Welcome to the Mary E. Dardess Elementary School!
Kristen Reno, Principal
Renee Morgan, Support Teacher
We are fondly known as "MED", and as a kindergarten through fourth grade school, we receive many compliments from our parents about the warm, caring atmosphere in our school.
We combine our warmth and caring with academic rigor and high expectations. The staff at MED values each child as an individual, working with parents to help their children grow as confident and independent learners. We invite the public to join us in building a partnership of community, parents, and school preparing citizens of tomorrow.
M.E.D News
Classes Begin September 8th
The first day of school for the 2010-11 year begins Wednesday, September 8th at 8 a.m.
MED Welcomes Ms. Brianne Collins
Please welcome Ms. Brianne Collins as the new fourth grade teacher at MED, who was hired this summer following retirements. Ms. Collins brings with her to Chatham a love for elementary education and six years teaching experience, most recently teaching fifth grade social studies at the Schodack Central School District. She began her career teaching biology at Columbia High School in East Greenbush. Later she taught fifth grade science at Maple Hill Middle School in Schodack and third grade at Castleton Elementary School. 
Aside from teaching, Ms. Collins enjoys running, yoga, and travel. She is also an active conservationist who has flown to Greece to help study and protect sea turtles, and has investigated the effects of invasive species in France and Italy.
Ms. Collins holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and biology, and a master’s degeree in literacy. Sheis certified to teach Kindergarten though grade six, and literacy for birth through grade six.
Open House
Open house at MED will take place Thursday, September 23, from 6-7:30 p.m.