Important School Information

August 27, 2026

Dear South Country Community,

We hope that you had a wonderful summer and that you are enjoying the last few rays of sunshine before we come back to school!

As we prepare to begin a new school year, I was reminded of a story about a first-grade teacher who asked her class a simple question: “What is your favorite day of the week?”  Eager hands went up. Days were shouted out. One student sat quietly. The teacher allowed the commotion that comes from excited learners to settle down. Softly, the teacher asked the silent student “Shay, what is your favorite day of the week?” Shay smiled and said “Tomorrow.” The teacher was puzzled and asked Shay “Why tomorrow?” Shay smiled and excitedly answered “So that we can use what we learn today to learn more tomorrow.” Shay’s answer is a simple but powerful reminder of what learning is all about: taking what we learn today and using it to make tomorrow better. In many ways, that is the spirit we need as we begin this school year.

Shay was describing what experts like to call the Carousel of Progress—the idea that we keep moving forward, learning from where we have been, and using those lessons to build what comes next. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for South Country to get back on the Carousel of Progress. That means we must wake up every morning, tie our shoes tight and do our jobs. Students, teachers, staff, parents and community all play vital roles in the South Country Central School District Renaissance. We need to take what we have learned and work together in a synergistic learning community. It all starts with each of us doing our best every day. 

Many changes have occurred since last year. From the pain and uncertainty of these changes, we must find hope and new pathways forward. This will be a year where we learn what we need to retool and rebuild the South Country Central School District. The first steps begin with doing your job every day, to the best of your ability. As we move forward, leadership teams will listen carefully to all stakeholders as we create a vision for South Country Central School District in 2030 and beyond.

Student schedules are now available on the Parent Portal, and we’re excited to welcome our students back on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, for the first day of school. Please note that the Parent/Student Affirmations must be completed in the Parent Portal by September 1, 2026.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the summer packets, please contact your child’s school at the telephone number(s) listed below:

• Bellport High School (631) 730-1575
• Bellport Middle School (631) 730-1626
• Frank P. Long Intermediate School (631) 730-1725
• Brookhaven Elementary School (631) 730-1700
• Kreamer Street Elementary School (631) 730-1650
• Verne W. Critz Elementary School (631) 730-1675
• South Haven Early Childhood Center (631) 730-2180

As part of the District’s ongoing efforts to reduce expenses and use resources responsibly, we will not be printing and mailing hard copies of the school calendar to families this year, as we have done in the past. We encourage families to access the school calendar online throughout the school year for the most convenient and up-to-date information regarding important dates, holidays, recesses, and school events. School calendars are available on our district website by clicking on “Calendars” in the top right-hand corner of the page: www.southcountry.org.

In closing, we are preparing our current students to work in the world of 2075, 2100, and beyond. We cannot possibly know all of the skill sets needed to be successful in the future. Please take comfort in the fact that certain lessons have been required for learning since the beginning of time. Please show up every day. Please be on time. Please be prepared. Please be respectful of others and their opinions. Please be kind and empathetic. Please always have a strong work ethic. Please use facts as your compass as we navigate our future. These are lessons that are truly timeless.

Thank you, and we look forward to making 2026 - 2027 the best school year ever! Until 2028.

Sincerely,
John V. Dolan
Interim Superintendent of Schools

Before you begin, locate a copy of your child’s schedule, report card or progress report.

• Click on the eSchool link to create a new account. (https://parentportal.eschooldata.com/southcountry)
• Make sure to delete any extension to the link after .com
• Enter the requested information from your child’s report card, progress report, or schedule.

Wait for verification

Please allow 1-2 business days for the parent portal team to verify your information and validate your account. Once you receive your information you can log in to the parent portal. If you do not receive an email after 3 business days, please contact parentportal@southcountry.org or call (631) 730-1511.

Immunizations:

New York State law and district guidelines require that immunizations must be completed or your child will be excluded from school. Records must have a doctor’s signature/stamp to be valid.

School Physicals:

New York State requires all new students and students entering 9th and 11th grade, to have a physical examination. A valid physical is also necessary for any student wishing to obtain Working Papers and/or to participate in school sports. Any student requiring a physical exam who has not submitted a completed physical form within 30 days from the start of school will be scheduled to have their physical by the school physician. Physical forms are available in the health office and on the District Website @ www.southcountry.org .

Medications:

New York State and district guidelines require a doctor’s order and a signed permission slip for the dispensing or self-carrying of prescription and over-the-counter medication (Tylenol, Motrin, antacids, etc.) in school. The school nurse will NOT dispense any medication to students unless he/she has a doctor’s written order on file giving specific instructions to do so. Orders must be renewed each school year. Medication Forms are available in the health office upon request. Medications that will be kept in school must be brought in and picked up by a parent/guardian.

Physical Education Excuses

Any serious injury or illness that restricts a student from physical education requires a doctor’s note. The note must state the reason as well as the duration of time that the student will be excused. In addition, a clearance note is required in order for your child to resume physical education/sports activity. If the injury requires the use of crutches, elevator or mini bus services, a note from the doctor is required. All doctor’s notes are to be brought into the health office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Health Office at 730-1580.

• As a reminder, all students were required to finalize their course selections for the upcoming school year. 
•  Schedule adjustments will only be considered for the following reasons (no other changes or adjustments will be granted):
  • Failure of a graduation requirement which must be made up
  • Elimination of a scheduled course by the school
  • Level change (i.e. AP to Honors, Honors to Regents)
  • Replacement of a Study Hall with an academic or elective class

•  Schedule adjustments will only be considered for the following reasons (no other changes or adjustments will be granted):
  • Failure of a graduation requirement which must be made up
  • Elimination of a scheduled course by the school
  • Level change (i.e. AP to Honors, Honors to Regents): Considered after September 17th
  • Replacement of a Study Hall with an academic or elective class

• To accommodate teacher change requests
• Timing of specific courses (what period you have a class)
• Lunch period changes
• To group students with specific peers
• Change in elective course selections
• To drop a course for a study hall 
• To add early release or late arrival, if not requested last spring, or to move classes to accommodate late arrival or early dismissal (seniors only)

These requests will not be honored.