Schools

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 16 March 2015; Created: 16 March 2015; Last Updated: 17 May 2021; Hits: 8337

pamfuehrer Scarsdale residents Pam Fuehrer and Art Rublin have been nominated by the 2015 School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) for election to the Scarsdale Board of Education. If elected during the general school budget vote and school board election on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, these two nominees, both from Greenacres, will fill the seats held by current board president Mary Beth Gose and board member Lewis Leone, Jr., who will complete their second and final terms. New trustees assume their roles effective July 1.

Rublin is a Managing Director and Senior Counsel at BlackRock, the asset management firm. He and his wife Erika have lived in Scarsdale for over twelve years, and have three sons – one in fourth grade at Greenacres, one in second grade at Greenacres, and one that will be entering Kindergarten in September. Rublin has a BA from Harvard College and a law degree from Columbia Law School.

He was the original founder and chair of the Coalition for the Scarsdale Schools, a group that suppors funding for education and campaigned for a "yes" vote for the Scarsdale School budget in 2013 when the budget was defeated for the first time in over 40 years.

Reacting to the news, Art Rublin said, "I am truly honored to have received the SBNC's rublin nomination. If elected, I look forward to serving a community that my wife Erika and I cherish being a part of."

Fuehrer is currently President of Scarsdale PT Council, having previously served as a PT Council officer over many different years as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and was separately on the PT Council executive committee during her terms as President of the Edgewood PTA and President of the Middle School PTA. She has served on the board of directors for the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale, the Junior League of Central Westchester, the Drake Edgewood Neighborhood Association, the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol, and the Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund for College. She holds a BA in political science from Wellesley College and an MBA with a nonprofit management concentration from Columbia Business School. Her prior work experience includes management consulting at KMPG and advisory services, health care sector at Ernst & Young. She has advocated against unfunded state mandates and for local control of testing and teacher evaluations. She lives on Eton Road with her husband Craig and their children.

She commented on the news, saying, "I am so pleased to have this opportunity and I look forward to working with next year's Board. After years of closely observing the Board, I have developed a strong desire to participate in that level of conversation on issues about which I am truly passionate. I am prepared to be open-minded, to listen, to learn, and to maintain and encourage community awareness and participation. Personally, I am quite excited because I enjoy learning about as many aspects of a topic as possible, I enjoy asking questions and hearing those of others, and I respect the discussion. Hopefully, we have a good match!"

Over the course of six meetings between January and March, this year's SBNC interviewed and conducted due diligence on all applicants. Through thoughtful discussion and careful consideration, and pursuant to the SBNC Resolution, the SBNC then judges and selects individuals "solely on their qualifications to serve the community." This practice has resulted in the nomination of Arthur Rublin and Pamela Fuehrer.

The SBNC is a committee comprised of 30 voting members and 4 non-voting members, all of whom are residents of the Scarsdale School District. The thirty voting members serve staggered 3-year terms and are elected directly by the residents of their election units, which correspond to the five elementary school neighborhoods. The 4 non-voting members consist of a Chair and Vice Chair who are selected from the previous year's graduating voting members, and one appointee each from the Town and Village Civic Club (TVCC) and the Confederation of Scarsdale Neighborhood Association Presidents (SNAP). Collectively, the SBNC undertakes the process of recruiting and vetting prospective candidates to serve as trustees on the Board of Education.

The SBNC congratulates the nominees and thanks all applicants who went through the process. The SBNC Chair Diane Baylor and SBNC Vice Chair Dana Matsushita also extend heartfelt appreciation to all the members of the 2015 SBNC who served with dedication and professionalism in furtherance of our nonpartisan system.

For more information on the SBNC, including the governing Resolution, information on the nonpartisan system, and a list of the current SBNC members, visit the SBNC website at http://scarsdalesbnc.com or contact the SBNC Chair and remember to vote on May 19, 2015."

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 12 March 2015; Created: 12 March 2015; Last Updated: 12 March 2015; Hits: 9931

dean-field The Scarsdale School Board reviewed proposed changes to the preliminary school budget for 2015-16 at their March 11th meeting and came to consensus on carrying out extensive repairs at Dean Field at the high school, renovating and reorientating the office at Fox Meadow School and funding health care, pension and tax certiorari reserves and an undesignated fund balance.

The preliminary budget, proposed on February 11, 2015, called for a total budget of $148,139,127 which is actually $61,558 less than the prior year's budget, and comes in under the tax cap of 2.93%.

School enrollment is expected to decrease by 47 students for an overall student population of 4,775 students.

The meeting can be watched on the Scarsdale Cable Channel and on the school website --however, here are highlights from the meeting.

Staffing changes for next year:
2 undesignated teaching positions
Reduce 1.0 FLES teacher, add 2.5 reading teachers
Reduction of physical education coordinator
Addition of new ELA teacher
Add of a Special Education teacher at the Middle School
Reclassify the Athletic Director from teacher to administrator
Reclassify the Director of Technology from teaching to administrative

Civil Service Staffing:
Add a .25 FTE position for a secretary for Special Education
New Director of Operational Technology
New Technician
Reduction of purchasing agent – a .4 FTE
Restoration of .5 FT secretary at FM

Board Member Lee Maude remarked that since the district is moving the task of registering students to the main district office from the various schools, and the district has added new technology, she urge the administration to do a study of how much secretarial support is needed at each school.

Expenditures:

New phone system now estimated at $370,000

Dean Field Repairs: The Board discussed whether to fund the $750,000 project over three years or do all the work next year, and ultimately decided to include the entire project in the 2015-16 budget. Purvis explained that there are safety concerns, the soil is compacted, it is not draining properly, the field needs a new fence, and there is not enough room behind home plate. She said, there is "not a good place for kids to stand where they don't risk being hit by a ball. Though re-orienting the field would be ideal, there are wetlands at the far end of the field – which are good for drainage but would require a storm water management plan and would be a big project." About Dean Field, Suzanne Seiden said, "Dean Field has been on our list for years and is important to do." Scott Silberfein said, "I think we should fund it all this year."

The board decided that all the work should be done this coming year, and asked Purvis to give them options for coming up with the funding. She will examine the use of surplus funds to finance the work.

Butler Field: Also discussed was frozen drainage pipes on Butler Field. Purvis said that they don't know how much is needed to repair it and that they will need to wait for the ground to thaw to determine the cost. Again, surplus funds may be able to be used to pay for it.

Fox Meadow Office renovation and reorientation at $395,000: The office will be renovated, there will be a new window from the office to vestibule and a sight line so that people can be cleared before entering the school.

Balanced Literacy Consultant $82,100
Special education – 3-5 outplacements - $540,000
Transportation – new bus at $309,800
Reduction in fuel costs will pay for a new mini bus
Teen center to be funded at $65,000

Reserves:
Total reserves will be 10.1% of the budget
There will be $2,250,000 in the health reserve fund
$1,404,432 in retirement contribution reserve
Tax certiorari reserve at $3,493,011 – based on actual claims
The undesignated fund balance at $5,841659, or 3.94% is close to the maximum allowed at 4%.

The district will share in the cost of building a comfort station – or restroom, at the Middle School tennis courts at a cost of $50,000 to the school district.

Purvis recommended that the total fund balance should be at least 10% of the budget. Last year, Moody's gave the district a negative outlook and commented that our reserves were about to fall below 10%. Purvis said that this level is considered a "good stable number" for government entities.

$500,000 in surplus funds from this year will be put into the 2015-16 budget.

In addition to making these decisions, the administration posted an extensive list of questions and answers about the budget that can be viewed here: The document includes a chart of large class sizes by subject at the high school and shows that 10.4% of classes at the high school have more than 25 students.

A revised preliminary budget will be presented at the Board's next meeting on March 18 at 6:30 at Scarsdale High School.

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 04 March 2015; Created: 04 March 2015; Last Updated: 05 March 2015; Hits: 8642

quaker ridgeschool Quaker Ridge Elementary School Principal Robyn Lane has announced plans to retire in June. Lane has been at the school for eleven years, coming to Scarsdale after serving as the principal of West Patent Elementary School in Bedford. Before taking the job of principal, she taught fourth and fifth grade at West Patent there for 13 years. She came into teaching after working in Human Resources at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ.

In a letter to parents Lane said, "With a full heart and mixed emotions, I write to tell you that I have decided that the time has come for me to retire from Quaker Ridge. I reluctantly use the word "retire", as it implies the exact opposite of what I mean. This is not a time for me to end my most treasured career; it is a time for me to explore the paths I believe are in front of me – my own new beginnings." She continued with, "This was a difficult decision to make. You, your children, my faculty and staff are deeply embedded in my heart. As I leave, I will pack my precious memories of QR so they may help me remember all of you and the lessons I have learned."

Here's what former PTA President Angela Manson shared about Lane: "Robyn relates positively to the innocence and wonder of young children as they explore new learning experiences. We worked together closely with faculty, administration and PTA leadership to complete the new wing and courtyard at Quaker Ridge along with a building dedication in 2008. She has brought a lot to our community and our neighborhood families will miss her."

Quaker Ridge mom Anne Daniel added the following: "I will always appreciate the time Mrs. Lane took to meet with me whenever I had concerns about my children. Mrs Lane has always offered grade level coffees for the parents. It's a nice informal way to ask questions that are relevant to your child. I don't believe any other principal offers this. It has come full circle for my family. My daughter entered QRS with Mrs. Lane and my son is graduating with Mrs. Lane. I wish her much luck in her future endeavors. She will be missed at Quaker Ridge."

Mathcounts photo

SMS Mathcounts Off to the State Competition:

For the fifth year in a row, (and six out of the last seven) our MATHCOUNTS team finished first in the regional competition. Eric Wei (Butler 7) finished first in the competition and Jonathan Lin (Butler 8) finished second. Zachary Wang (Popham 7), Max Zhao (Fountain 8) and Deyuan Li (Cooper 7) finished in the top 12. It is now off to the State competition where the team will defend the State title it won last year for the first time. The team is coached by Steve Weiss, Popham 8 math teacher, and Heidi Kaplan, Popham 7 math teacher.

connan1 SMS Teacher Kathy Connon wins 9/11 Tribute Center Award

Kathy Connon, Popham 8 English teacher, was one of eight teachers nationally to receive the 9/11 Tribute Center award, given "to teachers who have created exemplary projects that guide students to understand the historical and humanitarian impact of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993." As the program description reads: "Inspired by her visit to the 9/11 Tribute Center and the ESPN film reporting the story of The Man in the Red Bandanna (Welles Remy Crowther), Ms. Connon went above and beyond to integrate her own project ideas with those of the Welles Remy Crowther Trust and Foundation's Curriculum. The students researched, then wrote either a paper based on oral history, poetry, or an essay on the themes of forgiveness, trust, and resilience."

Details: Written by: Isabel Klein; Published: 25 February 2015; Created: 25 February 2015; Last Updated: 25 February 2015; Hits: 7099

francegroupphoto From February 6 to February 21, while most Scarsdale High School students were sitting in French class, 25 students on the French exchange were living and attending school in France; indulging in baguettes, strolling through Nice and Monaco, and overloading on Cezanne paintings.

The lucky Scarsdale students ventured to Aix-en-Provence, armed only with the knowledge gathered from French class vocabulary lists or lectures, and attended school with a French teen while living with his or her family. The Americans in France was the second half of the bargain: The French students got to attend Scarsdale High School and live in the community for two weeks back in October.

The trip overall was perceived as being enriching – and scary. "This was a very good group because they were open to the different culture and language and they truly embraced everything," expressed Scarsdale French teacher and exchange trip advisor Sylvie Corten. Scarsdale students alternated every day between joining host students' classes and going on excursions, which included seeing the floats in Nice for Carnival, exploring Avignon, strolling through many art museums, and sightseeing in Monaco. "The whole experience was amazing and we did and saw so much," shared senior Matt Mandel. "It was a lot of fun building bonds with the French as well as the other American students."

Matching the American and French families was a long and meticulous process that involved extensive personality forms that each student had to fill out, which noted their interests, allergies, and other lifestyle choices. "We can't match everyone with their best friends because we have to take a lot into account, but we do our best," assured Corten.

Most students connected well with their host families and noted that there were not many differences between their French family and their own at home. "My host family was actually very nice and similar to my family – I definitely lucked out as I know some other kids had a hard time with their hosts," expressed senior Tomer Cherki.

In terms of differences between the cultures, other than the two-hour long lunch break French students france2 get, "The only cultural difference that I noticed were small and generally shallow," added Mandel. Americans were, although, surprised about the casual cigarette culture in schools. "Kids of all ages smoke all the time there," observed Cherki. "They roll their own cigarettes in the middle of class and smoke in the school yard in between lectures."

Even with accommodating hosts, there's no denying that living in a different house in a foreign country can be difficult. "I would say that it's definitely a challenge and at times it feels as though you are intruding on someone's life and routine," shared French exchange officer and senior Sam Panken. "It's ultimately rewarding because you get to see exactly how their daily life works in a totally different cultural setting."

france4 Students benefitted from many conversations with their host families about the recent conflicts in France involving Charlie Hebdo as well as other racial or anti-Semitic controversies. "We often discussed American and French politics, and it was interesting to learn that there was such widespread resentment towards their president and that they are definitely aware and worried about immigration and anti-Semitism," expressed Mandel.

The trip is generally regarded as being a success: Newly learned French curse words now ring through Scarsdale High School halls, advisor Corten swears this was the best exchange trip she's ever organized and been on, and, when asked about the infamous French cuisine, Cherki summed up most students' conclusions: "Crepes, all the time, of course."

Photo Credits: Matt Mandel and Sylvie Corten
france1

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 12 February 2015; Created: 12 February 2015; Last Updated: 12 February 2015; Hits: 10547

mandarin To Scarsdale10583: My husband, two pre-school children and I moved to Fox Meadow Road recently. Like many parents, we moved to Scarsdale primarily because of the reputation of the education system. We have already observed many things in the curriculum which will really benefit Scarsdale children become highly educated.

However, my husband and I are very concerned about what we have observed thus far in Scarsdale about foreign languages and cultures instruction. First, I have met numerous Scarsdale students between the ages of 9 – 17 years old who have not spoken highly about the Spanish language instruction that they have received. When I have quizzed them by asking them very simple questions such as, 'do you speak Spanish?' they can barely respond. Given that in elementary school, the language is only taught once a week and at times by a person who is not a native speaker, this would explain why the students' speaking ability is so limited. I now understand that there are plans to delay Spanish instruction until the second grade; this will further hinder students' ability to learn to speak the language.

Secondly, quite a number of Scarsdale parents and I would like Mandarin included in the middle school, if not at the elementary level. Mandarin is increasingly offered at top schools globally, and unfortunately, here it only begins in the high school. Moreover, even in the three years that I have lived in Scarsdale, I have seen an increasing number of Mandarin speakers moving here.

I volunteer for Harvard University to interview prospective college applicants. Anecdotally, I may share that of the 16 applicants from Scarsdale, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle, and Yonkers whom I interviewed in the last two years, not a single US born student could speak more than one sentence in a foreign language.

I concentrated in Russian language and Soviet Studies both at college and at graduate school. I can tell you from personal experience that the younger people are when they study a foreign language, the more likely they are to learn to speak it fluently. My husband and I are raising our children bilingually in Spanish and English. Moreover, since they were less than a year old, we have enrolled them in Mandarin instruction at an excellent program, CLP Mandarin, run by two Green Acres women. Even though our children are only 4 and 5, we can see how well, their linguistic abilities are developing. Also, they already ask a lot of questions about China and can make comparisons between Chinese, Latin American, and US cultures.

I have worked in over 30 countries, and I am continually shocked to see how we as Americans produce such few people who are truly fluent in a foreign language. As the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages research demonstrates, studying foreign languages has significant benefits such as improving students' overall academic and cognitive performance, not to mention helping them understand other cultures, in an increasingly complex global landscape.

I urge Scarsdale parents to sign this petition to include Mandarin at the middle school level.

Best Regards,
Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez