Annual Craig School Ski/Sports Sale scheduled for Saturday, November 10
Attention sports enthusiasts and bargain hunters alike — Craig Elementary School is hosting its annual Ski/Sports Sale on Saturday, November 10 from 9 a.m.-noon. The event offers a great opportunity to buy or sell good quality, gently used sports equipment and support Craig school at the same time. Items to sell may be dropped off Friday between 4-8 p.m. Partial proceeds from the sale benefit Craig programs and activities. For additional information, visit:
http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/craig/Ski_Sports/sale.htm

Niskayuna High School teacher meets nation's highest teaching standards
Now that Niskayuna High School teacher Peter Melito has earned National Board Certification, considered the highest achievement in the teaching profession, he is one step closer to achieving another more personal aspiration.
“National Board Certification means that I am heading towards my ultimate goal of becoming a master teacher who continues to impact student learning inside and outside of the classroom,” he said. The social studies teacher received the news in November that he had successfully met the criteria for achieving the nation’s highest standards for teaching. Read more

Four Niskayuna Girls’ Lacrosse players to compete at Division I colleges next year
After the helping their team win the Section II Class B Girls’ Lacrosse Championship last June, Niskayuna High School seniors Karlee Blank, Beth Halayko, Allison Pfohl and Jennifer Primeau have each committed to play Division I lacrosse next year for prominent universities. Read more

School officials to host first of two Community Budget Awareness Forums on Nov. 26
The Niskayuna Central School District will present the first of two Community Budget Awareness Forums on Monday, November 26 at 7 p.m. in the District Office Board Room at 1239 Van Antwerp Road. (Note location change.)
The presentation will be the first of two forums designed to provide a better understanding of the often complex school budget development process and raise awareness of the challenges associated with balancing the district’s commitment to academic excellence with the concerns of local taxpayers. The second forum, which will further explain the budget process, will be presented on Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m. in the Iroquois Middle School library.
The two programs will offer an opportunity for the public to learn about the many factors that affect school expenditures and revenues. District officials will discuss the correlation between property taxes and state aid and explain how property reassessment in the Town of Niskayuna will affect school taxes in 2008-09. They will also review key areas that drive school budgets and outline the district’s ongoing efforts to stabilize or reduce costs, and generate additional revenue.
Parents and community members will have an opportunity to ask questions about school budget development during each program.
The public is encouraged to attend one or both of these informative discussions.

Niskayuna schools follow precautions to guard against drug-resistant "Staph" infection
In recent days, media attention has been focused on an infection caused by a strain of bacteria known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA originated in hospitals more than a decade ago, but has since been found in the general population. This form is commonly referred to as community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or CA-MRSA.
Although no active cases have been reported in Niskayuna schools, isolated cases of CA-MRSA staph infection have been reported in several area school districts. The district staff will continue to practice universal precautions in caring for individuals with suspected infectious diseases including CA-MRSA, and rigorously follow existing procedures to clean and disinfect classrooms and other common areas in the schools. Additional measures to ensure the health of students and staff include the installation of dispensers containing hand-sanitizing gel at key locations in the elementary and middle schools, such as in cafeterias and gymnasiums. Dispensers will also be placed in the weight room, the Blatnick gym and concession areas at the high school. The maintenance staff has also been instructed to clean high-contact surfaces, such as doorknobs, more frequently.
All building administrators, nurses, maintenance and transportation personnel are aware of the symptoms and precautionary measures related to CA-MRSA. In addition, all Niskayuna Athletic Department personnel were notified and reminded to keep equipment and locker rooms sanitary. Athletic Director Larry Gillooley will also make an informational brochure available to student athletes, who may be at higher risk for CA-MRSA because of frequent skin-to-skin contact. More information

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