A New Assistant Principal for Fox Meadow School
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Dr. Lori LiebowitzAfter a joyful Tenure Conferral Ceremony on May 12, the Board of Education held a Statutory Budget Hearing where they gave a brief overview of this year’s proposed budget and reminded the community of the upcoming budget vote on May 20 at the middle school gymnasium from 7am to 9pm. Budget details are available on the Scarsdale Schools website and voting information can be found under the voter information icon.
New Assistant Principal at Fox Meadow Elementary School
Assistant Director of Human Resources, Meghan Troy announced that Dr. Lori Leibowitz will be appointed as the next Assistant Principal of Fox Meadow Elementary School. Troy explained that “Dr. Leibowitz is currently the Assistant Education Administrator for Gifted and Talented Programs in the Norwalk Public Schools. Prior to this role, she spent many years as an elementary school educator and teacher in the Greenwich Public Schools. Dr. Leibowitz holds an EDD in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, a master's certificate in Gifted Education from the University of Connecticut, an MA in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University, and a BA in history from George Washington University. We've had the privilege to get to know Dr. Leibowitz throughout the thorough and lengthy process. At every turn, she demonstrated a strong commitment to the students, and her care highlighted the importance of relationship building with faculty, staff, parents and students. Her warmth and compassion and ability to listen will serve her well in this role, combined with her strong academic and curricular background, Lori will be set up for success. I look forward to seeing all that she brings to Fox meadow in the future.”
Electronic Devices in School
The meeting included a robust discussion of the Draft Policy for Students and Personal Electronic Devices. On May 8, 2025, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that adds a new section to the Education Law requiring Boards of Education to adopt a policy prior to the 2025-26 school year prohibiting the use of internet-enabled devices by students during the school day anywhere on school grounds. Though the Board had already done a lot of work drafting a policy in anticipation of this new bill becoming law, there were still several questions and concerns that were thoughtfully addressed during the discussion.
Many Board members wondered what exceptions will be made for students with IEP and 504s and whether or not students will be able to use their laptops during their free periods to do work. Noting the legislation is pretty strict, Leah Dembitzer expressed that she would prefer to keep as much local control as we can at the building level and for the high school administration to be able to use their judgment. Dembitzer added, “They see the day to day life of high schoolers, and they would know what's best.”
Dembitzer also expressed her discomfort with having to report an Enforcement Plan at the state level, accounting for the number of disciplinary actions associated with this policy, and break that down demographically.
The state law reads: “Thereafter, each school district, charter school and Board of Cooperative Educational Services shall publish an annual report on its website detailing enforcement of the policy within the district charter school, including non identifiable, viable demographic data of students who have faced disciplinary action for non-compliance, and analysis of any demographic disparities in enforcement of the policy.”
The Board agreed with Dembitzer that this language feels like a big overreach, and agreed to advocate for change at the beginning of the next school year.
Air Conditioning
During public comments an SHS senior and varsity captain for the girls volleyball team addressed the lack of air conditioning in the gyms and cited the safety and comfort issues. She described the increasing heat in the gyms, an issue that has even seen a student going home ill due to the heat. She emphasized that the issue affects not just sports teams but all students and staff who use the gym and encouraged the Board to consider the concern in their Budget. A third community member chimed in via Zoom and reinforced the need to address the air conditioning in the gym.
Later in the Business portion of the BOE meeting, the Board heard from Kevin Walsh who is heading the Capital Project Steering Committee and he assured them that air conditioning in the gym is on his list of considerations.
Student Member of the Board of Education
The Board reviewed the selection process for the inaugural Ex Officio Student Member of the Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year. Four juniors and four sophomores have been vetted by the high school student government and will be slated for a general student election on May 20th. The Board looks forward to welcoming the new student members, who will begin their terms on July 1st, 2025.
Food Service
Andrew Lennon provided an update on the Food Service Program, saying that after a bumpy start to elementary food ordering and credit card payment processing at the beginning of the school year, the District is prepared to transition back to My School Bucks for K-12 meal orders starting in September. Parents will not have to wait for a confirmation or a funding confirmation, as they did prior to last school year with My School Bucks and Nutrislice. It'll be an immediate order through Nutrislice.
Lennon also addressed the recent announcement of the NY State budget's “Free Meals for All" component and the need for the district to join the National School Lunch Program. Though the budgeted program is not a state mandate, Lennon shared that, “We are not there yet. There's a lot of work that is involved if we were to pursue this. First and foremost, we would need to be on the National School Watch Program, which we are not. We would need to really look closely at what that means for us, including perhaps participation in the breakfast program that doesn't exist today. We're working with our food service consultant to understand better what's in the state budget, and if there would be an opportunity for one or all, or some of our schools to participate in that program. We will do that over the next few months and come back with an update when we have more information with the recommendation or approach if we were to proceed with that plan.” Lennon added, “This is likely a material change to the food service contract, which would require a new bid for the food service company…It's really an involved process. We want to do it right.”
EV Bus Contract
During Public Comments, Howard Weinberg, representing his company, took the opportunity to share his concerns about the District's $6.1 million electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure plan and encouraged the District to obtain a second quote. Weinberg claimed the true cost could exceed $10 million and that his company proposed a solution at half the cost, promising $5 million in savings over eight years.
Later, Lennon responded to Weinberg’s concerns by saying, “I'd like to clarify the cost component of the $25.6 budget. To be very clear, as the Board is aware, Highland Fleet is a supplier of a fleet as a service program that was competitively bid through a sourcewell, a cooperative bid program. That's where we made our contract to them for this fleet as a service program. There are four budgeted buses intended to be in our fleet next year, one purchase this year and three next year. Highlands' proposal in place to $64,000 in next year's budget for the infrastructure, training and charging systems and software related to just those four vehicles.”
Lennon went on to note that the District is currently in contract negotiations with Highland Fleet and has been utilizing the school’s attorney to help vet both the RP process as well as the draft contract agreement with Highland. Lennon closed with, “Highland Fleet has been negotiating back and forth with us, with very meaningful changes.”
Later in the meeting, two Education Reports were shared which will be highlighted in a separate article. To watch the BOE meeting in its entirety see here.
Maroon and White Celebrates Athletes at Signing Day
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Girls Wrestling TeamMaroon and White recognized signed athletes and winter Sectional Champions at a celebration in the gym on Wednesday May 8, 2025.Cindy Parrot, Scarsdale Athletic Director along with Jeff Weigel, Assistant Athletic Director warmly greeted the many athletics, parents, relatives, and friends that came out to cheer on and support the 11 senior students athletics who will participate and compete on the college level in the NCAA Division 1, Division 3 and also USports RSEQ conference in Canada next year.
Ms. Parrot began the program by first honoring the Scarsdale High School athletes and teams that won their winter sports sectional championships. At the first ever sectional tournament for girls wrestling, the SHS girls wrestling team brought home the championship. The team, Daisy Bennett, Felicity Bennett, Jaqueline Goldberg, Grace Liebman, Iman Maroof, and Emma Steggall were the first to be honored with applause and photographed in front of the SHS Raiders logo step and repeat. Daisy Bennett and Iman Maroof were also named sectional winners in their respective weight classes.
Tommy Iasiello
In Boy’s Wrestling, senior Tommy Iasiello was named sectional champion and won his weight class for the third consecutive year in a row. Ms. Parrot mentioned that he was honored at the Fall Signing Day when he committed to wrestling and lacrosse at Roger Williams University.
Indoor Track - Julia Scheffler and Adriana Pettinelli
There were three section champions named for Indoor Track. Julie Scheffler won the 1500 meter race walk. Maria Roberts won the 300 meter race and Adriana Pettinelli won the 1500 meter event. Ms. Parrot called up the last sectional champions from the Boys Swimming and Diving team. Avi Stahl who won the 200 meter freestyle and Kieran Lee who won the individual medley.
Boys Swimming and Diving: Avi Stahl and Kieran Lee
Calling up the Division 1 senior athletics first, Ms. Parrot named Varvara Mankova who will be fencing at The Ohio State University as well as Hannah Wasserman who will be playing basketball at Yale University.
Hannah Wasserman
Varvara Mankova
She then continued to honor the senior athletics signing at Division 3 universities and called up Rishi Shadaksharappa who will be competing in Cross Country and Track and Field at Washington University in St. Louis.
Rishi Shadaksharappa
She also named Lilsa Hambazaza who will be fencing at NYU next year.
Lilsa Hambazaza
Zane Kohn will be playing squash at MIT and Giana Marks will be playing tennis at Carleton College.
Zane Kohn
Giana MarksEmma Lee will play D1 Golf at Yale University
Emma Lee
Sam SaeedSam Saeed will also be playing tennis for Pomona College.
Leo UmanskyLeo Umansky will be playing tennis for the University of Rochester.
Lily Streicher
Lilly Streicher will be running Cross Country and Track and Field at the University of Rochester.
Dugan
Dugan who will swim at Bryn Mawr College.
Yusuke Sato has committed to McGill University in Canada. Though McGill is not part of the NCAA in the US, Canada has their own collegiate conference, the USports RSEQ. At McGill he will be playing soccer.
Ms. Parrot closed the ceremony with congratulations to all the athletes on their amazing accomplishments and future wins and success as well as a reminder to the parents, friends and family that they should “enjoy every minute of it!"
Flag Football Teams Bests New Rochele 14-7 on April 24
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Senior Chloe Paquin (#11) reaches high to grab a pass for the 1-point conversion.The undefeated Scarsdale Flag Football traveled to New Rochelle on Wednesday April 24 to take on a tough New Rochelle team. The Raiders scored two touchdowns in the first half and held on for a 14-7 win in a hard-fought game. The Raiders next play Yonkers City at home on April 25th.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game
To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/
Junior Leah Brown (#9) breaks free after catching a short pass.
Senior Naomi Fischer (#5) reaches to try and grab the flag of a New Rochelle runner.
Senior Allison Kahn (#6) scans the field as she starts her punt return.
Senior quarterback Lilly Tessler (#4) scrambles out of the pocket.
Junior Talia Arovas (#14) runs after catching a pass on a crossing route.
Naomi Fischer (#5) tries to outrun a New Rochelle defender.
Leah Brown (#9) dances in the open field as part of a long run after her catch.
Lilly Tessler (#4) sits in the pocket and eyes the field ready to make a pass.
Talia Arovas (#14) makes a valiant effort to haul in a pass.
Leah Brown (#9) splits two defenders while running after her catch.
Junior Gia Asen (#2) sprints in the open field after catching a short pass.
A Close Game Vs. Pelham for Scarsdale Boys LAX Team on April 11
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Scarsdale students brave the weather to cheer on their team.The Scarsdale Boys Varsity Lacrosse team battled a tough Pelham team under cold and rainy conditions on Friday April 11. The hard-fought game was very competitive throughout and finished in a 6-all tie at the end of regulation. The Pelicans came out on top 7-6 by scoring early in the second overtime period.
The Raiders are now 3-3 on the season. Their next game is home against Yorktown on April 25.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game
To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/
Senior Oliver Chai (#11) looks to make a pass upfield.
Senior Tommy Iasiello (#24) closely eyes his shot on goal in between 3 defenders.
Senior Jackson Starr (#8) gets ready to shoot and score.
Sophomore Turner Mauro (#14) breaks free from 2 Pelham players.
Sophomore Gavin Wellen (#7) tries to apply pressure and stay with his man.
Freshman Sam Stahler (#33) applies pressure while his opponent takes a shot.
Jackson Starr (#8) makes a pass in an offensive set.
Turner Mauro (#14) fires in a long range shot.
Tommy Iasiello (#24) takes an overhand shot.
Junior Colin Brennan (#22) breaks free into open space before taking a shot.
Turner Mauro (#14) tries to make a pass while under pressure.
Season Opener for Girls Varsity Lacrosse
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Senior midfielder Jane Hoffman (#20) tries to get around her defender.The Scarsdale Girls Varsity Lacrosse team opened their season on Friday April 4 taking on the Briarcliff Bears at Briarcliff High. The Bears started strong and while the Raiders kept fighting, they couldn’t close the gap. The end result was Briarcliff winning the game 17-8. The Raiders play four straight road games to open their season. Their home opener is April 14 against Pearl River.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of Game.
To see more game photos and/or download photos, please click here.
Senior midfielder Lexi Kiley (#7) looks for open teammate.
Junior attacker Skylar Katz (#3) tries to put pressure on her opponent.
Lexi Kiley (#7) maneuvers around her defender to take a shot on goal.
Freshman midfielder Penny Wagg (#15) takes the open space before passing the ball.
Senior goalie Kamila El Moselhy (#8) closely watches play near the Scarsdale goal.
Junior defender Tessa Franco (#13) gets ready to pass the ball up the field.
Sophomore midfielder Ali Greco (#24) runs toward the goal before passing.
Sophomore attacker Caitlin Jeremiah (#12) fires in a shot.
Lexi Kiley (#7) congratulates Jane Hoffman (#20) after she scored a goal.
