Hancock Middle/High School

HCS Students Shine at 2025 Prom Hancock Central School students dressed to impress for the 2025 Prom, held this past weekend at the beautiful Estates By Brophy in Fishs Eddy, NY. The elegant venue provided the perfect backdrop for a night filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Students danced the night away under the glow of chandeliers and twinkling lights, enjoying a night of celebration and camaraderie. From sharp tuxedos to stunning gowns, the evening was a showcase of class, style, and school spirit. Special thanks go out to Kaeli Rutledge (Kaeli Rutledge Photograpy) and Kristin Ogozalek of The Hancock Herald for capturing the joy and magic of the night through their photos, which have been shared with HCS for all to enjoy. Congratulations to the 2025 Prom Court: • King: Greyson Thomas • Queen: Gwyneth Nebzydoski • Prince: Micah Simmons • Princess: Olivia Esolen • Duke: Liam Kelly • Duchess: Olivia Dubois It was truly a night to remember for Hancock students, marking another milestone in a memorable school year.

REMINDER: SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE – TUESDAY, MAY 20TH We encourage all residents to take part in the upcoming Hancock Central School District Budget Vote, happening on Tuesday, May 20th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Location: Room 203, Middle-High School (near 2nd floor entrance) Your voice matters when it comes to supporting our students, staff, and school community. Thank you for taking the time to make a difference!

MS-HS CONCERT, ELEMENTARY ART SHOW NEXT WEEK We would like to invite you to our end of the year MS-HS Concert and Elementary art showcase next Wednesday, May 21st! The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m., with doors open to the public at 6:15 p.m. Guests may enter from the 2nd floor entrance; we look forward to seeing you next Wednesday!

Addison and Kim Makowski Honored at Annual Scholar Recognition Program Hancock Central School is proud to recognize senior Addison Makowski and her teacher mentor, Kim Makowski, who were honored this past Monday at the Annual Scholar Recognition Program held at SUNY Oneonta. Presented by DCMO BOCES, ONC BOCES, and SUNY Oneonta, the prestigious event celebrates outstanding academic achievement and the influential role of educators across the region. Student scholars from all DCMO and ONC BOCES campuses and component school districts gathered with their families, principals, and superintendents for this special occasion. Addison was selected as one of the top scholars for her exceptional scholastic accomplishments, leadership, and commitment to excellence throughout her high school career. In turn, she recognized Mrs. Kim Makowski as the educator who has had the most significant and positive impact on her academic journey. We commend both Addison and Mrs. Makowski for their hard work, dedication, and the inspiration they provide to the Hancock school community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

D-H Softball Hosts MAC Semifinal Tonight Best of luck to our Deposit-Hancock Eagles Softball team as they face Oxford in the MAC Semifinals tonight at 4:30 p.m. in Deposit. The top-seeded Lady Eagles (10-0 in MAC play, 14-2 overall) are currently ranked #1 in New York State Class C and will host #4-seeded Oxford for a chance to advance to the MAC Championship. The winner will take on the winner of the Greene vs. Bainbridge-Guilford matchup. The MAC Championship is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, with the higher seed hosting. Go Eagles—keep the momentum going!

LEARNING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION! Today, our 11th and 12th grade students had the unique opportunity to meet with several Town of Hancock officials to learn more about how local government works and what it takes to keep a town running smoothly. As a lead-in to this experience, HCS senior Ashton Aceves-Amaya filmed the April Town of Hancock Board Meeting, giving our students a firsthand look at town operations. As a follow-up, town officials Tim Newman, Jerry Vernold, and Cindy Whiting visited our school to discuss the many responsibilities and roles they fulfill in service to our community. To wrap things up, students enjoyed a fun round of government trivia—putting their new knowledge to the test! A big THANK YOU to Mr. Ogozalek for organizing this incredible learning opportunity for our future leaders!

MS-HS QUARTER 3 AWARDS NEXT WEEK Please join us for the Middle School–High School Quarter 3 Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 20th at 1:45 p.m. in the MS-HS Auditorium! Families are welcome to attend—doors will open at 1:40 p.m. at the 2nd floor entrance. During the ceremony, we will also proudly announce our Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2025! We look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate our students' hard work and achievements!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Hancock Central School would like to wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms, grandmothers, guardians, and mother figures in our school community! Thank you for your love, guidance, and endless support. Your strength and care help shape the lives of our students and inspire all of us every day. We appreciate you—today and always.

THANK YOU TO OUR CUSTODIAL AND TRANSPORTATION STAFFS! This Staff Appreciation Week, we proudly recognize the hardworking custodial and transportation teams at Hancock Central School—true unsung heroes who help keep our school running every single day. To our custodians: You are the first ones in and the last ones out—cleaning, fixing, setting up, and making sure our buildings are safe, welcoming, and ready for learning. Your work behind the scenes makes a big difference, and we are so grateful for your dedication and attention to detail. From snow removal to sanitizing classrooms, you do it all with pride and care. To our transportation staff: You are the trusted hands behind the wheel, ensuring our students get to and from school safely each day. Rain, snow, or shine—you show up with a smile, a warm greeting, and a commitment to safety. Your calm presence and dependability make you an important part of each student's daily experience. Your work may often happen early in the morning or late at night, but please know that your impact is felt around the clock. Thank you for your reliability, hard work, and the care you bring to the HCS community.

HCS STUDENT ARTISTS SHINE! We are thrilled to announce that several talented Hancock Central School students have had their artwork selected for publication in the 2024-2025 editions of the Catskill Review and Kites and Kings! These prestigious publications showcase exceptional student creativity from across the region, and our students' inclusion is a testament to their hard work, talent, and artistic vision. We would like to recognize the following students on being selected: Kites and Kings – Maci Berlingeri, Nicholas Picozzi, Emerson Rinn, Mia Cotza Catskill Review – Madelyn Feller, Carter Fineout, John D’Elia, Emma Tice, Amadalee Rodriguez, Addison Makowski Congratulations to all of our student artists for this outstanding achievement — we are so proud of you!

THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING AIDES & MONITORS! This Staff Appreciation Week, we want to give a big shout-out to our dedicated aides and monitors at Hancock Central School! From classroom support to hallway supervision and everything in between, your hard work, patience, and care make a huge difference in the daily lives of our students and staff. We truly appreciate all that you do to keep HCS running smoothly and our students safe, supported, and ready to learn!

HAPPY SCHOOL NURSE DAY! During Staff Appreciation Week, we want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing nurses— Ms. Ahearn, Ms. Alderman and Mrs. Hunt—for their constant care, compassion, and dedication. Whether it’s a scraped knee, a fever, or just a kind word, our nurses are always there to support the health and well-being of our students. Hancock Central School is lucky to have such incredible people watching over us every day! Thank you for all you do!

IMPORTANT DATES See the graphic below for important dates for the Month of May here at HCS!

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY This week, Hancock Central School proudly recognizes and thanks our dedicated teachers for their outstanding work and unwavering commitment to our students. Our teachers give their time, energy, and expertise every day to provide the best possible education and support for our students. Their dedication makes a lasting impact in the classroom and throughout our school community. Thank you for everything you do. We appreciate you—this week and always!

Thank You to Our School Lunch Heroes! This past Friday was School Lunch Hero Day, and we want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing Food Service Team at Hancock Central School! From preparing nutritious meals to serving them with a smile, you make a difference in our students' lives every single day. Your hard work, care, and dedication do not go unnoticed—and we appreciate you more than words can express. As we continue to celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, we’re proud to recognize our food service staff as essential members of the HCS family. Thank you for keeping us fueled, supported, and smiling!

Celebrating Principal Durkot for Principal Appreciation Day and Staff Appreciation Week! This past Thursday was Principal Appreciation Day, and we want to give a huge THANK YOU to our very own Mr. Durkot for everything he does for our Elementary and Middle-High Schools here at Hancock Central School. His dedication, leadership, and unwavering support make a lasting impact on our students, staff, and school community every single day. As we kick off Staff Appreciation Week, we also extend our gratitude to all of our incredible teachers, aides, counselors, custodians, office staff, food service workers, and everyone who helps make HCS such a special place. We are truly grateful for each and every one of you! Thank you, Mr. Durkot, and thank you to our entire HCS team—you are appreciated more than words can say!

HAPPY EASTER & ENJOY YOUR SPRING BREAK! Hancock Central School wishes all our students, staff, and families a happy, healthy, and safe Easter filled with joy and relaxation! You’ve earned a well-deserved break—Spring Recess runs from Thursday, April 17 through Monday, April 28. We’ll see everyone back in class on Tuesday, April 29 refreshed and ready to finish the school year strong! Enjoy the time off and take care!

EASTER EGG-CITEMENT AT HCS! Today’s Easter Egg Hunt was a blast! Despite the chilly weather, our students had a fantastic time searching for eggs, collecting goodies, and even getting a visit from the Easter Bunny! A huge thank you to our amazing Student Council for organizing such a fun event, and to all the staff members who donated and contributed to the treats hidden inside the eggs. Your support made this a truly special day for our students! Smiles, laughter, and a whole lot of eggs—what more could we ask for?

5TH-6TH GRADERS CREATE SPRING-THEMED BOOKMARKS Thank you to Mrs. Dufton for sending in pictures of our 5th and 6th graders, as they created beautiful spring-themed bookmarks today! Nice job, students, you all really did an amazing job with your bookmarks!

SPRING VACATION INFORMATION We hope you all have a happy and healthy spring recess! Spring recess will begin this Thursday, April 17th, through Monday, April 28th. Students will return on Tuesday, April 29th. Also, there will be NO extended day this Wednesday, April 16th. Thank you!