Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
submitted by Maureen Daurio, St. Mary’s Academy Principal
The second graders at Saint Mary’s Academy participated in a field trip to the Boston Aquarium. The students recently finished their unit on animals. They learned all about the six different animal groups; mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. [Read more…] about Saint Mary’s Second-Graders At The Boston Aquarium
by Bea Peterson
On Saturday evening, March 1, Hoosac School unveiled eight 4×4 foot Barn Quilts created by some of its students. Many people turned out to see the exhibit of colorful quilts that will be displayed in White Creek, Hoosick and Hoosick Falls in the spring. The following is an article about the project written for the Hoosac School newspaper, The Owlet, by Julia Kopala ’16.
Hoosick Falls – Isabel M. McGuire, 48, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at her residence surrounded by her family. She had resided on Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, with her mother, Isabella J. McGuire; she was the daughter of the late Leo McGuire. Isabel was born on October 5, 1965, in Bennington, VT.
Isabel graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School with honors. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam and earned her Master’s in teaching from the University of Albany. She began her teaching career at St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls, where she worked for eight years. In 1995 she took the high school math position at Hoosick Falls Central School, where she was in her eighteenth year teaching. She was the National Honor Society Advisor, Math Department Head and had previously coached girls basketball. Her impact on students and her love for teaching was incredible. She continued outside the classroom cheering on the sports teams (often with her blue hair), attending each drama production and concert and chaperoning proms and formals. Her encouragement and mentoring will be missed.
For many summers Isabel taught swimming lessons and was a lifeguard at the Town of Hoosick Pool. When “retiring” from the pool, she purchased her getaway spot, “Camp Bella,” on Hedges Lake. There she spent quality time with friends and family. Travel was also a passion, and she could be found on whatever adventure came up – Italy, Spain, France, England, Scotland, Alaska, cruises and much more. The trip just had to be an idea and she was already signed up. She was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Isabel is survived by her mother, Isabella, her sister, Karen Sprague and husband Richard, brothers Leo McGuire and wife Karen and Michael McGuire and wife Jan, all of Hoosick Falls. She is also survived by her much loving nephews and nieces, Keith Sprague and wife Jenn, Amy Raco and husband Matt, Kevin Sprague, Lisa McGuire, Brad McGuire and wife Becky, Jared McGuire, Tim McGuire and wife Ashley, Scott McGuire and Craig McGuire, as well as four great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her family, Isabel leaves her many friends, especially her “Campers” and her HFCS family of colleagues and students. We will miss her beautiful smile, honest friendship and her crazy sense of fun.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Wednesday, March 19, at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will be private.
Relatives and friends called at the Immaculate Conception Church on Tuesday, March 18, from 3 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Isabel M. McGuire Scholarship Fund or the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund, through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the arrangements.
(as selected by League coaches)
MVP – Mike Pierre – Sr. – Hoosic Valley
First Team
John Rooney – Jr. – Hoosic Valley
Andrew Hoag – Jr. – Hoosick Falls
Justin Carruthers – Jr. – Greenwich
Dante Langley – Jr. – Schuylerville
Mark Hackett – Jr .- Hoosick Falls
Second Team
Mitchel Wayand – So. – Stillwater
Kelvin Williamson -Jr.- Greenwich
Austin Pitt – Jr. – Hoosick Falls
Jake Hill – Sr. – Stillwater
Cam Cook – Sr. – Schuylerville
Honorable Mention
Levi Brewster – Sr. – Hoosick Falls
Will Bradley – Jr. – Hoosick Falls
George Ostrowskl – So. – Greenwich
Dean Gazzelli – Jr. – Stillwatcr
Ryan Jeskie – Sr. – Cambridge
Zach Pierce – So. – Schuylerville
Anthony Giamei – Sr. – Tamarac
Noah Chani – Jr. – Hoosick Falls
Sean Estramonte – Jr. – Greenwich
Jon Stewart – Jr. – Greenwich
Zack Baldwin – Sr. – Stillwater
Will Griffen – So. – Schuylerville
Brandon Barbera – Jr. – Tamarac
Jake Young – Jr. – Granville
Nick Liebig – Sr. – Granville
Mac Anderson – Jr. – Hoosic Valley
JT Sawyer – Sr. – Hoosic Valley
Conway Gillespie – Sr. – Hoosic Valley
MVP – Jenna Erickson – Tamarac
First Team
Alexis Case – Greenwich
Adiya Henderson – Tamarac
Lauren Madigan – Hoosic Valley
Alyssa Paul – Hoosic Valley
Mariah Linnett – Greenwich
Second Team
Abbey Higgins – Stillwater
Rachel Pine – Hoosick Falls
Kelly Pine – Hoosick Falls
Carsen Williams – Hoosick Falls
Sarah Cuddihy – Cambridge
Honorable Mention
Stillwater – Brooke Ferrell
Hoosie Valley – Sam Carlo, Tracy Anderson, Lauren McGreevy
Greenwich – Samantha Whitehouse, Maddy Schafer
Tamarac – Jillian Gavin, Alex Mitchell, Dierdre Werner
Hoosick Falls – Olivia Schneider, Megan Flynn
Schuylerville – Valerie Liptack
Granville – Heather Chapman
The Berlin/New Lebanon swim team has been awarded the scholar athlete award from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Gigi French, Hannah French and Amanda Despart will receive their awards for this honor at the Berlin Central School Spring Sports Banquet.
submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist at BCSD
Last year a new program was launched at Berlin Central High School aimed at increasing the number of students who graduate and who do so on time. Now, in its second year, the “School within a School” program shows measurable signs of success and has expanded to include both a tenth and eleventh grade classroom.
According to the program coordinator and special education teacher Lou Amendolara, the passing rate among these students for classes and Regents Exams has increased, referrals have significantly decreased and students are on track to graduate.
“One student is on track to graduate and couldn’t be more proud because he will be the first in his family to do so,” said Amendolara. “He has really demonstrated his commitment to the idea of graduating and can ‘see’ it for the first time.”
As the name of the program suggests, students take their core subject courses including English, math and social studies within one classroom. For science the same small group of students is taught in a science lab. For all other courses – such as physical education and art – they assimilate with their peers.
The smaller class size and increased support in the classroom cuts down on distractions, and for reluctant learners this can make a world of difference in decreasing their absenteeism and raising their grades and confidence.
“Students see a little success and the feeling they can keep up; once they realize it’s do-able and that they’re doing it for themselves, they naturally step up,” said Amendolara.
Although the structure of the courses are modified whereby students complete the majority of their work while in the classroom, the academic rigor of a traditional classroom is maintained for these Regents-bearing courses.
Amendolara said students are also encouraged to go beyond expectations and are educated on the benefits of higher education.
“We talk to them about college as if it’s not even an option,” he said. “We tell them it’s going to happen and you’ll love it!”
The Berlin Elementary PTO Scholarship award will be presented to a graduating senior who plans to enter a two or four year college, the Armed Forces or a Technical School in the fall. Two $250 scholarships will be awarded to the class of 2014, 2015 and 2016 from funds the Stephentown PTO had prior to its closure. Students will be awarded the scholarship based of the evaluation rubric.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current senior in high school or home-schooled in the Berlin School District. Applications are available at the Guidance office at the Berlin Middle/High School. Completed applications should be returned to the Guidance Office by May 5. No late applications will be accepted.
All high school seniors graduating this year from the Berlin Central School District or the Brunswick Central School District who are continuing their education are invited to apply for the Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award.
The Elmer A. Grogan Scholarship Award is presented annually by the Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340 Elmer A. Grogan Memorial Fund in memory of Elmer Grogan, a former member. The award is $250.
A copy of the application form is available at the guidance offices of the Berlin and Brunswick Central Schools. The deadline for receiving applications is April 30.
To earn the award you must complete the application form and submit an essay on “What Freedom Means To Me.” The essay should not be less than 250 words nor more than 500 words. There will be one winner. The award is to be used to further the winner’s education.
The application and essay are to be mailed to Carner, Etman, Smith V.F.W. Post 6340, Commander Richard Terpening, P.O. Box 361, Grafton, NY, 12082.
submitted by Judy Frost
Hoosick Falls High School art students have spent the past several weeks creating ceramic bowls, a focal point of the community’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser on Friday, March 14, from 6 to 8 pm at the Hoosick Armory, Youth Center and Community Coalition (HAYC3).
[Read more…] about HFCS Art Students Handcraft Ceramic Bowls For Fundraiser
