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NYS Education Department: $34M Awarded For 197 Public Library Construction Projects, 4 in Saratoga 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Southern Adirondack Library System in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided.

ALBANY — The New York State Education Department awarded $34 million to 197 public libraries and systems statewide to support construction and renovation projects, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced week. 

The funds help libraries construct new buildings, update electrical wiring and computer technology, improve broadband infrastructure, meet energy efficiency standards, renovate facilities to provide greater accessibility, and provide meeting spaces to accommodate community needs. 

Four libraries in Saratoga County made the list, including the Southern Adirondack Library System, located on Whitney Place in Saratoga Springs – awarded $38,133 for improved Broadband WIFI access in Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington County libraries. Other awardees included the public libraries in Clifton Park-Halfmoon ($300,848), Waterford ($220,025), and Stillwater ($134,775).     

“Libraries are essential and unique community hubs, providing face-to-face and online services to their patrons for free. They are wonderful gathering places for multiple generations, regardless of socioeconomic status, to come together, under one roof, and access a variety of educational resources,” said NYS Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, Chair of the Libraries and Education Technology Committee. 

“Thanks to this construction funding, new rooftops and other infrastructure improvements will be made without burdening taxpayers. I am especially thankful that a number of libraries in my 113th Assembly District have been awarded funding from the State Educational Department.”

Construction funds are allocated to New York State’s 23 public library systems based on formulas in Education Law. Member libraries apply for the State funds allocated to their public library system. Each library system’s governing Board of Trustees then prioritizes the projects and sends approved project applications with recommended project awards to the New York State Library. 

The Rotary Club of Ballston Spa Donates School Supplies to Local Students in Need

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Shown in the photo: Ballston Spa Liaison for Families in Temporary Housing Deb Dugan, Rotary Club member Tina VanDerwerker, BSCSD student Maddie Kortz, Rotary Club President Golenne Kortz, Superintendent Dr. Gianleo Ducca, and Director of Student Support Services Kevin Flores.

BALLSTON SPA — The Rotary Club of Ballston Spa, a longtime supporter of the Ballston Spa Central School District, recently donated a car load of school supplies to the district as the new school year approaches. Supplies will be distributed to local students/families in need. Families in the Ballston Spa schools who need assistance in obtaining school supplies for their students should contact Deb Dugan, 518-884-7195, ext. 1356 or ddugan@bscsd.org. 

Saratoga Springs High School Named a 2023 NYSPHSAA School of Excellence

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School has been named a 2022-2023 School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA).

To earn the School of Excellence award, 75% of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award, meaning the roster’s total grade point average must be 90 or above.

“The School of Excellence and School of Distinction Awards exemplify the mission of NYSPHSAA, education through interscholastic athletics,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “It is amazing to see the commitment to academic excellence from the schools, administrators, coaches, and student-athletes.” 

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards is to unite athletic departments in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor. This year, 84 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 219 schools earned the School of Excellence Award. View the 2022-23 list of New York State School of Excellence recipients at nysphsaa.org.

To learn more about Saratoga Springs School District visit www.saratogaschools.org.

The “Nice Cream Social”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

The “Nice Cream Social” party in celebration of Youth Squared’s 20th Anniversary. Photos by Lawrence White.

SARATOGA — The “Nice Cream Social” backyard party took place on Aug. 5, as a celebration of the accomplishments of the non-profit organization, Youth Squared, part of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. For 20 years, Youth Squared has been giving back to the greater capital region and beyond through various community events and outreach efforts.

The 20th birthday celebration showcased various youth, community leaders and the founder of Youth Squared, as accomplishments, memories, and next steps were discussed.

The celebration consisted of ice cream from Stewart’s (one of Youth Squared’s biggest supporters), speeches, a birthday song about the organization, and a vote on a new flavor name. For the months of August and September, the ice cream flavor “Youth Engage-MINT” will be seen in local Stewart’s Shops throughout Saratoga Springs in honor of the group’s accomplishments.

The party saw a collection of alumni and other community members come together to see what their actions had accomplished. A surprise gift of $20,000 was given to the organization to continue its youth philanthropic efforts.

For more information about Youth Squared, go online to www.youthsquared.org.

Girls on the Run Capital Region Fall Season Coaching Opportunities

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

CAPITAL REGION —Girls on the Run Capital Region’s fall Coach Registration is now open. 

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires girls in 3rd through 8th grade to be joyful, healthy and confident. 

The 10-week program incorporates running to teach critical life skills, encourage personal development and foster team building and community service. Volunteer coaches utilize a curriculum to engage teams of girls in fun, interactive lessons. Teams meet twice a week for 75-90 minutes and the program culminates with all teams participating in a 5K event. 

Girls on the Run of Capital Region currently serves girls at over 20 sites across five counties. Volunteers provide critical leadership, and the non-profit organization is currently seeking coaches to facilitate the program. 

Coaches do not need to be runners but are required to be a minimum of 18-years-old to serve as a coach. All volunteer coaches must complete a background check and attend a training session. 

For more information about coaching and Girls on the Run Capital Region, visit www.gotrcr.org/coach. 

Girls on the Run Capital Region, Inc. was founded in fall 2013 as an independent, 501(c)3 council of Girls on the Run International and serves girls in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. Their first team of ten girls was held in spring 2014. 

Corinth Back To School Fair

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

CORINTH — The CARE Committee’s Back to School Fair will return on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 4-6 p.m. in the Corinth Middle School parking lot.

Families will be able to choose from several resources offered such as free school supplies, donations of gently used clothing and an opportunity to get a free haircut at the event. Registration is required; visit www.corinthcsd.org. 

Community support behind the Back to School Fair includes Saratoga YMCA, Corinth PTSA, Saratoga Children’s Committee, and six local hair stylists providing their time.

A door prize style raffle will be open to all attending Corinth families – prizes to include a three month Family Membership at the YMCA, children’s bicycles and a gift certificate to the Ninja Lab. Many Corinth teachers are busy working behind the scenes to get ready for this event and will be at the fair to help distribute school supplies and say hello to many of their students.

Donations in support of this event and to the CARE Committee can be mailed to Kerry Giumarra, CARE President at Corinth Central School District at 105 Oak St, Corinth, NY 12822.

WSWHE BOCES Honors 16 High School Equivalency Graduates

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — WSWHE BOCES held a graduation ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 honoring its 16 High School Equivalency (HSE) Program graduates.

Nearly 40 people were in attendance, which included graduates accepting their certificates and family and friends cheering them on. Student speaker, Nirendae Johnson, from Saratoga Springs, spoke to her classmates and the audience about the many times she wanted to give up, but instead persevered. 

“One of the most important things I learned throughout this journey is that it is always going to be hard, and scary and overwhelming, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. It might take you months or even years to reach your goals but the second you decided to try, you already completed the hardest part,” said Ms. Johnson.

Rose O’Neill, from Saratoga Springs, spoke to her class. O’Neill was inspired by her own sister’s courage who obtained her high school equivalency diploma and that allowed O’Neill to try for her own. She also thanked her instructor, who she believes helped her get to this point. 

“Everything changed when I met Mr. Frank Finch [HSE instructor]. The moment I walked into the HSE classroom, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Mr. Finch taught me academic subjects but also instilled in me a belief in my own potential,” said Ms. O’Neill. 

The high school equivalency diploma has opened up new possibilities for these students such as new job opportunities, goals for continuing education or attending technical school, a press release states.

District Superintendent, Dr. Turina Parker, spoke about celebrating the accomplishments of the students who persevered through challenges, ups and downs, setbacks and roadblocks. 

“This evening, we prove that everything is attainable when you put your mind to it. These students have made the impossible… possible. You made it to the finish line, one of many” stated Dr. Parker.

Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge Ladies Auxiliary Awards Scholarships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.


From left: Grace Herzog, Sydney Wildermuth and Sophia Herzog.Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 Ladies Auxiliary awarded three $1,000 scholarships to Saratoga Springs High School seniors who demonstrated a variety of community service combined with exceptional grades while completing their years in High School. 

Each winner and their family attended the Auxiliary’s Scholarship Recognition and Auxiliary Past President’s Dinner. Each student spoke about her service to their community and their plans for college and their majors.

Homesteading Anyone?

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Education, Featured.

Image provided.

MILTON — The Milton Grange and the Brookside Museum are partnering to offer a series of classes titled ‘Homesteading on a 1/2 Acre’ in September, teaching local community members how to grow and produce their own food.

Eric Smassanow, a member of the Milton Grange and an organizer of the event, said the classes are intended to give people “a start” on homesteading. Smassanow has lived on a homestead for more than 40 years, and has 25 years of experience selling organic fertilizer, he said.

“What I want to do is take the 40-something years of experience, making all kinds of mistakes, learning, and going to conferences …and incorporate that into some two-hour classes that give you a start,” said Smassanow.

The classes, which run for two hours each, begin Sept. 19, with each successive class on the following Tuesday. The five classes cost $75 to attend in total, which includes a membership fee for the Milton Grange, Smassanow said. Participants can also bring a guest at no charge.

The first class, titled ‘Planning,’ will be hosted by Smassanow and Anne Clothier, Director of Education at the Brookside Museum.

Participants in the inaugural class will make a to-scale drawing of their property, and receive a questionnaire to help figure out “what makes sense” for them to grow, Smassanow said.

“The first class is to get people thinking of what makes sense,” Smassanow said. “I’ve got room for mistakes. A half-acre, you don’t have a lot of room for mistakes. You have room for experimentation, but really not mistakes.”

The second class, ‘Gardening,’ will be taught by Stacy Simmons, who formerly ran the Brookside Nursery, Smassanow said. The class will discuss different planting options, and how to make a garden work in a small space, among other things.

“She’s got a lot of really good information,” said Smassanow. “It’s a two-hour class on gardening. … What are the best varieties? How can you increase your yield?”

The third class, ‘Preserving Your Harvest,’ taught by Diane Whitten of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, will focus on food preservation, discussing different options such as freezing, dehydration, fermenting, and canning, according to a flier advertising the classes.

“So you’ve got your garden, you raise all these vegetables, what do you do with them?” Smassanow said. “(Diane is) a great educator. She’s going to cover all the different ways (to preserve).”

The fourth class, ‘Growing Protein’, will be taught by Nicolina Foti of CCE. Smassanow said this will include ducks, chickens, goats, and rabbits. The fifth class is set to be a “round-robin” of different activities with several instructors, Smassanow said, noting they will adjust the final class to cater to the interests of participants.

Smassanow also said the Grange is hoping to host additional single-day classes in the future, which he said would “really get into the nitty-gritty.”

“Which you really need to to be successful,” said Smassanow. “You can figure it out, but it’s a lot easier if you get trained in it. We’re going to offer that, possibly, in the winter.”

For more information on the ‘Homesteading on a 1/2 Acre’ classes, visit miltongrange.org/homesteading/.

The Saratoga Winery and SCCC Announce Sneakerfest Fundraiser Event

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Winery and the Saratoga County Children’s Committee (SCCC) have announced a fundraising event called Sneakerfest to benefit the SCCC’s Back to School Program.

Sneakerfest will take place on Sunday, Aug. 20, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Winery, located at 462 Rte. 29. The organizations will collaborate with local businesses iRun LOCAL and Allo Saratoga to provide sneakers for children as they prepare to return to school in September.

Sneakerfest will include free activities for kids provided by Allo Saratoga, child-friendly food concession stands, and outdoor space for yard games. Participants will have an opportunity to make donations to help outfit children with high quality sneakers, supported by iRun LOCAL. 

“The partnership between The Saratoga Winery, SCCC, Allo Saratoga, and iRun LOCAL, is a wonderful example of local organizations teaming up to make a difference for children,” said Gail Veitch, co-chair of SCCC, in a press release. “SCCC is dedicated to assisting local children with the belief that every child needs to know someone cares. This fun and family-friendly event at the Saratoga Winery will bring families together to outfit Saratoga County children with great sneakers just in time to go back to school.”

To make a donation to purchase shoes for students, visit: irunlocal.com/product/sccc/