Welcome to the South Colonie District Office
Approximately 5,200 students attend school in South Colonie located in Colonie, New York - a suburb of Albany - the state’s capital, in the middle of Tech Valley. Located in Albany County is one of the largest school districts in the Capital Region serving a community of 80,000 residents in a 60 square mile area.
The district’s goal is simple: To offer
unlimited learning opportunities, to maintain high student
expectations
for success and to provide taxpayers with an educational system
they can be proud of and afford.
The district’s longstanding mission is to graduate students who have the knowledge, skills, attitude and self esteem to succeed in the real world of the 21st century. A talented staff of some 500 teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and more are dedicated to making this happen. And a very active community and parent population continue to help shape the district’s direction.
It’s those extra opportunities South Colonie Central Schools offer its students that sets this district apart from the rest. From its pre-school and full day kindergarten programs for youngsters to its multitude of Advanced Placement and college-level courses for high school students to its comprehensive Continuing Education classes frequented by our senior citizens, South Colonie Schools have it all. For a print out brochure on all our schools have to offer, click here.
Public Access to District Records
Under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), the public is entitled to inspect certain school district records. The Committee on Open Government is responsible for overseeing and advising with regard to the Freedom of Information, Open Meetings and Personal Privacy Protection Laws. The district's FOIL Officer is David Seaver. For a FOIL request form, click here (pdf).
south colonie District News Stories
2010-2011 DISTRICT-WIDE NEWS STORY ARCHIVES
2009-2010 DISTRICT-WIDE NEWS STORY ARCHIVES
VIEW ALL SOUTH COLONIE NEWS STORY ARCHIVES
Teachers And Administrators Move Forward on State APPR Regulations
Posted on january 11, 2012
While Governor Cuomo makes the headlines by criticizing school districts for failing to make adequate progress on developing a new system for evaluating teacher/principal performance, South Colonie continues to move forward on the plan within the timeframe of the law. full story
Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address Focuses on Educational Reform
Posted on january 4, 2012
Governor Cuomo has delivered his second State of the State address. Prior to the address, there was rumor of a new governor's commission to recommend education reform. That prediction came true and was featured in the governor's comments regarding education. No details regarding the new commission have been released as of today. For other highlights of his address that directly affect school districts and students, click here.
Youth Detention Center Students And Teachers Learn Lesson in Giving
Posted on December 22, 2011
Capital District Juvenile Detention Facility houses junior high and high school aged students from all over New York State who are awaiting placement while attending court proceedings. Because this facility resides in the South Colonie School District, South Colonie teachers have been leading the academic program there for the past 14 years. This year, in light of the economic difficulties people have been experiencing in our area, Special Education Teacher Rebecca Oppenneer and Teaching Assistant Roxanne Gillen and their English classes decided to carry out a meaningful lesson in Philanthropy. full story
CEO Says Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Are Ticket to Good Jobs And to America’s Prosperity
Posted on December 14, 2011
Over the past decade, STEM job openings grew three times faster than non-STEM jobs. STEM workers are expected to earn, on average, 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts. Even among workers with a high school diploma or less, those with STEM proficiency will earn, on average, 36 percent more than those without it. Last year, when the unemployment rate reached 10 percent, STEM unemployment remained at 5.3 percent. full story
STEAM: Experts Make Case for Adding Arts to STEM
Posted on December 6, 2011
According to Education Week, the acronym STEM—shorthand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—has quickly taken hold in education policy circles, but some experts in the arts community and beyond suggest it may be missing another initial to make the combination more powerful. The idea? Move from STEM to STEAM, with an A for the arts. full story
South Colonie Ranked 11th in Capital District in Academic Performance by Business First Journal
Posted on november 3, 2011
South Colonie Central Schools placed 11th in the Capital District and 55th among 431 upstate school districts in Business First journal's ranking of school districts by academic performance. The 11th place ranking compares South Colonie among 84 districts in the Capital District, based on an analysis of four years of standardized test results from students in fourth grade through high school. view entire report
The Rising Importance of a Science Degree
Posted on October 21, 2011
According to New York Times article, if you’re trying to figure out what to study in college, a new report suggests you would do well choosing a major in science, technology, engineering or math. full story
Truckload of Supplies Delivered To Help Schoharie County Flood Victims, The District Thanks You For Your Support!
Posted on october 13, 2011
South Colonie Schools delivered a truckload of supplies on October 13th to help Schoharie County flood victims. "We can't thank everyone who participated in this important relief effort enough," said Superintendent of Schools, Jonathan Buhner. "Our community always steps up in times of need and I'm proud to be associated with it." full story
New Cyberbullying Bill Introduced in New York State
Posted on september 27, 2011
A New York State senator has introduced a new "cyber bullying" bill, saying outdated pre-digital harassment laws fail to punish bullies who use the Internet and smartphones to torment others. The bill is a response to several highly publicized cases of teen suicides in the aftermath of some form of online bullying. full story
District Collecting Supplies To Help Schoharie County Flood Victims
Posted on september 14, 2011
In the aftermath of both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, which devastated hundreds of families in Schoharie County with severe flooding, the School District and the Village of Colonie have set up collection stations at any of the eight school buildings, the bus garage, the District Office, and the Village of Colonie Family Recreation Center. full story
South Colonie Captures Three Awards in NYS Communications Contest
Posted on september 8, 2011
The South Colonie Central School District has captured three awards in the 32nd annual Communications Contest sponsored by the New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA). full story
Superintendent Buhner Reflects on Start of New School Year
Posted on August 28, 2011
South Colonie Superintendent of Schools, Jonathan Buhner, was recently interviewed by Latham Life newspaper as the District prepares for the start of another school year. Here is what he had to say. full story
Court Rules in Favor of NYSUT in New Teacher Evaluations Case
Posted on August 25, 2011
The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) union declared a major court victory on Wednesday after a judge ruled that a school district cannot impose a teacher evaluation system where 40 percent is based on student test scores. The NYS Education Department says it will appeal (pdf). full story
South
Colonie Students 'Making The Grade' On New Gr. 3-8 State
Assessments in English Language Arts & Math
Posted on august 11, 2011
South Colonie students, overall, are “making the grade” when it comes to achieving on the new annual New York State assessments in ELA and Math, according to data recently released by the New York State Education Department. full story
Jason Semo
Named New
Supervisor of Physical Education & Athletics, Replaces Retired
David Foust
Posted on august 9, 2011
Jason Semo is the new South Colonie Supervisor of Physical Education, Athletics and Intramurals effective August 15th. He was appointed by the Board of Education Tuesday night and replaces David Foust, who retired on June 30. full story
New York State to Reinstate January Regents Exams This School Year
Posted on august 3, 2011
The New York State Education Department said today it will reinstate the January Regents exams this school year following the announcement by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott that they have secured $1.5 million in private funding to pay for their administration. full story
New York State Property Tax Cap Now Official
Posted on June 30, 2011
The New York State Legislature made it official this month in passing Governor Andrew Cuomo's campaign promise to enact a property tax cap on school districts and municipalities. The cap will take effect this coming budget season and affect district planning for the 2012-2013 school year. full story
District
IT Department Secures $140,000 in Tech Equipment From HVCC For
Use at High School
Posted on june 19, 2011
The South Colonie Central School District has obtained 100 new state of the art computers at no cost as part of the ongoing school to college program with Hudson Valley Community College. The computers, obtained by the district Information Technology Department, are Dell Precision T1600’s, specifically designed for the CAD, Engineering and Graphics programs taught by the Technology Department at Colonie Central High School. These machines have both the power and graphics capabilities needed to run the application software. The department also will be getting a state of the art 3D Printer. The total value of this equipment, funded by HVCC, is approximately $140,000. CCHS students who participate in these courses receive college credit from HVCC as part of the school to college partnership.
