School News

Details: Published: 17 July 2013; Created: 17 July 2013; Last Updated: 17 July 2013; Hits: 4929

Dog2 The opening of Scarsdale Puppy Shop on Weaver Street has made the issue of puppy mills and stores that buy from them a hot button issue again for area residents. In an effort to learn more about the puppies at Scarsdale Puppy Shop, we contacted the owner for some answers. We wanted to know, among other things, where the puppies came from, what happens to the unsold ones, and had he visited the breeding facilities. Despite a request for a sit-down, the owner informed us that on advice of counsel, he would not speak with anyone from Scarsdale10583.com. This begs the question: What is there to hide?

If you are considering buying from a puppy store or any other facility in the area, think about the following before you make your purchase.

1. Look at rescue organizations, animal welfare centers and reputable breeders first. Reputable breeders (as opposed to a commercial breeding entity) that breed responsibility with an animal's health and welfare in mind will insist on meeting prospective families face to face or, in this era of modern technology, Skype as an alternative if distance is a factor. A good breeder will ask for personal references and want pictures of your home and yard. If you are going to lay out $1,000 or more for a new family addition, wouldn't you want to know how many litters the breeder has bred and whether or not the sire and dam have been tested for heredity diseases? Bottom line: A reputable breeder won't sell to a store that sells puppies. No, never, end of story. Check out rescue organizations. There is a rescue group for practically every breed at every stage of life. You get to meet the animal many times on more than one occasion and spend time together to see if you are good match for each other. Plus you get the added bonus that the people who run rescue organizations are passionate about the animals under their care and know the animal's temperament well, helping to ensure that your new addition will fit in well with your family now -- and in the future.

2. No, you aren't saving a life if you buy from a store that sells puppies. Ever think what happens to the puppies that are not sold and are past the age of being "adorable?" The owner can't take home every unsold dog. In most cases, unsold puppies are returned to puppy brokers and then sent back to the puppy mills, where they are caged and forced to reproduce. In other cases unsold pets are dumped at local animal shelters where, if not adopted in a short time frame, they are euthanized. So, if you honestly believe you are doing some good by "rescuing" a puppy/dog/kitten/cat from a pet shop window, think again. Your money keeps the cycle alive and pumping out animals.

3. Don't think because NY State regulates pet dealers this ensures puppies have humane conditions in which to live. Consider this fact: the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) regulates pet dealers. According to the department's website, DAM's budget for 2011-12 was $166 million with $117,000 of that budget used to fund the division responsible for regulating pet stores. That division has one inspector for New York State covering 267 licensed pet stores. As a result, not enough funds and manpower are in place at the state level to regulate the operation of pet stores. New York is a big state – how could one inspector possibly make a difference?

4. A USDA license means almost nothing. According to Cori Menkin, senior director of ASPCA's Puppy Mills Campaign, "Consumers need to know that they should not be falsely reassured when a pet store tells them their puppies come from USDA licensed breeders." According to Menkin, "Unfortunately, USDA standards alone do not ensure that dogs are raised humanely in an environment in which they can thrive." If you are even considering buying from a pet store, check out ASPCA's http://nopetstorepuppies.com and see if you still feel the need to make a purchase at a pet store. Many of the photos on the website depict conditions commonly found in mills. The photos show not only conditions that violate federal law, but also conditions that are legal but that the ASPCA and the general public consider inhumane. The new database aims to educate consumers about where pet store puppies really come from by showing them what it looks like inside many USDA licensed facilities.

To write a balanced article, I wanted to include information on why buying from a puppy store is beneficial for the animals and their future families. The only argument I could come up with is that it is convenient. Drive up, park, pull out the plastic and drive away with your new best friend. Though I am sure that the puppies in Scarsdale Puppy Shop are well cared for and given the best available care, I believe the public has the right to know the true story behind those puppies in the window.

Details: Written by Diana Bletter; Published: 10 July 2013; Created: 10 July 2013; Last Updated: 10 July 2013; Hits: 3137

This piece was submitted by Diana Bletter, formerly of Great Neck and now a resident of Israel: The Muslim holiday of Ramadan begins this year on July 9. Right before Ramadan began last year, I attended my first Muslim wedding ceremony of my friend, Amira. The wadah-elarus ceremony, or Farewell to the Bride, was held in Amira's family's courtyard in the village across from my house in Israel's Western Galilee. The all-female rite marks the end of a woman's life in her childhood home and her transition into her groom's household. Amira's ceremony gave me the chance to celebrate with her—and to be reminded of how grateful I am to be an American-born woman.

When I arrived, there were about 100 women seated around the compound watching as Amira danced by herself in her long white wedding gown. Every so often, she dabbed her tears, making sure her make-up didn't run, and a sister-in-law whisked away her crumpled tissue, pressing a fresh one into her palm. In another hour, her bridegroom's family would come and take her away.

I've known Amira since I moved from Long Island to Israel in 1991. Unmarried and the youngest of eight, Amira, 41, seemed destined to be the designated daughter: the one who'd live with her elderly parents and take care of them forever. But in her large family clan, she was also the macher, the go-to person if you wanted anything done. Mornings, she managed the auto-repair shop of one brother; afternoons, she ran the endocrinology clinic of another brother; evenings, she raised the son of yet another brother, a widower.

Then, suddenly, Amira shocked everyone with the news that she was marrying Issam, a man she met through work. She told me that Issam's marriage to his distant cousin ended when she left him and their three children for a childhood sweetheart. The move was scandalous; their three children stayed with Issam, refusing to even speak to their mother. Issam searched for a new wife and after meeting Amira several times, he proposed and she accepted.

Now, Amira was having one last dance with friends and family before she switched loyalties to Issam's clan. A disc jockey played Arabic melodies spiked with a throbbing beat. Amira caught my eye and invited me to join her. I was wearing a gingham shirt, skinny jeans and ballet shoes – how could I blend in among the stiletto heels, long robes and hijabs? Dizzying nights at Studio 54 in the 1970s hadn't prepared me for this dance. Plus, I was the only Jewish woman there: I knew everyone would stare at me. Yet I couldn't sit this one out.

I made my way through the throng of women thinking about all the things I do that the women in the village would never do. Simple things, like riding a bike. My life was so different from theirs. I'd moved from Great Neck—a town with a reputation not unlike Scarsdale's—to live in Israel with my first husband and our four children. And then I recklessly fell in love with someone else. However, I never feared losing my kids or the condemnation of my community. And, because I grew up on "The Brady Bunch," I plunged into blending a new family with six kids, and unofficially adopting a seventh.

How could I not worry about Amira? She was sacrificing her relatively independent life to cook and clean for a man she barely knew, raising his kids under the watchful eye of a mother-in-law in a much more traditional village. Yet this might be Amira's last chance to have children and her own family. And then again, American women also fiercely debate if they can have it all. I suddenly understood that in Amira's society, this was the best choice that she could make. So I danced with her, trying to gracefully weave my fingers through the air, writing invisible blessings for Amira across the sky.

A short time later, the bridegroom's mother and sisters came through the gate, beating drums. Amira danced with them for a while and then it was time for her to go. She bent over her mother and kissed her good-bye with a grave finality I'd never seen on American brides' faces. Two of her brothers escorted her to an idling car that would take her to her husband waiting in his village 30 miles away.

The ceremony was over and I drove back across the road. "How was it?" my step-daughter asked when I got home.

"It was moving," I said. "It was—"

"Give me a kiss and then yap while you're making dinner," my husband, Jonny, said, half-joking. "I'm starving!"

I couldn't help laughing. I gave him a kiss and cooked dinner, feeling even more grateful when Jonny swept the floor and cleaned up. Sometimes all you have to do is cross the road to be reminded how far you've come—and how far so many women around the world still have to go.

Diana Bletter is the author of The Mom Who Took Off On Her Motorcycle (Kent & Cordell, 2013), available here from Amazon.

Details: Written by Carly Glickenhaus; Published: 20 June 2013; Created: 20 June 2013; Last Updated: 20 June 2013; Hits: 6884

aschool1 Pride and triumph filled the SHS auditorium last Friday, June 14th, at the Scarsdale Alternative School Graduation. SAS was established in 1972 in the hopes of creating a sense of community among a group of students and teachers that would work together in learning to express and defend ideas and opinions.

Fridayʼs graduation ceremony strayed from tradition, representative of SASʼs philosophy, which is to provide a unique path for students to take throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years in a small, democratic, hands-on community. Mukund Murari, a graduating A-school senior and Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon, warmly welcomed the audience and explained that the A-school is a "tight-knit community where all students have a personal relationship with one another, teachers, and staff." He then introduced the A-school Teacher-In-Charge, Howard Rodstein.

Mr. Rodstein incorporated the interactive aspect of the A-school into the graduation ceremony by having the graduates repeat after him, reciting three phrases. First, "We are citizens." This emphasized the A-schoolʼs value of education built on respect for individuality and duty to the community. Second, he had the students repeat, "We won the lottery!" Both physically and figuratively, these graduates did. In order to create diversity and to be fair, A-school admission is based solely on a lottery. Whoever is interested in joining A-school is entered into the lottery during freshman year and names are chosen at random. So, in a way, these students did win the lottery. However, these 28 seniors also "won the lottery" in a more abstract way. As Mr. Rodstein reminded the audience, "We are lucky to live where we live and engage with very special friends." SAS students are blessed with an education in Scarsdale as well as the opportunity to be a part of a special community where their opinion and vote count towards important decisions. Lastly, Mr. Rodstein had students ask themselves, "Now, what are we going to do with our wonderful fortune?," which is his way of asking the golden question for every graduating class, "Whatʼs next?"

Customary of any graduation, the students were reminded of some important lessons to carry with them always. Mr. Rodstein stressed that "Itʼs okay to be afraid." Through a personal anecdote, he reminded the students that fear does not stop one from succeeding. He reassured them that "Smart people make mistakes all the time. They challenge themselves with things that are difficult for them."

!Scarsdale High Schoolʼs Principal Ken Bonamo also had some inspirational words for the seniors, who make up the first A-school class he will see graduate. Mr. Banamo told them, "My hope for you today is that you retain that spirit of inquiry, of advocacy, of intellectual wrestling, and that you use those skills to engage in material that truly interests you, and that finally, you combine that spirit and those skills to do something that benefits our society as a whole."

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Sheilah Chason, one of the SAS teachers, joined the A-school at the same time as the graduates did, three years ago. A box of tissues in hand, she emotionally told them that she would always remember this class with warmth and gratitude. She then made meticulous speeches to each of her advisees. This tradition of SAS is yet another way their customs wander outside the mainstream. Detailed, individual speeches are made from advisor to advisee, highlighting the studentʼs strengths and successes, and giving each student a moment to shine. Following each speech, the advisor handed the graduate a diploma and fellow A-school students handed each a gift. Ms. Chasonʼs advisees were Madison Boss (Senior Project Award), Lauren Bostrom, Jordanna Cooper, Caroline Finkelstein, George Frankle, and Sophia Noulas.

The next advisor to take the microphone was Jeanne Cooper. Mukund Murari described his teacher as "[having] a way of making students want to impress her. She never fails to motivate us." Ms. Cooper presented diplomas to her advisees Celeste DiLauro, Lauren Farfel, Sydney Green, Rebecca Groner, Douglas "DJ" Halloway (Senior Project Award), and Jessie Somekh.

After a brief intermission, the ceremony recommenced as Mukund Murari introduced his history teacher with great excitement. "In addition to patience, Jen has a passionate enthusiasm for history, which as a student, makes you want to just jump up and yell something like ʻYes! I get it now!ʼ" After her lively introduction, Jen Maxwell made speeches for and presented diplomas to her advisees, Ally Gross, Harris Gurny, Matt Kayle, Rebecca Miller, and Caroline Rodman.

English teacher Mr. Rodstein then returned to the microphone to acknowledge his own advisees, Andy Sherman, Kayce Venezia, Keenen Willis, and Chelsea Wong.

The "Tony" award is the highest award given in the A-school. It was established in honor of a revered A-school director, Tony Aranella, and is given to seniors who best express and honor the values and principles the A-school was created upon. Because of her "intellectual curiosity... and her excellent and growing leadership skills," Rebecca Groner was one of the seniors presented with the award this year. Keenen Willis was also honored with the "Tony" award. Mr. Rodstein told the audience, "For Keenen, there was no there was no ʻsenior slumpʼ because for him, school is not about rewards and punishment... Rather, it is about inquiry and shared endeavor, feeling, and thought... Part of what I admire about Keenen is his understated, but very public brand of citizenship."

Of his own advisor, Mukund remarked, "Jim has always encouraged us to be intellectually curious rather than feeding us information, and at first I was uncomfortable with this, but now I feel even more prepared for college." Jim Williams then presented diplomas to his advisees, Emma Pendrill, Mukund Murari, Sarah Korzec, Doug Berman, Tiana Palmer-Poroner, Matt Ellman, and Anabelle Brecker.

Senior Speaker Keenen Willis wrapped up the ceremony with a thoughtful speech that brought a close a three-year journey. "Weʼve come to understand that learning isnʼt about getting a 100 on a test or doing the best in the class. Itʼs about understanding whatʼs being taught and finding meaning and value in it. That is frequently a challenge in Scarsdale, which tends to have a slightly intense and competitive atmosphere... Starting today, we can look forward to a new adventure." He then read an excerpt of a poem the students had read in English class. It carried a message that would reassure his fellow classmates that although they will be leaving a wonderful community they have depended on for three years, each will form new ties and always find someone to rely on in college.

Warmth, gratitude, and dignity were so clearly evident in the smiles of the seniors as each student greeted their teacher advisor with a hug when they came to the stage to accept their diploma. Students have set "impossibly high standards" at their internships and advisors say that these students have taught them a wide array of new things, whether it be lessons, facts, or words. The Class of 2013 truly maintained the high level of excellence and upheld the values of the A-School.

Traditional caps and gowns were nowhere to be seen, but without a doubt, the unique ceremony held Friday was a special day for all.

Photos by Becky Schwartz

Details: Written by Maya Melamed; Published: 27 June 2013; Created: 27 June 2013; Last Updated: 28 January 2014; Hits: 5758

EHS-GRAD-13-019 The Edgemont High School 2013 graduation was a time to look back and forward for the departing seniors, their parents and School Superintendent Nancy Taddiken who retires this year after 32 years at the district. With clear skies and comfortable temperatures, the ceremony took place on the campus outside the school on the evening of June 20th at 6:30 pm and began as the Class of 2013 streamed through the breezeway in their royal blue graduation gowns.

Graduating senior Abhinav Jaiswal opened the ceremony, saying "Edgemont is where I made the best friends of my life... where I was supported by the most caring people in my life; my parents. I want to thank them and all the parents here from the bottom of our hearts and let them know how much we love them." He thanked his teachers, saying "Edgemont is where I have been mentored by amazing adults." He credited them with "patience, goodwill and generosity." He continued, "Edgemont is where I call home. It has been my home and it has changed me. We are Edgemont. And so to answer the question, Where is Edgemont? Edgemont is wherever we are and so soon, Edgemont will be everywhere."

Nancy Taddiken gave an eloquent and emotional speech paralleling her experience with those of the departing seniors. She said, "Many of you have EHS-GRAD-13-025 been in Edgemont for your entire lives.... It may be harder to think that there may be a life after Edgemont....I've loved almost every minute of my time here. It's been my home away from home." Quoting Robert Frost, she said, "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in," and added, "What did I do to deserve such a wonderful home away from home in this special place called Edgemont."

She left the seniors with three final thoughts:

How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.
And quoting her late husband she said, "The greatest gift of all is to love and be loved."

She brought many to tears when she said, "I hope that each of you feels as loved as I have felt here in Edgemont," and was given a standing ovation.

Principal Ganeshananthan explained how riding his fixed gear bicycle helps him understand the road beneath his tires, realize a sense of risk and rewards, and provides a zen-like experience. He drew an analogy between his rides and the moments that magically come together for his students. ... "When you worked together to win a league championship, found the solution to a trig problem. .. or were on stage and became the part that you were playing." He ended by saying, "Things in life that are worthwhile rarely come easily. I hope that the road before you offers many more such magic moments. And that you cherish not just the reward but the effort that brings you there. "

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Thomas McCormack, President of the Edgemont School Board took the podium and gave a speech that was both comedic and serious. He provided eight pieces of "practical advice" for the upcoming years ahead to the graduating class in a clever, entertaining manner.

English teacher Michael DeVito told the group that "Graduations often extol the graduating institution and the graduating class." However he shared a lesson from Kurt Vonnegutt's Cat's Cradle where he "challenged the meaningfulness of false or arbitrary groups and feared the loss of self when identifying with a group." Instead, he urged the students "to find those people with whom we have a more genuine connection." He warned, "While we can't deny the beauty and significance of Edgemont, we cannot let that pride turn into chauvinism."

He continued, by offering the seniors "some ambiguity"

Embrace Edgemont; Celebrate it's meaning in your life. At the very same time, let it go.
Appreciate Edgemont and the important skills and character you have built here, and at the very same time recognize the limitations of these skills and character for they are still developing. Whatever Grand Falloon you join next will have its own set of challenges.
Remember Edgemont – we are all together for the last time. You are a Panther for life; at the very same time, forget it.

Student athlete Carolina Sguerra shared two important words she learned from her soccer coach; patience and composure when he told her, "Don't shoot the ball until it is perfect." Applying these two words to life experiences, she said, "No matter what the hand we are dealt we must always keep our heads up and remember that things happen for a reason. Practice patience and keep your composure and you'll never miss you perfect shots."

Emma Cantor shared her thoughts about living in the moment." She said, "It seems we are constantly rushing. We are easily distracted by the next thing. We rushed to pick classes, to get our driver's licenses, to visit colleges, to get into college, to graduate. But now we are here. This is the moment we have been rushing towards. To borrow from Elle Woods', "We did it." Here we are at commencement – this is just the beginning. Savor the moment. It is so easy to rush through life to something seemingly more important. I hope we are less concerned with where we end up then with how we get there. Stop along the way to take a breath. To be astonished and proud and grateful."

With that, students each received their diplomas and warm embraces, and threw their caps in the air in celebration.

Pictures by Mariela Melamed: Click here to see more:

Details: Published: 13 June 2013; Created: 13 June 2013; Last Updated: 13 May 2014; Hits: 4389

maya On Friday, June 7th, I had the pleasure of attending the Senior Prom. As a Junior I was excited to be attending, and had no idea what to expect ... as it turns out no else did either. The rain caused many last minute changes to pre-pre-prom gatherings at homes and at school, where due to the weather, the pre-prom event had to be moved from the courtyard to the cafeteria. Many were worried that the heavy downpours would turn the night into a disaster. In the end, though the heavy rain caused a bit of chaos, all turned out well, with the exception of a few frizzed hair-dos.

When we arrived at the school in our prom garb, fellow students were on call to escort us under umbrellas from our cars to the entrance of the school. Pre-prom in the cafeteria was crowded and hot, filled with overanxious parents snapping hundreds of pictures under fluorescent lights. The girls all looked beautiful in colorful, flowing dresses with elaborate hair styles and dramatic makeup. The boys looked great as well, most in black tuxedos with an occasional white jacket or grey tux. edgepromumbrella

After a long, sweaty, sticky hour in the cafeteria we headed out to the prom. This year it was held at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. The location was beautiful, right on the water. Although the rain prevented us from spending time outside, the water view was still scenic ... even in the storm. For cocktail hour there was a buffet of fruit and vegetables as well as passed finger foods.

The spacious ballroom where the prom was held was comfortable for the crowd. We were served a vegetable appetizer followed by a choice of entrée of steak, chicken, or salmon. For dessert we ate a medley of sorbets. The meal was interrupted several times by dancing. It was nice to see the whole class enjoying themselves together on the dance floor. The DJ played both current music and music we grew up listening to from all genres. Most girls fought to keep their heels, trying to manage a smile while blisters formed on their toes.

As the night wrapped up and the teacher chaperones headed home, many students changed outfits and headed out to different after-prom locations. At midnight, the night was still young. Some went to the city, others returned to houses in Edgemont and some risked the beach. At 6 am I arrived home on a prom bus and was greeted with breakfast. As I had been up all night, I could not keep my eyes open. At 6:30 am I found myself in bed, under the covers, with 85 bobby pins jabbing at my head, but nevertheless was very content with my night. Prom 2013 was a great experience ... and as exhausting as the whole process was, I had a great time. I cannot wait until next year when I get to experience it all again at my prom!