We want to introduce our Parent Liaison Kim Hernandez. Kim looks forward to working with you this school year. Please reach out to her if you are interested in becoming involved or need any support. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with families. Feel free to contact her at 716-846-4570 or keh627@gmail.com.
Parents
Dear Parents/ Guardians.
We would like to welcome you and your child to The Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management’s 2025-2026 School Year. We are excited to welcome our students and staff back to school. This packet will provide an overview of important information, school policies, and school expectations.
The first day of school for students will be Thursday, September 4, 2025. Students who take the NFTA will be allowed to ride for free for the first week of school. Students will be issued a bus pass the first week of school. Please refer to https://metro.nfta.com/schedules/plan-your-trip for information to get to and from school. Students who ride the yellow bus will receive a mailing from the district’s transportation department. If you have specific questions about the yellow bus, please contact the Transportation Department at 716-816-4895.
A packet will be sent home and included in this packet you will find:
Bell Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Rules and Regulations for Student Travel on NFTA Metro Public Transit
District Calendar at a Glance
Buffalo Public Schools 2025-2026 Letter Days at a Glance
Buffalo Public Schools Visitor Policy
Grade Reporting Timeline for Progress Reports and Report Cards for the 2025-2026 School Year
Parent Letter for Safety Drills
Buffalo Culinary’s Distraction Free Procedures
Bullying Prevention and Intervention
Things that should be sent back to school or completed using the QR code below:
BPS Pupil Directory Important Emergency Information 2025-2026 School Year
Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology
One to One Program Student/Parent Contract
Buffalo Public Schools Media Release Form
We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. We recognize that to be successful, our children need support from home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to provide an equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education.
PARENT ENGAGEMENT LIAISON: KIM HERNANDEZ
We want to introduce our parent liaison Kim Hernandez. Kim looks forward to working with you this school year. Please reach out to her if you are interested in becoming involved or need any support. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with families. Feel free to contact her at 716-846-4570 or keh627@gmail.com.
Please take time to review the 2025-2026 Standards for Conduct, Character, and Support (Code of Conduct) with your child using the QR code below.
NYS mandates certain vaccines that are required for school. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor to make sure you’re aware of all vaccinations needed. If vaccinations are not updated by September 17, 2025, students will not be allowed to attend school starting September 18, 2025, in accordance with NYS Public Health Law 2164. Your child’s doctor can answer questions about their vaccine status. Please send updated vaccination records to Medicalrecords@buffaloschools.org or send them in with your child to school.
Be aware that students will be required to store their internet-capable personal devices from the first bell to final dismissal. This includes smartphones, smartwatches, cell phones with any internet capability, iPads, or similar devices. However, students will be authorized to access “school-issued” internet-enabled devices for their classroom instruction. This includes laptops or tablets provided by the school and used as part of instruction. Please see Buffalo Culinary’s Distraction Free Procedures included in this packet.
The School Based Management Team (SBMT) is made up of parents, teachers, administration, support staff, community partners, and student representatives. The Buffalo School of Culinary Art’s and Hospitality Management’s SBMT is committed to pursuing issues and facilitating changes that enhance the quality of education for all our students. We can’t do this without you. We encourage you to join Buffalo Culinary’s SBMT each month to discuss ideas and offer suggestions in the interest of our school community. Parents are encouraged to communicate their ideas or concerns to the SBMT through the Main Office or via email at kschuta. WE NEED YOU! ALL parents/guardians are welcome to attend. The meetings will take place at the school. You can also access the link to attend the meetings virtually at https://www.buffaloschools.org/o/ps355/page/mgt-team or you can scan the QR code to take you directly to the meeting.
The dates and time of the meetings are as follows:
SBMT Meetings
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
1:00 PM
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
1:00 PM
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
1:00 PM
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
1:00 PM
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
1:00 PM
Wednesday February 25, 2026
1:00 PM
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
1:00 PM
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
1:00 PM
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
1:00 PM
Thursday, June 11, 2026
1:00 PM
We are proud to be a Buffalo Public School’s Partnership School for the 2025-2026 school year. The goal of being a partnership school is to build bridges between families and communities, increasing parent engagement and community partnerships to enhance and uplift BPS students and families. We are excited to announce and invite you to our Community School Nights for the 2025-2026 School year. Each FREE event will be filled with activities, information, food, and fun! Save the Dates below:
Community Nights Evening Events – 75 West Huron from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday September 24, 2025
Welcome Back
Festival
Wednesday
October 29, 2025
Let’s Get Spooky
Wednesday
November 19, 2025
Fall Harvest
Taste of Buffalo Culinary
Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday
February 11, 2026
Black History Month
Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday
March 11, 2026
Bring on March
Wednesday
May 6, 2026
Celebrating Kindness
& Wellness
Buffalo Culinary 1st Quarter Important Dates
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
4 First Day for Students
5 Welcome Back Wellness Day for Students
15 Picture Day Grades 9-11
24 SBMT at 1PM
24 Community Night: Welcome Back Festival & Title I Meeting 4PM-6PM
3 Quarter 1 Progress Reports Grades Close
6 PBIS Attendance Breakfast
10 Senior Pictures
13 Indigenous Peoples’ & Italian Heritage Day – NO SCHOOL
16 Progress Reports available in Infinite Campus
20 After School Program Begins
22 SBMT at 1PM
23 PSATs Grades 10 & 11
29 Community Night: Let’s Get Spooky 4PM-6PM
4 Election Day - NO SCHOOL
6 PBIS Teacher Nominated Incentive
7 Quarter 1 Grades Close
7 Senior Picture Retakes
11 Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
12 SBMT at 1PM
19 Community School Night: Fall Harvest/Taste of Buffalo Culinary & Parent/Teacher Conferences
20 Report Cards available in Infinite Campus
21 Picture Retakes Grades 9-11
21 Quarter 1 Awards Banquet
26-28 Thanksgiving Recess - NO SCHOOL
If you have additional questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact the school at 716-816-4778, Mr. Bass at DJBass@buffaloschools.org, Ms. Makowski at MMakowski@buffaloschools.org or Ms. Schuta at KSchuta@buffaloschools.org.
Sincerely,
Ms. Schuta, Principal Mr. Bass, Assistant Principal Ms. Makowski, Assistant Principal
From our Summer Principal: Mr. Terence Jenkins
Good morning,
This is a friendly remember that summer school will begin on Monday, July 14th. Classes will be held Monday-Thursday. There are no classes on Fridays. All students will enter the cafeteria and have an opportunity to eat breakfast at 7:45. Students will report to class at 7:55. The school day will end at 3:15. Your summer school schedule is in Infinite Campus. Summer school is a privilege to those students who take advantage of it. It is not a right.
The last day of summer school will be Monday, August 18th. New York State Regents exams will be on August 19th and 20th. If you have any questions, please call McKinley at 716-4480 or report on Monday, July 14th.
Non-graduating Seniors from the 2024-2025 school year will take their required classes at South Park High School.
Additionally, the BPS Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced. All students must behave and attend all classes daily. If students misbehave or cut class, they will be immediately removed from summer school. If they are late two times, it will equate to a one-day absence. Students cannot miss more than three days. Your child will be removed from summer school if he or she is absent a fourth time. Please have a conversation with your child about these expectations and consequences.
Sincerely,
Mr. Terence Jenkins
Principal
McKinley High School
ATTENTION STUDENTS WHO WERE IN GRADES 9-11 FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE SEE THE LETTER BELOW IF YOU FAILED A CLASS OR EXAM.
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Your child has failed at least one subject and/or exam and has been assigned to our summer school program. Students in grades 9-11 for the 2024-2025 school year will attend the summer school program at McKinley High School. The program will run from July 14th to August 14th. The Regents Exams will take place on August 19th and 20th. This is an opportunity for your child to recover one or more credits or exam(s) by participating in this program.
McKinley High School
1500 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14207
Phone: 716-816-4480
Please note:
Student hours are from 8:00 -3:00. Each student will receive an individual schedule on the first day of summer school.
Students will be allowed to ride the NFTA bus for free for the first week of summer school.
Students will receive an NFTA bus pass on the first day of school if they live more than 1.5 miles away from McKinley.
Breakfast and lunch will be served depending on your child’s schedule.
If you have specific questions, please contact the school at 716-816-4778.
Sincerely,
Ms. Schuta, Mr. Bass, & Ms. Makowski
Parent Engagement Liaison:
