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!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark Your Calendar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our next SPACE meeting will be
Monday, December 1st @ 6:30
in the Sacandaga school Library Media Center
Bring a friend!
Hope to see you there.
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Are you curious to learn more about S.P.A.C.E.?
Come join us and discover how SPACE supports Scotia-Glenville’s gifted learners and their
families.
If this is your first time visiting our website click on the link located above "What is SPACE?"
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New at Scotia-Glenville High School!
Science Research Course for 2009-2010
In conjunction with the State University of New York at Albany, Scotia-Glenville High School is
offering an elective science research course starting in the 2009-2010 school year (pending
board approval).
In this course, students do what professional researchers do, from planning a project to
conducting research and publicizing the results. As the work progresses, the student writes
research papers, creates posters, and presents research findings at available competitions and
symposia. It is open to incoming sophomores and offers the potential to earn up to twelve State
University of New York credits. All incoming sophomores are welcome to apply.
An informational meeting will be held on December 2, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in room A-30 of the High
School.
Interested students and parents are encouraged to attend.
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Odyssey of the Mind
is happening in Scotia-Glenville!
This year Scotia-Glenville has 16 teams with a total of 95 students participating in this
international problem solving competition.
Odyssey of the Mind teaches and utilizes 21st Century Skills and research shows that former
Odyssey of the Mind participants grow up to be amazing employees who are great problem solvers
and know how to work as a team.
For more information about Odyssey of the Mind visit their website at www.odysseyofthemind.com
A link is available on our "Links" page along with pictures from last years competition.
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2009 Science Bowl Try-Outs
November 4, 5 and 6 at SG Middle School
Tryouts will be held for the Science Bowl Team on November 4, 5 and 6
at SG Middle School.
Tryouts will begin at 2:45 and run approximately one hour.
You must sign up for tryouts with your science teacher in order to attend tryouts.
Tryouts are open to anyone, yes, even YOU!
See your science teacher today for more information!
Come on out and show everyone that SG students are “wicked smart”!
Parents, we need your help! If you can help with try outs
please contact Mr Jenkins at- RJenkins@sgcsd.net
Click on "Forum and Upcoming School Events" for more information
and pictures from last years event.
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!!!!!!!!!!!Hold on to your seats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
++++ The Science Olympiad is back! ++++
Join SPACE
Thursday, October 30th at 6:30 pm
in the Middle School Library
Randy Jenkins, Academic Head of the Science Department, has secured a spot for a Scotia
Glenville Middle School team in the Olympiad, which is billed as one of the premier science
competitions in the nation.
A team consists of a maximum of 15 students in grades 6-9, and will require the support of
several coaches, parents and mentors. Current 6th through 9th graders and their parents are
encouraged to attend.
For more infomation click on the "Forum and Upcoming School Events" tab above
We hope you will join us! Bring a Friend!
For more information and link to the Science Olympiad website click on our “Links” tab.
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Exploring Engineering Day @RPI
A program for inquisitive boys and girls in grades 3 to 6
who enjoy solving problems!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
(February 28, 2009, back-up date in case of inclement wearther)
Registration Form is available on our "Worth a Look" page
Completed registration forms will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is
limited!
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*****Check out our new link “AGATE Emails” *****
We will be posting emails and news articles that come from AGATE- Advocacy for Gifted and
Talented Education in New York State
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__________________________________________________
****************Report Sees Cost in Some Academic Gains *******************************
By SAM DILLON / NEW YORK TIMES
June 18, 2008
A new study argues that the nation’s focus on helping students who are furthest behind may have
produced a Robin Hood effect, yielding steady academic gains for low-achieving students in
recent years at the expense of top students.
A link to this report can be found on our "LINKS" page
A NEW YORK TIMES article can be found on our "WORTH A LOOK" page--
Report Sees Cost in Some Academic Gains
By SAM DILLON /
June 18, 2008
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2 new opportunities are now available through the
*****SCHENECTADY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY*****
Family Reading Group
Do you have any children between the ages of 9 and 11 ?
Would you like to spend more time reading and discussing books
as a family?
Do you want to take part in an enjoyable program that will help everyone
in your family get more out of their reading experience?
Then the Together program is for you!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Check out our “LINKS” page for a more information about this program!!!!!!!!!!!!!
______________________LearningExpress Library___________________________
LearningExpress Library is a comprehensive, interactive online learning
platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help
patrons—students and adult learners—succeed on the academic or licensing
tests they must pass. You'll get immediate scoring, complete answer
explanations, and an individualized analysis of your results.
This site includes:
College Entrance Exams
E-BOOKS
Elementary School Skills Improvement
Math Skills Improvement
Middle School Skills Improvement
SAT Preparation
Writing Skills Improvement
And much more............Check it out!
!!!!!!!!!!!Check out our “LINKS” page for a more information about this program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Schenectady Museum Calendar of Events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium is a dynamic destination just a short drive
from Scotia-Glenville which celebrates science, invention, and imagination. The Museum explores
the area’s rich technological heritage, with some of the region’s finest interactive exhibits; a
must-see for families, tourists, area residents, and other visitors.
Thursday, November 20 @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
FETCH™! Lab: Under Pressure
Figure out a way to support the weight of a book using just one single sheet of paper! Design a
support and test it at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium's FETCH™! Lab. Drop in
to learn about science and do hands-on challenges!
FREE with Museum admission
Friday, November 21 @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
FETCH™! Lab: Under Pressure
Figure out a way to support the weight of a book using just one single sheet of paper! Design a
support and test it at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium's FETCH™! Lab. Drop in
to learn about science and do hands-on challenges!
FREE with Museum admission
Friday, November 21 @ 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Art Night: DNA Jewelry
Visit the Museum during Art Night and make DNA jewelry! Also, tour Putting DNA to Work, the
Museum’s new interactive exhibit on DNA, one of today’s hottest science topics.
FREE
Saturday, November 22 @ 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Adventures in Science: Telescope Clinic
Learn all about telescopes! Explore different types of telescopes, telescope parts, and
telescope math. Bring your own telescope to set up and receive viewing tips from our Planetarium
Manager.
FREE with Museum admission
Saturday, November 22 @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
FETCH™! Lab: Under Pressure
Figure out a way to support the weight of a book using just one single sheet of paper! Design a
support and test it at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium's FETCH™! Lab. Drop in
to learn about science and do hands-on challenges!
FREE with Museum admission
Tuesday, November 25 @ 2:00 PM
‘Tis the Season Planetarium Show Opens
Light up the cold, dark winter with a bright holiday show which traces the history and
development of holiday customs and cultural celebrations. This show includes a live presentation
about the winter night sky. This show will run at 2:00 PM Tuesdays through Sundays.
Museum admission plus $2.75
Wednesday, November 26 @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
FETCH™! Lab: Train Your Brain & Mindball
Test your brain by taking a Stroop Test, and see how fast you can name a list of colors, even
when some of the colors are written in another color ink, and play a game of Mindball, where you
use your brainwaves to move a ball, at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium's
FETCH™! Lab. Drop in to learn about science and do hands-on challenges!
FREE with Museum admission
Friday, November 28 @ 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Thanksgiving Friday Kids’ Activities
Looking for something fun to do the day after Thanksgiving? Come to the Museum for special
activities in our FETCH! Lab.
FREE with Museum admission
Friday, November 28 @ 1:00 PM
NEW! Our Place in Space Planetarium Show Opens
While solving a crossword puzzle, animals explore the cause of day and night, the importance of
the Sun, the beauty of the constellations, and the objects that make up the Universe. This show
is recommended for younger audiences. This show will run Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
Museum admission plus $2.75
Friday, November 28 @ 1, 2 & 3PM
Thanksgiving Friday Planetarium Shows
See a Planetarium show in the Schenectady Museum’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium! 1PM – Our Place in
Space; 2PM – ‘Tis the Season; 3PM – Seasonal Sky Tour.
Museum admission plus $2.75
Friday, November 28 @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
FETCH™! Lab: Train Your Brain & Mindball
Test your brain by taking a Stroop Test, and see how fast you can name a list of colors, even
when some of the colors are written in another color ink, and play a game of Mindball, where you
use your brainwaves to move a ball, at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium's
FETCH™! Lab. Drop in to learn about science and do hands-on challenges!
FREE with Museum admission
Saturday, November 29 @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
FETCH™! Lab: Train Your Brain & Mindball
Test your brain by taking a Stroop Test, and see how fast you can name a list of colors, even
when some of the colors are written in another color ink, and play a game of Mindball, where you
use your brainwaves to move a ball, at the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium's
FETCH™! Lab. Drop in to learn about science and do hands-on challenges!
FREE with Museum admission
!!!!!!!!!!!Check out our “LINKS” page for a more information about current programs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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On September 8th S.P.A.C.E. hosted an orientation for incoming Young Scholars in the Sacandaga
Elementary Library.
We had 22 students and their parents turn out for this event which included, Maria Maynard, the
district’s Gifted Specialist and past Young Scholars to answer questions followed by ice
cream to top off the evening.
Thank you for attending and making this night a success.
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We are in the process of updating our Newsflash list, the best way to hear about SPACE events in
our school district.
-If you received a link to this page via e-mail, your name is already on the
distribution list, and does not need to be added again.
-If you'd like to be on our e-mail distribution list, simply click below at the bottom of this
page, and add your name and e-mail address.
-If you no longer wish to receive messages from SPACE, please e-mail us to
request that we remove your name from the distribution list.
sgspace1@aol.com
Thanks!
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********* It’s Not Too Late!!!!*************
************ WE NEED YOUR INPUT – BRIEF SURVEY TO COMPLETE ********
Read below for details
Dear Members and Friends of SPACE,
Scotia-Glenville Parents Advocating for Challenging Education is a chapter of AGATE, the
Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education in NYS. At our June 2nd SPACE meeting, we elected
new officers for the coming year.
They are as follows: President – Michelle Kraines, Vice President – Sarah Cioffi, Treasurer –
Morena Rizzuto, and Secretary – Claire Houlihan.
As we have discussed what we would like to accomplish in the 2008-2009 school year, we
determined that we would love to incorporate your feedback into our planning.
In the past we have hosted several different types of events including:
• game nights for students and parents,
• forums to instruct parents on topics related to gifted education,
• opportunities for parents to interact with personnel in our district who offer programs
for gifted students
• regular monthly meetings to keep you informed regarding decisions within the district
that affected programming and opportunities to be involved
• opportunities for parents to connect with other parents in the district to support one
another as we parent our high ability learners
*********** Survey Information ************
We would like to invite you to fill out the short survey available on our web site.
*****Link to "Survey 2008" is available above and on our home page.*******
We realize that this is a busy time of year so we attempted to make it brief but if you would
like to include additional comments, we’d love to hear them.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
The Officers of SPACE
Michelle Kraines
Sarah Cioffi
Morena Rizzuto
It's not too late to get involved. Parent involvement is the key to success at Scotia-Glenville!
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****************** DistrictNews ***********************
The budget was APPROVED today by a vote of 1,160 to 885 and the bus purchase proposal was
APPROVED by a vote of 1,216 to 745.
These new initiatives totaling $282,475 were included in the proposed budget:
Elementary
• Program for Children with Autism
• Increase in Social Work Services at Glendaal
• Establish Elementary Club Funds
• Increase in Physical Education Time in grades K-3
• Increase in Teacher for the Gifted and Talented
• Maintain Current Young Scholars Program
Middle School
• Teen Elective Class
High School
• Increase in Transition Planning Time
• Tech Valley HS Student
• CISCO IT Essentials Class
District-Wide
• Increase District support for Academic Contests
• Increase in Head Bus Driver Hours
• Hockey and Athletic Expansion at Middle and High School
• Increase in hardware for Computer Replacement
• Increase in software funding
• Network Upgrade Study Total Long Range Planning
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Schenectady/Scotia Academic and Arts Camp
The annual Schenectady/Scotia Academic and Arts Camp (SAAC), a summer arts enrichment program
for children, will be held at the Scotia-Glenville Middle School this year. It has previously
been held in the Schenectady City School District.
The dates are July 7-Aug. 15.
Campers participate in arts, computer literacy, mathematics, music, physical education, science
and theater arts. There are other activities and a weekly field trip for each camper.
Students must have completed grade 1 to be eligible for the camp. The camp is held from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. each day. Transportation is provided from various locations in the Scotia-Glenville,
Schenectady and Niskayuna school districts.
The cost is $100 per week with a $25 registration fee.
More information is avalable on the Scotia-Glenville School District main home page or by
calling 356-5328 or 763-5445
Peter Rizzo, who teaches music at Scotia-Glenville, is the camp director.
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Right now is the time to re-new your AGATE membership!
AGATE, Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education in New York State, is the statewide advocacy
group for gifted education. SPACE is a local chapter of AGATE, their website is
http://www.agateny.com/index.html. A link is available on our links tab.
If you wish to join AGATE or re-new your current membership please contact Michelle Kraines, our
treasurer at dkraines@nycap.rr.com
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-------------------------------Science Bowl News----------------------------------------
Eleven Scotia-Glenville students competed on March 1 at the GE Research and Development Center
in Niskayuna in the Middle Level Science Bowl.
Randy Jenkins, academic head for science, and teachers David Swain and Amy Casella accompanied
the students at the science bowl. Students had to build and race a hydrogen fuel cell car and
compete in a "buzzer" style competion by answering science and math questions.
Out of 11 teams from schools from the Capital Region, both Scotia-Glenville teams were in the
final four playoff. In the end, the S-G teams placed 2nd and 4th overall.
These students were involved with the Science Bowl:
2nd place overall
Corey McKenna
Alexis Yagielski
Sarah Dean
Chris Omicinski
Becky Celorio
4th place overall
Emily Peterson
Noah Wegener
Emily Houlihan
Abby Pietrow
Mitchell Forshey
Check out pictures from the competition from the link on our links page!
****************************************************************************
Check out the pictures in our Photo Gallery from our
January 15th program
Advocating for Optimal Match
Featuring Anna Sugarman and
Exotic Animal Show for Children with Joe Biss
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UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Several Scotia-Glenville teams received ribbons for placing in the top three at the Region 7
Odyssey of the Mind competitions on Saturday. One team, coached by Gene Terwilliger and his Glen-
Worden crew, placed first in the Road Rally problem (pictured below) and will go on to the state
competition in Binghamton on March 29.
Dozens of Scotia-Glenville students will put their creativity, engineering skills and teamwork
to the test during competitions at Mohonasen High School and Draper Middle School on Saturday,
March 1.
The Scotia teams - from Glendaal, Glen-Worden, Lincoln and Sacandaga – have involved parents,
students and staff working toward solving a unique problem since late last year. There are three
primary teams (grades K to 2) and 11 division teams (grades 3-5) from SG this year. Last year,
there were just three teams entered from Scotia-Glenville.
Each team constructs its own props, develops it owns skits and must work toward the solution in
a uniform way outlined at this Odyssey web site: www.odysseyofthemind.com
The schools work through the Capital Region BOCES. Here is the BOCES press release about the
upcoming competition.
Many of these projects would not have been possible without strong parent, student and community
support. These businesses donated more than $4,000 to purchase supplies, pay Odyssey of the Mind
fees and other items needed by the teams along the way:
Guyer Construction, Inc
S-G Lions Club
Scotia Insurance Agency
First national Bank of Scotia
KAPL/Lockheed Martin
Scotia Rotary
Frank and Sons Body Works, Inc
Subway/Newp, LTD
S-G PTA Council
S-Tech/Wayne Shuster
Elks Club of Scotia
Dan Maynard
More information and pictures are availavable on the Scotia-Glenville School website, a link is
avalable on our links page.
http://www.scotiaglenvilleschools.org/odysseyofthemind/2008/odyssey2008.html
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+++++++++++++++++++RPI Summer Programs++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This summer Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is offering a range of programs for elementary,
middle, and high school students. Below is a list of summer programs!
Each summer program is individually priced. Check out the program listing online
(http://summer.rpi.edu) for additional information. Applications are required for some programs.
Refer to the web site for details. We hope you will be able to explore and discover the
Summer@Rensselaer!
Please contact Mike Gunther, Program Manager for Recruitment, with your mailing address and
details on your student (grade and school name) to be added to the outreach mailing list at RPI!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++Elementary School Students++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* Creative Writing
* LEGO® Robotics Engineering Academy
* Samaritan-Rensselaer Children’s Center RPI Summer Day Camp
*Young Actors Guild (YAG)
* Rensselaer Football Camp
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Middle School Students+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* Creative Writing
* LEGO® Robotics Engineering Academy
* VEX Robotics Engineering Academy
* The Magical World of Flight
* Whodunit? The Science of Crime Scenes
* Young Actors Guild (YAG)
* Rensselaer Football Camp
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++High School Students++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* Architecture Career Discovery Program
* Computer Game Development Academy
* ASM Materials Camp
* Build Your Drawing Portfolio
* Creative Writing
* VEX Robotics Engineering Academy
* The Magical World of Flight
* Video Production: Through the Eyes of the Lens
* Young Actors Guild (YAG)
* Rensselaer Football Camp
Michael L. Gunther
Program Manager for Recruitment
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Outreach Programs Office
110 8th Street, CII Suite 4011
Troy, NY 12180-3590 USA
Phone: 518-276-8351
Fax: 518-276-8738
E-mail: gunthm@rpi.edu
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A Recent Article in the Glenville Spotlight:
------------------Parents support gifted students------------------------------
Posted on: 01/16/08
Written by: Jennifer Farnsworth, Contributing Writer
email: news@spotlightnews.com
For parents like Don and Michelle Kraines, ensuring that your child is being challenged
academically can sometimes be, well, a challenge. The Kraines are a part of a group called
SPACE, or Scotia-Glenville Parents Advocating for Challenging Education, is holding an
informational session for parents this month as a way to let parents know they can actively take
part in giving their children educational opportunities.
“We are what the booster club is to sports,” Kraines said. “We are a group of parents who want
to support our children through giving them every chance to learn and grow. We look to see how
we as parents can work together with the district to improve on academic programs.”
The school district has in fact listened to the concerns of parents of academically successful
students and responded with a program called OPAL, or Opportunities and Programs for Advanced
Learners. OPAL is an academic enrichment program for students in kindergarten through 12th
grade. The goal of OPAL is to promote self-esteem as they work on advanced material with
interdisciplinary approaches to solve challenging problems or develop high-level skills. Each
building in the district has its own OPAL Study team, which is composed of teachers and
administrators who work to identify students who qualify for OPAL. A referral is then sent home
to parents asking if they are interested in having their child in the program.
Kraines said OPAL is something that will be discussed at the SPACE meeting. She said many new
parents are unaware of the specifics of programs like OPAL and that the meeting gives them an
opportunity to ask questions. She said the district’s curriculum director, Joe Kavanaugh, has
assisted SPACE parents.
Kavanaugh organized forums for parents last year to introduce the OPAL program.
“Offering advanced courses and challenging opportunities is very important to our district, and
we want parents to know that. We want parents to know they don’t necessarily need to look
outside our district if they have an academically gifted child,” said Kavanaugh.
In addition to OPAL, SPACE has worked with the board of education to create honors English
programs at the middle school levels. They have also worked with OPAL teacher Maria Maynard on
the Odyssey of the Mind competition, which has grown in popularity within the district. Odyssey
is a worldwide problem-solving competition that mixes fun with creative “out of the box”
thinking.
“Over the past several years we have seen a lot of improvements to our advanced learning
programs. The board has a commitment to offer educational opportunities to all levels of
learners,” said board president Margaret Smith.
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and add your name and e-mail address.
-If you received a link to this page via e-mail, your name is already on the
distribution list, and does not need to be added again.
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request that we remove your name from the distribution list. Thanks!
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