New Paltz school facilities committee members look to borrow more money
In addition to fixing the roof at Lenape Elementary, other possible projects discussed included an art gallery and swimming pool.
Education
Saugerties school staff to take on Harlem Wizards in fundraiser
Saugerties elementary school teachers and administrators will take on the Harlem Wizards in a basketball game in the Saugerties High School gym on Sunday, November 24. The fundraising event is sponsored by the Cahill Elementary PTA. The Wizards aim primarily to entertain crowds with a combination of “tricks, hoops and alley oops.”
In Saugerties, experiential simulation examines the impacts of poverty on education
Do we really understand the stresses poor folks go through? Faculty across the Saugerties school district took part October 9 in a “poverty simulation” organized by Ulster BOCES, a role-playing exercise designed to give teachers and administrators a clearer understanding of what some of the district’s students go through on a daily basis.
New Paltz superintendent of schools announces resignation
New Paltz Central School District Superintendent Maria Rice, who has been at the helm for 14 years, announced her intent to retire, effective December 31, 2019. The Board of Education unanimously accepted her resignation at the Wednesday, October 16 meeting.
For first time in years, Kingston’s school enrollment rises
After more than a decade of declining enrollment that led to the closure of four elementary schools and a comprehensive redrawing of elementary attendance boundaries, the Kingston City School District is enjoying its first significant increase in its student population.
Saugerties schools increase security
The new security screening system requires visitors to present a photo ID, which will be inserted into the scanner and checked against the National Sex Offender Registry. A visitor’s badge is printed for use on school grounds.
Some New Paltz parents upset about tone of letter regarding vaccinations
A number of parents were tearful and angry because of a late-night email warning some of them that their children could be arrested for trespassing if they showed up at school the next day. The school district admitted it should have shown greater sensitivity.
Hudson Valley school districts reflect diversifying population
Looking at local numbers, a common pattern is a white population in 1995 dropping significantly, often around 15 points or so, with the largest increase found in the Hispanic population, and more modest increases in other groups. No local district we looked at saw an increase in the share of the white population or decrease in the share of the Hispanic population.
Highland adds extended stop arm to buses to improve safety
The device, which is attached to the vehicle’s original stop sign, extends six feet into the oncoming traffic lane. It’s hoped that the arm will act as an additional visual deterrent to drivers who ignore the flashing red lights on the school bus.
Saugerties Honor Society gears up for fundraisers
The fundraising initiatives of the Saugerties chapter of the National Honor Society are not quite underway for the 2019-20 school year, but the officers have been in place for the past few months, chosen for their representation of the four criteria of the national organization: Scholarship, leadership, service and character.
