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Poughkeepsie City School District

Together, We are Champions for Children in Poughkeepsie City Schools

Orientation events set for each building this month; come for fun, food, information

Posted Date: 08/11/26 (11:00 AM)
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In four weeks, students across the Poughkeepsie City School District will be arriving in school buildings for the first day of classes.
While there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy, it’s also time to start thinking a successful 2026-27 school year. To help students and families launch into the new year with confidence and comfort, orientation events will be held by each building later this month. (Check out a video from three of last year's events above.)
Roughly a third of all district students will start in a new building this fall, whether they are beginning their educational journey with pre-K, transitioning to a higher grade in a new building, or entering freshman year at Poughkeepsie High School with graduation in sight. It’s important at each of these levels to get to know teachers and staff and learn about each building’s schedule and opportunities before the first day Sept. 8.

The schedule for orientation events is:

  • Smith Elementary: Aug. 20, 2-5 p.m.
  • Poughkeepsie Middle School: Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-noon
  • Warring Elementary: Aug. 27, 4-6 p.m.
  • Poughkeepsie High School: Aug. 28, noon
  • Clinton Elementary: Aug. 31, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Truth Elementary: Aug. 31, 1-3:30 p.m.
  • Krieger Elementary: Aug. 31, 3-5 p.m.
The plans for each vary.
The events at the secondary buildings are orientations intended for incoming sixth and ninth graders, specifically. Students and families will be able to hear from building leadership, teachers and staff, and learn about the expectations and opportunities at each building. Families will also be able to ask questions and, pending the progress of capital improvement construction in the buildings, be able to explore the school.
The elementary events are both orientations and back to school parties in which all grades are invited to share in the fun. Families will be able to hear from building leaders and meet with staff and teachers regarding what to expect at the school throughout the year, and both pre-K to grade 2 buildings, Krieger and Truth, are planning Title I presentations. But, there will also be various festival-style elements like food and refreshments, music, photo booths, inflatable obstacle courses and games, and book giveaways. The specific attractions and treats vary by building.
“It is a day that parents and children come to the building to get acclimated to the culture of the building,” Warring Principal Nicole Penn said at last year’s orientation, “and get their first experience to what it is to be a student and a parent here at Warring.”
Dr. David Scott last year served as “grill master” at his Clinton party, cooking burgers for the students and families.
“It gives us a chance to come together as a community,” the principal said. “We can have some fun. But I’ll also stop, periodically, and I’ll have conversations with parents about what we need to have done, how the year is going to lay out, things of that nature. So, it’s an orientation and fun at the same time.”
Be sure to mark the orientation event for your school in your calendar to come have some fun and learn about your building later this month.