Briefly noted across the Region 

Annual test of school evacuation and early dismissal will take place on November 7 

Public schools in Ulster County will release students approximately 15 minutes early on Thursday, November 7. Students will be sent home early on this day as part of an annual drill that tests the evacuation procedures of each district’s emergency management/disaster preparedness plan. The commissioner of education has mandated that this drill be conducted annually in all New York State public schools. 

Local Ulster County schools ask that parents/guardians make appropriate arrangements for the early arrival of their children the afternoon of November 7.

Each participating district may provide parents with district-specific information regarding the evacuation drill’s impact on bussing and afterschool activities.

All Ulster County public schools will be participating in the drill, including the following: Ellenville, Highland, Kingston, New Paltz, Onteora, Rondout Valley, Saugerties, Wallkill and Ulster BOCES student programs.

Support the Vote on Day One Movement

Ulster Activists (“U-Act”), a local citizen non-profit group, has announced its support of the Vote on Day One Movement. The national Celebrate Vote Early Day asks us to vote on Tuesday, October 29 (voteearlyday.org). U-Act encourages you to vote even earlier — either send in your absentee ballot now, or vote in person on Day One of early voting — Saturday, October 26. Check the Board of Elections website at https://elections.ulstercountyny.gov/early-voting/ for the six Ulster County poll locations, as well as a variety of election information. The site vote.gov is another helpful site to learn how to register to vote or to update your registration.

Why vote early? Voting early helps to make sure you vote in case your work schedule makes it hard for you to get to the polls on Election Day, there are last minute changes in your schedules, or problems like bad weather prevent you getting to the polls. Also, when you vote early, you avoid the lines on election day, and your name is removed from most campaigns’ lists, reducing many of the campaigns’ calls and canvassing to you.