Assemblyman Ron Canestrari visits Cohoes UPK students

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari (D-Cohoes), talks with Universal Pre-kindergarten teacher Megan Helmrath and students during his visit.

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari visited Cohoes Universal Pre-kindergarten students at Abram Lansing on Nov. 7, to see what they were learning, and to discuss the importance of state support for the program in Cohoes and throughout the state with School Superintendent Charles Dedrick.

"The families, teachers and students are reaping the benefits of the Assemblyman's commitment to Universal Pre-kindergarten programming," Dedrick said. "We were honored to have Assemblyman Canestrari as a guest at our schools and to give him the opportunity to see what our students are learning."

During his visit to Abram Lansing, Assemblyman Canestrari stopped in the two classrooms, met with students and talked with teachers about their classes. The students welcomed the Assemblyman with a banner they decorated themselves.

The 2007-08 school year is the first year that the district has a UPK program. In total, 55 students are attending UPK classes—39 at Abram Landing and 16 in a program at Cohoes Head Start.

"I was pleased to see firsthand the results that can be attained with adequate resources for a program with the proven track record of Universal Pre-K," said Canestrari. "For many years, we, in the Assembly, have led the charge to support this program, which is essential to getting our young people on the right track for success."