Dear Watervliet Families,
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back for the 2025-2026 school year! We are excited about the return to school and look forward to seeing our students on Thursday, September 4.
Over the summer, we have worked hard planning and preparing for an awesome school year, and we look forward to working with you and your child(ren) to build and strengthen the skills necessary for academic growth and personal success. We have also adopted more initiatives that focus on building and fostering positive relationships, building community, and celebrating behaviors that align with our School Pledge: I Promise to be Respectful, Responsible, Safe, Honest, Peaceful, and a Problem Solver.
Teacher assignments for the 2025-2026 school year are now available on the Parent Portal. Visit the Parent Portal
Important Dates & Reminders for the Start of the 2025-26 School Year
- The Watervliet Elementary school day for kindergarten through grade 5 students starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.
- Each morning, students are provided 20 minutes to choose from an assortment of healthy breakfast items, and then we’ll begin Morning Announcements at 8:50 a.m. to ensure a 9:00 a.m. start to our academic day.
- Please plan accordingly so your student arrives on time each morning. Arriving on time helps them get breakfast, get organized, and prepare for a successful day.
- The Drop-Off Loop will close promptly at 8:47 a.m. If you arrive after that time, please bring your child to the bus loop/parking lot side (25th St.) of the building and sign in. Students who arrive after 8:50 a.m. will be marked late to school.
Attendance Matters
According to the NYS Education Department, students missing 18 or more days in a single school year are considered Chronically Absent. Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused ‒ attendance matters! Missing even two days every month can cause students to fall behind. When in doubt regarding illness, please collaborate with our school nurse, Mrs. Vogel.
Please let us know if we can help support you by making sure your child is in school every day. Contact our School Outreach Coordinator, Geraldine Ferris, at 518-629-3269.
Student/Parent Handbook & School Expectations
We ask all families to take time to review the Student/Parent Handbook, which is available on our school website. This handbook outlines important information about school routines, expectations, and policies that help create a safe, respectful learning environment for everyone.
This year, we want to highlight the following expectations:
- Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Students should not have their cell phones or electronic devices out during the school day. Devices must remain off and away in backpacks.
- Hats, Hoods & Facemasks: To promote respectful communication and a welcoming environment, hats and hoods must be removed inside the school building. Medical facemasks may be worn for health purposes but not to conceal identity.
- Footwear: Proper footwear must be worn at all times for safety. Flip-flops, slides, or shoes without secure backs are not appropriate for school, as they can lead to falls or limit participation in recess and physical education.
We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home so that students are ready to learn and succeed each day.
WES Safety Protocols for Arrival & Dismissal
Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up
To keep children safe and keep drop-off and pick-up as efficient as possible, WES has adopted the following protocols:
- Drivers must remain in their vehicles while parked in line for drop off.
- Families are responsible for their children until staff open the doors at 8:30 a.m.
- Pull all the way up until traffic has stopped.
- Children should be ready to unload quickly and exit from the passenger side only.
Bus Riders
School bus transportation is available for students who live 0.5 miles or more from the elementary school. The parking lot is the bus arrival/departure area. Students are escorted to and from the bus. School bus stop and time information has been mailed to eligible families. For questions, call the Transportation Office at 518-629-3224.
Walkers
Students walking to school should stay on sidewalks and cross at designated crosswalks. Walkers should not arrive before 8:30 a.m., as supervision is not available.
Changes in Dismissal
The main office does not make dismissal changes by phone or after 2:00 p.m. A written note or email from the parent/guardian is required. Students are only released to custodial parents/guardians unless otherwise specified.
Key Dates
- Grades 1–4 Supply Drop Off – Tuesday, September 2, 1–2 p.m.
- UPK Orientation – Wednesday, September 3, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
- Kindergarten Orientation – Wednesday, September 3, 12:30 p.m.
- 5th Grade Locker Set Up – Wednesday, September 3, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- First Day of School – Thursday, September 4
- District Welcome Back Festival – Saturday, Sept. 6, 1–4 p.m.
Your child’s education means a lot to us, and we need your help. We value your involvement and appreciate your support. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
We look forward to another amazing school year!
With appreciation,
Ryan Groat, Principal
Meg Maset, Assistant Principal