The three words – back to school – evoke a time for new beginnings and possibilities.
For more than 28,000 students in our BOCES region of Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties, it is a chance to start a new chapter, make new friends, study new subjects, discover new passions, and develop new skills.
It is a particularly special year for several groups: the Class of 2026 is beginning the final year of high school, while our newest learners, the pre-K Class of 2039 and kindergarten Class of 2038 are just starting theirs.
This time of year is a powerful reminder of the profound impact of public education, and all the people who make it possible.
A strong educational system is built on the hard work of many individuals. This includes:
- The bus drivers and aides, who are often the first and last to see our students each day, ensuring their safe arrival and dismissal.
- The operations, maintenance, and custodial staff, who keep our buildings and grounds safe, clean and ready for learning.
- The food service staff who prepare, cook, and serve nutritious meals to students and staff.
- The nurses who provide health care and first aid to students.
- The school counselors, librarians, and instructional coaches who help our students explore their interests and support their colleagues with professional development.
- The office and support staff, whose behind-the-scenes work is critical for daily logistics and key decisions.
- The school board members who volunteer their time to set policy, guide operations, and work with the superintendent of schools.
At the heart of our schools are our teachers, teaching assistants, and related service staff – including psychologists, social workers, and therapists – who serve a wide range of student needs. They change lives by inspiring our children to learn and grow. Their work, alongside our principals and administrative staff, impacts every industry within our communities.
We are immensely grateful for the partnership with our families – the parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, and uncles – who play a paramount role in promoting a love for learning and pride in their child’s school.
For those sending a child to pre-K or kindergarten for the first time, we look forward to working with you over the next 12 or 13 years. You can help you child thrive in school by:
- Talking with them about their experiences.
- Communicating with teachers about their experience and concerns.
- Praising their efforts, not just their accomplishments.
- Setting academic expectations and achievable goals together.
- Encouraging them to participate in extracurricular activities.
- Helping them plan a schedule so they learn to balance schoolwork and other activities or responsibilities.
- Making sure they feel comfortable speaking with their teacher or principal about any concerns.
We appreciate the support of those without children in school. From attending events to volunteering their time and staying connected with the district, their support is vital. We also thank the community organizations and businesses who donate their resources, time or expertise to our schools.
To our students, we wish you a year of discovery and success. To the teachers and staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication. To the school board members and administrators, thank you for your leadership. And to all the parents and community members, thank you for being an essential part of our school community.
Welcome back!