Holiday Photo Opps

Ambassador Girl Scouts from Troop 2672, Maia Deforge, Annabelle Stanley, Elena Ludwig, Megan Reynolds and Sarah Jathas (not pictured Dorianna Marambio) with some of the Christmas gifts they donated for a family of 9 for the adopt-a-family program supporting the Don Bosco Center in Port Chester.

The 9th annual WJCS Have-a-Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive run by WJCS Board Member Linda Plattus, second left above, collected almost 250 gifts and 50 gift cards totaling almost $6,000 worth of donations, enough to brighten the holiday season for 600 children across Westchester County, many of whom benefit from WJCS programs for children.

Special guests of the luncheon were a parent and child from the WJCS Infant-Toddler Learning Center in Yonkers. Yesenia Calixto, center above, shared her personal story and explained how her son, Brandon, has grown and matured, particularly in social skills, under the guidance of the program. The Infant-Toddler program recognizes the impact of early experiences on later learning abilities, and Calixto said her family is very grateful for its services. The Infant Toddler Learning Center is just one recipient of gifts collected at the annual Holiday Gift Drive, which was attended by Vicki Forbes, left, program director of WJCS Building Better Beginnings, which oversees the learning center, and Susan Lewen, director of development at WJCS.
Together with Plattus, who hosted the party in her home, several local companies donated food and other necessities, including Buon Amici, Cherry Lawn Farm Market, Cooked & Co., House of Flowers, Lange's Of Scarsdale and Standing Room Only. Support WJCS by sending gift cards, gifts or donations to: WJCS, Attn: Tamar Moskowitz, 845 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603

The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association celebrated the holidays on Sunday, December 7 at Davis Park with a sing along, hot cocoa, the lighting of the holiday tree and a visit from Santa.

It is concert season at Scarsdale Middle School. December 3rd was the first of six winter concerts, featuring the Eighth Grade Band, the Butler/Fountain/Choice Eighth Grade Chorus, and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Jazz Band. Below is a picture of Mr. Nicholas Lieto conducting the Eighth Grade Band.

The Eighth Grade Band performed "Into the Clouds," "Earth and Sky," "Atlas" from Th Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and "The Avengers" conducted by Nicholas Lieto, Band Director.

The Eighth Grade Chorus performed "What a Wonderful World," two of the three songs from "Tres Canciones de Los Elementos: Eschuchar al Viento and Fuego under direction of Chorus Director Daniel Boniello and accompanied by Rumiko Isaksen.

The Jazz Band performed "All the Things Your Are," "Cool Joe, Mean Joe, Killer Joe," and "Blue Bossa" conducted by Band Director Nicholas Lieto.