the District, what do I need to register my children?
A

Visit our Central Registration page for all the forms you need and the phone number to set up an appointment to register your children. Information about immunizations and health forms you'll need are also on that page available for download.
4)  Q How can I contact my child's teacher?
A

Each of our teachers have a Contact Form on their school's website and many have complete websites. Please visit your child's school's website and you will see "Classroom Websites and Contact Forms" in the navigation list.
5)  Q Where can I find a particular form I need?
A

In most cases, if the form is specific to the teacher or school, you can find it on the school's website or on the teacher's website. For forms that are common to all buildings (physical exam form, etc), those will be on the district website "Documents & Forms" page.
6)  Q My child is moving up to the Middle School next year. How can I help him adjust?
A

Moving up to the 6th grade? Visit the Middle School Guidance Office's "Incoming 6th Grade Frequently Asked Questions" page.
7)  Q I work full time and need my child dropped off at daycare after school. What do I need to do?
A

Download and fill out the "Daycare & Babysitting Form" from our Transportation Department's documents page.
8)  Q When do we get final exam grades?
A

Middle School and High School report cards get mailed and should start arriving on or after July 1st. Parents who subscribe to the Schooltool Parent Portal can get grades immediately when posted.
9)  Q We will be moving into the District soon. Does Washingtonville CSD offer a Pre-Kindergarten program?
A

Yes. Normally the District holds a lottery in the spring for placement in the Pre-K program. We encourage residents to submit an application as vacancies routinely become available throughout the school year.  Visit the Curriculum & Instruction website for more information on District programs. 

10)  Q Where do I submit the Parent Portal Access application?
A

Parents of High School and Middle School students can turn in their Schooltool Parent Portal access applications to the Guidance or Main Offices of their child's school. Even when school is out for the summer, the offices in each building are still operational. Hours are 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. The form must be submitted in person and proper identification must be shown.
11)  Q When will we receive our class/teacher assignments for next year as well as school supplies needed?
A

Letters with class/teacher/team assignments should be received during the third week of August.  The letter will tell parents:

  • Elementary students will receive their assigned teachers.  General supplies will be provided for each student.  Any specific supplies required by a teacher will be distributed by the teacher during the first week of school.
  • Middle School students' letters will have their homeroom printed on the envelope label and contain a letter from their team which may list specific school supplies needed.  A universal general supply list by grade will be posted on the Middle School website.  (Parents of new 6th graders, please visit the Guidance Office's 6th Grade FAQ page for more info.)
  • Incoming 9th graders will receive their schedules at the 9th Grade Orientation in the third week of August.  All other High School students will receive their letters with first day room assignments where they will receive their schedules. 
12)  Q When is the first day of school?
A

You can view important dates on the District Calendar webpage. View the upcoming months by clicking on the word "next." Also, you can download a one page Calendar on our Documents & Forms webpage as well as at the top of the Calendar page. 

13)  Q I'm thinking of moving to the area this summer. I have a daughter who will be attending the 6th grade, what kind of after school activities or daycare does this district offer?
A

There is an afterschool program in each of our elementary buildings for PM Kindergarten through fifth grade. It is not a free program but it is very reasonable. However, there isn't a program at the Middle School for 6th graders.
14)  Q Where can I find the school supplies on the site?
A
  • For elementary students, general supllies will be supplied by the District. Also a list will be given by their teacher if any more supplies will be required. 
  • For Middle School students, a universal supply lists by grade is provided on the Middle School Documents and Forms page as well as team-specific required supplies as soon as availble. 
  • High School students will receive their supply lists from their teacher the first day of class. 
15)  Q My child received free lunch during the past school year, what must I do to ensure that he continues to receive free lunch for the next year?
A

You must fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Application for each school year. The application may be downloaded from the Food Service Department's website.  You will also receive a printed copy of the forms in the mail with all information in the Summer Informational Packet that is mailed in August.
16)  Q What time does the bus come in the morning?
A

Bus Routes will be posted in August on the Transportation Office's Documents & Forms download page. There will be a link to it from the District and all five schools' home pages.
17)  Q Do you offer swimming lessons at the High School? When are they and how much does it cost? Do you offer family Swim during the winter?
A

Both recreational swim and swim lessons that are conducted in our pool are scheduled and run through the Washingtonville Seahawks Swim Club. Details and information can be found on their website at http://wvseahawks.com/index.html

18)  Q How do the blue and gold days work in the Middle School? Is the first week blue, gold, blue, gold, blue and then the next week gold, blue, gold, blue, gold?
A

The blue and gold day are on an alternating basis by days, not weeks - blue, gold, blue, gold, etc. If school is closed for a day, the pattern picks up where it left off. For instance, if a snow day was supposed to be a gold day, the next school day will be a gold day.
19)  Q We heard that Washingtonville High School has a very good SAT preparation course, if possible, can you give more information to us please?
A

The Washingtonville CSD does not run its own SAT/ACT test prep course. However, two outside independent organizations do run test prep courses using district building space. They are usually 8 weeks long with a Fall and Spring session. ESC test prep ( http://www.esctestprep.com/ ) has been running a program here for about three years. Lentz & Lentz is the another group that has started offering a course this past year. If need additional information, please contact the HS Guidance Department at 845-497-4000 ext:24511 or 24512.

20)  Q Are parent-teacher conferences cancelled when the schools close for a snow day?
A

All activities, events, and community use of facilities are automatically cancelled anytime the District closes for weather-related purposes. Please check the District Calendar or school websites for rescheduled activities and events.
21)  Q Is there a Sports Summer Program or some type of camp that we can join?
A

Washingtonville Central School District does not run summer programs but regularly allows outside organizations to use our facilities when available. There are activities (such as a two-week basketball camp for example) that use our facilities in the summer.
22)  Q Will the 8th grade students and their parents have an opportunity to visit the High School? If yes, when will that take place?
A

Each year in late January or early February, 8th graders are taken on a student-guided tour of the High School and are introduced to guidance and administrative staff. The orientation for incoming 9th graders and their parents is held in the last week of August. After some introductions and an overview, students will receive their schedules and have an opportunity to go through the building to find their classrooms.
23)  Q My son was accepted into the United States achievement academy National Honor Society. What does this mean for him at high school?
A

This is a mailing we received but we do not endorse the service; this is most likely garnered from the Honor Roll list in the Orange County Post.
24)  Q Is there a latchkey program?
A

Little Britain has a before and after school program called "Healthy Kids." Round Hill also has a "Healthy Kids" program run by the Middletown Y before and after school. Taft has a before school program run the the Newburgh Y and an after school program run by the Blooming Grove Recreation Department.

Parents can contact either the Main Office of their students' school or the program offices themselves for further information.

Healthy Kids Program
565 Union Ave, New Windsor
Supervisor:  Brenda Velez
Phone:  845-561-4700, Ext. 21
Website:  http://communityfitnesscenter.com/Camp/Healthy/healthkidsprogram1.html 

Middletown Y
Website: http://www.middletownymca.org/
Phone: 344-9622

Blooming Grove Recreation Department
Website:  http://www.townofbloominggroveny.com/recreation.html
Phone:  496-9201
25)  Q I heard that the district is looking to add extensions to all 3 elementary schools for the purpose of moving toward full-day kindergarten. Is there a time frame yet as to when the district would like to accomplish this?
A

The Board of Education sub-committee on facilities planning is currently in the process of developing a plan that would address the potential replacement of our portable classrooms, full-day kindergarten consideration, and issues associated with the resulting buildings condition report drawn up from our engineers and architect. The goal of the committee is to have their work ready for a full Board of Education presentation and discussion by February or March of 2011. Any decision that the full Board makes at that time will determine time-frame, if in fact they decide to move forward. If a decision is ultimately reached to move forward with the plan, the phases of design, State Education approval, construction bidding and actual construction, the entire process would take at least 2 1/2 to 3 years for completion.

26)  Q Does the middle or high school offer a babysitting course or program? If so, how could I get in contact with a student for a possible babysitting job?
A

No
27)  Q Are there any pre-k classes for 3 year olds? If so, how or when do I enroll?
A

Universal Pre-K students must be 4 years old by December 1 of the school year. Applications for the Universal Pre-K lottery will be available in May and can be downloaded from the Registration web page.
28)  Q If I need copies of my childs report card, how do I get that?
A

A parent can call their child's school and ask for another copy. The school can print one.
29)  Q Are school taxes paid in arrears or in advance?
A

School taxes are paid in September for use in the budget year from July (arrears) to June (advance). So, if I understand the question, it is a combination of both.
30)  Q Where can I find a map of the school's rooms?
A

There are copies of school building maps in each principal's office.
31)  Q If I will have my son attend kindergarden at English Rose, then do I still register him with Washingtonville School District his kindergarden year or wait until 1st grade registration?
A

You would register him when he enters first grade.
32)  Q What are the scores you need on your report card to be on the honor roll?
A

If your child attends either the Middle or High School, please contact the school's Guidance Office where your child attends. There are no honor rolls in the elementary schools.
33)  Q Why are children being pulled out of normal classes to attend music lessons? Shouldn't this be a part of normal music classes? They're randomly losing 20% of their education time in critical courses to "lessons" that have nothing to do with academic advancement.
A

The music lessons that a child is pulled out for are instrumental lessons. They go once a week for a period. The period they miss rotates so they do not miss the same period more than once every 2 months. Instrumental lessons are given to those students who sign up for them. They are completely voluntary. The lessons are given by instrument and ability. Parents who opt to permit their children to take lessons in school are given a packet that explains the program. If parents do not want to have their child miss a class, then they would have to provide for private lessons outside of school.