Tentative End of Year Schedule Released

It's hard to believe, but it's time to talk about the end of the year! Here is the tentative last days for the end of the school year. We used fewer emergency/snow closure days than we had planned for, and, as such, Thursday, May 22, 2025, will be a contingent recess day. The last day of classes varies among schools. This schedule is subject to change, and updates will be shared as the year comes to an end.

The schedule of tentative end-of-the-year events, final exams, and Regents will be shared in the coming weeks. As always, check our website calendar for updates on event times and locations.

A.W. Becker and Pieter B. Elementary

Thursday, June 5th - No School grades PK-5. This day has been updated to a no school day. This is a change from the printed calendar. Students will not be in attendance on this day.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - No School
Monday, June 23, 2025 - Half Day, Early Dismissal for PK-8
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - Half Day, Early Dismissal for PK-8
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Half Day, Early Dismissal for PK-5 and last day for students.

RCS Middle School

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - No School
Monday, June 23, 2025 - Half Day, Early Dismissal for PK-8
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - Half Day, Early Dismissal for PK-8, and last day for grades 6-8
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony

RCS High School

Friday, June 13, 2025 - Last day of classes at BOCES CTE
Monday, June 16, 2025 - Last day of classes for HS Students
Tuesday, June 17 - Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Regents and Final Exams
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - No School
Friday, June 27, 2025 - Class of 2025 Commencement

High School Cell Phone Week

2025-26 Budget Development

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District Residents will vote on a proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year. The development of a school budget is a continuous year-round process between the Board of Education and district administrators. In preparation for the 2025-26 budget, presentations on specific departments/areas are presented to the Board in the weeks leading up to the presentation of the overall budget for consideration by the Board. In the coming weeks, a Budget Newsletter will be mailed to all RCS District Residents and posted on our website with information about what will be included in the 2025-26 budget.

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - Meet the Candidates Night: Residents will vote to fill three seats on the Board of Education during the 2025-26 budget vote on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Candidates will be elected to three-year terms to begin July 1. Meet the candidate’s night will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library. There will be three-minute presentations from both the RCS Community Library and Board of Education candidates, followed by budget hearings. A regular meeting of the Board of Education will commence following the District Budget Hearing. Read more about the Board of Education candidates here.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Annual Budget Vote: Voting will be held in the High School Main Gym, which is most easily accessible from our Rt. 101 entrance, which is located at the rear of the Middle School/High School Campus. Reminder: For safety reasons, voters will not be permitted to drive through the center of the middle and high school campus during drop-off from 7:00-7:45 a.m. and dismissal from 1:45-3:00 p.m. During these times, voters must access the parking lot via Route 101.

To learn more about the 2025-26 Budget Development, please visit our 2025-26 Budget Development page.

Special Education Community Resource Fair

The Department of Student Support and Special Education is thrilled to invite you to our Second Annual Special Education Community Resources Fair, happening on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the RCS High School Library.

This informative event will feature representatives from a variety of community-based organizations that offer valuable services for Pre-K through grade 12 students with special education needs. It’s a fantastic opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect with nearly 20 local organizations, learn about available resources, and discover how these services can support your child’s educational journey.

Whether your student is currently receiving special education services or you’re simply interested in exploring additional resources, we encourage you to attend this free event and gain insight into the wide range of services available in the Capital Region.

Light refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions about the event or the services offered by the Department of Student Support, please contact Tim King, Transition Coordinator, at tking@rcscsd.org.

The RCS MS School Drama Club Is Back On Stage!

Join the magical journey to Farquaad’s kingdom as the RCS Middle School Drama Club proudly presents Shrek the Musical Jr. on stage at RCS High School! With a talented cast and dedicated crew, this heartwarming and hilarious musical brings the beloved story of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and friends to life.

Show Dates:
Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Friday, May 2, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.

General admission tickets are available at the door only. House opens 45 minutes prior to each show.

$10 Adults - $5 Students and Children
Free for senior residents of the RCS District

Don’t miss out on this fantastic, family-friendly show that promises to be a good time!

In Case You Missed It: Announcements

ParentSquare Launch Success

The Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District launched a new school-to-home communication platform for our entire District called ParentSquare back in February 2025. ParentSquare is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with RCS. There will still be moments when using SchoolTool to communicate is appropriate, but we want our family’s communication experience to be unified throughout our District.

During the last few months of the school year, RCS families who have not registered their email yet in ParentSquare will receive invitations to sign up for the platform. Those who do not register for ParentSquare will still receive text, email, and phone notifications about delays, closures, and transportation updates, as they would prior to the launch of ParentSquare. ParentSquare will be fully implemented throughout the entire District at the start of the 2025-26 school year. This will be the primary form of communication to all families, as Class Dojo at our elementary level will be retired at the end of this school year. We have provided families with a space on our website to get familiar with our new platform, with information and tips on how to use ParentSquare - check it out here.

It is important at this time to review your contact information by logging into SchoolTool. Please take a look at the listed guardian phone numbers, emails, and home addresses to make sure they are still accurate. If you only have a landline listed, you will not receive text messages. If you are using a work email to receive communication from the District, consider changing the email address to a personal address. This recommendation is due to increased cybersecurity on business email accounts, which may cause District emails to be sometimes blocked and not delivered. If you have moved, please visit our website to complete an address change form or contact Diane Palazzo, Registrar at 518-756-5200 x 6008.

Safety In Our Buildings - Reminder of Visitor Sign-in Protocols

Student and staff safety continues to be a priority for all of us. As we are now at the halfway point of our school year, this is a reminder of our building entry procedure. To ensure safety, everyone entering an RCS building during the school day is required to scan their government-issued ID or visibly wear their RCS CSD staff ID. The scanning system used for visitor IDs is not only intended to identify individuals, but it verifies that individuals are not a danger to our children.

All visitors to our buildings during the school day are required to enter through the front door entrance, where their government-issued ID will be scanned into our visitor management system. Whether our front office staff knows a visitor or not, their ID will need to be scanned every time to gain entry. After scanning, the visitor will receive a sticker that must be visibly worn at all times while inside the building. Additionally, visitors must be escorted by a staff member throughout their visit. When the visit is complete, all visitors must return to the front office and sign out.

We thank you for your continued support in making our buildings safe environments for our students and staff. Please be prepared to provide your identification upon entry to our buildings during the school day.

Upcoming Events

College Awareness Day

RCS High School will celebrate College Awareness Day on Friday, May 2nd. Graduating Seniors will wear t-shirts and hoodies representing the next destination on their academic path! The day signifies the culmination of four years of hard work and the dawning of a new chapter in our students’ lives.

Test Drive an RCS Bus at PBC PTO Family Fun Day

On Sunday, May 4th, if you'd like to get behind the wheel of an RCS Bus, here is your chance! Visit the transportation team at the PBC PTO's Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at RCS High School. All you need is a valid driver's license with you for the test drive.

PBC PTO presents their second annual Family Fun Day at RCS High School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will be held rain or shine and is sure to be a fun-filled day! Check out the PBC PTO flyer here for more details.

3rd & 4th Grade Meet the Instruments Night in the Middle School Cafeteria

Calling all future musicians! Join us for Meet the Instrument Night on Thursday, May 8, starting at 6 p.m. The exciting and interactive event is designed especially for 3rd and 4th-grade students interested in beginning band lessons next year.

Students will have the unique opportunity to see, hear, and try out a variety of band instruments with guidance from current RCS musicians and the faculty of the RCS Music Department. This hands-on evening is the perfect way to explore the variety of band instrument options and discover which ones spark your interest for the next school year!

Come, ask questions, and take the first step toward your student's musical journey!

S.A.D.D. Mock Crash Returns to High School Before Prom

On Friday, May 16, RCS S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will organize a mock crash for RCS High School students during the school day in partnership with Albany County STOP-DWI, the Albany County Sheriff's Office, the Ravena Rescue Squad, and the Ravena Fire Department. The event is aimed at reminding students about the hazards and the real-life consequences of driving while under the influence.

Stay Connected To RCS

We would like to take a moment to share some RCS highlights from around our District. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see more RCS Highlights!

RCS Harmonics and Jazz Ensemble perform at the Plaza

Our RCS Harmonics and Jazz Ensemble performed at the Empire State Plaza on the morning of March 28, 2025, as part of the Music in Our Schools Month concert series. It was an honor to represent one of the many Capital Region schools participating in this month’s celebrations!

RCS Student Featured at Regional Juried Art Exhibition

We are excited to share that Piper W.’s photograph was been selected for the 26th Annual High School Regional Juried Art Exhibition! This year, 25 school districts submitted an impressive 526 pieces of art, and after a thorough selection process by jurors Robert Cooper (photographer and journalist), Thomasa Dwyer Nielsen (artist and educator), and Tony Iadicicco (Executive Director of the Albany Center Gallery), 138 standout works were chosen—including Piper's!

🍁Maple Season Comes To A Sweet End

Students at both A.W. Becker and Pieter B. Elementary had the chance to celebrate their hard work by sampling their maple syrup production the first week of April. A huge thank you to the RCS Food Service team for providing the tasty waffles and the kitchen space used to help boil down this year's sap! 🧇 View all the photos here.

RCS Hosts First Science Olympiad and Robotics Award Night

On Thursday, April 3, RCS hosted its first-ever Science Olympiad and Robotics Award Night! The evening was dedicated to celebrating the achievements of our talented students in STEM. From LEGO robotics to advanced engineering challenges, the event honored both team and individual accomplishments from a year full of learning, innovation, and collaboration. Read more about it here.

Staff Development Day

RCS staff spent the afternoon of April 3rd focused on professional development, engaging in sessions on restorative practices at the elementary and secondary levels, certification pathways, and curriculum planning. In addition to learning and collaboration, staff enjoyed a fun fitness session with RCS retiree Terry Crawford!

RCS HS Student of the Month

We would like to take a moment to congratulate the high school students who exhibited outstanding performances during the month of March! A special shoutout to Ms. McLoughlin for being named High School Staff Member of the Month! Way to go, everyone!

RCS Actor Gets Nominated

Bravo to Olivia S. for being nominated in the category for Outstanding Supporting Performer in this year’s High School Musical Theatre Awards at Proctors! Olivia was nominated for her performance as Kevin G. in this year’s RCS High School Drama Club Production of Mean Girls, the high school version! Olivia and the members of the cast and crew of Mean Girls will head to the MainStage at Proctors on May 10th for the awards!

AWB Wow At Art Show and Science Fair

Thursday, April 11th, was the spectacular A.W. Becker Elementary School Art Show and Science Fair! Our talented and creative students' beautiful artwork and scientific experiments lined the hallways for families and the community to see. Thank you to all the students, staff, families, and community members who supported this wonderful event!

RCS High School Inducts New Members into National Honor Society

RCS High School inducted 21 students into the National Honor Society (NHS) on Thursday, April 10, during a ceremony held in the high school auditorium. The new inductees, comprised of both sophomores and juniors, were presented with membership cards and honored for exemplifying the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Read more about it here.

Green and Gold Pride

RCS High School concluded the day before break with a Spring Pep Rally, celebrating our incredible Winter and Spring sports teams! Students and staff showed their school spirit by wearing their green and gold, joining in fun games, and cheering on our RCS athletes. See all the photos from the pep rally here.

Bus Driver Appreciation Day

On Tuesday, April 22, we celebrate our incredible bus drivers and transportation staff. Rain or shine, early mornings and late nights, our RCS Transportation Staff work tirelessly to keep our students safe and get them where they need to go!

Bus drivers do so much more than drive - they connect people. They are some of the first hellos in the morning, the ones who celebrate with congratulatory high-fives after an away game day win, and they provide a listening ear on those hard days. Thank you for all that you do!

Earth Day

Tuesday, April 22, was Earth Day! RCS Teachers and students are encouraged to continue their efforts to reduce the amount of material taken to landfills by recycling. PBC 5th grader Adleigh A. created a reminder to recycle during Ms. Chriss’s art class.

PBC P.E. Class Try Track and Field

The week of April 22, fourth and fifth grade Pieter B. Coeymans' physical education classes took a field trip to the RCS High School track to learn more about the sport of Track and Field. Students got to try the long jump, high jump, and participated in some relay events.

RCS Students Head to State Competition

Good luck to our incredible RCS students heading to the SkillsUSA State Competition in Syracuse on Wednesday, April 23! These talented students will represent Capital Region BOCES in a statewide challenge this week showcasing their skills in the trades and workplace excellence.

👨‍🍳 Hayden H. – Culinary Arts
🔥 Justin C. & Austin S. – Welding Sculpture and Welding Fabrication
🧮 Hunter G. – Related Technical Math
🎨 Rachel S. – Digital Media Design (Banner)
🚗 AJ W. – Auto Vehicle Maintenance Basics

We’re so proud of each of you and cheering you on from home—go RCS!

PBC Students Show Off Art Work

On Thursday, April 24th, Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School hosted an Art Show and Community Night. Our talented and creative students' beautiful artwork lined the hallways for families and the community to see! Our staff and Parent Teacher Organization held special events for the whole family to enjoy. Thank you to all the students, staff, families, and community members who supported this wonderful event!

Brian Bailey, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
https://www.rcscsd.org/

Letter To Families and Staff