SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga Springs City School District held a Board of Education meeting on Jan. 6 for several district-wide updates and a presentation from the Pupil Services Department. Watch the full meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyK4MhR7OIM. 

COVID Updates 

Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton spent some time updating board members and community members on the uptick in positive cases, especially within the county’s K-12 student group. 

As expected, there has been a surge in positive cases after holiday break for all residents in Saratoga County. Since Jan. 3, when students returned to school, there have been 113 confirmed positive cases between students and adults within the Saratoga Springs City School District. There are an additional 156 cases that were reported to the nurse but have yet to be confirmed by the county’s department of health. Only 6 to 8 of the cases involved sports teams. 

Patton didn’t give a number for how many in the district are in quarantine but said that “the number of quarantines is exponential.” 

County-wide there have been over 6,000 students and over 1,000 adults that have tested positive for COVID since returning from holiday break. 

The SSCSD is 100% committed to keeping schools open and safe; getting accurate updates out as soon as possible, and as not to overwhelm the community, as the CDC and New York State Department of Health is releasing new information almost daily. They are continuing the mitigation and health and safety protocols that have been in place for the past two years: replacing air filters frequently, encouraging and mandating consistent and proper mask use, arranging instructional spaces to encourage social distancing, and encouraging vaccinations and boosters. 

The district’s goal is to keep individuals showing symptoms at home, only to return to school or work when they are feeling healthy. One rapid test kit (two tests per box) is available for each student in the district (for more information visit www.saratogaschools.org). After high demand, the district is also in the process of planning a booster clinic, which 12-17- year-olds are now eligible for.

SSCSD intended to put their “Test-To-Stay” protocols into place on Monday, Jan. 3 and Tuesday, Jan. 4. These protocols have been put on pause until the CDC updates their recommendations regarding Test-To-Stay. 

“Implementing Test-To-Stay will help reduce the loss of instructional needs for students who may have to go home and quarantine,” said Patton. 

Stay tuned to the district website for any updates and new information on SSCSD’s Test-To-Stay protocols. 

High School Presented With Gratitude Award

It was announced at the BOE meeting that the Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge presented the Saratoga Springs High School counseling department and counselors with a $1,250 Gratitude Grant to purchase academic or personal hygiene supplies for students in need. The award will be officially announced this week, and there will be a presentation on the agenda for the next BOE meeting, scheduled for Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Come see one of Saratoga’s top-rated independent schools. Saratoga Independent School (SIS) provides an excellent education to students in Pre-K through Eighth Grade. Currently SIS has a few open spots for the current school year, while some grade levels have a waitlist. Enrollment has also begun for the 2022-2023 school year and SIS does anticipate a waitlist. On Jan. 18 & Jan. 21, SIS will host Winter Tour Days. During the Winter Tour Days, prospective families will have an opportunity to meet Bob Ahrens, the new Head of School, as well as other faculty and staff in a safe way. Members of the faculty will take families on private tours of the campus, discuss the curriculum, and answer questions about the school. SIS is also welcoming families to request a virtual tour of the school. This is an excellent opportunity to see what SIS has to offer. For more information and to register, please visit www.siskids.org/admissions/open-house.cfm. 

Advanced registration for tours will be required and reservations can be made online or by contacting Colleen Fortune, Admissions Liaison, directly at cfortune@siskids.org. or 518-583-0841. SIS is also happy to schedule tours with families on any other day that is convenient. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Jan. 12, the Saratoga Springs City School District will be holding a virtual Kindergarten Information Night through Webex at 6 p.m. This is a chance to learn more about the district’s six elementary schools, kindergarten curriculum, the student registration process, how to prepare your child for school, and more. The Webex link can be found at www.saratogaschools.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Youth2 is partnering with Dr. Joe Bruchac on MLK Saratoga Weekend to host “And Who Walked This Ground” on Saturday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is a free, COVID-safe, outdoor program, as part of MLK Saratoga’s Annual Dr. King Celebration Weekend. 

Participants will meet together at the Congress Spring in Congress Park and will look at the history and traditions of the Native people, past and present, and their connections to the Saratoga area and Congress Park.

For more information, visit mlksaratoga.org. 

BALLSTON SPA – The Ballston Spa Central School District held a Board of Education meeting on Jan. 5 for several presentations and updates. 

LETRS & Libraries 

LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) & Libraries was the first presentation. LETRS & Libraries is a professional development program that contributes to the goal of supporting literacy instruction and sharing the crucial role of librarians. This training helps teachers identify reading barriers and diagnose reading difficulties – meeting students where they are at, whether that is below or above grade level. 

In the middle school library from September –through November, close to or over 2,000 books (physical copies and on devices) were circulated each month. 

The presentation also addressed the important role that teacher-librarians in the BSCSD play… They have been assisting as Information Specialists in the science department as the department transitions to keep up with NYSED standards. Their job title has changed in recent times to include being Program Administrators and Media Specialists as well; the librarians have begun to teach copyright, plagiarism, etc. starting in the fourth grade. The district’s librarians also open up their library spaces for community programs. 

Updates on High School Initiatives 

Spa Academy, for students who excel in nontraditional classroom settings, has 55 enrollees in grades 9-12; 14 students will have earned HVCC credits for Semester 1. The program is closely monitored by administration and a recent student survey showed very positive feedback. 

There are five new proposed courses for Spa Academy in the 2022-2023 school year: Multicultural Literature; Physical Science – Physics; Physical Science – Chemistry; Video Production & Broadcasting; Advanced Video Editing, Animation, and Visual Effects. 

The district is planning on holding an in-house summer school program from 7/22/22 through 8/15/22 in conjunction with the 8/16 and 8/17 Regents Exams. Coming off another school year during the pandemic, the target students for summer school are those who failed courses or transfer students who lack credits/NYSED deficient. During the six-week, Monday-Thursday summer school, students have the opportunity to recover three credits. Breakfast and transportation will be provided by the district. 

The district is also envisioning a new education program for the fall of 2022. The Spa Twilight School will be an on-campus alternative education from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a GED component to cater to a population of students they don’t have education solutions for currently. 

Misc. 

The district is continuing to work on their COVID policies and the bussing issue. The district has exactly the number of drivers needed to fulfill their routes; if any call in, that results in routes being cancelled for the day. Information about the distribution of at-home rapid COVID testing kits will be made available by the end of the week. 

January is the district’s UPK (Universal Pre-K) enrollment and recruitment month. There will be an open house on Jan. 20 at the community center. For more information, please visit the district’s website at bscsd.org, or contact the district office.

Also on Jan. 20, there will be an Early College information night for 8th graders at the TECH-SMART campus. Register to attend in-person or virtually on the district website (bscsd.org). 

In addition, the Board of Education passed a resolution to increase public comment time at their meeting to a flexible 60-minutes (total). The resolution’s first reading was at this Jan. 5 meeting, and it will now be tabled for 28 days. 

WILTON – SUNY Adirondack is celebrating its 10th year at Saratoga Center in Wilton and its 45th year of serving Saratoga residents with an open house event at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11. 

“We are honored to be Saratoga’s educator of choice since 1977,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed. D., President of SUNY Adirondack. “SUNY Adirondack started off in Saratoga with just a few evening classes and, throughout more than four decades, has greatly expanded its presence, and is proud to be celebrating this milestone.” 

The event welcomes educators, business professionals, elected officials, and others to Saratoga Center, a facility that features state-of-the-art laboratories, spacious classrooms, and a lecture hall at 696 Route 9 in Wilton. 

SUNY Adirondack’s Wilton location provides convenient options to residents of the Saratoga area. Over the past year, the college has increased the number of health education courses and began offering “high-flex” courses in which students can attend in person, via livestream from anywhere, or watch recorded sessions at their convenience. 

Many Early College Academy courses are also offered at Saratoga Center. The program -– a collaboration between SUNY Adirondack and Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES in which high school students attend classes that teach analytical, theoretical, and hands-on elements of high-demand jobs –- includes fields of study in Media Arts, Advanced Manufacturing, IT: Cybersecurity, and Business Administration. 

The college first offered eight evening courses in rented space at Saratoga Central Catholic High School in 1977. By the early 1990s, 35 classes were offered, leading SUNY Adirondack – then still Adirondack Community College – to open a branch in McGregor Village Plaza on Route 9 in Wilton in 1995. 

In fall 2001, the college for the first time outlined a three-year sequence of classes to complete five different degree programs entirely in its Saratoga facility, including Information Technology: Information Systems; Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees in Business Administration; Liberal Arts & Science; and Health Information Technologies. Two years later, daytime classes were added to
the lineup. 

In 2012, SUNY Adirondack was moved to its current location. Today several degree programs can be completed entirely at Saratoga Center, or in conjunction with online courses or classes at the college’s Queensbury campus. 

So far, this academic year, nearly 400 students enrolled in at least one class at SUNY Adirondack Saratoga. Saratoga County residents in fall 2021 comprised 39% of SUNY Adirondack’s student body, with more than 1,000 students from the county attending. 

*UPDATE: Due to the recent increase in COVID cases in our area, SUNY Adirondack has postponed its open house event scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 11. The open house, to be held at the Saratoga Wilton Center, is in celebration of SUNY Adirondack’s 10^th year at the location and its 45^th year of serving Saratoga residents. No other date has been set; stay tuned to the college’s website and social media for any further updates.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Julia Hotaling, Dietetic Intern with Sage Colleges, and Cornell Cooperative Extension will be presenting an Intuitive and Mindful Eating class over Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 12-12:30 pm. The class is to help anyone who wants to reconnect with their bodies in order to find peace and happiness with their diet habits. No fee, register online at cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ude-qpzgpHdPqlKN ZZAGRNXXEchvKnteh.

Participants will learn how to practice intuitive eating, the barriers, and how to integrate mindful eating into their meal times. This includes learning how to be present when eating, eating without any distractions, avoiding mindless eating, knowing how to listen to your internal hunger cues, and more. Time provided for Q&A. 

For more program details contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County at 518-885-8995, or email Diane Whitten at dwhitten@cornell.edu

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District held a Board of Education meeting on Dec. 15 to discuss the school budget along with some items on the agenda that are currently in progress. 

With last week marking that 1/3 of the school has been completed, attendance data was complied, and Superintendent of Schools Ken Slentz announced that attendance was between 95-96%, despite COVID-19 and staffing shortages. 

School Budget

Budgeting for the 2022-2023 school year started in October, and will be finalized with a vote on May 17. While working towards providing a “meaningful diploma for all students”, points of focus for the budget are on curriculum development, instruction and assessment, student behavior and wellness, and communication, as well as recruitment, retention, and development of personnel. Furthermore, the BSCSD is budgeting for explicit instruction to ensure that every student is reading at or above grade level. 

An official draft of the budgeting goals will be available in January 2022. A brief overview of what they will include is as follows: 

Budget Goal #1 is instruction – tailoring the middle school curriculum to middle schoolers, not junior high, and creating more pathways in the high school building for students to learn in a variety of different settings. This will include spending money more intentionally on technology than in past years, and looking at the implications of the District’s Climate and Culture Project. 

Budget Goal #2 is the multi-tiered system of support, and adding in a support structure for special education and technology. 

Budget Goal #3 is to support the development of the staff, which could include a new teacher and administrator mentoring program. 

Budget Goal #4 is collective bargaining agreements. Budget Goal #5 is improvements to facilities, systems, processes, and protocols. Budget Goal #6 is staffing change to support the previous budget goals. 

Major costs in the school budget include, but are not limited to, labor contracts and health care. 

Long range financial planning was discussed as well. The school’s Long Range Financial Plan, a five-year projection, was last updated 2 years ago. The school has confirmed it will receive state aid for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years and has been receiving federal grants to help with pandemic-related costs.

The next budget presentation will be on Jan. 5, 2022. Stay tuned to the district’s website, www.bscsd.org, for any changes/updates. 

GlobalFoundries- Town of Malta Foundation Grants

Alongside the school budget, it was announced that Ballston Spa schools were awarded $19,000 in grants from the GlobalFoundries-Town of Malta Foundation for several of their projects and programs. 

The Gordon Creek Elementary School PTA received $2,500 to host a visiting author as part of the PARP reading program. The Ballston Spa High School PTSA received $4,000 for the annual After Prom event. The Ballston Spa Middle School’s Drama Club, Launching Pad Productions – received $2,500 for the winter production of “The SpongeBob Musical”. And, the district’s Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund received $10,000 for the district’s Robotics Program. 

In Progress

Some items discussed at the BOE meeting are currently “works in progress”. One being the development of a framework and steering committee, to be established in January 2022, that will work on the Climate and Culture Project that covers the District’s Title IX policy, harassment policy, code of conduct, wellness policy, and NYSED Regents Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative. 

View the full BSCSD BOE meeting here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ZLNBK7z0Y. 

BALLSTON SPA – Ballston Spa Central School District’s Superintendent of Schools, Ken Slentz, originally made an announcement on the district’s website regarding the termination of mask breaks during the school day. A new update has been released and is as follows: 

“Last night the Chairman of the Board of Saratoga County Supervisors issued a statement in which he notes, ‘Importantly, under no circumstances will the County enforce the harmful provision that bars schoolchildren from taking mask breaks.’ 

As this has caused confusion as to whether school districts in the county are relieved from enforcing the new rule detailed in the NYS Department of Health Commissioner’s determination, students will continue to be provided with mask breaks until we have clear answers on how we are to proceed.”