Editor’s Note: When I first met Sue, I told Maria that every child in the world should have a teacher and advocate like Sue Silverstein; her life is dotted with children who are helped, saved, loved, and guided. Lots of people talk about being good Christians; Sue is the real deal; she is a hero of mine and the best friend I have yet had the fortune to have.  Sue knows how to love and empathize.  Every student is important to her. Her column appears here every Friday, Thanks for supporting her work, it makes all of the difference, and you could not be supporting a better human being. – Jon Katz.

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News from the Art Room –  Fall is Here

“The room has been bustling all week. My early morning kids, the classes, the after-school kids, and the free-time kids are there. The projects are in full technicolor and beginning to take shape. Soon, there will be a giant footchair (a project that takes some teamwork to form). My sculpture boys are building a giant banana split to go with last year’s giant cake. They are so much fun to watch. The bowl was black, and they decided it needed to be brighter. It’s making an enormous difference.

There are bananas, vast scoops of ice cream, syrup everywhere, whipped cream, sprinkles, and, of course, cherries. They plan to take the new art of food class next semester and are plotting already!

The lovely cedar chest recently donated by the Eckhardt family is almost ready to stain. The kids have done an excellent job so far, and there are plans to paint inside the cover with a sunset and add a pillow bench seat. We will keep you updated with photos.

Judy sent some lovely fabrics with lots of holiday patterns. Pat brought canvas to repaint, a great idea, and other wonderful things.

More maps arrived just in time for some innovative ideas!

A few folks have reached out about sending snacks which are tremendously helpful.

Once again, my studio art class is producing exceptional work on the Halloween Scary Character assignment with some fabulous drawings. There is so much natural ability in that class, and they feed off each other. I told them they were a teacher’s dream.

Some of the students have been working hard to organize what we call the free store. It is just a collection of donated items to help them out, like coats, hats, boots, tights, socks, and other warm items. They come and ask if they can go “shopping,” code for I need something, but I do not have to ask.  We even have a mirror, and they can try things on. Shopping bags to bring it home. Many teachers help with donations too.

Today, the middle school was painting corks orange for a pumpkin project next week and wrapping balloons with brown yarn dipped in glue for acorns. They just finished black and white x-ray drawings of bug skeletons. Great fun!

I appreciate all of you who make this possible. We are blessed beyond words.

I hope you enjoy watching what they can do because of you!

I am still seeking donations of everything you feel could be turned into art! Wire, gauze,plaster, shutters, glassware, paint, canvas, printing materials, maps, stamps, sandpaper, wood scraps and all the other amazing things you can think of would be so helpful. If you are local and have smallish pieces of furniture you would like to see repurposed, we are always looking! The students love to make old things new!

I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected] 

Have a blessed day!”

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304