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Written by: Maryellen and Chris Saenger

Published: 04 November 2019

Created: 04 November 2019

Last Updated: 04 November 2019

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Drawing a close on a tremendous rebuilding year where the Raiders achieved an impressive 5-2 record, the team had a hard fought loss in its final playoff game vs. Arlington on the night of Friday November 1 under the lights on Butler Field. Here are some highlights:

Senior Captains Harry Song, Sam Feldman, Dean Mancini, and Chris Saenger (Photo: Lou Mancini)

Running back Harry Song in action (photo: Jon Thaler).Raiders Varsity Team Post Final Game 11-1-19 (Photo: Julie Miller)

Quarterback Ben Miller, who scored solo touchdown, in action (Photo: Jon Thaler)

Linebackers Chris Saenger and Adam Friehofner in action. (Photo: Jon Thaler)

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 30 October 2019

Created: 30 October 2019

Last Updated: 07 November 2019

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Domestic abuse does not always involve black eyes and bruises. It comes in many forms including stalking, tracking, intimidation and even controlling finances. And it’s not only wives that are abused … teens, husbands, pets and even children are often collateral damage. In fact, Westchester County has the sad distinction of losing the second highest number of children to domestic violence in the State of New York. It is also interesting to note that this abuse is not limited to the underserved. According to Darlene Reda of the Westchester County Office for Women, abuse happens in every community and no one is immune. It affects rich and poor, black and white, teens, adults and the elderly.

In a presentation at Scarsdale High School on the morning of October 29, Reda reviewed several local high-profile cases where abuse resulted in death. Among them was the 2016 case of Dr. Robin Goldman of Heathcote, who was in the midst of a divorce when her husband stabbed her 21 times. After killing her in the shower, her husband went downstairs, smoked a cigarette, and called the police.

In 2017 in nearby Purchase, Steven Dym shot his wife Loretta and his daughter Caroline before shooting himself, perhaps as a result of his financial problems.

In order to help those at risk before the worst happens, the Westchester County Office for Women has embarked on a countywide initiative to implement a lethality screening program and risk assessment protocol.

In her presentation before school staff, students, parents and community members, Reda shared some signs of abuse in order to raise awareness about this taboo issue 

Whether it’s you, a family member or a friend, below are some signs of psychological abuse that can sometimes be confused with affection. Reda showed this list of the warning signs that you are being abused. The abuser might do the following:

-Isolate you from your family and friends
-Put you down.
-Try to control what you do/say/wear.
-Deny you access to money or financial assets.
-Blame you for everything that’s wrong with the relationship
-Accuse you over and over again of being unfaithful
-Force you to have sex

And what does abuse look like to friends and colleagues?

-Physical injuries
-Stress related illnesses
-Marital family problems
-Alcohol or other addictions
-Depression/anxiety/suicidal thoughts
-Leaving work early and absenteeism
-Strict adherence to start and end times for social events
-Inability to go out with friends
-Checking with partner frequently
-Having to have expenses approved
-Abrupt changes in personality
-Fatigue, sullenness

Here are some tactics an abuser might use that are sometimes confused with love and affection:

-Stalking, menacing or harassing
-Tracking a loved one with a tracking tile or by phone.
-Sending notes and flowers
-Abusing a pet
-Taking away a person’s phone.

Reda explained that the goal of these tactics is to gain power and control another person. Victims often deny or excuse the abuse, and then strive to avoid setting off explosive behavior in their abusers.

Why do the victims remain with their abusive spouses? Reda cited guilt, financial fears, social or religious pressure, embarrassment and the hope that the person will change.

Reda recounted the five “S’s” that are indicators that someone is indeed at risk. They are:

-Separation –Six months around a marital separation is the most dangerous time for victims.

-Strangulation –Strangulation or choking is a high indicator that an abuser intends to kill. She said a victim of strangulation “is a homicide victim that survives.” Choking demonstrates that an abuser is trying to suck the life out of someone.

-Stalking is another sign that should be taken that very seriously.

-Suicide threats to kill themselves or threats to kill the spouse and the children show that the abuser has no regard for his/her life or those of his family.

-Last, SES, or a change in socio economic status often triggers abuse.

How can you help someone who you suspect is being abused?

First, let them manage their own life while expressing concern. Reassure the victim that it’s not their fault and connect them with local resources and counseling. Don’t suggest that they leave or retain an attorney and don’t give advice. That could open them to increased danger.

In order to identify those at risk, and take measure to get them help, the Westchester County office for Women secured grant funding for the Risk Reduction Team pilot program. They are working with local and state police to address cases where there is a high risk for lethality. The Danger Assessment is an evidence- based tool developed by Dr. Jacqueline Campbell. Many advocates are certified in using it to assess risk. Police in Westchester will be trained in using the law enforcement version of the tool to identify those that could be killed by their partners. 

The tool asks the following:

-Has he/she ever used a weapon again you or threatened you with a weapon?
-Has he/she ever threatened to kill you or your children?
-Do you think he/she might try to kill you?

Even if the response to these questions is “no”, police would then follow up with asking more questions to assess risk.

The goal of the initiative is to put daylight on abuse that is going on behind closed doors.

The discussion was hosted by The Safe Coalition: Children, Families, Community at Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service. For further information contact Safe Coalition Coordinator, Lauren Pomerantz, LCSW at [email protected] or 721-2468.

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Written by: Jordy Love

Published: 15 October 2019

Created: 15 October 2019

Last Updated: 17 October 2019

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Maroon and White kicked off its Fall Raider Pride Week on Tuesday morning October 15. Raider Pride Week will culminate with Friday night’s Homecoming Football game versus Mamaroneck at Dean Field.

Raider team captains, cheerleaders and Maroon and White Board members were located at several building entrances and handed out hundreds of free Raider Pride/ Nonni’s late night tee shirts to students as they entered the high school Tuesday morning.

Raider Pride continues with healthy snacks being provided after school by the gym entrances on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and the distribution of Maroon and White cookies on Thursday.

Additionally a latex free balloon arch will be available for photographs of senior athletes in the hallway outside of the gym. Any teams wishing to arrange for senior group pictures can do so this week.

Finally, Friday night’s homecoming football game will be a black out. All fans are asked to wear black attire to the game. Maroon and White will be selling new black attire as well as other Maroon and White merchandise in school on Wednesday and Thursday during lunch outside of the cafeteria.

Home Varsity Games This Week

Tuesday
Girls Varsity B Tennis vs. Maria Regina - SHS - 4:15 pm

Wednesday
Varsity Field Hockey vs. Ursuline - SHS - 4:30 pm
Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Ursuline - SHS - 4:30 pm
Girls Varsity Swim & Dive vs. Sleepy Hollow - WCC - 4:45 pm

Thursday
Boys Varsity B Soccer vs. Mount Vernon - Quaker Ridge - 4:30 pm

Friday
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Mount Vernon - Scout Field - 4:30 pm
Varsity Football vs. Mamaroneck - SHS - 7:00 pm

Saturday
Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Mamaroneck - SHS - 6:00 pm

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Written by: Stacie M. Waldman

Published: 06 October 2019

Created: 06 October 2019

Last Updated: 07 October 2019

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An “outbreak” of lung injury among healthy, young people who vape, Juul or use electronic cigarettes is being investigated by the FDA, the CDC and state and local health agencies. Although certain politicians, parents and anti-nicotine activists have had concerns about e-cigarette use from their introduction, their positions have been easily contested since no negative data on vaping existed. In informal surveys, parents sometimes said they weren’t happy that their kid was vaping but “it was better than smoking cigarettes.” Scarsdale students report that vaping exists within school boundaries as well as outside of the physical grounds. The schools have responded by including vaping as a violation of school policy and defining the consequences.

Is vaping a public health crisis?

-As of the end of September, the CDC reported 1,080 lung injury cases likely related to e-cigarette use (100% of people reported regular vaping).

-19 people, almost 2% have died. There is limited information regarding the recovery of others. More information will help inform policy.

-The FDA reports that in the past year alone, vaping has increased among high school students by 78% (from 12% to 21%) and among middle school students by 48% (from 3%-5%).

-80% of vape-related lung injury cases are in people 35 years old and younger.

What is in the liquid used to vape?

“Vape Juice” is typically 95% propylene glycol and glycerin; the remaining 5% is made up of flavorings, nicotine and “other additives.” Over 80 chemicals have been found in e-liquids including formaldehyde, several heavy metals, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other ultra-fine particles. We are several years into the vaping trend and the use of the device has changed (as some predicted) and people are filling them with store-made concoctions (called e-juice or vape juice), finding great deals online from random manufacturers or filling up with THC-based or CBD oil. THC is the mind-altering part of marijuana. There is limited FDA oversight at this time so the e-liquid can have unknown additives and the nicotine/THC/CBD amounts are variable. There are certain manufacturing standards, but these seem hard to enforce. People can add other substances to the liquid and sell it second-hand since vaping devices are refillable. Whereas manufacturers market the liquid ingredients as “safe,” (some parts even organic), the aerosolized oil that is breathed into the lungs and its impact on humans is in question.

What does the device look like?

The device can look like a regular cigarette, a hookah or (commonly) a USB drive. Most have a battery, a heating element and a place to hold a liquid. Some have an LED light that glows upon inhalation. When a person “vapes,” they are heating the liquid and it is being turned into an aerosol for inhalation.

Why is vaping so tempting for teenagers?

There has been increasing debate about whether the e-cigarette industry targets teenagers with their ads. Juul along spent $104 million dollars advertising in the first half of 2019. The laws that govern the tobacco industry do not apply to e-liquid and vape pen manufacturers. There is the perception that vaping isn’t nearly as dangerous or addictive as tobacco cigarettes and they can be used much more discretely with no lasting smell. With hundreds of flavors and a simple click of a button claiming to be 21 years old on any online retailer’s site, one can order a vape pen and vape juice. Flavors include I love Donuts, Blueberry Cobbler, Loaded S’mores, Buttered Popcorn, Lucky Charms, Cookie Butter, Army Man, The Man e-Juice, Madison/Lacrosse/Green Bay, Unicorn Milk, Teacher’s Pet, Magic Man, White Chocolate, Bananas Foster...you get the idea. And, of course, when you buy the Cannoli Flavor, there’s a picture of the most delectable looking cannoli pictured next to the liquid.

What are the known negative effects of vaping?

According to data coming out of Yale Medicine, when you vape on a regular basis, the nicotine causes your body to slowly cut back on the amount of dopamine you produce. Dopamine helps regulate moods. As a person grows addicted to a substance, not only does the body fail to produce dopamine, but the dopamine receptors in the body can change shape to fit themselves to the addictive chemical and thus become unable to link with natural dopamine. Attention, memory and learning are all affected by high levels of nicotine in the body. Nicotine addiction makes it easier for a person to have subsequent addictions.

What is the vaping policy within Scarsdale Schools?

According to SHS Assistant Principal, here's the District's policy on vaping:

From the student handbook: "SMOKE, TOBACCO/ NICOTINE FREE SCHOOL Tobacco/Nicotine is a major health hazard for users and non-users alike. In compliance with state and federal law and Board of Education policy, the Scarsdale High School building and grounds are tobacco/ nicotine-free. We remind students that the sale of tobacco/nicotine to minors is illegal. Using tobacco/nicotine (including e-cigarettes or vaporizers) anywhere on school property, including private vehicles, is prohibited.”

“It is important to note that we consider vaping a serious health issue for adolescents. In all cases, we refer the student for counseling in school. This year, we are going to have a Nicotine Cessation program, which will be designed for students who are using and/or addicted to electronic delivery systems for Nicotine, such as Juuling.”

What is the penalty for a child caught vaping on school property? What if they are caught just with the device?

“Consequences for students may range from the loss of free periods to school suspension, depending on the location of the incident, the attitude and response of the student and the repetition of such incidents."

What has the parent response been, overall?

“The responses from parents have varied. That said, the vast majority are interested in helping their children recover and stop using.”

What measures has the District taken to prevent vaping at school?

“The District and school have provided targeted educational programming (assembly programs, parent education, and enhanced curriculum) to educate students about the dangers of vaping. We have also developed enhanced supervisory protocols to monitor bathrooms where vaping often occurs. Administrators, safety monitors, and building aides check vulnerable spaces (bathrooms and locker rooms) on a regular basis. The ‘stealth’ nature of electronic delivery systems does complicate this process. Regardless, we have seen a reduction in the numbers of students who have been caught vaping in these vulnerable spaces.”

Has there been any discussion about vape detectors in the district like some schools in North Carolina are considering?

The District is considering the use of sensors in bathrooms and locker rooms.

As with anything school related, it is important for parents to be familiar with school policy and enforce it on their end as well. With official warnings being circulated about the potential dangers of vaping, and with teens being a vulnerable and targeted population, it’s only a matter of time until the data dictates the law.