Lansingburgh's back-to-school week: orientations, a clothing giveaway, and one changed location

For Speigletown families on the Lansingburgh side of the school-district line, the first week of September is a parade of orientations, with one genuinely everyone-welcome event in the middle of it. Here’s the week, day by day.

Tuesday, September 1: 6th grade “Find Your Way Day”

Incoming 6th graders and any student new to Knickerbacker Middle School meet at 5:00 p.m. at KMS, with a parent or guardian. That part isn’t optional. Pick up the class schedule, walk the halls, and find the classrooms before day one, so the only thing to worry about later is the locker combination.

Wednesday, September 2: the big day, three ways

Pre-K (UPK4) and Kindergarten drop-in orientation, Turnpike Elementary, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Drop-in style: come anytime in the window, plan on 20 to 30 minutes, meet the teacher, see the classroom. Bring three things: the completed district paperwork (all sides: emergency contacts, dismissal, health and medical authorization), a change of clothes in a Ziploc labeled with your student’s name, and your transportation plan. If your student is riding the bus (ages 4 and up can, and the district encourages it), bring the backpack so it gets a bus tag. Questions go to Turnpike’s main office, 518-233-6822.

9th grade orientation, two sessions, and note the new location. The district’s August 25 update moved both sessions to the Knickerbacker Middle School Auditorium; enter through the main front entrance at KMS. They were originally announced for the high school cafeteria, and as we publish, some district calendar listings still say “LHS,” so trust this: KMS Auditorium. Pick whichever session suits, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. or 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. There is no need to attend both. Families meet the administration and faculty, learn the policies, and hear about athletics and clubs. All incoming 9th graders and their parents or guardians are strongly encouraged to come.

The Annual Clothing Giveaway, Lansingburgh High School Gym, 320 7th Ave, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This one is for every Lansingburgh school family: browse and take home free, gently used clothing for students of all ages, no strings. Representatives from Lansingburgh Connects, the district’s Student Assistance Counselor program, and the Troy Drug Free Community Coalition will be there with resources for families. Heading to the evening 9th-grade session at 6? The district suggests stopping by the giveaway first, since the buildings practically neighbor each other. Questions go to Joseph Otter, the district’s Director of School Community Partnership, at jotter@lansingburgh.org.

Thursday, September 3: 3rd grade orientation

Incoming 3rd graders and their parents or guardians visit Rensselaer Park Elementary from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. to meet the 3rd-grade teachers and spend time with Principal Alexandra Nelson and Assistant Principal Brad Hupfl.

And then school actually starts: Tuesday, September 8

Faculty and staff return on the 3rd (a conference day), Labor Day is Monday the 7th, and all students return on Tuesday, September 8. That date is worth writing down, because the district tucks it into its after-school care page rather than the calendar. The live calendar and the 2026–27 calendar PDF carry the year’s half-days and marking periods, and are worth a bookmark.

Free after-school care for K–5, but not the first week

Here’s a benefit worth knowing about even if you’ve tuned out every other back-to-school notice: after-school care is free for Lansingburgh students in kindergarten through grade 5. The district partners with the Capital District YMCA, funded by a $3.5 million LEAPS grant from a New York State Office of Children and Family Services program. The district says that’s enough to keep elementary after-school programs free through the 2028–29 school year.

The practical details:

Programs run on-site at your student’s own elementary school, and students are dismissed directly into the program when the day ends.
Programs don’t start until Monday, September 14. Students return September 8, so plan your own coverage for that first week.
Register through the Capital District YMCA’s registration portal and select “Lansingburgh LEAP PM Program 2026–2027.”
Before-school care is the exception. It is not free, and enrolling carries a charge. Details are on the district’s before- and after-school care page.

Homecoming comes early: September 14–19

The school year is barely a week old when LHS goes full spirit. Homecoming Spirit Week runs September 14 to 19, with a dress-up theme each school day (2000s day, favorite musical artist, kindergarten self, pink for Powderpuff Thursday, and ‘Burgh gear for Friday’s pep rally) and three events that reach beyond the student body:

The Powderpuff Football Game, Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. at the LHS field. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for students and seniors, free for kids under 2. No large bags; small purses are subject to search.
The homecoming varsity football game, Friday, Sept. 18, 7:00 p.m. at the LHS field, gates at 6:00. Tickets are through GoFan, student-athletes in jerseys get in free, grade 8 and younger need adult supervision, and there is no entry after halftime.
The Homecoming Dance, Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the LHS gym. Grades 9 to 12 only, $10 at the door.

One deadline hides in the fun: class T-shirt ($20) and Powderpuff T-shirt ($25) orders are due Wednesday, September 9, the second day of school, so it will sneak up on you.

The rest of the district calendar, at a glance

The Board of Education meets Monday, August 31, at 6:00 p.m., its last meeting before school opens.
Fall sports registration closes around September 5, per the district calendar’s listing. If there’s an athlete in the house, register now so they’re cleared when practices start.
Everything else (picture days, open houses, half-days as they’re posted) lives on the district’s live calendar, which the district notes is the authoritative, subject-to-change version.

And for households on the other bell schedule: Hoosic Valley goes back September 10.

From the Lansingburgh Central School District’s announcements and calendar. Dates are the district’s and subject to change. Confirm at lansingburgh.org, especially the 9th-grade orientation location.