August 2026
Hello NCES Families,
I hope this message finds you well and that you're enjoying a wonderful summer! All of us at NCES are excited to welcome back our new and returning students for the 2026–2027 school year. The first day of school for all Pre-K through 6th grade students will be Wednesday, September 2nd. Students and staff will attend school on Wednesday, 9/2 and Thursday, 9/3 and then be off on Friday & Monday for the Labor Day Holiday.
Our school day will begin promptly at 7:50 AM and end at 2:30 PM.
- Morning Parent drop-off: 7:30–7:48 AM
- If your child will be eating breakfast, please drop them off by 7:40 AM so they have time to eat before the cafeteria closes.
- Drop-off location: Entrance to the intermediate wing (same as last year)
- Afternoon Parent pick-up: 2:30–2:40 PM
- Pick-up location: Front loop (also same as last year)
Teacher Assignments: Teacher assignment letters will be sent out tomorrow, Thursday August 6th. If you do not receive your child's assignment by Monday, August 10th, please contact Meghan Hilliker at (716) 337-0166, ext. 2151.
Transportation: The Transportation Department will begin to email bus pick-up and drop-off times on August 19th. If you do not receive your child's transportation information by the end of the day on August 25th, please call 716-337-0166, ext. 2200. If your child will not be riding the bus this year, please notify the transportation office as soon as possible.
Free Meals Program: The Community Eligibility Program (CEP) will continue to provide all students with free meals (both breakfast and lunch) for the 2025–26 school year. For second meals and à la carte items (see prices at northcollins.com), our cafeterias will be mostly cashless. Funds can be added through MySchoolBucks.com. For questions, please contact our Business Office at (716) 337-0101, ext. 1308.
School Supplies: School supply lists are available on the main page of our website: northcollins.com.
Welcome to Our New Staff! We are excited to introduce and welcome the following new staff members to NCES:
- Mrs. Joyce Fanning, Tier 2 Reading Teacher - We are excited to welcome Mrs. Joyce Fanning to North Collins Elementary as our new Reading Teacher! A graduate of Lake Shore High School, she earned both her bachelor's degree in Childhood/Early Childhood Education and her master's degree in Literacy from Canisius University. Mrs. Fanning brings 19 years of experience in education, having taught students from kindergarten through college. She has also prepared future teachers at Canisius University, directed the Reading Ready program, and served as a Literacy Specialist. She is passionate about helping students become confident, successful readers. Outside of school, Mrs. Fanning enjoys spending time with her two children, hiking, camping, creating art and crafts, and caring for animals
- Mrs. Katie Yudin, 5th Grade Teacher - We are excited to welcome Mrs. Katie Yudin to the North Collins Elementary School family! Mrs. Yudin will be teaching 5th grade Math and Social Studies this year. Originally from the Syracuse area, Mrs. Yudin earned her bachelor's degree in Childhood Inclusive Education from SUNY Fredonia in 2020 and her master's degree in Literacy Education in 2022. Mrs. Yudin brings five years of experience as a Special Education Teacher at Chautauqua Lake Elementary School. She is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that build confidence, encourage creativity, and make learning engaging and fun for every student. Outside of school, Mrs. Yudin enjoys hiking with her dachshund, Otto, coaching softball, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
- Miss Courtney Woods (soon to be Mrs. Helm), 6th Grade Teacher - We are excited to welcome Miss Courtney Woods to the North Collins Elementary family! Miss Woods earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from the University at Buffalo. She brings a variety of experiences in education, having taught students in 1st, 4th, and 5th grades, as well as serving as an instructional coach and AIS specialist in the City of Buffalo. Miss Woods is passionate about helping students build strong literacy skills and creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences where students feel confident, curious, and excited to learn. Outside of school, Miss Woods enjoys staying active through coaching, playing volleyball and two-hand touch football, and spending time with family and friends. She is also a proud Buffalo Bills fan and is looking forward to cheering them on this fall!
Important Water Safety Information: In accordance with new state regulations, we are sharing vital resources to help keep our students and families safe. Please take a moment to review the provided by the NYS Department of Health: Water Safety Information Memo 06.16.26.pdf .
Free Swim Lessons at YMCA: Great news! We are excited to share that we are able to support another session of free YMCA Youth Swim Lessons for children ages 5–12. This funding is available for participants enrolling in Youth Swim Lesson Stages 1–3. Here is a link to the flyer: 26AO Swim Lessons North Collins.pdf
The updated promo code is included on the flyer to ensure the registration fee is waived for eligible students.
Registration dates (The upcoming session will run from August 30 – October 24):
- YMCA Members: Registration opens Sunday, August 23
- Non-Members: Registration opens Thursday, August 27 (with a free YMCA Program Member account)
Please note that the QR code on the flyer will not display available classes until registration opens on Sunday, August 23. As a reminder, this funding is only available for Youth Swim Lesson Stages 1–3. Registrations made for Youth Stages 4–6 using this promotion are not eligible and will be cancelled so that funding remains available for participants within the program guidelines.
Save the Date – Open House & PTO Welcome Back Night
- Please mark your calendars for our Open House on Thursday, September 24th at 6:00-7:00PM. We look forward to welcoming our students and families into the building for an exciting evening! More details will be shared as the date approaches.
- Our amazing PTO will also be hosting a Welcome Back Night on Tuesday, September 15th from 6:00–8:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to reconnect and celebrate the start of a new school year. Additional information will be shared as we get closer to the event.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We’re looking forward to a fantastic school year ahead!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kerry Buell
Elementary Principal