Scarsdale Alternative School Graduation 2015
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On Friday June 19, the Scarsdale Alternative School celebrated the Class of 2015, its 42nd graduating class. The A-School is one of few academic institutions, high school or college,that personally recognizes each senior in its graduation ceremony. Howard Rodstein, the A-School Teacher-In-Charge, described the A-school community by observing, "Being human means that you can be smart and articulate but at the same time vulnerable and a tad insecure." Because the A-School is a tightly knit, democratic community, students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, a leap of faith that requires courage. Mr. Rodstein reminded his students that "vulnerability is complement to rather than opposite to strength." He addressed the seniors' anxieties about the uncertainty of the fall, when they will be thrust into the new environment of a college campus. With unequivocal reassurance, he promised the graduates they are prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead.
In the Alternative School, the real world is the textbook. Each January, students proactively seek out an internship, learning responsibility and independence. Thus, they are exposed to challenges in the workplace before most other high school students. The internship is one way teachers advance their students' confidence. While independence is valued in the A-School, there is also an emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and teamwork. Students, rather than teachers, often work in committees to organize A- School events like "Outing," which serves as orientation and bonding for the incoming class. Interested students are chosen at the end of freshman year, selected randomly by a lottery. Many freshmen are attracted to the prospect of being included in a small, close community. Students address teachers by their first names, a physical manifestation of the close friendship they often develop.
During the ceremony, Principal Ken Bonamo reminded the graduates that they come from a community that values education, civic engagement, and volunteerism. He urged them to share their gifts with the world, a challenging but worthwhile undertaking. Each student was personally addressed by their advisor, one of the four A-School teachers. Amanda Clark, a graduating senior and the Master of Ceremonies, introduced each advisor with an anecdote. She explained that only for her beloved math teacher, Sheilah Chason, would she find herself standing knee-deep in the brook, a murky bacterial soup, at 7:30 on a Monday morning to learn about derivatives through river flow. Ms. Chason then presented Sara Calderon, Marcus Halloway, Joey Katz, Zoe McDonald, and Michael Robins with their diplomas. She wittily described one of her students, Joey Katz, as an "increasing exponential function" because she witnessed a transformation in him from a reserved student to a leader unafraid to pose questions to the entire class. She is proud to have seen the questions posed by her sophomore students transform into profound conversations by the time they reached senior year.
Advisors noted the community service projects and extra-curriculars in which each student was involved and offered bits about their private lives that even fellow students may not have known. In recognizing the strengths of each student, advisors were able to make light of any weaknesses, effectively and eloquently turning them into strengths. They each stressed the students' commitments to their different circles in the community and the myriad interests of A-School students that sparked insightful conversations in Core Group and Community Meetings.
Jeanne Cooper celebrated this diversity. In a group setting, there naturally exist introverts and extroverts, detail-orientated learners and big-picture planners, bold speakers and students who process information quietly. Together, they create an eclectic, well-rounded group of learners. Everyone seems to have a place in the A-School; even those who do not speak regularly at meetings have other special roles, like heading committees and organizing socials. Ms. Cooper recognized Thomas Brady, Steven Brightman, Jordan Frankenthaler, Lauren Hartman, Mari Kawamura, and Carla Lionti. She commended Lauren Hartman for taking honors classes outside of the A-School, which is especially demanding. She added that Lauren chose challenging works for research papers and broached sensitive subjects. This ambition is contagious in the small learning environment, where students are well aware of their peers' endeavors.
Michael Robins and Jordan Frankenthaler were presented with the Tony Award, the highest A-School honor, for upholding the school's values of integrity and inclusiveness. Ms. Chason described Michael as a self-aware, honest, true friend who takes social risks in order to set an example. Jordan was honored for his outstanding character and ability to embrace opportunities. Ms. Cooper urged Jordan, an optimistic, insightful student, to keep dreaming of utopia.
Nelson DaSilva saw his first class of students graduate,
as he is new to the A- School this year. Mr. DaSilva says his students are "as cool as ammonium chloride in water," which is a sincere compliment from a chemistry teacher. He recognized Jake Abrahams, Natalie Keith, Pedro Miranda, Nicole Root, Jason Miller and Delilah Chamlin. Mr. DaSilva shared that Delilah Chamlin had taken the initiative to get involved and accompany Jim Williams on a trip to Long Island to visit other Alternative Schools and explore the future of the institution. Mr. Dasilva found a special connection with Pedro Miranda because of their common Brazilian heritage and a love for the same soccer team. Their relationship is a testament to the A-School's success in fostering a close collaboration between students and teachers.
Jen Maxwell addressed Scott Ballan, Ali Farfel, Katie Frohman, Emerson Riback, India Stachyra, and Hannah Wolloch. She says Scott Ballan is not afraid to say what he thinks. His confidence and humor are contagious, sparking meaningful conversations among classmates. The A-School derives its youthful exuberance from such students. Ms. Maxwell noted Ali Farfel's penchant for following directions, an act that may be perceived as boring and un-rebellious, but is actually an art form, her own unique way of creating order from chaos.
This untraditional ceremony, where caps and gowns were nowhere to be seen, was an affirmation of the values of community and friendship. Judging by the graduates' smiles, these students really did win the lottery.
Text by Carly Glickenhaus, Photos by Rebecca Schwartz
One Hundred Years in Scarsdale - From Manor to Village
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In May, Scarsdale Village celebrated the centennial year of its incorporation. Residents passed a resolution to incorporate in 1915, in order to ward off an attempt by White Plains to annex Greenacres!
To mark Scarsdale's 100th year, the Village staff wrote the following resolution which was approved by the Village Board of Trustees. At the June 9, 2015 meeting of the Village Board, Mayor Jon Mark made the following statement and then read the resolution below which retells the history of Scarsdale.
Mayor Mark:
Approximately 100 years ago, in May 1915, residents of Scarsdale voted to incorporate as a Village. Up to that time, Scarsdale had been a town. As such its borders could be changed by an act of the New York State legislature. Residents were concerned that the legislature would change Scarsdale's borders and make it part of White Plains. By incorporating as a Village, Scarsdale's borders could thereafter only be changed by a referendum vote of the residents. The first Village Board met on June 26, 1915. The Village we enjoy today is part of the legacy left to us by the residents who took those steps in 1915.
Resolutions:
FROM MANOR TO TOWN; FROM TOWN AND VILLAGE TO MERGED VILLAGE AND TOWN
WHEREAS, Scarsdale has had a long, and storied history since the time Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River in 1609 and the rising of Scarsdale Manor in 1701 with a population of twelve; the evolution to a town during the revolutionary war with a population of about 260, but yet not convening the first town meeting until 1783; the incorporation as a Village in 1915 with a population of less than 3,000 managed by separate and distinct Town and Village governing bodies until the merger of the coterminous Town/Village of Scarsdale in 1930 with a single elected board governing and convening as both a Village and a Town; and
WHEREAS, subsequent to the incorporation as a Village on May 24, 1915 and stimulated by a movement in White Plains and certain interests in the New York State Legislature to annex the northwest area of the town of Scarsdale, known as Greenacres, to the grand city to the north, an annexation bill was ominously adopted by the New State Legislature, which with good fortune and personal attentiveness, was vetoed by Governor Charles Evans Hughes; and
WHEREAS, although the desire and appetite for swallowing Scarsdale continued unabated, the issue was finally put to rest in an election on May 24, 1915 when civic leaders and residents voted 142 to 39 in favor of incorporating as a Village, said action and result insulating the Town of Scarsdale under the rule of law from annexation, as the incorporation as a Village protected its independence, sovereignty and home rule authority which could not be taken by another community; and
WHEREAS, it was not until 1930 that the Village and Town merged and became a jurisdiction governed as both a Town and Village with a single elected body comprised of the same officials which convened as separate Town and Village Boards to conduct the business and oversee both Village and Town functions under the statutory realm of an incorporated Village under New York State Law; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that it is considered important, proper and relevant for the Village Board of the Village of Scarsdale to recall and recognize the history of Scarsdale and its evolution from a Manor, to a Town, to a Town and Village and finally a combined Village/Town with a reform structure of government which has been nurtured and cared for by a committed and civic minded resident population.
Submitted by: Village Manager
Date: April 7, 2015
For: June 9, 2015
Scarsdale Toasts Retiring Village Manager Al Gatta
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Scarsdale's Village Manager Al Gatta was one of a kind. He was direct, honest and tough, yet also empathetic, supportive and willing to listen. These qualities came through at his retirement dinner at the Beach Point Club on Friday May 29th.
The elegant dining room overlooking Long Island Sound was filled with present and former Mayors and members of the Board of Trustees, Village staffers, community members and municipal leaders from around the county.
Newly appointed Village Manager Stephen Pappalardo, who has known Gatta for 27 years, repeated some of Al's signature expressions and had everyone howling. He introduced Al as one of the finest Village Managers in Scarsdale history, adding, "just ask Al and he'll tell you himself!" According to 
Pappalardo, when Al was asked to grant permission for a staffer to take vacation he would often say, "This guy takes off more than a 747." About someone he found slow on the uptake he would say, "This guy couldn't spell CAT if you gave him a C and a T.
Al, who has been Village Manager here for 20 years, came to Scarsdale after stints as the city of Hartford where he managed 2,700 employees and a budget of $360 million and Ann Arbor, Michigan, with 1,000 employees and a capital budget of $230 million. As Scarsdale was less than half that size, here he learned every employees name, supported the staff and kept an open door. He secured millions of dollars in grants for the village, managed large construction projects including Christie Place, the new Public Safety Building, the Popham Road Bridge and storm water management projects. He will also be remembered for overseeing the first Scarsdale tax revaluation in 49 years.
Pappalardo vowed to carry on in a way that will make Al proud.
Mayor Jon Mark also joked about Al's last meeting at Village Hall. He looked out at the crowd who had come to wish him well and said, "I haven't seen so many people here since we were going to do something about the geese!" Mark called Gatta, tough, determined, and persevering.
Former New Rochelle City Manager Peter Korn came to toast his colleague. He noted Al's leadership skills, professionalism, vision and sense of humor. Looking back at the 1980's when there was ample federal and funding for local projects, Korn rued the current climate where "the spigot from Albany has been shut off." He said, despite these challenging times for municipal government, Al remained calm and professional. He also received toasts from Pelham Village Manager Robert Yamuder and Meredith Robson, the Village Manager of Ardsley.
State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin remembered working with Al when she served on the Scarsdale Board of Trustees. She said Al had "color and personal style, "believes in his community," and was "one of the finest people" she has ever worked with.
County Legislator Ben Boykin presented a proclamation for Al from the Westchester County Board of Legislators. He said, "Al has a wonderful reputation and shows why government matters," and declared May 29, Al Gatta Day in Westchester County. County Executive Rob Astorino also issued a proclamation for Al.
Al's son, Mark Gatta, who is a police officer in Mamaroneck said that "residents always want everything right now, their way." Al responded by "giving them what they need" and never took credit. He remembered going to work with his father in Hartford and seeing him as a "powerful guy in charge of a huge machine."
David Raizen, who heads the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps shared a memorable tale about Al that occurred at the time the new ambulance corps building was going up on Weaver Street: He said,
"During the early construction phase, we were picketed by the carpenter's union, and this made it hard to get the building going. Since we were funded by private donations, there was some urgency to make progress. After about two weeks of dealing with unruly picketers, the police designated a 3-foot wide by 30 feet long patch of grass on front of the building, where the union could continue their demonstration under the rights of free speech and assembly. But, it was obviously still a hindrance to our progress. So, I asked Al if I could take matters into my own hands, and he did not tell me, "no." Without telling him what I was doing, I drove to Home Depot and bought 10 50-lb bags of manure. That night, I spread all the manure down on the picketers' designated pathway, and then got a garden hose and wet it down so it packed into the earth.
At 8 a.m., the next day, the picketers showed up. But, the stench must have gotten to them. After only a few hours, at 11 a.m., they left and never came back.
Later Al asked how I had gotten rid of the picketers. I told him he probably didn't want to know, but he should enjoy it that SVAC would have the greenest lawn in Scarsdale."
Raizen called Al "ethical, professional, intelligent, a generous mentor, and an upstanding gentleman."
Gatta's eloquent wife Jane, a clinical psychologist spoke lovingly about her husband. She said, "there are givers and takers, and Al is a giver." Though giving comes naturally to Al, "being praised and appreciated" is hard work for him and "he does not know how toot his own horn." She also noted that he was ethical, moral and truthful, and holds firm to his beliefs.
Recounting some of their funnier moments together, she told the story of their second date where Al appeared at the door with 2 dozen roses. She was surprised and flattered until he admitted, "They had two-for-one at the supermarket." When the couple was moving to Westchester for the job in Scarsdale, they were house hunting and floored by the prices. Al turned to the broker and said, "You got any slums here?"
She said, Al, "you have run four cities, and given each one your all.... I am so proud of you!"
Al took the podium and seemed overwhelmed by the public outpouring. He thanked his staff, Angela Marin and Christine Sciandra for organizing the dinner, David Raizen for sponsoring the event at Beach Point, everyone he works with and "Scarsdale's amazing elected official who debate, talk and in the end make the best decisions for Scarsdale, separating politics from administration. " He added, "though you made me an honorary resident of Scarsdale, I am not going to pay those taxes." (Photo Credit: Wayne Essanason)
Advanced Topics Succeeds and Expands: STEAM Curriculum in the Works
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Faculty study teams have deemed that the move to Advanced Topics at Scarsdale High School has been a success and are also working to develop a STEAM curriculum. Representatives from these two faculty teams presented updates on Scarsdale High School's Advanced Topics (AT) Program and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) curriculum development to the Board of Education at their work session on June 8, 2015. Scarsdale High School Principal Kenneth Bonamo introduced the meeting agenda by stating these areas are two important pieces of the high school curriculum and development goals and each has been assigned a faculty study team to evaluate program needs and successes and provide future direction.
Advanced Placement and Advanced Topics
It has been 8 years since the high school introduced Advanced Topics courses in lieu of traditional Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Some of the driving forces behind this initiative were to allow teachers to develop curriculum with more time for in depth inquiry -- without the pressure of having to rush through an agenda of topics in order to teach to the exam.
Math Teacher Monica Palekar and Social Studies Teacher Larry Brown led a study team in assessing "Where are we in the AT journey?" and presented their findings. They opened with a video of Scarsdale High School students talking about their experiences in AT classes. The common themes these students expressed were satisfaction with being in an environment where they could be intellectually challenged and engaged rather than memorizing facts to prepare for a test. The students appreciated how they developed problem-solving skills, worked independently and were able to ask for curriculum changes based on interest. They also mentioned passionate teachers with deep knowledge of their subject areas.
Palekar and Brown provided some background on how AT courses are developed using college level materials, assessments and syllabi. Some AT classes are even using college level textbooks. The teachers talked about efforts to address uniformity in curriculum and assessment across different sections of a class. There is a great deal of syllabus and exam sharing among the high school faculty and in some AT classes, such as chemistry, a uniform final exam is provided.
Two new AT courses will be introduced next year: International Politics and Spanish Literature and Culture.
One of the major concerns at the time of transitioning to AT was what impact, if any, this move have on the college admission success. Palekar and Brown presented a chart with data from the guidance department that showed the percent of students accepted at the "most competitive" (as per the Barron's Guide) colleges has continued to be strong:
Another concern about the implementation was how students who chose to take an AP test would be supported and how they would perform? Brown said that AT teachers make themselves available to students who want help preparing for the AP exams and he presented a graph showing the number of students scoring "3" or greater on the AP tests since 2010 has been consistently high:
They closed their presentation by asking "What more can we do to continue to validate and confirm that this program is working?" Brown said the faculty concluded that they would like to get more qualitative and quantitative data from former AT students who are taking relevant college courses. He mentioned the possibility of surveys, perhaps followed by in-depth interviews with students with the goal of "making sure that we are providing high-order thinking skills and college ready content."
STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math
The floor was turned over to Science Teacher Jeremy Szerlip and Art Teacher Lisa Yokana for the STEAM portion of the presentation. They led a committee tasked with developing a course sequence in technology and engineering bearing in mind that SHS's own design lab is scheduled to open for the 2017/2018 school year. They began by looking at design labs in other schools and on college campuses and meeting with the people who run those labs. They also asked alumni who are studying engineering and computer science in college "How could we have better prepared you?"
Some common responses were:
- Provide more exposure to and overview of the field of engineering. What does it mean to be a civil engineer or a mechanical engineer or a chemical engineer?
- Offer opportunities to develop a more innovative mind set. In high school, projects were defined for them versus their college experience of having to be innovative and develop their own projects based on real needs.
- Supply hands-on "making" experiences.
- Provide exposure to tools and software commonly used by engineers.
Szerlip and Yokana presented some specifics about the envisioned course sequence. The introductory level will be a series of one-semester courses that meet twice a week. The first course will be Introduction to Design and Fabrication. This class will focus on tool use and safety, design thinking concepts, and documentation. The second introductory course will be Introduction to Engineering in which students will choose to build mini-projects such as a skeleton clock, a car that moves around a room and avoids objects, or a synthesizer. They hope to run prototypes of these classes in the fall and spring of the 2016/2017 school year.
The second level courses will be a selection of electives focused on different areas of engineering such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Robotics, and Mechanical Engineering.
The third level will be an AT level class focused on design and entrepreneurship. Projects in this class will be generated by student's passions.
The work to get all of these courses established will begin this summer when the project team will focus on defining the introductory courses and associated projects, writing course descriptions and an explanation of the course sequence for the catalog. The team will also develop a job description for an Engineering Teacher who would hopefully be hired for the 2016/2017 school year.
In the fall and next spring (2015/2016), they will continue to define the projects for the introductory courses assisted by a group of twenty independent study students who will be prototyping potential projects and provide important feedback to the curriculum team.
Bonamo and all four of the teachers who presented at this meeting expressed tremendous gratitude to the many members of their project teams. Both Advanced Topics and STEAM are great examples of how the district's support for professional development of faculty leads to innovation and excitement in the classroom and is presenting many new opportunities to look forward to at Scarsdale High School in the near and not so far away future.
The full presentation can be seen here.
Accolades for Al
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Village Hall was filled with well wishers on Tuesday night May 26 when colleagues and former trustees came to say thank you and goodbye to Village Manager Al Gatta, who will retire this week after 20 years of service to Scarsdale.
Before they could make their remarks, Mayor Jon Mark read a proclamation for Al, listing his many accomplishment, naming him an honorary resident of Scarsdale and declaring May 29 "Al Gatta Day." The full text of the proclamation is reprinted below. After Mark read it and thanked Gatta for his "faithful service," Al received a standing ovation that lasted for quite some time.
Former Trustee Dorothy Finger, whose son Carl Finger is now serving on the Board of Trustees, said that Gatta "taught her a lot about government and taught his staff as well." She was sorry that Gatta was retiring before her son could have that same experience.
Bill Kaye, who served on many village boards and councils said that Gatta would be "a hard act to follow, and that "history will count Al as one of the best to ever serve the Village of Scarsdale."
Coming to the microphone, former Mayor Bob Steves joked, "I used to work here!" He said he had "the privilege of working with Al for the past six years." He credited him with handling critical and sensitive issues and attracting and retaining high quality people. He said that Al's greatest legacy were the quality people he "attracted, nurtured and trained."
Former Trustee Kay Eisenman said "I have always admired your style, ability to see problem clearly and handle them with grace and dignity." She said that through her work at the County she saw that Gatta was "admired beyond Scarsdale and seen as a senior diplomat around the County."
Choking back tears, former Mayor Carolyn Stevens thanked Al for "making this a better place to live." She said that Gatta helped Scarsdale "to weather an economic recession" but that his talents could not be measured with statistics or financial data." She credited Al with his ability to teach and said that he taught "in a way so that most don't even realize they are learning." She credited Al with "finding a way to work with difficult personalities" and to work collaboratively. She thanked him for his "mentoring and his friendship."
Former Mayor Ed Morgan said he was "present for Al's first and last board meetings." He said that Al was hired due to his strong financial background and considerable experience with municipal construction projects, ' skills that he put to good use in the last 20 years." He said that the relationship between the Mayor and the Manager is a partnership and thanked Al for being a wonderful partner and friend."
Bob Harrison said Al always had an open door, returned his emails and his phone calls and remembered going to lunch with him and splitting the check.
Dan Hochvert enjoyed Al's company and valued his guidance. He said Al had "a soft spot in his heart for anyone who needed a hand." He said, "you feel that people have a right to be heard and you listen to them." He ended by saying, "I think you are a great guy."
Remembering Al, former trustee Stacey Brodsky said, "Al was a more passionate advocate for Scarsdale than the most passionate Scarsdale resident."
In other business, the Board recognized the Scarsdale Department of Public Works and honored its employees for National Public Works Week.
They received an update on a storm water management report required by the Federal Government.
The Board resolved to enter into a professional service agreement with Fuller and D'Angelo Architects and Planners for $13,700 to design and oversee the construction of a new stairway on the eastside of the Scarsdale Train Station. The stairs have deteriorated and are now closed.
The Board authorized the Chamber of Commerce to hold the annual sidewalk sale in Scarsdale Village on Thursday July 30, Friday July 31 and Saturday August1, 2015.
Proclamation for Al Gatta:
WHEREAS, on this day, May 29th, 2015, Alfred A. Gatta will retire after 20 years of faithful, productive and competent service as Scarsdale Village Manager, and
WHEREAS, his accomplishments as manager over that long service are many and leave the Village of Scarsdale in a much improved condition, and
WHEREAS, during his managerial tenure the important village Popham Road artery was reconstructed and modernized at its vital bridge juncture over the railroad tracks, ensuring safe auto travel and improving downtown traffic flow, and
WHEREAS, the Public Safety building also was completely renovated and modernized under Alfred Gatta's management, and
WHEREAS, other major improvements during his tenure include the Supply Field Building renovation, the Fox Meadow storm drainage upgrade, renovation of 17 village playgrounds, rehabilitation of the historic Wayside Cottage and the Scarsdale Train Station, water system pump station upgrades, improvements to the municipal swimming pool and downtown infrastructure modernization improvements, and
WHEREAS, the above improvements involved a cost of over 40 million dollars with State and Federal Governments providing half of the required funding, and
WHEREAS, these major improvements were accomplished and those costs met while the village manager's budgets provided only modest annual tax rate growth and the Village maintained its Aaa bond rating, and
WHEREAS, the difficult problem of property tax fairness also was addressed under Alfred Gatta's management with the Village spending $1.1 million dollars on a needed revaluation program, the first in 45 years, and
WHEREAS, Alfred Gatta's retirement completes a 45-year career in local government, a career that includes major city management experience for a decade in Hartford, Connecticut, where he managed 2,700 employees and an operating budget of 360 million dollars and a five-year stint as City Administrator for Ann Arbor, Michigan, a community with 1,000 employees and an operating budget of $141 million dollars, and
WHEREAS, despite that long and major city management experience, Alfred Gatta served the Village of Scarsdale with unassuming modest authority, remaining approachable to Village residents and willing to listen to their complaints and ideas, while at the same time managing staff with a soft, understanding hand. Now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that this day is proclaimed "Alfred Gatta Day" in Scarsdale to honor his service to the Village of Scarsdale, and be it further
RESOLVED, that Alfred Gatta, a native of Long Branch, New Jersey, raised in Queens, New York and Red Bank, New Jersey, and the holder of a Master's Degree in Public Administration from New York University, is named an honorary resident of the Village of Scarsdale, and be it further
RESOLVED, that I as Mayor and on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees, the Village of Scarsdale and its residents, thank Alfred Gatta for his faithful service and wish him and his wife, Jane, and his children many happy years in his retirement, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the text of this mayoral proclamation be spread on the minutes of the June 9, 2015 regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees and that that meeting be adjourned in honor of Alfred Gatta.
A retirement dinner honoring Al Gatta will be held at the Mamaroneck Beach Point Club on Friday night May 29th.
