EDUCATION
Week of May 23 – May 29, 2014
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Saratoga Foundation For Skidmore WSPN Radio DJ Wins 3rd IRF Best U.S./Canada Music Show Contest Innovative Learning Awards Grant To Albert Pickens
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND— The International Radio Festival (IRF) named Alexander Spinelli as the winner of the 2014 “Best U.S./Canada College DJ competition.” Alex is a DJ on WSPN 91.1 FM - Skidmore College Radio, a non-commercial, college radio station located on the Skidmore campus in Saratoga Springs. WSPN is a student-run radio station, focusing on freeform programming and is run entirely by a selected student board, ranking #19 on the Princeton review¹s list of top college radio stations in 2013. Alex will
present his show, “RECESS: with SPINELLI” at the 5th annual IRF, taking place September 3-7 at the famous Kaufleuten in Zurich. The contest partner is iBiquity Digital, the creators of HD Radio Technology; and media partners are CMJ and Mixcloud.com. Over 105 submissions from the U.S. and Canada were received via mixcloud.com, representing a 27 percent increase in submissions from the past contests. Applicants were asked to upload one of their radio shows to demonstrate their skill, personality and musical knowledge. The panel of judges
included the Founder/CEO of the IRF, Darryl von Daniken along with input from the IRF Advisory Board headed by President, the legendary Tony Prince of Radio Caroline past and founder of DMC World and Mixmag. Spinelli¹s show “RECESS: with SPINELLI” is broadcast Thursday nights 8 – 10 p.m. at WSPN 91.1 FM and the winning show format includes global & local new music; interviews with local & international musicians, as well as special performances in the studio, news, and insight into the new music scene for the 21st Century.
Ballston Spa Penny Harvest Grants Awarded to Community Charities
Wood Road Elementary students present their grant to the Starlight Foundation at ceremonies held during the Ballston Spa Central School District’s recent School Pride Day. Photo provided.
BALLSTON SPA — Students in the Ballston Spa Central School District have successfully donated $57,205 in the past seven years to local nonprofit organizations through participation in the annual Penny Harvest program. This year, students raised over $10,362 in pennies during the fall harvest. They have now donated the funds to 12 local nonprofit organizations during the district’s annual Penny Harvest Celebration that took place during School Pride Day. This year, over 80 students were chosen as Penny Harvest leaders in their schools and were responsible for researching local community issues and the nonprofit organizations that address them. Members of the student roundtable in each school interviewed representatives from local organizations and discussed how their funds could be used to further support these nonprofits. The program incorporates a service-learning component, a method of teaching that combines
classroom instruction with meaningful community service. This form of learning emphasizes critical thinking and personal reflection while encouraging a heightened sense of community, civic engagement, and personal responsibility. The students learned and developed through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that was conducted to meet the needs of the organizations and its members. The Malta Avenue Elementary School students donated to three organizations that included The Ronald McDonald House ($463), Best Buddies ($425) and MakeA-Wish ($825). The Fundabilities organization received $2,000 from Gordon Creek Elementary School students. Milton Terrace North Elementary School donated to American Diabetes Association ($599) and Ballston Spa Lions Club ($599). Students at Wood Road Elementary School chose to donate to the Starlight Foundation ($956). The Ballston Spa Middle School
chose Relay for Life/American Cancer Society ($400) and the Saratoga County Animal Shelter ($361). Ballston Spa High School students donated their funds to Saratoga PLAN ($1244), Gateway House of Peace ($1244) and Vet HELP ($1246). Funding from long time district partner State Farm Insurance Company continues to make the annual Penny Harvest program a reality. In addition to funding, this program is possible because of our dedicated Penny Harvest advisors that include Susan Douglas, District Coordinator; Jolene Hansen, Milton Terrace North; Nena Greene and Vicki Savini, Gordon Creek; Tracy Manning, Wood Road; Kathy Constantine, Malta Avenue; Susan Bernd, Ballston Spa Middle School and co-advisors, Raina Liebert and Kathryn O’Leary from the Ballston Spa High School. The program is implemented in the fall of each year in collaboration with the Common Cents Organization, creators of the Penny Harvest program nationally. For more information, please visit the individual school websites or contact the BSCSD Office of District Advancement at 518-884-7195.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Foundation for Innovative Learning (SFIL) has awarded a grant to Albert Pickens, a music teacher at the Geyser Road Elementary School. Mr. Pickens was awarded the grant to fund materials and supplies for a Geyser Road Apple Orchard. The amount of grant was awarded was $1,890. The Geyser Road Apple Orchard project is expected to begin during the 2014-2015 school year. The project will teach elementary students the science behind how to grow and even
clone apple trees. Students will design, plant and maintain a small apple orchard to benefit the entire school as well as those in need. SFIL is a nonprofit organization, comprised of community members that share a common goal of fostering forward-thinking and creative opportunities in the Saratoga Springs City School District. The foundation provides grants to implement original and creative programming for Saratoga Springs City School District students. For more information, please visit www.saratogalearning.org.