Hundreds of GJSD families and students gathered yesterday, August 20, to celebrate the start of the new school year, joined by the District’s administrative team, staff members, community partners, and local dignitaries. The event, branded as a #WeAreJohnstown Back-to-School celebration, also marked the grand opening of the District’s Family Resource Center, located at Warren Street Elementary School.
“It was especially fitting to see such a wonderful turnout of families, students, and community members because they represent the very heart of the Family Resource Center—our school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Alicia D. Koster.
“After a year of thoughtful planning, it was incredibly rewarding to see the Center come to life and to share in the excitement surrounding its opening. It is a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community unites around a shared vision. Together, we are nourishing our students and families through food education, nutrition, essential resources, and meaningful service—strengthening the connections among our schools, families, and community. I look forward to seeing the lasting impact this wonderful resource will have on those we serve.”
Cory Cotter, the District’s newly appointed Director of Elementary Instruction, Assessment, and Family Engagement, will oversee the Family Resource Center, which will serve all families in the District.
“Family and community engagement is an essential part of student success. When students know that their families, schools, and community are working together to support them, they are better positioned to thrive academically and socially,” Cotter said. “The Family Resource Center will help strengthen those connections by creating meaningful opportunities for families to learn, grow, and engage with their children’s education. Our goal is to build a strong partnership between home, school, and community so that every student has the support and opportunities they need to succeed.”
Cotter said that established, community-focused District initiatives, such as the Holiday Helpline, will be overseen by the Family Resource Center, along with other teacher- and student-led community service efforts. The Center will also serve as a hub for coordinating food, hygiene products and other essential resources for District families in need.
There are plans for new initiatives that will help strengthen the partnership between school and home, including family activity nights, which will give students structured, intentional time with their families while strengthening those connections in a fun environment.
Although the center will serve all students and families in pre-K through 12, the center plans to host activities like monthly story hours and group playtime for early learners who are not yet enrolled in pre-K. Monthly story hours for pre-PK students and their families will take place on Mondays from 9:00-10:00 a.m., with fall dates including September 21, October 5, November 16, and December 7. More dates for spring and summer story hours will be announced at a later date. The story hours will be interactive learning sessions designed to spark imagination and build early literacy skills for the District’s youngest learners and their families.
The Center will also host Parent University on different topics that the District’s Family Engagement Ad Hoc Committee is developing including Conscious Discipline, healthy eating, college preparation, and more.
Anyone from the community who is interested in donating to the Family Resource Center can reach Cotter at familyresourcecenter@johnstownschools.org or by phone at (518) 762-4611.
A Community Effort
At the district-wide event, families in attendance were able to pick up their elementary student’s homeroom teacher letters and enter drawings for giveaways. The Center gave away backpacks and school supplies that were donated by local companies, groups and organizations including Miracle Ear, Sturgess, Steet Toyota, Main Dodge, and First Choice Federal Credit Union.
GJSD Food Services was on hand offering food samples, representatives from the GJSD Transportation Department and Brown STA were available to answer questions, and attendees were able to immerse themselves in an AgriQuest Farm-To-School performance-based learning experience.
Families were able to learn more about the District’s Conscious Discipline initiative, the LEAPS after school program and sign up to volunteer with JEPTA for the coming year. Students were able to take pony rides, pet other farm animals, get temporary tattoos, eat snow cones, go in a bouncy house and make bird houses – all for FREE!
Community partners set up tables to help introduce themselves to Johnstown families, including HFM Prevention Council, Bob Constantine Recovery and Outreach Center, Catholic Charities, Fulton County Public Health, First Financial Credit Union, Adirondack Health Institute, YMCA, Family Counseling Center, and JCC.
