North Colonie Central School District is grateful to be the recipient of two significant grants from the Albany County Legislature. Both were awarded to representatives from the district at a grants award ceremony on Friday, January 31 in the atrium of MVP Arena.
Supervisor of Health and Physical Education Dave Stadtlander and Elementary Health Education Teacher Jennifer Moran were on hand to accept a check for $15,841, which will support tobacco and substance use prevention education in our schools. More specifically, this grant will support the implementation of the Healthy Choices: BE SMART, DON’T START Program for students in grades 1, 3, and 5. The goal of the program is to prevent tobacco, alcohol and substance use among our students by providing age-appropriate education and promoting healthy decision-making skills. The funding will procure education materials, professional development opportunities for our educators, and an advocacy program for students among other things.
Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Skeals accepted the second grant check for $11,000, which will support anti-bullying and youth violence prevention programming. With this funding, the district is looking to purchase a curriculum for our K-8 students that will foster a sense of community and belonging and aims to reduce harmful behaviors.
The Albany County Legislature presented more than $725,000 of grant funding to 30 county non-profits, school districts and other organizations. North Colonie Central School District is represented by Todd Drake, David Mayo, Jennifer Whelan, Susan Quine-Laurilliard and Paul Burgdorf.
