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 in a conversation between Superintendent Mr. Rizzo, BHS Social Studies Teacher Mr. Erik Viner and Social Studies Teacher & Department Chair Mr. Robert Gould.
Berlin CSD Civic Seal of Readiness Contact Information:
Berlin CSD Civic Seal of Readiness Committee:
Ms. Savannah Caldwell BHS Counselor (Grades 10- 12) – scaldwell@berlincentral.org
Mr. James Taylor-Shaw BMS Counselor (Grades 6- 9) – jtaylorshaw@berlincentral.org
Mrs. Ariel Gilbert Berlin CSD Technology and Instructional Support Coordinator – agilbert@berlincentral.org
Mr. Kenneth Rizzo Berlin CSD Superintendent of Schools – krizzo@berlincentral.org
Mrs. Rachel Turetsky Berlin CSD Communications – rturetsky@berlincentral.org
New York State Education Seal of Civic Readiness Information
Seal of Civic Readiness Toolkit
Berlin CSD Civic Seal of Readiness Blog Spot
BMHS Veterans Day Breakfast & Assembly 11/9
Calling All Veterans! Please save the date for the annual Berlin Middle High School Veterans Day Breakfast & Assembly on November 9, 2026. Breakfast is at 8 am, and the Assembly is at 9 am. Join us as we honor local Veterans. Questions? Contact Mr. Robert Gould at rgould@berlincentral.org. We hope to see you there for breakfast, music, and a memorable assembly.
BES’ October Character Ed Traits: Responsible & Accountable
Berlin Elementary School’s Kindergarten through 5th-grade Mountaineers gathered at the beginning of October for the monthly Character Education Assembly, celebrating peers who embody the monthly character trait and inspiring others to do the same! This month’s character education traits at BES are responsible and accountable. Responsible means doing the things you are supposed to do, and accountable means taking responsibility for your own choices, actions, and schoolwork. Read on here.
Welcome Lydia Morgan As the 2026-27 Student Ex-Officio Board Member
Berlin Central School District is proud to introduce Berlin High School Junior Lydia Morgan as the 2026-2027 Student Ex-Officio Board Member on the BCSD Board of Education. On September 30, Lydia, and BCSD Superintendent of Schools Mr. Rizzo joined a statewide hybrid webinar of Student Ex Officio Board Members from around the region. Read on here.
Assemblyman Scott Bendett Secures $20,000 in Bullet Aid for the District
Yesterday, Berlin Central School District’s Superintendent Ken Rizzo welcomed Assemblyman Scott Bendett (Assembly District 107) to the district for a sit-down to talk about some of the challenges rural schools face and the importance of partnership with elected officials when facing these challenges. Superintendent Rizzo also took this time to thank Assemblyman Bendett for earmarking $20,000 in bullet aid for the district. Read on here.
BHS 2026/2027 Senior for Seniors Announcement!
The BHS Seniors for Seniors Civic Engagement Program has been receiving a lot of inquiries already this year. Please stay tuned for more information about this year’s program coming at the end of October! Read on.
Mountaineer Artists Take Center Stage at Legislative Exhibit
On May 19th, New York State legislators viewed and experienced the 36th New York State Art Teachers Association Legislative Exhibit, a student exhibit connecting aspiring artists, educators, and families from across New York. Berlin CSD had the distinction of having two Mountaineers selected to represent New York State’s youth and share their personal perspectives on art during the formal presentation, with BMHS art educator Mrs. DeCelle co-chairing the event, and six Mountaineers’ artwork exhibited. Read more about the event and the spotlight on the Mountaineer community here.
Berlin CSD Offers NY State Seal of Civic Readiness
The Berlin Central School District’s New York State Seal of Civic Readiness program, approved for the 2025-2026 school year, has engaged high school seniors in Government and Economics classes in developing service-learning projects that target community needs. Read on here.
BHS Hosts Civic Service Fair
On Friday April 24th, the Berlin Middle High School cafeteria was a marketplace of ideas, with seniors sharing and pitching their civic service projects to juniors at a Civic Service Fair. Read on here.
The Memory Project Productions, Inc. Exhibit at BMHS
The Memory Project Productions, Inc. Messages from Survivor: One Family’s Holocaust Legacy Exhibit to our community. This powerful exhibit will be on display at the Berlin Middle High School Library starting today through April 17th. Learn more here.
Rensselaer County League of Women Voters Engages with BHS Mountaineers for a Civics Education Lesson
On Wednesday, March 25th, the Rensselaer County League of Women Voters visited Berlin High School seniors to teach them about voting rights and the importance of voting, and to assist with registering to vote. Read on here.
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