Community

The district is a central hub of activity in the Cohoes community, particularly as it relates to educational and recreational opportunities available to children. We have a number of programs offered in collaboration with community agencies throughout the city.

Cohoes Holiday Hope

Since 2014, the district has collaborated with the city and other community partners to offer ‘Cohoes Holiday Hope’ for families in need during the holiday season. The program offers families the opportunity to earn “holiday bucks” which they can use at the Holiday Hope store to purchase gifts.

Parents and guardians can earn “holiday bucks” by attending community events, workshops, and/or volunteering.

Families must first apply to be a part of the program and then can begin tracking their Holiday Bucks using the QR code on the attached Info Sheet.

2024 Holiday Hope Info Sheet (via Google Docs)
2024 Holiday Hope Application (via Google Forms)

Parents and guardians are encouraged to get started by filling out an application for the “holiday bucks” program at their child’s open house in September. The Cohoes Holiday Hope store opens on Dec. 13, 1pm-4pm and Dec. 14, 9am-12pm and is located at the Vineyard Church, 121 Remsen Street, Cohoes.

Become a Future-Ready Pathways career mentor

The Future-Ready Pathways career mentors are encouraged to make a four-year commitment to working with students in the program for a few hours each month. Professionals from industries represented in one of the four pathways: Computers, Engineering and Technology; Health Science and Human Services; Early Childhood and Adolescent Education; and Business and Communications are needed. In-person, e-mail and phone conversations are expected in the contact time requirements.

School-based Behavioral Health Center

A fee-for-service licensed clinician provides counseling to students and families at our school-based behavioral health center, located at Cohoes Middle School.

The center opened in September, 2017, and is offered in partnership with Northern Rivers, to effectively support our students with behavioral health challenges.

Who is the clinic for?

The clinic is for any student K-12 in need of behavioral health counseling. Students must be referred by their doctor, and the clinic accepts insurance and medicare. A clinical psychologist licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health will be available to see students during and after the school day, during school vacations and over the summer. Please call 518-426-2687 to speak with an intake specialist.

What are “behavioral health disorders”?

Some examples of behavioral health disorders are: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, addiction, problems with controlling impulses, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and thoughts of suicide, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

How do I sign my child up to see the counselor?

First, talk to your child’s doctor and ask for a referral. If you’re having trouble or don’t know where to start, please reach out to your child’s school social worker. Please call 518-431-1650 to speak with an intake specialist.

Michelle Donnelly at Abram Lansing – mdonnell@cohoes.org
Amanda Regis at Harmony Hill – aregis@cohoes.org
Kristie Calderon at Van Schaick – kcaldero@cohoes.org
Leni Farner at Cohoes Middle School – hferner@cohoes.org
Elaine Flatow at Cohoes Middle School – eflatow@cohoes.org
Dana Del Genio at Cohoes High School – ddelgeni@cohoes.org
Angela Tommasini at Cohoes High School – atommasi2@cohoes.org

Why is the clinic at Cohoes Middle School?

Research proves that students with access to behavioral health services in school-based health centers are 10 times more likely to seek care for mental health or substance abuse than those who do not.

The middle school provides a central location for students and their families within Cohoes to access supports much more easily than traveling to Troy or Albany, preventing them from missing more school time.

Walk-in Sick Clinic at Harmony Mills Pediatrics

Harmony Mills Pediatrics is open from 7-8:30 a.m. on weekdays as a walk-in sick clinic for Cohoes children, ages 3-18.

Dr. DiTursi, who also serves as the district’s pediatrician for medical expertise, introduced the service for Cohoes families to increase access to medical treatment during hours that are more convenient for working parents and caregivers. The before-school hours also help parents determine whether their child is too sick to go to school.

Children do not need to be patients at Harmony Mills. The office suggests patients bring the completed forms prior to arrival (if possible). Most insurances are accepted.

Harmony Mills Pediatrics is located at 55 Mohawk Street, Cohoes. For more information, call (518) 233-9500.