Superintendent Updates

Superintendent Update as of February 29, 2024

Dear Elmira City School District families,

As you may know, a total solar eclipse affecting much of New York will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024. Like many districts along the eclipse’s path throughout New York and the nation, the Elmira City School District will dismiss on a half day schedule.

The eclipse (complete darkness) is projected to be visible in New York State in the afternoon – about the same time of a normal school day dismissal period. The schedule adjustment will allow us to ensure all students are transported home safely, prior to the event.

The District will provide solar glasses, with proper filters, to share with students. This will allow students to experience this solar eclipse event safely.

April 8, 2024 | Early Dismissal Times by Grade

Grades PreK-2 - 11:00 a.m.
Grades 3-6 - 10:40 a.m.
Grades 7-12 - 11:40 a.m.

About the April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse

Experts say this will be a “once in a lifetime” event for most. The last total solar eclipse in New York State occurred in January 1925. The next one in the U.S. won't occur until 2045. New York State won't experience its next total eclipse until 2079.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and Earth. During a total solar eclipse, people in the path of totality see the sun's disk completely covered by the moon for a brief time. The path of totality will stretch across a large swath of upstate New York from its southwest corner to its northern border with Canada.

Thank you,

Hillary J. Austin

Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District


Superintendent Update as of January 3, 2024 – 4:00 PM

Dear Elmira City School District families,

Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well and everyone is back to a healthy start to school from winter recess. I am writing with a few updates, announcements, and reminders.

School Closings/Delays

As I write this, we have not had a closing or delay due to weather this winter, but we know winter weather is coming. We announce closings and delays on our website, social media sites, and local television news stations. Parents/guardians can receive text messages about closings or delays, but you must opt-in to texting on your smartphone. To opt in, text Y to 67587. You will receive a text response to confirm that you have opted in. Please note that only parents and guardians are eligible to receive text messages regarding closings/delays. For more information on text messaging and frequently asked questions about closings and delays, click here.

Sick Day Guidelines from Health Services Staff

Colds, flus and other respiratory illnesses are more common this time of year. And sometimes it's hard for a parent to determine whether to send children to school when they wake up with early symptoms of an illness or complaints that they do not feel well. Our Health Services staff have published a guide for parents/guardians to use when determining whether an under-the-weather student should attend school. Access the Health Services Sick Day Guidelines by clicking here.

School Safety and Reporting a Concern

Students can take an active role in protecting school safety. Empowering our students say something when they see something is critically important. As a District, we have expanded the ways in which students and families can request support or report a concern. Please take time to review the several communication mechanisms we have in place to report concerns that may affect students’ well-being and security, from the Conflict Resolution Form to the new Gaggle email/text option. Learn more here by clicking here to visit the Student Safety ‘Report a Concern’ webpage. Together, we can keep our schools’ safe places of learning.

FASFA Night for Senior EHS Parents

Parents of college-bound seniors are invited to FASFA Parent Night at Elmira High School on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium. Elmira High School will be hosting a presentation by the Elmira College Financial Aid Office to help families with Senior students fill out the new FASFA form. Please reach out to your student’s school counselor with any questions. More information here.

Upcoming Parent Zoom for Special Education, Ages 14-21

Person Centered Services will present a Transition Services Virtual Expo for the parents of students ages 14-21 who receive Special Education Services on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Meet and interact with local providers who offer services supporting successful transition to adulthood for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Click here to register for this free Zoom event.

As always, please feel free to contact your student’s school with questions or concerns.

Thank you,
Hillary J. Austin
Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District


Superintendent Update as of November 3, 2023 – 4:00 p.m.

Dear Elmira City School District families,

We are writing to update you on a few items. It's almost time for clocks to "fall back" one hour. This Sunday, Nov. 5, daylight saving time ends. The darker days can often lead to more screen time for students and adults. Our Academic Innovation team has put together some helpful Cyber Sanity tips for families – from managing social media to screen time restrictions and parental controls, click here to learn more about Cyber Sanity

Calendar Reminders

There will be no school on Friday November 10, 2023 in observance of Veterans Day. Thanksgiving Recess will be observed from Wednesday November 22-24, 2023 (no school). >View the full school calendar here by clicking here.

Weather-Related School Delays and Closings

As the seasons change, weather variables can affect our school days and we have to adjust for the safety of our students and staff. We’ve published answers to frequently asked questions about closings and delays here for families, click here.  

Family and Community Outreach Coordinators

Do you know your Family and Community Outreach Coordinator? As part of our Community Schools programming, we staff a ‘parent partner’ in each school building, filling the role of Family and Community Outreach Coordinator (FCOC). FCOC’s help bridge the gap between school and home. Our FCOC’s collaborate with community members to connect students, families and staff to expanded learning opportunities and community services, keep parents up-to-date with school events, and more. For a full list of staff, click here: https://www.elmiracityschools.com/cms/one.aspx?pageId=23590300 Please note that we are currently recruiting for the Family and Community Outreach position at both Pine City Elementary and Broadway Elementary. Please reach out to the Office of Student Services with interest.

Conflict Resolution Form

Communication is at the cornerstone of our District safety planning. We all have a responsibility in maintaining safe, supportive and respectful schools. If you see something that an adult in the school should be aware of, we encourage students and families to get in touch with a member of the school staff. We encourage you to reach out in-person, by email, phone, or by using the Conflict Resolution Form found here. Together, we can keep our schools’ safe places of learning.

Milk Carton Shortage in Schools

You may have read in recent news that there is milk carton shortage affecting multiple states across the nation due to supply chain challenges. The USDA is encouraging affected schools in states like New York to be flexible in how they deliver milk to students, such as by serving it in cups instead of the usual cartons. Elmira and surrounding school districts rely on the GST BOCES Food Services department for breakfast and lunches in our schools and we will continue to work with our partners to best serve our students.

As always, if you have any questions about the above listed resources and news, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you,
Hillary J. Austin
Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District



Dear Elmira City School District families,

As you know, the District is introducing text messaging for families this year as a way to communicate closing/delay information. Winter is just around the corner and we encourage you to easily opt-in to receive these text messages now by texting Y to the short code 67587. The text messages will come from SchoolMessenger, the system we use now for phone calls and emails to families. Text messages will only be sent to cell phone numbers whose recipients have agreed to receive them. Standard rates apply.

If the District has a SMS text phone number for you on file AND you have not already opted-in by texting Y to 67587, the District will send a one-time text message to cell phone numbers of parents/guardians that are on file with the District tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM. The opt-in message will come from the short code 67587. To opt-in, please reply with “Y’ or “Yes.” You can easily reply N if you do not wish to receive these messages.

Please reach out to your student’s home school if you have any questions.

Thank you and be well,

Hillary J. Austin

Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District


Superintendent Update as of October 10, 2023 - 4:00 PM

Dear Elmira City School District families,

I am writing to you today with two important updates. As we continue to improve school-to-home communications, I encourage you to read through two new opportunities outlined below. Staying connected with strong communication is at the cornerstone of our school safety planning.

1. In Elmira, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment. If a student is experiencing conflict with peers, it can impact their learning. As always, we encourage parents or students to talk to a trusted adult in the building. Students and families can also call the school, email their teacher or principal, message us on Schoology, and/or fill out a confidential Conflict Resolution Reporting Form which is a new form found under Quick Links on the homepage of our District Website. If you see something, say something. We will continue to work together to keep our schools as safe as possible. Thank you for being a part of making our Elmira schools safe and welcoming.

2. Winter is just around the corner and new this year, the Elmira City School District will text families who have opted-in to receive weather delays and/or closings via text.

Families can easily opt-in to receive these text messages now by texting Y to the short code 67587. The text messages will come from SchoolMessenger, the system we use now for phone calls and emails to families. Text messages will only be sent to cell phone numbers whose recipients have agreed to receive them. Standard rates apply.

If the District has a SMS text phone number for you on file AND you have not already opted-in by texting Y to 67587 by next week, the District will send a one-time text message to cell phone numbers of parents/guardians that are on file with the District on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM. The opt-in message will come from the short code 67587. To opt-in, please reply with “Y’ or “Yes.” You can easily reply N if you do not wish to receive these messages.

With any questions related to these two new communication platforms, please reach out to your building principal.

Thank you and be well,
Hillary J. Austin
Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District


Superintendent Update as of September 21, 2023 – 12:00 p.m.

Dear Elmira City School District families,

We are writing to update you on a recent communication we received regarding a “swatting hoax” spreading throughout New York State airports, schools, and places of worship. Swatting incidents are threats made with the purpose of triggering a response by police and first responders while also creating fear and panic in communities. This hoax includes automated phone calls and/or emails stating that there are bombs in the building. The Elmira City School District HAS NOT received this swatting hoax. We are simply writing to make you aware of this national hoax.

This week, a neighboring district was impacted by false reports of a bomb threat on their campus. It was unsubstantiated by the NYS Troopers and the FBI. Safety is truly our number one priority and we will continue to be diligent about investigating any and all claims. We will continue to work with the local law enforcement.

If we receive one of these threats, we will follow our safety protocols regardless of the current swatting hoax in the area. Student and staff safety is our priority.

We encourage you and our students to report anything that could constitute a threat to school safety immediately.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your building principal. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

Hillary J. Austin

Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District



A Back-to-School Message from the Superintendent

September 1, 2023

Dear Elmira City School District families,

I hope you all had a fun, safe, and restful summer with your family and friends. The new school year is here! We are looking forward to a wonderful year of education in Elmira. The 2023-24 school year begins for students on Thursday, September 7, 2023. 

We believe that when families and schools work together, our students will achieve their greatest successes. School to home communication is a critical component of student engagement and safety. Please be proactive in making sure the school has your most up-to-date contact records on file in the case we need to contact you. Click here for a full list of District contacts should you have specific questions for a department or school.

Explore the back-to-school resources below to help you in your transition back to school.

Teacher Assignments and Schedules

Our teachers and staff have spent the summer preparing for the upcoming year. Each registered student is enrolled and has assigned teachers. SchoolTool’s Parent Portal is also a resource for you to access this information. If you have not yet picked up your student’s schedule, please make arrangements by calling the Main Office of your student’s school.

Are you new to School Tool’s Parent Portal? Click here for sign-up instructions and helpful links.

Bell Schedules, School Start/End Times

Arriving at school well-before the bell will avoid a tardy. Remember, every school serves free breakfast so refer to communication from your school principal for breakfast times and when doors open. Click here for the 2023-2024 Bell Schedule and find your school's start and end times.

School Supplies

As a reminder, school supplies will be provided to all students this year and the only item your student will need from home is a bookbag.

School Meals, Free Breakfast and Lunch

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided daily for all Elmira students in every building across the school district all year long. Find meal menus and helpful nutritional tips for families by clicking here.

Transportation + MyView Zonar Bus Tracker

The Transportation Department has uploaded bus information into the Parent Portal system for parents/guardians of students riding the bus to and/or from school this year. The information is listed under “USER DEFINED” tab for each registered student. The USER DEFINED tab is the last tab to your far right. If you are viewing this on mobile, you may need to pinch your screen or turn to landscape for the tab to appear. Please keep in mind that the listed pickup and drop-off times are preliminary at this point until we can establish ridership on each bus. We appreciate your patience in the first weeks of school as we confirm routes for our 3,000+ student riders.

New! Available September 1, 2023! Parents/guardians of students who ride the school bus will be able to track the school bus using a secure GPS locator app, MyView Zonar Bus Tracker. This service will available to families after September 1, 2023.

Click here for transportation information, including the Zonar Bus Tracker information >>

If your child is riding the bus and you do not see bus information in the Parent Portal system, please contact a dispatcher in the Transportation Department as soon as possible at 607-735-3950 or email [email protected].

State-Required Immunizations for School

Did you know that all children are required to be up-to-date on certain immunizations in order to attend school? Click here for health requirements for your student’s upcoming school year.

Free Admission to Athletic Events

Support Express student athletes! Once again this year, we are pleased to offer free admission to athletic events at our Express Athletic Complex. Click here for information on sports schedules, stadium expectations and more.

We look forward to beginning the 2023-24 school year on Thursday, September 7, 2023!

Thank you and be well,

Hillary J. Austin
Hillary J. Austin
Superintendent of Schools
Elmira City School District