Early Release Days and Times
Here are our early release dates for this school year updated with the times. These dates can be found on the Calendars page of the district website. Note: These early release dates are not on the printed wall calendar.
October 9, 2026
December 18, 2026
March 11, 2027
May 18, 2027
Early Dismissal Times:
Middle/High School - Early Dismissal is at 11:45 AM
Elementary School - Early Dismissal is at 12:45 PM
Introducing CDES Basketball Club!
Our new CDES Basketball Club is a fun opportunity for our young athletes to learn, play, and grow through basketball!
The club is designed to help students build confidence and learn the fundamentals of the game in a fun and supportive environment. We will focus on:
🏀 Dribbling
🏀 Passing
🏀 Teamwork
🏀 Shooting
The club will take place after school, with sessions beginning once the buses have left. We plan to meet at least twice a month. Once we receive all of the student sign-ups, we will finalize the schedule and communicate the specific dates and session times to families.
Important Parent Pickup Information
Parents/guardians must pick up their child at the end of each basketball club session.
Students will not be dismissed to walk home on their own as there will be NO bus available
Our goal is to create a positive experience where children can develop basketball skills, learn the importance of teamwork, make friends, and most importantly—have fun!
Thank you for supporting our young Mustangs and helping us build a strong basketball
community at Cairo-Durham Elementary!
Let’s play. Let’s learn. Go Mustangs!
Please complete the registration form and return it no later than October 23, 2026.
We would love to have our first basketball meet up in the beginning of November.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us at asambuco@cairodurham.org.
Sincerely,
Cairo-Durham Elementary Basketball Club
Elementary School PTA Popcorn Fundraiser!
Below is a digital copy of the flyer sent home earlier this week with information about the ES PTA’s upcoming Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser.
The fundraiser runs for one week, Tuesday, September 29 through Tuesday, October 6.
Here's how to participate:
Set up your child’s online storefront using the link or QR code on the flyer.
Share the storefront with family and friends.
Orders are placed directly through the Double Good website and popcorn is shipped right to the address provided.
Bags start at $11, and the PTA earns 50% of the profits from each sale. There is no cost to the school or PTA to participate.
Funds raised support Cairo-Durham Elementary PTA events, programs and resources for students, staff and teachers.
Fundraiser Link:
https://popup.doublegood.com/event/6d4087f8-ac5f-11f1-a649-1714ca0990b1
Event Code: QCR UOP
If you have questions, please contact the PTA at ptacde@cairodurham.org.
Thank you for supporting the Cairo-Durham Elementary PTA!
Early Release Days
Here are our early release dates for this school year. You may also find these dates on the district calendars page.
October 9, 2026
December 18, 2026
March 11, 2027
May 18, 2027
Times:
MS/HS - Early Dismissal is 11:45 AM
ES - Early Dismissal is at 12:45 PM
I wanted to make you aware that Cairo-Durham Elementary School will be conducting a fire drill this upcoming week as part of our ongoing safety procedures. These drills are an important opportunity for our students and staff to practice our emergency procedures and ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. We will work to make these drills as calm and routine as possible for our students.
Thank you again for your continued support as we work to keep our school community safe!
Sincerely,
Monet Halliday
CDES Principal
Order Krispy Kreme Doughnuts & Coffee - help support the class of 2027!
Every purchase helps offset senior-year expenses and allows us to make this final year together extra special, including: our “Every 27th” senior surprises, senior trip, senior breakfast, graduation activities, and other special senior-year memories!
1 Dozen Glazed Doughnuts - $14
1/2 Dozen : chocolate iced glazed, glazed raspberry-filled, glazed white cream filled, and glazed lemon-filled - $14
Classic Regular Coffee (medium roast) - $12
Classic Decaf Coffee - $12
Order before September 30, 2026. Doughnuts will be delivered by October 7.
To place your order:
See a member of the senior class
Mrs. Gouza at the high school, or
Ms. Hill at the elementary school
Every dozen of doughnuts and every bag of coffee makes a difference. Thank you for supporting the Cairo-Durham Class of 2027 and helping us make their senior year one to remember!
Just a quick reminder that Picture Day and Open House are both tomorrow!
School pictures will take place during the school day, and our Open House will be from 6:00-7:00pm. We look forward to welcoming all of our families and seeing everyone tomorrow evening!
Thank you, and we hope to see you there!
Best,
Monet Halliday
Elementary Principal
$12 Adults | $8 Children Under 10
Enjoy breakfast with family and friends, and enter to win one of the raffle baskets!
The Class of 2028 is also seeking donations to support the event, including raffle basket items, gift cards, themed baskets, local goodies, experiences, breakfast supplies and other event supplies.
Funds raised will support future class activities, including prom, the senior trip, pep rallies, graduation and more.
Interested in donating? Contact jsearing@cairodurham.org.
Thank you for supporting the Class of 2028!
Booster Club News
Annual Mum Fundraiser and Next Meeting Information
Cairo-Durham Booster Club is holding their Annual Mum Sale! 9" Hardy Potted Mums grown by Story's Farm. $15 per plant.
Place your order in this google form.
Payment options - Payment must be received by 09/29.
Check - made out to Cairo-Durham Booster Club
Venmo - CairoDurhamBoosterClub
Cash
Pick-Up Information - Pick-up will be during Homecoming games (exact times will follow) Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 between both soccer fields. Please check-in at the Booster Club table before taking Mums. The colors of mums are random.
This is a pre-order event - Help Support our students and athletes!
Questions? Email Megan Wright (mwright@cairodurham.org)
Interested in joining the Cairo-Durham Booster Club?
The next Booster Club meeting is Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 PM in the HS Media Center. We are here to support out student athletes and encourage school spirit.
Gear up for yourself, your family, your friends, or the stands with your favorite Mustang apparel and accessories!
Every purchase supports the Class of 2028, helping offset the cost of Prom, the Senior Trip, pep rallies, graduation activities, and more.
Help make their final two years of High School unforgettable. Join the herd and show your Mustang pride! 🐴💙
🔗https://stores.inksoft.com/cairo_durham_class_of_2028/shop/home
Sale ends October 2, 2026.
Interested in joining the CDE PTA? New members are welcome all year long! You must be a PTA member to volunteer and help out at special events. There are $6 dues you can pay online to become a PTA member. Visit https://cairodurham.givebacks.com/shop
Dear CDE Families,
I wanted to make you aware that Cairo-Durham Elementary School will be conducting two fire drills this upcoming week as part of our ongoing safety procedures. These drills are an important opportunity for our students and staff to practice our emergency procedures and ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. We will work to make the drills as calm and routine as possible for our students.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to keep our school community safe!
Sincerely,
Monet Halliday
CDES Principal
SHOW YOUR MUSTANG PRIDE! 💙🤍
Cheer on our Mustang athletes while supporting the Cairo-Durham Booster Club! 🏆
Our athletic signs are the perfect way to celebrate your favorite athlete, show off your Mustang spirit, and help support the programs that make CD Athletics so special.
📣 Celebrate. Support. Represent.
Put a sign at your players venue to let everyone know:
MUSTANGS ARE IN THE HOUSE! 🐎
All proceeds help the Booster Club continue supporting our student-athletes and athletic programs.
📝 Ready to order? Fill out the Google Form below!
https://forms.gle/sadNeDVGm5eYpg5f7
💙🤍 GO MUSTANGS! 🤍💙
📘Visit www.treering.com or scan the QR code to purchase.
Sports Schedule (Week of Sept. 8)
Check out this week's sports schedule:
Tuesday - 9/8
Cross Country at Maple Hill at 4:30
Varsity Golf at Hudson at 4:15
Girls Varsity and JV Volleyball vs Hudson in the MS Gym at 5:00
Wednesday - 9/9
Girls Varsity Soccer at Watervliet at 4:30
Varsity Golf vs Chatham at 4:15
Boys Varsity Soccer vs Watervliet at CDHS at 5:00
Thursday - 9/10Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Berlin/New Lebanon at the Berlin/New LebanonTournament at 7:00 PM
Girls Varsity and JV Volleyball at Greenville at 5:00
Friday - 9/11Varsity Football at Taconic Hills at 7:00 PM
Boys Varsity Soccer at Berlin/New Lebanon Tournament, vs Taconic Hills at 7:00 PM
Varsity Golf at Coxsackie-Athens at 4:15
Girls Varsity Tennis vs Maple Hill at 4:30 at CDHS
Saturday - 9/12Boys Varsity Soccer at Berlin/New Lebanon Tournament vs TBD at TBD
Girls Varsity Soccer at Berlin/New Lebanon Tournament vs TBD at TBD
Welcome to Mustang Monthly! 🐎💙
We’re excited to launch Mustang Monthly, a new district newsletter designed to help our Cairo-Durham community stay connected and informed throughout the school year.
As we prepare to welcome students back on Sept. 8, Mustang Monthly will serve as a central hub for news, events, updates and resources from across the district. Each edition will feature a mix of school and district news, important notices, athletics, music, student and staff highlights, helpful resources, and more.
The September edition includes a welcome message from Dr. Schips, a school tax update, an introduction to Middle School Flex Period, our new agriculture program, a message from our elementary administrators, helpful links, and more.
New editions will be shared during the first week of each month through our usual communication channels.
We hope Mustang Monthly becomes a valuable resource for students, families, faculty, staff and community members!
Read the September edition here!
Welcome Back!
In preparation for the new school year, Juniors and Seniors looking to drive to school MUST read and complete the Student Parking Policy and Application: https://www.cairodurham.org/o/cdhs/page/student-parking.
Please reach out to the HS Main Office with any questions.
The guide includes district and school contacts, administrators, departments, secretaries and phone extensions, along with student support staff and their areas of responsibility.
When questions or concerns come up during the school year, we want families to know who to reach out to and how to get in touch. We're here to work with you and support our students and families every step of the way.
You can also find the District Directory & Who to Contact guide on our Contact Us page: https://www.cairodurham.org/page/contact-us
We look forward to working together for a great school year!
Pre-K screening will take place September 2–4, 2026 at Cairo-Durham Elementary School.
Appointments are required. To schedule your child's screening, please contact the Main Office at 518-622-3231 or email tmacgiffert@cairodurham.org.
The screening will take no more than 30 minutes. A parent, guardian, or family member is asked to accompany your child. During the appointment, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and review and complete any necessary paperwork.
We look forward to welcoming our newest Pre-K students!
