Hello Schalmont Middle School Students and Families,

I hope you’re all enjoying a relaxing and restful summer. It’s hard to believe July is already coming to a close and the new school year is quickly approaching. Below you’ll find important updates and information to help you and your student prepare for a smooth and successful start in September.

Middle School Leadership Team

We are excited to welcome Mrs. Meghan Holdsworth to the Middle School leadership team as the Middle School Assistant Principal. Mrs. Holdsworth brings valuable experience from her previous roles as a school counselor in Lansingburgh, and most recently a leadership position at the Albany Academies. Her student-centered approach and fresh perspective will be a tremendous asset to our school community. We look forward to the positive impact she will have in supporting our students, staff, and families.

Middle School Counselors

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Lindsey Clark to our Middle School Counseling team. Ms. Clark will serve as the School Counselor for students in grades 6–8 with last names M–Z. She brings several years of counseling experience to the role, including time at Schalmont as both an intern and interim counselor. Her fresh perspective and strong, student-centered approach make her a wonderful addition to our team.

As students enter grade 6, they begin working with our Middle School Counselors. With many years of experience between them, both Mrs. Romano and Ms. Clark are excited to welcome our incoming 6th graders and continue supporting students in grades 7 and 8. They are committed to providing academic guidance and social-emotional support as students navigate the Middle School experience.

Below are the Middle School counseling assignments for the 2024–2025 school year:

• Mrs. Romano – Grades 6–8 (Last Names A–L)
• Ms. Clark – Grades 6–8 (Last Names M–Z)

Our school counselors are eager to support students and families. Please reach out to them with any questions or concerns.

Student Schedules

Our team has been working diligently over the summer to finalize student schedules. Schedules for students in grades 6–8 will be available on Schoology and the eSchool Parent Portal beginning Monday, August 26 at 9:00 a.m.

Grade 5 students will receive a separate letter with classroom assignments during the week of August 18.

On the first day of school, students will receive a printed copy of their schedule during homeroom. It’s important that students know their homeroom location, which will be listed on their schedule.

Arrival Procedures

For morning arrival, all buses will unload in the front loop of the Middle and High School starting at 7:25 a.m. This allows students to enter the building and have breakfast if they wish.

The Middle School homeroom begins promptly at 7:40 a.m., starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and morning announcements.

Family drop-off will continue in the Middle School parking lot, with students entering through Door 14 by the LGI. Door 14 will open for drop-off at 7:15 a.m.

After 7:30 a.m., family drop-offs should occur in the front loop.

5th Grade Orientation and Open House

The 5th Grade Orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27 at 5:00 p.m. The program will include:

• An introduction to the Middle School leadership team
• Classroom visits and program overview
• Special area visits
• A self-guided tour

Additional information will be shared with 5th grade students and families in the coming weeks, including options for those unable to attend the event.

Grades 6–8 Open House

The Open House for students in grades 6–8 will take place on Thursday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m. Additional details will be shared in the weeks leading up to the event.

Back to School Orientation Programs

During the first few days of school, we will offer Back-to-School Orientation sessions for students in grades 5 through 8. Topics will include academic integrity, digital citizenship and etiquette, and school-wide expectations.

A detailed schedule for these sessions will be shared in the upcoming back-to-school communication with families and students.

STAR Testing

Throughout the school year, all students in grades 5–8 will participate in STAR testing. This assessment helps identify areas of academic strength and need, allowing teachers to provide targeted instruction and support. STAR testing is also used to determine eligibility for Academic Intervention Services (AIS).

Please see this letter with more information about STAR testing and AIS.

School Supplies

School supply lists are available on the district website by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact the Middle School Main Office at 518-355-6110.

Student Attendance and Engagement

Punctual daily attendance is essential to maximize instructional time and support student success. Research and our experience show that good attendance strongly correlates with better learning outcomes. Establishing consistent attendance during the first month sets a positive tone for the entire school year.

School begins promptly at 7:40 a.m. each day, with instruction starting right away.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your summer.

Thank you,

Matthew Heckman
Executive Principal
Schalmont Middle School and High School
518-355-6110