Senate Resolution No. 768

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMENDING the Saratoga Independent School upon
the occasion of celebrating its 25th Anniversary on
March 24, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate the pursuit
of excellence in education and service to the community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Saratoga Independent School upon the occasion of celebrating
its 25th Anniversary at its 3rd Annual Spring Gala on Friday, March 24,
2017, at the Saratoga National Golf Club; and

WHEREAS, The greatest asset of any society is its children and the
hope and promise they represent for the future; the Saratoga Independent
School (SIS) has a proud and rich history of providing the children of
Saratoga an educational foundation which is both strong and enduring;
and

WHEREAS, Founded by parents in 1991, the SIS is a New York State
private elementary school for children in kindergarten through grade 6;
the School offers both morning and afternoon Pre-Kindergarten programs,
after-school and summer enrichment programs and aftercare; and

WHEREAS, The SIS first opened its doors to six eager students in the
lower level of the Trinity Methodist Church on Ballard Road in
Gansevoort, New York; by the following school year, enrollment had
doubled and full-time teachers were hired; in that same year, curriculum
grew to include Physical Education, Art, Music and Spanish; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, the SIS relocated to 8 Division Street to meet the
growing demand for Kindergarten and Primary School students, and the
school hired its first Office Administrator and Business Director; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, the SIS underwent its most extraordinary evolution
to date, raising significant funds in land, gifts and pledges towards
the construction of the Anderson Campus, in honor of Gail Anderson and
her late husband Willard T. Anderson; and

WHEREAS, One year later, construction of Phase I of the Anderson
Campus was completed, providing its students 7,700 square feet of room
to learn and grow; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, the SIS began enrolling three and four-year-old
students into the first multi-age preschool program in school history,
located in the Arts Council Building on Broadway; and

WHEREAS, The East Wing of the Anderson Campus opened in 2010,
providing space for computer, science and art labs, expansion for after
school enrichment and third-party partnerships; in addition, a

Pre-Kindergarten Wrap-Around program was added, offering families a
safe, nurturing and enriching environment before or after the class; and

WHEREAS, After a two-year introspective self-study, the School
proudly earned New York State Association of Independent Schools
(NYSAIS) accreditation in 2011; and

WHEREAS, As the school continued to grow, a third Pre-Kindergarten
class and a Before School Care program were added, new classroom space
was constructed, three additional teachers and a Director of Operations
were hired, and Felice Karlitz was named the of Director of the School;
and

WHEREAS, In January of 2013, a fourth Pre-Kindergarten class was
added, accommodating 11 three-year-old and four-year-old students;
recognizing a need for more space and an overall vision for the campus,
SIS retained the services of Collins-Scoville Arch and the L.A. Group to
develop their Master Site Plan; in September of that year, an additional
Kindergarten and primary class were added; and

WHEREAS, By 2014, the school building had reached capacity, and
subsequently, a third primary class was added and a temporary classroom
was constructed in the cafeteria; a Differentiation Support Teacher was
added to the faculty, and administration was expanded to include a
part-time Director of Development and Finance Manager; and

WHEREAS, As the total enrollment reached 124 students, ground was
broken on a new 20,000 sq. ft. two-story academic wing in 2015; in March
of 2016, two Pre-Kindergarten and two Kindergarten classes moved into
the new wing; and

WHEREAS, In May of 2016, SIS completed a five-year self-study and
was reaccredited by the NYSAIS accreditation committee, who were very
impressed with the progress and accomplishments of this extraordinary
school; and

WHEREAS, For 25 years, the Saratoga Independent School has strived
to empower its students to become confident learners who are capable of
critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork; the dedicated teachers
and staff are committed to equipping their students with the knowledge
and skills they will need to succeed in an increasingly complex world,
while enriching each day of their childhood; and

WHEREAS, Within the 21st Century, the Saratoga Independent School
stands prepared to reach out, in earnest and enthusiastic quest of its
mission, to promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing
standards and building skills which will carry its students and the
citizens of its community into the future; and

WHEREAS, The Saratoga Independent School is proudly aware of its
distinguished past serving the families of Saratoga, eager to fulfill
its present commitment to parents, students, faculty, alumni and
community, and planning with vision and purpose for the ebb and swell of
growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Saratoga Independent School upon the occasion of celebrating
its 25th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Felice Karlitz, Director, the Saratoga Independent
School.