Friday April 26, 2024 
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West Sand Lake Resident Clayton Besch Returns Following Intensive Research Project
Worcester, MA – Clayton Besch of West Sand Lake, N.Y., a member of the class of 2021 majoring in robotics engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense, hands-on research through the WPI project center in Japan. The project was titled Mapping the Future of Gojo Rakuen. In their project summary, the students wrote, “This project sought to brainstorm ideas to recommend a dream for the area so that we can improve public perception and draw people back into Gojo Rakuen, in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto.”
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Columbia Graduation Start Time Changed to 10:00 a.m.
The start time for the Columbia High School graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 27 at the McDonough Sports Complex at HVCC has been changed from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.
The change is being made so Columbia’s graduation ceremony is the first of the day at the venue. In past years, Columbia’s ceremony has followed other schools, which leaves a short amount of time to change seating and stage setup, perform audiovisual checks and for the preceding school’s graduates and guests to vacate the parking lots.
The earlier start time will also allow for cooler temperatures inside the venue and more time for graduates and their families to celebrate after the event.
Visit www.egcsd.org/graduation for more information about Columbia’s graduation ceremony.
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News from Averill Park CSD
Averill Park High School was selected to represent New York state at the National Christmas Tree Experience in Washington, D.C. Students created ornaments which are now on display in the nation’s capital. Great job by everyone who was involved!
Fifth grade students in all three elementary schools, and sixth graders at Algonquin Middle School, learned about internet safety recently. Alexa Benincasa, an Investigative Specialist from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Missing Persons Clearinghouse, presented to elementary students. Averill Park CSD’s School Resource Officer, Deputy Nikles, presented to AMS students. This is a very important subject and we are grateful for the work Miss Benincasa and Deputy Nikles put into their presentations.
Congratulations to Sam Hart for winning the Algonquin Middle School spelling bee. This is the third consecutive year that Sam has won the competition. Way to go!
As always, for the latest news from the District, please visit our website – averillpark.k12.ny.us. You can also follow AP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Submitted by Dr. James Franchini, Averill Park CSD Superintendent
Mission: Meeting the needs of and creating opportunities for every student every day. #AP_EveryStudentEveryDay
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Troy Student Alex Chodan Accepted to Nation’s First Two-Year High School
Great Barrington, MA – It’s not every day that students attend a two-year high school, but for this Troy, NY student, that’s exactly the case. Alex Chodan earned a place in the fall 2019 entering class at Bard Academy at Simon’s Rock.
Chodan’s academic and personal achievements stood out, securing Alex a spot at Bard Academy this fall. Bard Academy is located on the campus of Bard College at Simon’s Rock, and is the nation’s first two-year boarding and day program designed to prepare 9th and 10th graders to start college early. This intellectually-curious and engaged student will find full expression in the arts, athletics, clubs, and social activities-while also benefitting from college faculty and college facilities.
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Amanda Kern named to USCAA All-Academic Team
Paul Smiths, N.Y. – Amanda Kern of Poestenkill, NY, was named a Fall 2019 USCAA Academic All-American.
Kern, a student at Paul Smith’s College who was honored for participation in women’s soccer, majors in Baking Arts and Service Management.
Student-athletes with grade-point averages of 3.5 and above are eligible for the honor. Twenty-six Paul Smith’s students made this year’s list.
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Area Nazareth College Students named to Fall 2019 Dean’s List
Rochester, NY – Nazareth College is proud to announce that the following area students have been named to the Fall 2019 Dean’s List.
Megan Hurley of Troy (12180)
Emily Jaworski of Troy (12180)
Dominik Monterroso of Mechanicville (12118)
A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the dean’s list at Nazareth.
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New York Army National Guard Promotions
Latham, NY – Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.
Alex Ciulla from Mechanicville, N.Y. and assigned to the 206th Military Police Company received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class.
David Hansen from Melrose, N.Y. and assigned to the 2nd Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction) received a promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Charles Olson from East Greenbush, N.Y. and assigned to the 466th Medical Company Area Support received a promotion to the rank of Specialist.
Robert Hoard from Berlin, N.Y. and assigned to the Company C, 2-108th Infantry received a promotion to the rank of Specialist.
Joshua Phillips from East Greenbush, N.Y. and assigned to the Company C, 2-108th Infantry received a promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Blake Pobran from Johnsonville, N.Y. and assigned to the Company A, 1-224th Aviation Security and Support Battalion received a promotion to the rank of Specialist.
Justin Aragosa from Troy, N.Y. and assigned to the Military Intelligence Company D, 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion received a promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.
These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.
01/02/2020 – 01/31/2020
Averill Park Announces Kindergarten Registrations for the 2020-2021 School Year
The Averill Park School District has begun the process of registering boys and girls for the 2020-2021 Kindergarten Classes. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2020 please contact the district registrar at 674-7050 extension 7201 to make sure that the child is listed on our school census. This will guarantee that you will receive all upcoming kindergarten information by mail. Registration paperwork should be hand delivered by the parent or guardian to the district registrar at the district office at the Averill Park High School during the month of February. Registration hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Registration forms are accepted by appointment. All paperwork must be completed by 02-28-2020.
New York State Public Health Law, Section 2164, requires certain immunizations (shots) to enter kindergarten and attend school. Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child has all the needed immunizations. They are listed below.
Required Immunizations for Kindergarten
Immunizations Number of Doses
Polio 3-4
Hepatitis B 3
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis 4-5
Measles/Mumps/Rubella 2
Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2