NY THURSDAYS
See the image below for our NY Thursdays offering this week at HCS!
See the image below for our NY Thursdays offering this week at HCS!

SCHOOL PICTURE RE-TAKES NEXT FRIDAY
If you missed picture day or would like a re-take, mark your calendars for Friday, November 14th!
Re-takes will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in both the elementary library and the MS-HS STEAM room.
Be sure to check out the flyer below for additional details.
If you missed picture day or would like a re-take, mark your calendars for Friday, November 14th!
Re-takes will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in both the elementary library and the MS-HS STEAM room.
Be sure to check out the flyer below for additional details.

VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY
Hancock Central School Elementary is inviting all veterans (past and presently serving) to a special Veterans Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 12th at 8:30 a.m. in the Elementary School Cafeteria.
• Enjoy patriotic songs
• Grades 1-4 will present live performances
• UPK & Kindergarten will be featured in a video presentation
Reminder: There is no school on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
We hope to honor and celebrate our heroes with you!
Hancock Central School Elementary is inviting all veterans (past and presently serving) to a special Veterans Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 12th at 8:30 a.m. in the Elementary School Cafeteria.
• Enjoy patriotic songs
• Grades 1-4 will present live performances
• UPK & Kindergarten will be featured in a video presentation
Reminder: There is no school on Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
We hope to honor and celebrate our heroes with you!

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST APPRECIATION WEEK
Hancock Central School is pleased to recognize National School Psychologist Appreciation Week, which takes place from 11/3-11/7/25.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Jennifer Royce, our dedicated school psychologist at HCS. Ms. Royce’s professionalism, compassion, and commitment play a vital role in supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our students.
Her efforts help foster a safe, supportive, and thriving learning environment for all. We thank Ms. Royce for her invaluable service and continued dedication to the HCS community.

3RD GRADE HAS A BLAST ON HALLOWEEN!
Our 3rd graders had an amazing time celebrating Halloween! Students created beautiful watercolor pumpkins, made Halloween wreaths, and even worked on some spooky math activities. Thanks to our wonderful parents, there were also lots of yummy snacks to enjoy!
And of course… a little friendly teacher 6~7 fun added to the excitement!
Special thanks to Mrs. Cooper for sharing these great moments from the day!
Our 3rd graders had an amazing time celebrating Halloween! Students created beautiful watercolor pumpkins, made Halloween wreaths, and even worked on some spooky math activities. Thanks to our wonderful parents, there were also lots of yummy snacks to enjoy!
And of course… a little friendly teacher 6~7 fun added to the excitement!
Special thanks to Mrs. Cooper for sharing these great moments from the day!








4TH GRADE ART: EXPLORING WARM AND COOL COLORS!
Ms. Kellam’s 4th grade art students have been hard at work learning about warm and cool colors and experimenting with two ways to create color gradients using each!
To showcase their new skills, and the spirit of Fall at HCS, they created vibrant scenes featuring cauldrons, pumpkins, bats, and trees.
Students focused on artistic processes and the elements of art, while adding plenty of their own creative flair to make each piece unique. Great job, Wildcats!
Ms. Kellam’s 4th grade art students have been hard at work learning about warm and cool colors and experimenting with two ways to create color gradients using each!
To showcase their new skills, and the spirit of Fall at HCS, they created vibrant scenes featuring cauldrons, pumpkins, bats, and trees.
Students focused on artistic processes and the elements of art, while adding plenty of their own creative flair to make each piece unique. Great job, Wildcats!


HALLOWEEN FUN AT HCS!
It was wonderful to see all of our students dressed up and full of Halloween spirit today at Hancock Central School!
We would like to thank our high school students, who helped assist our UPK and Kindergarten boys and girls as they did some trick or treating in the middle-high school this morning!
Also, a big thank you to everyone who came out to support our elementary parade, your smiles and cheers made the event extra special! Students also enjoyed a Halloween dance party and a variety of fun games and activities throughout the day.
We will have a second posting of photos, as there are too many for one post!
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable evening of trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween!!
It was wonderful to see all of our students dressed up and full of Halloween spirit today at Hancock Central School!
We would like to thank our high school students, who helped assist our UPK and Kindergarten boys and girls as they did some trick or treating in the middle-high school this morning!
Also, a big thank you to everyone who came out to support our elementary parade, your smiles and cheers made the event extra special! Students also enjoyed a Halloween dance party and a variety of fun games and activities throughout the day.
We will have a second posting of photos, as there are too many for one post!
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable evening of trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween!!

JOIN US FOR THE HCS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY!
Hancock Central School invites our community to celebrate academic excellence, leadership, service, and character at the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle/High School Auditorium.
Come support our outstanding students as they are recognized for their hard work and commitment to the core values of the National Honor Society. We look forward to sharing this special evening with our Wildcat community!
Hancock Central School invites our community to celebrate academic excellence, leadership, service, and character at the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle/High School Auditorium.
Come support our outstanding students as they are recognized for their hard work and commitment to the core values of the National Honor Society. We look forward to sharing this special evening with our Wildcat community!

NOVEMBER MENUS
Have a look at the images below for our November breakfast and lunch menus here at HCS!
Have a look at the images below for our November breakfast and lunch menus here at HCS!


NEWS FROM THE HEALTH OFFICES
See the images below for important information from our HCS Health offices!
See the images below for important information from our HCS Health offices!


NY THURSDAYS
See the image below for today's NY Thursdays lunch at HCS!
See the image below for today's NY Thursdays lunch at HCS!

SPOOKY CATS IN FIRST GRADE ART!
Ms. Kellam’s first graders got creative as they made their very own spooky cats! Students learned about collage techniques and explored the art elements of line, shape, color, and texture. They even created dotted backgrounds using dot pens to add some extra flair!
These young artists loved bringing their spooky cats to life and couldn’t wait to show off their hard work!
Ms. Kellam’s first graders got creative as they made their very own spooky cats! Students learned about collage techniques and explored the art elements of line, shape, color, and texture. They even created dotted backgrounds using dot pens to add some extra flair!
These young artists loved bringing their spooky cats to life and couldn’t wait to show off their hard work!


UPCOMING WEBINAR: TRANSITIONING YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS
We’re excited to share an upcoming webinar focused on “Transitioning of Youths with Special Healthcare Needs to the Adult Medical World.”
The process of transferring youth with special healthcare needs to adult medical practices can often cause anxiety and stress for both youth and their parents. During this webinar, we will discuss strategies for preparation (transition) and provide tools and resources to help make the process smoother and more successful.
This informative session is open to individuals, families, and professionals who want to learn more about supporting young people as they move from pediatric to adult healthcare systems.
Click on the link below for registration information:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Vx4j1uuRsWBogqN91atKg#/registration
We’re excited to share an upcoming webinar focused on “Transitioning of Youths with Special Healthcare Needs to the Adult Medical World.”
The process of transferring youth with special healthcare needs to adult medical practices can often cause anxiety and stress for both youth and their parents. During this webinar, we will discuss strategies for preparation (transition) and provide tools and resources to help make the process smoother and more successful.
This informative session is open to individuals, families, and professionals who want to learn more about supporting young people as they move from pediatric to adult healthcare systems.
Click on the link below for registration information:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Vx4j1uuRsWBogqN91atKg#/registration
HALLOWEEN INFORMATION
See the memo below from Principal Durkot for important information relating to Halloween activities at HCS!
See the memo below from Principal Durkot for important information relating to Halloween activities at HCS!

HAPPY WORLD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DAY!
Today we celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day and extend a heartfelt thank you to our Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Tracie Ostrander, for all that she does for our students here at Hancock Central School!
Mrs. Ostrander plays a vital role in helping our students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and everyday life — from improving fine motor abilities to building confidence and independence.
Thank you, Mrs. Ostrander, for your dedication, compassion, and positive impact on our school community!
Today we celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day and extend a heartfelt thank you to our Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Tracie Ostrander, for all that she does for our students here at Hancock Central School!
Mrs. Ostrander plays a vital role in helping our students develop the skills they need to succeed in school and everyday life — from improving fine motor abilities to building confidence and independence.
Thank you, Mrs. Ostrander, for your dedication, compassion, and positive impact on our school community!

IMPORTANT DATES
See the graphic below for important, upcoming events for October and November here at HCS!
See the graphic below for important, upcoming events for October and November here at HCS!

BMX ANTI-BULLYING ASSEMBLY COMING TO HCS!
On Wednesday, October 30th, Hancock Central School will host a BMX Anti-Bullying Assembly for all students in the elementary parking lot.
This exciting and impactful event combines high-energy BMX stunts with powerful messages about kindness, respect, and standing up to bullying.
For more information, visit https://gogreenbullyfreebmx.com
On Wednesday, October 30th, Hancock Central School will host a BMX Anti-Bullying Assembly for all students in the elementary parking lot.
This exciting and impactful event combines high-energy BMX stunts with powerful messages about kindness, respect, and standing up to bullying.
For more information, visit https://gogreenbullyfreebmx.com

Free Virtual Session: New York State Early Intervention Program Overview
Parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers in New York State—information is below for a comprehensive virtual session to learn about the Early Intervention Program (EIP). This program supports children under age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities.
Upcoming Session:
• Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Format: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
What You'll Learn:
• Eligibility criteria and referral process
• Available services and supports
• How to develop a Family Service Plan (IFSP)
• Transitioning to preschool special education
How to Register:
Complete the sign-up form here:
https://www.eifamilies.com/early-intervention-program-overview-sigh-up
Parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers in New York State—information is below for a comprehensive virtual session to learn about the Early Intervention Program (EIP). This program supports children under age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities.
Upcoming Session:
• Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Format: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
What You'll Learn:
• Eligibility criteria and referral process
• Available services and supports
• How to develop a Family Service Plan (IFSP)
• Transitioning to preschool special education
How to Register:
Complete the sign-up form here:
https://www.eifamilies.com/early-intervention-program-overview-sigh-up

THANK YOU TO OUR BUS DRIVERS AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT!
During National School Bus Safety Week, Hancock Central School extends a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated bus drivers and transportation department for everything they do to keep our students safe each and every day.
Our drivers play an essential role in our school community, greeting students each morning with a smile, ensuring safe and timely transportation, and setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Their professionalism, patience, and commitment to safety make a lasting impact on our students and families.
We also want to recognize our transportation department for their behind-the-scenes work—maintaining buses, coordinating routes, and making sure that every student arrives safely at school and home again.
This year’s National School Bus Safety Week theme reminds us all of the importance of safety on and around school buses. We encourage everyone to join us in showing appreciation for our bus drivers and transportation team, whose care and dedication help make every school day possible.
During National School Bus Safety Week, Hancock Central School extends a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated bus drivers and transportation department for everything they do to keep our students safe each and every day.
Our drivers play an essential role in our school community, greeting students each morning with a smile, ensuring safe and timely transportation, and setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Their professionalism, patience, and commitment to safety make a lasting impact on our students and families.
We also want to recognize our transportation department for their behind-the-scenes work—maintaining buses, coordinating routes, and making sure that every student arrives safely at school and home again.
This year’s National School Bus Safety Week theme reminds us all of the importance of safety on and around school buses. We encourage everyone to join us in showing appreciation for our bus drivers and transportation team, whose care and dedication help make every school day possible.

SAFETY DAY AT HCS!
Today, our students participated in Safety Day here at Hancock Central School! We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the NYS Department of Transportation, Hancock Fire Department, HCS Transportation Department, and the Town of Hancock Rescue Squad for spending the day with us and educating our students about safety and emergency response.
Students had a blast using a fire hose, sitting in a DOT vehicle and maneuvering the plow, learning CPR and first aid basics, and even exploring the inside of an ambulance to see all the life-saving equipment up close.
Thank you to all our community partners for making today both educational and unforgettable for our students!
Today, our students participated in Safety Day here at Hancock Central School! We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the NYS Department of Transportation, Hancock Fire Department, HCS Transportation Department, and the Town of Hancock Rescue Squad for spending the day with us and educating our students about safety and emergency response.
Students had a blast using a fire hose, sitting in a DOT vehicle and maneuvering the plow, learning CPR and first aid basics, and even exploring the inside of an ambulance to see all the life-saving equipment up close.
Thank you to all our community partners for making today both educational and unforgettable for our students!
