Rural Schools Association of NY

09/18/2026

Whether it’s a snow-covered school entrance, a spring science lesson, a fall football game, a winter concert, or a summer community event on campus, show how your school comes alive in every season and reflects the spirit of rural New York.

With the RSA 2026-27 Photo Contest, we invite photos that highlight the full life of your school—from its exterior and classrooms to hallways, libraries, arts, athletics, and the community traditions that make each season unique.

Submission Limits
Each school may submit up to two photographs per season.
Maximum of eight photographs total across the four seasonal categories.
Each photograph may be entered into one seasonal category only.
All entries must be submitted by the school (Teacher, staff, or otherwise designated official of the school).

Learn more: https://rsany.org/2026-27-photo-contest/

Deadline to submit: April 23, 2027

09/15/2026

Join us in beautiful Saratoga Springs for the RSA Winter Conference, “The Snowball Effect: Momentum Starts Small, Impact Grows” Dec 3-4. 2-2026.

Connect with colleagues and partners from across New York as we explore NY Inspires, redefining readiness, district optimization, timely legal and legislative issues, and new ways to think about systems and structures.

Sharing ideas and growing momentum!

Location: 47 Excelsior Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Cost: The cost is $295 per registration and is fully BOCES aidable. A cross contract will be necessary to complete the registration process. More information can be found at rsany.org

REGISTER NOW! https://forms.gle/8qfXcLvrSJnx9T36A

09/15/2026

09/04/2026

🎉📜Educator Taryn Windheim had quite the summer. She was recognized with the James Madison Fellowship. 📜🎉

The award is given to one educator per state, and this is the first time the award was presented to a New York Educator outside of the New York City/downstate region. The recognition comes with a $24,000 Madison QAA Fellowship; Windheim will be using the fellowship to earn a Masters Degree at Gettysburg College. The Fellowship requires a month-long residency at Georgetown University next summer where all of the 50 fellows come together to learn from top scholars. 🎖⭐

On the heels of her incredible honor, Windheim was then part of the Founding Forward’s “Celebrating America at 250” teacher seminars in Philadelphia.

She begins her fourth year here at Midlakes next week, where she teaches history and advises Student Council and the first-year student body.

💙🖤🦅🖤💙

07/24/2026

THANK YOU to all who attended our 2026 Summer Conference: "Our Roots. Our Rise.", held in Lake Placid, NY from July 12-14. We look forward to seeing you at future events, and as always, RSA values the work of fostering high-quality education and opportunities for all of rural NYS!

Thank you to our partners at Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES and to the 2026 Summer Conference Planning Committee at TST BOCES. Together we are honoring our legacy - growing stronger, together.

07/24/2026

Congratulations to David Little, Executive Director of the Rural Schools Association of NY, who was honored with the James C. Dawson Lifetime Achievement Award at the RSANY 2026 Summer Conference.

Along with celebrating this milestone, we want to extend our congratulations to David on his retirement. Thank you for your years of dedicated service, outstanding leadership and impact on public education in New York State. We wish you a wonderful, well-deserved retirement!

07/12/2026

🌲 It's officially Day 1 of the 2026 RSA Summer Conference! 🌲

We're thrilled to welcome educators, leaders, board members, partners, and friends from across New York State to beautiful Lake Placid!

As we come together under this year's theme, Our Roots, Our Rise: Honoring Our Legacy. Growing Stronger Together., we look forward to learning, connecting, celebrating, and inspiring one another over the next few days.

Thank you for being here and for all you do to support New York's rural schools. Safe travels to those still on the road—we can't wait to see you!

💚

05/28/2026

Our Roots. Our Rise. 2025-26 Photo Contest Award Winner Announced:

Teacher/Staff Grand Prize Winner
All In A Days Work
Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District | Jennifer LeJeune

This is a photo of my desk in my classroom. In one day I teach six different classes that demand my content knowledge span from paint applications, reclaiming clay, mixing chemicals for photography and teaching digital imaging software. If you work in a rural school, you wear many hats. My desk is a representation of all the ways I work to offer my students as many opportunities as possible. It's messy but it is reality.

05/26/2026

Our Roots. Our Rise. 2025-26 Photo Contest Award Winner Announced:

PR-Communications Grand Prize Winner
Watch Us Grow
Warsaw Central School District | Megan Winter

Each May, Warsaw Elementary School (WES) hosts an Ag/Planting Day for students in grades UPK-5. Members of our agriculture community, including veterinarians, farmers, crop management specialists, and many more, are invited to share their careers with students through hands-on activities. Classes are also invited out to the School Garden, which is located behind WES, to help prepare the high tunnel and raised planters for the season. Through the hands-on agriculture-related activities and planting, students spend the day learning in action and collaborating with community volunteers who have come to help plant. The picture "Watch Us Grow" shows a kindergartner helping to plant at Ag/Planting Day held in May 2025, and perfectly represents the "Our Rise" category. All summer, local families volunteer to tend the School Garden and, in the fall, hundreds of pounds of produce is donated to the Warsaw Food Pantry to benefit local families in need.

05/22/2026

Many thanks to Sidney Central School District for this incredible opportunity!