The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

School News

Hoosick Falls School Board Meeting

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Budget Season Begins

by Chris Tergliafera

At the February 17 regular meeting of the Hoosick Falls Central School District Board of Education, the first draft of the 2022-2023 budget was presented. The proposed budget would see a spending increase of $1,133,950, up 4.7% over last year. Numerous things factor into this number, such as increases in staff and support service, state and federal mandates, contractual expenses and more. As of now the estimate on the school tax levy increase is

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NL-B Swimmers Finish Strong

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Submitted by Coach Tim Christiansen

Top 8 finishes were achieved and school records broken for the New Lebanon-Berlin Varsity Swim Team who competed in NYS Sectionals this past weekend at Shenendehowa High School. Junior Alex Sotek, Sophomore Alison Slater and eighth grader Lance Schroder competed in individual events while Carol Kirsimagi, Riley Schwartz and Jordan Sotek rounded out the relay teams. Alex Sotek led the way with an outstanding meet finishing with two school records and two top 8 finishes, which hasn’t been done by a New Lebanon-Berlin swimmer in over 14 years. Alex finished 7th in the 100 Butterfly with a time of 58.78 and 5th place in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:01.50. Alison set a new school record while

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Responding to Emergencies Class Invites Local Volunteers

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Submitted by Berlin Central School Communications

“The younger generation is the future of the Fire and EMS Service, and without classes like Responding to Emergencies putting an interest out there, the numbers would continue to dwindle,” said Stephentown Fire Chief David Corlew.

In 2019 Berlin Middle High School Health and Physical Education teacher Ms. Sandra Honsinger piloted an elective course at BMHS called Responding to Emergencies.

“We need more community members who are First Aid, CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) certified.” said Ms. Honsinger back in 2019. “I wanted to marry the interests and create relationships between the students and the emergency responding volunteers in our community.

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High School Wrestling

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Section 2 Qualifier Highlights

During the recent Section 2 Wrestling State Qualifier Tournament three local schools performed exceptionally well. Tamarac had several wrestlers place at the event, including Trevor Bishop who finished in first place, winning the Section 2 Championship. Also placing were Torin Bishop in second place, Ty Roadcap in fourth place, Austin Fitzpatrick in sixth place and Brice Retell also with a sixth place finish. Both Trevor and Torin Bishop will be competing at the NYS tournament on February 25 – 26 at the MVP Arena. Tamarac also won the Sportsmanship award and Jim Sheefler won JV Coach of the Year.

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Masks Stay On for Schools, Off for Others

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by Doug La Rocque

Speaking at the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 9, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said she would let the mask mandate on businesses expire as planned on Thursday, February 10. These businesses could, if they wish, continue to require masks if that is what they are more comfortable with. She said she would extend the mask mandate for schools, shelters, jails, nursing homes, childcare centers and public transportation for now.

In her announcement, the Governor said she would re-evaluate masks in schools in March, when she has a chance to look at the metrics of COVID-19 (infection rates are now down 93% since the start of the year) and develop “some clear guidance” for schools as to how to deal with COVID-19 situations when the masks do come off. She also stated she “feels compelled” to continue to protect the most vulnerable of our population as an explanation as to why the mask mandate will continue in senior related facilities, child care centers and because of the “closeness” of people in mass transportation.

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Governor Hochul Lifts Mask Mandates for Some, Continues for Schools

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On Wednesday morning, February 9 New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the mask mandate for stores, offices and restaurants would be lifted as of February 10, the date her previous order was slated to expire. The governor did say the mandate will continue for nursing homes, public transportation and schools.

As far as schools are concerned, Governor Hochul has said her administration will continue to evaluate the overall progress of COVID-19 and look to prepare clear guidelines for schools to follow when the mask mandate is lifted. She indicated the mandate will be re-evaluated in March.

The Eastwick Press will have a full report in this week’s paper.

High School Bowling – Wasaren League Tournament

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Hoosick Falls Wins Bowling Tournament

Submitted by James Lynch

On Tuesday the teams of the Wasaren League gathered at Saratoga Strike Zone for this year’s Wasaren League Tournament. Berlin-New Lebanon, Hoosick Falls, Hoosic Valley, Mechanicville, Saratoga Catholic, Stillwater and Waterford-Halfmoon all sent teams of seven bowlers. 

During the morning block of three games, Hoosick Falls 3276, Mechanicville 2906 and Stillwater 2860 had separated from the rest of the field. In the afternoon, Hoosick Falls was able to add to their lead,

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Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

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Contradictory Information

by Chris Tergliafera

At the January 18 regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board, Superintendent Joseph Dhara discussed some contradictory information the District has received from the State of New York regarding contact tracing for COVID-19. The State is telling schools they no longer need to contact trace, however they also told districts they need to do their due diligence and notify parents when their child has come in close contact with someone who is infected, which would require contact tracing. The District will look to get some clarification on the matter.

In other COVID-19 news, the number of days required to quarantine after being in close contact with someone who’s tested positive has been reduced from ten to five.

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Agriculture Education Is Popular at HFCS

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by Alex Brooks

High School Teacher Brandon Trinkle gave a presentation on new agriculture education programs to the Hoosick Falls School Board at its January 20 meeting. Trinkle was hired as a business teacher, but has also offered agricultural classes this year, and the student response has been enthusiastic. 80 to 100 students are in agriculture classes this year. Trinkle has also revived the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Hoosick Falls and there are about 30 students involved in that. The District has secured a grant

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Tamarac Boys Basketball #1 in the State

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by Doug La Rocque

A mere three weeks ago, those in the Wasaren League knew the Tamarac Boys Varsity Basketball team was good; now the entire State knows it. In a tournament in Rome, NY, the Bengals defeated what was then the top team in the whole State, Utica Academy of Science. Since then, they have also knocked off one of the perennial basketball powers in the Capital Region, the Class AA Shaker Bison. That and their continued dominance in the league has made people take notice, so much so that in the weekly ratings of all teams in the State (including parochial and New York City schools) the Bengals were labeled

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