Have a question?

Below is an alphabetical listing of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's). Choose a topic to jump to a particular section, or just browse through the FAQs.

If you have any further questions, please e-mail the Webmaster.

Athletics
Bus Transportation
Communications, General
Elementary School
Employment Opportunities
Food Service
Health/Medical
Parking, High School
Residency
Registration
School Closings/Delays
School Vacations
Secondary Schools
Testing

Athletics

Q: Sports Information — Who, what, when and where?
A: For information call , Director of Athletics Joseph Sapienza at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 208.

Q: What time does (athletic event) start? Which gym is it in or field is it on? What time is practice over?
A: This varies. To check the Athletic page of the Web site, click here. Or, for more information call the Director of Athletics Joseph Sapienza at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 208.
 

Bus Transportation

Q: Who do I call for bus or bus stop issues? Where can I get information about bus schedules and/or safety on the bus?
A: Bus schedules are mailed home in August. For more general information call the Transportation Supervisor Mike Goyer in the District Transportation Office at (518) 765-2382, Ext. 508. Any bus incidents should be reported to the school/hall office in your child's school building.

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Communications, General

Q: I’ve called several times and no one has called me back...why?
A: We encourage all staff to make follow-up calls. If you have not received a call from a specific staff person right away, it may be that he or she is teaching, in a meeting or at a conference. If you have waited a reasonable length of time, please call the school office and leave a message with the office staff.

Q: Will you page my child? How do I get a message to my child?
A: We do not usually interrupt the school day with announcements or messages. If there is an emergency, call your child's school building office and make it clear that there is an emergency.

Q: My child is coming in late, who do I tell? What should I do to pick up my child early? What should I do if my child is absent from school?
A: Call your child's school building office.

Q: Can I speak to a principal?
A: Of course. Please keep in mind that the school secretary may offer assistance first.

Q: How can I reach my child’s teacher?
A: Call your child's school building’s office to leave a message. Voice mail is suggested when the teacher is not available. For a complete list of faculty extensions, please click here.

Q: When does school start?
A: School hours for each building are as follows:
VCS Elementary School - 8:50 a.m.-3:05 p.m.
Voorheesville Middle School - 7:35 a.m.-2:25 p.m.
Clayton A. Bouton High School - 7:35 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Q: What if my child lost something?
A: Call your child's school building office.

Q: What is the name of my son’s/daughter’s (subject) teacher?
A: This information appears on school schedules, report cards and progress reports and all communications from teachers. If in doubt, call the guidance office of the school which your child attends.  For HS guidance call (518) 765-3314, Ext. 201. For MS guidance call (518) 765-3314, Ext. 420.

Q: For all special events...When and where are tickets available? What time does it start? When will it end? Who is sponsoring it? For concerts...When does my child play?
A: This information is published by the sponsoring groups. Other information sources are the special program director or supervisor, the school office, the school newsletter or this Web site.

Q: How do I get school records?
A: If your child is in elementary school, call the main office at (518) 765-2382 or if your child attends one of the secondary schools, call the guidance office at that school. For HS guidance call (518) 765-3314, Ext. 201. For MS guidance call (518) 765-3314, Ext. 420.

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Elementary School Questions

Q: May I observe a class? I’m thinking of moving here. May I observe a teacher for next year?
A: We do not schedule classroom observations for those other than authorized school personnel because of the disruption to the program. The building principal will be happy to discuss the program with you.

Q: May I request my child’s teacher for next year?
A: We cannot accommodate these requests. We use all available information to make the most appropriate placement for each student. Specific concerns should be discussed with the principal.

Q: Can my child skip a grade?
A: While we do not encourage this practice, your request should be discussed with the building principal.

Q: How do I become a homeroom parent? How can I volunteer?
A: Call either your child's teacher or the school office at (518) 765-2382 or the PTA at (518) 765-2382, Ext. 598.

Q: May I request morning or afternoon kindergarten for my child?
A: Yes.  Please note, though, that although all measures are taken to accommodate your request, we may not always be able to do so.

Q: When will I know if my child is in morning or afternoon kindergarten?
A: By August of any given school year.

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Employment Opportunities

Q: Whom do I speak to about teaching positions/employment applications?
A: For Instructional positions, contact Deborah Baron in the District Office at (518) 765-3313, Ext. 103. For non-Instructional positions, contact Susan Arditi in the District Office at (518) 765-3313, Ext. 105. For current job openings, applications, certification information, etc. go to this Web site's Job Opportunities page.

Food Service

Q: What happens if my child forgets his or her lunch money?
A: This can usually be accommodated in the school office.

Q: What's the best way to pay for my child's lunch? What's the price of a school lunch?
A: For information about free/reduced lunches, payment options, and lunch prices, call Cafeteria Manager Tim Mulligan at (518) 765-2382, Ext. 511/120.
 

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Health/Medical

Q: What should I do if I have a health concern about my child?
A: If your child is an elementary school student, alert the elementary school nurse, Colleen Brackett, at (518) 765-2382, Ext. 506. If your child is a middle school or high school student, alert the MS/HS nurse, MaryAnn Jones, at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 210.

Q: Are a lot of people out sick? Is it with a specific illness?
A: This general information is not available. If there is a concern about a specific illness or a communicable disease, communications will be sent home by the school nurse.

Q: How do I get work for my son or daughter who is sick? How is my child to keep up?
A: Call your child's school building office to find out what can be done. “Keeping up” may need to be discussed with his or her teacher. Serious or long term illness requires specific accommodations.

Q: What do I do if my child has to take medication during the day?
A: Medication is dispensed by the school nurse. Call the nurse’s office at your child’s school (elementary school nurse’s office - (518) 765-2382, Ext. 506, MS/HS nurse’s - (518) 765-3314, Ext. 210) to make arrangements. The nurse will need a prescription signed by a physician.

Q: Who do I tell if my child is sick/absent?
A: Call the school office.

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Residency

Q: Who do I call for a residency question?
A: Call the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at (518) 7765-3313 or to find out valid documentation for proof of residency, click here.

Registration

Q: How do I register my child?
A: Registration occurs in each school at the time you move into the district. To make an appointment for the high school, contact the guidance office at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 201. For the middle school, contact the guidance office at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 420. Registration also occurs in the summer in the secondary guidance offices or elementary school office for transfer students. Kindergarten pre-screening and registration is scheduled in March. For specific dates, please call the elementary main office at (518) 765-2382, Ext. 504. For more detailed New Student Registration information, click here. For more detailed Kindergarten Registration, click here.

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School Closings/Delays

Q: Is there school today? Are we closing school early? Is school opening late? What happens if there is an emergency school closing? How will I know if you close?
A: School delays, closings and early dismissals are announced on this Web site on the Emergency School Closings page, and on the following radio and televisions stations:

• Capital News 9

• The Times Union

• WFLY - Fly 92

• WGY - 810 WGY

• WNYT - TV 13

• WRGB - TV 6

• WRVE - The River 99.5

• WTEN - TV 10

• WYJB - B-95.5

• WXXA - Fox 23 TV
   

School Vacations

Q: Where can I find school vacation dates?
A: School recesses appear on the Calendar page of this Web site. To visit the Calendar page, click here.
 

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Secondary School Questions

Q: How does my son or daughter get a parking permit?
A: Call Associate Principal Mike Paolino at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 207.

Q: Where is graduation? Time begins? How long does it last? How many guests can I bring?
A: For further questions call the high school main office at (518) 765-3314, Ext. 211.

Q: When will report cards be distributed?
A: Depending on the building your child is in, visit Elementary School Report Cards and Testing, Middle School Report Cards and Testing, or High School Report Cards and Testing on this Web site.

Q: When will interim progress reports be distributed?
A: Depending on the building your child is in, visit Elementary School Report Cards and Testing, Middle School Report Cards and Testing, or High School Report Cards and Testing.

Q: How do I get my transcript?
A: Call the guidance office at (518) 765-3314, Ext 201.

Q: What time do class periods begin and end?
A: To view the HS bell schedule, click here.
 

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Testing

Q: What time are the SATs/PSATs? What time does the test get over?
A: All exams begin at 8 a.m. The PSAT exam requires 2-2 1/2 hours and the SATs run three hours from the time the test was started. Scheduled dates are on the district calendar on this Web site. You may also call the guidance office (518) 765-3314, Ext. 201 for more information.

Q: Regents and local exams — What time? How long do they last? When are make-ups? What time are the buses?
A: The Regents and local exam dates will be posted to this site. Buses leave at the conclusion of all exams. Check your child’s exam schedule for specific times.

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