NYS Education Department Releases Spring Test Results
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: The Goods
New York State has released the results for the state testing from Spring 2015, and Scarsdale kids continue to score far above state averages. According to the data, in NYS overall, 31% passed reading tests and 38% succeeded in math. In Scarsdale, results for the ELA range from 55% to 72% for grades three through eight and 71% to 80% for math.
There continues to be controversy about the tests, which are aligned with the Common Core curriculum. In Scarsdale 5% of students opted out of the ELA testing, and 6% opted out of the math. But the state average is far higher – the data shows that only 80% of eligible students took the tests, meaning 20%, or 200,000 students opted out. Since federal law requires that 95% of students participate, districts could face sanctions for falling so far below the benchmark.
The analysis from the state shows some interesting data.
-Performance on the ELA and the math tests among racial and ethnic groups improved this year over last year, with Asians outperforming white students.
-Statewide, girls do better than boys on the ELA and on math tests.
-The 20% of students who opted out of testing were much more likely to be White, much more likely to be from low need or average need districts, more likely to have scored at Level 1 or 2 in 2014 and much less likely to be economically disadvantaged.
Take a look at the report here.
We asked Scarsdale's Assistant Superintendent Lynne Shain for comments and data on Scarsdale and here is what she shared:
Scarsdale School data, this year vs. last year:
1-How does their performance compare to the prior year?
Some scores went up some scores went down, but overall there was not any statistically significant change.
2- Were there changes to the tests that may explain variations in results?
No
3-Have parents received their results? What should they do if they have questions?
I will be sending a message to parents about who to contact for more information when I announce the exact date when they may access test results through the parent portal.
4-Is this data used to decide which students qualify for extra help or time in the learning center?
Yes. The state sets the scores for students who qualify for AIS support (Academic Intervention Services). Parents of students who qualify will be notified by their school principal or designee.
Masked Man Escaped with $8,000 from CVS
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: The Goods
More details have been shared about the robbery that occurred outside the CVS store at 807 White Plains Post Road in Scarsdale on Saturday August 15. It turns out that the suspect never entered the store, but left with $8,000 in cash. And though the robber claimed to have a gun, the manager never saw one.
According to a report from the Eastchester Police, the store manager was approached by the suspect outside the store when the manager stepped out to do his daily inspection of the exterior of the building at 8:45 am on Saturday. The manager heard someone call for help from the side of the building, opened a gate and saw the suspect who he described as 6 feet tall, wearing a white baseball cap, a mask that looked like an old man, a long sleeve black shirt, black latex gloves, black pants and black shiny boots.
The suspect was holding a white piece of paper and a white cloth bag and his left hand was placed inside the waist band of his pants. The suspect greeted the manager, saying "Hi Harry," and the manager explained that his name was not Harry. The suspect then handed the manager a note that said, "Get the money from the store. I have a gun." He then demanded that the manager hand over his drivers license and he did so. The suspect then told the manager not to call the police, because he said he knew where he lived.
The manager went inside, grabbed a bag of cash that contained about $4,000 and then went to the safe, opened it and took out another $4,000. He went outside to hand the suspect the money. The suspect then said, "You called the cops," and when the manager denied it, the suspect sprayed the manager's face with pepper spray. The manager grabbed the suspect's hand, forcing him to drop the bottle of spray. The manager was in pain from the spray, shut his eyes and did not see the man leave.
After police arrived, they cleared the store of customers, searched the area and found the note and the pepper spray. The police reviewed video footage from other stores in the area and brought in a K-9 team to investigate. A witness came forward and said that at around 9 am he had seen a 6 foot tall male dressed in black running westbound on Parkway Circle and north onto Maple Street.
Four Arrested at Foot Spa on Tarrytown Road
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: The Goods
Greenburgh Police continued their crack down on local massage parlors this week when they arrested four people at the Foot Spa at 332 Tarrytown Road in White Plains on August 7th.
Three were charged with "Violating NY State Education Law 6512 sub (1) - Unauthorized Practice of a Profession "Massage Therapy" and a fourth for "Violating State Education Law 6512 sub (2) – Aiding and abetting three or more unlicensed massage therapists."
The report said that the therapists presented themselves as licensed though they were not. All four were taken to police headquarters where they were booked, processed and released on bail.
The therapists were identified as follows:
Jin, Yuxiang
D.O.B 10/29/63 36-11 Bond St Flushing NY 11354
(unlicensed massage therapist)
Li, Junxia
D.O.B 06/06/69 132-48 Pople Ave 1Fl Flushing NY 11355
Zhang, Yunfei (unlicensed massage therapist) D.O.B 01/17/76
4170 Main St Apt B3700
Flushing NY 11353
Xu, Mi (Acting Manager) D.O.B 10/25/90
140-16 34th Ave Apt703
Flushing NY 11354
Police Search for Suspect Who Robbed CVS on Saturday
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: The Goods
Eastchester police are looking for a man who robbed CVS at 807 White Plains Post Road on Saturday morning August 15th around 9 am. The man allegedly sprayed a store manager with pepper spray before taking off with an unknown amount of cash. Scarsdale police report that the suspect left behind a note and a can of O.C. (oleoresin capsicum) spray., which when sprayed causes difficulty breathing and dilation of the eyes.
Eastchester police called Scarsdale police for assistance in the search for the suspect who fled westbound towards Ray Place in the Town of Eastchester.
The suspect is described as a male of unknown race, wearing a white mask, white hat, black latex gloves and black clothing.
Synagogue Invites Gifts from the Heart in Lieu of Membership Fees
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Category: The Goods
How much would you like to pay to belong to a synagogue? One local temple is permitting new members pay what they wish.
Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El on Ogden Road in Scarsdale is inviting
People who are not already members to enjoy full membership for one year without having to commit to full membership dues. A new member will be asked to give a "gift from the heart" of any amount, as a sign of sincere interest in exploring the membership experience, beginning with attendance at the High Holy Days services in the fall.
The "Welcoming Year" membership will admit new congregants to any and all High Holy Days activities, including morning services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah (September 14th) and Yom Kippur, (September 23rd), as well as Kol Nidre on the evening before that Day of Atonement.
Each Welcoming Year family/individual will have a "Welcoming Partner" – an existing member family or individual, with similar background and interests where possible, to invite the new members to various events and help them to integrate into the Synagogue community. In addition, and depending on interest, other opportunities may include an informal private breakfast or lunch with the Rabbi, the Cantor, the congregation's President or another leadership volunteer of their choice, a special dinner with other Welcoming Year members, and participation in a "Sharing Shabbat" dinner at a member's home.
The Synagogue said its Welcoming Year membership program reflects the congregation's longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, and is open to people who are:
• Unaffiliated with a congregation
• Interested in exploring affiliation with a new congregation
• Former members of Scarsdale Synagogue before 2012
Donna Vitale-Ruskin, the Synagogue's president, discussed the new program, saying: "At the heart of the Welcoming Year initiative is our confidence that, given the opportunity to truly sample the experience of being part of our community, new members will choose to get involved and become vital participants in our Synagogue family for many years to come. It's an investment – both in these prospective new members and in our Synagogue's future – as we continue to chart our course and build our community in ways that address the spiritual, social, educational and community needs of all who wish to be part of our synagogue family."
Rabbi Jeffrey C. Brown commented: "During the 
three years I have been at Scarsdale Synagogue, I have been impressed with the hands-on approach of our lay leadership. They, the outstanding people on our membership committee and other volunteers are 100% dedicated to making this innovative new membership program a major success." Speaking on behalf of Cantor Chanin Becker, Director of Religious Education Rabbi Ilyse Glickman, Executive Director Roberta Aronovitch, Director of Early Childhood Jody Glassman, Director of Youth Engagement Sarah Metzger and the rest of the synagogue's professional staff, Rabbi Brown added: "We are committed to helping entering members quickly feel at home, and establish and maintain this new connection in a supportive but low-key manner. The program is another tangible proof of what we mean by: 'Hinenu – We are here, creating a covenant community of shared lives and real relationships.'"
The Synagogue said new member applications are now being accepted. For further information, persons interested are invited to call Roberta Aronovitch, Executive Director, at 914-725-5175 or send an email to roberta@sstte.org.
