September Updates

Dear Putnam Valley High School Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We are off to a fantastic, positive start, and we want to thank our staff, students, and community for their flexibility and enthusiasm as we dive into a new academic year.

Campus Updates & Safety Guidelines

Parking Lot & Senior Tradition: Everyone navigated our newly repaved and redesigned parking lot smoothly. The delayed senior spot-painting tradition is officially begun—be sure to admire the incredible student artwork throughout the lot!

Drop-Off & Pick-Up: Please review our recent ConnectEd communications regarding drop-off and pick-up procedures to help us keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

New Outdoor Fitness Area: Located behind the school near the baseball field, our new fitness facility and neighboring Wellness Trail are ready! PE classes and athletic teams will use them, and the community can access them outside of school hours.

Internet-Enabled Device Policy

As we enter year two of New York State’s phone-free school day policy, we remain committed to creating a distraction-free learning environment based on last year’s positive results.

Daily Expectation: Cell phones must remain put away all day. We strongly encourage students to keep devices secured in their lockers.

Visible Devices: If seen, devices will be confiscated.

Through Nov. 1: Students may retrieve their device in the Main Office at the end of the day.
After Nov. 1: A parent/guardian must pick up the device, or the student may pick it up the following morning.

Attendance & Timeliness Matters

We are actively working to reduce tardiness this year and need your help reinforcing the habit of on-time arrival.

Pro-Tip: Plan to leave 5 minutes earlier each morning, or take advantage of school transportation—it’s the most reliable way to avoid a late mark.

Monitoring: Attendance is tracked in PowerSchool, and automated notices go home for tardies.

Consequences: Patterns of unexcused lateness will result in detentions. Driving seniors risk losing their parking privileges.

After-School Eligibility Requirements
Consistent school attendance is directly tied to participation in sports, clubs, and weekend activities.

Minimum Class Attendance: Students must attend at least 4 full periods (or 2 block periods, excluding lunch) to participate in after-school events that day.

Arrival Cut-Off: Students must arrive by 10:00 AM to participate in same-day sports or activities. Any arrival between 7:50 AM and 10:00 AM requires a valid legal excuse note.

Unexcused Absences & Leaving Early: Cutting class or leaving school without permission results in immediate loss of eligibility for that day’s activities.

Weekend Events: Unexcused absences on Friday may jeopardize weekend event eligibility (appeals for extenuating circumstances go through administration).

Back-To-School Night

Join us on Thursday, October 1st!

5:45 PM: Doors Open

6:00 PM: Program Begins in the Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Format: Families will follow their child’s 9-period “A-Day” schedule to meet teachers and explore the curriculum.

Upcoming Dates & Events

Thank you for your continued partnership in making this a wonderful, productive year for our students!

Matt Mello
Principal
Putnam Valley HS