State Senator Jim Tedisco with the 7th grade Maple Avenue Middle School class on the Million Dollar Staircase at the New York State Capitol in Albany. Photo provided.
ALBANY — State Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) welcomed 7th grade students from the Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs to the New York State Capitol last week.
Tedisco, a former special education teacher and ranking member of the Senate Education Committee, discussed the state budget process and what it’s like to be a state representative.
“I was very impressed with the questions and knowledge of state government that the Maple Avenue Middle Schoolers showed,” said Senator Tedisco in a statement.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — New York Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for a strict, new statewide cell phone policy that could go into effect as soon as August 1, 2025.
The “distraction-free schools” legislative proposal would, among other things:
Prohibit the unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day, including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods.
Allow schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day
Propose that $13.5 million in funding be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing smartphone storage solutions
In a January 23 Board of Education meeting, Saratoga School District Director of Program and Budget Integration Dr. Joseph Greco said that Hochul’s proposal recommends lockers be used for phone storage during school days, which means the district may not need to tap into the $13.5 million fund set aside for storage solutions.
“We have an ample supply of lockers here, so this may not have a budgetary impact on us,” Greco said, “but it’s certainly something we’re keeping a close eye on.”
Greco said that Saratoga schools would be required to report on their enforcement of the policy, including any disciplinary action that might be necessary. Schools would also be required to provide demographic information for any students subjected to phone-related disciplinary action.
Bobby Yusko, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, said he believed that the chances Hochul’s cell phone policies will be enacted are “pretty high.”
The governor has allowed for some exceptions to the ban, according to Greco, including the use of devices (such as laptops or tablets) sanctioned by teachers for classroom instruction, and the use of devices needed for translation purposes. Students would also be allowed to have access to simple cell phones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices that help manage medical conditions.
The “distraction-free schools” policy would be implemented in time for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
“From parents and teachers, to social justice and law enforcement leaders, New Yorkers agree that our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “Using the insights from my statewide listening tour, this comprehensive proposal to restrict smartphone use in schools will ensure that New York’s statewide standard for distraction-free learning delivers the best results for our kids and educators.”
A pickup truck crashed into a building located at 107 Circular Street in Saratoga Springs last summer, causing The Beagle School to relocate one of its programs. Photo via the Beagle School of Saratoga Springs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A fundraiser will be held at the Canfield Casino to benefit the Beagle School in Saratoga Springs after the private preschool’s two-year-old program at 107 Circular Street was damaged by a drunk driving incident last summer.
At the end of June last year, police said that a Greenfield man crashed his pickup truck into the Beagle School location known as “Little Beagle.” The man was charged with a misdemeanor DWI, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident, among other charges.
No one was hurt, but the building itself sustained significant damage, forcing the school to relocate while the Circular Street structure is repaired.
For more information on the Casino Night event happening on March 21, visit https://beagle-school.betterworld.org/events/beagle-school-casino-night.
Malta Town Historian Paul Perreault delivers his “From Malta to the Moon” presentation at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa on November 12, 2024. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
BALLSTON SPA — Paul Perreault, a former educator in the Ballston Spa Central School District and Town of Malta Historian, passed away on January 10 after a brief illness at the age of 82.
Perreault was born on July 28, 1942, in Cohoes. He graduated from the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, Siena College in Loudonville, and The State University of New York at Albany. He was a teacher, elementary school principal, high school dean of students, vice principal, and principal serving both the Shenendehowa and Ballston Spa school districts from 1967 until his retirement in 1998.
He was the Town of Malta Historian from 2008 to 2023; a guide and board member of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark; and a board member The National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa. He also authored the book “Servants of God: The Luther-Mackay Family of Saratoga County.” In 2023, he was the recipient of the Saratoga County Public History Award for his “significant contributions in preserving, interpreting, researching, publishing, and promoting the history of Saratoga County”.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, January 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Armer Funeral Home at 39 East High Street in Ballston Spa. Memorial contributions in memory of Paul may be made to the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum or the American Heart Association.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College students in Assistant Professor of English Jamie Parra’s course on Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” are using virtual reality (VR) to experience the literary classic.
In the “Walden” VR game, students retrace the steps of American transcendentalist Thoreau — a naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher — during his two years spent living at Walden Pond from 1845 to 1847. They explore Thoreau’s cabin and the greater Concord, Massachusetts, area; participate in daily activities like tending to the bean fields and fishing; and experience the natural world as it was in the mid-19th century.
Emerging technologies and interactive play experiences are also being used to further learning in disciplines ranging from Health and Human Physiological Sciences to Asian Studies.
Principal Anna Farone was celebrated by her staff and students Wednesday after she won the Distinguished Administrator Award from the Bishop of Albany. Photos by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Queen Anna, adorned in a flowing blue cape and golden bejeweled crown, strode down her hallway while crowds of cheering spectators sang her praises. No, this isn’t a scene from Buckingham Palace, but rather a celebration of St. Clement’s School Principal Anna Farone, who recently received the Distinguished Administrator Award from the Bishop of Albany.
On Wednesday, Farone was surprised by her faculty and students with a day-long celebration in honor of her award.
“Instead of doing any work in the office, I was [told] to follow a schedule,” Farone said. “I went to every classroom for about 15 minutes and every class showered me with gifts and kind words.”
Farone’s staff prepared her a giant breakfast. Her second graders sent her on a scavenger hunt. Other students wrote her letters, sharing some fond memories of their experiences at St. Clement’s. There was also a slideshow highlighting her contributions to the school over the last thirty-plus years.
“I feel very blessed, very lucky to be able to be here and have this experience and have the people around me that I have,” Farone said. “The school holds a pretty special place in my heart.”
Farone attended St. Clement’s as a student and so did her father. Her mother also taught there. After graduating from Saratoga Central Catholic High School, she received a B.A. in Elementary Education from St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She then earned a Masters in Education at SUNY Plattsburgh.
She launched her teaching career at St. Mary’s/St. Alphonsus in Glens Falls before returning to St. Clement’s as a teacher. She remained in that role for several decades before serving as assistant principal for seven years and now principal for four years (and counting). Outside of her busy work schedule, Farone enjoys golfing and flying airplanes (she holds a private pilot’s license).
“Her leadership, unwavering commitment to the success of our students, and dedication to creating a faith-filled and supportive learning environment have left an indelible mark on our school community,” Assistant Principal Teri Crowe told Saratoga TODAY.
“It’s like home,” Farone said of St. Clement’s. “The community feeling here is pretty special. Faith and family is one of our mottos and I hope I continue that.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District is seeking community input on candidates for the tenth annual Hall of Distinction. The program was designed to instill in students the concepts of achievement and excellence with the Hall of Distinction inductees serving as role models.
Potential candidates must have graduated from Saratoga Springs High School at least ten years ago and must exemplify the district’s educational philosophy through an outstanding social contribution to the broader community and/or outstanding professional contribution to, or achievement in, their field of endeavor.
A committee composed of community members, former and current high school administrators, and former and current high school teachers, will review the nominations and select the honorees. Individuals will be recognized in a ceremony at the high school this spring.
Nominations are accepted through the online Hall of Distinction Form. All forms must be submitted by January 31. For more information or to access the form, visit: www.saratogaschools.org/hall-of-distinction-nominees-accepted-through-january-31/.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs’ student art show is currently on display inside the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center downtown.
The artwork was selected from grades 1-8 and includes explorations of primary and secondary colors by the lower grades; studies of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art by middle grade students; and observational paintings of flowers and birds, which is done at several grade levels.
The art will be on view at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, located at 297 Broadway, until January 31. The Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Gold medal-winning dishes prepared by the Professional Chefs of New Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts are displayed during Skidmore College’s annual American Culinary Federation Competition on January 10. Photos by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Members of Skidmore Dining Services competed alongside top chefs from institutions across the country in a “Chopped”-style competition held at Skidmore’s Murray-Aikins Dining Hall last Friday. The Skidmore team was awarded a silver medal for their efforts, while the University of Massachusetts and The Professional Chefs of New Hampshire both took home gold.
Each of the 10 participating teams was tasked with preparing a three-course menu and buffet platter by utilizing ingredients in a “market basket” provided to each team. The teams had an hour and a half to develop the menu and then several hours to prepare and serve the dishes. A panel of professional chefs judged the teams on originality, taste, and presentation.
The team of three Skidmore chefs — Production Manager Tim Thompson, Senior Cook Paul Karlson, and Short Order Cook Allen Lapelle — was joined by Sommarah Whitbeck, a local high school trainee.
“The overall goal of this competition is to improve competitors’ personal culinary skills,” said Mark Miller, Skidmore’s director of Dining Services, in a statement. “In the end, you end up with chefs who are stronger, more creative, and more skilled, which only strengthens Skidmore’s culinary offerings.”
Other competing institutions included silver medal-winners Princeton University, The University of Buffalo, and the Worlds Master Chef Society from Texas; as well as bronze-winners Cornell University, The College of the Holy Cross, Middlebury College, and St. Lawrence University.
Schuylerville students try on Revolutionary War-style clothing as part of Fort Ticonderoga’s “A Soldier’s Life” educational program. Photo via the Schuylerville Central School District.
SCHUYLERVILLE — Fort Ticonderoga educators visited Rebecca Nesbitt’s 7th grade social studies classes in Schuylerville recently to present “A Soldier’s Life,” a program that incorporates Revolutionary War-era history, geography, and math to help teach students about the daily experiences of American soldiers.
Students explored the equipment and food of Revolutionary soldiers and discussed the challenges of equipping and feeding an army in a remote location.
“The Soldier’s Life” presentation is given to hundreds of schools throughout the year in an effort to help students understand what they’re learning in their textbooks in a hands-on way.
