Sometimes we get pitched a story idea, maybe featuring a local business. And we want to feature them all. But here’s the reality for us, and any publication: pictured here is the ever-moving editorial calendar, filled with news trying to make its way out of our planners, and onto your screen of choice to read.
Sometimes our stories get published “on time.” Sometimes they get pushed around. Sometimes they come out a year later. (Just wait for our city snow plow article for the first snowfall of next year! Luckily we had no snow after we’d gotten answers from the city on the strategy behind how they plow.)
This behind-the-scenes photo was first published on our Instagram, and we just thought it might be interesting to see the inside of how article ideas and intentions shift around in here.
We have several articles mostly written already, that we haven’t published (doy!!!!!) because time flies by and we are a small team.
Not getting featured is never personal. To learn how to pitch any type of media (blog, magazine, TV), and how to bump your issue into this lineup of cards (articles), start getting Tin Shingle’s newsletter. It’s all about teaching small businesses how to get attention.
The key ingredient for pitching is timeliness, and following up politely. Tin Shingle and A Little Beacon Blog are run by me at Katie James, Inc., where I also produce websites for clients. Whew! That’s a lot.
Editor’s Note: We’d planned for this article to come out in March, when the Professional Learning Day happened for Beacon City School teachers, but time got the best of us. With the recent passing of the Beacon City School budget, we’re publishing it now so that you can see how budget items relate to what teachers prepare for during the year.
When Teacher Learning Days happen in the winter, at first blush, they create extra long weekends - or weeks, if there are snow days abutting the Professional Learning Day. A parent hardly thinks about what the teachers are actually learning and why there is a day off. The day is just another day off, and another day to figure out what to do if you are a working parent who needs to juggle around a childcare schedule.
What happens inside the classrooms of Beacon schools on Professional Learning Days had mostly been a mystery to parents in the district. But then Beacon’s new-ish Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Landahl, started sending regular email updates, giving a glimpse of what teachers work on during those student days off.
Below is a breakdown of the main agenda items on a Professional Learning Day in March 2019, with clarification provided by Dr. Landahl or the actual agenda itself:
Responsive Classroom Training - What Is This?
On the learning day, 25 teachers participated in the Responsive Classroom training. But what is a “Responsive Classroom?” There is a website for it, and according to that website, it is defined as: “Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to education that focuses on the strong relationship between academic success and social-emotional learning (SEL). The Responsive Classroom approach empowers educators to create safe, joyful, and engaging learning communities where all students have a sense of belonging and feel significant.”
Sounds neat, so we asked Dr. Landahl what Responsive Classrooms mean for Beacon: “Responsive Classroom is a model that teachers can implement in their classrooms that focuses on the power of teacher language, interactive modeling, and Morning Meetings. When I was an elementary principal in Virginia of a very diverse school, we worked extensively with Responsive Classroom.”
Morning Meetings! My third-grader has persistently pestered me to be more on time - and earlier - to school drop-off so that she can get to her Morning Meeting. The last minute of drop-off is at 9:01 am, and the school doors of our building open at 8:40 am. During that time, Morning Meeting transpires, and the kids take it very seriously.
Dr. Landahl continued: “Teachers raved about the training and they were able to bring a deeper sense of community to the classroom and the entire school. Our hope is to have many of our teachers trained in the model in Beacon to find ways to increase social/emotional learning for all of our students, and to build communities in our schools.”
Restorative Practices for Middle School Teachers
Restorative Practice trains in how to respond to challenging behavior.
Coding in the Classroom
Teachers are implementing coding into their classrooms, with events such as a Coding Night held at South Avenue Elementary earlier this year by the school librarian, Mr. Aaron Burke. During this portion of Professional Learning Day, teachers from all grade levels got to look at various websites and resources that promote computational thinking and problem-solving, using computer coding strategies and skills. Robots were incorporated, including the Dash robot, Ozobots, and the Sphero Bolt. Teachers were able to brainstorm ideas for to how these resources could be used in the curriculum.
Using 3D Printers - Did Not Know Beacon Schools Had Them!
This is exciting news. According to the learning day agenda, every school in the Beacon City School District has a 3D printer. If you’re a parent in the district, you’ll know how much paper in different colors comes home as flyers, homework assignments, lunch menus, etc. These are run on a regular printer. But what can a 3D printer make? Teachers were able to find out during this training session, also led by South Avenue’s librarian, Mr. Burke, that included learning the basics of how 3D printers work. With Mr. Burke’s assistance, teachers could design a simple project using Tinkercad.
Using Google Docs and Google Classroom
Lots of collaboration going on with Google in our schools. In my day, this was with Apple, where Apple computers dominated the computer labs, and Word and Excel from Microsoft also tried to dominate as software. Now we have Google’s Chrome Books in the classrooms, and Google’s Drive platform, which is basically Word and Excel online where people can connect in the documents and share writing and creation experiences.
Teachers were trained in Google Classroom and other tools including Google Slides and Google Docs (both parts of Google Drive, functioning similarly to PowerPoint and Word) in the primary grades. According to the learning day agenda, teachers were trained in: “Google Slide tools for projects such as creating signs, ebooks, stop-animation videos, collaborative projects, interactive presentation, and choose-your-own adventure stories. Tips for helping students create more effective presentations will be included as well.”
I could use some tips from my 9-year-old on how to make better slide presentations, or an ebook!
Side Note Opinion: What does this classroom tech mean for privacy? This does mean that Google can now track a lot of our behavior and data. As can Apple with our phones, and every single app that we use, yet Apple has tried to brand itself as a protector of privacy. So far, Facebook is the main platform I avoid strongly, as they have proven time and again, and continue to prove with new editorial decisions every day, that they aren’t responsible with our information. So far, my hope and trust will remain with Apple and Google.
Collaborating with Dia: Beacon
Beacon students benefit from Dia: Beacon’s presence just down the road, overlooking the Hudson River near the Metro-North train station. An arts and education program between Dia: Beacon and BCSD has been in place for 18 years. Many opportunities exist, including the Teen Art Program we just wrote about. Additionally, Beacon’s second-graders take a field trip to the museum. (Parents are invited to attend, to help manage the kids.)
Teachers were able to explore the galleries and collaborate with Dia artist educators in preparation for spring programming. The arts education program provides K-12 students with an intimate setting to respond critically to the art and programs at Dia:Beacon through multisession workshops both at school and in the galleries.
Elementary Science/STEM Curriculum Training
Curriculum trainers, along with TEQ, facilitated a walk-through of the science/STEM curriculum unit that was developed and revised during this school year. In addition, TEQ will provide professional development on the Engineering Design Practices of the new New York State Science Learning Standards.
Mindfulness for Educators: The What, Why, and How
This workshop was an opportunity for “teachers and other school staff to slow down, step back, and consider the fast-paced world of the classroom from a new perspective.” According to the learning day agenda, teachers face a variety of stresses, both in and out of school, which can impact their professional performance as well as their social and emotional well-being. “The growing body of research continues to suggest that teachers who participate in mindfulness training and practice regularly are more likely to feel personally and professionally fulfilled and more connected to their students - critical factors in creating a school-based culture of mindfulness.”
Data-Driven Conversations for High School Teachers
Data usually sounds dry and impersonal, but for those of us who do study it, it can be revealing about human behavior and how we can deliver what people want. Teachers were trained in this concept, and how to use the data to improve learning efforts.
So now we know - Professional Learning Days are intense! Meanwhile, parents are making pancakes and organizing play dates or other adventures for kids who are happy to have the day off.
The Howland Chamber Music Circle is a collective of musicians who appear in the world’s greatest concert halls, and also right here in Beacon at the Howland Cultural Center for their regularly scheduled concerts. The HCMC’s Pop-Up Series offers four opportunities to enjoy the chamber music circle at different locations around town.
This Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 3 pm, the musicians will be performing their final pop-up concert for the season at St. Andrew & St. Luke Episcopal Church. This concert is part of their Vent Nouveau program, a partnership with Beacon High School to expose students to chamber music. The performance will feature several high school students.
About Vent Nouveau, Beacon High School, and Howland Chamber Music Circle
Vent Nouveau has been Artist-in-Residence at Beacon High School since 2017, and has worked closely with the school’s band program to enhance their music education and expose students to the wide world of chamber music. Vent Nouveau is dedicated to bringing attention to the wide variety of chamber repertoire for winds, brass, and percussion instruments.
Vent Nouveau is composed of musicians who have performed with some of the country’s leading symphony orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and New World Symphony. These artists first collaborated with one another in the prestigious West Point Band, and now put their virtuosic talents toward exploring chamber music from the traditional to the obscure. Offering versatile concert programs that range from two- to twelve-member ensembles, it is the first group of its kind in the NYC-surrounding area. More information on Vent Nouveau and upcoming events can be found at www.ventnouveauny.com
About The Howland Chamber Music Circle
The Howland Chamber Music Circle is recognized as a leading arts organization in the Hudson Valley, bringing world-class music to the Hudson Valley. Musicians who perform for the Circle regularly appear in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each season the Circle presents eight chamber music concerts, a four-concert Piano Festival, a very popular Classics For Kids concert series, and a free concert series, the Pop-Up Concerts, to the Beacon community.
In 2016 the Howland Chamber Music Circle was awarded the Dutchess County Executive’s Arts Organization Award through Arts Mid-Hudson for its exceptional music programming and community reach, and for enriching the lives of Hudson Valley residents through music. Through its educational outreach program, the Howland Chamber Music Circle brings enjoyment, knowledge, and skill in music to many young people in the area. In partnership with local school districts and community groups, the Circle has sponsored artist residencies throughout Dutchess County, most recently in the Arlington and Beacon High Schools.
Third-graders in the Beacon City School District receive dictionaries donated by the Beacon Elks Lodge. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
If you’re a parent in the Beacon City School District, you may have seen this yellow dictionary come home this past winter in your child’s backpack (this article got backlogged a bit). Where did the dictionary come from, you may have wondered? The teachers, administrators and PTA/O parents are always finding ways to send kids home with free treats, so what’s the story on the yellow dictionary?
For the past 15 years, third-graders in the Beacon City School District have each received one donated dictionary from the Beacon Elks Lodge. Says Carl Oken to A Little Beacon Blog about the donation: “Studies have shown that the third grade is the identified grade for the best results in expanding the youths’ vocabulary. Nationwide, 1,900 Elks Lodges have been distributing dictionaries to third-graders across our country (approaching 2 million dictionaries distributed) to help students’ literacy. Here in Beacon, we have been donating dictionaries to our third-graders for over 15 years and we have now donated over 4,000 dictionaries. We look forward to expanding the dictionary project to Haldane, Garrison and Fishkill Elementary Schools.”
The Dutchess Reformed Church of Beacon, 1113 Wolcott Avenue (9D). Photo Credit: Google
To participate in remembrances and to show appreciation for those who served, you can attend Beacon’s Memorial Day Parade at 1pm (lineup at 12pm noon at City Hall on 9D). The parade stages on 9D (Wolcott Avenue) and goes on Main Street.
The Memorial Service will be after the parade at approximately 2pm or 2:15pm, “To give everyone a chance to get here,” says parade organizer Tony Lasseter. Beacon’s Memorial Building at 413 Main Street (across from Chase Bank).
Beacon’s Memorial Building, 413 Main Street, Beacon, NY. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Memorial Day remembrances stretch deeply into many people’s stories. A shade of grief or worry might emerge from a radio essay by a mother of a grown son, as she remembers when he departed for his first tour of duty, when she noticed that he needed a shower as she hugged him goodbye, triggering a memory of her giving him a bath as a baby. A memory she quickly dismissed.
This story is of a woman, Ashley, getting her engagement ring reset so that she could wear it as an everyday ring, as told by King and Curated, the Beacon jeweler who redesigned it, via two Instagram posts here and here. To show another side of remembrance on this Memorial Day Weekend, we have republished the story here, with tiny edits for clarity.
When Ashley came for her custom appointment, she brought an engagement ring and explained it was from her husband who had since passed. I didn’t pry. I didn’t want to bring up anything that would possibly upset her. She explained that she kept wearing it after he had passed, but when people would compliment her on it or ask her about her husband, she would either be honest and tell them he passed, or she would find a way to thank them and avoid mentioning it to not make things awkward.
It’s very hard to find the words to comfort loss like that. You never really know what to say. I just told her I was sorry to hear that, and she made sure to continue to tell me that was why she wanted to reset it.
Along with [this ring was a ring from] her mother-in-law. [She wanted to combine rings]. She wanted it to look like a ring she could enjoy every day, [so] that she would have Nate and her mother-in-law in one ring mixed with new stones.
She wanted it to represent the growth since his passing while at the same time memorializing him. She didn’t want it to look like an engagement ring anymore. So we made sure the diamond was offset by colorful stones to complement both the sapphire from her mother-in-law and other stones we hand-picked for her. We added sprinklings of diamonds in between to add texture-like pattern to break up the modern settings of the larger stones.
As our conversation continued, I asked her when she needed it done by. She said she was going on a trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and she would like it to be done when she got back. I was impressed! I asked who she was going with. She said she was going with TAPS. I didn’t know what that was and she explained. “TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. They support anyone [who] has lost a special someone in the military (spouse, child, friend, sibling, etc). They supply grief counseling, host workshops, retreats, expeditions, etc. Basically they help you not feel alone. To help you understand that someone out there is going through the same thing that you are and that TAPS is here to help. It's an incredible organization with awesome resources.”
Then my heart sank. Ugh. As fate would have it, Ashley’s new ring was handed off yesterday. She came in excited, got happy and emotional. And then told me - out of all the times this ring could be given to her in its new setting of past, present, and future - that Memorial Day weekend, when we celebrate those who make the ultimate sacrifice, couldn’t have been a more fitting time.
It’s been 6 years since Nate’s passing.
The Dutchess Reformed Church of Beacon, 1113 Wolcott Avenue (9D). Photo Credit: Google
For more information on TAPS, including how to use their resources or to donate, visit their website here. To participate in remembrances and to show appreciation in Beacon, you can attend Beacon’s Memorial Day Parade at 1 pm (line up at noon at City Hall on Route 9D). The parade starts on 9D (Wolcott Avenue) at City Hall, then heads up Main Street.
The Memorial Service at Beacon’s Memorial Building at 413 Main St. (across from Chase Bank) will follow the parade, at approximately 2 or 2:15 pm, “to give everyone a chance to get here,” says parade organizer Tony Lasseter.
Beacon’s Memorial Building, 413 Main Street, Beacon, NY. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Style Storehouse was a boutique at 484 Main St. in Beacon on the far east end of town, beyond Tioronda Avenue (Howland Cultural Center), all the way around the bend toward the Dummy Light. A collection of lovely boutiques, galleries and eateries are located in this strip, which is known as the quiet end of Main Street, and some argue, the most charming. May marks the final month for Style Storehouse, who announced the closing of their location via Instagram, with intentions to carry on via their online store.
Said store owner Savanna Ainsley in her post: “We are sad to announce the closing of Style Storehouse on Main Street in Beacon, NY. Although we are sad to say goodbye to what has been our home for 5 years, we are beyond excited to announce that we will be continuing Style Storehouse as an online boutique!”
The Beginning Of Style Storehouse
Style Storehouse was started by Michele Pitcairn Williams from Poughkeepsie. She dug into Beacon by advocating for more business on the east end of town, trying to create initiatives to encourage people to go beyond Tioronda to continue discovering Main Street shops. She joined the board of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce for a year, endured flooding into the shop from the apartment above (that we wrote about here, to educate about the benefits of renters insurance for apartment renters), and worked with her then-neighboring business Waddle ‘n Swaddle to jazz it up on that end of Main Street. (Waddle ‘n Swaddle later closed their Beacon location, remaining in Poughkeepsie.)
Shop Life Under New Owner
Michele, who has three young children and recently welcomed a fourth addition, later sold Style Storehouse to her then-manager, Savanna Ainsley, who ran it successfully for years after and developed the online version of the shop. Savanna also hails from Poughkeepsie and commuted to Beacon to open the shop each day.
Said Savanna of her customers: “None of this would have been possible without our amazing customers. Without your love and support, Style Storehouse would not be what it has been.”
Brands that Style Storehouse carries include Hardtail, Free People, Mother Denim (best jeans with stretch), Minkpink, Madewell, and many more. The curated collection was known for comfortable large and small sizes.
Shop Life Beyond Tioronda - Not To Be Missed!
While the building that housed the two boutiques - Style Storehouse and Waddle ‘n Swaddle - now has empty storefronts, there are plenty of not-to-be-missed shops, galleries and eateries around that area. Denise Gianna Designs just opened her interior design shop in the former Utensil spot, Kaight Shop Beacon, who sells eco-friendly fashion, is located past Style Storehouse and has jeans and overalls you want to discover. The Blushery offers makeup and beauty services such as waxing and laser, and many others.
Shopping is exciting on that end of town, and you can even get ice cream and chocolate-covered Oreos to punctuate your experience at the Chocolate Studio, followed by coffee at Trax, and Thai dinner at Sukhothai.
Explore A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide to discover all of the shops as you visit Beacon. If you live here, our Shopping Guide is a great way to keep up with which business is where, as shops shift all the time!
Wishing you the best Memorial Day Weekend, and a sunlit slide into summer! Will you be wearing white pants? Darryl's can certainly give you more colorful options, as can many stores on Main Street in A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide. Stop into their neighbor, Knot Too Shabby, to get gorgeous furniture paint and stencils as you start a new summer project. Owner Caryn is an amazing furniture painter and can give you tips! And here's one more hot tip: To-go wine sippy cups (for lack of a better word) are at Beacon Natural right now, located in the middle of Main Street near the post office. Get your drink in a stemless glass, but in a to-go cup with lid!
International Film Night
Day: Friday, May 24, 2019 Time: 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Open Barn at Stony Kill Farm
Day: Saturday, May 25, 2019 Time: 11 am to 1 pm Location: Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Information >
The Artichoke Storytelling Series
Day: Saturday, May 25, 2019 Time: 8 pm Location: The Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Dia: Beacon “Hudson Valley Free Day”
Day: Sunday, May 26, 2019 Time: 11 am to 6 pm Location: Dia:Beacon, 3 Beekman St., Beacon, NY Information >
Beacon Elks Lodge Car Show - POSTPONED
Postponed until autumn, according to the Beacon Free Press.
Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade
Day: Monday, May 27, 2019 Time: 1 pm (lineup begins at noon) Location: American Legion - Beacon Post, 413 Main St., Beacon, NY
American Legion Post 203 invites all veterans groups, civic organizations, and clubs to participate in this year's Memorial Day Parade and services on Monday, May 27. Lineup is at noon, and the parade starts at 1 pm. Memorial Services will follow immediately after the parade at the Memorial Building, 413 Main Street. For more information, call Tony at (845) 489-7937. Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street www.darrylsny.com
It's hot hot hot! Darryl's Clothing Boutique has all of the light dresses that are easy breezy and will let the wind keep you cool this Memorial Day Weekend. Sales are going on now, so treat yourself to a deal, and pair a necklace and shoulder bag with it. You want to look fresh at that picnic!
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com
Couldn't pick just one of these Lenore frames at Luxe Optique right now, so we are showing you the fade, from white to rosé. Would you like a glass with that? Do treat yourself, and consider different colors of transitions for your lenses, too, if you want easy shade. The handsome red frame above is from Jacques Marie Mage, and you can try that on as well.
BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END
Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the historic dummy light) Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique is having a special Sample Sale this Memorial Day Weekend. All of their samples, including this satin Justin Alexander A-line, are an additional 20% off! Friday to Monday only! So if you’re going for a spur-of-the-moment elopement, you won’t want to miss this sale!!
Barb's Butchery
69 Spring Street www.barbsbutchery.com (near the dummy light)
Got your patties for the weekend backyard chill? Call Barb's to pre-order anything for pick-up!
Location: 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY
Do you want to introduce your child to yoga? Firefly Yoga offers Lightning Bugs Kids Yoga, Mondays at 5:30 pm.
Lightning Bugs Kids Yoga is for ages 4-10, and is an opportunity for kids to explore, create, play and move in a non-competitive environment. The class is focused on self-expression and community. Information >
Please note, Firefly Yoga will only have one class on Memorial Day Sweat Gratitude Flow
Day: Monday, May 27, 2019 Time: 9:30 to 10:45 am
Book Reading at Binnacle Books:
"Eleanor, or, The Rejection of the Progress of Love,” by Anna Moschovakis
"Hey, Marfa" poems by Jeffrey Yang
Day: Friday, May 24, 2019 Time: 7 pm Location: Binnacle Books, 321 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Book Reading:
Beacon Historical Society Presents "Hidden Treasures of the Hudson Valley - Vol. 3"
Day:: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Time: 7 pm Location: St. Andrew's Church, 15 South Ave., Beacon NY Information >
Anime Art Lesson
Ages: 11-17 Day: Saturday, May 25, 2019 Time: 10 am or 2 pm Location: Stony Kill Environmental Center, 75 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Information >
Story Time In The Garden
with Binnacle Books and One Nature
Day: Saturday, May 25, 2019 Time: Noon Location: 321 Main St., Beacon, NY
Bimonthly Story Time in the Garden with Binnacle and One Nature is a fun way for kids to connect with nature and reading. Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide.
320 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508
Did someone say office space? This studio space is located above Rite Aid.
From Gate House Realty: "Bring your business and creativity to this renovated office/studio space on Main Street. Lots of light in this historic Beacon building.“ Price: $750/month Details + Pictures >
Antalek & Moore :: Business Insurance
Looking for business insurance? Antalek & Moore will do the homework you need, and ask you the right questions to get you into the best coverage. Call them today as your business grows: (845) 831-4300
A Little Beacon Space :: Event Venue
Host your pop-up event, business meeting, client presentation, workshop, and more. Now offering a special rate for teachers and music recitals so that creative can happen easily. Details >
BeaconArts Member Show :: Accepting Submissions
All BeaconArts members are invited to submit artwork for our first annual Member Show at Hudson Beach Gallery. The exhibition runs Saturday, July 13, to Sunday, August 4, and is curated by Theresa Gooby and Karlyn Benson. Space is limited, so send your submissions to membershow@beaconarts.org before Friday, May 24, to guarantee your spot. Beacon Arts >
Tin Shingle
Did you ever wonder why or how someone got featured in a magazine or newspaper? Did your competition, or even a business or person who you admire, "get good ink" (as the term goes when something is written about in a publication)? Was that just something wonderful and lucky that happened to them? Most likely not. They most likely "pitched" the media outlet with a good angle or story idea. Tin Shingle teachers business owners, artists and makers how to do this. And can teach you too. Learn More >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? No? Why not? It should be. Join here today. Learn More >
JOB LISTINGS
The City of Beacon Seeks A Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Details >
Luxe Optique Seeks A Licensed Optician And An Optometrist Details >
MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide
Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog
The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way.
The email came in from Dr. Matthew Landahl, Superintendent of the Beacon City School District, at 10:24 pm, just hours after polling had closed and the votes were counted. He was announcing the passing of the BCSD budget and additional buses for kids in the district. We asked him for his highlights of the budget, in a Cliffs Notes fashion. You can read the 2019/2020 budget presentation in full here.
Proposition 1 - The Budget
Beacon City School District 2019 Vote Results:
Proposition 1 Budget Yes- 749 No-193 Total- 942
Proposition 2 Buses
Yes 727 No- 243 Total- 970
Proposition 3- Capital Transfer
Yes- 740 No- 232 Total- 972
Board Election Meredith Heuer-814 Michael Rutkoske- 786 Antony Tseng- 678
Highlights Include:
Additional Class Size Reduction: Teaching position at the elementary level. “We have added seven of these positions the previous two years,” says the superintendent.
Music: Continuation of the currently grant-funded fourth-grade instrumental music program with district funding of the band teacher position. A Little Beacon Blog wrote about that here when it started.
Business: Addition of Business teacher position at the high school to begin a Business education program for high school students.
Art + Computers: Addition of a half-time Art teacher position at the high school to begin some digital design programming.
Social Worker: Addition of a full-time Social Worker position at the high school to complement the social worker and psychologist already there. “We are hoping to hire someone with expertise in drug and alcohol counseling. The position would also work with middle-school students,” said the Superintendent.
Professional Development: Greatly expanded professional development for teachers.
1:1 Chromebook Initiative at the high school for all students.
Interactive Whiteboards in all high school classes.
When A Little Beacon Blog inquired as to the details of the Capital Transfer, the superintendent explained: “The Capital Transfer allows us to move money from a Capital Reserve to our Capital Project, namely to fund lights at the new turf field behind the high school being built this summer. Lights will help us use the field more often and also will allow the community to use the field more as well.”
In his email to Beacon families, and on the Beacon City School District website, Dr. Landahl concluded: “I want to give a huge thanks to the community for supporting our budget this year. We can't wait to start the new programs in this year's budget to help our students!”
There was great turnout at Beacon High School’s Career Fair today! Plenty of interested students asked questions... and foraged for free cookies. A Little Beacon Blog bribed passers-by with stickers, and for the writers and bloggers in the house (they are usually very shy and quiet when approaching the table), we gave writers our tote bag.
Each year we are happy to engage with teens to show them the resources they didn’t know about yet, like our recent article about the (free) Dia Teens Art Program, and the Open Sketch session at the Beacon Library. One student who visited the table is about to be published in the Poughkeepsie Journal for an article she wrote!
Salon Dae (the salon near Dutchess Airport) was in attendance with opportunities for hair stylists, and did braiding on the spot. Next to Salon Dae was Twins Barber Shop from Beacon’s Main Street, clipping away. The Twins always draw the largest crowd!
Across the way were the fire 🔥 fighters, who were giving demonstrations using a smoke machine. Antalek & Moore Insurance brought their corn hole game and had quite the competitions going on. For the rest of us, it was hard to compete with all that action!
The EMS Education table was in a good spot to reach interested prospective first responders, who need the education first to even get into the field. Other first responders included the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Beacon Police.
A Little Beacon Blog’s table was in between Wingate’s caregivers table, answering questions for men and women who might want to go into nursing and caregiving, which we learned provides job security as there has been a shortage of nurses, we were told. Dutchess County Tourism was on our other side - where we learned all sorts of things like how they are organizing workshops for businesses to help educate about best practices, like ADA compliance for websites. Good stuff, those busy bees are doing over there!
If you’re a business who wants to represent at the Beacon Career Fair next year and reach the students, email the organizer, school counselor Michele Polhamus at polhamus.m@beaconk12.org. The notification about the Career Fair usually goes out in March-ish for this annual May event.
If your child is going to a child care location for the 2019-2020 school year, and will need transportation to or from that site to their school, please submit a new transportation request form by April 1, 2019. By law, a new request is required each year by April 1st for the following year.
If your child will attend a non-public school for the 2019-2020 school year, and will need transportation, NYS law requires a written request each year. Please submit this request to the school district registrar's office before April 1st. Transportation to non-public schools may be provided by law for a distance of 15 miles.
Forms are available here on the district website or from the registrar's office at 10 Education Drive, Beacon, New York.
High school students are able to enroll in this summer’s Dia Teens Art Program(online application is here), a free program for all participants that includes lunches, snacks, materials, and in-program transportation. Dia Teens is a program that offers young people the space, freedom, and support to make their ideas real. The deadline for applying is Sunday, May 26, 2019.
Teens collaborate with others, including an appointed artist-in-residence “artist ally,” to work on original, self-directed projects. In addition to art-making, teens learn and practice skills related to critical thinking and self-expression. They will identify, question and challenge ideas related to contemporary art.
“Some make art, some channel their creativity in other ways,” according to the online application at Dia Beacon. Fifteen high school students from across the Hudson Valley will be selected. Visiting artists facilitate workshops, participate in discussions, host teens in their studio and gallery spaces, lead critiques, and invite teens to participate in their own projects. Past guest artists include Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Mary Mattingly, and Sal Randolph, as well as teens from the Studio Museum in Harlem, New Museum, and Park Avenue Armory.
The Dia Teens art program lasts all year, with a Summer Intensive from July 8 to August 8, 2019, and picks up again in October 2019 for the entire school year.
Dia Teens is at based at Dia:Beacon, 3 Beekman St., Beacon, New York, 12508. The museum and parking lot overlook the Hudson River. If you haven’t been down there yet, do go. The scenery is incredible.
To apply to Dia Teens:Visit this link. Students must be enrolled in high school.
“Penny,” the marker collection box at Sargent Elementary. Photo Credit: Anna Sullivan Youatt
With recycling markets tanking everywhere (see New York Times article “As Costs Skyrocket, More U.S. Cities Stop Recycling”) now that China is not buying most of the recycling it used to - especially from the United States - it’s clear that it’s becoming harder to recycle, and waste has been building up more than we realized.
Crayola Launches Fun Marker Collection Recycling Bins
What is catching on, therefore, is increased awareness of ways people can tweak the small stuff in their lives to get rid of stuff without throwing it into the trash. Crayola offers an initiative for schools looking to reduce waste, called ColorCycle, and information can be found here. Says South Avenue Elementary’s Principal Laura Cahill: “The South Avenue PTA started the color box in conjunction with Crayola ColorCycle, and we are encouraging families to send in their old markers throughout the year. We also put markers in here at school as they get used up during class.”
Says Ryan Green, Vice President of South Avenue’s PTA: “Any kind of marker can be collected from any brand. Dry-erase, permanent, doesn't matter. You can send them to school with your kids, and teachers send the little messengers to dump the markers into the tube.”
How To Contain The Dead Markers Before Depositing Into Marker Collection Box
If you’re in a house that has a high marker-loss count, where separated tops and dried-out bodies are found scattered on the floor and in the couch, they now have a place to rest and find a second life. If you don’t have a kid at South Avenue, consider setting aside your markers for a friend who does.
To get into the habit of keeping trashed markers out of the regular trash can, simply designate a pretty box or container in your home, and collect the markers over time. I just stepped on a dead blue dry-erase marker last night. Top on the floor, body on the desk. Dried out and done.
Also, Bottles and Cans Collections For Recycling And Fundraising
The South Avenue PTA, and several other PTA/Os at other schools, also have Bottle and Can Collection points where you can give the school your bottles and cans instead of putting them into your big orange-top recycling bin. It has been announced by recycling professionals at Beacon City Council meetings that glass collection is becoming difficult to sort through. Broken glass contaminates the recycling collection at large, and can make it so that big batches of waste (aka recycling materials) are no longer eligible to be recycled.
Beacon Open Studios Days: Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: Noon to 6 pm Location: Citywide in Beacon, NY! Get the map online or find their brochure in stores!
Sunday is your last day to visit the studios of artists participating in Beacon Open Studios 2019. For some artists, this might be the only chance you have to see their art up close and in person. There are so many artists involved - check them out here! And find them by address here.
Some of the artists you’ve been following on Instagram, others you have seen in galleries or spotted in magazines. Take this Sunday to get out there on foot, bike or car to explore the creatives around you.
When you see the red Beacon Open Studios dot outside of a home or building, pull over! A few artists we have spotted in Instagram:
Beacon's long-awaited, first interactive art event of the Spring season has arrived - Beacon Open Studios. This weekend, dozens of artists open their homes or studios to you so that you can see their work, and see how they work. Pick up a brochure map in different stores around town, or click here to visit Beacon Open Studios' map and have it open as you walk around. This year they have created Studio Tour lists, which are suggested micro-lists of artists to hit up in a group. This is helpful for those who can't decide who to visit. Read up on the different artists here before you head out.
Beacon Open Studios Kickoff Party
Day: Friday, May 17, 2019 Time: 6 to 9 pm Location: Oak Vino Wine Bar, 389 Main St., Beacon, NY
Beacon Open Studios Weekend Days: Friday to Sunday, May 17-19, 2019 Time: Noon to 6 pm
Citywide exploration of artists in their studios. Studios can be in an artist's home or in a different location. Pick up a printed map/brochure of where to find each artist in Oak Vino Wine Bar and other storefronts. Information >
50th Anniversary Celebrating Launch of Clearwater
Day: Friday, May 17, 2019 Time: 3:45 pm Location: Ferry Dock, Beacon, NY (adjacent to Metro-North Station) Information >
Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps Presents Community Safety Day
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: Noon to 4 pm Location: City of Beacon Fire Dept., 13 South Ave., Beacon, NY Information >
Clearwater Dockside Event and 50th Anniversary Celebration
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 2:30 pm Location: 2 Red Flynn Drive, Beacon, NY Information >
Baby Shark’s Treasure Hunt
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 1 pm, 3:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Pastor's Aide Ministry presents an Afternoon of Fashion
Men and women will be wearing all types of clothing, including Afro-Centric outfits. Says organizer Jennifer McClinton: "We will also be selling African soaps, clothing, jewelry and women’s hats." Hats! Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 3 pm Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Mattie Cooper Square, Beacon, NY Information >
Comedy Night at the Elks Lodge
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: Seating at 7 pm; show starts at 8 pm Location: Beacon Elks Lodge #1493, 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY Information >
Imagination Playhouse Presents "The Very Scary Berry,"
Days: Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, 2019 Time: Saturday, 6:30 pm; Sunday, 2 pm Location: University Settlement Camp Theater, 724 Wolcott Ave. (Route 9D), Beacon, NY Information >
Sweets Festival Bake Sale at Springfield Baptist Church
Day: Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: 1:30 pm (immediately after the church service) Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Mattie Cooper Square, Beacon, NY Information >
Howland Chamber Music Circle Presents Horszowski Trio & Masumi Per Rostad (Viola)
Day: Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
ARF's 4th Annual 5K Run/Walk With The Dogs Day: Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: 10 am Location: Memorial Park, Beacon, NY Information >
Off Broadway 5K
Day: Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: 7 to 11 am Location: 111 Broadway, Newburgh, NY Information >
Find out about more upcoming races in our 5K Races Guide.
BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street www.darrylsny.com
One of our favorite flouncy dresses has made its debut, gracing the window of Darryl's Clothing Boutique! We featured it a few weeks ago in our InstaStory and are so happy to see this sassy mannequin lady (womannequin?) wearing it, for you to get inspired. Come into Darryl's today or this weekend and let them put together an outfit for you. Plus - did you see the purse that we featured yesterday in our Stories is a large round shape with a surprise inside? It's only playing on Instagram for a few more hours.
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com
One of the most frequently asked questions Luxe Optique heard from customers was: "Do you have theo? We want theo!" Well, ask no longer! Seek and you shall find! A plethora of theo frames have arrived to Luxe Optique, and you will want to check them out. The sampling here does not even show you the color range. But we couldn't resist showing you the clear frame paired with tortoiseshell.
BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END
Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the historic dummy light)
Let Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique help you make the smallest member of your bridal party feel like a princess in a magical tulle skirt, like this one by La Petite Hayley Paige.
Barb's Butchery
69 Spring Street www.barbsbutchery.com (near the historic dummy light)
Barb's Butchery debuts this Sunday at the Beacon Farmers Market, on Veterans Place off of Main Street! Let the aromas lure you to their booth...
Location: 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY
Early-bird pricing for the 200-hour yoga teacher training at Firefly ends on Monday, May 20! Training begins in August 2019, and runs through December 2019. Information >
Intro To Pour Paintings
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 10 to 11:30 am Location: River Winds Gallery, 172 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
iPhoneography Workshop w/ Mary Ann Glass
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 10 am to noon Location: River Winds Gallery, 172 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Mudras Towards Meditation
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 1 to 3 pm Location: BeBhakti Yoga, 89 Dewindt St., Beacon, NY Information >
Dot Mandala Meditation with Meredith
Day: Sunday, May 19, 2019 Time: 1 pm Location: Createspace Beacon, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Art & Zine Club Meetup Day: Friday, May 17, 2019 Time: 3:30 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Wow! For Kids - Jr. Paleontologist
Day: Saturday, May 18, 2019 Time: 10 am to noon Location: Water Ecology Center in Dennings Point Park, 199 Dennings Ave., Beacon, NY Information >
291 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 ROOMS: Rooms and offices on three floors BATHS: Two half-baths
The Telephone Building, one of the most pristine building renovations in Beacon, is as versatile as it is well-maintained. People who have been considering purchasing this gem have asked: "Can it be lived in?" And the answer is: Yes! You can own this building with a Live/Work status, which means that you could live in it, and have some kind of commercial space (your office, showroom, gallery, event venue space, etc.). Want to see pictures and more details? Price: $1.24 million For Sale By Owner: Deborah Bigelow | Click here to contact her directly Details + Pictures >
Antalek & Moore :: Business Insurance
Looking for business insurance? Antalek & Moore will do the homework you need, and ask you the right questions to find the best coverage for your needs. Call them today as your business grows: (845) 831-4300
A Little Beacon Space :: Event Venue
Host your pop-up event, business meeting, client presentation, workshop, and more. Now offering a special rate for teachers and music recitals, so that creative events can happen easily. Details >
BeaconArts Member Show :: Accepting Submissions
All BeaconArts members are invited to submit artwork for our first annual Member Show at Hudson Beach Gallery. The exhibition runs Saturday, July 13, to Sunday, August 4, and is curated by Theresa Gooby and Karlyn Benson. Space is limited, so send your submissions to membershow@beaconarts.org before Friday, May 24, to guarantee your spot. Beacon Arts >
Katie James :: Banner Is Up!
The banner designed by Katie James, Inc. for the Rock Out 4 Mental Health concert is hanging now above Main Street in Beacon, NY, in preparation for the Saturday, June 1, event. Katie James, Inc. was happy to donate branding assets to this initiative. What Can Katie James, Inc. Do For You? >
Tin Shingle
Did you ever wonder why or how someone got featured in a magazine or newspaper? Did your competition, or even a business or person who you admire, "get good ink" (as the term goes when something is written about in a publication)? Was that just something wonderful and lucky that happened to them? Most likely not. They most likely "pitched" the media outlet with a good angle or story idea. Tin Shingle teaches business owners, artists and makers how to do this. And can teach you too. Learn More >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? No? Why not? It definitely should be. Join today. Learn More >
JOB LISTINGS
The City of Beacon Seeks A Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Details >
Luxe Optique Seeks A Licensed Optician And An Optometrist Details >
MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide
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A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
Firefly Yoga & Juicebar
