Our Principal
Chester Academy
Back to School Message
August 7, 2025
Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year. My hope is that everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer, and are relaxed and recharged, ready to start a new school year on September 3rd. I am looking forward to a great year here at Chester Academy.
Last year, seventy-four students graduated from Chester Academy. This year, I am excited for the approximately ninety members of the senior class, as they work toward their graduation and the next stages of life. Our projected Academy enrollment for this coming school year is approximately five-hundred and forty students, allowing for a small school learning environment with personalized attention paid to the individual student, yet large enough to provide a competitive academic program with a vast offering of athletics and extracurricular opportunities.
Please note the following information for the upcoming school year:
Synergy: New Student Information System
We’re excited to announce that Chester Union Free School District has launched a new Student Information System called Synergy.
Synergy has replaced both SchoolTool and FamilyID. This includes the Parent Portal on SchoolTool, which will now be replaced by ParentVUE, Synergy’s secure parent portal and mobile app. ParentVUE will serve as your primary access point for student information, including grades, attendance, schedules, and school communications, as well as registering your child for athletics.
As part of this transition, you received an email from noreply@chesterufsd.org on Friday, August 1 at 8:00 AM with instructions on how to activate your ParentVUE account.
Upon creating your account, you will be asked to complete the “Verification/Registration” process for the 2025–2026 school year. This step ensures that we have accurate and up-to-date information for you and your child.
Athletics Registration (Replacing Family ID)
Once the “Verification/Registration” step is complete, you may return to ParentVUE at any time and reenter the Online Registration section to register your child for sports using the “Athletic Registration” option.
To access ParentVUE in the future, please visit and bookmark:
https://NY-CUFSD-PSV.edupoint.com
Athletics Information: Fall Sports
The fall season is fast approaching and registration is now open using ParentVUE. Please go to https://account.students.arbitersports.com/ to register online.
Student-athletes may not participate in tryouts unless they are registered on ParentVUE and cleared by the health office with a current physical. Physicals may not be older than one year on the first day of tryouts.
Start dates:
Varsity Football: Monday, August 18th
Varsity/JV Boys & Girls Soccer: Monday, August 18th
Varsity/JV Girls Volleyball: Monday, August 18th
Varsity Cross Country: Monday, August 18th (*** in conjunction with SS Seward at Florida)
Modified Sports (Football, Soccer, and Volleyball): September 3rd
More information on specific tryout times and locations will be sent out as we approach these dates.
Transportation
Students will be notified of their bus route via a post card sent directly by our transportation company, Student Bus Inc. For questions regarding transportation, please contact Chester Academy at 845.469.2231 extension 3312. Busing for Greenwood Lake students is coordinated by the Greenwood Lake Transportation Department. Any matters concerning transportation of Greenwood Lake students should be directed to the Greenwood Lake Transportation Department 845.477.2411 extension 54300.
School Forms
In previous years, Chester Academy has provided parents / guardians with required forms and mandatory notices in a series of emails during the month of August. This year, you will not be receiving any of these forms by mail. You will instead complete any required or optional forms, by logging into your Synergy account for the first time. This new approach is designed to streamline the process and provide a more convenient experience for families by centralizing all forms in one secure, easy-to-access location.
Sixth Grade & New Student Orientation:
A Sixth Grade & New Student Orientation are scheduled for 9 A.M. on Tuesday, August 26. This orientation is for all incoming Sixth Grade students, as well as any students that are new to Chester Academy. Students attending this orientation will receive their class schedule, locker assignment, a building tour, and an overview of the academic programs and other important information pertaining to Chester Academy. This orientation program will last approximately 90 minutes. Transportation for incoming high school students from the Greenwood Lake UFSD students will be provided. If you use Greenwood Lake transportation, please contact the bus garage for more information.
Chromebook Distribution
Chromebook distribution for sixth grade and new students (Grades 6-12) will take place directly following orientation on Tuesday, August 26th.
Student Schedules
We will send you a separate email to inform you when schedules will be available in Synergy (our new student information system). This generally is available towards the end of August. We anticipate the tentative schedules to be available for viewing on August 27th.
Advisory:
Chester Academy students will remain in their current Advisory groups for the 25-26 school year. Sixth grade students will be assigned to an advisory group that will be on their schedule. We will inform students and families once the Advisory schedule is ready to be released. Advisory provides students with a consistent adult advocate in the building and a student-centered space where they remain with the same group of peers to foster meaningful connections, support social-emotional growth, and build a strong sense of school community.
Use of Electronic Devices:
The Chester Union Free School District, in compliance with the mandate from NY State Governor Hochul, has adopted a new policy that bans the use of electronic devices at Chester Academy. Student electronic devices, including smart phones, ear buds, and smart watches (and any other smart device) must be silenced/turned off and stored in a locker or a student’s bag during the entire school day. This includes time between classes and lunch. Any student that attempts to use a device will have that device confiscated and be referred to the main office in compliance with the Code of Conduct.
For more information, please visit the Personal Device Use tab on the district website, using the link below:
https://www.chesterufsd.org/bell-to-bell
Passport for Good
Now in its second year, Passport For Good is a digital platform that allows students to track and reflect on their community service, extracurricular activities, academic achievements, and participation in school events. These experiences, along with progress toward goals such as the Seal of Civic Readiness, are all documented in one place to help students build a comprehensive digital resume. This resume, which students will keep and carry with them after graduation, serves as a powerful tool for college, scholarship, and career opportunities.
Drop-Off/ Pick-Up Procedures for Arrival/Dismissal:
If you plan to drop off your children at Chester Academy this fall, we will continue to follow last year’s procedures. Parents will proceed to the rear of the building, and circle around the first cul-de-sac and pull up to the curb on the near side of the building (Middle School Side). Once your car has stopped, a staff member will motion for your child to get out of the car (between 7:15 & 7:30). Your child will walk up to the front entrance at this time and enter the building
All students will be entering the building through the front entrance.
When picking up your child at the end of the day please arrive no earlier than 2 PM. Pickup will remain in the original spot from last year in the rear of the building. A safety officer will be present to assist you in finding a spot to wait for your child. We ask all parents to please back into a parking spot, as it will keep traffic moving smoother when you are leaving the lot. Please do not cut across parking spots when exiting.
Code of Conduct & Dignity Act:
Each year students will attend a grade level assembly where the school administration will discuss the Code of Conduct and the Dignity for All Students Act. This year, grade level assemblies will take place on September 5 and September 8.
Sept 5: Middle School: Period 2
11th and 12th Grade: 1 PM (Period 8)
Sept 8: 9th and 10th Grade: 1 PM (Period 8)
The NYS Dignity for All Students Act seeks to provide students with a safe and supportive environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. To ask questions regarding the Dignity Act (DASA) or to make a DASA complaint please contact the Chester Academy Dignity Act Coordinator, Mr. John Flanagan, or visit the link below.
https://www.chesterufsd.org/parents/dignity-for-all-students-dasa
We are excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to a successful year filled with growth, connection, and opportunity.
Sincerely,
John Flanagan
Principal
Chester Academy
Bell-to-Bell Electronic Device Policy
Dear Families,
As you may know, New York State’s new bell-to-bell ban on electronic devices goes into effect at the start of the upcoming school year. At Chester Academy, students will be required to store their electronic devices in their bags or lockers during the school day.
This policy will be reviewed with students on the first day of school and reinforced during scheduled grade-level assemblies in the first week. Please note that any unauthorized use of an electronic device will result in the device being confiscated for the remainder of the school day, without prior warning.
For students choosing to keep their devices in their bags (backpacks or string bags), it is important that they remain mindful of their belongings at all times. To ensure both student safety and the security of personal devices in high-traffic areas, all bags must be stored in lockers before entering the lunchroom or the gymnasium for physical education classes. Bags left on the floor in these spaces create safety hazards and can easily be misplaced or taken, which is why this rule will be strictly enforced. We recognize this may be an adjustment for some students who have not traditionally used a locker, but this expectation will apply to all students without exception.
We understand that this new state policy may require some changes to students’ daily routines. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support in helping us implement this law to create the best possible learning environment.
Thank you,
John Flanagan
Principal, Chester Academy
