Make a Difference in Our Schools
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- Written by: Michael Chayes
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The School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) is seeking candidates to run for committee positions with terms beginning in January 2019. The SBNC is a committee of citizens elected from across the Village for the important purpose of nominating candidates to fill vacancies on the Scarsdale Board of Education. SBNC members serve a vital function within our village and we strongly encourage all residents interested in maintaining the excellence of Scarsdale schools to consider running for an SBNC position.
Each year, two members are elected from each of the five elementary school districts to serve a term of three years on the Nominating Committee, an additional year on the Administrative Committee, and a final year on the Joint Committee.
If you’re interested in running for the committee more information and biographical and petition forms are available on the SBNC website, https://scarsdalesbnc.com/join-the-sbnc/.
SHS Class of ’19 Gets Their Chance to Chalk
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- Written by: Becca Sklar
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The SHS Class of ’19 particpated in one of the rites of being a senior. On Friday September 14, Scarsdale High School seniors crowded around the Brewster Road entrance to participate in the annual Senior Chalking event. Students arrived as early as 6:15 am to begin work on their masterpieces. Students collaborated with their friends to draw a saying or a picture on the pavement and there were hundreds of hands on the ground, covered in colors from smearing shades together.
The artists sported bright white senior t-shirts, each with a large “SEN19RS” on the front and “GO B19 OR GO HOME” on the back, creating a sense of community and spirit amongst the senior class. A special event for seniors, chalking is something SHS students look forward to from the very start of high school. “Chalking was an awesome experience because it made us all really feel like seniors. After watching older kids participate in the tradition for years, it was crazy to think we were really the ones doing it now,” remarked Kelli Rainer, an SHS senior.
Music played and enthusiasm filled the air as students were adding details to their brightly colored creations that involved some sort of pun with the number 19.
Despite the commonly perceived notion that chalking is highly exclusive, there was little evidence that anyone was left out. Seniors walked around with wide smiles on their faces spreading nothing but warmth. When the rest of the student body crossed the Brewster Road entrance to get to class, they were greeted by vibrant color designs drawn by groups of friends, teams, and clubs, completely obscuring the maroon and grey pavement that was beneath all of the chalk.
With the entire senior class actively involved and having fun the entire morning, Senior Chalking 2019 was a major success and will remain a tradition at SHS for years to come.
Scarsdale Students Recognize 9/11, 17 Years Later
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- Written by: Sydney Albert
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Tuesday September 11 marked the 17th anniversary of the attacks at the World Trade Center. A day that will live in infamy, 9/11 is typically commemorated in Scarsdale Schools in order to honor those who lost their lives on that day. Though none of the students in the school can remember that day, many were disappointed and angered when Scarsdale High School failed to acknowledge the anniversary of this tragedy in 2017.
Last year, on September 11, 2017 students at Scarsdale High School carried out a typical school day. Teachers and administrators failed to acknowledge the important events that took place sixteen years ago. This neglect angered students who wanted to ensure that the story of 9/11 continues to be passed down to younger generations that did not live through it. In prior years, the day had been discussed in SHS history classes but was not recognized in 2017.
In response to criticism from the student body, Scarsdale High School returned to its practice of commemorating the tragic events on September 11th. Although school was not in session for this year’s anniversary due to Rosh Hashanah, a moment of silence was held on Friday, September 7. Many teachers extended the commemoration into their classrooms, discussing the lasting effects 9/11 has had on the country. Some teachers even chose to share their experience from that day, making some discussions rather emotional.
Students were much more satisfied with this year’s anniversary. Becca Sklar, an SHS senior, shared her thoughts on how 9/11 should be remembered in the classroom: “Last year, I went home genuinely unsettled having not discussed the events of 9/11 in history class. It’s imperative to commemorate 9/11 and to remember the victims; it is a piece of our country’s history and should not be ignored. This year, being able to have a conversation and recall the devastating events that occurred that day gave closure to many students and was tremendously important.”
Students in general felt a sense of relief once they heard Principal Kenneth Bonamo announce a moment of silence on the loudspeaker during first period on Friday. Most felt that this was a day that should be recognized as our country continues to be affected by the attacks and the repercussions of terrorism. In commemorating this day, students felt a sense of unity. It was comforting for them to feel the support of the school wide community in remembrance of the many local residents who lost their lives.
Promising Start to Raiders 2018 Season
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Co-captain Nayumi Parente-Ribeiro prepares to cross the ball during the first halfThe Scarsdale Girls Varsity A Soccer team has high expectations for the 2018 season, with a surfeit of talent returning amid hopes for a deep run in the Section 1 playoffs. The team began the season on a promising note with a 9-0 victory in its opening game against an overmatched Port Chester team, followed by a tough 3-1 loss against Somers High School.
The Port Chester game was played on Friday, August 31 at Scout Field. While the entire team played well, there were noteworthy performances by junior forward Olivia Bryant and senior mid-fielder Ella Ansell, each of whom tallied multiple goals, and several effective crosses by senior forward Nayumi Parenti-Ribeiro. Senior goalie Christina Coco played the first half and junior reserve goalie Sophia Caione played the second half. Neither one of them was tested. Every player on the Raiders’ roster saw meaningful playing time, enabling head coach Mindy Genovese to showcase the depth of talent that is the cause of so much optimism about the team’s prospects this season. 
Junior forward Olivia Bryant races down the field with a Port Chester defender in pursuit
The team faced a sterner test in its game against the Somers Tuskers on Wednesday, September 5 at Scout Field. Somers is a perennial top team in Section 1 and the Raiders knew they were facing a tough opponent. The contest was played in 90 degree heat and high humidity, with several dozen spectators in attendance. Throughout the game, Coach Genovese rotated players in order to ensure that everyone on the field was properly rested and hydrated. Scarsdale scored first, on a beautiful combination started when midfielder Ansell received a pass and sent a beautiful ball down the right side line to a streaking Kelly Rutherford. Rutherford was fouled as she closed in on the goal. The foul in the box resulted in a penalty kick and junior forward Olivia Bryant dutifully placed the ball in the top left corner of the net for a 1-0 Scarsdale lead. The game remained 1-0 at halftime. Shortly after the second half whistle, Somers scored on a header off a corner kick to knot the score at 1-1. About five minutes later, mid-fielder Allison Stafford sent a rifle shot from the top of the box toward the upper left corner of Somers’ goal, only to be thwarted as a Somers defender standing at the goal line managed to jump and head the ball just over the crossbar. Several minutes later, Somers took the lead on a misplay by the Scarsdale defense that led to a breakaway. Ansell had a chance to tie the score with a few minutes remaining in front of an empty net off a rebound in front of the Somers’ goal, but the shot went just wide. Somers scored late on a defensive miscommunication. Overall, the game was evenly played with neither team dominating in terms of possession. It was a game the Raiders could have, perhaps should have, won and there was some consolation in that the team demonstrated that it is capable of playing with the top teams in Section 1. 
Senior mid-fielder Kelly Rutherford takes on a Port Chester defender one-on-one
The next game will be against Section 1, Class AA rival North Rockland at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 7 at Scout Field. North Rockland traditionally poses one of the Raiders’ sternest challenges each season and this year promises to be no exception. Scarsdale10583.com will be there to follow and report on the action.
Photos by Jon Thaler – see more here: 
Co-captain Allison Stafford battles for possession against Port Chester
Co-captain Paige Barlow dribbles the ball up the left sideline
Kindergarten Enrollment Remains Low as Scarsdale Opens the 2018-19 School Year
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The Scarsdale Schools will officially open next week with the lowest student population in a decade. Currently district-wide enrollment stands at 4,689 students, down 80 students from the 2017-18 count of 4,769. In 2014-15, district enrollment was at 4,821, 132 students higher than this year.
The majority of the decrease in the number of students is in kindergarten, where only 255 students have registered, which is 69 students shy of the demographers projections of 324 students and down 70 students from the 2017-18 kindergarten class of 325 students. As of the July 10, 2018 meeting 236 had registered for kindergarten, and Assistant Superintendent Drew Patrick hoped that more would move in during the summer –- but to date that number only climbed to 255 – another 19 students.
The population at Scarsdale Middle School was projected at 1,130 and now stands at 1,118, down 12 students. At the high school, projected enrollment was 1,519 and is three students over at 1,522.
The total number of elementary school sections remains at 103. The loss of new students is spread around the district, with Edgewood, Greenacres and Heathcote to have two kindergarten classes rather than three this past year and Fox Meadow to have three sections as compared to four last year. At Quaker Ridge, the number of kindergarten classes will remain at four.
Enrollment Projection as of July, 2018. Enrollment now stands at 4,689 students for 2018-19
We asked Assistant Superintendent Drew Patrick for his thoughts on the numbers and here is what he shared:
What do you think are the factors behind this decrease in enrollment?
Hard to be certain, but it seems as if the change in the tax law may have stalled or delayed some people deciding to make a move to Scarsdale. Some real estate folks (through the grapevine) have indicated this may be a reason.
Will the sections be smaller? Why are there still 103 sections?
Our K-3 sections cap out at 22, and 4-5 at 24, so that drives the number of sections. The 103 represents where we were in June and in July, so this is consistent. We are down 3 from projected (106). Class sizes vary- where we have, say 52 kids, that demands three sections of 17, 17 and 18 (students), where if we have 43, that will be 22 and 21. I will give a full update on the September 17, 2018 Board of Education meeting.
Were any teachers laid off?
No. This was accomplished through attrition, though we did have to let go of 2 1-year leave replacement teachers. They were never promised more than a year, though.
Will the elementary schools be able to repurpose the space – and if so how will it be used?
That would have to be directed toward the schools- I can't speak for them. However, keep in mind this represents only 3 fewer classrooms total across 5 schools.
In other district news, Assistant Superintendent Stuart Mattey responded to our questions about the results of some ground testing at Greenacres that was done this summer in advance of the construction.
According the engineers, testing found the following:
-No groundwater encountered to a depth of 10’-0” below grade; and
-No changes to plans are required; and that
-Soil conditions are adequate for a typical foundation design.
