Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 11 March 2014

Created: 11 March 2014

Last Updated: 11 March 2014

Hits: 9000

Robert Berg, the incoming President of the Scarsdale Forum and a watchdog on school budgets, aired his concerns about the Superintendent search process at the Board of Education meeting on March 10. Specifically, his comment concerned the selection of community members for a committee to review candidates for the district's top job. He criticized the Board for delegating the selection of five members of the community to PT Council President Pam Rubin, rather than choosing the members themselves.

He turned heads at the Board meeting when he said that Rubin's selection of representatives would have been more appropriate for a search for a "district rabbi" than a superintendent, arguing that the candidates lacked a diversity of views, concerns or backgrounds. He said the group was all "cut from the same cloth" and that none represented "the views of many residents who seek greater fiscal rigor in the operation of the school district."

Here are excerpts from his comments at the meeting and the text from an email Board President Suzanne Seiden previously sent to Berg on the subject:

Discussing the search process at the meeting, Berg said, ".... We were supposed to have an announcement (from the Board) in February for the formation of a committee to review the superintendent candidates and meet the finalists before the decision was made since community buy-in is so critical. I would have expected some announcement in February that a committee was being formed and some solicitation of community members. I would have expected that the Board would have selected a committee that reflected the diverse make up of our community with residents from more than 50 nations, from many religions and ethnicities with disparate beliefs on what the role of public education should be and how it should be funded."

He continued, "Instead there was radio silence... I sent an email to Suzanne Seiden and when I did not receive a response I started digging around. I learned that a month ago you appointed Pam Rubin (PT Council President) to pick whomever she wanted for five slots on the committee; so no surprise she picked the usual suspects – herself, and her friends, Pam Fuehrer, Irene Sternberg, David Brodsky and Suzanne Glazer."

"Not to denigrate any of these long standing volunteers, but in light of the first school budget defeat in 43 years and the community's sensitivities and interest in the extraordinary opportunity to hire a superintendent, how could you have possibly abdicated your and the boards' responsibilities for selecting community member participants to Pam Rubin? What were you thinking? We are conducting a superintendent search – Pam's selection would have been more appropriate if we were searching for a district rabbi. Pam's selections, while all valued community members, are all cut from the same cloth. They have all been vocal supporters of past budgets and the administration's education philosophy and priorities. While 53% voted against the budget last year, I can assure you that Pam's selection were not among them. None of the committee members has been the parent of a special education child, none of the committee members represent the views of many residents who seek greater fiscal rigor in the operation of the school district, none of the members represents our large international community. The lack of the diversity of backgrounds and views is striking, yet you allowed it. It appears too late in the process to correct this, but it is very unfortunate that this very avoidable scenario now taints the community's limited input into the selection of the next superintendent. Nevertheless I trust and hope that the Board's selection will be an extraordinary superintendent and I look forward to the announcement of who that will be."

Berg's comments were met by a moment of complete silence at the meeting. Addressing Berg, Seiden said, "I really tried this year to ask for the community to have a respectful tone, but I think you crossed this line. Happy to hear your views, but when you personalize things about other people, that is not appropriate.

Here is the text of an email Seiden previously sent to Berg regarding the Superintendent search process:

Dear Mr. Berg,

Thank you for your email of March 5, 2014 and for your offer of help. You are correct in noting that we planned to interview candidates in the latter part of February with a goal of choosing our next superintendent in March. It is also true that we expressed anintent to involve community members in this process.

We have completed that portion of the process. Our search consultant strongly advised that we conduct the entire search in confidence in order to attract the largest and highest quality pool of applicants. The Board nonetheless insisted on at least limited community involvement. We agreed to have a small advisory group sign confidentiality agreements, meet the finalists and share feedback. This group of 13 people included teachers, principals, parents, other community members, and a high school student. Several district office administrators also had separate meetings.

Within the legal boundaries of confidentiality, the Board has conducted a very transparent superintendent search process and sought the community's input in the fall through focus groups and surveys. Our job specifications were developed directly from the responses to the focus groups and survey, and these specifications have framed the search. The advisory group's mandate was to offer the Board its collective perceptions of candidates' strengths and areas for growth relative to those specifications. We specifically did not want, nor did we receive, a recommendation or vote on what action we should take with regard to an appointment.

As you know, the Board is responsible for selecting the superintendent of schools. In fact, along with developing an annual budget to place before the public, this is one of our most significant responsibilities, and one we should not and cannot delegate. However, given our district's traditions and history, we wanted to obtain perspectives from the broader educational community before we made our decision.

Please know that we appreciate that you have shared your views with us. We have weighed them carefully in the context of the range of views we have heard throughout the search process.

Before the school year is over, there will be a number of opportunities for community members to meet our next superintendent. We hope you can attend one or more of these events and look forward to your engagement with our new superintendent. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of further help in this or any other regard.
Thank you.

Suzanne Seiden
President
Scarsdale Board of Education

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 04 March 2014

Created: 04 March 2014

Last Updated: 04 March 2014

Hits: 7987

Scarsdale resident Jill Weisfeld has published, Take a Peek with Peek-a-Bear. Thebook is cleverly designed using colorful imagery and playful poetry that takes you on a exciting interactive adventure with the character Peek-a-Bear. It is the first of a series of "Peek & Play" books.

Take a Peek with Peek-a-Bear was awarded a gold medal in the prestigious Mom's Choice Award, in the category of Children's Picture Books, and a silver medal in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, in the category of Book Arts/Pop-up/Cut-out.

"Publishing a children's book has always been my dream," says Weisfeld. "With encouragement from my family, I've pursued this idea and it's been a labor of love along with raising my three daughters."

"I've been selling them like hot cakes" says Bonnie Ernst, owner of Scarsdale Childs Play, "It's a great interactive book that is quickly becoming a gift on everybody's list."

Weisfeld is currently Art Director of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and has done freelance graphic design for various non-profit organizations including Temple Israel Center of White Plains. She is formerly Senior Art Director at Bride's Magazine and Art Director for Macy's Advertising in New York. She is Founder and CEO of her own publishing company, Peek-a-Bear Press based in Scarsdale.

"I am always jotting down ideas in my sketch book. I wanted a unique interactive book that really encourages kids to use their imagination," explains Weisfeld.

Weisfeld is a 15 year resident of Fox Meadow where she lives with her husband, Bruce and her daughters Emily, Danielle and Lauren.

The book is available on Amazon and at Child's Play in Scarsdale, Voracious Reader in Larchmont, Womrath Book Shop in Bronxville, Tralala in Irvington, Try and Buy Toys in Pleasantville, Miller's Toys in Mamaroneck as well as other bookstores in the Westchester area.

Award Winning Author Hanna Pylväinen to speak at Concordia on March 13.

Whiting Award-winner, Hanna Pylväinen will discuss her debut novel We Sinners, at Concordia College's Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts on Thursday, March 13, 7pm. The Whiting Award, established in 1985 by the Whiting Foundation, supports creative writing by recognizing ten emerging writers of promise and accomplishment each year with individual grants of $50,000. Pylväinen is also a recipient of residencies at the MacDowell Colony and Yaddo, and a fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

We Sinners is the story of the Rovaniemis, a family of nine struggling with the demands of a conservative Finnish church in modern Michigan. The book is told from the point of view of each family member, each of whom gets a chapter, and the story reveals how the faith that binds a family together can also tear it apart.

Elizabeth Taylor of the Chicago Tribune proclaimed the novel, "a resonant and magical work of imagination."

A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Pylväinen received her M.F.A. from the University of Michigan, where she was a postgraduate Zell Fellow. She current lives in Brooklyn and is working on her second novel.

Concordia's Books & Coffee series is made possible through the generous support from Friends of Concordia. Admission is free and no reservations are required. For questions, please contact ellen.desaintphalle@concordia-ny.edu or call Ellen de Saint Phalle at 914-337-9300, x2159.

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 24 February 2014

Created: 24 February 2014

Last Updated: 24 February 2014

Hits: 4491

The vision of the Women in Public Service Project is a world in which political and civic leadership is at least 50 percent female by 2050. United States Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), Mount Holyoke '59, and Mary Marvin, Wellesley '76 and Mayor of Bronxville will speak about the importance of a woman's voice in public service and what Congress and local government can do to help women and their families thrive in the economy. This program is free but reservations are required. Please contact Jacqueline Prue at jprue@clarkdodgeco.com. The event is sponsored by the Mount Holyoke Club of Westchester.

The Women in Public Service Project is an initiative to increase the number of women in public service at the local, national, and international levels. A partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Seven Sisters Colleges of Mount Holyoke College, Bryn Mawr College, Barnard College, Smith College, and Wellesley College, this project is designed to engage a new generation of women committed to public service, create an infrastructure of support, training and mentoring, and help enable more women to enter public service and political leadership.

1:00 pm, Saturday, March 1, 2014
Scarsdale Public Library,
54 Olmsted Road Scarsdale, NY 10583
Contact: Jacqueline Prue at jprue@clarkdodgeco.com.

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 12 February 2014

Created: 12 February 2014

Last Updated: 13 February 2014

Hits: 9478

Eda Loeb Newhouse, perhaps Scarsdale's most well-known volunteer, died on Monday, February 10, 2014 at age 88 after a short illness. She spent much of her life working for the enrichment and well-being of the community. She was recognized for her efforts in 2000 when she won the Scarsdale Bowl, the highest honor bestowed on a Scarsdale resident for public service in the community.

Though she was a resident of Scarsdale for 61 years, Newhouse retained the southern accent she picked up during her childhood in Montgomery, Alabama where her family was well known for founding the leading cotton merchant firm, Weil Brothers Cotton, Inc., established in 1878.

Mrs. Newhouse attended high school at the Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts and then attended Oberlin College, where she studied music. After graduating from college, Mrs. Newhouse moved to New York City and taught piano for several years at the Diller–Quaile School of Music.

In the winter of 1947, Eda Newhouse met the love of her life, the late Stanley Newhouse, Jr., of Kansas City, Missouri, at a party in New York City. They married in 1949 in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1952, the couple moved to Scarsdale where Eda continued her professional career as a piano teacher at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School up until her first child was born in December of 1953.

Like many new residents, Eda Newhouse initially became involved in community affairs by joining the Parent Teacher Associations and served on the boards of the Greenacres, Heathcote and Middle and High School PTAs and PT Council from 1959-1979. Within the schools she will be remembered for founding both the Scarsdale Recreation Program and the Scarsdale High School Recreation program for teens known as Asmodeus. Through her involvement with the PTA's she honed her organizational skills and worked with others to realize their objectives.

Eda Newhouse will best be known for her sustained commitment to historic preservation, and the Scarsdale Historical Society where she served as president for 28 years. Combining her passion for history, experience as an educator and seemingly unlimited amounts of energy, Eda Newhouse, and her Board of community leaders, helped steer the organization to a place of special prominence in the Scarsdale and broader Westchester County Communities.

Under Mrs. Newhouse's leadership the Scarsdale Historical Society restored and moved into the 1734 Cudner-Hyatt house and also acquired, moved and restored the 1828 Quaker Meeting House. However, she was most proud of the educational programs at the Society, which at their peak were serving almost 7,000 students annually. Her colonial fairs, tulip bulb sales, country stores, historic house tours and educational programs at the historical society were legendary.

In recent years, attendance and usage of the Scarsdale Historical Soceity's Cudner Hyatt House declined and the current Board of Directors applied to the Scarsdale Zoning Board of Appeals to remove a variance that requires it to operate as a museum so that they could find financially viable options for the building. Newhouse objected, calling the application "shocking and absurd." She told the zoning board that when she ran the Society there were 25 people on the Board of Directors as well as scores of others on the Advisory Board and that they "had a party every year and worked hard to find ways to keep the money coming in."

She served in a variety of leadership roles with the Town & Village Club, Friends of Scarsdale Parks, Scarsdale Community Center, Scarsdale Conservation Council, Scarsdale League of Women Voters, Citizens Nominating Committee, Scarsdale Women's Club and the Scarsdale Council for the Arts.

A few of the people she worked with in town shared their thoughts on Eda. Scarsdale Mayor Bob Steves said, "Eda is a prime example of what it means to give back to the community. She was a tireless worker on behalf of many Village programs and recruited numberless volunteers based on her example and sheer force of will. That her name is forever engraved on the Scarsdale Bowl is a fitting testament to her great contribution to the Village. She will be missed."

David Irwin, President of the Scarsdale Forum remembered Newhouse as well. "Eda Newhouse was a wonderful friend and a tireless contributor of her time and talents to the Scarsdale Forum over many years. She has played an important role on many of the Forum's committees and activities, including serving as a longstanding chair of its Program Committee where she has been responsible for many excellent Forum programs over the years. At the Forum as well as in her other activities, Eda always worked for the betterment of the community. She will be greatly missed."

BK Munguia, a former President of the Scarsdale Forum, had this to say about Newhouse: "Scarsdale has lost a committed advocate of its history, its green spaces and its gracious neighborhoods. She guided several generations of volunteers in the community on many projects. Eda never lost her Southern style of gracious entertaining even with her group of volunteers gathered at her kitchen table and she will be missed."

Lena Crandall, who served with Newhouse on the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, remembered her love of flowers. "Eda and I first worked together on the Friends of Scarsdale Parks and the Village of Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council. We had many discussions about the pros and cons of annuals - those pretty seasonal flowers that often require extra work, water and fertilizer. The end result? Eda settled on planting daffodils - beautiful spring-flowering bulbs that are known to survive for years without much care. So, when you see daffodils in public places this spring, please remember that Eda orchestrated their planting."

Beyond Scarsdale, Eda Newhouse served on the boards of the Westchester Community Foundation, The Westchester Arts Council, the Council of Women's College Clubs of Westchester, the Oberlin College Club and the Women's Enterprise Development Committee. She was also committed to advancing Jewish causes and was the founding board member of the American Jewish Committee's Westchester Chapter. She was also on the women's board of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies.

Outside of community affairs, Eda Newhouse always loved music and was recognized by the New York Philharmonic as its oldest continual season ticket holder. She was a passionate bridge player and achieved the level of Silver Life Master through competitive tournament play. She was a consummate gardener and took great pride in showing her extensive gardens and in competing in various flower shows. A member of the Sunningdale Country Club for over fifty years, she was an avid golfer, and a member of the Club's bridge and bowling teams and enjoyed the club's social life.

Lastly, she was a fan, and with her husband, a long time season ticket holder of the New York Giants football team. She complained only days before her death that they had a disappointing and unsuccessful season in 2013, but she expected them to do better next year.

Eda Newhouse is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Newhouse, Jr., her parents, Helen Weil Loeb and Lucien S. Loeb, and her brother James Loeb. She is survived by her sister, Katherine Loeb Wiener of Jackson, Mississippi, her sister-in-law Joan Byck Loeb of Montgomery, Alabama, her son, Douglas L. Newhouse and his wife, Holly M. Bannister, M.D. of Weston, Connecticut, her son, James L. Newhouse and his wife, Stephanie Kelly Newhouse of Bedford, New York, and three grandchildren, Olivia Newhouse, Robert "Nick" Newhouse and Alexa Newhouse. Numerous nieces and nephews with whom she was very close also survive her.

Visitation will be at Congregation Kol Ami, 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY on Friday February 21 starting at 10:00 am. There will be a Memorial service beginning at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:

The Fund for Westchester's Future
Westchester Community Foundation
200 North Central Park Avenue
Suite 310
Hartsdale, NY 10530

(Portions of this article were supplied by Eda's son James Newhouse)