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BACK TO SCHOOL
September 2026
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Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.
—Rudolf Steiner
| | WELCOME TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR! | | |
Dearest Mountain Laurel Families,
The faculty and staff at Mountain Laurel are lovingly and busily preparing our school for your children's arrival next week!
We are excited to welcome your family to the 2026-2027 school year and wanted to share a few details to help us all be prepared. This email contains important information for us to share with you and for you to share back with us, including:
FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL
SCHOOL HOURS
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
END-OF-DAY TRANSPORTATION INSTRUCTIONS - NEW!
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
AFTERCARE
RECEPTION - FRONT OFFICE
HEALTH FORMS
EMERGENCY FORM
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please take a moment to review each section and follow up as needed. Scroll all the way down for a list of upcoming events.
Prior to the opening of school, Early Childhood Program families (Sprouts, Nursery & Kindergarten) will receive additional orientation information from their teacher and are invited to a meet and greet on Wednesday 9/8 from 10:30am - 12noon.
If you have any questions that aren't answered by this email, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your concerns are our priority and we are here to help!
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Grades 1-8 First Day
Tuesday 9/8
Open House for Nursery, Kindergarten & Sprouts
Tuesday, 9/8 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Nursery, Kindergarten & Sprouts First Day
Wednesday 9/9
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Nursery & Kindergarten Morning Program: 8:15 am - 12:15 pm
Nursery & Kindergarten Full Day Program: 8:15 am - 3:00 pm
Sprouts Program: 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Grades 1-8 School Day: 8:15 am - 3:15 pm
School Gates Open: 8:00 am
School Bus Drop Off: 8:00 am
School Bus Pick Up: 3:15 pm
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- Grades students are expected to arrive between 8:00-8:15 am, gathering in Jaeckel Hall and waiting to be invited up to the classroom by their teacher.
- Children in Early Childhood programs are expected between 8:15 am and 8:30 am.
- A student is considered tardy when arriving after 8:30 am.
- When scheduling appointments for your Grade 1-8 child, we ask that you please try to schedule them after the Main Lesson ends at 10:15 am.
- There are two marked gates, one for car pick-ups and another for walkers.
- Grades students are dismissed between 3:10-3:15 pm.
- Children in Early Childhood programs are dismissed at 3:00pm.
- On Half Days, Grades & Early Childhood students dismiss at 12:00 pm.
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All attendance changes (absences, late arrivals, early pickups, and dismissal changes) are now handled through PickUp Patrol until 2 pm on the day of the change. If you have an attendance change after 2 pm, please call the Front Office at (845) 255-0033. This will guarantee that we can notify your child of the change and ensure that dismissal happens safely and quickly every day.
| | END-OF-DAY TRANSPORTATION INSTRUCTIONS | | |
NEW FOR 2026! PICK-UP PATROL
Mountain Laurel has partnered with PickUp Patrol to help better manage our dismissal process. Thank you to the many families who have already registered for PickUp Patrol and confirmed your child’s default dismissal plan. If you have not yet done so, please check your email for a welcome message from PickUp Patrol containing your personalized registration link. (Links expire after 48 hours, so if you need a new one, please email reception@mountainlaurel.org.)
- We request that changes to transportation instructions for that day be made before 2:00 pm.
- Self-dismiss authorizations are for students in 5th grade and higher. Younger siblings may self dismiss with older siblings.
Important Note About Email Addresses: ACTION REQUIRED
The email address you have listed in TADS will be the address we use to contact you for PickUpPatrol. Please make sure your email address in TADS is up to date and delete any email addresses that you no longer use.
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We are pleased to be able to offer an Aftercare Program for enrolled students age Kindergarten through 8th grade. The program takes place Monday through Friday, starting at 3:15 dismissal until as late as 6:00 pm, when school is in session.
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Click here for more information and to register.
- You can set a weekly schedule or choose “Occasionally” so it’s available to you when you need it.
- The first day of Aftercare will be Thursday, September 10th.
- Aftercare will not be provided on half days and when there are unanticipated early dismissals due to weather.
- While a small snack is provided, we recommend packing an extra snack for children who tend to be especially hungry.
| Please direct any time-sensitive email communications to the Front Office to reception@mountainlaurel.org. Multiple people can see and respond to this email address, which will allow your concern to be handled in a timely manner. (Personal email addresses are not checked with the same frequency and should be reserved for non-urgent communications only.) | |
All children must be age-appropriately immunized to attend school in New York State. Please refer to the 2026-27 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance for more information.
If you haven’t already done so, please submit the following health records for your child:
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Physicals are required for all of Early Childhood, and odd Grades (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th) dated September 2025 or later
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Immunization records are required to be submitted whenever there is an update, typically in Early Childhood, 1st grade, 6th grade and 7th grade
Please upload these documents to your TADS account, email them to lpidlusky@mountainlaurel.org, or fax them to 845-245-6533.
| If you have not already done so, please be sure to fill out the Emergency Form on TADS completely, listing all allergies and medical conditions along with their severity and symptoms, and treatment plans. | | |
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR GRADES 1-8
Tuesday, September 8
8:15 am
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OPEN HOUSE FOR NURSERY, KINDERGARTEN & SPROUTS
Tuesday, September 8
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR NURSERY, KINDERGARTEN & SPROUTS
Wednesday, September 9
Nursery & Kindergarten: 8:15 am
Sprouts: 8:30 am
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FIRST DAY COFFEE MEET & GREET
Tuesday, September 8
8:00 - 10:30 am on the lawn in front of 7 Innis
Hosted by Parent Council
Join us for coffee, treats and conversation as we begin a new school year together. We will gather outside directly across from the main school building, on the lawn in front of the Victorian House at 7 Innis. Feel free to stop by, say hi, ask questions, or just hang out. Veteran parents will be present to welcome and engage new members to our school community.
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MEDIA FREE WEEK
Sunday, September 13 - Tuesday, September 29
We have set aside this window of time to live without media. No screens, no video games, no television, no scrolling. At first, this might feel like a deprivation, as though something essential has been taken away. But this is not a rejection of technology for its own sake – it is an affirmation that life is fuller when we engage with what is real. What is truly essential is not lost but recovered when we step out of the constant noise and visual bombardment of screens and into the living presence of the world. More information coming soon.
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ALL SCHOOL MEETING AKA "SCHOOL WARMING"
Thursday, September 10
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Jaeckel Hall
A special opportunity for our whole adult community – parents, caregivers, teachers, administrators, board members – to come together for an interactive and informative evening. Join us as we "warm the school" for the year ahead.
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MINNEWASKA STATE PARK HIKE
Sunday, September 13
9:00 - 11:00 am at Lake Minnewaska
Hosted by Parent Council
Join fellow Mountain Laurel families for a morning hike along the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road Loop, an easy and scenic 1.9-mile trail. After the hike, families are invited to gather at Full Circle for lunch and continued connection, as we begin Media Free Week. Stay tuned for more information.
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SCHOOL PICTURES WITH JULIET LOFARO
Tuesday, September 15 - Wednesday, September 16
Juliet Lofaro is returning this year to take school portraits. Exact days for each class will be provided in a separate email.
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NO SCHOOL – YOM KIPPUR
Monday, September 21
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SONG CIRCLE
Tuesday, September 22 (Rain Date Wednesday 9/23)
3:30 pm Location on campus TBD
Hosted by Parent Council
Join Shawn and Susan DeRyder for a heart-warming Song Circle — easy, layered songs (and drums!) for all comfort levels, no singing required.
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MICHAELMAS & GAMES OF COURAGE
Tuesday, September 29
9:00 am: Michaelmas Play performed by 2nd Grade
1:00 pm: Games of Courage at Hasbrouck Park
All are welcome! Details to follow.
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PARENT GATHERING WITH TEA & TREATS
Tuesday, September 29
Directly following the Games of Courage (approximately 2:00pm until dismissal)
Location on campus TBD
Wind down after Games of Courage with tea, treats, and community connection while the children cut Michaelmas bread.
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NO SCHOOL – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Friday, October 9
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NO SCHOOL – INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY
Monday, October 12
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THIRD GRADE FARM TRIP
Monday, October 19 - Friday, October 23
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OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, October 24
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Know anyone considering a Waldorf education for their children? Please let them know that our open houses illuminate the Waldorf philosophy, our academic offerings and our dedication to creating a lifelong love of learning. During the open house prospective families will have an opportunity to visit the classrooms and view students’ work samples, attend informational workshops and watch a puppet show. Children are welcome. Learn more and share with anyone you think might be interested in learning about our school.
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