By Robert L. Chakar, Jr., Ed.D

ACS will open its doors to students for the 2012-13 school year on Thursday, September 6, 2012. Students and staff will notice many improvements to the campus as they enter for the first time. The fitness center has been upgraded with new equipment for our students and community members, the bus garage/kindergarten building has been outfitted with new, more efficient, windows, and the fragile garage door to the fitness center has been replaced with French doors, allowing for additional heat savings and a second exit.

Our school gymnasium received a face-lift this summer, too. The curtains that hang were taken down, cleaned and repaired. The gym also received a thick coat of paint; bringing out the pride of all Mountaineers. During the summer, faculty and community members also maintained our greenhouse that sits on the back field. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables have been harvested throughout the summer.

and a new tank is installed.

An old tank is removed ….

In addition, the two fuel oil storage tanks were replaced. The tank for the main school building was removed and another installed underground; the bus garage underground tank was cleaned and left underground while a new aboveground tank was put in behind the garage. Many hands have been working this summer in the Andes spirit and taking great pride in our facilities.

We are anxious to host our fourth annual “Evening of Excellence” on Thursday, October 4, to honor students who maintained an average of 90%+ during the entire 2011-12 school year. This is a wonderful evening of celebrating these students and their academic accomplishments from the previous school year.

The Drama Club is planning to present its fall show on November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Rehearsals will be starting very soon. Please look for more information as we move closer to the production dates. Our school has once again merged with South Kortright Central School for our fall soccer and boy’s basketball; all the students are doing very well with the transition.

We are looking forward to another successful school year and hope to see you at many of the events hosted at Andes Central School this year. ~