Schuylerville — Two additional students at Schuylerville High School have tested positive for COVID-19, causing the school to enact to a fully-remote learning model until Friday, Nov. 13.
Students will continue to follow the regular bell schedule and calendar. This decision was made in an effort to reduce further exposure and spread as a result of these positive cases.
Since learning of the positive cases, the district has been working in conjunction with Saratoga County Public Health Services to conduct contact tracing.
As a result of the student exposures, nine faculty/staff members and 49 students have been quarantined by the Department of Health. During the high school’s closure, building disinfectant cleaning practices will continue.
Free breakfasts and lunches will still be available to all students daily.
For more information, go to www.schuylervilleschools.org.
Ballston Spa — The Ballston Spa Central School District received $8,500 in contributions during a Board of Education meeting this week to help support student and community services.
The TCT Federal Credit Union donated a total of $5,000. Of those funds, $2,500 will be used to for the Scotties BackPack Program, Sponsor-a-Scholar, and Community Literacy initiatives. The remaining $2,500 will help buy student science kits.
The Ballston Spa Elks Lodge #2619 contributed $3,500 to the Scotties BackPack Program. The Scotties BackPack Program provides food to students who may otherwise go without.
The Scotties BackPack Program offers weekend meals to more than 180 students in the district. The program is funded by grants, individual and corporate donations.
For more information about the Scotties BackPack program, visit www.bscsd.org/backpack or call 518-884-7195, ext. 1369.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital is among the nation’s first to earn a Clean Facility certificate, underscoring the healthcare organization’s commitment to hospital-grade cleaning and disinfection practices, including COVID-19-related protocols.
The certificate, from the Association for the Health Care Environment, attests that Saratoga Hospital has completed the Pathways to Clean program. Launched in response to the new coronavirus, the program includes education and training on infection prevention; cleaning, disinfection and sanitation; emerging pathogens; and preparedness for biological events.
“Our patients and staff deserve to know that we’re doing everything possible to keep their hospital hygienically clean and safe—and this certificate helps deliver that assurance,” said Jeffrey Casale, director of facilities operations at Saratoga Hospital.
“We know a lot more about the new coronavirus than we did six months ago, but we still have much to learn,” he said. “Saratoga Hospital will continue to tap expert resources, stay on top of the latest information, and adopt best practices to protect patients, staff and our community.”
To date, individuals representing 11 organizations have completed the AHE Pathways to Clean certificate program. Saratoga Hospital is the first in New York state.
ALBANY — New guidelines will allow out-of-state travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week.
For any traveler to New York State from out of state, exempting the contiguous states, the new guidelines for travelers to test-out of the mandatory 14-day quarantine are below:
For travelers who were in another state for more than 24 hours: Travelers must obtain a test within three days of departure from that state; The traveler must, upon arrival in New York, quarantine for three days. On day 4 of their quarantine, the traveler must obtain seek another COVID test. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative diagnostic test.
For travelers who were in another state for less than 24 hours: The traveler does not need a test prior to their departure from the other state, and does not need to quarantine upon arrival in New York State. However, the traveler must fill out the traveler information form upon entry into New York State, and take a COVID diagnostic test 4 days after their arrival in New York.
Local health departments will validate tests, if necessary, and if a test comes back positive, will issue isolation orders and initiate contact tracing. The local health department must make contact with the state the traveler came from, to ensure contact tracing proceeds there as well. All travelers must continue to fill out the traveler information form upon arrival into New York State to contribute to New York State’s robust contact tracing program.
“Travel has become an issue – the rest of the states pose a threat. We’re going to a new plan given the changing facts, and the experts suggest we shift to a testing policy,” Gov. Cuomo said. “Tthere will be no quarantine list; there will be one rule that applies across the country. We bent the curve of this virus by following the data and the science, and we are continuing that approach with these new guidelines.”
The new protocol went into effect Nov. 4. Travelers from states that are contiguous with New York will continue to be exempt from the travel advisory; however, covered travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form. Essential workers will continue to be exempt as well.
The Saratoga Builders Association presented checks totaling $10,000 to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.
This was accomplished with the help of donations from the public along with the support of r sponsors and builders, as there were no ticket sales this year, which normally make up the charitable contribution.
The “live” 2020 Saratoga Showcase of Homes tour was cancelled due to health and safety concerns regarding the pandemic. This year’s edition of the Saratoga Showcase of Homes was a “re-imagined” event in the form of a one-hour TV Show Special.
The 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes dates, celebrating 25 years of exceptional homes, has been scheduled for Sept. 18-19, 25-26 & Oct. 2-3. For more details on the homes, builders, or to watch the TV Special, visit the website at: www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com.
The Saratoga Builders Association has donated nearly $1.3 million dollars to local charities from the new home tour event.
About the Showcase of Homes: This annual community event is only made possible with the generous support of our corporate and media sponsors. Proceeds benefited two local charities – Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. Please mark your calendars—The 2021 Saratoga Showcase of Homes dates, celebrating 25 years of exceptional homes, has been scheduled for September 18-19, 25-26 & October 2-3. For more details on the homes, builders, or to watch the TV Special, please visit the website at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com
BALLSTON SPA — George P. Zibell, Sr. of Ballston Spa, a proud Korean War Vet passed away October 30, 2020. Funeral services were held at the convenience of the family. Donations can be made to Community Hospice, 310 S. Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Donald W. Ely, 79, passed on Thursday, October 22, 2020 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. A private funeral service was held at Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson or to the New York/Columbia Hospital in New York movement disorders/neurology department. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — William (Bill) G. Hamlin passed away suddenly on October 29, 2020. A private service was celebrated at the All Saints Church. Burial was at family plot in Syracuse. Memorial donations to: All Saints Church, PO Box 211, Hoosick Falls, NY 12089. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Alan Sterling Wheelock passed away on October 26, 2020 from complications related to cancer. Services will be next spring/summer to accommodate the current health climate.Arrangements are under the direction of the Burke Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SMYRNA, GA — Katherine Nelson, 60, of Smyrna, Tennessee passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020 after a long illness. Memorial donations may be made to the SPCA or the American Cancer Society. Burial will be Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the St. Peters Cemetery in Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
