Iroquois and Van Antwerp students participate in Study Circles
In November students from Iroquois and Van Antwerp middle schools joined seven other middle schools to participate in the "Study Circles" program sponsored by Schenectady County Embraces Diversity. Study Circles are groups of students who meet to discuss race and issues of common concern. These groups give students the opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives, and to gain a deeper understanding of one another and their community. Above, Iroquois students participate.

High School students recognized by national art contest
Congratulations to Juliann Brown, Tanya Zal and Kaitlin Cusack, who all received an Honorable Mention award -- placing them in the top 3 percent of all entries -- in the 2nd Annual Utrecht Self-Portrait Contest. Congratulations!

Van Antwerp 73 Team collects eye glasses for needy

Van Antwerp's 73 Team recently completed its drive for used eye glasses for the Rotterdam Lion's Club, collecting 178 pairs. The glasses will be sent to the needy in third world countries. (Above, students show some of the donations with Rotterdam Lion's Club representative Mildred Volwieder.)

Van Antwerp choral students on WMHT
Congratulations to the Van Antwerp 7th & 8th Grade Middle School Chorus, which was selected to perform as part of WMHT's "Music for the Holidays." The students' performance will be shown on WMHT (channel 17) December 20 at 7:30 p.m., December 23 at 4 p.m. and December 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Niskayuna art teachers' work on display
"Outside the Box Too: Teachers as Artists" is now on display at the Nisk-Art Gallery at Niskayuna High School. Stop by to see work by your favorite art teacher! The display will be up through December 19. Nisk-Art Gallery Details

Birchwood teacher named Channel 13 Educator of the Week
Congratulations to Birchwood Elementary School fourth grade teacher Jackie Albanese, who has been selected as a TV-13 Educator of the Week. She was featured on channel 13 on December 14 at 5:30 p.m. Congratulations!

National Merit Semi-Finalists recognized by Board of Education
Congratulations to the following students, who were recognized December 5 by the Board of Education for being National Merit Semi-Finalists: (front row, from left) Yingchen Xiong, Nicole Bieber, Leslie Johnston, Katerina Gross (also a National Hispanic Recognition Program Honoree), and Lesley Adewunmi (a National Achievement Scholarship Program for Black Americans Honoree). Back row, from left: Michele Reitz, Jeremy Wolos, Matthew Law and Kevin Ryan. Missing: Manisha Padi. Congratulations!

Board of Education reduces final construction project scope
On November 21 the Board of Education unanimously decided to reduce the scope of the building project to $94.5 million to maximize state aid. Details

Students excel at speech and debate tournament
Congratulations to the following Niskayuna High School students, who received awards at the Speech and Debate Tournament hosted at Mount Markham High School November 19: in the Varsity Lincoln-Douglas category: Sohail Syed (1st), Anjana Tayi (2nd) and Alex Williams (3rd). In the JV category: Sam Grondahl (1st), Deek Velangandula (2nd) and Steven Tang (3rd). Syed and Grondahl also will participate in the New York State Championship in April. Congratulations!

Niskayuna Teachers Association raises funds for cancer research

This fall the NTA organized a group for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Albany. Twenty-five staff members participated, raising $2,935 for cancer research.  Congratulations!

Van Antwerp donates 2,200+ cans of green beans to Equinox dinner

Congratulations to Van Antwerp Middle School, which donated more than 2,200 cans of green beans in its annual collection for the Equinox Community Dinner. Above, Mrs. Dashew's sixth grade homeroom brought in the most cans of any class -- 366. Great job everyone!

Fruit sale for Hurricane Katrina relief
The Class of 2007 is selling citrus fruit to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina relief and class activities. Orders must be prepaid by December 2. Download an order form (link disabled)

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