Niskayuna High School teacher receives YMCA Outstanding Educator Award
Congratulations to Ann Coleman, Family and Consumer Science teacher at Niskayuna High School, who was recently named Outstanding Educator by the Capital District YMCA. Each year, the Schenectady County Y branches recognize nominees from several school districts for their exceptional contributions to community and for the inspiration they offer their peers. Coleman is the fourth teacher from the Niskayuna school district to receive the Outstanding Educator Award. Recipients are honored for their dedication to students, their impact on community development and their willingness to possess the leadership qualities that the YMCA exemplifies

Trio of Iroquois Middle School students win essay contest
Emma Bowman, Hamza Syed and Ben Cutler, won first, second and third place, respectively, in an essay contest about the naming of Schenectady sponsored by the Open Door Book Store. The students read their award-winning essays during a reception at the book store honoring the trio on April 8. Each received a gift certificate to use at the store. The three are all students of Mike Jesep, seventh-grade English/social studies teacher. Congratulations!

Craig Elementary School staff square off in basketball game fundraiser for new playground
It may not have quite the same excitement of an NCAA Final Four championship game, but the Craig Elementary School staff basketball fundraiser promises fun for all who attend. Students, families and friends are invited to the game on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Niskayuna High School gym. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 maximum per family. The proceeds will help fund the school's new playground. Come out and cheer on your favorite staff members and support a great cause!

Poetry Night brings out the verse in Van Antwerp Middle School students
On April 6, the Van Antwerp Middle School auditorium felt more like a neighborhood coffee house on Open Mic night as seventh-graders took the stage to recite original poems and perform music. Parents, family members, friends and staff enjoyed the event, which was called "Beyond Words: The Verse of Van Antwerp,"  and was presented by the school's seventh-grade classes.

Birchwood Elementary students and staff raise more than $3,000 during Pennies for Patients campaign
Congratulations to all who contributed to Birchwood Elementary School's Pennies for Patients campaign. Special recognition to fourth-grade students for participating in a read-a-thon that netted approximately $2,500. With donations totaling an outstanding $1,226.95, Lisa Luyckx class won a pizza party. Proceeds from the Pennies for Patients campaign go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation to help children diagnosed with cancer.

Niskayuna High School artwork featured at regional art exhibition
Congratulations to the 23 high school students whose works of art are on display at the Gallery at College Park Hall at Union College in Schenectady. The 2006 High School Regional Juried Art Exhibition features more than 80 works from 20 Capital Region high schools. The exhibit opened March 19 and will run through April 15.

Local author and Niskayuna High School writer-in-residence to read at April 28 Java Jive
William Patrick, a local author currently serving as the high school's writer-in-residence, will be a guest reader at Niskayuna High School's Java Jive on April 28 at 7 p.m. Java Jive is a new feature at the high school that follows in the footsteps of the successful, long-standing poetry celebration at Iroquois Middle School. Patrick will read from his work including his recently published non-fiction book, "Saving Troy," based on the year he spent riding with Troy's firefighters and paramedics. More information about Java Jive

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