BH-BL High School named a "Grammy Signature School"

BURNT HILLS:  The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School has been named a "2012 Grammy Signature School Semi-finalist" by the Grammy Foundation.

Only 125 public high schools in the nation received this honor, including two schools in the Greater Capital Region: BH-BL and Guilderland. Finalists in the annual competition will be announced in March. READ MORE

Six candidates remain in contention to be the next BH-BL superintendent

Board of Education selects 7 semi-finalists after interviewing 15 candidates, but one withdraws for personal reasons

Earlier in January, Board of Education members interviewed the top 15 of 29 applicants to be the next BH-BL superintendent of schools. Board members have now selected seven of the 15 as semi-finalists, who advance to interview round number two with stakeholder representative teams. READ DETAILS IN THE JANUARY 31 PRESS RELEASE

  Or go to the Superintendent Search page for all information including the search timeline, all press releases, and a copy of the search brochure & application form.

BH-BL residents & staff invited to series of budget meetings

Preliminary budget numbers discussion starts Feb. 1

Press release of January 27

BH-BL Board of Education members will be discussing next year's budget numbers at a series of public meetings starting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 1. The 2012-13 preliminary request budget is $57 million, which represents a 4.1 percent budget-to-budget increase from the current year. READ MORE

Pertussis Update:  Friday, January 27

Two cases of pertussis are confirmed at Stevens School,
Some children are returning to school too soon

A second case of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been confirmed in a fifth grade pupil at Stevens Elementary School who was recently in close contact with the first child. The school has sent informational letters home to all parents. The Saratoga County Department of Health reminds parents that tested children must finish their course of antibiotics before returning to school.  See pertussis info & any updates here

BH-BL students present holiday music on TV

The BH-BL High School Select Choir is once again performing on WMHT's Music for the Holidays radio and television program. The singers auditioned through a DVD submission in October and were one of 18 Capital Region school choirs to be chosen. The choir, under the direction of teacher Ann Derrick, was recorded at the WMHT studios in Troy in November.

You can tune in to enjoy some delightful music and see our students perform in the one-hour Music for the Holidays special at the following times:

WMHT-TV:  Thursday, December 22 - 8-9 p.m.; Friday, December 23 - 5-6 p.m.; Sunday, December 25 - 4-5 p.m.

WMHT-FM:  Sunday, December 25 - 6-7 p.m.

BH-BL staff member is killed in traffic accident.  No students involved

Press release of December 15

BH-BL school bus driver Bob Kucharski was behind the wheel of his personal vehicle on Dec. 15 when he collided with a bus driven by one of his fellow drivers and was killed. The accident occurred near the intersection of Hubbs Road and Schauber Road in Ballston Lake.   READ MORE

Spartan "Iron Chefs" show off their skills

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) department held their 1st Annual Spartan Iron Chefs competition on December 1, 2011. Three teams of students who had taken at least one foods course participated.

The student chefs submitted their lab plan and vegetarian recipes beforehand. They were required to use fresh ingredients and at least one locally grown ingredient. 

SEE STORY & MORE PHOTOS  

Three students chosen for "All-States" music conference in Rochester 

Congratulations to BH-BL seniors Steven Kirsty, Brandon Mooney and Sam Evans, who were selected by state-wide auditions to participate in the New York School Music Association Conference All-State Music Festival to be held in Rochester, NY on December 1-4.

Steven Kirsty - Tenor Saxophone will be performing in the All-State Jazz Ensemble. Brandon Mooney - Trumpet will perform with the All-State Symphony Orchestra, and Sam Evans - Trombone will perform with the All-State Symphonic Band. This event brings some 800 of the best music students from across New York to perform together under nationally acclaimed conductors. Students competed against thousands of other music students in the state to become members of these select ensembles.

Volleyball Team wins State Championship!

Congratulations to our fabulous girls volleyball team and coach Gary Bynon for winning the Class A State Championship at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Nov. 18 and 19.  This is the team's first state championship since 2005.

Way to go Spartans!!

You can see photos & tournament details on the Times Union website.

The play

"All the Great Books -- Abridged"*

 comes to BH-BL High School, Nov. 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm

Confused by Confucius? Thoroughly thrown by Thoreau? Wish Swift was swifter? The BH-BL High School Drama Club invites you to enjoy a raucous, irreverent and supremely ridiculous romp through all of Western Literature as they valiantly attempt (and fail) to cram all of the great literary masterworks into a single evening.

Tickets are $7 at the door or by visiting ShowTix4U

*Warning: Very funny and slightly educational (any similarities to an actual education are entirely coincidental).

Parents are advised that the subject matter and language of this play are more appropriate for secondary school students.

11 Students Chosen for Area All-State, Nov. 18-19

Eleven BH-BL high school musicians have been selected by New York State School Music Association audition to participate in the Area All-State Music Festival at Saratoga Springs High School on November 18th & 19th. The festival brings together some of the best music students from NYSSMA Zone 7, an area of 200 miles in and around Albany. 

Colin Foster & Erin Kilmer will participate in the Area All-State Chorus. Marcy McCarthy & Emily Roehl will perform with the Area All-State Band. Steven Kirsty & Brandon Mooney will join the Area All-State Jazz Ensemble. Abigail Baumbach, Jessica Port, Nolan Hale, Stacie Bradley & Julia Boschi will perform with the Area All-State Orchestra.

The public is invited to hear all four ensembles in concert at Saratoga High School at 2:00 pm on Saturday, Nov. 19th.  Admission is $5 adult and $3 senior citizens/students.

Congratulations to these talented BH-BL musicians!

New schedule announced for high school January testing dates

A district decision means that BH-BL high school students will now have two more days of instruction than in previous years, but still be able to take Regents exams in January.

All high school parents should read this important press release and download a copy of the new high school schedule for January 2012 (pdf format).

Veterans Day ceremony is Thursday, Nov. 10 at high school's Freedom Circle

Members of the public and particularly all VETERANS are invited to participate in a short Veterans Day ceremony at 9:15 AM on Thursday, Nov. 10, in Freedom Circle in front of the BH-BL High School, 88 Lakehill Road, Burnt Hills.

Veterans are also invited to a breakfast in their honor after the ceremony.

Members of the high school Student Government Organization are conducting the ceremony. Organizers are particularly excited that 18 veterans have already indicated they will attend, including a 95-year-old World War 2 vet who survived both the D Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.

High school students team up with local businesses for "Meet the Candidates" on Nov. 3

Approximately 200 residents and high school students gained new insights into the working of town government on November 3 when the Student Government Organization co-sponsored a "Meet the Candidates" debate for town of Ballston and Charlton candidates with the BH-BL Business & Professional Association.  READ MORE

"Education Speaks" blog linked to BH-BL website

The Capital Region BOCES Communications Service has launched a new blog called "Education Speaks" devoted to thoughtful discussion of the issues shaping public education in New York today. "The blog is a regionalized approach that gives school leaders a platform to talk about the real-world implications of issues such as the tax-cap, common core standards, APPR and other matters that impact our public schools," says BOCES District Superintendent Charles Dedrick. Click the Education Speaks logo here or below on the right to read more or to view a 3-minute video of Dr. Dedrick.

"Ford Driving Skills for Life" training comes to BH-BL High School on October 12

One of only 2 locations in NY Capital Region

BURNT HILLS: The back parking lot of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake high school was the site of a national, award-winning teen safe driving program on October 12, 2011.

The Ford Motor Company brought its hands-on "Driving Skills for Life" training to only two Capital Region high schools this year as part of a 30-city national training tour. In New York state, BH-BL was selected to participate in the program on Oct. 12, followed by Colonie Central High School on Oct. 13. READ MORE

Senior Joe Durand wins state contest in use of heavy equipment

Congratulations to BH-BL senior Joe Durand of Charlton for placing 1st in the Heavy Equipment category at the sixth annual SUNY Cobleskill Agriculture & Natural Resources High School Day competition on September 23.  READ MORE

Project Chinese classes starting at BH-BL

Classes offered for students in grades 1 - 12

Exploratory Chinese classes for BH-BL students in grades 6 - 12 will start on September 29, and for grades 1 - 5 on November 16 in a new "Project Chinese" venture offered in cooperation with the BOCES. Secondary classes include online learning, while elementary classes take place during the "half day" afternoons when students have no regular classes.  Class sizes are limited, and parents should sign up as soon as possible.

READ DETAILS

High school pupils assist with Sept. 11 memorial at Indian Meadows Park

An estimated 400 people attended a community memorial service on Sunday, September 11 at 4:00 pm at Indian Meadows Park on Droms Road, Glenville, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9 / 11. The service was sponsored by the BH-BL Interchurch Council, as well as local scout groups and fire companies -- who had requested assistance for this unique occasion from high school music students and teachers.

Members of the high school Concert Band under the direction of Peter Giroux and a high school string quartet under the direction of Karen Russell participated.

The theme of the memorial service was "Remember, Reflect, Recommit." Attendees could also  write the names of those whose lives were lost or changed by 9/11 on ribbons and tie them to a tree, which will be permanently planted in the park.

Superintendent Jim Schultz to Retire June 30, 2012 after 40 years with school district

BURNT HILLS: Thursday, September 1, was the last opening day district-wide staff meeting for Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake superintendent of schools Jim Schultz.

Speaking to roughly 500 staff gathered in the high school auditorium, he announced that he will be retiring at the end of the current school year on June 30, 2012. READ MORE

School tax bills mailed Aug. 29

BURNT HILLS:  BH-BL Board of Education members have approved a September 2011 total tax levy of $34,281,282 -- the same amount as was projected last May. An increased equalization rate for the town of Ballston, reduced overall property assessments in Clifton Park and Glenville, and a new state cap on STAR savings are three factors impacting the tax bills that were mailed out to property owners on August 29. READ MORE

Planning ahead:
Complete 2011-12 school calendar is now available

The complete, 28-page calendar for the 2011-12 school year is now available. This document includes not only important events, like concerts and Back to School nights for all grades, but also an updated staff directory, bus routes, and list of PTA contact people.

For links to the new calendar in various formats, see our Calendars page.

Parents: Please note that classes for grades 1 - 12 will start on the Wednesday (rather than the Thursday) after Labor Day: namely on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Kindergarten classes start on Sept. 8.

We expect that more than 7,000 copies of the new calendar can be printed, stuffed, addressed, and placed in the mail to BH-BL families by August 15. In the meantime you are welcome to use the pdf versions that you can download from the Calendars page.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake ranked 5th out of 85 area school districts

The Capital Region edition of the Business Review newspaper has released its annual "Schools Report" with data and rankings for 85+ school districts in an 11-county region of upstate New York.

With an overall ranking of 5 out of 85, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake remained in the top group of districts. We were also 5th last year, and are annually ranked anywhere from 4th to 7th in the Business Review's analysis of state test scores and graduation data. The new report is based on State Education Department data from 2009-10, which is the most recent available.

BH-BL was ranked 5th overall, but 77th in per pupil spending, which means that 76 areas districts spent more per pupil than BH-BL. The entire Schools Report is available here.

Baseball Team wins State Championship!

The title game in Binghamton was postponed due to rain, but that didn't stop those amazing Spartans from winning the Class A  state championship in baseball on Sunday, June 12, versus Pittsford Sutherland. The 12 seniors on the team will be graduating in a couple weeks knowing that they brought the school its first ever state championship in baseball. For a detailed account and photos, go to Times Union story by James Allen

Congratulations to all Honors Night winners

May 26 was a high point for many BH-BL staff and parents who love to see the results of so many hard working students at the high school's annual Honors Night. It took nearly three hours to announce all the scholarships and awards that high school students have earned this spring. You can view the complete list of this year's winners here.

Calling all BH-BL Alumni!  

Details posted for upcoming Class Reunions   Members of the Class of 1961 and Class of 1996 should RSVP now for their reunion in July.  Does your class have a reunion coming up? You can read all the information we have about BH-BL reunions (or send us updated information for your class) by clicking the "Alumni" button on the left or by going directly to our Reunion Info page here. Also, check out and join the BH-BL Alumni Database and see who else has registered from your class.

1st Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Inductions are June 11

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Athletic Association inducted its Hall of Fame Class of 2011 members at a dinner celebration on June 11, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Saratoga. Inductees include 13 BH-BL alumni athletes, coaches and other staff members, and a community member, plus the district's 1st ever State Champion Team.

  Go to the new Athletics Homepage for a list of honorees' names

A new honor for the Spartans:

High School achieves 100% Scholar-Athlete Team status

For the first time in school history, all 27 varsity interscholastic sports teams fielded by the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake high school this year have earned "Scholar-Athlete" awards by having team grade point averages (GPAs) of 90 percent or higher. This puts BH-BL in a special category achieved by only 16 NY schools last year. READ MORE

Breakfast program exemption sought

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district has again applied for an exemption from the federal requirement that its schools offer breakfast to pupils in grades K through 6. The district has been granted this exemption from the National School Breakfast Program every year for the past 16 years.

Assistant Superintendent Jacqueline St. Onge noted that, when surveyed again this year, only 7% of BH-BL  families indicated they would participate in a breakfast program. "There is a strong likelihood we would lose money on this if required to offer breakfast," she said, "because so few children would participate."

Only 4% of BH-BL children qualify for free lunches (a frequently used indicator of student poverty), compared to 40% of public school pupils statewide.

2011 Founders' Day winners announced

Twelve individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to the BH-BL school district over a number of years were honored at this year's PTA Founders' Day dinner.

Linda Mindel & Laurie Kruppenbacher received Founders Day awards from the Charlton Heights PTA.  Susan Vine and Krissy Neddo were honored by the Pashley PTA. The Stevens PTA honored Cheryl Brott. Middle school Founders' Day awards went to Poppy Picozzi and Kim Sprenger. The High School PTA recognized Mary Ann Doyle and Mike & Monique Batty. PTA Council gave Founders' Day honors to Andrew Haluska and Colleen Grabb. You can view all past & present Founders' Day honorees here.

BH-BL students advance in Junior Science & Humanities Symposium

Congratulations to Science Research students Zachary Wood & Kathleen Bashant for finishing 1st & 2nd, respectively, in their sessions at the local Junior Science & Humanities Symposium. Both will be attending the state-level competition in Albany in March. READ MORE

Parents of children with disabilities learn about guardianship issues

Attorney Ed Wilcenski spoke to parents of high school and middle school children with developmental disabilities on Guardianship and Special Needs Trusts for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities on January 13.  The presentation was part of a series called Parent Transition Sessions 2010-11 sponsored by the BH-BL Special Services Department. For more information, call 399-9141, ext. 3347 or email mleach@bhbl.org 

State and Local Government Interaction/Relationship

Senator Hugh Farley and Schenectady County Legislator Robert Farley spoke with Mr. Semon's Participation in Government and Mr. Mosall's Economics students on Wednesday, December 22. The lesson gave students with an overview of historic and current state and county government operations with a focus on economic development and government reform. Students also enjoyed a question and answer session with the legislators. 

BH-BL students & community learn about in new anti-bullying initiative on Dec. 15

Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and a simple challenge to anyone who will accept it:  treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in.

On Dec. 15, BH-BL high school pupils took part in Rachel's Challenge assemblies during school. Their parents and community members were invited to do the same at a special free presentation that evening.

More information and video clips about this powerful program can be found at RachelsChallenge.org We need to confront bullying in ALL schools across the country. You can be part of changing BH-BL for the better!

Local boy Brent Simons makes good in Hollywood

BURNT HILLS: Once upon a time, Brent Simons lived on Lakehill Road and graduated from BH-BL High School with the Class of 1993. Now he and Alan Schoolcraft are co-authors of the animated mega-hit movie Megamind.

Recently Brent told told CBS 6 News that one person who gave him a start in film was BH-BL high school teacher Christine Gangemi in her still-popular English class The Art of Film.

Gangemi remembers teaching Brent during both his freshman and senior years. She also recalls his role in the BH-BL production of Arsenic & Old Lace, and his stand-up comedy act for Spartan Spotlight. To hear Simons' comments, go to CBS 6 Albany video clip

290 eighth graders participate in 16th annual Community Service Day on Nov. 23

BURNT HILLS: On Tuesday morning, November 23, all 290 eighth grade pupils at the O’Rourke Middle School in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district took part in a long-standing school tradition: Community Service Day. Students were bused to 25 separate locations around the region to perform a wide variety of volunteer services.  READ MORE

"Tech Valley comes to BH-BL"

Public learns about impact of GlobalFoundries & technology revolution at November 16 forum

That global economy we've all been reading about has arrived -- and it's right on BH-BL's doorstep.

On Tuesday, Nov. 16, speakers from GLOBALFOUNDRIES, GE Wind Energy, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 1st Playable Productions, and the HVCC Biotechnology project answered audience questions about how this is impacting our area and the skills and education they look for in new employees. Parents, residents, staff and students participated in an engaging  community forum in the O'Rourke Middle School cafetorium. READ MORE

See also News Channel 13 video about the forum: BH-BL looks to cash in on major move to Malta

November 9, 2010

Colleen Kane hired as new Middle School principal

Superintendent Jim Schultz has announced that Colleen Kane of Goshen, New York, has been selected as the new principal of the O’Rourke Middle School in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district. She will assume her new duties on December 13. READ MORE

Program Reviews scheduled for Board of Education meetings

The public is invited to join Board of Education members in learning more about selected BH-BL initiatives, departments or curriculum areas through the "Program Review" presentations that are held once a month at school board meetings. These are now posted on our Board Meeting Schedule page, including this year's topics, dates and locations. The first of these this year will be presented on Tuesday, Oct. 26 and will feature efforts underway to help students develop two key 21st Century Skills: Innovation and Creativity.

Community honors Bob Speck at Open House

BH-BL parents, taxpayers and staff gathered to thank Bob Speck for his record 36 years of volunteer service on the Board of Education at an Open House in October 2010. The Open House took place -- of course -- in the middle school library media center that is named after this incredible and dedicated individual. READ MORE & VIEW PHOTOS
 

Hostetter Building is listed for sale at $1,395,000

After interviewing several realty firms, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education has selected Hunt Commercial to handle the sale of the Hostetter Building, which is now listed on the firm's website for $1,395,000. For more information on the building and its 38 acres of land, contact Hunt realtor Tracy Metzger at (518) 426-5211 ext. 103. For background on the Board's decision to sell the building, READ MORE

School Board votes to reduce tax levy

Tax rates increase an average of 2.1 percent 

Members of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education have approved a 2010 tax levy that is $100,000 lower than the levy advertised in May. Tax rates will increase by an average of 2.1 percent across the district, but many homeowners will also benefit this year from higher STAR exemption values.  READ MORE

Class of 2006 members cycling across the USA in tribute to former friend

Four intrepid members of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Class of 2006 are biking across the USA to to honor former friend Eric Zagorda, who died of leukemia in 2008.  On August 3 they were greeted by a cheering crowd when they arrived at the BH-BL High School -- one stop in their trans-continental bike journey to raise money to fight leukemia. READ MORE

English & math proficiency rates decline as NY raises the bar

(July 30 press release) Test results made public by the State Education Department on July 28 show a sharp decline in the percent of pupils in grades 3 - 8 deemed proficient in English and in math -- not because the students' performance declined, but because the state has raised its standard of what constitutes proficiency. READ MORE

Higher state testing benchmarks to impact BH-BL

(July 23 press release) Burnt Hills school administrators expect they will have more pupils needing extra help when classes start this September. The change is likely because on July 19 the Board of Regents approved the State Education Department’s plan to change the definition of what constitutes “proficiency” in English and math for pupils in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades  READ MORE

BH-BL has best graduation rate in Suburban Council

Once again our high school has tied with Niskayuna for having the highest cohort graduation rate among all 13 Suburban Council High Schools.

Data released by the State Education Department on March 9 shows that 93% of BH-BL and Niskayuna pupils who started high school in the fall of 2005 successfully graduated with a local, Regents, or better diploma by August 2009 -- as opposed to pupils who, after four years, are still in high school, received an IEP certificate, dropped out, or entered a GED program.

All 13 Suburban Council schools had graduation rates significantly above the state average of 72%, but at 93%, Niskayuna and BH-BL were the best among Saratoga County and Suburban Council schools. Data for the whole state is available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/irts/pressRelease/20100309/home.html

BH-BL Referendum Results:

Energy proposition passes, safety & technology defeated

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake residents approved only one of three propositions at the district's Renovations Referendum on December 9, 2009. Results were as follows:

A total of 1,064 residents voted, including 41 who voted by absentee ballot. This is higher than the 914 who voted in the previous EXCEL referendum in March 2007, and a reasonable turnout considering the significant snow storm that the Capital Region endured during the morning of the vote.

Superintendent Jim Schultz thanked the residents who took the time to come out and vote despite the bad weather. "I'm heartened that in this tough fiscal environment our citizens are willing to support the critical infrastructure and energy conservation projects in proposition 1," he said.

The biggest projects in the approved proposition include $4.1 million for roofing work, $3.9 million for new boilers and heating system at the Stevens Elementary School, $1.7 million to replace single-pane windows at three schools, and new heating control systems at three schools.

Schultz expressed his disappointment at the defeat of propositions 2 and 3. "We will continue to ensure student safety and address students' technology needs with current resources as best we can," he said. 

For background, see Referendum overview

Pashley Elementary School video wins free technology

Congratulations to Mr. Kopa's 4th grade class at Pashley Elementary School!

Their brief music video "The Wizard of E" puts new lyrics to music from The Wizard of Oz.  It was chosen as one of the top 5 videos submitted by an elementary school in this year's "Interactive Classroom Makeover" national contest sponsored by eInstruction.

Although the Pashley kids did not win the overall contest (which included $30,000 of free technology), they did receive an excellent consolation prize of $2,500 of free hardware and software.

BH-BL sports program ranked #1 in New York

Ever heard the saying "you can't hide that Spartan pride" ??

Well, here's one more reason why. The New York State Sportswriters Association has just ranked Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake as having the # 1 interscholastic sports program in the state for the 2008-09 school year. Way to go, Spartans!!!   Read more

Fall interscholastic sports try-outs and practices start on August 17 and 24. See the high school homepage for details.

"This is the best 'attaboy' a business office can get."

NY State Comptroller's office gives BH-BL top marks

After weeks of analysis, the NY State Comptroller's office announced that its auditors were unable to find ANY reportable weaknesses in the financial controls and recordkeeping of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district. Fewer than 5% of school districts audited to date have received a record of no findings like BH-BL. More information.

"Is my child safe at school?" is a question that parents can't help but wonder when there are so many stories about safety in the news. To view a list of the many things the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school district does to protect students and staff, go to School Safety Update.

Special website feature:
"Policy Search" feature is live  The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education Policy Manual has literally hundreds of policies that describe and control how all aspects of our schools will operate. All these policies are available on this website. We also have a simple way to search through them instantly using key words or phrases that interest you. At BH-BL Policy Manual, you can view both the list of all policy titles and our policy search feature.

Non-Idling Policy  State law requires that all school buses turn off their engines when loading or unloading students on school grounds, except when necessary for heating, mechanical, or emergency reasons. The non-idling requirement applies to other school vehicles as well. A copy of the law and memo explaining it can be viewed at www.emsc.nysed.gov/schoolbus/anti-idling/home.html.