Principal's Page
August 21, 2025
Dear Harrison High School Families,
As we prepare to begin the 2025–2026 school year, I am delighted to welcome back our returning families and extend a special greeting to those who are new to our district, including our incoming ninth graders beginning their high school journey. We are excited for you to join our HHS community and are committed to making your transition smooth, positive, and filled with opportunities.
The first day of school is right around the corner with classes starting on Tuesday, September 2nd and with it comes the anticipation of new beginnings. Soon, our classrooms will be alive with curiosity, our students ready to dive into new challenges, and a shared sense of purpose filling every corner of the school. Even before the official start, the energy is building: the steady beat of Band Camp rehearsals, the determination of athletes preparing for the season ahead, and the focus of students sharpening their skills in summer programs are already bringing our campus to life.
Our faculty is deeply committed to ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued. This summer, teachers have engaged in professional learning to further strengthen their practice. This week we welcomed new faculty members to our New Teacher Institute, where they are mentored by our exceptional educators and administrators. It is a privilege to lead such a talented and dedicated team whose work reflects the core values of our district.
In addition, we are making exciting progress on construction projects made possible by the bond initiative. At HHS, these enhancements include the completed installation of new classroom windows and the continued work on our additional turf field. Behind the fenced area at the front of our campus, construction is underway on new classroom spaces to meet the needs of our growing enrollment. Future projects will also include upgrades to our fitness and athletic facilities and our design and engineering classrooms. You may have also noticed lots happening on Union Avenue as the Town of Harrison installed a new sidewalk extending all the way to the high school to improve pedestrian safety.
Please carefully read ALL the information regarding the school's opening outlined below. This letter includes links to essential documents and information for the upcoming year.
Parent Portal:
You should have already received a portal login in middle school, which will continue to be used throughout your high school experience. The Parent Portal will NOT work until August 27th. If you need your portal password reset, you may complete this form or email portalhelp@harrisoncsd.org.
Student Schedules: Schedules will be available through the Portal beginning August 27th at 3:00 PM. In addition, given New York State law that restricts students’ use of personal internet-enabled devices (smartphones, smartwatches, tablets) during the school day explained in Dr. Wool’s communication, all students will receive a hardcopy of their schedule in their period 1 class as they will not be able to access their schedules via their phones. Students who do not have a 1st period class should pick-up their schedules in the Student Union upon arrival.
Resources & Supplies:
The Period by Period Bell Schedule and 2025-2026 Supply List are posted on the HHS website.
We are a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school district. Students use devices to access information, research, write, and collaborate with peers. Teachers utilize Google Classroom to provide students timely feedback along with materials and resources. A Chromebook is cost-efficient and runs free applications that will be provided to every student, including Google Drive, docs, sheets, and slides. However, any tablet with a 7” screen or any laptop with internet access will work.
Students may also sign out a Calculator and/or Chromebook from the high school library for use for the entire time they are registered students at Harrison High School by completing the appropriate form:
Hard copies of the forms are available in the library. Students with completed forms may pick up their devices at Ninth Grade Orientation, New Student Orientation, or the start of school.
Student Email:
Student Email is available for all high school students and is the same email used at LMK. New students will receive their email account information from their school counselor. We utilize student email to communicate important information to students. Students should check their accounts daily.
Safety Protocols:
Safety is a priority in all our schools, and we continue to review and refine our procedures district-wide. Our school practices numerous drills yearly, including evacuations, lockdowns, and bus safety. Cameras are strategically placed throughout the building, and security staff monitor the entrances and walk the building throughout the day. All guests to the building must present identification. Parents/guardians are encouraged to download the CrisisGo app to receive timely safety notifications. Click here for instructions about how to download the CrisisGo app.
Code of Conduct:
The Harrison School District provides a safe and orderly school environment that creates a sense of unity and belonging and actively promotes the values of dignity, understanding, and respect for others. Responsible behavior by students, teachers, other district personnel, parents, and visitors is essential to promoting these values and ensuring a school culture where students feel welcome and safe as they fulfill their personal and academic potential. The Code of Conduct is integral to students’ educational experience at HHS.
Arrival/Dismissal:
Students who qualify for bus transportation should have already received their bus information. Please contact Ms. Barbagallo for any questions related to transportation at barbagallog@harrisoncsd.org. For those not riding on buses, please follow the directions of the parking attendants, security personnel, and our School Resource Officer when you arrive on or exit our campus.
- Arrival: Student drop-offs will occur on both sides of the building, and students may enter through the Student Union doors, the doors on either side of the Student Union, or through the Senior Breezeway Doors on the gymnasium side of the building.
- Dismissal: Student pick-up will occur on the gymnasium side of the building to the right as you enter the campus. Bus pick-up is on the Main Entrance side of the building.
Food Service Information:
New York has enacted a statewide Universal Free School Meals Program, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. Under this initiative, all students attending schools that participate in the federal National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs will receive free meals, regardless of family income.
In addition, a la carte and speciality items are available for purchase. You will receive information about how to enroll and use MySchoolBucks, the prepayment system for students who wish to purchase a la carte and specialty items outside of what is included in the Universal Free School Meals Program.
Free and Reduced Lunch Information:
If applicable, the District encourages parents to complete the free/reduced lunch forms to ensure their student is eligible for additional support they are entitled to (SAT/ACT fee waivers, college application fee waivers, scholarship opportunities, field trip fee waivers). Inquiries about the free and reduced meal program are confidential. For information about the free and reduced meal program, including eligibility criteria, click here: English or Spanish. To apply for the free and reduced meal program, click English or Spanish.
Yearbook Picture Dates:
Senior portraits are scheduled by appointment. Seniors and their parents have received this information. Please contact Mrs. Lorraine Fontana at 914-630-3336 with any questions.
Yearbook photographs for underclassmen are scheduled for the first two days of school, September 2nd and 3rd, and will take place during your child’s Physical Education class. The makeup date is Thursday, October 23rd. There is no sitting fee. Information on ordering is available on the Legacy Studios studios website. Harrison High School’s ordering code is 3526.
Lockers:
Locker numbers and combinations will be emailed to students at their Harrison Gmail address. Students are encouraged to keep their locker combinations private.
School Calendar:
School activities and events are listed on the District Calendar. Please note the following important upcoming events:
- Monday, August 25th - 1 PM - 2 PM New Student Orientation (Students entering Grades 10 - 12) with a simultaneous meeting for families of new students in grades 10-12.
- Wednesday, August 27th- 10 AM - 12 PM - Grade 9 Orientation and Luncheon (Students entering Grade 9)
- Wednesday, August 27th - 3 PM - Parent/Student Portal is open
- Tuesday, September 2nd - First day of school for students
- Thursday, October 16th - 7PM - HHS Open House -
Examination Calendars:
Students enrolled in IB or AP courses are required to sit for the external IB and AP examinations associated with the course to receive the IB/AP designation and course weighting. In addition, courses that culminate in a New York State Regents Examination are required and are weighted into the final average of the course. Students who miss a Regents examination will receive an Incomplete and no course credit until the examination has been completed at a later administration date set by New York State Board of Regents.
Transcripts (for seniors only):
Transcripts will be mailed to the address on file. Please review them carefully. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s counselor at 914-630-3101 as soon as possible. Parents and students are asked to sign and return transcripts to the Guidance Office. Underclassmen will receive their transcripts at a later date.
Harrison High School PTA:
The Harrison High School PTA is a very active and supportive organization for all students and parents. The PTA is extremely helpful in keeping parents informed about current events and activities that occur at HHS. Please consider joining as a member and getting involved: 1) membership form for parents 2) volunteer form for parents
Harrison Educational Foundation:
The Harrison Educational Foundation encourages excellence in education by generating and distributing funds for enrichment programs to benefit Harrison Central School District students. The Foundation will share information about programs and opportunities throughout the year.
Parent Resources and Support Services:
Our school counselors, school psychologists, and assistant principals are available to partner with you in ensuring your child’s success. Your child’s school counselor is listed at the top of their schedule in the Portal. An additional resource in our building is our Student Assistance Counselor, Mrs. Dana McCarthy. Assistant Principal Mrs. Pace is responsible for students whose last names begin with A-K, and Assistant Principal Mr. Mastrota supports students whose last names begin with L-Z. You can reach teachers, school counselors, administrators, or me via telephone or email.
We deeply value your partnership in making this school year a meaningful and fulfilling experience for our students and are committed to supporting your child’s success. Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kim Beukema
Principal, Harrison High School