Message from Principal Wilson
May 2025
Friday, May 16, 2025
Hello HHSLT Students and Families,
This letter contains important information regarding the end of the 2024-2025 school year, an update on our cell phone policy aligning with a new state mandate, and changes to the lunch policy for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.
As we approach the final 16 instructional days of this school year, please remember the upcoming Regents exams scheduled as follows: [https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/state-assessment/regents-exams-schedule-june-2025.pdf]. During Regents exam administration, only students scheduled to take an exam should attend school. Please note the strict New York State universal cutoff times for exams: 10:00 AM for morning exams and 2:00 PM for afternoon exams. Students arriving late will not be permitted to enter. Additionally, cell phones and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited during Regents exams; possession will lead to immediate invalidation of the exam.
Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, Governor Hochul has announced a new statewide policy restricting smartphone use in K-12 schools throughout the day. We want to emphasize that our school's existing cell phone policy, implemented on September 5, 2024 (accessible at https://hudsonhs.com/policy-cell.html), already aligns with the goals of this initiative, which are to minimize distractions and improve student engagement. We are committed to collaborating with all members of our school community to further refine our implementation plan and ensure a smooth transition
Confiscation and return of electronic items
Failure to follow the school policy on the use of electronic devices may result in disciplinary action. Such measures may include, but are not limited to:
- Students who damage or lose the Yondr pouches will then be asked to pay $50 for a replacement, or store their phones in a phone locker for the remainder of the school year.
- Students who are observed with visible cell phones outside of the Yondr pouch during the school day will receive 1 warning, after which they will be required to store their phone in a locker each day.
- Warnings
- Confiscation of item, and return at the end of school day
- Confiscation of item and return following parent conference and student entering into behavioral contract
- Revocation of privilege to bring item(s) to school.
- Principal’s suspension.
Finally, to ensure efficient transitions after lunch and maximize instructional time, we are adjusting our lunch policy for the 2025-2026 school year. Open campus/outside lunch will be available only to 11th and 12th-grade students. Initially, during Marking Period 1, only 12th-grade students with an attendance rate of 90% or higher and who are academically on track to graduate (based on end-of-year 2024-2025 data) will be eligible. Eligibility will be reviewed at the end of each marking period based on attendance (90% or higher) and academic standing. Additionally, seniors who wish to have their last class scheduled during lunch must complete a Google form (to be shared later) and obtain parental/guardian approval. This information will be reiterated during upcoming student Town Hall meetings and virtual Parent-Teacher conferences.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting our students' academic success.
Sincerely,
Michael Wilson
Principal