Friday April 26, 2024 
News from Averill Park CSD
High School science teacher Dr. Panzanaro coordinated the donation of 215 items worth $36,269.94 from Cornell University. This is an outstanding effort that we are fortunate to be a part of. Thank you to Dr. Panzanaro and Cornell University!
The Counseling Center hosted its annual College Caravan recently. The event offered Averill Park CSD students the opportunity to meet representatives from 20 colleges and trade schools from across New York state. This is a great way for students to get started on their pursuit of higher education.
Thank you to the Booster Club for the purchase of three team banners and 12 individual banners for our Wall of Champions, and also for the five Scholar-Athlete banners. They are all hanging in the high school gymnasium and look great!
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
Athletic Department Seeking Nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020
The Averill Park Athletic Department, in conjunction with the Averill Park Athletic Booster Club, is pleased to announce that the nominating period for the Averill Park Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020 is now open. The Hall of Fame recognizes former athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors who have made significant contributions to the Averill Park athletic program through their service, performance, dedication, commitment, and accomplishment.
The Hall of Fame committee is comprised of administrators (past and present), coaches (past and present), and community members. For information regarding the committee, Hall of Fame guidelines, and nomination forms please see the Hall of Fame link on the Averill Park Athletics page at www.averillpark.k12.ny.us.
Any member of the public can nominate an athlete, coach, team (not eligible until 2022), or contributor for induction assuming the criteria as outlined in the guidelines are met. Nomination forms are available by going to the Hall of Fame link on the Averill Park Athletics page at www.averillpark.k12.ny.us or by contacting the Athletic Department at (518) 674-7000.
The nomination period will run from September 15th through November 15th. The 2020 induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Saturday, April 25th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy.
Registration for Community Education programs is open!
Averill Park Community Education released its Fall 2019 calendar of classes in the Advertiser and online (www.familyid.com). This “Fall” session includes classes that run between September and January. Register in whatever way is easiest for you: online, through the mail or in person at the AP School District Office.
We’ve got some great new programs, as well as our fabulous returning ones! Corrections to the paper brochure (all changes have been made on Family ID):
· Chair Yoga (Wednesdays) runs 5:30-6:30p.m.
· Zumba Gold (Wednesdays) runs 6:30-7:30p.m. in the WSL Cafeteria
· Introduction to Ballroom & Social Dancing (Thursdays) runs 7:00-8:30p.m.
· Family Yoga (Tuesdays) runs 6:30-7:30p.m.
The Continuing Education Program Of The Boy’s & Girl’s Club Of Southern Rensselaer County
On Saturday, September 21st, 2019 from 9AM to 3PM there will be a New York State approved Defensive Driving Class to Benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Rensselaer County. Save 10% on your base auto insurance for the next three years & be eligible to receive up to 4 points off your driving record according to New York State Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines.
The class will be held @ the Boys & Girls Club of Rensselaer County, 544 Broadway, Rensselaer, New York 12144. Fee is only -$35.00- Bring a friend $30.00 each. Registration is required and can be made by calling the Club @ (518) 465-3403 or Raymond Frankoski @ (518) 286-3788.
Class size is limited. Additional information is available by calling Ray Frankoski
Catholic Central High School 50th Class Reunion
The Class of 1969 50th Class reunion for Catholic Central High School will be held at Franklin Terrace on October 4th, 2019.
If you haven’t received an invitation or have not been contacted please see website troycchs1969.myevent.com.
APHS Class of 1979 – 40th Reunion
Join us to celebrate our 40th reunion on Saturday, October 5th, 5 – 9pm at Burden Lake Country Club. The cost is $25 for dinner which includes: Steak Carving Station, Caesar Salad, Fruit & Cheese, Pasta & Meatballs, Mexican Bar – Fajitas, homemade salsa, Soda & Coffee, tax and gratuity. Please make checks payable to Janice Dagner, 78 Oriole Avenue, West Sand Lake, NY 12196. If other payment method is needed, contact Janice directly. Reservations Due By: September 27, 2019 – RSVP to Tedi Toca or Janice via Facebook. Contact Tedi for questions.
APHS Class of 1989 ~ 30th Year Reunion
Join us as we celebrate our 30-year reunion on October 5th, 2-6pm, at the Sullivan Jones VFW Post 7466, located at 25 Veterans St., Poestenkill. The cost is $25 per person which includes Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. 1989 classmates may send check payment made out to Kristen Kelley, 337 Sheer Rd., Averill Park, NY 12018; or you may use the VENMO App to make payment, by searching: Kristen Kelley@ Kkelley33. Be sure to include your email address and telephone number with payment. Must RSVP with payment by Sept. 21st in order to plan accordingly. Please spread the word to classmates who may not use FB, our main means of getting the word out. We are hoping for a great turnout!
Fall Festival at Parker School on Oct. 5
Celebrate autumn at Robert C. Parker School’s Fall Festival, Saturday Oct. 5th from 11AM – 2PM. Preschool through middle school students will enjoy games, crafts, educational projects, live music, and homemade food, all outdoors on our beautiful 77-acre campus.
Come for the bounce house, face painting, carnival games and prizes, and our unique toy swap lottery! Kids can also do STEM projects with RPI’s Society for Women Engineers and hands-on nature activities with educators from Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. There will be activities especially for the little ones, with big kids on hand to provide storytime for their younger buddies. Enjoy fiddle and guitar music by Tunefolk, sponsored by a grant from the DanceFlurry Organization.
We’ll have a wide selection of lunch, snack, and dessert options available, so bring your family and friends and join us for a memorable afternoon! Admission is free; food and games are ticketed. For more information, email pfo@nullparkerschool.org, or visit www.parkerschool.org.
Columbia High School Class of 1989 30th Reunion
Saturday, October 12th, 2019 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
CH Evans Brewery (Albany Pumpstation)
Albany, NY
Please email Jeff LaBarge at jlabarge1206@nullgmail.com for more details before October 1st
Columbia High School Class of ’79 40th year reunion
The Columbia High School Class of ’79 40th year reunion will be held on Friday, November 29th, 6:30-11:30 pm at The Century House in Latham.
Details on Columbia High School Class of ‘79 Facebook page. Payment of $50 can be mailed to: Columbia High School Reunion c/o Robin Devito, 2022 Main St., Delanson, NY 12053 or electronically to Venmo account Lauren-Clemenzi.
Wynantskill UFSD- Register Kindergartners Now for 2019-20 School Year
Parents of children who will attend kindergarten at Gardner-Dickinson School in the fall are encouraged to register their children now. Your child must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 2019 to attend kindergarten in September.
To register, parents are asked to call Ms. Fazioli at 518-283-4600 ext. 10, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Forms and registration information are also available at www.wynantskillufsd.org.
Registering your child for kindergarten now will make sure your child is ready to start the school year by ensuring all the necessary pvaperwork is on file. It also helps Wynantskill UFSD plan for the upcoming school year by providing school officials a better estimate of how many kindergarteners will attend school.
New Murals Celebrate Literature at Columbia High School
Congratulations to Columbia High School student Bella Dupont ‘21 who completed her Girl Scout Gold Award this summer by creating murals in the school’s English Department. Amidst the lightly colored floors, walls and ceilings are now bright, colorful murals celebrating famous literary titles such as “Of Mice and Men,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
There are 12 different murals with each one’s title painted up the column making it appear like the spine of an enormous book on a shelf. Each one also has a graphic or a line of text from the book painted on the side of the column.
“For many years the English staff has been interested in having murals created to enrich the students’ love of literature,” Ms. Dupont wrote in her Gold Award presentation. “These murals dovetail my love for art with my love for English and books.”
Ms. Dupont consulted with the Reading Department Chair, who is also her mother, Melissa Dupont as well as English Department Chair Meagan Asenbauer. Each of the literary works was chosen by a member of the English Department.
“Within just the first few days of school, it’s been apparent that everyone seems to notice and appreciate what the artwork adds to the atmosphere of our floor,” said Mrs. Asenbauer, who selected ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee. “It is inspiring for our students and teachers to be surrounded by reminders of these literary classics.”
Jeffrey J. Huskie Jr. Graduates
U.S. Air Force Airman Jeffrey J. Huskie Jr. graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Huskie is the son of Elizabeth Huskie of Rensselear, N.Y., and Jeffrey J. Huskie of Gloversvilee, N.Y., and grandson of Janet Huskie of Castleton, N.Y., and James Huskie of Castlton, N.Y.
He is a 2019 graduate of Maple Hill High School, Castleton, N.Y.
Marie Abraham Hired as New School Resource Officer at Columbia High School
East Greenbush Central School District has hired Officer Marie Abraham from the East Greenbush Police Department to be the new school resource officer at Columbia High School. Officer Abraham, who officially started on the first day of school, succeeds Officer Jay Martyn who was recently promoted to sergeant in the police department.
“I’m excited to make a difference in the lives of our students,” Officer Abraham said. “I want them to know they can come to my office at any time to talk about a problem they are having or an issue they are concerned about.”
Officer Abraham started her law enforcement career in 2011 in the City of Mechanicville. She has also worked as a college campus public safety supervisor, an investigator for the NYS Justice Center, a domestic violence counselor for the Unity House in Troy and an educator for the Zone 5 Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy in Schenectady.
In her new role at Columbia, Officer Abraham will ensure a safe and healthy school climate, and serve as a resource for all district schools on topics such as bullying, drug education, stranger safety and social media safety.
CCE Rensselaer County 4-H State Fair Selections
Several Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County 4-H members had their outstanding projects that were entered at the 2019 Schaghticoke Fair selected for evaluation at the New York State Fair. The following 4-H members and projects were selected: Jessica Haynes (dress), Hoosick Falls; Lucy Haynes (dress), Hoosick Falls; Amelia Pello (dress, centerpiece), Hoosick Falls; Elizabeth Sheffer (historical garment), Troy; Travis Michel (photographs, metal sculpture), Valley Falls; Bridget Denley (photograph), West Sand Lake; Ava Helou (recycled bag), Rensselaer; Emily Fink (rhubarb pie), Troy; Hannah Fink (apple pie), Troy; and the Fashionista 4-H Club (stationary club display), Hoosick Falls. The projects selected will be on display at both the 2020 New York State Fair and Schaghticoke Fair. For more information about the Rensselaer County 4-H program, please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Rensselaer County 4–H at 518-272-4210.
Hoosick Falls Central School Graduate Katy Gardner Earns Dean’s Award with Distinction at Colgate University
Katy Gardner, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2021, has earned the spring 2019 Dean’s Award with Distinction.
Gardner is a graduate of Hoosick Falls Central School, and is from Hoosick Falls, NY (12090).
Students who receive a term grade point average of 3.6 or higher while completing at least three courses during the spring 2019 semester earn the Dean’s Award with Distinction.
New York Army National Guard Promotions
LATHAM, NY (09/20/2019)– 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.
Jobanka Jayne from Rensselaer, N.Y. (postal code 12144) and assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters received a promotion to the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Henry Hren from Johnsonville, N.Y. (postal code 12094) and assigned to the Company C, 2-108th Infantry received a promotion to the rank of Specialist.
Patrick Leahey from Averill Park, N.Y. (postal code 12018) and assigned to the Company C, 2-108th Infantry received a promotion to the rank of Specialist.
Jonathan Davis from Wynantskill, N.Y. (postal code 12198) and assigned to the Company C, 2-108th Infantry received a promotion to the rank of Specialist.
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.