Unqua Families - please support a Districtwide Back Pack Initiative! During the month of October, we will be collecting gently used backpacks and new school supplies. Thank you for your support.
9/22-9/26
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m_AlKylgRemYt9_qdOZbeN-S-sxPo1Mt/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f95Q4vg6YtGnOSlLTGTLIhFtRXO2S3FW/view?usp=drive_link
Please see the linked letter regarding report cards: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XVqeJcsMMnxaA2k2SEveDzHKCywA5Fuj/view?usp=sharing
Dear Unqua Families,
We hope everyone had a great weekend. With Extra Help and Grade 5 morning ensembles beginning this week, please read the following reminders pertaining to our arrival procedures.
From 8:00 am – 9:00 am for Extra Help and ensemble rehearsals, Unqua circle is a STOP, DROP AND GO area. Students should be ready to exit your vehicle when you pull into the circle from the passenger side. We need to keep the traffic flow moving as we have many students involved in morning activities. During this time, if you need to walk your child into the building, please park on Unqua Road or on one of the surrounding side streets.
After 9:00 am, the driveway will be closed to cars; only buses can enter after 9:00 am. However, Unqua Road in front of the school in between our driveway entrance and exit, continues to be a STOP, DROP AND GO area. Cars should pull up on Unqua Road as far towards the north driveway as possible. Please do not stop in the middle of the area in order to keep the flow of traffic fluid. Students should be ready to exit your vehicle on the curbside when you pull in front of the building. We are asking that parents do not get out of their cars, as this does cause a backup on Unqua Road. If you need to walk your child into the building, please park on one of the surrounding side streets north or south of the building. Parking and/or getting out of your car while on the street can be dangerous for others and interrupt the flow of traffic. Please use the crossing guard at Unqua Road & Conde Lane for safe crossing; DO NOT CROSS YOUR CHILD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! This is dangerous for all students, parents and drivers!
Thank you for your attention to these important matters. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the main office at 308-5601.
Sincerely,
Deanna Catapano, Principal
Laura Hulsaver, Assistant Principal
Unqua Weekly Wrap Up 9/8 - 9/12
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17UmyGg_ccab5Jwf4bS1Q80I3UphLCn_K/view?usp=drive_link
Congratulations to Ms. Sondo! She was named the 2025 Regional Art Educator of Year by the New York State Art Teachers Association!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MF17taXy9BQmkmqJDf_nO8_EArlLrMUz/view?usp=drive_link
2025 - 2026 Unqua Club Registration
Please use link to complete registration:
Unqua Club Registration Form
September 2025
Dear Parents,
I am very pleased to share with you and your children our club offerings for the 2025-2026 school year. There are a variety of clubs available that will help to develop and enrich the varied extracurricular interests of the Unqua student population. Clubs are listed by grade level. Please make sure that you click on the appropriate grade when applying for a club. Please review the clubs and if your child is interested, complete the online registration by Thursday, September 11, 2025. You will receive an email from me by the end of the day September 15, 2025 which will inform you as to whether or not your child was enrolled in a club. There are limited spots open for each club. Club registration will be based on the order of registration. To ensure that all children have a chance to participate, students may only partake in one club.
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade STEAM Club - We know this is always very popular! As we did last year, in order to ensure fairness, we will be enrolling students based on order of enrollment AND students who did not participate in previous years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.
Once this form is submitted, you were receive a confirmation email stating that the form was submitted!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hulsaver
Assistant Principal
2025 - 2026 Unqua Clubs - Advisors, Descriptions and Dates
2025 - 2026 Unqua Club Descriptions
Please note an email will be sent out on Tuesday, September 9th at 4:30 with the Club Registration link!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XIaiR-9tvhWFaU-tzNjxQgZRIeH7zEes/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M0gJqxqtHP2BTNCF80JHWb7gLwtqMRwC/view?usp=drive_link
Hello Massapequa!
It’s that time! After nearly a year in the making, we’re proud to share a video capturing the heart, spirit, and pride of Massapequa: our students, our staff, and our community.
More than words, this is the story of our commitment — a community built on connection, tradition, and the belief that together we can unlock a world of possibility for every child. In just 2 minutes and 43 seconds, this video reaffirms our vision: “Creating Leaders… One Child at a Time.”
I hope you enjoy it, and I invite you to share this inspiring message. Now, let’s get to the show. 💙💛
Video Link: https://youtu.be/crnazW8bCBg
All the best,
Dr. William Brennan
Superintendent of Schools
Please join us for Back To School Night at Unqua on Tuesday, September 9. Please see your email for more information as there are 3 sessions to cover all of our classes.
We hope that the 2025-26 school year is off to a great start! We loved seeing all the smiling faces upon arrival these last 2 days!
As you know, Unqua takes pride in the safety of all students, staff and families. Teachers have been discussing their classroom and school rules with your child with reference to the District Code of Conduct. Please take some time to review the Code of Conduct which can be found on the District website. Please also know that Mrs. Hulsaver and I have been discussing appropriate recess behaviors during lunch, and also talking to the students about appropriate bus behavior. We will continue to reinforce the Code of Conduct to ensure the safety of all students. If there is an issue at recess or on the bus, please know that we will contact you to apprise you of the situation. If inappropriate behaviors continue or escalate, disciplinary actions will be taken in accordance with the District’s Code of Conduct. We thank you for working with us to discuss and review good decision making in order to provide an environment conducive for learning.
Over the next few weeks, your child will be involved in practicing several drills as required by the Emergency Management Plan. The purpose of practicing these procedures is to afford your children the same familiarity and comfort level that they enjoy with the frequently practiced fire drills.
The Emergency Exercises required by the Emergency Management Plan are:
1. Lock - Out Drill - This procedure is used to prevent anyone from entering or exiting the building. All exterior doors to the building are locked.
2. Lock - Down Drill - This procedure will be implemented in the event that an intruder gains entrance to the building. After an announcement to initiate a lock - down procedure is made, the teachers will lock their classroom doors and move the children away from all windows quietly and calmly.
3. Sheltering Drill - This drill is practiced in the event of a natural disaster or similar emergency situation. When it is determined that sheltering within the building is necessary, students will be escorted by their teachers to a designated area large enough to accommodate the entire school population.
4. Fire & Evacuation Drills - If there is credible reason to believe that the building is in jeopardy, the premises will be evacuated under the supervision of local law authorities. If we were to evacuate the school, I remind you that it would be for the safety of students and staff.
We will prepare students for these drills and practice them throughout the year, so in the case of an emergency all students and staff are prepared. Teachers are sensitive when discussing these plans and the reasons why each plan exists. Please do not hesitate to call the office if you have any questions.
Sincerley,
Mrs. Catapano
Unqua Teachers are READY for the start of school! Are you? See you on Tuesday!
*Our second playground has been completed and we look forward to our students enjoying their time outside!
*There will be free lunch for ALL students this year. Please be sure to review the menu with your child as they will order their choice of lunch (if they are 'buying') each morning when they get to school.
*As per Dr. Brennan's email on August 21, all cell phones and smart phones MUST remain 'off and away' throughout the school day as per NYS. All devices will remain in student backpacks until after dismissal when students are exiting the building.
We look forward to seeing you all next week!
Grades 1-5, Ms. Conlon's & Ms. Scherer's classes begin Tuesday, September 2.
Kindergarten students begin Wednesday, September 3.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thanks to the efforts of our technology team, the Parent Portal is now open earlier than planned for all parents and guardians. You now have access to important student information and resources, including student schedules, the Absence Notification Form, the Student Document Upload Form, bus information, child username/password information, Schoology parent account creation steps/code, and more.
Parent Portal Link: https://msdps.powerschool.com/public/home.html
If you need support, please visit https://www.msd.k12.ny.us/parentportal or email powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us.
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This is a reminder that on August 21, 2025, at the times listed below, parents will have access to the Parent Portal. The portal provides access to student schedules, the Absence Notification Form, the Student Document Upload Form, bus information, child username/password information, Schoology parent account creation steps/code, and more.
MHS-Main: 9:00AM
Berner Middle School: 9:30AM
MHS-Ames: 10:00AM
Birch Lane, East Lake, Fairfield: 10:30AM
Lockhart, McKenna, Unqua: 11:00AM
Parent Portal Link: https://msdps.powerschool.com/public/home.html
If you need support, please visit www.msd.k12.ny.us/parentportal or email powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us.
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District
Dear Elementary Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! At this time, we invite you to explore all of our technology resources and support information located at www.msd.k12.ny.us/tech. In addition, we ask that you please note the following:
Stay Connected with MSD
As the school year begins, we encourage you to stay connected by regularly accessing the following three key resources: MSD App with Rooms, Parent Portal, and Schoology. These are outlined in the mailed Stay Connected with MSD letter and available online at www.msd.k12.ny.us/connect. In addition, please take note of the following for the Parent Portal:
On August 21, 2025 at the times below, parents will have access to student schedules, the Absence Notification Form, Student Document Upload Form, bus information, child username/password information, Schoology parent account creation steps/code, and more. If you need support, please email powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us.
MHS-Main: 9:00AM
Berner Middle School: 9:30AM
MHS-Ames: 10:00AM
Birch Lane, East Lake, Fairfield: 10:30AM
Lockhart, McKenna, Unqua: 11:00AM
Absence Notification Form: All elementary parents must use the Absence Notification Form in the Parent Portal to report absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals.
Student Document Upload Form: All parents must use the Student Document Upload Ecollect Form in the Parent Portal to submit confidential documents. (e.g., physicals, doctor notes, etc.) If you already have an Ecollect account, sign in using your email address. If you’re creating an account for the first time, it will be set up when you submit your first document. Click Sign In, enter your email and Parent Portal password, then click Register, agree to the terms, and click Register again. You’ll then be able to upload documents for all children linked to your account.
Student Chromebooks:
All students are assigned a Chromebook, charger (for home use), and carrying case. Students must use the carrying case when transporting their Chromebook to/from and in school. Parents/guardians agree to the Chromebook Learning Anytime, Anywhere agreement in the new/returning student form. For detailed resources and support, visit www.msd.k12.ny.us/tech.
Kindergarten and new students will receive their Chromebooks, sign in information, and accessories at the start of the school year, along with a Chromebook Information and Getting-Started printout.
The Clever Portal:
All online resource links are available on the Clever Portal: www.msd.k12.ny.us/clever. Students sign into the Clever Portal using their Google account (username@msd23.org) and password. Student usernames and passwords are located on the Parent Portal Student Portfolio page. For detailed resources and support, visit www.msd.k12.ny.us/tech.
We wish you all the best this school year!
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District
Happy August, Unqua Families!
We hope everyone is enjoying the lazy days of summer! We have received more titles for summer reading recommendations! Thank you! We hope you are taking advantage of these titles and please continue to add to our Unqua list!
Click here to add more titles!
REMINDER: iReady Reading and Math Pathways are still active this summer! Practice your skills by signing onto iReady today!
We are also including some tips on how to be ready for September by grade level! Click here for for this information!
See you soon!
~Mrs. Catapano, Mrs. Hulsaver & Mrs. DelGiorno
Happy Monday, Unqua Families!
Thank you to those who added to our Unqua Summer Reading List for Students! Here's the link to help to continue adding titles! We have also included the current titles that have been submitted! Let's see how many more titles we can collect and send out to share!
REMINDER: iReady Reading and Math Pathways are still active this summer! Practice your skills by signing onto iReady today!
We hope you all continue to enjoy the summer. We are working hard at Unqua to get the building ready for opening day; especially our newest playground! We miss you and look forward to hearing about all of your adventures and journeys of the summer!
See you soon!
~Mrs. Catapano, Mrs. Hulsaver & Mrs. DelGiorno
Unqua Families! We hope you are enjoying the summer! Please help us create an Unqua Summer Reading list for students by sharing the titles your child(ren) has been reading so far! We will update and share this list over the remaining weeks of summer! Please complete this Google Form
