SCHOOL PICTURES THIS WEEK AT HCS
School Picture Days are coming up!
• Middle-High School: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
• Elementary School: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Order Online: Visit - https://vando.imagequix.com/S9SRC9J
and use the school codes below:
• Jr./Sr. High School: HancockHSF25
• Elementary School: NY02778F25
Please note: The preorder site closes 48 hours after the last picture day.
Post-picture day ordering will be available once proof sheets are emailed or sent home. (These orders include an additional shipping fee and will be mailed directly to your home.)
Questions? Contact Upstate Images Customer Service at 1-855-773-3321 (M–F, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM).
Be ready to smile, Wildcats!
School Picture Days are coming up!
• Middle-High School: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
• Elementary School: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Order Online: Visit - https://vando.imagequix.com/S9SRC9J
and use the school codes below:
• Jr./Sr. High School: HancockHSF25
• Elementary School: NY02778F25
Please note: The preorder site closes 48 hours after the last picture day.
Post-picture day ordering will be available once proof sheets are emailed or sent home. (These orders include an additional shipping fee and will be mailed directly to your home.)
Questions? Contact Upstate Images Customer Service at 1-855-773-3321 (M–F, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM).
Be ready to smile, Wildcats!
SPECIAL EDUCATION 101: PARENT MEMBER MEETING
Join us for an important training session covering the special education process, including:
-Laws and regulations
-Roles of CPSE and CSE members
The meeting will take place this Thursday, September 24 from 6:00–7:30 PM.
To register, click on the link below!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cb6ztxm
Join us for an important training session covering the special education process, including:
-Laws and regulations
-Roles of CPSE and CSE members
The meeting will take place this Thursday, September 24 from 6:00–7:30 PM.
To register, click on the link below!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cb6ztxm
5TH GRADE ART UPDATE!
Earlier this month, we shared some progress shots from Ms. Kellam’s 5th grade art students as they explored how to use simple lines and shapes collaboratively. Students built on each other’s ideas—adding to, transforming, and re-imagining what their classmates had drawn.
We’re excited to say that the project is now complete! Along with new progress photos, we now have the finished results, showcasing how imagination and teamwork can turn simple marks into creative, detailed, and meaningful artwork.
Great job, 5th graders, and thank you, Ms. Kellam, for guiding such an engaging and collaborative project!
Earlier this month, we shared some progress shots from Ms. Kellam’s 5th grade art students as they explored how to use simple lines and shapes collaboratively. Students built on each other’s ideas—adding to, transforming, and re-imagining what their classmates had drawn.
We’re excited to say that the project is now complete! Along with new progress photos, we now have the finished results, showcasing how imagination and teamwork can turn simple marks into creative, detailed, and meaningful artwork.
Great job, 5th graders, and thank you, Ms. Kellam, for guiding such an engaging and collaborative project!
Save the Date – Curriculum Night & Open House!
HCS families, please join us on Thursday, October 2, 2025, for Curriculum Night/Open House. This is a great opportunity to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and learn more about the curriculum, expectations, and ways we can partner together in your child’s education.
Schedule:
• High School/Middle School – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Elementary School – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing our families and sharing the exciting work happening at HCS!
HCS families, please join us on Thursday, October 2, 2025, for Curriculum Night/Open House. This is a great opportunity to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and learn more about the curriculum, expectations, and ways we can partner together in your child’s education.
Schedule:
• High School/Middle School – 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Elementary School – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing our families and sharing the exciting work happening at HCS!
KINDERGARTEN FUN FRIDAY!
Our Kindergarten students joined in on the Fun Friday excitement last week! After reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, they created their own edible coconut trees and made a fun craft where the letters of their names climbed up the tree.
Such a creative (and tasty!) way to learn—great job, Kindergarten!
Our Kindergarten students joined in on the Fun Friday excitement last week! After reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, they created their own edible coconut trees and made a fun craft where the letters of their names climbed up the tree.
Such a creative (and tasty!) way to learn—great job, Kindergarten!
FUN FRIDAY IN UPK
A told B, and B told C… UPK had Fun Friday, come and see!
Our youngest Wildcats read “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, and watched the letters race up the coconut tree. After story time, they made their own yummy, sweet treats that were just as fun as the ABCs!
What a perfect way to wrap up the week, with letters, laughter, and a boom-boom beat!
A told B, and B told C… UPK had Fun Friday, come and see!
Our youngest Wildcats read “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, and watched the letters race up the coconut tree. After story time, they made their own yummy, sweet treats that were just as fun as the ABCs!
What a perfect way to wrap up the week, with letters, laughter, and a boom-boom beat!
NY THURSDAYS
Today, HCS will serve its first NY Thursdays lunch of the school year! NY Thursdays is a program that highlights fresh, locally grown foods from farms and producers across New York State. The goal is to connect students with healthy, farm-fresh meals while supporting local farmers and strengthening our community food system.
On Today’s Menu:
• Hot Dog on a Bun – Sabrett via Ginsberg’s Foods (Hudson, NY)
• Grape Tomato & Cucumber Salad – Berry Brook Farm via Catskills Agrarian Alliance (Hamden, NY) & Catskill Cattle Company (Deposit, NY)
• NY Potato Chips – NY Chip Company via Ginsberg’s Foods (Hudson, NY)
• Mexican Street Corn – Catskill Cattle Company (Deposit, NY)
• Apple – Ginsberg’s Foods (Hudson, NY)
• Milk
We look forward to continuing this program throughout the year and can’t wait for our students to enjoy these fresh New York–grown flavors!
Today, HCS will serve its first NY Thursdays lunch of the school year! NY Thursdays is a program that highlights fresh, locally grown foods from farms and producers across New York State. The goal is to connect students with healthy, farm-fresh meals while supporting local farmers and strengthening our community food system.
On Today’s Menu:
• Hot Dog on a Bun – Sabrett via Ginsberg’s Foods (Hudson, NY)
• Grape Tomato & Cucumber Salad – Berry Brook Farm via Catskills Agrarian Alliance (Hamden, NY) & Catskill Cattle Company (Deposit, NY)
• NY Potato Chips – NY Chip Company via Ginsberg’s Foods (Hudson, NY)
• Mexican Street Corn – Catskill Cattle Company (Deposit, NY)
• Apple – Ginsberg’s Foods (Hudson, NY)
• Milk
We look forward to continuing this program throughout the year and can’t wait for our students to enjoy these fresh New York–grown flavors!
SCHOOL PICTURES – ONLINE ORDERING INFORMATION
Picture day at HCS is scheduled for next Wednesday & Thursday (9/24/2025 for MS-HS and 9/25/2025 for the Elementary School).
Visit https://vando.imagequix.com/S9SRC9J and enter the school Online Code to order online.
(The preorder site closes 48 hours after the last picture day.)
Post picture day ordering is available once the proof sheet is emailed to your school preferred email or sent to the school, these orders include an additional shipping fee and are mailed directly to your home address.
Online Code for the Jr. Sr. High School HancockHSF25
Online Code for the Elementary School NY02778F25
For questions, please Upstate Images contact customer service at 1-855-773-3321 (M-F from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm).
Picture day at HCS is scheduled for next Wednesday & Thursday (9/24/2025 for MS-HS and 9/25/2025 for the Elementary School).
Visit https://vando.imagequix.com/S9SRC9J and enter the school Online Code to order online.
(The preorder site closes 48 hours after the last picture day.)
Post picture day ordering is available once the proof sheet is emailed to your school preferred email or sent to the school, these orders include an additional shipping fee and are mailed directly to your home address.
Online Code for the Jr. Sr. High School HancockHSF25
Online Code for the Elementary School NY02778F25
For questions, please Upstate Images contact customer service at 1-855-773-3321 (M-F from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm).
FREE VIRTUAL TRAININGS
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is offering free virtual trainings to families. For more information, visit the link listed below!
https://www.albany.edu/autism/training-and-learning/training-opportunities/family-training-series
New York State Alternative Assessments (NYSAA) for Families
Families, want to learn more about the New York State Alternative Assessments (NYSAA)?
Join us for a virtual info session: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 9:00–11:00 AM
What will be covered:
-Who can take the NYSAA
-How it works
-Why it’s important
-What families need to know
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/r3gvuc2
Families, want to learn more about the New York State Alternative Assessments (NYSAA)?
Join us for a virtual info session: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 9:00–11:00 AM
What will be covered:
-Who can take the NYSAA
-How it works
-Why it’s important
-What families need to know
Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/r3gvuc2
SCHOOL PICTURE DAYS NEXT WEEK!
HCS students will have their school photos taken next week by Upstate Images.
• Middle-High School: Wednesday, September 24
• Elementary School: Thursday, September 25
Picture forms will be sent home with students over the next few days. Be sure to check those backpacks so you’re ready for picture day!
If a student is absent during their scheduled picture day, they will have an opportunity to have their photo taken on picture make-up day, which is currently scheduled for November 14th.
HCS students will have their school photos taken next week by Upstate Images.
• Middle-High School: Wednesday, September 24
• Elementary School: Thursday, September 25
Picture forms will be sent home with students over the next few days. Be sure to check those backpacks so you’re ready for picture day!
If a student is absent during their scheduled picture day, they will have an opportunity to have their photo taken on picture make-up day, which is currently scheduled for November 14th.
WE DID IT – TWO WEEKS DOWN!
HCS students have officially wrapped up the second week of school (and our first full week of the year)! From learning in the classroom to fun activities with friends, it’s been a busy and exciting start.
We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved, restful weekend!
HCS students have officially wrapped up the second week of school (and our first full week of the year)! From learning in the classroom to fun activities with friends, it’s been a busy and exciting start.
We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved, restful weekend!
5th Grade Art Collaboration
In Ms. Kellam’s art class, 5th graders are learning how to use simple lines and shapes as the building blocks of creativity.
The activity encourages students to:
• Recognize how basic elements of art can be transformed into objects, places, and things.
• Practice imagination by expanding on their own and their classmates’ ideas.
• Collaborate by rotating around a large paper and adding to drawings already in progress.
These photos show the project in progress. We look forward to sharing the finished piece soon!
In Ms. Kellam’s art class, 5th graders are learning how to use simple lines and shapes as the building blocks of creativity.
The activity encourages students to:
• Recognize how basic elements of art can be transformed into objects, places, and things.
• Practice imagination by expanding on their own and their classmates’ ideas.
• Collaborate by rotating around a large paper and adding to drawings already in progress.
These photos show the project in progress. We look forward to sharing the finished piece soon!
5th Grade STEM in Action
Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Dufton’s 5th graders recently explored the science of buoyancy through a hands-on engineering challenge. Using aluminum foil, students designed and built boats, then tested their creations by adding pennies to see how much weight each boat could hold before sinking.
This activity allowed students to apply concepts of design, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry while learning how shape and structure affect an object’s ability to float. A great example of learning by doing!
Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Dufton’s 5th graders recently explored the science of buoyancy through a hands-on engineering challenge. Using aluminum foil, students designed and built boats, then tested their creations by adding pennies to see how much weight each boat could hold before sinking.
This activity allowed students to apply concepts of design, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry while learning how shape and structure affect an object’s ability to float. A great example of learning by doing!
HCS HONORS STAFF FOR YEARS OF SERVICE
Hancock Central School proudly recognized several dedicated staff members for their years of service to the district. Their commitment, care, and hard work have made a lasting impact on our students, families, and school community.
This year’s honorees include:
• 5 Years of Service: Greg Gill
• 10 Years of Service: Jennifer Brock
• 15 Years of Service: Jennifer Gill, Stephanie Kuehn, Gary Miller
• 20 Years of Service: Kelly DaBrescia
• 25 Years of Service: Heather Saxby, Kim Makowski, Rose Prescott, Marjorie Hull, Jodi Newman
• 30 Years of Service: Karen Soulier
We thank each of these individuals for their dedication to HCS and the positive difference they have made in the lives of our students. Their years of service reflect not only their professional excellence but also their passion for education and our Wildcat family.
Congratulations to all honorees and thank you for your commitment to Hancock Central School!
Hancock Central School proudly recognized several dedicated staff members for their years of service to the district. Their commitment, care, and hard work have made a lasting impact on our students, families, and school community.
This year’s honorees include:
• 5 Years of Service: Greg Gill
• 10 Years of Service: Jennifer Brock
• 15 Years of Service: Jennifer Gill, Stephanie Kuehn, Gary Miller
• 20 Years of Service: Kelly DaBrescia
• 25 Years of Service: Heather Saxby, Kim Makowski, Rose Prescott, Marjorie Hull, Jodi Newman
• 30 Years of Service: Karen Soulier
We thank each of these individuals for their dedication to HCS and the positive difference they have made in the lives of our students. Their years of service reflect not only their professional excellence but also their passion for education and our Wildcat family.
Congratulations to all honorees and thank you for your commitment to Hancock Central School!
THIRD GRADERS MAKE JITTER JUICE
Thank you to Mrs. Cooper for sending in a picture of her third graders on their first day yesterday! Her class made jitter juice to chase away their nervous 1st day of 3rd grade butterflies…They all had a great first day!!
Thank you to Mrs. Cooper for sending in a picture of her third graders on their first day yesterday! Her class made jitter juice to chase away their nervous 1st day of 3rd grade butterflies…They all had a great first day!!
D-H Eagles Sporting Events – September 5 & 6
Our D-H Eagles teams are in action tonight and tomorrow!
Tonight, September 5:
Varsity Field Hockey vs. Newark Valley – 4:30 p.m. at DCS - Warner Field
JV & Varsity Volleyball at Harpursville – 5:00 p.m.
JV Field Hockey at Windsor – 5:30 p.m.
Varsity Football vs. Whitney Point – 7:00 p.m. at HCS
Saturday, September 6
Cross Country at Oneonta (Fortin Park) – 10:00 a.m.
Best of luck to all of our student-athletes tonight and over the weekend!
Our D-H Eagles teams are in action tonight and tomorrow!
Tonight, September 5:
Varsity Field Hockey vs. Newark Valley – 4:30 p.m. at DCS - Warner Field
JV & Varsity Volleyball at Harpursville – 5:00 p.m.
JV Field Hockey at Windsor – 5:30 p.m.
Varsity Football vs. Whitney Point – 7:00 p.m. at HCS
Saturday, September 6
Cross Country at Oneonta (Fortin Park) – 10:00 a.m.
Best of luck to all of our student-athletes tonight and over the weekend!
UPCOMING DATES
See the graphic below for some important, upcoming dates at HCS for September-October!
A TURTLEY TERRIFIC FIRST DAY IN 4TH GRADE!
A big thank you to Mrs. Prescott for sharing this great picture of her 4th graders on the first day of school yesterday! Our 4th grade Wildcats had a Turtley Terrific first day, and we’re excited for all the fun and learning ahead this year!
A big thank you to Mrs. Prescott for sharing this great picture of her 4th graders on the first day of school yesterday! Our 4th grade Wildcats had a Turtley Terrific first day, and we’re excited for all the fun and learning ahead this year!
WELCOME BACK!
Hancock Central School was full of energy and excitement today as we welcomed students back for the first day of the 2025-2026 school year! From our youngest learners to our seniors, we saw plenty of smiling faces and eager students ready to start a brand-new year of learning, discovery, and growth.
The first day is always special, and today was no exception. We are proud of the positive spirit our students bring with them and grateful for the support of families, staff, and the community as we begin this journey together.
Here’s to a school year filled with success, new opportunities, and Wildcat pride!
Hancock Central School was full of energy and excitement today as we welcomed students back for the first day of the 2025-2026 school year! From our youngest learners to our seniors, we saw plenty of smiling faces and eager students ready to start a brand-new year of learning, discovery, and growth.
The first day is always special, and today was no exception. We are proud of the positive spirit our students bring with them and grateful for the support of families, staff, and the community as we begin this journey together.
Here’s to a school year filled with success, new opportunities, and Wildcat pride!
