Principal's Page
August 19, 2026
Dear Harrison High School Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already preparing to welcome our students back to Harrison High School for the 2026-2027 school year. To our returning families, welcome back, and to our incoming ninth graders and families new to Harrison High School, we are so pleased to welcome you to the HHS community. The beginning of a new school year always brings a renewed sense of energy and possibility, and we are looking forward to having our hallways and classrooms filled with students once again.
While the first day of school is still a couple of weeks away, signs of the new year are already beginning to appear across campus. Football officially began its season this week, with the remainder of our fall athletic teams beginning next Monday. Our student band leadership also returned on Monday in preparation for the start of full Band Camp next week. Throughout the summer, many of our teachers have been back at HHS participating in professional learning, collaborating with colleagues, and preparing for the year ahead. Little by little, the building is beginning to shift from the quieter days of summer toward the energy of a new school year.
Families returning to campus will also notice a few changes underway. Our parking lots are currently being repaved, with parking spaces on both sides of the building being reconfigured to create additional parking. You will also see two temporary trailers on the athletic side of the building near the parent pick-up area as work begins on our new Fitness Center. During construction, the trailers will house our Physical Education offices, including our PE teachers as well as Mr. Galano, Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics, and his secretary, Mrs. Robin Webb. The boys' locker room will be unavailable during construction, and the girls' locker room has been reconfigured to provide separate locker areas for both our boys and girls. While these projects will require some adjustments along the way, we are excited about the improvements taking shape across our campus.
As we prepare for September 2, our focus remains on ensuring that every student begins the year feeling welcomed, supported, and ready to take advantage of the many opportunities available at Harrison High School. High school is shaped not only by what happens in the classroom, but also by the relationships students build, the interests they discover, the challenges they take on, and the ways they contribute to the community around them. We look forward to welcoming our students back and watching each of them make the year ahead their own.
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:
Families should already have a Parent Portal login from middle school, which will continue to be used throughout your child's high school experience. The Parent Portal will open on Wednesday August 26 at 3:00PM. 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 Parent Portal beginning August 26 at 3:00 p.m. Students will also receive a hard copy of their schedule in their first-period class on the first day of school. Students who do not have a first-period class should pick up their schedule in the Student Union upon arrival.
Resources & Supplies:
The Period by Period Bell Schedule, 2026-2027 Supply List, and Late Bus schedule are posted on the HHS website.
Late buses are available for students who remain after school to receive extra help from a teacher, participate in an extracurricular activity, or take part in athletics. Late buses depart at 4:00 p.m., 4:55 p.m., and 5:55 p.m., with pick-up on the Student Union (cafeteria) patio. The Library and Student Union are available to students who need a place to work or wait while remaining on campus after the regular school day.
Technology & Personal Devices:
Harrison is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school district. Students use devices to access information, conduct research, write, and collaborate with peers. Teachers utilize Google Classroom to provide students with timely feedback, materials, and resources. A Chromebook is a cost-efficient option and runs the applications provided to every student, including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. However, any tablet with a 7-inch 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 throughout their time as a student at Harrison High School by completing the appropriate form:
Students whose parent/guardian has completed the appropriate loan form may pick up their calculator and/or Chromebook in the HHS Library during Ninth Grade Orientation on August 26 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Students who do not pick up a device during this time may do so in the library on the first day of school.
Personal Internet-Enabled Devices:
As a reminder, students are not permitted to use cell phones, smartwatches, or other personal internet-enabled devices during the school day unless directed to do so or given permission by a teacher or administrator. Students found using a personal internet-enabled device without permission will be required to turn the device over to the staff member. The device can be retrieved by the student from B123 (Attendance Office/Assistant Principals’ Offices) after the close of the school day at 2:30PM.
Students with repeated violations will be required to turn in their device to B123 at the beginning of the school day for a period of time determined by their Assistant Principal.
Families are encouraged to review the district’s policy regarding student use of personal internet-enabled devices prior to the start of school.
Student Email:
Student email is available for all high school students and is the same email account used at LMK. New students will receive their email account information from their school counselor. Student email is an important means of communication at HHS, and 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. Families who previously downloaded the app while their child attended the middle school must update CrisisGo to receive notifications from Harrison High School using the HHS use code: 517711. Instructions for downloading and updating the app can be found here.
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 will receive their transportation information directly from the District around the time of this communication. Please contact Ms. Barbagallo at barbagallog@harrisoncsd.org with any questions related to transportation. For students who do not ride the bus, please follow the directions of our parking attendants, security personnel, and School Resource Officer when arriving on or exiting 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 State’s Universal Free School Meals Program will continue for the 2026–2027 school year. Through this program, all Harrison High School students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, regardless of family income.
A la carte and specialty items that are not included as part of the Universal Free School Meals Program will continue to be available for purchase. Families will receive information about enrolling in and using MySchoolBucks, the prepayment system for students who wish to purchase these additional items.
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 2 and 3, and will take place during your child’s Physical Education class. The makeup date is Friday, October 23. There is no sitting fee. Families can review the Underclass Picture Day information and ordering flyers linked here: Flyer 1, Flyer 2. Additional information and online ordering are available through the Legacy Studios website using Harrison High School’s ordering code: 3526F27.
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 24th - 12 PM - 1 PM New Student Orientation (Students entering Grades 10 - 12) with a simultaneous meeting for families of new students in grades 10-12.
- Wednesday, August 26th- 10 AM - 12 PM - Grade 9 Orientation and Luncheon (Students entering Grade 9).
- Wednesday, August 26th - 3 PM - Parent/Student Portal is open.
- Wednesday, September 2nd - First day of school for students.
- Thursday, September 24th - 7PM - HHS Open House
Weekly Bulletin
Each Friday throughout the school year, families will receive the HHS Weekly Bulletin, which provides important news, announcements, upcoming events, student recognitions, and information for the week ahead. The Bulletin also includes information about clubs and student groups meeting during the upcoming week, providing students with an easy way to learn about opportunities to get involved. We encourage families and students to review the Bulletin each week, as it is one of our primary ways of sharing what is happening across Harrison High School and keeping our community informed and connected.
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):
Within the first few weeks of school, the Guidance Department will reach out to seniors and their families regarding the review of their senior transcript. If you have any questions regarding your child’s transcript, please contact your child’s school counselor at 914-630-3101.
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: membership link
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 Dr. 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 and look forward to working together to support our students as they learn, discover new interests, take on challenges, and make the most of the opportunities ahead. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to HHS!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kim Beukema
Principal, Harrison High School