A Message from Dr. Villanueva: Summer Happenings and Transportation Updates

Dear Eastchester Families and Students,
 

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! 

 

“Back to School” Messages

It may seem hard to believe, but the 2026-2027 school year is just around the corner! As we look forward to the first day of school, students and their families undoubtedly have some questions about what the year will hold for them. 

To that end, be sure to look out for the annual “Back-to-School” messages which will be sent out by individual building principals in August. These messages will contain pertinent school information including 

 

Extended School Year/SAT Prep Course/ College Essay Workshop/ENL Program

Just because it’s summertime doesn't mean that there isn’t learning going on in our classrooms!

Many Eastchester students are making the most of their summer months and taking part in several educational programs offered by the district. From July 21-24, more than two dozen rising juniors participated in a College Essay Workshop, run by Bryan Johnson and Heather Reilly, that is designed to provide our college applicants with the tools they need to craft compelling personal narratives that are so integral to the college application process. 

More than 70 high school students also signed up for our SAT Prep Course, with one session running from July 9 to July 28 and another which will run from July 29 through August 17. This is the third year that the district has offered the course, which helps students to hone both their math and ELA skills while learning test-taking strategies.

Our Summer ENL program has been well-attended by many of our elementary students for whom English is a second language, and our special education students are also excelling in our Extended School Year program, strengthening the skills they acquired throughout the school year as they gear up for September.

We love seeing the learning that is taking place on our campuses this summer!

 

Eligibility for Bus Transportation Letters via Regular Mail and email

As it is the end of July, the district will begin mailing letters now via the USPS to inform families of their children’s eligibility for school bus transportation in the 2026-2027 school year. These letters should be appearing in mailboxes next week and will be accompanied by a digital copy of the message on ParentSquare. 

I would like to commend our Transportation Department and administrative staff for their tireless work throughout this process. 

Any questions regarding transportation or eligibility may be directed to EUFSD Transportation Supervisor Kristene Reichard at kreichard@eufsdk12.org. If your child is eligible for school bus transportation but will not be riding the bus in 2026-2027, please contact Ms. Reichard to opt-out of school bus service.

Additional information about school arrival and dismissal, as well as before-and-after school childcare options, is provided below.

2026-2027 School Hours

 

NEW: Early Drop-off & Late Pick-up Pilot

The Early Drop-off & Late Pickup Pilot DOES NOT replace ‘Right At School’ childcare.

Based on feedback from families, EUFSD elementary schools will be piloting an early drop off and pick up at Waverly, AH, and Greenvale 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 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 if they need a little extra cushion to drop off/pick up their child.

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.

During early and late pick up, students will be supervised in the school gym until their parents are able to pick them up.

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.

 

Childcare Opportunities

• Right At School at Anne Hutchinson School 26-27

• Right At School at Greenvale School 26-27

• Right At School at Waverly School 26-27

• Lincoln Academy 11 Woodlot Road, Eastchester, NY 10709: A bus will be provided to Waverly School and Greenvale School who are enrolled at Lincoln Academy for Before and After Care. There are 20 open spots available at Lincoln Academy.

 

EHS Library Hours

 

7:15 AM EHS Library opens for students to study and complete homework before school.

7:15 AM Cafeteria opens and breakfast service begins.

3:00 PM EHS Fitness Center opens for student use (typically open 4 days per week - Strength and Conditioning Coach will notify students of hours once school year begins).

4:00 PM EHS Library Closes.

 

EMS Library Hours

 

7:15AM  EMS Library opens for students to study and complete homework before 

7:15 AM Cafeteria opens and breakfast service begins.

During EMS Lunch Periods (20-25 spots)  Library opens for students to study

4:00 PM EMS Library Closes
 

Walkers To and From School Permission - Many school districts allow for students in grades two (2) and up to walk home unaccompanied. This year, parents at the grades 2-5 level (AH/GV) will have the option to allow their child to walk home from school without an adult. A permission form will be sent out in each building’s welcome back newsletter. If a family determines their child will walk home, they must complete the permission form/waiver.

Buildings are currently working on arrival and dismissal routines - Plans will be shared directly with families in August in each building’s “Welcome Back” newsletter. The building administration and Mr. Sheldon have looked over all the foreseeable details necessary to have as smooth an arrival/dismissal possible this coming year with the anticipation of increased drivers. Each school will communicate plans out to their families prior to the start of school. When school begins, additional supervision will be in place to help direct traffic and help families get into the new routine of dropping off.

Traffic Pattern Discussion - As we prepare for the school year, the EUFSD is actively engaging with our partners in the Town of Eastchester, including Eastchester’s Highway and Police Departments, to make improvements that will address some of the questions surrounding new traffic patterns. 

We will keep the community apprised of any changes that will be made, both on our campuses and in the town in general. 

Have a wonderful weekend!