August 24, 2026
Dear A.W. Becker Community:
I hope you’ve enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating summer and are making the most of these final days with family and friends. On behalf of the entire team at A.W. Becker Elementary, we are delighted to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year. We look forward to greeting our students and families when school begins in just a few short weeks.
This letter has some important information for the start of the school year. As always, the latest news can be found on our school website at www.rcscsd.org.
Our first full day of school is on Wednesday, September 9th. As a reminder, regular school hours are as follows:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
At A.W. Becker, we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of every child and developing targeted action plans that support continuous growth. As a school, we establish annual goals and review them regularly to strengthen reading and math proficiency while also supporting students’ social-emotional development through programs such as our school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. We are committed to working closely with each student, helping them track their progress and celebrating their growth along the way. Our mission is your child’s success.
Happenings at AWB
New Faces in AWB Positions: Chesnie Waddingham (Kelsey Mitchell - Maternity Leave), Judy Lambert (Erin Almaviva - Maternity Leave)
Back to School Night (Grades 1-5) - Thursday, September 17th; More details about this night will be sent out as we get closer to this date.
School meals (breakfast and lunch) will be provided at no charge this year as our school has qualified under the USDA and State Education Department guidelines for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). It is still important for those who qualify to fill out the appropriate paperwork because it is important for the district's aid and funding.
Parent Pickup - Parent Pickup will be at the side door of the building, with the exception of Pre-K families, you will pick up your child at the main entrance from their teacher. If you are going to pick your child up, we ask you notify the main office by 3:00 pm so we can make the classroom teacher aware.
Supply Drop-off - Families are welcome to come into school to drop off their supplies, meet their teacher, and see their classroom on Tuesday, September 8th from 8:15 - 8:45 am. There is a hard cutoff at 8:45 am because the staff has a scheduled training.
Classroom Assignments - Families will be able to see their child’s teacher via the Parent Portal on Thursday, August 28th. If you have not signed up for an account, please use this link to register for one.
As always, you will find the latest updates, important school events, and links to newsletters on our official school website. We encourage all families to sign up for ParentSquare and to regularly check their email and the RCS website for the most current news and information.
In our continued effort to be environmentally responsible and reduce paper use, the A.W. Becker Handbook—containing the Code of Conduct, along with important forms, resources, and reference materials—will be available online this year. If you do not have internet access, a printed copy of the handbook will be available in the main office beginning in September.
Our dedicated staff is already hard at work planning and preparing for the return of our students. From our office team and custodians to our incredible teaching staff, everyone is focused on providing your family with the best educational experience and a welcoming, supportive environment.
I would like to extend a special thank you to our wonderful PTA as they prepare for another exciting school year. Their dedication to enriching our students’ experiences through engaging events and meaningful programs makes a tremendous difference in our school community.
By supporting the PTA’s fundraising efforts throughout the year, you’re playing a vital role in helping our students and school thrive. We’re grateful for your partnership and support as we begin a great new year together!
To contact and/or join our PTA, please use this link.
I will be sending out a monthly newsletter via ParentSquare, but here are some important dates to start the school year:
September 3rd: Pre-K & Kindergarten Welcome Start
September 8th: Supply Drop-off 8:15 - 8:45 am
September 9th: First Day of School
September 11th: PTA Ice Cream Social; AWB Playground, 6:00 pm
September 16th: Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 pm at RCS High School
September 17th: Back to School Night (Grades 1 - 5)
September 22nd: PTA Meeting, 6:00 pm
September 25th: AWB Apple Run
September 30th: Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 pm at RCS High School
If I can help with anything throughout the school year, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call the main office at 518-756-5200 ext. 5000 or email me at sdoran@rcscsd.org. I eagerly look forward to welcoming our students back on September 9th.
Best regards,
Stephen Doran
A.W. Becker Elementary School
Principal