A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District

Fall 2008

Commitment to Excellence

From the Board of Education Dear District Parents, Guardians, Community Dear Residents, Members and Friends, I hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer. I warmly welcome you back to school as we begin the 2008-2009 school year. The schools and programs have been prepared over the Our school year kicked off to a good start with a course of the summer for the arrival of the students who are always excit - new central administration at the helm and an ed about entering a new grade, meeting their new teacher(s) and enthusiastic staff. You will find many new faces at embracing the myriad learning opportunities that are offered. Woodlands Middle/High School resulting from the To ensure that our District continues to make student achievement our implementation of the nine-period day. The new primary focus with on-going academic gains for our students, the District is schedule, which students and staff have adapted to embarking on the development of a Strategic Plan. The planning process very well, was devised to enable the middle and will include representation from all constituencies so that we have a forum high schools to comply with the many state-mandat - through which all perspectives can be heard as we chart a course of ed course requirements. In addition, the high school action to be followed over the next several years. can offer more electives to its students. Our theme this school year is Achievement Matters, drawn from the opening of the school convocation The Board would like to congratulate Michael address to our teachers by distinguished author Hugh B. Price, from the title of his book, “Achievement potlMi atters.” gTo this end, I inhvite every memt ber of the GC7 community to join in the process of Chambless and his administrative team for the IB S educating our youth to the best of our ability so that each student continuously strives for and achieves accreditation of Woodlands Middle School academic success. (see related story, p. 8). It is with pleasure that I report that all of our schools for the 2007-2008 school year are designated as The District has gone out to bid on the Woodlands Schools in Good Standing by the New York State Education Department. I am proud of the activities campus road repair. The bid is scheduled to be and programs of each of our schools. awarded at our November meeting and the work This fall Woodlands Middle School is distinguished by its authorization as an International will be completed in December. Baccalaureate (IB) World School. This achievement was awarded following an intensive curriculum During the summer months, the State auditors were review and site visit to our middle school by the International Baccalaureate Team. Additionally, the in as part of the New York State Comptroller’s initia - Richard J.Bailey School is now affiliated with Manhattanville College as a “Professional Development tive to audit all district schools. We were advised School.” Manhattanville College studen t- teachers will work with Bailey teachers in classrooms in the fall and spring. A Manhattanville college professor will supervise the student-teacher’s field experience that the report could take several months to com - and be available to our faculty throughout the year in this enriched school-college partnership. plete depending on the priorities of the Comptroller’s Office. We have added several new teachers to the GC7 faculty (see inside story), particularly at the high school level where we have modified the schedule from an eight to a nine-period day to ensure that The Board of Education had been discussing the there is ample time in the day for students to benefit from the varied and mandated course offerings. implementation of a Strategic Plan for some time. These professionals have enthusiastically joined the ranks of our existing faculty. The new teachers We put the project on hold last year since we were were greeted by the principals and central office staff at Teacher Orientation, which was held in in the process of hiring a new superintendent in August. They will also participate in a series of workshops on sound educational practices across the addition to working under an austerity budget. In year to foster differentiation of instruction as a strategy for improving student achievement throughout August, the Board retained Prism Decision Systems their careers. LLC to assist the District in the development of a As the school year unfolds, I wish you and the children/students of GC7 my best for continued success. Strategic Plan. The Superintendent is in the process I speak on behalf of the School District when I say, together we can overcome any challenge that may of establishing a committee that will include commu - seem to be in the way of a child gaining improved academic performance. Education is the gateway to success in life. Let us work together to educate every child. nity members. I look forward to another successful school year. Sincerely, Sincerely, Lloyd Newland, President Ronald L. Smalls, Superintendent of Schools Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District SGpoetttinliggthot Know the Board of Education Board of Education Goals Greenburgh Central School District No. 7 is governed by a Board of 200 8- 2009 Education comprised of nine members, each serving a three-year term. They may be contacted at the following numbers: 1. To engage the school community in the

Lloyd Newland, President JD Cruz review of the District’s Mission Statement and vision as the first steps in the strategic 914-761-5672 914-347-1402 lnewland@ jdcruz@ planning process. greenburgh7.com greenburgh7.com 2. To approve job descriptions for every Term: 2008 – 2011 Term: 2007 – 2010 District administrative and supervisory Susan Penchansky, Vice-President Monique Haygood Massey position and approve a table of organiza- 914-644-8349 914-328-7111 tion in order to ensure that all necessary spenchansky@ mmassey@ administrative functions are being greenburgh7.com greenburgh7.com Term: 2007 – 2010 Term: 2008 – 2011 performed. To ensure future funding for these positions, this goal will be Stephanie W. Bellino David Warner completed prior to the conclusion of the 914-391-4331 914-993-3343 2008-09 budget review. sbellino@ dwarner@ greenburgh7.com greenburgh7.com 3. To establish a budget preparation and Term: 2008 – 2011 Term: 2007 – 2010 review process to ensure voter approval Charles Bronz Terry Williams on the first vote. 914-686-5224 4. To design and implement a communication 914-428-0449 twilliams@ plan to improve the District’s public image Term: 2006 – 2009 greenburgh7.co m Term: 2006 – 2009 to include personal, written and electronic communications. The Community Cora L. Carey Engagement Committee will present its 914-949-9038 strategies to the Board in November ccarey@ greenburgh7.com 2008. Term: 2006 – 2009 Thank you! Thanks go to District resident Harry Phillips, III, member of the NYS Board of Regents, For the for his donation of four SMART Boards, designated for the RJ Bailey School. Thanks also to the Hartsdale Rotary for its latest news, visit our web site: donation of five boxes of school supplies: erasers, spiral notebooks, pencils, pens, www.greenburgh.k12.ny.us crayons, glue, loose-leaf paper and com - passes.

2 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Greenburgh Commemorates Merlin German He wanted the foundation to be SThpoe towtlni ogfhGrt eenburgh has proclaimed Saturday, Nov. 15, as Merlin called Merlin’s German Day to commemorate Sgt. Merlin German (USMC) who was a Miracles. His Woodlands graduate, Class of 2003. dream was to grant the chil - Friends of Merlin remember Merlin’s witty dren’s wishes no sense of humor, constant positive attitude and matter what the huge smile. The summer after graduation, request. The foun - Merlin spent most of his waking hours working dation would be out and involved in a program where he used to make life would run with the Marines, trying to get in for these families shape for boot camp. Merlin enlisted in the a little easier, to Marine Corps in September 2003 and make their homes received a meritorious promotion to Private Marine Sgt. Merlin German accessible First Class out of boot camp. on duty in Iraq before he and/or climate- Sgt. German was stationed in Iraq in 2004 was injured. controlled, and as part of Weapons Platoon for convoy securi - take the family ty. German’s platoon sergeant and company on trips and out - ings. For these children, the sky is the limit. commander applauded him for his keen sense Merlin German of spotting Improvised Explosives Devices To honor Merlin, Merlin’s Miracles Foundation (IEDs). In the first six months of his deployment, care unit and more than 150 surgeries, he has teamed up with Greenburgh Central 7’s Sgt. German found eight IEDs with no one defied all odds and became known to Community Engagement Committee to sustaining any injuries. everyone as the “Miracle Man.” hold a special event on Saturday, Nov. 15, on the Woodlands High School campus In February 2005, after being burned over German was awarded the Purple Heart from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 97% of his body when a roadside IED bomb and became an inspiration to other exploded under his Humvee, Sgt. German wounded warriors. He died unexpectedly Come enjoy an all-day family event open to was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center in on April 11, 2008, after a routine surgery the public. There will be bouncing castles, San Antonio, Texas. He was not expected to at the age of 22. clowns, face painting, games, food, and survive, given only a 3% chance to live. Merlin had a vision. He started a foundation many more fun surprises, including special However, after nine months in the intensive to help children burn victims and their families. celebrity guest appearances. See you there! Welcome Back! Students Get in the Groove Around the District, students get back in the school groove as they meet new teachers, make new friends and get down to the business of learning! Here are some snapshots from the first days of school.

3 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District SWpoetlicgohmt e New Staff! The District welcomes many new staff members this year who bring great enthusiasm and expertise to our schools. We spotlight them on the following pages.

On right, staff members pose for photo during Teacher Orientation in August.

HV-ECP-LFJ (l. to r.) Marie Ford, Diane Pacheco, Linda Tang WMS (l. to r.) Kathleen Blenk, Jessica Rosa, Jodi Manne, Theresa Cooper, Adriana Martinez, Delilah Kearney, Christina Rosario-Luciano

WHS (l. to r.) Jessica DeAza, Wendy Scheer, Holly Cancro, Raymond Nelson, Roma Hewlett, Neil Dahan, Valerie Aubrey, La'nee Griffin, RJB (l. to r.) Jane Neubardt, Claire Cronin, Jennifer Landau, Carlos Rodrigurz, Elizabeth Egan, Rose Ann Astacio, Elizabeth Jeannemarie Cregan, Milagros Guzman, Debra Morrison-Davis Gruffi (Not Pictured - Theresa Berasi, Albert Mensah) (Not Pictured - Davina Sewkumar)

4 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Frank Ferraro, Assistant Superintendent for Business Country School District (Bellport) on Long Island. The $102 million budget there well SFraponk tFelri rgarho tcame on board as Assistant Superintendent for Business in prepared him for the role he fills now. He also July and is most impressed by the District. “The leadership here is supervised a $65 million capital improvement top-caliber, and the staff is great,” he said. “They are conscientious, good project, with all six district schools under con - people who are working together to move the District forward.” struction. Prior to his position there, he worked at Adirondack Community College, where he He’s glad to be part of positive instructional re-shaped the department of Continuing the team, and he outcomes to financial Education. Before that, the Emerson College brings with him a resources,” he said. “I grad was in advertising, and, again, he saw unique background work with more than it from two angles: first as a copywriter and and professionalism numbers and reports. I then as an account executive. that will ensure the work with administra - District stays on sound tors, teachers and stu - In his post here, he feels it is imperative to financial footing. Mr. dents, too.” involve as many people in the District as pos - sible into the budget process. “Every voice Ferraro is eminently In his role, he will use counts,” he said. qualified for the task: financial analysis with He holds an MBA from strategic planning to And he plans to be very visible. “For 99 per - the College of St. Rose determine future deci - cent of the meetings I plan with administrators, in Albany, as well as sions. “We have to I go to their building. It gives me a chance to SDA certification. So ask where we are see the school and the children. he has a way of see - going and make sure that we have the “I also go to every graduation. The gradua - ing both sides to a situation. In this case, the resources available to teach the children,” he tion is the culmination of what we do as a combination allows him to see his position as said. He sees his priorities as making sure the District. I wouldn’t miss it.” Assistant Superintendent for Business from a budget works to provide enough funding to dual standpoint, as both a financial analyst Mr. Ferraro hails from Canajoharie in upstate support the academic programs (including New York and is living in Dobbs Ferry. His and as an educator, and he is able to bring transportation), and to begin to improve the together the best of both worlds. wife, who continues to live upstate, is a infrastructure of the campus. teacher in a rural school district. “The most important part of my job is to tie Mr. Ferraro’s last position was in South

them achieve their goals and successes,” said Daymon S. Yizar, Woodlands High School Dean the Wagner College graduate who is certified As Woodlands High School Dean, Daymon S. Yizar brings his personal as an elementary school teacher. Mr. Yizar brand of positive thinking to the job. “It’s about mutual respect,” he said. holds an MS in administration and supervision He believes that students respond well if they are given guidance and sup - from the College of New Rochelle that he port – and they know what the boundaries are. pursued while serving as a police officer. “We are all human,” he for the New York City Becoming dean of students was a natural said. “We all make mis - Board of Education and progression. takes, but it’s important not at Monroe-Woodbury HS “I am here for all the students – to help them to keep making the same in Orange County. His be prepared for the next chapter in their lives, mistake. Every day is a last position was in whether it is college or the work force,” said new day and a new start.” Bellport High School on the Greenburgh resident, who is part of the In the position, he oversees Long Island, where he met instructional support team. “That’s the key part discipline, checks atten - Dr. Chakar. He is pleased to the job – wanting to see all the students dance and is an additional that their paths have have high academic achievement and be resource for academic sup - crossed again. “We work successful,” he said. “I had good mentors, port and improvement. It’s as a team,” said Mr. Yizar. and I hope I can be one for the students.” not an easy job, but he is Before that, he worked as Mr. Yizar is a member of the African-American confident and uniquely a youth officer with the Men of Westchester and on the Board of qualified for the position. The Greenburgh resi - Police Department in Greenburgh and was Directors of the Lois Bronz Children’s Center. dent actually did a short stint at WHS some involved with the DARE program as well as He is married with two children, who also eight years ago. “This is home!” he said. Project LEEP (Law Enforcement Education attend school in the Greenburgh 7 School Mr. Yizar returns now with years of academic Program). District. experience, having served as dean of students “I love working with young people and seeing

5 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Irina Kanatayev Takes on New Role and academic goals and a challenging cur - riculum to keep their interest and maintain SIripona Ktalni agtahyet v is the newly appointed Coordinator of Math, Science and motivation.” Technology for the GC7 School District. Mrs. Kanatayev was selected for this Before joining GC7 School District, Mrs. position from the teaching ranks of Woodlands High School where she has Kanatayev taught in the New York City public taught math since the 2000-2001 school year and served as the lead schools and in Hastings-on-Hudson. In addi - teacher of the Math Department for several years. tion, she also taught evening courses in mathe - In her new position, she Throughout her teaching matics at City College of New York. Mrs. hopes to help teachers grow career, this Bronx resident Kanatayev received her B.S. and M.S. in professionally while provid - has always demonstrated Civil Engineering from the Leningrad ing them with the opportuni - her passion for mathematics Polytechnic Institute back in her native country ties to improve and/ or and a commitment to mak - of Russia, and her master’s degree in update their teaching meth - ing a difference in the lives Secondary Mathematics Education from ods and encouraging them of young people. At the City College of New York, where she wrote to share with one another heart of Mrs. Kanatayev’s her thesis in the area of writing in mathemat - their experiences and ideas. educational philosophy is ics. Mrs. Kanatayev continued her study at the College of New Rochelle, where she success - “The District is heading in the belief that all children can succeed. “Each child is fully completed the master’s program in the the right direction,” she said. field of Educational Leadership. “To raise students’ achieve - unique and can learn and ment, we need to enhance achieve when his/her Mrs. Kanatayev looks forward to her new teaching by applying vari - educational environment is position as the Coordinator of MST and is ous instructional strategies and integrating suited to meet his/her needs,” she said. grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the technological resources. Our teachers are She applies this philosophy in her daily life GC7 community, where parents, students, highly qualified in their discipline, capable of whether she is teaching students or teachers. teachers and administrators work in partner - bringing all students to their full potential, and “All children need a positive and safe school ship to bring all students to their full potential I am here to help them in that continuum.” atmosphere that supports their learning styles through their cooperative efforts.

Margie O'Brien, Humanities Coordinator by several District administrators. “I believe the commitment that all teachers “I love new beginnings,” said Margie O’Brien, the District’s new Humanities bring to the classroom makes a tremendous dif - Coordinator. “This position, which puts me in charge of instruction and ference in the lives of their students. It was curriculum for ELA, social studies and the arts, has rekindled the enthusiasm teachers who helped me set the course for my I have for teaching and learning that I experienced when I was hired for life,” she said. “It was teachers who served as my first teaching job.” role models for me, and it is through their inspi - Mrs. O’Brien’s goal now is standing of how to motivate ration that I am here at Greenburgh 7. It is my to support teachers’ efforts students to maximize their hope to give back to today’s students what has so that each teacher can be potential. In addition to been given to me through education.” the best he or she can be. classroom and department Mrs. O’Brien’s commitment to both teaching “As educators, teachers not leadership, she successfully and administration has been shown through only help students achieve initiated and led a leader - her professional involvement as a liaison from the skills necessary for aca - ship academy for girls. The LICAWE (Long Island Council of Administrative demic success, but they also academy broadened the Women in Education) to colleges and universi - have the opportunity to participants’ career options ties in Long Island and the local area. Her empower students through and helped them become correspondence and appreciation of collabo - envisioning their future acquainted with the steps ration helped to create a doctoral fair for lives.” necessary for goal setting aspiring educational leaders. and overcoming challenges The Long Island resident Mrs. O’Brien holds a BA in English from in meeting their goals. comes to the District from Westbury Middle Queens College, a MS in Secondary School where she taught English and was She also has facilitated writing workshops for Education from St. John’s University and a department chair. She began her career as an students and professionals that ask writers Specialist Diploma in Administration and English teacher in Brooklyn. to clarify their goals and reflect on past Supervision from Queens College. She is Mrs. O’Brien brings a familiarity with SED accomplishments. The most recent workshop certified as a school district administrator and mandates and benchmark tests and an under - at Ulster BOCES in New Paltz was attended a secondary English teacher.

6 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Matthew C. Smith, Athletic Director is a Section 1 basketball official. He can often be spotted at area-wide high SAspothetnlei wgfhult l-time Athletic Director, Matthew C. Smith has hit the ground school games supporting the athletes, and running. His July start was a terrific opportunity to come in and set the actually volunteered at the Empire State groundwork for a smooth transition into the school year. Games held in Westchester in 2007. “It was great – a real opportunity to give back,” “It was important to be able Mr. Smith comes here from he said. to meet the fall coaches and Blessed Sacrament High student athletes in advance,” School in New Rochelle As a former math teacher, he is sure he will said the North Carolina A&T where he was math depart - miss the classroom. “But I enjoy sports and graduate. As athletic director, ment chairperson and athletic athletics, and as Athletic Director, I can interact Mr. Smith hopes to increase director for eight years. Under with the students on another level, using my the participation in athletics by his tenure as athletic director, classroom experience and stressing the impor - developing more teams and the school’s basketball team tance of academics,” he said. “I’m extremely making the athletic program won two State Titles and ath - excited to have the opportunity to work in a more competitive within the letic participation increased District that has such a storied athletic history. region and the state. by 20 percent. Several stu - The kids here are bright, friendly, energetic, and the staff and faculty have welcomed me “It’s important to build team dent-athletes were awarded with open arms. It’s an excellent fit.” morale and create programs athletic scholarships to play on that are well-structured to achieve goals,” he the collegiate level. He was also the New Mr. Smith holds an MS in education for said. Increasing academic performance is York State Catholic High School Girls Soccer Mercy College, and is certified as a school more important than increasing athletic per - Commissioner for southern New York. Mr. district administrator (SDA) and in school formance. “Academics always come before Smith coached several teams, including boys administrator/supervision (SAS). He lives in athletics,” he said. and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, New Rochelle with his wife and 18-month track and field and bowling. Additionally, he old son.

PTA + Support = SEPTA The Special Education Parent Teacher Association, more commonly known as SEPTA, was introduced in the District five years ago by founding members Claudia Longolius and Judy Straughn to help parents of students with special needs address their concerns. Since then, the organization has grown, but there’s much work to be done. To be successful, the group feels it must engage the entire school community.

“Building awareness of SEPTA’s mission, which is to support parents of students with special needs, is very important,” said Mrs. Longolius, who is now PTA Council President. “This group can offer support when parents feel overwhelmed. At our meetings, parents can share their feelings and know there will be understanding.” Darnell Waters, SEPTA president, said it is important to reach out to all the community and get everyone involved. “The more mem - bers we have, the more effective we will be,” she said. Ms. Waters is in the process of developing fund-raising plans that will benefit the group. In the meantime, she invites the school commu - From l. to r., Judy Straughn, Bruce Gottlieb, bers in all the school buildings. The group nity to come to SEPTA meetings, which meet Darnell Waters and Claudia Longolius works with Director of Pupil Personnel Services every other month and feature speakers and Bruce Gottlieb, who encourages parents to presentations on topics such as speech devel - come to our meetings,” she said. get involved. opment, transitions for older students, and the SEPTA falls under the umbrella of the PTA The next meeting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 16 meaning and legal aspects of an IEP. Council and is an addition to the individual at 7 p.m. at Highview. For more information, “Everyone is welcome and encouraged to building PTAs. It is district-wide and has mem - contact Mrs. Waters at 761-3146.

7 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District

Woodlands High School essay-writing contest. Students watched a video and SpotlighDr.t Robert L. Chakar, Jr., returns for From the demonstrations; learned the proper use of safety his fourth year as Principal of equipment; and then discussed head-injury preven - Woodlands High School. He spent tion. Students throughout the county had the opportu - his summer hiring a number of new Desks of the nity to participate in the regional essay contest. The teachers to accommodate the new RJ Bailey “school winner” was Navya Madoor who 2008-2009 nine-period day Principals received a brand new helmet. Her essay then went schedule (up from the previous 2007-2008 eight- on to the grand prize contest, with all of the other period day schedule). In addition to new teachers, school winners. Congratulations to Navya who was the high school was able to add a Dean of Students named winner of the grand prize – a bike from to the team (see Daymon S. Yizar, p. 5). This posi - Dave's Bike Shop! Mrs. Baratta and Assistant tion will allow Dr. Chakar and his assistant princi - Principal Penny Constantine accompanied Navya to pal, Mr. Washington, to focus on matters of student claim her prize. achievement, and provide support to the teaching Marguerite Clarkson faculty and direction for the guidance department. During this year, he hopes to continue to improve Highview School student achievement and increase the amount of community involvement in the lives of his high school The school year got off to a great students. He currently is undertaking a plan to work start at Highview with student on a variety of partnerships to foster greater commu - critical phase of personal and intellectual development enrollment on the increase: more nity involvement and to bring more attention to the and requires a program that helps students participate than 250 students are registered. positive student achievement results. In addition, he actively and responsibly in a changing and increas - Welcome to all our students! wants to spend more time on improving the gradua - ingly interrelated world. Learning how to learn and Along with more students is more tion rates of seniors. how to evaluate information critically is as important technology. Thanks to several funding sources, we As a long-term goal, Dr. Chakar is trying to meet the as learning facts. now have seven SMART Boards in the building, and new graduation requirements for the entire freshman Michael Chambless we hope that number keeps growing. class who entered this fall. This Class of 2012 will Highview, in its fifth year of the International be the first graduating class who need to have met Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, hosted the all Regents requirements in order to earn a diploma. Richard J. Bailey School final visit of the team from International Lastly, he is working with his guidance department Safety is a priority at RJ Bailey. Baccalaureate North America in May. Every point and faculty to find alternatives for students to be suc - Our Wellness Committee has of view was considered, and the visit thoroughly cessful when the high school diploma has not been collaborated with the Westchester covered everything from appearance to curriculum. attained. County FIT KIDS Program and Now, with the team's feedback, we are in the Dr. Robert L. Chakar, Jr. Blythedale Children's Hospital to process of making revisions to our program based bring a new “Injury Prevention on the recommendations of the International Program” to our school. Baccalaureate Organization. Documentation of the changes will be filed by December, and we hope to Woodlands Middle School Focusing on injury prevention and nutrition, the com - achieve IB authorization by year's end. I am pleased and proud to let you mittee considers the well being of our students in build - know that Woodlands Middle ing healthy habits and making healthy choices. Bailey We are also being visited this fall by the Middle School has been authorized to is working to encourage children to be active and States Association for re-accreditation. This is an teach levels one, two and three of playful, yet mindful of safe practices in and out of ongoing accreditation process that fosters excellence the International Baccalaureate school. and ongoing improvement in a school. It requires a school to ask why it exists, to establish a vision of its Middle School Programme. As you Bikes and other wheel-based sports are used by most future and to determine specific objectives for reach - are aware, IB offers high-quality programs of interna - children for recreation, transportation and exercise. ing that vision. (MSA is a voluntary, peer-based, tional education to a worldwide community of Unfortunately, head injury accounts for more than 60% non-profit association dedicated to educational schools. Patricia Simone has been appointed the of bicycle related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicy - excellence and improvement.) program coordinator. cle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of The IB program helps develop the intellectual, per - hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries, Finally, our special area teachers this year will be sonal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and according to Blythedale Children's Hospital. Without working more closely with classroom teachers to work in a rapidly globalizing world. We are among proper protection, a fall from a distance as little as ensure that the curriculum is IB infused. Students will 2,400 schools in 129 countries that are authorized two feet can result in skull facture or other traumatic meet for music and library twice a week, with the as IB schools. The program promotes intercultural brain injury. second meeting being more collaborative in nature. understanding and respect, not as an alternative to In order to provide our students with lessons to help a sense of cultural and national identity, but as an establish good safety habits, RJB last year partnered Gary Mastrangelo essential part of life in the 21st century. with the Blythedale Children's Hospital to bring the More specifically, the International Baccalaureate hospital’s “Injury Prevention Program” to our school. Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed for stu - Organized by school nurse Martha Baratta, the pro - dents aged 11 to 16. This period, encompassing gram involved a class visit by Mrs. Leslie Caracciolo, Continued on page 9 early puberty and mid-adolescence, is a particularly Community Injury Prevention Specialist, and a student

8 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District

Continued from page 8 Finally, in keeping with the IB framework, each month training staff on effective emergent literacy and Spotlight we will concentrate on one of the 10 characteristics early reading techniques. This year we are Lee F. Jackson School that make up the IB Learner Profile. September’s fortunate to have a part-time ESL teacher to characteristic was caring, which was brought into all assist our English Language Learners with their Lee. F. Jackson has kicked off the curricular areas. For instance, in physical education, language development and acquisition of school year with lots of energy and teachers reminded students to be caring and mindful English. great news. Both reading and of how they passed an object (such as a ball) to • Support Social-Emotional Development. This math scores went up three to five each other. In October, we are concentrating on incorporates Second: A Violence Prevention percent by the end of last year, communication. Program lessons into thematic unit lessons, as and this year, we plan to build on well as training on utilizing effective behavioral that progress. To do that, our focus will be on We look forward to a great new school year. interventions to meet a variety of social-emotional increased instructional time, and we will be provid - Dawn Male needs and writing behavior-based observations ing additional support in ELA and math for those stu - to assess student performance. dents with the greatest need. Area specialists in reading and math will team together with classroom Early Childhood Program • Refine the preschool assessment system. We will accomplish this goal by researching appropriate teachers to provide students with extra help. The Early Childhood Program is well screening tools for students with special needs, under way for the 2008-2009 For our higher-level thinkers, we will provide enrich - using an up-to-date version of the Brigance school year. The students are settling ment in science and research development, subjects screening tool, writing behavior-based in, learning the routines and making that fascinate all the students and offer great possi - observations to assess student performance new friends. Our goal for this year bilities for differentiation. and using classroom portfolios as a means of can be summed up in one sentence: More parent involvement is another objective. To instructional assessment. Ninety percent of our students will attain Level 3 (high - make it easier for parents to get involved, we are est level) on The Creative Curriculum Developmental • Develop Meaningful Parent Involvement. We coordinating two of our efforts so that they will Assessment Continuum. We are confident that we can encourage involvement through our class parents dovetail and make scheduling simpler. This fall, our reach this objective, and to do so, we have devel - and volunteers, class parent representation at PTA meetings will be connected to our Parent oped a comprehensive plan that will: PTA meetings and school events, and through University, which provides parents with skills and improved communication. strategies to support their children’s education in the • Implement Phase II of an emergent literacy and early reading program. This includes updating With a dedicated staff, active and involved parents area of math, early literacy and beginning writing. and community support, we look forward to a pro - By bringing these together, parents will be able to literature lists for thematic units of study, purchasing additional literature for classroom libraries, and ductive, fun-filled year. benefit from both offerings in one evening. Andrea Coddett

Scholarships from Liberty Mutual 2008 Middle Class STAR Rebate Program The Middle Class STAR Rebate Program continues this Some of our graduates might be able to take advan - year. Your rebate check provides property tax relief in tage of a new program at Liberty Mutual called addition to the STAR exemption on your school tax bill. Responsible Scholars. Basic STAR recipients Liberty Mutual will award five $10,000 scholarships to students who have initiated a sustainable service or volunteer program that has a • If you're a Basic STAR recipient who applied for the 2007 rebate, you don't have to reapply as long as your property information remains the widespread impact on their college campus. same. The state will automatically issue you a rebate check by the end To be eligible for the Liberty Mutual Responsible Scholar of October. The amount will be about the same as last year. program, you must: • If you didn't apply for 2007, or if your property information changed • Be a current freshman, sophomore or junior attending a full-time, during the year, you must apply by Dec. 31, 2008. The state will undergraduate, four-year-degree program at an accredited automatically send you an application by the end of October. college or university in the United States; • If you're a property owner and your income is more than $250,000, you are not eligible for a rebate check, even if you have a basic • Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better; STAR exemption. • Submit a completed application using the fully-automated Enhanced STAR recipients online process. • If you're an Enhanced STAR recipient, generally seniors, the state will Applications for Responsible Scholars awards will be accepted from automatically issue you a rebate check by the end of October. You Sept. 1, 2008, through 11:59 p.m., Dec. 31, 2008. don't have to apply. Enhanced rebate amounts will be about 40% higher than last year. For more info, go to: Rebate Amounts and Mailing Schedules http://www.libertymutualgroup.com/omapps/ContentServer? You can determine the amount of your rebate by visiting the New York pagename=LMGroup/Views/LMG&ft=4&fid= State Department of Taxation and Finance website at 1138356792966&ln=en http: //www.nystax.gov/star/2008/default.htm.

9 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District From Woodlands to Delhi: on an issue and makes recommendations Spotlight for the future.) A Summer of Human Rights and Friendship Outside of work, I spent most of my time By Adriana Dolgetta, Woodlands High School Class of 2001 exploring the city I was living in, the one-of-a- kind metropolis of New Delhi. My fellow It all started with an obstacle. I had been accepted as a legal intern for the interns and I lived in a working-class neighbor - summer of 2008 at the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre hood called Safdarjung Enclave, and I shared (SAHRDC) in New Delhi, India…but I could not get sufficient funding for the a small apartment with a friend. We had a trip from Boston College Law School, where I had just completed my first landlord, curious neighbors, an exploding year. I knew I had to do what I could to make this happen, because the stovetop, and our place even overlooked the internship was a dream come true! I am working towards my law degree local park. so as to enable a career in international human rights, and an experience such as this one – documenting human rights abuses and helping to craft Attempting to sum up the kind of mind-expand - public policy recommendations in India – would prepare me for my future ing, wonderful, at times frustrating, and ulti - career in a way that few other experiences could. mately unforgettable two months I spent in India would be a near impossible task for an article as short as this one. In the interest of As a graduate of the new perspective on global issues such as providing a humble overview of the experi - Greenburgh Central 7 poverty, economic advancement, civil and ence, I’ll leave you with a few highlights of School District, I was political rights, and the common humanity that my favorite moments: prepared to take on the we all share. challenge and ready to Sitting on the roof of our apartment at dusk think outside of the box My work at SAHRDC concentrated on the and watching as all the neighborhood to get myself to India. state of prisoners’ rights in India, with a spe - children flew homemade kites made out of Eventually, I decided to cial focus on the situation for women and chil - plastic wrapping, bamboo sticks and string. Adriana Dolgetta reach out to the dren who are in custody. I composed a chap - Emerging from the archway entrance and see - Greenburgh community to seek the support I ter for a human rights textbook to be pub - ing the majestic Taj Mahal for the first time in would need to act upon this once-in-a-lifetime lished by Oxford Press and also wrote a poli - the setting afternoon sun. Laughing as some opportunity. A few phone calls, an email and cy whitepaper that will be presented to the Indian children we met on an overnight train a snazzy new website later, I was humbled Indian parliament and relevant agencies of the decided to sit with us and play cards even and overwhelmed by the response of my UN. (A whitepaper is a short policy briefing though none of us spoke the same language. neighbors and friends. I was going to be that explains the current state of the law Walking into the gorgeous Jama Masjid (a able to do it, and I couldn’t have beautiful mosque) in Old Delhi and feeling so been more grateful! small in the immensity of the space. Watching The trip was looming, and I had no as a group of adventurous teenage boys idea what to expect. Having trav - jumped and swam in the fountain overlooking eled before in Europe, Central India gate in the middle of the city. Taking a America and Africa, I knew that rowboat ride on a calm mountain lake in the much of my education would come foothills of the Himalayas. Spending five min - not from the research I would be utes trying to decide how to convince a rather doing in the office, but in the seem - large cow to move far enough to the side so ingly trivial moments that make up as to allow us to get in our front door. And everyday life in another country. I finally, a glorious three-hour home-cooked din - would be an outsider, an observer, ner with a wonderfully welcoming Indian fami - and hopefully a sponge ready to ly at their home, talking about life, happiness take in everything that this exciting and friendship in a context that requires no country would show me. I wanted to explanation. put my college education and one In the end, my time as a visitor in India was year of law training to work as a marked by two things that seemed to coexist legal intern for SAHRDC, but in the somewhat irrationally throughout my experi - end it was India that gave me a ence. The first was a sense of otherness – the feeling that everything about my surroundings was different, new, and inherently more excit - Adriana meets an elephant and ing than what I was used to. The second was her owner outside of the City Palace in Udaipur, a beautiful Continued on page 11 lakeside city in Rajasthan.

10 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District

Continued from page 10 Adriana (r.) and friend at a market in SFropom Wotoldi lagndhs tto Delhi:... front of the Jama an overwhelming sense of familiarity – in the Masjid, a mosque. friendly banter in a heated volleyball game in the park, the conversations with your local grocer, the friendships between people, and the love in a family. These two elements some - how came together for me in the end, remind - ing me that no matter how far you travel from home, people are still people, friendship is still friendship, and love can make the world a wonderful place.

Upcoming Events Visit our website for the most current and accurate schedule of events. Date Event Time Location Nov. 4 Early Dismissal – Parent/Teacher Conferences 11:30 a.m. LFJ/HV only Nov. 4 Board of Education Meeting 8 p.m. WHS Nov. 6 PTA Principals’ Panel TBA TBA Nov. 10 STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS Nov. 11 VETERANS DAY – ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED Nov. 12-13 Grade 5 NYS Social Studies Exam Nov. 12 Open House for 6th Grade Parents 7 p.m. WMS Nov. 13 Early Dismissal – Parent/Teacher Conferences 11:30 a.m. LFJ/HV only Nov. 13 Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences 6-8 p.m. HV only Nov. 14 WMS/HS Report Cards Mailed Home Nov. 15 MERLIN GERMAN DAY Nov. 18 PTA Council Meeting 7 p.m. LFJ Nov. 20 Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences TBA RJB only Nov. 21 Early Dismissal – Parent/Teacher Conferences 10:45 a.m. RJB only Nov. 22 ECP & Jackson Men’s Club 9:30 a.m. LFJ Nov. 24 Early Dismissal – Parent/Teacher Conferences 10:45 a.m. RJB only Nov. 25 Board of Education Work Session 6:30 p.m. Board Room Nov. 26 ECP Closed – Staff Development Day Nov. 27-28 THANKSGIVING RECESS – ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED Dec. 2 Board of Education Meeting 8 p.m. WHS Dec. 4 ECP Parent/Teacher Conferences – No Mainstream Classes Dec. 11 Woodlands Winter Concert 7 p.m. WHS Dec. 12 ECP Parent/Teacher Conferences – No Mainstream Classes Dec. 13 WHS Scholarship Fund Food Pick-Up 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m. Frelow Ctr Dec. 17 Bailey Winter Concert 7 p.m. RJB Dec. 19 Grades 1-6 Report Cards Sent Home Dec. 19 WMS/HS Progress Reports Mailed Home Dec. 20 ECP & Jackson Men’s Club 9:30 a.m. LFJ Dec. 24-Jan 2 HOLIDAY RECESS – ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED Jan. 8 Grades 3-5 NYS ELA Exams Jan. 8 ECP Pre-K Pre-Registration Information Night 6 p.m. WHS Cafeteria Jan. 8 Board of Education Work Session 6:30 p.m. Board Room Jan. 13 Grade 3-4 NYS ELA Exams Jan. 13-16 WMS Mid-Term Exams Jan. 13 Highview Open House for Incoming Parents 9:30 a.m. HV Jan. 13 Jackson Open House for Incoming K 10 a.m. LFJ Jan. 13 Board of Education Meeting 8 p.m. WHS Jan. 14 Grade 3-5 NYS ELA Exams Jan. 15 Grade 4-5 NYS ELA Exams Jan. 16 ECP Closed – Staff Development Day Jan. 19 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY – ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED

11 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District

Home Games DID YOU KNOW? Spotlight  Senior Nathan Graves will represent Support our student athletes by attending a home game. Visit Woodlands at the 2008 NYSSMA http://www.section1athletics.org/ for the most current schedule. All-State Conference in Rochester in Nov. 3 4:15 p.m. Girls Soccer Modified Ardsley December. The tenor was one of thou - Nov. 6 4:00 p.m. Football Modified Bronxville sands of students who auditioned last Dec. 5 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Varsity Nanuet spring. He is in the mixed chorus. Dec. 5 6:15 p.m. Girls Basketball JV Nanuet  Dr. Hugh Price was Keynote Speaker at Dec. 9 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball Varsity Putnam Valley Superintendent’s Conference Day in Dec. 9 6:15 p.m. Boys Basketball JV Putnam Valley September. Dr. Price, author of Dec. 15 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball Varsity Eastchester “Achievement Matters,” is former president Dec. 15 6:15 p.m. Boys Basketball JV Eastchester and chief executive officer of the National Dec. 17 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Varsity Ardsley Urban League. He is an expert on educa - tion, civil rights, equal opportunity and Dec. 17 6:15 p.m. Girls Basketball JV Ardsley criminal justice. His 40-year career spans Dec. 19 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball Varsity Pelham journalism, philanthropy, the law and Dec. 19 6:15 p.m. Boys Basketball JV Pelham social advocacy. Jan. 5 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Modified Port Chester  James Thorpe, teacher at R.J. Bailey, was Jan. 6 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Varsity Edgemont recognized in the September issue of Jan. 6 6:15 p.m. Girls Basketball JV Edgemont Intown Westchester magazine as one of Jan. 7 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball Modified Alexander Hamilton the 10 top Westchester educators. Jan. 7 4:30 p.m. Wrestling Varsity Dobbs Ferry Jan. 8 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball Varsity Byram Hills Jan. 8 6:15 p.m. Boys Basketball JV Byram Hills Volunteers Wanted Jan. 12 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Modified Solomon Schechter The Board of Education is recruiting volunteers Jan. 12 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Varsity Rye to serve on the following committees for this Jan. 12 6:15 p.m. Girls Basketball JV Rye school year: Fiscal Planning Committee, Jan. 14 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball Varsity Eastchester Community Engagement Committee, Jan. 14 6:15 p.m. Girls Basketball JV Eastchester Education Committee, Facilities Committee Jan. 15 4:30 p.m. Wrestling Varsity Ardsley and Technology Committee. Jan. 16 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball Varsity Ardsley Interested community members can contact Jan. 16 6:15 p.m. Boys Basketball JV Ardsley Ivy Kraus, District Clerk, at 914-761 -6000, ext. 3114 or [email protected].

Seeking Success Stories Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Are you a graduate ? Do you still live PAID in the area? Have you made strides in White Plains, NY your career? If you feel you have a Greenburgh Central 7 School District Permit No. 3111 475 West Hartsdale Avenue success story to tell, please let us know. Hartsdale, N.Y. 10530 We would be happy to include it as S(914po) 761-60t0l0 i ght part of a regular feature in this Board of Education newsletter. To share your story, simply Lloyd Newland, President contact Ivy Kraus, District Clerk, at Susan Penchansky, Vice President Stephanie W. Bellino 914-761 -6000, ext. 3114 or Charles Bronz [email protected]. Cora L. Carey JD Cruz Monique Haygood Massey David Warner Si a usted le gustaría una copia de este Terry Williams boletín en Español, por favor llame Superintendent of Schools (914) 76 1- 6000 ext. 3114. Ronald L. Smalls

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