News in a Nutshell

Headlines that caught my eye 

• Classbooks.com on YNN

"When schools decide to go digital, it's much more than getting a digital book," said Classbook.com CEO Tony Pfister. "It's a mindset change."

Pfister has watched his prep school text book sales turn the digital corner. One of his clients on the Connecticut side of the Hudson ranks in the top two percent of schools nationwide for Apple use. But many more schools, including some closer to the capital, have different fiscal and faculty priorities and can't focus on technology.

• We Are the Lobbyists Now

• Sarah Burke Dead: Skier Dies After Accident During Training At Park City, Utah 

• Apple Introduces iBooks 2, iBooks Author, iTunes U App In Push To Transform Textbooks, Education

• Ballot case jury forming

• Icy conditions lead to injury in North Greenbush fire

Dollar Tree on hold?

Schodack neighbors retain attorney; Dollar Tree puts project on hold

By Kathryn Caggianelli
The Record

SCHODACK —Neighbors living on land adjacent to a proposed site that could become home to a one-million-square foot Dollar Tree distribution facility off Exit 11 of Interstate 90 in Schodack have formed an association and retained an attorney in their fight against the project.

And their efforts may already have changed its course because Dollar Tree appears to be looking for greener pastures. A spokesperson for the bargain retail chain admitted Tuesday that the company has decided to put the project on hold for 30 days.

Read more....

 

Castleton Library Events

What's coming up at the Castleton Public Library?

• Unity House Law Project Presents 
• Ebooks 
• Library Book Group 
• Friends of the CPL: Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebees!   
• Facebook  
• Story Hour! 
• LEGO CLUB

Maple Hill Booster Club Bottle Drive - January 15 - 28

Bring your empties!

Maple Hill's Booster Club is hosting a bottle drive at Price Chopper in East Greenbush from January 15- 28. Please drop your returnable cans and bottles off in the designated bin in the recycling area, or if you prefer, drop your recycling receipt off in the designated box at Customer Service. All proceeds will benefit the Maple Hill Booster Club. Thank you for your support. Please e-mail Lorrie Pizzola pizzola@lycos.com or call 956-3866 with any questions. Posted 1/09/12.

Scam Alert

From Schodack eNews - Maple Hill High School
Warning to Community About Scam

The Schodack CSD would like to let our community know about a scam we learned about today. A resident let us know that they received a phone call asking the individual to take an ad out on posters that will be put all over the area for Maple Hill High School. The district does not support any such effort and residents are warned not to provide any information to anyone calling for such a reason. 

Thank you to the community member who let us know about this so we could share it with our community.

Choices not easy in school mergers

Schodack, Ichabod Crane in talks as state leaders continue their push 

School district consolidation is touted as a way to save money at a time of shrinking education aid. While joining schools together can bring back programs by putting more students in classrooms, it can also mean some schools will be left vacant and that a community loses part of its identity. 

Read more...