Troy community kicks off school year

Troy, NY – This past weekend hundreds of Troy community members, students and families came out at various locations to kick off the 2015-2016 school year. Troy Middle School started things off with a massive block party at Prospect Park on Friday, September 18.Saturday’s festivities included another block party at School 2 and a carnival at Carroll Hill School.

Troy Middle School’s Block party included a rock climbing wall and even a live broadcast from KISS 102.3 FM’s DJ D Scott. Other partners at this event included the Troy City Police Department, Stewart’s Shops, the Boys and Girls Club, TEAM H.E.R.O, "The Block" Youth Program, YMCA and Price Chopper.

“At Troy City School District, we appreciate the relationship we have with all of our stakeholders. This includes parents, teachers, administrators and community partners that help provide for our kids in so many ways. Community events like these not only celebrate the start of a new school year, but they remind everyone that we’re all in it together.” 

School 2’s block party also served as a kickoff to Project P.R.O.M.I.S.E, a school-wide initiative designed to connect learning, character development and family engagement. As a community school, School 2 serves as the neighborhood hub. Families know their children will get the services they need such as mental health resources, counseling, and health and dental care, food and transportation. Saturday’sevent was just one more way to bring the community together.

Community partners at School 2’s Block Party included Boys & Girls Club, CEO, Girls Scouts, TRIP and the Sunnyside Center.

Sponsored by their PTO, Carroll Hill School’s carnival included food donated by Sodexo, a bounce house and even a dunking booth in which students had the opportunity to soak their teachers and Principal Casey Parker. In addition, the Junior League of Troy was present to provide books to each student in hopes of encouraging literacy at home.

Parker said, the event is the perfect way to bring the community together.

“It’s a nice way to let teachers and parents get to know each other and socialize in a less formal setting,” he said. “Students get to see their teachers and principal in plain clothes as part of the community we strive for at Carroll Hill School.”