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SARATOGA COUNTY — One of the best draws to Saratoga County for home-seeking families are the number of excellent school options in the area. The local public schools receive consistent high marks in the New York State report card, and the area’s private schools are known for their excellent numbers in college-bound, scholarship-winning graduates. 

Private schools offer a wide range of options that could never be found in public schools, such as foundational religious teachings, multi-age classrooms, and individually targeted curriculum. Many offer extended care for younger children at an hourly rate and financial aid to offset tuition costs. Following are highlights of area private schools:


Saratoga Central Catholic High School

Serving students in 6th through 12th grade 

http://www.saratogacatholic.org/ 

A Catholic college preparatory institution, Saratoga Central Catholic High School starts the ball rolling for students with college as an end goal, said Principal Stephen Lombard. By arranging for college visitors, coordinating courses and extra-curricular activities, the school helps to organize and prepare students for college while keeping parents, who are more involved in the process than ever before, up-to-date and informed, said Lombard. This past spring, 37 graduating seniors received and accepted a combined amount $2,163,794 in scholarships for their post-secondary academic careers. The students were offered over six million in merit scholarships alone.


Saratoga Independent School

Serving students from 3 years old to 6th grade

http://www.siskids.org/

According to Felice Karlitz, Director of Schools, Saratoga Independent School prioritizes the development of consistency, respect, and caring for others. Recognizing that children develop at different rates regardless of their chronological age, multiage classrooms help inspire a friendly school culture where each student is known and new students are easily assimilated without stigmas or bullying. 

Without textbooks (except in math), research, projects, and active sharing of ideas and opinions facilitate learning. Assessments, which Karlitz likens to dissertations more than traditional pencil and paper tests, demonstrate students’ deep understanding of the subject matter and ready them for accelerated learning upon leaving.


Malta Montessori School

Serving students 18 months to 12 years old

http://www.maltamontessori.com/


“Children that come here are thirsty for knowledge,” said Kerry Henley, Malta Montessori’s Head of School. The teachers, who receive additional Montessori training, are not placed in the front of a classroom with rows of desks, but instead are seen as facilitators of students learning through multi-sensory, hands-on materials. Traditional grading structures are absent from the collaborative, multi-age environment where student learning is reinforced by their peers. The concepts of grace, courtesy and conflict resolution are imbedded in the school culture of peace.


Spa Christian School

Serving students 3 years old to 7th grade 

http://www.spachristian.com/

“We want children to know they have a purpose, and the foundation of that is found in the Bible,” said Laurie Slater, who served as Spa Christian’s Head of Schools for 27 years. 

Teaching academic subjects from a Biblical perspective and integrating worship into the school day, Spa Christian strives to instill a sense of universal order and meaning in their students. In an environment filled with literacy, and without the pushing pressure of state testing, academics and foundational principles all come together to the benefit of the students, said Slater. “Because childhood is important and it’s working for the children,” she said.


St. Clement’s Regional Catholic School

Serving students from 3 years old to 5th grade 

http://www.stclementsschool.org/

Striving toward education for the mind and enlightenment for the soul, St. Clements Catholic School’s small classes allow each child’s individual learning style to be taken into account. Parent and community involvement is encouraged. Included in the academic curriculum are unique opportunities, such as preschool Spanish and computer technology integrated into the school day. In the continuing Lead the Way pilot program, for example, students use iPods to design and build functioning, task-oriented robots.  All students have access to the new S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math) computer lab, as well.


Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs

Serving students from 18 months old to 12th grade

http://www.waldorfsaratoga.org/

“The Waldorf educational style is the fastest growing private school movement right now,” said Matthew Kopnas, Director of Community Outreach and Development. By integrating arts, music, movement and practical skills throughout the curriculum, limiting homework, and limiting standardized testing solely to the SATs, students learn the material in a hands-on way.  

From the outdoor-based Forest Kindergarten to guided handwork, which includes knitting, housebuilding, ironworking and even stonecutting for older students, Waldorf focuses on melding well-rounded and grounded graduates. “These methods are used to teach skills such as focus, pattern recognition, and stick-to-it-iveness,” said Kopnas. “Developing a student’s empathy, intellect and physical body are all equally important,” he said.

Friday, 07 August 2015 15:22

Showcase of Homes Set for September

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Along with your other seasonal traditions, it’s that time of year again for Saratoga’s Showcase of Homes Tour. 

For twenty years, the annual event, hosted by the Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. has attracted thousands of people each fall to explore the newest Saratoga County homes constructed by some of the region’s most respected builders. 

“The show has become very much a part of the fabric of the fall season,” said Barry Potoker, Executive Director of the Saratoga Builders Association. 

The newest ideas and trends in all aspects of the home; from interiors and exteriors, to energy efficiency and landscaping techniques are all on display. The fully-furnished and decorated homes have all been built in the last year, with finishing touches often still being added right up until the event begins.

“We have some of the finest builders in the country here. They do some really, really neat stuff,” he said.

As a festive way to celebrate their 20th year, and as an added convenience to event-goers, Showcase Snacks have been added to the route for the first time. A series of food trucks offering sandwiches, burgers, pizza, Mexican food and ice cream will allow people to easily travel from one stop to the next without detouring away to find something to eat. 

Even with this streamlined service, it can be difficult to see all of the 12 homes included in the tour in just a day, which is why each $20 ticket is good for every day of the six-day event.  Tickets can be purchased right at any of the homes you wish to visit on the day of; at several locations throughout the city; or online beginning August 15. 

Proceeds from the event help support two local charities; Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. With the help of the event’s many sponsors, it has generated $900,000 in donations. 

“Our goal is to get as many people out as possible; to promote building and to improve the quality of life in Saratoga County,” said Potoker. 

On display this year will be the work of the Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, Bordeau Builders, James G. Doyle, Executive Builders, Heritage Custom Homes, Marini Homes, McPadden Builders, The Michaels Group, Saratoga Builders and two homes by Witt Construction. In addition, the completed homes show off the talents of top designers and product suppliers as well.

The featured properties are valued between $300,000 to more than $2 million. From the homes with classic open floor plans, and traditional architectural details, to the stunning estates with cathedral ceilings and stellar waterfront views, custom builders ignite the imagination and show you the possibilities.

 

To see a glimpse of what’s going to be featured at the 2015 Showcase of Homes happening September 19th & 20th, 26th & 27th, and October 3rd and 4th, for the event map, to buy tickets and to get more information go to http://www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com/

Friday, 05 June 2015 14:54

Grilling Up a Great Gift

What does Dad really want to do this Father’s Day? He wants to chill…and grill.

Cooking outdoors has a primal appeal to it. There’s an element of excitement (fire!), sharp tools, and the intoxicating smell of sizzling meat. Grilling a meal means having free time with the family in the comfort of the backyard. It’s a recipe for success, unless you get burned with a bad grill.

A man-sized menu filled with grilling goodness starts first as a feast for the eyes. Creating the ultimate outdoor kitchen will give you the power to take control of getting the cooking done right. No matter what else goes in it, the centerpiece of such a space is still the grill.

Turn up the heat by upgrading to a Lynx, Alfresco or DCS stainless steel gas grill, recommends Erik Brokaw, salesman at Earl B. Feiden Inc. Earl B. Feiden’s provides sales and service on everything from entry-level appliances to the more premium custom products, and Brokaw practices what he preaches.

“After being cooped up inside all winter, it’s great to get out there and grill. I cook everything out there,” he said.

These brands really burn up the competition because of their top-quality optional features including Infra-Red sear zones. These high-intensity burners can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees, giving you the ability to cook hot and fast.

Wielding a grill that has a length of more than four feet at such a high temperature ups the ante for anyone in attendance. 

“It’s a lot of grill,” said Brokaw. If your dream is to rival the master chefs in cities like New York, Chicago and L.A. for a place in the chronicles of grilling history, this is the machine for you. If you’re more comfortable with something a little less massive, then the more common 30” to 36” sizes may be what you’re looking for. 

With auto-ignition burners, double-insulated lids that are cooler to the touch and grease management systems that make tinfoil taboo, there is the versatility to get just what you want.

“Using tinfoil in these machines can be a travesty,” said Brokaw. All you need to do is season a new grill grate with salad oil to cook on it, he explained. The more you use it, the more smoky flavor it’s going to add to your food, and you’ll get those gorgeous grill marks that everybody loves. 

With a grill that’s so easy to use and to keep clean, there’s even time to consider alternative ways to cook outdoors. Features like pizza ovens and rotisserie rods let you say, “Why not?”

Availability in a variety of sizes, as built-ins or in a free-standing cart, means that the price on a grill like this can range from $1,999 to $5,000. 

Adding a bar area, complete with sink, ice bin and refrigerator gives you everything you need right at your fingertips and really makes an outdoor kitchen feel complete. Brokaw can send out the specifications of your space and the products you’d like to the manufacturer and they can even come up with the design layout for you. In just a few weeks, you could be grilling to perfection.

“When you get down to it, you can make a real outdoor family area and prepare the whole meal together as a family,” said Brokaw.

 

“Dad would really enjoy a new grill instead of a tie for Father’s Day.”

Blotter

  • New York State Police The New York State Police announced that it issued 5,576 tickets during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. The campaign began on Friday, March 15, and continued until Sunday, March 17. During the campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors detail. State Police also ticketed distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. State Troopers arrested 132 people for DWI and investigated 199 crashes, which resulted in 25 people being injured and no fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Heather DiCaprio sold property at 473 Garrett Rd to Justine Levine for $288,000 Sharon Willman sold property at 99 Jenkins Rd to Charles Lemley for $165,000 CORINTH George Montena sold property at 422 Oak St to Stephen James for $142,250 Mark Makler sold property at 313 Oak St to Sabrina Sinagra for $195,000 GREENFIELD Landlord Services of Upstate New York sold property at 1935 NYS Rt 9N to Cochise Properties LLC for $210,000 MALTA  Linda LaBarge sold property at 35 Snowberry Rd to Qu Haozheng for $270,000 Dennis Mitchell sold property at 60 Village Circle North to BGRS Relocation…
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