Family Updates

Dear C-A Families,

As we move through February, we have so many exciting opportunities to celebrate and share with you! From fostering literacy through our HAWKS READ and LEAD program to showcasing student entrepreneurship with Rocksackie, our students continue to thrive in innovative and engaging experiences. This month also highlights the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE), providing hands-on learning that prepares students for success beyond high school.

Additionally, we recognize and appreciate our administrators and supervisors for their leadership and dedication to our school community. Their commitment to student success is shaping a brighter future for Coxsackie-Athens.

Be sure to check out all the latest updates, student spotlights, and upcoming events in this edition of the newsletter. Thank you for your continued support in making C-A a place where students can achieve extraordinary success!

Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?

With Gratitude,

Randy Squier

Superintendent of Schools

The HAWKS READ and LEAD program has been launched to foster a connection between Coxsackie-Athens High School athletes and elementary students through reading sessions. The initiative aims to promote high school athletes as positive role models while encouraging a love of reading among younger students. Curt Wilkinson is the program organizer.

Program Overview

• Objective: Strengthen community ties and literacy engagement by having high school athletes read to elementary students.

• Implementation:

• Each session lasts 20 minutes with at least two athletes reading a story.

• Teachers will select 2-3 books in advance for reading.

• If time allows, a Q&A session between students and athletes will follow, with suggested questions provided.

• This program is designed to occur once per athletic season (three times a year).

Thank you Curt for organizing and al lthe teachers willing to open up your doors to have the student-athletes be in your classrooms.

A spotlight on Juliana Caringi and her experiences in the nursing assistants program at Questar III BOCES. Through this program, Juliana will have the opportunity to become a certified nurse assistant as she works towards her career goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.

READ MORE HERE

February is Career and Technical Education Month® (CTE)

Brian Jakusik, our business teacher is giving his class real world experience in entrepreneurship by producing an arena worthy concert series called Rocksackie with some of the hottest names in the local industry.

Coxsackie-Athens High School business students are turning classroom lessons into real-world business experience through their involvement in Rocksackie, a dynamic live music series founded by Brian Jakusik, a business teacher at Coxsackie-Athens. This innovative program provides students with hands-on opportunities to learn about event management, marketing, sponsorship outreach, and financial planning—all while bringing live music to the community.

Rocksackie, which has quickly become a regional favorite, is more than just a concert series—it’s a student-driven business experience. Under Jakusik’s guidance, students take on key roles in organizing and promoting events, handling social media outreach, coordinating sponsorships, and managing event logistics. This experiential learning approach gives them practical insights into business operations, helping them develop entrepreneurial skills that will serve them in future careers.

"The goal of Rocksackie is not only to bring great music to our community but also to provide students with a real-world business education," said Jakusik. "This experience gives them an inside look at marketing, finance, and event planning in a way that a textbook simply can’t."

The Coxsackie-Athens Central School District is proud to support this initiative as part of its broader mission to prepare students for college, careers, and life through hands-on learning. As Rocksackie continues to grow, students will have even more opportunities to apply business concepts in a meaningful way—helping to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

With upcoming events featuring a mix of local talent and nationally recognized artists, Rocksackie is a testament to how education and community engagement can come together to create something truly impactful.

For more information about Rocksackie and how Coxsackie-Athens students are making an impact, visit rocksackie.com or follow the series on social media.

At Coxsackie-Athens, we take pride in offering big opportunities in a small school setting, especially when it comes to Career and Technical Education (CTE). With a wide range of CTE courses available, C-A students have the option to enroll in 28 different CTE programs at Questar III BOCES their junior and or senior years. Our students gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and college credits that set them on a path to success—whether entering the workforce or continuing their education.

CTE equips students with real-world skills in fields such as healthcare, construction, and technology while also developing essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Participation in CTE not only enhances career readiness but also boosts graduation rates and helps students explore their passions.

By embracing CTE, our students are building a strong foundation for their future—preparing for careers, college, and life beyond high school. This month, we celebrate the impact of CTE in shaping our learners into capable, confident, and career-ready individuals.

As we recognize Administrators and Supervisors Appreciation Month, we extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated leaders of Coxsackie-Athens Schools. Their leadership, commitment, and vision are instrumental in guiding us toward our 2030 Destination and 2025 LINKS goals.

This year, many of them are new to the district or their role, yet they have already made a significant, positive impact—supporting staff, students, and our entire school community. With seven of our nine administrators new to their positions this year, their immediate contributions to student learning and the school environment have been both inspiring and affirming.

Their collective professionalism, courage, empathy, and passion for continuous growth have strengthened our district’s ability to drive meaningful change. This infusion of fresh perspectives, combined with a shared dedication to excellence, has positioned Coxsackie-Athens Schools for even greater success.

Together, rowing as one, the leadership team continues to bring us closer to our vision of inspiring learners to achieve extraordinary success. Thank you for all you do—your impact is truly felt and appreciated!

If you know someone who deserves to be nominated to be on our Wall of Honor, please let us know by filling out a quick form. (SEE BUTTON BELOW) A CAFE member will follow-up with you to learn more.

The Coxsackie-Athens Foundation for Education established the Wall of Honor in 2013 to celebrate and recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions as former graduates, teachers, and staff members of the Coxsackie-Athens School District. The foundation offers two categories for nominations:

1. Former Student/Graduate: This category is for individuals who attended Coxsackie-Athens High School, whether before or after the centralization of the district in 1947. Nominees must have demonstrated exceptional service to humanity, outstanding career achievements, or other accomplishments that have positively impacted their profession, the Coxsackie-Athens community, or the communities where they currently reside. The focus is on those who have proven themselves as exemplary citizens and leaders.

2. Former Employee of the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District: This category is for individuals who were employed by the district for at least 10 years. Nominees should have made significant contributions to the district or directly impacted the school community, including students and / or staff. The contributions should be recognized for their positive influence on the educational experience or the growth of the district. (Current employees are ineligible.)

The foundation also accepts posthumous nominations for individuals who are no longer living but whose achievements have had a lasting impact.

This initiative honors the legacy and lasting influence of former students who have gone on to live extraordinary lives within their chosen professions or communities, and those who have shaped the educational and social fabric of the Coxsackie-Athens School District and its surrounding community as a treasured staff member.

We are excited to announce the return of the Coxsackie-Athens Community Classroom, and we invite you to be a part of this meaningful initiative!

Originally launched in 2001, the Community Classroom was designed to provide diverse learning opportunities for all members of our community. From physical fitness and technology to life skills and creative pursuits, our program has enriched lives through education, skill-building, and shared experiences. Now, after a hiatus since 2015, we are eager to relaunch this program and once again make it a valuable resource for our community.

Whether you have expertise in crafting, cooking, technology, personal finance, fitness, or any other area that could inspire and educate others, we would love to have you!

Why Teach with Us?

• Share your passion and expertise with eager learners

• Make a positive impact within the Coxsackie-Athens community

• Utilize school district resources to enhance your instruction

• Connect with like-minded individuals who value lifelong learning

You will find by clicking here: a past catalog showcasing previous course offerings to help you visualize the possibilities. If you are interested in leading a course, please complete this interest survey at your earliest convenience.

Please reach out with questions. We will be sharing this with the entire community in the upcoming weeks.

3/7- 3/8-3/9: Drama Club Musical

3/13: Early Dismissal

3/14: Conference Day: No Classes

3/15: C-A hosting Odyssey of the Mind

3/17: Spring JV/V Sports Begin

3/18: Early Dismissal

3/21: C-A hosting Greene County Music Festival

3/26: HS Concert

Purpose

Our anchor strategy, PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS states, “Students with Purpose are inspired to learn. The world has changed and a vision for college, career and citizenship readiness has emerged. Centered on the concept that each student will have a purpose and PATHWAY TO SUCCESS, we will have an uncompromising and relentless commitment to preparing students for college, career and citizenship; in other words, preparing students for their future. This will be accomplished by creating relevant learning environments, and interacting with the people working in the ecosystems of the career paths students are working towards.”

Therefore, we will inspire and prepare students for college, career, and citizenship readiness through comprehensive career exploration and pathway development. The program will help students discover their interests, skills, and preferences, and provide them with real-world experiences and guidance to prepare for their future careers.

READ MORE INCLUDING BUILDING LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

2025 PERFORMANCE GOALS (Set summer 2022)

In order for 95% of our students to graduate, our goals are:

1. Wellness:

   1. Support of student and staff wellness will be indicated by 100% of students and employees being able to identify one ally and improved results on climate surveys each year.

2. Reading:

   1. 73% of students PK-8 will be reading at or above grade level by 2025. This will be a 19% improvement from 2022.

3. Math:

   1. 73% of students PK-8 will demonstrate grade level proficiency in math by 2025. This will be a 17% improvement from 2022.

4. Research Based Projects:

   1. 100% of students will be creating at least three research-based products every year by 2025.

5. Life Readiness:

1. 100% of students will demonstrate competence in a majority of the Life Ready Skills and Financial Literacy Indicators appropriate for their school level by 2025.

Below you can access the strategies and action steps at the school level to reach our 2025 goals:

• Elementary Schools Plan
• Middle School Plan
• High School Plan:
• LINKS Team 24-25 Agendas and Notes

We all learn in a variety of ways. Students should be able to demonstrate readiness in a variety of ways.

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Below are several resources that highlight the opportunities we offer ALL students. WE truly are a small school with BIG Opportunities!

1. Did you know that every student at C-A HS can have one early college course paid for in full by the district? The reduced tuition rates for all college courses allows many students to graduate with over 20 credits. Many of our alum are able to enter college as sophomores or graduate from a college a semester early saving thousands of dollars.
2. Our parternship with Questar III BOCES provides 23 offerings in career technical education pathways. Our students who complete these programs are ready to enter the workforce in a varirty of occupations and fields.

We believe ALL students CAn be life, career and college ready when they graduate from C-A. I very muhc apprecait the collaborative work taking place in all classrooms to ensure ALL students are self-directed and prepared to succeed in our global society.

• COMMENCEMENT READINESS INDICATORS DASHBOARD
• READINESS INDICATORS K-12 BOOKLET 2020 :
• EARLY COLLEGE PAMPHLET
• COLLEGE IN THE H.S. OFFERINGS
• CAREER TECH ED OFFERINGS

Like planning a road trip our 2030 DESTINATION, TIMELINE may change as detours pop up or new adventures present themselves.

Take a look. Our road trip will have some exciting mile markers that sustains and enhances the work we have started and will lead us to our 2030 Destination.

• Professional Learning Communities
• Growth Mindset
• Student Centered/Directed Learning
• Digital Conversion
• Pathways to Success

It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, speaking and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Muhheaconneok (Muhhekunneuw) or Mohican people and the Munsee Lenape people, who are the indigenous peoples of this land. Despite tremendous hardship in being forced from here, they now reside in Wisconsin and are known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all.

Email: squierr@cacsd.org
Website: www.cacsd.org
Location: 24 Sunset Boulevard, Coxsackie, NY, USA
Phone: 518-731-1700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043677108930&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Twitter: @coxathschools

Our new app is now available for download from the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Keep up to date on all things C-A, right from your device. This app is designed to create easy access to Sports Schedules, Live Feed, Alerts, our Staff Directory and more!