South Colonie Offers a Wide Variety
of Programs for Colonie Senior Citizens
You’re never too old to learn something new and Colonie’s senior citizen community knows this well.
From the vast array of courses planned year round through the district’s Continuing Education program to attending student athletics, plays and musicals, South Colonie senior citizens are still a very active part of our school community.
Likewise, our students and staff are a big part of the senior citizens community, volunteering at various senior centers and activities and really getting to know and learn from today’s older generation. These intergenerational experiences are both fulfilling and rewarding for the South Colonie Central School District as it continually strives to produce successful and well-rounded graduates who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
If you don’t know about the variety of programs the district offers our senior citizen community, take a minute to scan this web page and see what your friends and neighbors have been up to. There is so much going on today. Maybe you, too, would like to get involved. Just remember — it’s NEVER too late to do so!
What Are Some of the Benefits South Colonie Offers Our Senior Citizens
An enhanced STAR program that has reduced school property taxes for qualified individuals over many years.
A variety of evening courses and educational trips offered free or at a reduced rate.
Free admission to student athletics, plays and musical concerts.
The district provides school buses for transportation to community and school events.
A free fall and spring dinner theater is offered to senior citizens with the meal prepared by Colonie Central’s Honor Society and performances by the school’s Drama Club.
The district offers special events throughout the year including combined music/vocal groups with students, holiday activities and intergenerational social gatherings.
The Colonie Memorial Band is a joint venture sponsored by the Town of Colonie and the Colonie Central High School Music Department. It is made up of senior citizens and a handful of high school musicians who perform throughout the area.
Colonie Central High School students and staff hold an annual food drive for the local food pantry that benefits many senior citizens in our community.
Students from the Colonie Central High School’s Key Club and National Honor Society often visit and share time with senior citizens at the Daughers of Sarah and Ann Lee Nursing Homes.
District Offers Valuable Input as
Part of the Colonie Senior Citizens Network Advisory Board
Most people think the role of public schools is to educate young people so that they grow up and succeed in life. While that is true, of course, public schools also have a responsibility to the entire community they serve. That’s how South Colonie Assistant Superintendent for Management Services, Beverly Miller, views her role as a member of the Colonie Senior Network Advisory Board.
“It’s important for the school district to be a good educational resource for the town’s senior citizen population,” Miller explained. “Being a long-tiem member of the Advisory Board has given me the opportunity to share district information and resources that might be beneficial to our senior citizens. At the same time, the district can stay aware of senior concerns and look at ways where we might be able to help find solutions."
This relationship, for example, led to the creation of a computer network lab at the Beltrone Living Center years ago where the district donated computers, and staff and students volunteered their time to get it up and running. It also enables Miller to stay on the forefront of senior citizen interests and alter the South Colonie Continuing Education Program by adding new programs that are most popular with this age group.
Continuing Education Courses Popular With Our Senior Citizens
You’re never too old to learn something new! And many of our South Colonie senior citizens still do and in so many ways. The district offers a vast array of courses year-round through its ever-popular Continuing Education program.
Some of the classes that piqued our senior’s interests include: Ballroom Dancing, Floral Design, Defensive Driving, Foreign Languages, Quilting, Tole Painting, Bridge Lessons, Beginning Golf, Rubber Stamping, Creative Memories, Oil Painting, Poetry Writing, Watercolor Art, Applique, Internet for Beginners, Home Office Computing and more. Programs are continually being updated. For more information about our programs, click here.
Do You Have Your Senior Citizens Courtesy Card?
Colonie senior citizens are reminded that courtesy cards are available entitling them to free admission to various events sponsored by the South Colonie Central School District.
The cards are issued to any Colonie resident 60 or older or — 55 or older with a permanent disability. The cards may be obtained at the District Office or at the Town of Colonie Senior Citizen Resource Center, Six Winner’s Circle, Colonie. Proof of age must be shown to receive a card. Courtesy cards entitle senior citizens to attend, at no cost, various sporting events, musicals, theatrical and other activities sponsored by the schools in the town. Card holders who wish to attend an event where seats are reserved must call the school at least seven days prior to the event to make a reservation. For more information, call the District Office at 869-3576.
High School Diplomas Available to Colonie War Veterans
New York State offers the Operation Recognition program to veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict. If you are a veteran from either war, and did not complete your high school education for any reason, you (or a deceased veteran’s next of kin) are eligible to receive a diploma based on knowledge and experience in service to America.
There are no exams to complete. Simply contact the South Colonie District Office — 869-3576 — and provide evidence of service and a diploma will be awarded by the Board of Education. The Board of Education has already honored more than two dozen World War II and Korean War veterans with high school diplomas. Are you next?
Sharing From One Generation to the Next
Today’s senior citizen community has so much to share with South Colonie’s youth. And, often, they do just that. During annual Intergenerational Days our schools, elementary students typically invite their grandparents into their classrooms for learning and refreshments. The activity combines English Language Arts, Social Studies and Technology as the students spend time interviewing the senior citizens about historic events in their lives and used their writing, communications and computer skills to prepare a report.