Greenvale's Back to School Letter

We hope you are enjoying these final weeks of summer and have had many opportunities to spend meaningful time together as a family. Greenvale has been a busy place this summer, with several construction projects underway and a thorough cleaning taking place as we prepare to welcome everyone back. As summer winds down, we know our students are looking forward to reconnecting with friends, meeting their teachers, and returning to school in September. We share their excitement and look forward to partnering with you to support your children’s academic, social, and emotional growth throughout the 2026–27 school year.

We are writing to share important information about the first day of school on Wednesday, September 2, along with helpful guidance to ensure a smooth and successful start to the new school year.

To make the first day of school an easy transition for your child, we recommend that you begin to establish a morning routine prior to the start of school. Talk with your children about their new school experiences. Discuss meeting new friends, and how their teachers, teaching assistants and monitors will show them everything they will need to know at school. Reassure them that school is a safe place, and that you look forward to hearing about everything they learn in school.

The night before, have your child help you pack a lunch, and choose an outfit. In the morning, allow enough time to eat a good breakfast. Let your child gather his/her things and talk about the day. Answer any questions your child may have, and make a plan for dismissal and pick-up.

Communication and Collaborations

Strong communication between home and school is key to supporting your child’s success. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns—we are always happy to help!

Joanna Sanese – Principal – jsanese@eufsdk12.org

Diana Nikaj – Assistant Principal – dnikaj@eufsdk12.org

Faculty and Staff Updates

Please join me in welcoming the following new faculty and staff members to Greenvale:

• Marina Mylnar - Grade 3 Teacher, joining Greenvale from Anne Hutchinson School
• Meera Rajani - Grade 5 Teacher, our former Math Coach
• Michael Carideo - Head Custodian

School Day

The first day of school is Wednesday, September 2. This is a full day of school. Supervision on the blacktop begins at 8am. New this year, our school day officially begins at 8:10am and students will enter the building from the blacktop at that time. The school day ends at 3pm. 

Based on feedback from families, Greenvale will be piloting an early drop off and pick up for the first month of school. In an effort to provide families who periodically need additional time at the start and end of the school day to drop off or pick up their child from school, parents/guardians will now be able to drop their children off at school up to 25 minutes before the bell rings and pick up their students 25 minutes after the end of the day school bell rings. We will monitor how many families require this assistance throughout the month of September to determine if we will continue the extended hours for the remainder of the year.

Early drop off being at 7:45am and extends to 3:25pm in the afternoon. The circle in front of Greenvale will be opened for this drop off at 7:45am and closed promptly at 8am to accomodate busses. During early and late pick up, students will be supervised on the blacktop. Parents/guardians who require more than 25 minutes at the start or end of day or require daily childcare, are encouraged to utilize Right at School childcare.

Please note that all school doors are locked. Students, parents, and visitors must enter and exit from the main door and sign in/out with front desk security at all times. Photo ID is required to enter the building.

Arrival and Dismissal

We want to share important information regarding morning arrival.

We are excited to share that there will be two morning drop-off locations: Gabriel Rescigno Drive and the Maple Street Rear Parking Lot.

To help reduce traffic congestion, please use the location that best aligns with the direction from which you are traveling. Those traveling from the east or north side of Greenvale (including neighborhoods behind the Vernon Hills Shopping Center) should use Gabriel Rescigno Drive. Those traveling from the south or west side of Greenvale (including Green Knolls, Garth Road) should use the Maple Street Rear Parking Lot.

Greenvale staff will be stationed at both locations each morning to assist students and direct them safely to the blacktop.

Please note, there is no drop off directly in front of Greenvale School or in the circle.

Arrival Expectations

• Parents and guardians must remain in their vehicles at all times.
• Students must exit from the passenger side only.
• Please have backpacks, lunches, instruments, and other belongings ready before arriving.
• Pull your vehicle as far forward as possible before unloading.
• Once your child exits, please continue forward promptly to keep traffic moving. Please do not pull out of the line. Continue moving forward, exiting with the flow of traffic ahead of you.
• If your child requires additional assistance, please park in a legal parking space outside of the drop-off lane and walk them to school. Please do not use the parking spaces in the Maple Street lot, as they are reserved for staff. Spaces are available along Rescigno Drive across from the field.

Gabriel Rescigno Drive Drop-Off

• Coming from either Maple Street or Swift Avenue, proceed southbound on Rescigno Drive, pull as far down as possible, to the start of Haindl Field.
• Have your child exit the passenger side of the car.
• Students will enter Greenvale property through the gate on the field and follow the new path up to the blacktop. Several Greenvale staff members will be there to assist and supervise students.
• Please stay in line until the car ahead of you pulls forward.
• Continue down Rescigno Drive southbound and turn left onto Farella Way to exit.

Maple Street Parking Lot Drop-Off

• Coming from Maple Street, proceed to the parking lot entrance. Pull around as far as possible, and stop in the lined spots.
• Have your child exit the passenger side of the car.
• Students will proceed to the stairway and walk up to the blacktop. Greenvale staff members will be there to assist and supervise students.
• Please stay in line until the car ahead of you pulls forward.
• Exit the parking lot onto Maple Street.

Please review the maps of each drop-off location. We appreciate your patience, especially during the first few days of school.

Dismissal will continue to take place on the blacktop for all grades. Teachers will release students to parents or to walk independently. Walking waivers will be sent out in the coming days.

Class Assignments

The next couple of weeks will be exciting ones, as you all prepare for school, and eagerly await word of who your child’s teacher will be for the fall. On Friday, August 21, class placement information for the 2026-27 school year will be available electronically through Infinite Campus after 2pm. Infinite Campus is replacing Home Access Center/eSchoolPlus as the District’s student information system and will allow you to monitor content like class schedules, report cards, and more! You can access Infinite Campus here. If you have not already done so, please make sure you have an account with Infinite Campus. Instructions for setting up an account have been emailed.

Thank you for understanding that requests for class assignment changes are not being accepted.

5th Grade Departmentalization

Greenvale’s 5th grade operates a departmentalized program, allowing students to experience multiple teachers and class transitions in preparation for middle school. Your child’s teachers will provide a detailed overview during Back to School Night.

Before and After School Care

Right at School is our before and after care provider. Please contact the Right at School if your family needs child care before 8am or after 3pm.   

Transportation

Please contact Kristene Reichard, Supervisor of Transportation, with any questions or concerns about the school bus: kreichard@eufsdk12.org, (914)793-6130 ext. 4280.

Attendance

If your child will not be attending school, or for any other attendance-related questions, please contact our Office Assistant, Trish Hutchinson, by email gvattendance@eufsdk12.org or by phone (914) 793-6130 ext. 5303.

Nurse’s Office

If your question or concern is health-related, please contact our school nurse, Geri Burke, either by email, gburke@eufsdk12.org, or by phone (914) 793-6130 ext. 5313. 

Food Services

Lunch is provided free of charge to all students in the Eastchester Union Free School District. Additional snacks and beverages are available for purchase in the cafeteria. To purchase these items, please be sure to create and fund your child’s MyPaymentsPlus account.

You can access our Food Services webpage here, where you will also find information about setting up a MyPaymentsPlus account. The September lunch menu will be posted here before the start of school. For more information, please click here to read a message from Ms. Linda Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Facilities.

Please also review our district-wide food and nut policy, available here, and keep these important guidelines in mind when packing classroom snacks for your child.

Change of Dismissal

If you must change your child’s means of dismissal after the school day has started, please call the main office. The office will then call the classroom and notify the teacher. This will avoid any missed emails.  

Electronics in School 

As a gentle reminder for all of our Greenvale families - students who bring electronic items for use before or after school (i.e., cell phones, smart watches, electronic games) must turn them off and store these items in their backpacks during the school day. We thank you in advance for your cooperation with this request!

Back to School Night

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 pm. Parents will have the opportunity to meet classroom teachers, specials, and support staff. Two sessions will be available for families with multiple children. Additional information will follow.

Important Information

Please access any important documents and information on the Eastchester Union Free School District website here and the Greenvale School website here. There you can access the district and school calendars, as well as the Greenvale Family Handbook.

If you do not want your child to be photographed and shared on the district’s websites, newsletters, or social media outlets, please complete the district’s Media Opt-Out Form and return to school.

PTA and SEPTA

All families are encouraged to join our supportive PTA and SEPTA communities! Please access their information here.

Safe Swimming Tips for Everyone!

Click this link if you would like to learn more about New York State's Safe Swimming Tips for Everyone. It has helpful tips and strategies for water safety as we finish up these last few weeks of Summer break!

Thank You!

We extend a very special thank you to Debbie Konkus and Trish Hutchinson, our school administrative assistants, for their tireless work throughout the summer. From registering students and coordinating teacher orders to managing the many forms and details required to prepare for a new school year, they help ensure that everything runs smoothly.

We are also grateful to Michael Carideo, Sam Patel, Kevin Barriga, John Geideman, and Ana Hernandez, our school custodial staff, as well as the entire Eastchester Union Free School District Facilities Team. Greenvale shines because of their hard work and dedication. In addition to their regular responsibilities, they spend the summer deep-cleaning our school, completing large-scale projects, and repairing anything and everything that needs attention.

These two teams are essential to the Greenvale community, and we sincerely appreciate all they do, not only during the summer, but throughout the entire school year. They have our gratitude!

We also extend our sincerest thanks to our teachers, staff, and PTA for their continued dedication and support throughout the summer. Greenvale thrives because of each of you!

We are excited to begin another wonderful school year at Greenvale and look forward to seeing you and your children. A strong partnership between home and school is essential to creating the best possible learning environment for every child. Please feel free to reach out at any time, we are here to support you and your child in every way we can.

We look forward to welcoming our students on the first day of school, Wednesday, September 2. On behalf of the entire Greenvale School staff, we hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer. We eagerly await the start of an exciting and successful school year together!

Warm regards,

Joanna Sanese, Principal

Diana Nikaj, Assistant Principal