SARATOGA SPRINGS — The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County has the opportunity to nominate individuals who teach US history, government or civics (grades 9-12) in public or private schools in Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties to participate in a half-day live virtual professional workshop on April 3 by Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. 

The April workshop must be preceded by an 8-hour virtual training program.  The Harvard Case Method Project will give teachers the capability to lead case-method style discussions in their classrooms and community forums.  This year’s training includes the workshop, a full Harvard cases curriculum, the 8-hour asynchronous virtual training program, and a professional development certificate.

Teachers attending the case method workshop must agree to teach at least 1 of the “democracy” cases in their classrooms after the workshop and help moderate at least one community case discussion with their League. 

Interested teachers should submit their name, school, and a short statement answering the question “What would you like to accomplish using the case-method style discussion?” Responses are due by Feb. 20, and should be emailed to president@lwvsaratoga.org

Tom Bryson, Schuylerville CSD instructor in United States History and Government and Syracuse University Project Advance Adjunct Instructor- PST 101 Economics who attended last year’s program notes, “The Harvard Case Method program is a tremendous asset for any high school teacher. The CMI offers a variety of high-quality, adaptable lessons that are accessible to learners of all levels. The lessons help students break away from a dogmatic approach to curriculum and introduces these students to a more nuanced understanding of history that can easily be applied to the world they currently live in.” 

 For additional information, email president@lwvsaratoga.org.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Corinne Moss-Racusin, associate professor of psychology at Skidmore College, has been awarded the 2021 American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology for her innovative research on gender-based discrimination.   

Moss-Racusin is the only known recipient in the history of this prestigious award to be affiliated with a liberal arts college rather than a major research institution. Awarded to just a handful of researchers each year, the prize honors early-career scientists for exceptional work conducted in the first decade following completion of their doctorate.   

Her work has received coverage from The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, “ABC World News,” The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and other outlets. She discussed some of her research in the feature-length documentary “Picture a Scientist,”  and she was invited to present her research at the White House in 2014. 

“Professor Moss-Racusin’s pathbreaking research and her strong commitment to the education of undergraduate students in the classroom and through collaborative research experiences exemplify the teacher-scholar model that is at the heart of Skidmore’s liberal arts mission,” said Michael T. Orr, Dean of the faculty and Vice President for academic affairs at Skidmore College. 

“Our College community is very proud of this well-deserved recognition for Professor Moss-Racusin and her efforts to address gender biases in STEM fields and to build a more inclusive society for all.” 

SARATOGA — Applications are now being accepted for the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery’s School Seedling Program. From now until March 31, schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings to plant with students. 

Bundles of low-cost native seedlings are available to all interested customers in New York and bordering states through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Spring Seedling Sale, as well.

Seedling shipments are made from mid-April through early May.

For assistance or questions, contact the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery at nysnursery@dec.ny.gov or call 518-581-1439.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District’s Transportation Department has ongoing openings for school bus drivers. 

The positions are ideal for parents of school-aged children or retired people who are looking for extra income. Positions offer a competitive hourly salary, a steady part-time job with school breaks, holidays, and summers off. Permanent positions offer the possibility of a regular route with health benefits. 

Drivers need to obtain a permit for a CDL license to begin the training program or possess a Class B license with Air Brake and Passenger Endorsements. No prior experience is necessary. 

For additional information visit www.bscsd.org/Page/279. Please contact the Ballston Spa CSD Transportation Department at 518-884-7140 to schedule an appointment with a representative.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville Central School demonstrates that small schools can offer big advantages to students.

The New York State Education Department recently released their high school graduation rates, showing that, locally, Schuylerville Central School is not a place students want to drop out of. 

Schuylerville CSD’s graduation rate, at 96%, is one of the highest in the Capital Region for 2020. That’s up five percent from last year (it was 91% in 2019) and more than ten percent higher than the state average. The statewide graduation rate is 84.8%, up 1.4 % from the previous year and continuing on a decade-long upward trend (in 2011, it was 76.8%).

GETTING TO KNOW YOU
The pandemic led to the state’s schools temporarily shutting down in the spring, as well as a relaxation of some graduation requirements, including cancelling the Regents exams, but for many, these measures weren’t enough to overcome the barriers of such a difficult year. 

So, what did Schuylerville do differently?

“Our graduation rate is the result of having an entire school community focused on the success of all our students,” said Schuylerville High School Principal James Ducharme, in a press release. 

“Each student has a different path and subject they are passionate about. As a school district, we strive to meet the individual needs of every student by having a diverse offering of academic programs. Our staff is committed to supporting and challenging our students to reach their fullest potential while preparing them for their future.”

“Many of the teachers would climb the highest mountain and swim the deepest river just to get to us if we were in trouble,” said 2020 graduate Reese Javares. 

“The sense of belonging, in general, creates a desire to succeed. As soon as it becomes more personal, there’s more accountability because you don’t want to let people down,” said Kelly McKinley, a teacher in the district for 19 years.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE
When remote-learning became a priority, Schuylerville also found themselves navigating the tech barrier ahead of the curve because the pro-active faculty and administration had, years before, conducted trainings in platforms like Google Classroom and Google Meet.   

They also already had diverse opportunities, distance learning, and programs including BOCES, Vo-Tech, and internships, that kept students engaged. 

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Javares, now a freshman at Clarkson University, said college feels vastly different than high school but considers himself well-prepared academically.

“Now that I’ve settled in at college, I’m starting to realize that the skills I possess – I’m taking engineering, advanced level calculous, advanced level chemistry, and business classes – and that ethic to achieve, wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for what was molded by my teachers.”

A SPECIAL PLACE
Attending Schuylerville since Kindergarten, Javares said that Schuylerville, his tight group of friends, his soccer team, and the community, felt like a family – one that he never got to properly say “goodbye” to.

“The pandemic was a switch that cut off senior year so quickly, it was tough and it took a toll on the mind. I spent a lot of time reminiscing and recovering from the pain and the lack of closure. I felt like I’d lost something I couldn’t replace and I wasn’t as motivated as I could be – it took away my spirit.”

To help recreate that connection, the senior class was given lawn signs and passed around a flock of signed orange flamingo lawn decorations. At least seven teachers drove to students’ homes to say goodbye, as well.

“That’s just an example of the community values that we stand for,” said McKinley.

Photos provided.

“Thank God this community answered the call.”

Jo Anne Hume was speaking recently about the community’s support of the services the Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) has offered since last Spring when COVID changed everything. 

She could’ve been talking about any time during the past 55 years, however. 

Community support has always been the life engine of the Saratoga EOC, a non-profit organization that was founded as a result of the Economic Opportunity Act, passed in 1964, to help overcome the challenges of poverty by providing early childhood education, food, energy, family, and immigrant assistance services. 

BRIGHT, NEW & COMMITTED TO YOU
Two and a half years ago, the Saratoga EOC, along with their Board of Directors, began reexamining their organization.

“We were looking at not what we do, or how we do it, but why we do it,” said Hume. 

After gathering input from their customers, donors, volunteers, and staff, the Saratoga EOC is proud to reintroduce themselves as LifeWorks Community Action. 

“Unlike many other organizations that came out of that Act, we never chose to change our name until now,” she said.

“Our new logo has this beautiful, radiating arch that speaks with hope about what we do. It’s communicating that we’re bright, vibrant, new, and committed to you.”

HELP STARTS HERE
LifeWorks vision for a brighter tomorrow is reinforced with the tagline, “Help Starts Here.”

It’s also easier than ever to get the help you need – both within the LifeWorks network of services and beyond it – with their new universal intake portal.

Fill out just one application in their centralized system for early education programs including Head Start/Early Head Start, WIC, Weatherization, The Pantry in Ballston Spa, The Kitchen in Saratoga Springs, and more.

“We’re also helping you achieve your goals with mobility mentorships. You decide what’s important to you and your family, and we’ll walk beside you as you achieve those goals,” said Hume. 

MAKING LIFE WORK
Enrollment is down in LifeWorks Head Start and Early Head Start programs, but registration continues to be ongoing. 

With their classrooms at half capacity, they’ve also been offering remote learning to families, but it’s proven difficult.  They haven’t been able to increase the number of teachers they have, and providing computers and tablets only goes so far when those families also need internet accessibility. In addition, many of their students have special needs, which are tough to address remotely. 

Families, more than ever, need the food these programs offered and as the pandemic continues, LifeWorks is seeing this heightened need being met by a caring community.

“We wouldn’t have been able to stay open and do what we did at the height of the surge without a very devoted staff and a very devoted volunteer core asking, ‘What can I do to help?’ and then coming back day after day after day,” said Hume.

Partnerships with corporations including GlobalFoundries, SEFCU and MVP Health Care – as well as financial support from people donating whatever they could, who volunteer to pack and deliver food, and do any of the numerous other things that keep LifeWorks going  – are at the core of what really makes this organization work.

“The outpouring of support from this community is staggering.”

To learn more, visit lifeworksaction.org, or call 518-288-3206.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Society for Science announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. 

Each of the 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each, including Ava Herzog, 17, from Saratoga Springs High School, for her project titled “The Effect of the Retinal Degeneration Mutation rd1 on Circadian Locomotor Activity and Nesting Behavior in Mice.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,760 applications received from 611 high schools across 45 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and 10 countries. Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides students with a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and discoveries of young scientists who are bringing a fresh perspective to significant global challenges. Research projects cover topics from bioinformatics to public health and energy efficiency.

On Jan. 21, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. From March 10-17, all 40 finalists will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards provided by Regeneron.

The full list of scholars can be viewed at www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/2021-scholars

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H announces a new teen program to provide youth with skills in sciences, language arts, and creative thinking, all aligning with different aspects of animal industries and sciences.

The organization seeks dedicated teens looking to advance in the animal science field.

Meetings will be held once a month with opportunities to learn from professionals in the field and work on projects. Animal Ambassadors will complete one project in the course of a year, individually, as well as work as a team to prepare and run animal shows at the Saratoga County Fair. 

This program is designed to prepare teens for higher education and careers in the animal industries.  Applications are due by February 1, and are available on our website: ccesaratoga.org/4-h/animal-ambassadors. 

This spring, Saratoga County 4-H will be offering other Animal Science programs in addition to Animal Ambassadors. For more information on programs such as: Incubation and Embryology, Canine Training, Agriculture in the Classroom, and other animal science clubs call 518-885-8995 or email the Animal Science Educator at bh548@cornell.edu

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville Public Library has been selected as one of 200 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities. 

The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant that will help the Library start a conversation about digital inequity, lack of broadband access in rural areas, and ways that the Library and community can begin to alleviate some of these issues.  The Library plans to involve local and state officials in the conversation and hopefully in the solutions.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said Library Director Caitlin Johnson in a statement. “This grant will allow our library to begin bridging some of the digital divide that our rural area is facing, which has been especially apparent during COVID-19 as we have all had to pivot to remote learning and teleworking.”

As part of the grant, Library staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then host a hybrid online conversation/survey with residents about digital inequity and local needs and use the grant funds to supply the community with additional wireless hotspots to borrow and an additional Library-sponsored wireless network in
the community.

Those interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation later in the spring/summer of 2021, may contact Caitlin Johnson at cjohnson@sals.edu  or 518-695-6641.

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic School’s Biology and Earth Science students recently enjoyed virtual field trips to the NYS Museum. There were presentations from Museum Educators, James Jenkins and Kat Morehouse.