Author visits Hillside Elementary School

Hall of Fame accepting nominations
Niskayuna High School is accepting nominations for its 2005 Hall of Fame, a gallery of Niskayuna High School graduates who have made significant contributions to their professions or communities. *Note: The deadline for nominations is January 31.* Details

Students donate to tsunami relief efforts

Students and staff around the district are planning various activities to benefit the tsunami relief effort. Some examples are: a school-wide talent show at Glencliff; a Coin Drop at Craig; selling memorial ribbons at the high school; and a bake sale at Van Antwerp (above, the event raised $877.55; 8-4 Team baked the goodies). Many other activities are in the works.

High School pool, fitness center earn "Outstanding Design" award
The pool and fitness center addition on the high school was featured as an "Outstanding Design" in a recent edition of American School & University magazine. The feature noted that the addition includes energy-conservation measures and that all building materials are highly durable, requiring minimal maintenance. Architects for the addition were Dodge Chamberlin Luzine Weber Associates Architects. Want to use the pool?

Middle school students test their geography knowledge in school-wide contests

Congratulations to Iroquois student Andrew Roberts and Van Antwerp student Elizabeth Ha, for winning the National Geography Bee at their school (both shown above with their families and Social Studies Director Alfred Sive). Both will now take written tests to determine if they are eligible to participate in the state competition. Also earning a place in the final school-wide bees were finalists: from Iroquois -- Vishnu Nagaraj (who took 2nd place), William Anderson, Gustav Fellows, Nate Hoffmann, Christopher Nielsen, Andrew Patt, Emily Patt, Adam Reinemann, Westley Tear and Dominic Weeber. Finalists from Van Antwerp were: Emily Whitaker (2nd place), Sara Corderman, Taylor Carlson, Audra Decataldo, Eli Grant, Sean Mayo, Joseph O'Brien, Chetna Prasad and Mitchell Russell. Congratulations to all the students!

Board of Education policies online
As part of the Board of Education's review of its policies this school year, updated policies will be posted on this web site. See updated policies

*New* Special Education section
Student Support Services (Special Education) information, including staff contact details and the current services plan, are now posted on this site. Click on the "Special Education" link (at left) to check it out.

Niskayuna High School students present Silk Road projects
Niskayuna High School's media center classroom was recently filled with projects created by ninth-graders in the interdisciplinary English/social studies course, "Exploring the World," taught by Kristin Richard and Mike Peters. Students' displays and accompanying oral presentations focused on the Silk Road. See photos

Van Antwerp Middle School students create gingerbread houses
Learning math and other important skills while having fun, students in Mrs. Flynn and Mrs. Swain's classes recently built gingerbread houses. See photos of the houses on the Van Antwerp School web pages

Only NYSSMA piano adjudication deadline near
Piano students note: ALL NYSSMA piano solos and ensemble adjudication performances will be at the College of Saint Rose on March 11 and 12. There will be no piano adjudication performances at other festivals. Registration forms are available (deadline is January 14) -- call the Music Department at 382-2511, Ext. 4310, or download a form here in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Craig collects books for Florida school library damaged by hurricanes
Craig Elementary School collected new and gently used books in late December to send to Garden City Elementary School in Ft. Pierce, Florida. The elementary school lost 1/3 of its library collection in the hurricanes that hit Florida this fall.

Above, Craig fifth-graders students (who worked with Media Specialist Suzanne Shopmyer to organize the book drive) place bookplates in the front of each book being sent to Garden City Elementary School. Great job everyone!

High School students to hear from alumni Wednesday, January 5
Niskayuna High School students will have the opportunity to learn from alumni on January 5 from 11 a.m.-noon. Seniors will attend a panel discussion, while juniors and underclassmen will attend a college fair during this second annual event. For details, call the Guidance Department at 382-2511, Ext. 4324.

Facility review presentation tonight
The District Facility Renewal and Preservation Committee will present Part 2 of its findings -- focusing on facility needs of the middle schools and high school -- to the Board of Education on Monday, January 3 -- tonight -- at 7 p.m. in the Van Antwerp Middle School auditorium. Everyone is encouraged to attend. (Read more details.) Did you miss the first facility presentation? Review the committee's study online.

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