Photo provided by Ballston Spa Central School District.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa CSD Board of Education approved the proposed 2023-24 school district budget at the April 19 meeting. The proposed 2023-2024 budget is $104,232,811, which represents a 5.7% increase in expenditures over the 2022-2023 budget. The projected tax levy to support the 2023-2024 budget is $58,016,479 – which represents a 3.1% increase over the 2022-2023 tax levy. The adopted budget supports all current programs in place and adds additional staff support for both academic programs, as well as for struggling and accelerated students.
The mandated School District Annual Budget Hearing was scheduled for May 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ballston Spa High School Library. There are also two Community Budget Presentations being offered this spring for residents to learn more about the budget proposal. Interested voters are invited to attend on Tuesday, May 9 at the Malta Community Center or on Thursday, May 11 at the Milton Community Center – both at 6:30 p.m.
If a resident of the school district meets the definition of a “qualified voter” but has not registered to vote, (s)he must register to be eligible to receive a ballot. A qualified voter may register with the county by contacting the Saratoga County Board of Elections, or at the district’s registration day on May 9.
Absentee ballots are available for voters who are unable to visit the polls on May 16. An application for the absentee ballot is available for pickup at the District Office or by calling 518-884-7195 ext. 1320. Absentee ballots must be received no later than 5 p.m. on May 16.
There are three Board of Education seats up for election this year, commencing in July 2023.
Voters will select from the following candidates at the polls: Katie Whittemore, Julia Routbort Baskin and Matt Dreher. A Candidates’ Information night will be held on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the BSHS Library for area voters to learn more about the candidates.
District voters will also vote on three propositions on the ballot on May 16. Proposition I is the School Budget proposal for the 2023-2024 school year in the amount of $104,232,811. The second is for School Vehicle Replacement in the amount of up to $965,000 to purchase and replace school buses and vehicles. Proposition III is for the Ballston Spa Public Library in the amount of $62,102 towards the expense of operating the public library.
The annual statewide School Budget Vote and Board of Education Elections will be held on May 16 from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. District residents vote at Ballston Spa High School (residents of the Towns of Ballston, Milton and Charlton) and the Malta Town Hall (residents of Malta).
Additional information is on the district website and/or in the newsletter being mailed to district residents. Questions and/or comments may be sent via the comments section on the district website at www.bscsd.org or call the District Office at 518-884-7195.
WILTON — The Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park received some major support from Stewart’s Shops and the Dake family on Friday, with a donation of $100,000 to aid in the transformation of Camp Saratoga from a former Boy Scout camp to the Larry Gordon Outdoor Education Center.
Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park is working to transform the camp into a year-round outdoor education center, named after Larry Gordon, longtime director of the Saratoga County Planning Board who was dedicated to protecting and supporting the camp.
Gordon was also on the Board of Directors for Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Parks, served as committee chair for the Town of Wilton Open Space, Recreation and Trails Plan, and participated in a wide variety of volunteer work. He was a life member of the Greenfield Fire Department, served 35 years as a fire warden for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and was appointed to the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission.
Gordon also visited Camp Saratoga as a Boy Scout, and went on to serve 20 years on the executive board of the Saratoga County Council and Twin Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
“These funds will help Larry’s vision well into the future,” said Town of Wilton Supervisor John Lant. “I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Dake for their very, very generous donation to the project. I want to thank all those involved in making this happen.”
“I want to express our deepest appreciation for the incredible generosity shown by Stewart’s Shops and the Dake family with this donation for the Larry Gordon Outdoor Education Center at the Town of Wilton’s Camp Saratoga,” said Matthew Miczek, Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park Co-Chair. “We are proud to have Larry Gordon’s name attached to this project, a man many of us personally knew and enjoyed gathering with. Larry spent a great deal of his life protecting, enhancing, and promoting conservation of these great lands here at Camp Saratoga, and throughout the county.”
Miczek said the funds will help expand programs and services, and help Wilton Wildlife reach more people. He said the project will begin by transforming the Boy Scout Health Lodge into a welcome center for the park.
Other phases will include renovations of the Ranger Cabin to both a nature center and display center for Gordon’s collection of Scout memorabilia, and renovations of the Winter Lodge to a multi-purpose classroom. Miczek said the Town of Wilton’s grounds maintenance team will handle renovations on the property.
The renovations will allow for the Larry Gordon Education Center to become a year-round facility with permanent locations for its educational offerings. The Education Center will host exhibits on plants, animals, the ecology of the Saratoga Sandplains, and on the human history of the area.
Gordon’s collection will contain a variety of documents and materials showcasing the history of scouting within Saratoga County.
The camp currently has trails, pavilions, restrooms, and camping facilities. It is located in the nearly 2,400-acre Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, and has access to over 25 miles of trails.
Trish Watkins, Gordon’s wife, spoke of his love for the park and his work there, saying he would often greet new visitors to the park and attempt to establish a connection with them.
“If I told you that Larry came down to this parking lot at least 10 times every day, I would not be exaggerating,” said Watkins. “He was a self-appointed one-man welcome committee. … (Larry) came here as a youth, as a scout, so it held a very special place in his heart. He wanted others to be able to enjoy that same special memory that he had.”
Bill Dake, Chairman of Stewart’s Shops, spoke of his time serving on the Saratoga County Planning Board with Gordon, saying he often went above and beyond at his job as the Saratoga County Planner. Gordon spent 33 years as director of the county’s Planning Board.
“When he came and started working on this area, which was his true love, he had all these assets and tricks and ideas and contacts that he had,” Dake said. “We’re here today because of those, I believe. … This was really Larry’s love. Please, keep in mind what an asset he has given us. Let’s appreciate it.”
Photo provided by Ballston Spa Central School District.
SYRACUSE — The Malta Ave Odyssey of the Mind Team came in 2nd place for Problem #4, “Where’s the Structure,” Division 1 at the NYS Finals, which qualified them to move on to the OM World Finals.
The Malta Ave team consists of: Maxwell DeMeritt, 5th grade; Arlo Harrison, 2nd grade; Roebling Harrison, 4th grade; Daniel Heggen, 5th grade; Adam Loomis, 5th grade; Ava Sorbero, 3rd grade and Anthony Sorbero, 5th grade.
The World Finals will take place May 24-27, 2023 at Michigan State University. The team has put together a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the trip, with a goal of raising $10,000.
“Our presentation is full of magic and fun, and we hope you will help us get to our second World Finals competition at Michigan State University,” the GoFundMe page’s description says.
GALWAY — For the first time in the history of Galway Central School District, two teams will be competing in the Odyssey of the Mind (OOTM) World Finals during the same year.
Galway’s Junior/Senior High School team has been working to get to World Finals for 12 years, while the Joseph Henry Elementary School team will be attending World Finals for the second year in a row. Both teams took third place at the New York State Tournament in Syracuse on April 15, advancing them to the World Finals, which will take place at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI from May 24-27.
The Junior/Senior High School team consists of: Shamus and Simon Evans, Taylor Germain, Noah Montague, Eben and Peregrine Perkins, and Aidan Reekie-Mel. The problem they chose is “#5 The Most Dramatic Problem Ever!!!”
The Joseph Henry Elementary School team consists of: Henry and Avery Paseika, Avery Menge, Theo Friedman, Edmund Perkins, Mari Smith, and Emma DiPasquale. They chose “Problem #1 Pirates and the Treasure.”
To help cover the cost of travel to the World Finals, OOTM Team Coaches Nichole Evans and Julie Pasieka have organized several fundraising events, including a bake sale at Galway Central School District and a BBQ at the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant in Galway on Sunday, April 30. Tickets for the BBQ are $20 per person and $10 for kids 12 and under. Visit galwaycsd.org to purchase tickets. The coaches also created a GoFundMe page where supporters can donate directly: gofund.me/8b2a5962
Waldorf School outdoor high school class. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs has announced the rebranding of its school and mission to serve children in preschool through grade 8. This milestone is a major move for the Waldorf School in its mission to inspire creative thought, discourse, human connections, and experiential learning.
This news comes in the wake of many recent initiatives and accomplishments of the Waldorf School, including:
• Closing the High School Program: After much deliberation, the Board of Directors decided to close the Waldorf High School program at the end of this school year. Low enrollment over a number of years and a need to refocus energies on developing other programming precipitated this move.
• Expanding Early Childhood Programs: For the 2023-2024 school year the Waldorf School will provide full-day and half-day Mixed-Age Kindergarten classes, Preschool classes, and Caregiver-Child Playgroups at two locations: Forest Campus on Kaydeross Avenue West and Early Childhood Center on Lake Avenue.
• Lower School Program Expansion: The Waldorf School is undergoing revisions to strengthen programming and build upon the artistic and academic rigor the school is known for including Pre and Early Literacy renewal, enhanced Middle School Curriculum, and Afterschool Program development. Regents tests will be offered to 8th grade students to help prepare them for the Advanced Regents diploma in high school, should they choose to take that route.
• Rebranding: The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs is rebranding itself as a PreK-Grade 8 institution that will continue to grow and expand in its new form, prepare for a changing world, and the next decade of Waldorf Education in Saratoga Springs.
“The Waldorf School has been a hallmark of the Saratoga Springs community for over four decades. Rebranding our school and refocusing our mission will ensure that we are able to provide Waldorf education to the region for decades to come,” said Astrea Ravenstar, Administrator at the Waldorf School. “The interest and enthusiasm for our Early Childhood and Grade School programs at this time is astounding, and while the closing of the high school is very emotional for many of us, it is balanced by the strength and growth of our other programs.”
Board President, Richard Frank, reflects, “As has always been in our school’s 43-year history, our community — with its deep passion, commitment, and vision — will be the true source of the strength of our school as we move together into the future. We are grateful for the commitment, care, and dedication of our community of friends, colleagues, and students that allows us to continue to bring Waldorf education to families in Saratoga Springs.”
Photo provided by Saratoga Springs City School District.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — On April 26, the Saratoga Springs City School District will host a Student Voices event in the Saratoga Springs High School Auditorium at 6 p.m.
Attendees will hear from a panel of current students who are committed to making the school community more inclusive. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the district’s No Place for Hate work and stop at tables to speak with student representatives. All SSCSD families and school community members are invited to attend. Free ice cream will be served.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Academy for Lifelong Learning is rebounding after COVID restrictions and is currently looking for new members. Aimed at the region’s retired and semi-retired population, educational and social activities are offered on weekdays. If you have the time and enjoy being active and motivated, the Academy has programs for you. Join and meet like-minded people for five-week, non-credit course sessions offered in the spring, fall, and winter. Social activities and special interest groups are offered all year long.
For registration information and form, go to www.allsaratoga.org or contact the Academy at jeff@allsaratoga.org or 518-290-6988. The Academy’s second spring session courses begin the week of May 15. Course topics include science, current events, writing, literature, history, community, art, business, food, society, nature, music, and language.
Sponsored by Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, A.L.L. was founded in 1992. It is an independent, self-funded nonprofit membership organization providing social activities and non-credit academic programs provided by volunteer instructors. If you’d like to offer a course or presentation, please contact us. For more information or to view the recent course brochure, go to www.allsaratoga.org.
Photos provided by Schuylerville Central School District.
SCHUYLERVILLE — Every April, Autism Speaks celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with an awareness day on April 2. Schuylerville Elementary School celebrated for an entire week, inviting students and staff to further their own understanding of autism and promote kindness.
Through a variety of activities and conversations, students learned more about the difference between awareness and acceptance, ways to include others, and ways to communicate with others who have trouble communicating.
Students and staff participated in a series of four, “Dress-Up for Differences” days, each with a unique, positive, and upbeat focus.
•Autism Awareness Day: “Love and acceptance go a long way. Wear blue to show your support and acceptance of individuals with autism.”
•Neurodiversity Day: “To celebrate the beauty in the diverse spectrum of the human mind, wear rainbow and/or tie-dyed clothes to school.”
•What’s Your Passion Wednesday: “One characteristic of autism can be to show incredibly focused passion for topics of interest. What are you passionate about? Dress up to show something you love.”
•Sensory Friendly Day: “People with autism often have a variety of sensory sensitivities. Dress up today in your most comfy-clothes (school appropriate sweatpants, pajamas, etc.). Teachers use as much natural light in your classroom instead of fluorescents.”
The school also participated in several activities as part of Autism Awareness Week. Amy Jordan’s Life Skills students handed out autism pencils to all students to further the message of awareness and acceptance, and staff had the opportunity to purchase a lanyard or button to wear all throughout Autism Awareness Month.
Maria Weeks incorporated books to read during library classes, while Lisa Schwartz’s social-emotional learning classes participated in an awareness vs. acceptance activity. Elementary physical education teachers also set up sensory stations throughout the gym for all students to participate in during P.E. classes.
GREENWICH —The Washington County Fairgrounds and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Washington County are hosting a Youth Showmanship Clinic for all area youth exhibitors of dairy cattle, beef cattle, equine, sheep, goats, and poultry, at the Fairgrounds on June 10 starting at 9 a.m. Participants are not charged and need not be from Washington County or 4-H Members to join the event.
Each exhibitor will have a group of educators to take them through showmanship tips and tricks for their species, nutrition information, fitting, and much more. Youth are encouraged to bring their vetted animal to work with, but if they cannot bring their own, an animal will be provided to practice with. Lunch will be free for participants between the morning and afternoon sessions.
In addition to the clinic, a Tack and Tailgate Sale will happen throughout the day. Booths for the Tailgate sale are available for $10.00 for a 10×10 booth under the roof. For more information and sign-up forms, please visit our website at www.washingtoncountyfair.com. The deadline for sign-up is June 1.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Bridges’ 11th annual Autism Expo and Art Exhibit will be held April 23 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Saratoga Springs City Center, offering a wide variety of resources for individuals and families with autism.
The event first began in 2012 at Skidmore College, and has continued to grow each year. Over 900 attendees are expected at this year’s Expo, said Saratoga Bridges assistant director of communications Pamela Polacsek.
The Expo also allows attendants to connect with each other, and share experiences and resources.
“I think that’s where you’ll get a lot of solid parental input,” said Mariah Hahn. “It helps you feel part of a community. You don’t have to be desperate, we’re going to figure this out.”
Hahn, who attended last year’s Expo, knows this well. She and her husband Juergen are the parents of Lucas, an 11-year old boy with profound non-speaking autism. The Hahns say that Lucas’ condition has been challenging due to a variety of factors, including a lack of research and treatments for profound autism.
“There are areas that we felt weren’t being explored,” Mariah Hahn said.
“The reality of a lot of medical research, including on autism, is they focus more on people who are actually least-affected by it,” said Juergen Hahn. “It’s much easier to deal with. If you have somebody who is nonverbal, you can’t really ask them the question, ‘How do you feel?’”
Both Mariah and Juergen Hahn are faculty members at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, studying biomedical engineering. They attempted standard therapies and treatments for Lucas, including applied behavior analysis, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. They also looked into supplements and medication for ADHD and mood dysregulation.
“Unfortunately, those have been non-beneficial, in fact sometimes have even been harmful,” Mariah Hahn said.
But a new method has given the Hahns hope. Called Spelling 2 Communicate or the rapid prompting method, it utilizes a letterboard to allow a person with non-speaking autism to communicate by pointing to letters on the board.
The Hahns say it is often assumed that because Lucas and other children with profound autism are non-speaking, their intelligence is also impaired. But the Hahns don’t necessarily believe that to be the case.
Many communication devices restrict speech to simple phrases, and Mariah Hahn is questioning if this is truly the highest level of communication possible, or simply a confine of the communication method.
“They really confine your speech. Like, he can say, ‘I want more fish,’” said Mariah Hahn. “Right now, they’re like, ‘Well that’s the level he can communicate at.’ Is it? That’s where we have to stop. We have to ask, is it? Or is it a confine of the situation?
“We never question, is the type of communication or the modality in which it’s delivered, combined with their own deficits, or their own struggles, preventing them from saying more? And, if they are present, is this really what they would want to be confined to?”
But the S2C/RPM method has also seen some resistance, with a lack of scientific evidence surrounding the method. Juergen Hahn even admitted he was a bit skeptical at first, before seeing Lucas utilize the method with a practitioner.
“I can tell you, I was very skeptical myself,” said Juergen Hahn. “But I’ve seen my son work with this, with a skilled practitioner. I have no doubt that these are the things he wrote. And he wrote some fantastic things.”
“There is a lot of resistance to these methods, because the children show, on average, such high level of ability compared to what they’re believed,” Mariah Hahn said.
Since beginning the S2C/RPM method with Lucas, the Hahns are hopeful that word will spread and it will become more widely used. Mariah Hahn said she is “so excited” about a new documentary called, ‘Spellers,’ following the journey of eight nonverbal people who have learned to use the letterboard method to communicate.
“One gift that they can give Lucas and all those with profound autism is to go see it,” said Mariah Hahn. “I can’t tell you how excited these kids are about it.”
Local showings of the film will be held April 26 at 5:45 p.m at the Upstate NY Autism Alliance in Queensbury, April 29 at 1:45 p.m. at the Clifton Park Library, and April 30 at 2 p.m. at RPI.
Hahn said she knows of five other families in the area who are practicing the S2C/RPM method. She said she is hoping to start a homeschool group to teach children at grade level using the letterboard.
“What I’m trying to do is build a community where this is acceptable,” said Mariah Hahn. “There are other schools that have been started. There’s only three in the country, but they’ve been successful, and I’m hoping to start one here.”
This is where Saratoga Bridges’ Autism Expo factors in, allowing families such as the Hahns to meet, discuss ideas, and exchange valuable information. The Hahns said places like the Expo are valuable for finding services, support groups, medical and dental care, and more.
“There is a lot of collective knowledge among families who have children and adults with ASD, and it’s fantastic to tap into that knowledge,” Juergen Hahn said.
The expo will offer therapeutic opportunities, employment resources, recreational activities, academic programs, and more. This year’s Autism Expo features over 70 exhibitors and vendors, and will offer a children’s activity zone, a sensory room, an exhibit displaying works by artists with disabilities, and more. The Expo is free to attend.
“I’ve actually seen practitioners become inspired to do things, and open their practices to those with severe autism, profound autism, having attended this,” added Mariah Hahn. “In fact, one person in the area is actually being trained in S2C. … She’s now pursuing training in S2C because of what she saw when she attended the Autism Expo a year ago. It’s kind of an all-around community thing.”
