Hancock Central School District
We aspire to be innovative leaders in nurturing every child’s journey toward excellence.
D-H ATHLETICS TONIGHT!
It’s a big night for D-H Athletics, with both Field Hockey and Football in action for home games! D-H Volleyball is on the road, visiting B-G!
D-H Field Hockey vs Greene - Warner Field, Deposit
• Varsity – 4:30 p.m. tentative start (may start a few minutes late)
• JV – 6:30 p.m. tentative start
D-H Volleyball @ Bainbridge-Guilford
• JV – 5:00 p.m.
• Varsity – 6:30 p.m.
D-H Varsity Football vs Chenango Valley – HCS Football Field
• Kick-Off: 7:00 p.m.
Tonight’s football game brings an interesting matchup, as D-H takes on former head coach Davis, who led the Eagles last season and now coaches Chenango Valley.
Come out, support our athletes, and help us bring the D-H spirit to both fields tonight!
Good luck, Eagles!
Starting the School Year with a Warm Welcome!
A big thank-you to our D-H football players for helping us kick off the first day of school with some school spirit!
Our football players were up bright and early to greet our younger students as they stepped off the buses, helping welcome them to HCS and making the first moments of the new school year extra special.
Thank you for being great role models and showing our younger students what it means to be part of a school community! Let’s make it a great year!
A big thank-you to our D-H football players for helping us kick off the first day of school with some school spirit!
Our football players were up bright and early to greet our younger students as they stepped off the buses, helping welcome them to HCS and making the first moments of the new school year extra special.
Thank you for being great role models and showing our younger students what it means to be part of a school community! Let’s make it a great year!
OPEN HOUSE & CURRICULUM NIGHT
Hancock Central School District invites families to join us for our Open House & Curriculum Night on Monday, September 21st!
This is a great opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn more about the curriculum, and see what students will be learning throughout the school year.
Elementary School: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Middle-High School: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
We look forward to welcoming our families into our classrooms and school community!
We hope to see you there!
Hancock Central School District invites families to join us for our Open House & Curriculum Night on Monday, September 21st!
This is a great opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn more about the curriculum, and see what students will be learning throughout the school year.
Elementary School: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Middle-High School: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
We look forward to welcoming our families into our classrooms and school community!
We hope to see you there!
HCS Staff Prepare for Opening Day!
The past two days have been filled with learning, collaboration, reflection, and preparation as our HCS staff came together to get ready for the 2026–2027 school year!
Yesterday began with HCS Elementary students Cash Rowe, Karissa Mack, Arabella McGraw, Luka Brkaric, and Alen Brkaric leading our staff in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our Student Board of Education members, Olivia Johnston and Kaycee Karcher, then spoke with staff about the upcoming school year and shared their excitement for what lies ahead.
We also welcomed Trooper Neumuth, who spoke with our staff about school safety and the important role we all play in keeping our school community safe.
The day continued with our HCS Staff Recognition, celebrating the dedication and years of service of our incredible staff members. The afternoon was spent working collaboratively on Portrait of a Graduate sessions as we continue to develop a vision for the skills and qualities we want every HCS graduate to carry with them.
Day Two featured Amanda Devore from DCMO BOCES, who worked with our staff on New York State's Portrait of a Graduate program. Staff also learned more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how to integrate trauma-informed practices into our work and everyday lives.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make these two days meaningful and productive. Our staff is ready, energized, and excited to welcome our students back to HCS!
Here’s to a great 2026–2027 school year, we look forward to seeing all our students tomorrow morning!!
The past two days have been filled with learning, collaboration, reflection, and preparation as our HCS staff came together to get ready for the 2026–2027 school year!
Yesterday began with HCS Elementary students Cash Rowe, Karissa Mack, Arabella McGraw, Luka Brkaric, and Alen Brkaric leading our staff in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our Student Board of Education members, Olivia Johnston and Kaycee Karcher, then spoke with staff about the upcoming school year and shared their excitement for what lies ahead.
We also welcomed Trooper Neumuth, who spoke with our staff about school safety and the important role we all play in keeping our school community safe.
The day continued with our HCS Staff Recognition, celebrating the dedication and years of service of our incredible staff members. The afternoon was spent working collaboratively on Portrait of a Graduate sessions as we continue to develop a vision for the skills and qualities we want every HCS graduate to carry with them.
Day Two featured Amanda Devore from DCMO BOCES, who worked with our staff on New York State's Portrait of a Graduate program. Staff also learned more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how to integrate trauma-informed practices into our work and everyday lives.
We are grateful to everyone who helped make these two days meaningful and productive. Our staff is ready, energized, and excited to welcome our students back to HCS!
Here’s to a great 2026–2027 school year, we look forward to seeing all our students tomorrow morning!!
HCS STAFF RECOGNITION
Yesterday, we took a moment to recognize and celebrate some of the incredible staff members who have dedicated their years of service to Hancock Central School District!
Congratulations to the following employees and their years of service at HCS:
5 Years: Ed Mitchell, Michael Massaro, Autumn Kellam, Bonnie Robinson.
10 Years: Linda O’Brien, Devon Bedient, Randi Appley
15 Years: Michelle Rutledge
20 Years: Paul Vetrone, Missi Newman
25 Years: Roberta Vasconi-Smith
Their years of commitment represent countless hours spent supporting our students, building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping make HCS the special place it is today.
We are incredibly grateful for the experience, dedication, and heart that each of these staff members brings to our school community every day.
Congratulations, and thank you for your many years of service to HCS! Here's to many more years together!
Yesterday, we took a moment to recognize and celebrate some of the incredible staff members who have dedicated their years of service to Hancock Central School District!
Congratulations to the following employees and their years of service at HCS:
5 Years: Ed Mitchell, Michael Massaro, Autumn Kellam, Bonnie Robinson.
10 Years: Linda O’Brien, Devon Bedient, Randi Appley
15 Years: Michelle Rutledge
20 Years: Paul Vetrone, Missi Newman
25 Years: Roberta Vasconi-Smith
Their years of commitment represent countless hours spent supporting our students, building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping make HCS the special place it is today.
We are incredibly grateful for the experience, dedication, and heart that each of these staff members brings to our school community every day.
Congratulations, and thank you for your many years of service to HCS! Here's to many more years together!
D-H EAGLES FOOTBALL WINS OPENER
What a way to open the season! The D-H Eagles rolled past Trumansburg 56–0 on the road in their season opener this past Friday!
The Eagles came out strong and never looked back. Xavier Esolen got things started with a long 70+ yard touchdown run, and the scoring continued from there with contributions from all over the field. Marco Avila, Jack Arrigan and Jake D’Elia all added touchdowns on the day, while Owen Drake added points on the board with his accurate kicking.
Defensively, D-H was a wall, with big tackles coming from players throughout the lineup.
This was truly a team effort on both sides of the ball, with everyone contributing to an impressive opening night victory.
Congratulations to our D-H Eagles on an outstanding season opener! They have their first home game of the season this Friday, September 11th, taking on Chenango Valley. Kick-off time is set for 7:00 p.m. under the lights at HCS!
What a way to open the season! The D-H Eagles rolled past Trumansburg 56–0 on the road in their season opener this past Friday!
The Eagles came out strong and never looked back. Xavier Esolen got things started with a long 70+ yard touchdown run, and the scoring continued from there with contributions from all over the field. Marco Avila, Jack Arrigan and Jake D’Elia all added touchdowns on the day, while Owen Drake added points on the board with his accurate kicking.
Defensively, D-H was a wall, with big tackles coming from players throughout the lineup.
This was truly a team effort on both sides of the ball, with everyone contributing to an impressive opening night victory.
Congratulations to our D-H Eagles on an outstanding season opener! They have their first home game of the season this Friday, September 11th, taking on Chenango Valley. Kick-off time is set for 7:00 p.m. under the lights at HCS!
SENIOR SUNRISE AT HCS!
Our 12th grade students may not officially have their first last day of school until Thursday, but they were already up bright and early yesterday for a special Senior Sunrise at HCS!
With the heavy morning fog settling over the school and bacon and sausage crackling on the skillet, our seniors gathered together to kick off what promises to be a memorable final year as Wildcats.
It looked like everyone had a great time catching up, enjoying breakfast, and making memories with their classmates!
Here’s to the Class of 2027 and all the exciting moments ahead. Make it a year to remember, seniors!
Our 12th grade students may not officially have their first last day of school until Thursday, but they were already up bright and early yesterday for a special Senior Sunrise at HCS!
With the heavy morning fog settling over the school and bacon and sausage crackling on the skillet, our seniors gathered together to kick off what promises to be a memorable final year as Wildcats.
It looked like everyone had a great time catching up, enjoying breakfast, and making memories with their classmates!
Here’s to the Class of 2027 and all the exciting moments ahead. Make it a year to remember, seniors!
September Breakfast & Lunch Menus Are Here!
The countdown is on! We’re getting closer to welcoming our students back for the first day of school this Thursday, September 10!
Families can now take a look at the September breakfast and lunch menus and see what’s being served throughout the month.
We’re looking forward to a great start to the new school year, as well as some great meals along the way!
The countdown is on! We’re getting closer to welcoming our students back for the first day of school this Thursday, September 10!
Families can now take a look at the September breakfast and lunch menus and see what’s being served throughout the month.
We’re looking forward to a great start to the new school year, as well as some great meals along the way!
NYSED WELCOME BACK MESSAGE
As we near closer to the first day of school next Thursday, September 10th, we invite you to watch this welcome back video from NYSED Commissioner, Dr. Betty A. Rosa!
We can't wait to see all of our students at HCS next week!!
https://www.nysed.gov/video/commissioner-rosa-welcome-back-school-2026
#BackToSchoolNY
@NYStateEd
ELEMENTARY SOCIAL THIS EVENING
Families, just a reminder that we will be hosting our Elementary Social tonight, September 3rd, from 4:45-6:00 p.m. at the Elementary school. Food, drinks and fun activities await for our younger students as we look to say hi to you all before the school year officially begins!
Families, just a reminder that we will be hosting our Elementary Social tonight, September 3rd, from 4:45-6:00 p.m. at the Elementary school. Food, drinks and fun activities await for our younger students as we look to say hi to you all before the school year officially begins!
GOLF PICKS UP PAIR OF WINS
Congratulations to our D-H Varsity Golf team on their opening match victory over Oxford last week at French Woods Golf Course! Holden Dufton shot a 46 to lead the way for Deposit-Hancock, securing 1 par. Wyatt Persbacker followed with a 47 (2 pars), while Cooper Wormuth and Kaden Conklin each put up 1 par and a 53.
Earlier this week, D-H had their second match of the year, taking on Delhi. It was a very tightly contested match, with Delhi winning by 2 strokes, 243-245. Wyatt Persbacker had a great round, shooting a 39 for D-H, while Holden Dufton followed with a 46.
Yesterday, D-H picked up their 2nd win of the season, this time at Oxford, by a score of 239-246. Wyatt Persbacker had a match low 38 on the day, while Cooper Wormuth posted his best score of the season at 46. Macoy Mastropietro and Talan Kille each tallied scores of 52 for D-H.
Nice work, team! Golf is scheduled to be back in action today, heading to Unadilla Valley for a 2:00 p.m. start. Best of luck!!
Congratulations to our D-H Varsity Golf team on their opening match victory over Oxford last week at French Woods Golf Course! Holden Dufton shot a 46 to lead the way for Deposit-Hancock, securing 1 par. Wyatt Persbacker followed with a 47 (2 pars), while Cooper Wormuth and Kaden Conklin each put up 1 par and a 53.
Earlier this week, D-H had their second match of the year, taking on Delhi. It was a very tightly contested match, with Delhi winning by 2 strokes, 243-245. Wyatt Persbacker had a great round, shooting a 39 for D-H, while Holden Dufton followed with a 46.
Yesterday, D-H picked up their 2nd win of the season, this time at Oxford, by a score of 239-246. Wyatt Persbacker had a match low 38 on the day, while Cooper Wormuth posted his best score of the season at 46. Macoy Mastropietro and Talan Kille each tallied scores of 52 for D-H.
Nice work, team! Golf is scheduled to be back in action today, heading to Unadilla Valley for a 2:00 p.m. start. Best of luck!!
ORIENTATIONS & SOCIALS AT HCS
Yesterday was a busy and exciting day at Hancock Central School! Our 5th and 9th grade orientations gave students a chance to check out their schedules, test out their lockers, reconnect with classmates, and meet some of their new teachers.
A big thank you to Mrs. Rice and all of the teachers who helped make the orientations a success!
Afterwards, students headed to our Middle School and High School Socials, where they had the opportunity to connect with friends and classmates before the school year begins. With food, drinks, games, music, and activities, there was plenty of fun to go around!
Thank you to Superintendent Asquith, Principal Durkot, Assistant Principal Pringle, and our student volunteers for helping put everything together and making yesterday such a great time for our students!
Also, a reminder that we will be holding our Elementary Social tomorrow, September 3rd, from 4:45-6:00 p.m. outside of the Elementary main entrance.
We look forward to seeing our elementary students reconnect with their peers and teachers tomorrow and we will see everyone back at school on Thursday, September 10th!
Yesterday was a busy and exciting day at Hancock Central School! Our 5th and 9th grade orientations gave students a chance to check out their schedules, test out their lockers, reconnect with classmates, and meet some of their new teachers.
A big thank you to Mrs. Rice and all of the teachers who helped make the orientations a success!
Afterwards, students headed to our Middle School and High School Socials, where they had the opportunity to connect with friends and classmates before the school year begins. With food, drinks, games, music, and activities, there was plenty of fun to go around!
Thank you to Superintendent Asquith, Principal Durkot, Assistant Principal Pringle, and our student volunteers for helping put everything together and making yesterday such a great time for our students!
Also, a reminder that we will be holding our Elementary Social tomorrow, September 3rd, from 4:45-6:00 p.m. outside of the Elementary main entrance.
We look forward to seeing our elementary students reconnect with their peers and teachers tomorrow and we will see everyone back at school on Thursday, September 10th!
SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT TRAINING
Families are invited to join an online TEAMS training on Tuesday, September 15, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., where they can learn more about the special education process and how parents can be active members of CPSE and CSE meetings.
The training will cover:
• Parent rights and responsibilities
• Understanding CPSE & CSE meetings
• Tips for feeling prepared and confident when making decisions about your child’s education
See the flyer below for registration information.
Families are invited to join an online TEAMS training on Tuesday, September 15, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., where they can learn more about the special education process and how parents can be active members of CPSE and CSE meetings.
The training will cover:
• Parent rights and responsibilities
• Understanding CPSE & CSE meetings
• Tips for feeling prepared and confident when making decisions about your child’s education
See the flyer below for registration information.
LENGUAS CLUB INFORMATION
Families and students enrolled in Spanish classes, have a look at the Lenguas Club newsletter for September at HCS!
The newsletter is a great way to stay up to date on what’s happening in Spanish class and learn about upcoming activities, events, and opportunities throughout the month.
We will see you all next Thursday, September 10th!
Families and students enrolled in Spanish classes, have a look at the Lenguas Club newsletter for September at HCS!
The newsletter is a great way to stay up to date on what’s happening in Spanish class and learn about upcoming activities, events, and opportunities throughout the month.
We will see you all next Thursday, September 10th!
UPK & KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
A big thank you to all of the families who joined us for our UPK and Kindergarten Round-Up events last week!
During their visit, students had an opportunity to practice getting on and off the school bus and had some indoor/outdoor play time. They also read Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes and made their own Pete the Cat to take home!
It was wonderful to visit with our newest Wildcats and their families. This was a great opportunity for our boys and girls to explore their classrooms, meet their teachers, and get excited for the upcoming school year.
We can’t wait to welcome our newest students back to Hancock soon!
A big thank you to all of the families who joined us for our UPK and Kindergarten Round-Up events last week!
During their visit, students had an opportunity to practice getting on and off the school bus and had some indoor/outdoor play time. They also read Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes and made their own Pete the Cat to take home!
It was wonderful to visit with our newest Wildcats and their families. This was a great opportunity for our boys and girls to explore their classrooms, meet their teachers, and get excited for the upcoming school year.
We can’t wait to welcome our newest students back to Hancock soon!
ORIENTATIONS & SOCIALS TODAY
Just a friendly reminder to our families that we will be having orientations and school socials this afternoon!
-9th Grade Orientation (12:00-1:00 p..m. - MS-HS Auditorium)
-5th Grade Orientation (4:00-4:45 p.m. - MS-HS Auditorium)
- Middle School Social (4:45-6:00 p.m. - MS-HS Building)
-High School Social (6:00-7:00 p.m. - MS-HS Building)
Our Elementary social will take place this Thursday, September 3rd, outside the main entrance of the Elementary building. We look forward to seeing you!!
Just a friendly reminder to our families that we will be having orientations and school socials this afternoon!
-9th Grade Orientation (12:00-1:00 p..m. - MS-HS Auditorium)
-5th Grade Orientation (4:00-4:45 p.m. - MS-HS Auditorium)
- Middle School Social (4:45-6:00 p.m. - MS-HS Building)
-High School Social (6:00-7:00 p.m. - MS-HS Building)
Our Elementary social will take place this Thursday, September 3rd, outside the main entrance of the Elementary building. We look forward to seeing you!!
AGRICULTURE & FFA PROGRAM
Please see below for a message from one of our MS-HS teachers, Ms. Barnhart, regarding an Agriculture & FFA program for our students at HCS!
___________________________________________________________________
🌱 Calling all agriculture folks in our community! 🐄🌻
I’m excited to share that I’m working on starting an Agriculture & FFA program at our school! The goal is to give students hands-on experiences, expose them to the many different careers within agriculture, and connect them with the amazing agricultural community around us.
I’m looking to connect with people involved in ALL areas of agriculture — farming, livestock, equine, horticulture, gardening, forestry, conservation, mechanics, agricultural business, veterinary fields, food production, landscaping, agritourism, and so much more!
There are lots of ways you could help, and you don’t have to be an expert or commit to anything long-term.
We’d love to have folks who are willing to:
🌱 Share their knowledge or experiences with students
👩🌾 Participate in career days or classroom presentations
🐄 Demonstrate skills or talk about their work
🌻 Help students learn through hands-on projects
👷♂️ Provide supervision or mentorship during certain activities
🏡 Share ideas, resources, or connections
🤝 Partner with us on community projects
Some of the projects we’re hoping to develop include vegetable gardens, flower gardens, agricultural learning spaces, and community service projects, along with many other hands-on opportunities as the program grows.
Agriculture is so much more than farming, and I want our students to see the wide variety of careers and opportunities available in this field.
If you work in agriculture, have an agricultural background, or simply have a skill or area of knowledge you’d enjoy sharing with students, I would love to hear from you! Even if you’re not sure how you could help, please reach out — we can figure it out together. ❤️
📧 Interested in getting involved?
Please email Alissa Barnhart at abarnhart@hancock.stier.org to share your information, area of expertise, or ideas for how you might be able to support our students.
Please feel free to share this post with someone who might be interested!
I’m really excited about what we can build for our students and our community! 🌱🐓🌻🚜
Please see below for a message from one of our MS-HS teachers, Ms. Barnhart, regarding an Agriculture & FFA program for our students at HCS!
___________________________________________________________________
🌱 Calling all agriculture folks in our community! 🐄🌻
I’m excited to share that I’m working on starting an Agriculture & FFA program at our school! The goal is to give students hands-on experiences, expose them to the many different careers within agriculture, and connect them with the amazing agricultural community around us.
I’m looking to connect with people involved in ALL areas of agriculture — farming, livestock, equine, horticulture, gardening, forestry, conservation, mechanics, agricultural business, veterinary fields, food production, landscaping, agritourism, and so much more!
There are lots of ways you could help, and you don’t have to be an expert or commit to anything long-term.
We’d love to have folks who are willing to:
🌱 Share their knowledge or experiences with students
👩🌾 Participate in career days or classroom presentations
🐄 Demonstrate skills or talk about their work
🌻 Help students learn through hands-on projects
👷♂️ Provide supervision or mentorship during certain activities
🏡 Share ideas, resources, or connections
🤝 Partner with us on community projects
Some of the projects we’re hoping to develop include vegetable gardens, flower gardens, agricultural learning spaces, and community service projects, along with many other hands-on opportunities as the program grows.
Agriculture is so much more than farming, and I want our students to see the wide variety of careers and opportunities available in this field.
If you work in agriculture, have an agricultural background, or simply have a skill or area of knowledge you’d enjoy sharing with students, I would love to hear from you! Even if you’re not sure how you could help, please reach out — we can figure it out together. ❤️
📧 Interested in getting involved?
Please email Alissa Barnhart at abarnhart@hancock.stier.org to share your information, area of expertise, or ideas for how you might be able to support our students.
Please feel free to share this post with someone who might be interested!
I’m really excited about what we can build for our students and our community! 🌱🐓🌻🚜
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
Please take a look at the graphic below for important upcoming dates as we return for the 2026-2027 school year at HCS!
Please take a look at the graphic below for important upcoming dates as we return for the 2026-2027 school year at HCS!
THANK YOU to our Student Summer Workers!
Throughout the summer, these hardworking students worked alongside our incredible janitorial staff to help get Hancock ready for the upcoming school year! From cleaning and painting to organizing and preparing our buildings, their hard work has made a big difference.
We truly appreciate their time, effort, and dedication to helping make sure our school is ready to welcome students back.
Thank you for all of your hard work, Wildcats!
Throughout the summer, these hardworking students worked alongside our incredible janitorial staff to help get Hancock ready for the upcoming school year! From cleaning and painting to organizing and preparing our buildings, their hard work has made a big difference.
We truly appreciate their time, effort, and dedication to helping make sure our school is ready to welcome students back.
Thank you for all of your hard work, Wildcats!
WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS!
Earlier this week, our newest staff members joined Principal Durkot for New Staff Orientation as they prepare to begin the school year at Hancock Central School District!
Please join us in welcoming:
• Katelyn McLaughlin – Library Media Specialist
• Andrea Gilebarto – Music Teacher
• Devyn Jenks – High School History Teacher
• Ellen Pringle – Assistant Principal
While Devyn joined the Hancock family this past January, we are excited to officially welcome her back as she begins the new school year with us!
We are thrilled to have these talented educators and leaders as part of the Wildcat family and look forward to the knowledge, energy, and passion they will bring to our students and school community.
Welcome to Hancock! We’re so glad you’re here!
