Board of Education Meeting – Wednesday, July 15

A Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Administration Conference Room, 29 Englewood Ave., East Greenbush, NY 12061. There will be an organizational meeting followed by the regular board meeting.

Agenda/Live Stream

Teacher Tips for Summer Vacation 2026

Jun 24, 2026 | Bell Top, Columbia, District, Genet, Goff, Green Meadow, Pre-K, Red Mill, Sutherland, Top News

Teacher Tips for Summer Vacation 2026 banner imageWith the end of the school year in sight and the summer quickly approaching, here are some Teacher Tips for a Great Summer Vacation.

We surveyed our amazing teachers on various topics the past two years – from family friendly activities to preventing learning loss over the summer. Those tips are listed below. Enjoy!

Family Friendly Activities

  • Reading
  • Biking
  • Hiking
  • Playing outside
  • Camping
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Travel
  • Playgrounds
  • Movie theaters
  • Museums
  • Nature hikes at local parks – Schodack Town Park, Schodack Island State Park, Peebles Island, Thacher Park, East Greenbush Town Park
  • Music in the Park concert series in East Greenbush
  • Take trips to your local library
  • Go to local events such as the Troy Farmer’s Market

Learning Resources/Websites

Prevent Learning Loss Over the Summer

  • Read, read, read!
  • Practice math facts
  • Join your local library summer reading program
  • Read something! It can be a magazine, a book, a graphic novel. Read something that’s not on a screen.
  • Read
  • Set aside required reading time M-F each week
  • Band and orchestra students: practice your instrument at least once a week!
  • Review math facts
  • Make everything a learning activity! Practice math skills with measuring! Foods, distances, speeds. Make watching backyard birds a science study, tracking who visits and when and what they eat, have a reading challenge including biographies and nonfiction, use the resources available for our 250th celebration, do a “mini investigation” into things that are interesting (e.g., how do fireworks work?).
  • Weekly visits to area museums and the local library.
  • Pick a topic to become an expert: constellations, plants, local wildlife, baking, Italian Renaissance, etc.
  • Read (with and to), create/build, make kitchen science experiments, keep a journal, set a certain time a day for learning (For example: right after breakfast everyday), use the resources and extra/leftover books that teachers have sent home (for example: math books that haven’t been completely finished, handwriting books, phonic sort books).

Places to Visit Locally

Travel Tips

  • Listen to family-friendly audiobooks or podcasts on car rides
  • Extra sunscreen
  • Ziploc bags for everything
  • No earbuds or cell phones. Converse freely!
  • Go on car rides without electronics. Encourage kids to look out the window. Count the wildlife, play license plate bingo, read road signs, observe what is going on around you.
  • Sing in the car
  • Have kids who are old enough do some of the research about things to see and do in the location you are traveling to.
  • Always bring a book, a pad of paper, and a pencil with you in the car, or anywhere you go.
  • Use Sora to listen to a book together in the car as a family (no need to pack print books!)
  • Bring a book or listen to a podcast

Preparing Kids for Return to School in September

  • Go to the your local library – get involved in an activity or read something grade-level appropriate before school starts. The library has many suggestions.
  • Start shifting the sleep schedule in August ahead of the upcoming school year.
  • Limit screen time, always speak about school with excitement, involve them in school shopping.
  • Set a bedtime, stop naps, begin a wake up schedule, get into a morning routine, continue academic learning, activities throughout the Summer, encourage independence (especially in K-2 kids).
  • Write a letter (or draw a picture) to their teacher to bring on the first day, read books about school, talk about your own school memories.
  • Parents of incoming 5th grade band and orchestra students: be sure you have secured an instrument for your child before the school year starts.
  • Create a sleep schedule and stick to it. Have supplies ready for the first day.
  • Start setting an alarm to wake up at a specific time everyday at least two weeks before school goes back. And start a regular bedtime routine as well.

Other Advice

  • Local Libraries have museum passes for 1-2 people that can be used at most local museums.
  • Limit screen time! Get kids outside as much as possible. Encourage them to read books – whatever they like! Audiobooks are great, too.
  • Limit screen time. Spend lots of unstructured time outside playing.
  • Let your little one lead you. Follow their interests and expand them with learning-based play. It will be fun and interesting and they will have no idea how much they are learning.
  • Walk and bike more. See the world from a slower pace’s vantage point.
  • Have a great Summer. Create a routine, get off your devices, and enjoy the outdoors and the people around you.
  • Reach out to your child’s new teacher early, even before school if you have a nervous kiddo. We are happy to help ease the transition from summer to school!