Ballston Spa Schools Receive Support of GLOBALFOUNDRIES
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa schools were among the community organizations selected to receive funding from the GLOBALFOUNDRIES - Town of Malta Foundation as they announced their awards for 2019. The district received $3,500 in funding for the annual Tech Valley Robot Rumble Off-Season Robotics Competition held at the Ballston Spa High School in the fall. The Ballston Spa FIRST Robotics Team #3044 was also awarded a $4,000 grant to support the team’s participation in regional competitions. The district’s Scotties BackPack program received $5,000 in support to provide food for students on the weekends and the Malta Avenue PTA received $1,550 to provide science programs in the school. The Ballston Spa Middle School’s Launching Pad Productions received $1,500 to support their performance of Frozen Jr! in February. The Ballston Spa High School’s Student Book Club received $2,000 to purchase books and support club activities, the Young Adult Reading Project received $750 for books, and the drama department received $2,500 for sound equipment. The Ballston Spa High School PTSA was awarded a $4,000 grant to help with Arts-In-Education programs and the annual After-Prom activities implemented by the parent organization each spring. The GLOBALFOUNDRIESTown of Malta Foundation recently presented its 2019 slate of grants totaling over $160,000, supporting over 40 local organizations and community projects. The Foundation was developed to fund organizations, programs and projects that provide tangible benefits of a public nature to diverse groups serving the citizens of the Town of Malta, including not-forprofit corporations, charitable organizations, community arts and theater groups, community historical sites, special events, education programs, and sports and recreation activities. For more information, visit the Foundation’s web site at sites.google.com/site/ gfmaltafoundationorg/home. For more information on school programs, please visit the Ballston Spa Central School District website at www.bscsd. org or call the District Office at 518-884-7195.
Saratoga Springs CSD Thanks Donors
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Throughout the year, the District receives tens of thousands of dollars in donations from community partners, parent organizations, and individuals. The donations vary from money towards school supplies, outstanding school lunch debts, and field trips to donations of technology and classroom equipment. These donations are greatly appreciated, and they make a huge impact on our students, staff, and schools. “Our District is pleased to be able to accept many generous donations throughout the school year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Patton. “These donations are a reflection of the wonderful community that we live in,” Patton stated.
Saratoga Foundation for Innovative Learning (SFIL) Awards $25,652 in Grants
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Foundation for Innovative Learning (SFIL), the education foundation for the Saratoga Springs City School District, has awards seven grants totaling $25,652 to staff. SFIL is a non-profit organization that strives to empower the school community to ignite the love of learning in all by supporting innovative opportunities. Below are the 2019 grant recipients and grant information: Jamie Hansen and Michele Sperber for Ozobots for Grades K-2 STEM: Using simple programing techniques (from drawing lines on paper to using iPad commands for speed, direction, etc.), Ozobot programmable robots will give students the opportunity to use critical thinking and perseverance to solve problems in a fun and engaging way. The robots come with pre-developed lessons that are linked to the NYS Science Learning Standards. Jennifer Spoor for Instructional Play Materials for First Grade: As an alternative to “Skill and Drill” instruction, this grant will to provide first grade teachers with resources that will encourage purposeful play. Students will use puppets during ELA lessons to act out portions of a book. Students will also use math games to improve their fact fluency and build endurance. Finally, students would have access to various building materials to help during STEM activities allowing for hands-on problem solving. Carrie Jackson for Drum Circle Materials for Elementary Music and Chorus Elementary: Students throughout the district will have an opportunity to use World Percussion Instruments (WPI). Using items from five-gallon buckets to 24-inch Djembes, students will take part in various drum circles to immerse themselves in world cultures and communities, gaining a deeper understanding of their rhythms, dance, music and instruments. Talia Brower, Diana Kakaty, Lynne McGee, Michele Slone, & Alexandra Zanetti for a Sensory Room for Elementary Students: The room will include items such as interactive bubble tubes and switches, fiber optic light strands, and glow panels. These items, in conjunction with other purchased materials, will help to outfit a sensory room. The room will be a place where students in distress can deescalate safely so they can return to their classroom. Colleen Belanger for Heart Rate Monitors for Physical Education Students: This grant will will supply high school PE students with heart rate monitors to wear during class. As an alternative to traditional assessments, the teacher will use the data to assess students on their physical effort and growth over time. Erin Bell for Interactive Science Software: This grant would provide chemistry laboratory software to high school students. The program (Pivot Interactives) provides online simulations of experiments that are either done in the HS laboratory, or are too dangerous or expensive to conduct in school. Not only are students able to enhance their learning with these simulations, but they also provide an alternative learning environment for students unable to attend school due to medical conditions. Jennifer McGuinness for Standing Desks for the Maple Avenue Learning Center: This grant would help to provide standing desks and stools to Maple Ave students in the Learning Center. These desks and stools provide an alternative furniture choice for students to give the Learning Center a different look and feel than a traditional classroom.
League of Women Voters Accepting Applications for Students Inside Albany
SARATOGA COUNTY — The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Saratoga County is accepting applications for High School Juniors residing in Saratoga County to attend Students Inside Albany. The SIA conference, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York State Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to increase students’ awareness of their responsibility in representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. This interactive conference will bring together high school students from across the state to learn about New York State government and the process by which citizens can participate in the policy making arena. As part of this program, students will also tour the Capitol and observe both the Senate and Assembly in action by spending an afternoon shadowing their legislator. The Conference will be held on May 17-20, 2020 and is an intensive four day training experience designed to immerse students in the process by which public policy is proposed, enacted and changed in New York State. All conference expenses for the successful candidate will be covered by the LWV of Saratoga County. Applications are due to the LWV Saratoga by January 25, 2020 and may be found on the LWV website: www.lwvsaratoga. org. For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 518-728-5201.
