Parent Night For Incoming Kindergartners
On Thursday, April 24, Hoosick Falls Central School will be sponsoring its annual Parent Night for Incoming Kindergartners from 6 to 7:15 pm. The introduction will begin promptly at 6 pm in the Elementary School Cafeteria.
The night gives parents/guardians of incoming kindergartners the opportunity to meet the Superintendent, School Board President, Principal, Kindergarten Teachers, School Nurse, Transportation Supervisor and Cafeteria Supervisor. They will also be able to tour the school, see the kindergarten classrooms and ask any questions pertaining to the District, school and/or classroom.
This night is designed solely for the parents/guardians. We are asking that children do not attend as they will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and see the school during screening in June. This will give all parties the opportunity to ask questions and have discussions with the staff concerning their children in the given time.
Berlin Central School District Pre-K Registration
The proposed 2014-2015 school budget includes funding for a district-wide pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) program for resident children who reach the age of four on or before December 1, 2014. Transportation for the program will be provided for all eligible Pre-K students by the school district.
The program is provided by Questar III, the Berlin Central School District and partners in collaboration with Capital District Beginnings. The site location is the Berlin Elementary School and students follow the Berlin School calendar for attendance and the building arrival and dismissal times – approximately 8:40 am and 3:10 pm.
This comprehensive and enriched program utilizes the NYS Pre-K Foundation for the Common Core program and the Creative Curriculum to focus on child centered activities, development of strong foundational skills in early literacy and numeracy, social interaction and kindergarten readiness skills.
Families of eligible children are asked to register their child by calling Questar III directly for a registration packet at 396-3520. Directions on how to complete the process will be provided in the packet, and the completed packet must be returned to Questar III by May 23 for consideration in the program. Families must provide a copy of documentation to show proof of residency, a birth or baptismal certificate and, if applicable, custody/guardian papers prior to final enrollment in the program. Once the packet is received by Questar III, a letter of receipt will follow with more information regarding registration, Pre-K screening, parent/guardian orientation, etc.
If your child meets the eligibility requirements stated above and you would like a packet mailed to you, please contact Questar III at 396-3520. If you have any questions regarding residency, contact the Berlin Elementary School at 658-2127, ext. 200.
The New Lebanon Foundation Trivia Night
submitted by Susan Bues, New Lebanon Foundation
The New Lebanon Foundation will launch its 2014 fundraising campaign with a Trivia Night on Friday, April 25, from 7 to 9 pm at the New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School on Route 22 in New Lebanon. Test your trivia knowledge! Bring your team of up to six family members and friends, or join a team on the spot. Door prizes, a Silent Auction and a 50/50 Raffle will add to the evening’s entertainment. For additional information please call Barbara Ruhe at 518-794-9490. The cost is $10 per person. All proceeds benefit the Arts and Humanities program for New Lebanon Central School children.
Grafton Library Food For Fines Amnesty Week
The Grafton Community Library is offering an opportunity to get rid of your late fees while helping to provide crucial food items for the most vulnerable in our community. For every nonperishable food item that you bring in to the Library between April 14 and April 19, we will waive one of your late fees. We cannot waive fees for items that are still checked out or lost. All food items will be donated to the Parish of Our Lady of the Snow Food Pantry and will go directly to help families in need in our community.
The food pantry is in particular need of the following: coffee, tea bags, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti sauce, soups, cranberry sauce, canned veggies, canned fruit, canned chicken, tuna fish, instant potatoes, rice-a-roni, pasta-roni, cereals and juices. Please do not bring expired or damaged food items or items that are unlabeled.
Petersburgh Library News
Drop-In Craft
The Petersburgh Public Library will be sponsoring a rubber band drop-in craft during spring break on Wednesday, April 16, between 2 and 4 pm. Stop by during that time and take home a ring, bracelet or other items made from colorful rubber bands. All materials will be provided. Children of all ages are invited to join in this activity.
Spring Foraging
The Vanishing Skills series of the Petersburgh Public Library kicks off with its first installment, “Spring Foraging,” on Saturday, May 3, at 10 am. The new series will offer instruction and knowledge sharing from local residents on country skills and self sufficiency that have been neglected in our fast moving digital age. However, more people are seeing that keeping the knowledge current will prove even more valuable in an uncertain future.
On May 3 from 10 to noon Danny Schnoop and Mary Lou Walters will lead a spring foraging workshop. They will lead a group to places where baby dandelion greens, fiddlehead ferns and other spring plants can be foraged. Afterward, the group will return to the PVMCC for some pointers in preparing and preserving its finds. Please sign-up at the library if you will be attending since space in the kitchen is limited.
Book Group
The next book discussion will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 7 pm. The book to be discussed is Savage Beauty: the Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford. Copies of the book are available at the library for everyone who would like to join in the book discussion.
Plant, Bake, Book and Tag Sale
The annual Plant, Bake, Book and Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, May 17, from 9 am to 1 pm. Donations of plants and baked goods would be greatly appreciated.
Stephentown Library News
Stephentown Memorial Library Board of Trustees invites the public to its Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 13 from 4 pm to 6 pm in the SML Community Room. A light dinner will be served and all are welcome to attend. Officers will report on events from the past year and discuss the future of the library. Of particular interest will be discussion of the newly acquired property adjacent to the library and how it will be used. Public comment and ideas are welcome. Please join us for this annual gathering.
• Introduction to Zumba – Wednesday, April 16, at 7 pm. If you have been thinking of trying something new, join us for Zumba at SML! Zumba is an exhilarating Latin-inspired dance fitness class designed to benefit anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Zumba Instructor Kim Conley is also a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer who works with people of every age and ability all over the Berkshires. She will offer a free introductory Zumba class and kick off an ongoing series of Wednesday night Zumba classes for $5 each here in Stephentown. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Zumba is a blast – Come join the party and bring your friends!
• Easter Egg Hunt at the Stephentown Memorial Library on Saturday, April 19, from 10 to 11 am. The Easter Egg Hunt will be held rain or shine. Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Come to the Stephentown Memorial Library for an Easter Egg Hunt. There will be activities and fun for all ages with Easter games, including a Bunny Hop Race and egg toss, egg coloring and a visit by the Easter Bunny! Pre-registration is helpful but not required. This event is sponsored by Town of Stephentown and open to all Stephentown children only.
For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750. Check our website,www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.
April Events At The Grafton Library
The Grafton Community Library announces its programs for the month of April. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Library at 518-279-0580 or email director@graftoncommunitylibrary.org. Stay up to date with everything that is happening at the library by visiting our online events calendar at www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org/whats-happening-at-your-library, and signing up for our email newsletter on our website www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.
Storyteller Gil Payette will present Native American Animal Spirits (all ages program) on Friday, April 18, at 6:30 pm. In this fun and informative program Payette will weave together his teaching and storytelling skills to give us a glimpse of how Native Americans understand spiritual and sacred animal power. Some Native American languages had no word for “animal.” These life forms were considered extended family – brothers, sisters, cousins – each one unique unto itself, a symbol of power, of the soul, a creative element with a spiritual purpose. Special prizes will be given!
The Facts about Lyme Disease will be presented by Jennifer Mahoney, Rensselaer County Health Department, on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 pm. Get ready to enjoy the great outdoors in a safe way this spring by finding out everything you need to know about Lyme disease in our area.This program will cover:
• information about the tick’s life cycle;
• awareness of Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases;
• recognizing basic signs and symptoms;
• knowing to seek early diagnosis and treatment;
• knowing if you live, work or play in an area that has infected ticks;
• practicing preventive actions, and
• knowing who to contact for more information.
Book Discussion Group
The Book Discussion Group will discuss The Secret History by Donna Tartt on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:30 pm. The Grafton Community Library’s book discussion group meets monthly. New participants are always welcome. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is the darkly engrossing debut by the author of last year’s acclaimed novel The Goldfinch. This tale of murder and intrigue at a small Vermont college was inspired by Tartt’s years in Bennington. Copies are available now at the Library.
Weekly Storytimes for Preschool Aged Children will take place on Thursday, April 17, at 4 pm, Wednesday, April 23, at 10:30 am and Wednesday, April 30, at 10:30 am.
The Grafton Clippers Coupon Group will meet on Monday, April 21, at 6 pm. Be part of a new social group where people gather to share knowledge of clipping coupons and finding ways to cut shopping trips by 90%. The Grafton Clippers will meet at the library every other Monday at 6 pm. New members are always welcome. For more information email Donna atmoreoutoflife@gmail.com or Erin at Erin_469@yahoo.com.
Game Day at the Library – Tuesdays starting at 3:30 pm. Come to the Library to play your favorite board games with friends: Scrabble, Bananagrams, Scattergories and more. Use the Library’s games or bring your own.
Sit and Knit Needle Arts Group – Saturdays at 10 am. Come share your love of all the Needle Arts – knitting, stitching, crocheting and more. All skill levels and abilities are welcome.
Berlin Library News
April is a busy month at the Berlin Free Town Library. Our annual Maple Syrup sale will take place during April. This is a sweet fundraiser to benefit the Library.
On Saturday, April 12, at 10:30 am, Cheyenne Seel will present a program about Fire Safety and Rescue.
During National Library Week, April 13 to 19, discover online resources available through the Library. Learn how you can go to the library without leaving home. To get the most out of our online catalog and databases, please register to attend on Tuesday, April 15, from 7 to 8 pm.
On Saturday, April 26, the Junior Advisory Board will meet from 10 to 11 am to plan monthly programs for youth for the next few months. We are looking for middle and high school students to be part of the advisory group.
Poestenkill VFW Breakfast
The Sullivan-Jones VFW post 7466 in Poestenkill will be having its monthly buffet breakfast on April 13 from 8 to 11 am. The cost of the breakfast has gone up to $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 years to 12 years but is still free for children 5 years and under.
This month, besides our normal fare, we will be serving corned beef hash and ham.