The Rensselaer City School District’s Communication protocol helps to promote direct, open, and respectful interactions so that problems and concerns can be worked out quickly and efficiently. The district encourages any and all questions from parents and residents regarding school matters. Phone numbers can be found below.
Step 1: Coach; if not resolved…
Step 2: Athletic Director: Coach Spath: 518-436-8561 x7001; if not resolved…
Step 3: Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Business Administrator,Meghan Lekkas: 518-465-6871; if not resolved…
Step 2: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
(Classroom procedures, behavior, ENL, special education, grades, schedule, etc.)
FOR GRADES K-12
Step 1: Classroom Teacher; if not resolved…
Step 2: Assistant Principal / Dean
Step 3: VRESDean of Students,Dave Martyn or RJSHS Assistant Principal Bob Martinelli; if not resolved…
Step 4: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 5: Superintendent of Schools,Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
(subject matter being taught, teaching strategies, textbooks, materials used, ENL, special education, etc.)
FOR GRADES K-5 (VRES)
Step 1: Classroom Teacher; if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools,Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
FOR GRADES 6-12 (RJSHS)
Step 1: Classroom Teacher; if not resolved…
Step 2: Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Cenci (A-K) or Ms. Gardenier (L-Z): 518-396-3518; if not resolved…
Step 3: Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Activity Advisor; if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Cenci (A-K) or Ms. Gardenier (L-Z): 518-396-3518; if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: School Nurse (VRES: Rich Maniscalco. Cross or RJSHS:Tammy Slingerland); if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: District Registrar, Mrs. Foust, 518-396-3518 , Extension: 3401; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Contact Transportation Dispatcher (518-283-0671), if not resolved…
Step 2: Director of Transportation, Brad Chmielewski: 518-283-0671; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Contact Transportation Dispatcher 518-283-0671, if not resolved…
Step 2: Director of Transportation Brad Chmielewski: 518-283-0671; if not resolved…
Step 3: VRES Dean Dave Martyn or RJSHS Assistant Principal Bob Martinelli; if not resolved…
Step 4: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 5: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Director of Food Service, Leah Harris; if not resolved…
Step 2: Business Administrator, Meghan Lekkas: 518-465-6871; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Guidance Counselor, Brandy Cenci (A-K) or Stephanie Gardenier (L-Z): 518-396-3518; if not resolved…
Step 2: Social Worker / Psychology; if not resolved…
Step 3: Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Remillard: 518-465-6440; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Case Manager; if not resolved…
Step 2: Psychologist (Preschool Special Education, Van Rensselaer Elementary, Jr. Sr. High School); if not resolved…
Step 3: Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Remillard: 518-465-6440; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 2: Psychologist (Preschool Special Education, Van Rensselaer Elementary, Jr. Sr. High School); if not resolved…
Step 3: Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Remillard: 518-465-6440; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
If your issue has not been resolved after following all the appropriate steps in the communication protocol, you may contact the Board of Education by sending a letter, attending a scheduled board meeting or email here:
Searching or RCSD Staff, you can go to our Staff Page and Who To Contact.
Superintendent’s Office
Joseph Kardash, Superintendent
Shailyn Payton, District Clerk
518-465-7509 x4101
If you have questions or concerns with transportation:
Bus Garage
Brad Chmielewski, Transportation Supervisor
518-283-0671
If you have questions or concerns with School Registration:
Guidance Office
Tracy Foust, District Registrar
518-396-3518 EXT 3401
If you have questions or concerns in regards to Pupil Personnel Services:
PPS Office
Brenda Headley, CSE Secretary
518-465-6440 EXT 6305
If you have to call in an absence (any grade level) or have attendance concerns please contact:
Contact the Attendance Office
Jay Foust, District Attendance Officer
Attendance Hotline – 518-436-8564
If you have questions or concerns regarding technology or with your child’s Chromebook:
Contact the IT Department
Sylvi Joseph, Director of Technology
Patrick Brunette, Network Administrator
IT Helpdesk – 518-275-4349
If you have questions or concerns regarding Title IX or DASA:
PPS Office
Danielle Remillard, Director of Pupil Personnel Services
518-465-6440 Ext. 6001
If you have questions or concerns regarding ARP or Stimulus Funds Spending Plan:
Business Office
Meghan Lekkas, School Business Administrator
518-465-6871
If you have questions regarding Van Rensselaer Elementary School please find your area of concern through grade level and subject then contact that individual:
Phone number: 518-436-4618
FAX- 518-436-4692
VRES Office
Jeffrey Palmer, Principal
Angela Leinfelder, Secretary
518-436-4618 Ext 1003
Discipline or student concerns:
Dave Martyn – Dean of Students
518-436-4618 Ext 1302
School Nurse
Gerry Colliton RN
518-396-3484
Prekindergarten:
Kiera Chenot
Kim Mooney
Michelle Parella-Forrest (CEO Teacher)
Kindergarten:
Theresa Deso
Rita Fisher
Christina Lane / Kristin Darby – Common Branch
Brittany Wanko / Kristin Darby – Common Branch
Grade 1:
Sarah Agans
Heidi Blake / Monica Cooley – Common Branch
Medea Jones
Kristin Gentile
Tara Kyer
Grade 2:
Kelly Clum / Maria Rowe – Common Branch
Jackie Lindemann – ELA / Social Studies
Annemarie Spencer
Morgan Wyman
Grade 3:
Shannon Kerr / Kendra Hadden – Common Branch
Tricia Nixon – Math
Matt Nunziato – ELA / Science
Grade 4:
Abby Alix-Hansen / Stephanie Carbone – Common Branch
Janelle Endres – Math/Science/Social Studies
Kathy Dominy-White – ELA
Grade 5:
Meghan Alonzo / Katie Bloomer – Common Branch
Brad Endres – Math/Science/Social Studies
Amy Mooney – ELA
Special Classes:
Kristin Alonzo (3-4)
Hannah Gillis (4-5)
Chelsea Pekala (2-3)
Rachna Shankar (K-1)
Special Areas:
Paddy Bailey – PE
Krista Sousa – PE
Anna Bruno – PE
Rob Hosley – Music
Nicole McNamara – Library / Tier 2 Support
Reading Support:
Tammy Verhagen
Pam Goodwin
Math Support:
Sarah Hurley
David Martyn
ENL Services
Megan Nahal
Charles Seagle
Additional Services:
Kristin Crouch - Instructional Coach
Caroline Macrae - Speech
Meagan McGuiness – Speech
If you have questions regarding Rensselaer Junior/Senior High School please find your area of concern; alphabetical order, grade level & subject and then contact that individual:
Phone Number- 518-436-8561
FAX- 518-436-8563
Dominic Pitaniello, Principal
Ann Marie Coulombe, Secretary
518-436-8561 Ext 3002
Discipline or student concerns:Bob Martinelli
School Nurse
Tammy Slingerland RN, School Nurse
518-396-3486
English
Craig, Anna – English 7
Gray, Connor – English 6
Higgs, Andrew – English 9, English 12
Herrick, Kristin – English 10, Journalism
Leonard, Jen – English 8, Instructional Coach
Math
Charron, Meghan – Math 8
Dobert, Ann – Algebra, Foundations of Algebra
Keddy, Josephine – Algebra, Foundations of Algebra
Murphy, Meghan – Math 7
Quinn, Michael – Math 6
Santiago, Noel - Math
Schacht, Jackie – Algebra Lab, Algebra II, Calculus, Instructional Tech Coach
Tamburrino, Beth – Geometry, Geo Lab, Algebra II Lab, Pre-Calculus
Physical Education
Davey, Chris - PE, ISS
Preston, Joel – PE Boys 7, HS PE
Sousa, Krista – Elementary PE, PE Girls 7, PE Girls 8
Spath, William – HS PE, PE Boys 8, Athletic Director
Science
Beiter, Scott – Science 8, SUNY Biology, Biology Lab
Boland, Lisa – Living Environment, Living Environment Lab
Curran, Jonn – Earth Science, Earth Science Lab, General Earth Science
Fountain, Kristina – Science 6
Muzio, Stephanie – Chemistry, Chem Lab, General Chemistry
Sharlow, Kate – Science 7
Social Studies
Quackenbush, Kaitlin – Humanitarian Crises & Global 10
Connor, Kelly – Global History 9, Government, Intro to Social Justics
Frasco, Laura – US History, Public Speaking, Eco
Gumbs, Marylou – Social Studies 6
Hillerman, Robert – Social Studies 7, Current Events
Hoffman, Rob – Pysch / 20th Century, Intro to Law
Murray, Kristin – Social Studies 8
Spanish
DelCarmen, Shannon – Spanish 7, Spanish I
Sklar, Deb – Spanish I, III and IV
Steck, Tricia – English 11, English 12, English 12 U-Alb
Zimbal, Ashley – Spanish 8, Spanish II
Specials
Apunte, Rachel – Music 7, 7 & 8 Chorus, Elementary Music
Boone, Brian – Health 6, Health (Sage)
Bryden, Ed – Intro To Design I, PLTW 8x, Introduction to Design II, PLTW 7
Jenner, Heather – Librarian, English 6, English 7
Kent, Tessa – Studio Art, Advance Art, Art 7, Art 8
Mahar, Mary – Home & Careers 6 – 8, Adult Living Skills, Parenting, Food & Nutritions, Clothing & Interior Design
McGough, Mike – Lessons, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Music Theory, 7 & 8 Grade Band, Music 8
Alternative Education
Addorisiso, Rob – AE English 7 & 8, , AE English 9 & 10, AE 11 & 12, AE Spanish 7
Capozzola, Barbara – AE Social Studies 7 & 8, AE Eco & Gov, AE US History, AE Global 9 & 10
Mouawad, Jessica – DC English, DC Foundations of Algebra, Foundations Algebra, Foundations General Earth Science, DC English 9 & 10
Weischedel, Jason – APEX Credit Recovery, AE General Science, AE Algebra, AE College Prep Math, AE Math 7 & 8
Additional Services
Alonzo, Kristin – Resource 6, English 6, Math 6, Science 6, Social Studies 6
Britton-Smith, Laurie – Foundations, Self Cont. Global 9/10, Living Environment, Resource, English 9/10
Danz, Deb – English 7, Math 7, Social Studies 7, Resource 7
Hall, Carrie – Self-Contained 6
Jacobs, Abigail – English 8, Science 8, Resource 8, Social Studies 8, Math 8
Ryan, Roberta – Direct Consultant
Lang, Shannon – Living Environment, Foundations, English 9, Resource, Global 9
Seagle, Charles – ESL Grade 7
Shanahan, Vanessa – English 10, CC Algebra, Earth Science, Global 10
Zobel, Regina – Self-Contained 7 & 8