District News
How SOCSD Communicates
Our District uses a variety of tools to communicate with our families, staff and community:
- ParentSquare: This mass messaging platform is used to share important information regarding school programs, services and news. The ParentSquare mobile app is available free for iOS and Android.
- Parents/guardians of current students and staff are automatically subscribed at the start of each school year and may login to ParentSquare to customize their account. Not receiving emails from your child’s school or from the District? Contact your child’s school directly.
- Local residents may subscribe to the ParentSquare SOCSD Community Communications group to receive emails regarding District news, budget vote reminders and weather-related delay and closing notifications.
- Google Calendars: School events, holidays, Board of Education meetings and other key dates are posted on our District and school Google calendars, which are displayed on the District and building homepages. For information on how to subscribe to updates and sync calendars with mobile devices, view the Google Calendar Quick Reference.
- Web and Social Media (commenting guidelines below):
- Web: www.socsd.org
- District notices and District/community events are posted on the e-Backpack webpage.
- Facebook: @SouthOrangetownCSD | @SOCSDFEC | @TZHSCounseling
- Instagram: @SouthOrangetownCSD | @Tappan_Zee_HS | @soms_strong | @CottageLaneES | @WOSnews | @TZeeAthletics
- YouTube: SOCSD Communications | SOCSD Events | TZHS Counseling
- X (formerly Twitter): @SouthOrangetown | @Tappan_Zee_HS | @CottageLaneES | @TZeeAthletics
- Web: www.socsd.org
- SOCSD Connect: This digital message from the Superintendent to the community throughout the school year via ParentSquare. The message archive can be found on the Superintendent webpage.
- Board Brief: Each month, the Board of Education President provides a summary of key items under Board consideration, along with links to resources and dates for upcoming meetings. The Brief is sent via ParentSquare; a message archive is posted on the Board of Education webpage.
- SOCSD Update: This print newsletter is produced three times each year and mailed to all South Orangetown residents. View the archive on this webpage.
- School Communications Information:
Top Stories
SOCSD Launches Annual Help Card Campaign
At the start of every school year, SOCSD School Support Teams and faculty engage students in a series of activities to create a sense of belonging, support social emotional wellbeing and identify strategies and resources to use when they need help. In mid-September,: Read More: SOCSD Launches Annual Help Card Campaign
Volunteers Needed for Mentoring Initiative
The SOCSD Family Engagement Center, in partnership with Tappan Zee High School and South Orangetown Middle School, is building a mentoring program to expand career awareness and exploration opportunities for secondary students. “More than 70 high school students alone: Read More: Volunteers Needed for Mentoring Initiative
5th Annual Food Truck & Trunk or Treat is October 26!
Calling all goblins, witches and superheroes! The SOCSD Family Engagement Center is hosting its 5th Annual Food Truck & Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26, 12-3PM, in the Tappan Zee High School parking lot (Dutch Hill Road)! This fun, festive and free event is: Read More: 5th Annual Food Truck & Trunk or Treat is October 26!
District, TZHS and SOMS Lead County’s 2025 Niche Rankings
The South Orangetown Central School District, Tappan Zee High School and South Orangetown Middle School have all placed first in the County in their respective categories of the recently released 2025 Niche Best Schools rankings! Other statewide rankings of note: 29th: Read More: District, TZHS and SOMS Lead County’s 2025 Niche Rankings
WOS Art Teacher Creates Pinwheels for Peace Art Installation
Over 600 colorful pinwheels with images and messages of peace are currently on the front lawn of William O. Schaefer Elementary School as part of their annual Pinwheels for Peace art installation! The project is part of a tradition originally started in 2016 by WOS: Read More: WOS Art Teacher Creates Pinwheels for Peace Art Installation
Board Brief: October 2024
Message from Board President Steven Finn As SOCSD moves into autumn, we are witnessing the beautiful change of leaves and the energy of our students settling back into their routines. Our athletes can be seen hard at work on our fields and in our gyms, proudly: Read More: Board Brief: October 2024
SOCSD Update
2024-25
Guide to the School Year: 2024-25
2023-24
Fall | Spring | Summer
Special Publication: For Parents of Children Ages 1-5
Guide to the School Year: 2023-24
2022-23
Fall | Winter | Summer
Special Publication: For Parents of Children Ages 1-5
Guide to the School Year: 2022-23
2021-22
Fall | Summer
Parent Guide to Back to School: 2021-22
2017-18
Fall | Special Issue: Strategic Plan | Summer
2016-17
Summer
Videos
Commenting Guidelines
South Orangetown Central School District shares information with students, parents, educators, community members, alumni and the general public via its social media feeds. We welcome your comments, but reserve the right to remove postings/comments that:
- Violate the law or urge others to do so
- Contain profanity or vulgar language
- Violate the privacy of students, staff or community members
- Easily identify students/staff in defamatory, abusive or generally negative terms
- Contain remarks that are slanderous, racist, homophobic, sexist or likely to offend
- Are political in nature
- Advertise products or services
The District’s social media account administrators reserve the right to not post or remove any comments at any time, for any reason.
Social media accounts are only monitored during regular business hours. Responses to posts made outside of business hours may be delayed.