Addison Central School District

Greetings, ACSD Community!

Incredibly, the end of summer is drawing near and the 2025-26 school year is almost upon us!  Welcome back to all returning students and staff and welcome to those who are new to ACS!  Hopefully, everyone has found some joy, rest, relaxation and fun over the last two months, while the twelve-month staff at the District have been very busy preparing for the return of students as well as instructional and support staff.

As many may recall, the District began implementing a new communication tool, Parent Square, last school year.  This has continued with the transition of the district website, ACSD Website,  to Parent Square as the host.  This change will continue to allow for more efficient and effective communication between the District, our schools and families by linking the messaging system with the website and our Facebook account.

Continuing the effort to streamline and improve communication, the district’s Transportation Department is adding a new communication tool called MyRide K-12, which will allow caregivers to see real-time data regarding their child(ren)’s commute, as well as for more timely communication between the Transportation Department and families when delays occur.  Please be on the lookout for more information regarding MyRide K-12!

Another change that we are excited to announce is that the Latch Key Pre-K afterschool program is moving to Tuscarora!  This move allows for more space for the students in the program to play and interact, a more secure location and creates space at the Jennie Mose Family Resource Center for another new effort - a district-based food center!

The District is partnering with Pro-Action and the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in the effort to address hunger in our community and in our schools.  Our goal is to have a food center that will be accessible to the entire ACSD community 5-6 days per week and also house a large portion of our Knights’ Kloset clothing and hygiene resources at the Jennie Mose Family Resource Center.  We are also planning to have satellite snack centers for our students and staff to access in the Middle-High School and at Tuscarora as well.  Additionally, the food center will be a great opportunity for student and staff volunteers to help serve the community.  Please note that the food center will replace the backpack program; however, we are planning to implement an online request system and be able to send nonperishable food items home with students whose families may have transportation challenges.  Please watch for more information about food center hours and food availability that will be shared soon!

There have been two major laws passed that go into effect this school year:  the Distraction Free Schools law, which prohibits students from using personal electronic devices (cell phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds or other devices capable of connecting to the internet/social media applications) during the school day, and the Extreme Heat law, which requires the District to take action to mitigate high temperatures in our schools.

Students in grades PK through 8 have not been allowed to use personal electronic devices during the school day for many years in ACSD; however, the law now requires that this be extended to grades 9-12 as well.  Per the law and required policy, students must turn off their personal electronic devices  and store them in their lockers or book bags for the duration of the school day.  The District’s policy also states that staff are expected to refrain from using their personal electronic devices in the presence of students, unless the device is being used for an approved purpose relating to the supervision and/or instruction of students.  The law and policy provide for medical reasons for which a student or staff member may be permitted to use their personal electronic device during the school day, upon recommendation from the District’s physician and approval of administration.  To review the District Personal Electronic Device Policy, please visit Prohibited Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day and contact your child(ren)’s building principal with any questions.

The Extreme Heat law and policy requires that the District take steps to address the temperatures in classrooms and student support spaces when the temperature in the room reaches 82°F and, where practicable, remove students from classrooms and support spaces when the temperature in the room reaches 88°F.  As only about 15% of these spaces in ACSD typically occupied by students are climate controlled, this new law and required policy may result in the use of emergency closures, early (half-day) dismissals and/or the implementation of remote learning days when conditions warrant.  Please know that the District is working to gain a better understanding of the possibility of installing climate control in a greater portion of our schools to avoid the need for such measures in the future.  To review the District’s Extreme Heat Policy, please visit Extreme Heat Condition Days and contact your child(ren)’s building principal with any questions.

Finally, Homecoming weekend is Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27.  Please visit Athletic Contest Schedule for the athletic contests scheduled for the weekend, watch for more information about the annual Homecoming Parade and come out to support the Knights and enjoy the festivities!

As always, thank you for your continued support of our schools, faculty and staff, and ultimately your children as we partner to fulfill our commitment to students’ success!  Enjoy the remaining days of summer & we look forward to seeing our students and families as the school year begins!

Sincerely,

Mr. Jim Peiffer, Superintendent