Niskayuna school district could see reduction of nearly $1.5 million in state aid under Governor’s proposal
State’s economic woes could yield mid-year cut; district taking steps to curtail costs
Niskayuna school district officials are waiting to see what happens as the state Legislature convenes this week to address Governor Paterson’s plan to alleviate the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit. The Governor’s proposal, released recently, includes reducing $840 million in school aid to districts across the state. For Niskayuna that would result in a loss of $1,457,761 midway through the current school year – a 10% reduction in state aid promised for the current year. More

Van Antwerp Middle School students collect 1,800 cans of green beans for Equinox Thanksgiving dinner
Congratulations to Van Antwerp Middle School students for collecting 1,800 cans of green beans during a three-week period for the annual Equinox Thanksgiving dinner in Albany. Thanks to the generosity of VA’s school community including staff, students and parents, the students well exceeded their goal of 1,600 cans. The middle school collects beans every November for this charitable event.
 

Democracy the winner at Niskayuna schools as students cast ballots in mock elections
Voter turnout was at an all-time high on this historical Election Day, as Niskayuna students from virtually every grade level cast their ballots for the next president of the United States. Read story, view pictures and results

Rosendale student voters have spoken and the winner is …
Democracy took a decidedly tasty turn in a different type of election at Rosendale Elementary School. The contest, while not political in nature, required a democratic vote just the same as three candidates were in the running to be selected as the new healthy snack alternative on Rosendale’s cafeteria lunch menu.
On Monday, students received a taste of the qualities the candidates—Kettle Corn popcorn, veggie crisps and fruit and yogurt bars—would provide if elected to be served on the lunch menu. On Election Day, students in grades 1-5 then cast their ballots for their favorite new healthy snack. The winner by a landslide was announced Tuesday afternoon: Kettle Corn!

School district seeks parent volunteers for Special Education committees
The Niskayuna Central School District Student Support Services Office is seeking parent volunteers to join the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). State laws require school districts to have parent representation during CSE and CPSE meetings. If a parent representative is not present for full CSE/CPSE meetings, those meetings must be canceled. Presently, the Niskayuna school district does not have sufficient parent representatives for CSE and CPSE meetings. If you are interested in becoming a CSE/CPSE parent member, please call the Student Support Services Office at 382-2525, ext. 50739, 50738 or 50735 by November 7. More information about becoming a parent representative

Groundbreaking ceremonies officially mark construction at two Niskayuna schools
Wearing hardhats and wielding shovels, Niskayuna elementary school students helped district officials, teachers, parents and guests break ground Friday morning at Birchwood and Rosendale schools to officially mark construction at each building.
During the summer, preliminary work began on the installation of new heating and ventilation systems at Birchwood, Hillside and Rosendale schools. The foundation for Rosendale’s new five-classroom addition has been poured, while structural steel has been set for the new classroom additions at Birchwood and Hillside.
The two ceremonies, which were rescheduled because of inclement weather in September, mark the second phase of the school district’s $94.5 million building project, which includes renovations and construction in all of the district’s school buildings.
Residents approved the district-wide construction and renovations project in January 2006. The entire project will be completed in 2010.

Hillside Elementary School officially unveils new playground
Some 350-plus students who attend Hillside Elementary School gathered outside to watch as NYS Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, Schenectady County Legislators Susan Savage, Jim Buhrmaster and Niskayuna Community Foundation (NCF) representative Vince Valenza helped playground committee Jim Kokernak cut the ribbon on Friday, Oct. 24 to officially open the school’s new playground. Read more

Educators from Mongolia visit Niskayuna schools in October as part of international exchange program
A trio of teachers from Mongolia will visit Van Antwerp Middle School in late October as part of the Sage Colleges’ Civics Mosaic II program, funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Civics Mosaic was established to promote a better understanding of democracy through teacher exchanges and aims to improve civics education in Russia, Eurasia and the United States by creating and sustaining relationships between the participating countries. Read more

Program presentations/reviews highlight Niskayuna's educational programs
Parents and community members are invited to learn more about the academic programs and educational services provided in Niskayuna schools during program presentations throughout the 2008-09 school year. Three program presentations and two program reviews are scheduled to take place this year during select Board of Education meetings. Department directors, faculty and staff will present a comprehensive overview of programs, which include examples of students' educational experiences and expectations at different grade levels, and a discussion of the department’s long-term goals. Program reviews focus on core curriculum and include additional information, such as student achievement data and instructional strategies used in the classroom to help all children meet or exceed New York State learning standards. Program presentations/reviews for the 2008-09 school year are scheduled as follows:

• Nov. 3: K-12 Counseling (presentation)
• Dec. 1: Health and Physical Education (presentation)
• Feb. 9: English Language Arts K-5 (review)
• Feb. 23: English Language Arts 6-12 (review)
• Apr. 20: Business and Family & Consumer Sciences (presentation)

Niskayuna introduces Model Transition Program to help students with disabilities transition to life after high school
Niskayuna Central School District’s Office of Student Support Services has partnered with the Guilderland and Mohonasen school districts to present a series of workshops for parents and students with disabilities to help plan for life beyond high school—whether that includes continuing their education at college, participating in vocational training or joining the workforce.
The New York State Model Transition Program (MTP), an initiative between the New York State Education Department (NYSED), Cornell University, and the University at Buffalo, is designed to help students with disabilities and their parents become acquainted with many of the issues related to post-high school planning. Parents are invited to attend any or all workshops.
Download the program brochure for more information and a list of upcoming workshops. Contact Carol Wall, Training Coordinator, 518-352-2511 ext. 4085 to sign up for the workshops.

Summary available of 2008 survey on student perceptions of drug and alcohol abuse More Information