SARATOGA SPRINGS —The Saratoga Springs City School District is currently accepting contact information for the mailing list for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten program (2021-2022 school year). To be eligible for the program, children must be four-years-old on or before December 1, 2021, and must reside in the Saratoga Springs City School District. Visit www.saratogaschools.org/upk for more information.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. 

Ballston Spa is one of the 4% of public school districts across the nation receiving the prestigious award in 2021. The district has received the recognition for five consecutive years, starting in 2017. 

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Ballston Spa answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, music education during the COVID pandemic, and about community music-making programs.

This award recognizes that Ballston Spa is leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation designated music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children. The NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education Award and the state level implementation of the federal ESSA law bring attention to the importance of keeping music education part of curriculum offerings and available to all students. It also highlights music’s vital role in students’ overall success in school and the personal benefits of making music.

The district annually celebrates Music in Our Schools month during March with several special events, including an annual Pops Concert for the school community and acknowledging students who have performed in state and regional honors groups at a Board of Education meeting. The district extends congratulations to all the students, staff, and families, involved in the Ballston Spa music community. Additional information about the music program in the Ballston Spa schools is available on the department’s webpage or call 518-884-7150.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs City School District will hold their Board of Education and Budget vote in May. 

The Board of Education (BOE) and Budget vote will take place this year on Tuesday, May 18. Petitions will be accepted until April 28, therefore a list of who is running will not be made public until April 29, the following day. 

Each year there are three BOE vacancies for three-year terms, and community members are encouraged to run for the seats on the board. Individuals who are seeking election to the BOE must submit a petition with a minimum of 50 signatures from district residents. 

Normally, the minimum number of signatures needed is 100, however Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order that small city school districts lower the minimum number of signatures needed this year. 

Petition packets can be picked up at the MacFadden Administration Building at 3 Blue Streak Boulevard in Saratoga Springs, or packets can be sent by mail or email. Interested candidates can get their petition through the mail or an email after filling out the Board of Education Petition form found on the school district’s website (saratogaschools.org/district, see Board of Education tab, Board of Education Petition Information). 

Completed petition packets are due to the Business Office by the deadline of April 28 at 5 p.m. On April 29, at 8 a.m., a drawing will be held for the order of the candidates on the ballot.

The proposed budget is expected to be adopted on April 20. The school district’s website states the following about its contents: 

“The 2021-2022 budget will be unique as it will reflect expenses related to COVID-19 and other costs associated with funding materials, supplies, technology and staffing for hybrid and remote learning during the pandemic as well as potential reductions in Federal and NYS aid.”

More information will be made available as the election and budget vote date nears. Any questions related to the Board of Education petition form may be directed to Brenda Roberts at 518-693-1450. 

SOUTH GLENS FALLS — South Glens Falls High School proudly presents Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown on April 16-17. Songs for a New World will be the Drama Club’s first-ever virtual production, streamed on www.ShowTix4U.com. 

The South High troupe will be participating in the High School Musical Theatre Awards at Proctors for the fifth consecutive year. They received eight High School Musical Theatre Award nominations and won Best Musical (Tier C) and Best Actress in 2019. Their 2020 production, Damn Yankees, was just days shy of opening before the global pandemic caused it to close. 

Songs for a New World is the first musical written by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown and premiered Off-Broadway in 1995. It is a contemporary song cycle that unites fictitious and historical characters through themes of self-discovery, love, and connection made in times of the unknown. This production features the innovative work of three student technical crew members and fifteen student performers. Songs is directed and produced by high school music teacher, Betsy-Stambach Fuller, with collaborative efforts from Tina Hayes (associate director), John Benware (pianist), and Chris Reed Jr. (audio engineer). 

Shows will be streamed virtually at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17. Tickets are $15 per device and can purchased at this link: www.showtix4u.com/event-details/47931.

This production is presented through special arrangements with MTI: Musical Theatre International (mtishows.com). 

For more information, please contact the production’s director, Mrs. Betsy Stambach-Fuller, at stambache@sgfcsd.org. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On April 5, the Saratoga Regional YMCA officially launched its Annual Campaign to ensure that everyone in the community has access to vital community programs and resources. 

When the Y’s doors closed in March 2020, the Y pivoted and began providing critical food and hygiene supplies to many struggling individuals and families in need. They offered child care and camps for families that were working and in need of care in the heart of the pandemic. The Y stayed connected to senior members through phone calls and emails to help prevent social isolation. They found creative ways for community members to stay healthy during the pandemic by providing outdoor and virtual fitness options until they reopened their doors in September. 

Support of the 2021 Annual Campaign not only helps the YMCA continue funding critical community work now, but it also helps preserve the organization for the future. This year, the Saratoga Regional YMCA hopes to raise $250,000. The Annual Campaign provides life-changing experiences, and makes the community stronger through YMCA child care summer camp, aquatics, sports, wellness, and many other vital programs and services, assuring that no one is turned away due to lack of funds. 

To learn more about how you can support the Y’s mission, please contact Allison D’Antonio, Strategy and Development Director at 518-583-9622 ext. 104 or allison.dantonio@srymca.org, or visit www.srymca.org/donate for more information.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) has named Lucky’s Adventures Children’s Book Series as among the best in family-friendly media, products, and services. 

The MCA evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost. Lucky’s Adventures earned the Mom’s Choice Award®, Gold level.

Author Elizabeth Macy has written three children’s picture books in the series, inspired by the true story of when her dog, Lucky, was lost in Saratoga for four days. Thanks to the kindness of the community and Lucky’s guardian angels, she was safely found. The books are heartwarming tales about Lucky and her friends. Kids will learn valuable lessons through Lucky’s eyes: making new friends, accepting others, working together, and spreading kindness.

With the evaluation now complete, the review samples of Lucky’s Adventure Books will be donated to schools, libraires, and nonprofit organizations. Visit www.LuckysAdventures.net for additional information.

GREENFIELD CENTER — Children’s author Artie Bennett will be appearing at the birthday celebrations for legendary racehorse Zippy Chippy at Old Friends at Cabin Creek on April 17. 

On April 17, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Old Friends at Cabin Creek will be holding a reopening event and festivities in honor of Zippy Chippy’s 30th birthday (his actual birthday is on April 20). Artie Bennett, author of The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t, illustrated by Dave Szalay, will be there to read and sign copies of the award-winning picture-book biography.

“With its powerful message of hope and determination, and its healing dose of humor, it could well be the perfect storybook for our times,” said Bennett. 

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Zippy Chippy’s legacy is quite an unusual one for a racehorse, as his losing streak is what made him famous. Zippy ran in 100 races during his career, and lost every single one – becoming one of the most losing racehorses in history. His trainer Felix Monserrate had traded an old pickup truck to get Zippy and had an emotional attachment to him. Felix then went about entering him in races with tough competition that he knew Zippy couldn’t beat, because Felix did not want anyone else to claim the horse. Zippy was also known to be a troublemaker at the track – stopping mid-race, refusing to leave the gate, biting, etc. Zippy is also banned from almost every track in America. In retirement, Zippy now lives at Old Friends, with his best friend Red Down South. You can read more about Zippy, and keep up with him and the other horses, on the Old Friends at Cabin Creek website: oldfriendsatcabincreek.com. 

Bennett is also the author of the rhyming picture books The Butt Book, Poopendous!, Peter Panda Melts Down!, Belches, Burps, and Farts – Oh My!, and What’s Afoot! Your Complete, Offbeat Guide to Feet, as well as two joke and riddle books titled The Universe’s Greatest Dinosaur Jokes and Pre-Hysteric Puns and The Universe’s Greatest School Jokes and Rip-Roaring Riddles. The True Story of Zippy Chippy is a CCBC Choice 2021. He has received praise on his books from Publisher’s Weekly, The Huffington Post, School Library Journal, and many more. 

Old Friends at Cabin Creek is a retirement facility for aging racehorses, located at 483 Sand Hill Rd in Greenfield Center. They are resuming their public tours April 17 through July 1, Saturdays only, from 12 -3 p.m. Summer hours are to be determined. A $10 donation for Zippy Chippy’s 30th Birthday Party will be gratefully received. Masks are required, and all necessary social distancing protocols will be observed during the celebration. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College has reversed their decision to allow a Progressive Zionists for Peace club a trial period. 

On March 13, via a Zoom meeting, Skidmore College’s Club Affairs Committee initially denied a Progressive Zionists for Peace (PZP) club a chance to see if they had interest on campus. The establishing president of the pro-Israel group is student Nessa Goldhirsch Brown. 

A letter from Sarah Baker, a Senior Senator on Skidmore College’s Student Government Association (SGA) board, to Nessa Goldhirsch Brown, describes why the group was turned down. In the letter published on FIRE’s website (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, thefire.org), Baker wrote the following:

 “…some members [of the Student Club Affairs Committee] expressed concern that a dialogue focused club with one perspective being conveyed could be troublesome. That being said, the committee thinks that the group should try to either gain more diverse perspectives before becoming a club focused on dialogue or reframe the mission to be more advocate focused with a specific stance.”

Recently, the Committee granted a trial period to a
Pro-Palestinian group, Students for Justice in Palestine,
without hesitation.

On March 19, the prospective PZP club had a follow-up discussion with the Club Affairs Committee, who ultimately decided to move the club into a trial period. Sara Miga, Director of External Relations and Strategic Communications for Skidmore College, gave the following statement: 

“This was never an issue of religion or ideology. Skidmore does not and will not tolerate anti-Semitism or religious discrimination of any kind. Skidmore seeks to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all, and there is no place for discrimination at Skidmore. Skidmore College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community in which members develop their abilities to live in a complex and interconnected world. In line with this mission, thoughtful, spirited and sometimes challenging discussions are encouraged. We support our students in their efforts to work out student governance and organization.”

Saratoga TODAY also reached out to Nessa Goldhirsch Brown, and Skidmore College’s SGA, but did not receive a response from either.

BALLSTON SPA — Two Ballston Spa Central School District FFL Challenge Teams competed at the Hudson Valley Qualifying Tournament on March 27. The Golden Creators and Motors in Action teams consisted of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, while other teams at the tournament were made up of 7th and 8th graders. 

The teams were given the opportunity to share their innovation projects, robot design, and teamwork during a presentation with judges. For their innovation projects, the Golden Creators proposed a phone app to help people exercise more by presenting challenges that requires movement to collect coins. Motors in Action designed a sensor mat and wristband to track exercise movements. 

Feedback from the judges was very positive. They were impressed with the challenges the teams overcame this year to be able to compete in the tournament – they had been meeting virtually since October due to the pandemic – and encouraged them to continue as a team, noting that they would be very successful in future years. Although, neither of the teams won awards in the core judged areas, the Golden Creators were recognized with a Head Referee award for showing the most excitement and fun while learning. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Come see Saratoga’s top-rated independent school, Saratoga Independent School (S.I.S.). S.I.S. provides an excellent education to students in Pre-K through Eighth Grade, and enrollment has begun for the 2021-22 school year. 

On Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m., S.I.S. will host a Virtual Information Session for prospective families. During the Virtual Information Session, families will hear from Lisa Brown, Head of School, Colleen Fortune, Admissions Liaison, and a faculty member from each division of the school – Pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School. The team will discuss the S.I.S. curriculum and programs, and answer questions about the school. For more information and to register, please visit www.siskids.org/admissions/open-house.cfm.

Advanced registration for the Virtual Information Session is required. Upon registration, you will be emailed the Zoom link. Registrations can be made online or by contacting Colleen Fortune, Admissions Liaison, directly at cfortune@siskids.org or 518-583-0841. S.I.S. is also happy to schedule private tours with families at any time.