Students and families have several chances before school begins to get to know their schools and their principals through orientation sessions and special meet-and-greets.

The Coffee and Conversations with the Elementary Principals series will give families a chance to speak with their principal outside of the school setting. Most, but not necessarily all, of the principals will attend all three installments. All the sessions will have a bilingual administrator.
This year there are three new principals at the district's five elementary schools - Melissa Barrow at Krieger, Alicia O'Connell at Truth and Jessica Baruffo at Smith - though all have recent experience in the district. Barrow and Baruffo were each assistant principals last year.
Locations, dates and times:

• Monday, Aug. 18 from noon to 1 p.m.: Tubman Terrace apartments
• Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Beulah Baptist church
• Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Christ Church

Then, each of the five elementary schools will hold an orientation session on either Aug. 26 or 27, giving students and families the ability to tour the school and get to know the facilities. Many of the schools are also planning block party-style entertainment with food and games.

• Clinton: Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Krieger: Aug. 26 from 10 a.m.-noon
• Truth: Aug. 27 from noon-2 p.m.
• Warring: Aug. 27 from 2-4 p.m.
• Smith: Aug. 26 from 2-5 p.m.

Poughkeepsie Middle School is holding a sixth-grade orientation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 28, and Poughkeepsie High School is doing the same for its ninth graders Aug. 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. Both events will have music and food. Check out the schools' webpages for more information.