The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

School News

HFCS Accepting Universal Pre-Kindergarten Applications

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The Hoosick Falls Central School District is currently looking for the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) class of 2014-2015.  UPK is a special program established by the State Education Department to provide an early learning experience for the children of eligible families.  Eligible families are defined as those who live in the Hoosick Falls School District and have children who will be four years old on or before December 1, 2014.

HFCS will be running UPK classes during the 2014-2015 school year at sites to be determined and will accept the applications, verify eligibility and place children as slots are available.  Parents/Guardians will be notified of the status of their child once slots have been filled.  If more requests are made than can be placed, a random lottery will be used to select children for the program.  Application and registration packets can be obtained at the Elementary School Office beginning on Monday, April 7.

If you have an eligible child, it is important to return the completed Hoosick Falls registration forms and the Universal Pre-Kindergarten application by 3 pm on Friday, June 6, 2014, to:

Amy Netti, Elementary Principal

Hoosick Falls Central School

Universal Pre-K Program

P.O. Box 192

Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090i

St. Mary’s Academy Spring Auction Is Coming Soon!

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St. Mary’s Academy will be having its annual Spring Auction on Saturday, April 5. There will be a silent auction as well as a live auction hosted by Ron Seifert, Hoosick Falls Auctioneer. Doors will open at 6:00 pm for a preview of the items, and the live auction will begin at 7:00 pm. Come enjoy a light fare and cash bar while supporting a great cause. Please note this is a 21 and older event. We have many fabulous items to present once again, including: beautiful jewelry including Ed Levin pieces, an autographed Toby Keith picture, inside tickets to the sold out July 4th James Taylor concert, American Girl Doll (Kit), Dream Again Refresh Sleep System mattress (King size) by WCW, two George VanHook paintings, Coach bag, a trip to Martha’s Vineyard, a scoreboard that once hung in the SMA gym, precious classroom projects and more…much more! We hope to see you there!

Jim Sutton In Hall Of Fame

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High School Wrestling Coach Jim Sutton, surrounded by his family, was recently inducted into the NYS High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. photo courtesy of Gerry Surdam
High School Wrestling Coach Jim Sutton, surrounded by his family, was recently inducted into the NYS High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. photo courtesy of Gerry Surdam

by Bea Peterson

During the recent February/March NYS High School Wrestling Championships at the Times Union Center in Albany, long time Wrestling Coach Jim Sutton was inducted into the NYS High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Sutton, a high school and college wrestler, began his wrestling coaching career at Hoosick Falls Central School under Coach Ken Baker. He was HFCS Wrestling Head Coach from 1986 to 1998. He coached wrestling at La Salle Institute in Troy from 1999 to 2012. He was also the USA Junior Coach of the NYS team. During his career he helped produce nine State Champions, 40 Section II Champions, 31 NYS Place finishers and two consecutive State Team Championships.

Sutton and his wife Ruth live in West Hoosick. They have six children, daughters Summer and Caitlin and sons James, Stephen, Taylor and Connor. Jimmy, Steve and Connor wrestled at LaSalle. Steve was a four time State place finisher and Connor was a State Champion. Connor is now a student and wrestling at Columbia University.

In September 2013 Sutton was inducted into the La Salle Institute Athletic Hall of Fame as one of the most decorated coaches in the history of La Salle Institute, Section II and New York State athletics. He was also a major factor in building the La Salle’s athletic fields, which bear his family name.

Shrek The Musical at HFCS Free Fun for All Ages

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The Hoosick Falls Central School Drama Club will present Shrek The Musical on Friday April 4th, Saturday April 5th, and Sunday the 6th.  Thanks to the continuing support by the school, the Drama Club continues to offer free admission!

Crew members work on one of the many set pieces required for Shrek The Musical. Photo courtesy of Rob Allen
Crew members work on one of the many set pieces required for Shrek The Musical. Photo courtesy of Rob Allen

In keeping with the 2001 movie, the story follows everybody’s favorite lovable green ogre as he strikes a deal with the scheming Lord Farquaad to rid the swamp of a band of fairy tale creatures.  Shrek’s quest: to rescue the fiery Princess Fiona from a dragon-protected tower.    Teamed up with the incessantly chatty Donkey, he sets off on what seems to be a simple task, but it will forever change him and the land of Duloc.

While the musical has a great deal of similarities with the movie, there are also many differences and surprises. The music is all new, and is fantastic, beautiful, and hilarious.  Nominated for 8 Tony Awards, 11 Drama Desk Awards, and even a Grammy, the Broadway show enjoyed a successful run.

The show is perfect for all ages: it contains no bad language, is very captivating, and has great messages about love, friendship, and diversity…and it wouldn’t be the occasional burp.  There will be a brief 20 minute intermission where concessions will be available for purchase in the High School Cafeteria, with all proceeds going back into the HFCS Performing Arts through the student-run Performing Arts Council group.

Because the show is aimed at all ages, we had adjusted the start times to work better with the little ones.  The performances Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th will begin at 6:30 pm, while Sunday’s start time will be 2 pm.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the show’s director Rob Allen at 686-7321 x1106.

Berlin Elementary Hosts Common Core Parent Nights

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submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist

On Thursday, March 20, dozens of parents gathered at the Berlin Elementary School to learn how they could help their child be successful with the new Common Core Learning Standards in English Language Arts (ELA).

The ELA Common Core Parent Night presented by the Berlin Elementary School Parent Engagement Committee was the second part of a two-part series for parents of students in Grades K-5. The first session, held in January, focused on Math.

At both sessions, Principal Tricia Carlton presented information on the shifts in instruction and expectations of students. Teachers then gave parents the opportunity to see samples of the new instruction, try a practice test, use the technology and ask questions specific to their child’s grade level.

Although aspects of the Common Core have recently been debated by some, First Grade Teacher and Parent Engagement Committee Co-Chair Lauren Nichols said Berlin parents didn’t come to argue. They came to learn how to help their child succeed.

“Parents are the first and most important teacher in their child’s life,” said Nichols. “They are the expert on their child and we need their input and help with challenges and increased rigor.”

The new Common Core Standards means students learn fewer mathematical concepts, but their understanding of each concept is deeper.  They are expected to understand a more sophisticated vocabulary and read an equal amount of non-fiction and fiction. They must also be able to explain their answers by citing evidence from text.

“We want parents to see that we’re not necessarily doing things differently, just more comprehensively,” said Nichols. “The Common Core is the kind of education we’d like for our children.”

Students in Grades 3-8 will take the New York State ELA Assessment Test April 1 – 3. They will take the Math assessments April 30-May 2. And while these assessments are necessary, Nichols said they are but one type of several tools, including performance tasks and rubrics, used to measure a child’s knowledge.

“At Berlin we try to balance what we do by making good choices and not inundating our students with test practice,” said Nichols. “These and other types of assessments help us improve our teaching.”

The Berlin Elementary School Parent Engagement Committee is comprised of faculty, staff, parents and an administrator. Its goal is to increase opportunities for parents to be a part of the school community and to provide parents with ways to help their children succeed academically.

The Music Man At BCS Opening April 4

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MusicManwebThe Berlin Dramateers are now in rehearsal for their production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, for performances on April 4 and 5 at 7 pm at the Berlin MS/HS Auditorium. Pre-Sale Tickets are $8.00 for Adults, $5.00 Students and Senior Citizens. E-mail twinsmom@taconic.net or call (518)658-3325 for tickets.Tickets at the door will be $9 Adults, $6 Senior Citizens Co-Directors are Dan Byron and Karen Day. Choreographer and Vocal Coach is Leslie Eliashuk.

New Lebanon Board of Ed. Appoints Andrew Kourt Next Principal of Walter B. Howard Elementary School

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On Wednesday, March 19, the New Lebanon Central School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Andrew Kourt to the position of Walter B. Howard Elementary School Principal, effective June 1, 2014. As part of the district’s Succession Plan, Kourt will work with current Principal Leslie Whitcomb though June before she transitions to the role of Superintendent of Schools on July 1. Superintendent Karen McGraw and Whitcomb have been working together throughout the school year and will continue to do so through July until Ms. McGraw retires on July 31, 2014.

AndrewKourtweb“I am excited and honored to join the Walter B. Howard team and the New Lebanon community. It is my goal to collaboratively work with the community to ensure that every child has the very best educational experience and that our children can always find a love for learning,” Kourt said. “I am eager to motivate each child to be their very best, support teachers and staff so they can engage and challenge students, and communicate with family members so that they can stay involved in their child’s education.”

He added, “Together we will work hard to make Walter B. Howard Elementary School the very best! I look forward to meeting, listening, and building relationships with all members of our school community to ensure we build a common vision for our school. I can’t wait to get started!”

Kourt was one of seven candidates selected from the pool of applicants who were interviewed by a panel of teachers and parents followed by New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School Principal Matthew Klafehn and Assistant Principal Rick Arket. Three candidates were then selected for the next round of interviews with McGraw, Whitcomb and Michael Los, the business manager. Two finalists were selected to interview with the Board of Education. Kourt immerged as the successful candidate.

Kourt will come to New Lebanon from the Bethlehem Central School District where he’s been a fifth grade teacher at Glenmont Elementary School since 2004. Prior to that, he served as a special education teacher at the school for a year. Since 2003, Kourt has also been a self-contained special education teacher for the district’s extended school program.

Since July 2012, Kourt has served as an administrative intern for the district. Among the work he’s performed in this role include developing ELA curriculum and district maps and providing professional development related to the Common Core Standards, observing teachers according to the APPR requirements, designing and co-writing district elementary report cards according to the Common Core Standards, coordinating a school-wide leadership theme and creating a school-wide master schedule. Kourt serves as a teacher mentor and member of several school and district committees. He has coordinated numerous programs and activities at Glenmont Elementary, including a Read-a-Thon to raise money for the school playground, Student Government, safety patrol and school-wide student book groups.

Kourt’s additional experience includes work as an educational literacy consultant. He has worked with the Hudson Falls Central School District, Capital Area School Development Association and the Bethlehem Central School District.

Kourt has a master’s degree in reading and literacy from SUNY Albany, a bachelor’s degree in special and elementary education from the College of St. Rose and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and Leadership, also from St. Rose. He has his permanent New York state certification in elementary education and special education and an initial certification in school building leadership.

Kourt resides in Glenmont with his wife, Beth, daughter, Ava, and son, Eli.

Taconic Valley Soccer Club

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Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Taconic Valley Soccer Club will be held on March 31 at the Berlin Municipal building starting at 7 in the evening.  All coaches, parents and Board members are asked to be in attendance.  Some of the items to be discussed will be how to increase the number of players, inclusion of players from other towns lacking teams, filling open Board member spots, new fundraising activities and developing new fields.

Spring Soccer

The TVSC is currently accepting registrations for its Spring soccer program for boys and girls k-5th grade who would like to play soccer! Opening Day is April 26, at the Berlin Elementary School, starting at 9 am. No registrations will be accepted at Opening Day.

Registration forms are located at local libraries as well as online at taconicvalley.sportssignup.com.

Also, we are looking for volunteers for coaching and participating on the Board.

For further information, please contact Jen Burhans at 658-2096.

In Spite Of GEA Hardships HFCS Will Not Exceed Tax Cap

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by Alex Brooks

The Hoosick Falls School Board held a Budget Workshop on Thursday, March 6. Superintendent Ken Facin began the meeting speaking to the School Board about inequities in State aid to schools in New York State, focusing on a policy mechanism called the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). This was introduced by Governor Paterson in 2010 as a remedy for the State’s $10 billion budget deficit that year. It subtracted money from State aid to schools in order to balance the overall State budget.

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