If you think the Haldane School Foundation (HSF) just sponsors fun parties like the Snow Ball, then think again. HSF recently donated $35,300 to Haldane for enrichment programs that affect every student from kindergartners to graduating seniors.

Worried that in this era of state mandated education your child isn’t receiving enough arts enrichment? Relax, as K-12 students will receive drumming presentations from a world class jazz drummer; elementary students will get down and dirty by painting the Hudson River on the playground; middle schoolers will have a mini-cultural immersion day; high schoolers will have a foreign language immersion weekend; and middle schoolers and high schoolers will have a Hudson Valley Shakespeare presentation —yes, all funded by HSF.

Has your middle schooler been excited about the robotics club? They’ll be even more excited when they get the robot-making kits funded by HSF. And don’t be surprised if your kindergartner talks about the fun new sand/ water centers, or your third grader mentions the cool new smart boards now in their classes, all funded by HSF. If your 4th or 6th grader tells you about the interesting and moving presentation by a blind poet for Differences Day—yep, funded by HSF. And if your children suddenly become interested in poetry or writing, chances are they had one of the five poetry or writing workshops funded by HSF.

If your child takes a field trip to Albany, MOMA, Museum of Natural History, Philipsburg Manor, Constitution Marsh, or Frost Valley you have benefited directly from HSF as it partially funded these trips.

Next year’s high schoolers can take exciting on-line high school classes such as Portuguese or exploring the sea in a virtual oceanographic research vessel thanks to funding by HSF.

These enrichment programs are just a selection of the many programs funded this year by HSF. To see the complete list go to haldaneschoolfoundation. org.

This year’s major fundraiser for the Foundation, the annual Snow Ball, will take place on Saturday, March 13, from 7 to midnight at the Chalet on the Hudson Restaurant on Route 9D.

How about having a North Highlands Fire Engine at your child's birthday party or instead a birthday party sailing on the Woody Guthrie? Baseball fans can have a chance to go to a Mets game or throw the opening pitch at a Hudson Valley Renegades game. If you're into the arts, go to the Metropolitan Opera, or catch a play at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

The Silent Auction is just part of this fun evening which includes a delicious four-course dinner and dancing to live music featuring local musicians Art Labriola, Al Hemberger, Mike LaRocco, John Teagle, and Nick Poholchuk.

Tickets are $130 and can be purchased through Diane Hughes at 265-5569, or dhughes@henhudschools. org.

If you are unable to attend the Snow Ball, but would like to support this valuable organization, you can do so through the Foundation’s website.