SUFFERN HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Suffern High School! As we begin a new year together, we look forward to partnering with our students and families to create a school experience where every student is challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

This year, our theme is Show Up. Step Up. Showing up means being present, prepared, and engaged each day. Stepping up means taking responsibility, embracing challenges, supporting one another, and making a positive contribution to our school community. Together, we will foster a culture where every student is known, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Throughout the school year, I will publish The Mountie Weekly Update each Thursday at 7:00 pm to keep our families informed and connected. Each edition will include:

• Upcoming events and important dates

• Student, staff, and school celebrations

• Academic, athletic, and extracurricular highlights

• Important announcements, procedures, and resources

• A look ahead at what's coming next at SHS

Summer Communication

Our next newsletter will be shared on August 20.

Back-to-School Email

Please watch for an important back-to-school email on August 14, which will include key information, reminders, and resources to help your family prepare for the start of the school year.

Seniors

Seniors and their families should check their mailbox for important information regarding Senior Parking and diplomas.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin this new school year. I look forward to celebrating our students' accomplishments and sharing the many great things happening at Suffern High School.

Go Mounties!

August Regents examinations will be administered on:

• Tuesday, August 18, and Wednesday, August 19.

• Students who are registered to take an August Regents exam can view their individualized exam schedule in ParentVUE.

• Exam schedules have also been sent to students and families via email.

• Please review the exam schedule below for testing dates and times.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sullivan or Ms. Santana in the Summer School Office.

New York State Education Law, Section 903, requires a health certificate (physical exam) be provided by each student in the public schools in ninth and eleventh grades as well as new students.

Please submit documentation to the School Nurse:

Fax 845-357-7684

Email(s):

jwinkelhoff@sufferncentral.org

mking@sufferncentral.org

Thank you for your cooperation

Summer is filled with exciting adventures, new experiences, and memorable moments, and we'd love to see how our Mounties are making the most of their break!

Have you been traveling, volunteering, attending camp, working a summer job, participating in athletics, or making memories with family and friends? Share your favorite summer photos with us!

Here's how to participate:

• Snap a photo of your summer adventure
• Post it on Instagram
• Tag @suffernhs
• Use #MountiesOnTheMove

Wherever your summer takes you, we can't wait to see your Mountie pride on the move!

At Suffern High School, every year is an important step in a student's journey toward becoming a Portrait of a Graduate. As students progress from freshman through senior year, they develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to be academically prepared, effective communicators, creative innovators, critical thinkers, global citizens, and reflective, future-focused learners.

While each grade level has unique milestones, every student is encouraged to challenge themselves, get involved, build meaningful relationships, and take advantage of the many opportunities SHS has to offer. We look forward to partnering with our students and families as we support each Mountie on their path to future success.

Freshmen: Belong & Get Involved

Welcome to SHS! Freshman year is about building connections and establishing strong habits for success. Attend school regularly, get involved in clubs, activities, athletics, or the arts, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Every connection you make helps build a strong foundation for the next four years.

Sophomores: Explore Your Interests

Sophomore year is a time to discover what inspires you. Continue challenging yourself academically while exploring courses, extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and potential career interests. Every experience helps you learn more about your strengths and passions.

Juniors: Plan Your Pathway

Junior year is an exciting time to begin planning for life after high school. Meet with your school counselor, explore colleges, careers, military service, apprenticeships, and workforce opportunities, and continue building experiences that reflect your interests and goals. The planning you do this year will help prepare you for senior year and beyond.

Seniors: Launch Your Future

Senior year is about turning plans into reality. Whether your next step is college, a career, military service, or another pathway, take advantage of the support available from our school counselors and teachers. Stay focused on your goals, complete applications early, and enjoy the memorable experiences that come with your final year as a Mountie.

Students enrolled in courses with required summer assignments should complete them before the first day of school. Summer assignments are available on the Suffern High School website by department.

Please visit the Summer Assignments page to access all required materials and instructions:

https://shs.sufferncentral.org/students/summerassignments (shs.sufferncentral.org)

If you have questions about a specific assignment, please contact your school counselor.

Our SHS School Counselors recently hosted a Summer College Application Workshop, giving seniors an opportunity to get a head start on the college application process.

If you missed the first session, there's still time to attend! Join us on Wednesday, August 19, from 5:00–7:00 PM.

During the workshop, students can receive individualized support with:

• College applications
• The Common App
• College essays
• College searches
• Questions about the application process

If your senior is planning to apply to college this fall, we encourage them to take advantage of this valuable opportunity.

We look forward to welcoming our newest Mounties!

Wednesday, August 26

• Check-In: 8:45 am
• Orientation: 9:00 am - 11 am
• Suffern High School Auditorium

Arrive at 8:45 a.m. to allow time for check-in before the program begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Click below to view the Freshman Orientation letter for additional details.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hud0iSeV4Rd60KpG41hRJXI4LIi98OgVFdVbwgoBCf4/edit?usp=sharing

As we prepare for the start of the 2026–2027 school year, please mark your calendars for these important dates:

August 19–20: Senior Portraits (All Day – Library)

August 26: Freshman Orientation (9:00 AM–11:00 AM)

September 1: Board of Education Meeting

September 3: First Day of School

September 7: Labor Day – No School

September 12: SAT Exam

September 15: Board of Education Meeting

September 17: Meet the Teacher / Open House

September 19:ACT Exam

September 21: Yom Kippur – No School

September 22: Senior Portraits (All Day – Library)

September 28–30: Underclassmen & Staff Photos

September 28 – October 2: Spirit Week

As we prepare for the new school year, please log into ParentVUE to review and update your contact information, including your phone numbers, email addresses, home address, and emergency contacts. Accurate information ensures you receive important school and district communications and allows us to reach you promptly if needed.

Thank you for helping us stay connected throughout the school year!

This school year, Suffern High School will continue our bell-to-bell distraction-free learning environment in accordance with New York State Education Law 2803.

In addition, Suffern Central School District has eliminated the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. To ensure consistency, equity, and compliance with the state's distraction-free schools requirements, students will use district-issued technology for all instructional purposes.

Students will use district-issued signal-blocking (Faraday) pouches to securely store cell phones, smartwatches, AirPods, earbuds, and other internet-enabled personal devices throughout the instructional day.

Students are expected to:

• Bring their assigned pouch to school each day.

• Secure all personal electronic devices before the first bell and keep them stored until dismissal.

• Use only district-issued technology for instructional purposes.

Families who need to reach their child during the school day should contact the SHS Main Office at (845) 357-3800. Students may use a phone in the Main Office if they need to contact home.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we maintain a focused, engaging, and distraction-free learning environment where every Mountie can thrive.

Suffern High School follows a rotating schedule, which means classes meet at different times throughout the week. Unlike a traditional schedule, students do not have the same class at the same time every day. We encourage families to become familiar with the rotating schedule and refer to both the District Calendar and Rotating Bell Schedule when planning appointments and other commitments.

We recognize that appointments and family responsibilities are sometimes unavoidable. Whenever possible, we encourage scheduling appointments outside of the school day. Understanding the rotating schedule can also help ensure students do not repeatedly miss the same class. Every class period provides valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and connection with teachers and classmates. Thank you for partnering with us to support consistent attendance and maximize every student's learning experience.

Last year's Night to Nourish Tricky Tray was an incredible success, thanks to the generosity of our Suffern community. Your support helped make the event truly special, and we're hoping you can help us once again!

The Tricky Tray Committee is currently collecting donations to create amazing raffle baskets for this year's event. We are looking for:

• Empty baskets
• Picture frames
• Gift cards
• New items to create themed baskets
• Completed gift baskets (always greatly appreciated!)

At Suffern High School, we are proud to support student-led initiatives that make a meaningful difference in our school community.

The Pink Pouch Project (PPP), a Suffern High School Interact Club initiative supported by the Suffern Rotary Club, is working to address period poverty through education, advocacy, and action.

As part of this effort, the student leaders are seeking anonymous feedback from SHS students about the availability and accessibility of menstrual products in our school. The survey results will help guide future purchasing decisions and ensure that available resources continue to meet the needs of our students.

If you are an SHS student, we encourage you to take a few moments to complete this anonymous survey. Your voice matters, and your feedback will help our student leaders continue their important work to make Suffern High School an even more supportive and inclusive community.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/w2LeqytXTTTWXyNU6

Hello SHS Students and Families!

We hope the summer is going well! Below are the links to purchase the official spirit shirts for 26/27 school year. This apparel is worn several times through the school year for various events. All fundraising profits go to the PTA scholarship funds and also support programming throughout the year for the students and appreciation events for staff.

The purchase link will close August 15th in order to have them on time for Spirit week. No additions will be accepted after that date.

Shirts will be available the week before Spirit week for pickup during unit lunch, an email will go out with dates in September.

Underclassmen Spirit shirts - https://shspta.givebacks.com/shop?category=36258

Please reach out to Kelly Miller @ Kellyfederny@yahoo.com with any questions.

Thanks!
Suffern HS PTA

Email: kbenadi@sufferncentral.org
Website: https://shs.sufferncentral.org/
Location: 49 Viola Road, Suffern, NY 10901
Phone: (845)357-2858
Instagram: @suffernhs