Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology
Timothy Fowler, Principal
Temporary location for the 2008-09 school year:

141 Western Ave.

Albany, NY 12203
Ph: (518) 462-7262
Fax: (518) 462-7152
e-mail: tfowler@albany.k12.ny.us

Click here to visit the TOAST Web site

Drop-off and dismissal information for the 2008-09 school year

Parents dropping off children in the morning should use the Washington Avenue side of the building. All students should enter through the North Lake Avenue main entrance only. At dismissal in the afternoon, walkers and students being picked up will exit out of the Western Avenue doors to avoid congestion at the main entrance.

The turnaround at the front of the building on North Lake (where the playground is located) is for buses only. All students living a half-mile or more from school will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m. and transported home by Durham School Services yellow buses. If you have any questions regarding transportation, please call 462-7320.

TOAST relocates for 2008-09 due to unexpected presence of asbestos  

Due to the unexpected presence of asbestos at Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST), the school has relocated for the 2008-09 school year in the best interest of the health and well-being of the students, staff, families and community members.

TOAST is located in the City School District of Albany's swing space at the former Philip Schuyler Elementary School. TOAST is sharing the large facility with Arbor Hill Elementary School, which already was scheduled to move to the 141 Western Ave. location due to planned renovations of its facility. You can read more about this development in our District News section.

About Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology
Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST) is one of three magnet elementary schools in the City School District of Albany. TOAST serves students in grades pre-K through 6. The U.S. Department of Education and New York State have recognized TOAST as a Blue Ribbon School, and in 2005 the Business Council of New York State presented the school with its Pathfinder Award for outstanding educational improvement.

We are proud to be able to provide a range of programs and services to take care of our children's academic needs as well as provide health and wellness services on-site. These services include mobile dental health services through our partnership with the St. Peter's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

For more information about the district's magnet schools and the application process, please contact the Magnet Office at 475-6070.
 

TOAST offerings
All TOAST students receive specialized instruction in science, computer technology, and Latin. Other unique programs include:

• Math Trailblazers

• Museum Discovery Room

• Geological Rock Park

• Reading is Fundamental

• A Reader is a Leader

• Writer's Workshop

2005 Pathfinder Award
In 2005, TOAST received the prestigious Pathfinder Award from the Business Council of New York State. Each year, the Pathfinder Award is given to 14 elementary schools (out of more than 2,900 statewide) that have shown marked improvement from one year to the next on students' state test scores. TOAST earned the award because the school made the greatest improvement from 2003-04 on the NYS Grade 4 math and English Language Arts exams. TOAST students improved their ELA score by 28%; math scores rose an impressive 54 percent.
 

National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
TOAST was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1996-97. The school was also listed by Redbook magazine as "One of America's Best Schools" in the category of significant improvement in 1995.
 

News and upcoming events                                    

• Check out the Photo Gallery for pictures of TOAST's "PJs for Presents" event on Halloween.

• Friday, Nov. 21 -- Crazy Hat Day: wear a crazy hat or design a hat of your own

• Monday, Nov. 24 -- Astronomy Night

• Tuesday, Dec. 9 -- PTA meeting, 6:30 p.m.

• Supply lists for each grade level are available (in .pdf format) for the 2008-09 school year, which begins Wednesday, Sept. 3:

  • Prekindergarten

  • Kindergarten

  • Grade 1

  • Grade 2

  • Grade 3

  • Grade 4

  • Grade 5

  • Grade 6

  • Mrs. Nichols/Mrs. James/Mrs. Banagan

School times

• Breakfast begins at 7:40 a.m.

• The school day begins at 8 a.m.

• The school day ends at 2:30 p.m.

Absence from school
If your child is absent for any reason, call the school nurse at 462-7262 during the morning and provide a written excuse when your child returns to school.