Scarsdale Alternative School Graduation 2011
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Despite stormy weather that forced the event inside, the 37th annual Scarsdale Alternative School graduation was a beautiful and personal event for teachers, parents and of course, A-Schoolers. The unique graduation ceremony on Friday June 17 was held in the Scarsdale High School auditorium instead of the traditional location, the front lawn of the Alternative School. A-School underclassmen decorated the venue with fresh flowers, which were placed in vases that bordered the stage.
Alternative School senior, Sarah Bushin, was master of ceremonies and addressed the crowd from the beautifully decorated stage. She introduced the teachers and in the spirit of the Alternative School led the singing of happy birthday to a grandparent in the audience.
In tradition with the Alternative School graduations, SAS faculty members delivered personal tributes to each of the 28 graduates.
Although, the A-School seniors participate in both the regular Scarsdale High School graduation as well as the Scarsdale Alternative School graduation, the student’s unanimously agree that the SAS graduation is much more joyous and meaningful to them. Founded in 1972, the Scarsdale Alternative School is a place where students and teachers co-exist as equals in a democratic community.
Pictured at top: Jeanne Cooper and Alex Caplin
Author Jake Bank is a rising senior at Scarsdale High School. He is a member of the varsity Ice Hockey Team and varsity Lacrosse team. He is also a member of the Scarsdale A School.
Scarsdale Resident Leads Statewide Coalition to Fight Tax Cap
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The debate over the tax cap and the impact it would have on local school districts rages on. Over 6,400 New York State residents have signed a petition directed at Governor Cuomo and other state lawmakers opposing the pending property tax cap legislation.
Among the issues the petition addresses; a provision that allows 40% of voters in a local school district to block their district’s proposed tax levy if it exceeds the 2% state-required cap. It also emphasizes the legislation’s failure to address rising costs affiliated to pension and health care contribution. Another point the petition makes is that the cap does not take into account expenses from rising enrollment which would impact schools.
Towns from across the state including Scarsdale, Edgemont, Chappaqua, Mamaroneck and Great Neck have formed the New York State Coalition for Local Control (NYSCLC) and in conjunction with the New York State PTA and are working to defeat this bill. Scarsdale resident, Arthur Rublin is the co-chairman of the NYSCLC.
The crux of the argument is that this legislation will not only damage suburban schools, but will also take away local control. Statements in the petition include; “This tax cap is financially irresponsible and stands to cause sustained damage to the efforts of recent years to advance education in this state. It speaks to a general sense of irresponsibility and total disregard for the right of towns and local communities to manage their own affairs and budget needs and the state not unlike the federal government has NO business dictating to the rights and needs of private citizens under some misplaced sense of fiscal responsibility.”
The petition warns Albany that if passed, this legislation will cause major fallout in the 2012 and 2014 election.
Meanwhile a recent poll shows Westchester voters favor local control for school budgets over a state imposition of a property tax cap. When given a choice between maintaining local control or passing a statewide cap, more than half of Westchester voters come down on the side of local control.
A majority of 51% (over 41%) favors “allowing voters and communities to retain full control over how much they spend on their schools” rather than “passing a statewide tax cap.” Only 41% favor passing a statewide tax cap.
The poll conducted by Kiley & Company, a Boston-based opinion research consulting firm, shows that the more respondents learn about the tax cap, the less inclined they are to support it, showing a 7% drop of support the more a voter learned how the legislation would effect the schools.
The poll, released by the NYSCLC, was conducted among 302 Westchester County voters from June 9 – 12, 2011, and has a margin of error of 5.8%.
To be sure, there are those in favor of the tax cap and for good reason. Businesses will benefit from a tax-cap and many say that will provide much needed jobs in our state. This should also benefit older residents, many of whom feel squeezed out of their homes due to rising property taxes, a point Governor Cuomo frequently makes on this issue.
But let’s be clear, this will not lower your taxes, just your services and give you less of a say on where your hard earned dollars are spent.
Jen Geller is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.
Edgemont Prom Photo Gallery
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Edgemont Seniors looked cool in their prom attire despite the steamy weather on Friday, June 10th. Some students attended private pre-prom parties before everyone got together at the high school at 4:30 pm for the official pre-prom. Students arranged their own transportation by bus or limo to the big event. Coincidentally, the Edgemont prom was held at the Surf Club in New Rochelle where the Scarsdale prom was held just last week. Check out the beautiful Edgemont Senior High School Class of 2011 all dressed up.
Photos courtesy of Mariela Dujovne Melamed
Seniors Enjoy Transition Day
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- Written by: Adrienne Fishman
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On Monday, June 6, Scarsdale High School hosted its annual Senior Transition Day. Most of the seniors had been gone for a month pursuing projects for Senior Options, so the day allowed the class a time to get reacquainted before graduation. The day began with presentations from a panel of SHS graduates who had just completed their first year in college. Deans questioned the college students about their college experience, from making friends at school, to effective time management, and making the most out of their college careers. Senior Shelby Rokito found the questions “thoughtful” and “successful in guiding the conversation.” After the panel, the seniors broke up into different rooms with their respective deans to reflect on the high school experience and share memories. Finally, 
seniors gathered in the gym to receive their long-awaited yearbooks. Many students sat on the bleachers to sign each other’s yearbooks. Not only could they see their current pictures, but students were also delighted to find their elementary school class photos hanging on the wall. Looking back at pictures from each school year they grew sentimental and wondred what next year would bring. There were sandwiches for all and the parents committee provided an assortment of cakes and cookies including a cake with the class picture. Rokito summed up the day saying, “I thought it was a good way to allow our grade to come together and bond while moving on to the next step in our education.”
Prom Perfect
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It was a perfect night for a prom as the heat and humidity broke and yielded a cool, dry, breezy afternoon to begin the festivities. The Scarsdale senior class had been planning this event for years and the big day finally arrived on June 2. In the Scarsdale tradition, parents hosted a red carpet celebration at the high school, where everyone could show off their attire and walk the red carpet to the buses which would carry the students to the Surf Club in New Rochelle.
Boys in tuxedos and girls in gowns gathered at pre-prom parties at private homes for picture taking and toasts, before moving on to the high school for the big send-off. Continuing another tradition, senior girls wore long dresses, while girls from other grades attended in shorter cocktail-length dresses. Colors were especially vibrant this year – with many in blues, purples, reds, and orange – making for splendid photo opps. Black was out, and some looked stunning in dazzling white floor length dresses.
Heel were high, and girls wobbled on platforms and spiked heels -- sure to be kicked off as the night progressed. Many of the girls sported 
elaborate up-do’s or had their long hair styled into curls.
Take a look at these photos of Scarsdale students – who could easily be mistaken for Hollywood stars.
