Challenges Ahead for the Scarsdale Schools
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Jill Spieler and Elizabeth Guggenheimer will continue to serve as President and Vice President of the Scarsdale School Board in 2011/12 for a second year. The duo was nominated by the Board to ensure continuity. Given the passage of the tax cap in Albany and continuing school budget pressure, we asked School Board President Jill Spieler to discuss the Board’s agenda for the coming year and here is what she said:
The Board recognizes that it will be dealing with complex problems in 2011-12, but we are confident they can be faced. We’re facing unusual challenges and, naturally, trying to identify unusual, creative ways of dealing with them. It is important to keep them in perspective while we continue to build on the District’s educational goals.
While we want to respond to emerging economic and regulatory pressures, I think the assumption of most Scarsdale residents – is that we have to stay the course and keep on working methodically at what we’ve been doing: protecting and preserving, enhancing where possible, and looking for evolutionary, creative solutions to the challenges we face.
Our first educational responsibility is to provide our students an ever more excellent education, to prepare them for college and the larger world. Meanwhile, Scarsdale is exerting national and international leadership as it shapes an education for the future.
In some ways, an excellent education of 2050 will look familiar: It will center on the personal encounter between teacher and student, for instance. But its form will also continue to evolve through the use of technology, its focus on thinking and problem-solving, and its emphasis on skills and dispositions that are increasingly important in a global context: the capacity to collaborate and compete, an ability to persevere and withstand ambiguity, appreciation and empathy for human similarities and differences, for example.
In cooperation with Columbia University, Scarsdale has initiated an international benchmarking collaboration that involves high performance schools in the high performing nations of Australia, Canada, China, Finland and Singapore, as well as top-performance public schools in the U.S. and the highly selective Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. In this connection, among other things, we’re engaged in a long-term effort to evaluate and enhance our students’ critical and creative thinking, as well as their ability to solve the kinds of non-standard problems they’ll encounter later on in life. This work is just one part of our broader commitment to being “national schools in a global theatre.”
It’s not going to be easy to continue to grow and improve in our current environment. We’ve already created significant budget economies and cut back in many areas. Going forward, we face the challenge of the state tax cap that recently passed.
We will not be able to adhere to a cap of the lesser of 2% or the inflation rate without drastic reductions in staff and essential education programs. The Board and Administration will have to carefully work to construct a budget that will garner not just a majority, but a 60% super-majority of positive votes. The alternative will have dire consequences for Scarsdale Schools.
Also, the New York State Education Department recently issued new regulations for teacher evaluations. The new APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review) regulations are intended to improve teacher accountability, but we’re concerned that instead, they’ll promote more teaching to standardized tests and make it harder to create the education for the future our students will need for success after they leave us. Likewise, this overly-formulaic evaluation system, ironically, will make it harder to exercise the human judgment that is essential to discriminating decisions in personnel evaluation. The Board will work collaboratively with the Administration to develop faculty assessments that will maintain successful, proven results.
Last, and in connection with the budget cap, we intend to conduct a full inventory of capital needs, including both educational and infrastructure priorities, so that we can develop a strategy to address this important area. With the tax cap now in place, we face the prospect of budgets that could seriously underfund our buildings and grounds, ultimately leading to serious safety and building integrity concerns. In a hardscrabble long-term environment of minimal budget growth, we’re also unlikely to see any educational improvements to our facilities unless we develop long term plans that have broad community support.
Farewell to Edgemont's Retiring Teachers
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The Edgemont High School graduation and the moving up ceremonies at the two elementar y schools were bittersweet as the school district said goodbye to twelve wonderful and dedicated teachers. The teachers took the early retirement incentive offered this past spring, causing a significant decrease in the Edgemont school budget.
At Edgemont High School five teachers are retiring, including long time math teacher and advisor for Mathletes, Susan Cardellino. She instilled a love of math in the many students she taught and always found the time to help a student understand a math problem. EHS special educator Diana Herman, will also retire and many families are extremely sad to see her go. She was a teacher as well as a friend to her students. Susan Holden is retiring from the guidance department. She was the junior high guidance counselor and a trusted confidante for many students who knew they could always come to her when they needed to talk. Ellen Perlman taught social studies at EHS, and also was the Model UN Advisor for 15
At Greenville School three veteran teachers retired. Gail Grollman started at Greenville teaching sixth grade, followed by first grade and finally second grade during her last year. She considers all her students part of her extended family and will be missed. Fifth grade teacher Barbara Frascella will be remembered for her love of science and her
At Seely Place, four veteran teachers retired including longtime sixth grade teacher Alan Cass. Many EHS students were so upset to hear that Mr. Cass was leaving their elementary school, they gathered together to sign a giant farewell card for him. Sixth grade camp will not be the same without him. Second grade teacher Kerry Gerling will be fondly remembered by her many students and parents for the warmth she brought to her classroom. Ms. Gerling is also an EHS graduate. Physical Education teacher Mary Raciborski will be remembered for her dedication
Thanks to these twelve teachers for their years of service to Edgemont.
Pictured at top: Susan Cardellino
Scarsdale Graduation Photo Gallery
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Scarsdale Dad and ace photographer Jon Thaler has been taken pictures of Scarsdale events for years – watching his children and their classmates grow up and flourish. His daughter Jordan was among the 376 graduates of the Scarsdale Class of 2011 and Thaler agreed to share his photos of the day with you.
Here they are … what a treat!
To see more beautiful photos, visit JonThaler.com.
Hats Off to the Scarsdale Class of 2011
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Though everyone hoped for better weather for the 94th commencement at Scarsdale High School, the mood was bright and cheerful inside Scarsdale’s spacious gymnasium on Friday morning June 24th.
Heavy rains on Thursday night and a persistent mist on Friday caused the move inside, with the ceremony in the gym and the overflow crowd in the auditorium, watching on a large screen. Administrators were told that the wet weather could cause the failure of the electrical system and microphones, and therefore decided it was safer to set up inside. The last time the ceremonies were held indoors was 17 years ago in 1994, and at that time the school did not have the new, large gym.
Each student was given three tickets, leaving siblings, grandparents and well wishers to watch from the auditorium, but there were
The event proceeded without a hitch, as 376 seniors in caps and gowns gathered in the bleachers of the old gym, together for the last time for a class photo. Promptly at 10 a.m. they lined up in alphabetical order and marched into the gym to the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance played by the High School band. The High School choir sang the national anthem, and the brief, but moving ceremony began.
Board of Education President Jill Spieler greeted everyone and introduced Board Vice President Elizabeth Guggenheimer, whose son was among the graduates of the Class of 2011. She estimated that each student in the Class of 2011 “entered and exited this building on average 2011 times during their high school careers, including trip to
Wearing sunglasses, John Failla and Alexander Wess gave a comic introduction to their class advisors, teachers Jennifer Wagner and Jose Lamela, claiming the two could do almost anything. Speaking together the faculty advisors called the class of 2011 the greatest class ever and complimented them on their intensity, thoughtfulness and sense of fun. Quoting J.K. Rowling they told the students, “It’s our choices that show who we truly are” and urged them to choose to believes in themselves.
Next up, Class Secretary Naomi Weinstein had the pleasure of giving the Kenneth Rosenberg Award to classmate Emily Knapp. The
Talia Plummer, the Class V.P. spoke warmly about the SHS staff and the impact they have had on the students. On behalf of the class, she thanked them for their support.
Taking the podium with poise and confidence, Class President Andrew Arbeeny remembered those who could not be at the ceremony, including parents and grandparents who passed away during the last four years at SHS. He spoke of Akshay Menon, a classmate who died tragically during freshman year and said, “he should be with us today.” He complimented the class on their high level of enthusiasm, remembering the gridlock that caused the cancellation of Junior Olympics, but also the successful prom party and senior play. Saying, “we all do something that matters,” he urged his classmates to remember to” stay involved.”
Superintendent Michael McGill said his goodbyes to Klemme by granting him a Scarsdale diploma. He told Klemme, “you have served decently and faithfully, and you now have the best of all possible worlds; not only a Scarsdale education but a Scarsdale diploma as well.”
With that, Klemme waved goodbye to his last graduating class, and proceeded to grant the 376 students their high school degrees.
The weather could not dampen the spirits of the ebullient students and their proud parents who cheered as their children’s names echoed in the gym.
Pictured at top: Jack Eisenberg and Karan Aditya
School Board Pays Tribute to Chayes and Kemp and Returns Surplus Funds to Taxpayers
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At the last meeting of the Scarsdale Board of Education on June 20, 2011, Board President Jill Spieler saved the best agenda item for the end of the meeting. It was well past 10:30 when the Board turned to the reason many in the audience were there … to hear and deliver tributes to departing Board members Linda Chayes and Barbara Kemp.
Parting remarks were made by Board President Jill Spieler, Superintendent Michael McGill, Scarsdale League of Women Voters President Mary Lou Cooper Green, Scarsdale Forum President B.K. Munguia, P.T. Council President Tracy Jaffe, Trudy Moses on behalf of the Scarsdale Teachers Association, Assistant Superintendant Joan Weber and the departing Board members themselves.
Both women were credited for the significant contributions they made during their six-year terms, including a year as President of the Board for each.
Speaking about Chayes, Spieler called her a steadfast supporter of each child who demonstrated concern for child development, made significant impact in many academic areas and was an advocate for parent input in teacher evaluations. This year she served as the Board representative on the Westchester-Putnam Board and kept the Scarsdale Board informed about state and national issues.
Spieler called Kemp a strong leader with a love of the law and a demonstrated code of ethics. As President of the School Board in 2009-10, Kemp worked with the faculty who reopened their contract and gave back funds to the district.
McGill echoed Spieler’s sentiments, calling Chayes warm, authentic and intensely decent and crediting Kemp with an open mind, wit and wide-angle intelligence.
Barbara Kemp complimented the board and the administration and the wonderful job they do and said it was a pleasure to serve and to help move the district forward. She said by working collaboratively “we all come out ahead,” and thanked the community for their support of excellence in education.
Chayes called it a great honor to serve on the board, and said by working collaboratively she learned that “the group is wiser and smarter than any one individual.” Looking to the future, she said, “there are some tough times ahead but this community is in good hands.” She also remembered Irving Sloan who was a champion of involvement and urged everyone to follow his example and step us, attend a board meeting, and read the Inquirer. She closed by saying, “I graduated from SHS, my children graduated and now I am graduating from the Board. Three graduations should be enough for everyone and I think I am ready to move on.”
Speaking for the Scarsdale Forum, President BK Munguia said that both women share common attributes of intelligence, warmth, wit, sensitivity and the ability to build consensus. She invited them to contribute to the Forum, saying, “It is my hope that you will lend your expertise Forum studies in the future.”
On behalf of the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, President Mary Lou Cooper Green thanked Chayes and Kemp for responding to the League’s concerns during a difficult year. She praised Chayes for her focus on the students and Kemp for her intellect and ability to facilitate a free exchange of opinion.
Tracy Jaffe President of the PT Council called Chayes and Kemp thoughtful participants who represented the parents’ issues with respect.
Speaking of the economic downturn, Trudy Moses said, “Dr. Chayes headed the Board as the economy went south and had the impossible task of keeping Scarsdale, Scarsdale.” She complimented Chayes on the “humaness with which (she) approached every decision and with her input on alleviating student stress.
Turning to Kemp, she called her a professional with a keen mind and marveled at how she spoke to the faculty at length, without notes. She remembered how Kemp resolved difficult decisions about the school budget and the teacher’s contract and wished Kemp all the best.
Joan Weber waxed poetic, saying, “They are our dream chasers -- always believing they can help us make it happen. These volunteers are special.” Weber said, “both have served this community with distinction during one of the most challenging times in our history and placed a high value on collaboration and trust.”
Adding a little levity, she presented each with an illustrated poster, Kemp’s showed her behind bars and Chayes is pictured on the therapist’s couch. Referring to Kemp’s career as a lawyer and Chayes as a clinical psychologist, Weber said, “After six years the prosecutor will be paroled and the therapist will be certified sane.”
Also on the lengthy agenda for the last meeting of the year were the following:
Jill Spieler will serve another years as President of the Board of Education for the year 2011-12.
Spieler named Ellen Miller Wachtell to head the Steering Committee for the establishment of a Scarsdale Educational Foundation. Liz Guggenheimer will serve as the Board liaison to the committee and Dr. McGill will be the Administrative liaison.
Utilizing a nicely produced slide presentation, School Superitendant Michael McGill and Assistant Superintendant Lynne Shain 
recapped the school year and delivered the annual report. Highlights of the year included the first year of full day kindergarten, the SHS Soccer team’s advancement to the state tournament, national recognition for the Singapore Math Program, endless snow days and professional development for the district’s teachers.
The annual district report titled, “A Transformative Education” defines the mission of a Scarsdale Education; “To change lives and empower tomorrow’s citizens to transform their world for the better.” Some of the elements of the curriculum, which teaches critical and creative thinking, include:
- Full day kindergarten
- School gardens
- Sustainability research
- Creativity and the arts
- Analyzing health issues
- Using technology to advance learning
- Information fluency
- Learning about the global community
- Science and math simulations
- Caring for others
- Project based learning
- High school science research
- Fifth grade Capstone project
- Senior Options
Lynne Shain took the group through three programs that teach critical and creative thinking, discussing a kindergarten program on recycling, a middle school project on designing and sequencing a comic strip and the development of a screen play for a scene from the Great Gatsby for High School students. She showed how students at all levels learn to analyze complex problems, synthesize information, develop an understanding of artifacts and media and create an original presentation.
McGill reported the next steps in the development of the critical and creative thinking curriculum:
- To clarify targets of quality student critical and creative thinking work
- To build and pilot comprehensive assessments of student thinking
- To evaluate results and adjust instruction accordingly
McGill despaired over new state mandates that will force the district to impose traditional teaching methods rather than move forward with these exciting new initiatives. He vowed to “hold open as much space as we can for critical thinking programs.”
Turning to the budget, Assistant Superintendant Linda Purvis told the Board that the district ended the year with a surplus of $1.4 million due to better results from the health insurance plan, savings on electrical costs and a surplus in the special education budget.
However, since the time of the budget vote there where declines in the tax roll from small claims and tax grievances. These declines would have meant that Scarsdale taxpayers would have a 4.97% school tax increase, rather than the 4.81% increase that was approved by voters in May. Purvis gave the Board the choice of returning surpluses to the taxpayer or retaining them. As a tax cap vote is imminent, Purvis advocated retaining the funds for next year when the budget situation is projected to be difficult.
After considerable discussion, the Board voted to return $200,000 of the surplus to the taxpayers to maintain the budget increase to 4.81% and to use the balance to fund the 2011-2012 school budget.
