Principal's Message

Good afternoon,

I hope this message finds you and your family well. I want to begin by recognizing and thanking the cast and crew of this year’s musical, Newsies Jr. Our students put on three amazing shows for our community. Thank you to Mr. VanVleck and Ms. Mingoea for their leadership and to all our parents and community members who volunteered their time and talents to this production.

As March is “Music in our Schools” month, I also want to recognize and congratulate our students who participate in chorus and band. Our students put a tremendous amount of time and effort in practicing and preparing for concerts, and all their hard work does not go unnoticed.

I apologize in advance for the length of this email, but it is a busy time of the year at school. Below are several updates/reminders for the next two weeks:

 

Letter Day Rotation:

3/25 – A day

3/26 – B day

3/27 – C day

3/28 – D day

3/29 – No school

4/1-4/5 – No school

4/8 – No school

4/9 – E2 day

4/10 – A day

4/11 – B day

4/12 – C day

 

General updates:

NYS testing: As a reminder, the NYS ELA exam will be administered April 10 and 11. It is important that students fully charge their computers the night before each exam date. I have also attached our adjusted time schedule on these days for your reference.

On testing days, students will report to their 1st period A Day class (both students who are taking the exam and those who are not). Students not taking the exam will be asked to bring items to work on during the exam. Students who receive test modifications per their IEP will receive those as well.

 

Yearbooks: The deadline for purching yearbooks this year is on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Please visit:  jostens.com/2024yearbook to order a yearbook.

7th Grade Swimming (From our PE teachers): We are excited to announce that the 7th grade students will participate in a swimming unit in the upcoming weeks.  The following information is important to ensure a quality learning experience for all students:

  • Swim instruction begins on Monday, March 25, 2024, and continues through April 23, 2024.
  • This will be during your student’s regularly scheduled PE class.
  • Students will meet at the end of the 200 hall and walk to/from the HS with the teacher and class.
  • Students will need their suit, towel, and bag for each class.

A medical note must be provided prior to the unit for any student who is unable to swim due to medical reasons.

Spring modified sports: Spring modified sports begin on Monday, March 25, 2024. Students who are playing on one of these teams should report to sports study hall in the cafeteria by 2:55 each afternoon. Coaches will pick students up in the cafeteria and allow them time to change before beginning practice. We ask that students not change before their coach picks up the team from the cafeteria. Sports equipment may be stored in the room near the greeter’s desk during the school day. Specific information regarding practice times has been communicated by individual coaches and more information can be found at the Spencerport Athletics website:  https://spencerporths.rschoolteams.com/

Solar eclipse glasses: As the excitement continues to grow regarding the upcoming solar eclipse, I am happy to share that the town of Ogden has free solar eclipse glasses available for residents at the town clerk’s office. These are reserved exclusively for town of Ogden residents.

Cell phone policy (reminder from last update): Students are permitted to use their cell phone during passing time and in lunch (cell phone use is not permitted in classrooms). Please note that personal technology may not be used for audio or video recordings, when such use interferes with the operation of the school; or infringes upon the general health, safety and welfare of students or employees. This is a violation of our acceptable use and school board policy as it relates to the use of personal technology devices. We also continue to see the impact that social media, specifically Snapchat chat rooms, is having on our students and their relationships with their peers. I ask that you continue to monitor your students’ use of their phone and social media.

8th grade specific updates:

8th grade moving up day: Save the date! Our moving up day ceremony will be held on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the HS PAC. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Course selection for 9th grade: Mrs. Bell has been working hard to help students select courses for next year.  Course requests are available on the Infinite Campus parentportal.  You can find them by clicking on "more" in the index on the left of your screen, then choosingcourse registration, followed by 24-25 Spencerport High School.  You will see a list of thecourses your child has requested for next year.  Please look at these and if you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bell.  If she does not hear from you to request changes by June 1, these will be the basis for your child's schedule next year. Electives are not guaranteed, and we do our best to accommodate requests. If you have specific course questions, please refer to our course selection book posted on the high school website: https://shs.spencerportschools.org/parent__student_information/course_selection_information

Please feel free to contact us at any time if we can provide you with any assistance, and we look forward to working with you and your child throughout the remainingmonths of the school year.

8th grade Boston trip update: This afternoon, we met with 8th grade students who will be attending the Boston trip. We discussed the process for selecting roommates, school provided t-shirts for the trip, as well as lunch to and from Boston. Students were provided with a form that needs to be filled out and returned to Mrs. Woodard in the counseling office by Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Medications on our 8th Grade Boston Trip (from our nurses’ office): We are now accepting medications and medication orders in the Health Office for the Boston Trip.

  • Doctor’s orders & medications must be received by Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Medications will not be accepted after this date. 

     

  • If your student needs ANY medications on the trip the following items need to be brought to the nurse by a parent/guardian:
    • Doctor Orders
    • Medication in original bottle or packaging
    • While in the health office dropping off medication, you will also need to fill out parent permission and parental assessment forms. 
    • Please note that medications cannot be sent in with students to school, they must be dropped off by a parent/guardian. 
    • Please note the nurse will bring Tylenol and ibuprofen for those with medication orders, so these medications will not need to be brought to the health office.
    • Prescription medications: the exact number of pills your student will need for the trip must be in the original labeled prescription bottle/container.
    • Over the counter medications should be in an unopened, travel-sized bottle.

     

    Medications on the trip

    • Wednesday, June 5, morning medications need to be given at home before dropping off your student.
    • Friday, June 7, evening/night medications need to be given at home after picking up your student. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact the nurses at 585-349-5351 or [email protected].

I hope you and your family have a wonderful spring break. My next update will be sent on Friday, April 12, 2024. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

 

Take care,

Jim

 

Important upcoming dates:

3/29-4/8 – No School – Spring Break

4/10 & 4/11 – NYS ELA Test

4/23 & 4/24 – NYS Math Test

4/26 – No School for Students – Superintendents Conference Day

5/8 – Circle day

5/27 – No School – Memorial Day

5/28 – Circle day

6/6 – Student half day

6/5-6/7 – 8th grade Boston trip

6/16 – 8th grade moving up day – 1:30 @ HS PAC

Important Contacts

James Centola

Principal Jim Centola





Main Office:  585-349-5300

Attendance: 585-349-5350
[email protected]

Health Office: 585-349-5353
[email protected]


School to Watch
Designated in May of 2017
 as a School to Watch