The Columbia Paper

FROM FARM TO SCHOOL: Henry Hudson’s new worm discoveries

June 18, 2011 by VIRGINIA MARTIN

WHEN NEW WORLD EXPLORER Henry Hudson recorded his 1609 thoughts for posterity, he said nothing, nada, zip about worms. But HCSD students’ discovery this spring of fat, energetic wrigglers in their one-year-old Henry Hudson Discovery Garden was well worth writing home about.

That’s because they know that all the best gardens have lots of worms — a sign of life and vitality. Worms help make new soil and, unless we’re going hydroponic, we need soil to grow food! Which everybody eats, typically three times a day. Fruits, vegetables, grasses, and grains, and the cows, pigs, chickens and other livestock that get butchered for our dining tables — they either want to grow in soil, or they want to eat what does! Read more…

FROM FARM TO SCHOOL: Butterflies, berries and birds — Oh My!

June 4, 2011 by VIRGINIA MARTIN

A MODEST BUTTERFLY GARDEN at Ichabod Crane’s Primary School is blossoming into a much bigger enterprise. It’s got the K-2 girls and boys beaming. They can get their hands dirty and make their teachers happy at the same time!

School gardens like Ichabod’s are part of the Farm to School movement. They turn a little bit of the schoolyard into a farm, and when harvest time rolls around, guess who’s excited about those fruits and vegetables? The students who raised them. If they plant it, water it, harvest it, wash it, prepare it, and/or cook it, they tend to eat it (or at least try it). Read more…

FROM FARM TO SCHOOL: Harvesting science and technology

May 21, 2011 by VIRGINIA MARTIN

AT TACONIC HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOLS, located in agriculture-centric Craryville, HARVEST isn’t just about bringing in a crop. It’s an acronym for an award-winning educational program begun during Taconic’s 2009-10 school year.

The volunteers and educators that lead the HARVEST Club use agriculture to teach science, technology, and a host of other subjects. “Healthy Agricultural Resources by Volunteers & Educators in Science and Technology” is the club’s full name, and already it’s garnered awards for the school district. That’s not just locally, but nationally. Read more…

At least 5 seek 3 seats in Ichabod Crane District

May 13, 2011 by Staff

KINDERHOOK – Five candidates are running for three seats on the Ichabod Crane School Board of Education. The three candidates with the highest number of votes will win the seats, which are for three-year terms.

Board President Andrew Kramarchyk is running for his seat, along with John Chandler, who was appointed to a seat on the board last winter. Board Vice President John Phillips is not running for reelection. Cheryl Trefzger and Susan Ramos are seeking seats on the board; neither has previously served on the school board.

In addition to the candidates above, whose names will appear on the ballot, one person has announced she is seeking election as a write-in candidate. Landra Haber, who served on the board for 13 years, hopes that voters will write her name on the ballot. Instructions for how to vote for a write in candidate will be posted at the annual vote on the $33.8-million budget and the board candidates held at the high school gym May 17. The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Anyone who has questions about registering to vote should contact the district office at 518 758-7575.

College comes to library

October 15, 2009 by STAFF

VALATIE—Josh Horn, assistant director of admissions at Columbia-Greene Community College, visits the Valatie Free Library Wednesday, October 21, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Mr. Horn will answer questions about both the college’s credit and noncredit programs and classes.
Handouts detailing the school’s 47 academic programs as well as literature on other college classes and events will be available.
C-GCC features both university- and career-track programs in fine arts, teacher education, business, criminal justice, math-science, automotive technology, environmental studies, physical education, nursing and massage
therapy.
The institution also offers a wide variety of noncredit classes, including arts and crafts, computer software, finance, health and personal development, music and dance, and physical fitness.
C-GCC specializes in returning adult students. Mr. Horn is prepared to discuss college solutions with high school students, single moms, empty nesters and retirees.