SHS Announces Initiative to Reduce the Use of Cell Phones in School
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- Written by: Wendy MacMillan
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Can limiting cell phone use at school improve student focus, social engagement and well-being and reduce the incidence of teen depression?
That’s what the Scarsdale High School PTA in conjunction with a team of expert panelists examined at a recent presentation outlining their “Away For the Day” initiative. The presentation began with SHS Principal Ken Bonamo explaining that “Away For The Day” aims to reduce cellphone use at the high school by encouraging all students to silence their phones and stow them in their backpacks while they are in class and in the hallways. The hope is that students will experience improved focus and attention, deeper levels of concentration, and a greater sense of belonging and social engagement. Bonamo stressed that addressing phone usage among SHS students is “one of the most important actions we can take, not only to support academic achievement but also for the mental well-being of our children.” Bonamo also stressed that while “Away for the Day” seems to have an overwhelmingly positive response from students, parents are needed to work as partners in order to create a shift in habits and establish a new culture.
While this important initiative is just rolling out now (due to an interruption because of the pandemic), starting in 2016 Dr. Karine Schaefer (Chairperson of the SHS English Department) created a study group to look at the effects of screen time and cell phones on reading, attention, focus, and concentration. In their research Dr. Schaefer, along with members of the SHS Wellness Committee, found several key takeaways:
-Student anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness has increased
-Teachers increasingly notice students’ inability to focus and concentrate
-Parents report feeling helpless in the face of phones and looking for guidance
During the presentation Dr. Schaefer cited alarming statistics from the CDC showing that since 2015 there has been an incredibly rapid climb in the percentage of high school age students feeling persistently sad or hopeless. In another slide, Dr. Schaefer shared an article from The Atlantic that points to social media use, more access to the news, and less sociality for the reasons “Why American Teens Are So Sad.”
With all the research from both Scarsdale High and beyond, the team at SHS felt motivated and compelled to try to create a new culture for our students. The first step in the journey toward change was creating a video shared with all SHS students on the first day of school delineating what the “Away For The Day Initiative” entails and why it is imperative that everyone is well informed and feels empowered to make healthy choices. During the presentation, parents were also treated to a viewing of the homemade video which included a host of faculty members sharing the reasons we should all participate in “Off And Away For The Day”. The video began with Principal Bonamo defining the initiative and how it will be implemented. As SHS parents may have read in his email, in the video Bonamo explained:
CLASS TIME & PASSING TIME
Level 1
Phones are OFF AND AWAY in backpacks
(unless otherwise directed by a teacher)
FREE PERIODS
Level 3
MINDFUL USE OF CELL PHONES
Students may use phones to listen to music, a podcast, or meditate
No social media, games or scrolling
HOMEROOM, COMMON TUTORIAL, LUNCH
Level 2
Students may BRIEFLY check phones if necessary
No social media, games or scrolling
Later in the video, other faculty members discussed an array of reasons the SHS community should commit to the “Away For The Day” initiative including but not limited to:
Research proving screen use is addictive and is having harmful effects on our brains
The importance of being in the moment which can lead to students feeling happier and performing better
Increasing resilience by being present and actively working through uncomfortable situations instead of relying on a phone for distraction, and so, so much more.
The video was funny, informative, and gave credence to the message that we are all in this together. The video should now be posted to the SHS website for all to enjoy.
The program ended with a Q and A segment with the panel of experts which included SHS Dean Oren Losepovici, SHS English teacher and co-chair of the Wellness Committee Mrs. Jennifer Rosenzweig, Scarsdale High School Social Worker. Ms. Lauren Pomerantz, Vice Chair of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and Professor of Neurological Surgery at the Zucker School of Medicine Dr. John Boockvor, and SHS School Psychologists Dr. Kristin Oliverio and Dr. Peter Faustino.
Many concerned parents took the opportunity to both thank the SHS PTA and the panel for promoting such a crucial initiative and to ask a variety of thoughtful questions. Below is a sampling of the questions and their answers:
Q: Does this initiative come too late? Shouldn’t we start messaging this to our younger students (including relying less on electronics in school)?
A: Dr. Boockvor explained that it is not too late for the adolescent brain to change but that it is imperative that education is the cornerstone to creating a shift in habits. Boockvor expressed that both adults and students alike need to be shown statistics and the harmful effects of too much screen use.
Q: Adults can have a difficult time controlling their screen time, how can we expect kids to do it without enforcement?
A: Several panel members contributed to answering this question explaining that at the high school level, they are trying to empower students to make their own healthy choices through education and guidance. The team at SHS believe that the most effective way to implement the “Away For The Day” initiative is through a bottom-up approach where the students aren’t forced into obliging because of harsh rules, but rather opt in because they understand the overwhelming benefits. The panelists also clarified that they don’t want this to feel like an “us versus them” initiative but rather that there is a sense of “we are all in this together”.
There were many other salient questions asked of the panelists. At the end of the program, the overwhelming message seemed to be that while we are all aware of the incredible benefits of cellphones and other devices, there are very damaging effects as well. So much so that Dr. Boockvor expressed that there is an emergency aspect of what is happening to the brain and that we need to take real steps toward correcting the course. “Away For The Day” is Scarsdale High School’s first step toward that course correction and to create real change, they hope it is a step that our whole community can take together.
Wendy MacMillan is a former teacher and now a proud mom of two, school aged children. With a background in psychology, education, and mindfulness, Wendy has long been passionate about wellness and helping others.
Provide Your Input on the Search for Scarsdale's Next School Superintendent
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The Board of Education would like to wish you and your families a happy and successful start to the school year! As the new school year begins, the search for our next Superintendent of Schools is progressing from the planning and preparation done throughout the summer to the critical community engagement phase of our work. Engagement and input from community members, faculty, staff, and students is an integral part of the search process and we value your participation and input.
Survey is now open
The Board of Education is pleased to share with you that the Superintendent Search Survey has been launched and is now live. Please follow this Survey Link to provide your valued input into the search process. This survey will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on September 23rd, and is open to all members of the community, faculty, staff, and students. The survey is conducted by a search firm, which ensures that your individual responses are kept anonymous. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese. The language can be selected on the first page of the survey.
Superintendent Search Timeline
Below is a graphic representation of the previously communicated timeline and plan. This process has been developed by the Board in consultation with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the firm engaged by the Board to assist with this search. We are currently in the Community Engagement phase, and anticipate announcing the next Superintendent after the search process is complete.
Timeline
Engaging the Community (Focus Groups and Forums)
Ms. Deborah Raizes and Dr. Susan Guiney, our search consultants, will host over 30 focus groups and meetings with parents, students, administrators, faculty members, staff members, village leaders, liaison groups, community groups, board members, and other school stakeholders. In addition to these focus groups and meetings, our consultants will host open forums for any member of the community, faculty and staff to share their input.
Community Forum details are as follows:
Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. (Scarsdale Public Library, Scott Room)
Monday, September 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. (Scarsdale High School, Room 170-172)
Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. (via Zoom link)
Please note that details for the Faculty and Staff forums were sent directly to all Faculty and Staff. For a full list of focus groups, open forums, and meetings being held as part of the search process, please see our superintendent search page.
The goal of the survey, focus groups and forums will be to identify the personal and professional qualities and experiences that the Scarsdale community would like the new Superintendent of Schools to possess.
Whether you attend a focus group, complete the survey, or do both, the Board hopes you will take the opportunity to provide your input.
Developing a Leadership Profile
Feedback from the focus groups and surveys will be synthesized into a set of search specifications that the Board anticipates reviewing at our meeting on October 3rd. This Leadership Profile Report will then serve as a guiding framework for recruiting and vetting candidates.
Recruiting and Interviewing Candidates
Once the Board approves the Leadership Profile, our search consultants will begin recruiting and vetting candidates in accordance with the qualities and experiences prioritized in the Leadership Profile. We anticipate conducting interviews in the winter.
We will regularly update the school community on the progress of the search to provide as much transparency as possible. Updates will be provided at Board meetings, as well as through direct communication and on the superintendent search page on the Board section of the school website.
We are dedicated to finding an exceptional Superintendent to lead the Scarsdale Schools in continuing our tradition of the highest quality education.
Sincerely,
The Board of Education
Former Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Flisser Announces Run for Congress
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Dr. Miriam Levitt Flisser, who served as the Mayor of Scarsdale from 2011-2013 will run for US Congress for District 16 against the winner of the Democratic Primary to be held on August 23, 2022. Contenders for the Democratic nomination are incumbent Jamaal Bowman, Vedat Ashi and Catherine Parker who both currently serve on the Westchester County Board of Legislators. After her term as Mayor of Scarsdale, Flisser ran for the Westchester County Board of Legislators in 2013.
Here is the announcement from the Westchester Republican County Committee.
Dr. Miriam Levitt Flisser, a well-known Westchester County pediatrician, Medical Director of the Bronxville Schools, and former Mayor of Scarsdale, has accepted the nomination of the Westchester Republican County Committee to run for Congress in New York’s 16th Congressional District.
“I am running because our great country is straying from the American Dream, which has offered so many hard-working people opportunities for success and achievement,” said Dr. Levitt Flisser.
“Current policies and legislation passed by Congress are making us poorer, due to inflation and higher taxes. Too many cities and states are forcing our public education systems into a race to the bottom, rather than valuing educational support, achievement, self-reliance and dedication,” she said.
These issues are deeply felt by Levitt Flisser due to her background. Born in Eastern Europe, she immigrated with her parents to the United States, where her family settled in the Bronx, and ran a local food market. She and her husband, Harvey Flisser, a retired science teacher, met in high school, and have lived in Westchester for over 40 years.
“As a long-time resident and dedicated civic volunteer in Westchester County; with my Bronx roots, and continuous voluntary Bronx pediatric service, I understand what is important to residents of District 16, and I will represent them.”
The recently redrawn 16th Congressional District includes all of Southern Westchester and parts of the North Bronx. In the November 8th election, Levitt Flisser will face the candidate picked in the Democratic primary on August 23rd.
Consultants Propose Changes to Improve Safety and Accessibility in Scarsdale Village
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Suburban Square in Ardmore, PAHow can the streets of Scarsdale Village be made safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers too? And what can be done to enliven the Village Center? These were the subjects of a second work session on “Placemaking and Mobility,” led by consultants from FHI on Tuesday evening August 9, presented via Zoom to participants at Village Hall and online. The meeting was recorded and you can watch it here.
Interest is keen in calming traffic, also expressed as slowing down drivers, among those who live and use the Village Center. Residents of the apartments on Popham Road, many who traverse the busy thoroughfare by foot, have often expressed fear that they will be hit by speeding drivers and motorists who whip around turns into crosswalks.
Making Scarsdale’s Village Center more appealing to retailers, restauranteurs and shoppers is also top of mind. With persistent vacancies in Village shops, revitalization of the downtown is a key concern.
The work session was segmented into two presentations, one on traffic and safety and another on proposals to make the Village Center into both a retail hub and a gathering place.
Popham Road Bridge and Chase Road
FHI Mobility Engineer Parker Sorenson presented a range of ideas for the changing the traffic flow on the Popham Road Bridge and at the intersection of Chase and Overhill Road to improve safety using an array of tactics.
Though Sorenson presented detailed maps and diagrams that you can see here, some of the concepts were easier to understand than others. Also, a compressed time frame forced the consultants to move speedily through their presentation making it difficult to fully explain the benefits of some of the proposed changes.
The consultants defined the goals of this phase of the work as follows:
-More organized driving experience
-Safer intersections with fewer potential conflict points
-Safer, more comfortable pedestrian crossings, especially at East Parkway and Popham Road
-Increased biking to Village Center businesses
-Safer access to Bronx River Pathway for residents
-Maintain existing vehicle capacity
You should review the documents yourself, but here are some of the proposed tactics:
-Creating a pedestrian and cycling path on the right side of the westbound bridge to make it easier for those on foot and on bikes to access the trail along the Bronx River.
-Creating an elevated off path cycle track to improve the bike trip to the Bronx River path.
-Creating shorter pedestrians crossings by bumping out the curbs to decrease the steps between curbs.
-Making crosswalks wider and more visible.
-Realigning the crosswalks to reduce their length.
-Adding signage to warn pedestrians at dangerous intersections
-Widening and narrowing of traffic lanes using “channelization.”
Safety improvement suggestions for the Popham Road Bridge.
Commenting on the proposal, Trustee Ken Mazer, said, “If people could see the benefits of these changes that would give them confidence about making larger changes. Can we stage these changes into phases?” The consultants responded, saying they would provide medium and long term plans.
Lynne Clark explained that she recently moved to Popham Road. She said, “I am astounded at the speed of the cars going down Popham Road, 50-60 mph in a 30 mph zone. Why is there not a policeman there to slow the traffic down. I am terrified that there will be an accident there.”
Her husband Merrell Clark said, “When I want to cross from one side to the other of Popham and a car turns left from Chase Road and pays no attention to me – I get really angry.” Relaying a recent near miss he said, “If I was one foot further (in the crosswalk), I would be dead. I wouldn’t be here now.” He continued, “It’s the same on Overhill Road. They turn right – and some even accelerate when they see me. It is disappointing and threatening that a police car was parked there and did nothing.”
Lika Levi of Lockwood Road said, “Why are two important meetings being held in June and August. School is out and everyone is gone. Why are we holding such an important meeting in the dead of August? There are too many variables here. We need a person in Village Hall. It is too confusing.”
Ken Rilander said, “An important element is the time of day when you do your work. Anything related to our Village is different from 8-9:30 am than in the afternoon. Traffic in the morning can back up for a mile in the morning. The Village Center gets very busy around lunch time but is less busy in the morning in the afternoon. Traffic is also affected by commuters.”
Bob Berg said, “Holding a meeting in mid-August is absurd. I am underwhelmed by the consultants’ report. Blocking off Spencer Place is a mistake – we need access to it. Most of the traffic issue is just a matter of policing. Blocking off the street just creates obstructions.”
Madelaine Eppenstein said, “We have not considered restricting traffic and calming by lowering the speed limit to 25 MPH. It boggles the mind. A woman on East Parkway was tossed in the air by a left turning vehicle. East Parkway is a parking lot – there is parking on both sides of the road.There is no police presence. There are few crosswalks. As much delay as possible that we can offer our pedestrians is a smart thing to do.”
Jonathan Rothenberg said, “Were there commercial implications to any of these suggestions considered? How will it make the Village a better place to do business?”
Village Center Plan
Next the consultant’s turned to a discussion of placemaking for the Village Center. Adam Tecza defined their goals as follows:
-Reinforce the Village Centers East core
-Identify more new and different public spaces
-Make the Village Center more attractive
-Explore road closure and pedestrian spaces
They showed some of the schematics from their June presentation and suggested the following:
-Raised intersection on East Parkway and Spencer Place for to slow traffic
-New signage to identify that you are in Scarsdale and in the Village Center
-Different options for a permanent dining tent
-Moving the large clock to the closed plaza on Spencer Place
-A shared street concept so that the street can be closed down for events
Consultants proposed signage to denote the gateway to Scarsdale.
Explaining their ideas, consultant said, This better matches the design to the current function of the street This street (Spencer Place) is now more of a parking lot than a street. Cars should have second priority in this space
They recommended that that the area that currently houses the dining tent become a new central meeting point with an upgraded tent, more flexible spaces, and better loading areas.
The further end of the street, alongside Boniface Circle, would also be closed to vehicular traffic and become Spencer Place Plaza.
In order to replace the parking space, Tecza suggested that Chase Road be restriped with twelve parking spaces and suggested additional parking tactics such as:
-Free short term customer parking
-Valet parking for long term visitors
-Free or discounted permits for business owners at Freightway lot
-Eliminating 8 hour parking on East Parkway
-Pick up and drop off on Depot Place
-Parking wayfinding
-Consistent parking metering
-Updated Freightway parking policies
-Additional bicycle parking
He presented an analysis of nearby shopping areas that are “automotive focused” and favor customers who need to drive. However he said the Village has great place and community characters, great identity and unique aesthetics, and he recommended that we “lean into our advantages and recognize “you can’t beat your competitors.”” He said, “When you invest you attract visitors and activate them.”
In order to facilitate more parking he suggested that Scarsdale “improve the connection between the Freightway parking lot and the Village Center. He said that the MTA was currently in the process of installing an elevator on the west side of the Scarsdale Train Station and building an ADA accessible route across the tracks to Scarsdale Village.
Spencer Place Plaza
In response to community feedback on the first proposal, Tecza recommeneded the addition of traditional design elements such as paving that looks like cobblestone as well as historic style benches.
Commenting on the proposal, Susan Douglass, President of the Scarsdale Forum, spoke on her own behalf saying, “So many new ideas – I like the idea of the Spencer Place Plaza with contiguous space to Chase Park. With this huge amount of placemaking space – nearly as much acreage, or perhaps even more, than the rest of the Village Center, there is no need to take up the west side of Spencer Place with the Dine the ‘Dale tent. Rather, the tent (or a variation of this tent) could be moved to the new plaza. This allows for cars to proceed through Boniface Circle and then go straight down Spencer Place to the train station, with the ability to park near DiCicco’s and the other stores at that end of the street, and also drop off or pick up commuters.”
She continued, “Most Scarsdale residents drive to town. They cannot park at Freightway Garage to drop off or pick up their dry cleaning (carrying armloads of clothing for that distance), or groceries from DiCicco’s or heavy items. In addition, close-in parking is needed for seniors, families with young children, and people who cannot walk long distances. The merchants and their employees need to park off-site to free up these spaces.”
She concluded, “One of the biggest concerns is more parking. Moving the dining tent would free up parking spaces near stores. I like the family friendly events but want to be able to use the downtown for shopping and park there. Though we want the fancy stuff, we also want the ordinary stuff too.”
Ken Rilander said, “If you make it harder to get to the train, you’ll have a revolt. Many of us go downtown to do regular stuff. What you are suggesting would be great on the weekends – but will make the daily life of residents more difficult.”
Carol Silverman asked, “What is parking wayfinding? Also I didn’t know about the Metro North ADA accessibility. The consultants responded, “Wayfinding means signs to direct you to parking and the MTA is adding an elevator on the Depot Place side.”
Robert Berg said, “To the extent you want to make the Village Center available, you need to make parking available. Eliminating 12 spots is not the answer.” He continued, “You’re not addressing the elephant in the room… Rush Wilson… The Village should maybe exercise eminent domain. He has a failed vision. The Dine the Dale tent should be moved down to Chase Park so that you can open the street and make it seasonal – it doesn’t make sense in the winter.
Mayor Veron addressed Berg, saying “I believe the Scarsdale Improvements spaces are almost all filled.”
Next steps will be to review public comments, to present final plan and hold another public meeting in September.
Another Parrot on the Loose: From Former Scarsdale Mayor Noreen Fisher
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(This letter was submitted by former Scarsdale Mayor Noreen Fisher after she read last week's police report about a parrot in a home on Dolma Road.)
I can not believe it….Almost 30 years ago my daughter had the misfortune, while playing with friends outside our home on Taunton, of having a PARROT land on her shoulder….she was 8…it did not go over well. I could hear the screaming from the kitchen.
I called our gallant protectors, the SPD, and the officer on the phone laughed at me. Funniest thing he had heard all day. He said they only had a noose for dogs and similar mammals and I should call a trapper. I was, at this point, looking at this big parrot on a bush looking into my side office windows and knew no one was going to venture outside until this parrot was captured.
I called Parrot Jungle on Central Avenue and they insisted it must be a parakeet. They suggested I capture it with a towel, bring it in a picnic basket to them and they would take care of it.
I prepared for battle, putting on a winter coat with hood up and protecting my head (it was Aug) , grabbed a big towel and went out. The bird was obviously a pet…and consented to being put in a basket.
When Parrot Jungle saw the bird they were amazed. Said it was worth over $300 (back then)…and did I want it…Ha ha…no..I donated the parrot to them and wished them all well.
How times have changed…now parrot capturing is a SPD service. Kudos to our intrepid trappers.
Noreen Fisher
Former Mayor
