Dear Shoreham-Wading River Families,

I hope this letter finds you well.  As we get closer to the start of school, I wanted to give you important reminders and updates.

• Armed Security Personnel

Beginning on September 2, 2025, the District will be deploying armed security personnel within the District. The guards will be posted outside at each of the school buildings during the day and additionally at the High School and Middle School for after school and evening hours.  

• Universal School Lunches

The District was recently approved to participate in the National School Lunch Program, making us eligible for New York State's new universal free lunch program that launched this year—providing free meals to all students statewide for the first time.  As we gear up for the new school year, we're creating lunch menus that check all the nutritional requirements of the National School Lunch Program and, just as importantly, taste great too. The District is actively seeking both full-time and part-time food service personnel. Please contact Mr. Bryan Heyward at 631-821-8107 if you are interested.

• Cell Phones and Personal Devices

As required by Education Law §2803, this policy prohibits student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day (including all classes, homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study halls, and passing time) on school grounds (any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the boundary of a school or district or BOCES facility), unless under an exception; e.g., IEP/Section 504 or as permitted below.  

• At the K-5 school level, students are prohibited from bringing devices to school.
• At the middle school level, student devices must be silenced and stored in student lockers. 
• At the high school level, student devices must be silenced and stored in student lockers.

Click here for Board of Education Policy 5695: Students and Personal Electronic Devices

• Bus Routes

Bus routes will be available in the Parent Portal on or about August 12, 2025.

• Student Schedules

Student schedules will be available in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal on the afternoon of August 22, 2025. Please note, you will not be able to view your child's schedule until OLR is complete (see next section).

• OLR Reminder

Completing Online Registration (OLR) must be done each year. This process is crucial as it updates essential paperwork such as emergency contact information, yearly parent release agreements, and health information.

To complete OLR:

1. Sign into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal;
2. Click More;
3. Click Online Registration;
4. Select 2025-2026 Start – at this point you will see your child(ren)'s name(s);
5. Click Begin Registration and complete each section.

Please contact your child's school if you need assistance.

• Energy Drinks

Please click here for an important letter from Mr. Poole regarding Energy Drinks.

• School Bus Safety

K-8 Seat Belt Usage: Seat belts are a crucial safety measure, and we are requiring all K-8 students for the 2025/26 school year to buckle up for the duration of their bus ride. Please remind your children to fasten their seat belts as soon as they board the bus and to keep them fastened until they reach their destination.

Positive Behaviors on the Bus:
 I kindly ask that you remind your children about the importance of positive behavior while riding the school bus. This includes:  

1. Staying seated at all times;
2. Using indoor voices;
3. Keeping hands and belongings to themselves;
4. Treating others with respect and kindness.

• 2025-2026 PDF Calendar

I'm happy to announce that we have once again created a printable PDF calendar for your convenience. You can access it from our website under the Calendars tab. Please check the online calendar for up-to-date information. You can also subscribe to the calendar of your choice and have it downloaded to your mobile device; just follow the instructions on the Calendar page.

• Online Registration (OLR)

A few weeks ago I sent you an email, "Preparing for the New Year," which outlines the steps to take to complete OLR for this upcoming school year. It is important to note that you will not be able to access any information on the Parent Portal if OLR is not complete. If you need assistance with this process, please contact your child's school or my office. 

• Annual Notices

Our Annual Notices, which can be found on the website includes information for your review each year.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQ document will answer a multitude of questions from Absences to Working Papers!

• Communication Protocols

Have a question or concern and don't know who to call first? Click here for those phone numbers.

• Virtual Backpack 

Each school has its own Virtual Backpack which contains parent resources and community events.

We are just a few weeks from the start of the school year and are excited to welcome our students and staff back to school! As always should you have any questions please reach out to my office at any time. 

Sincerely,
Gerard W. Poole
Superintendent of Schools
631-821-8105