The following message was sent to all K-12 parents on Thursday, October 24 via ParentSquare. (Parents with the Digest setting in ParentSquare will receive the letter at approximately 6:00 p.m.)
Dear Parent/Guardian,
All district schools will dismiss 15 minutes early on Friday, November 8 for a state-mandated Emergency Go Home Drill. This drill must be completed at least once each school year, and it must not occur more than 15 minutes prior to the normal student dismissal time. This drill is required in order for our district to be in compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
(155.77). Each school district and the board of cooperative services shall, at least once every school year, and where possible in cooperation with local county emergency preparedness plan officials, conduct one test of its emergency plan for sheltering and early dismissal at a time not to occur more than fifteen minutes earlier than the normal dismissal time.
This drill is designed so that our district can practice procedures for transporting students home in the event that inclement weather or a similar emergency affects our schools.
Once we have ensured that all students have left school safely, all adults will leave and the school will be closed.
All students will be dismissed to the location parents have indicated on the Student Verification Form in case of an emergency closing. Please be sure that any changes to your child’s emergency drop off location are made by November 6. Emergency dismissal locations for elementary school students must be within the attendance zone of the school they attend or to an approved/licensed daycare.
While this drill is mandated by law, we recognize that many families are transporting their children to and from school. Although we encourage your student to participate in the drill, if you must pick up your child, please do so at least 15 minutes prior to that day’s dismissal time and let the school main office know in advance. Any students not picked up by that time will be sent home to their emergency location.
| School | Dismissal Time | Pickup Time* |
| Columbia High School | 1:48 p.m. | 1:33 p.m. |
| Goff Middle School | 2:25 p.m. | 2:10 p.m. |
| Genet Elementary School | 2:55 p.m. | 2:40 p.m. |
| Bell Top, DPS, Green Meadow and Red Mill Elementary Schools | 3:15 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. (DPS is 2:45 p.m.) |
*Students who are being picked up by parents must be picked up by this time, otherwise, they will be sent home on the bus to their emergency location. Parents must notify schools in advance if they are picking up their child from school.
In the event that you need to contact a school after its dismissal time, please call 518-477-9288. You will reach the Transportation Department that will be acting as the emergency command post that would be activated if a real emergency occurred.
This emergency drill, along with fire, lockdown, secured lockout and bus safety drills, are part of a continued effort to keep our students and staff safe. If you have any questions about this drill, please contact your school. Thank you for supporting our safety preparedness!
After School Child Care Programs
GCC will be closed on the afternoon of Friday, November 8.
Busing will be provided to TSL Adventures and Community Child Care of Nassau on the day of the Emergency Go Home Drill.
There is no busing to the YMCA or East Greenbush Community Library.
After School Activities
There will be no after school activities on Friday, November 8.
Postseason athletic schedules will be communicated directly from the team’s coach.
Pre-K Program
The Emergency Go Home Drill does not affect any of the Pre-K Programs. Pre-K students do not receive district transportation and their school day ends before this drill begins. They will have regular dismissal on November 8.