Taconic Hills Central School District

Join the Taconic Hills Elementary PTO in showing appreciation for two groups of people who help make our school such a special place!

Thursday, October 2 – National Custodial Workers Recognition Day
Every year on October 2, we take time to recognize the hard work and dedication of custodial staff across the country. Here at Taconic Hills, our custodians keep our school clean, safe, and welcoming every single day. Let’s show them some love!

How to participate:
- We’re asking students to create thank-you cards, notes, or drawings for our custodial team.
- Please send them to school with your child by Wednesday, October 1. Teachers will forward them to the PTO, and we’ll create a cheerful display for our custodians to enjoy!

Sunday, October 5 – World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day is a time to celebrate the impact teachers have on education and to show them the support they deserve. Let’s make our appreciation visible!

How to participate:
- Have your child wear orange on Monday, October 6, to celebrate our Titan Strong teachers and remind them how much they mean to us!

To learn more about upcoming recognition days and all the exciting things the T.H.E. PTO is planning, visit: https://taconichillspto.ptboard.com/home

The 2025–2026 District-Wide Safety Plan, originally approved on August 13, 2025, is open again for public comment until November 1, 2025.

On July 24, 2025, Governor Hochul signed Desha’s Law (S.5539A/A.785A), which takes effect on September 1, 2025, requiring all school safety plans to include a comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP). Desha’s Law mandates that AEDs be clearly marked, accessible, and properly maintained. It also requires a Board of Education–adopted policy addressing sudden cardiac arrest, inclusion of a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in the District-Wide Safety Plan, and an annex for sudden cardiac arrest in each Building-Level Emergency Response Plan.

To meet these requirements, Appendix E, Cardiac Emergency Response, has been added to our safety plan. Each individual building’s emergency response plan will also specifically address cardiac emergencies to ensure preparedness at each school. In addition, the District is working on an AED-specific policy that will be presented for Board approval. Taconic Hills is proud to already be ahead of the curve, with AEDs in place and maintained throughout the District.

Community members are encouraged to read the plan and submit feedback. A public hearing will be held on November 19, 2025, at 5:30 PM to allow community members to share input before the Board adopts the revised plan at the board meeting later that night.

You can read the updated safety plan, including Appendix E, here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fhLfZEcWpw5FrvlZ5JHj2jmzOY-HjMvj/view?usp=sharing

Please submit any feedback using the form here: https://forms.gle/eKeGyvePeeQ4xHx2A

At the September 15 Board of Education meeting, a revision was made to the Code of Conduct reinstating the no-backpack rule in classrooms. This rule was accidentally removed when the Code of Conduct was originally approved in August, but it has been a longstanding policy and has now been put back in place.

The policy applies not only to backpacks but also to large canvas bags, purses, and other items that carry many belongings.

Students should not have these items in classrooms or walking around the halls during the school day. Sports bags should be stored in the Veterans Community Room at the start of the day. The only acceptable time to see backpacks or large bags in the halls is during arrival or dismissal.

The reasons for this policy include:

• Safety concerns: Keeping large bags/backpacks out of classrooms reduces the risk of weapons or contraband being brought in.
• Classroom accessibility: Large bags/backpacks on the floor can create obstacles and clutter, making it harder to move around safely and efficiently in the event of an emergency.
• Minimizing distractions: Accessing large bags/backpacks during class can interrupt learning and focus for both students and teachers.

Students should store their backpacks and items in lockers and retrieve necessary items during classroom transitions throughout the day.

We appreciate your understanding and support in maintaining a safe, organized, and focused learning environment for all students.

Dear Taconic Hills Community,

We want to inform you that the Taconic Hills Aquatic Center will remain closed through October 31st as we complete important upgrades and maintenance to our HVAC system.

Our goal is to reopen on November 1st, just in time for the start of the swimming sport season. We understand this may be an inconvenience and truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we carefully complete this project. To accommodate our valued community members, all community memberships will be extended by one month. The Fitness Center remains open.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Aquatic Center soon!

October Lunch Menu, Code of Conduct Update, News from the PTO, and so much more!

Don't miss the Friday Folder for September 26, 2025: https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/friday-folder

To stay up to date with current news & events, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaconicHillsCSD

We are hiring for a Jr/Sr High School Psychologist!

Benefits include:
- competitve salary
- summers & school breaks off
- ongoing professional development opportunities
- health insurance
- NYS retirement benefits

Apply on Taconic Hills CSD OLAS today! https://olasjobs.org/taconic-hills-csd

The October 2025 Lunch Menu is here!

Get ready for a SPOOK-tacular month packed with delicious meals, including:
🍟 Loaded Potato Wedge Bar
🌮 Walking Tacos
🍝 Baked Ziti

Plus, don’t miss National School Lunch Week from October 14–17, when students can taste their way around the world with these international favorites:
🥘 Sweden: Swedish Meatballs with Gravy & Mashed Potatoes
🥡 China: Honey Soy Chicken with Stir-Fry Noodles & Vegetables
🌯 Mexico: Chicken Fajitas with Peppers & Onions + Street Corn 🌽
🌭 Germany: Bratwurst with Braised Red Cabbage & German Potato Salad

View the whole menu here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wlcr6GYLz8YNfM57BmWjFwdc3JHcrDLD/view?usp=sharing

Tune in to News10 at 4:10 PM for a special feature on Taconic Hills and one of our most inspiring alumni, Imelda Muller (Class of 2009), who was recently selected as one of NASA’s newest astronaut candidates!

Taconic Hills 2009 graduate, Imelda Muller, has been selected as one of NASA’s newest astronaut candidates, launching her on a path toward space exploration. Muller, who grew up in Copake Falls, credits her roots at Taconic Hills High School as the start of a journey that has taken her from Columbia County classrooms to the global stage.

After graduating from Taconic Hills, Muller pursued a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University and went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She joined the U.S. Navy, where she trained as an Undersea Medical Officer and served at the Navy’s Experimental Diving Unit, overseeing groundbreaking research in diving medicine and supporting high-risk operations. Along the way, she earned commendations for her leadership, clinical excellence, and teaching.

Muller’s medical career continued at Johns Hopkins University, where she was completing her anesthesia residency when NASA announced her selection in 2025. She began astronaut training this fall, a rigorous two-year program preparing candidates for missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and beyond.

Outside of medicine and military service, Muller has long been passionate about endurance sports, scuba diving, and outdoor adventures. She has competed as an elite triathlete on the U.S. Military Endurance Sports team and represented the Navy in national competitions.

Her story is one of perseverance, service, and inspiration - a reminder to Taconic Hills students and families that big dreams can take root in a small community and reach all the way to the stars.

📺 Watch the full story on News10 at 4:10 PM

🔗 Read more from NASA here: https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-candidate-imelda-muller/

Dear Taconic Hills Families & Staff,

I am writing to inform you that the school will conduct a required emergency response drill within the next week. Before our drill, staff will talk to students about procedures, explain what to do, and why their actions are important. After the drill, staff will reassure students that they are safe. This drill is conducted to ensure that, in the unlikely event of a dangerous situation, our school community is prepared and knows how to stay safe.

You can help us practice and prepare for our drills. During the drill, we respectfully ask for your support:

• Please do not come to the school campus.

• Please do not call the school offices.

• Please do not contact students or staff members via cell phone or social media.

After the drill, you can support your child by helping them understand why we practice and prepare by conducting drills.

Please remember that conducting these safety drills can help maintain our schools as a safe place to learn and work.

Please make sure that your contact information is always current.

Please remind your student that any concern regarding safety within our school should be immediately reported to a school staff member.

If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lynnette Brunger, Superintendent of Schools
Nicholas Smith, Director of Facilities II

Congratulations to this week's Titan Spotlight athletes!!

GO TITANS!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p8zh7Sers-aSKDIMUed-ocX0V03DjHhI/view?usp=drive_link

Burger-Laverack Alumni Soccer Game, Senior Walkthrough & Homecoming Date Change, TH Spirit Wear Store, and more!

Check out the Friday Folder for September 19, 2025.

To stay up to date with current news & events, follow us on Facebook!

Attention PK-6 Families!

Please be sure to turn in your book orders for Kate Messner by this Friday, September 19th.

If you have any questions, please email Beth Flores at bflores@taconichills.k12.ny.us.

Thank you!

Book Order Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jt34jOxNzUxIUzUyLk74RqW5-RLaYQ42CkQaOAYZhdU/edit?usp=sharing

Join us for the 2025 Pumpkin Run on October 18th from 10AM - Noon at the field next to the Elementary Playground.

Chek out the races for toddlers through Grade 6 students! Every child who runs will get to pick a pumpkin to bring home!

There will be temporary tattoos, face painting, and much more!

Sign up to participate here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIglozw6Xps06j-0GZOzX9x-DhbaWtY7uUexVxkHj1TU9Tqg/viewform

The Taconic Hills Spirit Wear Store is now OPEN! 🎉

The best part? Our store is available 24/7 year-round, so there’s no deadline to place your order!

✔️ Fast shipping: Orders ship directly to your home in just 5–7 business days.
✔️ Endless options: Customize your gear with your name, sport, design, and more.
✔️ Huge selection: Choose from hundreds of products and recognized brands (underarmour, lululemon, Nike, Adidas, etc.)

✨ To celebrate the grand opening, enjoy 20% off all purchases for the next month with the code SPIRIT20 at checkout!

You can always find the store by visiting our district website! Click the “Spirit Store” button located underneath the drone footage on the district homepage.

Show your Titan pride and start shopping today! https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/new_york/craryville/taconic-hills-central-high-school

Dear Taconic Hills Families & Staff,

I am writing to inform you that the school will conduct a required emergency response drill within the next week. Before our drill, staff will talk to students about procedures, explain what to do, and why their actions are important. After the drill, staff will reassure students that they are safe. This drill is conducted to ensure that, in the unlikely event of a dangerous situation, our school community is prepared and knows how to stay safe.

You can help us practice and prepare for our drills. During the drill, we respectfully ask for your support:
- Please do not come to the school campus.
- Please do not call the school offices.
- Please do not contact students or staff members via cell phone or social media.

After the drill, you can support your child by helping them understand why we practice and prepare by conducting drills.

Please remember that conducting these safety drills can help maintain our schools as a safe place to learn and work.

Please make sure that your contact information is always current.

Please remind your student that any concern regarding safety within our school should be immediately reported to a school staff member. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lynnette Brunger, Superintendent of Schools
Nicholas Smith, Director of Facilities II

We'd like to remind families that there is no student supervision in the early morning, so students should not be dropped off at the District prior to 7:50AM. When dropped off, students are to wait in the Main Entrance vestibules until the buses arrive. From there, students are to walk to the PAC Entrance to being their day.

This procedure helps us streamline our entrances, create a welcoming environment where all students come in through the same area, and ensure students are not entering behind staff members.

For driving and parking meaures, please view the diagram and instructions on our website here: https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/dropoff-pickup-procedures

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and smooth arrival for all!