Happy Fall!
As summer fades into a distant memory and the school year is in full swing, we find ourselves united in a shared purpose—ensuring our children thrive as they grow as learners and experience the milestones of life.
Whether we are parents, guardians, educators, school staff or community members, we all play a vital role in supporting their journey. It’s a responsibility that can bring both joy and occasional challenges, but one that binds us together as a community.
Voorheesville is truly a community like no other. In times of need, we come together to support one another, and this long-standing tradition of care and unity defines who we are. Our history illustrates this well.
In 1823, the first school in the Town of New Scotland was established and by 1826 Voorheesville saw the need for its own school. In 1827, a wooden schoolhouse was built on the very site where our elementary school now stands. The bell that once echoed through our community, calling children to learn, is still a part of our story—it rests today in the foyer of our high school. If you look closely, you can see the same bell that has greeted students for nearly 200 years in the photo below. A digital recording of our bell still chimes to signify the changing of classes today.
While much has changed over the past two centuries, the core values of our community remain steadfast. We continue to stand strong, united in our commitment to safeguard the future of our children. Through a shared growth mindset, the Voorheesville Central School District remains focused on exploring best practices to provide a safe, supportive, and rigorous learning environment for all.
As we embark on another year, let us remember that together, we are the guardians of our students’ safety, success, and well-being.
Sincerely,
Frank Macri
Items of interest
Capital improvement project update
Students and visitors to our high school building were greeted with the newly re-designed and secure vestibule as they started the school year. This bright and welcoming space is the single point of entry to the school for all visitors and students who arrive by bus. This new vestibule was a key piece of work that was included in the capital project approved by voters in 2022. As with each of our other buildings, visitors will stop at the window to the main office to sign in and receive a visitor’s badge generated by our Raptor security system, which will be worn at all times while on-campus.
District safety teams
Along with our building-level safety teams, the district has a multi-faceted District Safety Team that includes members of our administrative team, representatives of the school board, teacher, administrator and parent organizations, school safety personnel, bus driver/monitors and other school personnel. Local law enforcement partners, such as the Albany County’s Sheriff Office, meet regularly with our teams to evaluate, plan, drill and advise the district on safety protocols that range from proactive to reactive measures.
Meet the new school security monitor
This school year, we welcomed Vince Foley as the new school security monitor for VCSD. Many of you already know Mr. Foley as the coach of our high school football team (did you know he is also a VCSD alum?!) Unlike a school resource officer, our school security monitor is not a working member of the law enforcement community. Mr. Foley will be unarmed and work in plain clothes. In this new role, Mr. Foley, a retired Albany City police officer and Deputy Chief, will work to foster positive connections with our student body and staff and to support safety and security in all of our school buildings. His perspective as a long-time member of law enforcement is sure to be a resource to our administrative team, as we work collectively to create a safe and welcoming space for our students, staff and those who visit our schools.
Want to know more about how we support safety in our schools?
Visit the School Safety section of our website. Included on this page is a link to our district-wide safety plan for 2024-25.
Social-emotional and mental health wellness
Throughout the year, we focus on a wide range of emotional and safety supports that are directly student-centered. These can include, but are not limited to: k-8 social emotional and anti-bullying curriculum provided through Second Step,monthly building wide/grade level Town Hall style student meetings, elementary school monthly SEL assemblies/buddy groups, our third party anonymous Safe School Helpline – Voorheesville Central School/, presentations from law enforcement and prevention agencies and more.
Student representative to our Board of Education: Joe Russo
This September, we welcomed high school senior Joe Russo as the student representative to our Board of Education for the 2024-25 school year. For the past three school years, we have been fortunate to have a student representative as part of our board process, giving us the important perspective of our students, who we work for and make decisions on behalf of.
Upcoming Dates and Events
On Oct. 20, the VCSD staff “Blackbird Hotshots” will take on the Harlem Wizards in a fun-filled exhibition basketball game at the University at Albany’s Broadview arena. Learn more and purchase tickets to the game. Prior to game day, the Wizards will visit our schools on Oct. 4 for a series of fun-filled and educational assemblies with all of our students. We are grateful to our PTA volunteers for organizing these events that are sure to be a great time for all!
Get ready to show us your “Blackbird Pride” during our Homecoming celebrations. Spirit Week kicks off with the annual Volleyfest. (Full schedule of events is listed below.) These events offer our entire community the opportunity to sport some purple and gold and come together in support of our students and schools. Don’t forget the firework celebration that takes place after the Boys Varsity soccer game sponsored by Soccer Booster Club and many generous donors.
Homecoming Celebrations
Saturday, Sept. 28
Volleyfest starts at 8:30 am. at the high school.
Friday, Oct. 4
- Girls Varsity Tennis match vs. Troy at 4:30 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Soccer game vs. Schalmont at 5 p.m.
- Boys Varsity Soccer game vs. Troy at 7 pm. (fireworks 10 minutes after the Boys Varsity Soccer game)
Saturday, Oct. 5
Varsity Football game vs. Schuylerville at 1 p.m.