Community Announcements
The heart of our community. Celebrations, life transitions, and public notices from your neighbors and local organizations.
Regional Spotlight
Recent Community News
Green Meadow Field Day Schedule Announced
Green Meadow Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 for grades 1-5 and Friday, June 12 for kindergarten. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend this fun event.
Goff 8th Grade Semi-Formal - June 18
Howard L. Goff Middle School is hosting an 8th Grade Semi-Formal on Thursday, June 18 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Bell Top Field Day Set for May 19
Bell Top’s annual Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at the field behind school. All parents and friends are welcome to attend this fun event. You do NOT need to sign in; please go directly to the outside field.
Columbia Regents Exam Schedule - June 2026
Columbia High School will administer Regents Exams on June 9-10, June 17-18, and June 22-25. There will be no school for Columbia students on those days except for students taking exams. (All other schools in the district will be in session.)
East Greenbush Art Teachers Featured in Exhibition
Five East Greenbush CSD art teachers – Valerie Cafarelli (Columbia), Alison Hosier (Columbia), Andrea Neiman (Columbia), Kate Wargula (Goff) and Nicole Weber (Goff) – had their own artwork accepted into the New York State Art Teachers Association Faculty as Artists Exhibition this spring. Congratulations!
May Pre-K Newsletter Released
Questar III BOCES Early Learning Principal Michael Burns published the May issue of the It’s a Good Day in Pre-K newsletter on Friday. The newsletter includes information about the Questar pre-k program, updates on what students have been learning, a flower shop to encourage dramatic play at Genet, and much more. Enjoy!
Columbia All Sports Club Accepting Scholarship Applications
Applications are now being accepted for the Columbia All Sports Club Scholarship. Two scholarships for seniors ($1,000 for a female student athlete and $1,000 for a male student athlete) will be awarded later this spring.
East Greenbush CSD Recognized for Music Education
The East Greenbush CSD has been named one of the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants. Congratulations!
East Greenbush Board of Education Meeting June 10 — Public Invited
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Genet Elementary School auditorium. Items on the agenda include: Recognition of Tenured Staff, Mentees/Mentors, Student Council Representatives, and Retirees Committee Reports Capital Project Update Appointment of Instructional and Non-Instructional Staff The public may attend the meeting in person or watch the live stream at www.egcsd.org. To Watch the Meeting Log into google with the account “[email protected]” Enter the password of “egcsd2025” Click Here View Agenda
Green Meadow 4th Graders Build Toolboxes, Learn Trades in Community Partnership
Nailed It! Green Meadow Students Build Toolboxes and Confidence Jun 4, 2026 | District, Green Meadow Two Green Meadow students work together to build a wooden toolbox on Thursday morning. Carefully holding a nail while a contractor gave instructions, a student swung his hammer down over and over as the nail sunk into the wood. It was one of many hammered nails outside Green Meadow Elementary School on Thursday morning as 4th grade students built their own wooden toolboxes. This engaging, hands-on activity has become an annual event at Green Meadow. Students use specialized kits to assemble their very own wooden toolboxes while building confidence in themselves and learning about the building trades field. Community Collaboration The success of this hands-on learning experience is made possible by the generous support of local experts. Contractors from the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition volunteered their time and skills to guide the students safely step-by-step through the building process. The contractors represented the following local businesses: Curtis Lumber TL Custom Renovations Otterbeck Builders A Team Effort Teachers, staff and parent volunteers worked alongside the contractors to help guide the students. “It’s never too early to introduce kids to the building trades, and this toolbox activity was the perfect, hands-on start for our fourth graders,” said Principal Dan Garab, who also assisted students at the event. “Working with Questar III BOCES and the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition to make this happen has been a true pleasure.” Confident Learners Many of the students who participated on Thursday had never built anything with hammers, nails and screwdrivers before. By completing this new task, they modeled the Portrait of a Graduate trait of “Confident Learner.” And at the end, they held their new toolboxes and beamed with pride. Special thanks to our volunteers and Jim Church from Questar III BOCES who made this activity possible!
Green Meadow 4th Graders Build Toolboxes, Learn Trades in Community Partnership
Nailed It! Green Meadow Students Build Toolboxes and Confidence Jun 4, 2026 | District, Green Meadow Two Green Meadow students work together to build a wooden toolbox on Thursday morning. Carefully holding a nail while a contractor gave instructions, a student swung his hammer down over and over as the nail sunk into the wood. It was one of many hammered nails outside Green Meadow Elementary School on Thursday morning as 4th grade students built their own wooden toolboxes. This engaging, hands-on activity has become an annual event at Green Meadow. Students use specialized kits to assemble their very own wooden toolboxes while building confidence in themselves and learning about the building trades field. Community Collaboration The success of this hands-on learning experience is made possible by the generous support of local experts. Contractors from the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition volunteered their time and skills to guide the students safely step-by-step through the building process. The contractors represented the following local businesses: Curtis Lumber TL Custom Renovations Otterbeck Builders A Team Effort Teachers, staff and parent volunteers worked alongside the contractors to help guide the students. “It’s never too early to introduce kids to the building trades, and this toolbox activity was the perfect, hands-on start for our fourth graders,” said Principal Dan Garab, who also assisted students at the event. “Working with Questar III BOCES and the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition to make this happen has been a true pleasure.” Confident Learners Many of the students who participated on Thursday had never built anything with hammers, nails and screwdrivers before. By completing this new task, they modeled the Portrait of a Graduate trait of “Confident Learner.” And at the end, they held their new toolboxes and beamed with pride. Special thanks to our volunteers and Jim Church from Questar III BOCES who made this activity possible!
Green Meadow 4th Graders Build Toolboxes, Learn Trades in Community Partnership
Nailed It! Green Meadow Students Build Toolboxes and Confidence Jun 4, 2026 | District, Green Meadow Two Green Meadow students work together to build a wooden toolbox on Thursday morning. Carefully holding a nail while a contractor gave instructions, a student swung his hammer down over and over as the nail sunk into the wood. It was one of many hammered nails outside Green Meadow Elementary School on Thursday morning as 4th grade students built their own wooden toolboxes. This engaging, hands-on activity has become an annual event at Green Meadow. Students use specialized kits to assemble their very own wooden toolboxes while building confidence in themselves and learning about the building trades field. Community Collaboration The success of this hands-on learning experience is made possible by the generous support of local experts. Contractors from the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition volunteered their time and skills to guide the students safely step-by-step through the building process. The contractors represented the following local businesses: Curtis Lumber TL Custom Renovations Otterbeck Builders A Team Effort Teachers, staff and parent volunteers worked alongside the contractors to help guide the students. “It’s never too early to introduce kids to the building trades, and this toolbox activity was the perfect, hands-on start for our fourth graders,” said Principal Dan Garab, who also assisted students at the event. “Working with Questar III BOCES and the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition to make this happen has been a true pleasure.” Confident Learners Many of the students who participated on Thursday had never built anything with hammers, nails and screwdrivers before. By completing this new task, they modeled the Portrait of a Graduate trait of “Confident Learner.” And at the end, they held their new toolboxes and beamed with pride. Special thanks to our volunteers and Jim Church from Questar III BOCES who made this activity possible!
Green Meadow 4th Graders Build Toolboxes, Learn Trades in Community Partnership
Nailed It! Green Meadow Students Build Toolboxes and Confidence Jun 4, 2026 | District, Green Meadow Two Green Meadow students work together to build a wooden toolbox on Thursday morning. Carefully holding a nail while a contractor gave instructions, a student swung his hammer down over and over as the nail sunk into the wood. It was one of many hammered nails outside Green Meadow Elementary School on Thursday morning as 4th grade students built their own wooden toolboxes. This engaging, hands-on activity has become an annual event at Green Meadow. Students use specialized kits to assemble their very own wooden toolboxes while building confidence in themselves and learning about the building trades field. Community Collaboration The success of this hands-on learning experience is made possible by the generous support of local experts. Contractors from the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition volunteered their time and skills to guide the students safely step-by-step through the building process. The contractors represented the following local businesses: Curtis Lumber TL Custom Renovations Otterbeck Builders A Team Effort Teachers, staff and parent volunteers worked alongside the contractors to help guide the students. “It’s never too early to introduce kids to the building trades, and this toolbox activity was the perfect, hands-on start for our fourth graders,” said Principal Dan Garab, who also assisted students at the event. “Working with Questar III BOCES and the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition to make this happen has been a true pleasure.” Confident Learners Many of the students who participated on Thursday had never built anything with hammers, nails and screwdrivers before. By completing this new task, they modeled the Portrait of a Graduate trait of “Confident Learner.” And at the end, they held their new toolboxes and beamed with pride. Special thanks to our volunteers and Jim Church from Questar III BOCES who made this activity possible!
Dr. Kotes Shares District Budget and Upcoming Dates
Superintendent Dr. Kurtis Kotes provides a breakdown of the adopted budget and key upcoming dates.
Goff Students of the Month - April 2026
Administrators at Howard L. Goff Middle School recognized the April Students of the Month during a ceremony on Friday morning. Students were nominated by teachers for showing the Portrait of a Graduate trait of “Effective Communicator.” Congratulations!
Important End-of-Year Events
The end of the 2025-26 school year is quickly approaching. With that in mind, please mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate with these special end of year events. In addition to the important events listed below, please also note that all schools will be closed on the following days: Friday, May 22: Unused Snow Day Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Friday, June 19: Juneteenth View 2025-26 School Calendar Columbia High School June 5: Senior Prom, 7-11 p.m., Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel June 9-10: Regents Exams (No Classes) June 11: Columbian Awards, 6 p.m. June 16: Last Day of Classes June 17-25: Regents Exams (No Classes) June 27: Graduation, 10:00 a.m., Hudson Valley Community College Howard L. Goff Middle School June 11: Goff Distinguished Scholar Dessert Night, 6 p.m., Genet June 12: Half Day June 18: Half Day Awards Ceremony, 8:45 a.m. 8th Grade Semi-Formal, 6-8 p.m. June 23: Goff Field Day (Rain Date 6/24) June 25: 8th Grade Elevation Celebration, 7-8 p.m., CHS Gym June 26: Half Day and Last Day of School Elementary Schools May 21: Bell Top Boogie Run May 28: Red Mill Field Day for Grades 1-5 (Rain Date 5/29) June 2: Green Meadow Field Day for Grades 1-5 (Rain Date 6/4) June 3: Genet School-wide Picnic & Fun Day (Rain Date 6/4) June 10: DPS Field Day (Rain Date 6/11) Red Mill Kindergarten Field Day June 12: Half Day Green Meadow Kindergarten Field Day, 9:30 a.m. Red Mill Fun Day June 16: 5th Grade Mixer, Schodack Island State Park June 18: Half Day Bell Top 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9:30 a.m. June 24: Genet 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 9:30 a.m. June 25: DPS 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 10 a.m. Green Meadow 5th Moving Up Ceremony, 10 a.m. Red Mill 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 10 a.m. June 26: Half Day and Last Day of School Pre-K June 5: Half Day June 12: Half Day June 18: Half Day June 23: Red Mill Pre-K Moving Up Ceremony, 10 a.m. June 24: DPS Pre-K Moving Up Ceremony, 9:45 a.m. June 25: Genet Pre-K Moving Up Ceremony, 12 p.m. June 26: Half Day and Last Day of School Green Meadow Pre-K Moving Up Ceremony, 9 a.m. Half Day Dismissal Schedule School Half Day Dismissal Time Goff 10:40 a.m. Bell Top 11:30 a.m. DPS 11:30 a.m. Genet 11:15 a.m. Green Meadow 11:30 a.m. Red Mill 11:30 a.m. Pre-K (DPS, Genet, Green Meadow, Red Mill) 10:15 a.m.
DPS Students ‘Go For Gold’ in School-wide Celebration
DPS Students ‘Go For Gold’ in School-wide Celebration May 26, 2026 | District, Sutherland Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School students play kickball as part of Go For Gold Day on Thursday, May 21. Students at Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School enjoyed outdoor fun, teamwork, and school spirit as they participated in the school-wide Go For Gold Day on Thursday. Tied to this year’s theme of Go For Gold, the event celebrated students giving their best effort. All of the events – such as kickball, cornhole, relay races, soccer, and a dance party – were hosted outside on the back fields and playgrounds. “Our Character Education Team was very excited to plan this event for our school community!” said Principal Jack Alvey. “It was awesome to see all of our students and faculty outside together playing. Our Go For Gold Day! was our culminating event for our theme of this school year. I want to thank our PTO for all of the resources they provided for our event as well as the Character Education Team for the detailed planning of events! Seeing the enthusiasm and excitement our students had, made me so proud of our school community.” Go For Gold Day Events Bubbles 3-legged races Relay races Checkers Connect 4 Cornhole Kickball Football toss Hula Hoop Dance party Magnet tiles Painting bird houses Paper airplanes Parachute Playground Sidewalk chalk Soccer Whiffle ball View this post on Instagram A post shared by East Greenbush CSD (@egreenbushcsd)
Board of Education Meeting - May 27
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School. Items on the agenda include: Voting Results from School Budget Vote and Board Election NY Plays Grant BOE Meeting Schedule for 2026-27 Committee Reports Appointment of Instructional and Non-Instructional Staff The public may attend the meeting in person or watch the live stream at www.egcsd.org. To Watch the Meeting Log into google with the account “[email protected]” Enter the password of “egcsd2025” Click Here View Agenda
Board of Education Meeting/Public Hearing - May 6
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Central Administration conference room. The meeting will begin with a Public Hearing for the Proposed 2026-27 School Budget.
Columbia High School Announces 3rd Quarter Honor Roll
Congratulations to all of the students on Columbia High School’s 3rd Quarter Honor Roll!
Green Meadow Field Day Schedule Announced
"Green Meadow Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 for grades 1-5 and Friday, June 12 for kindergarten. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend this fun event."
Goff 8th Grade Semi-Formal - June 18
"Howard L. Goff Middle School is hosting an 8th Grade Semi-Formal on Thursday, June 18 from 6:00-8:00 p.m."
Bell Top Field Day Set for May 19
"Bell Top’s annual Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at the field behind school. All parents and friends are welcome to attend this fun event. You do NOT need to sign in; please go directly to the outside field."
East Greenbush Board of Education Meeting June 10 — Public Invited
"The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Genet Elementary School auditorium. Items on the agenda include: Recognition of Tenured Staff, Mentees/Mentors, Student Council Representatives, and Retirees Committee Reports Capital Project Update Appointment of Instructional and Non-Instructional Staff The public may attend the meeting in person or watch the live stream at www.egcsd.org. To Watch the Meeting Log into google with the account “[email protected]” Enter the password of “egcsd2025” Click Here View Agenda"
Board of Education Meeting/Public Hearing - May 6
"The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Central Administration conference room. The meeting will begin with a Public Hearing for the Proposed 2026-27 School Budget."
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Invocation of Nehek
Albany Firebirds vs. Michigan Arsenal
Jockey Fest
John Caparulo
Forrest Frank: The Jesus Generation Tour
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