The Onteora Central School district welcomes new and returning students, Wednesday September 6, although the teachers return a day earlier, Tuesday, September 5, for a Superintendents conference day.
The transportation books once located in schools and the Central office have been retired due in large part to modern technology. Instead, parents can find their children’s bus schedules through the district website by going to Onteroa.k12.ny.us and finding the Parent Portal. As an alternative to viewing online you can call the school your child will be attending, or call the district’s transportation office at 657-2573. School officials advise that in order to iron out new routes and schedules, it is important the first few days to arrive at your child’s bus stop early and practice patience if the bus arrives earlier or later than expected. Any major delays should get reported to the district transportation office.
The incoming student population in Universal Pre-Kindergarten-through-12 is approximately 1338. This number is likely to increase as time for school gets nearer, and also shows a slight uptick from the 1313 this time last year.
At a recent school board meeting, Jared Mance, Director of Buildings and Grounds said work during summer months when the buildings are empty, “is all compressed during a short period of time, and it’s amazing to see the transformation.” Fresh coats of paint and floor polishing have been completed, in addition to a variety of upgrades throughout the district.
Woodstock Elementary has a new expanded walking path, with the beginnings of a labyrinth that Mance said is an ongoing project. The parking area will have new blacktop and finishing touches put on a new ventilation system in the gym.
Bennett Elementary had improvements to the playground area, including new fencing. Still to come, are plans for two main projects; a new scoreboard at the Middle/High school football field and plans for a new playground at Bennett School. “And we are shooting for sometime in October for a playground build,” said Mance.
Join the family! 
