BOE Members Hold Community Coffees: You're Invited
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- Written by Wendy MacMillan
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Board of Education members Leah Dembitzer and Amber YusefBoard of Education Community Coffee Meetings are back! The first in a series of Community Meetings was held on Wednesday, October 30th and more than twenty parents and grandparents stopped in to share their thoughts with BOE members Amber Yusef and Leah Dembitzer.
When asked why the BOE is reintroducing Community Meetings, Ms. Dembitzer shared, “The Board of Education is focused on increased community engagement and on offering opportunities for community members to share their thoughts with Board members. The Board Coffees are a great venue for a casual sharing of ideas and conversation. Additionally, Board members appreciate the opportunity to meet community members and to really understand the issues on people’s minds.”
Community members in attendance seemed to truly appreciate the opportunity to share feedback with the BOE in a more comfortable setting. Many noted that they wouldn’t normally attend the structured BOE meetings to share their concerns, but the less intimidating environment made it easier for them to speak up. Others pointed out that during the Public Comment period at BOE meetings, BOE members aren’t afforded the opportunity to respond to comments or answer questions but at Community Meetings, it is appreciated that BOE members can engage in more dialogue.
Though there were a wide variety of topics discussed, including a few concerns about the elementary math curriculum, the lack of AP classes at SHS, and confusion about the high school profile, many joined the meeting to share their worries about the Rolling Gradebook (a new grading system implemented at the high school last year). Attendees were reminded that SHS principal Ken Bonamo has been working closely with a Rolling Gradebook Assessment Committee and will be presenting on their efforts to the BOE at their next meeting on Monday, November 4.
If you were unable to attend this first meeting, please be sure to join Board Members for their second Board Community Coffee on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held at Scarsdale High School in Room 170-172.
Scantily Clad Pole Dancer Causes a Brouhaha in Greenacres
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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A randy Halloween decoration, installed opposite the entrance to Greenacres Elementary School, had some up in arms last week.
The issue was this skeleton, donned in a red wig and bikini, astride a pole. The installation of a pole dancer across from the school generated complaints to the police, the village and the school.
The homeowners were informed about the calls and concerns but chose to keep the skeleton up.
A representative from the Scarsdale Building Department was sent out to inspect and determined that the pole dancer was in the Village right-of-way, which is the first 10 feet from the street.
A sign saying "Problem Solved" was hung after the pole dancer was moved.As a result, the homeowners moved the dancer further back into their yard and then hung up a prominent sign that says “Problem Solved,” though ironically that sign remains in the Village right-of-way.
We also asked police if the pole dancer violates any Village ordinances, and the answer was “no.”
A parent who did not wish to be named said, “Many parents were deeply concerned that a sexually explicit and misogynistic 'decoration' was on display right outside the main elementary school entrance -- and visible from inside some classrooms. These are young kids who should not be having to ask their parents or caregivers about strippers while waiting to be let into school each day. We should all be on the side of protecting 5, 6 and 7-year-olds from sexualized and misogynistic content, especially when they're at school."
After complaints, the pole dancer was relocated to the front yard.
Scarsdale Firefighters Rally to Support Fire Captain Following a Tragic Loss
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale Firefighters are asking for your support for the family of Fire Captain Francis Sheehan, who lost both his mother Millie Sheehan and his wife Diana Sheehan in a car accident on Battle Avenue in White Plains on Monday September 16, 2024.
Francis and his wife Diana Sheehan have a 19-month old boy named Kiernan, and Millie had three additional grandchildren, Caiden, Saoirse, and Aisling, from her daughter Christine who are now left without a grandmother. Millie was the wife of Greenburgh Councilman Francis Sheehan who made the following statement on ABC News:
“This is the worst possible nightmare imaginable: we are still in shock. They were wonderful and kind people. Everyone loved them, for good reason. Diana was so much more than a daughter-in-law to us even though that is her legal title. We saw her everyday. They moved next door to us. We are that close a family. We eat together and Millie babysat daily our four grandchildren. Diana loved all our grandkids as her own.”
The accident occurred right after the two women had dropped off two young children at day care.
Firefighters are appealing to the community to support the children. Their note says, “Many have reached out expressing their desire to support this family in their most dire of circumstances. We have set up this fundraiser to help alleviate, and lift, any unforeseen burdens on the family while allowing them the time & space to grieve, heal, and remember. We thank you for your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement, and support.”
Please click here to make your contribution:
Installation of Traffic Light at Post and Edgewood Roads Needs to Be Made a Priority
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Following an accident on Post and Edgewood Roads on September 27, the following letter, written by Christine Weston, President of the Crane Berkley Neighborhood Association, was sent to Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, State Senator Shelley Mayer and Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest:
Dear Ms. Paulin, Ms. Mayer, and Mayor Arest,
A man was struck by a car this morning around 8:10 am at the still dangerous intersection at Edgewood and Post Roads. He was commuting to work, pressed the crosswalk button, and waited. The car closest to him stopped, but the car in the next lane did not, and he was hit. He was taken to the hospital, but I have been told he is “okay”. Costa (the crossing guard) had just arrived to start his shift and witnessed the accident.
The others to witness the accident, or at least the aftermath, were the young children who were walking to school shortly after the impact. My neighbor reported that the little ones were particularly upset by what they witnessed, and it has truly impacted the community.
I know that the timeline for the traffic light was moved up, that the village is working to gain access to a parcel of land for construction, and that it is “on schedule" by NYS DOT. All of that is wonderful, but this needs to be made a number one priority.
These accidents are not going to stop. Thankfully, injuries thus far have been minimal, but our community members are crossing there every day and it is only a matter of time before someone, most likely a child who is too small to be seen by the cars in the far lanes, to be seriously injured.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your reply.
Regards,
Christine Weston
President, Crane Berkley Neighborhood Association
917-783-2199
Let the Play Begin in Greenacres
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- Written by Sharon Higgins
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It’s official! Work has been completed on the new playground at Greenacres Elementary School. On the evening of Monday, September 9th a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to mark the event, with representatives from the Village Board, the School Board, Scarsdale’s Superintendent of Schools, Recreation Department, Greenacres Neighborhood Association and NYS Assemblymember, Amy Paulin. It was also well attended by running, laughing, swinging, jumping, climbing toddlers, children and parents, all enjoying the shiny new jungle gyms and swing set installed in the last month.
The former playground had been in need of repair for years, with out of date and broken equipment. The baby swings were taken down years ago after they were determined to be unsafe and replacements for the obsolete equipment could not be purchased.
The playground sits on a small piece of Village-owned land that is adjacent to a school-owned playground, so it was up to the Village to fund the new equipment.
The project was budgeted and delayed for years. After costs rose it became a very expensive proposition to fund it. Greenacres Neighborhood Association President Kristen Cipriano recognized the need and took the project on. She researched available set-ups with playground equipment manufacturers and approached the Village with possible options.
With many different players, the project came together with the School District and the Village Board of Trustees reaching out to Scarsdale’s Assemblymember Amy Paulin. School Board President Suzie Hahn said “The schools and village have worked collaboratively on many projects. I’m grateful we have such a great partnership with the village.” Alexandra Marshall, Acting Village Manager remarked, "the village is filled with gratitude to Amy Paulin's office for their important role in getting this project done.” Ms. Paulin was also delighted to comment on the success of this project. “I am thrilled to see the new Greenacres Playground come to life and am so happy to have been able to secure funding for it from New York State,” said Paulin, who secured $250,000 for the Village of Scarsdale to pay for the playground. “This playground is a testament to Scarsdale being a village that embraces the health and spirit of its parks and its children! I look forward to bringing my granddaughter here to play and seeing the smiles of children as they enjoy this beautiful park in this amazing neighborhood. Thank you to the Village of Scarsdale, the dedicated volunteers of the Greenacres Neighborhood Association and the Scarsdale School district for your collaboration, all which have brought us to this wonderful day.”
The new playground is designed with equipment for both preschoolers (2-5 year olds) as well as elementary (5-12 year old) aged children. This well-equipped playground park with all the bells and whistles, now accommodates a much larger age group from 2-12 years old, making it inviting to so many more playground goers.
Many of the children and their parents were curious and watched in awe as Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest cut the shiny blue ribbon with very large scissors. Little ones, unfazed by the group of adults, continued happily playing while the ceremony went on. Let the playing begin!
Pictured at top: Left to Right: Brian Gray, Alex Marshall, Kristen Zakierski, Bob Klein, Drew Patrick, Justin Arest, Jeremy Gans, Amy Paulin, Ken Mazer, Ron Schulhof, Karen Brew, Leah Dembitzer, Suzie Hahn, Jeremy Wise
