Parents and Kids Got to Know Their New School

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dozens of new Warring Elementary families got to know their school Thursday evening.

The school held its new student orientation, creating a fun and informative experience despite being limited by rain.

Principal Nicole Penn and new Assistant Principal Dr. Dawn Essig welcomed families into the gymnasium for an informational session in which Penn introduced the building staff, from their teachers to the service staff, shared school policies and detailed programs resulting from Title I funding. Penn insisted no family leave the orientation before visiting an informational table where representatives of the Community Schools and Information Technology departments showed everyone how to log in to the Infinite Campus and ParentSquare systems for receiving critical information through the course of the year.

While most of the families were new to the building, some were returning to Warring, having spent their first-grade year there ​prior to the district’s Elementary Reconfiguration.

Community organizations, including AmeriCorps, Hudson River Housing and Neighborhood Vitality Corp were on hand with tables for disseminating helpful information, and families were able to pick up school supplies that included notebooks, books, socks and other items.

Meanwhile, families enjoyed a photo booth, a DJ and snack tables with sandwiches, chips, McDonald’s items and snow cones.

Though the bouncy house had to be moved indoors, Warring still enjoyed a fun kickoff to the 2026-27 year.