High School
Updated
1/24/2012
When is graduation rehearsal this year? Does DCS have graduation invitations for purchase to send to family and friends?
Graduation rehearsal is held on the morning of the event. This year it will be Friday, June 22 (typically 9-11 am). Seniors will have the opportunity to order invitations that match the district's graduation program. Students can order invitations from a local printer or they may purchase invitations from a vendor of the family's choice. Those options will be explained in details to seniors as graduation gets closer.
Updated
11/09/2011
What are the fundraising efforts for the Class of 2013 graduation ceremony?
Please contact Class of 2013 advisor Rebecca Meyer at rmeyer@duanesburg.org for information.
Updated
09/26/2011
When is the high school semi-formal?
The HS Semi-formal is Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the HS. This information and more like it can be found on the district calendar that was mailed to all residents in August.
Updated
09/12/2011
My MS/HS children like to have a bottle of water with them during the day. They had said this is not allowed without a doctors note. Most all athletic coaches tell children how important it is to hydrate during the day. This is not able to be accomplished by just using the water fountain. Could you please explain the reason behind this?
Students are allowed to keep a water bottle in their lockers that they can drink from between classes to stay hydrated. Students are asked to keep liquids and foods out of the classroom in an effort to eliminate spills and possible damage to classroom equipment such as computers and other electronic devices.
Updated
07/21/2011
Does the Guidance Office automatically send out proof of graduation to the attending senior's college?
Updated
07/20/2011
The seniors submitted pictures for the graduation slideshow but we never got those pictures back. Will they be given back to those students?
Updated
06/28/2011
It took a year of controversy to finally address the annual complaints regarding the lack of visibility during the graduation ceremony. This year, the flower ceremony was moved up to the stage (as demonstrated at Proctors), and video screens were used to increase visibility. Good for the Board of Education for initiating the discussions regarding changes to the graduation ceremony. These changes have benefitted all. (By the way, the addition of the band was fantastic!)
Updated
06/28/2011
I'm so glad the band played at the graduation ceremony - including members of the community. It made the night a true community event.
Updated
06/28/2011
The graduation slideshow is AWESOME!
Updated
06/28/2011
Graduation was GREAT!!!! Super music, excellent screen to see and the emotion was fantastic.....Kudos to all that made it happen...:) Everyone of those graduates looked proud of our school...that's what is it all about....giving them a sense of pride to step out into the world with... Well done DCS! A memorable Graduation ....One to be proud of!
Updated
06/14/2011
Why is the high school library closed during the last few weeks of school? My child's history teacher assigned a paper on Friday, June 3 that is due Friday June 10. Students need the library resources, and the assistance of a librarian to aid in that research process. In addition, students are studying for Regents and other finals, without the assistance of any materials or again a professional to help during this important study time.
Updated
06/07/2011
What is Strive Five, and how are students chosen for Strive 5 and 95 or above?
Updated
05/24/2011
I have always enjoyed reading the Eagle's Eye but have not seen a copy recently. Where do I get a copy of the newsletter?
The Eagle's Eye is the student-produced school newspaper. Archives of the newspaper can be accessed here. This school year there was less interest in this club and, therefore, only one paper has been printed thus far.
Updated
04/27/2011
Has the school ever considered having a weight room at the high school?
In the past, there was a weight room at the high school. However, the equipment was old and no longer in proper working order so it was closed after an insurance audit nearly three years ago.
Updated
03/30/2011
Do 10th graders go on field trips?
At the high school level, field trips are not organized by grade but rather by course and content area. There have been trips that included all one grade level, for instance, but that would be because the trip was centered on specific course content. Teachers are allowed to coordinate field trips for courses in their content areas (i.e. business, family/consumer science, English, art, health). There have been several high school field trips that included students in classes where there is a combination of grade levels.
Updated
03/23/2011
How come the class of 2015 is not going to the Bronx Zoo? In the past, grade 8 students went to the Bronx Zoo.
The 7th-grade classes will be going on a field trip to the Bronx zoo. It ties into the science curriculum better for 7th grade. The Baseball Hall of Fame ties into the 8th grade curriculum in all the core classes. Additionally, teachers take cost into consideration when planning trips. The trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame will cost each student $5 plus the cost of lunch. It is believed the economics of this trip will enable all students to participate. For more information, please contact Mrs. Rynish at mrynish@duanesburg.org.
Updated
02/16/2011
I heard that the students who plan to attend the Microsoft DigiGirlz Day at SUNY Albany on Tuesday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. are responsible for their own transportation? I don't understand why the school won't transfer them with a bus.
Throughout the school year, DCS provides students with many college and career building opportunities and/or programs that are held at local colleges, businesses, etc. that require transportation services that are outside the scope of what the district can provide.
Updated
02/01/2011
In reference to your response "we will not have a weight room again unless we have an appropriate place for it and supervision" my questions are:
1. Where did the "old" equipment go and where was the weight room to begin with?
2. As for Supervision, we have Coaches for Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling and Softball don't we? Why wouldn't these coaches be able to supervise?
3. All other school district's implement weight training in there gym classes why not Duanesburg?
4. What is the money being used for that the Sports Teams/Booster Club raises?
5. As a community what would the school's response be if we raise enough money to purchase new equipment?
1. As previously state the equipment was old and not in working order, therefore, it was disposed of.
2. Sports team coaches are responsible for coaching teams.
3. Schools that do not have a weight room, such as DCS, do not incorporate weight room training in its physical education curriculum.
4. Please contact the Booster Club directly to learn more about their fundraiser efforts.
5. We currently do not have space for a weight room. Please contact Athletic Director Penny Hardenstine to discuss this matter further.
Updated
01/19/2011
Why is the weight room in the school no longer available for athletes or others to work out in?
The equipment was old
and no longer in proper working order so it was taken out of service
shortly after an insurance audit nearly three years ago.
We will not have a weight room again unless we have an appropriate
place for it, and if it can be properly equipped and supervised.
Updated
7/20/2010
Why are the drama club and nimbus club not listed under clubs and activities?
When the website was resigned some items were in advertently left off. Nimbus club was always on the list, however, drama club was accidently left off. This has since been fixed.
Updated
6/22/2010
I have not been able to locate the regents exam schedule on the district website and found in small print in a corner the link to download the final exam schedule. Shouldn't these be priority items that can be easily located?
The June Regents Exam Schedule is now located on the High School's main page. We apologize for the delay in getting it posted online. There have been some staffing changes in communications and a new website was recently launched. Please note, however, that hard copies of the Regents Exam Schedule were always available at the High School.
Updated
6/15/2010
Why did a ninth-grade student receive money from this year's senior class?
At a recent awards ceremony, the senior class donated $1,100 to a student who is working on his Eagle Scout project. The senior class wanted to use its remaining funds for something that would "give back" to the school as well as contribute to the beautification of the district. The officers of the class met and agreed that the fund raising effort of this student for his Eagle Scout project was a worthy cause. The donated money will be used to purchase supplies needed to build a new trophy case in the main foyer of the high school. Future trophies, plaques, and other awards will be on display in the new trophy case.
Updated
5/17/2010
Is there a dress code at the high school? I have noticed a lot of girls wearing very short shorts! They should at least come down to the top of their knees! Are they at school to party or to get an education? Let's enforce the dress code or adopt one and have the principals monitor the kids when they come in the front door--if the shorts are too short send them home to change! Let's have some respect for ourselves and those around us!
Yes, there is a student dress code,which is enforced, at the high school as well as at the middle school and elementary school. Clothing attire is not monitored as every student enters the school building. Students and their parents are made aware of the dress code at the beginning of the school year, as outlined on page 18 of the student handbook (PDF), and hold primary responsibility for acceptable dress and appearance. When a concern is raised and referred to the administration, the student will be asked to change, cover or remove the offending item.
Updated
4/19/2010
Was there some type of celebration at the high school today (Friday, April 16) involving alternative lifestyles?
The high school allowed students to participate in a "Day of Silence" on April 16. This is a national student-led day of action where concerned students take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to the name-calling, bullying, and harassment - in effect, the silencing - experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies. The district's hope is that this day at Duanesburg will open a dialogue about how our school community deals with differences of all types, and will lead to some positive action and communication among students, faculty and staff.
Updated
2/26/2010
It seems since grades are not weighted that there should not be class rank based on grade point averages. Why does Duanesburg still have class rank?
Colleges request an applicant's class ranking. This type of data helps inform their selection process—giving them a snapshot of a student in comparison to others in their class. In Duanesburg's case, the college is informed that classes are not weighted.
Updated
2/1/2010
Why doesn't Duanesburg weigh grades, yet still have class rank? This seems very unfair to students who take more difficult courses and seems to encourage students to take easier classes and not challenge themselves.
School officials agree that weighting of grades acknowledges that students have challenged themselves by taking higher level courses. In fact, this was a topic of discussion between administrators and department chairs at the beginning of the school year. However, until school officials can ensure that all of the district's higher level course offerings (University in the High School and Advanced Placement) meet a satisfactory standard they cannot move forward. Further discussions will need to take place.
Updated
1/25/2010
I am a junior taking the English regents and, having taking a regents while other students/ classes were in the school, found it very distracting when they were in the halls. I also am not looking forward to taking my classes as normal then sitting down for three hours to take a test and write multiple essays. Why is it that all or most surrounding school districts do not have school during the week of January regent, but we do?
A letter was sent home with high school students last week informing parents that ninth- through twelfth-graders should only attend school on Tuesday, Jan. 26, through Thursday, Jan. 28, if they have an exam scheduled. Students in kindergarten through eighth-grade will attend school as usual. Download the letter and updated schedule (PDF).
posted
12/22/2009
I find it interesting that a few years ago a new lunch period was added in response to parent complaints about their middle schoolers eating lunch at the same time as high schoolers, yet it is apparently perfectly okay with everyone that these same two groups participate in gym together. One would think that mixed gym classes would bother parents more than lunch.
A new lunch period was added based on internal observations, not by request. There are separate physical education classes for middle school and high school students, and classes are held separately in either the gym or MOCC. Physical education teachers may opt to combine sections for activities they feel confident both sections can safely participate in together. This is largely due to space constraints, particularly when the MOCC is occupied by another class. Without the addition of a second gymnasium, this situation is sometimes unavoidable.
posted
10/29/2009
Are Halloween costumes allowed to be worn on Friday?
Students must comply with the district's dress code at all times. Please review the guidelines on page 11 of the Code of Conduct (PDF). While the district does not encourage the wearing of costumes, the dress code does not prohibit it. Costumes must be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with learning. This means costumes must not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs and /or encourage other illegal or violent activities. No brief or see-through garments. Students who violate the student dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item, and, if necessary or practical replacing it with an acceptable item. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline.
posted
9/17/2009
Why doesn't the middle/high school have a student phone book?
The PTSO produces the elementary school phone book in an effort to help parents organize play dates, birthday parties etc. for their young children. They were unaware of interest in such a book for the upper grade levels. However, they would be willing to help produce one if there was enough interest. Please contact the PTSO to discuss further at ptso@duanesburg.org.
posted
9/1/2009
Is there a supply list for 9th grade students, and if so what is it?
There is not a formal supply list. However, students will need spiral bound notebooks or a 3-ring binder (depending on the student's preference) for each subject. English classes usually require a separate bound journal. As the school year progresses, index cards will also be needed.
posted
1/28/2009
If a student does not have physical education three days out of a six day cycle, say, two days out of six. Will the student have to take two p.e. classes the next year? Even if the other day (that would be used for p.e.) is a lab?
No, students will not have to double up on physical education classes next year for this reason. If they miss physical education class due to a lab they can make up the missed time during a study hall.
