BMHS Jazz Café & Chili Cook-Off November 18, 6 pm
The Berlin Middle & High School Jazz Bands invite you to the Fall 2025 Jazz Café & Chili Cook-Off on November 18th at 6pm in the Berlin Middle High School Cafeteria. The music department invites you to bring a crockpot of your favorite chili recipe for a fun chili competition to benefit the BMHS Music Department. $2 for a tasting cup and $5 for a tasting bowl. Enjoy the chili, a chance to win a raffle basket, and listen to the awesome BMHS Mountaineer Jazz Musicians. Questions or to enter the chili cook-off, please email jgould@berlincentral.org.
BMHS Holiday Fest 12/6!
The Berlin Middle High School’s Music Department is holding its third Annual Holiday Fest , December 6th, 10 AM – 3 PM at the Berlin Middle High School. Find more details here.
BES’ November Mountaineer News Is Available!
Please find Berlin Elementary Principal Mrs. Jodi Cataldo’s BES Mountaineer Newsletter for the first half of November with important information and dates here.
Superintendent’s Corner Episode 3: Attendance Matters
Mr. Rizzo discusses the importance of attendance in his November 2025 Superintendent’s Corner. Learn how good attendance habits lead to success in school and beyond! Find out how BES Principal Cataldo celebrates attendance and see the new Attendance Matters banner created by BMHS Principal Bernsley in Mr. Rizzo’s November 2025 Superintendent’s Corner.
Berlin Senior Cameron VanDyk – All-Star Team Honorable Mention
Congratulations to Berlin Senior Cameron VanDyk, who has received a 2025 Wasaren League Boys Soccer All-Star Team Honorable Mention! Read on here.
BCSD Calendar Reminders For November
Friday, November 7th: State-Mandated Silent Emergency Early Release Drill BES & BMHS No After School Activities BMHS Dismissal - 1:52 pm BES Dismissal - 3:00 pm November 10th: No School for Students- Superintendent Conference Day November 11th: No School in...
UPDATED DATE BCSD 11/17 PTO HYBRID MEETING
Hybrid BCSD PTO Meeting, Monday, November 17, 2025 6:30 pm. Berlin Elementary Library or Virtually meet.google.com/eme-jthd-zrx This month’s PTO meeting will feature a Title Funds presentation by BCSD building principals Mrs. Cataldo (BES) and Mr. Bernsley (BMHS), and BCSD Technology and Instructional Support Coordinator Mrs. Gilbert. Title funds refer to federal grants for elementary and secondary levels. The funding originated in 1965 in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide equal access to education funding to states and local school districts. The most common are Title I, which supports high-poverty schools, and Title II A, which funds professional development for teachers and leaders. We hope you will join us.
Berlin CSD & Hudson Taconic Lands Partner for First Learning Landscape in Rensselaer County
The Berlin Forest is a rich learning environment for the arts, sciences, and physical education, and could provide an exciting, hands-on extension to Berlin CSD’s existing campuses. Read on here.
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort Hiring Clinic, 11/8
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort will host a hiring clinic on Saturday, November 8 from 12pm-4pm at Christiansen’s Tavern. More details here.
NHS & NJHS Induction Ceremony TODAY 11/5
Attention BHS families, this year’s NHS & NJHS Induction Ceremony will take place this Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in the Berlin Middle High School auditorium from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm. If you did not receive the email from Ms. Day please reach out to her directly for more information. Thank you.
Berlin Middle High School Picture Retake Day 11/6
Berlin Middle High School Picture Retake Day, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6th from 7:30-12 (noon). Questions? Please email Mrs. Hammersmith ehammersmith@berlincentral.org
Opioid Crisis Workshop 11/19/25
The Berlin Central School District in collaboration with the Rensselaer County Department of Health will be presenting an Opioid Crisis Workshop on 11/19/25. Please find more information here.
BES Announces Annual K-5 Yearbook Cover Contest
Calling all BES students! The annual yearbook cover contest is underway. Please find details on the flyer that was sent home with BES Mountaineers last week here. If you have questions, please email Mr. Turetsky at mturetsky@berlincentral.org.
BNL Athletics Hosting a Community Food Drive
Food insecurity affects a significant portion of our community, but collective efforts can bring about a profound impact. BNL Athletics feel a BNL Community food drive is a way to support our districts’ food pantries, raise awareness about food insecurity while bringing the BNL community together through a unified action. Find out more here.
BNL Winter Sports Registration is Open Until November 24, 2025
BNL Mountain Lions Winter Sports 2025/2026 Registration is Open October 20, 2025 – November 24, 2025. Find more details here.
Berlin Middle High School Veterans Day Breakfast & Assembly November 7, 2025
Calling All Veterans! Please join us on November 7, 2025, when Berlin Middle High School will host its annual assembly to honor local veterans. Questions? Please reach out to Mr. Robert Gould at rgould@berlincentral.org. More details here.
BOE Meeting Notices
Upcoming BOE Meetings:
Round Table Meeting, Thursday, November 13, 2025 5:30 pm, Berlin Middle High School Auditorium.
Board of Education Regular Meeting, Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:15 pm, Berlin Middle High School Auditorium
National School Psychology Week
This week, November 3-7, is National School Psychology Week. Thank you to Berlin CSD School Psychologist Ms. Teplitsky (Berlin Elementary School) and Ms. Magann (Berlin Middle High School) for helping to support our students, families, and school community! Learn more here.
Berlin High School’s Artist of the Month for October 2025
Congratulations to October’s Artist of the Month, senior, Norah Smerdon! Read on here.
Berlin CSD Winter Weather Communication 2025-2026
Please find a communication regarding Berlin CSD’s winter weather plans for the 2025 – 2026 school year here. If you did not receive the email regarding winter weather, which was sent home to all families on November 3, 2025, please update your information with your school building’s main office.
Practicing Gratitude
Not only is gratitude helpful when maintaining friendships and relationships, but there are scientifically proven benefits as well as seen in the image here. Please find the full message from BMHS Counselor Mr. Shaw here.
BES Ambassador Gobble-Grams Available!
If you would like to surprise a special friend with a Gobble Gram, complete the form, color the picture, and return it with $1.00 by Friday, November 14th. All money raised by the Gobble-Grams will be used to support the BES Ambassador program. More details and forms to print here.
Halloween Fun at BES
We had Halloween fun at Berlin Elementary School on Friday! Find out more and see photo highlights here.
2025/26 Food Service November Menus
Please find important information regarding the 2025/26 Food Service program and the November menus here.
It’s a Good Day in Pre-K Newsletter – October 2025
Attention Pre-K Mountaineer Families! Please find October’s newsletter from Mr. Michael Burns, Early Learning Principal, Questar III BOCES here.
Third Grade Mountaineers Enjoy Thematic Math Lesson With Pumpkins
Last week, Mr. Bourquard’s third-grade Mountaineers enjoyed a thematic math lesson involving pumpkins. Mr. Bourquard invited Ms. Heidi Bromley, Senior Mathematics Specialist at Questar III BOCES, to help with the lesson. Read on here.
BNL Athletics Fall Sports Awards 11/12
BNL Athletics Fall Sports Awards, November 12, 2025, 5:00 PM, Berlin Middle High School. The BNL Booster Club will provide refreshments.
Berlin High Mountaineers Attend Hoosick Falls Community Career & Trade Expo
Today, twenty Berlin High School students attended the Hoosick Falls Community Career & Trade Expo. The Mountaineers were able to explore 45 businesses/careers that were tabling and offering engaging experiences, such as a hands-on Mack truck simulator, at the...
BNL Cross Country Has Outstanding Showing at Wasaren League Championship – BNL Varsity Boys Take Home the Championship
The BNL Cross Country Team traveled to Queensbury on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, to compete in the Wasaren League Championships. The Varsity Boys faced competitive teams, including Mechanicville (6-0) and Tamarac/Hoosick Falls (5-1), whom they had lost to during the...
BMHS Newsletter 10/27/25
Please find a message from Berlin Middle High School Principal David Bernsley here. This message, which includes the BMHS Newsletter, was also emailed to all families on 10/27. If you did not receive this email, please update your email contact information with the BMHS main office.
NHS To Hold Wreaths Across America at the Berlin Center Cemetery 12/13
Please help us Remember, Honor, and Teach on Saturday December 13th at 12PM by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or inviting friends to help. Find more information here.
BES After School Enrichment Program for K-2 Starts October 28, 2025
BES K-2 Enrichment BES After School Enrichment Program for K-2 Starts October 28, 2025. Tuesday Dates to Follow: November 4, November 18, and November 25. Pickup by 4:30 in the front hallway. Students must be signed out. If you have any questions, please email: Kasey Hannigan at khannigan@berlincentral.org
BNL Booster Club Meeting 11/11
The BNL Booster Club’ Meeting, Tuesday, November 11th at M&M’s in New Lebanon at 5pm’s in New Lebanon at 5pm.
30 Day Comment Period for the Updated 2025-26 District Wide Safety Plan Open
The Berlin CSD District Wide Safety Plan is open for public comment until November 20, 2025. This 30-day comment period has been opened to update the 2025-26 District Wide Safety Plan by adding the Cardiac Arrest & AED Response Plan (Desha’s Law) to the appendix. Please find more information here. Please send all comments and questions to Superintendent Mr. Ken Rizzo at krizzo@berlincentral.org.
BCSD Helping Hands Notice
Attention BCSD Families: If you are a district family in need of the Helping Hands programs please complete the form found here so that we may better meet your needs. The Holiday Bear sign up deadline is quickly approaching, please complete and turn in Holiday Bear requests by 10/24/25.
BNL Girls Varsity Volleyball Senior Night and Coach Recap 10/20
The Mountain Lions defeated the Jesters of Emma Willard on senior night in a thrilling 5-set match (25-13, 23-25, 17-25, 25-8, 15-9). Read on here.
Kindergarten and 4th Grade Mountaineers Buddy Up for DEAR Time
Every other week, Kindergartners and 4th-grade Mountaineers will meet in the Library for DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time, one of BES’ school-wide literacy initiatives this year. Read on here.
BES’ Second Half of October’s Mountaineer News Is Available!
Please find Berlin Elementary Principal Mrs. Jodi Cataldo’s BES Mountaineer Newsletter for the second half of October with important information and dates here.
CAM Socktober Drive
BMHS Community Active Mountaineers (CAM) is hosting a SOCKTOBER DRIVE! Please donate socks to benefit local shelters! Find out more here.
BNL Girls Varsity Volleyball Senior Night 10/20
SAVE THE DATE! 2025 BNL Girls Volleyball Senior Night: October 20th, 5:30 pm, New Lebanon Jr/Sr High School Gymnasium. BNL Girls Varsity Volleyball vs Emma Willard.
BES Partners With Community Librarians
Berlin Elementary Principal Mrs. Jodi Cataldo’s focus on community outreach has developed an exciting new partnership with our district’s local librarians. Read more about it here.
BMHS Music Department Calendar Raffle
This year the Music Dept. is going to be hosting a Calendar Raffle for the month of December! Each day in December we will be hosting a raffle for all sorts of different prizes, including locally made gifts and gift cards useful through our community! We will be selling these raffle tickets starting at Fall Fest on Oct. 18th through the start of December at our concerts. Find out more here.
Workshop Notices from PPS Director Mr. Olsen
Please find information regarding family workshops hosted through the North Country Family and Community Engagement Center Educational Partnership here.
BES Charges Into Fire Safety!
This week is 2025 Fire Prevention Week, and this year’s fire prevention campaign is ‘Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.’ On October 10th, Berlin Elementary School’s annual Fire Safety and Prevention Day, Principal Mrs. Cataldo started the day with a successful fire drill, where students and staff evacuated the building quietly and swiftly. Read on here.
BCSD is Hiring
Berlin CSD is hiring! Come join our Mountaineer community! Please visit our employment page here for information.
BCSD Superintendent Rizzo and NY Senator Ashby Meet To Discuss Advocacy for Rural School District
Advocacy for one’s community and partnerships with local representatives are critical to the success of a public school during times of fiscal struggle and trying to meet the needs of students and the greater school community. This was the topic at hand during a sit-down conversation between Senator Jake Ashby, who represents the residents of the Berlin Central School District, Berlin CSD Superintendent Mr. Ken Rizzo, and BCSD School Business Official Ms. Colleen Mills.
BES Fall Fitness Medal Winners Announced
Congratulations to Berlin Elementary’s 2025 Fall Fitness Medal Winners. Mountaineers with the top three times in their grade levels received medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Mrs. Sausville and Mr. Sauer are proud of the effort all the Mountaineers showed this fall during the Fitness Run unit with mile, half-mile, and quarter-mile runs. Find the list of Mountaineer Fitness Medal Winners here.
BES’ October Character Education Assembly
At Berlin Elementary School, Kindergarten through 5th grade Mountaineers come together monthly for uplifting Character Education Assemblies, celebrating peers who embody the monthly character trait and inspire others to do the same! These assemblies are also the time to introduce a new trait, brought to life through skits, graphics, and guest speakers. Read on and see highlights here. Way to go Mountaineers!
BMHS: Create a Personalized Yearbook
Attention BMHS: Create a personalized yearbook with your photos and memories! Sign up and start customizing your two free custom pages with your favorite pics! More information here.
Mountaineers Pledge To Stand Together Against Bullying
Today, BMHS Student Assistance Counselor Ms. Davner and BMHS Counselor Mr. Shaw hung a Mountaineer pledge in the BMHS Cafeteria. This pledge is part of the initiative for Mountaineers to stand up together against bullying not just during Bully Prevention Month but all year round. Read on here.
October is Bully Prevention Month
Please find a notice from Ms. Shayna Davner, MSW, Student Assistance Counselor, Berlin Central School District/Rensselaer County Mental Health Prevention Services. Please keep an eye out for more notices from Ms. Davner throughout the month on different ways to stand up together against bullying throughout October.
BNL Hiring for Winter Coaching Positions
BNL is looking to hire winter coaches! More details here.
READ, SHARE, CONNECT!
As part of a literacy initiative, Berlin Elementary School Principal Cataldo is focused on getting books in the hands of BES Mountaineers and finding ways to inspire a love of reading. Mrs. Cataldo is excited to partner with Berlin High School to help carry out her vision. Find out more here.
BCSD Welcomes New Staff & Familiar Faces In New Places
Berlin CSD is excited to welcome new and familiar faces to the BCSD staff. It has been a busy first month of school, and the staff have hit the ground running. Please take a moment to welcome and learn more about these new and familiar faces: Ariel Gilbert, Katie Hooks, Jessica Rontey, Tracy Peter Hoen, Miranda Smith, Nicole Russell, Emily Beretvas, Savanna Caldwell, Allie Wolfe, and Dr. Emily W. Tergliafera. Learn more about them in their own words here.
2025 School Tax Information
The Berlin CSD 2025 School Tax Bills have been mailed. Payments received or postmarked after October 31, 2025 will be returned to sender unpaid. More tax bill information here.
Superintendent’s Corner Episode 2: Berlin CSD Receives NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness
In this installment of the Superintendent’s Corner, Mr. Rizzo announces that Berlin CSD has received the Seal of Civic Readiness from the New York State Education Department. Find out what this means for BCSD here.
2025–26 BCSD Student Ex-Officio Board Member- BHS Junior Isabella Ovitt
Berlin Central School District is proud to introduce BHS junior Isabella Ovitt as the 2025-2026 student ex-officio board member on the BCSD Board of Education. On September 17, Isabella joined a statewide hybrid webinar of student ex-officio board members from around the region. Read more about it and hear from Isabella in her own words here.
Important SpotMyBus Information
The Berlin Central School District’s Transportation Department is excited to announce the return of SpotMyBus, which has been newly updated with improved connectivity in our district! Please find important information about the updated app here.
Spirit ► Integrity ► Environment
Berlin Senior Cameron VanDyk – All-Star Team Honorable Mention
Congratulations to Berlin Senior Cameron VanDyk, who has received a 2025 Wasaren League Boys Soccer All-Star Team Honorable Mention! Read on here.
BCSD Calendar Reminders For November
Friday, November 7th: State-Mandated Silent Emergency Early Release Drill BES & BMHS No After School Activities BMHS Dismissal - 1:52 pm BES Dismissal - 3:00 pm November 10th: No School for Students- Superintendent Conference Day November 11th: No School in...
UPDATED DATE BCSD 11/17 PTO HYBRID MEETING
Hybrid BCSD PTO Meeting, Monday, November 17, 2025 6:30 pm. Berlin Elementary Library or Virtually meet.google.com/eme-jthd-zrx This month’s PTO meeting will feature a Title Funds presentation by BCSD building principals Mrs. Cataldo (BES) and Mr. Bernsley (BMHS), and BCSD Technology and Instructional Support Coordinator Mrs. Gilbert. Title funds refer to federal grants for elementary and secondary levels. The funding originated in 1965 in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide equal access to education funding to states and local school districts. The most common are Title I, which supports high-poverty schools, and Title II A, which funds professional development for teachers and leaders. We hope you will join us.
Berlin CSD & Hudson Taconic Lands Partner for First Learning Landscape in Rensselaer County
The Berlin Forest is a rich learning environment for the arts, sciences, and physical education, and could provide an exciting, hands-on extension to Berlin CSD’s existing campuses. Read on here.