Taconic Hills Central School District

The Taconic Hills Central School District is in the process of seeking approval for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway. This pathway will allow our students to graduate with a high school diploma that has a CTE designation, thus increasing their employability profile to potential employers and enabling the students to market their skillsets for further technical training. We are holding a public forum by Zoom for community members to participate. This forum will be September 14, at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in participating in this forum, please contact Sandra Gardner at sgardner@taconichills.k12.ny.us or 518.325.2800 X 2324 Sandra J. Gardner, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Taconic Hills Central School District

The Taconic Hills field hockey team won its season opener, blanking Ellenville, 3-0, in Thursday’s Mid-Hudson Athletic League contest. Jennie Beck gave the Titans a 1-0 lead in the first period when she scored off an assist from Rylee Jause. Marilyn Rowe made it 2-0 in the third period, scoring of an assist from Brianna Shetsky. Shetsky wrapped up the scoring with an unassisted goal in the fourth period. Taconic Hills outshot Ellenville, 13-0, and held a 6-0 edge in penalty corners. Grace Alvarez didn’t have to make a save in recording the shutout for the Titans. Ellenville’s Jillian Schaub turned away 10 shots. https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/sports/local/local-roundup-th-field-hockey-wins-opener/article_cf26ea91-bcef-5c6a-a237-2daa0b425d64.html

Aquatic & Fitness Center to Reopen Monday 9/13/21 All patrons using the pool and fitness center must be vaccinated.  Please use the link below to provide a photo or scan of your vaccination card. The Excelsior Pass is only valid if is shows proof of vaccine. Once your card is verified, you will receive a link to reserve your time slot at the pool or fitness center. https://forms.gle/UVE6Zknmoy5mndX79 Due to a shortage of lifeguards and fitness attendants, we will only be open M-F from 6-7:30 am. The website will be updated as soon as we are able to open for additional hours.  Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we reopen our facilities. 

Due to the conditions in the county, Open House for 2021 will be held as a virtual event on Thursday, September 16th from 6-8PM. We will send links to parents early next week.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Welcome Back to all of our TH Students and Staff. We are so excited to see everyone for the new school year!

On August 29, 2021, we lost a member of our Taconic Hills community. Robert Bailly, lovingly known to so many as Coach Bailly or Bobby, was a Taconic Hills graduate and also an integral part of the Taconic Hills coaching staff for numerous sports. The Taconic Hills Football Team has created a fundraiser in honor of Bobby. Proceeds will establish a scholarship in Bobby's honor. https://www.customink.com/fundraising/bobby-bailly

The New York State Office of Mental Health announced a series of ‘Back to School 2021’ videos to assist and support parents, caregivers and students as they prepare for the new school year. OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “This has been an extremely trying year for the students of New York and for their parents. Some students haven’t been in the classroom for 18 months. Others have had to juggle hybrid learning. It’s been a period of extreme sacrifice and now, as we prepare to enter the 2021-22 school year, we want parents and students to know that we are here to support you and your mental health.” The videos are targeted to parents and caregivers as well students with topics that include: the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children and adolescents, ways to support yourself and others, how to get help when you need it https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr56qcghZ6EpCAkrhNNlZigkmocyXkEse

With the heaviest of hearts, Taconic Hills CSD is saddened to inform our community of the sudden passing of Taconic Hills alumnus and Titans’ coach Robert Bailly, Jr. and alumnus Kyle Germann. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bobby and Kyle’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Our school counselors have reached out to students and staff who were close to Bobby and Kyle and their families and friends. For anyone in our school community who needs assistance, please email your school counselor. Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers.

As part of the district's technology initiative, all students in Grades 5-12 will receive school-issued laptops to use during the 2021-2022 school year. To receive their devices, students and their parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to attend Laptop Distribution Day on September 1st or September 7th anytime between 4-7PM. Enter the building through the High School Entrance. Please be advised, teachers are planning on using devices the first week of school. Help your child by getting them prepared early. Students who are not issued a laptop during Laptop Distribution Day may experience a delay in receiving their laptops after school starts. Reminder: Outstanding computer equipment balances must be satifsied prior to issuance of equipment for the new school year. A representative from the Business Office will be available to collect payments at the Laptop Distribution sessions. Thank you, John Dodds Coordinator of Computer Technology

Taconic Hills is currently seeking a Literacy-Reading Teacher. Apply online through OLAS https://www.olasjobs.org/jobs?keyword=®ion=03 . More information is available at https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/employment

School property tax bills are being mailed on August 31st. Online payments will be accepted starting 9/1. More school tax information is available at https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/school-tax-information

Information about the rapid antigen test used for the athletic testing can be found on the Athletic Section of our website... https://www.fda.gov/media/141569/download

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Henry Pollinger, the new Assistant Principal of Taconic Hills Jr.-Sr. High School. As Assistant Principal, Henry will work closely with Mr. Buhrmaster to carry out the mission and vision of the Taconic Hills Central School District. Henry has over fifteen years of educational experience spanning grades 7-12, with a specific concentration in English Language Arts. He was a middle school and high school English Language Arts teacher at Eugene Brooks Intermediate School and Webutuck High School. In addition, Henry taught middle school English Language Arts and Special Education in Massachusetts. Administrative experience includes being an Assistant Principal and Principal at the Ulster BOCES Center for Special Education and Middle School Principal at Dover Middle School. Henry is a proud dad of two children, a daughter, Mary Rose who is eleven years old and a son, Shaun, who is nine years old. In addition a Texas Heeler named Joey. Henry was born and raised in Wassaic and currently lives in Amenia, NY. Henry looks forward to meeting the students and families Taconic Hills. His door is always open. Welcome aboard Henry!

Our school Social Workers would like to offer any of last year's remote students an opportunity to come visit the school on Friday 8/20 @ 10am-2pm. There will be time for a meet and greet and a walk around the school as a first step back into the school. Please come to the high school entrance if you are interested.

The fall season practice and transportation schedule is available for 2021. Athletes and parents should also review the Athletic Handbook. Go Titans! https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/thsports

Clare Howard received Grand honors at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Event held recently at the GE Theatre at Proctors. Clare was named the Grand Scholastic Woman of the Year. CDSWOY honors excellence in academics, athletics and community service. Congratulations Clare! https://cdswoy.com/news/2021/8/10/general-howard-klosterman-named-cdswoy-grand-sports-women-of-the-year.aspx

Title I & ESSA Presentations will take place tonight from 6:10-6:30 in the Board of Education room. More information about the Title I plan is available at the link below: https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/title-1

Congratulations to Neil Howard III on his decathlon national championship. Neil struck Olympic gold at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Championships, setting the NYS freshman record in the Decathlon, and besting the current sophomore record set in 1984 by 971 points. Neil also finished 5th in the 400M and took Silver finishing 2nd in the Pole Vault. Great job Neil! https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/sports/local/howard-iii-wins-decathlon-national-championship-sets-nys-freshman-record/article_affc24bd-8db5-5c8a-b134-510f687a7e7d.html

TH Alternate Bus Stop/Drop Off Request Please only fill out this form if your child needs transportation to or from an address in our district other than home. Complete this form even if your information is the same as previous years. Parents and Guardians are allowed one alternate pick-up or drop off address but it must be consistent for the entire week. We are unable to process alternating day or week requests at this time. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekmT9oc1Z0Jf20AiydXMLD0GEfT04DemIhQvs6rmHVDwCiZQ/viewform?usp=sf_link Rick Viebrock Supervisor of Transportation

High School yearbooks are in and ready to be picked up! Books can be picked up Monday-Friday from 8:30am-2:00pm in the High School Office. If you haven’t purchased a yearbook, we still have some available. They are $50 and can be paid for with cash or a check made out to “THHS Yearbook.” Any questions, please email Mr. Boyles at bboyles@taconichills.k12.ny.us