GASD policy on the use of district facilities

Greater Amsterdam School District buildings and grounds may be used for a variety of public purposes when school is not in session. However, per state law, the district has adopted regulations governing the use of the buildings and grounds. To view the policy, click here.

AHS 2008-09 graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, June 27

Amsterdam High School's 2008-09 graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, June 27 at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium. To download a copy of the graduation guide, which includes information about rehearsals, attire, distribution of cap and gown, and more, click here.

Operation Smile students to train in Virginia this summer

Amsterdam High School's student association of Operation Smile recently held their annual walk-a-thon to raise money to fund operations for children born with cleft palates. Operation Smile is an international organization where doctors and nurses donate their time to perform surgeries for underprivileged children born with facial deformities. The students raised enough money for two operations, which cost about $240 each. Read more.

Case of swine flu identified at McNulty

Late in the afternoon on June 18, 2009 the Greater Amsterdam School District was notified that there was a confirmed case of H1N1 (swine flu) in McNulty Academy. The Montgomery County Health Department was notified. Letters were sent home on Friday, June 19, 2009. State and local health departments have advised us that students can continue to come to school, as long as they are not sick and do not think they have flu symptoms. (more information)

Voters defeat budget proposal again

Residents of the Greater Amsterdam School District once again defeated the district's 2009-10 budget proposal.

Voters cast 1,084 ballots in favor of the proposal, but 1,188 ballots against.

The $55.4 million budget proposal would have increased spending by 4.54 percent over the current budget. However the district's tax levy would have increased 11.37 percent, or $1,949,582, because state aid essentially remained flat, while the district's costs are expected to increase substantially.

The school district must now adopt a contingency budget, which means the Board of Education must cut about $200,000 from the budget proposal.

Superintendent Thomas F. Perillo said board members will consider their options at a meeting on Wednesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. in the Central Office Building.

Dr. Nellie Bush to retire after five decades as an educator

When Nellie Bush graduated from Lynch High School in 1960, she couldn’t decide if she wanted to become a teacher or a nurse, so her mother made the decision for her.

“She said, ‘You’re going to be a teacher,’” Bush said with a laugh recently as she reflected on her career, which spanned 44 years, 37 of which were spent in the Greater Amsterdam School District as a teacher, principal or administrator. She plans to retire at the end of this school year.

9th Grade Academy students raise money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Students in Amsterdam High School’s 9th Grade Academy raised more than $2,500 during their walk-a-Thon for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in May.

The students enjoyed 70 degree weather, sunny blue skies during the event, which took place at the high school on Friday, May 15.

The students and teachers of the 9th Grade Academy chose to raise money to support research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy because one of their classmates lives with the illness. The money raised during the walk-a-thon will be donated to The Parent Project, which funds Duchenne research. Read more.

AHS wrestling coach named NYS Wrestling Coach of the Year

The National Wrestling Coaches Association has named Amsterdam High School’s Ken Benton the 2009 New York State Head Coach of the Year.

Benton earned his 200 win as a head coach this past winter, while his team finished the 2008-09 season with 29 wins (and just 3 losses) to set a Section 2 record for most wins in a season. The team also finished the season ranked 19th in the state in the final NYS Sportswriters' Poll. Read more.

Regents examination schedule now available for Amsterdam High School students

View or download a copy of the June 2009 New York State Regents examination schedule.

Free meals for kids this summer offered by the Regional Food Bank of NENY

The Regional Food Bank of NENY will offer free meals for kids this summer at Veterans Park on Roosevelt Road in Amsterdam. There are no income eligibility requirements and no need to sign up ahead of time.

The meals will be offered Monday-Friday, July 6 through August 14. Breakfast is 8:45-9:45 a.m. Lunch is noon to 1 p.m.

The program is sponsored in partnership with Hispanic Outreach Services. For more information, call the Regional Food Bank at 786-3691. View the flier.

Scholarship money raised for students in foreign language classes

More than $1,000 was raised recently at Amsterdam High School to fund college scholarships for graduating seniors in Latin and Spanish language classes. The foreign language department held its Latin Quarter Feast on Thursday, May 7 at the high school. Students in Spanish 3 and Latin 3 classes made unique international dishes for the faculty and students to sample. Read more.

AHS students excel in Stock Market Game

Four Amsterdam High School teams placed in the top ten out of 410 Capital Region teams in the 2009 Stock Market Game, a national program sponsored by the Foundation for Investor Education.

The game provides students with the opportunity to learn about financial markets and strategies for saving and investing money. The experience might spur some students to consider a career in finance, but is also designed to emphasize the importance of investing for the future. Read more.

Marching Rams win numerous awards at Va. Apple Blossom Festival

Amsterdam High School’s Marching Rams won four first-place awards at the 82nd Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Va.

The marching band traveled to Virginia May 1-3 to compete in the festival’s two parades: the Firefighters Parade and the Grand Features Parade. Twelve marching bands competed, and in both parades the Rams received the first-place award for their division and the overall first-place award. Read more.

AHS valedictorian, salutatorian honored at Scholars' Recognition event

Two Amsterdam High School students were recognized for outstanding scholastic achievement at the 23rd annual Scholars’ Recognition Program dinner recently.

Michael Natole is Amsterdam High's class of 2009 valedictorian, and Alycia Roux is the class salutatorian. The two were among a group of students honored at the event in April. Natole and Roux each named a teacher who had a significant influence on their education. Read more.

Information about H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)

As state and local agencies release information about H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) cases, updates will be posted to the Amsterdam Web site. The best information we have at this time is that there is no immediate risk to our community and there is no cause for alarm. For more information, including a letter mailed home to parents, click here.

GASD tightens regulations regarding student participation in extracurricular activities

The Greater Amsterdam School District has tightened its regulations regarding student participation in extracurricular activities, such as sports, dances, class trips, etc. Read more.

Barkley student gives, instead of receiving, on her birthday

Instead of asking for toys on her birthday, 7-year-old Amelia Barkevich asked her friends to donate pet food to the Montgomery County SPCA.

Read the story published in The Recorder. 

Barkley announces third quarter honor roll

Each quarter, students in grades three to five are formally recognized for their outstanding performance in the following academic areas: math, science, social studies, spelling and reading and language arts. Read more.

AHS yearbook club sponsoring bus trip to NYC

The Amsterdam High School Yearbook is planning a bus trip to New York City on Saturday, June 20. Tickets cost $45 per person, and there is a family discount for four or more family members. The bus will depart the high school parking lot at
7 a.m. and arrive at Bryant Park at about 10:30 a.m. The bus will depart Bryant Park at 7 p.m. The day is free for whatever you wish to do. For more information contact Amy Liverio at aliverio@gasd.org.

Marie Curie Institute announces third quarter Honor Roll

Seventy-eight students from the Marie Curie Institute of Engineering and Communications were named to the Honor Roll for the third quarter. To view a list, click here.

AHS MasterMinds team wins Albany 3 division

Amsterdam High School's varsity MasterMinds team easily won its division this year, going 10-2 in the regular season and 9-1 in the playoffs. The junior varsity team also had a strong year, finishing second in its division.

MasterMinds is a statewide academic competition that quizzes high school students about a variety of subjects, including art, biology, chemistry, current events, geography, history, literature, music, political science, pop culture, religion and sports. Read more.

Tecler students paint school's first mural

Tecler Arts in Education Magnet School's first mural includes the school logo and silhouettes of teachers and students engaged in various forms of art.