Upcoming Budget Vote - Traffic Pattern

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, residents of the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District will vote on a proposed $56,959,448 budget for the 2025–26 school year. Check out the digital Budget Newsletter by clicking here.

To ensure a safe and efficient experience for all, voters are asked to enter the campus via the Route 101 entrance (see map). This is the most direct and accessible route to the voting location in the RCS High School Main Gym.

Important Traffic Pattern Information:

Voters will not be able to access voting from the 9W campus entrance during school drop-off (7:00–7:45 a.m.) and dismissal (1:45–3:00 p.m.).
During these times: 7:00–7:45 a.m. and 1:45–3:00 p.m., all voter traffic must use the Route 101 entrance only.

If you are both voting and dropping off or picking up a student:

Please use the back entrance from Route 101.
Drop off your student in the staff parking lot located across from the access road leading to Route 101.
Follow the posted signs to the voting location, which is in the main gym, closest to the bus garage.

You can click here to view a printable version of the map.

Visit our Budget Development Page for more information about the vote and Board of Education Candidates.

2025-26 Instructional Calendar

The Board of Education approved the Instructional Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year at the April 9, 2025, Board of Education meeting. This calendar shows the first day of school, parent-teacher conference dates, and observed holidays and recess days for the 2025-2026 school year.

Our printed school wall calendars with events like concerts and open houses will be mailed to district households before the start of the school year.

Find the RCS 2025-26 Instructional Calendar here and on our website here.

Your Direct Link to RCS: Stay Informed. Stay Involved. Get ParentSquare

As we wrap up the school year, families who have not registered their email in ParentSquare will receive invitations to join the platform. Those who do not register for ParentSquare will still receive text, email, and phone notifications about school delays and closures as they would prior to the launch of ParentSquare. Class Dojo at our elementary level will be retired as a tool for building communication in July 2025.

Why ParentSquare?

ParentSquare brings all school-to-home communication into one easy-to-use platform, making it simpler than ever to stay connected and informed. Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, ParentSquare will be the primary form of communication to all families across our district.

Get Started Today!

We’ve created a dedicated section on our website to help families get familiar with ParentSquare, including tips, how-tos, and more. Check it out here.

Action Needed: Review Your Contact Information in SchoolTool

To ensure you receive timely messages like teacher assignments, report cards, and communication, please take a few minutes to:

Log in to SchoolTool
Verify your listed phone numbers, emails, and mailing address are still accurate.
Guardian contact information in SchoolTool is what the District uses for ParentSquare and alerts to communicate with you about your student throughout the school year.
Step-by-step guide to updating your contact information.

Important Notes About Contact Information In SchoolTool:

If only a landline is listed, you won’t receive text messages.
If you're using a work email, we recommend switching to a personal email address to avoid delivery issues caused by business firewalls.
If you’ve recently moved, please complete the address change form on our website or contact Diane Palazzo, District Registrar, at 518-756-5200 x6008.

Let’s stay connected! Sign up, download the app for ParentSquare, and be ready for the 2025–26 school year with a tool designed to bring our school community even closer!

The Class of 2025

The countdown to the Class of 2025 commencement has officially begun! The RCS High School has mailed letters to graduating seniors with details regarding graduation, which will take place on Friday, June 27, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Information about graduation and other end-of-year events for our seniors may be found on our dedicated webpage for the Class of 2025. Check it out here.

Looking Towards Summer

UAlbany Offering Pre-Collegiate Summer Camp Program

The University at Albany is sponsoring more than 20 engaging camps in areas such as STEM, Art, Writing, History, and eSports. These Pre-Collegiate Summer Camps, which begin in July, will offer an exciting opportunity for students ages 13–18 to explore academic interests, develop new skills, connect with peers, and have fun in a supportive university environment. We are sharing this information with our families and educators in our district, as these programs are a fantastic way for students to prepare for future academic success while engaging in hands-on learning experiences. Learn more about the camps here.

Summer Fun and Summer Food!

Kids and teens ages 18 and under can get free, nutritious summer meals at nearby places like parks, community centers, and libraries. Meals include healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein.

In late June, families can use the following tools to find sites nearby:

Use the map on SummerMealsNY.org
Call 211 or 1-866-3-HUNGRY

Summer meals are meant to work hand-in-hand with Summer EBT, a program that provides food benefits for each eligible child during the summer months. Families can use Summer EBT benefits to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retailers that accept EBT.

Key things to know about Summer EBT:

Families will receive a one-time payment covering the whole summer, not a recurring monthly payment.
Most eligible children will receive Summer EBT benefits automatically, but some will need to apply. This webpage explains who will automatically receive benefits and who will need to apply.
Benefits should be used quickly, as they will be removed from the benefit card 122 days after they are loaded onto your card.
Immigration status does not affect eligibility.

Together, summer meals and Summer EBT help ensure kids have access to nutritious food while school is out. Visit SummerMealsNY.org to find summer meals near you and to learn more about Summer EBT.

Upcoming Events

High School and Middle School Art Shows

Come celebrate the incredible talent of our students at the RCS High School and Middle School Art Shows, Tuesday, May 20th, from 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Enjoy a walk-through of student artwork at both schools and experience the creativity of our young artists firsthand. Be sure to visit the Middle School Library for their Science Show. An exciting highlight of the evening!

Whether you're coming to vote for the budget or simply enjoy the arts, it’s a great chance to support our students and their amazing work. We hope to see you there!

Contingent Day and the Memorial Day Recess

No School: Thursday, May 22 – Monday, May 26, 2025. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Wednesday, May 21, will follow the Friday dismissal schedule as it precedes the holiday recess.

Elementary will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.
There will be no 10th period or 5:00 p.m. bus for the Middle and High School.

FIRST Robotics Night

The RCS FIRST Tech Challenge team is hosting its annual FIRST Robotics Night on Tuesday, May 27, starting at 6:30 p.m. at RCS High School. The event will showcase robots from around the Capital District and will have representatives from several local colleges and universities highlighting STEM opportunities. Students will have the chance to drive robots, participate in STEM activities, and end the evening with ice cream sundaes from Stewarts.

Families can get information about robotics programs available for students at the Innovation Station. The High School FIRST Robotics team is collecting cans/boxed goods for a food drive for the local food pantry and will have raffles available to benefit a scholarship fund.

Any questions regarding the event can be directed to ravenainnovationstation@gmail.com

Advocating for Children Together A.C.T. Meeting

What is A.C.T.? A.C.T. is a Special Education Support Group led by parents and caregivers.

First Meeting: Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the RCS High School Library

Meeting Topics Include: Our meetings will focus on positive, solution-oriented activities like presentations, open discussions, understanding IEPs, parent rights education, supporting children’s needs, helping with paperwork, hearing from guest speakers, and learning from each other.

For more information, check out the group flyer here.

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!

💃🕺Pieter B. Puts On A Performance

The students in dance intramurals at Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary wrapped up their season with their final performances Friday, April 25! With enthusiasm, rhythm, and lots of smiles, these young dancers showed off everything they’ve learned. Way to go, dancers!

🎓 College Awareness Day

Friday, May 2, was College Awareness Day at RCS High School! Graduating seniors proudly wore t-shirts and hoodies representing the next stop on their academic journey. This day marks the culmination of four years of hard work and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Oh, the places you’ll go!

Bravo to the RCS Middle School Drama Club!

The first weekend in May, the stage at RCS High School was transformed into a fairytale world as our middle school performers brought Shrek the Musical Jr. to life! With big laughs, memorable songs, and standout performances, the cast and crew delivered a show that was both heartwarming and hilarious. See more photos here.

🍎Teacher Appreciation Week

We celebrated our amazing educators for Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5th through the 9th! RCS teachers are dedicated, compassionate, and committed to helping every student grow and succeed. Whether it's in the classroom, on the stage, or on the field, they go above and beyond each day to make a lasting impact!

Thank you, RCS teachers, for your passion, patience, and unwavering support for our students!

Meet the Instruments Night

This year, the RCS Music Department was thrilled to expand its annual Meet the Instruments Night, welcoming both third and fourth-grade students and their families! This special event gave students a hands-on opportunity to explore a variety of instruments, get inspired, and start thinking about joining our growing RCS music program. Read more about it here.

Professional Cornhole Player Plays at RCS

This week, RCS High School student and professional cornhole player Cameron D’Ambrosio brought his skills and enthusiasm for the game to his peers during P.E. class.

Cameron, who was featured on ESPN+ and won the 2024 National Junior Title, spent the class period introducing the sport and playing alongside the class. It was a great way to share talent, inspire others, and bring something new to physical education!

RCS Middle School Inducts New Members Of NJHS

Congratulations to our newest NJHS inductees at RCS Middle School! On Tuesday, May 13, 35 seventh and eighth- graders were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, recognized for their excellence in Scholarship, Character, Citizenship, Leadership, and Service. We’re so proud of these outstanding students! Read more about the ceremony here: https://www.rcscsd.org/article/2214491

AWB Goes Camping For Annual STEAM Day

On Friday, May 16, A.W. Becker Elementary held its annual STEAM Day, filled with hands-on learning and outdoor-inspired challenges, all with a fun camping theme!

Students tackled activities like the Fishing for Food Challenge, Build Your Own River Raft, Aluminum Foil Boats, and a sweet science experiment called Berry for S’more.

Special guests from RCS Middle School helped run the stations, and the Ravena Innovation Station, along with the FIRST Robotics Team, wowed students with live robot demos.

It was a day full of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration!

RCS Named Best Communities for Music Education!

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

Letter To Families and Staff