Hello Schalmont High 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

The Freshmen Class of 2028 are assigned to Mrs. Choi (M through Z) and Mr. Loiacano (A through L) as they enter High School. With many years of experience working as School Counselors, both Mrs. Choi and Mr. Loiacano are excited to meet the freshman class in order to provide academic guidance and support as they begin to navigate the High School program of studies.

As many of our students and families know, Mrs. Kylie Gibbs will begin the school year on a leave of absence. We are pleased to have Ms. Lindsay Clark on our team serving as an interim School Counselor until Mrs. Gibbs returns after her leave of absence. Ms. Clark spent the better part of last school year working with Mrs. Gibbs, and our High School Student Support Team, as a School Counseling Intern.

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

• Mrs. Gibbs (Ms. Clark) – Grade 10
• Mr. Loiacano – Grade 9 (A through L) & Grade 11
• Mrs. Choi – Grade 9 (M through Z) & Grade 12

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. On the first day of school on September 5, we will provide printed schedules to students in their 1st period/homeroom class. It is important that students are aware of their 1st period/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.

First period will begin at 7:40 a.m., with the homeroom period attached to 1st period at 8:22 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and morning announcements. The warning bell will signal at 7:38 a.m., alerting students they should begin moving to their 1st period class.

Student drop-off by families will remain in the rear loop of the High School by Sabre (Stadium) Field and the Gym 1 entrance. Students will enter Door 13 and should report to the cafeteria until the warning bell sounds at 7:38 a.m. Door 13 will be open for family drop-off at 7:20 a.m.

Student drivers will continue to park in their assigned parking spots in the designated student lot. Students are asked to enter the main entrance, Door 1, which will be opened at 7:25 a.m. More information regarding parking permits will be sent home and posted on the website the week of August 19.

Freshmen and New Student Orientation

The Freshmen and New Student Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, August 29 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. All 9th grade and new students to our school, along with their families, are invited to attend the orientation program. We will provide a presentation for students and families, distribute student schedules, provide guided tours of the High School, and have student mentors facilitating breakout groups for the students in attendance.

More information regarding the orientation program will be sent home prior to the orientation program.

Back to School Orientation Programs

In addition to the Freshman and New Student Orientation, we will provide a brief orientation for all students grades 9 through 12 over the course of the first few days of school. Some of the topics will be academic integrity, digital citizenship and etiquette, and school-wide expectations.

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 High 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 and teacher contact time. Research, and our experience working with young adults, 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. First period and classroom instruction will begin promptly at 7:40 a.m. each day.

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