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Ballston Spa to Host Mental Health Event

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Event image via the Ballston Spa Central School District website.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District is hosting a “personal and open” discussion about depression, mental illness, and suicide on January 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the high school library. The presentation will be hosted by Donna Thomas and Dr. Jaimee Arnoff of James’s Warriors, an organization that aims “to bring change to the way mental health is perceived, reduce the stigma surrounding it, and prevent suicide,” according to its website. Parents and other adults are welcome to attend. 

Ballston Spa High School Expands Offerings for 2024/25

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education, Featured.

Principal Matthew Robinson delivers a presentation of upcoming high school courses at the 
Ballston Spa Central School District Board of Education meeting on January 17.

BALLSTON SPA — Are you ready to rock? At the January 17 Board of Education meeting, Ballston Spa High School Principal Matthew Robinson discussed upcoming courses that will be offered for the 2024-2025 school year, including one called History of Rock. The course, along with several others that resulted from conversations with teachers and students, is designed to achieve the school’s goal of delivering “a meaningful diploma for all students.”

According to Robinson, the music department will be offering a rock history course in which “students will study rock music through performance and composition.” Enrollees will be required to play the guitar, bass, and drums. Robinson said that the “fun, engaging” course could appeal to students who are interested in music but don’t want to participate in band, chorus, or orchestra.

As part of the school’s efforts to combat the decline in physical education participation that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PE department will offer Lifetime Yoga and Strength in Motion classes. In Lifetime Yoga, “students will learn the history of yoga, stances, poses, and the many aspects of yoga as a practice.” Students will also be expected to create and demonstrate their own yoga routines. The Strength in Motion course is “essentially a weightlifting course for athletes,” according to Robinson, but any student can participate if interested.

The English Language Arts department will be offering the senior elective Today’s Issues: Fiction and Nonfiction. Students will read and analyze current events and “actively participate in civic discourse,” according to Robinson. 

Additionally, the school will offer a CHS Intermediate Algebra course that will act as a college prep math course for students desirous of something more rigorous than Math Applications. Robinson also said that the 2024-2025 school year will be a pilot year for an Advanced Science designation.

South High Marathon Dance Returns

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Photo of students celebrating at a previous South High Marathon Dance via the event’s Facebook page. 

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — The 47th annual South High Marathon Dance — an event that raises money for people, families, and organizations that need financial assistance — will take place on March 1 and 2 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. on Friday. Activities include costume parties, live and silent auctions, and a 50/50 raffle.   

Some of this year’s beneficiaries are the Cancer Center Community Crusaders, Moreau Community Center, Saratoga Center for the Family, and St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center. Last year, the dance raised more than $630,000 for dozens of individuals and organizations. 

For additional information, visit the event’s website at shmd.org or the event Facebook page at facebook.com/SHMDInc.

Universal Pre-K: Saratoga & Ballston Spa open Registration

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs City School District opened registration for its 2024-2025 Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs on Monday. The programs are tuition free. To be eligible, children must turn four on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Registration will be open until April 30, 2024.

A submitted application does not guarantee placement in a pre-K program. If there are more applicants than available spots, a lottery will occur on May 15. All families will be notified if their child has received a spot by the end of May. Upon being notified, families will need to confirm their child’s placement.

For more details or to register a child, visit saratogaschools.org/about-us/student-registration/upk/. Additional questions can be directed to the curriculum office at 518-583-4725.

The Ballston Spa Central School District will open registration for its Universal Pre-Kindergarten program on Jan. 29. To be eligible, children must reside within the district and be four years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Children eligible to attend kindergarten are not eligible for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.

Online registration will be available at 8 a.m. on Jan. 29 at bscsd.org/Page/13659. The deadline for all applications is March 1, 2024. If there are more applicants than available spots, a random lottery will occur. Those not selected in this lottery will be placed on a waiting list. A letter confirming acceptance or rejection from the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program will be mailed to families by March 15.

The district is also hosting two Universal Pre-Kindergarten open houses, which families are encouraged to attend. During the open horses, families will be able to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and learn about specific policies and procedures.

•Ballston Area Community Center will host an open house on Monday, Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 20 Malta Ave in Ballston Spa.

•Little Achievers Child Care and Learning Center will host its open house on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. at 2443 State Rte 9, Suite 101 in Malta. For this event, RSVP by Jan. 25 to Roxeanne Lansing by emailing rlansing@littleachievers.education, or by calling 518-313-0033.

Any questions about the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program can be directed to the district’s Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at upk@bscsd.org 518-884-7195, ext. 1374. For additional information, visit bscsd.org/Page/13659.

National Grid Delivers Presentation to Local High Schoolers

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

Photos of National Grid’s presentation at the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School provided by Stuart Williams.

MALTA — Representatives from National Grid spoke to 11th graders at the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School about the future of energy management in New York. 

National Grid’s Peter Hoffman discussed his company’s role in energy supply. Jenny Cross spoke to students about New York State programs and incentives for energy efficiency. And Lina Konandoust educated students on the future of energy management.

The presentation was designed to help students with their Household Energy and Carbon Footprint Mastery assignments.

New Contract Agreement for Saratoga Teachers

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

The Saratoga Springs City School District’s Board of Education approves a new contract agreement with the Saratoga Springs Teachers Association on January 11. Photo via the district’s YouTube livestream.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —After two years of negotiations, the Saratoga Springs City School District and the Saratoga Springs Teachers Association (SSTA) have reached a new, five-year contract agreement. 

The SSTA ratified the agreement on January 4, and the district’s Board of Education (BOE) approved it at a meeting on January 11. The contract will last until June 2027 and cover nearly 600 teachers.

The agreement includes annual salary increases of 4.5% inclusive of step increments, as well as employee health insurance contribution increases. The contributions will increase by 2% in 2024, 1% in 2025, and 1% again in 2027.

“Our membership has always been committed to providing the best education it can for the students in our community, and it has been a priority of ours to be able to recruit and retain the best teachers as they are the cornerstone of learning,” said Tim McGuiggan, president of the Saratoga Springs Teachers Association, in a statement. “We think this agreement will help the Saratoga Springs City Schools live up to that commitment.”

At the BOE meeting on Jan. 11, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton said that “it took us a little longer than anticipated, but in the end, we got to a spot that was mutually beneficial to both parties. This new contract supports our current faculty members and continues to help our school district remain highly competitive in our recruitment and retention efforts.”

Tony Krackeler, president of the BOE, said that the agreement “really acknowledges the incredible commitment and devotion of the teachers to the students of this district while also recognizing the fiscal reality of budgetary stress that’s pretty much prevalent everywhere in every institution right now. So I think we came to an agreement that works for all sides.”

Last year, SSTA members called upon the district to increase both salaries and healthcare contributions. Dozens of supporters marched from the Caroline Street Elementary School to downtown Saratoga in protest of failed contract negotiations.

Saratoga School District Seeks Hall of Distinction Nominees

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs City School District needs your help naming honorees for its ninth annual Hall of Distinction. In a statement, the district called it a “wonderful opportunity to honor and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the graduates of our school district.”

Potential candidates must have graduated from the Saratoga Springs High School at least ten years ago. The district said nominees should “exemplify our District’s educational philosophy through an outstanding social contribution to the broader community, by making a difference in the lives of others; and/or outstanding professional contribution to, or achievement in, their field of endeavor.”

Past Hall of Distinction recipients include actor David Hyde Pierce, golfer Dottie Pepper, writer Joseph Bruchac, and aviator Margaret Stoddard Perkins.

Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 31. To learn more or to nominate an alumni, visit saratogaschools.org/about-us/hall-of-distinction/.

Ballston Spa Education Board Approves Tax Exemption for Volunteer Firefighters 

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education, Featured.


Ballston Spa Education Board approves tax exemption for volunteer
firefighters. Photo: Fire Department enacts ‘Smart Choices’ drill
program for BSCSD Seniors this past May.

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa Board of Education member Holly Barker-Flynn struggled to hold back tears as she spoke of the “sacrifices” made by volunteer firefighters, including her husband. “They put their lives on the line, lose sleep, and miss time with their families all without pay,” she said.  

At a Board of Education meeting on January 3, Barker-Flynn abstained from voting on a resolution to provide property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers because she would benefit from it. Moments later, the board approved the resolution to a round of applause from attendees. 

For Ballston residents who have served as volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers for at least two years, the exemption has an estimated annual value of $389 for an average single-family home. As local fire companies struggle to find volunteers, the exemption is designed to entice more firefighters to sign up. 

Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi spoke in favor of the resolution during public comments. “We are with you essentially in this quest to make sure we’re doing what we can to benefit our firefighters, and we’re going to try to take every step we can,” Rossi said.  

Ballston Spa Fire Chief Mike Bashore also supported the resolution. “Our volunteer firefighters are hardworking individuals that are dedicated to our community and provide an invaluable service for no personal financial gain,” Bashore said. “Getting individuals to dedicate their free time and volunteer in our community has become increasingly difficult over the past decade.” Bashore said that the exemption could help his department add and retain more firefighters. 

Ballston Spa joined several other local school districts, such as Shenendehowa, Burnt Hills, and Mechanicville, in approving the exemption. 

Census Bureau Releases Poverty Rate Data for Local School Districts

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The United States Census Bureau released estimates for school district poverty rates last month. The data is for 2022. 

• The Saratoga Springs City School District had 6,895 kids between the ages of 5 and 17. 441 of them lived in poverty, giving the district a 6.4% poverty rate.

• Ballston Spa Central School District had 4,202 kids between the ages of 5 and 17. 362 of them lived in poverty, leaving the district with a 8.6% poverty rate.

• Schuylerville Central School District had 1,619 kids between the ages of 5 and 17. 117 of them lived in poverty, resulting in a 7.2% poverty rate for the district.

Some of the highest 2022 poverty rates in New York State, at around 40%, were in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Binghamton school districts. Some of the lowest rates, at less than 2%, were found in Garden City, Scarsdale, and Massapequa.