Haldane Students Make Cold Spring and West Point Foundry Their Classroom

(HUDSON VALLEY) -
WHAT:
This new project links Haldane Elementary School with the historic Village of Cold Spring and the nearby 87-acre West Point Foundry Preserve, a site of historic, cultural and ecological significance owned by Scenic Hudson. Developed specifically for the school's entire sixth grade, the project will creatively promote local history and its importance as students work with community leaders, cultural and environmental organizations, artists and educators to learn about where they live. This initiative is made possible through a Teaching the Hudson Valley grant awarded to Haldane Elementary School for the 2005-06 school year.

On Monday, Sept. 26, students will meet the project partners including an archeologist, artist, historian, land planner, metalsmith, naturalist and storyteller. Two field trips will take place in October. Students will join community members on a walking tour of the village to explore its history and they will tour Scenic Hudson's West Point Foundry Preserve to study the restored marsh, foundry history and ironmaking, as well as current archeology and land stewardship efforts.

After the tours, students will explore themes of local history, technology and society.  They will research old documents, letters, historic photographs and other primary resource materials. Interviews with community members and informational specialists will engage students in the exploration of human interest, civic leadership and resource use. 

Upon research completion in the spring, students will work with artist Laura Baring-Gould to design artworks to cumulate their research.  Artworks will be publicly presented in a student-lead tour of the village and the West Point Foundry Preserve. The celebration will be open to the public so students can show parents, families and others the important and unique things they have learned about their community. 

WHO:
Representatives from Haldane School District, Scenic Hudson, Audubon, Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum, Teaching the Hudson Valley and Michigan Tech. Students will be available for photos and interviews.

WHEN/WHERE:
Project kick-off: Sixth Grade Assembly
Haldane Elementary School, Room 218,15 Craigside Dr., Cold Spring , Monday, Sept. 26, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Walking Tour of Village of Cold Spring
Wednesday, Oct. 5 (rain date Thursday, Oct. 6 - final times and locations to be determined) 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Site Visit to West Point Foundry Preserve, West Point Foundry Preserve
Tuesday, Oct. 11 (rain date Friday, Oct. 12) End of Kemble Avenue, Cold Spring 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

About Haldane Elementary School:
Haldane Elementary School, a National School of Excellence, provides educational opportunities designed to maximize each student's potential for cognitive, personal, social, creative, physical and affective development, in a safe, orderly and positive learning environment.

About Teaching the Hudson Valley:
Teaching the Hudson Valley is an education initiative of the National Park Service, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Hudson River Valley Greenway in partnership with the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College, and Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. www.TeachingtheHudsonValley.org