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Written by: Stacey Liew

Published: 28 April 2026

Created: 28 April 2026

Last Updated: 30 April 2026

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Varsity Goalie Ivy Fischer

Varsity Lacrosse Goalie Ivy Fischer recently attended the Fourth Annual New York State Public High School Athletic Association [NYSPHSAA] Student Leadership Conference. She was chosen from a pool of applicants by Section 1 leadership, with the approval of Scarsdale High School Athletic Director Cindy Parrott, to take part in the conference and has lots to share.

Fischer is a goalie for both the Scarsdale Varsity Girls Lacrosse team and JV Girls Field Hockey. She is the incoming President of the Lacrosse Leadership Club, which is working to provide support and funding to the non-profit Bronx Lacrosse. Outside of athletics, she is a Sophomore Class Representative, Model UN delegate, involved A-School student, and ESL mentor.

The NYSPHSAA conference was held from April 15-16th in Albany. It gave a space to over 200 student athletes to connect and network with one another. At its core, it teaches the athletes how they can contribute to their communities, plan their futures, and grow into empathetic leaders. In general, the conference wants the students to leave with not only strategic insight for a game, but also knowledge on building essential habits and a strong work ethic.

Fischer shared the following on team performance, giving back, and referees with her coach, Cece Berger, her team, and us.

What can players do or remember to bring improvement to a team?

- Don't do it for yourself, do it for your team.
- A negative ripple effect hurts everyone. We need more positivity, especially with new teams/new players.
- Don't gatekeep opportunities.
- Seek more leader/coach feedback.
- Little contributions add up.
- Put yourselves in each other's shoes (teammates, coach, ref, fans).
- Everybody makes mistakes. apologize, think before you speak, and remember your actions affect others. Everyone can get lost in the heat of the game.
- Coaches mess up too.
- Fall back in love with the game.

How can players give back?

- Helping others helps you grow. Service makes you better.
- Taking care of yourself AND serving others both strengthen the team.
- Stand out by looking at service through a different lens. Do it for what it can do for others, not for yourself.
- Discipline is key.

How can players take action?

- Schools can enter a community service contest at NYSPHSAA.
- Find a cause / something that needs to change. Ask: How can I improve it? Bring at least 8 people in.
- Even if you don't stick to the game plan, that doesn't mean you lose.
- Analyze why something worked or didn't and pivot/change if needed.

What do players need to keep in mind when understanding and communicating with referees?

- Referees are expected to be perfect from day one, but they're human and improve over time.
- Talk to officials like people.
- The rule book is dense. Referees review it every year, learn new rules, and players find new ways to hide fouls (refs get better at catching them).
- Officials train hard outside of games: long rule book workshops in hot summers, workouts, early 5 a.m. wake-ups, years of training to keep up with athletes. We need to be more sympathetic.
- Referees get a lot of verbal abuse. Learn how to communicate and bring that to the team.
- There's a referee shortage. The ones who are there want to be there.
- Don't make things personal. Aggressive behavior is dangerous.
- Use humor to talk to referees respectfully.
- Approach them politely, bring issues to their attention calmly. If emotional, diffuse it quickly. It’s better to be composed.
- Find something in common, be friendly.

How should players communicate with unfriendly referees?

- You can't change how others act, but you can control how you act.
- Referees should help each other communicate, but they don't always.
- Talk to a different official (usually there are multiple). You may get a better response.
- Be polite. You don't want to be seen as aggressive or unapproachable.
- Recognize that some people aren't there for the right reason.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 02 April 2026

Created: 02 April 2026

Last Updated: 02 April 2026

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 20 March 2026

Created: 20 March 2026

Last Updated: 20 March 2026

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Director of Counseling Oren Iosepovici will retire in June, after 19 years in ScarsdaleAfter nineteen years on the job in the Scarsdale High School Guidance Department, Scarsdale’s Director of Counseling, Oren Iosepevici, has announced his retirement at the end of the school year. Always cheerful, supportive, and optimistic, he has been instrumental in shaping the mood of the school and encouraging students to fully engage in all that Scarsdale High School has to offer. He has helped make SHS a destination in its own right—not simply a stepping stone to college admission.

Now that we’ve finally learned how to spell his name, he’s leaving us! Here are some wise words from someone who has influenced generations of students and parents who were fortunate enough to know him.

We wish him all the best in his next chapter.

Here are some parting thoughts:

How many years have you worked in Scarsdale and how have your responsibilities changed over the years?

I’ve spent the past nineteen years at Scarsdale.  I was the Dean for both high school students and the Alternative School for my first nine years here,  and have served as Director of Counseling for the past ten.  Prior to Scarsdale, I worked for twelve years in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District on Long Island.

My responsibilities at Scarsdale evolved as my position changed, but ultimately the one constant has been the wonderful students and families I have worked with.  We are so fortunate to work with students who are bright, thoughtful, creative, and so engaged in everything they do.  The parent population is incredibly supportive, and I could not be more positive about my experiences here.  The past nineteen years have been wonderful, and I have been so fortunate to have spent so many meaningful years here.

During your tenure, what’s the same and what’s changed about student guidance – and college admissions?

From my first day at SHS, it was clear that the pressure to get into a “good” college was on top of most students’ minds. For the counselors here, however, focusing on the student’s overall high school journey has always been the overarching theme of our work.  This has certainly become more complicated for the same reasons that the world overall feels more challenging - social media, the pressure to succeed, uncertainty about the future, etc…That translates in one way or another to students here, but our focus was always on developing relationships with students, recognizing their attributes and talents would allow them to be successful regardless of their ultimate destination.

In terms of college admissions, I’d say the biggest difference from when I first arrived is the greater uncertainty with respect to the college process.  Many students feel a need to be perfect and to do more, and we see that in how they approach their work and extracurricular pursuits.  Still, we continue to remind our students that they are teenagers, and that mistakes are okay.  As long as they continue to focus on developing their skills - seeking out support, become a more confident self-advocate  - and just as significantly take care of their mental and physical well being, they will absolutely flourish and find their path.

What were some of the most memorable moments of your time at SHS?

There are too many to articulate in a short response, but like many in our profession I value those times when former students reach out to connect.  It means that we were a meaningful part of their high school experience, and there is nothing more memorable than that for an educator.  I was invited to a former student’s wedding last year, and aside from celebrating all that is good in life, it was such a highlight and a reminder of what this work is all about.

How is the current political environment impacting work in your office?

We do our best to remain grounded in our work, and though some of that may be impacted by larger forces beyond our control, the reality is that the vast majority of teenagers are focused on what is in front of them, and the challenges they may face that day.  In a community where academic pressure and outcomes often rule the day, we find that our students (and the professionals who work with them) focus on supporting them within that context.

We often hear that getting into college is getting more and more difficult? Is that true in Scarsdale?

Yes and no.  I often say that when I first arrived at SHS nineteen years ago, admission may not have been guaranteed at those schools students perceive as the most selective, but there were simply not as many of those institutions (with under a 10 or 20% admit rate).  There are considerably more schools that fall within that category now, and for reasons that are too complex to express here, it is true that admission to many of those institutions has become more challenging.  At the same time, our students continue to do remarkably well in this process.  We see this at the end of every year, and also in conversations we have with colleagues across the region and country in terms of how our students perform as compared to peers elsewhere.   Ultimately, the vast majority of students who choose to continue on to college do so at a place they are happy and excited to attend.  I’d argue that is the true sign of success.

For  a host of reasons, some are suggesting that there are other routes to success instead of a 4 year college degree. Your thoughts?

We have never defined success as a particular destination or path.  While the majority of students at SHS do choose to continue their education at a four year university, there are others who choose a different path, and we celebrate that as well.  There is no doubt there are conversations in our community and the broader world about the definition of success and whether a four year degree is “worth” it, especially in light of the AI revolution.  We’d argue that any path that allows an individual to maximize their potential, broaden their horizons, gain valuable skills, and achieve their goals is the definition of success.

Why have you decided to retire now – and what will be doing when you leave us?

As many individuals in my life know, I have been commuting from my home on Long Island for the past nineteen years.  I absolutely love SHS and this community, but the often two hour drive home finally had me considering a different path.  So…I felt this was the right time to have more time to focus on other aspects of my life, and perhaps spend a bit less of that time commuting.  It was a difficult decision for sure, and one that I’ve spent significant time thinking about.  The poor people in my life that have had to listen to me - my family and colleagues - have certainly heard it all, and I’ve appreciated their wisdom and willingness to provide me with the space to make a decision that was right for me and my family.  While I did not make a decision to retire with any future plans set, I had a desire to continue this work in some capacity.  To that end,  over the past few weeks I have been fortunate to be offered an opportunity to work at an independent school much closer to home.

Parting words?

Having worked in different types of schools throughout my career, I’d say that SHS is an exceptional place.  The students are absolutely incredible, and as educators we cannot ask for more support from our parent community.  From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my gratitude to my students and parents for allowing me to partner with them, and to have been a small part of their high school experience.

I also want to take some time to highlight how fortunate I was to be surrounded by the brightest, most motivated, caring, and unbelievably dedicated staff anyone could ever hope for.  I recognize that there are many out there who focus on the academic opportunities here, but I’d argue the work for the professionals at SHS extends far beyond that.  The staff at SHS cares about its students, much more than the grades they receive or the postsecondary opportunities they pursue.  We care about them as human beings first and foremost.  I’ve been amazed by the time and energy our faculty and staff dedicate to students, recognizing that at their core they are teenagers simply trying to navigate all these years.  Our administration is incredibly thoughtful, and my time here would not have been the same without their friendship and support.  The faculty is top notch, and I wish that our community would see the effort they put in behind the scenes.  And of course, my colleagues in the Counseling Department and Psychology and Social Work Department, as well as the wonderful assistants we work with are absolutely the best at what they do, and it is difficult for me to imagine not seeing all of them on a daily basis.  Retirement is certainly a time for reflection, and most importantly an opportunity to express my appreciation for the wonderful individuals that have supported me during my time here.  I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 05 March 2026

Created: 05 March 2026

Last Updated: 05 March 2026

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(This is sponsored content from The Westchester Child Development Center)

The Westchester Child Development Center (WCDC) is celebrating a historic milestone in competitive STEM excellence. At the recent New York State FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) Championship, all three WCDC teams—History Guardian, Tidal Engineer, and Firefox—delivered a clean sweep, securing top honors and advancing to the next level of global competition.

The History Guardian team claimed First Place overall, earning the prestigious New York State Championship title. They are joined by the Tidal Engineer team, who secured Third Place and the Best Innovation Award, and Firefox, who finished in the top six. This achievement underscores WCDC's dominance in robotics engineering, coding, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

WCDC is offering FREE demo class on 9AM/ 10:30AM/ 1PM on Saturday, book now: https://bit.ly/newlegochallenge

WCDC is also offering LEGO Theme Birthday Party. Email for more details.

Bridging the Championship Win to Summer Learning
Building on this momentum, WCDC is officially launching its 2026 Summer Challenge Camp (July 6th – August 29th). Designed for grades K–8, the camp serves as a premier training ground where students transition from being "users" of technology to "synthesizers" of original solutions.

"Our championship win isn't just about robots; it's about a mindset," said the Director of WCDC. "In an era where AI can generate code and images, we are teaching children the one thing AI cannot replicate: Interdisciplinary Fluency. Our Summer Camp is the ultimate Project-Based Learning (PBL) lab where kids connect the dots between engineering, ethics, and narrative storytelling."

A Summer of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and AI Integration

The 2026 curriculum moves beyond rote learning to address the "AI Revolution," focusing on the 4 Cs: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. Highlights of the PBL practice via LEGO and Creative Tech include:

LEGO Robotics & Urban Planning: Students don't just build; they design "Smart City" solutions, blending engineering with social studies to create empathetic technology for diverse populations.

Python Coding & Digital Narrative: Using code as a "digital paintbrush," campers create interactive games that require both logical programming and creative storyboarding.

3D Printing & AI Exploration: Students move from digital machine-learning concepts to physical 3D-printed prototypes, learning how machines "think" through pattern recognition.

NYC Exploration: Every Friday, learning goes mobile with field trips to landmarks like the Intrepid or The Met, where students research history to inspire modern innovation.

Registration & "Early Bird" Opportunities

WCDC invites families to join this championship environment. Early registration offers significant savings:

Early Bird Rate: $850/week (available until April 30th).

Multi-Week Savings: Up to 12% off for consecutive registrations.

Tangible Outcomes: Every week concludes with a "Showcase Gala," and families receive a professional WCDC Showcase Portfolio at the end of the season.

"We are shaping the 'AI-Ready' mindset," added the Director. "Our goal is for every child to discover that their greatest superpower is the ability to think across disciplines to solve real-world challenges."

For program details, visit https://bit.ly/2026WCDCsummercamp
For registration: https://bit.ly/2026summercampsignup
For more information about WCDC: www.nywcdc.com or contact (914) 829-2694 or [email protected]