Scarsdale Alternative School Celebrates Graduating Seniors
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- Written by Megan Shelton
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It's that time of year again: graduation season! The most recent news is the graduation at the Scarsdale High School Alternative School, also known as the "A-School" that took place on Friday June 20.
The A-School is a branch of the Scarsdale High School that is run in a separate building behind the school on Wayside Lane. Students are selected for the school via a lottery process. Primary differences between the "A-School" and the main school are that at the Alternative School, students receive written evaluations instead of report cards; most classes are taken with other students in the A-School; and in January, A-School classes are suspended so that ASchool students can focus on their internship.
Much thought and time goes into the preparation for the A-School graduation. All the 
students in the ASchool including the seniors buy flowers together the morning of the graduation. In the early afternoon, all the A-School students with the exception of the seniors decorate the exterior of the A-School with the flowers, stapling them along the banisters and rims of the roof. Before the graduation ceremony, every sophomore and junior pair up (either sophomore with sophomore, junior with junior, or sophomore with junior), pick a senior, and buy a present for that senior. At the actual graduation ceremony, the A-School teachers give a personalized speech about each senior in their core group. In these speeches, the teachers reflect on the seniors both as students and as people, and discuss each student's future plans. After each individual speech, the underclassmen pairings then give their presents to the seniors. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduation attendees are welcomed inside the A-School for refreshments.
This year, the graduation began with a welcome speech from graduating senior Lewis Gottlieb, who was the Master of Ceremonies for this graduation. For the duration of the ceremony, Lewis - introduced each new speaker. A-School director Howard Rodstein gave another welcoming speech, thanking A-School teachers Jeanne Cooper, Jim Williams, Jen Maxwell, and Sheilah Chason, as well as the dean for the ASchool Oren Iosepovici, his secretary, Louise Ciffone, and finally, the A-School PTA heads for all of their hard work and dedication.
Next, Principal Kenneth Bonamo challenged the graduating seniors to "retain [their] spirit of advocacy and intellectual wrestling, and to use those skills to engage with materials that truly interest [them], and that finally [they] combine [their] spirits and skills to do something that benefits our society as a whole."
Lewis called up each ASchool advisor to speak about the seniors in his or her core group. The first advisor Jeanne Cooper gave speeches about Ethan Blitstein, Evan Dweck, Annie Gevertz, Rebecca Primoff, Danielle Schwartz, Dewan Thenmalai, and Casey Vinder. She awarded Ethan Blitstein with the honor of having one of the three best senior projects for this year's graduating seniors. Of Ethan, Jeanne said: "Ethan is a welcoming, reflective student, who welcomes feedback and learns especially well from handson engagement." Dewan Thenmalai was also a winner of an award: a Tony. This award is named for former ASchool director Tony Aranello and it is the "highest honor awarded by the A-School". Jeanne noted that Dewan "is a person of so many skills and interests, that he resembles an infinitely faceted geometric figure that I don't know the name of, but he probably does."
Advisor Jen Maxwell, spoke about seniors Marc Hersch, Kate Howard, Sam Kaplan, Niels Marianger, and Chelsea Shemesh. She was excited to award Marc Hersch the second and final winner of a Tony award. "Someday, I hope I will grow up to be as thoughtful, responsible, and mature as Marc Hersch is now. Or even as he was last year," Jen said, introducing Marc to the crowd. She also awarded Niels Marianger an award for best senior project. Now, both Ethan and Niels will have their names on a plaque in the ASchool forever.
Howard Rodstein addressed Eric Berman, Julia Cotter, Sean Keith, Yuki Sekine, and 
Ori Zaff. About Eric Berman he said, "What is strange or possibly wrong about this picture: a leader on the varsity football team goes home and listens to the music of Dvorak, Tchaikovsky...that same person a composer of dubstep and all things techno becomes a devoted fan of the writing and thinking of Ralph Waldo Emerson...? That same person who and how can I say this delicately did not always hand in his work on time, begins to write articles to deadline for the Scarsdale Inquirer during his January internship." Rodstein also thanked Chemistry and Physics teacher Jim Williams who after six years, will leave the A-School to work exclusively with the science department at the main high school.
Jim himself then took the stand, saying kind things about Hannah Cooperman, Lewis Gottlieb, Matt Katz, Olivia Romano, and Jessica Simon. Jim's speeches were funny and lighthearted, but it was obvious that he truly cared for these students. Speaking about Lewis Gottlieb jim said, "I would just like to start out by saying how much Lewis Gottlieb has grown as a person and as a member of the Scarsdale Alternative School. He has changed from -"'a wee little sophomore cradled in your arms' to a young man that has demonstrated his ability to think and evaluate situations and to think and respond with critical analysis and evaluations of the situation".
Last, advisor Sheilah Chason gave touching remarks about Josh Annex, Chelsea Berk, Madison Hirsch, Eli Nobler, and Dana Reegen. Before talking about Chelsea Berk, Sheilah started to tear up. She spoke so highly of her students, and it was very apparent that she really loved her graduating seniors.
Graduating senior Rebecca Primoff spoke of her experiences in the A-School and how it has impacted her. "In my sophomore year, I realized that the orientation video which first attracted me to the ASchool did not fully express the benefits of the A-School, because I've gained so much more than good relationships with teachers and reallife work experience. I really appreciate the camaraderie that our class has. In what other community would a big jock and a theater geek be able to have a heated discussion over the principles of democracy with no hard feelings?"
Of his years in the ASchool, March Hersch says: "I am indebted to my years in the ASchool for teaching me about my capacities and the expectations of myself in a community that enables me to hone in my passions. I thank the A-School for leading me and the countless other graduates to have realized the potential, and formed aspirations, about the communities we will make up. At the same time, we have developed our identities in a forum filled with support, friendship, and thrill."
Overall, the ceremony was beautiful, intimate, and inspiring. Many students who are not a part of the Alternative School came to watch their friends graduate. Standing in the back of the crowd, photographing the event, it was obvious that this class of seniors are kind and compassionate.
Congratulations to the 2014 class of the SHS Alternative School.
The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program – Sunday June 29th
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Explore four private gardens in Bedford Hills, New Rochelle, North Salem and South Salem, open to the public for self-guided tours on Sunday June 20th from 10 am to 4 pm. No reservations are required, the fee is just $5 per garden and the tours are on, rain or shine. Highlights include a formal vegetable garden, a dramatic terraced ravine garden, wildflower meadow paths, water elements, stonework, and a collection of mountain laurel.
Here are details about the four gardens on the tour:
Edeiken/Goldfinger Garden, 37 Rolling Way, New Rochelle, NY 10804
Owned by two artists, one a singer and the other a sculptor, their typical split-level house lies on one-third of an acre, and is backed by a very atypical ravine that is a rock cut of the former New York, Westchester & Boston Railway (1912-1937). Louise claimed the best sunny areas and designed magnificent mixed borders using perennials, small trees, shrubs, annuals, and bulbs to create gardens that are in bloom all season long. Many of her plants are grown from seeds. Eliot mostly got the shady areas, including the bottom of the ravine, an especially challenging wet, shady area. He built numerous dry-stacked stonewalls, terracing the slope in the ravine. With rocks from local cemeteries, he created banks on the intermittent stream running down the center of the ravine. Various paths were created from fieldstone, bluestone, slate, or gravel. His focus is on foliage color and texture.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $5
Warden Garden, 531 Bedford Center Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507
This garden of many facets includes perennial borders, three water gardens, a formal vegetable garden, wildflower garden, a fern garden, a marsh garden, a tree platform overlooking the marshlands, a woodland walk, a hidden garden, and a formal croquet court. The garden extends over seven acres, the back four acres of which are a study in what deer do not eat.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $5
Fish/Marquez ,74 Hemlock Road, South Salem, NY 10590
The garden consists of several garden rooms on different elevations. There are a considerable variety of boxwoods and other broadleaf evergreens, most notably mountain laurel. Water elements, stone work and a view of the Pound Ridge reservation are highlights.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $5
The Hen and the Hive, 9 June Road, North Salem, NY 10560
Starting from scratch, the eleven-year-old gardens have evolved to both ward off and take advantage of the ever-present white tailed deer. All gardens are organically cultivated featuring open flowerscapes, wildflower meadow paths, and woodlands. Only the vegetable and berry gardens are deer fenced and while we try to take advantage of deer-resistant plantings, they are interspersed with flowers that although favored by most herds, make it safely through the summer months. Incorporating seating areas, stone, and even a bit of water, one never knows what they will find on our productive four acres.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $5
For more information: See www.opendaysprogram.org or call The Garden Conservancy toll-free weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, 1-888-842-2442.
What a Day for a Parade
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Veterans of the American Legion Post 52 led the Memorial Day Parade on a sunny May 26 in Scarsdale Village. The Scarsdale High School Marching Band came out to serenade veterans, scouts, police, firefighters, emergency volunteers and even the Little League in a charming display of civic pride. The event opened with a ceremony at Boniface Circle led by former Mayor Miriam Flisser and members of the American Legion. A color guard displayed the flags and the parade began with some traveling on foot and others in golf carts, cars and emergency vehicles.
On hand were Mayor Bob Steves, SVAC President David Raizen, Trustee Deb Pekarek, former Village Trustee Jon Mark, Police Chief John Brogan, Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and a host of parents, children and most important, Scarsdale veterans. See the photos below:
TAP to Present Results of Buy Local Study
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Jane Veron and Lisa Tretler of The Acceleration Project (TAP) and the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce invite the community to a presentation of the results of TAP's Buy Local study on Monday, June 16, at 6:30 pm, at the Scarsdale Public Library.
TAP, in collaboration with the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce, initiated a Buy Local study to promote the vibrancy of Scarsdale retail hubs and the community overall.
Scarsdale small businesses have never before faced so many challenges to their vitality. Competition from the internet and national and regional chains have put significant pressure on local businesses. The Village has witnessed a rise in vacant storefronts, adversely impacting the community as a whole.
In response, TAP assembled a team of 19 consultants, industry experts and interns to develop recommendations to drive more customers to Scarsdale businesses, increasing loyalty and volume and to educate stakeholders on their role in enhancing the vibrancy of Scarsdale's retail hubs. With the support of Scarsdale resident, Carol Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Buzzback market research firm, TAP fielded a quantitative survey to assess consumer buying behavior and preferences and received overwhelming support, with 517 consumers responding. They also interviewed over 60 businesses and garnered 50 business survey responses to gauge business perceptions. In addition, they researched best practices, identifying 20 effective initiatives in other communities across the country and numerous examples locally. To date, the team has donated over 2000 professional hours to this project.
On June 16, they will share the details of their survey results as well as practical recommendations to promote the vibrancy of the retail hubs. They will also unveil the components of a Buy Local marketing campaign, including unique logo, tagline, and messaging.
This final presentation is relevant for all Scarsdale stakeholders: residents, business owners, community leaders, and government officials. Each plays an important part. Thriving commercial hubs elevate the success of the entire community and make Scarsdale an attractive place to live, work, eat, and shop. Help Scarsdale flourish by attending the presentation on Monday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Scarsdale Public Library.
Friends of Scarsdale Parks Spring Festival on June 8
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Friends of Scarsdale Parks (FOSP) will hold its annual Spring Festival and Heritage Tree Project on June 8th at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, from 2- 5pm on Sunday, June 8th. Included in the program will be a free lecture and native shrub giveaway to lecture attendees. The lecture will feature Deanna Curtis, Curator of Woody Plants at the New York Botanical Garden, who will offer advice on how to use native trees and shrubs in the home garden. A spring flowering tree or shrub will be raffled off to benefit the work of FOSP, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserve and beautify Scarsdale's parks and open space since 1956.
Mayor Steves has been invited to commemorate this year's Heritage Tree prior to the lecture with the reading of a proclamation for 3 stately Dawn Redwood trees on the grounds of the Library Pond. The program will also feature representatives from: Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Audubon Society, the Scarsdale High School Community Garden, the Native Plant Center of Westchester Community College and FOSP. Starting at 2:15 pm there will also be a "ponding" presentation for children of all ages given by Duncan Wilson, the principal of the Fox Meadow elementary school. Cornell Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer practical gardening advice, and the High School Garden Club will hold a plant sale. The Scarsdale Forum is co-sponsoring the event.
