Welcome Back!

Members of the Rensselaer City School District Community:

We transitioned from printed & mailed communication to electronic information a few years ago.  This is our one-stop digital reference page to find answers related to returning to school.

Please see below for everything (we think) you need to know about returning to school.

• Van Rensselaer Elementary School

  • Pre-K Orientation Letter from Mr. Palmer
    • Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  • Kindergarten Orientation Letter from Mr. Palmer
    • Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
  • Welcome Back Message from Mr. Palmer: Grades 1-5
  • Welcome Back Message from Mr. Palmer: Grade 6
  • VRES Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up Guidelines Procedures
  • Attendance Letter from Mr. Palmer
  • VRES Supply Lists
  • VRES Supply Drop Off is Wednesday, 9/2/26 between 12:00 - 2:00 pm
     

• Rensselaer Jr/Sr High School

  • Message from Mr. Pitaniello

  • Yondr Cell Phone Policy

  • Rensselaer JrSr High Supply Lists

  • 2026-27 School Year Calendar 

  • School Events Calendar - events will be reflected here. 

  • SchoolTool (Student Information System) Check your students Group, Busing, Schedules & more.

    • How to sign up/in (Email the Technology help desk at helpdesk@rcsd.k12.ny.us if you do not have a SchoolTool account or if you have forgotten your password.)

    • Parent Access Guide

      • Logging in

      • Teacher assignments

      • Schedules

      • Bus assignments

      • Grades

  • Rensselaer CSD has recently implemented ParentSquare as a communication platform.

    • Learn more about ParentSquare
  • Download the App
    • Android  

    • iOS 

  • CHROMEBOOK INFORMATION

    **IMPORTANT**

    • The Jr-Sr High School is 1:1, all students in RJSHS (GR5-12) will receive a Chromebook. To receive a Chromebook please sign up on My School Bucks. Attached is a quick tutorial.

    • First Day of School – Thursday, September 3

    • Please check here before inquiring about event dates.
       

• Breakfast and Lunch Menus

• Bus info

  • School Bus Route Schedule (coming soon)

  • Transportation Website

  • Student specific bus assignments can be found in SchoolTool app.

  • RCSD Transportation Alternative Child Care Request Form for 2026-27

  • If you do not see a run assigned, please choose the stop nearest to your home to be picked up and notify the school that a stop was not assigned.
     

• Google Classroom

  • Tutorial

  • Guardian Email Summary – Please request your child’s teacher to invite you as a guardian for classroom summaries.