Hello Schalmont Middle School Students and Families,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. It is hard to believe that July is coming to an end and the start of the new school year is right around the corner. Included you will find some updates and information for the new school year that should be helpful when we welcome back students in September.

Administrative Structure

Over the last few months, Schalmont took a very close look at our administrative structure and organizational chart, as is done anytime there is a vacancy in a leadership role. We decided to move to a new model in an effort to maximize our current leadership team, working towards a consistent K-12 approach to systems, procedures and processes, while differentiating for the developmental age of our students as needed.

As a result, I have been asked to assume the role as the Executive Principal for Schalmont Middle School and High School for grades 5-12. Ms. Julie Umar and Mrs. Nicole Martyn will continue in their roles as the Middle School and High School Assistant Principals, respectively. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Gary Furman to our leadership team as an interim Grades 5-12 Building Administrator for the school year. Dr. Furman will be working with our team, and our 5-12 faculty and staff, to help with the implementation of the new leadership model. As a retired Superintendent and Principal, Dr. Furman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, with a diverse K-12 perspective related to curriculum, instruction and student engagement.

Much of our work this summer, and into the new school year, will include aligning our systems and procedures in a 5-12 perspective, in an effort to maximize our efforts, effectiveness and efficiency. Additionally, as the Grades 5-12 Building Administrator is an interim position for this school year, we will be examining this position, along with the identified role of the position, to create a permanent administrative position for the 2025-2026 school year that will complement the new administrative model of the Middle School/High School leadership team.

I am truly excited for this new model and new role, and sincerely believe that our collective efforts as a 5-12 team will exponentially improve the overall school experience and educational opportunities of our Middle School and High School students.

School Counselors

As students enter grade 6, they will be working with our School Counselors at the Middle School. With many years of experience working as School Counselors, both Mrs. Romano and Mrs. Schrepper are excited to meet our 6th grade students, and continue their work with our 7th and 8th grade students, providing academic guidance and support as students navigate the Middle School program of studies.

Below you will find the school counseling caseloads for the Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Mrs. Romano – Grades 6 – 8 (A through L)
• Mrs. Schrepper – Grades 6 – 8 (M through Z)

Our school counselors are eager to assist our students in any way possible. Please contact them with any questions you may have.

Student Schedules

We have been working all summer on the building schedule. Please note that student schedules will be accessible on Schoology and the eSchool Parent Portal on Monday, August 26 at 9:00 a.m. When students return to school, printed schedules will be provided to them during homeroom. It is important that students are aware of their homeroom location for the first day of school, which will be listed on the class schedules. Once again, student schedules will be available on August 26 on the eSchool Parent Portal.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

For morning arrival, all buses will unload in the front loop of the Middle and High School. Buses will begin unloading at 7:25 a.m. to allow for students to enter the building and have breakfast if they wish to do so. Upon entering the building, students are asked to report to the cafeteria and remain there until they begin moving to their 1st period class.

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

Student drop-off by families will remain in the Middle School parking lot. Students will enter Door 14 by the LGI and should report to the cafeteria until the warning bell sounds at 7:38 a.m. Door 14 will be open for family drop-off at 7:20 a.m.

5th Grade Orientation

The 5th Grade Orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at 5:00 p.m. There will be more information provided to 5th grade students and families in the next few weeks, including accommodations for those students and families that are unable to attend.

Back-to-School Orientation Programs

We will be offering a Back-to-School Orientation program for students in grades 6 to 8 over the first few days of school. Some of the topics will be academic integrity, digital citizenship and etiquette, and school-wide expectations. The schedule for these orientation programs will be shared in the back-to-school message to families and students.

School Supplies

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

Student Attendance and Engagement

Please be mindful that arriving on time to school each day is very important in order to maximize instructional time and teacher contact time. Research, and our experience working with adolescents, has proven that good attendance and learning go hand-in-hand, and good attendance during the first month of the school year helps set the tone for the remainder of the year. School begins at 7:40 a.m. each day, with learning and instruction taking place promptly.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I truly hope you have a wonderful rest of your summer.

Thank you,

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