Forum Committee Asks to Participate in Freightway Development Process
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was sent by the Scarsdale Forum)
Dear Mayor and Village Trustees:
We note with gratitude the Mayor’s letter of January 9, 2026 to the Scarsdale community regarding the potential development of the Freightway site. Having studied this matter extensively and concluded that such development could be of great value to the community, the members of the Scarsdale Forum’s Freightway Working Group are eager to participate in a process leading to a project that offers a variety of significant benefits while avoiding the detrimental effects that could result from changes not well considered to meet the community’s needs and desires.
While we appreciate the Village’s thoughtful approach to this issue, we believe that the deteriorating condition of the Freightway garage, the shortage of housing to meet residents’ changing needs, and a range of other factors require timely action. Appropriate development would improve the Village’s finances with more productive uses, improve the quality of life it offers, and create a positive impact on the appearance of our lovely Tudor-themed Village Center.
We fully appreciate the concerns voiced by some residents regarding the potential impact of development on our school system, infrastructure, and municipal services, and on traffic in the Village Center. These matters require serious consideration on the part of the community, the leadership of the Village and school district, and such outside experts as may be appropriate. Any plans for development must satisfactorily address these issues.
In order to ensure the lasting value of any project that may be undertaken, planning must be forward-looking, allowing for changing needs and available technology relating to transportation and other areas of life. Preservation of green space and sensitivity to the environment are values we embrace. The opportunity to create a full range of public benefits far into the future can be maximized by a process that is thoughtful and well-informed.
Our members have devoted substantial time and effort to researching the issues relating to this matter and educating the community with our findings. We would be pleased to continue our involvement in any way that would be helpful to our fellow residents, Village government, and school administration.
Very truly yours,
Scarsdale Forum Inc.
Susan Douglass, Chair, Downtown Revitalization Committee
Madelaine Eppenstein, Chair, Municipal Services Committee
Recycling Tip of the Week: Recycle Your Batteries--Do NOT Place them in Curbside Recycling or in the Trash
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- Written by: Conservation Advisory Council
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Batteries, including alkaline, lithium and button batteries (used in watches and hearing aids), can be brought to the blue collection tubes located in the lobby of Village Hall (open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) and in the Recycling Center Office (110 Secor Road, open Monday-Saturday, 8am-3pm) for recycling. Rechargeable and damaged batteries are not accepted. Rechargeable batteries can be brought to the Recycling Center and placed in the E-waste container. Batteries contain valuable metal such as lithium and nickel that can be extracted and recycled. Because they require special handling, batteries should never be placed in commingled recycling or in the trash. For a list of batteries that are accepted by the Village for recycling and those that are not, see https://scarsdale.gov/897/Battery-Recycling.
Clearing Ice and Snow Around Fire Hydrants
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1078
Two industrious high school sophomores, the brother and sister team of Ethan and Isabella Turner, noticed how many fire hydrants were buried in snow and ice and decided to do something to help.
Ethan explained “During the deep freeze over the past few weeks a lot of fire hydrants in our area are covered in ice and snow creating a hazard in the case of a fire emergency. As a starting point, I have cleared five fire hydrants near my home in Quaker Ridge."
Ethan Turner
"To create awareness, my sister and I made a video, to bring attention to the importance of clearing fire hydrants for the firefighters in Scarsdale. We have set up an email for Scarsdale Residents to ask for help to clear their hydrants if they are unable to do so themselves or want some help. We can be reached at [email protected].”
Watch this video that demonstrates how to clear the 3 foot area around the fire hydrants of ice and snow.
Isabella Turner
Teens Create App to Improve Mental Health Anytime and Anywhere
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- Written by: Rebecca Ludwig
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Charley Wolf and Theo Kertesz StayMindful is a free mental wellness app created by teens, for teens. The app empowers users to manage stress and anxiety through guided meditations, visual breathing exercises, and evidence-backed advice in articles. StayMindful exemplifies how student-led innovation can tackle real-world challenges with empathy, technical skill, and purpose. We asked a few questions to the team behind StayMindful- Scarsdale High School Juniors Theo Kertesz and Charley Wolf. Here is what they had to say:
How did you come up with the idea for StayMindful?
We came up with the idea for StayMindful after seeing how many of our peers were struggling with stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges without knowing where to turn. We also noticed that many existing resources felt overwhelming, inaccessible, or stigmatizing. We wanted to create a space that was free, easy to use, and designed specifically for teens, with digestible content and tools that make mental health feel normal and approachable.
How did the app become popular at Scarsdale High School?
The app grew primarily through word of mouth. We also gave several presentations to Scarsdale High School classes and worked closely with school psychologists, which helped introduce StayMindful in a trusted and familiar setting. That direct connection to the school community played a big role in its growth.
What are some of your main goals for the app?
Our main goals are to reach as many teens as possible and make StayMindful a reliable mental health resource. We want to continue growing our user base, partner with schools and mental health organizations, and eventually reach 10,000 downloads. Right now, we are proud to have already surpassed 2,500 downloads.
What are some of your accomplishments since starting StayMindful?
Since launching the app, StayMindful has reached over 2,500 downloads and earned a 4.9-star rating on the App Store. We have also surveyed more than 60 students, who reported feeling an average of 4 out of 5 levels calmer after completing a short breathing exercise in the app. In addition, we have received positive feedback and testimonials from psychologists and mental health professionals, which has helped validate the app’s impact.
In what ways can StayMindful help students, specifically in Scarsdale?
StayMindful helps Scarsdale students better understand what they are experiencing through relatable articles and simple tools. The app includes easy-to-use breathing exercises and content designed to support students dealing with academic stress, test anxiety, and everyday pressures common in a high-achieving environment.
What are your plans to continue spreading awareness for mental health in the future?
We plan to continue partnering with mental health organizations, organizing events, and presenting to students whenever possible. Building a strong community presence and keeping conversations around mental health open and accessible is a major focus moving forward.
Would you like to spread your message beyond Scarsdale, or keep it within the town?
While StayMindful started in Scarsdale, our goal is to expand well beyond the town. We have already shared the app with psychologists and organizations outside of Scarsdale, and we hope to continue reaching teens in many different communities.
How can people in Scarsdale support StayMindful?
People in Scarsdale can support StayMindful by using the app, sharing it with friends, organizations, or anywhere they think it could help, and by giving us feedback. Suggestions for new features and improvements play a big role in shaping the app as it continues to grow.
Have you received any feedback that surprised you or caused you to modify your app?
One of the most important pieces of feedback we received was from schools regarding privacy. In response, we created a separate school-friendly version of StayMindful that does not collect any personal information, including names or accounts, so students can use it comfortably and schools can confidently support it.
How are you working as a team to manage the app, and how do you envision managing it in the future?
StayMindful is led by Theo and Charley and supported by a team of 15 students who work collaboratively across development, content, and outreach. We also have an expert advisory group of two mental health professionals who help guide the app’s direction. Moving forward, we plan to continue improving the app, expanding the team, and sharing StayMindful with even more students.
Download the StayMindful app, or visit their website here: https://staymindful.org/
A Lunar New Year Celebration at Scarsdale Middle School
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- Written by: Gina Chon and Michelle Jung
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The Scarsdale Middle School PTA organized a Lunar New Year showcase on February 11 in the Great Hall at SMS. Korean and Chinese parent volunteers decorated tables, provided games and offered a variety of cultural snacks to the students. The Korean parent volunteers also arranged for traditional Korean dancers from the Heasun Jung Korean Arts Academy to perform a Janggu (Korean drum) dance and a Korean fan dance.
Popham House sixth grader Eliana Kang, was thrilled when she spotted Gonggi a traditional Korean game similar to jacks, which was featured in Squid Game. Proudly, Kang exclaimed, “My grandma is an amazing Gonggi player!” Eager to play, she joined the game and enthusiastically explained the rules and techniques to her friends.
