Non-fiction book club to discuss ‘1776’

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Library has a new Non-Fiction Book Club. The first book they will discuss is “1776”, by David McCollough. A conversation about the Pulitzer Prize winning novel will take place on Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. Copies of the book and audiobook are available to borrow at the library, 2 Erie Boulevard.

History committee to hold meeting

CANAJOHARIE — The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council’s workgroup for the New York State “Path Through History” initiative will hold a public meeting Jan. 31 at Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Boulevard, from 1-4 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting will be to obtain input regarding a marketing plan and catalyst project being developed to encourage tourism, local economic development and to serve as an educational tool.

All members of the public are invited to attend, including heritage organizations, individuals, businesses, and labor and education representatives from the Mohawk Valley Region.

Pre-registration is requested by Jan. 28, to Helen Martin, by email at martart@nycap.rr.com, or by phone at (518) 762-7638 or (518) 705-7587.

AARP to offer free tax service

CANAJOHARIE — Beginning in February, trained volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons will be available to assist seniors with the preparation of their tax forms at Arkell Center located on Montgomery St.

This service is a partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to provide seniors with assistance in the completion of both their federal and state returns.

Volunteers will be at the Arkell Center every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Feb. 13. It is necessary to make an appointment by calling (518) 673-2943.

The AARP Tax Aid Program is a nationwide service and volunteer counselors are required to complete a training course each year and pass an IRS certification exam. All information is confidential. Returns are filed electronically and any refunds can be deposited into personal savings or checking accounts. This is usually accomplished within seven to ten days.

Seniors desiring assistance must bring with them the following: A valid social security card or social security 1099 statement; 2012 W-2 forms (wages); 2012 1099 forms (interest, dividends, stock sales, social security benefits); 2012 information on amounts paid out for mortgage interest, real estate and school taxes, charitable contributions and medical expenses if you intend to itemize deductions.

Assistance is also available in completing the IT 214-Claim for Real Property Tax Credit for Homeowners and Renters. You will need information on town/county, village and school taxes for the completion of this application.

Call (518) 673-2943 for any further questions.

Class rank policy task force to meet

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Board of Education is currently reviewing the Class Rank Policy, which involves the weighting of academic courses at the high school level and the calculation to determine a student’s class rank order. Connected to this policy are procedures for determining student participation in accelerated courses, beginning in 7th grade, and scholarship distribution.

As part of the study, the district is working to establish a short?term task force, the purpose of which is to review collated information about class rank and provide written advisory input to the board. The task force will meet 2?3 times from the end of January until the end of February.

The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 28 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Canajoharie High School. Parents or community members who would like to be part of the task force should contact Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw at (518) 673?6302 or by email at deborah.grimshaw@canjo.org.

Chicken barbecue planned Jan. 27

FORT PLAIN — The Friends of Fort Plain will sponsor a chicken barbecue at the Haslett Park gazebo on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 12 Noon to 3 p.m.

A half chicken will be $6, and ribs $7.50. Take out only. Proceeds will support the 47 Main St./Diefendorf Hall renovation project.

Methodist Church book sale coming

FORT PLAIN — On Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Fort Plain Reformed Church, 165 Canal St., will host a book sale and cafe. Used books, DVDs, and CDs will be available, along with cafe refreshments. All proceeds will benefit Stop Hunger Now.

Residents to vote on reserve fund

FORT PLAIN — On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Fort Plain Central School District residents will vote on three referendums, including one that would authorize the district to create a reserve called the bus/transportation reserve fund that would be used to buy buses, vehicles and other transportation equipment.

This proposition asks voters to approve the formation of a bus/transportation reserve fund not to exceed $2.3 million. This would not require a tax increase. Instead, the district would use surplus fund balance to partially fund the reserve.

According to district leaders, this reserve could only be used for the purchase of school buses, vehicles and transportation-related equipment. By setting aside money in the reserve fund and by moving from a five-year to a 10-year replacement schedule, the district would be able to meet its transportation needs for the next 10 years without additional taxes.

“By using this plan, the fleet requirements of the district could be met for the next 10 years without affecting the local tax rate,” Superintendent Douglas C. Burton said.

“It’s also a way to further ensure student safety because we would be operating a fleet with the newest safety features.”

Co-teaching used throughout district

CANAJOHARIE — On a regular Thursday afternoon at Canajoharie Middle School, Sixth Grade Math Teacher Mike Kane goes over a lesson on exponents with his students. In another part of the classroom, Special Education Teacher Linda Pine-McGugins helps a student. Throughout the class, both teachers continue to answer questions and work with students.

Are both teachers involved in the lesson?

Yes.

And that’s thanks to a co-teaching program the district started in grades K-12 this year. Co-teaching involves having one general education teacher working alongside a special education teacher in the classroom setting. Together, they work toward the mutual goal of improving their students’ learning. The model is used around the country (including in other districts around the area and region) and district leaders feel it has many benefits.

“It allows for all students to stay in one classroom with the expertise of a special education teacher and a general education teacher,” said Special Education Chairperson Kelly Swart.

“It gives the students opportunities for peer interaction as well as reducing the student-to-staff ratio. It sets the bar a bit higher too because the special education students are exposed to the whole curriculum.”

Classes with co-teachers are taught daily in the elementary and middle school, and every other day in the high school. The classes operate almost the same as a class with one teacher. The students learn the same curriculum with the benefits of flexible grouping and specialized learning strategies and take the same tests. The teachers also have a joint responsibility for lesson planning (which are planned to meet the needs of all learners) and classroom management. The needs of students with disabilities are also addressed within the general classroom and the general education curriculum.

Some of the benefits for students include: enrichment opportunities, being taught by two teachers who are experts on a subject, chances to interact with peers while learning grade level curriculum, reduced stigma for students with disabilities, and accommodations (curricular, testing, or material) for students.

Gage Murray, a sixth grade student at Canajoharie Middle School, feels that having two teachers in a class is easier.

“When Mr. Kane is doing something, Mrs. Pine-McGugins can come help me,” he said. “I think two teachers make getting help go a lot faster.”

O-ECS, St.J. sports agreement staying

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The St. Johnsville and Oppenheim-Ephratah central schools will continue their shared sports program this spring as the two districts transition into a single, merged district for the start of the 2013-14 school year.

 On Dec. 11, Oppenheim-Ephratah residents voted in favor of a binding referendum, approving a merger with St. Johnsville. Residents in St. Johnsville approved the merger last December.

Prior to the merger vote, the two school districts had entered into agreements that allowed students from both schools to participate in the other’s fall and winter sports programs. Under the spring agreement, Oppenheim-Ephratah students will be allowed to participate in the St. Johnsville modified and varsity baseball and softball programs at no charge to the Oppenheim-Ephratah students.

The St. Johnsville Board of Education approved the agreement Jan. 10, and The Oppenheim-Ephratah Board of Education accepted it Jan. 17.

“The shared sports program is one example of how the districts have cooperated throughout the years,” Oppenheim?Ephratah Superintendent Dan M. Russom said. “We’re looking forward to the many opportunities the merger will present the students.”

When the merged Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District begins operation July 1, school sports, as well as all other programs, will be combined under a single identity. The districts will soon begin gathering feedback from students regarding the selection of mascots and team names. No decisions have been made at this point.

“We’re going to give students the opportunity to tell us what they want as part of their school identity,” St. Johnsville Superintendent Laura Campione said. “We encourage the public to also weigh in by posting ideas to our new Facebook and Twitter pages.”

The new Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville district can be located on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OESJschool and on Twitter at @OESJschools.

On the dean’s lists

Alfred State

ALFRED — Stephen J. Havlovic, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Alfred State, has announced the Dean’s List of students for the fall 2012 semester.

The following locals were among the over 500 students from Alfred State who made the fall Dean’s List: Kristen Molina, of Canajoharie, a Human Services major;

Alyssa Paratore, of Palatine Bridge, a Court and Realtime Reporting major; and Brook Hart, of Saint Johnsville, a Business Administration major.

Students from both the Alfred campus and the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville are selected for the Dean’s List if they maintain a 3.50 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.

Becker College

WORCESTER, Mass. — Emily Brown, of Palatine Bridge, was named to the Becker College Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semester. Brown is pursuing a degree in Veterinary Science.

Siena College

LOUDONVILLE — Sara Klock, of Sprakers, has been named to the Siena College Deans’ List for the fall 2012 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student’s grade point average for the semester must be between 3.5 and 3.89. A total of 733 students were named to the Deans’ List for the Fall 2012 semester.

SUNY Oswego

OSWEGO — Several area residents have been named to the Deans’ List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNY Oswego. Showing academic achievement are: Taryn Jones, of Canajoharie, a freshman majoring in Sociology; Nicole Nestler, of Fort Plain, a sophomore majoring in Childhood Education; Christopher Aldi, of Palatine Bridge, a senior majoring in Business Administration; Jacqueline Fox, of Saint Johnsville, a senior majoring in psychology; Katie Walther, of Sprakers, a freshman majoring in Technology Education; and Courtney Laquay, of St. Johnsville, a sophomore majoring in Childhood Education.

The President’s and Deans’ lists represent the academic top 25.9 percent of the Oswego student body. To be included on the Deans’ List, students must have a semester grade average of 3.30 to 3.79.

Siena College

LOUDONVILLE — The following local residents have been named to the Siena College President’s List for the Fall 2012 semester: Ashley Broady, of Palatine Bridge, a senior majoring in Psychology; Emily Dahlin, of Fort Plain, a junior majoring in History; Kaitlyn Trembley, of Nelliston, a senior majoring in Accounting.

To be named to the President’s List, a student’s grade point average for the semester must be 3.9 or above. A total of 215 students were named to the President’s List for the Fall 2012 semester.