Dear Spartan Families,

As we prepare to open our doors for a new school year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible strength and spirit of our school community. Each year brings new opportunities to grow, learn and support one another, and 2025–2026 is no exception. Over the summer, we have been hard at work to ensure our students will return to an environment that will foster Spartan strength and spirit. Please join me in expressing gratitude to our custodians, clerical and administrative staff not only for the work they have done this summer in preparation for our students, but for their continued dedication to our community!

At S.S. Seward, the best seat in the house got an upgrade! Capital project work included replacing the bleachers, but that was just the beginning. Fresh paint and new custom wall pads with logos and graphics add school spirit and cohesion. The gym floor was completely sanded and relined, featuring a new orange and blue color scheme and an updated center-court logo. Currently, our team is hard at work on our roof restoration project, replacing and repairing sections of the roof in preparation to welcome our students back to school.

Golden Hill was also given some TLC with new bleachers and many new street signs to boost visibility and safety. The welcome sign on Round Hill Road is being replaced, offering a warm first impression to students, families and visitors for years to come.

As I am sure many of you noticed, our website also got a makeover! Not only does our site now have a fresh new look, but information will be easily accessible throughout the year.

Through the month of July, our band rehearsed and executed an impressive concert for our community. Their hard work and dedication was evident in their performance. We also hosted a specialized tutoring program in collaboration with the Empire State Service Corps where our students received individualized attention and personalized instruction to prepare them for success this school year. This partnership also allowed us to host a FAFSA informational meeting for families throughout the entire Orange County community.

I’d also like to remind you that, in accordance with New York State law, a new cell phone policy will take effect this school year. We remain committed to fostering a focused, distraction-free learning environment, and this policy is an important step in that direction. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out or refer back to the message shared earlier this summer via ParentSquare.

Lastly, please join me in welcoming nine new members to our Spartan community. We are excited to have a pre-K teacher, a kindergarten teacher, two second-grade teachers, a science teacher, a special education teacher, a JROTC teacher, a PE teacher and a nurse joining our team of passionate and driven educators. 

I’m excited for all the moments we’ll share this year engaging minds in the classroom, empowering futures by listening to our incredible student leaders and excelling together as we continue to show up for one another. This community is what makes our schools feel like family, and I’m so grateful for it.

We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Here’s to a new school year full of curiosity, connection and continued growth for all of us.

Sincerely, 

Lisamarie Spindler, Ed.D. 

Superintendent of Schools