What’s new in BCSD for 2025-2026: 10 things you’ll notice this school year

The 2025-2026 School Year starts on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and we have several districtwide changes and updates at individual schools! Here are 10 new things you’ll notice this school year.

1. All BCSD students will receive Student IDs on the first day of school. During the 2024-2025 school year we issued Student IDs for C.W. Baker High School students. This was an important and impactful security measure that we have now implemented across the district. Learn more about our security and safety updates for the new school year in ParentSquare. 

2. We introduced our My Ride K-12 App during the start of last school year. New this year we used the app to inform parents/guardians of their student’s bus stop location, route and pick up time. The app uses vehicle GPS geolocation to show bus arrivals each day. The My Ride K-12 App is available on a computer or on a smart phone. Instructions on how to use the program can be found here. 

3. New York State passed legislation that will restrict the use of cellphones and other electronic devices by students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. All schools in our district have implemented a “bell-to-bell” ban, prohibiting students from using cellular phones and other devices with internet capability from their arrival to school until dismissal. Learn more about our policy in our Code of Conduct and on our website.

4. Our elementary schools will run on trimesters this year instead of quarterly report cards. The trimester dates are posted on the district’s calendars.

5. Speaking of calendars: Our District printed calendar is available in color this year for the first time! We hope you enjoy it. 

6. Our new multi-purpose turf field is now open! The field, which is located on our main campus, was completed over the summer and our Girls Soccer team had the honors of hosting the first event on the field, the 2025 Ava Wood Memorial Soccer Tournament. This field will be used for baseball, softball, flag football, Marching Band, classes, special events and more! The project was part of a $63.9 million capital improvement project improved by voters in May 2023.

7. We have new principals! Jennifer Terpening, former Baker assistant principal, is the new principal of C.W. Baker High School. Amy Klymkow, former assistant principal at Ray Middle School, is the principal of Van Buren Elementary School. Tori Sivers, a former Van Buren teacher, is an assistant principal at Ray Middle School.

8. We have new administrators! Former Baker High School Principal Kris Denton is now the Director of Academic Services, Visual and Performing Arts. Melissa Chiodo is the new Director of Elementary Education. Eric Ziegler is the new Director of Technology, Data Management & Innovation. 

9. Construction is not new on our campuses but some projects have been completed for the start of the school year! Ray Middle School has a new access road from Maple Road. The new access road will improve safety and efficiency during parent pick-up and drop-off procedures. See maps and photos on Ray’s website. Durgee has a new main entrance to its building. This change is part of the ongoing construction project and the reconfiguration of the Durgee Junior High School building. The new main entrance is located at the front of our building by the bus circle. See map on Durgee’s website.

10. Last but not least, our field at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium will be named after legendary football coach Carl Sanfilippo, who retired last fall after 40 incredible seasons leading the Bees. The field will now be known as Carl Sanfilippo Field at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium. The dedication will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 4th before the first Varsity Football home game. This is a well-deserved tribute to a true Baldwinsville icon!