ASH's Operation Smile tries to change the world one smile at a time

Four Amsterdam High School Students traveled to Ireland and other parts of the world to help raise money for children with facial deformities.

The students are members of Operation Smile, a new organization at the high school. During the 2006-07 school year, the organization raised enough money to pay for several surgeries for children in need. The students volunteered barrel drives at Wal-Mart, helped the Irish American Club with St. Patrick's Day, wrapped Christmas gifts for Big Brother- Big Sister organization and chaperoned their Christmas party as well just to name a few. Read more.

AHS hosting volleyball tryouts

Amsterdam High School will hold tryouts for the JV and varsity volleyball teams on Monday August 20th from 9-12 at the high school. All players must have a sports physical before they will be allowed to participate. For more information, contact Coach Sherlock at csherlock@gasd.org.

Ninth Grade Academy: new initiative at Amsterdam High School provides ninth graders with opportunity to succeed

Students entering ninth grade this fall will experience a new and exciting freshman year. Through the Contract for Excellence with New York State Education Department, which provides resources to the Greater Amsterdam School District, Amsterdam High School will be opening the Freshman Academy, a program designed to help students continue the success they achieved in their middle school years.

What is the Freshman Academy?

Teachers, administrators and staff have worked diligently this summer. Several weeks of training and planning have taken place so that incoming freshman will have the chance to learn to their greatest potential in the new Freshman Academy.

The Academy implements the method of team teaching found at Lynch Literacy Academy. The team approach for instruction and grouping that was used at Lynch Literacy Academy proved to be successful, and so the Freshman Academy will continue this concept with a core team of academic teachers working directly with approximately 80-90 students at the high school. This will create a small learning environment to enable the team to personalize instruction and provide support for its students. Furthermore, the team of teachers will be meeting regularly during common planning time to closely monitor student progress and performance.

What students will be included in the academy?

The Academy will include students from a cross-section of the ninth grade class, and parents will be notified by letter shortly to let them know if their child has been assigned as a member to the Freshman Academy. Students who are assigned to the Academy will follow a regular ninth grade schedule and will have the same courses, subjects and assessments as all other ninth grade students; the only major difference is that the Academy students will be taught by a core team of academic teachers.

The Freshman Academy is looking forward to a successful year. The district invites parental participation and input. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact AHS principal, Gavin Murdoch, at (518) 843-4932, or District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, K-12, Dr. Nellie Bush, at (518) 843-5218.

On the radio

Do standardized tests assure a quality education for all students? That was the question that the members of the Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics class recently addressed for all to hear.

 On June 28, 2007, Stuart Palczak's Government class hit the radio waves on WAMC's "The Speaker's Corner" and discussed issues concerning NYS Regents exams and standardized tests required by the federal education law No Child Left Behind. Palczak and Ted Smith, Director of Management Information Systems for QUESTAR III, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties, joined in the discussion, as well. WAMC’s Maryanne Malecki hosted the program.

2007-08 Course Guide now online

The 2007-08 Amsterdam High School Course Selection Guide is now online. Click here to open a copy of the 44-page guide. The guide is available as a PDF (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file. Acrobat Reader is a free download.)

AHS MasterMinds finish out great season

The AHS MasterMinds team saw its season come to an end in a closely fought battle with last year's regional champion Bethlehem. The final tally found AHS on the losing end of a 240-235 score. Bethlehem went on to win the regional title. The AHS team of Captain Alex Steele, Dan Roginsky, Richard Lyford, Dominick Dickerson, Joe Kaczmarek, and Rob Sobkowich represented our school and community with pride, teamwork and maturity. Read more about the program.

AHS earns area tops in Math League contests

In just its fourth year of competition, the AHS Math League team earned first place in Fulton and Montgomery counties. Throughout the year, anywhere from 17 to 27 students participated in each of the six contests administered between October and April by Math League advisor Mrs. Pynadath. (more)

JROTC  perform

The JROTC recently came out to perform at an AHS Lacrosse game. Pictured above (left) are JROTC members Andrew Burak, Nick Burak, Matt Nantista and Jacob Ellothorp. Pictured on the left are the AHS lacrosse seniors.

Rinehimer Scholarship Recipient Chosen

The G. Jason Rinehimer Scholarship Fund will award its first annual $1000 scholarship to Amsterdam High School senior Michael Carbone. The scholarship is in honor of G. Jason Rinehimer, an ’87 AHS graduate who passed away suddenly in November 2005.

Carbone submitted an essay entitled “The Meaning of Love” that was chosen by Rinehimer’s daughter, Alexandra, for the award.

The award ceremony will be held 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, at AHS. Rinehimer’s daughter will present Carbone with his award and speak about her father. To read more about Jason Rinehimer and the scholarship, click here.

District rededicates Bert DeRose Theater

After a $3.5 million renovation, the Bert DeRose Theater was officially rededicated in ribbon cutting ceremonies on Sunday, May 6. Assemblymen Paul Tonko and James Tedisco and various school and area dignitaries were on hand to celebrate the reopening and to honor former teacher and drama advisor Bert DeRose.

The now handicapped-accessible theater has been carefully engineered to provide the optimum audience experience for any event—lecture, drama, music, or multimedia presentation. Gone are the poor acoustics, inadequate lighting and sound systems, dilapidated seating, and insufficient heating and cooling equipment. The water problems that had once filled the orchestra pit with as much as seven inches of standing water are also a thing of the past.

The ceremonies began with a chorus of "There's No Business Like Show Business" from Annie Get Your Gun performed by members of the AHS Drama Club. Assemblyman Tonko presented DeRose a plaque and spoke of DeRose's influence in his life. Assemblyman Tedisco, DeRose's cousin, spoke highly of the renovated theater in the midst of a some good-natured kidding with DeRose. DeRose finished with his rendition of "Thank You Very Much" from the musical "Scrooge." The day was capped off with the AHS Drama Club performance of their spring musical “High Society.”

AHS Junior demonstrates what it "right" with today's teens

Too often, people complain that today's youth lack caring and vision; teens are too concerned with themselves and their technology to contribute anything to society.

Meet Michela Catena, an example of what is right with this generation. Learn more.

AP Government Class Records Live WAMC Radio Show

On Wednesday, March 28, the students in Mr. Stuart Palczak's AHS AP Government class taped a "Student Town Meeting" at the WAMC radio studio in Albany.

WAMC Public Radio’s "Youth Media Project: Student Town Meetings" gives urban and rural district high school students the opportunity to discuss and record a live one-hour radio program based on an issue important to them. The issue Mr. Palczak's class discussed was: "Does standardized testing provide a quality education for all students?" For more information on the meeting see www.wamcstudenttownmeetings.org. After the taping, the class also toured the State Capitol and met Assemblyman Paul Tonko (pictured above).

The 21st century workplace
What AHS parents and students should know

The effort AHS teens put into mastering their lessons and building skills during the high school years will give them a competitive edge down the road. With more and more young adults from around the world competing for college acceptance and plum jobs (vocational as well as professional), those who demonstrate a wide-range of marketable skills are likely to experience the most post-graduation career success. (full story)

Joint effort reaches out to at-risk students
Liberty Partnership Program works to improve academic achievements

The cry across America is to raise academic performance—not just for some, but for everyone. Helping every student achieve success can be especially difficult when some of those kids struggle with poverty, troubles at home or language. Sharing the school district’s goal of reaching every student is the Liberty Partnership Program. (full story)

Rinehimer Scholarship to be awarded

Beginning May 2007, the G. Jason Rinehimer Scholarship Fund will present a yearly $1000 scholarship to an Amsterdam High School graduating student in honor of G. Jason Rinehimer, AHS '87. Jason's daughter Alexandra will personally present the award to this year's recipient. Jason passed away suddenly in November 2005. (full story)

Sing, play, march—music department news

Amsterdam's chorus and band members have been busy. Catch up with their activities and upcoming events.

New program opens doors for Amsterdam High School students

The choices students make in high school often narrow their options after graduation. For students who take the “right classes” and study hard, they may head off to college or work. But for those who choose a vocational path or perhaps do not apply themselves to their schoolwork, the option of college may be lost. (full story)

Important school info for parents and students

Who do you contact with questions? (full story)