Message from the Principal:

 

September 5, 2025

Dear Parents,

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to share an

exciting district-wide initiative that our school will be implementing this fall: Positive Behavioral

Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

PBIS is a proactive approach to promoting positive behaviors and supporting the needs of all

students. This school-wide framework helps define, teach, and reinforce appropriate behaviors

in order to create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment where all students feel

supported and encouraged. Importantly, PBIS focuses not on what students should avoid, but

rather on how they can actively demonstrate behaviors that help themselves and others

succeed.

At Valley Cottage Elementary, the foundation of PBIS is our set of four building-wide

expectations, known as STAR:

  • Stay Safe
  • Take Responsibility
  • Academic Effort
  • Respect Self and Others

These expectations will guide student behavior in every area of our school, including hallways,

classrooms, the cafeteria, playground, buses, dismissal, and morning program. Students will

receive instruction, demonstrations, and opportunities to practice these behaviors so that

expectations are clear and consistent across settings.

Our PBIS team has worked diligently to prepare for full implementation this fall. The first step

will be to introduce the STAR expectations to our students during morning program on Monday,

September 8th. We are confident that PBIS will help foster a positive school climate and

empower every student to truly “Be a Valley Cottage STAR.”

Thank you for your continued support as we begin this exciting journey with PBIS. Together, we

can create a school community where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to shine.

Sincerely,

Lucrisha Addison-Harris

Principal

Valley Cottage Elementary School

 

 

 

 

 

After School Programs.

AfterschoolDayCare-RecreationalProg WEBSITE info.pdf 

Afterschool Day Care Programs available for V.C.E.
JCC – BTB (Beyond the Bell) (held in V.C.E. cafeteria)
Candace Wood (Site Leader)
Reed Silverman (Program Coordinator, contact person)
reeds@jccrockland.org
JCC Rockland
450 West Nyack Rd
West Nyack, NY 10994
(845) 362-4400 ext. 103
www.jccrockland.org (click on Youth, then Afterschool Programs)
Eliza Milman, CEO
Tel: (845) 362-4400 X136
Fax: (845) 362-5107
elizam@jccrockland.org
 Hours: 3:15 to 6:00pm
 If after school activities are cancelled, JCC is cancelled
 NO JCC/BTB here at building on half days when school has half days
 NO JCC/BTB if school closes early due to weather or emergency

NYACK CENTER
58 Depew Ave, Nyack, NY 10960
Tel: 358-2600 (Kim Cross) / Fax: (845) 358-5364
RECREATIONAL FACILITY

CENTRAL NYACK COMMUNITY CENTER = Clarkstown Parks & Rec.
58 Waldron Ave, C. Nyack, NY 10960
Tel: (845) 358-2500 (Kathy Klein) / Fax: (845) 358-2500

 

Quick Contacts

Main Office           (845)353-7280  
Main Office fax               353-7287

Attendance                      353-7281 (for all absences/dismissal changes)
Nurse                                  353-7290 

Voice Mail                        353-7165 (follow prompt)

Cafeteria                          353-7286 (8am-2pm)

Family Resource Ctr  353-7291

 

Student hours:  8:50am-3:20pm

Late Pass must be obtained after 8:50am

 

26 Lake Rd, Valley Cottage, NY 10989

http://vc.nyackschools.org

 

 

 

 

 

Need to Know

SCHOOL INFO: Classes begin promptly at 8:50am and end at 3:10pm. Dismissal is 3:15pm. Students who arrive after 8:50am must stop at the office for a late pass. Please make every effort to make sure your child arrives on time in the building by 8:45am.

ATTENDANCE/CHANGE OF DISMISSAL/EARLY DISMISSAL:  Please call the attendance secretary at 845-353-7281 for all absences, change of dismissal, and early dismissal notices.  Please leave your child’s full name, class and reason for the absence.   Should you need to speak to the the nurse regarding your child's illness, please call Nurse Patti Kozar at 845-353-7290.  

A written note must be received when your child will be picked up by someone other than those listed on the emergency contact list or if they will be dismissed in a different manner (ie: car pick up, walker, etc.).  Please send a note via your child or email the main office secretaries by 2PM at caponte@nyackschools.org or tholland@nyackchools.org notifying us of the change in dismissal and authorized pick up person.   When there is a change in dismissal, we ask that you notify the office as there  may be occasions where your child's teacher may not be available to forward the dismissal change to the office in a timely manner.   Should you encounter a dismissal change PRIOR to the end of the day without written notice, notify the office prior to 2:00PM at 845-353-7281 or 845-353-7280 so all parties involved are aware. 

BREAKFAST/LUNCH: Breakfast is available for students each morning starting at 8am. Students wanting breakfast may enter through the designated parking lot doors and breakfast will be provided.  Lunch is available each day for students to purchase.  Meal accounts can be prepaid weekly or monthly for your convenience through MyPaymentPlus.com (online payment plan). 

DISMISSAL: Dismissal will begin promptly at the end of each school day.  Please refer to the information listed above for change of dismissal/early dismissal. 

WALKERS: These students will be called to be dismissed. If you are accompanying your child home, please wait by the front playground.

BUS RIDERS: Bus numbers are announced at dismissal.  Students are escorted to the bus circle and brought to their bus.  An adult must be at the bus stop to meet K-1 students; if an adult is not there, the student will be sent back to school PRIOR to 4:00 PM.

CAR RIDERS: Students whose parents will be picking them up by car will meet in the Gym. Drivers should remain in their vehicles while children are escorted to them.  We ask that parents DO NOT exit their vehicle or DO NOT leave the car pick up line.  This will enable us to continuously move the car line and dismissal forward.  

Valley Cottage News

  • "D" Day

    Valley Cottage School
  • "A" Day

    Valley Cottage School
  • "B" Day

    Valley Cottage School
  • "C" Day

    Valley Cottage School
  • SCHOOLS CLOSED for Rosh Hashanah

    Nyack Public Schools
View Monthly Calendar

The PTA is here for you!

Valley Cottage Elementary PTA members 2025-2026

Co-President:                           Christine Knorr               ChristineMKnorr@gmail.com           (315) 212-1943

Co-President:                           Melissa Boyian                Melissa.vce.pta@gmail.com              (845) 271-0562

Vice President:                         Michael Rothenbucher   mike.vce.pta@gmail.com                (917) 842-9846

Treasurer:                                  Brendan Nolan                  bnolanVCEPTA@gmail.com               (845) 629-1058

Corresponding Secretary:   Amanda Roman            amandaroman.pta@gmail.com       (845) 494-4064

Recording Secretary:            Rachel Ross                     Racheljanepess@gmail.com               (201) 787-1701

Valley Cottage Elem. PTA Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1431065247286661

Subscribe to VCE PTA emails here:  http://eepurl.com/dLvpXU

Become a PTA member by signing up here:  https://valleycottage.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships

Questions? Contact us at:  VCEPTAcommunications@gmail.com

 September PTA newsletter docx.pdf