Principal Tarlow and several teachers introduced student presentations at the Cohoes City School District Board of Education meeting on May 21, highlighting the district’s science research program, a Seal of Civic Readiness project, and a proposed Model United Nations/debate club.

The presentations showed students’ yearlong projects and plans to expand extracurricular pathways. “We were able to announce our valedictorian salutatorian and honorable mention this morning,” Principal Tarlow said, introducing the segment on senior recognition. Students named in the meeting included Claire Frank and Jackson Felt as honorable mention and salutatorian, respectively.

Science research teacher Mr. Costco described the district’s science research offering as a multi‑year program that can award college credit. “The science research is a 3 year grama. Students can get up to 12 credit hours to the University of Albany,” he said, and outlined the program’s expectation that students do regular check‑ins and complete substantial research hours outside class. The program’s symposium date was noted as June 12 and staff said seniors have a separate schedule for that event.

Students and staff also presented a Seal of Civic Readiness project that would place garden boxes on campus to teach plant care, maintenance and service hours. Mr. Schnitzler described the seal as “a seal that the students can get on their, diplomas,” and students said fundraisers of roughly $150 per box would pay for lumber, paint, seeds and fertilizer and count toward senior service‑hour requirements. Presenters said building and ongoing maintenance would be a continuing, multiyear effort involving students and local partners.

Emily Frey, a special education teacher who proposed a Model U.N./debate club, said the club aims to “improve students' public speaking, their debate and negotiation skills, as well as encourage collaboration, leadership, and problem solving.” She and students described plans for local and regional conferences, practice sessions and possible novice competitions in December at a venue identified in the meeting as HNCC; the estimated registration fee mentioned was about $20 per student.

Board members and other administrators praised the students’ work and encouraged the programs. The board asked staff to continue planning logistics — including fundraising, mentor matches for research projects, and ways to support students without access to resources — before approving any formal club recognitions or fund allocations.

The presentations concluded with reminders that the research symposium and senior awards would take place in the coming weeks and that staff would follow up with the board on implementation details.