Student Information Access

One of the many changes coming about from the federal "No Child Left Behind" Act is the provision that requires the access to student information by military recruiters. The NCLB Act declares that each school will provide military recruiters or higher education institutions access to secondary students' names, addresses, and telephone listings. 

It also states that a student or a student's parent may request that this information not be released without prior consent.  Any parent or student wishing to make this request should contact the Guidance Office at 347-3442.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Parents have the following rights according to Section 99.7 of the above act, passed in 1974 also known as FERPA:

$     the right to inspect and review your child's educational record.

$     the right to exercise a limited control over other people's access to your child's educational record.

$     the right to seek to correct your child's educational records, in a hearing, if necessary.

$     the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC, if the school fails to comply with FERPA regulations.

 A copy of the district's policies on student records may be obtained from the main office at HDCS.  If you have any questions concerning policies or any of the above rights, please contact Ann Adams.

Student ID Cards

Use of ID cards and identification numbers to check out books in the library and to buy lunch in the cafeteria worked well last year, and we will continue with the same procedures for the 2008–2009 school year.

Considerations have been made for wear-and-tear of ID cards. Because ID cards wear out, and students’ appearances change,  at the beginning of each school year we will remake ID cards for all students in grades pre-K to  grade  3.  Students in these grades will be notified of when they are to go to the library to have their photos taken for new ID cards.

Free and Reduced Price Lunch Application

A free and reduced price lunch application was included in the Census Booklet given out this summer.  An additional application is included with this newsletter.

Phone Usage

Parents of HDCS students should note that there is no pay phone at school.  A local phone for student usage outside of the office area is available.  Students using this phone will need to use a phone card or call collect for calls outside of the 347 exchange.  

Cafeteria Prices

Lunch prices for 2008-2009 have changed from  last year.  They are as follows: Lunch - $1.75, Breakfast - $1.10, Adult Lunch - $ 3.80, Separate Entree - $1.50, Milk - $.45.  Students may also buy a week's lunches for $8.75 as well as a month's lunch ticket.  Information on a new way to pay in advance for lunches is included in this newsletter.  Students who forget their lunches or lunch money may charge their lunch.  Only two lunch charges may be allowed to accumulate.  If you have any questions about the Food Service Program, please contact Tom Fetcie, School Lunch Manager.

Government Requirements

The Board of Education approved  requirements for seniors taking Government.  All seniors must attend at least three meetings of at least ½ hour each and do a report of the meeting.  They must also participate in six hours of community service.

 Years of Service Honored

 At the opening staff meeting this year seven staff members will be honored for their years of service.  They are Nicole Morenz and Tricia Axtell for ten years, Elizabeth Daley and Roy Cook for 20 years, Debbie Martin and Carol LaWall for 30 years, and Gail Mattraw for 35 years.

 Caught ‘Ya

 Caught Ya's are again one of the ways that we reward students at HDCS.  These nominations are given to students who have done something particularly nice or good during the week.  Four winners are selected weekly.  June winners were Cody DeLorme nominated by Mrs. Villeneuve, Faith Tarner nominated by Mrs. Radway, Bradley Doerr nominated by Mrs. Baxter, and Hunter Montgomery nominated by Mrs. Villeneuve.  New winners will be selected by the school each week during the school year.

Yearbook Staff

The 2009 Demon Yearbook Staff has been selected.  Positions are as follows: Editor - Samantha Wentzel, Layout - Katy Perry and Darrcy Matthews, Circulation - Meghan Hance, Copy Writer - Tasha Sayer, Copy Editors - Amy Gardner and Anastazia Watson, Photographers - Kaitlin Corscadden and Miranda Whiteford, Digital Imaging - Courtney Holt, Business Manager - Courtney Bigelow, and Picture Coordinator - Caitlin Spadaccini.

Meeting Special Needs

In compliance with Federal Law P.L. 94-142 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Action of 1973, it is mandatory to provide educational programs for children under 21 years of age who may be disabled and who live in the HDCS District.  If you suspect that your child has a possible mental, physical, or emotional disability, please contact Mark White, Principal, or Andrew Gillie, Chairperson of Special Education and School Psychologist.

Your inquiry will be kept confidential.  The school is willing to provide information and help every child reach their potential.

 Transportation Information

 There have been minor changes in the  bus routes for this year. Most of the buses leave the garage around 7:00 AM and are scheduled to arrive at school by 8:00 AM. During the first few days of the school year please have your child ready to board the bus during this time frame. During the first week of school the arrival time at your home may vary considerably. Once the drivers have run the routes a few times the arrival time will be more consistent.

When we transport students our priorities begin and end with safety.  Our highly trained drivers are professionals in every sense of the word.  They receive hours of classroom and behind the wheel training every year.  Our busses are in top shape mechanically.  Every bus in our fleet is inspected twice each year by DOT mechanics. We have been recognized by the DOT for outstanding quality in the service of our fleet.  In short, our drivers and busses are well maintained and safe.

The other element necessary to ensure safety during transportation is the students themselves.   All students receive instruction on bus safety. Unfortunately if these lessons are not reviewed periodically they are soon forgotten.  Please take the time to review the safety rules with your children.

$     Passengers need to stay in their seats during the trip.

$     Passengers are to listen to the instructions of the bus driver.

$     Eating is not allowed on the bus.

$     Keep book bags and feet out of the aisle.

$     Horseplay, pushing, shoving and fighting are not allowed on the bus.

$     Do not place any object; including hands, feet, heads and other body parts, outside the bus windows.

$     Keep your voice to a conversational tone.

Most of our students follow all the rules.  Unfortunately when one student chooses not to follow the rules, they are endangering the lives of every student on the bus.  All students need to recognize that riding the school bus is a privilege that we extend to all students.  When a student chooses to not follow the rules of the program their privilege will be suspended.

Did you know.............?

.....that five students attended Roller Coaster Camp from August 11-16 this summer?  This camp was made possible as part of a grant awarded to a number of schools through the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES.  The students were Clarisa Davis, Thorne Chambers, Bailey Durham, Chelsea Robinson, and Dylan Cleveland.

.....that 23 students completed Driver Education at HDCS this summer?

.....that 31 students from HDCS had the chance to be part of Fishing for Kids in Canton on June 14, 2008?  These students had the chance to get free fishing equipment, fish, and eat lunch that day.  This program is sponsored by the Canton Kiwanis Club.

.....that the Board of Education approved a scholarship in memory of Shawn Snow at their August 18, 2008 Board of Education Meeting?

.....that a dance sponsored by the Senior Class is scheduled from 7:00-10:00 PM on Friday, September 12?