ALBANY – The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has extended this year’s deadline for tuition reimbursement through the Higher Education Learning Plan (HELP) until Friday, February 15.

The HELP program was created in 2011 to assist individuals who have never graduated college with up to 100 percent tuition reimbursement in exchange for maintaining good grades and fulfilling service requirements in one of New York’s volunteer fire companies.

There is no restriction on the type of academic classes that a volunteer may pursue. Eligible student/volunteers must maintain acceptable volunteer activity and training levels while attending school and fulfill a service requirement after they complete their course of study. They must attend the closest community college or one within a 50-mile radius of their residence. 

For more information, PLEASE VISIT.

The Columbia County Chamber and Great Northern Catskills Chamber will host the 8th Annual Columbia County Chamber and Great Northern Catskills Chamber Superintendent’s Brunch on Thursday, August 23 from 12:00 – 1:30 pm. 

The theme for the brunch this year is ”Bullying and Equality for All in our Schools”.  At 12:30 pm the Hudson Pride organization will give a special half hour presentation on the topic of bullying.  At noon Roger Coleman, Publisher of the Register Star and Daily Mail will moderate a half hour panel discussion of superintendents to express their views on the topics below:

·         What is your district doing to address bullying?

·         What are some of the challenges school districts faces regarding bullying?