Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District Superintendent Michael McElduff is looking forward to school starting again on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

He let the community know that, while the schools are still closed for summer vacation, residents will start to see some activity around the buildings this week.

“As we prepare to welcome students back, please note the following key dates,” he wrote in a letter home to families where he shared important dates. He noted additional information, specific to a student’s school, will come from the buildings. The dates are:

• Wednesday, Aug. 21: O’Neill High School New Student Orientation

• Thursday, Aug. 22: 7th and 8th Grade Orientation (at O’Neill High School)

• Tuesday, Aug. 27: Highland Falls Intermediate School New Student Orientation (Grades 3-6)

While students return on September 4, faculty and staff will be in their buildings on Thursday, Aug. 29 and Tuesday, Sept. 3 for Superintendent’s Conference Days.

“As the first day of school quickly approaches, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support, especially as we navigated some difficult challenges this past year, including natural disasters and unforeseen issues with our capital project,” McElduff wrote. “Our primary goal remains the same: to provide a safe and positive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

McElduff said the Buildings and Grounds Department has done “an outstanding job completing the complex task of relocating our faculty and staff to temporary buildings” due to the ongoing work at Fort Montgomery Elementary School as part of the capital project.

And in a matter unrelated to the project or opening of school, the superintendent also said the district is working hard to better communicate with its families, and the greater community.

“We have taken significant steps to enhance our social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, and X, and we are in the final stages of rolling out a new website, which we anticipate will be ready before winter,” McElduff said.
For those looking for more information on the start of the school year, the Board of Education is set to meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22 in the O’Neill High School Library.