How To Find The Right Psychotherapist For Your Child
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(Submitted by Rand J. Gruen Ph.D.)
As the Executive Director of a fairly large mental health group practice in Westchester, southern Connecticut, and New York City, I have received hundreds of calls from parents over the last decade asking whether we can see their child in therapy. As consumers, parents don't always know the right questions to ask. Special questions have emerged as a consequence of the pandemic (i.e. regarding telehealth). My goal here is to answer questions that parents have asked over the years and provide a simple guide to increase your chances of finding the right therapist for your child.
What type of therapist should I see? There are many different types of professionals who provide mental health services. These include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, mental health counselors, and a myriad of other professionals. While the training each receives is different, there are skilled providers in each category. What you need to assess as a consumer is whether the provider has adequate experience dealing with the problem at hand, the number of years they've been working in the field, and whether they are well trained. For example, at our Center, we don't bring therapists on who have had less than three years of experience seeing patients after getting their degree.
Where should I get a referral from? Families tend to get referrals from friends and other families with children, pediatricians, and internists. The school psychologist at your child’s school can be another source of referrals. One can also look online for viable options.
Should my child be seen in-person or remotely? While the answer to this question will vary depending on the child, we feel that in general, it’s better for children who are under nine or ten years old to be seen in person when possible. Additionally, if a child has symptoms of hyperactivity or inattention, or other characteristics that make telehealth challenging, in-person is preferred. We sometimes try to see kids in person for a period of time to establish the relationship, and then see them remotely if in-person is not possible. In our experience, video calls work pretty well for older children who can focus adequately. Over the course of the pandemic, we have seen hundreds of older teens and adults via telehealth and it has worked quite well. For teens with busy schedules, it can be very convenient. There have been periods of time over the last two years when in-person was not advisable due to Covid, and remote sessions gave us the ability to work with individuals, couples and families who needed help when we might not have been able to otherwise.
Should I look for a team or an individual for my child? You should use the results of the initial assessment (see below) to determine whether you need a team or whether it is sufficient to work with one individual provider. For example, we have individual, couple and family therapists; neuropsychologists; ADHD, education, and executive function specialists; and access to psychiatrists who are located in the Center for medication purposes. If your child needs individual therapy, medication, and/or a neuropsychological evaluation for example, it would be better to assemble a team of people who know each other who communicate well. I have found that it’s hard to get providers to communicate with each other on an ongoing basis if they are not under the same roof.
Is it OK to question a potential provider? Parents should feel comfortable talking to potential therapists they are considering working with and asking them a series of questions. I usually spend around 30 minutes with parents or prospective patients (without charging them) in an effort to understand what the problem is and whether we have the right therapists to help. If we don't, I will tell the family this and suggest that they see someone else. You should expect this level of transparency.
Fees. Parents should ask about fees. If you're going in-network, fees are set by the insurance company, and you pay a copay. If you're going out-of-network, the provider sets the fees. If you go out-of-network, you can get reimbursed by your insurance company if your insurance plan has an ‘out-of-network’ provision. There is often a deductible associated with this and insurance carriers will pay an agreed upon percentage of what they consider ‘reasonable and customary’. Providers who are more experienced and in high demand typically charge higher fees. They often don’t take insurance. From my perspective, it is OK to ask a provider if they can lower their fee. For example, we will lower our fees slightly if a family can’t afford our standard fee if we feel like it's a good fit.
Can I ask a therapist to explain their approach? Absolutely. There are many different types of approaches to psychotherapy. Your potential provider should be able to explain the approach that they would use in your case, and if you don't understand it, give you some background so that you can understand what they are saying. Generally speaking, there are three main approaches in psychotherapy, with many subtypes under each category. These include insight-oriented approaches, systems approaches, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Insight-oriented approaches seek to identify the underlying causes to symptoms and offer new coping strategies that follow from the insights gained. Systems approaches look at family or couple systems and identify patterns which maintain maladaptive behaviors and lead to symptoms. Again, new coping strategies are proposed. Cognitive behavioral approaches look at cognitions which lead to symptoms and prescribe behaviors which enable healthier ways of living. Another phrase that is often used is “evidence-based approaches” which means that we have evidence that the approach leads to clinical improvement in scientific studies. Evidence-based approaches can include any type of therapy that results in clinical improvement. Having practiced for more than 30 years, I see utility in all of the approaches described above. The trick is to decide when to use each to address a particular problem or set of problems. Evidence to suggest one approach over another should emerge in the initial assessment.
Duration of treatment. It's fair to ask how long a provider thinks treatment will take but it's also fair for the provider to say that they don't know the answer to the question at an early stage. It's very hard to assess this until you've spent time with the patient or family. In addition, you need to understand that things can change and evolve over the course of therapy and new problems can emerge, so that things take longer than originally expected. Having said this, there are certain types of problems that can typically be addressed with brief psychotherapy and others that typically take longer to address. An example of the former is when an otherwise healthy child is exposed to a time-limited stressor (house floods; parent is briefly hospitalized, etc.). An example of the latter is when a child with chronic anxiety, low self-esteem, or depressive symptoms is having trouble coping with a stress-induced exacerbation of the symptom.
Getting started: What to expect. We feel that the most effective approach in terms of structuring things is to start with a thorough assessment designed to identify all the different factors that contribute to a problem. This enables us to create a viable treatment plan. The initial assessment should cover problem areas, relevant family dynamics, outside stressors including sports and academic activities, peer relationships, medical history, medications, family history, school demands and academic performance, extended family factors, etc. Our goal is to assess fit, determine if we have the right people to help, and if so, gather enough information to create a viable treatment plan. You should expect that a provider will tell you if they don’t have the experience or expertise to treat your child. The treatment plan should stipulate the providers needed, the approaches that should be used, and the frequency of sessions necessary. We then share the plan with the family and provide a rationale for the plan.
Finding the right therapist for your child is difficult. It’s important to approach this in a well thought out, informed way. Settling on a therapist who is not a good fit can result in lost time and negatively impact a child’s attitude toward therapy. It’s worth the effort to do this as thoughtfully as possible.
Direct questions to: [email protected]
Rand J. Gruen Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Westchester CAPS (www.westchestercaps.com), an interdisciplinary, outpatient mental health center providing individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults; couple and family therapy; neuropsychological assessment; ADHD and executive function coaching; and medication management. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Gruen received his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. He was formerly a fellow at Yale University School of Medicine and an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at New York University Medical Center.
Back to School Programs for 2022 in Scarsdale and Beyond
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Summer is never long enough and sadly it will come to a close in just a few week. Now is the time to look forward and enroll yourself and your kids in fall programming. Fortunately for all of us, Scarsdale and neighboring communities are rich with opportunities for tots to retirees and everyone in between. Whether you’re looking for nursery school, religious school, after school sports, arts education or adult learning, you’ll find resources below.
Nursery Schools
Congregation Kol Ami: The Early Childhood Program at Congregation Kol Ami is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and 
developmentally appropriate curriculum teaching and modeling Jewish values. We believe that children learn best through experiential play and provide for these rich experiences within warm, accepting, and nurturing surroundings. All of our Head Teachers have Masters Degrees in Early Childhood or N-6 or related educational fields. We offer a wide range of programs for children (from 1 to 5 years old) and their families. Our A Step Ahead! program for Fall 5 year olds provides full day Pre-K learning.
For more information, please contact ECP Director, Merav Veetal, at [email protected] or call the ECP office at 914-949-4717 x107.
Mazel Tots® at Scarsdale Synagogue provides a warm and stimulating environment, which encourages children's curiosity and helps them to grow socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Our warm 
and nurturing staff will guide the children through a curriculum filled with a variety of child-centered and developmentally appropriate activities that are safe, fun and friendly. The children's spiritual growth will be enriched by the study of Jewish holidays, traditions and family values. We also offer a group of special activities such as sports and games, music, creative movement, sign language, nature, yoga, karate, science, art atelier, dance and more! We have two beautiful playgrounds and gardens, plus a fully equipped indoor play space featuring ride-on toys, gym equipment, giant blocks and stepping stones just to name a few! Our Early Childhood Program serves children from 18 months through those Kindergarten-bound! For more information please contact Jody Glassman, Early Childhood Program Director at 914-723-3001 or [email protected]. You can also visit our website. Scarsdale Synagogue is located at 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. 914.725.5175.
At Westchester Reform Temple’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), we strive to create an environment that fosters social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth, as well as, creativity and confidence. Our warm, nurturing teachers provide children with the tools they need to communicate with each other and with the world around them. At the ECC, children learn about Jewish holidays, traditions and lifelong values which help them to become confident members of our community. We emphasize STEAM concepts through hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math investigations which encourage young learners to achieve developmental goals. Through inquiry and play-based instruction, we provide students with an opportunity to learn language arts, math and handwriting readiness skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. We facilitate learning through small groups and foster relationships between our children and their teachers, specialists and the WRT clergy. Lunch and afternoon enrichment classes are available for older children. For toddlers between the ages of one and two, we offer parent/caregiver participation classes for socialization and fun: Temple Tots classes are parent-child classes facilitated by ECC staff and a social worker, Toddler Time class may be attended by any loved one with their child and is facilitated by experienced ECC teachers. Both classes are wonderful opportunities for making friends for adults, as well as, children.
End of the year Mini Session and Summer Play Place camp offered.
For further information regarding school registration, please contact ECC Director [email protected] or call us at 914 723-5493.
Religious Schools
Bet Am Shalom Synagogue is a vibrant, egalitarian congregation of families and individuals from diverse backgrounds, bound together by a shared belief in a thoughtful and progressive approach to Judaism.
Our Torah La’am Educational Program inspires and integrates Jewish literacy, skill building and social-emotional learning, through Tikkun Olam / Social Action, music & prayer, and family & intergenerational programs.
Families from all over Westchester choose Bet Am Shalom for its innovative and inclusive approach to Jewish education and practice. Come join us!
We offer classes for students in grades K – 12; our Shorashim and Family programs welcome parents and children, ages 0-5. Free synagogue membership is provided during the first year of school enrollment.
For more information please contact Lisa Jacobs, Director of Family Education & Engagement, at [email protected]. Bet Am Shalom, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains 914-946-8851 or 914-946-0925 . https://betamshalom.org/
Chabad Hebrew School in New Rochelle: Imagine a Hebrew School where kids don’t want to miss a day! They come in with a smile and leave humming the tune to a Hebrew song. Imagine a child who feels the warmth and spirit of Judaism… and then imagine the pride of his parents!
At Chabad Hebrew School in New Rochelle, families of all backgrounds from the surrounding area (including Scarsdale, White Plains, Eastchester, Harrison) feel comfortable and welcome. Our school enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children ages five to thirteen, with additional special teen programming such as CTeen and the Friendship Circle.
We are proud of our achievements in the field of Jewish supplementary education. We think our program is the best Jewish experience your child can get in an after school setting.
But don't take our word for it; come in and see our school in action!
This year, we are implementing new educational programming along with our newly hired director of programming, Shaina Schmukler from Albuquerque, New Mexico! Shaina has successfully implemented exciting educational programming in Hebrew Schools for the past few years.
Sign up now at chabadwestchester.com or reach out to [email protected]. We look forward to a year filled with wonderful learning ahead!
Rochel Butman, Director, Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester County
Welcome to Scarsdale Synagogue's Religious School and Chai School! Our mission is to care for and nurture our students and their families, and to cultivate a culture of growth, friendship, and Jewish community. Just the right size for your family, we offer a robust program even as we know your child's particular passions and needs.
Our programs are vibrant and innovative thereby engaging your children in a meaningful way. Classes are small and individualized programs are available for students with special needs. Both teachers and students are encouraged to think outside of the box; every avenue to deeper, more exciting and fun Jewish learning is explored with joy and zeal. Each grade engages in a spiraling curriculum as they learn about Jewish traditions and cultures, past and present.
For more detailed information about our program, please contact Ally Glassman, 914-725-5175 x121 or visit our website. 
Scarsdale Congregational Church Sunday School: Our program encourages young people to practice kindness, service, and justice both within and outside the walls of the church community. We encourage faith exploration and intergenerational opportunities! Church School for third through eigth graders, Youth Action Committee for grades eight to twelve. We are an LBGTQ + affirming community of faith. Sundays at 10:00 am. All are welcome. www.scc-ucc.org. Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583 914-723-2111
Sports
Play Scarsdale Raiders Youth Hockey! Scarsdale Youth Hockey Association (SYHA) registration for the ‘22-’23 season is now OPEN! Our season runs September to March at our home rink, Westchester Skating Academy. SYHA offers a full travel hockey program for all ages as well as learn-to-play programs for beginners. Our learn-to-play program is broken up into three, eight-week sessions so your beginner can try out this great sport. USA Hockey certified coaches. Full equipment required (loaner equipment available - contact us).
The SYHA is also hosting a free clinic for new players on Saturday, 9/17/22, 3:10-4:20pm @ Westchester Skating Academy (Elmsford) on the USA Rink. Loaner equipment available.
Please visit scarsdalehockey.com for more info and to REGISTER. Questions? Email: (8 yrs & under) [email protected], (10U-18U) [email protected] or text 917-306-1899.
Maroon and White is the Scarsdale community organization supporting interscholastic athletics, physical 
Photo by Jon Thaler: See more here: education, and health at the high school and middle school. All Scarsdale families are encouraged to become members and can join through our website, www.maroonandwhite.org. We regularly raise funds through membership, the sale of Raider merchandise and spirit wear, and family and business ads in the annual M&W SHS Sports Journal. Please support Scarsdale’s student-athletes.
Music, Dance and Film
For more than 77 years Hoff-Barthelson Music School has been one of Westchester's most cherished cultural resources. At Hoff-Barthelson, students find a warm, friendly music school dedicated to the highest standards of education, performance, and community service. Students of all ages enjoy a supportive, joyful learning environment; a focus on the whole person; exceptional teaching; and a multifaceted curriculum.
Registration Fall lessons, classes, and ensembles is now open at Hoff-Barthelson Music School. Photo by Steven Schnur.Hoff-Barthelson’s unique comprehensive K–12 curriculum for students at all stages of development combines six elements of music instruction into one comprehensive package: private lessons on more than 20 instruments, voice and composition; musicianship classes including theory, history and Advanced Placement courses; ensembles including orchestras, choruses, chamber groups and jazz ensembles; performance opportunities; professional accompaniment service; and regular progress reports. The flexible tuition structure allows students to select programs that most powerfully enhance their educational experience and develop their passion for music within the time they have available. The distinguished faculty excel at meeting individual needs, developing artistic and human potential, and inspiring achievement.
The Early Childhood Program for students ages 9-months to 5-years-old encourages and supports the development of children’s minds and bodies through Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a renowned teaching method that pairs music and movement. Older 3-year-olds through kindergarten students may take the first steps in learning to play an instrument in hands-on First Instrument Classes. Group classes in piano, violin, flute and guitar introduce the joy of making music with others while teaching basic playing technique, and foundational musical concepts.
HBMS will host open houses for its Early Childhood Program on Saturday, September 10 and Monday, September 12, 2022, from 10 – 11:30 am. Participants will have the opportunity to join in in the fun of a music and movement class at 10:30 am, followed by a brief Q & A with faculty.
HBMS is also known for its exceptional Suzuki Program. Suzuki instruction is available to beginning 4- to 7-year-olds studying violin, viola, cello, and piano. Guitar and flute also are taught using a modified Suzuki format, combining aspects of Suzuki and traditional pedagogy.
Adults also find a musical home at Hoff-Barthelson. The high quality of instruction and welcoming atmosphere attracts a wide following of adults eager to develop their musical skills and discover new talents.
Hoff-Barthelson welcomes need-based financial aid applications for students of all ages and levels of advancement. The School’s recently expanded Financial Aid Program has increased the size of awards and raised the cap on eligible incomes.
For more information and to register visit www.hbms.org, e-mail [email protected], or call 914-723-1169.
Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 914-723-1169, www.hbms.org
At Steffi Nossen School of Dance, the 2022 ArtsWestchester Education Award recipient, dance educators share their joy of dance and its inherent discipline with pre-professional, recreational and adaptive students alike. Our equal encouragement and enthusiasm stems from our belief that dance education is not only about steps; it enriches the mind, body, and soul.
Learn about new partnership with Yoga Haven offering exciting ways for kids and adults to move - both for dance training and for all to support the whole body.
Founded in Westchester in 1937 by dance legend Steffi Nossen, we continue to offer quality, developmentally appropriate dance instruction and performance opportunities for toddlers -pre-professionals. Our diverse offerings reflect our philosophy that dance is universal; a supportive environment and educationally sound, sequential curriculum fosters technical and artistic growth through exploration. The faculty nurtures creativity and emphasizes technique and proper body alignment while focused on a culturally responsive curriculum. Students experience a complete performance from the creation of choreography to costuming and staging.
Learn more about us and free Week of Dance Open House September 19 – 24th at www.steffinossen.org or 914-328-1900.
The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit cultural arts center dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary, and world cinema; teaching literacy for a visual culture; and making film a vibrant part of the community.
Each year, the JBFC shows more than 400 films —from current releases to foreign cinema, documentaries to curated series, in addition to 150 special events featuring in-depth conversations with filmmakers, actors, authors, and activists, as well as live music performances and custom-crafted receptions with local chefs.
As a part of our Education component at the JBFC, Classroom to Screening Room is our Education Screening Field Trip program, Virtual or In-Person, with live post-screening discussions led by JBFC Educators. Through the power of sharing stories, our programs empower students of all ages to engage with and learn from communities beyond their own. Additionally, JBFC Kids, our program for younger students and their families, offers both film viewing and media-making experiences. Here’s information about some of their fall programs and membership.
JBFC Kids
An American Tail
Saturday, September 17 at 11:00am
A young mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz (Phillip Glasser) and his family emigrate from Russia to the United States by boat after their home is destroyed by cats. Share your own American tale: put yourself in the frame with a fun, take-home coloring activity featuring the Statue of Liberty—and our fearless hero Fievel.
Classroom to Screening Room
In-Person Classroom to Screening Room will resume in September 2022. Bring your students for an in-person experience to the JBFC Theater to watch and discuss a film. Each school may screen up to two films per academic year with a minimum of 40 students to up to 249 people (full capacity including chaperones) per visit. The JBFC will cover the cost of one bus per academic year per visit for under-resourced schools. If your in-person experience will include more than one visit, we ask that no less than 75 students attend each visit.
Join the JBFC
Members are a vital part of our community at annual membership levels ranging from $70-$750 plus and they receive benefits including ticket and concessions discounts, special invitations, pre-sales and more. As a nonprofit, we rely on the crucial year-round support members provide to help us offer film, education, and artist services programs.
The fall term at Scarsdale Adult School (SAS) promises stimulating new classes, renewal of fan favorites, and a welcome return of some traditions that had been paused during the pandemic. An award-winning source of affordable quality adult education for almost 85 years, SAS will continue to offer a diversity of courses taught by high caliber instructors while instilling a sense of camaraderie among its students, even in the virtual classrooms.
In September, SAS will resume evening classes at Scarsdale High School while expanding the variety of morning and afternoon classes at local venues. Also, though originally born out of necessity, SAS’s impressive assortment of online classes have now become a mainstay even as the number of in-person classes in the catalog returns to near pre-pandemic levels. By keeping its “distance learning” model going into the future alongside its standard courses, SAS provides the perfect opportunity to engage in a common activity with friends and family in other communities, states, and even countries. In addition, even more of SAS’s online classes are being recorded and made available to watch on demand, eliminating any scheduling constraints.
SAS boasts an expansive selection of unique architecture, art appreciation, history and culture, and current events classes. Walking tours venture to historic neighborhoods, museums, and galleries in New York City and the tri-state region. Literature and film discussion classes cover the classics to contemporary selections and writing courses help students hone their expressive skills. World language classes at multiple levels and performing arts lessons begin again as do a variety of photography, drawing, painting, knitting, and other arts & crafts classes for enrichment and enjoyment. Fun continues with fitness classes for those seeking to get in shape or stay in shape, as well as bridge, canasta, and mah jongg.
Noteworthy new topics include an architectural and historical look back at the great world’s fairs, an art appreciation series pairing tours of the Met with online lectures based on Columbia University’s core curriculum art humanities course, an exploration of the Gilded Age mansions within Westchester, and a film discussion series that focuses on the artistry behind the scenes.
Special events include a canasta tournament open to pairs and author visits from Jason Mott (Hell of a Book), Ann Leary (The Foundling), Bonnie Garmus (Lessons in Chemistry), Letty Cottin Pogrebin (Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy), and Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Take My Hand), among other headliners. Also in the works is an end of year community celebration to introduce Scarsdale Adult School’s own hall of fame.
The catalog display on the website separates in-person from online courses, with each format offering a full array of subjects. The printable flipbook on the homepage is organized by subject matter, with a table of contents, color coding to reflect class format, and indices at the back to help students identify courses by setting, day of the week, and time of day. SAS will not be producing hard copies of its entire catalog but will continue its practice of updating the posted flipbook in real time with newly added classes and scheduling changes. A weekly eblast also keeps subscribers informed of upcoming special events and courses (newsletter sign-up link appears in the footer of every page of the website).
Class days, and times vary by course and fill on a first-come/first-served basis. Registration for the fall semester is already underway, with staggered class start dates throughout the year.
Click here to register, to page through the interactive flipbook, or to search the catalog by category, keywords, instructor, or class time. Call (914) 723-2325 with questions.
At the Scarsdale Public Library September is Library Card Signup month, and it is a wonderful time to sign
your children up for a library card. For those last-minute reading assignments, they can download digital books through Libby or cloudLibrary, or catch up with their favorite graphic novels through Comics Plus. They can reserve study rooms to work privately or with up to 3 of their friends and can do so up to a week ahead of time using their Scarsdale Library Card. Students will also have access to tutor.com and LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) for extra instruction outside of school.
The Children’s team will be offering NASA's Artemis Project: To the Moon, Mars, and Beyond Reading Challenge beginning this September. Participants will discover more about the Artemis program and NASA’s plans for a new generation of crewed spaceflight by completing the activity badges in this reading and activity challenge. We challenge our patrons to read at least 600 minutes (about 10 hours) and keep track of their reading during the challenge on our Beanstack site. Hundreds of libraries across the nation will be reading and learning alongside us for a chance to win circulating backpacks of STEM-related resources from the Space Science institute.
Throughout the year, teens can look forward to studying and lounging in their Teen Room, and enjoying programs offered with their needs in mind. For those teens interested in volunteering, our Teen Department is always looking for new members to join the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to help guide the direction of teen services. During the school year, staff members stay late to offer study nights to provide a space for youth to prepare for final exams.
Attention Parents: New Podcast Offers Answers to Tough Questions
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Danielle Freilich and Jordana Fruchter, Hosts of the Podcasat No Silly Questions for ParentsWhat is the difference between a progressive and traditional school? How much independence should I give my child? Should I teach my daughter her letters and numbers before Kindergarten? Is educational programming a good kind of “screen time?” My middle-schooler has a lot of homework. What is the optimal amount?
What is the trajectory for language development in babies? Maybe my teen should just drop out of school altogether and become an entrepreneur! Is higher education even valuable anymore? What does it mean when the teacher tells me my child needs help regulating his body?
Calling all parents! Do these questions sound familiar? They certainly do to us! As school leaders, we’ve been fielding these questions, and many more, for years from our friends- moms and dads looking for reliable information.
I’m Danielle Freilich. Born and raised in Scarsdale, where my parents Mark and Karen Hauser still reside, and where I got married about a year ago this time! For the last decade, I’ve worked in schools, as a teacher and principal, and currently support administrators across the country at an educational consulting firm.
My friend Jordana Fruchter, also a school leader and the director of a popular Preschool in Tribeca, and I noticed how often we were finding ourselves on long calls with friends, helping them pull up their local school reports online, supporting them in the process of navigating services for their child, or providing insight into developmental questions about their children. Throughout all these conversational threads, we aimed to keep the temperature down!
For our peers in Scarsdale- the decision of where to send their kids to school is made somewhat easier by the truly phenomenal public schooling. Scarsdale is heralded far and wide for its stellar educational programing. With test score proficiency and graduation rates in the high 90’s, and a 13:1 student to teacher ratio, Scarsdale is helping set a national standard of achievement.
But for many others, the decision can feel daunting. No one explains to parents what the different pedagogies are, what to look for on a school tour, how to find the best fit for your child given their unique strengths and personality, and what to do when your child is experiencing learning challenges at school.
Parents have a significant amount of twists and turns to navigate on the path from Preschool through 12th grade. What behavioral and therapeutic services might be beneficial at school, if, and how, to assist with homework, and when to intervene or step back with respect to your child's digital life. You get the picture.
We could see there was a need to provide parents with answers they could trust, from true experts in the field and the most current research, and so our podcast “No Silly Questions,” was born.
Our mission with this podcast is to lend our expertise in Preschool-12 schooling and curate credible and relatable conversations, so parents can make the best decisions for their families.
Our questions are sourced from you, the parents, and we cover anything and everything related to learning, education and development. You can listen to our episodes on Apple and Spotify, follow us on our instagram account @nosillyquestions, or submit a question of your own through our website nosillyquestionspodcast.com. After all, there is truly no such thing as a silly question!
From the Library: Back to School Resources
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Here's information from Scarsdale Public Library for children and teens:
In preparation for the school year ahead, Scarsdale Public Library has been offering fun and engaging summer reading programs for children and teens. We would like to invite all parents to make sure their child has a Scarsdale Public Library Card this school year. With their card, your child can borrow physical and digital materials and make study room reservations. This fall, children can also look forward to a NASA reading program.
Our librarians are making sure teens have access to required reading titles, so they are ready for back-to-school discussions. We have a display featuring titles from the SMS Summer Reading Lists set up next to the café. Children’sLibrarian, Erin Goldberg, and Teen Services Manager, Jennifer Brinley, can also provide great recommendations to help with reading selections.
September is Library Card Signup month, and it is a wonderful time to sign your children up for a library card. For those last-minute reading assignments, they can download digital books through Libby or cloudLibrary, or catch up with their favorite graphic novels through Comics Plus. They can reserve study rooms to work privately or with up to 3 of their friends and can do so up to a week ahead of time using their Scarsdale Library Card. Students will also have access to tutor.com and LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) for extra instruction outside of school.
Our Children’s team will be offering NASA's Artemis Project: To the Moon, Mars, and Beyond Reading Challenge beginning this September. Participants will discover more about the Artemis program and NASA’s plans for a new generation of crewed spaceflight by completing the activity badges in this reading and activity challenge. We challenge our patrons to read at least 600 minutes (about 10 hours) and keep track of their reading during the challenge on our Beanstack site. Hundreds of libraries across the nation will be reading and learning alongside us for a chance to win circulating backpacks of STEM-related resources from the Space Science institute.
Throughout the year, teens can look forward to studying and lounging in their Teen Room, and enjoying programs offered with their needs in mind. For those teens interested in volunteering, our Teen Department is always looking for new members to join our Teen Advisory Board (TAB) to help guide the direction of teen services. During the school year, staff members stay late to offer study nights to provide a space for youth to prepare for final exams.
If you have not already signed up for summer reading, there is still time to enter to log minutes and win prizes. Register for either the Children’s or Teen summer reading programs on our website, scarsdalelibrary.org. Students can even print out a list of the books they have read to show their teachers all the reading they have completed this summer.
Boys Scouts Announces Troop for Girls
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Scarsdale’s Troop 4 is pleased to announce that this fall, it will have a girls’ linked troop for the first time.
Nationwide, in 2019, Scouts BSA, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, opened membership to girls ages 11 - 17. Scouting develops character, civic mindedness, leadership and physical fitness. Middle and high school-aged Scouts, with guidance from adult leaders, create and lead activities such as hikes, outdoor games, community service, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities.
Any interested girl from Westchester is encouraged to join the troop. Girls in Troop 4 will design and lead their own activities. Additionally, they will participate in some events with the boys in the troop. Troop 4’s regular meetings are on Monday evenings. Troop 4 embodies the values of inclusion, tolerance, and mutual respect for all people.
A diverse set of parent leaders support Scouts in their goal to achieve the highest rank in Scouting, Eagle Scout. Each year, less than 7% of eligible Scouts have attained the rank of Eagle, since its inception in 1911. Due to its rigor, earning the Eagle Scout rank can offer lifelong academic, social, and professional networking benefits. Troop 4 is committed to supporting any youth wanting to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The first cohort of female Eagle Scouts was recognized in 2020. In 2021, Rebecca Gilder, of White Plains, became the first female Eagle Scout in Westchester County.
Amongst other requirements, to attain the level of Eagle Scout, Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges. All Eagle Scouts earn badges in 14 required topics touching on issues of citizenship, the outdoors, personal responsibility and leadership. Other merit badges are electives. There are over 100, such as American Business, Animation, Archery, Art, Bird Study, Chemistry, Chess, Crime Prevention, Disability Awareness, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Fingerprinting, Game Design, Gardening, Journalism, Kayaking, Moviemaking, Music, Sports, and Theater.
Together with Scarsdale’s Cub Scout Pack 440, Troop 4 will host two recruiting events on Sept. 18 (outdoor games and sports) and Oct. 23 (pumpkin carving). Any rising sixth through 11th graders interested in joining Scarsdale’s Troop 4 may contact Scoutmaster Ted Mazza. Please visit Troop 4’s website and Facebook page.
Explaining why a troop for girls was needed, Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez said, "Scouts started accepting girls nationwide in 2019, and one division has had girls since the 1970s.
In Scarsdale, Cub Scout Pack 440 started accepting girls in 2019. Some of those girls have now aged out of cub scouts and want to be in a Scout troop locally. Otherwise, girls who want to be in an integrated troop would have to go to Tuckahoe, for example, or White Plains to be in such a troop.
Being in Troop 4 allows girls to create and lead some activities just for themselves, and they can also have some meetings and events with the boys. Also, there are girls who want to achieve Eagle Scout, which has numerous, rigorous requirements involving community service, civic education, hiking, sports, the arts, and STEM."
