Let's Learn Together

On today’s episode of Let’s Learn Together, Superintendent Jeff Simons has a conversation about cell phones in schools with Goff Middle School Interim Principal Jim McHugh, Goff School Counselor Jaclyn Gleason and a parent of two students Nichole Krisanda.

They discuss the Goff Cell Phone Policy which restricts the use of phones during the school day, why it was implemented last year, and the positive impact that has resulted. They also talk about the potential for future discussions of cell phones at the high school.

Also, Columbia students tell us what they are looking forward to in the upcoming school year, our staff profile features Senior Bus Driver Carianne Rudolph, and Questar Early Childhood Principal Mike Burns provides some tips to our parents and caregivers of incoming pre-k students. 

(1:55) – A New School Year
(3:04) – Cell Phones in Schools
(30:35) – Students Share What They Are Looking Forward to This School Year
(31:24) – Staff Profile of Senior Bus Driver Carianne Rudolph
(33:58) - Welcome to Pre-K Families (with tips for a smooth start!)
(38:55) – Upcoming Events

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Background Reading:
Goff Cell Phone Policy Leads to Improved Academics and Behavior

In a few short weeks a fleet of yellow school buses will be out on the roads, picking up students for the first day of school. There’s a lot that goes into getting our students to and from school every day - our office staff at the bus garage who design and create the routes, our mechanics who work on the buses to make sure they are running smoothly, and our drivers who greet our students and bring them to and from school safely every day.

On today’s episode of Let’s Learn Together, Superintendent Jeff Simons has a conversation about Transportation with our Transportation Administrator Dr. Wanda McQueen and School Bus Driver Jill Bonesteel. They discuss the operations of our Transportation Department, what they are doing to prepare for the upcoming school year, and new programs that are enhancing safety and service.

Also, summer school students tell us what Olympic sport they would want to compete in, and our staff profile features Physical Education Teacher, and Head Coach of the Columbia Varsity Football Team, Jake Preston.

(1:23) – Capital Project Update
(2:38) – Transportation with Dr. Wanda McQueen and Jill Bonesteel
(27:05) – Students Share What Olympic Sport They Would Want to Compete In
(28:21) – Staff Profile of Physical Education Teacher and Columbia Head Football Coach Jake Preston
(31:36) – Upcoming Events

Learning never stops in the East Greenbush Central School District. Even though it is summer, we have more than 300 students enrolled in Summer School at Columbia High School. These half-day programs allow students to build on what they learned last year, fill any learning gaps that exist, and prepare for next school year.

On this episode of Let’s Learn Together, Superintendent Jeff Simons has a discussion with two summer school teachers - Heather Gigliello and Kay Peffers - to learn more about our summer school programs and what students are learning.

Also, students enrolled in our summer school programs share what they like most about summer school and our staff profile features our new Bell Top principal Mike Neumann.

(1:31) – Thank You to Facilities, Technology and Human Resources
(2:30) – Summer School with Heather Gigliello and Kay Peffers
(11:37) – Students Share What They Like Most About Summer School
(12:50) – Staff Profile of New Bell Top Principal Mike Neumann
(14:27) – Upcoming Events

In the East Greenbush Central School District, we serve all children from all backgrounds. On this episode of Let’s Learn Together, we have a conversation with Dr. Catherine Pennock, our Director of Pupil Personnel Services who oversees our special education program, and Kristen Zilgme, a Special Education teacher at Howard L. Goff Middle School.

We provide an overview of special education in the East Greenbush Central School District, the variety of services we provide to students, and how our special education students are integrated into regular classes and school activities with a focus on inclusivity.

Also, elementary students offer some advice to our Columbia High School graduates, we share with you a poem read by Allison Hedgepeth '24 which was delivered at the Columbia High School Graduation Ceremony this past Saturday, and we share information about the Summer Reading Program at the East Greenbush Community Library.

(1:28) – Congratulations to the Columbia Class of 2024
(2:30) – Special Education with Director of Pupil Personnel Services Dr. Catherine Pennock and Special Education Teacher Kristen Zilgme
(25:07) – Elementary Students Offer Advice to Columbia Graduates
(27:24) – Graduation Poem
(29:58) – Summer Reading Program at the East Greenbush Community Library
(32:20) – Upcoming Events

One of the highlights of the annual Columbian Awards is the announcement of valedictorian and salutatorian for the graduating class. This year's valedictorian is Caitlin Weinheimer '24 and the salutatorian is Aurora Forte '24. 

On this episode of Let's Learn Together, we talk with Caitlin and Aurora about this outstanding achievement, how they approached their classes and learning, and what advice they would share with younger students so they, too, can find success.

Also, elementary students share their summer vacation plans, our staff profile features Goff Assistant Principal Riley O'Malley, and we highlight the Columbia Pride Club in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:35) – New Genet Playground
(2:37) – A Conversation with Our Valedictorian Caitlin Weinheimer '24 and Salutatorian Aurora Forte '24
(13:02) – Students Share Their Summer Plans
(14:14) – Staff Profile of Goff Assistant Principal Riley O'Malley
(17:54) – Student Activity Spotlight of Columbia Pride Club
(19:29) – Upcoming Events

The end of the school year is always bittersweet. While many students and teachers look forward to summer and the break that comes with it, it is also difficult to say goodbye. Our students and teachers spend so much time together throughout the school year, getting to know each other, learning, and growing.

Happily, our students and teachers return each fall for a new school year. There is, however, a group of people who will not return this coming September - our retiring teachers and staff.

The East Greenbush Central School District will be recognizing each of our retiring employees at the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, June 12th and the incredible service they have given the children and families of this community.

On this episode, our Public Information Specialist Mark Adam has a conversation with three teachers who are retiring at the end of this school year - DPS 3rd Grade Teacher Beth Hart, Goff French Teacher Joanne Loccisano, and Columbia Special Education Teacher Tara Maney. We discuss their teaching careers, what changes they have seen over the years, and what they will miss most.

Also, 4th grade students at Genet share what they have learned about their research subjects for the upcoming Interactive Wax Museum, our staff profile features Red Mill 3rd Grade Teacher Marlee Eckert, and we highlight the Green Meadow Running Club in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:47) - School Budget Vote Thank You
(2:34) - A Conversation with Three Retiring Teachers
(28:13) - Students Share Research of Historical Figures
(33:29) - Staff Profile of 3rd Grade Teacher Marlee Eckert
(36:17) - Student Activity Spotlight of Green Meadow Running Club
(37:03) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to our elementary students Eli, Verena, Audrey and Mae; and to Olivia Brown for highlighting the Green Meadow Running Club!

In the East Greenbush Central School District we teach students the core subjects of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science. We offer art, music, physical education, technology and foreign language. But importantly, we also teach students character education.

Values such as integrity, respect, responsibility and perseverance serve our students well as they develop into adults and productive members of our society. These lessons, of course, start at home with families introducing these values to their children. But schools have a role to play as well.

On this episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses character education with DPS Principal Jack Alvey and 5th Grade Teacher Sue D’Amico. The conversation revolves around the values of our character education program, how we teach these values and what the students gain.

Also, we remind listeners about the School Budget Vote and Board Election which is scheduled for today, Tuesday, May 21. Elementary students share their favorite activities to do at recess, our staff profile features Art Teacher Karli Powers, and we feature the new Columbia Girls' Flag Football Team in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:36) - Budget Vote and Board Election
(2:23) - Character Education
(23:48) - Students Share Their Favorite Activities at Recess
(25:20) - Staff Profile of Art Teacher Karli Powers
(28:11) - Student Activity Spotlight of Columbia Girls' Flag Football Team
(29:17) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to our elementary students Callen, Emmett, Madelyn, Brynn, Melanie, Savannah and Faizah; and to Anna Nassivera '25 for highlighting the Columbia Girls' Flag Football Team!

Columbia High School will be transformed into an art gallery next week for the District-wide Art Show on Thursday, May 16th. The Art Show will feature works from all seven of our schools with drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptures and more!

In preparation of that popular community event, Superintendent Jeff Simons discussed art education with Art Teachers Andrea Neiman and Alison Savoca and three Columbia students. This conversation shows how our students are exploring their talents and learning valuable lessons along the way.

Also, we recognize Teacher Appreciation Week, 5th grade students share what they have been learning about in science class, and we feature the Goff Art Club in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:25) - Teacher Appreciation Week
(2:26) - Art
(34:58) - Students Share Science Facts
(36:17) - Staff Profile of Teaching Assistant Lois Bleau
(37:48) - Student Activity Spotlight of Goff Art Club
(38:43) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Holly, Lena and Karina for joining our art discussion; Abby, Nicholas and Zach for sharing science facts; and to Elizabeth for highlighting the Goff Art Club!

One of the most important parts of the school day for our students is lunch. It’s where they replenish their energy by eating a healthy meal, but it’s also a time when students can take a break from academics and socialize with friends and classmates.

On today's episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons sits down with Food Service Manager Colleen Wise to discuss our food services program, how she develops breakfast and lunch menus, and her efforts to offer free meals to as many students as possible through federal and state funding.

Also, our students offer suggestions for new menu items in the cafeteria, we recognize School Library Month by sharing book recommendations for students, and we feature Goff Middle School Intramurals in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(3:24) - Food Services
(28:08) - Students Offer Suggestions for New Menu Items
(30:40) - Book Recommendations from School Librarians
(39:35) - Student Activity Spotlight of Goff Intramurals
(40:17) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Luca, Maribel, Isabella, Catalina, Luke, Laurel, Michael and Andrew for sharing their menu suggestions; as well as Michael from the Goff Intramurals!

One of the fastest growing populations in the East Greenbush Central School District is English Language Learners. Since 2018, our ENL enrollment has increased 70%. We now have 97 ELL students in our district who speak more than two dozen languages at home, such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Burmese and Urdu.

While a growing ENL program creates the need for more support in the form of ENL teachers and learning resources, the benefits far outweigh the financial costs. We discuss this topic in more detail with Elementary ENL Teacher Kelly Aldinger and Genet Principal Wayne Grignon.

Also, English Language Learners share what they enjoy about school, in both English and their native languages, our staff profile features Special Education Teacher Liz Corey, the Drone Club is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(1:11) - English as a New Language
(24:06) - ELL Students Share What They Enjoy About School
(27:08) - Staff Profile of Special Education Teacher Liz Corey
(31:14) - Personal Safety Lessons
(35:57) - Student Activity Spotlight of the Drone Club
(37:59) - Upcoming Events

Personal Safety Resources

• Child Safety Matters (Monique Burr Foundation for Children)
• The MBF 5 Safety Rules (Monique Burr Foundation for Children)
• Erin's Law (NYS Education Department)
• St. Peter's Health Partners Prevention Education

Special thanks to Adriana D'Orazio from St. Peter's Health Partners; our multilingual students Nahara, Eberly, Layan, Austin, Helena and Omar; and our Drone Club students Aries, Jason, Josue, Rocko and Brooke!