AP Highlights

We are excited to introduce a new tool designed to support the safety and well-being of our students — the HELPme App.

The app has three main features:

• Search for Local Resources – Find local support services as needed.
• Connect with a Crisis Counselor – Chat via text with a trained national crisis counselor whenever support is needed.
• Report Safety Concerns – Students / parents can communicate directly with their school principal regarding safety concerns. This feature is monitored 24/7 to ensure assistance is available, even outside of school hours.

Parents or guardians can download the HELPme app from any app store on their SmartPhone. Students may also download the app to their own phones with parental permission. The app will also be available on district-issued Chromebooks for students in grades 4-12.

Averill Park CSD Superintendent Dr. James Franchini joined APCSD Board of Education members Samantha Hicks, Meghan McGarry and Michelle Garofolo, and other leaders from our BOCES in meeting with New York State Assemblyman Scott Bendett. The school district leaders met with local politicians for a Lobby Day to discuss various topics affecting education, including State Aid, hiring challenges, SmartPhones policies in schools, zero-emission school buses, and more.

Averill Park High School was honored to host Sweethearts & Heroes! Their message of empathy, compassion, and teamwork resonated deeply with students and staff. A huge thank you to Tom & Rick, for inspiring our school community, and to the Averill Park Educational Foundation for making this possible!

Algonquin Middle School celebrated some of their most improved students who have demonstrated remarkable dedication, overcame challenges, and pushed their limits to achieve new heights. A special thank you to APO for providing a delicious breakfast and to those who were able to attend. Congratulations to all of the students on their well-earned success!

Questar III BOCES is celebrating Women in the Trades Month and featured AP's own Madisyn Bulson, a senior in the Heavy Equipment program at Robert H. Gibson Technical School. Read about Madisyn's CTE experience, what it was like working with Gallivan Corporation through a Youth Apprenticeship Program, and how this program is preparing her for her future.

Fourh Grade students from Miller Hill-Sand Lake, Poestenkill, and West Sand Lake Elementary Schools enjoyed a visit from author Bruce Coville! Mr. Coville has written more than 100 books. Through Book Clubs, students will read Into the Land of the Unicorns, Dragonslayers, and The Weeping Werewolf, by Coville. Every student received an autographed copy of Coville’s The Monster’s Ring. This enrichment opportunity is thanks to a grant from the Averill Park Education Foundation.

Averill Park CSD National Art Honor Society members Spencer Sweet, Madelyn McIntyre, and Rebecca Gallerani were selected among 83 pieces of artwork to be chosen for inclusion in the 2025 NAHS Juried Exhibition! Congratulations on being recognized for your amazing work! In total, there were 2,414 submissions that were judged by a panel of arts educators.

Congratulations to senior Kayleigh Ahern for being named to the Section 2 Class AA Girls Basketball All-Tournament team!

Sciences classes at Algonquin Middle School participated in a Team Building activity recently. Students first discussed how to work well in science lab groups and what important relationship skills are involved in working as a team. They created paper airplanes and competed in four different challenges. Students tested their paper airplanes to see who could get through the hula hoop, go the farthest, was the most accurate, and flew in the air the longest. Great job 6-8 Science students!

Congratulations to Jacob Phelps for being named one of the overall winners at the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Banquet!

The World Languages Department held its 16th annual International Potluck Dinner at Algonquin Middle School. Well over 100 people enjoyed the multinational appetizers, main dishes, and desserts prepared by students and families!

Hudson Valley Community College students, Macenzie Slattery and Amanda Plumadore, from the Dental Hygienist program visited classrooms at Poestenkill Elementary School to talk about dental care. Mrs. Grace's, Bielawa's, Premo's and Rhatigan's students learned the proper way to brush their teeth and the importance of flossing. All students were sent home with new toothbrushes. Thank you, Macenzie and Amanda!

Algonquin Middle School hosted a theme week recently to celebrate Red Ribbon Week. Each day had a different theme that highlighted the importance of living a drug free life! Student assistance counselor Joe DeNisio promoted the week in collaboration with the school counseling department at AMS! Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually as a national campaign to raise awareness about drug prevention.

For the 100th day of school recently, students at West Sand Lake Elementary School did 100 exercises throughout the school day. Mrs. Brown-Kane dressed up to show her excitement for the day!

Algonquin Middle School celebrated Rare Disease Day. Rare Disease Day is a global event that takes place to raise awareness and support people with rare diseases. Student Council sold zebra striped pins to support research efforts towards Friedreich's ataxia.

Third grade students at Poestenkill Elementary School have been reading the nonfiction book Martin Luther King Jr. together and are learning about how he courageously led others with peace. Students in 3V created a collaborative poster that, when all of the pieces were put together, included a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. stating, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Congratulations and wonderful job to all of our high school instrumental ensembles and vocal groups for celebrating Music in our Schools Month with amazing concerts!

RPI students came to Algonquin Middle School to speak to Grade 6 TEAM students about 3D printing. These students are in charge of The Forge, the makerspace at RPI which includes upwards of 30 3D printers, along with a laser cutter and other high tech machinery. Students were able to not only ask questions about 3D printing, but they also learned about the trades and about college.

On this episode of the Every Student Every Day Podcast Superintendent Dr. James Franchini welcomes AMS Principal Rob Messia and APHS Principal Heath Quiles to discuss the potential for a ban of smartphones and other devices in schools. Listen here or find us wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Just search for "Every Student Every Day".

Congratulations to the Competitive Cheerleading team for a great performance at Sectionals, placing second in Class B!

Thank you to Sierra Lange, a talented art student at Algonquin Middle School, for painting the sign for the school musical, Mary Poppins!

Members of the Crooked Lake Association hosted the Averill Park High School Angler Club. Special thanks to Gary Favro, Jesse Vollick and Ralph Hansen from the CLA, and Bob Davis and Frank Dingman from the RCCA, for sharing their expertise with the club!

The 8th annual Averill Park Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Friday, April 25 at the Old Daley on Crooked Lake. This ceremony will honor Class of 2025. See the flyer for information on how to register to attend. There is a registration deadline of April 2. For a Program Advertising Agreement, click here.

Registration is open now through May 31 for a summer baseball camp

Averill Park Youth Lacrosse camp for students in grades 1-6 has open registration.

An AP Youth Soccer Camp will be held in July.

Have something you would like to see covered on the website/social media? Email Communications at radewitzb@apcsd.org .

Website: averillpark.k12.ny.us
Location: 146 Gettle Road, Averill Park, NY, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AverillParkCentralSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @AverillParkCSD