Delaware Community School

Prekindergarten-Grade 5

43 Bertha St., Albany, NY 12209
(click here for directions)
Phone: (518) 475-6750
Fax: (518) 475-6754

Thomas Giglio, Principal

E-mail: tgiglio@albany.k12.ny.us

About Delaware Community School
Formerly Public School 18, Delaware Community School is the City School District of Albany's only school offering a bilingual education program, teaching students in both English and Spanish. The original P.S. 18 was razed and rebuilt as Delaware Community School, which opened in 2007.

The 55,000-square-foot building serves approximately 400 students and features space for parent and community groups to meet. Some other features include modern art and music rooms, a state-of-the-art library/media center, a cafetorium and a larger gymnasium. An exceptional new playground area was added in September 2008.

The school's mission is to provide an environment in which students can achieve their academic potential through the development of self-confidence, self-discipline and creativity.

Click here for more information about the bilingual program, called the Dual-Language Program.

School times

• Building opens -- 8:30 a.m.

• Breakfast begins -- 8:45 a.m.

• School day begins -- 9:05 a.m.

• School day ends --3:35 p.m.

• After-school child care ends -- 5:30 p.m.

Points of distinction

• Full-day prekindergarten and kindergarten

• Only district elementary school offering bilingual education

• After-school child care offered

• Recipient of Pathfinder Award for outstanding educational improvement

Upcoming events

• Thursday, Sept. 2 -- Regular prekindergarten and kindergarten orientation, 10-11 a.m.

• Friday, Sept. 3 -- Dual-Language Program prekindergarten orientation, 10-11 a.m.

• Monday, Sept. 6 -- Labor Day, no school

• Tuesday, Sept. 7-- First day of school

• Thursday, Sept. 9 -- Rosh Hashana, no school

• Monday, Sept. 13 -- Dual-Language Committee meeting, 6 p.m.

• Thursday, Sept. 16 -- Open House, 6 p.m.

• Tuesday, Sept. 21 -- PTA meeting, 6 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 24 -- Welcome Back Picnic, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Sept. 28 -- Picture Day

• Monday, Oct. 11 -- Columbus Day, no school

• Friday, Oct. 15 -- Family Math Night, 6-8 p.m.

• Tuesday, Oct. 19 -- PTA meeting, 6 p.m.

• Friday, Oct. 29 -- Report card day, grades 1-5

News and information

Making change a penny at a a time -- Delaware Community School students showed their community support June 3 when they presented a total of $900 to two local charities -- Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Peppertree Rescue. The good works were part of the school's annual "Penny Harvest," a school-wide drive to collect extra change to donate to worthy causes. Besides gathering change, the effort includes research, interviews and phone calls to various charities then group discussions on which groups will receive the funds. "The Penny Harvest program has taught our students the importance of giving back to our community and it has put the important decision-making process in the hands of our students," said teacher Stacey Spilman. Click here to visit the district photo gallery and see Delaware students and staff presenting a check to a grateful Peppertree Rescue.

• Click here to check out Delaware Community School's July-August newsletter!

• Click here to check out Delaware Community School's June newsletter!

• Click here to check out Delaware Community School's May newsletter!

• Click here to visit the City School District of Albany Photo Gallery.

Absence from school
If your child is absent from school for any reason, call the school at 475-6750 in the morning and provide a written excuse when your child returns to school.