SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs City School District held a Board of Education meeting on Aug. 26 to discuss updates to the 2021-2022 school year reopening plan. 

The BOE is working to finalize the school district’s “Stay Open Plan” – the primary objective is to plan for full, in-person learning five days a week for K-12 including specials and electives. Superintendent of Schools Michael Patton thanked school staff for the successful in-person summer school programs and said that the school district will continue to monitor COVID-19 locally, using that local data and feedback to adjust the plan. 

Guidance received from Saratoga County Public Health Services, CDC, the school physician, and the Department of Education was used to frame the “layer approach” which combines multiple health and safety measures to reduce the spread of COVID on school grounds. Face coverings will be required for everyone indoors and on school transportation, regardless of vaccination status; face coverings are not required outdoors. Social distancing will be maintained at a distance of three feet, and students will be in cohorts or assigned seating to minimize transmission and reduce exposure. Classrooms will be disinfected twice a week and busses will be disinfected after each run. SSCSD will maintain an appropriate supply of PPE. 

SSCSD will also continue to hold vaccination clinics, as current guidance from the CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible get vaccinated as soon as possible; the next clinic will be held on Sept. 9. As of the Aug. 26 meeting, the transmission rate in Saratoga County is high with a current 7-day positivity rating of 4.9%. According to the school district, there has been a 2-3% increase each week in vaccination rate for students in the district ages 12-18.

Lisa Cutting, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, explained the key takeaways from last school year that helped the district prepare the “Stay Open Plan”. Cutting noted that engagement and attendance were the two biggest issues with hybrid learning. There will be no hybrid learning this coming school year, but classes can pivot to Zoom temporally if there is an outbreak. Teachers will continue to use Seesaw and Canvas to post assignments. 

“In-person allows us to support them [the students] so much better, and we have learned a lot about instructional practices,” said Cutting. “The primary goal is to be back in-person where they have support services.” 

All students enrolled will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch throughout the school year. Options are still being discussed for parents who prefer to keep their children home or for medical reasons; home schooling is the only option currently. 

Additionally, SSCSD is exploring a potential virtual partnership with the Capital Region BOCES for the 21-22 school year. 

Regarding school sports, the only mention was that unvaccinated athletes participating in high-risk sports will be tested for COVID weekly.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Five local high school students are hard at work providing literary resources to new families in our community. 

Ciara Meyer, Mia Hayes, Annabelle Brueggemann, Maddie Cook, and Ava Kuruzovich were only in eighth grade when they started thinking of ways they could give back to the community. After meeting with their principal at Lake Avenue, “Stories for Success” was born. These inspiring students are now juniors at Saratoga Springs High School and are looking to expand their organization. 

The goal of Stories for Success is to encourage reading and provide reading resources to new parents. The next step for Stories for Success is to become a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Becoming a registered nonprofit would allow them to host more events and expand to other areas in the Capital Region, like Glens Falls or Albany. 

Stories for Success has been working towards their goal of providing widespread access to early literary resources by holding community events and COVID-safe book drop-offs to put together “book bags” that contain two children’s books, library card information, and a reading list courtesy of Northshire for babies born at Saratoga Hospital. Every baby born at Saratoga Hospital so far this year has received one. 

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“It is important for kids to start reading at a young age. Promoting reading as they grow helps them learn to read and read faster,” said Maddie Cook. “Giving them these resources, even if it’s just two books to read to them when they are newborns to a couple of years old will help them.”

The young founders of Stories for Success say that the staff at Saratoga Hospital has been kind and grateful, and they have been surprised how far their reach is when people approach them at fundraisers to say that their neighbor, friend, or someone they know has received a book bag. 

“We want to give a big thank you to the community. Over the past year with everyone’s financial struggles due to COVID, we have still been able to manage around $4,000 in donations, which is incredible and more than we expected people to be able to give,” said Ciara Meyer. “We are just so thankful for everyone who has helped us, whether its organizations or businesses like Northshire, Saratoga Publishing, Saratoga Children’s Theatre, or the generosity of individuals.”

To learn more about Stories for Success and what they do, visit their website at storiesforsuccess.carrd.co. There you will a find a link to their GoFundMe. If you are looking to donate used books or volunteer your time, contact Ciara at ciarameyer28@gmail.com. Also, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stories4success and Instagram page @Stories4Success. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Wesley Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Wesley Community in Saratoga Springs, will recognize the area’s most senior family members by welcoming a new class of honorees to the Greatest Grandparents Club. 

Families are welcome to nominate their grandparent or great-grandparent for recognition at SaratogaGrandparentsDay.com. Nominations should describe why their grandparent is the greatest in 200 words or less, and include a picture or short video submission. The nomination deadline is Monday, Sept. 6. 

All honorees will be recognized during the fifth annual Saratoga Grandparents Day virtual celebration on Sunday, Sept. 12. The event, which celebrates the importance of family in conjunction with National Grandparents Day, will be hosted at The Wesley Community’s Facebook page.

Virtual attendance is free. Donations are being accepted online for The Wesley Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship Fund where all proceeds from the event will be directed. The Nursing Scholarship Fund helps Wesley employees pursue or continue their nursing education at an accredited school. 

For more information about Saratoga Grandparents Day, visit www.SaratogaGrandparentsDay.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Need a new book to read? Local author Steve Sheinkin is launching his latest historical fiction book tour with Northshire Bookstore.

Steve Sheinkin is a New York Times best-selling author living locally in the Saratoga area. The book tour for his latest book, Fallout: Spies, Superbombs and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown, will launch virtually with Northshire Bookstore on Wednesday, Sept. 8. at 6 p.m. Fallout is the follow-up to Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, and takes readers on a terrifying journey into the Cold War and our mutual assured destruction. Fallout will be on sale starting Sept. 7. 

“Zoom means people can come from anywhere,” said Sheinkin about the upcoming virtual event. “Northshire is a local, independent bookstore and I always try to launch with them when I can.” 

Steve is also the author of titles Bomb, The Port Chicago 50, Undefeated, and many more. He has won countless accolades including a Newberry Honor, Robert F. Sibert Award, Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. 

Sheinkin set out to change the way readers learn about history after getting a job writing historical textbooks, during which he came to the realization that history shouldn’t be boring, but rather compelling and fun to read. Sheinkin’s books are generally categorized as middle grade nonfiction, but are also written for adults who missed out on those history lessons during school. 

Sheinkin added that historical fiction books help us to learn about the world – “understanding people better and the roots of conflicts going on.”

The writing process takes about two years for Sheinkin – a year to research and a year to write. These launches/tours and school visits helps him pick the topic for his next bestseller. Sheinkin said he gets a majority of his ideas from asking his young readers what interests them and what they would like to read about next. 

To pre-order Fallout from Northshire and receive a signed and personalized copy from Steve Sheinkin, visit this link: www.northshire.com/book/9781250149015. 

To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit this link: www.eventbrite.com/e/northshire-live-steve-sheinkin-fallout-tickets-166117248161. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) continues its tradition of presenting educational and social opportunities for adults 55+ by offering 18 classroom/outdoor courses and 26 Zoom courses this fall term. Session one starts Sept. 13. Session two starts Oct. 18. Registration began by mail Aug. 9 for all courses. 

Course brochures are available at local libraries, YMCAs, and retirement communities, or by request at 518-587-2100 x2390 or jeff.shinaman@esc.edu or online at www.esc.edu/all. Registrations will be accepted throughout the term until full. Some courses will sell out. Annual membership is $75 and goes through June 30, 2022. Five-week courses are $50. 

Topics for these noncredit courses include music, literature mindfulness, poetry, solar system, sleep/dreams, climate change, Italian language, genealogy, local walking tours, supreme court, cooking, painting, life stories, environment, writing, hiking, fly casting, investing, iPhone photography, Chinese wisdom, speaker series, history, art, science, and more. Join A.L.L. locally for outdoor courses or from anywhere on Zoom options. 

WILTON ­— Every month the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park holds a Pre-K Nature Hour at Camp Saratoga. This monthly program is for children ages 3-6 years old. Children’s love of nature is used to teach simple concepts like counting, colors, textures, and opposites. 

Monarch butterflies is the theme for Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park’s September preschool discovery program. Taking place Monday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m., the program will begin by going for a brief nature walk through the meadow of Camp Saratoga North. Participants will learn about the life cycle of the majestic Monarch butterfly. Following the walk the children will also be able to participate in a short nature craft. Adults are expected to attend with their child. This is an outdoor program so come dressed for the weather. Registration is required by Sept. 9. Space is limited. The next program is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is also hosting free Painting in Nature workshops for participants older than 13.   

Watercolor Painting in Nature workshops will be Thursday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 25 from 12 to 3 p.m. with local artist Catherine Wagner Minnery. Get outside, get some pointers from an artist, and combine your love of art and nature. Workshop size is limited to 12 participants. All supplies will be provided but if you prefer to use your own supplies, you can bring them. Registration is required by Sept. 18. Space is limited. 

Acrylic Painting in Nature workshops will be Thursday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 2 from 12 to 3 p.m. with local artist Page Darrow. Workshop size is limited to 12 participants. All supplies will be provided but if you prefer to use your own supplies, you can bring them. Registration is required by Sept. 25.

For more information or to register, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or email info@wiltonpreserve.org. Please provide your name, phone number, email address and the number of people attending within your party.  For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, visit www.wiltonpreserve.org 

Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve ecological systems and natural settings while providing environmental education and outdoor recreation. 

SARATOGA — Summer may be ending soon, but the Scouting year never ends. From the July Bike Rodeo to racing cars at a January Pinewood Derby, elementary grade Cub Scouts have year-round fun with friends while learning a wide range of skills. 

Young men and women in Scouts BSA Troops also enjoy year-round experiences both indoors and outdoors throughout their middle school and high school years. There are a number of active Packs and Troops in the area. 

To learn more about a unit near you, go online to beascout.org or contact John Koch by emailing saratogascouter@kochny.com for more information. Adventure awaits – start your Scouting journey!

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth² is hosting their 6th Community Care Pop-UP Event to help increase home safety in our neighborhoods. They are assisting Rebuilding Together Saratoga (RTS) by holding an “Emergency & Safety Kits” collection of various items that RTS has requested – kitchen fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, CO2 detectors, nightlights, travel hand sanitizers, and first aid only kits. The items range from $1.59 to $20. RTS makes sure that safety kits are put together for each homeowner they work with. 

Youth² is thinking about many ways that the community can protect each other by keeping our neighborhoods safe, keeping good food on the table, keeping warm, maintaining good hygiene, and being able to have dependable transportation. Please consider working together with Youth², and drop off your item safely at the 112 Spring Street Parking Lot on Friday, Aug. 27 from 3 – 5 p.m. 

For more information visit www.youthsquared.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Steve Sheinkin, local New York Times bestselling author of middle grade nonfiction titles, will be launching his book tour for FALLOUT with Northshire Books. 

FALLLOUT: Spies, Superbombs and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown, on sale Sept. 7, is the follow-up to Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, taking readers on a terrifying journey into the Cold War and our mutual assured destruction. 

Steve will be doing a public, virtual launch on Zoom with Northshire Books on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. Three ticket options are available for purchase: pay what you can, $5 which applies to a book purchase, or $19.99 for a ticket and book; signed and/or personalized copies available. 

Steve is also the author of titles Bomb, The Port Chicago 50, Undefeated, and many more. He has won countless accolades including a Newberry Honor, Robert F. Sibert Award, Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. He will discuss FALLOUT during the launch with fellow Newberry honor author Christina Soontornvat, author of All Thirteen. 

To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/northshire-live-steve-sheinkin-fallout-tickets-166117248161 

Praise for Steve Sheinkin

“In this gripping account, Newberry Honor Book author and Sibert medalist Sheinkin offers an intense narrative that captures the terrifying tensions of the Cold War.” – Booklist, starred review on FALLOUT. 

“This is edge-of-the-seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school.” – BCCB, starred on Bomb.

BALLSTON SPA – Saratoga County 4-H is offering a Sheep Shearing Clinic this fall to youth ages 10 and older. The event will take place at the 4-H Training Center on Middleline Road in Ballston Spa on September 16, 2021 at 5 p.m. This clinic will exhibit the art of sheep shearing and preparing wool breeds for show. Participants will be provided a hands-on learning experience from professional shearer Siri Swanson. 

Siri Swanson is a Shepherd and Shearer of Yankee Rock Farm. Swanson has an abundantce of background knowledge in the sheep industry and has been shearing for the last five years. Siri along with shearing partner, Colin Siegmund, strive to maintain animal comfort and top-quality clipping. 

Cost is $5/family and is required at entry or prior to the clinic. The event is free of charge for 4-H members and their families. Please contact the 4-H office for additional information and to register at 518-885-8995 or email the 4-H Livestock Educator at rjl287@cornell.edu. 

4-H is the Youth Outreach component of Cornell Cooperative Extension that connects youth ages 5-19 to hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society. To learn more go to www.ccesaratoga.org.