B-Spa Schools Honors Staff and District Partners

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District began the new school year with a gathering of all 700+ staff members at Ballston Spa High School. The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association provided refreshments for staff and also gave away three gift certificates to lucky staff members. The Malta Business and Professional Association presented the district $5,000 raised from their Taste of Malta event held annually each July. Ballston Spa High School instructor Bernadette Wehr was presented with the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award from NYS Civil Service Commissioner Lola Brabham on behalf of the Governor’s Office. Each year, the program recognizes teachers from 10 different regions of New York and gives the honorees a $5,000 stipend to support their professional development interests. The district also recognized staff members and district partners who are making a significant positive contribution to the school community and to the education of children in Ballston Spa. Annually announced at the beginning of the school year, the Extra Mile Awards program formally honors those who exemplify the district’s core values of commitment and involvement. Staff members recognized this year include Trudy Kump, School Aide, Ballston Spa Middle School; Dawn Woodruff and Carm Isabella, Crossing Guards, Malta Avenue Elementary School; Sharon Karkotsky, Teaching Assistant, Gordon Creek Elementary School; Brian Hof and Mary Jo Thompson, Cleaners, Ballston Spa High School; and Amy Laurin, Math Teacher, Milton Terrace Elementary School. Extra Mile Awards were also presented to two organizations for their involvement in the district. The district recognized Saratoga Project Management for their leadership and commitment to serving the district for the past eight years during the implementation of the district’s facility improvement projects. Specifically, Bill McMordie, Principal, and Will Corrigan, Project Manager, were recognized and thanked for all of their hard work and effort to successfully complete the various building projects and improvements throughout the district. Proctors was also presented an award for their commitment to expanding the performing arts in the schools. They have supported professional theater arts programs and productions in collaboration with teachers at Gordon Creek Elementary School for the past two years. This year, they will also support an Artist-in-Residency program at the High School as the district launches a new freshman class that combines English, Media Arts and Video Production. For more information on the Extra Mile Awards please visit the Ballston Spa Central School District website at www.bscsd.org or call the District Office at 518-884-7195.