We discuss music education, all of the musical options available to students and how students who perform in a musical ensemble have shown high academic achievement.

Also, three Columbia High School students share their experiences from attending Legislative Lobby Day and advocating for education issues with New York State legislators, our staff profile features School Social Worker Tara Smades, the Goff Student Council is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(1:03) - Solar Eclipse
(2:22) - School Budget Development
(3:09) - Music Education
(28:43) - Students Share Experience from Legislative Lobby Day
(33:57) - Staff Profile of School Social Worker Tara Smades
(36:19) - Student Activity Spotlight of Goff Student Council
(37:35) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Columbia Music Teacher Scott Halliday, our music students Shannon Breimer '24, Teagan Kreshik '24 and Neea Gizzo '25; our Advocacy Committee students Rachel Clarke '24, Jacob Mosden '24 and Bella Temkin '24; Columbia School Social Worker Tara Smades; and Gabby Germano from Goff Student Council.

Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses attendance with Columbia Assistant Principal Patricia Farnan, Goff Counselor Sharon Dunn and Genet Social Worker Gianna DiGregorio. They talk about why it is so important for students to come to school every day and how our schools are working with families to help improve attendance. 

Also, students share what books they are currently reading, our staff profile features School Bus Driver Kathy Schmidt, the Goff Drama Club and its production of Peter Pan Jr. is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(0:44) - Congratulations to Columbia Kicks Cancer
(1:25) - Attendance
(23:50) - Students Share What Books They Are Currently Reading
(26:32) - Staff Profile of School Bus Driver Kathy Schmidt
(28:08) - Student Activity Spotlight of Goff Drama Club
(29:10) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Emma Leyhane from the Goff Drama Club and our students who shared what books they are currently reading - Sylvia, Marquis, Gavin, Abernathy, Stella and Raj.

Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses the pre-k program, how it benefits children, and how students spend their day learning and interacting with each other.

Also, students share their favorite school meals, our staff profile features DPS Principal Jack Alvey, we share tips for eating healthy, the Columbia Players are highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(1:18) - Pre-K
(24:48) - Students List Their Favorite School Meals
(25:43) - Staff Profile of DPS Principal Jack Alvey
(29:07) - Healthy Eating Habits and Tips
(32:05) - Student Activity Spotlight of the Columbia Players
(33:14) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Hannaford Dietician Stephanie McNear, Emma O'Kane '24 from the Columbia Players and our students who told us about their favorite school meals - Ben, Molly, Kenzie, Benning, Isaac and Cameron.

 

Superintendent Jeff Simons, Director of Facilities Paul Bickel, Director of Athletics Ryan Jones and Director of Business and Finance Jennifer Mulligan discuss the planned capital project that would improve school buildings and grounds.

Also, in celebration of Valentine's Day, students share what they love. Our staff profile features Goff Math Teacher Chrissy Blake, Columbia High School senior Molly Graiff shares some fun things to do over Winter Recess at local libraries, Genet Coding Club is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(1:17) - Capital Project
(24:04) - Students Celebrate Valentine's Day
(25:32) - Staff Profile of Goff Math Teacher Chrissy Blake
(29:48) - Fun Things to Do Over Winter Break at Local Libraries
(31:15) - Student Activity Spotlight of Genet Coding Club
(32:45) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Molly Graiff '24, our students Tenley, Bailey, Jacob, Brayden, Evan, Audrey, Maddy and Evan for celebrating Valentine's Day, and Quinn Sullivan for highlighting the Genet Coding Club!

Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses reading instruction with MTSS and ELA Coordinator Lisa Mahar, including how students learn to read, how schools evaluate reading skills, and what interventions are used to help them improve their reading.

Also, elementary students tell jokes, our staff profile features Genet Intervention Specialist Joy Lemka, School Librarian Peg O'Connor shares the benefits of reading at home as well as some tips for helping reluctant readers, GMTV is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(1:47) - Goff Cell Phone Policy Update
(3:10) - Reading Instruction
(22:59) - Students Tell Jokes
(24:47) - Staff Profile of Genet Intervention Specialist Joy Lemka
(27:16) - Reading Tips from School Librarian Peg O'Connor
(31:12) - Student Activity Spotlight of GMTV
(32:35) - Upcoming Events

Special thanks to Red Mill Reading Teacher Megan Tozzi and her reading group students Sophia, Brayden and Isahir, our elementary students from DPS and Bell Top who made us laugh with their jokes, and Charlotte from Green Meadow for highlighting GMTV!

Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses school safety with three members of our district-wide Health and Safety Committee - Officer Ed Ashley, Deputy Jay Gravelle and Green Meadow Principal Dan Garab.

Also, students from around the East Greenbush CSD honor Martin Luther King Jr., a new staff profile features the Goff School Safety Supervisors, the district's medical director Dr. Kevin Albert provides information and tips for how kids can get good sleep, the Columbia Boys' Indoor Track Team is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

(1:11) - School Safety
(20:24) - Students Honor Martin Luther King Jr.
(22:59) - Staff Profile of Goff School Safety Supervisors Jeff Guzy and Bill Conboy
(27:25) - Sleep Tips from Dr. Kevin Albert
(30:14) - Student Activity Spotlight
(31:04) - Upcoming Events

To learn more about safety in the East Greenbush CSD, please visit www.egcsd.org/safety.

Special thanks to our students who shared what they have learned about Martin Luther King Jr., including Rosalyn C., Jake R., Lucille M., Zachary H. and Abu H. And thank you to Keara Peace '25 who read an excerpt from Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech."

Superintendent Jeff Simons introduces "Let's Learn Together," a new podcast from the East Greenbush Central School District. 

Goff Middle School Interim Principal Jim McHugh and School Psychologist Sue Rys talk about mental health and how issues such as anxiety and depression are affecting students. They also provide tips for parents and caregivers to help support their children.

Students from around the East Greenbush CSD share what they like best about the school day, the Columbia SADD Club is highlighted during the Student Activity Spotlight, and Mr. Simons promotes upcoming school events.

Notes

Parents and caregivers who have mental health concerns can contact their child's school. All East Greenbush CSD schools have psychologists and social workers on staff. Another good place to start is by contacting your pediatrician.

Other resources:

• Rensselaer County Unified Services: 518-270-2800
• Northern Rivers Mobile Crisis Services: 518-292-5499
• NAMI Teen and Young Adult Resource Directory
• The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the number 988.