AP Highlights

The 2025‑26 school year is off to a great start! Students across the Averill Park Central School District returned to classrooms this week, reconnecting with friends, meeting new teachers, and diving into exciting learning opportunities. From kindergartener's first steps to high school students settling into new routines, the halls are full of energy, curiosity, and school spirit.

Congratulations to Abi Wadler, who has been selected for the New York State 2025 Conference All State Mixed Chorus. This prestigious ensemble represents the very best student vocalists in New York State. Abi’s selection reflects her outstanding talent, hard work, and musicianship. She will perform as part of the All-State Mixed Chorus at the NYSSMA Winter Conference this December. We are very proud of her accomplishment.

We are thrilled to announce that Coach Zach Gobel of Averill Park High School has been honored as the New York Giants' Coach of the Week! This prestigious recognition, presented by the Giants and Gatorade, celebrates Coach Gobel's outstanding leadership and dedication to student-athletes.

As part of the award, the Giants Foundation and Gatorade will contribute $2,000 to the Averill Park High School football program. This generous donation will support the development of our student-athletes and enhance our football facilities. Congratulations to Coach Gobel for this well-deserved accolade!

Averill Park CSD faculty, staff, and administrators kicked off the new school year with a morning full of celebration and connection! Attendees enjoyed a light breakfast, received their Every Student Every Day t-shirts for Golden Knight T-Shirt Days, and welcomed our newest employees to the district. We proudly recognized staff reaching 10, 20, and 30 years of service with milestone pins, watched a video recap of the 2024-25 school year, and had some fun with AP Trivia hosted by Superintendent Dr. James Franchini—complete with prizes for the winners! Here’s to an amazing 2025-26 school year at Averill Park!

Principal Robert Messia was featured on Channel 13 WNYT to discuss the implementation of the new cell phone ban at AMS. The segment aired Thursday, September 4, highlighting how the school is supporting students and maintaining a focused learning environment.

On September 11, Poestenkill Elementary School honored Patriot Day by wearing red, white, and blue. Students and staff came together to remember and reflect, showing unity and pride while honoring the lives lost and the heroes of 9/11.

APHS Picture Days are: Thursday (9/18) & Friday (9/19)! Place your order on mylifetouch.com using Picture Day ID: EVTH9KRRP. Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com

Averill Park HS is holding its fifth Freestyle Open House on Thursday, September 18th from 5:45-7:15pm. This format gives families the opportunity to meet the APHS administrators, faculty, and staff at tables organized by department. Student-led tours of the building and food will be available.

Averill Park Middle School will be hosting a Club Fair on Thursday, September 18, during lunches. Students will have the chance to explore the wide variety of clubs offered at AMS, talk with current members, and sign up to join. This is a great opportunity for students to discover new interests, make friends, and get involved in school activities!

In this episode, Superintendent James Franchini welcomes several of Averill Park’s newest educators to the district. Recorded just after the first day of school, the episode highlights their backgrounds, passions, and goals for the year.

• Isaiah VanBuren – Elementary Music Teacher (Miller Hill & Poestenkill)
• Meghan Krug – High School Earth & Space Science Teacher
• Gabriella Marchello (“Coach Marchello”) – High School Physical Education Teacher

Find us wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Just search for "Every Student Every Day".

Averill Park High School students attended grade-level assemblies to learn about the daily procedures for managing personal electronic devices. At the assemblies, students received their Yondr pouches from “Yondr-Man” and practiced using them as part of this transition.

Our students handled the change exceptionally well, embracing the process with maturity and respect. Slides shown during the presentation can be seen here.

One of the highlights of the AP Education Foundation’s Annual Gala is the presentation of the Community/Volunteer Award and the Educator Award, recognizing those who make Averill Park an exceptional place to learn and grow. If you know a community member or educator who deserves this honor, please submit a nomination by Friday, September 19 using the APEF Awards Nominations Form.

The Gala, to be held at Old Daley on Crooked Lake on November 14th, 2025 is their premier fundraising event, featuring the annual ARTWALK, student musical performances, and a celebration of the many individuals who make a difference in our schools.

Visit the APEF website and subscribe to the newsletter to stay updated on the 2025 Gala and exciting grant programs.

The Averill Park Athletic Department, in partnership with the Averill Park Athletic Booster Club, is now accepting nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The Hall of Fame honors former athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors who have made a lasting impact on Averill Park athletics.

Any member of the public can nominate an athlete, coach, team, or contributor for induction assuming the criteria as outlined in the guidelines are met. Nominations are open from September 15 through November 15.

The induction ceremony and dinner will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Old Daley on Crooked Lake.

Averill Park has collaborated with the Regional Food Bank for over 10 years. We provide the Back Pack Program at all 3 of our elementary schools for ~45 students. The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of food insecure children on weekends when school meals are not available. The Program provides bags filled with food that is child-friendly, non-perishable, and easily prepared and consumed. Bags are packed weekly by school staff and volunteers then discreetly distributed to participating children every Friday afternoon.

To learn how you can help sponsor a child’s weekend meals for an entire year, please visit

averillpark.k12.ny.us/services/averill-park-csd-backpack-program.

Averill Park Central School District is now hiring full-time and substitute employees for the 2025–26 school year. Open positions include teacher aides, bus drivers, custodial staff, and more—with great benefits and flexible schedules.

Averill Park Community Education’s fall brochure is here—featuring dance, fitness, sports, cooking, free finance courses, wellness, and more. Classes begin in mid-September, with both in-person and virtual options. Whether you want to try Qigong Infused Yoga, learn ballroom dance, play co-ed volleyball, or explore Medicare and retirement planning, there’s something for everyone.

View all offerings & register: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/averill-park-community-education

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

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

Instagram: @averillparkcsd