Photo provided by Ballston Spa Central School District
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School English teacher Mrs. Tina DeFabio has won the Educator of Excellence Award from the New York State English Council (NYSEC). Mrs. DeFabio was nominated by both her colleagues and a parent.
“We admire and are proud of Tina,” said Ballston Spa Superintendent Dr. Gianleo Duca in a statement.
Educator of Excellence Award winners are recognized for showing a commitment to excellence, innovation, and creativity in teaching, mentoring, and learning.
For more information about the NYSEC, visit www.nysecteach.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —All students enrolled in the Saratoga Springs City School District are now able to receive free breakfast and lunch meals.
The cost-free meals are the result of the USDA’s expanded Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP rules dictate that free breakfast and lunch offerings must be complete meals.
According to School Lunch Program Director Eric Bush, a complete meal consists of protein, fruits, vegetables, milk, and grain. Students will “have to take at least three of the main components for it to count,” Bush said.
The free meals were first offered on November 1. No action is required for students to be eligible.
BALLSTON SPA — Students stood safely behind glass panes as the robots began to rumble. The bots moved with remarkable speed, fetching purple cubes and sometimes colliding with one another. Teams of judges and referees watched the mayhem from a safe distance outside the steel enclosure. For some, emotions ran high.
“The hardest part of a competition is probably the struggle of coping with failure,” said Alaina Bottisti, a member of the Ballston Spa High School robotics team. “You will get down on yourself or even shed a few tears, but in the end…the only thing failure can do is make you grow.”
The Robot Rumble Off-Season Robotics Competition occurred at Ballston Spa High School on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Fourteen teams from New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts participated in the event. Regional participants hailed from Ballston Spa, Albany, and Lake Placid.
“I love the variety of teams that participate and enjoy the event more than anything,” said Ballston Spa robotics team member Gavin Lafountain. “Seeing so many different teams in one place outside of regionals, and at our school of all places is really awesome and rewarding.”
The off-season battle allowed teams to recruit members, mentors, and sponsors in preparation for the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in March 2024. MVP Arena in Albany will host the event.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competitions challenge participants with strict rules and limited resources. Teams must raise funds, design a brand, and build robots that can accomplish tasks such as quickly grabbing objects and dropping them into a bin.
The competitions give students practical engineering experience that can lead to continued interest in the field.
BSpa robotics team member Julia Cressman said she plans to pursue engineering in the future and has “already visited several colleges in the region.”
“I’ve chosen robotics because I aspire to be an engineer, and robotics is a great start to getting into a STEM pathway,” she said. “FIRST robotics competitions are competitive, but friendly, and are a great way to develop your STEM experience.”
For additional information about the program, contact Ballston Spa Science Coordinator Diane Irwin at dirwin@bscsd.org or 518-884-7150 ext. 2317.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Tree House Brewing Company plans to build a brewery, taproom, and “expansive indoor and outdoor experience” across the street from the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Route 9. It will be the brewer’s sixth location overall and first outside of New England.
In a Facebook post announcing the plans, Tree House said “Saratoga Springs is famous for its vibrant arts and music scene. This history aligns with our passion and support for music and the arts in ways we almost find too good to be true. To say that we are excited to become a part of the community would be an understatement.”
The company expects to create “at least” sixty jobs and generate $30 to $40 million in economic activity. Tree House also plans to make financial contributions to local organizations, such as Sustainable Saratoga, a non-profit that “uses education, advocacy, and action to advance sustainable practices and protect our environment for current and future generations.”
“Tree House aims to become an integral chapter in Saratoga Springs’ vibrant and hopeful future,” the company said.
Tree House Brewing is a Massachusetts-based company that was ranked the fourth-best brewery in the world by RateBeer in 2019. Two of Tree House’s most acclaimed beers are the IPAs “Julius” and “Alter Ego.” Current locations also serve a variety of cold brew coffees, seltzers, and canned cocktails. Food offerings include pizza and lobster rolls.
Tree House is also known for hosting live music and stand-up comedy. In the past, notable musicians such as Iron & Wine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Aimee Mann, Graham Nash, and They Might Be Giants have performed at Tree House venues.
According to the company’s website, its “goal has been to present you with reliably delightful beer that can contribute positively to life’s precious moments, and serve them in a cheerful, communal environment.”
The new facility will be located about two miles from both the Saratoga Race Course and the heart of downtown Saratoga. According to Google Maps, the address is listed as 3376 S Broadway. Tree House hopes to open its Saratoga location sometime in 2024.
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Career Center, in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers, has announced it will hold free virtual career workshops in November. See below for upcoming virtual career workshops:
Nov. 8 at 11 a.m.: Goal Setting. This workshop explores how goal setting works, why goals are important, and provides helpful resources. Facilitated by Washington and Albany.
Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m.: Interview Preparation. Learn how to articulate strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.
Nov. 16 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications. Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.
Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media. Social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job. Facilitated by Schenectady.
Nov. 28 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Saratoga and Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.
Registration is required for all workshops.
Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information. The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.
Photo provided by Schuylerville Central School District.
SCHUYLERVILLE — The second annual Schuylerville Middle School Booster Bash fundraiser raised a total of $13,097, according to a release from the district. The money will be used for middle school guest speakers, field trips, and end-of-year activities.
Over 198 students registered to participate in the three-week long fundraiser and were awarded prizes throughout the initiative. Students received pledges from 22 different states, the release states. A color run was held on campus to celebrate the conclusion of the school-wide endeavor.
“In just three weeks, our students put in an incredible effort to support their school,” said Principal Katie Elsworth in the release. “The effort and excitement shown during the color run only furthers the positive culture we are continually trying to foster each day. I am very proud of what we accomplished and grateful for the support of our families.”
“This event, while only in its second year, is quickly becoming a beloved middle school tradition,” added Assistant Principal Maddie Wright in the release. “It’s a great way to connect our students to their school community and show what we are capable of doing when we work together. We raised a record amount of funds that students will directly benefit from; we are so proud of this incredible effort.”
Representatives and students from Saratoga Central Catholic School, St. Mary’s School, and St. Clement’s School presented a check for $2,061 to Renée Russell, director of the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center, on Oct. 25. Not pictured are SCC student council members Ellie Grace, Rebecca Schnefel, and Sydney Caracci (Photo by Super Source Media).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic School concluded its 15th annual Pink Day by presenting a check for $2,061 to Saratoga Hospital’s Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center on Oct. 25.
The money was raised in collaboration with St. Clement’s School and St. Mary’s School, both of whom had representatives on hand to help present the check to Renée Russell, director of the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center.
Funds will be donated to the Radiation Oncology Center’s Cancer Patient Fund. Russell said the funds will support assisting patients with transportation to and from treatments and appointments, as well as helping with things such as childcare, copay assistance, buying groceries, gas, or rent expenses.
“I would say the biggest challenge that most patients have is getting transportation to and from every day for their treatments,” said Russell. “As an example, with radiation therapy, usually you have to come five days a week, and you need to get a ride to and back home. That’s a really big challenge for people. So we use a lot of the cancer patient funds to support them. We have a really good connection with Saratoga Hybrid Cab, so we can provide transportation to and from treatments.”
Russell also noted they have hired two massage therapists to provide free massages to patients going through treatment. The hospital also hosts an annual retreat in Lake George for cancer survivors, with Russell adding that funds donated help support all of these initiatives and more.
At Saratoga Catholic, students raised money by participating in a ‘pink dress-down’ day, wearing pink instead of their typical school uniforms. Students donated $3 to participate, but Student Council advisor Maria Izzo said many chose to donate much more.
“The middle school class who wore the most pink was awarded, and then the high school class that wore the most pink was rewarded,” Izzo said. “It’s a three-dollar dress-down day, but there’s 20-dollar bills that are given. There’s a hundred-dollar check. People really go above and beyond what they have to, because they know it’s a worthy cause.”
Russell expressed her appreciation, noting that donations and other similar fundraisers help Cancer Patient Fund continue to provide its services to patients. She added the support also shows patients that the community is thinking of and supporting them.
“It just goes to show, and I always say this to patients, people are thinking about them, even though they might not directly know them,” said Russell. “I think that above and beyond the money, it also is a comfort to know that people are rooting for them and wanting to support them when they’re going through a diagnosis of cancer, which is hard enough.”
She added it is meaningful for money raised locally to remain in the community, and said the Cancer Patient Fund comes in “amazing use” to support patients.
“I think the good thing about it is the money that’s being raised here is also staying here, to help people that live in this community,” Russell said.
Izzo added that it is meaningful to be assisted by St. Clement’s and St. Mary’s Schools, saying she is “honored and proud” to support Saratoga Hospital and the Radiation Oncology Center.
“And St. Clement’s and St. Mary’s, the kids love it,” said Izzo. “They were extremely generous. It’s a pretty good number for three schools.”
“I think it’s really sending a message to people that there’s other people in the community that have been impacted by this,” added Russell of the fundraiser. “A lot of times, people will be like, ‘What can I do to help you?’ This is a way that people can help people. They don’t have to ask, they’re already just doing it. I think that’s a strong message to share with people.”
Photo provided by Ballston Spa Central School District.
BALLSTON SPA — FIRST Robotics teams from throughout the Capital Region, other areas of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts will convene at Ballston Spa High School on Saturday for the Robot Rumble Off-Season Robotics Competition.
The Robot Rumble Competition will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 4 at the Ballston Spa High School. The event is free and open to the public.
FIRST Robotics teams from the Capital District have collaborated to organize this year’s event. The GLOBALFOUNDRIES/Town of Malta Foundation provided a grant allowing the FIRST competition Charged Up field from last season to be brought to Ballston Spa High School for the Robot Rumble event, according to a release from the district. Coffee Planet in Ballston Spa is also providing support.
Off-season competitions provide an opportunity for teams to have fun and to recruit new students, industry mentors and sponsors as they begin preparing for the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in March 2024, the release states. Anyone interested in starting a team in their school district can stop by to learn about a New York State New Team Grant Opportunity that includes funds to register a team for the 2024 season and a mentor stipend.
Similar competitions for elementary and middle school aged students will take place in December and January, the release states. The 2024 season for FIRST Robotics Competition teams begins in January, with a regional event held at the MVP Arena in March.
For more information, please email Ballston Spa CSD STEM Coordinator Diane Irwin at dirwin@bscsd.org, or call 518-884-7150 ext. 2317.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Thanks to the efforts of a Saratoga Springs High School sophomore, a Veterans Day ceremony is set to be held at Veterans Memorial Park on Nov. 9.
The event will feature guest speakers, a performance of the National Anthem, and a flag replacement ceremony with a color guard. The event will be presented by the Saratoga Springs High School Military Club, and has been planned primarily by Kelly McMurtrie, a 10th-grader at the school and a member of the Military Club.
McMurtrie joined the Military Club this year, and said that while she and the club have not organized an event like this before, she felt that putting together an event to honor and support veterans is “something that is important to do.”
“It’s mine and the club’s first time ever doing anything like this,” said McMurtrie. “… The amount of people who have been hurt or injured in any way, mentally or physically, it’s horrible, and we need to do something about that.”
She said the idea for the event originated with replacing the flag at the park.
“The way it sparked up was, someone mentioned that the flag at the park was really tattered, and that we could do something to replace it,” said McMurtrie. “Someone else said that we should do something for Veterans Day, so I decided to put them together.”
The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, with speeches from guest speakers preceding a flag replacement ceremony by the color guard. McMurtrie also noted recruiters will be on hand at the event, and said the Military Club is hoping to have the National Anthem sung by a member of the U.S. Army Band.
McMurtrie and the Military Club, with advisor Colleen Sanita, are working with the high school to set up donations online. Proceeds raised will go to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), with McMurtrie emphasizing the importance of giving back to those who served.
The planning and organizing of the ceremony has been an impressive effort by the high school sophomore. McMurtrie said it has been exciting to see her work pay off as the event comes together, adding that taking the lead and initiative of planning an event like this “feels like something that a 10th-grader wouldn’t be doing, and exciting.”
“It’s really exciting, and I feel great about it,” said McMurtrie. “It’s really exciting especially to see all the things coming together.”
McMurtrie’s father served in the Navy, and she said she enjoyed her time growing up in a military family. She added that part of her interest in the military is due to the idea of “being part of something bigger” than herself.
She also emphasized the meaning of the ceremony, with proceeds raised going to the DAV, saying she feels it is important to “take care of those who took care of us.”
“Everything that they have given for our country, it’s our turn to give back,” McMurtrie said.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education has approved the appointment of law firm Harris Beach, PLLC to investigate allegations made in a letter by Safe Athletes For Everyone, which contained statements from former student-athletes and parents claiming “a toxic culture of alleged abusive coaching,” within several of the district’s athletic programs.
The letter was sent on Oct. 2 by attorney Martin Greenberg, representing Safe Athletes for Everyone, to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young, and NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas.
Many allegations in the SAFE letter were made anonymously. It also included a statement from 1989 graduate Kristen (Gecewicz) Gunning, who referred to the running program as “a toxic culture of control and abuse of middle and high school girls all in the name of winning.” Other statements were included from Ann Marie Pendergast, parent of a former girls varsity soccer player. Pendergast had described the team’s culture as “demoralizing and unhealthy.”
At the Oct. 24 Board of Education meeting, several current and former student-athletes, as well as parents of student-athletes, spoke strongly in support of district athletic programs, with many saying their experiences did not reflect complaints that were described in the letter. A majority of speakers at the meeting spoke regarding the school’s running program.
“I will forever be grateful for the opportunities this team has provided to my girls. They have empowered and supported countless young ladies,” said parent Jennifer Hart.
Dan Sacco, a 1992 Saratoga graduate, said his time with the running teams was “easily the most formative and memorable part of (his) high school career.”
“I think what makes my experience a little different than some of the other speakers is that not only did I have a great experience, but I’ve had over 30 years of looking back and fondly remembering that experience,” said Sacco. “To now have that publicly portrayed as a toxic environment, when my memory has all been positive, isn’t something that I feel like I can sit back and not respond to.”
Valerie Belisle, a parent, said she has “nothing negative to say about the program,” saying they helped to teach life skills such as perseverance and integrity.
At the meeting on Tuesday, District Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton read a statement released by the district, stating in part that the review from Harris Beach would examine complaints made in the letter and how they were handled, as well as audit the culture of current athletic programs.
“The process outlined above will be thorough and deliberative. It will be given the resources and time required for a first-rate examination,” part of Patton’s statement read. “The results and recommendations will be carefully considered by the Board of Education and shared with the community.”
“As educators, we are entrusted with the awesome responsibility of educating and attending to the wellbeing of all our students and student athletes. This is a responsibility we share with their parents and families and with our dedicated teachers, coaches and staff members who give of themselves to help our young people rise to their full potential,” Patton’s statement continued. “It is important to everyone involved in our athletic program that our community has confidence in the program’s integrity and excellence. Allegations such as these deserve to be taken seriously and not allowed to linger unanswered. We believe this comprehensive, independent review will benefit our athletic program, our school district, and our students, and we ask that all involved support this process with their full cooperation.”
