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Schuylerville High School Agricultural Science teacher named 2025 CASE Model Teacher 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Ag Science teacher Mary-Elizabeth Sedgwick (Foote) has been named the 2025 CASE Model Teacher, a major accomplishment in agricultural education. The national award from the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) recognizes educators who demonstrate exceptional commitment to inquiry-based instruction, professional development, and student success. Sedgwick, who has taught agricultural science for nine years, is being recognized for transforming her classroom into a highly rigorous, hands-on learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking and real-world application. She holds eight CASE certifications, allowing her to offer a robust, sequential pathway for Schuylerville students, covering everything from Animal Health and Veterinary Science to Agricultural Research and Development.

The Model Teacher recognition also spotlights Sedgwick’s incredible dedication to building program resources. She has strategically secured more than $50,000 in grant funding from organizations including CASE, the National FFA Organization, and local community partners. This funding ensures students have access to modern, industry-relevant equipment, from Vernier sensors and lab workstations to a state-of-the-art mobile maple syrup production facility. 

The program’s success has received New York State Career and Technical Education endorsement, and Schuylerville students have collectively earned over 200 college credits through the articulation with SUNY Cobleskill.

The real impact of the CASE curriculum, however, is seen in the students. Class of 2024 graduate, Juliana Schulze, who enrolled in Food Science on a whim, initially focused on animal science. Through the hands-on work and curriculum, Juliana discovered a deep, unexpected passion for the field. Her newfound interest led her to compete in the New York FFA Food Science Career Development Event, where she placed third out of over 100 participants, helping her team secure a state victory. Today, Juliana is a sophomore at Delaware Valley University, majoring in Food Technology with a focus on food safety.

“It is because of the CASE curriculum that she was exposed to an industry she had not previously explored, opening doors and paving the way for a meaningful career,” said Sedgwick.

Beyond her work in Schuylerville, Sedgwick is a recognized leader in agricultural education. She has served as a CASE Lead Teacher for three years, mentoring colleagues across the country and running her own “CASE: Now What?” mini-workshops to help fellow teachers implement the curriculum effectively. Looking ahead, Mrs. Sedgwick plans to launch the Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) course as a capstone experience, encouraging students to conduct authentic scientific research. Her long-term vision includes expanding the Schuylerville program to a full 6-12 pathway.

“Mary’s impact on our Agricultural Education program is nothing short of transformative,” said Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman. “Her passion, innovation, and commitment to hands-on learning have elevated opportunities for our students in ways that will benefit them for years to come. Being named the 2025 CASE Model Teacher is a well-deserved recognition of the remarkable work she does each and every day.”

An awards ceremony was held at the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo, during which she was presented with a commemorative plaque and $1,250 of Vernier Science Education supplies for her classroom.

Schuylerville seniors accepted through SUNY Adirondack & HVCC Instant Admit Days

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

A total of 116 Schuylerville High School students took part in the SUNY Adirondack Instant Admit Day, held right on the high school campus. 

SUNY Adirondack offers a wide range of academic programs designed to help students seamlessly transfer to four-year colleges and universities or step directly into high-demand careers.

 The Instant Admit initiative provides an accessible and stress-free pathway to admission, ensuring that every student can explore college opportunities regardless of their future plans.

“We’ve seen great success,” said Rhonda Triller, SUNY Adirondack’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “This is our second year in a row doing it, and we’re growing every year in terms of the number of districts who participate. Last year, four out of five participating schools saw an increased percentage of students attending. Instant Admit Days really show students—especially those who may not have believed they were college ready—that there are possibilities for them at SUNY Adirondack. And for students already planning to attend college, we offer excellent options and a great start toward a bachelor’s degree.”

How Instant Admit Works

• Schuylerville sends each participating student’s transcript to a SUNY Adirondack admissions representative.

• An application is created for the student on their behalf.

• Students receive an official acceptance letter directly from SUNY Adirondack—many on the same day.

HVCC Instant Admit Success

Schuylerville also hosted an HVCC (Hudson Valley Community College) Instant Admit Day for interested seniors. Thirteen students were accepted into various programs offered by HVCC, such as nursing, marketing, business administration, electrical construction & maintenance, paramedic studies, liberal arts & science, and more.

Students who completed their HVCC application ahead of time were scheduled for individual appointments on campus. An HVCC admissions representative met one-on-one with each student, to review the application, discuss the program they selected, and answer questions about next steps.

“These personalized approaches help students feel confident and informed as they move toward their post-secondary goals,” said Principal Mark Brooks. “We want every student to feel supported in finding the path that fits their interests and aspirations, and opportunities like Instant Admit Days make that process accessible to everyone.”

Saratoga Springs School District Unveils New Safety Plan

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The safety of our school community is always the district’s top priority. In accordance with state regulations, all school districts are required to develop and maintain districtwide safety plans. These plans outline broad concepts, policies, and procedures to help ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors, including the number and types of safety drills conducted each year.

The 2025–2026 Districtwide Safety Plan was previously adopted at the August 21 Board of Education meeting. However, following the recent signing of Desha’s Law, which requires all school districts to establish a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP), an update has been made to our existing plan.

Community members are invited to view the plan on the District’s website. Community members are invited to review the plan and share feedback by completing the District Safety Plan Feedback Form by December 10.  The plan is scheduled to be approved at the January 8, 2026 Board of Education meeting.  

Poet and storyteller Joseph Bruchac visits Schuylerville 4th graders

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Joseph Bruchac hi fives a 4th grade student 
(Courtesy of Schuylerville School District)

Thanks to a grant from Parents as Education Partners (PEP), Schuylerville’s 4th grade students had the unique opportunity to meet Joseph Bruchac, a celebrated poet, author, and Native American storyteller. 

Bruchac, a proud citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, uses his heritage as inspiration for his writing. Through his stories and poems, he works to share and preserve the voices and traditions of Native peoples across the country.

During his visit at Schuylerville, Bruchac captivated students with stories, readings, and wisdom drawn from both his poetry and his life experiences. He encouraged young writers to see poetry as a way to remember important moments, connect with people they know, and make writing worth reading through revision.

“If you want to write, write every day,” he told the students. “And remember, revision makes writing worth reading.”

Bruchac also shared his musical talents by playing the Native American flute and revealed to students that he also holds two black belts in martial arts. 

Joseph Bruchac plays the flute for students as part of an event focusing on writing (Courtesy of Schuylerville School District)

Throughout the course of his career, Bruchac has authored more than 180 books. His numerous accolades include the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, a National Endowment for the Arts writing fellowship, a Rockefeller Humanities Fellowship, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers’ Circle of the Americas.

“A good story and a good book for kids has two elements to it,” said Bruchac. “One is that it’s entertaining. But two, it teaches. You can learn a lesson from a story, you can learn a lesson from a poem, you can learn a lesson from a book. And often you don’t recognize what that lesson is at the time you read it or hear it. In fact, a funny story—earlier this year, I was at a school and there was a sixth-grade teacher who came up to me and said, ‘Mr. Bruchac, when I was in fifth grade, you came to my class and told a story I never forgot. I still remember that story.’ She paused and said, ‘And I just figured out the lesson last week.’”

Bruchac generously donated copies of his books to the school—ensuring his words and teachings will continue to inspire students for years to come.

“We extend a heartfelt thanks to PEP for making this memorable and meaningful experience possible,” said Schuylerville Elementary School Principal Stacy Marzullo. “And an additional thank you to Mr. Bruchac for sharing his stories, music, and passion for poetry with our 4th graders.”

Middle school students explore career pathways through virtual reality

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

An Eight Grader uses a VR headset to explore the medical field in a an event at the Schuylerville Middle School
 ( Courtesy of Schuylerville Central School District)

Eighth graders had the chance to step into the future thanks to an innovative partnership with the New York State Department of Labor (DOL). 

Under the guidance of Middle School Technology teacher Mark Belden, students donned virtual reality (VR) headsets to explore a range of potential career pathways in fields such as culinary arts, healthcare, carpentry, and electrical transmission maintenance. The immersive simulations, facilitated by DOL representatives, gave students a firsthand look at what it’s like to work in various skilled trades and professional environments. 

Belden’s involvement with the Department of Labor began last summer when he participated in the New York State Department of Labor Teacher Ambassador Program—a professional development initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. Through that program, he learned about the VR technology and immediately saw its potential for his students.

I’m always trying to find something new or different that we haven’t done before,” said Belden. “It’s important for adults to get outside our comfort zones so kids aren’t afraid to do the same.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity for our students,” added Schuylerville Middle School Principal Katie Elsworth. “Not only do we teach our kids to read and write, but we have to prepare them for the real world. Giving them exposure to careers that are out there—right here in the classroom—is just an incredible experience.”

For eighth-grader Harrison Griffiths, the VR experience was more than just a lesson—it was a meaningful opportunity to explore a possible future in the medical field. Through the VR headset, Harrison took part in a knee surgery simulation, navigating the tools and procedures of an operating room.

“I couldn’t really be in a hospital room doing that at my age,” he said. “But it was so realistic—it was really fun to do.”

Belden hopes the annual VR experience becomes a staple of the Schuylerville technology curriculum. His goal is to continue the program with each new class of eighth graders, providing them with a meaningful and engaging opportunity to consider their futures before high school begins.

“The next four years will go quickly,” he said. “Before that sneaks up on them, I want to give them a chance to think about different options. This kind of activity helps kids come out of their shells and try new things—it’s a different kind of fun, and that’s when real learning happens.”

Shen Board of Education seeks community input to inform search for next superintendent

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

On Tuesday, October 21, the Board of Education appointed Lauren J. Gemmill, Capital Region BOCES District Superintendent, as the search consultant to support us in finding our next superintendent of schools.

Selecting our next school leader, with the qualifications and experience that fit our unique community, is one of the most important decisions our Board of Education makes. With the assistance of the search consultant, we have determined that a comprehensive confidential search will result in an experienced pool of applicants with strong educational leadership.

The confidential search process begins with collecting feedback from our community. We are seeking your input on our next school superintendent by inviting all members of the school community, including students, parents/caregivers, staff, and residents to complete an online survey. The survey asks five questions that focus on gathering input on the District’s strengths, areas for improvement, and the characteristics and skills desired in our next superintendent. The survey will be open until November 21, and is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShenSearch

In addition, all are invited to participate in one of a series of forums. These forums are planned for the weeks of November 3 and 10. At the forum, the search consultant will ask attendees to respond to the same five questions as the survey.  Forums allow participants to share their perspectives and also hear from others. More information, including a schedule, can be found on the superintendent search page of the District website.

Feedback is unlimited, so participation in both the forum and the online survey is welcomed. All responses from the forums and the surveys are collected and reviewed by the Board of Education to inform our search for the best candidate for Shenendehowa.

We plan to open the application window late November. We anticipate conducting initial rounds of interviews in February and March, and to announce our next school superintendent in the spring of 2026.

Winter Concert Series: Stringwynde

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Saratoga County History Center is proud to present the first event of our “Sounds in Winter” concert series on November 15 at 3:00 P.M, with a performance by Stringwynde in the historic Long Room at Brookside Museum. Stringwynde is a musical duo, featuring flautist Melanie Chirignan and harpist Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher, and has performed together for many years and embraces a wide variety of music. The afternoon’s program will include selections drawn from American Folk music as well as waltzes from the Gilded Age. These concerts are sponsored jointly by the Ballston Spa Committee on the Arts, and the Saratoga County History Center, with funding provided by the American Federation of Musicians Music Performance Trust Fund and a grant from Saratoga Arts. Admission is free, however registration is required.

The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the diverse histories of Saratoga County. The History Center offers a variety of innovative, exciting, and educational programming. Please visit the website (www.brooksidemuseum.org) and social media accounts (@saratogacountyhistory) for news and announcements. 

Schuylerville student earns National FFA Proficiency Award in Equine Science Placement

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


Schuylerville senior Shane Barraclough earned national honors from the FAA for his equestrian work (Courtesy of Schuylerville High School)

12 Schuylerville FFA members proudly represented their chapter and community on the national stage at the 2025 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, IN, bringing together thousands of students, educators, and agricultural leaders from across the country. 

Schuylerville High School senior Shane Barraclough earned one of the highest honors in agricultural education — being named a National FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science Placement. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional achievement and skill development through students’ Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs; hands-on experiences that allow students to apply classroom learning to real-world agricultural work.

State-winning proficiency applications advance to the national level, where they are reviewed by panels of judges. Each application is evaluated on specific criteria including the student’s goals, progress, skills gained, and overall impact.

 Applications are ranked gold, silver, or bronze, with the top four gold applicants in each area named national finalists. Finalists then participate in panel interviews with judges who assess their leadership, technical understanding, and personal growth within their chosen field.

After final scoring, one student from each proficiency area is selected as the National Winner, a distinction representing the highest level of accomplishment within agricultural education. 

“This is one of the most celebrated moments of the year for FFA members nationwide,” said Schuylerville FFA Chapter Advisor, Mary Foote. “Shane’s recognition as a National Proficiency Winner marks not only a personal milestone for him, but also a proud moment for the Schuylerville FFA Chapter, which continues to provide students with opportunities to explore their passions and develop leadership skills that last a lifetime.”

Shane Barraclough’s Supervised Agricultural Experience

The Equine Science Placement category provides students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working within the horse industry under the supervision of an employer. These experiences may include horse care, anatomy, nutrition, health management, breeding, and facility operations — helping students build real-world skills while contributing to a thriving agricultural sector.

Barraclough’s award-winning SAE took place at his family’s farm, Saratoga Glen Farm, which specializes in breeding and raising foals for clients looking to develop future champions. Each year, approximately 35 mares give birth to foals that are raised for auction, supporting the ongoing development of elite thoroughbred bloodlines. Barraclough began working on the family farm in seventh grade, starting with simple chores like feeding and grooming mares. Over the years, his role has evolved dramatically. Today, he is entrusted with critical responsibilities, including administering most medications, monitoring horse health, recognizing early signs of illness or lameness, and even making strategic breeding decisions alongside his parents.

Barraclough’s daily work includes feeding, grooming, stall cleaning, and maintaining detailed health and development records for each horse. He also assists in coordinating breeding schedules, evaluating young horses, and preparing them for auction. Through this extensive hands-on experience, Barraclough gained a deep understanding of equine management, farm operations, and the business aspects of thoroughbred breeding and sales.

“Working in this environment deepened my understanding of thoroughbred breeding and sales, while also giving me the opportunity to contribute to the success of Saratoga Glen Farm,” he said. “When I got announced as a National FFA Proficiency Winner, I was shocked and proud at the same time. I knew that my hard work had paid off. This prestigious award will not only help me with college, but also with any of my future aspirations.”

Schuylerville graduate awarded prestigious Fulbright Fellowship for research in Vietnam

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Schuylerville High School Class of 2021 graduate, Patrick McGloine, has been selected as one of two recent Saint Michael’s College alumni to receive a prestigious Fulbright fellowship for the coming year. Fulbright scholarships are highly competitive international grants given to students, scholars, professors and young professionals to study, research or teach overseas. McGloine will begin his Fulbright fellowship in Vietnam this fall, continuing his commitment to environmental sustainability and international collaboration. Reflecting on his time at Schuylerville, McGloine credits several teachers with shaping his academic curiosity and love for learning.

“Genuine connections with teachers like Mr. Burleigh and Señora Wilson helped me become a better critical thinker and stay invested in class,” said McGloine. “In particular, Mr. Burleigh made physics fun and interesting, which definitely contributed to my eventual physics minor. This ability to connect with mentors was invaluable at St. Mike’s as I found professors who cared for and advocated for me throughout the application process.”

McGloine also said that his involvement in extracurricular activities at Schuylerville played a key role in his personal growth.

“Extracurriculars like the environmental club and cross country were great outlets for my interests,” he said. “I continued both in college, which helped me channel my passion for the environment into real-world experiences.”

The Fulbright Program—established in 1946 to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other nations—awards approximately 8,000 grants annually to scholars, students, and professionals in more than 160 countries. Among its distinguished alumni are Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows, and heads of state.

McGloine, a Schuylerville High School’s Class of 2021 Top Graduate, went on to graduate summa cum laude from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with minors in Physics and Mathematics. 

While at Saint Michael’s College, McGloine immersed himself in academic, athletic, and leadership experiences that strengthened his global perspective and commitment to sustainability. 

In summer 2024, he was selected for the Global Citizenship International Internship Program, completing an internship with Vietnam’s Institute for Circular Economy Development, where he researched agricultural sustainability and macro plastic transport. His upcoming Fulbright research will build on this work by studying how rainfall influences the movement of macro plastics.

The Ballston Spa Education Foundation Online Holiday Auction is coming soon!

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The BSEF is preparing for their annual online auction and is looking for donations from local restaurants and shops to help support innovative projects across the Ballston Spa school district. Gift cards, goods, services and experiences are welcome! Every dollar raised from the auction directly supports our district students and classrooms.

Donations are due by November 18, 2025. To learn more or to make a contribution, please contact bspaedfoundation@gmail.com.