Taconic Hills Central School District

Dear Taconic Hills Families & Community: Spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) eggs are hatching, and small caterpillars are all around. These caterpillars are barely noticeable right now, and are covered in tiny hairs. By July, these caterpillars will be a few inches long, and by the end of the summer will turn into the moths that we saw everywhere last year as well. The tiny hairs on these caterpillars carry histamines that can cause an itchy, red rash. Usually, the rash goes away on its own within a day or two, but people with a severe sensitivity may need to use a cortisone cream to ease their symptoms. The New York State Education Department Guidelines for Medication management in Schools states that medication cannot be administered to students without a doctor’s prescription. While this prevents our nursing staff from administering cortisone cream to most students with these rashes, they have been providing vaseline and lotion to students who visit with severe symptoms. Under amendments to the State Education law Section 409-K and Social Services Law Section 390-G, no school or day care center can apply pesticides to any playgrounds, turf, or athletic fields. While we are unable to suppress the insects, our recesses, PE classes, athletics practices, and before & after school program have been vigilant about encouraging students to check themselves for these little creatures when coming back inside. Thank you for working with us to ensure our students safety and comfort during these past & upcoming weeks of the insect’s life cycle. More information regarding the spongy moth, including their life cycle and manual removal can be found here: https://cals.cornell.edu/.../whats-bugging-you/spongy-moth View the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Fact Sheet on spongy moths here: https://ccedutchess.org/resources/spongy-moth-factsheet Lynnette Brunger Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Smith Director of Facilities II

Dear Taconic Hills Families & Community: Spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) eggs are hatching, and small caterpillars are all around. These caterpillars are barely noticeable right now, and are covered in tiny hairs. By July, these caterpillars will be a few inches long, and by the end of the summer will turn into the moths that we saw everywhere last year as well. The tiny hairs on these caterpillars carry histamines that can cause an itchy, red rash. Usually, the rash goes away on its own within a day or two, but people with a severe sensitivity may need to use a cortisone cream to ease their symptoms. The New York State Education Department Guidelines for Medication management in Schools states that medication cannot be administered to students without a doctor’s prescription. While this prevents our nursing staff from administering cortisone cream to most students with these rashes, they have been providing Vaseline and lotion to students who visit with severe symptoms. Under amendments to the State Education law Section 409-K and Social Services Law Section 390-G, no school or day care center can apply pesticides to any playgrounds, turf, or athletic fields. While we are unable to suppress the insects, our recesses, PE classes, athletics practices, and before & after school program have been vigilant about encouraging students to check themselves for these little creatures when coming back inside. Thank you for working with us to ensure our students safety and comfort during these past & upcoming weeks of the insect’s life cycle. More information regarding the spongy moth, including their life cycle and manual removal can be found here: https://cals.cornell.edu/.../whats-bugging-you/spongy-moth View the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Fact Sheet on spongy moths here: https://ccedutchess.org/resources/spongy-moth-factsheet Lynnette Brunger Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Smith Director of Facilities II

Attention Parents/Guardians: The 5:15PM buses have been cancelled today, May 3, 2024 due to a driver shortage. Students who do not have a ride home or drive at that time should dismiss at regular time of 2:35PM since there are no 4PM buses on Fridays. Thank you for your continued understanding.

The May 2024 Budget Edition of the Titan Herald will be sent to mailboxes within in the upcoming weeks! View the PDF here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1on6gPFv7lqNIRihwAb_oOv8x7CpL_REC/view?usp=sharing

Taconic Hills Central School District's annual public hearing on the proposed school budget will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30PM in the Board of Education Room. At the hearing, school officials will present details of 2024-2025 school budget. This meeting will also be livestreamed via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkDAT0oSGhbW--1NZikMf1A Budget information is posted on our website at https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/2024-25-budget

We are hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive this Friday, May 3 from 8AM-3PM. Sign up here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time?dt=WB:PL:DR:PM

Attention Parents/Guardians: 5:15PM buses are cancelled for today, April 30, 2024. Sports practices are still on, but athletes will need to be picked up by parents, drive home, or take the 4PM bus home. Thank you for your understanding.

Congratulations to this week's Titan Strong Certificate Winners!

Starting today through May 3, the Elementary school is doing a can drive collection for local food banks. All non-perishable foods can be placed on the collection table outside of the Elementary Art Room. One can could make a difference!🥫🧡

Good Morning. The final lockdown drill of the 2023-2024 was held this morning at Taconic Hills. Students and staff did a wonderful job. Thank you to all emergency responders for their assistance with this drill.

Director of Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Jennifer Eraca recently worked with the former Webutuck CSD secondary school nurse, Charlie Davis and SDI Specialist from Dutchess BOCES, Patti Davis. Together, they secured a 100K grant from the Foundation for Community Health in 2021 and partnered with Open Door to open the first school-based health clinic in Dutchess County. They presented at various venues (NYSSBA, The Nurse Practitioner Association of NYS 2021). They submitted the paper in November 10, 2022, it was revised in March 2024 with final publication in the Journal of School Health on April 15, 2024. Congratulations to Dr. Eraca and her team for this incredible publication, "Improving Students Access to Primary Health Care Through School-Based Health Centers": http://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13455

Tomorrow, April 16 is National Pajama Day! National Pajama day, also known as “PJammin”, is a day to show support for kids with cancer. “Why pajamas? Pajamas are the battle uniform for children with cancer and too often that is a battle fought isolated in hospital rooms or staying home for months or years at a time. “ – American Childhood Cancer Organization Wear your PJ's tomorrow to show your support!👚💤 If you would like more information about this event, please visit the American Childhood Cancer Organization website here: https://www.acco.org/national-pajama-day/

Attention Junior Parents!🗣 We will be hosting a Junior Parent Night on Wednesday, April 24 at 6PM in the High School Library! Please join our School Counselors in discussions regarding what your students senior year will look like, how our counselors can help plan, and how to help prepare at home for what your student decides after high school. Please direct any questions to Mr. Purificato at npurificato@taconichills.k12.ny.us (Last name begins with A-L) or Ms. Pytell at qpytell@taconichills.k12.ny.us (Last name begins with M-Z).

Spring Concerts & Art Shows are here!🌸🎤🎨 High School Chorus/Band: Tuesday, May 7 at 7PM Grades 5&6 Chorus/Band: Thursday, May 9 at 7PM Jr High School Chorus/Band: Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30PM

Join us for the 18th annual Taconic Hills CSD E-Fund Scramble Golf Tournament. The day includes 9 holes of golf, lunch, soft drinks, and prizes! ⛳️ When? Saturday, May 4, 2024 Registration at 9:30AM Tee off at 10AM Where? Undermountain Golf Course 274 Undermountain Road Copake, NY 12516 Cost? Adults $60 Juniors (Under 18) $30 Cart Fee $5 (must register in advance) All Day Putting Contest $5 Donation Registration deadline is April 26, 2024. For more information, please contact Undermountain Golf Course at 518-329-4444. Complete the registration form here, and submit with payment to Undermountain Golf Course: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QO7wZCi5HY_GMTzLzCOmb2EYWnXYudS7/view

Congratulations to this week's Titan Strong Winners!

Please keep your pets home! Reminder that no animals are allowed on District property. This includes during after school events, such as Athletics. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

ATTENTION: The Pool & Fitness Center has been closed from 1PM-5:30PM today. It will be open from 5:30PM-7:45PM. Thank you for your understanding.

April 1-5 is National Assistant Principals Week! We deeply appreciate our two Assistant Principals here at Taconic Hills, Darby Dellea and Cathleen Goodwin. Mrs. Dellea supports grades 7-8, while Mrs. Goodwin assists grades 9-12. Thank you both for playing an integral role in our students' academic journeys. "A great Assistant Principal builds character, inspires dreams, encourages creativity, builds confidence, instills a love of learning, touches our hearts, and changes our lives forever" 🧡

April is Autism Awareness Month, with April 2 recognized as World Autism Awareness Day. Let's celebrate the strengths of those on the autism spectrum, and promote understanding, acceptance, & inclusion🧩 "Autism is not a disability, it's a different ability" 🧡