Dear SAS Families,
Welcome Back to the 2025-2026 school year at Scotchtown Avenue School!

We are so excited to welcome our new kindergarteners as well as our returning first and second graders back for a fantastic school year. Below is important information for you to know as we begin the school year.  I know this letter is lengthy but please make sure to read it fully so your child is prepared for the first day.

There are three digital platforms that will be important in staying connected to SAS and navigating your child’s school year. 

• School Tool/ “Parent Portal”- The parent portal is a part of our student information system that will show you your child’s classroom teacher, their attendance, their report cards, and their transportation information. Access to this portal can be found at: https://st10.schooltool.com/goshen.
• School Dismissal Manager “SDM”- This is the online platform that tells the school how your child is going home everyday. This must be updated if you are changing your child’s dismissal plan (taking the bus or getting picked up) or if they are participating in any of our after school activities. This is the way you communicate that to the main office and your child’s teacher. Access to this can be found at: www.school dismissal manager.com
• Parent Square- This is our communication platform. This is where you will see updates from your child’s teacher, the building and the district. Access to this can be found at: https://www.parentsquare.com/signin

Classroom Teachers

As you already learned, we are transitioning to a new digital notification for our teacher placements. Please make sure you follow the steps below to access your child’s classroom teacher. The portal will open on Wednesday, August 20th for parents to check their credentials. On Friday, August 22, all families will be able to view their child’s teacher in their parent portal. 

As you can understand, our teachers and support staff take great care to ensure that all of our classes are balanced both academically and socially. We know that each child and family is unique and we try our very best to make sure that your child is placed with a teacher and class that will help them grow and learn throughout the year. This attention to detail ensures that our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level and are positive learning environments for all. Thank you so much for being positive with your child and helping him or her understand that it is impossible to place all students with a preferred best friend or teacher. 

• Where to view placements:
  Log into the SchoolTool Parent Portal at https://st10.schooltool.com/goshen. Once you’ve signed in, click Home → My Home, then select your child’s name or photo. Their Homeroom Teacher will be listed on the Student Information page.
• Account Activation & Login Help:
  Your Parent Portal username is the email address the district has on file for you. If you’ve never logged in or need to reset your password, click New User or Forgot Password on the login page. For additional login assistance, please refer to our district’s Parent Portal guide here:
  https://www.gcsny.org/about-us/communications/#schooltool

Parent Square

On Tuesday, September 2nd, you will receive a message from your child’s teacher with their Back to School Letter. Please make sure you download and activate your Parent Square account so you get this letter for your child. All supply lists are already posted on our school website. 

Back to School Orientations

To help ease the transition back to school, we have scheduled a couple of opportunities for students to get acclimated with the school. 

Event	Grade(s	Date	Time
Principal and Assistant Principal Meet and Greet (Kindergarten families only)	K	Wednesday August 27th	9:30 am in Cafe
Kindergarten  Meet & Greet	K	Wednesday August 27th *on school playground*	following principal meet and greet approx. 9:50am-10:30am
Self-Guided Tours and Supply Drop off	K-2	Wednesday August 27th	11am- 1pm 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Kindergarten  Parent Orientation	K	Thursday, September 4	5:30pm
First & Second Grade  Parent Orientation	1 and 2	Wednesday, September 10	1st- 5:30pm 2nd- 6:00pm
Special Area Teacher & AIS  Parent Orientation	K-2	Wednesday, September 10	5:30-6:30 in Cafe

Self-guided tours- Building will be open for self-guided tours during the day and in the evening. All children must be accompanied by a parent.  Please be aware that our teachers will not be present at this event nor will classrooms be available to enter. This is simply a time for students to get acquainted with the grounds and ease some of those first day jitters. We will provide designated areas for students to drop off supplies if you wish. Please make sure that all supplies left are in a bag and everything is labeled with your child’s name. Please note this is an optional time for you to visit the school. All materials can be brought into school in your child’s backpack throughout the 1st week of school. 

Parent Orientation- This is the time for parents to meet their child’s teachers to hear more about the year and what they can expect throughout the school year. If possible we ask that children not attend the orientation events because it is a special time for the parent to meet their child’s teacher.

School Arrival and Dismissal Procedures:

Arrival Timeline:

• 9:10- Bus Arrival begins at SAS
• 9:20- Parent Drop Off begins at SAS 
• SAS Driveway will open at 9:20 or as soon as the students have disembarked from the buses.
  • Once the buses pull out, parents will pull up to the front of the school.
  • You will wait in your car until a staff member welcomes the students to exit the vehicle.
  • Due to safety concerns, please make note of the following:
    • Please do not let your child out in any other location but the front of the building.
    • Standing/ parking on Scotchtown Ave. is prohibited. If you arrive at SAS before the lot is open, you will not be able to enter, and will not be able to wait on the side of the road. 
    • Please do not pull around other vehicles while students are exiting the vehicles.
  • With the supervision of staff members on the sidewalk, the students will independently walk to the front entrance.
• Students arriving after 9:30 will be marked late.
  • Please note that instruction will begin in the classroom as soon as possible. If you are driving your child to school, we ask that you consider giving them breakfast at home. This will allow your child to get to their classroom in a timely manner, so they are not missing instructional time. 

Dismissal Timeline:

• 3:15- Buses load at SAS
• 3:30- Buses dismiss from SAS
• 3:20- Parent pick up begins
  • Arrive and park in the lot closest to the SAS playground
  • You will walk to the side entrance to sign your child out 
  • When you pick up your child, please return to your vehicle to exit in a timely manner to ensure there is enough parking for other parents who are coming to get their children. 
• Please note that all changes must be made in School Dismissal Manager (SDM)
  • Before 2pm on a regular dismissal day
  • Before 10am on half day dismissal
  • If changes regarding pick up are not made in SDM, we will not know to send your child to the pick up area. This may lead to them being placed on their bus and then have to return to the school to be picked up.  
  • Information on how to set up SDM was sent home in your welcome back packet and is attached to this email as well. 
  • Any questions can be directed to SAS.Attendance@gcsny.org

School Dismissal Manager Set Up Information:

We will continue to use School Dismissal Manager (SDM), an organized and more efficient tracking system for afternoon dismissals.  It is dependable, easy to use, and can be updated by parents and guardians from the convenience of their smartphones, tablets, and PCs, making it no longer necessary to call or send notes and emails to the school for dismissal changes. Through the online dismissal management system, you can report student absences and late arrivals, schedule early departures from school, and scheduling after-school activities such as scouting, clubs or sports, enrichment classes, etc. This will be the only method we will use for reporting changes in dismissal, we will not be accepting handwritten letters or phone calls unless it is an emergency.  Thank you for using this tool to help us keep the dismissal process safe and orderly for all our students and staff. 

When creating a change in dismissal for the current day, note that the cut-off time to report a change on regular school days is 2:00pm and on early release days is 10:30am.  After the cut-off time you will need to call the school office to make any changes for the current day.

Here are a few Fast Facts that you will need to know for getting started:

1. The app is compatible with Android and Apple devices and native apps can be found in the respective app stores or via our website.  IMPORTANT: Returning parents need to ensure their app has the latest UPDATED version before the first day of school.  If your phone is set to update automatically no action is required but those that don’t will need to update manually.

a.     Android – Search in the Play Store for School Dismissal Manager and Install -OR- open a Chrome browser window, go to www.school dismissal manager.com, and login.  Then click the three stacked dots at the top right corner, scroll down and click on Add to Home Screen, and follow the onscreen instructions to install the app.

b.     iPhone – Search in the App Store for School Dismissal Manager and Install -OR- open a Safari browser, go to www.schooldismissalmanager.com, and login.  Then click on the box with the arrow pointing up, scroll down, and click Add to Home Screen.  Type in (or click on if auto-filled) SDM and then tap Add to install the app.

2. Login:
   1. Check your child’s default dismissal (how your child goes home most days) and make sure it is set correctly.  
   2. Your Username is the email address on file within SchoolTool. You will receive an email with your initial password.
      1. If you ever forget your password, click on the forgot password link. You will receive an email with a link you can use to reset your password. 
3. First Login: If changes are needed,
   1. select the green Set/View Default button above the calendar or if using the SDM app, select Default Dismissal from the menu at the top left, to set the correct dismissal.  
   2. Setting a weekday default will override the main default on a specific day of the week.  
   3. Always set the main default first, then set weekday defaults only as necessary.
4. If you have questions about logging in, you can visit the Frequently Asked Question section of the website always linked under the Login button on the SDM website: https://www.schooldismissalmanager.com/SDM-FAQ.pdf

For reasons of safety and security, School Dismissal Manager staff does not respond to parent requests or emails and will redirect any parent callers to the school office. Please contact our office staff if you have any questions or concerns at (845) 615-6600 or sas.attendance@gcsny.org.

Attendance

This year we want to make sure every student is present at school as much as possible. Attending school has a huge impact on student success so we need your help to ensure your child gets the most out of their learning experience. We realize some absences are for health or other reasons. But, when students are absent 2 or more days a month (or 18 days over the school year) they can fall far behind in what they learn.  Excused and unexcused absences both mean missing classroom learning time. Missing just two days every month puts students at risk of falling behind. Please be aware that we will be sending notices home when children accrue the following number absences; 10, 18, 25+.  

Some Attendance Tips: 

• Make sure your students keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
• Turn off all electronics including TVs, phones, and tablets at bedtime.
• Make sure clothes and packed backpacks are ready the night before.
• Check with our school nurse or office staff if you are not sure about when to keep your child at home due to illness.
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your student feels anxious about going to school.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your student to school.

Please let us know how we can best support you and your students so that they can show up for school on time every day.   

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this important back to school information. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me, Kristin.Driscoll@gcsny.org.  I hope you and your family have an enjoyable and relaxing end to your summer. I sincerely look forward to meeting all of you and the start to a great school year. 

Warm Regards,

Kristin P. Driscoll, Principal

Erica Cruz, Assistant Principal