The Scarsdale Schools celebrated 225 years of excellence in education at a reception in the SHS Commons on Tuesday evening May fourth. Guests included an illustrious list of those who have contributed to the community, including present and former members of the Board of Education, Village Trustees, administrators, school principals, department heads, teachers and the leadership of the PTA’s and PT Council.
Serenaded by the Scarsdale Chamber Ensemble, everyone gathered to reconnect and admire the rich chocolate birthday cake supplied by Seth Greenberg of the East End Cookie Factory.
School Superintendant Michael McGill told the group that Scarsdale has been nationally recognized for years and though these are difficult times for higher education Scarsdale offers an exemplary education to its students.He had recently met with a group of graduating seniors to assess what they valued most from their Scarsdale education and shared the results with the attendees.Here are the students top nine:
1. Relationships with teachers
2. Athletics and the opportunity to connect with others
3. Special activities such as trips, fairs and events
4. Trust and freedom
5. Cohesion of houses in the middle school
6. Exposure to other countries
7. Buddy system at the elementary school
8. Range of opportunities
9. Classmates
In closing, McGill said that we celebrate 225 years preparing students to go into the world and look forward to the future with confidence.
School Board President Barbara Kemp thanked the members of the Planning Committee include co-chairs and past presidents of the Board of Education, Rita Golden and Florie Wachtenheim.State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin gave the schools a framed proclamation to mark the anniversary and Kemp read the following clause from the document:
Whereas in celebration of its 225th anniversary the Scarsdale Union Free School District (SUFSD) acknowledges that its proudest achievements have been the graduates’ contributions and the excellence made possible by a community, parents, children and teachers who share a common sense of purpose and a desire to achieve the uncommon; the SUFSD has encouraged young people to make a positive difference and more than most has been able to realize the promise of providing an exemplary education in the liberal arts tradition.
With that, Kemp asked everyone to make a school-related birthday wish and the birthday candles were lit. Accompanied by the orchestra, the group sang Happy Birthday to Scarsdale.
The Scarsdale Schools celebrated 225 years of excellence in education at a reception in the SHS Commons on Tuesday evening May fourth. Guests included an illustrious list of those who have contributed to the community, including present and former members of the Board of Education, Village Trustees, administrators, school principals, department heads, teachers and the leadership of the PTA’s and PT Council.
School Superintendant Michael McGill told the group that Scarsdale has been nationally recognized for years and though these are difficult times for higher education Scarsdale offers an exemplary education to its students. He had recently met with a group of graduating seniors to assess what they valued most from their Scarsdale education and shared the results with the attendees. Here are the students top nine: