Announcements for Friday, September 4, 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
As we begin a new school year, I want to welcome our students back to the Hive and remind them of what makes being a Bee so special. A new school year brings new opportunities, new challenges and new goals. It is a chance for our students to learn something new, discover a new passion, build new friendships and challenge themselves to grow.
As we look ahead, I want every student to strive for excellence, but not someone else’s definition of excellence. I want them to strive for their own. Excellence does not look the same for everyone. Not every student will finish the year with a gold medal, a championship ring, a prestigious award or a standing ovation. We are not all running the same race and our goals will be different. What matters is that each student continues to move forward, improve and grow.
For one student, success may mean earning a high grade or mastering a difficult concept. For another, it may mean stepping onto a stage, making a team, creating something new or finding the courage to ask for help. Sometimes the moments that make us most proud are the ones that happen quietly, when we see a child overcome something difficult, take a chance on themselves or become more confident than they were before.
Every challenge our students face will be different, but the opportunity is the same: to learn, to improve and to rise to whatever comes their way.
Throughout this school year, I hope our students set goals that challenge them and allow us to celebrate their progress along the way. When they face a setback, I hope they use it as an opportunity to learn. When something feels difficult, I hope they keep going. And when they succeed, I hope they take a moment to recognize how far they have come.
Our goal as Bees is not simply to be the best. It is to be better than we were yesterday. It is to continue learning, growing and supporting one another along the way. Excellence comes in many forms and every step forward matters.
I am excited to see what the 2026-2027 school year holds for our students. As we look forward to the opportunities ahead, we also know that a successful school year begins with a successful start.
With that in mind, we want to share a few important reminders and updates with our families as we prepare for the first week of school.
Early Dismissal for Secondary Students
To help support a smooth and efficient student dismissal process during the first week of school, secondary students in grades 6-12 at Ray Middle School, Durgee Jr. High School, and C.W. Baker High School will be dismissed early from Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11, 2026.
Dismissal times will be:
Baker High School: 1:50 p.m.
Durgee Jr. High School: 2:10 p.m.
Ray Middle School: 1:50 p.m. (Parent pick-up will remain at 2:30 p.m.)
This temporary adjustment will allow our school buses additional time to return to our elementary schools so they can begin PK-5 dismissal at approximately 3:15 p.m.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during the first few days of school as our students, families, bus drivers and staff get reacquainted with routes, schedules and procedures.
Regular dismissal times for secondary students will resume Monday, September 14, 2026. Thank you for helping us make the first week of school as smooth and successful as possible.
Required Forms
Two required forms for all families are available on ParentSquare. Please review and complete the following, if you haven’t already:
Back-to-School Questions
Our Back-to-School Quick Reference Guide is available on the homepage of our website. The guide includes helpful information about required forms, school supply lists, and other back-to-school details.
If you have questions about the Quick Reference Guide, website, The Hive or the District Calendar, please contact us at support@bville.org.
As we head into Labor Day weekend, I want to take a moment to recognize the many people whose hard work helps make our schools and our community stronger. This year, that work is especially visible across our campuses as construction crews, tradespeople and project teams continue building new spaces and improving the places where our students learn, grow and thrive.
Just as our students will spend this year building their knowledge, confidence and character, these dedicated workers are helping us build the future of our schools. Their work is a reminder that meaningful progress takes time, effort and a commitment to doing things well.
On behalf of our students, families and staff, thank you to everyone who is working to build, improve and care for our Hive. We are grateful for the many hands and countless hours that help make Baldwinsville a place where our students can continue to grow and achieve.
I wish all of our families a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. We look forward to welcoming our students back to the Hive on Tuesday, September 8.
Go Bees!
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph M. DeBarbieri
Superintendent of Schools
