Let's Learn Together

Columbia High School offers a three-year Science Research Program for students who want to learn more about a specific subject. The current projects are fascinating, such as the association of sleep and blood pressure, conservation of sharks through tagging, using AI algorithms to determine whether people are related or not, and the impact of ice cover on phytoplankton in local lakes.

Students work with a mentor, they learn how to conduct research, and they develop many important skills such as critical thinking, organization, writing, and public speaking.

On today’s episode, our Public Information Specialist Mark Adam discusses the Science Research Program with Columbia Science Teacher and Director of the Science Research Program Heidi Gleason, and three students enrolled in the program. Each of the students discuss their projects and what they have learned from being part of this engaging and rigorous program.

Also, students share their New Year Resolutions, the staff profile features Genet Music Teacher Megan Scolaro, and we feature the Columbia Computer Club in the Student Activity Spotlight.

 (1:27) – Happy New Year
(2:06) – Science Research Program
(24:11) – Students Share Their New Year Resolutions
(25:11) – Staff Profile of Genet Music Teacher
(28:21) – Student Activity Spotlight with Columbia Computer Club
(29:50) – Upcoming Events 

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful music department with talented students and dedicated faculty. Every December, our high school ensembles spread the holiday spirit by performing at school concerts and special events throughout the community, including the Empire State Plaza, the Rensselaer Train Station, and the Stratton VA Medical Center.

In that spirit of giving, we are sharing some holiday music from these ensembles so you can enjoy it with family and friends this week, perhaps as you decorate your tree, prepare holiday meals, or host family gatherings.

We have 14 songs for you on this episode - with two songs from each of our seven high school ensembles. The songs were recorded at our Holiday Concerts earlier this month. Enjoy!

Chamber Orchestra
(1:12) - La Donna e Mobile
(3:35) - A Yuletide Reel

Chamber Singers
(7:01) - Winter's Heart
(10:29) - Jingle Bell Rock

Concert Band
(12:32) - Dirge for a Sugar Plum Fairy
(15:04) - Treme Trepak

Chorus
(16:57) - Snow on Snow
(20:17) - Sleigh Bells

Jazz Band
(22:12) - Red Clay
(26:44) - Gringo

Orchestra
(31:28) - Calm and Bright
(35:10) - Westward Motion

Symphonic Band
(39:55) - Let the Bells Ring
(42:52) - You Better Sleigh

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

The primary purpose of schools is to educate students. But that education goes far beyond reading, writing, math and other academic subjects. We teach students character education, conflict resolution and how to build and foster healthy relationships with others. Much of that important work is led by our school social workers.

On today’s episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses this important work with three of our social workers Lois Rondeau at Columbia High School, Jamie Eggleston at Goff Middle School and Tiffany Rinehimer at Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School. They talk about some of the trends they are seeing in students over the past few years and how they support students and their families.

Also, students share their favorite holiday songs, the staff profile features Red Mill School Nurse Kate Ryan, and we feature the Columbia Chamber Singers in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:35) – Happy Holidays
(1:55) – School Social Workers Supporting Students and Families
(32:19) – Students Share Their Favorite Holiday Songs
(33:46) – Staff Profile of Red Mill School Nurse Kate Ryan
(36:05) – Student Activity Spotlight with Columbia Chamber Singers
(37:41) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

The East Greenbush Central School District is moving forward with capital project planning. As you may be aware, this exciting project was approved by voters during the School Budget Vote in May and it will improve facilities and grounds at each of our schools over the next five years.

On today’s episode, our Public Information Specialist Mark Adam talks with Superintendent Jeff Simons and Director of Business and Finance Jennifer Mulligan about the capital project. They share some recent updates and discuss how the project is progressing.

Also, students tell us about their favorite classes, our staff profile features DPS Teaching Assistant Tenniel Hansen, and the Student Activity Spotlight features the Columbia Yearbook Club.

(1:04) – U.S. News & World Report Best School Rankings
(1:31) – Capital Project Update
(20:31) – Students Share Their Favorite Classes
(22:00) – Staff Profile of DPS Teaching Assistant Tenniel Hansen
(24:06) – Student Activity Spotlight with Columbia Yearbook Club
(25:47) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

In this special episode of Let's Learn Together, Superintendent Jeff Simons offers a Thanksgiving message to the school community.

Teachers and staff at Howard L. Goff Middle School are celebrating Thanksgiving a little early with their annual Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, November 20. It’s a wonderful event that brings the staff together for a luncheon in the school gym to enjoy turkey and all the trimmings. They are also joined by students who help with the event by preparing food and decorations in their classes.

On today’s episode, our Public Information Specialist Mark Adam talks with Goff Social Studies Teacher Tim Galvin, who coordinates the event. They discuss what’s on the menu this year, how students help put the event together, and why this has become a decades long tradition.

Also, Columbia High School students tell us about their favorite fall activities, our staff profile features Goff 6th Grade Science Teacher Courtney Brewer, and the Student Activity Spotlight features the Be the Change Club.

(1:29) – NYS Master Teacher
(2:04) – Capital Project Update
(2:43) – Retirement
(3:45) – Thanksgiving Feast
(15:46) – Students Share Their Favorite Fall Activities
(16:38) – Staff Profile of Goff 6th Grade Science Teacher Courtney Brewer
(19:32) – Student Activity Spotlight with Be the Change Club
(21:45) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

Participation in Government is a required course for Columbia High School students, meaning they must take it before graduating from high school. They learn about the history of government, the branches of our government, and how policy is created. Through this class, students can register to vote, they attend public meetings and volunteer for community service.

On today’s episode, our Public Information Specialist Mark Adam discusses Participation in Government with teachers Kelley Sheraw and Dan Wagner, and two seniors who are taking the class this semester - Ellie Keenholts and Kole Hardy.

Also, elementary students tell us what they will be for Halloween, our staff profile features Columbia Social Studies Teacher Stephen Lapolla, Deputy Jay Gravelle shares some Trick or Treating safety tips, and the Student Activity Spotlight features Key Club.

(1:22) – Election Day
(1:56) – Participation in Government
(21:21) – Students Share Their Halloween Costumes
(22:42) – Staff Profile of Columbia Social Studies Teacher Stephen Lapolla
(26:43) – Safety Tips for Trick or Treating
(29:15) – Student Activity Spotlight with Key Club
(31:18) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

No two students are the same. They have different interests and they learn in different ways. So it’s critically important that schools provide as many learning opportunities and pathways for success as possible. Whether students go on to a 2-year or 4-year college, or enter the workforce, we want our students to be prepared for their next stage in life.

On today’s episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses Career and Technical Education with Anthony DeFazio, principal of the Robert H. Gibson Technical School, and two Columbia High School students who are enrolled in the career tech program through Questar III BOCES.

Also, students tell us what they want to be when they grow up, our staff profile features Academic Intervention Specialist Math Teacher Sarina Biski, and the Student Activity Spotlight features the Bell Top Running Club.

(1:54) – Student Community Service
(2:55) – Career and Technical Education
(25:56) – Students Share What They Want to Be When They Grow Up
(27:22) – Staff Profile of AIS Math Teacher Sarina Biski
(30:04) – Student Activity Spotlight with the Bell Top Running Club
(31:18) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

Physical Education is a favorite class for many of our students. They get to run and play, they get to go outside in the nice weather, and they enjoy the fun and engaging activities organized by our passionate PE teachers. But they also learn important skills such as how to work together in teams, how to communicate, how to adapt to new and different situations, and how to overcome challenges.

As students get older they begin taking Health class at Goff Middle School and Columbia High School and learn about important topics such as mental health, wellness, and nutrition.

On today’s episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons discuss Physical Education and Health with Red Mill PE teacher Curtis Sankey, Columbia PE teacher Courteny Hotaling, and Columbia Health teacher Chris LeGare. They talk about what students learn in PE and Health classes, and how these lessons can help lead to healthy lifestyles later in life.

Also, students tell us what their favorite activity is from Physical Education class, our staff profile features Occupational Therapist Katie Randorf, Physical Education Teacher and Strength and Conditioning Coach Tom Libardi offers five tips for improving your health, and the Student Activity Spotlight features Goff Peer Leadership.

(1:52) – Remembering John Sawchuk
(2:52) – Physical Education and Health
(37:30) – Students Share Their Favorite Activities from Physical Education
(38:44) – Staff Profile of Occupational Therapist Katie Randorf
(41:24) – 5 Tips to Improve Your Health
(45:58) – Student Activity Spotlight of Goff Peer Leadership
(46:58) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

The East Greenbush Central School District has developed a new and exciting vision for our students. It’s called Portrait of a Graduate, and it identifies five skills students will need for success in life (Confident Learner, Effective Communicator, Adaptable, Empathetic, and Critical Thinker). 

On today’s episode of Let's Learn Together, our public information specialist Mark Adam discusses the new Portrait of a Graduate with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Roy Stiles, Bell Top First Grade Teacher, and a parent in our district, Sarah Lussier, and Superintendent Jeff Simons. We talk about what Portrait of a Graduate is, how we will implement it with input from teachers, staff and families, and how it will benefit students.

Also, students tell us what their favorite thing is about being back at school, our staff profile features Custodian John Sprackland, the Student Activity Spotlight features Kennedy Ring '25 and the Girls' Varsity Soccer Team, and Officer Ed Ashley provides back-to-school safety information.

(1:28) – Welcome Back
(2:23) – Portrait of a Graduate
(27:03) – Students Share Their Favorite Things About Being Back at School
(28:07) – Staff Profile of Bell Top Custodian John Sprackland
(30:34) – Student Activity Spotlight with Kennedy Ring '25
(31:52) – Back-to-School Safety Information with Officer Ed Ashley
(39:23) – Upcoming Events

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.